An Exclusive Preview of the Region’s Largest Music Festival Soundstorm’24

Ahmed Bin Abdulqader

Journalists toured the sprawling festival grounds of Soundstorm 24, gaining exclusive insight into the preparations for the fifth edition of the largest music festival in the Middle East and North Africa. Organized by MDLBEAST, the leading Saudi music entertainment company, Soundstorm 24 is set to light up Riyadh’s Banban area from December 12 to 14, with performances by global superstars and regional, and local icons.
Spanning over 1.2 million square meters, this year’s festival features ten stages, up from eight in 2023, all designed with state-of-the-art audio-visual technologies, immersive light displays, and a focus on sustainability. With more than 250 hours of live music planned, Soundstorm 24 promises a truly unparalleled entertainment experience.
The media was briefed on the VIB lounges, panoramic viewing platforms, and special viewing areas for ladies, a new addition in all festival stages this year, along with special entry lanes for girls at the GA and VIB gates.
The Soudstorm site is fully monitored around the clock with over 100 screens connected with 350 cameras, along with a team of 2,000 security personnel trained in crowd management and rapid response to secure a safe environment for all attendees, using AI facial recognition technology in cameras for the first time this year as part of security and safety preparations.
Spanning over 5,000 square meters, Big Beast Stage, the centerpiece of Soundstorm 24, features LED screens with over 78 million pixels, making it the world’s largest stage. Inspired by the theme of electronic games, the stage boasts a floating cube centerpiece, The sculpture is inspired by the overall gamified theme of the festival with its cubic architecture mimicking a pixelated sculpture that floats over the landscape and can accommodate 66,000 attendees.
Soundstorm 2024 promises to redefine live music experiences with cutting-edge innovations designed to captivate audiences. Highlights include over 1,600 drones choreographed into stunning aerial displays, a fireworks
show featuring more than 1,650 kilograms of pyrotechnics and 4,500 unique elements, and a meticulously planned parking system accommodating over 90,000 vehicles. From the moment attendees arrive to the moment they leave, every detail has been crafted to ensure maximum comfort and an unforgettable journey.
As part of its commitment to environmental stewardship, Soundstorm 24 is implementing innovative sustainability practices. This year, the festival is adopting an efficient system to recycle 36% of waste away from landfills, while the Underground Stages (UG2 and UG3) will operate on biofuel, compared to last year’s energy-powered operation, in addition to a system to recycle 80% of the consumed water through on-site water treatment facilities.
Respect initiative returns for its second year, ensuring a safer and more inclusive experience for all festival-goers through six Respect Centers across the site, operated by a dedicated team of more than 80 trained staff working alongside MDLBEAST’s operational teams to uphold safety and privacy standards for all.
This year’s festival lineup features more than 200 artists, including international icons like Eminem, Linkin Park, Calvin Harris, Camila Cabello, and David Guetta, alongside a stellar roster of Arab stars, such as Abdulmajeed Abdullah, Majid Al Muhandis, Elissa, Ruby, Ahmed Saad, Dalia Mubarak, Nassif Zeytoun, and Hassan Abouelrouss.
Soundstorm 24 is the region’s largest music and cultural event, and a platform for connection, creativity, and transformation. With state-of-the-art stages, a world-class lineup, and groundbreaking sustainability practices, this year’s festival is set to redefine the live music experience in the region