200 artists, 260 hours of music; SOUNDSTORM enthralls 6,00,000 fans

Riyadh: More than 600,000 fans attended the 2022 edition of SOUNDSTORM, organized by MDLBEAST and the highlight attraction of 'THE LOUDEST WEEK IN RIYADH', as Bruno Mars and David Guetta concluded the three-day festival with stunning Saturday shows.

The global superstars were the headline BIG BEAST acts to help bring the curtain down on an incredible event that saw revelers enjoy 260 hours of live music from 200 artists across seven stages under the Banban desert skies.

Though the lights may be going out in Riyadh, they are being switched fully on in Jeddah for BALAD BEAST, a stunning spectacle in the traditional courtyards of the city on the Red Sea. Tickets to see Carl Cox, Busta Rhymes, Rick Ross, and a whole host of electronic, hip-hop, and indie stars across five spectacular stages this coming Friday and Saturday, December 9 & 10, will be available online.

Ramadan Alharatani, CEO at MDLBEAST, said: "This year's third edition of SOUNDSTORM has emulated the success of its predecessors, exceeding our own expectations as well as our guests, delivering a world-class festival experience, and ushering in a brand-new chapter for the regional music scene. Whilst setting new benchmarks for future music events staged in Saudi Arabia and the wider region, we're equally proud of the legacy these last three days leave behind.

"But the party hasn't stopped, it's just moving from Riyadh to Jeddah, where MDLBEAST is proud to be spreading the power and joy of live music at the inaugural BALAD BEAST.

"The response we've witnessed at SOUNDSTORM, and the feedback of huge anticipation we've received ahead of BALAD BEAST, highlights the love, appreciation, and demand for music amongst our communities. It is a beautiful mix that will advance the creative economy, inspire new talent, and propel the Middle East's position as an emerging global hub for music, art, and culture.

"On behalf of MDLBEAST, I wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to all who have made SOUNDSTORM 2022 so enjoyable and impactful – from our dedicated staff and valued partners to the fans in attendance and artists on stage. We now look ahead to SOUNDSTORM 2023 and our fourth edition, so watch this space and stay tuned for news and updates in due course."

Appearing live in Saudi Arabia for the very first time, the concluding night saw Mars dedicate hit tune 'Just the Way You Are' to every fan watching his spectacular show on SOUNDSTORM'S BIG BEAST stage.

Mars said: "Thank you to everyone for making our first time in Saudi Arabia so special – I'd like to come back again real soon."

Guetta, who performed at the inaugural edition of SOUNDSTORM in 2019, thanked fans for an incredible night and said he was "so happy" to be back playing in Saudi Arabia.

SOUNDSTORM 2022 saw the BIG BEAST, DOWN BEAST and DANCE BEAST settings joined by four UNDERGROUND stages, on a site with a total area of more than 5.5 million square meters as well as EDM, hip hop and R&B.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Jorja Smith wowed the crowds at DOWN BEAST, smiling brightly at one adoring fan who held a placard aloft asking the English star to marry him while Solomun blasted off UG1. Steve Aoki followed Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike to bring proceedings to a close on the DANCE BEAST stage. The final act on the BIG BEAST stage for 2022 to keep the legions of fans bouncing was electronic favorite Marshmello.

BIG BEAST headline acts on Thursday and Friday at the three-day festival included Tiësto, Swedish House Mafia, DJ Khaled, Post Malone, Nancy Ajram, Amr Diab, and many more.