Looking for the latest lineup, date, ticket information or latest news about your favourite festivals, look no further. Summer Festival Guide’s Festival News section covers all your needs!
Held on 6 December at Manchester’s Escape to Freight Island, the long-anticipated return of the UK Festival Awards provided an ideal opportunity for a sold out audience of festival organisers, suppliers and the wider live entertainment industry to get together and reflect on the past season while looking forward to the next.
The awards were decided by either fan votes or judges’ verdicts in categories including Best Major Festival, Outstanding Contribution and, for this year only, the Positively Perfect Pivot Award – which acknowledges the festival business that applied its skills to alternative activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The award for Outstanding Contribution to Festivals was handed to two winners this year; the AFO General Secretary, Steve Heap and the former CEO of the AIF, Paul Reed. In presenting the award, event sponsor Ticketmaster’s VP of Music and Festivals said of Steve, now a 2 time winner of the accolade: ‘his determined work throughout the pandemic, when he should’ve been looking forward to his retirement, could not go unnoticed.’ and of Paul she said “He transformed the organisation and through extensive lobbying won several key battles for independent festivals. His leadership was never more prominent than during the pandemic”
The list of winners:
Exit Festival/NFT-TiX, The Innovation Award, sponsored by Festival Insights
Parklife, Marketing Campaign of the Year, sponsored by Ratcat
Back 2 Festival, The Positively Perfect Pivot Award, sponsored by The Loop
Beat the Streets, The Sarah Nulty Community Impact Award, sponsored by Universe
Mighty Hoopla/Vodafone, The Brand Activation Award, sponsored by CGA By NielsenIQ
Altitude Comedy Festival, Best Overseas Festival, sponsored by Camden Town Brewery
Mighty Dub Fest, Best Non-Music Festival, sponsored by Get Comedy
Sound City, Best Metropolitan Festival, sponsored by Mustard Media
3 Wishes Fairy Festival, The Grassroots Festival Award, sponsored by Last Night a DJ Saved My Life
Green Gathering, The UK Greener Festival Award, sponsored by A Greener Festival
The Great Escape, Best Festival for Emerging Talent, sponsored by TikTok
Teddy Rocks, Best Family Festival, sponsored by Event Traffic Control
RADAR Festival, Best New Festival, sponsored by ID&C
bluedot, Line-Up of the Year, sponsored by Riot
Boomtown, Best Festival Production, sponsored by TPi Magazine
Black Deer, Promoter of the Year, sponsored by Production Futures
Woo Fest, Best Small Festival, sponsored by We Get Sponsors
2000 Trees, Best Medium Festival, sponsored by O’Donnell Moonshine
Manchester Pride, Best Large Festival, sponsored by Peppermint
Steve Heap, The Outstanding Contribution Award, sponsored by Ticketmaster
Miami’s Art With Me brings together artists from around the world to participate with installations, workshops, talks, environmental design experiences, and create a space for our guests to enjoy one-on-one interactions and dialogues with our creators.
It also features world class music from an array of top performers with this year’s talent including Jamie XX, Moderat, Bedouin, Magdalena Bay, Lee Burridge and DJ Seinfeld.
The immersive two-day event also brought together local businesses through thoughtful art initiatives, workshops, and panel discussions.
Here are some photos that really capture the magic of it all.
The first 23 names for EXIT Festival 2023 can be revealed today and they include the legendary return of the most influential electro-punk band of all time, The Prodigy, with tens more to come in the next few months.
After a multi-year break, the band are to return to EXIT, and it’s a place they have a rich history and deep connection with the Serbian audience. It is also an event they have said is their favourite to play in all the world so you can expect this date to be a real highlight of their comeback international tour, as the band’s founder Liam Howlett explains: “EXIT is our favourite festival! We were there (in Serbia) when a lot of sh*t went down. They hold us in their hearts as a special bend, and we love the people there.”
The EXIT 2023 programme runs from July 6th – 9th at the famous Petrovaradin Fortress and it will be headlined by electronic music revolutionary Skrillex, rock sensation Viagra Boys, the Keinemusik collective as well as CamelPhat, Hot Since 82, Vintage Culture and Indira Paganotto. The performances of The Toasters, Cockney Rejects, Human Rias, Mortal Kombat, Zoe Kida and many others have also been confirmed. A total of 23 names are ready to take their place in the EXIT Universe by coming to four of Exit’s favourite stages – Main Stage, mts Dance Arena, Visa Fusion and Explosive for this fantastic four day celebration.
The Prodigy has been a leading force in the global electronic scene for decades. Songs like “Firestarter,“ ”Breathe,“(which premiered in Belgrade) “Smack My Bitch Up,“ “Voodoo People,“ “No Good (Start The Dance),“ “Out Of Space,“ and “Everybody In The Place“ are not only the huge part of musical history, but have been integral to the upbringing of generations around the world for the past 30 years. Their immense popularity in the region is evidenced by breaking the Main Stage attendance records at each of their performances, which are expected to be repeated next year. Their1995 concert in Belgrade’s Pionir Hall left an indelible mark on Serbian society after the wars and sanctions, reconnecting young people with the world and providing them with a sense of freedom, rebellion, and revolution through music. This connection was deepened at the EXIT festival from their first performance in 2007 through the 2009 edition, to 2013 and 2016. The members of the most influential electro band of all time showed how much they loved the local audience when they proudly declared thatEXIT is their favourite festival and that they love the Serbian people!
The Prodigy: EXIT is our favorite festival!
Many thought, including the band itself, that The Prodigy would stop performing after the tragedy, but we knew this wouldn’t be the case. The comeback concerts in London showed that the fire in them burns stronger than ever, and the iconic band’s reunion with its favourite, EXIT audience, will surely be the most emotional yet. In July, we will witness a moment of true music history, which will reach its highest point with a special laser projection of Keith Flint” said the founder and CEO of the EXIT festival, Dušan Kovačević.
Skrillex, the American producer and DJ who has wild memories of Exit, will also return to the Petrovaradin fortress. After his first performance at the Main Stage in 2014, which is remembered as one of the greatest in the history of Exit, he was so delighted by the atmosphere that he decided to cancel his other performances and stay until the end of the festival. This musical innovator has eight Grammy Awards, which is a record in the electronic music scene. Releases such as “My Name Is Skrillex,” “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites,““Recess,“ and collaborations with the biggest global stars likeJennifer Lopez,Justin Bieber and Diplo, Ellie Goulding, andJ Balvin have redefined the entire genre. Next July, Skrillex returns to the Petrovaradin Fortress in full force and with a minimum of two more albums announced.
Viagra Boys and their eccentric frontman Sebastian Murphy, professional jazz musicians and hardcore veterans from Stockholm, are coming to Serbia for the first time, straight to Exit’s Main Stage! Their music is strongly based on the elements of parody and satire, presented at their very first EP, “Consistency of Energy,“ followed by their debut album “Street Worms,“ and last year’s LP “Welfare Jazz.“ Scottish producer/DJ duo LF System is also coming to the EXIT Festival’s Main stage – these hitmakers are known for their refreshing soul sound, topping the UK Singles Chartand earning a platinum record with their single “Afraid to Feel.“
Keinemusik, CamelPhat, Hot Since 82, Vintage Culture and Indira Paganotto Coming to the Dance Arena!
The DJ and producer crew Keinemusik consists of &ME, Rampa and Adam Port, who have made this project one of the world’s leading house attractions. They affirmed their status at this year’s Burning Man and are coming to Serbia for the first time. The guys from the duo CamelPhat boast sold-out performances at Wembley and Hydra Arena, their own night at the Creamfields festival in the impressive Steal Yard Arena, and a Grammy nomination, and they are also coming to EXIT for the first time, at the peak of their popularity. Their nearly 20-year-long career has had many essential chapters, including the global hit “Cola,“ a collaboration with ARTBAT on the track “For A Feeling,“ and the latest single “The Sign“, created in collaboration with Tale Of Us, which reached the #1 spot on the Beatport chart. Hot Since 82brings everything fans of house, deep house, and tech house could wish for. The loyal Dance Arena audience is perfectly aware of the kind of atmosphere he can create and that critics rightly describe his music as “the most sophisticated in the UK”.
Vintage Culture made his big breakthrough on the global electronic scene with covers of iconic songs like “Another Brick in the Wall“ and “Blue Monday“. In the meantime, many of his releases have gone platinum and reached the top of the Billboard, Spotify, and Beatport charts. He recently presented a new single, “Commotion,“ in collaboration with the legendary Maxi Jazz. Many electronic music fans still haven’t had time to fully process the masterful closing of the No Sleep Festival and Exit’s No Sleep Novi Sad Stage, both marked by Indira Paganotto’s recognisable psytechno style. She has just released a new EP, “Lions of God,“ with each and every one of its tracks reaching the top of the Beatport chart. The line-up also includes Human Rias, who became the only performer in history to both open and close the mts Dance Arena last year! First name of Pachamama stage is local Sarasvati Druna Band.
The beloved Visa Fusion Stage will host the iconic American ska band The Toasters, who are “hitting the gas, not the brakes” after four decades on the scene. They have over 7,000 live performances under their belts, while Mojo Magazineincluded them among the most influential ska bands of all time. The Visa Fusion Stage line-up will also include Belgrade’s Mortal Kombat, with its hard sound and provocative lyrics and the charismatic singer-songwriter Zoe Kida.
The fierce Explosive Stage will host the Swedish hardcore punk band Wolfbrigade, the Californian melodic hardcore band Ignite, the Cleveland thrash metal band Midnight, the British Cockney Rejects, Mirror and The Bar Stool Preachers, the Romanian atmospheric folk black metal band Sur Austru, as well as the cult American thrash metal band Sacred Reich.
Early-bird tickets are on sale from 87 EUR +b/f. Tickets can be purchased here. The sunniest Holiday Offer begins on Thursday, 15th December — with each purchased ticket for EXIT 2023, fans will get a ticket for one of EXIT’s seaside festivals as a gift.
Dubai’s Soho Garden Meydan and new sister venue Soho Garden Palm Jumeirah continue to offer up the most tasteful and cultured night life experiences in the region this winter. Across the two venues, New Year’s Eve will feature Dixon, Mind Against, Satori and Solardo, with Fideles and Roger Sanchez playing on New Year’s Day, while the rest of December welcomes the likes of Sven Väth, Meduza, Solomun,Sonny Fodera and many more will all play. Find out more at www.sohogardenpalm.com
Soho Garden Meydan is a cutting edge entertainment destination for serious music lovers. It is a place to hear underground DJs from across the world with many different spaces to explore and discover. Immersive clubbing experiences are heightened by cutting edge light and sound with the best in house and techno at the Playroom. It is an intimate indoor club space that runs late and will take you into the next dimension, while Black/Code is the largest space with spectacular production and futuristic design for 3000 people.
Highlights at Meydan include Dixon, Mind Against and Satori live on New Year’s Eve and Fideles on New Year’s Day. The December run starts on the 9th with Sven Vath on the 17th, Massano on the 22nd, Ilario Alicante on the 23rd, Francis Mercier on the 24th, Mathame on the 29th and Adriatique on the 30th.
Soho Garden Palm Jumeirah meanwhile is another brand new and ground breaking space on top of the Nakheel Mallon the Palm Jumeirah. It has an upper level outdoor area and is a lively space with stunning views of the famous Dubai skyline as well as lush greenery and powerful production.
At Palm, New Year’s Eve will be headlined by Solardo with Roger Sanchez on New Year’s Day. December also features Solomun on the 16th, Sonny Fodera on the 17th and So:Disco and Mousse T & Shapeshifters on the 28th.
This is another high class month of top level house and techno DJs from across the spectrum.
They will join Masego, Kelis, Alfa Mist, Gilles Peterson, Roy Ayers, Ravyn Lenae, DOMi & JD Beck, Loose Ends, Hermanos Guitiérrez, CARRTOONS, Channel One and more
Cross The Tracks 2023
Tickets: https://www.xthetracks.com/ Date: Sunday 28th May, 2023 Location: Brockwell Park, London Facebook / Instagram: @xthetracks
Cross The Tracks is lining up another irresistible celebration of soul, jazz and funk and more for Brockwell Park, London on May Bank Holiday 2023. A second wave of names includes NxWorries (aka Anderson .Paak & Knxwledge) plus Children of Zeus, Yazmin Lacey, Son Little and Annahstasia. These come on top of first wave names Masego, Kelis, Alfa Mist, Gilles Peterson, Roy Ayers, Ravyn Lenae, DOMi & JD Beck, Loose Ends and many more. But the music is not all there is scheduled with a creatives’ market, talks, panels and workshops by charity partners, site art and so much more for a wonderful summer time session so get your tickets now.
These latest names are headed up by the world renowned super-duo Anderson .Paak & Knxwledge who joined up first in 2014 and have since come back together to work again after Anderson .Paak’s solo career took off. Their first release in years ‘Where I Go’ proved a big hit and again mixes up hip-hop and rap with catchy hooks and killer basslines. They’re joined by Children of Zeus, the Manchester pair who have brought real soul to UK hip-hop over the course of countless essential singles in the last few years. Their tender bars and heartfelt beats are simply irresistible.
Also joining are singer, songwriter and storyteller Yazmin Lacey, an R&B and soul sensation on First Word Records, plus Son Little, an American rhythm & blues musician from Philadelphia whose album Like Neptune has won critical acclaim. Last of all for now is Annahstasia, an LA/NYC soul musician who weaves her spiritual evolution into hypnotic vocal tapestries.
This year’s event is a cultural wonder packed with 70+ hours of music and loved for its open minded crowd, free-spirited atmosphere and mix of musical class – some old, some new, plenty of things in between but all of it innovative and fresh. Next the music there will be over 40 breweries from across South London, more than 40+ food and drink traders and specially designed stages.
The location for this tasteful celebration is Brockwell Park, a lush green space with bespoke bars, food concessions, luxury toilets for VIP access and lush chillout areas all adding extra comforts to the natural beauty of the ornamental ponds, formal flower beds and walled garden that you will find.
These latest names come on top of the already announced likes of soul, jazz, R&B and hip-hop stars such as Masego, Kelis, Alfa Mist, Gilles Peterson, Roy Ayers, Channel One, Ravyn Lenae, DOMi & JD Beck, Loose Ends, Hermanos Guitiérrez, CARRTOONS with tens more.
Cross The Tracks 2023 is shaping up to be the best edition yet so secure your tickets now.
LINEUP
NxWorries (Anderson .Paak & Knxwledge), Masego, Kelis, Alfa Mist, Gilles Peterson, Roys Ayers (farewell tour), Yazmin Lacey, Ravyn Lenae, DOMi & JD Beck, Children of Zeus, Son Little, Annahstasia, Loose Ends, Hermanos Guitiérrez, CARRTOONS, Channel One, The Silhouettes Project, BCUC, The Count, Chelsa Carmichael, Cherise, Lunch Money Life, Handson Family + more to TBA
Following on from the bonanza 15-band announcement earlier this week, BLOODSTOCK has some more news to share about 2023’s event.
In these rapidly changing times, unfortunately Saturday’s special guest Anthrax have pulled out of their slot. With regret, the band have issued a brief statement saying, “Due to logistical issues beyond our control Anthrax will no longer be appearing at Bloodstock 2023.”
Anthrax leave some big boots to fill but BLOODSTOCK is confident that their replacement is more than up to the task. Joining the 2023 line-up as Saturday’s special guests on the Ronnie James Dio main stage, will be the iconic metal pioneers, TRIPTYKON. In an unmissable UK exclusive performance, they’ll be treating BLOODSTOCK to a CELTIC FROST set. Warm your neck up with the stone cold Celtic Frost classic, ‘Circle Of The Tyrants’.
Tom Gabriel Warrior comments, “It was audiences and media in the UK who first embraced Celtic Frost’s music in the mid-1980s and gave this band a history and career. Without their support, I wouldn’t be here as the musician I have become. Moreover, we have also been very fortunate with Triptykon to be granted an equally warm welcome every time we have played the UK. This is particularly true for our past appearances at Bloodstock. It is thus truly a special honour and pleasure for us to have been asked by Bloodstock to play this unique Celtic Frost-themed concert at Bloodstock 2023. There will be many memories and emotions.”
What songs will they play? Check out the Top 10 Celtic Frost songs according to Paradise Lost’s Nick Holmes here. You’ll have to come along to find out which songs make the cut! If you need to brush up on your Celtic Frost ahead of time, why not pop the new ‘Danse Macabre’ box set on your Christmas list, which includes their complete recordings between 1984-1987 and have a read of this recent interview with The Guardian.
BLOODSTOCK would also like to thank all the 2022 BLOODSTOCKers for supporting the festival’s efforts to be a little greener. BLOODSTOCK is delighted to state its officially certified as ‘A Greener Festival 2022 – Improvers’; particularly commended in the ‘external reach’ and ‘local community impact’ categories. A Greener Festival said, “Improvers signifies great strides on the green event journey, with continued improvements, and shows your event exhibits a significant engagement with the process of reducing negative environmental impacts and enhancing positive impacts. Bloodstock have demonstrated a passionate drive for a greener event with a focus on best practice going forwards. The team have shown excellent efforts and a clear determination to continue to improve, to protect the environment and enhance positive stakeholder connections. The whole AGF team are very grateful for the achievements of certified events, and again we thank you wholeheartedly for your efforts and actions to make the global event industry greener, and striving for AGF Certification.” BLOODSTOCK also wanted to share, that in conjunction with Fat Franks, following on from the Tent Amnesty points and a site-wide salvage of reusable camping equipment, 90% was able to be redistributed, with some spare tent fabric even being used on the Nottingham Trent University sustainable fashion project, and some other equipment including chairs/gazebos going to the Scouts. BLOODSTOCK looks forward to continuing its greener efforts with your help in 2023.
Buying someone a BLOODSTOCK e-ticket as a Christmas gift? You can download a free, bespoke Christmas card via the link at the top of the ticket store page. Browse a full range of BLOODSTOCK merch here including the new special edition luxury hoodie and super soft BOA blanket, perfect now it’s getting colder! You’re still in time to order for pre-Christmas delivery! To buy weekend tickets, visit theticket store. VIP packages and campervan passes are already sold out.
If you prefer, you can now sign up for the very popular ticket Deposit Scheme. With payments spread across 6 monthly instalments, it makes it much more manageable to pay for your standard weekend ticket. An initial payment of £34.50 is due upon sign up (which you can do at any time before 21st Feb), then five additional payments of £27.50 will debit your bank account on 28 Mar, 28 Apr, 29 May, 28 Jun, with a final instalment on 28 Jul. Sign up to the schemehere.
BLOODSTOCK’s 2023 Ronnie James Dio main stage headliners are KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, MESHUGGAH, and MEGADETH. Also appearing are HELLOWEEN, IN FLAMES, DEVILDRIVER, BIOHAZARD, SACRED REICH, HEAVEN SHALL BURN, SEPULTURA, WHITECHAPEL, FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY, CROWBAR, SEETHING AKIRA, UGLY KID JOE, DECAPITATED, GATECREEPER, ZEAL & ARDOR, KING 810, UNTO OTHERS, URNE, ALL HAIL THE YETI, DEAD LABEL, NONPOINT, CHURCH OF THE COSMIC SKULL, BROTHERS OF METAL, GUTALAX, UUHAI, INVISIONS, COBRA THE IMPALER, TROLLFEST, SKYND, WARKINGS, FROZEN SOUL, THE VIOLENT INZIDENT, TRIBE OF GHOSTS, DAKESIS, THE ENIGMA DIVISION, THE GREY, EYES, TUSKAR, STENGAH, OVERTHRONE, TORTURED DEMON, CASKET FEEDER, and ZETRA. Many more are yet to be announced.
After just last week revealing their final headliner, MESHUGGAH and special guests, HELLOWEEN joining the bill, BLOODSTOCK is excited to announce even more bands for 2023, including the entire Thursday eve, opening party night line up!!
Headlining Thursday night on the Sophie Lancaster big top stage are hotly tipped, industrial goth duo, SKYND. Also bringing the noise once you’ve set up your tent and cracked your first beer are power metal outfit WARKINGS, Texan death metal squad FROZEN SOUL, post-nu-core parody five piece, THE VIOLENT INZIDENTand opening the afternoon’s proceedings are Brighton M2TM alumni, TRIBE OF GHOSTS.
Also joining are a slew of bands filling out the Sophie Lancaster stage line up across the weekend. On Friday, expect to see the likes of avant garde goth duo ZETRA, Birmingham prog metal squad DAKESISand THE ENIGMA DIVISION (feat. former Xerath guitarist, Conor McGouran). Landing a slot on Saturday are thrashcore 4-pce TORTURED DEMON, Cambridge post-rock trio THE GREY, Danish heavyists EYES and death metal/hardcore fusionists CASKET FEEDER. Rounding out the bill on Sunday will be psych/doom outfit TUSKAR, French riffmonsters STENGAH and Brum metalcore gang OVERTHRONE.
You can also now sign up for the very popular ticket Deposit Scheme. With payments spread across 6 monthly instalments, it makes it much more manageable to pay for your weekend ticket. An initial payment of £34.50 is due upon sign up (which you can do at any time before 21st Feb), then five additional payments of £27.50 will debit your bank account on 28 Mar, 28 Apr, 29 May, 28 Jun, with a final instalment on 28 Jul. Sign up to the schemehere.
BLOODSTOCK’s 2023 Ronnie James Dio main stage headliners are KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, MESHUGGAH, and MEGADETH. Also appearing are HELLOWEEN, IN FLAMES, DEVILDRIVER, ANTHRAX, BIOHAZARD, SACRED REICH, HEAVEN SHALL BURN, SEPULTURA, WHITECHAPEL, FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY, CROWBAR, SEETHING AKIRA, UGLY KID JOE, DECAPITATED, GATECREEPER, ZEAL & ARDOR, KING 810, UNTO OTHERS, URNE, ALL HAIL THE YETI, DEAD LABEL, NONPOINT, CHURCH OF THE COSMIC SKULL, BROTHERS OF METAL, GUTALAX, UUHAI, INVISIONS, COBRA THE IMPALER, and TROLLFEST. Many more are yet to be announced.
With tickets selling faster than ever for 2023, all VIP packages and campervan passes are already sold out. Grab your weekend tickets now at theticket store.
‘THE LOUDEST WEEK IN THE MIDDLE EAST, organised by MDLBEAST, sees festival goers enjoy 260 hours of live music from 200 artists across seven stages
More than 600,000 fans attended the 2022 edition of SOUNDSTORM, organised by MDLBEAST and the highlight attraction of ‘THE LOUDEST WEEK IN THE MIDDLE EAST’. This year’s event was 61% bigger than last year with revellers enjoying 260 hours of live music from 200 artists across seven stages under the Banban desert skies. Bruno Mars and David Guetta concluded the three-day festival with stunning Saturday shows.
SOUNDSTORM 2022 saw the BIG BEAST, DOWN BEAST and DANCE BEAST settings joined by four UNDERGROUND stages, on a site with a total area of more than 5.5 million square metres. As well as EDM, hip hop and R&B, this year saw indie added to the diverse range of musical genres across several stages.
First, there’s the Guinness World Record-breaking BIG BEAST, which is the largest stage of them all. Measuring 135.5 feet, the stage welcomed hard-hitting international DJs such as Tiesto, DJ Snake, Swedish House Mafia, R3HAB, DJ Khaled (and friends), Bruno Mars, as well as David Guetta.
David Guetta, who headlined Saturday night on the BIG BEAST stage at SOUNDSTORM, commented that the feeling of performing in the Kingdom was “so special” because it “feels like being part of something that’s bigger than me”. He played a ‘Future Rave’ set on Friday night with Morten and said: “When it comes to Saudi Arabia, I’ve been directly involved since day one with what is being done here, because I played the first SOUNDSTORM festival in 2019. What I see as I’ve started to play in Saudi is people with happy faces.” The BIG BEAST stage on Friday was also home to the most memorable of nighttime sets courtesy of global sensations DJ Khaled and Swedish House Mafia.
Appearing live in Saudi Arabia for the very first time, the concluding night saw Bruno Mars dedicate hit tune ‘Just the Way You Are’ to every fan watching his spectacular show on SOUNDSTORM’S BIG BEAST stage. Mars said: “Thank you to everyone for making our first time in Saudi Arabia so special – I’d like to come back again real soon.”
On Saturday, Solomun blasted off UG1 with a standout set and Steve Aoki followed Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike while Nervo, Claptone, Cedric Gervais, Timmy Trumpet, AfroJack, Morten, Acraze and more all played across the weekend. The final act on the BIG BEAST stage for 2022 to keep the legions of fans bouncing was electronic favourite Marshmello.
The Underground stage was divided into four different sub stages house and techno from Cirez D, Artbat, Carl Cox b2b Nic Fanciulli, Carl Cox solo, Sven Väth, Jamie Jones b2b Seth Troxler, Butch, Polo & Pan, Thomas Melchior and more on Thursday. On Friday, Adam Beyer, Maceo Plex, Anna, Loco Dice, Cassy, Hot Since 82, Damian Lazarus, Fred P, Janaret and more will line up and on Saturday Luciano, Solomun, La Fleur, Ricardo Villalobos, Solardo, James Hype, Art Department, Chris Lake and more brought the quality.
BIG BEAST headline acts on Thursday and Friday at the three-day festival included Tiësto, Swedish House Mafia, DJ Khaled, Post Malone, Nancy Ajram, Amr Diab, and many, many more.
Ramadan Alharatani, CEO at MDLBEAST, said: “This year’s third edition of SOUNDSTORM has emulated the success of its predecessors, exceeding our own expectations as well as our guests, delivering a world-class festival experience, and ushering in a brand-new chapter for the regional music scene. Whilst setting new benchmarks for future music events staged in Saudi Arabia and the wider region, we’re equally proud of the legacy these last three days leave behind.
“The response we’ve witnessed at SOUNDSTORM, and the feedback of huge anticipation we’ve received ahead of BALAD BEAST, highlights the love, appreciation, and demand for music amongst our communities. It is a beautiful mix that will advance the creative economy, inspire new talent, and propel the Middle East’s position as an emerging global hub for music, art, and culture.
“On behalf of MDLBEAST, I wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to all who have made SOUNDSTORM 2022 so enjoyable and impactful – from our dedicated staff and valued partners to the fans in attendance and artists on stage. We now look ahead to SOUNDSTORM 2023 and our fourth edition, so watch this space and stay tuned for news and updates in due course.”
This was a weekend that provided memories to last a lifetime. But fear not, because for people still in the region the beast is coming back soon to Jeddah on December 9th and 10th for BALAD BEAST, a stunning spectacle in the traditional courtyards of the city on the Red Sea with Carl Cox, Busta Rhymes, Rick Ross and many more.
FUN FACTS
200+ artists
61% bigger than last year
260+ hours of live music
80s metre high main stage
1300+ containers on site
5, 533, 985 sqm of festival space
7 stages
3 nights
100 food and beverage units
-ENDS-
About MDLBEAST:
MDLBEAST LLC is a music entertainment company committed to growing talent, building the regional scene, and advancing the creative economy. MDLBEAST was established following the success of its flagship festival, SOUNDSTORM, in 2019.
The newly expanded two day event offers even more chances to get immersed in those unforgettable old school sounds and good time grooves . It goes down at Towneley Park, the largest park in Burnley with 180 hectares of lush green rolling fields that will become a real party haven.
Each stage at the festival will have its own look and feel, with cutting edge production, punchy sound and immersive lights all bring each one to life in a unique way. On both days, the most authentic old school brands in the scene will host their own stage.
90s Baby takes you back to that golden era like no other, with a wide range of the decade’s biggest live acts, all reunited for an unmissable event that will transport you back to your youth. Across the weekend the likes of Lange, 4 strings, Phats & Small, Baby D, N-Trance, Allison Limerick and a huge guest to be announced will all play.
Millennium Classics Dome is an event series dedicated to the sleek house sounds of the 2000s right up to the present day with all the biggest hitters lined up. You can expect scintillating sounds from Soul Avengerz, Trimtone, Ben OC, Paul & Ben Taylor (Back 2 Back 3 hour set) and more across both days.
Retro is the cult and long running party helmed by Paul Taylor. It’s a cultured celebration of all things house from across the ages with plenty of classics and favourites from stars of the scene. He will play as well as the likes of Roger Sanchez, Lovely Laura & Ben Santiago, Brandon Block, Jon Fitz & Abigail Bailey, Peter Heller, Judge Jules, Todd Terry, Graeme Park, Jon Pleased Wimmin, K-Klass (Live + DJ Set) plus live performances by Kathy Brown and Sandy B.
Angels is a well-respected and historic club brand that very much defined clubbing in Burnley during the 1990s. Across the weekend it represents all things house whether hard, funky, vocal or uplifting from John Kelly, Rob Tissera, Paul Bleasdale, Luvdup, Matt Bell and Rick Jones amongst more.
The scene is set for the most comprehensive and escapist celebration of all things retro yet, so make sure to get your tickets booked for this unmissable throw down.
