The multi-stage festival attracted 130,000 fans on its first day, say organisers of the three-day event. PHOTO: AFP
RIYADH: Tens of thousands of Saudis have flocked to an electronic music festival billed by organisers as the biggest in the kingdom since it began easing decades-old restrictions on entertainment.
Dutch DJ Tiesto, South Africa's Black Coffee and France's David Guetta are among the top acts at the three-day MDL Beast festival, which began near Riyadh on Thursday.
Saudi fans enjoy the electronic music festival held in Banban on the outskirts of Riyadh on December 19, 2019. PHOTOS: AFP"This is the biggest music festival in the region," said DJ Cosmicat, one of a few female Saudi artists performing at the event.
"The whole country is going through a huge change," she said in a statement released by the organisers.
PHOTO: AFPYoung Saudi revellers held their mobile phones aloft in front of one of the stages as lasers and spotlights lit the evening sky on Thursday.
Many of the women went without the hijab headscarf — not a legal requirement but widely worn in the kingdom.
PHOTO: AFPThe multi-stage festival attracted 130,000 fans on its first day, said organisers, calling it the "largest music, arts and culture festival Saudi Arabia has ever seen".
PHOTO: AFPSaudi Arabia has eased tight restrictions on various forms of entertainment as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman seeks to shake off his country's image.
He has scrapped decades-old bans on cinemas and women drivers while allowing gender-mixed concerts and sports tournaments.
The relaxed social norms have been welcomed by many Saudis, two-thirds of whom are under 30.
PHOTO: AFPThe reforms come as the OPEC kingpin, hit hard by low oil prices, seeks to boost domestic spending and diversify its economy.
Saudis currently splurge billions of dollars annually to see films and visit amusement parks in neighbouring tourist hubs like Dubai and Bahrain.
PHOTO: AFPBut introducing such facilities at home has fuelled controversy in a section of the society.
PHOTO: AFP
PHOTO: AFP
PHOTO: AFP
Video courtesy: Al Arabiya English
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