Country Profile: Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s enormous investment in arts, culture, sport, and venue infrastructure is part of a long-term plan to position the country as a global cultural centre, boosting tourism while targeting $20bn in revenues and the creation of 100,000 jobs.
As such, the main local operators, while not necessarily always state-owned, are often heavily supported and financed by the regime’s General Entertainment Authority. But that doesn’t mean the project is a one-dimensional one.
Globally visible shows, such as MDLBEAST’s ever-growing Soundstorm festival and recent Guns N’ Roses show at the Mohammed Abdo Arena – Saudi’s latest big-name show, following visits from Eminem, Camila Cabello, Metallica, and others – position KSA as a major buyer of talent. Yet, the focus is very much on the importance of developing and exporting Saudi and regional artists.
“When we launched MDLBEAST in 2019, the vision was never just to put on events – it was about building a creative economy in Saudi Arabia,” MDLBEAST CEO Ramadan Alharatani…
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