ON THE SLY was commissioned by 555 Live Experience to act as Music Directors for the Opening Parade of Riyadh Season 2025, delivered in collaboration with General Entertainment Authority (GEA) and Sela.Rather than a single opening moment in a fixed venue, the Riyadh Season Opening Parade unfolded across 1.7 kilometres of city streets, turning central Riyadh into a live performance environment. Watched by more than 40,000 people and brought to life by a cast and crew of over 1,500 performers, the parade ran for ninety minutes, requiring music that could sustain energy, clarity and impact across a constantly moving route.

Music Direction for a Moving City

Working as part of the wider creative leadership team, we composed, produced and sound-designed 14 distinct musical themes, each created specifically for individual acts, floats and performance groups. From giant helium balloon processions and large-scale choreography to playful, surreal parade moments, every piece of music was tailored to support the tone, pace and character of its section of the show.Unlike a linear score written for a seated audience, the music needed to function within an open, public environment. Each composition was therefore designed to be seamlessly loopable, allowing the soundtrack to move with the parade and remain effective whether audiences encountered a single moment or followed the procession along its full length.

Culture, Energy and Atmosphere

Music played a central role in giving the parade cohesion and momentum as it travelled through the city, helping to connect a wide range of performance styles, visual languages and cultural references. The focus was on immediacy and clarity, ensuring the music could cut through the scale of the environment while remaining accessible and engaging.Our approach balanced contemporary energy with cultural awareness, creating hybrid musical identities that felt rooted in place while maintaining a world-class production standard. Each theme was crafted to be instantly readable, supporting performers and visuals without overwhelming them, and helping audiences connect with each moment as it passed.

A Collaborative Vision

Produced by 555 Live Experience in partnership with Sela, the Opening Parade was a major moment in the Kingdom’s cultural calendar, reflecting the collaborative ambition underpinning Saudi Vision 2030. Alongside international creatives, the project brought Saudi talent into key creative and performance roles, supporting long-term skills development and knowledge exchange.For ON THE SLY, the project stands as a clear example of music direction at city scale. Not simply underscoring spectacle, but helping to define the rhythm, atmosphere and identity of one of the Middle East’s most ambitious live public events.