Avantgarde X: How Saoud AlSharief is making Saudi a destination for underground house heads

If there’s one name redefining the underground music scene in Saudi Arabia, turning it into a true destination for house heads in the region, it’s Saoud AlSharief’s. As the mastermind behind Avantgarde X, along with co-founder Renad Omar, Saoud has been turning Saudi into an unexpected hot spot for house music fiends since 2021. In just three years, Avantgarde X has become a movement, curating top-tier gatherings that have pulled in influential DJs and collectives from across the globe, slotting Saudi firmly into the map of underground music’s most electric destinations. 

What’s intriguing about Saoud ’s message isn’t just the parties themselves—which, we’ve heard, are sick—but his talent for catalysing connections. He’s bridging the Saudi music scene with the wider SWANA region, collaborating with promoters across countries, and taking the party on the road—most notably, a two-day event in Cairo that party-goers are still buzzing about. This cross-cultural exchange transforms Saudi into a dynamic nexus where local artists find themselves in the right spades with international acts.“Our passion is to introduce something different than our scene and community haven’t experienced before,” Saoud explains to Dazed MENA. “It’s to introduce the new up-and-coming talents within our platform.”

While many might obsess over headliners, Saoud has always been more interested in cultivating an environment where the underground thrives. He’s all about recharging Saudi Arabia’s landscape with eclectic influence, and Avantgarde X—with its vast swath of collaborations—has become the vessel through which he channels this vision. The series is now a breeding ground for the next generation of Saudi DJs and creatives, providing them the space to sharpen their craft alongside seasoned industry players. 

One of Avantgarde X’s standout moments was their showcase with Yoyaku in Bahrain. This event was a launchpad for Saudi talent to perform alongside heavyweights from the French electronic scene. It offered a taste of what it means to be part of a globally recognised label. Beyond the benefit of exposure, this planted the idea that Saudi talent belongs on that global stage. And the momentum hasn’t slowed down. Saoud ’s partnerships with local promoters like Vague have brought myriad house, and techno sounds to Saudi for the first time, shattering preconceived notions of what nightlife in the kingdom could be.

If there’s one thing Saoud doesn’t do, it’s shy away from ambition. His vision for Avantgarde X is big—aiming to expand beyond the MENA region. Projects like XP Music Futures 2024 collaboration with Roof Agency signal that Avantgarde X is just getting started. When considering talent and its potential, our attention often gravitates toward the artists, overlooking the crucial role of those bridging the gap between these talents and global recognition. It’s the curators, connectors, and visionaries who craft the platforms where artists can indeed be seen, heard and celebrated. Saoud is one of those pivotal figures, with Avantgarde X shaping the trajectory of creative culture in Saudi today.