Saudi Arabia-based music entertainment company MDLBEAST is set to revolutionize the Middle East’s music landscape with the launch of its latest festival concept, A Thousand And One, alongside new initiatives for 2025.
MDLBEAST recently introduced A Thousand And One, a two-day festival blending electronic music, arts, and immersive storytelling. Scheduled for April 24-25 in Riyadh, the festival aims to create a unique cultural experience, integrating Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage with modern entertainment.
Expanding the Music Ecosystem
MDLBEAST CEO Ramadan Alharatani emphasized that the festival aligns with the company’s broader mission.
“A Thousand And One is a prime example of our commitment to developing diverse music experiences that cater to various audiences and genres,” Alharatani stated. “By drawing inspiration from our heritage, this festival reinforces our goal of elevating the region’s music industry.”
Meanwhile, the MDLBEAST Foundation is actively working to transform the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) music industry through several groundbreaking initiatives.
Key Initiatives Driving Growth
Throughout 2024, MDLBEAST Foundation introduced a series of programs designed to strengthen the MENA music ecosystem, including:
XPERFORM – A talent competition that discovered emerging artist Lamia Khattab from over 1,000 applicants across 36 nationalities.
Hearful – A hearing health awareness campaign that conducted over 140 hearing tests, identifying 13 individuals with hearing impairments.
XCHANGE – A traveling workshop series that engaged over 200 music professionals across Kuwait City, Tunis, and Muscat.
Sound Futures – A networking platform connecting music startups with investors.
PWR CHORD – A competition showcasing 10 guitarists performing before a panel of six judges.
Artist Management Bootcamp – A program that trained 35 participants, some of whom have since secured internships at Sony Music, Warner Music, and MDLBEAST Records.
Several of these programs will continue into 2025, including the HUNNA mentorship program, the XPERFORM talent competition, and the XCHANGE workshop series. These efforts build upon the success of the 2024 XP Music Futures conference, which attracted 5,130 attendees, 23 partners, and 380 speakers across 121 sessions. The 2023 edition featured 190 speakers and drew thousands of participants worldwide.
A Vision for the Future
MDLBEAST Foundation’s Director, Nada Alhelabi, highlighted the organization’s commitment to shaping the future of the music industry.
“Through these initiatives, MDLBEAST Foundation is not only redefining the music scene in Saudi Arabia and the region but also contributing to the development of a global music industry that is innovative, inclusive, and resilient,” Alhelabi stated.
Earlier this year, Alharatani reiterated MDLBEAST’s long-term vision: “Our goal is to position Saudi Arabia as a leading global hub for music and entertainment within the next five years, with local artists and events gaining international recognition.”
With A Thousand And One and its 2025 initiatives, MDLBEAST continues to drive transformative change, fostering talent and innovation across the Middle East’s music landscape.
