The Soundstorm festival in Riyadh continues to rack up the distinctions.
In addition to landing the Guinness World Record for the tallest stage as part of its inaugural 2019 event and to placing the kingdom firmly on the live music touring map, the mammoth four-day gathering achieved what arguably no other popular Middle Eastern music festival could: it made Arab pop-superstar Elissa a footnote to the proceedings.
Such is the all-star line-up of more than 150 leading DJs – including Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren and Carl Cox – the Lebanese show-stopper’s presence was relatively muted, amid all the electronic music fire power on display during a blockbuster opening day on Thursday that welcomed up to 180,000 people, according to organisers.
“Elissa was here?” Waleed Al Awad, 27, said as he strolled to the Big Beast main stage in time for R3hab’s set. “Man, I didn’t know. There is so much going on that I really can’t keep up.”
The life-long "Riyadh-awi" could be referring to the festival’s all out sensory assault as much as the changes sweeping through the Saudi capital’s entertainment and leisure sector.
Soundstorm is part of the 7,000 events taking place under the Riyadh Season banner, running until March 2022. “Am I surprised by what has happened here in my city and Saudi Arabia? I would only say ‘yes’ in terms of how quick it has been,” Al Awad says.
“But I am not surprised in the reaction of the people. Look at everyone here, we are acting like this has always been part of our lives.
“That is because Saudi youth know what is going on. A lot of us travel the world and attend festivals like this in Europe and the US. Now we don’t have to. Even if this Soundstorm is not as over-the-top as 2019, it is still fantastic and I will be here for all four days.”
A maturing music scene
Al Awad’s comments are more an observation than a criticism.
Where the 2019 event, formally known as MDL Beast, was all shock and awe with its gargantuan 38-meter-high mainstage and a dream artist line-up that made Belgium’s Tomorrowland festival seem like yesterday’s news, the 2021 version exhibits all the signs of a maturing festival and electronic music scene.
After all, you can’t separate one from the other.
While Saudi Arabia has been hosting EDM concerts since 2018, it was the 2019 MDL Beast festival that laid the foundations for the community to really take shape.
The historic event had a catalytic effect, with the festival’s parent company, also called MDL Beast, going on to launch a record label featuring Saudi artists, as well as the XP Music conference, which connected the local music scene with industry leaders for three days of discussions and workshops.
All that work is bearing fruit. Soundstorm is no longer relying on bells and whistles – although all six stages remain spectacular in scale and design – to hold the attention of its audience, but rather offering a well curated line-up spanning mainstream and independent artists.
All stages were well attended throughout the first day.
The Dance Beast stage, resembling an airport hangar, was packed with fans pogoing to the heaving house beats of US spinner ACraze.
A 10-minute walk away, amid a well-lit concourse home to dozens of food stalls, featuring everything from shawarmas and pizzas to Amsterdam style fries (with satay sauce and mayonnaise) is the Underground – a complex of three subterranean looking stages built from industrial crates.
This is the place to experience the ebullient and sometimes uncompromising sounds of techno and tech-house, best exemplified through standout performances from Germany’s Claptone and Hosh.
You can’t stop the movement
Which brings us back to the festival’s nerve centre, the Big Beast stage.
Where the 2019 version had star acts performing from a towering edifice that looked like it was carved out of a mountain, a new design reflects a festival taking flight.
Throughout the night, artists such as the Swedish duo Axwell and Ingrosso and recent Abu Dhabi Formula One headliner DJ Snake performed in the middle of a falcon’s wings.
The backdrop worked, as Big Beast is the place to hear the soaring anthems that made EDM the new pop music, with thousands singing along to festival staples such as Swedish House Mafia's Don't You Worry Child and Avicii’s Levels, played by Axwell and Ingrosso and Tiesto respectively.
Watching Tiesto's set were Syria’s Kinan Khalid, 28, and Lubna Ali, 29. “I am a civil engineer,” Khalid says. “The music is great but I am so amazed by the constructions of the stage and the event. I know this was set up relatively quickly so it’s just impressive to see how it came together.”
Wearing a shirt emblazoned with illuminating headphones, Ali was clear about her reasons for coming to Soundstorm.
“We didn’t have entertainment in Riyadh for such a long time and I feel now that we are in a movement that we can’t go back from,” she says.
“This was a long time coming and all that we needed was that final push and here we are. The fact that this all looks so easy and natural shows that we have always been ready for this.”
Soundstorm runs until December 19 in a purpose-built location in Banban, Riyadh. Tickets are from 399 Saudi riyals ($106), which includes a shuttle bus from various locations in Riyadh. Doors open from 3pm. More information is available at mdlbeast.com
J%20Street%20Polling%20Results
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The biog
Fast facts on Neil Armstrong’s personal life:
- Armstrong was born on August 5, 1930, in Wapakoneta, Ohio
- He earned his private pilot’s license when he was 16 – he could fly before he could drive
- There was tragedy in his married life: Neil and Janet Armstrong’s daughter Karen died at the age of two in 1962 after suffering a brain tumour. She was the couple’s only daughter. Their two sons, Rick and Mark, consulted on the film
- After Armstrong departed Nasa, he bought a farm in the town of Lebanon, Ohio, in 1971 – its airstrip allowed him to tap back into his love of flying
- In 1994, Janet divorced Neil after 38 years of marriage. Two years earlier, Neil met Carol Knight, who became his second wife in 1994
CABINET%20OF%20CURIOSITIES%20EPISODE%201%3A%20LOT%2036
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RESULT
Al Hilal 4 Persepolis 0
Khribin (31', 54', 89'), Al Shahrani 40'
Red card: Otayf (Al Hilal, 49')
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Drishyam 2
Directed by: Jeethu Joseph
Starring: Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba, Murali Gopy
Rating: 4 stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SEMI-FINAL
Monterrey 1
Funes Mori (14)
Liverpool 2
Keita (11), Firmino (90 1)
more from Janine di Giovanni
The five pillars of Islam
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
Four-day collections of TOH
Day Indian Rs (Dh)
Thursday 500.75 million (25.23m)
Friday 280.25m (14.12m)
Saturday 220.75m (11.21m)
Sunday 170.25m (8.58m)
Total 1.19bn (59.15m)
(Figures in millions, approximate)
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
The%20specs
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RESULT
Argentina 0 Croatia 3
Croatia: Rebic (53'), Modric (80'), Rakitic (90' 1)
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm
Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
MATCH INFO
CAF Champions League semi-finals first-leg fixtures
Tuesday:
Primeiro Agosto (ANG) v Esperance (TUN) (8pm UAE)
Al Ahly (EGY) v Entente Setif (ALG) (11PM)
Second legs:
October 23
Miss Granny
Director: Joyce Bernal
Starring: Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Xian Lim, Nova Villa
3/5
(Tagalog with Eng/Ar subtitles)
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
info-box
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Happy Tenant
Started: January 2019
Co-founders: Joe Moufarrej and Umar Rana
Based: Dubai
Sector: Technology, real-estate
Initial investment: Dh2.5 million
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 4,000
Turning%20waste%20into%20fuel
%3Cp%3EAverage%20amount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20at%20DIC%20factory%20every%20month%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EApproximately%20106%2C000%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAmount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20from%201%20litre%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%20%3Cstrong%3E920ml%20(92%25)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ETime%20required%20for%20one%20full%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%20used%20cooking%20oil%20to%20biofuel%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EOne%20day%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EEnergy%20requirements%20for%20one%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%201%2C000%20litres%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%96%AA%20Electricity%20-%201.1904%20units%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Water-%2031%20litres%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Diesel%20%E2%80%93%2026.275%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Director: Paul Weitz
Stars: Kevin Hart
3/5 stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS
Catchweight 63.5kg: Shakriyor Juraev (UZB) beat Bahez Khoshnaw (IRQ). Round 3 TKO (body kick)
Lightweight: Nart Abida (JOR) beat Moussa Salih (MAR). Round 1 by rear naked choke
Catchweight 79kg: Laid Zerhouni (ALG) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ). Round 1 TKO (punches)
Catchweight 58kg: Omar Al Hussaini (UAE) beat Mohamed Sahabdeen (SLA) Round 1 rear naked choke
Flyweight: Lina Fayyad (JOR) beat Sophia Haddouche (ALG) Round 2 TKO (ground and pound)
Catchweight 80kg: Badreddine Diani (MAR) beat Sofiane Aïssaoui (ALG) Round 2 TKO
Flyweight: Sabriye Sengul (TUR) beat Mona Ftouhi (TUN). Unanimous decision
Middleweight: Kher Khalifa Eshoushan (LIB) beat Essa Basem (JOR). Round 1 rear naked choke
Heavyweight: Mohamed Jumaa (SUD) beat Hassen Rahat (MAR). Round 1 TKO (ground and pound)
Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammad Ali Musalim (UAE beat Omar Emad (EGY). Round 1 triangle choke
Catchweight 62kg: Ali Taleb (IRQ) beat Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR). Round 2 KO
Catchweight 88kg: Mohamad Osseili (LEB) beat Samir Zaidi (COM). Unanimous decision
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
SQUADS
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (capt), Azhar Ali, Shan Masood, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Asghar, Bilal Asif, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Wahab Riaz
Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Lahiru Thirimanne (vice-capt), Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana Herath, Lakshan Sandakan, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Gamage
Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG) and Nigel Llong (ENG)
TV umpire: Richard Kettleborough (ENG)
ICC match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food