Abu Dhabi to host top music event Wireless Festival

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UAE - Wireless Festival, Europe’s biggest celebration of urban music and pop culture, is coming to the Middle East for the very first time and will be held on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island on March 11.

The inaugural event will feature multiple stages, 13+ live performances, F&B, and winning activations

Wireless, which first took place in London in 2005, is known for a high-energy vibe, loads of activations and immersive experiences that deliver on the dreams of first-time festival-goers and seasoned spectators.

Wireless in Abu Dhabi will feature exclusive performances from the world’s biggest stars across hip-hop, urban, rap, R&B, grime, dance and more. International and regional acts will include Travis Scott, Lil Uzi Vert, Wegz, Black Sherif, Ali Gatie, King, Divine, and Young Stunners, with more names to be announced.

The headline slot on the night has been reserved for none other than the acclaimed American rapper, Travis Scott. The diamond-certified eight-time Grammy Award-nominated artist and Cactus Jack record label founder is lauded for changing the course of hip-hop with a procession of ground-breaking albums and conversation-starting moves.

He has ignited the Super Bowl, starred in his own Netflix documentary, and even scored a place on President Barack Obama’s Playlist. Travis has collected 40 billion total streams and counting in addition dozens of gold, platinum, and multiplatinum certifications around the globe. He set the precedent for online performances with his Fortnite event ASTRONOMICAL, breaking records, making history, and drawing an audience of tens of millions.

Taking to the stage right before Travis Scott will be the superb American rapper, Lil Uzi Vert. Revered in the rap game and instantly recognisable for his facial tattoos, piercings, and eccentric hairstyles, Lil Uzi Vert has built a huge following based on his melodic emo approach to trap.

He attracted mainstream attention following the release of his debut single "Money Longer" in 2016 and since then has worked with some industry powerhouses including Migos, Fall Out Boy, Wiz Khalifa, Rich the Kid, and 21 Savage. Fans can look forward to his unique take on rap and his large repertoire of songs like “Just Wanna Rock”, “20 Min”, and “Money Longer” when he entertains the Etihad Park crowd on March 11th.

With Live Nation’s commitment to promoting regional talent, a host of the biggest rappers in South Asia and the Middle East have also been confirmed to join Wireless Festival. One of the most established Egyptian trap artists of his generation, Wegz has been growing in recognition: he performed the official World Cup 2022 song Ezz El Arab (Arab Glory) with a spirited set that closed out the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Ghanaian singer and rapper, Black Sherif, will also be performing some of his hits to get the crowd pumped. Having gained popularity in 2021 with his first song “First Sermon”, Black Sherif has gone from strength to strength with his blend of highlife, reggae, and hip-hop, and UK drill.

To add some Iraqi-Canadian flair to proceedings, Ali Gatie will descend on the main stage, bringing with him his unique style of music influenced by Ed Sheeran, J. Cole, and Frank Ocean. Shooting to fame with his 2019 song “It’s You”, the singer songwriter will take fans on a lyrical rollercoaster with his pop and R&B influenced chart toppers. Finishing off the selection of artists already confirmed are the Indian singer and rapper King, Indian rapper Divine, and the Pakistani Hip-Hop duo Young Stunners, but fans will want to keep their ears open, and their eyes peeled for more announcements soon.

Presented by leading entertainment company Live Nation, fans will be treated to a superb combination of bass drops, fierce and bold rapping, and engaging lyrics at this unbeatable music festival. Set in the most perfect location and boasting the most superb line up of musical talents, Wireless Festival is set to be the highlight of the Abu Dhabi music scene calendar.