Riyadh Music Week 2025 Wraps Up with Record Attendance and Global Highlights

Riyadh Music Week (RMW) concluded a 10-day celebration of music, bringing together artists, educators, industry leaders, and communities from Saudi Arabia and around the world. The event highlighted the rapid growth of the Kingdom’s music ecosystem through performances, professional gatherings, and cultural exchanges.

The week featured a wide range of programmes, including the Music Makers Summit (MMS), XP Music Futures, Takyah, Fringe, Billboard Arabia Power Players, the International Music Managers Forum (IMMF) Awards, and Soundstorm—the region’s largest music festival. Together, these events focused on connection, creativity, and community.

At the center of RMW was the Music Makers Summit, which hosted global executives, local leaders, artists, educators, policymakers, and innovators. Discussions explored music’s value for society, education, skills development, and cultural identity. A new addition this year, the Education Forum, brought together universities and experts to discuss the future of music learning in Saudi Arabia. A key outcome was the creation of a university textbook capturing best practices and insights from regional and international leaders, aimed at supporting high-quality music education across the Kingdom.

XP Music Futures focused on emerging talent and creative entrepreneurship. During the programme, the Saudi Music Commission launched Saudi Beats, a digital sound library of original recordings from across the Kingdom, starting with the Asir region. The initiative provides artists and producers access to thousands of audio assets, helping preserve Saudi musical heritage while encouraging global collaboration.

Other highlights included a new MoU signed between the Saudi Music Commission and Steinway & Sons to support music education and performance infrastructure, and the Billboard Arabia Power Players, recognizing companies and contributors driving the regional music industry, including Paul Pacifico, Ramadan AlHaratani, and artist Ahmed Saad.

Throughout the week, Riyadh came alive with performances in major districts like KAFD, the Diplomatic Quarter, Diriyah, and metro stations, as well as cafes and music venues, offering residents and visitors free access to a variety of music genres.

The week’s finale, Soundstorm, featured international stars such as Cardi B, Post Malone, Calvin Harris, Halsey, Tyla, Ava Max, and Benson Boone, alongside regional talents Balqees, DJ Aseel, Tahani Sultan, and Ibrahim Alhakami. The festival welcomed over 400,000 guests across eight stages, marking its largest edition to date.

Paul Pacifico, CEO of the Saudi Music Commission, said: “Riyadh Music Week demonstrated the progress and evolution of Saudi Arabia’s music ecosystem. Creativity, expertise, and community came together in meaningful ways across all programmes. We remain committed to supporting talent, education, and opportunities for the Kingdom’s music sector.”

Looking ahead to 2026, RMW plans to expand professional pathways, strengthen global partnerships, and continue building a strong foundation for music education in Saudi Arabia, creating more opportunities for artists, educators, and industry professionals.