Over 180,000 Attend First Day of Saudi Arabia's ‘MDLBEAST SOUNDSTORM’

MDLBEAST SOUNDSTORM features a line-up of more than 200 international and Arab performers, Asharq Al-Awsat
MDLBEAST SOUNDSTORM features a line-up of more than 200 international and Arab performers, Asharq Al-Awsat
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Over 180,000 Attend First Day of Saudi Arabia's ‘MDLBEAST SOUNDSTORM’

MDLBEAST SOUNDSTORM features a line-up of more than 200 international and Arab performers, Asharq Al-Awsat
MDLBEAST SOUNDSTORM features a line-up of more than 200 international and Arab performers, Asharq Al-Awsat

Over 180,000 people attended the first day of the largest music festival in the region, MDLBEAST SOUNDSTORM, which kickstarted in Riyadh on Thursday with a line-up of more than 200 international and Arab performers.

The four-day blockbuster music festival embraced the masses that interacted with star performers like Elissa, Majid al-Muhandis, Mohamed Hamaki, Rashed Al-Majed and several global EDM DJs.

Held in Banban in Riyadh, MDLBEAST SOUNDSTORM welcomed festivalgoers and EDM fans to its stages: “BIGBEAST,” “DOWNBEAST,” “DANCEBEAST,” and “UNDERGROUNDBEAST.”

A visit to the festival presents an opportunity to enjoy a unique experience that is not limited to music, but rather a wide and varied list of artistic performances, local art exhibitions, live entertainment shows, food trucks and distinguished restaurants.

The festival offers a multi-sensory, multi-stage experience, showcasing both local and international talent, representing all spheres of the cultural landscape across multiple stages. A feast for the senses, it will enable festivalgoers to enjoy the most innovative, immersive experiences in world-class arts, culture, and food in one single venue.

The festival comes during the successful run of the Riyadh Season as one of the Kingdom’s initiatives to develop the entertainment sector.

Expected to welcome more than 500,000 people over the four days, the event has reflected the new weight of Riyadh on the world art map.



Aroya Cruises Launches First Voyage in the Mediterranean

The ship features world-class facilities and services. SPA
The ship features world-class facilities and services. SPA
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Aroya Cruises Launches First Voyage in the Mediterranean

The ship features world-class facilities and services. SPA
The ship features world-class facilities and services. SPA

Aroya Cruises, a subsidiary of Cruise Saudi and fully owned by the Public Investment Fund, has announced the launch of its inaugural Mediterranean voyage on June 28, offering guests a fully integrated tourism experience inspired by authentic Arab hospitality, across some of the world’s most prominent cruise destinations.

The AROYA, the cruise line’s flagship vessel, set sail from its Mediterranean homeport at Galataport in Istanbul on a seven-night journey visiting key destinations including Athens, Souda Bay, and Mykonos in Greece, followed by Bodrum in Türkiye, before returning to Istanbul on July 5.

Building on the success of its inaugural Red Sea season, Aroya Cruises will continue operating Mediterranean voyages through mid-September 2025, offering diverse itineraries ranging from six to seven nights. Destinations include Marmaris, Rhodes, Alexandria, and several other prominent coastal cities in Türkiye, Greece, and Egypt.

The ship features world-class facilities and services, including a main pool area, a theater with daily entertainment, and a wellness center offering therapeutic treatments, spa services, a beauty clinic, and a fitness club.

Guests can also enjoy a wide range of activities tailored for all family members, such as an adventure zone, sports complex, water park, and one of the largest kids’ areas aboard any cruise ship. Culinary offerings include 12 restaurants and 17 cafés, serving a curated mix of Saudi and international cuisines.

President of Aroya Cruises Dr. Joerg Rudolph expressed pride in the company’s first Mediterranean voyage, noting that this milestone comes just six months after the launch of its cruise operations.

He emphasized that the cruise line’s expansion into top European destinations aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals to support tourism sector growth.