Riyadh, April 27, 2026 — XP Music Futures has announced its 2026 edition, set to take place 26 to 28 November in Riyadh, marking the start of a new cycle of programming focused on strengthening the MENA music ecosystem. The dates have been revealed as a save-the-date announcement alongside this year’s key initiatives, all of which will culminate at the leading conference by the MDLBEAST Foundation, with ticketing information to follow.
As a leading platform for industry development, the MDLBEAST Foundation connects artists, professionals, and creatives through initiatives that prioritise education, opportunity, and long-term growth.
Returning this year are key initiatives including XPERFORM, a contest for aspiring singers offering the chance to perform at a major festival following evaluation by a panel of leading industry experts at XP; and XCHANGE, a travelling pop-up edition of XP connecting local scenes across cities in the MENA region. Alongside these, HUNNA continues to expand its role in advancing women in music, while Hearful champions hearing health across the music community. Together, these initiatives continue to drive strong engagement across the region. In 2025, they collectively attracted thousands of applications, highlighting growing demand for accessible entry points into the music industry.
A major focus for 2026 is the next phase of HUNNA, XP’s initiative dedicated to advancing women in music. The program continues to grow through mentorship, leadership courses, and community programming, and will now evolve with the introduction of an educational hub designed to support long-term development. HUNNA will also be repositioned as an advocacy platform, working more closely with industry stakeholders to improve gender balance across events and organisations, as female participation across XP continues to rise.
Nada Alhelabi, General Manager of MDLBEAST Foundation, comments:
“At MDLBEAST Foundation, our focus continues to be on supporting the community and driving the growth of the region’s music scene in a way that is both sustainable and inclusive. Building a strong music ecosystem isn’t just an outcome; it is the core of everything we do, and what continues to drive our work forward.”
New for 2026 is the rollout of NITE Ventures, a music and culture initiative, launching in May. Designed as a hybrid grants programme, incubator, and Riyadh’s interim Night Committee, NITE Ventures responds to growing demand for structured support for creative entrepreneurs. The initiative aims to fund and develop innovative concepts into scalable intellectual properties, while coordinating across government and private sectors to help build a thriving, sustainable music and entertainment ecosystem for the city.
The MDLBEAST Foundation continues to demonstrate measurable impact across its platform, with growing engagement across applications, attendance, and community participation year-round, with XP Music Futures being a major event at the end of each year with increasing local, regional, and global participation and attendance.
As XP Music Futures returns this November, it further expands its role as a platform for industry access and development, supporting a new generation of talent while contributing to a more inclusive and globally connected music ecosystem. This year’s edition will also deepen its connection with JAX District in Riyadh, with a greater focus on engaging the local creative community, alongside an expanded programme that includes workshops and sessions extending beyond the conference days.
