Show is over: Saudi Arabia shuts down music lounges in Riyadh, Jeddah after conservative backlash; cites health, hygiene code

Performers at Riyadh’s WM Lounge (WM Lounge/Instagram)

Saudi Arabia has launched a massive crackdown on music lounges as at least two dozen venues in Riyadh and Jeddah have been shut down in recent weeks. Financial Times reported that the officials have cited reasons like “serious violations” to public health and hygiene codes behind shutting down these music lounges, but the real reason might be a conservative backlash getting its claws back in Saudi Arabia. Falah al-Masrede, a conservative singer, complained of one lounge near his apartment in eastern Riyadh in a viral Snapchat video last month. He said he was tired that his voice was not being heard when he went to the police who sent him to the municipality concerned. “Look at these women going into the lounge, just across the street from men’s houses in a residential neighbourhood,” he said in the video. “I went to the police, they sent me to municipality. I went to the municipality, they sent me to the oversight authority,” he said. “I want my voice to be heard. I’m tired.”Before the ascent of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who stripped the religious police of its powers in 2016, shisha cafes were not allowed in populated areas. But MBS was synonymous to a liberal phase that dawned upon Saudi Arabia with the kingdom opening its arms to concerts, sports, competitions and even raves. Riyadh Boulevard was built, housing a complex of restaurants, music halls and other attractions. While alcohol is still banned in the kingdom, smoking is allowed in these music lounges. Some families even bring their children to these lounges.

Crackdown on immoral acts amid social reforms

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior set up a new unit, tasked with a crackdown on immoral acts. The unit arrested dozens of suspects for crimes such as prostitution and begging. This triggered speculations that the authorities were, in fact, reviving the religious police. The closing down of some lounges appears to be a balance between the demands of Saudi society to open up and the diktat of the conservatives. “In closing down some lounges, authorities appear to be seeking to strike a balance between continuing to open up — which is seen as essential for economic growth — and dealing with the tensions and unintended consequences of such changes,” FT noted.