Backstreet Boys to perform first show in Saudi Arabia

The popular boyband from the US are set to perform on June 27 as part of the Jeddah Season cultural festival.

The band is the biggest Western music act on the festival's current line up.

The Jeddah Season cultural festival is part of a government initiative that aims to attract tourists to the country.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, or MbS, has loosened the kingdom's strict laws on public entertainment by allowing music concerts, cinema screenings and mixed-gender plays to take place in the kingdom.

But analysts say the relaxation of conservative restrictions are an attempt by the crown prince to curry favour with young Saudis, and halt a brain drain of educated nationals to more liberal countries.

In December, the kingdom hosted a number of globally recognised artists and entertainers during a music festival on the sidelines of the E formula tournament, including Enrique Iglesias, The Black Eyed Peas, OneRepublic and Arabic popstar Amr Diab.

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