It’s the sixth month of the year and what better way to rejoice making it to the halfway mark than breaking into song and dance, quite literally, at the six music shows? The options are as diverse as Dubai’s demographic!
1. Stradivari Empire, June 2
Japanese violinist Fumiaki Miura’s performance at the Dubai Opera will be the month-long InClassica Music Festival’s swan song. Titled ‘Stradivari Empire’, this grand finale to the musical series that brought some of the world’s most talented classical musicians to Dubai’s shores will see the accomplished soloist perform with Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra. Prepare for your heartstrings to be tugged by the Miura’s execution of pieces by composers like Dvorak, Rossini, and Shor.
When: June 2
Where: Dubai Opera
Tickets: From AED 150, purchase here
2. Assala and Majid Al-M0handis Live, June 3
Not one, but two legends of the Arabic music industry will set the Coca-Cola Arena alive with their voices – pop stars Assala Nasri and Majid Al Mohandis.
Syrian singer Nasri is known for her versatile vocal style that ranges from Egyptian to Khaleeji pop; expect to see her belt hits like Majnoun, Mabaash Ana Sawaha, Galbi, and more that have mesmerised generations of Arab music lovers for over 25 years.
Touted ‘The Voice of Diamond’, Iraqi-Saudi singer Al Mohandis is the engineer-turned-musician who is beloved across the Arab world for his songs full of patriotic messages. The musical star will be performing hits from his best-selling albums like Wahishni Moot, Mohami, Akh Qalby and the 2021 release Wahish Al Denya.
When: June 3, 2022
Where: Coca-Cola Arena
Tickets: From AED 250, purchase here
3. Afroworld, June 11
How many times have you heard (or been forced to, hello Instagram reels) Love Nwantiti this year? It’s time to finally groove to a live rendition of the chart-topping bop as its singer Ckay will be performing at Coca-Cola Arena along with two other Afropop hitmakers – American-Nigerian singer Davido (Hayya Hayya, Jowo) and Lojay’s RnB and hip-hop tunes.
When: June 11, 2022
Where: Coca-Cola Arena
Tickets: From AED 175, purchase here
4. The Fridge Concert Series, June 7 and June 14
Homegrown warehouse-turned-concert venue The Fridge returns with the 37th edition of their Concert Series. The month-long string of performances unearths the best of local UAE-based musical talents, genre no bar.
Indian singer-songwriter Shilpa Ananth, who’s performing on June 7, takes it a one step further and proves language is no bar too when it comes to music with her soulful songs combining English lyrics with three of the oldest Indian languages – Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam. The award-winning artist, who has worked with Grammy-winning composers like A.R. Rehman and Bill Whalen, is known for her unique sounds that meld classical South Indian music with western elements of soul, jazz, and electronic. Rnb and Indie-pop singer-songwriter Ananya will be supporting Shilpa on stage.
Dubai-based 5-piece-band The Benedikte take to the The Fridge’s stage on June 14, after a stellar performance at Expo 2020’s Jubilee Stage. They will be supported by Miguel Rasco
When: June 7
Where: The Fridge, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz
Tickets: AED 50, purchase here
5. Aslirap, June 11
Indian rapper DIVINE, India’s answer to those who only associate the country with Bollywood, will be performing with a crew of well-known desi rappers at The Agenda in Media City. The cross-cultural live concert called ‘Aslirap’ will see Hindi and Urdu rappers and hip-hop artists MC Altaf, D’Evil and Young Stunners spit bars and freestyle, turning the venue into a supercool club reminiscent of Mumbai’s underground rap scene called gully rap. Local DJs will keep the party going into the wee hours of the morning with a mix of RnB, Hip-hop & Bollywood music. Expect to hear bangers from DIVINE such as Mere Gully Mein, Kaam 25 and Mirchi.
When: June 11, 2022
Where: The Agenda Venues, Dubai Media City
Tickets: From AED 75, purchase here
6. UK Pink Floyd Experience – A Tribute Show, June 15 -16
Relive the English rock band’s glory at the Dubai Opera with this two-night tribute show that will recreate the experience of seeing the band perform IRL. How? An expansive video production on a gigantic circular screen coupled with a light show is how you’ll soak in 50 years worth of greatest hits in two-and-a-half hours. Hits from best-selling albums such as The Dark Side of The Moon and Wish You Were Here will be played – so perfect those air guitar riffs as you’ll be rocking out to classics like See Emily Play, Money, Another Brick in the Wall, Us and Them and more.
When: June 15-16, 2022
Where: Dubai Opera
Tickets: From AED 175, purchase tickets here