What Went Down At Balad Beast 2026

PHOTOS CREDIT: Courtesy of MDLBEAST

If Saudi Arabia’s cultural renaissance had a soundtrack, Balad Beast would be it. Returning for its fourth edition in Jeddah’s historic UNESCO World Heritage Al Balad district, the MDLBEAST festival made it clear that the Kingdom’s music scene is no longer emerging but operating with a new level of confidence.

Beyond the obvious spectacle, Balad Beast exists as part of a wider shift. Saudi Arabia’s evolution into a major tourist destination has been widely documented, often framed through mega-projects, infrastructure and hospitality. Yet it’s the continued growth and visibility of arts, culture and live music that has given the country a new kind of cultural capital and global pull. MDLBEAST festivals are not only attracting international visitors, but they’re also reshaping perceptions, with Balad Beast offering a perspective on Saudi Arabia that feels current, creative and deeply connected to place and people.

Nowhere is that more evident than in Al Balad itself. Despite the challenges expressed by Chief Creative Officer Ahmad Al Ammary, MDLBEAST has demonstrated year after year the importance of embodying history by having the framework of the festival work within the old Jeddah surroundings. Centuries-old alleyways, courtyards and squares are transformed into stages and dance floors where global sounds meet local energy. It is this synthesis between past and present that sets Balad Beast apart, positioning culture as both preservation and progression, this approach mirrors a wider cultural shift taking place across the Kingdom.

PHOTOS CREDIT: Courtesy of MDLBEAST

Since its debut, Balad Beast has carved out a distinct identity within the region’s festival landscape. Intentionally smaller in scale than MDLBEAST’s other events, the festival feels more like an exceptionally well-curated cultural takeover than a conventional music festival. Its intimacy allows details to go unmissed, creates a strong sense of community, and the energy throughout feels kinetic. Now in its fourth year, it is clear to see how Balad Beast continues to refine its formula, staying true to its ethos while introducing new production elements and encouraging discovery, movement and exploration.

For two nights, Jeddah was transformed into a living city that felt like it had decided to throw a major block party, and that sense of discovery was especially present on night one. Sound travelled between squares, lights cut through the narrow alleyways, and the energy shifted throughout.

At Bab Square, Saudi artists Turki Abdullah and Slow Moe kicked things off, bringing high energy and mass singalong moments as they performed their most popular hits. This was followed by Atlanta’s Destroy Lonely, who ignited the crowd with a high-octane performance.

PHOTOS CREDIT: Courtesy of MDLBEAST

If night one was epic, night two took things up several notches, closing out the festival with soul, celebration and unmistakable energy. Bab Square kicked off early with Naïka, whose Afro-infused pop warmed up the crowd and set the tone. The atmosphere peaked with Shaggy, who brought the sounds of the Caribbean to Jeddah through reggae rhythms and chart-topping classics. Tyga followed, hitting the stage with a hit-heavy set that turned the festival into one massive party filled with good vibes and energy.

Electronic fans gravitated towards Omda Square, where Saudi duo Dish Dash set the tone before Loco Dice and Pawsa took over, delivering a melodic set that carried on into the early hours. Souq Square was where all of the eclectic feels were at, with Emanuele Barilli, Majid and Baloo fusing electronic music with regional influences.

Roshan Square became a hub for further discovery, spotlighting artists to watch such as Musab, Varoo, Blacky and HiFi, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to nurturing and showcasing the next wave. It was a monumental end to the 2026 edition of Balad Beast, with unmistakable energy and high spirits that lingered long after the final performances ended.

PHOTOS CREDIT: Courtesy of MDLBEAST

Balad Beast 2026 was a further demonstration in the understanding of Saudi Arabia’s music culture as something fluid, regional and globally connected. Rather than positioning Arabic music in isolation, the festival places Arabic artists at the heart of its programme, allowing them to exist authentically alongside international names without hierarchy or tokenism.

Throughout the weekend, Arabic artists were not confined to opening slots or secondary spaces. They performed across the festival’s four stages, attracting crowds, both familiar and unfamiliar, that were just as engaged as those gathered for global headliners. This level of visibility matters! It reinforces the idea that the Kingdom’s artists and sounds belong on world-class stages, not as an introduction, but as a central voice within the wider conversation.

Movement is one of the key themes defining the Balad Beast experience. Travelling between Bab, Omda, Souq and Roshan Squares exposes audiences to a wide scope of sounds, from rap and house to techno and experimental electronic music. That diversity reflects a regional scene that is evolving in its range and pushing beyond traditional genre boundaries.

By spotlighting Arabic artists within a global framework, Balad Beast contributes to a cultural shift by providing a platform where regional talent and creative communities can be discovered and celebrated. This is one of the many things that make MDLBEAST’s mission significant not only for Saudi Arabia, but for the Middle East as a whole.

Next on MDLBEAST’s event calendar is the highly anticipated ‘A Thousand & One’ Festival, taking place in Riyadh on April 23rd and 24th. Tickets are now available on mdlbeast.com for those ready to experience a weekend of unforgettable music, art, and culture.

PHOTOS CREDIT: Courtesy of MDLBEAST