Timeout Dubai
25 Apr 2022
Day-to-night beach parties and more
Festival lovers, you’ll want to prepare yourself (and your bank account) for a seriously lively May.
Making the most of the weather, the city’s music venues are ramping up the tempo for one last alfresco hurrah.
From house to classical music, and from an arena to beachside venues, there’s an event for everyone. Here are all the music festivals in Dubai this May:
Oblivion at Festival Arena
Oblivion by Black Mountain Chapter 3 is leaving the desert sands behind this time in favour of the large Festival Arena at Dubai Festival City. Headlining is international techno artist Nina Kraviz, one of the world’s biggest names in electronic music and voiceover of Cyberpunk 2077. Playing her heavy tunes like Ghetto Kraviz, she’s sure to get the crowd losing themselves in the music. Joining her will be Listen To Me’s Lilly Palmer. The popular German DJ is best known for the exhilarating sets that she performs around the world.
Tickets from Dhs250. Sat May 14, Festival Arena at Dubai Festival City. oblivionrave.com @oblivion_ae (050 248 8584).
UAE Beach Festival at SOULBEACH
Inviting house music lovers to dance the night away on the sands of JA The Resort’s SOULBEACH, Ibiza Global Radio 95.3 is hosting a number of international house DJs. Headlining the event on Saturday May 14 is Dutch electronic musician Joris Voorn and popular European house DJ Steve Bug. Also playing at the Mediterranean designed beach resort are former Blue Marlin Ibiza resident DJs Jixo and Danz. The day to night event will be complete with Ibiza style performers and fire dancers.
Those staying for the entire event can book sunbeds for Dhs2,500 or a cabana for Dhs3,000. If you decide to make a weekend of it and book into one of the three hotels, you’ll get a Dhs150 discount when using the code “JAIBIZA”. Tickets from Dhs150. Sat May 14, 12pm-1pm. SOULBEACH, JA The Resort. (058 588 4953).
Bohemia at Five Palm Jumeirah
FIVE Palm’s huge beach party Bohemia is back on the beach this month. Kicking off on Saturday May 7, the boho-vibe festival-style event is headlined by Columbia’s house music queen Natalia Paris. Playing her carnival, Latin-inspired deep house tunes, you can expect the crowd to be moving to her funky beats.
Playing Bohemia on Saturday May 14 is award-winning Ibiza resident Themba, who has taken the dance music scene by storm since 2018. An electronic take on his African roots, the DJ’s music is uplifting and seriously funky.
The following week on Saturday May 21, The Stickmen Project will grace the sand-side stage for a truly immersive performance. Dhs200 (ladies general access including three drinks and sunbeds), Dhs300 (men’s general access including three drinks and sunbeds). Every Saturday, from 3pm. fivehotelsandresorts.com (04 455 9989).
PURE at Nikki Beach Dubai
Pack your sunglasses and slip into your swimwear for this all-day music event on Sunday May 22 from noon until 1am. PURE music festival sound familiar? Music fans will have heard of PURE before with the premium boutique festival being born on the wild tropical island of Mauritius.
But it’s not just the major names on the electronic music scene (including Einmusik, Furcoat and Joachim Pastor) that will draw in the crowd. The combination of the picture-perfect location with uninterrupted sea views and private beach at Nikki Beach Dubai, with high-level energy and flawless production, are sure to attract dance fans from across the UAE. From Dhs150 (men), Dhs150 including unlimited select drinks from 12pm-3pm (ladies). Sun May 22, noon-1am. Nikki Beach Dubai. Tickets available on dubai.platinumlist.net.
InClassica International Music Festival at Dubai Opera
In a city known for its diversity, there’s also a classical music festival taking place from May 8 through to June 2. The month-long consecutive evening concerts come as part of the 11th edition of the InClassica International Music Festival. Music lovers can expect to see over 50 soloists, three live orchestras and 11 world-class conductors. Concert-goers can expect a diverse range of music from the well-known classics to some contemporary pieces.
From Dhs180. Sun May 8 to Thu June 2. Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai. dubaiopera.com/events