As absorbed as we were by the myriad of sound-centered events happening in Saudi Arabia over the past couple weeks, from MDLBEAST Soundstorm— the Gulf State’s flagship music festival— to MDLBEAST XP— a smaller, more intimate gathering inviting both industry professionals and emerging creatives all in one place— it was hard to not get caught up in the excitement and energy of it all. And honestly? We’re still recovering, but we also can’t stop replaying the moments, and songs, that made the whole experience well-worth it.
As MILLE was invited to attend these events, we dove headfirst into the madness by soaking in all the sights, sounds, and chaotic energy there was to be found, while keeping an ear out for the hidden gems that didn’t make it onto the main stage. And though there was no shortage of bangers and niche hits from all the headlining acts we got to watch, we’d be lying if we said that it wasn’t the lesser-known tracks— the ones flying under the radar— that ended up stealing our hearts and ultimately became the defining anthems our time in Riyadh.
While there was plenty on offer from the headlining acts, we also stumbled upon some real heat from artists we either wished were invited or were showcased on bigger stages by chatting with fellow attendees and even eavesdropping on a few overheard conversations. Here, we took it upon ourselves to share with you all the songs that, in our opinion, haven’t gotten the attention they truly deserve. From those quiet, whispered recommendations passed between festival-goers, to songs we didn’t vibe with until we heard them play at an after-party, below, our list of gems that left a mark despite not being in the limelight.
