Riyadh Music Week signals a new era for regional music

Every year, it seems that a new art festival or creative initiative emerges in the region. More remarkable, however, is the growing number of programs conceived, developed, and sustained locally rather than imported from elsewhere. This shift is especially apparent in the music sector, where underground regional talent is gaining structured support and new visibility on the global stage. The launch of Riyadh Music Week (RMW) on Thursday, December 4, exemplifies this trajectory, introducing a platform that unites local and international artists for an expansive, citywide program of performances, conferences, and creative activations.

Running until December 13, RMW25 is presented in collaboration with MDLBEAST and the Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG). The week-long program was announced by the Saudi Music Commission, one of eleven sector-specific commissions under the Ministry of Culture, tasked with building a robust cultural infrastructure to expand creative production and increase accessibility across all segments of society. Through production incentives and targeted talent-development initiatives starting in early education, the Commission seeks to embed cultural engagement into everyday life while nurturing the next generation of creative practitioners.

“Riyadh Music Week 2025 is our invitation to the world to experience the vibrant pulse of Saudi Arabia’s music landscape,” explains Paul Pacifico, CEO of the Music Commission. “This platform is where global and local voices meet, from artists and producers to educators and policymakers. It embodies the spirit of cultural exchange and shared creativity that defines today’s global music scene. We welcome everyone; from schools and universities to artists, labels, and entrepreneurs, to join us in shaping a future where music connects us all.”

Over the course of the week, international industry summits and open-call “Fringe” events featuring curated performances will take place across Riyadh’s heritage sites, art districts, cafes, and hotels, embedding music into the very fabric of the city. Beyond the headline performances, RMW25 will convene policy and education forums, music-technology showcases, and cross-sector innovation platforms, generating an impact that extends well beyond the temporal bounds of the event itself. Collectively, the programme brings together some of Saudi Arabia’s most forward-looking music communities, including URX (Underrated X), MDLBEAST Records, The Fridge, Bohemia Records, Merwas, and The Warehouse, each presenting a concept-driven night series designed to complement and expand Riyadh Music Week’s core agenda.

The week opened on Thursday with MDLBEAST’s flagship conference, XP, which combines panels, workshops, and performances to explore the future of the region’s music industry, spotlighting emerging trends and opportunities for collaboration. From December 7 to 10, attention turns to grassroots “Fringe” events, designed to engage the broader public across Riyadh through interactive music experiences. These activities begin on December 7 with Takyah, a cultural gathering that connects international industry leaders with local partners to foster cross-cultural exchange and showcase Saudi Arabia’s rich music traditions to a global audience.

On the evening of December 8, Billboard Arabia Power Players will, for the first time in the MENA region, recognise the leaders and innovators shaping Arabic music and entertainment. The focus then moves to December 9-10 for the Music Makers Summit, a policy-oriented forum that convenes industry leaders and policymakers to tackle the most pressing opportunities and challenges facing music creators. The summit culminates on the evening of December 10 with the International Music Managers Forum (IMMF), which celebrates the strategists and innovators who are driving artistic careers and advancing the broader regional music industry. 

Finally, the week concludes from December 11–13 with Soundstorm, the region’s largest three-day music festival, featuring performances by global artists including Post Malone, Calvin Harris, and Cardi B, among many others.

While the objectives of future editions may evolve, RMW2025 is currently structured around four core pillars – talent, scene, impact, and innovation – designed to deliver significant and measurable outcomes for Saudi Arabia’s music sector. Beyond facilitating new business opportunities, the platform seeks to advance progressive policy and encourage broader community engagement through accessible, music-driven experiences that connect people across Riyadh. By showcasing Saudi talent, promoting regional music, and fostering cross-sector collaborations, RMW25 contributes to the development of a sustainable creative economy grounded in cultural exchange and regional empowerment. In doing so, RMW2025 actively reclaims and reshapes the narrative surrounding music in the region.