The inaugural UNTOLD Dubai Festival, a globally recognized brand born in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, has just etched its mark on the international festival landscape, attracting over 185,000 music enthusiasts worldwide, with 45,000 attending on the final day. Over four days and four nights, UNTOLD Dubai transformed Expo City Dubai into a sprawling musical utopia, delivering a seamless blend of real-world experiences and boundless imagination. This scintillating festival fulfilled its promise to bring world-class entertainment to Dubai and firmly positioned the UAE as a premier festival destination.
4 stages, 100+ artists, infinite memories and lifetime-changing experiences touched the souls of more than 185,000 fans on the festival’s four days and nights. Armin van Buuren, Tiesto, Hardwell, Don Diablo, Paul Kalkbrenner, Sebastian Ingrosso, Timmy Trumpet, PSY, G-Eazy, Ellie Goulding, Masego, Chase & Status, Andy C, and more played their magic in Expo City Dubai.
The Mainstage, a focal point of the UNTOLD Dubai experience, witnessed many awe-inspiring performances by an eclectic lineup of global superstars. The festival’s final day was littered with talented artists, including the K-pop sensation PSY, renowned for the worldwide phenomenon “Gangnam Style.” PSY’s live show on the fourth day was legendary, infusing the Mainstage with unparalleled energy, dancers, video projections, and a spectacular fireworks display. PSY’s invigorating performance was one of the enduring symbols of UNTOLD Dubai’s ability to deliver unforgettable moments.
The final night was not short of engaging electronic music either, featuring the iconic Sebastian Ingrosso of Swedish House Mafia, Australian DJ Timmy Trumpet, and Romanian pop sensation INNA. Ingrosso’s DJ set, featuring the premiere of his collaboration “Skip” with Steve Angello, showcased the Swede’s mastery in creating an electric atmosphere. Timmy Trumpet, ranked 6th in the Top 100 DJ Mag, captivated the audience with two worldwide premieres, contributing further to the festival’s dynamic energy. At the same time, INNA, a Romanian music icon crafted a unique live show where festivalgoers became integral to the performance, singing and dancing in unison.
The journey through UNTOLD Dubai’s musical Universe unfolded over four extraordinary days, featuring headliners such as Armin van Buuren, Ellie Goulding, Tiesto, Hardwell, Badshah, Major Lazer, G-Eazy, Don Diablo, DJ Bliss, Kris Fade, and many more. Each festival day brought its unique set of highlights and emotions, transcending the boundaries of conventional music festivals. Tiesto’s live set, one of the most anticipated moments for lovers of trance and progressive house, saw the Dutch maestro express his excitement at the fans’ overwhelming reaction to his performance.
Hardwell, a wizard of the big-room house sound, raised the bar again with an exclusive, high-energy show featuring a premiere collaboration with Armin van Buuren. Major Lazer, a powerhouse trio comprising Diplo, Jillionaire, and Walshy Fire, showcased a groundbreaking live show, engaging the audience as active participants and unveiling a collaboration with Don Diablo for the first time globally.
The American artist G-Eazy lit up the penultimate day, delivering a captivating show and performing a selection of songs from his latest album, “These Things Happen Too”, alongside some of his top-charting hits, including his latest single “Random.” Badshah, a multi-award-winning artist at the Punjabi Music Awards, brought further joy to fans as he became the first Indian to perform at the festival. Showcasing his repertoire of rap anthems, guests were treated to a plethora of his hits, including “Let’s Nacho,” Genda Phool,” and “Gone Girl.”
Throughout every festival moment, the Mainstage became a sanctuary of joy and entertainment, including when Kris Fade, one of the Middle East’s most loved media personalities, curated a special back-to-back session alongside Dean Curtis. DJ Bliss, a staple of the UAE’s DJ circuit, also stirred the festival audience with a captivating mix, showcasing his passion for electronic music.
House and techno artists played their magic in the immersive Galaxy stage from Expo City Dubai. Luciano, Sven Vath, Hot Since 82, Kasia, Mahmut Orhan, Cezar, Paax Tulum, Marwan, and more have guided the fans into memorable musical journeys surrounded by unique mapping and projections in the mind-blowing architectural location of the Al Was Plaza (named after the Arabic word for “connection”). Its massive steel trellis dome, measuring 67,5 meters high, houses the largest 360-degree projection surface in the world, and it was a unique journey for everyone who visited this mesmerizing stage.
The Alchemy stage hosted Chase & Status, Andy C, and Freddie Gibs, who smashed the stage and uplifted the crowd amongst urban artists such as Masego, Afroto, Knkucks, and more.
The unique Time stage, surrounded by fountains with flowing water, was the perfect host for Sara Bluma, Shaun Warner, Scott Forshaw, and more.
Fans enjoyed multiple activities, games, and fun experiences, a fashion village with creative designers, make-up artists, and hair stylers to create the best festival outfits and glow. Over 40 food vendors cooked their magic, while the alcoholic drinks had their designated areas. The festival spread its magic over 170,000 square meters of real-life fantasy decorations and the immersive spaces of the marvellous host Expo City Dubai.
