MUSCAT: This Thursday evening, the cool breeze of Sur Al Hadid at Al Seeb Beach will carry a unique melody as the celebrated MK Band joins forces with soulful vocalist Jihad al Raisi for the performance at 7.45 pm as part of Muscat Nights 2026.
The concert marks a significant milestone for the MK Band, an Omani ensemble that has successfully carved out a niche in the regional music scene since its inception.
The story of MK Band is one of organic growth and friendship. "We formed the band in 2018," says Saud al Balushi, a founding member. What started as a group of friends jamming on Muttrah Beach "just for fun" quickly evolved into a professional career.
Their big break came from a chance encounter: a marketing professional in the audience, drawn by the music, approached the group and asked if they could perform at corporate events. "The plan to perform came from that moment, and we started to take it seriously," Al Balushi recalled while speaking to Observer.
MK Band is known for a distinctive "East-meets-West" sound. They specialise in reimagining global hits through creative arrangements, blending including Western Pop & Soft Rock, and bollywood melodies and rhythms. Their transitions are smooth, and their live energy is famously vibrant, making them a perfect fit for the diverse crowd expected at Al Seeb Beach.
The band consists of Saud al Balushi, band manager, Jihad al Raisi - singer, Muntasir al Balushi - drumer, Ayad al Balushi - bass guitar, Khamis al Balushi - guitarist, and Ahmed al Balushi - lead guitarist.
Adding a profound layer to the performance is singer Jihad al Raisi. A finalist in the prestigious Zee TV music competition and a recent recipient of the "Outstanding Achievement of the Year" trophy at the TAS Business Awards, Al Raisi is more than just a vocalist; he is a cultural bridge.
Since collaborating with MK Band post-Covid, Al Raisi has brought his incredible linguistic range to their repertoire. He performs in Arabic, English, Urdu, Punjabi, Baluchi, Sinhala, Spanish, and Algerian.
For Al Raisi, the upcoming concert is an opportunity to share his spiritual connection to sound. "Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything," he says. "Everything in the universe has a rhythm." Visitors to Muscat Nights at Al Seeb Beach can expect an evening that transcends boundaries, offering a world-class musical journey right on the shores of the Arabian Sea.
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