Saudi Arabia’s MDLBeast to host a 12-hour online music festival 

The livestream will take feature a stellar lineup of artists. (File/AFP)
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Updated 09 September 2021
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Saudi Arabia’s MDLBeast to host a 12-hour online music festival 

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s MDLBeast music festival is back, but this time it’s digital.

Organizers announced Monday that the electronic dance event, that was held for the first time in Riyadh in December 2019, will return with a 12-hour virtual edition– MDLBeast Freqways – on June 20 from 7:00 p.m. to 7 a.m. (Saudi time) to end on the World Music Day.  

The event will feature a stellar lineup of international DJs and musical groups including Steve Aoki, Maceo Plex, Afrojack, Claptone, Danny Tenaglia, Deep Dish, Sasha, Butch, Art Department, Laidback Luke, Delano Smith, Gui Boratto, Phil Weeks, Benny Benassi, and Dirty South, as well as regional talents including K.Led & Majid, Vinyl Mode and SPCEBOI.

“The music industry in the region is raw and the merging of neo-culture and technology creates a new buzz, inspiring young musicians to create fresh, unexpected music,” said  Ahmad Alammary, chief creative officer, in a released statement.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Do you know how tall the #Mainstage at #MDLBeast was?

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“MLDBEAST is here to celebrate that. Music and art are universal. A language that can bring people together, inspiring new thriving, creative communities.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Selfies with the Stars #mdlbeast

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Following the successful launch of MDLBeast’s inaugural annual event, where 400,000 people came together in Saudi Arabia over the span of three days, the festival has quickly established itself as a global creative platform setting the tone for music, art and culture in the Middle East.

With the world’s largest ever festival stage, the event is believed to have forever changed the Saudi entertainment landscape by inspiring the next generation and awakening the EDM community within the Kingdom.


Riyadh celebrates Sudanese heritage in cultural week finale

Updated 15 December 2025
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Riyadh celebrates Sudanese heritage in cultural week finale

  • Visitors experience sounds of dalooka, rababa in lively spectacle
  • Global Harmony 2 initiative has offered an integrated cultural experience highlighting 14 cultures

RIYADH: The Sudanese Culture Week continues in Riyadh until Dec. 20, attracting visitors from a variety of nationalities to diverse cultural performances, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Ministry of Media has organized the events as part of the Global Harmony 2 initiative, in cooperation with the General Entertainment Authority and the Quality of Life Program.

Held at Al-Suwaidi Park, one of Riyadh Season’s zones, the week began with a celebratory parade featuring traditional Sudanese music which included the sounds of the dalooka and the rababa. A traditional Sudanese bridal procession was the subject of a tableau that also engaged visitors.

Sudanese Culture Week also includes musical concerts, entertainment sections, and cultural pavilions, with participation from Sudanese singers and influencers presenting activities that reflect the cultural diversity of the country’s regions and communities.

The event’s stage hosted the opening concerts, which were attended by thousands who enjoyed rababa performances and popular Sudanese songs.

Citizens and residents explored Sudanese culture through its folk arts, traditional music, and customs.

The celebration marks the final week of the Global Harmony 2 initiative’s cultural events. These have built on the program’s success in promoting cultural exchange and showcasing the cultures of communities residing in the Kingdom, reflecting the values of coexistence and cultural openness.

Over more than 40 days the Global Harmony 2 initiative has offered an integrated cultural experience highlighting 14 cultures.

Indian Culture Week was the first in a series featuring countries from Asia, Africa, and the Arab world.

Other weeks have placed the spotlight on regions such as the Philippines, Egypt, Pakistan, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Bangladesh, Yemen, Uganda, and Ethiopia, providing traditional arts and music, cuisine, and social activities.

The initiative has included more than 100 artists and creators presenting artistic and musical performances, along with areas showcasing traditional cuisine, clothing, handicrafts, and family-friendly interactive activities.

It has received wide acclaim for highlighting the lives of residents in the Kingdom and the services provided to them.