Balad Beast is set to make a grand return in its third edition in 2025, once again transforming the antique streets and vibrant markets of Al-Balad into a live canvas of music, art, and culture. On January 30th and 31st, 2025, visitors will converge in this UNESCO World Heritage-listed district for a two-day celebration that elevates the festival’s legacy as a cultural crossroad, spotlighting a diverse array of music genres, adventures, and immersive artistic experiences.
A Global Music Lineup
This year’s Balad Beast promises a diverse blend of globally acclaimed superstars and emerging talents in rap, soul, pop, electronic, and beyond. The 2025 headliners include:
Day one will feature some of the biggest names in the industry, Grammy-winning 21 Savage, Atlanta rap star Gunna, JID, and 2020 Mercury Album of the year winner Michael Kiwanuka. As well as regional artists such as Disco Misr from Egypt, and local talents DISH DASH, Gazi, Saoud and Varoo.
Day two will feature Hip-hop icon Wiz Khalifah, infamous producer Metro Boomin, Hats & Klaps, and all the way from Canada Ghostly Kisses with her ethereal pop, and the all-female Saudi rock band Seera.
Cultural Immersion and Creative Exchange
Beyond the music, Balad Beast presents a holistic cultural experience that invites attendees to engage with Al-Balad’s rich past while looking toward the future. Expanding on previous editions, the 2025 festival will feature:
Immersive Art Installations: Contemporary artists and designers will reimagine Al-Balad’s historic architecture with cutting-edge projections, large-scale sculptures, and interactive artworks.
Reflecting Balad Beast’s mission to foster cross-cultural understanding, the festival supports local businesses, artisans, and nonprofits. Through partnerships with community organizations, it aims to uplift local talent, promote sustainability, and ensure a positive long-term impact on Al-Balad’s cultural landscape.
Balad Beast is more than just a festival—it’s a convergence of voices, perspectives, and artistic expressions that transcend borders. With its 2025 edition, Balad Beast aspires to encourage meaningful dialogue, cultivate new creative bonds, and inspire future generations to cherish and reinvent cultural traditions.
“We are coming back to Balad with really exciting experiences. Fresh music with new and returning acts, and as always, otherworldly immersive experiences inspired by our past, present and future” said Ahmed Alammary (Baloo), MDLBEAST’s Chief Creative Officer.
Balad Beast is part of MDLBEAST’s lineup of unique venue events, aligning with the company’s promise of delivering unforgettable experiences in iconic locations. To ensure the safety of historic sites, MDLBEAST is committed to conducting sound tests and strategically placed stages to protect buildings from sound impact.

Netflix premiered their upcoming film, The Sand Castle, with an exclusive screening at the Red Sea International Film Festival on December 8, 2024, building excitement ahead of its Netflix debut on January 24, 2025.
Director Matty Brown, along with cast members Zain Al Rafeea and Riman Al Rafeea, graced the red carpet alongside the film’s producers. The screening captivated the audience with its gripping and emotional storyline about a family stranded on a picturesque island, where dark secrets are revealed, and tough decisions must be made in a world where reality and illusion blur.

The event attracted a crowd of film industry professionals, media representatives from both regional and local outlets, renowned influencers, and valued partners, all eager for an exclusive first look at The Sand Castle. The powerful performances from Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea and Riman Al Rafeea, paired with Matty Brown’s compelling direction, showcases the remarkable talent behind this film.
Mark your calendars! The Sand Castle will premiere on Netflix on January 24, 2025.

Journalists toured the sprawling festival grounds of Soundstorm 24, gaining exclusive insight into the preparations for the fifth edition of the largest music festival in the Middle East and North Africa. Organized by MDLBEAST, the leading Saudi music entertainment company, Soundstorm 24 is set to light up Riyadh’s Banban area from December 12 to 14, with performances by global superstars and regional, and local icons.
Spanning over 1.2 million square meters, this year’s festival features ten stages, up from eight in 2023, all designed with state-of-the-art audio-visual technologies, immersive light displays, and a focus on sustainability. With more than 250 hours of live music planned, Soundstorm 24 promises a truly unparalleled entertainment experience.
The media was briefed on the VIB lounges, panoramic viewing platforms, and special viewing areas for ladies, a new addition in all festival stages this year, along with special entry lanes for girls at the GA and VIB gates.
The Soudstorm site is fully monitored around the clock with over 100 screens connected with 350 cameras, along with a team of 2,000 security personnel trained in crowd management and rapid response to secure a safe environment for all attendees, using AI facial recognition technology in cameras for the first time this year as part of security and safety preparations.
Spanning over 5,000 square meters, Big Beast Stage, the centerpiece of Soundstorm 24, features LED screens with over 78 million pixels, making it the world’s largest stage. Inspired by the theme of electronic games, the stage boasts a floating cube centerpiece, The sculpture is inspired by the overall gamified theme of the festival with its cubic architecture mimicking a pixelated sculpture that floats over the landscape and can accommodate 66,000 attendees.
Soundstorm 2024 promises to redefine live music experiences with cutting-edge innovations designed to captivate audiences. Highlights include over 1,600 drones choreographed into stunning aerial displays, a fireworks
show featuring more than 1,650 kilograms of pyrotechnics and 4,500 unique elements, and a meticulously planned parking system accommodating over 90,000 vehicles. From the moment attendees arrive to the moment they leave, every detail has been crafted to ensure maximum comfort and an unforgettable journey.
As part of its commitment to environmental stewardship, Soundstorm 24 is implementing innovative sustainability practices. This year, the festival is adopting an efficient system to recycle 36% of waste away from landfills, while the Underground Stages (UG2 and UG3) will operate on biofuel, compared to last year’s energy-powered operation, in addition to a system to recycle 80% of the consumed water through on-site water treatment facilities.
Respect initiative returns for its second year, ensuring a safer and more inclusive experience for all festival-goers through six Respect Centers across the site, operated by a dedicated team of more than 80 trained staff working alongside MDLBEAST’s operational teams to uphold safety and privacy standards for all.
This year’s festival lineup features more than 200 artists, including international icons like Eminem, Linkin Park, Calvin Harris, Camila Cabello, and David Guetta, alongside a stellar roster of Arab stars, such as Abdulmajeed Abdullah, Majid Al Muhandis, Elissa, Ruby, Ahmed Saad, Dalia Mubarak, Nassif Zeytoun, and Hassan Abouelrouss.
Soundstorm 24 is the region’s largest music and cultural event, and a platform for connection, creativity, and transformation. With state-of-the-art stages, a world-class lineup, and groundbreaking sustainability practices, this year’s festival is set to redefine the live music experience in the region.