Dancing To A Different Beat!

Since launching last year, Sessions by Pomegranate has brought fresh energy to Bahrain’s entertainment scene, transforming the way people connect with music on the island. Apple Sharma chats with the team about the Sessions concept, what makes it stand out and how it’s reimagining the DJ experience.

fact: Sessions by Pomegranate isn’t your typical music event. How would you describe the concept, what inspired it and what’s the story behind the name?
SBP: Sessions by Pomegranate was built on a simple idea: music doesn’t belong to one kind of place. You don’t need a club or a stage to experience it properly. Music already exists in our everyday spaces like grocery stores, cafés, clothing shops but most people treat it as background noise. We wanted to bring it back to the forefront.
The concept is about placing artists in unexpected environments and turning ordinary moments into something immersive. It’s a reminder that if a song moves you while you’re doing something as simple as shopping or having coffee, you’re allowed to feel it, dance a little, enjoy it. It’s about reconnecting people with music in a more natural, human way.
We’re introducing people to electronic music in a way that feels accessible, not intimidating. And at the core of everything, it’s about supporting artists – giving them a platform to perform, express themselves and have their stories documented and shared. We feature artists locally, regionally and globally.
As for the name, it’s intentionally simple. ‘Sessions’ came from how it all started – just the idea of having a DJ session somewhere, anywhere. ‘Pomegranate’ is more personal; it comes from the Arabic word ‘Romaan’, which is also my name. So, the name sits between something casual and something personal, just like the project.

fact: In the team, what role do each of you play in making Sessions happen?
SBP: Sessions by Pomegranate works because each of us bring a different strength to the table, and together it all clicks.
I [Romaan Ahmed, Founder and CEO] lead the vision, shaping the artistic and musical direction. From selecting venues to curating the sound and choosing the artists, everything is guided by intention. Ghassan Barakat [Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer] drives PR, marketing and partnerships. He understands how to position Sessions, how to communicate it and how to get people talking. He focusses on building genuine relationships, so every project ends with long-term partners, not just one-off deals. Rizwan Khalid [Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer] is the backbone of operations. He manages everything behind the scenes to ensure things runs smoothly. With his experience in concerts, artist booking and hospitality, he makes sure artists feel comfortable, respected and part of what we’re building. Anas Barakat [Chief Technology Officer] leads the tech side, creating systems that simplify how we operate and connect with people.
From building our website to enhancing how audiences, artists and partners engage with us digitally, he’s constantly finding new ways to push Sessions forward.

fact: Your events often take place in unexpected spaces. What makes this aspect so important and what do you look for in a venue?
SBP: There’s something powerful about placing music where people don’t expect it. Seeing a crowd fully present and enjoying themselves in a supermarket or a café hits differently than a traditional club setting – the contrast creates a more memorable, almost surreal experience that people don’t forget.
These spaces also bring in a different kind of crowd. People who might not usually go out to clubs suddenly find themselves experiencing electronic music in a more natural, accessible way. That shift sparks curiosity, inspires people and sometimes pushes them to explore music themselves.
These environments make it easier for people to connect. The setting feels more familiar, less intimidating, so conversations happen more naturally, whether it’s friendships, collaborations or something more.
When it comes to choosing venues, it’s less about strict criteria and more about openness. We look for spaces that are willing to embrace the idea and trust the process. We focus on preserving the identity of the place, keeping it as close to its everyday form as possible, while subtly transforming it through music and energy.

fact: How do you go about finding new artists?
SBP: Finding artists isn’t the difficult part, especially in Bahrain, where everything feels closely connected and word travels fast. Social media has also made it easier than ever to discover talent and dive into how people sound, what they play and how they express themselves.
But for us, it’s never just about finding an artist, it’s about finding the right artist for the right moment. We spend time listening to their sets, understanding their taste, their energy and how they build a journey through music. Sometimes that turns into sitting down with them in person, listening together and getting a feel for who they are beyond the decks. A lot of those moments naturally turn into genuine friendships, which is a big part of how we like to work.
A lot of artists also come to us. They connect with what we’re building and reach out, which we don’t take for granted. We feature artists from around the world on our platforms, not just to showcase their sound but to share their stories and create connections.

fact: The SET (Sessions Exclusive Treasury) invite-only gatherings sound super exclusive. What’s the idea behind it, and how does one get on the guest list?
SBP: SET was created as a more intimate extension of our regular sessions. While our main events are open to everyone, we wanted to build a space that feels more personal, where everyone in the room is aligned in energy, intention and appreciation for what we do. It’s not about being exclusive for the sake of it but about protecting the atmosphere. There are no plus-ones and access is only through our private WhatsApp group.
To be part of it, people go through a simple vetting process – we take the time to understand who they are and whether they’d naturally fit into the community. If it feels right, they’re in. At the end of the day, it’s about creating a room where everyone contributes to the experience, not just attends it.

fact: What’s been your favourite Sessions event so far and what made it special?
SBP: We don’t really look at it in terms of a single ‘favourite’ because every session carries its own energy and story. But if we had to point to one, the session at Brewed Café stands out. It was the combination of the turnout, the atmosphere and the music that made it click. Everything felt aligned, the crowd was fully engaged, the artists delivered exactly what the space needed and the energy stayed consistent throughout the night. It was one of those sessions where you could feel that everything just worked.

fact: Are there any upcoming Sessions that music lovers can look forward to?
SBP: Definitely. Even with current challenges, we try not to lose momentum. We’re continuing to plan what’s next while making sure everything is done responsibly so people feel safe, comfortable and still able to enjoy the experience.

fact: Looking ahead, how do you hope Sessions will shape the music and arts scene in Bahrain, and maybe even beyond?
SBP: Sessions is often seen as just an events platform, but that’s only one part of it. Long-term, we see Sessions growing into something much bigger. A big part of that is education – creating access for younger generations to explore music and creativity from an early stage.
Another is artist support. Helping artists develop, get their work out there and build sustainable paths for themselves. And of course, scaling the experience itself. A festival is definitely part of the vision, along with other projects that expand what Sessions can be. We’re building something that goes beyond events, something that contributes to the culture in a lasting way. ✤

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