Untold Festival: Bringing Europe’s Vibrant Dance Music Scene to the Heart of Dubai
Since its inception in 2015, Untold Festival has made a name for itself as one of Europe’s most dynamic and captivating dance music events. Held annually in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, the festival has attracted an impressive roster of renowned performers, from Armin van Buuren to Tiësto. Untold Festival’s success has not gone unnoticed, with accolades including the title of Best Major Festival at the contact Festival Awards 2015.
Last month marked a significant milestone for Untold Festival as it expanded its reach beyond Europe’s borders, launching an offshoot in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This four-day event was held in Dubai and featured a star-studded lineup, including Ellie Goulding and Bebe Rexha. News Finder had the opportunity to speak with Edy Chereji, one of Untold Festival’s co-founders.
Expanding the Festive Horizons
“It’s our first time in Dubai… and we created Dubai’s first mega festival,” Edy Chereji shared during the interview. “It’s an honor for us to be present here after 10 years in Europe, where we created the first Untold festival in Romania. We wanted to find a second place or a new location for our festival. The festival in Romania remains there, and now we add this new place in the Middle East,” he added with excitement.
Untold Festival’s contact success story includes hosting major artists like Armin van Buuren, David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Steve Aoki, and Imagine Dragons. With a wealth of experience under their belt and a vision to cater to an increasingly diverse audience, the team decided that Dubai – a place where people from various nationalities gather – was the ideal location for their next venture.
A Melting Pot of Talent and Music
“We try to put on four stages the relevant artists for all generations,” Edy explained, discussing the artists who performed at the Dubai event. “We cater to various genres, including electro, dance music, and live acts. For instance, we had Armin van Buuren and Hardwell, both of whom were popular among the local crowd in Dubai.”
Moreover, Untold Festival aimed to cater to different communities living in Dubai. “For example, on Friday, we had Badshah for the Indian and Pakistani community, who was a crowd favorite,” Edy continued. “We also had PSY, known worldwide for his legendary ‘Gangnam Style.’ Our goal was to ensure that our festival offered something for everyone because Dubai is a melting pot of various nationalities.”
Dubai’s New Icon: A Long-Term Commitment
“For sure, we will come back in the future,” Edy confirmed when asked about Untold Festival’s plans for Dubai. “Dubai has created some worldwide icons during the last 20 years, such as world-class hotels like Burj Al Arab and the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa. Our goal is to create a new icon for Dubai by establishing Untold Festival as a long-term commitment.”
As the world continues to adapt and evolve, festivals like Untold Festival play an essential role in bringing people together through music, art, and culture. The success of Untold Festival in Romania serves as a testament to its ability to create unforgettable experiences for music lovers. With the expansion into Dubai, Untold Festival is poised to continue its legacy as a leading dance music festival while catering to an increasingly global audience.
