The kingdom’s Soundstorm music festival, which began in 2019, is back again for its fourth year and will start on Thursday.
“(It) is a particularly powerful example because it seeks to bring together young people and women from across Saudi Arabia and the world,” she said.
By contrast, Las Vegas’ Electric Daisy Carnival, considered North America’s biggest dance music festival, had an attendance of over 400,000 this year.
Last year, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said that performers should either “speak up” about Saudi Arabia’s human rights violations or not attend the festival at all.
Some however argue that opening up countries to international norms and values can allow for better discussion on human rights shortcomings.