Kingdom of Rhythm: Vibing at Soundstorm 24
Headlined by global superstars like Eminem, A$AP Rocky, Camila Cabello, and Calvin Harris, this year’s MDLBEAST Soundstorm stormed back into Riyadh with even greater energy and ambition. Over three electrifying December nights, “Storm Chasers” (as attendees are affectionately known) experienced ten stages featuring over 150 artists from across the globe. Here’s your ultimate breakdown of the who, what, and why behind MDLBEAST’s meteoric rise as the region’s premier stage for fresh talent and monumental music festivals.
The sounds and the grounds
Soundstorm 24 aimed for the stars this time and they didn’t miss! Whatever your speed, there was something for you here. The Big Beast (a.k.a. the main stage) was by design the most eclectic: rap fans got to see Eminem and A$AP Rocky, EDM fans saw Calvin Harris and Martin Garrix, while rock fans were treated to Muse and Linkin Park – and that’s not even mentioning regional superstars like Lebanese chanteuse Elissa and Saudi icon Abdulmajeed Abdullah.
Not to be outdone, Soundstorm’s other stages were straight-up fire, with iconic bangers and rising stars taking over. The Dance Tent lit up with David Guetta, Steve Aoki, and Armin van Buuren dropping beats that had everyone raving. Over at DWN Beast, the vibes were immaculate, featuring Latto’s fierce bars, The Roots’ legendary flow, and Thirty Seconds to Mars giving pure main character energy. And that’s just a sneak peek.
Where did you come from?
MDLBEAST burst on to the scene in 2019, bringing some of EDM’s best-known – from David Guetta to Tiesto – to Riyadh for the first Soundstorm, an event that uplifted local talent and put Saudi on the map as a serious contender. Five years on, we’ve now got MDLBEAST Records, which represents local and international artists across genres, as well as XP Music Futures, a three-day conference that connects regional and global music industry players. But the map has expanded too! Jeddah’s historic district now lights up in brilliant color for Balad Beast (which hosted the likes of the Wu Tang Clan in 2024). In AlUla, home to the monumental Hegra tombs, dramatic sandstone mountains, and iconic Maraya cultural center, you’ve got Azimuth – two nights of bliss for EDM fans. It truly is the Kingdom of Rhythm!
What’s on the menu?
MDLBEAST now does events year-round, from weekly dance nights like Balad Social, to major events, like the upcoming Keinemusik concert in AlUla or Guns n’ Roses in Riyadh. It always pays to check what’s on at MDLBEAST’s website, or on the NOFOMO app, so you can be the first to get your hands on tickets and lineups.
