Sole DXB, the UAE’s homegrown urban culture festival is back for its 2024 edition. From December 13-15, expect an action-packed weekend full of live music, DJ sets, talks, workshops, film screenings, and shopping.
This year marks SOLE’s 12th anniversary and the momentous occasion is being celebrated with two main stages extended hours – the festival runs from 3pm to 2am every day, giving you more time to make the most of all that is on offer at the Dubai Design District (d3).
SOLE DXB headliners
The contemporary culture festival is bringing not one but three Grammy-nominated artists as headliners this year. Visitors will get front-row seats to these artists’ first-ever performances in the UAE.
British singer-songwriter James Blake will kick off the festivities on opening day, December 13. The Famous Last Words hitmaker and record producer is also known for his contributions to the music of Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean, Jay-Z and others.
Nigerian songstress Tems, featured on the Wizkid and Drake tracks Essence and Fountain, will bring her electric fusion of Afrobeats, RnB and rap and set the main stage on fire on December 14.
Closing out the three-day cultural event on December 15 are legendary American hip-hop band The Roots who’re iconic for being the Jimmy Fallon Show’s house band. On the same day, Indian-American hip-hop sensation Hanumankind whose visually arresting music video Big Dawgs took the world by storm will also be performing in the UAE .
Viral Dubai chocolate pop-up and Chips Oman ice cream
Fix Dessert Chocolatier’s viral ‘Dubai chocolate’ has single-handedly taken over the global conversation surrounding the emirate, overshadowing Burj Khalifa and even the weather. Stuffed with kunafa and other dreamy desserts, these chocolate bars are only available via delivery through Deliveroo. However, for three days only, they’ll be available at an immersive physical stall in D3. You can walk away with your purchase of the world’s coolest candy in personalised bags.
Noon Minute’s Ice Cream Project will be doling out scoops of the weirdest flavours whipped up from savoury snacks and condiments quintessential to the GCC. From Chips Oman to Heinz Tomato Ketchup, these ice cream flavours will have you screaming in delight. Beloved F&B brands like Pickl, Project Chaiwalla, House of Pops and others also have stands.
Film screenings, fashion and art
Adidas X CLOT Dress Capsule designed by Canadian-Hong Kong actor Edison Chen will drop exclusively at SOLE and pieces from the collection will be available to purchase. A short film called All Eyes on East will be screened as an accompaniment to the fashion range’s launch.
UK hat brand Kangol will be making an appearance. Also joining this line-up are three ranges from Qasimi, the fashion brand helmed by twin siblings Sheikh Khalid Al Qasimi and Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi – children of Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, ruler of Sharjah.
Diesel is gearing up to create the world’s largest street art collective at SOLE DXB which will be unveiled at the fashion label’s FW/25 fashion show. Sonos will have an immersive music hub that’s a listening library full of records and vinyl where visitors can test out the sonic capabilities of the latest Sonos Ace headphones. Electrolyte and antioxidant drinks brand Humantra will be handing out a special SOLE DXB flavour at their stand.
Sneaker Swap and Thrift
All the cool kids and their cool kicks will clock in attendance and street cred at the annual sneaker swap. Sneakerheads can exchange, sell and collect from over 19 registered vendors at the event. This is your chance to unearth some unique thrift apparel and vintage footwear.
Basketball tournament and skatepark
Two sports that define urban culture get their due recognition at SOLE – basketball and skating. Festival-goers can whoop for hoop shooters who will play across men’s and women’s divisions at the basketball tournament. Local teams will compete in pool games, all-star women’s matches and championship finals are the highlights of the court. Out at the skatepark, registered skater bois and girls can free skate or compete for the best tricks like the longest power slide.
What’s the story of Sole DXB?
Known for bringing the UAE’s sneakerheads, streetwear enthusiasts, and hip-hop aficionados out of the shadows and into the limelight, the annual festival started as a sneaker summit in jamjar, a warehouse art gallery in Al Quoz by Hussain Moloobhoy, Joshua Cox, Kris Balerite, and Rajat Malhotra.
The idea said co-founder Hussain Moloobhoy, in a 2019 interview with The National, is that Sole DXB functions as a platform to educate UAE residents about hip-hop culture. Since then, the event shifted its base to the Dubai Design District which has been its home continuously. Last year, d3’s sprawling venue accommodated 31,000 people from 80 countries.
Tickets from AED 395 per person, more info here