By Frannie Edwards-Hughes, photos by Lindy Rybloom

It takes 50 minutes in my purplish-gray Mazda 3 to reach The Showbox, a historic venue near Pike Place. As we drive, the sight of the disappearing sun hits the highway, casting shadows on us. Dark out now, red glowing bulbs burn brightly and surround letters spelling out “Saint Levant”—a name I had not heard of before receiving the media pass. The line is well out the door; it’s twisted around the corner and snaked down the well-loved Seattle sidewalk. As we wait to be let in, city noises fill my ears: cars honking, people talking loudly, electric scooters flying around aimlessly, dodging people like cones. We are let in just as the openers finish their last song. The crowd is buzzing—excited and happy to be there. Everyone is dancing, even when there isn’t anyone on stage playing; smiles stretch from cheek to cheek. As we wait for Saint Levant, more and more people flood in, and the anticipation grows.

I had listened to one or two songs a few hours earlier in an attempt to understand the general idea of his music. He’s a rapper and singer, blending Arabic, French, and English. After a quick Google search and more in-depth listening, I see that his music explores his Palestinian identity, his relationships with loved ones, and his past. Forced to flee his home in Gaza as a child, he’s been on a journey of self-discovery ever since. His music aims to humanize the people of Gaza and advocate for a free Palestine.

Around me, people in keffiyehs listen to Saint Levant and show their solidarity with the Palestinian people. It’s clear that his music is extremely personal. He connects with them and a movement through his songs.

His energy is infectious; the band is tight, cues are never missed, and everything is on beat. We sing him Happy Birthday, and his partner comes on stage for a song. The crowd is into his lover-boy persona and his optimism. He has lived a life shaped by war and destruction, but tonight, he celebrates his 24th birthday, singing of peace being restored. Everyone sings along with him.