Saudi’s Dance Music Scene Explained: Dish Dash
Show notes
In this episode of Can You Put Me On Guestlist?, Katie Knight sits down with 1 half of Saudi DJ and producer duo Dish Dash for a candid deep dive into the rise of Saudi Arabia’s dance music scene, from illegal underground parties and secret no-phone raves to major festivals and a booming new ecosystem.
Dish Dash share what it was really like DJing when public events weren’t possible, how they threw private parties in a “grey area,” and the surreal moment they first played in Saudi for only 20 minutes on stage. They also unpack how the audience has evolved fast, why festivals like MDLBEAST Soundstorm and XP Music Futures changed everything, and how local promoters now work together to grow a healthier scene.
We also get into:
-How Saudi’s underground scene grew long before it was public
-The first big “we made it” moments and what changed after 2017–2018
-Why the no-phones debate hits differently when you lived it
-How Saudi crowds went from “two genres” to real musical education
-The local promoter culture: group chats, aligned dates, and healthy competition
-Clubs, weekly parties, and the new club culture emerging in Saudi
-Guiding the next wave of Saudi DJs and producers
-Guest list chaos and the wildest guest list stories
-Their origin story: family support, music at home, and why they’re called Dish Dash
SPONSORS
Trackstack: The all-in-one platform for music creators - promos, demos, open label inboxes, and social-ready promo videos with Trackstack Showcase. Use code CUPMOG for 10% off for life: https://www.trackstack.app/
LabelWorx: Distribution, royalty management, promo tools, and insights built for dance music labels: https://labelworx.com/
Sounds Australia: Supporting Australian artists globally - thanks for hosting us in Amsterdam: https://soundsaustralia.com.au/
Wow Cacao: A refreshing drink made from rescued cacao pulp, packed with natural electrolytes and antioxidants.
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CONNECT
Follow Dish Dash: https://www.instagram.com/dishdash_music
Follow Katie Knight: https://www.instagram.com/katiehayknight
Follow Can You Put Me On Guestlist?: https://www.instagram.com/canuputmeonguestlist