As part of its efforts to boost the country's entertainment sector, Saudi Arabia is set to host its first official DJ party, featuring none other than the world-famous Armin van Buuren.
According to media reports, King Abdullah Economic City in the Mecca Province will host the Dutch DJ and record producer on June 17. Saudi authorities have not yet officially announced or confirmed the news.
According to >Arabian Business, the event is backed by the kingdom's General Entertainment Authority and organized by >Brackets, an event-planning agency.
The gig has not yet been listed among Van Buuren's tour dates on his official website, but he is not yet slated for any other event on June 17.
The details of the concert are yet to be revealed, particularly when it comes to regulations imposed on attendees. Whether female members of society will attend the event and whether people will be >allowed to dance is still in question.
Social media users have expressed concerns over such conditions, especially since earlier this month, Saudi authorities >announced that dancing will be strictly prohibited during Egyptian singer Tamer Hosny's upcoming concert in the kingdom.
The conservative kingdom has been shaking up its music scene
Over the past year, Saudi Arabia has hosted several events as part of its plans to promote and grow the entertainment industry. These efforts come in line with Vision 2030 that aims to diversify the country's economy.
In the first two months of 2017, Riyadh and Jeddah >hosted two major concerts that were considered the first in the kingdom in seven years.
In April 2017, Riyadh held a >concert by a Japanese classical orchestra. The concert not only featured a mixed-gender orchestra and a female lead singer, but it was also attended by a mixed-gender audience.
Earlier this year, the kingdom's entertainment authority >announced it has over 5,000 entertainment and cultural events lined up for 2018, adding that it plans to invest $64 billion in the entertainment sector within the next decade.