Held on the grounds of the InterContinental Durrat Al Riyadh Resort & Spa, north of the capital, the festival draws hundreds of thousands of fans of electronic dance music (EDM) for experiences that combine music and interactive performances. The festival's activities are held for three consecutive days during which attendees tend to dance all night as they move from one show to another.

Concerts take place on multiple stages, with performances featuring more than 100 musicians and DJs. The festival is also packed with art installations, interactive experiences and other activities that anyone can attend. 

Since its inception in 2019, MDLBEAST Soundstorm has hosted big-name international acts and Arab artists and musicians, including David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Steve Aoki, Bruno Mars, DJ Khaled, Amr Diab, Nancy Ajram, DJ Ahmad Alammary (Baloo), Dish Dash and Cosmicat — Saudi’s first female EDM superstar.
 

“I’ve seen Steve Aoki, David Guetta, Salvatore Ganacci, Tiësto, Marshmello, Afrojack, FISHER and DJ Snake perform,” says Mohammed AlAjmi, a 34-year-old Riyadh native who has been to MDLBEAST three times and plans to attend again this year. 
 

MDLBEAST CEO Ramadan Alharatani calls the festival “a global artistic platform that redefines music, art and culture in the Middle East,” explaining that the organizers’ main goal is “to make the sound of music heard, and to invest in local and regional talent and music production.”
 

DJ Khaled, a festival headliner in 2022, says MDLBEAST is unique in its ability to create an atmosphere of cooperation among different cultures while also celebrating Riyadh’s diverse music scene.

“When I entered MDLBEAST for the first time, I got goosebumps,” says AlAjmi. “The shows mix light and sound; there’s one I’ll never forget, which included an interactive theater that the crowds loved.” But mostly, MDLBEAST is a fun opportunity for people to listen to music and dance all night. “The atmosphere was phenomenal and the vibes were super friendly,” says Rawan Yaqub, a Saudi advertising executive based in Riyadh. “We all say Riyadh was at one place pre-MDLBEAST and another post-MDLBEAST.”

Sign up for the latest news and ticketing information on the MDLBEAST Soundstorm website. And when you’re done taking in the sights and sounds of the festival, be sure to explore Riyadh’s vibrant culture.