SOUNDSTORM Concludes after 260 Hours of Music

A general view during MDLBeast Soundstorm 2021 on December 19, 2021 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Neville Hopwood/Getty Images
A general view during MDLBeast Soundstorm 2021 on December 19, 2021 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Neville Hopwood/Getty Images
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SOUNDSTORM Concludes after 260 Hours of Music

A general view during MDLBeast Soundstorm 2021 on December 19, 2021 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Neville Hopwood/Getty Images
A general view during MDLBeast Soundstorm 2021 on December 19, 2021 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Neville Hopwood/Getty Images

Music lovers said goodbye to the region’s largest music festival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, SOUNDSTORM, after over 260 hours of music played on seven stages over three days.

Tickets to watch the greatest, global artists partaking in this gigantic musical manifestation were sold out as hundreds of thousands of people attended to enjoy all kinds of music on massive stages.

The last day of the festival was packed with the world’s greatest DJs and singers on all stages. The audience at the Big Beast stage were thrilled with DJ Afrojack and his collaboration with Egypt’s Mohamed Ramadan, as well as Marshmello, and David Guetta who played until 3:00 am.

Despite the cold weather encircling the Saudi capital these days, the festival added a special warmth, offering an exquisite, thrilling place that attracts any life lover. The music and the accompanying activities that entertained the visitors while moving from stage to another turned the festival into an endless pleasure.

In the Tent Beast, a giant tent equipped with several giant screens and lasers, visitors found the excitement zone where they can never feel bored. On its last day, the tent hosted long hours of music played by some of the world’s most known DJs including R3HAB, Steve Aoki, and Lost Frequencies who spent the whole night entertaining thousands of fans.

The Down Beast stage was dedicated to those who wanted to stay away from loud music and dancing, and sat to listen to quiet music with their loved ones. Down Beast concluded its days with Palestinian singer Elyanna with her peaceful, tender voice, Jorja Smith, followed by the band Autostrad, and finally with Shkoon.

The four Underground stages entertained their audiences with renowned artists including Amber Broos, Kayan, Rash, Carl Cox, and many others DJs who played techno music and high-pitch rhythms that turned the spectators into storms of singing and dancing.

Most of the visitors agreed that these three days were among the most entertaining days they have ever witnessed; the ambiance they experienced during SOUNDSTORM were full of joy, music, and entertainment accompanied with the best services, foods, and beverages.

The SOUNDSTORM festival brought together over 100 artists from around the world to perform for hundreds of thousands of spectators. This year’s edition hosted the best DJs and singers including DJ Khaled, Post Malone, Bruno Mars, Busta Rhymes, in addition to Arabic singers such as Nancy Ajram, Myriam Fares, Majid al-Muhandis, Amr Diab, and Mohamed Hamaki.



Disney's 'Moana 2' Premiere Honors Hawaiian Culture

Actors Auli'i Cravalho and Dwyane Johnson speak during the premiere of Disney Animation's film Moana 2 in Kapolei, Hawaii, US November 21, 2024.  REUTERS/Marco Garcia
Actors Auli'i Cravalho and Dwyane Johnson speak during the premiere of Disney Animation's film Moana 2 in Kapolei, Hawaii, US November 21, 2024. REUTERS/Marco Garcia
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Disney's 'Moana 2' Premiere Honors Hawaiian Culture

Actors Auli'i Cravalho and Dwyane Johnson speak during the premiere of Disney Animation's film Moana 2 in Kapolei, Hawaii, US November 21, 2024.  REUTERS/Marco Garcia
Actors Auli'i Cravalho and Dwyane Johnson speak during the premiere of Disney Animation's film Moana 2 in Kapolei, Hawaii, US November 21, 2024. REUTERS/Marco Garcia

The world premiere of Disney's "Moana 2" sailed into Oahu, Hawaii on Thursday along with a celebration of Pacific Islander heritage.
In the storyline, three years have passed since Moana's adventures in the first hit film. "At first, she was wondering if she could be a wayfinder,” Auliʻi Cravalho, who voices the title character, told Reuters.
"By the time we see her again she's a ... master navigator."
The film also takes Moana on a journey into the future, so she is traveling "even further beyond," the native Hawaiian actor added.
“Moana 2,” directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller, arrives in theaters on Nov. 27.
In it Moana receives a sudden call from her ancestors to travel the seas and break the god Nalo’s curse, which prevents the people of various islands from reconnecting.
She must form her own crew and reunite with her friend, the demigod Maui, played by Dwayne Johnson.
“Maui’s journey in 'Moana 2' means to me a few things,” Johnson said.
“Number one, legacy, and number two, the character Maui was largely inspired by my grandfather who’s buried here (Hawaii), so it’s pretty meaningful to me,” he added.
The premiere opened with performances from Hawaiian dancers wearing leis and waving Hawaiian flags.
The film is highly anticipated after Disney’s other 2024 animated sequel "Inside Out 2" passed the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office less than three weeks after its release - the fastest that any animated film has reached that level.
The first “Moana” topped the 2016 Thanksgiving box office rankings, earning a mighty $81.1 million over the five-day holiday period.