Rolbac on Shaping Lebanon's Electronic Scene and the Rise of Aegis Festival
Lebanese DJ and producer Rolbac reflects on his rise through the Middle East’s underground, the story behind Lebanon's Aegis Festival, and the "raw and honest" nature of Arab dance floors.
Cameron Holbrook
When it comes to pushing the boundaries of electronic music in the Middle East, few artists are doing it quite like Rolbac. Known for his deep, driving sound and emotionally charged sets, the Lebanese producer and DJ has become a staple across the region and far beyond. From Boiler Room Beirut to Caprices, Sunwaves, Sandbox, and residencies in both Beirut and Dubai, Rolbac’s journey has been all about steady growth, intentional moves, and serious impact. He’s not just playing the scene – he’s helping shape it.
And that couldn’t be more clear than with Aegis Festival, the homegrown cultural gathering he has become one of the main pillars of alongside close friends and collaborators. Set in the heart of Lebanon’s mountains, the three-day gathering in the mountains of Arnaoon is a rising star on Lebanon’s cultural calendar that celebrates art, community and liberation through the universal language of music.
As he gears up for another edition of Aegis this summer, we caught up with Rolbac to talk about how it all started, what makes Lebanon’s scene so special, and where he’s headed next – including plans for his first-ever album.
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Escape to the mountains this summer for Aegis Festival – taking place July 11 - 13 with world-class electronic acts and immersive experiences in the heart of Lebanon.
Learn more and secure your tickets here.
You’ve become one of the MENA region’s standout electronic artists, with appearances at iconic events like Boiler Room Beirut and Caprices Festival. Looking back, how did your journey into music production and DJing evolve into the career you have today?
From early on, I had a clear vision of where I wanted to go with music. It wasn’t an overnight thing; I broke it down into steps. Small, doable targets: learning production inside out, getting my first few tracks out, playing at certain venues, then aiming for gigs abroad. Each one built on the last. I treated it like a game, leveling up each time. But I also knew I couldn’t do it alone, so I focused on building a team around me that shared the same energy and could help push things further. That mix of direction, patience, and a powerful team made the journey what it is today.
Aegis Festival is a homegrown celebration of music, art, and community in Lebanon. How did Aegis Festival first get founded, and what does playing Aegis Festival mean to you personally and professionally?
Aegis was founded by some of my closest friends in the scene, incredibly talented people who had a vision for something different. Watching it grow from the ground up has been special. Arnaoon village also means a lot to me personally, I’ve done retreats there, so being part of Aegis feels deeply connected. It’s not just another gig, it’s a homegrown festival, by friends, for the community, and it’s amazing to see how it brings the scene together under one roof. Makes me proud.
The Lebanese electronic music scene has been growing steadily, even in the face of adversity. From your perspective, what makes Lebanon’s scene so unique and resilient?
Lebanon’s always had its challenges, instability, uncertainty... and of course that affects the growth of the scene. But the passion here is different. It’s what keeps us going. Artists, organizers, the crowd, we all push through because we believe in what we’re building. As for the sound, there isn’t just one. The diversity here is what keeps things fresh and constantly evolving.
You’ve performed across the world – from Sunwaves to Sandbox – but do you feel there’s something distinct about playing in Lebanon or the wider MENA region that differs from international crowds?
There’s something raw and honest about Arab crowds, especially in Lebanon. People party shamelessly, with so much energy and emotion. When they connect with you, they show it loud and clear. That kind of love and openness is rare to find elsewhere. It creates a vibe that’s hard to match.
Aegis Festival collaborates with local collectives like 2nd Sun, Fantôme de Nuit, and Gabu Records. How important is it for festivals in the region to champion local talent and grassroots communities?
It’s hugely important. Collaborating with local collectives is one of the best ways to strengthen the scene and create real unity, especially in a country like Lebanon, where instability can easily hold things back. These grassroots communities are the heart of the culture. We’ve got some of the most talented clubs, collectives, and agencies in the region, and they need platforms that support and celebrate them. Festivals like Aegis help make that possible.
With your growing discography and international profile, what’s next on the horizon for you?
I’m finally working on the next big target in my plan, producing my first album, which I’m aiming to release next year. It’s something I’ve been building up to for a while. After that, the focus is on touring more and reaching new regions like South America and Asia. Always looking to push things forward.
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Ahead of the third edition of Aegis Festival this July, Beatport teamed up with SceneNoise to help curate a new stage at the festival, culminating in the launch of a Aegis Festival DJ competition.
After sifting through the submissions, we're thrilled to announce the four winners of the SceneNoise x Beatport Live DJ Competition. Meet the winners below!
Catch them opening the SceneNoise x Beatport Live stage on July 11th and 12th, where they’ll join a stellar lineup of regional talent. Big congrats to our winners – and huge thanks to everyone who entered and brought their sound to the table.
