We asked 14 Artists What Makes Egypt’s Sandbox Festival Special

Over the past 12 years, Egypt’s Sandbox festival has been grooving the glittering shores of El Gouna, Red Sea, bringing 75 hours of pure unadulterated revelry and non-stop house and techno music from some of the world’s most sought-after electronic artists. Brought to life by the prolific events organiser, Nacelle, Sandbox has grown into one of the region’s biggest and longest-running electronic events, a sanctuary of music, wellness and free self-expression, where every year a massive crowd of hundreds of thousands of electronic heads come together to let loose, dance and discover new music from across the global electronic circuit. 

Each year, the three-day showpiece festival grows even bigger, louder, and more ambitious than the year before it, consistently delivering a high-end production that continues to raise the bar for music events across the Middle East and North Africa region. This year, Sandbox has billed a mammoth lineup of artists, including Francesco Del Garda, Christian AB, Floorplan, Sally C, The Blaze, Hamdi Ryder, Ronin, and Omar Fayyad. 

Ahead of Sandbox 2026 edition, running from May 7th to May 9th in El Gouna, a roster of international, regional and local talents who have previously played Sandbox look back on their experiences, the connections they made there, and what it means to have a festival of this scale in the regional electronic music scene.

Anthea

UK

“Around the world, plenty of events call themselves festivals, but arriving at Sandbox for the first time and seeing the scale of the production spread across five stages in the desert, you realise this is a proper festival in every sense of the word. The attention to detail, the atmosphere, and the sheer ambition behind it make Sandbox feel genuinely special.”

Aly B

Egypt 

“Sandbox is very special. The crowd is all in, very few places where I can play everything I am into in one set.”

Misty 

Egypt 

"Sandbox for me is one of the most underrated festivals in the world. Because of its location, curation and community, you immediately feel at home. By the second day, nobody is a stranger. I've always said it's my favorite weekend of the year, and I really mean it."

Nour Fahmy 

Egypt 

“11 Sandboxes in, and somehow it still surprises me every single time. Every year it's something new, something different, I never get bored with it, it's a festival in my hood, so missing it has never been an option!"

"That’s why I always say: if you’re into electronic music, this is something you should experience every year. It’s one of those places where you can actually dance and really get to hear where the world of electronic music is today, with sounds and artists coming in from all around the world."

Madmotormiquel 

Germany

“My story with sandbox and Egypt is now 10 years old, and the love and fun I experienced here is something that changed me. Deep friendships have evolved from my first time being booked at the festival, and I am more than grateful to have become a long-term companion at Sandbox! I wonder when I will get my Egyptian passport.”

Hisham Zahran 

Egypt 

“This year, I will be playing my 10th Sandbox, which really puts into perspective how far this festival has come. I’ve been lucky enough to see how much it has grown firsthand, from a one-day festival in El Gouna to a one-day party in Sahel to the staple it has become today.

What continues to stand out for me, beyond the consistent high level of organisation, is Sandbox’s ability to offer something for everyone, which isn’t always easy with such a diverse crowd in the region.”

Soichi Terrada

Japan

"Sandbox is literally surrounded by sand dunes, which act as a natural sound barrier. That creates a listening experience that’s hard to put into words. I think it offers something truly unique and rare."

Ramez 

Egypt 

“Sandbox holds a special place in my heart. This is my fourth time playing, and every time I come back, I feel a sense of creative freedom that’s hard to find somewhere else in Egypt. It’s the kind of environment where I feel comfortable experimenting and showing sides of my sound that I wouldn’t necessarily take anywhere else. There’s something about it that consistently pulls that out of me.”

Chiati 

Egypt 

"Sandbox was where I played my first live set, and it felt like a full-circle moment, bringing together my roots in bands and DJing on the sunset beach stage, which means a lot to me personally. It’s still the place where I debut my set for the year, because nowhere else in Egypt has a dancefloor this open-minded."

Nova Retra 

Egypt

“The international cultural exchange, diverse music program, and, of course, the Red Sea are the main highlights of my Sandbox experience.”

Rish 

Jordan 

"What really sets Sandbox apart is the level of thought behind it. Nacelle’s vision and execution are on another level; you can feel it in everything, from the overall concept to the smallest details across the space. It just creates a different kind of environment where you experience music in a more immersive, intentional way. Seeing artists from around the world call it one of their favorite festivals is a true reflection of how special it is. I’m just grateful to be part of it again, and hopefully, many more to come."

"It’s easily one of the most memorable weekends of the year. Nacelle created a space where music, creativity, and community come together naturally. You’re surrounded by people from all over the world who genuinely care about the music. Whether you’re there as a guest or playing, it’s the kind of experience that sticks with you and keeps pulling you back."

Zeina 

Egypt 

"A moment that stands out from my Sandbox experience is when Moodyman played. There was a wave of presence that could be felt, stretching from the front to the back of the stage. No phones in sight, people enjoying Detroit, house, disco in a rare moment of dancefloor unity."

Fulltone 

Egypt

“Sandbox is our baby that keeps growing every year, and I feel very lucky to have been there from the very beginning! It’s really a place where some of my best friendships started, and where I have discovered so much music that has shaped a big part of my journey.”

Tickets are available via Sandbox’s official website.