Legendary UK singer-songwriter Elvis Costello and jazzy Canadian singer Diana Krall will top the bill at a brand new music festival landing in Dubai.
UK soul singer Joss Stone and Australian guitarist Xavier Rudd will also headline the inaugural Blended, which takes place over two nights at Dubai Media City.
With a consciously mature music policy, the event pledges a focus on blues, roots, jazz, soul and folk, with more acts to be announced shortly.
As is stands Joss Stone, best known for retro revivalist breakout LP The Soul Sessions (2003), will headline the opening night on Thursday May 1, with Xavier Rudd, who is credited with mixing Australian indigenous music with blues and folk, also on the bill.
Then the legend that is Elvis Costello, a relic of the UK’s New Wave scene of the ’70s who survived with his credibility intact, will headline the second night on Friday May 2, alongside acclaimed, 15 million album selling singer and pianist Diana Krall.
Hoping to attract a more mature crowd than other recent events at the venue, promoters also promise ‘up-scale’ food and drinks options, plus seating – or ‘picnic’ tickets for those who like to slum it on the floor.
Thomas Ovesen COO of promoters Done Events said: ‘We know that a large number of people across the region crave culture and quality live music. Blended has been developed to meet this gap in the market, and launches a completely new live music concept in the Middle East.’
More than 18,000 people attended RedFest DXB at the same venue last weekend (February 13-14), which was headlined by Tinie Tempah, Jessie J and The Lumineers, amongst others.
Blended will take place on Thursday May 1 from 6pm and on Friday May 2 from 4pm. Further artists will be announced in due course.
Tickets priced from Dhs350 are on sale from 10am on Thursday February 20 from www.timeouttickets.com
