In the blink of an eye, MDLBEAST’s flagship music festival, Soundstorm, is already in the rearview mirror. Over three days, from Dec. 12-15, most of the region’s, and world’s, most respected and sought-after artists flocked to the Saudi capital of Riyadh to run through their respective repertoires and perform before an audience that’s only ever rarely had the chance to experience something of this scale and magnitude.
Leaving attendees of the Arab World’s loudest sonic gathering (ourselves included) with nothing but a flurry of unforgettable memories to savor as we count down the days to its next edition, below, we rounded five standout moments from MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2024 that we will be reliving over and over—or at least until the next edition.
Linkin Park
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For one of their first performances with a new lead vocalist following the tragic loss of Chester Bennington in 2017, we were genuinely impressed by how Linkin Park managed to keep their on-stage spirit alive. Having recently recruited Emily Armstrong from American rock-band Dead Sara to fill in the gaps left by Bennington, the reformed sextet proved that they adamantly had the chops to carry on their legacy with only longtime fans noticing a few tweaks to their sonic blueprint. Offering fresh tunes and tracks that didn’t rely too heavily on past formulas, the band struck a decent balance between honoring their roots and moving forward without falling back on their all-time classics to pen their next chapter.
With tracks from their first project as a reformed group, cleverly titled From Zero, it still felt that most of the crowd was drawn by the nostalgia of their earlier hits, having grown up with their music. Though this will be a challenge they’ll be forced to reckon with as they continue to re-shape their future, as far as their Saudi debut goes, we’d label it as a success, leaving us wondering not only about when we’ll see them again, but how they will continue to evolve as time goes by and as their journey without their beloved Bennington unfolds.
Eminem’s SpagBol Spot
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As much as Eminem’s debut in Saudi Arabia was very much about him dropping bars, as it turned out, it was also about us putting on some weight. For the first time in the Gulf, Eminem brought more than his iconic tracks to the stage; he introduced a pop-up of his famed “Mom’s Spaghetti,” inspired by his hit Lose Yourself. Naturally, we couldn’t resist diving in.
What made it onto our plates? First, the spaghetti sandwich—a glorious, carb-on-carb masterpiece stuffed between two slices of garlic-buttered bread and smothered in melted mozzarella. Then, of course, the meatball pasta, which hit the nostalgia button hard. And while the experience was unforgettable, if we’re being honest, we don’t think that local restaurants will be sweating over Slim’s culinary side hustle anytime soon.
But honestly? It was iconic, it was funny, and it gave us a great excuse to say that we’ve tried Eminem’s food (and survived the calorie overload). Would we go back for seconds? Probably not, but we’ll still give it an A for Effort.
Akon and Calvin Harris’ Nostalgia-Packed Performances
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Music preferences tend to run deep, especially at events like MDLBEAST Soundstorm. This time around though, divides were temporary thrown out the window for two iconic acts— Akon’s and Calvin Harris’— which had everyone— from rap fans to pop lovers and even techno diehards–forget about their usual playlists and set themselves free from the genres they’ve been associated with for however long they can probably remember. Bringing their crowds together in ways no one could have really predicted, even those that typically enjoy a bit of rivalry were hugging and jumping together, singing every lyric word for word in unison.
What made it even more special? For the duration of each set, the usual sea of phones was nowhere to be seen. It was a rare moment where everyone was fully present. Perhaps it was because some people did not want to be seen enjoying music that could tarnish their “street cred” or carefully curated online persona, however, in a world where concerts often feel like one big social media opportunity, we were humbly reminded of what it’s like to just be in the moment and that the best memories are in fact the ones you don’t have to capture on camera.
New wave of Arab music proving they’re more than capable
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While MDLBEAST Soundstorm has built its reputation on bringing international heavyweights to a country that’s historically had limited access to global stars, this year, it was the homegrown talent that really turned our heads. What stood out? The way these up-and-coming artists took to the stage with zero hesitation, holding their own, almost unfazed, alongside the big names they were either opening or closing for.
Special mention to Asayel, Zeyna, and Bayou, who proved that our region’s hype goes beyond Instagram posts and social media interactions. Bringing raw energy and authenticity to their sets, they asserted something we all know yet to often forget: the next generation is here, and they’re making noise that can’t—and won’t—be ignored.
The crowd
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For a festival of this size, it was surprisingly refreshing to be around such a cool, easy-going, and genuinely kind crowd. Compared to the usual drug-fueled chaos where half the attendees look like they are auditioning as extras on The Walking Dead, this was a welcome change. Everyone was present, fully functional, and just there to enjoy great music in a safe and positive atmosphere. With solid security and dedicated zones for women to dance comfortably, it felt inclusive and laid-back—an environment where you could actually talk to people and make connections without any awkwardness.
Much like in Qatar during the World Cup, where many skeptics (mainly Westerners) worried about the lack of booze ruining the fun, the absence of alcohol here didn’t feel like a loss at all. If anything, it made the experience even better. For our first time, it was more than enough to make us want to come back— or at least consider it as a better option than another white-powered festival elsewhere.
