“Am I surprised by what has happened here in my city and Saudi Arabia? I would only say ‘yes’ in terms of how quick it has been. But I am not surprised in the reaction of the people. Look at everyone here, we are acting like this has always been part of our lives.” 

-Waleed Al Awad, 27, commenting on the Soundstorm festival in Riyadh featuring 150 leading DJs and attended by an estimated 180,000 on its opening day. [The National]