Jeddah’s Onyx Arena hosts electrifying finale to MDLBeast summer series

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The night featured electrifying performances, headlined by Black Eyed Peas, who captivated the crowd with their global hits and high energy. (Supplied)
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After Black Eyed Peas, a member of the Italian electronic trio Meduza closed the night with their progressive house beats. (Supplied)
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Updated 09 August 2025
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Jeddah’s Onyx Arena hosts electrifying finale to MDLBeast summer series

  • Night featured electrifying performances, headlined by Black Eyed Peas, who captivated crowd with their hits
  • Lead vocalist will.i.am thanked fans for welcoming them back to Saudi Arabia, dedicating a song to “unity, collaboration, and togetherness”

JEDDAH: MDLBeast closed its 2025 summer series with a spectacular finale at Jeddah’s Onyx Arena on Friday.

The night featured electrifying performances, headlined by Black Eyed Peas, who captivated the crowd with their global hits and high energy.

Lead vocalist will.i.am thanked fans for welcoming them back to Saudi Arabia, dedicating a song to “unity, collaboration, and togetherness.”

“And if we don’t already have those things in our lives, then we should search for them, especially with our families, and seek out love,” he added, sending a powerful message of connection and hope that resonated deeply with the audience.

The evening opened with local electronic sensation Sharkk, followed by regional R&B star Bayou, whose blend of Middle Eastern influences and contemporary pop drew enthusiastic applause.

After Black Eyed Peas, a member of the Italian electronic trio Meduza closed the night with their progressive house beats.

“The energy from the crowd in Jeddah is something special truly electric,” Meduza said during the set.

This year’s MDLBeast summer series drew thousands, with performances from global stars such as Swae Lee, Ty Dolla $ign, Don Diablo, Metro Bomin, Quavo, Central Cee, and R3HAB, alongside regional rising talents including Leen, Bayou, Jeed, Saud, and Shancoty.

Rehab, from Jeddah, who attended all four weeks, said: “The energy here at Onyx is electric. Seeing international artists like Black Eyed Peas and Ty Dolla $ign alongside our own Saudi talents shows how far our music scene has come.

“Since I couldn’t travel this summer, I truly enjoyed spending my time during the weekends and appreciated every single performance.”

Another fan, Sahal Marwan, added: “MDLBeast is transforming the entertainment scene in Saudi Arabia. Even though it’s very hot outside, the air-conditioned Onyx Arena creates the perfect environment for music lovers to fully enjoy the experience.

“Above all, it’s incredible to see such a vibrant mix of international and local artists sharing the stage.”

MDLBeast is already preparing for the upcoming XP Music Futures and its flagship Soundstorm Festival this December in Riyadh.


The founding economy: A blueprint for stability in the First Saudi State

Updated 23 February 2026
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The founding economy: A blueprint for stability in the First Saudi State

  • The establishment of the First Saudi State created a secure environment that facilitated the arrival of caravans, secured vast trade routes, and revived commerce across the Arabian Peninsula

RIYADH: The economy during the founding stage of the First Saudi State served as a fundamental pillar in building the nation, consolidating its influence, and ensuring its stability. This early economic growth was inextricably linked to achieving security, unifying regions, and organizing society—factors that directly stimulated trade, stabilized markets, and enhanced the foundations of daily life in Diriyah and its surrounding areas.
According to Dr. Abdullah Al-Saleh Al-Othaimeen's "Diriyah: Origins and Development during the First Saudi State," published by the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah), the founding economy stands as a historical model reflecting the reciprocal relationship between political stability and early economic prosperity.

Beyond its political and intellectual prominence, Diriyah emerged as a vibrant economic hub. (SPA)

The establishment of the First Saudi State created a secure environment that facilitated the arrival of caravans, secured vast trade routes, and revived commerce across the Arabian Peninsula.
Beyond its political and intellectual prominence, Diriyah emerged as a vibrant economic hub. Its active markets attracted merchants and students from across the region, all of whom benefited from the state-provided stability. The local society relied on diverse activities for its livelihood, including trade, agriculture, and livestock breeding, with horses and camels playing crucial roles in transportation, commerce, and securing roads.
The social and administrative organization upon which the state was founded ensured the continuous availability of goods and sustained market stability. Ultimately, the close relationship between public security and economic growth during this founding phase solidified Diriyah's position as a premier political and commercial center in the Arabian Peninsula.