Day one of Dubai’s first mega festival saw a record-breaking attendance of over 40,000 people.
As expected, day one of UNTOLD Dubai lived up to all the hype leading up to it, as the UNTOLD festival made its debut in the Middle East yesterday. The inaugural day of saw over 40,000 melomaniacs gather at Expo City Dubai to partake in an unparalleled musical experience. Renowned artists and top DJs from around the globe came together to create an unforgettable night for fans and performers alike — the sprawling venue was transformed into a musical paradise that spanned over 170,000 square metres, offering an unprecedented blend of stunning performances and breathtaking visual productions.
The festival’s incredible array of stages, meanwhile, transported concertgoers to a sonic realm of entertainment and innovation. The Mainstage at UNTOLD Dubai emerged as a melting pot of diverse musical genres, welcoming global superstars, DJs, K-pop artists, and live acts. Armin van Buuren, ranked as the fifth best DJ globally in DJ magazine’s Top 100 rankings, wowed the crowd with a specially crafted two-hour live set, showcasing his exceptional ability to build a unique connection with his fans worldwide. The Dutch DJ, a constant presence in the top five rankings for the past 22 years, brought the UNTOLD Dubai universe to life.
Ellie Goulding also took centre stage on the night, delivering a mesmerising performance that included a mix of her chart-topping hits and new songs from her latest album, Higher Than Heaven. With her powerful vocals, dazzling stage effects, and an energetic band behind her, the international pop sensation’s concert was a celebration of her impressive musical talent and undeniable stage presence. Festivalgoers were treated to the likes of “Love Me Like You Do”, “Burn”, and “Worry About Me” during a set list bursting with powerful anthems.
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German artist Paul Kalkbrenner brought even more emotion to the arena as he took attendees on a journey through the nuances of underground techno culture with a repertoire of hits, including the iconic “Sky and Sand”, in his live set. Adding to the musical prowess further was John Newman – a versatile artist blending soul, pop, and electronic elements – who delivered a gripping performance, culminating in his smash hit “Love Me Again”.
On day two of UNTOLD Dubai, festivalgoers can look forward to seeing the likes of Tiesto, Hardwell, Tujamo, Badshah, and Luciano perform live. Attendees, take note: the festival does not accept cash or card within the venue and purchases can only be made through the exclusive UNTOLD wristbands, which can be topped up at one of the multiple credit points on site. Following the conclusion of the festival, if you have unspent money on your festival wristband, you can opt for an online refund between 19 and 23 February. The refund form will be available within the app and through the official website. UNTOLD Dubai will wrap up on Sunday, 18 February.
DSCVR: UNTOLD Dubai. Expo City Dubai, Dubai. @untoldfestivaldubai
