Mishaal Tamer: The Saudi pop sensation who's rocking Europe and inspiring youth back home

Saudi-Ecuadorian pop artist Mishaal Tamer has had a summer to remember as the opening act of One Republic’s European tour. Spanning London, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy, he’s graced some of the continent’s grandest stages, such as Switzerland’s Moon and Stars Festival.

Looking back on the tour, the young musician recalls a pivotal moment right before one of his performances: it’s 30 minutes before his act, and Mishaal starts to feel anxious. He walks into the green room to play his favourite video game, Assassin’s Creed – to calm his nerves.

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“This [performance] meant something bigger than me. So, I threw all that fear away and just decided to kick the door open. And I didn’t care what I was doing or how much I screamed, jumped, or ran,” Mishaal explains.

Throughout his electrifying 30-minute set, he has one thing in mind: to “change how people view Saudis” and encourage youngsters to pursue their passions and dreams.

“We need more Arabs to be out there and show that, ‘Hey, we've got feelings. We're not this one-dimensional bad guy portrayed on TV. We're just like everyone else.’ We shouldn't be so divided, and nothing brings people together like music,” Mishaal asserts.

When the SUPERMAN singer performs, he carries his country’s pride. On his first night of the tour, in London’s Wembley Stadium, he has a technical malfunction. Instead of retreating off the stage, he sits and says, “My name is Mishaal, I’m from Saudi Arabia.”

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The cheers from the crowd give him all the confidence, faith, and strength he needs to continue. “Times are changing. Home is changing,” he thinks to himself.  

Wearing a deconstructed suit, Mishaal jumps on stage, bringing vibrant energy to his entire performance. “I felt like I was in the shower screaming, like singing my lungs out,” the 23-year-old recalls with a smile.  

He enjoys watching people lose themselves in music, and the audiences in Italy and Wiblingen, Germany did just that. “The best kind of people in the crowd are always the ones who just let go, and let themselves be free with you and the music,” Mishaal says.

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His passionate and authentic performances are what drive his career, giving him the opportunity to travel and connect with fans beyond Saudi’s borders.

While on the road, Mishaal immerses himself in every location by visiting historical sites, hiking, and exploring new cuisines. In Austria, the One Republic members take him to St. Peter Stiftskulinarium, the oldest restaurant in Europe. And after roaming the streets of Rome, Italy’s capital has become Mishaal’s favourite destination – a perfect blend of history, people, and food. From all he has experienced, however, his top meal on tour still remains the classic spaghetti pomodoro in Lucca (another Italian city).

“Simplicity is the best,” he muses.  

As Mishaal continues touring, he begins to recognise people from previous shows. And fans are already singing along to his unreleased song, Disco Cowboy, which officially debuted 28 July, the day after his tour ended.

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Disco Cowboy is inspired by his love of rock music and appreciation of the oud. The track features three instruments: drums, guitar, and oud. He broke the oud’s neck and created distorted strings, resulting in a fusion of rock and Arabian influence. The lyrics explore themes of loneliness and feelings of alienation, which are also reflected in the clip.

After every performance, Mishaal leaves the stage excited and full of adrenaline, but relaxed – this is his chance to connect with fans. One recent heartwarming interaction with a Lebanese fan in Germany even went viral on TikTok. The man’s flawless pronunciation of Mishaal’s name drew the young singer to the fan, who exclaimed that the singer “makes us [Arabs] proud.”

Another fan, Nadine Winkler, discovered Mishaal's music in Wiblingen and quickly became an ardent supporter, creating the @mishaal_tamer_fan account on Instagram. The 21-year-old also attended his shows in Ulm and Salem, captivated by his dynamic stage presence and music style – explaining how she’s never heard anything quite like it.

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To stay grounded while on tour, Mishaal carries around his first guitar (which he got when he was nine) for good luck, and his Nintendo Switch to pass the time. After a few wholesome interactions with fans, he returns to his van to decompress and continue playing Assassin’s Creed, which he’s been into since 2007. 

It is safe to say that the tour’s resounding success put Mishaal on the map, eventually leading him to become the opening act for Imagine Dragons in Riyadh. Spurring that same electric energy from his tour, Mishaal gets on stage and says, “My name is Mishaal Tamer, and I’m happy to be home.”

It’s his chance to give the Saudi audience the space and freedom to express and enjoy music. The Kingdom’s youth make up 65% of its population, and his goal is to inspire and remind them that if he can make it, so can they.

Performing in Riyadh “is irreplaceable” and “nothing beats home,” Mishaal declares.

@mishaaltamer