In Saudi Arabia, all-women rock band jams it out

RIYADH: Leaning into the microphone in Saudi Arabia's capital, Nora let loose a primal scream. Guitars wailed and drums throbbed as part of a set with her bandmates at a recent show.

The performance by Seera, an all-women psychedelic rock band that blends traditional Arabic melodies with psychedelia, would have been unthinkable years earlier.

But as Saudi Arabia liberalises some aspects of its society, Seera represents the way women now are finding their voice.


"We didn't know how people would react," said Meesh, the bassist, who like other members asked to be identified by their stage names. The band's name means "life" or "biography" in Arabic.

Seera's music style revolves around the life experiences of the four-member band. They are quick to point out they aren't the first female band in the kingdom and said they plan to release their debut album later this year. They've also booked their first international concert in Dubai.