The sound of the oud is close to the heart, and on its own it can bring warmth and calm to a room. At Angham Al Oud, we offer live oud with Wael Salah, an Egyptian oud player and singer and the founder of the Rouh Dubai Choir (Dubai Opera), for private and corporate occasions in Dubai and across the UAE. We have been performing since 2019 at weddings, private events, dinners and cultural evenings, and we shape each programme around your guests and the venue.
Watch us live
Wael Salah on oud and vocals: “Amal Hayati” by Umm Kulthum.
Live Oud for Your Occasion
The oud suits moments that need music to be present without drowning out conversation: welcoming guests, dinner, majlis gatherings, exhibitions, Ramadan evenings and private get-togethers at home, in hotels or in restaurants. It can stay softly in the background, or become a tarab session that guests gather around and join by requesting their favourite songs.
Oud for Corporate Events and Hotels
At formal dinners, exhibition openings and delegation receptions, the oud adds an Arabic touch that reflects the culture of the place and gives guests a calm, welcoming first impression. At these events, we work around speeches and formal segments: we play during the reception and dinner and pause when needed, and we arrange this in advance with the event organiser. The programme can be entirely instrumental, or include well-known Arabic songs that suit guests of different nationalities. See our live music packages and the occasions we perform at.
Why Live Music?
Live music responds to the room and the people in it. The musician reads the atmosphere, softening the pace when guests sit down to dinner, lifting it as conversation and laughter pick up, and answering a guest's song request. Recorded music can't do that, and it is often what makes guests remember an evening by its sound. The oud in particular is an instrument people in the region know and love: Arab guests feel at home with it, and visitors from further away discover an authentic sound from the culture of this land.
Oud for Weddings
The oud brings a refined atmosphere to wedding receptions, dinners, engagement parties and katb al-kitab ceremonies. A performance can begin as solo oud and grow into a full wedding band with qanun, nay, percussion and vocals, and live music can also accompany the couple's zaffa entrance. See our Arabic wedding band in Dubai and our zaffa with a live Arabic band.
From Solo Oud to a Full Takht
We build the line-up around the size of your event, the space and the atmosphere you have in mind:
- Solo oud: calm instrumental music, or oud with vocals by Wael Salah.
- Duo (oud and tabla): light rhythm that adds life while keeping the setting intimate.
- Trio: oud and tabla at the core, with nay, qanun or a singer as the third member, depending on the event. Wael often plays oud and sings at the same time.
- Takht sharqi or full band: oud, qanun, nay, violin and percussion with vocals, for a complete tarab evening. Read more about takht sharqi in Dubai.
What We Play
Our repertoire covers classical Arabic tarab and Egyptian, Levantine and Khaleeji melodies, with touches of Emirati heritage, along with taqasim and improvisation on the Arabic maqamat. We welcome song requests and agree on them before the event. We also keep your guests' tastes and backgrounds in mind, so the programme feels familiar to those who know these songs and welcoming to those hearing them for the first time.
How We Prepare for Your Event
- Get in touch: send us the type of event, the date, the location and the approximate number of guests on WhatsApp.
- Agree on the details: we suggest a suitable line-up, the length of the performance and how it fits into your programme.
- The programme: we agree on songs and special requests with you, and coordinate with the venue or event planner on where we will play and on sound. The venue usually provides the sound system; for small homes and villas we can provide it for a modest extra fee.
- On the day: we arrive at the agreed time and play the programme you chose.
A Few Tips for a Better Experience
- Place the musician close to your guests and away from other speakers; the oud is a warm instrument that sounds clearer and closer to the heart up close.
- Let us know in advance which songs you love, and any song that holds a special meaning for you.
- For outdoor events, we will agree with you on a shaded spot that suits the instruments.
In Dubai and Across the UAE
We are based in Dubai and perform across all the Emirates: Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. We also have a presence in Kuwait and Egypt. Our performances include Liwa Festival 2026 and the Al Sitt premiere. You can find photos and clips from our performances in the gallery.
About Wael Salah
Wael Salah is an Egyptian oud player and singer, the founder of the Rouh Dubai Choir (Dubai Opera), and has led Angham Al Oud since it was founded in 2019. His playing combines professionalism with a musical feeling built on study and experience, bringing together classic tarab and newer melodies, and he makes sure every programme suits the hosts and their guests. Learn more about us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What occasions suit live oud?
The oud suits welcome receptions, dinners, majlis gatherings, Ramadan evenings, engagements and katb el-kitab, as well as corporate and hotel events. It can play softly in the background, or become a tarab session your guests join in.
Which line-ups do you offer?
Solo oud (instrumental, or oud with vocals), an oud and tabla duo, or a trio where the third member is nay, qanun or a singer, depending on the occasion.
How long do you play?
Sets run up to 2 hours, and we can split them across the event, for example during the reception and then at dinner.
Can we request specific songs?
Yes. We take song requests where possible and agree on them before the event. You'll find a list of the songs we play on the Contact page.
Our event is at home or in a villa. Do we need a sound system?
Halls and hotels usually provide the sound system, and we coordinate with their team in advance. For smaller venues such as homes and villas, we can bring sound for a modest extra fee.
How do I book, and what does it cost?
The price depends on the type of event, its length and the venue. Send us these details on WhatsApp at +971 54 344 6440 and we'll reply with a quote. You can book as little as one day before the event, though booking earlier is a good idea for weekends and busy seasons.
Let the oud set the mood for your occasion. Tell us the date and location, and we will suggest the right line-up and programme.