Art & Culture
‘C’est La Vie is about love, freedom – people want to live and express joy’ –Gamers8: The Land of Heroes Week 5 Concerts
“On va s’aimer, on va danser/C’est la vie, la la la la la!!” Cheb Khaled had the crowd chanting his hit tune long after he departed the 12,000-capacity sold out Week 5 concert at Gamers8 on Friday night. Asked afterwards how it felt to hear the crowd sing ‘C’est La Vie’ with such energy and excitement, the Algerian superstar replied: “My feeling is exactly that – C’est La Vie, that’s life! It’s happiness, joy, people having a good time, and good energy! The song is about love, about freedom – people want to live and express joy. I’m very happy to be here in Riyadh. Every time I get the chance to perform in the Kingdom, I take it, and every year the crowd is getting bigger. The energy of the crowd tonight was beyond all my expectations.”
Cheb Khaled was joined on stage at Riyadh Boulevard City by Moroccan singer Ahmed Chawki, who said afterwards of his debut performance in Saudi Arabia: “I am very happy to be here in Saudi with the legend Cheb Khaled – it’s a dream come true. I have no words to express how surreal this feels. I grew up listening to Khaled, and in the blink of an eye I found myself on stage with him. His voice is super, out of this world, so for him to call me and tell me he wants me to perform with him is a dream. We have a new song out called Diamantes y Oro. I’m so proud to be here with him and with you all.”
“Riyadh! Thank you so much, I love you.” DJ Snake, who famously recorded and produced ‘Let Me Love You’ with Justin Bieber, closed Week 5 concerts at Gamers8: The Land of Heroes, the biggest gaming and esports festival worldwide, with an absolute summer sensation of a set. His epic remix of Gala’s classic ‘Freed From Desire’ in particular went down an absolute storm – “Na-na-na-na-na, na-na, na-na-na, na-na-na”. As, of course, did ‘Let Me Love You’, which helped finalize a display that also featured brand-new music created especially for the Riyadh crowd.
“Wasa3 Wasa3!”, roared the 12,000-capacity sell-out Gamers8 crowd on Friday night, as Egyptian star Ahmed Saad nearly took the roof off with his incredible offering. After the gig, he said: “I loved the performance at Gamers8 and I love this country. I love the people of Saudi Arabia. They love to be entertained and they show a lot of love.” On hit favorite ‘Wasa3 Wasa3’, Ahmed Saad revealed: “I love this song, it’s my favorite song.”
Omar Bassad debuted at Gamers8 and spoke of his delight at opening the Week 5 Concerts at Boulevard Riyadh City on Friday night. The Jeddah-born DJ said: “What the country is doing for esports, music and electronic music is exciting. I like to see people having fun and like that the crowd are learning more about Gamers8 and Saudi – it’s my country and I’ll do anything for my country. I would like everyone to spread the message of love.”