A single phone call led to the creation of the biggest festival in the Middle East, but the journey to get there was paved over decades of local artists in search of their platform. The story of Saudi Arabia’s music scene isn’t just about festivals and flashing lights, it’s a story of persistence in the face of invisibility. MDLBEAST has released a new documentary that chronicles the emergence of Saudi Arabia’s modern music landscape, highlighting the artists who helped transform an underground movement into a rapidly expanding regional industry.
Titled “Cue: Saudi Arabia’s Electronic Music Underground,” the film traces the journey of the Kingdom’s electronic music scene, from its early days in private gatherings and discreet DJ sets to the launch of Soundstorm, MDLBEAST’s flagship festival in Riyadh.
Music in the dark
For forty years, Saudi’s music scene existed as a secret shared between friends. As music was socially and legally taboo, it was confined to secret underground parties. Artists lived double lives, being dentists, engineers, and doctors by day, and transforming into DJs by night.
MDLBEAST Chief Creative Officer Ahmad Alammary, also known as Baloo, alongside Saudi electronic duo DISH DASH and pioneering DJ Muhanned Nassar, widely recognised as Vinyl Mode, recount a time when the scene operated largely out of sight, constrained by limited venues, social pressures, and a lack of public platforms.
Other local artists and talents striving to find a platform for their art describe the restrictions that once defined the environment, noting that playing music publicly was not always possible and opportunities to showcase talent were scarce, especially to wider audiences.
The Birth of MDLBEAST’s Soundstorm
MDLBEAST Soundstorm wasn’t a sudden corporate decision, it was the activation of a community that had been waiting in the wings for decades. The festival came to be when the government’s “Vision 2030” goals aligned with the existing underground movement. The creators realized that there was a massive, untapped audience of young Saudis who were already fans of electronic music through social media and the underground party scene.
MDLBEAST designed Soundstorm to be a launchpad for local Saudi talent. It was a way to package the talent correctly and show the world that Saudi Arabia is more than just a stereotype of old markets and covered-up frustration. Baloo describes the shift as revolutionary, expressing surprise at witnessing such change within his lifetime. Vinyl Mode, meanwhile, views the progress as part of a broader effort to align with global trends.
The documentary captures the emotional dimension of the journey, with artists reflecting on years spent cultivating communities through informal networks, improvised venues, and word-of-mouth promotion. Baloo emphasises the unifying power of dance music, describing it as a medium that connects people while drawing on elements of Saudi rhythm and heritage.
The journey from irresponsible little parties to a world-class festival is a message of hope and sustainability. It proves that providing the youth a platform for beauty and expression allows them to lead rather than just participate. Today, these artists are no longer outsiders in their own country, but the pioneers of a cultural phenomenon that has changed their nation forever.
Creators Baloo and Muhanned Nassar discussed what’s next for the growing, “Next is more”. Check out @a_baloo and @mdlbeast for more on what’s to come in Saudi Arabia’s evolving music landscape.
