A local initiative that began as a camper, built in the aftermath of COVID-19, has evolved into a travelling stage for Omani musicians, artists and cultural expression, taking performances from local gatherings to some of the region’s most recognisable landmarks

There are concert stages, and then there is the Boho Van…

This unique, mobile concert has performed at festivals, university gatherings and cultural destinations. It has taken music across borders, appearing in Bahrain, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. It has rolled into Dubai with the Burj Khalifa as a backdrop and travelled through the extraordinary landscapes of Jordan.

And, in one of its most striking journeys, it reached Petra – one of the New Seven Wonders of the World – turning an ancient archaeological landscape into an unlikely setting for an Omani musical performance.

The story of Boho Van, however, did not begin with a grand ambition to take Omani culture to the world. It began much more simply – with a camper.

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, when connection and creative expression had taken on a new importance, the van was acquired with a relatively modest purpose. It was intended for travel, camping and escaping into nature. Then came a bigger question – could it become something more?

The answer was to turn the vehicle into a travelling platform for music and art — a space where musicians could perform, collaborate and meet audiences outside the conventional confines of a concert hall or music venue. Nine months of designing and building followed. By the end of 2021, the transformation was complete – the camper had become a mobile creative space.

“Boho Van didn’t actually start as a music van. It began as my personal van, inspired by my interest in van life, travelling and camping. As a musician, I slowly started incorporating music into the idea, and it eventually evolved into a travelling music and art platform,” says Kais Noor Zaman, founder and guitarist, adding, “We initially started with Humaid, Alwarith, and myself. Over time, it grew into a wider community of musicians, artists and creatives rather than having a fixed number of members.”

Inside, the van was designed with acoustics and intimate musical sessions in mind. Outside, its body could be transformed into a stage. It was no longer simply a means of getting somewhere; the journey itself had become part of the performance.

That idea has since carried Boho Van to more than 200 events across Oman and the wider region. But perhaps the most interesting thing about the van is that music is only part of its identity.

Admitting that the initiative was currently self-funded, Kais was hopeful of roping in sponsors, by and by.

“We have approached ministries and official bodies to explore possible support and collaboration for the project and even Petra and our upcoming idea for Egypt pyramids. However, we haven’t received any official support so far. We’re still open to working with them in the future, especially on projects that promote Oman’s culture, tourism and creative community,” he asserted.

A canvas that travels

The vehicle itself has become a moving piece of art through an initiative known as Boho Art.

Local artists have been invited to paint and collaborate on its interior, giving the van a constantly evolving visual identity. Traditional Omani motifs meet contemporary artistic expression, turning the vehicle into something between a travelling gallery, a performance space and a meeting point.

Their work does not remain confined to a studio or a single exhibition. It travels. It appears before audiences who may encounter the artwork almost by chance, at a music event, a cultural destination or one of the van’s many stops along the road. The same principle applies to the musicians who gather around it.

Rock, pop, indie and traditional music have all found a place within the Boho Van’s orbit. Its organisers have also sought to create opportunities for English-language and rock musicians in Oman, culminating in one of its most ambitious initiatives, Shade of Sahara.

The rock event grew from a recognition that the genre needed its own space at a time when other musical styles were receiving greater attention. For musicians and fans, Shade of Sahara became a way of bringing that community back into the spotlight.

The message Boha Van carries is that music has the power to bring people together and lift their spirits. “Sometimes, even a simple song can turn someone’s day around and put a smile on their face. At the same time, we want Boho Van to be a way of showcasing Omani talent and representing our country wherever we go.”

About popularising the Omani identity, Kais said, “We always make sure to carry the Omani flag with us, and we usually hang it outside the van during our international performances. We also represent Oman by wearing the dishdasha, and even our van carries an Omani number plate. These small details are important to us because wherever we travel, we want people to know that Boho Van is coming from Oman.”

Taking Oman on the road

The van’s significance becomes clearer when its wheels turn beyond Oman. In Saudi Arabia, it participated in XP Music Futures, placing the project within a major regional gathering focused on the music industry.

In Dubai, it performed near the Burj Khalifa — an image that neatly captures the contrast at the heart of Boho Van: a distinctly Omani creative project appearing against one of the world’s most recognisable modern skylines. Then came Jordan.

The journey through the country included destinations such as Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea and Aqaba, but it was Petra that would become one of the defining moments in the van’s story. Performing at the ancient site, Boho Van describes itself as the first Omani and GCC music platform to do so.

Petra represented the philosophy behind the project itself: taking music and art out of conventional venues and placing them in spaces where history, landscape and culture become part of the experience.

“Currently, we’re planning a few shows in Oman with Muscat Eat and Bandera. Internationally, we’re planning a trip to Saudi Arabia in November, in collaboration with MDLBEAST, and we’re also in discussions and planning stage to look for the possibility of performing at the Pyramids in Egypt,” Kais disclosed.

Pointing out that people are usually impressed by the idea of travelling musicians and the concept behind Boho Van, especially because the van is completely solar-powered, he said it was a great way for us to introduce people to Omani music and culture.

About how long they hope to continue, Kasi quipped, “The enthusiasm will never die. This is the way we’ve been living as individual musicians for the last 10 years, and we’ve been doing it with Boho Van for the past four years. We don’t really see ourselves stopping anytime soon. The only time we might stop is when the van finally breaks down!”

The core team

Kais Noor Zaman – founder and guitarist

Anne Santos – graphic designer and musician

Ahmed Al Zidjali – operations/singer

Jihad – singer

Wijdan – resident artist