Sami GalbiSami Galbi

What would the iconic Syrian synth virtuoso Omar Souleyman sound like if he were 30 years younger and raised in Lausanne’s DIY scene? Possibly like Sami Galbi. The Swiss-Moroccan artist and producer recently released “Ylh Bye Bye”, a high-energy, forward-looking blend of North African folk, chaâbi, trap, and club-ready electronics.

Shaped by years in Lausanne’s alternative culture and time spent in Morocco, the album explores themes of identity, belonging, and migration. Analog synths, heavy basslines, drum machines, and traditional Arabic instruments like bendir and karkabas pump with an intensity usually reserved for weddings across the SWANA region.

The result is a raw sound that swings between dancefloor euphoria and dreamy acid pop. Either way, it makes one thing clear: this is what the future of Arabic-influenced club music can sound like. Catch it live on our Waldbühne, where Sami will tear it up on Friday.