10 Live Acts to Catch at Sandbox 2025

As we gear up for Egypt’s Sandbox Festival, one the region’s longest-running taking place on the glittering shores of El Gouna, Red Sea, from May 8th to May 10th, we did some homework on the lineup (so you don’t have to), and compiled a list of the most exciting acts who are set to ignite the Sandbox stages this summer with their live performances.

From Berlin’s Kid Simius —whose eccentric DIY approach has made him a key figure in the global electronic dance scene—to Cairo’s staple Chiati, here are 10 unmissable live acts at Sandbox 2025.

Kid Simius  

Berlin-based Spanish electronic wizard, Kid Simius, dabbles in a little bit of everything from Italo and house to Balearic, disco and more, circumventing genre limitations in favour of good energy. He has released many successful tracks on various major labels, the likes of Watergate Rec., Permanent Vacation, Shall Not Fade, Running Back, and even co-authored a platinum-certified chartbuster on the side, with Marteria’s ‘Lila Wolken’. His artistic versatility and unique sound landed him a slot on iconic festival stages like Tomorrowland, Melt!, Sonar, Fusion and Blitz.

HVOB 

Hailing from Austria, HVOB, made up of Anna Muller and Paul Wallner, has been making waves in the global electronic sphere with their unique and delicate take on restrained and minimalistic electronica, with heavy use of vocals. They have performed at some of the biggest venues and festivals, such as Fabric in London, Papaya Playa in Tulum, Boiler Room in Vienna and Buenos Aires, just to name a few.

Chiati

Chiati is an Egyptian multi-instrumentalist and live electronic act who has become a fixture in major clubs and festivals across the region over the past few years. His sets combine blissfully timed drops, soulful riffs and falsetto, in which he expertly performs between keys, guitars and vocals, all with the charisma of a veritable rockstar. Chiati has recently released a double single ‘Carrio Traffic’ / Wither Away’ on the famed Amsterdam-based label Hive Audio.

Whomadewho 

Made up of Tomas Høffding, Tomas Barfod, and Jeppe Kjellber, the Dutch group went from a band making waves globally in the electronic underground scene to taking over iconic venues and major festivals such as Coachella, Burning Man, Panorama Bar and more. Besides their warm melodic house and techno productions, the group is known for their memorable stage setups with forward-thinking sonic aesthetics and visuals that immerse listeners into their world. 

Shkoon 

Shkoon – made up of Ameen from Syria and Thorben from Hamburg, Germany – has been making waves with their Arab electronica, creatively weaving their dual sonic identity into dance floor-ready, partially improvised, live sets, guided by a spirit of music diplomacy. 

Oden & Fatzo 

Oden & Fatzo is a genre-blurring French electronic outfit, known for blending uptempo house, electro, breakbeat and elements of UK garage with influences from funk, jazz, and hip-hop. Their breakthrough anthem, ‘Lauren’, became a summer sensation in 2012, propelling them into the spotlight and solidifying their place in the global electronic music scene.

Shunus

Cairo-based British DJ, producer and live performer Shunus has gained a cult following for his almost ethereal organic house stylings. He formed a unique brand of music between electronic and acoustic that comes to life on stage, most times manipulating influences from minimal house to craft a mind-bending groove-heavy journey that echoes the early rave days of South London’s Shoom. 

Messery 

Mazen El Messery is an established Egyptian producer and DJ whose live sets and productions carry the essence of the 90s and 00s techno wave with influences from genres like minimal and deep house. Over the last 11 years, Messery has gained global recognition on prestigious labels like Fratii, Ro and Outpunkt Records. 

Roman Kyn

Roman is a French indie-electronic music producer, vocalist and composer whose music threads the worlds of indie and techno, merges electronic productions with the raw energy of indie rock and the atmospheric textures of '80s synth and cold wave. On stage, he combines live instrumental improvisations with manipulated electronic noises, crafting a steady rhythmic ritual that’s melodically rich. 

Weam Ismail

Weam is a rising electronic musician from Cairo. His sound is a fusion of house and classical Arabic compositions, with heavy emphasis on hypnotic beats and synthesised melodies that's often evocative, journeying through various moods all at once.