MDLBEAST's new 1001 Festival redefined what a music experience can be, fusing folklore, fantasy, and futuristic sound into a spellbinding debut that signals a bold new era.

This past weekend, beneath the vast Saudi sky, MDLBEAST unveiled a new chapter in its cultural ambitions: the debut edition of 1001 Festival. Set against the sands of Binban, the two-night event wasn’t just another dance music blowout — it was a fully imagined world, where ancient folklore collided with the future-facing pulse of electronic music.

 

From the moment gates opened, it was clear that 1001 wasn’t playing by conventional festival rules. Each of the four stages felt like its own living, breathing myth.
Qafilah, the caravan stage, pulled festival-goers through a vibrant sonic journey, while QASIR’s regal architecture hinted at the grandeur of lost palaces. Bustan’s floral-drenched treehouse DJ booth provided an oasis for daydreamers, and Sahaab, suspended like a magic carpet above the crowd, wrapped dancers in woven soundscapes and shimmering LEDs.

 

Of course, the lineup was as fantastical as the setting. Thursday night wasted no time dialing up the energy. DJ Snake tore through the main stage with a no-holds-barred set, while Salvatore Ganacci, ever the irreverent showman, delivered a chaotic, high-energy performance that blurred the line between party and performance art.

 

Over at Qafilah, Mochakk had the crowd bouncing with a swaggering take on tech-house, and a rare back-to-back between DJ Tennis and Seth Troxler proved to be one of the weekend’s best-kept secrets — a loose, deeply curated trip through leftfield house and unexpected gems.

 

Friday night shifted the energy, pulling fans deeper into the 1001 mythos. Eric Prydz headlined with clinical precision, blending classic Prydz cuts and unreleased IDs into a sprawling, cinematic set. ARTBAT kept the pulse melodic and urgent, while Hot Since 82 brought rich, rolling warmth to Bustan’s leafy hideout. Across the grounds, Nicole Moudaber and Dixon offered a lesson in contrast: Moudaber’s raw, percussive power clashing against Dixon’s simmering, emotional restraint.

 

Reflecting on the festival’s debut, MDLBEAST CEO Ramadan Alharatani said it best: “With 1001, we wanted to build something that felt rooted in our culture but spoke globally. Seeing people fully immerse in the world we created — that’s the real reward.”

 

With its marriage of storytelling, imagination, and cutting-edge sound, 1001 didn’t just launch a new event — it opened a new portal for Saudi Arabia’s fast-evolving music scene.
And with only its first chapter written, it’s clear this story is just beginning.