In a grand celebration of music and art, Saudi Arabia hosted the fifth edition of MDLBeast Soundstorm, one of the world’s largest music festivals.
From December 12-14, 2024, Riyadh hosted a world-class lineup of stars who delivered breathtaking music performances, drawing an audience exceeding 200,000 people over the festival’s period.
Celebrated Lineup
MDLBeast Soundstorm 2024 featured more than 200 music stars from the Middle East and the world, playing various genres from hip-hop to rock in stunning shows that dazzled the Saudi capital. The list included famous singers, international DJs and emerging stars who offered vibrant music performances over the event’s three days.
The most prominent stars included Linkin Park, Eminem, Armin Van Buuren, Muse, Jason Derulo, DJ Snake, Camila Cabello, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Steve Aoki. Moreover, music legends, such as Akon, David Guetta, Afrojack, Black Coffee, and Calvin Harris, featured at MDLBeast Soundstorm 2024.
Linkin Park Rocks Riyadh
The festival’s opening night saw an awe-inspiring performance for the popular rock band Linkin Park. In a stunning comeback, the band took the stage with their all-time hits, alongside their newest member, Emily Armstrong.
The concert at Riyadh was part of Linkin Park’s 2025 From Zero World Tour, where they performed songs from their latest album, From Zero, as well as their popular hits, including In the End, Numb, Crawling, Breaking the Habit, Papercut, and One more light.
The band had a hard time after their lead singer, Chester Bennington, passed away in 2017. However, they managed to move on, honor Bennington’s legacy, and dazzle audiences with a dynamic and lively performance.
Eminem Electrifies the Stage
Following Linkin Park, the world rap icon, Eminem, set the stage on fire with one-of-a-kind performance. Eminem, also known as Slim Shady, introduced himself as the Arabified “Saleem Shady.” The American rapper expressed excitement about the large number of audiences, which exceeded 100,000 people. “Man, this could be the biggest crowd I’ve ever played to,” he said.
In a strong performance, Eminem played his popular hits from his old and new albums, including from his newest album The Death of Slim Shady. The epic show concluded with his iconic song Lose Yourself, the theme song of the popular movie 8 Mile.
Eminem’s stage entrance was unique and shocking, as he got out of a coffin wearing a hockey mask and carrying a chainsaw. During the show, he engaged in comedic conversations with his sidekick, Mr. Porter. The rapper also interacted with the crowd and expressed his admiration for Saudi Arabia.
Seera: Saudi Female Rock Band Shines at Soundstorm
In a showcase of the massive transformation in the Saudi music scene, the all-female rock band Seera performed at the MDLBeast Soundstorm 2024. Seera played songs from their latest album Al Mojallad Al Awal (Volume 1).
The female rock band was formed in 2022. Seera is an Arabic word meaning story or journey. The band plays a fascinating fusion of rock music that draws inspiration from Middle Eastern music. Seera’s prominence in just two years, and their debut at such a big music event, highlights their creativity and the Kingdom’s evolving music landscape.
Arab Artists Showcase Talent
The lineup of MDLBeast Soundstorm 2024 featured many regional artists, including the big names and the rising stars as well. They delivered amazing performances across various music genres, offering unique blends of Arabic and international music.
The Palestinian-Jordanian singer, Zeyne, known for her viral hit Asli Ana, set the stage ablaze alongside the Egyptian singer Bayou and Egyptian rapper Marwan Moussa.
The grand music festival also featured other renowned Arab singers, such as Elissa, Ahmed Saad, Majid Al-Mohandis, Rouby, Nassif Zaytoun, and Dalia Mubarak.
MDLBeast Soundstorm 2024 Makes History
The MDLBeast Soundstorm music festival has made remarkable milestones, establishing its name among the world’s largest music events. According to the National Newspaper, the festival now holds a Guinness World Records title for the Largest Continuous Outdoor LED Screen (Temporary). The LED screen spanned an area of 4,808.84 square meters, overtaking Adele’s achievement at her outdoor concerts in Munich this year.
Furthermore, the MDLBeast Soundstorm has collected many titles over the past five years. In its inaugural edition in 2019, it secured the tallest stage title, while in 2022, it broke the record for having the most flame projections launched simultaneously at a music concert, with 112 flame units.
