Shams Festival Rises For First Edition

Shams Festival: Lighting Up the UAE Desert

Event Overview

• Date: November 8th
• Location: The Dunes, Ras Al Khaimah
• Time: 2 PM to 7 AM

Festival Highlights

• Curators:

  • Analog Room
  • Boogie Box
  • SceneNoise

• Concept:

  • Shams means "sun" in Arabic, symbolizing unity.
  • A day-to-sunrise festival featuring top electronic acts from the SWANA region.
  • Two-stage setup offering nonstop house, techno, bass, and more amidst stunning golden dunes.

Lineup

• Fafi Abdel Nour: Netherlands-based Syrian DJ, acclaimed by Mixmag.
• Ronin: Lebanese veteran and founder of Somewhere...
• Biirdperson: Saudi trailblazer.
• Fayyad: UAE-based Egypt native.
• Zeina: Founder of the Unfamiliar series, international DJ.

Founders' Vision

• Mehdi Ansari (Analog Room): Aims to celebrate the regional electronic dance music industry and club culture.
• Hassan Alwan (Boogie Box): Showcases diverse talent, with plans to take the festival across different cities in the region.
• Timmy Mowafi (SceneNoise): Positions SWANA artists as headliners and connects dancefloors across the region.

Additional Attractions

• Curated food market.
• Stalls from favorite local brands.
• Desert camping village for sleeping under the stars.

Mission Statement

The festival's programming is a testament to its mission, offering an eclectic mix of SWANA talent and immersive experiences beyond the music.