The pyramids heard it too…
The world’s oldest wonders have heard their fair share of musical history, from timeless melodies to bone-rattling basslines. From classical legends to techno masterminds and pop sensations, The Pyramids of Giza have seen it all, and it’s hard not to think back to the moments when artists from around the world made the sands tremble with sound.
Recently, however, the Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights (ECESR) filed a lawsuit seeking to halt raves and major festivals at the Great Pyramids. The legal action, submitted on behalf of Egyptologist Monica Hanna and two other plaintiffs, targets Egypt’s tourism minister, the head of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, and the Giza governor. The group argues that high-powered sound systems and laser rigs used at such events could endanger the structural integrity of the 4,500-year-old monuments, violating both national heritage laws and UNESCO World Heritage protections. According to the ECESR, vibrations from bass-heavy audio and unregulated lighting setups pose “a grave danger to the safety of the Pyramids and their historic setting.”
The lawsuit follows a string of recent high-profile electronic performances at the site, including Anyma’s October 10th show, and arrives just ahead of plans by the founder of EXIT Festival to stage the first-ever multi-day, multi-stage festival at Giza in 2026.
Over 4,500 years ago, Egyptian laborers built the Pyramids of Giza. The people who forged these sacred monuments and tombs for their pharaohs were visionaries of their time, but they could never have imagined that thousands of years later, the site they created would host 15,000 people gathered to hear just as many genres of music. It’s a thought that makes us look back at the long, remarkable history of sound that’s echoed around the Pyramids. Here’s a look at some of the most unforgettable performances by iconic superstars who’ve left their mark on this timeless stage.
Louis Armstrong, 1961
The famous photograph that constantly resurfaces on the internet shows jazz legend Louis Armstrong playing his trumpet against the backdrop of the Pyramids of Giza in 1961, when he performed a private, impromptu concert for his wife, Lucille.
Armstrong’s trip to Egypt took place at the tail end of a State Department sponsored tour of Africa that began in October 1960. Early on in the tour, Armstrong’s mere presence in Leopoldville stopped a Civil War. After his long tour in November with nonstop tours, Armstrong headed to Paris, where he spent the entire month of December filming the musical romantic drama Paris Blues. Then he went back to Africa, where he toured around Africa, which concluded with his visit to Egypt on January 27.
The very next day, January 28, Louis and Lucille wine and dined at Ambassador’Reinhardt’s Reception, followed by a tourist viewing of the Great Sphinx of Giza by the renowned Egyptian archaeologist Kamal el-Mallakh, where this and several other photos were then captured. At some point in the day, Armstrong stopped off at an orphanage to play for the children of Cairo. After that, Louis had to get ready for his concert before departing Egypt the next morning for Nice, France, officially ending his grueling State Department tour.
Frank Sinatra (1979)
Sinatra performed a classic set on September 27, 1979, which included “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” and “Strangers in the Night.”
The US press sent some journalists to document the event, and it was reported that Sinatra was his usual charming self on stage, even cracking a few jokes. According to The Washington Post, during the performance, Sinatra expressed his amazement about the Pyramids behind him and made a quip about his Italian heritage.
The Grateful Dead (1978)
In 1978, The Grateful Dead played at the majestic site after their manager Richard Loren was inspired by an Egyptian holiday. They performed back-to-back concerts and the show was later released as a DVD and double CD titled “Rocking the Cradle: Egypt 1978” in 1998.
Julio Iglesias (1980 & 2010)
The Spanish singer-songwriter Julio Iglesias performed at the Pyramids twice, first in the 1980s and then 30 years later in 2010, with both concerts drawing large crowds. During his 2010 concert, Iglesias played his greatest hits, including “To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before” and “Hey.”
Jean-Michel Jarre (1999)
As a Unesco ambassador, Jarre gave a spectacular New Year’s Eve concert in December 1999 to welcome the new millennium. With over 1,000 performers and artists, the concert had visual elements from Egyptian mythology and was televised live. It was later released on DVD as “12 Dreams of the Sun.”
Sting (2001)
Aside from Egyptian singer Hakim bursting onto the stage complaining he had been snubbed by the organisers because he missed his set time interrupting the British musician, actor, songwriter, and former frontman, principal songwriter and bassist for the rock band The Police, Sting threw a concert marrying throbbing Arab rhythms with the power of Western rock and the floodlit Sphinx and the Pyramids as a backdrop. There, the rockstar also performed his song with Algerian Rai musician Cheb Mami, ‘ Desert Rose’, just two hours before midnight.
Andrea Bocelli (2003 & 2010)
The Guinness World Record for holding the top three spots on the US Classical Albums charts simultaneously , Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli performed at the Pyramids twice, once in 2003 and again in 2010, Bocelli delivered emotional and phenomenal concertos that showcased his signature operatic style.
Shakira (2007)
Thought have seen a lot of setbacks from traffic and oragnization the moment Colombian-Lebanese starlet Shakira stepped on stage and said ‘“Hello Egypt masa’el kheir’ till she pulls out a harmonica, showing how she can she sing, dance, and play guitar, but also the harmonica, almost all at the same time have seen with more than 100,000 attendees, marking the highest concert attendance in the history of Egypt at the time.
Kylie Minogue, 2010
The addictive, iconic, and endlessly catchy “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” remains one of the defining tracks of the millennium era by Australian singer and songwriter, Kylie Minogue, who graced her fans in front of the Pyramids for the 10th anniversary of Enigma magazine in 2010.
Mariah Carey (2010)
Aside from an electrical fire that broke out on stage, which Mariah Carey herself had to put out, later tweeting, “In Egypt getting ready to go on stage and suddenly there was a surge of power and an electrical fire started under my feet! ***?!”.
The pop icon made history as one of the first Western female stars to perform at the Pyramids, drawing a crowd of 30,000 against the ancient backdrop, performing a range of songs, from “Dream Lover” and “Emotions” to the epic ballad “Hero,” and lived up to the occasion.
Armin van Buuren (2017)
In 2017, the Pyramids of Giza saw the advent of electronic dance music with a performance by a renowned Dutch DJ. The show featured a stunning light and laser display and is considered a landmark event for the genre.
Red Hot Chili Peppers (2019)
In 2019, the US funk rock band toured without an album to promote. Their live-streamed concert reflected their chill attitude, featuring classic hits, deep album cuts, and extended jam sessions. The concert included highlights such as “Dani California,” “Californication,” and “Under the Bridge,” and also paid tribute to their surroundings with a cover of Radiohead’s “Pyramid Song.”
Black Eyed Peas (2021)
During the concert held after the pandemic, the Black Eyed Peas brought joy with their enthusiastic blend of hip-hop and pop. They kicked off the show with “Let’s Get It Started” and performed a range of hits, including “Boom Boom Pow,” “Pump It,” and the epic finale “Where is the Love?”
Maroon 5 (2022)
According to Maroon 5 keyboardist PJ Morton, performing in front of the Pyramids was a superior experience to headlining the 2019 Super Bowl halftime show. The pop group played a 19-song concert, starting with “Moves Like Jagger” and “This Love,” and keeping the sold-out crowd engaged with hits like “Harder to Breathe” and “Memories.” The concert ended with “She Will Be Loved” and “Sugar.”
The Pyramids have witnessed legendary performances by some of the biggest names in music, infusing this historic site with the rhythms of music and creating unforgettable experiences that continue to captivate audiences to this day.
Russ (2022)
Multi-platinum Atlanta-based rapper Russ’s second visit to the pyramids saw a live performance at the Pyramids in October 2022 as part of his world tour ‘The Journey Is Everything’.
Carl Cox (2023)
Renowned world-famous DJ Carl Cox aka the King of Ibiza, veteran of acid house, a champion of techno, a dance music pioneer and three-deck wizard Carl Cox performed a house and techno set at the Great Pyramids of Giza on the 19th of May, 2023, alongside musical ambassador Philipp Straub and Gawdat.
Metro Boomin (2024)
The three pyramids echoed the iconic rhythm “Young Metro Young Metro Young Metro” producer tag as one of the most influential producers in contemporary hip-hop and trap music, Metro Boomin took the stage, acclaimed for his dark and cinematic production style, he is regarded as one of the most influential producers in contemporary hip-hop and trap music.
Anyma (2025)
Being the biggest electronic show ever held at the site, Anyma joined the growing list of artists to perform at the last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World. The event marked a historic moment as the Italian-American producer delivered his first-ever two-part performance, split between two stages: a Quantum DJ set and The End of Genesys, a cutting-edge audiovisual show pushing the limits of live performance and imagination.
Building the largest LED screen ever constructed in Egypt, right in the middle of the desert, the production, light mapping, and programming were executed with world-class precision, blending seamlessly with the pyramids’ monumental backdrop. Critics worried that the pounding bass and massive crowds could put the ancient pyramids at risk. Concerns ranged from vibrations shaking the fragile stones to dust, litter, and pollution threatening this protected archaeological wonder
Amid growing concerns over large-scale performances at the site, more global acts are still set to take the stage at the Pyramids. Adding to the roster of world-class legends who’ve made the ancient sands tremble with their sound, the next name joining this historic lineup is one that helped shape EDM itself.
Tiesto (2025)
A pioneer of progressive house and high-energy anthems, Dutch DJ and record producer Tiësto is set to perform against the backdrop of the ancient Pyramids of Giza on December 19th. Presented by P+US, this historic performance promises to fuse movement, light, and sound into a powerful atmosphere where every beat reverberates across the desert night. With a legacy spanning decades and a reputation for electrifying stages around the world, Tiësto now brings his unstoppable energy to one of the most iconic venues on Earth.
This isn’t Tiësto’s first planned performance at the pyramids. The artist was previously slated to headline the Cairo edition of Kygo’s Palm Tree Festival in 2023, which was ultimately cancelled. His newly confirmed set marks a long-awaited realization of that moment one that has already sparked conversation amid growing scrutiny around large-scale music events at Egypt’s ancient landmarks.
Tickets for Tiësto’s performance at the Great Pyramids of Giza are now on sale on ticketEgypt.
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