Tamtam Performs at Kimpton KAFD Riyadh

A Night Where Sound Met Style

In a luminous evening at Kimpton KAFD Riyadh, Saudi singer-songwriter Tamtam took the stage to celebrate the release of her latest album Ma’asalama Side B. The hotel that welcomed her is itself a signal of new beginnings, the first Kimpton in the Middle East and the first lifestyle hotel in the heart of KAFD.

Bridging worlds through music

Tamtam grew up in Saudi Arabia and now works between Riyadh and Los Angeles, positioning herself at the intersection of cultures, languages and sound. Her music weaves Arabic and English, pop and poetry, identity and emotion always grounded in her values of empowerment and creative freedom.

For MA’asalama Side B, she invited listeners into a space where goodbye carries many resonances not just a parting but transformation. Her rich voice and evocative lyrics build on past works while charting new, intimate terrain. Audiences at the Kimpton event savoured the live debut in a hotel lounge that felt at once private and vivid.

Kimpton KAFD: A statement of place

Kimpton KAFD Riyadh arrived as a milestone for the region. With 212 rooms, four unique dining venues, an outdoor pool deck and event spaces crafted with personality, the hotel marks Kimpton’s first foray into the Middle East. Situated in the King Abdullah Financial District, the hotel anchors Riyadh’s vision for blended resort-style luxury and urban lifestyle.

Choosing this venue for Tamtam’s album launch was a considered move. The space mirrors her artistic mission: design-forward, cross-cultural, and unafraid to tell a story. The atmosphere of the evening, gleaming yet relaxed, intimate yet grand, made the hotel feel like a curated universe rather than a simple backdrop.

The performance and the moment

As Tamtam emerged on stage, the lounge dimmed and turned into an amphitheatre of mood and presence. Her set included tracks from the new album alongside signature songs that have defined her journey. With lighting that cast soft silhouettes, and an audience close enough to feel the impact of each lyric, the room felt electric with purpose.

She spoke to her audience between songs about what MA’asalama Side B means to her: a reflection, a farewell, a promise of what comes next. And in this hotel venue, surrounded by luxury hospitality, the moment felt timely. Her music touched on heritage and modernity; her stage presence was grounded yet expansive.

Why this matters

For Tamtam, the performance signalled more than an album launch. It was a statement of identity: Saudi, global, unbound. For Kimpton KAFD Riyadh, hosting the event underscored its role as more than accommodation. It is a destination for culture, creativity and community.

In Riyadh’s fast-evolving creative ecosystem, moments like this map a convergence between hospitality, lifestyle and artistic expression. A luxury hotel opens its doors to music that speaks across borders. An artist reclaims a narrative built on cross-cultural language. The city watches, listens and welcomes both.

The takeaway

The night closed with applause that lingered not so much for a single song but for a shared experience. Tamtam and Kimpton KAFD Riyadh continue to define what modern luxury and artistic voice look like in this moment. The album still has journeys ahead. The hotel still has stories to anchor. And the Kingdom continues to build the spaces where both can meet.