For three thunderous days in December, the Saudi Arabian desert was once again transformed into the planet’s most colossal sonic fortress. MDLBEAST Soundstorm, set in the sweeping, specially constructed site in Banban, just outside the rapidly modernising capital of Riyadh, isn’t just a music festival; it is a declaration of scale and ambition. It solidifies its status as a global destination event, blending the raw, ancient landscape with a dazzling, futuristic citadel designed purely for kinetic energy. The production — a city of light featuring the record-breaking “Big Beast” stage — was a masterclass in immersive spectacle, setting the benchmark for live performance architecture.
Entering its sixth edition, Soundstorm 2025 introduces a redesigned experience that brings stages, zones, and audiences closer than ever before. With this new, major structural transformation, the site allows the crowd to navigate, explore, and enjoy music and culture with greater ease. It’s a more efficient layout that brings the various stages closer to each other (so less walking); yet they are set cleverly apart in their own sections so the sounds stay in their lanes.
There are 14 stages spread across four directions — East, West, North, and South districts, all branching out from Downtown, which is the heart of Soundstorm and the main social hub for food (with 41 F&B outlets — we found KFC and Krispy Kreme!), fashion, art, and culture. We’ve also just been told that Downtown will also remain open all-year round. We picked up a Soundstorm cap, keychain, hoodie and a Heineken 0.0 — complete with free gifts that are collectibles in themselves.
The true currency of Soundstorm 2025, however, was its sheer breadth of sound. The lineup transcended genre boundaries, successfully merging global superstars of pop and hip-hop with the heavyweights of electronic music. Crossover megastar Post Malone anchored the opening night with a set that was anthemic and full of raw energy; while the festival climaxed with the high-voltage energy of Cardi B (who was fully covered in a bright pink head-to-toe specially-designed Gaurav Gupta couture ensemble), and the polished, radio-friendly precision of Halsey.
Check out the official video of Day 3 of Soundstorm:
Equally crucial were the titans of the dance world: Calvin Harris delivered his signature stadium-sized euphoria, and the presence of electronic pioneers like Swedish House Mafia, DJ Snake, and the deep house pulse of Black Coffee ensured the underground stages maintained their magnetic pull until the early hours. The programming was a meticulously curated cultural exchange, equally highlighting rising regional talent alongside international acts like Ava Max and Benson Boone.
Soundstorm 2025 also introduces the HER experience with 8 female-only viewing zones, 5 new women-focused spaces including lounges and welcome centres, and over 2,300 metres of HER Path, a dedicated wayfinding system. There were also dedicated female-only entry lanes and a double-decker viewing platform for women.
Ultimately, Soundstorm 2025 proved that its location in Riyadh is not merely a setting, but a statement. It is a powerful reflection of a culture in accelerated motion — young, globally connected, and thirsty for the next evolution of live entertainment. This festival does more than host world-class talent; it creates an unforgettable, inclusive environment where hundreds of thousands of fans from across the region and the world converge. It remains the essential destination for anyone looking to witness where the pulse of global music culture is heading.
Follow MDLBEAST Soundstorm on Instagram @mdlbeast.soundstorm to keep tabs on the next edition. All photos courtesy of MDLBEAST.
