The music industry demands constant reinvention, and major festivals are no exception. Soundstorm illustrates this evolution clearly. Since its debut in Riyadh in 2019, the festival has steadily reshaped its structure and ambitions, growing into one of the Middle East’s most influential live music events.
In its early years, Soundstorm relied heavily on scale and spectacle to make its mark. The festival delivered four days of nonstop performances, featured more than 200 artists, and attracted crowds approaching a quarter of a million people, transforming its desert location into an unprecedented showcase of excess and energy.
That initial “bigger is better” approach helped establish Soundstorm’s reputation, but it also set the stage for change. As the festival matured, its organizers began refining the experience, placing greater emphasis on standout performances rather than sheer volume.
Soundstorm 2025 reflected that shift, with carefully curated sets from global stars such as Post Malone, Pitbull, and Halsey. Each artist brought a distinct style, contributing to a more balanced and focused lineup that highlighted performance quality over overwhelming scale.
Among all the acts, Cardi B delivered the most commanding show of the festival. Her performance stood out as the event’s defining moment, projecting confidence, global ambition, and star power—clear proof that she is ready to dominate stages far beyond Soundstorm.
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