New names have been added to the line-up as Dubai’s first mega music festival kicks off this Thursday.
UNTOLD Dubai is now mere days away — dubbed the city’s first mega music festival, it kicks off on 15 February, taking over Expo City Dubai for four whole days. A diverse array of superstar artists from across the globe has been confirmed for the big event, with recent additions including John Newman and Badshah.
New Names
Newman is a soulful English singer who will be bringing his powerful vocals and chart-topping hits to UNTOLD Dubai. With accolades for tracks like “Love Me Again” (which soared to number one on the UK Singles Chart) and collaborations with the likes of Rudimental and Calvin Harris, the artist has established himself as a musical force. As a nominee at the 2014 Brit Awards, Newman’s unique sound promises to elevate the festival experience to even greater heights.
The second new addition is Badshah, a multihyphenate who hails from India. The rapper, songwriter and music producer is sure to add a vibrant and diverse flair to the festival line-up — he’s known for his eclectic musical style that spans genres like pop, hip-hop and rap. From chart-topping hits like “DJ Waley Babu” to contributions to Bollywood blockbusters, Badshah’s dynamic presence is set to further energise the event.
Stellar Line-Up
UNTOLD Dubai’s spectacular line-up boasts global talents that span several musical genres and essentially need no introduction: English singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding, K-pop icon PSY of “Gangnam Style” fame, American rapper G-Eazy, pop chameleon Bebe Rexha, and legendary DJ Armin Van Buuren. Dutch music producers Hardwell and Tïesto are also confirmed, as is Australian musician Timmy Trumpet and Romanian DJ Persic. And then there’s Sebastian Ingrosso (renowned for his collaboration with the Swedish House Mafia supergroup), Mahmut Orhan (a Turkish DJ and deep house expert), and EDM trio Major Lazer Soundsystem. Overall, the musical extravaganza will host a staggering 100+ artists on four stages over the span of four days.
Festivalgoers will be transported to a realm of imaginative creations at the MAINSTAGE, which will bring a new world of eclectic sounds to the festival, while the GALAXY STAGE will be the gathering spot for all techno fans. Melomaniacs can also experience the ALCHEMY STAGE that will feature a subtle blend of different genres, while the TIME STAGE promises to be an immersive concept that will set you on a journey among hourglasses and star maps.
It’s not just live acts and dynamic stage set-ups expected at UNTOLD Dubai. Upon entry – where all the musical action will unfold – festivalgoers will be immersed in the unique ambience that defines the style of UNTOLD. We’re told that the setting has been designed to exude an electrifying energy that will pulsate in every corner, all while ensuring that the environment is safe and enjoyable for all ages. Ready to accommodate over 70,000 attendees per day, the event will be the ultimate gathering spot for music enthusiasts from across Dubai to unite, connect, and share their love and passion for their favourite artists.
Brand Activations
Featuring a variety of globally celebrated brands, an extensive array of brand activations has been curated to perfectly complement the musical extravaganza unfolding on the stage. Guests can enjoy two engaging games and sample the crunchiness of beloved tortilla chip brand Doritos, which will have its own stand and car at the event. Adding some extra energy to the ambience will be Redbull, with a specially branded DJ truck present on the site throughout the festival. The thrill will be further elevated by a jaw-dropping tandem jump show from Redbull, taking place on the first day of UNTOLD Dubai, just five minutes before the gates open.
The excitement will be taken up a notch in the Absolut space, featuring a lower-ground consumer bar with all Pernod Ricard products and a dazzling ‘Rave Room’ that will live stream the music playing on the Alchemy stage. We’re told that this activation will also have creative glitter artists who can apply gems and jewels, offering music fans the opportunity to glam up across the day, while a VIP bottle parade will amp up the VIP area with premium bottle service for Avión.
Renowned hops brands Budweiser and Corona will also bring their own unique DNA to the festival. Featuring two dynamic areas, the Bud X Cube and Corona Sunset Lounge, the activation will have a consumer bar, seating area, silent disco, an interactive ball pit, and a lounge area. Inventive body paint artists will also be present for a touch of creative expression, weaving their artistry to turn festivalgoers into living, breathing masterpieces. Blending the past with the present will be the Vinyl Souk activation, the perfect spot to enjoy the clear, crisp, uncompressed sounds found only in analogue audio. Vinyl Souk will also feature a marketplace with handpicked homegrown brands, a thrift shop, a photography workshop, and a space where vinyl owners can even trade in their beloved records.
F&B Aplenty
True to the Dubai way, there will be enough F&B concepts to fuel everyone in attendance, discerning foodies included — over 25 global and local F&B brands will descend upon the venue, each presented in an eye-catching food truck design from Wheels AHOY, a homegrown manufacturing company known for its precision-crafted mobile culinary spaces that seamlessly marry functionality with style. Festivalgoers can satisfy their cravings with an assortment of mouthwatering bites, including authentic pizzas from Pinza and Tonda, juicy chicken by BOX’ed and Chick’n Cone, spicy tacos and burritos from Taqado, Asian delights from Vietnamese Foodies, succulent burgers from High Joint and Pickl, British-inspired Yorkshire culinary creations prepared by Fine Diner, and succulent meats from German Doner Kebab.
Vegans can also find their fill as they indulge in green creations from Dip Dash and Neat Burger, while fans of diverse Arabic cuisine can tuck into some delicious bites from the beloved Allo Beirut. Coffee addicts are also in for a treat as the likes of Caribou Coffee, Morning Mug, Hadero, and Dunkin’ will all be onsite. VIP attendees will get exclusive access to additional outlets like Pizza Express, ROR, and Maxzi, a homegrown brand serving the best quality A5 Wagyu meat in town. Incidentally, the upcoming event will mark the first time that the UNTOLD Festival is staged outside Europe, making it a highlight on Dubai’s entertainment calendar. General access passes start from AED 300, while VIP tickets start from AED 700.
DSCVR: UNTOLD Dubai. Expo City Dubai, Dubai. @untoldfestivaldubai
