J Balvin unveiled as MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2023 headliner

The reggaeton singer joins Pharrell Williams and Calvin Harris in the star-studded lineup.

The beast is back. We are counting down the days until MDLBeast Soundstorm 2023. The region’s biggest music festival has announced the latest addition to its star-studded daily lineup, and we are buzzing with excitement.

J Balvin, whose real name is José Álvaro Osorio Balvin, will take to the MDLBeast Soundstorm stage on Saturday, 16 December. The Colombian reggaeton singer and songwriter has become a global sensation in the world of Latin music. Balvin’s music career began in the early 2000s. However, it was his breakthrough single 6 AM in collaboration with fellow Colombian artist Farruko that catapulted him to international stardom in 2013. Since then, he has released numerous hit songs and albums, including Mi Gente and I Like It, a collaboration with rapper Cardi B.

J Balvin has worked with everyone from Beyoncé and Bad Bunny to D Khaled and Maluma. He has received numerous awards and accolades, including Latin Grammys and Billboard Music Awards, and he’s recognised as a trailblazer in the Latin music industry. 

The announcement was made on the MDLBeast Soundstorm Instagram account with the caption: “Prepare to get up and moving at the biggest festival of the region with the Prince of Reggaeton 🫅⚡️J Balvin.”

MDLBeast Soundstorm 2023 runs from 14 to 16 December, and is in its fourth edition. Taking place in Banban on the outskirts of Riyadh, the festival is like the Glastonbury of the Middle East, just in the middle of the desert rather than a muddy field. 

Launched in 2019, MDLBeast Soundstorm has consistently drawn local and international talent, creating a buzz that reverberates far beyond the borders of Riyadh. Last year’s lineup featured the likes of Bruno Mars, David Guetta, DJ Khaled, Jorja Smith and Post Malone. So far, the stars confirmed for MDLBeast Soundstorm 2023 include Pharrell Williams and his Phriends and Calvin Harris, with more announcements expected in the coming weeks.

J Balvin is no stranger to the region. He performed in Saudia Arabia for Jeddah Season 2022, at the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, and at Abu Dhabi Showdown Week back in 2019.

MDLBeast Soundstorm tickets are available via Platinumlist and start from SAR 169 for one-day general admission passes, and go up to SAR 1,999 for one-day VIB (very important beast, of course) passes.

GO: Visit https://riyadh.platinumlist.net for tickets and more information.