We Asked MENA DJs What Makes Lebanon's Aegis Festival Special

Set deep within the forested hills of Arnaoon Village, Lebanon’s Aegis Festival has grown into one of the region’s most distinctive electronic gatherings. Since its debut, the festival has carved out a space that feels worlds away from the usual festival circuit, pairing international headliners and regional selectors with open-air stages, art installations, wellness activities, and a strong connection to the surrounding landscape.

For its 2026 edition, running under the theme ‘Of This Land’, from July 10th to July 12th, Aegis is leaning even further into community, creativity, and a sense of belonging. We asked a selection of MENA DJs what they believe makes Aegis special, and why the festival continues to stand out on the regional map.

Ralph Nasr

Lebanon

“Aegis Festival was born out of a passion for electronic music and creating a unique experience that speaks to the soul. I’ve seen it grow from Emile’s dream into a carefully curated reality. Against all odds, we’ve kept pushing forward, creating a platform for people in the country and a stage for artists we believe in across the region. The drive to keep creating and expanding in times like these is contagious.

The shift toward regional artists doesn’t surprise anyone who’s been with us from the start. Aegis has always been built on local talent and the communities behind it. International headliners are a plus, but in uncertain times it feels natural to bring forward the artists who helped shape this scene.”

Omar Fayyad

Egypt

“There’s been an unspoken movement to look within lately, and this edition captures that perfectly. Aegis going mostly homegrown is both a statement and a reflection of that instinct — celebrating the voices that grew from this land alongside a few amazing international guests. That’s what makes this edition special to me, and I’m proud to be part of it.

JIXO & DANZ

Lebanon

“We really love the direction Aegis is taking this year. Focusing on regional and local talent reflects how strong our scene has become, and the venues always look incredible from start to finish. I also respect that, despite everything happening in the region, the team stayed committed and made this edition happen. It makes it feel even more meaningful.”

Rolbac

Lebanon

“The world doesn’t always make space for artists from our region. This year, Aegis Festival did. In a world where we often have to work twice as hard to be seen, that’s more than a lineup — it’s a statement, and that’s what makes this year so special.”

Aly B

Egypt

“It makes me hopeful to see the direction Aegis is taking with its artist curation. The West has always celebrated its own scenes, and we should do the same because the talent is here — DJs, producers, bands, visual artists and stage designers creating work that deserves to be seen beyond our region. By building around the idea of being ‘of this land,’ Aegis is making a clear statement. It’s not just about the lineup, it’s about where it comes from, and that makes me even prouder to be part of it again this year.”

NESTA

Lebanon

“As a homegrown festival, Aegis should champion its local scene. Prioritizing local artists reflects the festival’s identity and roots while strengthening the community that supports it, creating a more authentic and meaningful experience for both local and international audiences.”

Misty

Egypt

“I’ve been lucky enough to play at Aegis every year, and seeing the festival grow has been incredible. What always stands out is how they use every part of Arnaoon Village — the art installations, the production and the way the site is put together make it feel like you’re constantly discovering something new. It goes far beyond the music. The entire environment becomes part of the experience, and that’s what makes it so special to come back every year.”

DOAX

Morocco

“What makes Aegis special is that it feels like much more than just another festival. It has a clear vision, a strong identity and a real story behind it, built with genuine passion and care. The lineup reflects what’s happening across the MENA region right now, bringing together artists, promoters, labels and creative voices shaping the scene. Festivals like Aegis create opportunities for communities to connect, collaborate and inspire each other while introducing international audiences to the talent coming from the region. This is my first time in Lebanon, so I’m especially excited to be part of this year’s lineup. During uncertain times, culture becomes even more important because it gives people a space to come together, exchange ideas and create positive memories. I also appreciate that Aegis continues to evolve while staying true to its values — that balance between growth and authenticity is what gives a festival longevity.”

Horrible

Egypt

“Aegis is one of the best festivals I’ve been part of — the views and the people are spectacular. The significance of this year’s focus on solely regional talent shouldn’t be underestimated. Nothing at this scale has done it before, and hopefully it’s a wake-up call for the scene.”

Shadi Megallaa

UAE

“I’m honored to play my first Aegis Festival, and it feels even more special because the focus has shifted toward regional artists. Too often, regional artists aren’t given their flowers in their own hometowns. Much respect to Aegis for taking this direction. Locals always deliver, and sometimes even more than internationals who have no connection to the land and its people.”

RITA

Lebanon

“This will be my second time playing Aegis, and this year feels more personal. I’ll be playing Futo Mama, a stage I’ve always felt close to, which gives the return its own weight.

What stands out this year is how rooted the direction feels. With a lineup made mostly of local artists, “of this land,” as Aegis puts it, the festival is letting the scene speak from where it actually lives, through the people who keep shaping it and shapeshifting with it across all the endless hurdles.

That does not happen often. We are all part of the same world, but usually moving through it at different hours, in different rooms, through different sounds, catching each other in passing more than in full.

Aegis gives us a reason to be in the same place for more than a hurried hello. To listen, talk, compare notes, see where everyone is at, and spend time together in a beautiful setting.

So yes, it goes beyond music. The music is the reason we come, but this year, the real strength is in the gathering itself.”

VNSA