How Riyadh’s MDL Beast Festival became a musical extravaganza like no other

Special How Riyadh’s MDL Beast Festival became a musical extravaganza like no other
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Marshmello waving the Saudi flag at Jeddah Season 2019. (Social Media)
Special How Riyadh’s MDL Beast Festival became a musical extravaganza like no other
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DJ Steve Oaki rocking a Saudi thobe in Riyadh. (Social Media)
Special How Riyadh’s MDL Beast Festival became a musical extravaganza like no other
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DJ Steve Oaki performing at MDLBEAST Soundstorm. (Social Media)
Special How Riyadh’s MDL Beast Festival became a musical extravaganza like no other
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The MDL Beast Festival, known as Soundstorm, is the biggest music and culture festival in the Middle East. (Social Media)
Special How Riyadh’s MDL Beast Festival became a musical extravaganza like no other
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David Guetta and MORTEN speak to the press at MDLBEAST Soundstorm. (Social Media)
Special How Riyadh’s MDL Beast Festival became a musical extravaganza like no other
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DJ Khaled performing at MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022. (Social Media)
Special How Riyadh’s MDL Beast Festival became a musical extravaganza like no other
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Post Malone performing at MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022. (Getty Images)
Special How Riyadh’s MDL Beast Festival became a musical extravaganza like no other
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Tiesto performing at MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2021. (Social Media)
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Updated 03 October 2023
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How Riyadh’s MDL Beast Festival became a musical extravaganza like no other

How Riyadh’s MDL Beast Festival became a musical extravaganza like no other
  • Held in Riyadh since 2019, the event offers a multi-sensory experience with music, food and interactive activities
  • A number of famous international singers and DJs have performed on the Big Beast stage at Soundstorm

RIYADH: The MDL Beast Festival, known as Soundstorm, is the biggest music and culture festival in the Middle East. Held in Riyadh since 2019, it offers a multi-sensory experience with music, food and interactive activities.

Organized by the General Entertainment Authority, the three-day event is a highlight of Riyadh Season and showcases more than 100 international DJs and Arab stars.

Soundstorm has featured over 200 artists across seven stages: Big Beast, Down Beast, Dance Beast and four underground stages.

Here are some notable international singers and DJs who have performed on the Big Beast stage at Soundstorm.

DJ Khaled

DJ Khaled is a Palestinian US DJ. He is famous for his catchphrase “Another one” and his hit songs and albums. He performed at the DJ Khaled and Friends event alongside artists like Busta Rhymes, Future, T.I., Rick Ross and more.

Post Malone

Post Malone, a US singer, rapper, songwriter and record producer, captivated audiences with his diverse vocal range during his performance at the festival.

Bruno Mars

Bruno Mars, the talented US singer, is renowned for his electrifying stage presence. With his ability to seamlessly transition between various genres including pop, R&B, funk, soul, reggae, disco and rock, he wowed the crowd with his captivating performance on the Big Beast stage.

R3hab

R3hab, the Dutch Moroccan DJ and music producer, is a regular performer in Saudi Arabia. He is famous for remixing popular artists like Rihanna, Drake, Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris, as well as creating his own hit anthems like “All Around The World (La La La)” and “Lullaby.” His awe-inspiring performances on the Big Beast stage left the audience amazed.

Tiesto

Tiesto, the Dutch DJ and Grammy award-winning electronic music producer, impressed the audience on the Big Beast stage. He also performed at the Jeddah Grand Prix event.

Zedd

Zedd, the German DJ, record producer and songwriter, has collaborated with renowned singers such as Selena Gomez, Ke$ha, Hayley Williams and more.

DJ Snake

DJ Snake, the French music producer and DJ, gained worldwide fame in 2013 with his instrumental-focused single “Turn Down for What” featuring Lil Jon. He has produced other popular tracks including “Taki Taki,” “Lean On” and “Let Me Love You.”

Steve Aoki

Steve Aoki, the US DJ and music producer, is known for his EDM and big house style. He has collaborated with notable artists such as BTS, Louis Tomlinson, Iggy Azalea and Fall Out Boy. Aoki has been performing in Saudi Arabia since 2019, including shows in Jeddah and three appearances at Soundstorm.

Hardwell

Hardwell, the Dutch superstar DJ and founder of Revealed Recordings, was voted the world’s no. 1 DJ by DJ Mag in 2013 and 2014. He is renowned for his electrifying performances at music festivals such as Ultra Music Festival, Sunburn and Tomorrowland.

Afrojack

Afrojack, the Dutch DJ, music producer and remixer, consistently ranks among the top 10 artists in DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs list. He has produced hits such as “Turn Up the Speakers,” “Ten Feet Tall,” “Take Over Control” and more.

Marshmello

Marshmello, the US DJ and producer recognized for his iconic marshmallow-shaped headpiece, has achieved great success with his songs “Silence,” “Wolves,” “Friends,” “Happier” and “Alone.” Marshmello has also made notable appearances at Jeddah Season and Riyadh Season.


Red Sea Fund opens registration for post-production grants

Red Sea Fund opens registration for post-production grants
Updated 07 August 2024
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Red Sea Fund opens registration for post-production grants

Red Sea Fund opens registration for post-production grants
  • Period for the fourth phase runs until Aug. 21

RIYADH: The Red Sea International Film Festival has opened registration for the fourth phase of the Red Sea Fund, which supports post-production film projects.

The registration period runs until Aug. 21, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The fund supports films needing final touches after filming. It seeks to attract works in the region from the documentary, fiction, animation, episodic, short, and feature film genres.

The fund accepts applications from directors of Arab and African origin, while the works are required to have a minimum duration of 60 minutes.

The Red Sea Fund has supported more than 250 films, initiated industry support programs, helped to celebrate women, and funded graduation films since its inception in 2021.

It also collaborates with international festivals and provides awards for exceptional projects.

Interested applicants who wish to register for the fourth phase should access redseafilmfest.com/en/red-sea-fund-2/.


118 colleges added to Saudi Cultural Scholarship Program

118 colleges added to Saudi Cultural Scholarship Program
Updated 07 August 2024
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118 colleges added to Saudi Cultural Scholarship Program

118 colleges added to Saudi Cultural Scholarship Program

RIYADH: The Ministry of Culture has expanded its Cultural Scholarship Program, adding 118 colleges to its list of accredited educational institutions, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The move aims to support national cadres, respond to the growing needs of the labor market and achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 in relation to culture, the ministry said.

The additions take the number of institutions involved in the program to 278 in 15 countries, of which 58 are in the US, 40 in the UK and one in Russia.

Among the newcomers are the University of San Francisco, Arizona State University, University of Colorado Boulder, Royal Holloway, University of London, the University of Liverpool, Padova University in Italy and Lund University in Sweden.

The program offers students the chance to obtain scholarships in 13 cultural and artistic fields. The awards cover the cost of their tuition fees, living expenses, medical insurance and travel. Their academic development is also monitored and evaluated.


Who’s Who: Edward Byrne, new president of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology 

Who’s Who: Edward Byrne, new president of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology 
Updated 49 min 5 sec ago
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Who’s Who: Edward Byrne, new president of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology 

Who’s Who: Edward Byrne, new president of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology 
  • Byrne succeeds Tony Chan, who joined KAUST as president in 2018

Edward Byrne was appointed as the new president of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology on Wednesday, with the appointment effective from Sept. 1.

Byrne’s appointment marks a significant milestone for the university as it continues its transformative journey through the implementation of its Accelerating Impact Strategy.

Byrne succeeds Tony Chan who joined KAUST as president in 2018. Chan significantly enhanced KAUST’s alignment with Vision 2030, expanding its global research and academic influence.

Byrne said: “It is an honor to join an academic community at the forefront of translating research into economically productive innovations for the benefit of society across the Kingdom and the world.

“Drawing on my extensive career leading top-ranked global universities and visionary approaches to scientific discovery, I welcome the opportunity to lead an institution that is paving the way for future progress and is committed to making the discoveries that will power tomorrow.”

Byrne has been serving as the global chief medical officer of Ramsay Health Care Group since 2021, where he extended his leadership beyond academia into global healthcare governance and strategic advisory roles.

He is also vice chancellor’s distinguished fellow at The Australian National University and chairs various boards and think tanks.

He was the president and principal of King’s College London from 2014 to 2021, chairing King’s Health Partners and spearheading the university’s Vision 2029.

His efforts made significant contributions to society and positioned KCL at the forefront of the national agenda.

Byrne was the president and vice chancellor of Monash University in Melbourne from 2009 to 2014, where he demonstrated his capacity for innovation and impact by establishing a new campus in Suzhou, China, and fostering a major alliance with the University of Warwick.

He had previously left Australia for London in 2007 and held the positions of executive dean of the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, head of the Medical School, and vice provost at University College London until 2009.

The Yazidi nightmare
Ten years after the genocide, their torment continues
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Madinah governor cites King Salman Medical City’s for obtaining accreditation

Madinah governor cites King Salman Medical City’s for obtaining accreditation
Updated 07 August 2024
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Madinah governor cites King Salman Medical City’s for obtaining accreditation

Madinah governor cites King Salman Medical City’s for obtaining accreditation

MADINAH: Madinah Gov. Prince Salman bin Sultan received King Salman Medical City CEO Abdulrahman Al-Harbi in Madinah, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
Prince Salman congratulated the staff of the medical institute for obtaining accreditation from the Saudi Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions.
He hailed recent advances in the health sector and encouraged staff to continue improving integrated health services.


Saudi deputy FM meets with Palestine’s representative to UN on sidelines of OIC meeting

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji meets with the Permanent Representative of Palestine to the United Nations.
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji meets with the Permanent Representative of Palestine to the United Nations.
Updated 49 min 46 sec ago
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Saudi deputy FM meets with Palestine’s representative to UN on sidelines of OIC meeting

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji meets with the Permanent Representative of Palestine to the United Nations.
  • Al-Khuraiji condemned the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh at OIC meeting, saying it was a “flagrant violation of the sovereignty” of Iran

RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji met with the Permanent Representative of Palestine to the United Nations Riyad Mansour on Wednesday.

During the meeting on the sidelines of an Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit in Jeddah, the two officials discussed the latest developments in the Palestinian crisis.

They also reviewed regional developments, Saudi Press Agency reported. 

Al-Khuraiji also met with Iran’s Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani and Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Gambian Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara, and Abu Bakr Mohamed Hanafi.

At the OIC meeting, Al-Khuraiji condemned the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, saying it was a “flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran, its territorial integrity and national security, international law and the Charter of the United Nations and constitutes a threat to regional peace and security.”

The Yazidi nightmare
Ten years after the genocide, their torment continues
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