Saudi-based promoter MDLBeast has announced the launch of weekly music shows in partnership with Jeddah Season 2024.

The parties, which will be held over three consecutive Fridays at Onyx Arena in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, kick off on 2 August with performances by Don Toliver Lil Easy, Shaolin, and Axwell.

The 9 August event will then star Jack Harlow, Salvatore Ganacci, Jeed, and Saud, with the third and final show, on 16 August 16, featuring Dj Loush, Bebe Rexha and Afrojack. Tickets cost SAR149 (€37) for general admission and SAR699 (€172) for VIP.

Running from June to September, Jeddah Season is an arts, culture and entertainment festival last held in 2022.

The 12,000-cap Onyx Arena is the latest music venue to be launched by MDLBeast.

“The Saudi government has plans to build venues all across the country”

“The Saudi government has plans to build venues all across the country,” Iain Campbell, Oak View Group’s EVP Middle East and Africa, told the Global Arena Guide. “Not just in Riyadh but Jeddah and across the nation. The number of new venues in the pipeline is very exciting. Enthusiasm for sport and entertainment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is phenomenal.”

OVG chief Tim Leiweke also addressed the huge growth of the market after returning from a trip to Riyadh last year.

“I am shocked at the trillions and trillions of dollars they are putting into that country and rebuilding that country as quick as they are,” he told The Bob Leftsetz Podcast. “By 2030, Riyadh is going to be the centre of the universe… The arenas they’re building there, they’re off the charts. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Last week, the New Murabba Development Company, which is owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), revealed designs for a new 45,000-cap stadium in Riyadh, which is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2032. Other new builds include the 45,000-cap Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium located in Qiddiya, while Saudi already has four large stadiums under construction or being upgraded ahead of its hosting of the 2027 Asian Cup.

In addition, ASM Global has planned a 20,000-cap Jeddah Arena Airport City at King Abdulaziz International Airport, and other developments are planned for Dammam.

Earlier this month, it was also announced Eminem will headline the 2024 Soundstorm by MDLBeast festival – the rapper’s debut performance in Saudi Arabia – in Riyadh from 12-14 December alongside Thirty Seconds to Mars and Muse.

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Gazebo Festival, Sueños Music Festival and Slam Dunk Festival were impacted by severe weather over the weekend.

Rapper Jack Harlow launched his inaugural Gazebo festival at the weekend (25-26 May), in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.

However, the second day of the event was called off after parts of the city were put on tornado watch until late afternoon on Sunday (26 May).

The National Weather Service also warned of wind that could reach up to 75 mph and scattered hail up to two inches in size.

“Well. We have to cancel day two of Gazebo,” Harlow wrote on social media. “We are currently on a tornado watch. I know things cleared up a little bit, but the bad weather has damaged the site and there’s more storms and dangerous winds on the way. This means everyone on Day 2, including myself, won’t be performing anymore. I’m trying to focus on the positive because all I felt was happiness yesterday. I’m grateful for our flawless first day and for the way this city came together. Thank you so much. I’m sorry.”

SZA, Vince Staples and James Blake were among that artists that performed at Gazebo festival on its opening day.

Harlow was supposed to headline the festival’s second day, which was also due to feature performances from the likes of PinkPantheress, Amaraee and Omar Apollo.

Sunday ticket holders will receive a full refund, while weekend pass ticket holders will be refunded 50%. All refunds will be issued within 30 days, according to a statement from Gazebo festival.

In the neighbouring state of Illinois, Sueños Music Festival was also having problems with inclement weather on its second day.

The Latin music festival was scheduled to take place across two days in Grant Park, Chicago. However, the opening of day two was postponed until 4 pm due to severe weather, prompting organisers to reshuffle the lineup.

“While the event is going ahead, we cannot guarantee access customers the experience that we had hoped”

At 7:45 pm, just before Peso Pluma’s headline set, attendees were asked to evacuate the site due to incoming storms.

The festival’s opening day featured performances by Xavi, Ivan Cornejo, Young Miko, Bizarrap and Rauw Alejandro. This year, Sueños’s third, was sold out for the first time with 65,000 attendees each day.

Also yesterday, UK festival Slam Dunk released an emergency weather update ahead of its Leeds leg, after heavy rainfall at the Temple Newsam site.

The rock, pop-punk and emo festival wrote before 10 am: “Having assessed the ground conditions for Slam Dunk North, we are sorry to inform you that due to the weather, the ground is in bad condition.

“While the event is going ahead, we cannot guarantee access customers the experience that we had hoped. While facilities including platforms and ambulant areas are still available and customers can still attend, we advise that those with mobility issues avoid the site.”

The festival also confirmed that refunds would be available for accessibility customers.

The Leeds leg at Temple Newsam went ahead with feature performances from the likes of You Me At Six, All-American Rejects and I Prevail. The southern leg took place at Hatfield Park the day prior.

The three festivals join a long list of events that have either been cut short or cancelled due to severe weather.

In the US, adverse weather coverage has “increased significantly” in the last five years, according to Jeff Torda from Higginbotham. Backing this point, a recent Billboard article claimed premiums in North America had tripled in recent years.

The latest edition of ILMC also saw industry leaders discussing ways to cope with the impact of weather on festivals and open-air live music events.

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Jack Harlow is launching a new music festival this May in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.

The inaugural Gazebo Festival will be co-headlined by the rapper himself, as well as R&B star SZA.

James Blake, Vince Staples, Veeze, Pinkpantheress, Rich Homie Quan, Omar Apollo, Majid Jordan, Slum Village, BNYX, Karrahbooo and more round out the bill.

The two-day event will take place at Kentucky’s Waterfront Park on Memorial Day Weekend (25-26 May) to celebrate “the intersection of music and culture”.

“I am so grateful for his commitment to making first class things happen for Louisville”

Gazebo Festival is a partnership between Harlow (repped in North America by Wasserman Music) and local promoter, Production Simple.

Tickets for the event are available from 6 March and start at $255 ($235) for general admission. A portion of all ticket proceeds will benefit community organisations and local initiatives in the Louisville area through the Jack Harlow Foundation, which was launched last year.

“Jack Harlow is an extraordinary Louisvillian who continues to give back to his hometown,” said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg in a press release. “This is yet another way Jack is showing up for our city, and I can’t wait to see the excitement this festival creates. I am so grateful for his commitment to making first class things happen for Louisville and our people.”

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