Filipino rock, metal, and punk band LTK is about to carve its name into Saudi Arabia’s music history. The Riyadh-based group has been officially included in the MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2025 lineup, marking them as the first Filipino band to launch an album in the Kingdom and the only Filipino group performing at the event’s YARD Stage alongside selected local Saudi acts.
Set to take place from December 11 to 13, 2025, in Banban, Riyadh, Soundstorm is one of the Middle East’s largest and most ambitious music festivals, organized under Riyadh Season by MDLBEAST. The three-day spectacle will feature four massive districts and fourteen stages, uniting global headliners, regional performers, and emerging artists across multiple genres.
“We’re creating history in the Kingdom,” said Hancel, LTK’s guitarist and second vocalist. “Kami lang po ang Pinoy na magpeperform doon. Right now, we’re preparing for this huge event happening this December 11. It’s a big support if our kababayans all over the world know about this.”
Breaking barriers for Filipino music
LTK’s inclusion in the Soundstorm lineup is a breakthrough moment not just for the band, but for the broader Filipino community in Saudi Arabia. The group — Paul (vocals/guitar), Hancel (guitar/second vocals), Hulio (lead guitar), Shan (bass), and Jan (drums) — has built a loyal following through their heavy riffs, tight rhythms, and raw energy.
Their performance at the YARD Stage comes months after they launched their debut record, “Sharp Sounds from the Archipelago,” a DIY-produced album created in Riyadh that celebrates their Filipino identity. “We wanted the album to represent the best island in the world — the Philippines,” Hancel said. “It’s pure passion, experience, and love for heavy music.”
A global stage under Vision 2030
This year’s MDLBEAST festival will once again feature global icons such as Post Malone, Calvin Harris, and Cardi B, with more international and regional acts expected. These artists will perform on separate main stages within the festival’s wider setup, while LTK proudly represents the Filipino community at the YARD Stage.
Tickets are available through the NOFOMO app, offering STORM (general) and STORM+ (premium) access tiers.
