More than 70 artists from Saudi Arabia and the world transformed Al Balad into a global arena for art and music
‘Balad Beast’ music festival wrapped up its concerts on Friday, turning the historic Balad neighborhood in central Jeddah into a vibrant global hub for art and music. The event featured performances from over 70 top artists, including local, Arab, and international music stars. The festival also showcased stunning light video projections that streamed concerts on buildings and trees throughout the historic district, creating a mesmerizing experience for the audience. With over 2 million lumens of brightness, the festival allowed attendees to explore the fascinating connections between the creative elements of the locations and the artistic performances.
On the second and final evening of the festival, artists shined on the main stage, “Bab Square,” which represents the historic gates of old Jeddah. The stage witnessed a captivating fusion of international performances, featuring artists such as the British-Lebanese rapper “Laughta,” the Saudi DJ based in London, “Nooriyah,” the Egyptian band Cairokee, American pop singer Bebe Rexha, American hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan, and French rapper and DJ Snake.
At “Omda” stage, representing the neighborhood’s wise leader, the atmosphere was electric as Saudi-Canadian artist “DJ Viva” captivated the audience with her soul-stirring hits. The duo “DJ Dish Dash” impressed with their remarkable ability to blend Western and Arabic music into irresistible beats. Simultaneously, Swedish DJ “La Fleur” added her unique creative flair with an array of dance music tunes, further elevating the crowd’s energy.
At “Roshan” stage, inspired by the unique style of Balad windows, the audience was treated to a diverse lineup of performances. The young Saudi DJ “thirty3ree,” Zeina, Nigerian DJ based in the UK “Abbas,” Visar Ensemble, and the dynamic duo “Among Trees” consisting of Andrey Pushkarev and Eli Verveine, showcased their talents with captivating sets of deep and techno music.
At the vibrant “Souq” stage, representing a space that unites the people of Balad with renewed energy beyond just commerce, the atmosphere was electrified by the sounds of Saudi DJ “Solskin.” Her unique blend of house and disco music ignited the audience’s enthusiasm and interaction. Meanwhile, Saudi DJ “Varoo” showcased his talent for electronic music with his exceptional selection of house beats. Simultaneously, Argentine DJ GUTTI brought the evening to a remarkable close with a diverse mix of dance, pop, hip-hop, and rap tunes.
Ahmad Al-Ammari, Dj Baloo and Chief Creative Officer at MDLBEAST, revealed that the work on this year’s version of Balad Beast Festival began right after the successful completion of the previous year’s event, and the lineup of participating artists was finalized two months ago.
“We were keen to pay attention to the smallest details in this festival, which brings together the wonderful music and the distinctive atmosphere of the historic Al Balad district in Jeddah,” he added.
Balad Beast festival in Historic Jeddah perfectly aligns with MDLBEAST’s approach to selecting extraordinary locations that infuse their musical events with excitement and a spirit of adventure. The festival seamlessly integrates concert stages with the stunning architecture of the surrounding area, resulting in a captivating atmosphere.
