More than 600,000 people attend star-studded MDLBEAST Soundstorm festival in Saudi Arabia

MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 has come to a close after 3 days of celebrations from December 1-3, which saw the biggest edition of the festival yet.

From world record-breaking stage designs to chart-topping artists, from mainstream to techno, the future looks bright for the Middle East’s biggest music festival, with DJs claiming “the energy was wild.”

Some 600,000 people attended the event in Saudi Arabia, making it one of the largest music festivals in the world.

This year’s SOUNDSTORM was the third edition of the flagship event and brought some of the biggest artists to Riyadh, including Bruno Mars, DJ Khaled, Post Malone, Tiesto, Swedish House Mafia and David Guetta.

Guetta, who headlined Saturday night, said his performance was “so special” because “it feels like being a part of something that’s bigger than me.”

He continued: “When it comes to Saudi Arabia, I’ve been directly involved from day one with what’s being done here, because I played the first SOUNDSTORM festival in 2019. What I see when I start playing in Saudi Arabia is people with faces happy.

DJ Khaled, who faced his fear of flying for the first time to attend the festival, said during a press conference: ‘I’m here now, let’s make history.’ This plane that I flew on, I felt like the Prince but it was so beautiful and I’m grateful. I’m going to go crazy here in a great and beautiful way.

The All I Do Is Win hitmaker, who drew several guests during his spectacular performance, took a moment onstage to honor his friend and former musical collaborator, Migos’ Takeoff, who was shot to death at age 28.

He declared: ‘We love you brother. You are one of the nicest people I have ever met in my life. Every time I talk to you, you tell me that you love me. I hit you back and told you I love you.

‘I will never forget my last text with Takeoff. Long live forever Take off. I am so happy to call you my brother.

Throughout the 260 hours of music produced by 200 artists, tech house DJs like Carl Cox, Marshmello, Solomun, Eric Prydz and Peggy Gou wowed the crowd.

MailOnline caught up with Acraze, best known for his hit song Do It To It, after his set was cut short due to health and safety reasons. He said: “The safety of the crowd always comes first, so I respect the decision to stop the show.”

He added: ‘Performing in Saudi Arabia was an amazing experience. The energy was so wild and it was an honor to be able to share my music with such a passionate crowd.

“I think Soundstorm is a positive step forward for the Middle East. It shows that the region is open to different forms of art and culture and that it is becoming more inclusive and progressive.

‘I think festivals like this can help build understanding and acceptance; I am hopeful that they will continue to grow in popularity and importance in the years to come.’

Acraze then explained how he handles his personal life as an international DJ: ‘It can definitely be hard to make time for my personal life when I’m on tour all the time.

“The demands of acting and traveling can be intense… sleep is non-existent sometimes haha, so it’s definitely hard to balance the tour life with maintaining my relationships and taking care of myself.

“But I am learning discipline in how I prioritize my time and strive to stay connected to loved ones even when I am on the road. It’s not always easy, but it’s definitely worth it.’

This year continued the record-breaking designs Soundstorm has become known for, with the main stage, BIG BEAST, earning the title of largest temporary stage structure at 135.5 feet tall.

Soundstorm was located on a site with a total area of ​​more than 5.5 million square meters.

With seven stages, performers spread throughout the event, fireworks displays and over 100 food vendors to explore – there’s plenty to keep attendees busy over the three days.

Speaking after the three-day event, the CEO of MDLBEAST said in a statement: “This year’s third edition of SOUNDSTORM has emulated the success of its predecessors, exceeding our own expectations and those of our guests, delivering a festival experience of world class and ushering in a new chapter for the regional music scene.’

“While we set new benchmarks for future music events hosted in Saudi Arabia and the wider region, we are equally proud of the legacy these past three days leave behind.”

“It’s a beautiful combination that will boost the creative economy, inspire new talent and boost the Middle East’s position as an emerging global center for music, art and culture.”

Saudi female DJs like Cosmicat, Dorar, Kayan and Solskin took the stage and performed to huge crowds, which were mostly made up of men.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Cosmicat commented on the female participation in the festival.

She said: ‘It’s always great to see more women in the crowd enjoying the music, women have always been an important and active part of the art scene in Saudi Arabia and today more than ever we have more women coming to concerts and exploring new forms of entertainment. .

“I am also proud to say that each year we see an increase in talented Saudi women who are engaged in all kinds of art and not just music. It makes me happy that the world can see us for who we really are and away from the misconceptions and stereotypes.’

Festival-goers showed off their quirky sense of style with a variety of accessories, from balaclavas to LED masks.

The women, many of whom wear the full-length black cape and abayas in public spaces, dressed more casually in jeans and T-shirts.

A vibrant energy could be felt throughout the weekend, with strong undercurrents of optimism and anticipation for what’s to come for Saudi youth culture and the regional music industry.