Some of the biggest names in the music industry performed at the recent MDLBEAST Soundstorm festival.
Tiesto, Marshmello, Post Malone, Bruno Mars and David Guetta were among the acts that entertained the crowd of 700,000 in Riyadh.
One of the big draws was DJ Khaled who told Euronews, “It brings unity, positivity, love that brings us all together. Music, you know what I mean. Everyone is just everything love.”
An equal role for male and female artists
Female representation was a priority for the organizers of MDLBEAST Soundstorm.
Nada Al Halabi, Director of Strategy at MDLBEAST, said: “I really make sure that we have diversity in our events, whether it’s in the lineup, whether it’s in our attendees. We always make sure that our experience is also female-friendly. Maybe I’m one of the few people in this role, but I’m more hopeful to have more women in space.”
It’s a sentiment shared by Saudi DJ, Kayan, who added: “Music is for everyone. So I think men and women play an equal role. And for us, as Saudi women, having the opportunity to express the beauty of arts and music that we can share with the world is something so important and we are very happy to have this opportunity.”
Riyadh’s Noisiest Week
The festival site spans over five and a half million square meters with park living areas for food outlets and street performers entertaining festival-goers between sets in what has been dubbed “the week the loudest in Riyadh”.
And there’s already a lot of noise about how this will develop in future editions.