In recent weeks, several well-known comedians faced widespread criticism for appearing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival — a government-backed event in Saudi Arabia that human-rights groups say masks a troubling record. Now pop stars Benson Boone, Post Malone and Halsey have been announced for Soundstorm 2025, a booking that is already attracting renewed scrutiny.

Organizers revealed a stacked lineup that also includes The Kid Laroi, Tyla, Kaytranada, Idris Elba, Ava Max, Major Lazer, Metro Boomin and DJ Snake. Calvin Harris is billed as one of the headliners alongside Boone and Post Malone, rounding out an international roster expected to draw large crowds.

According to the festival’s organizers, “SOUNDSTORM is the region’s boldest 3-day music festival, held every December in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.” The event page says Soundstorm transforms Banban into a “City of Sound,” with hundreds of thousands of fans experiencing performances from global, regional and local artists. (Event page)

But the announcement has reignited criticism. Human Rights Watch and other rights groups have repeatedly urged artists to avoid participating in the annual event. Tensions intensified after the inaugural Riyadh Comedy Festival in September — where high-profile comedians performed at a government-funded festival — prompting calls that such appearances risk normalizing a regime accused of suppressing dissent and targeting journalists and activists. Earlier this year, journalist Turki al-Jasser was executed by Saudi authorities, a development cited by critics as part of broader concerns about the country’s human-rights record. (HRW) (The Guardian)

Defenders of artists who choose to perform argue engagement can foster dialogue and openness. Comedian Aziz Ansari, for example, explained his decision to appear at the comedy festival on late-night television, saying such events can help promote conversation rather than isolate people. (Jimmy Kimmel Live! clip)

Human-rights experts counter that the comedy festival and Soundstorm alike are sponsored by state institutions — a dynamic some watchdogs describe as an attempt to deflect attention from systemic abuses and curtailment of free expression. Human Rights Watch has explicitly criticized these events as soft-power efforts that can obscure ongoing repression. (HRW analysis)

When and where: Soundstorm is scheduled for December 11–13, 2025, in Banban, Riyadh.


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