SOUNDSTORM ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 600,000 FANS ACROSS THREE DAYS

SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA, TIËSTO, HARDWELL, DISH DASH, CARL COX, SOLOMUN, DAVID GUETTA AND MORE TAKE CENTRE STAGE

‘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

ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL UNVEILS STAR-STUDDED PHASE 2 LINEUP FEATURING MORE THAN 100 ADDITIONAL ACTS

Headliners include Adam Beyer ︎ Cirez D, Afrojack, Alesso, CamelPhat, Charlotte de Witte, David Guetta, Gareth Emery, M.I.A., Marshmello, Michael Bibi, Stephan Bodzin (Live), Tiësto and Vini Vici

Ultra will present the world debut of Black Tiger Sex Machine’s live Portals show, as well as the first-ever Jauz b2b SVDDEN DEATH set

WAKAAN label boss Liquid Stranger will make his Ultra debut

The festival will host a medley of debut back-to-back performances including Nicole Moudaber b2b Chris Liebing, Dom Dolla b2b Vintage Culture, Dubfire b2b Kölsch, Ida Engberg b2b Maya Jane Coles, Popof x Space 92 Present Turbulences, and Luigi Madonna b2b Robert Capuano

Friday, March 24 - Sunday, March 26, 2023 

at Bayfront Park in Downtown Miami, Florida

Ultra Music Festival has unveiled its star-studded Phase 2 lineup, adding more than 100 additional acts to the 2023 event taking place Friday, March 24 - Sunday, March 26 at Bayfront Park in Downtown Miami.  

In November, Ultra announced an impressive roster of Phase 1 headliners including Armin van Buuren, Carl Cox, Claude VonStroke, CloZee, Eric Prydz presents HOLO, Ganja White Night, GIGANTIC NGHTMRE (Big Gigantic and NGHTMRE), Grimes, Gryffin, Hardwell, the world debut of HI-LO b2b Testpilot, Kx5 (Kaskade and deadmau5), Kayzo (live), Martin Garrix, Oliver Heldens b2b Tchami, REZZ, Subtronics, Swedish House Mafia, Tale Of Us, Timmy Trumpet, and Zedd. 

With the Phase 2 lineup announcement, Ultra welcomes back a plethora of veteran headliners including Dutch icon Afrojack, Swedish superstar Alesso, DJ Mag 2022 Alternative #1 DJ Charlotte de Witte, ten-time GRAMMY nominated David Guetta, multifaceted British trance legend Gareth Emery, infectious multi-platinum artist Marshmello, dance music sensation Tiësto, andhigh-energy psytrance duo Vini Vici. 

The globally-renowned British artist M.I.A. will also return to Ultra for the first time since 2014. Over the span of her impressive career, she has been nominated for an Academy Award, Grammy Award, Brit Award, and more. 

After making their inaugural festival appearance in 2022, Canadian electronic trio Black Tiger Sex Machine will return to Ultra for the global debut of their live show, Black Tiger Sex Machine presents Portals. 

WAKAAN label boss Liquid Stranger will make his highly-anticipated Ultra debut, transporting his otherworldly bass sound for an epic headlining performance. 

The festival will also present a string of debut back-to-back headlining performances from Adam Beyer◻︎Cirez D, Dom Dolla b2b Vintage Culture, the global inaugural performance of Jauz b2b SVDDEN DEATH, Nicole Moudaber b2b Chris Liebing, and Dubfire b2b Kölsch. 

The UMF Radio Stage will also once again host label showcases with different stage takeovers from imprints such as Afrojack’s JACKED Radio brand and Hardwell’s Revealed Recordings, which follows up the iconic producer’s long-awaited comeback and techno reinvention during his closing headlining set at Ultra 2022. And after successfully taking over Ultra’s first-ever hardstyle stage last year, the Coone-headed Belgian-label Dirty Workz will return for another stage takeover and bevy of hardstyle staples. 

Underground concept RESISTANCE will host previously announced headliners techno superstars Adam Beyer◻︎Cirez D, GRAMMY-nominated UK duo CamelPhat, longstanding Ultra ambassador Carl Cox, Dirtybird label boss Claude VonStroke, Eric Prydz presents HOLO, the global debut of HI-LO b2b Testpilot(Oliver Heldens and deadmau5’s techno aliases, respectively), versatile Dutch artist Joris Voorn, Solid Grooves label boss Michael Bibi, classically trained German techno act Stephan Bodzin (Live), and Afterlife leaders Tale Of Us. Additionally, RESISTANCE will host headlining back-to-back performances from Nicole Moudaber b2b Chris Liebing as well as Dubfire b2b Kölsch.

Additional RESISTANCE headliners will come from previously announced acts Anfisa Letyago, Enrico Sangiuliano, Ida Engberg b2b Maya Jane Coles, Ilario Alicante, Mathame, and Popof x Space 92 Present ‘Turbulences’. 

Along with these tastemaker acts, RESISTANCE will host performances driving techno maestro Brennen Grey, Slovenian selector Brina Knauss, Italian techno duo Fideles, British progressive ace Franky Wah, Berlin production duo and band GHEIST, Australian techno queen Juliet Fox, groovy house virtuoso Kyle Kinch, multi-instrumentalist and synth wizard Lubelski, techno brother duo Mathame, leading Afterlife duo Mind Against, blossoming twin duo RaeCola, Parisian house music legend Shiba San, fast-rising Los Angeles producer/DJ VNSSA, New York City house duo Walker & Royce, and a special back to back performance from Drumcode mainstays Luigi Madonna and Roberto Capuano.

The RESISTANCE Cove will feature Ultra's first-ever stage takeovers by Nicole Moudaber’s highly-influential label, global party brand, and award-winning weekly radio show In The Mood, as well as Dutch legend Joris Voorn Presents Spectrum concept which encompasses club nights, festival stages, and a global broadcast radio show. These two inaugural takeovers join the ranks of Claude VonStroke’s previously-announced takeover by his West Coast-based underground imprint Dirtybird.

Ultra veterans returning to the festival include masked Parisian producer Malaa, Darklight Recordings boss Fedde Le Grand, Protocol Recordings leader Nicky Romero, progressive Dutch duo Dubvision, GRAMMY-award winning French producer Cedric Gervais, invigorating trance act Jeffrey Sutorius, prolific artist Deorro, trance purveyor Ilan Bluestone, 18-year-old wonder Moore Kismet, Juno Award nominee Frank Walker, main stage regular MYKRIS, energetic Dutch producer Dr. Phunk, and global party-starter Dada Life.

After expanding into the hardstyle genre in 2022, veteran hardstyle acts like English hardstyle titan Darren Styles, Norwegian duo Da Tweekaz, andDutch hardstyle duo Sub Zero Project will also return to Ultra in 2023. 

Marking a number of exciting festival debuts in 2023, Ultra Music Festival will feature the debut of Afrojack’s underground alias Kapuchon. In 2020, Afrojack revived the dormant alias with the first release in over a decade titled “Ten Years Later”. Additionally, multi-platinum artists Jonas Blue and Sam Feldt will debut their new collaborative project Endless Summer following the release of their first single “Till The End” from earlier this year. 

Ultra will also host debut festival sets from artists who represent all corners of the dance floor, including live performances by Brit Awards’ 2022 Best Dance Act Becky Hill and melodic duo Kasablanca, as well as DJ sets by UK producer and TV personality Joey Corry, and psytrance legend Blastoyz.

The 2023 lineup will boast a string of bass heavyweights making their Ultra debut, including a live performance from melodic bass purveyor Dabin, as well as DJ sets from UK drum & bass icon Dimension, orchestral bass wizard Apashe, mysterious act Deathpact, fast-rising Lucille Croft, brother bass duo YOOKiE, and Sable Valley favorite ISOxo. 

Shaping up to be the festival’s most exciting edition yet, fans can purchase tickets to Ultra Music Festival 2023 via https://ultramusicfestival.com/tickets/miami/

GEM & JAM ADDS MORE THAN 40 MULTI-GENRE ACTS TO STACKED 2023 FESTIVAL LINEUP

LSDREAM will host special Lightcode sound healing set, in addition to his previously-announced headlining performance

Life During Wartime and Garcia Birthday Band will perform interweaved Talking Dead tribute set to The Grateful Dead and Talking Heads

Michael Travis of The String Cheese Incident and Aaron Johnston of The David Byrne Band’s newly-minted Snakes & Stars project will make its Gem & Jam debut performance

Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson, Arizona

Friday, February 3 - Sunday, February 5, 2023

With less than two months away from Gem & Jam’s 15th annual edition, the three-day music and arts festival has added more than 40 acts to its already stacked lineup.

Returning to the idyllic desert landscape of Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson, Arizona from Friday, February 3 - Sunday, February 5, Gem & Jam’s new artist additions include a special Lightcode set from LSDREAM, Grateful Dead/Talking Heads hybrid tribute band Talking Dead, Michael Travis and Aaron Johnson’s nascent duo Snakes & Stars, Denver trip-hop live-electronic pair Since JulEYE, and throngs of talented local acts.

In addition to LSDREAM making his highly-anticipated festival debut, the psychedelic bass purveyor will also showcase his special, live Lightcode set. As seen at festivals like Electric Forest, Lightning In A Bottle, and Okeechobee, Lightcode is an immersive sonic healing experience featuring original music, guided meditations, and sound baths.

Fans of the Talking Heads and The Grateful Dead will be treated to a hybrid tribute set by Talking Dead, a collaborative project from Life During Wartime and Garcia Birthday Band. Together, Talking Dead delivers unique marathon performances that are not for the light-hearted, with seamless full-band transitions and no set breaks. The supergroup is known for remarkable song couplings, groove mutations of fantasy mix-tapes, and an outright celebration of two of the most prominent song catalogs in history uniting in joyous triumph.

In addition to playing during both of The String Cheese Incident’s headlining sets, drummer Michael Travis will also perform alongside Aaron Johnston of The David Byrne Band in their new improvisational electronic act Snakes & Stars. After making their official debut earlier this year at Elevation Music Festival in Alma, Colorado, the duo’s mix of traditional drumming with various electronic genres has captivated audiences nationwide, leading to 2023 bookings at festivals like Electric Forest.

Denver trip-hop duo Since JulEYE will also be bringing their bracingly original, glitched-out melodics to Gem & Jam 2023. After initially starting as a solo project by DJ/producer Lev Averbakh, Since JulEYE recently added long-time collaborator and veteran keyboardist Todd Stoops (RAQ, Kung-Fu) as a permanent member. Now operating as a full-fledged duo, this new creative partnership has resulted in a vibrant mix of Averbakh’s bouncy hip-hop production with Stoops’ jam band sensibilities. Since JulEYE’s live sets feature Averbakh DJing and playing bass while Stoops finesses the keys, a dynamic combination that has led to performances at Summer Camp Music Festival, Color Field, and Denver’s Meow Wolf.

Since the festival’s inception, Gem & Jam has played an important role in developing and championing the Tucson music scene. For the 2023 installment, more than 40 homegrown artists will host an “All The Homies” takeover on the Opal Stage, exhibiting a display of some of Arizona’s most promising bubbling artists.

The new artist additions join headliners The String Cheese Incident, LSDREAM, The Floozies, and Emancipator, with support from The Motet, Dirtwire, Ott, SoDown, The Funk Hunters, Mark Farina, and Marvel Years. Acts making their Gem & Jam festival debuts include Justin Martin, Ayla Nereo, Haywyre, Aqueous, EAZYBAKED, Justin Jay, The Nth Power, Poranguí, and Ravenscoon.

The sonically diverse festival will return to the Pima County Fairgrounds, located on 640 acres and just 20 miles south of downtown Tucson. The venue is surrounded by nature and resides in a stunning desert environment, creating an expansive and magical setting perfect for Gem & Jam Festival. Like previous years, Gem & Jam will offer on-site camping, RV passes, glamping options, late-night music, daytime workshops, delicious food & beverage options, a world-renowned vendor bazaar, and of course, around-the-clock music and art.

Gem & Jam is fostering a relationship with environmental festival organization Green Disco to improve its environmental footprint and give attendees the opportunity to have an eco-friendly festival experience. Green Disco’s Eco-Band is an optional ticket add-on that supports nonprofits in Tucson, offsets measurable amounts of carbon, and supports environmental data collection efforts. Made from 100% hemp, the $20 wristband allows festival goers to do their part in conserving the environment and provides access to exclusive perks on-site. The Eco-Band can be purchased at checkout or as an add-on through our official ticketing page to be picked up at the box office.