Are you ready to experience three with three highflier festivals, each more immersive, genre-bending than the last that will one hundred percent make every other festival feel like an elevator with a really loud tune? Neon soaked nights turn into golden desert sunrises as MDLBEAST is turning up the volume across Saudi Arabia in 2025. Wind down the year with soulful sets, underground showcases, or stadium-shaking headliners (you have all the choices). So, move over Coachella, we’ve got (three) new desert festivals in town.
Azimuth Festival: Ancient Meets Avant-Garde
Picture this: dancing until dawn beneath some of the world’s most dramatic desert skies. Azimuth merges electronic escapism with cultural storytelling at Wadi Al Fann, where the theme “Until The Sun Comes Up” becomes your reality. The Main Stage features boundary-pushers like Christian Löffler, London Grammar, and Mind Against, while The Hive spotlights regional brilliance with acts like Bedouin and Zeina. But it’s not just about the music, expect art installations, roaming performances, and fashion experiences all framed by AlUla’s otherworldly rock formations.
XP Music Futures: Raves and ROI
More than a festival, XP Music Futures is where creativity collides with commerce. This three-day powerhouse at JAX District in Diriyah transforms the regional music ecosystem through workshops, panels, and showcases. The “DAY” track offers industry deep-dives while “NITE” brings community-fueled performances. With over 100 artists and speakers, competitions like PWR CHORD for guitarists, and mentorship programs championing women in music, it’s empowerment that lasts longer than a playlist.
When: December 4, 5 and 6, 2025.
Where: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Get more details here.
Soundstorm: The Wild Card
Sometimes it pays to not be a purist. Soundstorm returns to Banban with multiple stages including the legendary “Big Beast” and underground arenas spanning techno, hip-hop, and pop-EDM fusions. This R&B/hip-hop-meets-EDM explosion features global superstars across every genre while regional acts set fire to the cold winter desert nights.
This year, Soundstorm boasts a lineup like no other. Cardi B is set to join a lineup including Miguel, Halsey, Tyla, and Ava Max, among so many others. Talk about a more iconic ending to the year.
Also, for the first time, you can access spaces dedicated as women’s entrances, lounges, and camera-free zones to ensure the comfort, safety, and freedom for all festival goers.
Consider this your official invitation to witness the Kingdom’s boldest soundtrack yet.