Soundstorm 2025 took over Riyadh from Dec. 11 to 13, and it was massive, by every measure. With a fully redesigned festival layout, 14 stages, and over 250 artists on the lineup, MDLBEAST’s flagship festival proved why it’s one of the region’s most ambitious live music events.
This year, Soundstorm transformed the site into a city-like experience, with zones and stages laid out for easy navigation. Downtown, or the Eye of the Storm, acted as the hub connecting the North, South, East, and West districts—each with its own vibe and genre focus.
The festival lineup didn’t disappoint. Night one kicked off with Benson Boone, Post Malone, and Swedish House Mafia, instantly setting the energy. Day two kept the momentum going with Pitbull, Anyma, DJ Snake, and Balqees. And the weekend’s high point? Cardi B’s long-awaited Saudi Arabia debut, which sent the crowd into an unforgettable frenzy.
Each district offered something different. The North focused on live music, R&B, and hip-hop, with Park packed for Tyla, Zeyne, The Kid LAROI, and TUL8TE. The South leaned into slower, more atmospheric sounds with Neon, a glowing 360-degree tent, and Roog, a space for immersive electronic sets.
The West became the club and techno hub. Tunnel stood out as one of the most talked-about stages of the weekend, packed wall to wall as Calvin Harris, Fisher, Afrojack, and Armin van Buuren took over beneath lasers and immersive visuals. Nearby, Plexi hosted Black Coffee, BLOND:ISH, and Adriatique, while Port kept the energy flowing with Franky Rizardo, Idris and Honeyluv.
In the East, Big Beast shared the stage with the new 6AG Stage, marking a first in Soundstorm history: a full area dedicated to Khaliji and regional music. Designed in a Saudi tent style reminiscent of traditional wedding setups, 6AG celebrated local sounds with performances from Ayed, Tahani Asultan, Disco Misr, and Ibrahim Alhakami.
With star power, immersive production, and a city-sized layout, Soundstorm 2025 didn’t just deliver performances, it created a full-on destination experience. Global headliners, regional talent, and unforgettable moments proved why MDLBEAST continues to raise the bar for festivals in the Middle East—and beyond.
