Nearly two decades on from her first performance at the Pyramids of Giza, Shakira is returning to the ancient site in Egypt for another major concert.The Colombian singer will perform at the pyramids on November 28, a week after headlining Offlimits Music Festival at Etihad Live in Abu Dhabi on November 21.The two shows capture the span of her career in the region. When Shakira first played the pyramids in 2007, she was riding a major wave of international fame with a sound that blended Latin pop, Arabic musical flourishes and global dance rhythms.Now she returns as one of pop’s most durable international stars, following a 12-night Madrid residency at a venue billed as Estadio Shakira and appearances at both ends of the 2026 World Cup: the opening ceremony in Mexico City and the final halftime show in New Jersey on July 19.She joins a long line of international artists who have performed amid Egypt’s archaeological wonders, from rock bands and pop stars to classical singers, rappers and electronic music heavyweights.Here are some of the standout performances at the Pyramids of Giza.1. The Grateful Dead (1978)The Grateful Dead were one of the first rock bands to perform at the majestic site in 1978, when they were at the peak of their fame. The idea for the show was reportedly inspired by an Egyptian holiday taken by manager Richard Loren. After he proposed the idea to the group, The Grateful Dead rocked the site with back-to-back concerts.Three decades later, in 2008, an official recording from the show was released on DVD and a double CD titled Rocking the Cradle: Egypt 1978.2. Frank Sinatra (1979)▶Ol' Blue Eyes graced the stage on September 27, 1979, with a classic set that included Someone to Watch Over Me, I've Got You Under My Skin and Strangers in the Night.Such was the significance of the event, the US press sent along a handful of journalists to document the performance. It was reported Sinatra was his usual charming self on stage and fired off a pun or two.According to The Washington Post, Sinatra expressed his amazement about the pyramids behind him, quipping about his own heritage: “If the Italians had done it, they would never have finished it.”3. Jean-Michel Jarre (1999)A portrait of Egyptian diva Umm Kulthum was projected on to the pyramids as part of Jean-Michel Jarre's Millennium New Year's concertInfoA Unesco ambassador at the time, French composer Jarre performed a spectacular New Year’s Eve concert to herald the new millennium in December 1999.Featuring more than 1,000 performers and artists, the concert was televised live nationally and featured visual elements of Egyptian mythology.The concert was released on DVD under the title The Twelve Dreams of the Sun.4. Sting (2001)Sting performed in Giza alongside Desert Rose collaborator Cheb Mami. Photo: Norbert Schiller / NewsmakersInfoReportedly billed as the region's first “mega” concert, Sting’s solo show featured a guest appearance by Algerian Rai singer Cheb Mami.As well as the duo performing their global hit Desert Rose, the 19-song set featured Fields of Gold and Englishman in New York as well The Police's classic Every Breath You Take.5. Shakira (2007) Shakira is set to return to the pyramids for a concert on November 28. Getty ImagesInfoShakira first performed at the site in 2007, when she was riding the crest of her first major wave of international fame, bringing her Oral Fixation tour to Giza.The Colombian singer performed near the pyramids on March 28, with a set drawing from her English and Spanish-language catalogue, including Whenever, Wherever, La Tortura and Underneath Your Clothes.6. Mariah Carey (2010)As one of the first western female pop stars to perform at the pyramids, the Honey singer impressed with a concert on May 17, 2010, covering all aspects of her career.From Dream Lover and Emotions to the epic ballad Hero, Carey lived up to the moment.7. Kylie Minogue (2010) Zahi Hawass, Egypt’s former Minister of State for Antiquities, gives Kylie Minogue a tour of the Pyramids of Giza before her 2010 concert. AFPInfoThe Australian soap star turned singer brought her brand of disco-pop to the pyramids on October 21, 2010, with songs from her album Aphrodite, including Get Outta My Way and All the Lovers, as well as her signature hit Can’t Get You Out of My Head.The concert was staged as part of the 10th-anniversary celebrations for Egyptian magazine Enigma, with proceeds going to Abu El Reesh Children’s Hospital.8. Andrea Bocelli (2010)Having first performed at the pyramids as part of the 2003 Cairo International Song Festival, the Italian tenor returned for a sold-out show in 2010.Held on a crisp September evening, the audience was treated to an evening of arias and Bocelli's signature ballad Time to Say Goodbye.9. Armin van Buuren (2017)▶Electronic dance music truly arrived at the pyramids with a show by a master of the form in 2017.Backed by a blinding light and laser show, the Dutch DJ performed a roaring set that went on to be viewed as a landmark for the genre.10. Red Hot Chili Peppers (2019)The Red Hot Chili Peppers played to a massive crowd. AFPInfoTouring for kicks, the US funk rock group arrived with no album to promote in 2019.That leisurely spirit permeated throughout the live-streamed gig featuring plenty of classics, deep album cuts and extended jam sessions.Highlights included the mountainous rocker Dani California and the soulful tones of Californication and Under the Bridge.Acknowledging their surroundings, the group also performed a cover of Radiohead's Pyramid Song.11. Black Eyed Peas (2021)From left, Taboo, J Rey Soul and will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas. EPAInfoFor the concert held in the wake of the pandemic, the Black Eyed Peas spread good cheer with their enthusiastic hybrid of hip-hop and pop.Opening the show with Let's Get It Started, the group tore through their sizeable catalogue including Boom Boom Pow, Pump It and the epic closer Where is the Love?12. Maroon 5 (2022)Maroon 5 keyboardist PJ Morton told The National that performing in front of the pyramids was better than headlining the 2019 Super Bowl halftime show.The US pop group left no stone unturned when it came to playing their hits over the 19-song concert.Beginning with Moves Like Jagger and This Love, Maroon 5 kept the sold-out crowd singing along to tracks Harder to Breathe and Memories before ending with the one-two punch of She Will Be Loved and Sugar.13. Russ (2022) Russ became the first solo rapper to perform at the Pyramids of Giza. Russ / InstagramInfoWith all the hype surrounding Travis Scott’s planned Utopia launch at the pyramids, it was initially thought he would be the first hip-hop star to perform there.In reality, that distinction already belonged to Russ, who became the first solo rapper to perform at the site in 2021. Scott’s show was later cancelled by authorities for lacking the required permit.14. Katy Perry (2025) Katy Perry’s 2025 Abu Dhabi F1 race day concert was billed as the final show of The Lifetimes Tour. Two days later, however, she gave a private performance at the pyramids.The singer delivered an 18-song set at the Giza site, featuring California Gurls, Dark Horse and Roar.15. Tiesto (2025) Dutch DJ Tiesto brought another major moment in electronic music to the pyramids on December 19, 2025.The event was billed as a six-hour night at the Giza site, with Tiesto performing a three-hour set. It further cemented the pyramids as a major location for electronic music.A version of this story was published in 2023