The A-list headliners include A$AP Rocky, Eminem and Linkin Park.
Riyadh, are you ready? Just when we thought we couldn’t be more excited about MDLBeast Soundstorm 2024, the region’s biggest music festival has announced further additions to its star-studded musical lineup.
MDLBeast Soundstorm 2024 runs from 12 to 14 December, and is in its fifth edition. Taking place in the Banban desert outside of Riyadh, the festival is your chance to catch local and international talent in the Kingdom.
Armin van Buuren: 12 December
Armin van Buuren is one of the world’s biggest DJs and producers. He was born in the Netherlands and has headlined shows and festivals across the world including Electric Daisy Carnival, Ultra Music Festival and Tomorrowland. He has held residencies at Hï Ibiza and Las Vegas. We’re hoping he plays his famous dance hits at MDLBeast Soundstorm, which include Blah Blah Blah, Great Spirit, Leave A Little Love and Music Means Love Forever. The DJ has collaborated with Alesso, Steve Aoki and Trevor Guthrie, so we’re keeping our fingers crossed for surprise guests.
Akon: 12 December
Akon took the 2000s by storm with R&B hits like Smack That and Lonely, earning multiple Grammy nominations along the way. His signature blend of hip-hop and Afrobeat influences created a unique sound that dominated charts worldwide.
Alesso: 12 December
This Swedish DJ and producer has made waves in the electronic music scene with high-energy tracks like Heroes and If I Lose Myself. With collaborations with the likes of Calvin Harris and Tove Lo, he’s become a staple in EDM. He’s also has been nominated for multiple awards, including a Grammy for Best Remixed Recording.
Black Coffee: 12 December
DJ, record producer and songwriter Black Coffee will also take to the MDLBEast Sounstorm stage. Black Coffee will make it a night to remember with his distinctive “Afropolitan house” music. With multiple awards under his belt, including a Grammy win for Best Dance/Electronic Music Album, the celebrated house music DJ will showcase to the Kingdom the deep house music that his DJ sets are known for.
Don Diablo: 12 December
Known for his energetic style and unforgettable live sets, this Dutch DJ and producer is a forced to be reckoned with in the world of electronic music. He has built a reputation with hits like Survive and Bad, which have earned him critical acclaim and a massive fanbase.
David Guetta: 12 December
David Guetta is no stranger to the MDLBeast Soundstorm stage, having headlined the event in 2022 and 2023. The popular DJ hails from Paris, France, and is famous for his electronic beats and collaborations. His popular songs include Titanium, She Wolf and Don’t You Worry. Over his career, he has sold more than 10 million albums and 65 million singles. Plus, he has won Grammy Awards, American Music Awards and Billboard Awards.
Eminem: 12 December
Eminem is about to make history with his first-ever concert in Saudi Arabia. The legendary rapper, born Marshall Bruce Mathers, is one of the most iconic and influential figures in music. With his raw and intense lyrics and rapid-fire flow, Eminem has dominated the hip-hop scene for over 20 years, earning countless awards. Some of his biggest hits include The Real Slim Shady, Without Me, and Mockingbird to name a few. And knowing Saudi Arabia’s love for Eminem, this headlining act at MDLBeast Soundstorm 2024 is going to be one to watch out for.
Latto: 12 December
Rapper Latto will also be making her debut in the Kingdom. Hailing from Atlanta, Latto’s music blends catchy hooks with assertive verses, reflecting her bold personality. In 2021, her single Big Energy became a major hit, solidifying her place in modern hip-hop. Her discography includes collaborations with Cardi B, Childish Gambino, Lil Baby, Lil’ Wayne and Megan Thee Stallion.
Linkin Park: 12 December
Linkin Park is making its Saudi Arabia debut with a headlining act on 12 December. Having been in the music industry for decades, the rock band has cemented its place as one of the greatest acts of all time. Plus with an epic fan following in the Kingdom, their upcoming gig in Riyadh is sure to draw massive crowds. Expect to bang your heads to the beat of Crawling, In The End, and many more.
Martin Garrix: 12 December
Over the last decade, Martin Garrix has cemented himself as one of EDM’s most prolific artists. He is a DJ and producer known for his hits Animals, In the Name of Love, and Scared To Be Lonely. American Singer-Songwriter Miguel is known for the Grammy Award-winning Adorn, plus the singles All I Want Is You, Coffee, How Many Drinks, Simple Things and Sky Walker. Martin Garrix last visited Riyadh in January to headline the Diriyah E-Prix concerts.
Mathame: 12 December
Italian techno duo Mathame is known for creating immersive music. Their unique approach has won praise from both fans and critics alike, with performances at top festivals like Tomorrowland. With tracks like For Every Forever, they’ve quickly become a favorite in the underground electronic scene, earning the attention of industry peers.
Busta Rhymes: 13 December
Busta Rhymes is a hip-hop legend with a career spanning over three decades. Born Trevor George Smith Jr., he burst into the music scene in the early 1990s with a solo breakthrough in 1996 with Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check, which also earned a Grammy nomination. Over the years, he’s delivered several hits, including I Know What You Want, Calm Down and Break Ya Neck. Busta Rhymes earlier performed in Riyadh in October this year for the opening of Riyadh Season 2024.
A$AP Rocky: 13 December
Born Rakim Athelaston Mayers, A$AP Rocky is a rapper, record producer, and fashion icon. Rocky’s distinct style, blending hip-hop with alternative influences, caught the attention of the music industry, and he has collaborated with Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna (with whom he is also in a relationship) and Skepta. He has released several successful albums, including “At.Long.Last.A$AP” (2015) and “Testing” (2018). His hits include Everyday, Multiply, Praise The Lord (Da Shine) and Sundress.
DJ Snake: 13 December
French DJ and producer DJ Snake brought the world to its feet with global hits like Turn Down for What and Let Me Love You. His music has earned him Grammy and Billboard nominations, and a win at the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Electronic.
G-Eazy: 13 December
American rapper and songwriter G-Eazy is set to heat up MDLBeast Sounsdtorm stage. Born Gerald Earl Gillum, this West Coast artist hails from Oakland, California. Known for his smooth flow and charismatic stage presence, G-Eazy’s chart-topping albums like When It’s Dark Out and collaborations with industry heavyweights make him a renowned star. Anthems like Me, Myself & I and No Limit have become staples in his repertoire.
Muse: 13 December
With hits like Uprising and Supermassive Black Hole, Muse has won several Grammys. Known for blending rock and electronic elements, Muse has also taken home Brit Awards and NME Awards, and are one of the most celebrated rock bands.
Jason Derulo: 13 December
With pop and R&B hits like Talk Dirty and Want to Want Me, Jason Derulo has topped charts worldwide and won multiple Teen Choice and BMI Awards. He’s also been recognised at the American Music Awards and received MTV Video Music Award nominations.
Solomun: 13 December
Solomun is an influential figure in the electronic music scene. Born in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Solomun’s musical journey has taken him from a small town to the global stage. DJ Solomun is celebrated for his ability to create immersive and dynamic sets, and his selections often include a blend of deep house, techno, and melodic tracks, creating a unique and mesmerizing sonic journey for the audience.
Axwell: 14 December
Axwell, whose real name is Axel Christofer Hedfors, is a prominent figure in the world of electronic dance music. The DJ’s career took off in the early 2000s when he and his Swedish House Mafia cohorts began producing a series of hit singles and remixes that helped shape the modern EDM landscape. Their tracks, such as Don’t You Worry Child and Save the World, have become anthems of the genre and are celebrated for their infectious melodies and energetic beats. Individually, Axwell has produced a string of solo hits, including Center of the Universe and I Found You.
Afrojack: 14 December
Afrojack (real name Nick Leonardus van de Wall) hails from Holland. He went from learning graphic design to playing in local pubs. Today, he is one of the highest-earning DJs in the world. Over his career, he has collaborated with artists including David Guetta, Nicki Minaj and Missy Elliott. This won’t be the first time you can catch Afrojack in Saudi Arabia, as he previously performed at last year’s edition of MDLBeast Soundstorm and the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023. Popular in the kingdom, he is loved for his high-energy shows, spinning hit after hit. We’re hoping he plays his famous numbers including Ten Feet Tall, Turn up the Speaker and Unstoppable.
Camila Cabello: 14 December
The region’s biggest music festival has announced that Camila Cabello will perform in Riyadh. The singer shot to fame through the reality TV show, The X Factor and was originally part of the girl group, Fifth Harmony. The group’s hits included Summer, Work from Home and Work It. In 2017, she launched a solo career. She is famous for her Latin-infused songs, which combine pop and R&B. Her hit songs include Havana, Never Be The Same and Senorita. She has collaborated with Drake, Ed Sheeran and Shawn Mendes.
Sebastian Ingrosso: 14 December
As a core member of Swedish House Mafia, Sebastian Ingrosso helped shape the sound of modern electronic music with hits like Reload and Calling. He also has received several Grammy nominations cementing his name in the world of EDM.
Steve Aoki: 14 December
The one and only Steve Aoki is about to bring an adrenaline-pumping experience like no other as he unleashes his signature brand of EDM in Riyadh once again. With his electrifying remixes and original tracks like Boneless and Delirious, he’s got the magic touch to ignite the Gamers8 crowd and turn the atmosphere into pure euphoria. The superstar DJ was last in the Kingdom for the Gamers8 festival in August 2023 as well as MDLBeast Soundstorm 2023.
The Roots: 14 December
To close Sole DXB 2024, The Roots promises to turn heads. The American band is known to blend hip hop and jazz elements promising a night of pure musical brilliance. The band has been active in the music landscape since the late 80s with hits such as “What They Do”, “Break You Off”, “Act Too” and many others. With three Grammy awards and 11 nominations, they’ve solidified their place in the world of music.
Thirty Seconds to Mars: 14 December
Led by Jared Leto, Thirty Seconds to Mars combines rock with cinematic sounds in hits like The Kill and Kings and Queens. The band has won multiple MTV Europe Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and many more.
Other global acts performing at MDLBeast Sounstorm include Argy, Bedouin, Fleur Shore, Artbat, Elissa, James Hype, Meduza, Moontalk, Fideles, The Roots and many more.
Regional artists who will take to the various stages include Anmarz, AZM, Dish Dash, Dorar, Dul, Gooner, K.Led, and many others.
MDLBeast Soundstorm tickets are now live and start from SAR 209 for one-day general admission passes, and go up to SAR 14,999 for one-day VIB+ (very important beast, of course) passes.
So, put the 12 to 14 December in your diary, as it’s about to get loud.
GO: Visit https://nofomo.com for tickets and more information.
