The must-see acts at Soundstorm 2024: Riyadh music festival boasts superstar acts

The must-see acts at Soundstorm 2024: Riyadh music festival boasts superstar acts
MDLBEAST Soundstorm has established itself as the Gulf’s biggest music festival. (Supplied)
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Updated 06 December 2024
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The must-see acts at Soundstorm 2024: Riyadh music festival boasts superstar acts

The must-see acts at Soundstorm 2024: Riyadh music festival boasts superstar acts
  • Some highlights from the lineup for MDLBEAST’s three-day music festival in Riyadh, which starts Dec. 12 

RIYADH: In just a few years since its launch in 2019, MDLBEAST Soundstorm has established itself as the Gulf’s biggest music festival, but also staked a claim to being the world’s largest rave — last year’s event reportedly drew in 730,000 attendees. This year’s edition, the fifth, will likely be even bigger, with more than 150 artists performing in 10 different areas around the festival venue. Once again, the focus in on electronic dance music, with the vast majority of performers being DJ-producers — from global A-listers like David Guetta and Armin Van Buuren to local luminaries like Baloo and Biirdperson. But there’s plenty of variety on show too, from hip-hop legends to rock stars. Here are just a few of the can’t-be-missed sets to catch next weekend.  

Featured acts 

This year’s headliners on the Big Beast stage are an impressively eclectic bunch of genuine superstars. The hugely influential US rapper Eminem, who did much to popularize hip-hop in America — particularly among white people — performs on Thursday night, as do rock-rap pioneers Linkin Park, back on the road this year for the first time since their original co-lead vocalist Chester Bennington’s death in 2017. His replacement is Emily Armstrong, co-founder of the LA rock outfit Dead Sara. Early reviews of the new lineup — which also includes drummer Colin Brittain stepping in to replace Rob Bourdon — have been promising: “Armstrong makes each Linkin Park classic her own without changing their shape, from the hulking ‘Given Up’ and its screaming breakdown to the raw beauty of ‘Breaking the Habit,’” the Guardian wrote of their London performance in September. On Friday, UK rockers Muse — regularly dubbed one of the world’s best live bands, Scottish DJ-producer Calvin Harris — the first British solo artist to rack up more than 1 billion streams on Spotify, and Grammy-winning US alt-hip-hop star Tyler, The Creator — co-founder of collective Odd Future — all play. And US singer-songwriter Camila Cabello (pictured), who rose to fame as a member of Fifth Harmony — one of the bestselling girl groups in history — but whose solo output is heavily influenced by Latin music, wraps things up on Big Beast on Saturday, the same night that Hollywood star Jared Leto’s band — US rockers Thirty Seconds to Mars, US rapper-singer Russ, and The Roots — the house band on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” led by Questlove — perform on the DWN Beast stage. 




The hugely influential US rapper Eminem, who did much to popularize hip-hop in America — particularly among white people — performs on Thursday night. (Getty Images)

Superstar DJs 

Among the dozens of top-quality DJ-producers taking to the various stages over the weekend, there are several major global EDM legends, including Dutchman Martin Garrix, ranked number one in DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs list in 2016, 2017 and 2018, who plays a back-to-back set with Sweden’s Alesso on Thursday night; France’s ubiquitous David Guetta (also playing a B2B set, this one with fellow ‘future rave’ inventor, Denmark’s Morten Breum); America’s Steve Aoki (B2B with Bosnian-Swedish DJ Salvatore Ganacci); Garrix’s fellow Dutch DJ Armin Van Buuren, who has also topped DJ Mag’s top 100 list in four successive years (2007-2010 inclusive), and then again 2012, giving him a record five ‘titles’; and (two of the) co-founders of progressive house stars Swedish House Mafia, now performing as a DJ duo, Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso; and Grammy-winning South African DJ-producer Black Coffee. A full list of performers is available on the MDLBEAST website. 




DJ Armin Van Buuren (AFP)

Arab stars 

As well as the international A-listers flying in to Riyadh this week, a number of major regional stars are also performing at Soundstorm. From Lebanese diva Elissa (pictured), whose records have reportedly sold more than 30 million copies and whose long-delayed 13th studio album, “Ana Seketeen,” was released in May, the hugely popular Egyptian rap artist Marwan Moussa, and his compatriot, the singer Ahmed Saad, to the Kingdom’s own Abdul Majeed Abdullah, among others. 




Elissa will perform at the event. (AFP)

Local heroes 

Once again, MDLBEAST is providing lesser-known Saudi acts with a huge platform on which to shine at Soundstorm. Keep an eye out for the all-female psychedelic rock band Seera (pictured), who’ve been rapidly accruing fans and media coverage over the past couple of years. In terms of DJ-producers, expect Leen, Omar Bassad, Baloo, Loush, Hats and Klaps, and Biirdperson’s sets to get the crowds excited.   


Architect Lina Ghotmeh to redesign British Museum’s Western Range Galleries

Architect Lina Ghotmeh to redesign British Museum’s Western Range Galleries
Model submitted by Lina Ghotmeh Architecture for competition
Updated 2 min 56 sec ago
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Architect Lina Ghotmeh to redesign British Museum’s Western Range Galleries

Architect Lina Ghotmeh to redesign British Museum’s Western Range Galleries

DUBAI: Lebanese-helmed architecture firm Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture (LG-A) will redesign the British Museum’s Western Range galleries after winning the contract in a competition.

The Paris-based firm, founded by Beirut-born Ghotmeh, will transform the museum’s historic building the houses some of the world’s greatest antiquities.

The competition for the project ran for nine months and attracted more than 60 teams. Five were shortlisted, including Reem Koolhaas and David Chipperfield, and were invited to take part in a two-stage competition, from which LG-A emerged as the winner.

Gotmeh’s vision for the redesign for the galleries resonated with the judges due to its archaeological approach to the architectural design in what the museum is calling “one of the biggest cultural renovations undertaken anywhere in the world.”

“In Lina Ghotmeh we have an architect who combines a deep sensitivity to the history of our great collection while being a voice for the future,” said George Osborne, chairman of the British Museum and chair of the judging panel, in a statement. “We had many outstanding entries – and I thank the other practices for all their hard work – but I can say as chair of the judging panel, she was the standout winner.

“Her design ideas excited and enthused the trustees; when they become real buildings and galleries, we know they will excite and enthuse our millions of visitors,” added Osborne.

The judging panel comprised of experts in the field of architecture including Yvonne Farrell, Meneesha Kellay, Mahrukh Tarapor, and Sarah Younger. Alongside Nicholas Cullinan, director of the British Museum, were representatives from the British Museum’s Board of Trustees — artist Tracey Emin, Charlie Mayfield and Alejandro Santo Domingo.

Ghotmeh, who grew up in Beirut during the 1980s amid the Lebanese civil war, is known for her sensitivity when designing projects. In 2023, she designed the Serpentine Pavilion London, making her the second female architect to do so after Zaha Hadid. She has also been commissioned to design a contemporary art museum in AlUla, Saudi Arabia’s ancient desert region in the northwestern part of the country. In 2005, she won the international competition for the design of the Estonian National Museum while working in London and collaborating with Ateliers Jean Nouvel and Foster & Partners.

“The beauty of this project lies in how my work process is both confirmed and enriched by a project like the British Museum,” Ghotmeh told Arab News, adding how winning the project gave her “a feeling of sharing, of collective joy, an expression of deep humanity that arises from the connections and emotions these moments evoke.”

Ghotmeh’s team also features Lebanese artist Ali Cherri, winner of the Silver Lion at the Venice Biennale in 2022, who is known for his art exploring cultural heritage, particularly in Lebanon and the wider Mediterranean, and geopolitics.

While prestigious, the redesign will be challenging. The Western Galleries, which comprise a third of the museum’s overall gallery space, total 15,650 square meters. The complex area includes the original 1850s buildings that were designed by Robert Smirke and later additions — all of which need to be renovated to meet present building standards. Many of the galleries contain important “heritage building fabric” the museum has said.

Ghotmeh also notes the feeling of responsibility in redesigning such an important museum, stating how she feels “the responsibility to bring our visions to life and continue this path of striving for quality and beauty.”

“Each project, for me, is a historical, material, and creative journey — like ‘archaeology of the future.’

“I am thrilled to design with a deep understanding of this museum — its history, the possibilities of what a 21st-century museum could be, the collection, its provenance, and the stories it should tell,” added Ghotmeh. “It’s about finding ways to engage with it, creating dialogue, and turning spaces into vessels. This is an opportunity to create extraordinary places that inspire a deep connection with the world.”


Actress Andria Tayeh fronts Armani’s latest campaign

Actress Andria Tayeh fronts Armani’s latest campaign
Updated 01 March 2025
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Actress Andria Tayeh fronts Armani’s latest campaign

Actress Andria Tayeh fronts Armani’s latest campaign

DUBAI: Lebanese Jordanian actress Andria Tayeh this week fronted Armani’s Ramadan campaign, set against the backdrop of a desert landscape.

Draped in a flowing emerald-green abaya, Tayeh was seen in the video applying the Vert Malachite perfume from Armani Prive as the camera captured the details of the fragrance and her attire. The setting featured sand dunes stretching into the horizon.

The campaign integrates elements of regional aesthetics with Armani’s luxury branding, aligning with the themes of Ramadan. Vert Malachite, known for its rich and opulent notes, is presented as part of the brand’s seasonal focus.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Andria Tayeh (@andria_tayeh)

“Ramadan is a time of gratitude and blessings,” the star wrote to her 1.1 million followers on Instagram. “Honored to share this journey with Armani Prive and Vert Malachite, and wishing you a month filled with light and peace.”

Tayeh, known for her roles in Austrian filmmaker Kurdwin Ayub’s “Mond” and Netflix’s hit series “Al-Rawabi School for Girls,” has had a busy start to the year, collaborating with multiple brands and fronting their campaigns.

Last month, Giorgio Armani announced her appointment as its new Middle East beauty ambassador.

She took to Instagram to express her excitement, writing: “I am thrilled and honored to embark on this new journey with Armani beauty.

“This marks a real milestone for me, as the brand embodies values I have always cherished: timeless elegance, dramatic simplicity, and women empowerment,” she said. “Armani beauty reveals one’s charismatic personality in the most subtle and natural way. It’s this pure simplicity that creates an impact, and this is exactly what I hope to bring to the Arab cinema world.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Andria Tayeh (@andria_tayeh)

That same month, she was named the first Middle Eastern ambassador for French hair care brand Kerastase.

In a promotional clip, she appeared in an all-white studio, answering questions about why she is the ideal Kerastase ambassador. Tayeh spoke in a mix of English, Arabic and French, playfully flipping her hair for the camera as she discusses her dedication to maintaining healthy hair.

“Growing up, hair was always a big part of my identity, and now, representing a brand that celebrates hair in all its beauty feels surreal. Here’s to confidence, strength and great hair,” Tayeh captioned her post on Instagram at the time.


Health-conscious Ramadan recipes: Easy detox curry by chef Mayssam Abdulkhalek

Health-conscious Ramadan recipes: Easy detox curry by chef Mayssam Abdulkhalek
Updated 01 March 2025
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Health-conscious Ramadan recipes: Easy detox curry by chef Mayssam Abdulkhalek

Health-conscious Ramadan recipes: Easy detox curry by chef Mayssam Abdulkhalek

DUBAI: Executive chef Mayssam Abdulkhalek at Qatar’s Zulal Wellness Resort shares a clean eating recipe for iftar.

This detox curry is high in vitamins and minerals and low in calories due to the inclusion of beta-carotene-packed pumpkin, fiber-rich kohlrabi and cauliflower.

Billed as the Middle East’s first full immersion wellbeing resort, Zulal Wellness Resort’s offerings are based on the core tenets of traditional Arabic and Islamic medicine.

Detox curry

Ingredients: 

               30        gr                 Pumpkin                                    

              40       gr                   Kohlrabi

              20       gr                   Purple Cauliflower

              20       gr                   Cauliflower

              10       gr                   Mushroom

                1       gr          Sweet Basil

              40       gr          Coconut Milk

              60       ml          Vegetable Stock

              0.1      gr          Salt

                 2      gr          Coconut Sugar

Detox Curry Paste 

            250       ml                   Vegetable Stock

              50       gr           Red Chili

                1       gr           Kaffir Lime Leaf

              75       gr           Garlic

              50       gr           Galangal

Instructions:

Curry Paste

1. Peel all vegetables, cut thinly, and put in the blender.

2. Blend with vegetable stock until smooth in texture.

Curry

1. In a large saucepan, bring the coconut milk and curry paste to a boil over medium-high heat.

2. Whisk until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the kohlrabi, cauliflower, pumpkin, and mushroom. Bring to a simmer until vegetables are tender.

3. Season with salt and coconut sugar.

4. Put sweet basil at the last before serving.


Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio tease intense Daredevil-Kingpin showdown in ‘Daredevil: Born Again’

Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio tease intense Daredevil-Kingpin showdown in ‘Daredevil: Born Again’
Updated 01 March 2025
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Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio tease intense Daredevil-Kingpin showdown in ‘Daredevil: Born Again’

Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio tease intense Daredevil-Kingpin showdown in ‘Daredevil: Born Again’
  • Disney+ releases 2-episode premiere March 5
  • Actors highlight characters’ evolving dynamics

DUBAI: Marvel fans are all set for a return to Hell’s Kitchen as Disney+ gears up for the release of “Daredevil: Born Again,” a revival of the beloved “Daredevil” series that originally streamed on Netflix.

The new show brings back Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock, the blind lawyer who moonlights as the horned vigilante, and Vincent D’Onofrio as Wilson Fisk, the formidable crime boss known as Kingpin.

Ahead of the show’s two-episode premiere on March 5, Cox and D’Onofrio shared insights into their characters’ evolving dynamics in a virtual press conference.

Cox assured fans that while Murdock remains fundamentally the same character, he faces new emotional and psychological challenges. “It’s hard to talk about without spoilers,” he said.

“Early on, Matt suffers a trauma that forces him to rethink and rediscover his identity in a way we haven’t seen before. He ends up going down a path that I’d describe as a Band-Aid that has to be ripped off slowly and painfully.”

The revival finds Murdock attempting to leave his vigilante past behind, only to be drawn back into a dangerous game as Fisk reemerges — not as a crime lord, but as a politician running for mayor of New York City.

Their conflicting paths set the stage for a fresh yet intense confrontation between the two.

D’Onofrio highlighted the rarity of direct face-offs between Daredevil and Kingpin, despite their deep-seated rivalry. “We’ve only been in five or six scenes together over the years,” he revealed.

“And that’s because when we do share a scene, it has to mean something — it’s always at the beginning of something, or the end, or sometimes both. It has to be intense.”

This time, the show takes a different approach, bringing the two adversaries together much earlier in the season. Cox explained that this shift creates a fresh dynamic.

“Bringing us together early on is something we haven’t done before,” he said. “It puts them in a position where they have to trust each other’s ability to stay true to who they say they are. That changes the game.”

D’Onofrio also offered a metaphorical take on the characters’ struggles. “We’re both broken men trying to live in the daylight,” he said. “It’s like vampires trying to walk in the sun — it’s a struggle.

“He’s got his thing, I’ve got my plan, and putting us together creates an unavoidable tension.”


Saudi artist Mawadah Muhtasib collaborates with Harrods for Ramadan and Eid

Saudi artist Mawadah Muhtasib collaborates with Harrods for Ramadan and Eid
Updated 28 February 2025
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Saudi artist Mawadah Muhtasib collaborates with Harrods for Ramadan and Eid

Saudi artist Mawadah Muhtasib collaborates with Harrods for Ramadan and Eid

DUBAI: London’s luxury department store Harrods announced on Friday its collaboration with celebrated Saudi calligrapher Mawadah Muhtasib for its Ramadan and Eid campaign. 

This is the third year in a row that Harrods has collaborated with an Arab calligrapher. 

Muhtasib is known for her Arabic calligraphy, using Muthana (mirror writing) and reverse script. Her work modernizes traditional calligraphy while keeping its original essence.

“Ramadan Kareem,” Mawadah Muhtasib. (Supplied)

For this collaboration, Muhtasib created two bespoke artwork pieces that blend Islamic floral motifs with her distinctive style. 

The first, featuring the message “Ramadan Kareem,” is set against a deep-blue backdrop, reflecting the spiritual ambience of Ramadan. 

The second design, adorned with “Eid Mubarak,” embraces a vibrant pink palette, symbolizing the joy and festivity of Eid celebrations. 

“Eid Mubarak,” Mawadah Muhtasib. (Supplied)

“I am thrilled to collaborate with Harrods to mark Ramadan and Eid this year,” Muhtasib said. “Arabic calligraphy holds a profound power beyond artistic beauty — it is a true reflection of heritage, culture and design that transcends all generations.

“For this collection, it was important for me to capture the harmony between the elegance of Arabic script and the beauty of nature. The floral illustrations of the design showcase the versatility of Arabic calligraphy, affirming its place in the world of luxury and design,” she said. 

Muhtasib’s creations will be showcased throughout Harrods’ Ramadan and Eid campaign, including their in-store displays, digital greetings, social content and in the iconic Knightsbridge food halls. 

Additionally, Muhtasib’s artwork will feature on Harrods’ Eid gifting packaging.