Saudi Arabia’s MDLBEAST is set to redefine the Middle East’s music scene with a fresh festival concept and a series of initiatives planned for 2025.
MDLBEAST recently unveiled its A Thousand And One festival, a blend of music, arts, and culture. Scheduled for April 24-25 in Riyadh, the event promises an immersive combination of electronic music and storytelling.
CEO Ramadan Alharatani emphasized the festival’s role in the company’s mission to deliver diverse music experiences, inspired by local heritage and culture.
Additionally, the MDLBEAST Foundation is actively transforming the music industry in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
In 2024, the foundation launched several programs to enhance the MENA music ecosystem:
- XPERFORM – A talent competition that discovered Lamia Khattab from over 1,000 applicants.
- Hearful – An initiative raising awareness about hearing health, conducting over 140 tests.
- XCHANGE – Workshops across the Middle East, engaging 200+ music professionals.
- Sound Futures – Connecting music startups with investors.
- PWR CHORD – Showcasing guitarists to a panel of judges.
- Artist Management Bootcamp – Graduating 35 individuals, some securing internships with major music labels.
Some of these programs will continue into 2025, including the HUNNA mentorship, the XPERFORM competition, and the XCHANGE workshops. These efforts build on the success of the 2024 XP Music Futures conference, which attracted thousands of attendees and hundreds of speakers.
Director Nada Alhelabi highlighted the foundation’s impact on shaping a global, inclusive, and innovative music industry.
In January, Alharatani expressed the company’s ambition to establish Saudi Arabia as a global hub for music and entertainment within five years, with local talents gaining international acclaim.