Nancy Ajram, Marshmello and Black Eyed Peas to perform at Saudi Arabia's Gamers8 festival

The eight-week event will feature lots of music concerts and some of the world's leading esports teams competing for a share of $15 million

Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram will team up with Marshmello for a performace at Saudi Arabia's Gamers8 esports festival in Riyadh. AFP

Nancy Ajram and Marshmello join the list of musicians who will perform as part of Gamers8 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The esports festival announced a dozen artists to play weekly concerts in Boulevard Riyadh from July 14.

While Lebanese pop star Ajram and EDM producer Marshmello will perform their own sets on August 11, expect them to team up on stage to perform their single Sah Sah, which is out on Friday.

Ajram teased the announcement on social media last week, posting a picture with Marshmello in a recording studio on Instagram.

Also taking the stage are an array of regional and international artists spanning Arabic pop, electronic music and hip-hop.

On July 21, Swedish DJ Axwell, Emirati-Yemeni singer Balqees and Egypt’s Mohamed Hamaki take the stage.

July 28 will feature a solo performance by rapper Lil Pump.

Moroccan DJ and producer R3hab will play on August 4, while rapper Russ leads a bill that will include DJ Alan Walker and Egypt electronic act Disco Masr on August 18.

After impressing crowds at Expo 2020 Dubai last year and the Saudi F1 Grand Prix in Jeddah in February, the Black Eyed Peas will return to the region to perform on August 25 alongside DJ Snake.

The latest news follows Gamers8's announcement of a blockbuster opening night's concert on July 14, featuring pop stars Balvin and Amr Diab, as well DJs Sebastian Ingrosso from Swedish House Mafia and Salvatore Ganacci.

Tickets for the concerts are now available from the official website, with entry to the opening night concert starting from 299 Saudi riyals (Dh293), while others starting from SAR 240.

The festival will end on September 8, but expect more big-name music acts to be announced soon.

Gamers8, running with the theme Your Portal to the Next World, is described as “the biggest esports and gaming event worldwide”, where tournaments are played alongside entertainment and cultural offerings.

According to its organiser, the Saudi Esports Federation, more than 1,000 activities, from concerts to comedy and magic shows, are part of the programme.

On the sporting front, Gamers8 invites some of the world’s best players and teams to compete across popular titles, such as Rocket League, Dota 2, Fortnite, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege and PUBG Mobile.

The total prize pool on offer is $15 million, one of the biggest in any esports competition.

The tournaments will be broadcast live on the festival’s social media channels in more than eight languages, including Arabic and English.

“The opening ceremony of Gamers8 will be a spectacular occasion, befitting a city of the imagination and ambition of Riyadh,” said Ahmed Al Bishri, chief operations officer of the Saudi Esports Federation.

“The goal of Gamers8 is to bring the virtual world of esports and gaming out into the physical realm of Riyadh while merging a plethora of other fun and futuristic events and attractions.

“We look forward to revealing even more artists of the quality of the opening night as the summer progresses — so watch this space.”

Nancy Ajram's fashion evolution in 31 pictures: how the Queen of Arab Pop's style matured — in pictures

Nancy Ajram wears a black turtleneck and denim shirt during a TV appearance in Beirut on December 5, 2001. AFP

Performing in a black dress with lace detail after receiving her 2003 Murrex D'or award in Jounieh on November 29, 2003. AFP

The singer in a black shirt and jacket with fishnet tights after a press conference in Kuwait on February 2, 2004. EPA

In a white halter neck dress at the Arabic Music Awards in Dubai on May 15, 2004. EPA

The singer wears an orange floral dress while performing at the Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts in Jordan on July 28, 2004. AFP

Sporting a leather shearling jacket and jeans during a tsunami benefit concert at Biel in Beirut, Lebanon on February 1, 2005. EPA

In a black top and skirt while performing at Al-Behira Theatre in Al-Qarm Garden, Muscat, Oman on January 26, 2006. EPA

Pretty in a pink top and high-waisted trousers while visiting the Dunniyeh mountains of northern Lebanon on June 26, 2006. AFP

In a delicate green and orange dress at a concert in Manama, Bahrain on May 18, 2006. EPA

This yellow gown is her performance outfit at a Manama concert on January 2, 2007. EPA

Striking in a leopard print gown while performing in Cairo, Egypt on July 24, 2007. EPA

In a cream gown at Jumeirah Mina A'Salam, Dubai on October 12, 2007. AFP

Classic white shirt with jeans and a statement metallic belt on the set of the 'Moshta'aa Leek' video in Beirut, Lebanon on November 6, 2007. EPA

The singer goes casual in jeans and a grey top to perform in Muscat, Oman on December 3, 2007. EPA

In a bright red strapless dress, Nancy Ajram holds up the Kuwaiti flag while performing in Kuwait on February 29, 2008. EPA

In a black gown at the Big Ball gala in Dubai, UAE, on June 1, 2008. EPA

Making an entrance in a silver sequinned gown at the World Music Awards 2008 in Monaco on November 9, 2008. Getty Images

Sleek in a black velvet sequinned gown at the Miss Lebanon 2009 contest in Adma, north of Beirut, Lebanon on June 26, 2009. EPA

A purple dress for another performance at the Miss Lebanon 2009 contest on June 26, 2009. EPA

In a draped one-shoulder grey gown at the Zouk Mikael International Festival, Lebanon on July 31, 2009. EPA

Going fashionably green at the 15th Cairo Festival for Arab Media on November 15, 2009. EPA

Quite the picture in a white satin dress with bow detailing, to promote her album 'Nancy 7' in Beirut, Lebanon on December 13, 2010. EPA

Classic LBD with sheer tights for the Elie Saab show at Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week on January 26, 2011. Getty Images

Cheerful in a cream blouse and red trousers for an appearance at Mall of the Emirates, Dubai on October 9, 2013. Antonie Robertson / The National

Statuesque in a white Grecian gown for the World Music Awards at Sporting Monte-Carlo, Monaco, on May 27, 2014. Getty Images

Performing in a panelled black gown during the 50th International Festival of Carthage in Tunis, Tunisia on August 12, 2014. EPA

The singer in a cream gown during the DSF 20th anniversary celebrations in Dubai on January 10, 2015. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

Peppy in a black dress with silver polka dots at Live Achrafieh Music Festival in Beirut, Lebanon on June 17, 2017. EPA

A deep red gown with floral detailing is her stage outfit at the International Festival of Carthage in Tunis, Tunisia on August 9, 2017. EPA

Striking in a sequinned gown at the 2019 Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts in Jordan on July 20, 2019. EPA

Nancy Ajram performs in a sequinned dress and fur coat at the German University in Cairo, Egypt on December 14, 2019. EPA