Unlocking the Thrill with Original Music for Theme Parks
Unlock the Thrill – the very mantra of Saudi Arabia’s first-ever theme park campaign – is more than a tagline; it’s a mission that WithFeeling embraced through music. In a landmark collaboration for Six Flags Qiddiya City, our team composed the original music for theme parks that drives this high-octane TV commercial, delivering not just a soundtrack but a storytelling masterpiece. The result is a sonic journey that mirrors the park’s six immersive worlds while unifying them under one unforgettable musical identity.
Crafting a Sonic Journey Across Six Worlds
Creating music for Six Flags Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia’s first theme park thenationalnews.com, meant capturing the essence of six distinct themed lands in a single, cohesive score. Each world – from the steampunk adventures of Steam Town to the whimsical wonders of Twilight Gardens – demanded its own sonic character. We tackled this complexity by developing individual motifs and arrangements that reflect each land’s atmosphere, whether it’s the high-thrills of City of Thrills or the aquatic serenity of Discovery Springs. Despite their differences, all six motifs are bound by a consistent musical theme that ties the film together, ensuring the campaign’s message remains unified. The creative craft here was in balancing diversity with unity: as viewers are whisked from one realm to another, the music seamlessly transitions yet keeps echoing a core identity. This approach required meticulous composition and sound design, matching tempo, instrumentation, and key to on-screen transitions – truly a sonic rollercoaster ride that keeps pace with the visuals. By the final note, the audience isn’t just seeing the six worlds; they’re feeling them, each world contributing to a larger, harmonious theme park soundtrack experience.
Fusing Cinematic Flair with Saudi Traditions
To unlock the thrill on a cultural level, the score had to resonate with both international cinematic style and local Saudi heritage. We achieved this fusion by pairing Western orchestral cinematic music techniques with traditional Middle Eastern instruments like the oud (Arabic lute) and tabla (hand drum). Lush strings and bold brass bring Hollywood-scale excitement, while the gentle strum of the oud and the rhythmic pulse of tabla ground the music in a sense of place. This East-meets-West blend wasn’t a simple overlay of sounds – it was a thoughtfully crafted integration. “At WithFeeling, we avoid simply layering Arabic instruments over Western compositions. Instead, we start with traditional Saudi rhythms and scales, building outward into a sound that embodies the spirit of Vision 2030,” notes Joe Dickinson mediaavataarme.com. In practice, that meant using an indigenous rhythm as the heartbeat of the score, then elevating it with cinematic melodies. The outcome is a rich tapestry of sound that feels both globally epic and authentically Saudi. From a soaring string arrangement accented by an oud’s melody to percussive climaxes driven by tabla grooves, each moment in the music honours local musical traditions while amplifying the on-screen drama. This fusion not only accentuates the thrill in each scene but also celebrates Saudi Arabia’s cultural depth – a true original theme park music composition that could only have been born from this unique collaboration.
A Landmark Project for Saudi Entertainment
“Unlock the Thrill” stands as a milestone in Saudi Arabia’s entertainment sector and in WithFeeling’s own portfolio. As Saudi Arabia’s first-of-its-kind theme park sixflagsqiddiyacity.com, Six Flags Qiddiya City is more than an amusement park – it’s a symbol of the Kingdom’s ambitions under Vision 2030. Our work on this campaign aligns with that vision, underscoring how original music can elevate national mega-projects. Composing and mixing the soundtrack for such a flagship project was a high-stakes honour: the theme park will be a cornerstone attraction in Qiddiya, the country’s upcoming capital of entertainment, sports, and arts sixflagsqiddiyacity.com. With record-breaking rides and six immersive lands on display, the commercial’s music had to match the grand scale of the vision. For WithFeeling, this project enriches our themed entertainment repertoire and demonstrates our capability to deliver bespoke theme park music on the world stage. It’s not every day that you help define the sound of a nation’s first theme park, and we approached it with both excitement and reverence. The resulting composition not only amplifies the visuals of roller coasters and fantasy realms, but also frames the narrative of Saudi Arabia’s leap into themed entertainment. In our portfolio, it shines as a testament to crafting original music for theme parks that leaves a lasting impact – a sonic experience as adventurous as the park itself.
Six Flags Qiddiya City features six uniquely themed lands, each offering distinct experiences:
- City of Thrills – Home to record-breaking rides like Falcon’s Flight, the world’s tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster.
- Discovery Springs – A water-themed area reflecting the relationship between desert and sea.
- Steam Town – A steampunk-inspired land filled with gears and gadgets.
- Twilight Gardens – A whimsical oasis that transforms from a serene garden by day into an illuminated enchanted forest by night.
- Valley of Fortune – A land filled with unimaginable treasure and daring adventures.
- Grand Exposition – Inspired by historic world fairs, featuring exhibits and stunning performances.
Collaboration and Team Excellence in a High-Stakes Campaign
Such an ambitious project was only possible through tight-knit collaboration and an unwavering commitment to excellence. WithFeeling worked hand-in-hand with the creatives at Squint/Opera – the visionary production company behind the campaign – to ensure every beat of music synced with the film’s storytelling. Led by Rebecca Anne Louise Watson, Jonas McQuiggin, and Kuba Piegza, the Squint/Opera team provided a clear creative direction that allowed our audio to flourish in tandem with stunning visuals. Internally, WithFeeling marshalled its top talent: Joe Dickinson spearheaded the composition, crafting themes and melodies that are both memorable and versatile; Nick Olsouzidis engineered the intricate sound design elements and final mix, layering in everything from awe-inspiring whooshes to subtle ambient textures; and Chris Atkins oversaw executive production and creative direction, aligning the musical vision with the campaign’s lofty goals. Credit is due to each individual’s expertise – collectively, they ensured the final piece was polished, emotive, and adrenaline-charged.
This project was truly collaborative at heart. Daily exchanges of ideas, rough cuts, and feedback between our composers and Squint/Opera’s directors refined the music to its strongest form. We were scoring not just a commercial, but a story – one that needed to captivate audiences and invite them into the adventure. And behind this successful collaboration was the trust and leadership of those guiding the project from the client’s side. In particular, we extend a heartfelt thank you to Nuhad Hamdan, whose visionary leadership and unwavering support empowered us to push our creative boundaries. Nuhad’s faith in our process, coupled with her passion for the campaign, fostered an environment where creativity thrived. It’s rare to find a client so deeply invested in the emotional core of a campaign; her commitment inspired us to deliver our absolute best. This synergy between client, agency, and our team is what ultimately unlocked the thrill in the truest sense – delivering a campaign that everyone involved is profoundly proud of.
Setting the Score for Future Adventures
With “Unlock the Thrill,” WithFeeling has set a new benchmark in original music for theme parks – one where storytelling, cultural authenticity, and cinematic quality all ride together. This campaign not only invites viewers into Six Flags Qiddiya City; it heralds a new chapter in how theme parks can be experienced through music. As the park prepares to welcome visitors, its musical identity is already making waves, resonating with a broad audience and sparking excitement for what’s to come.
Ready to amplify your next project with a world-class soundtrack? Whether it’s original music for theme parks, branded experiences or any creative endeavour that needs an unforgettable score, our team is here to compose the extraordinary. Get in touch with WithFeeling to start your own sonic adventure – let’s create something thrilling together.
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