Classical legends, techno masterminds and pop sensations. The oldest wonder in the world has an unusually broad live record.
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.
