Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office, and the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) partnered to organize the third edition of the Dubai Metro Music Festival from March 6-12, 2023. The week-long festival showcased global music aligned with the vision of Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to create a vibrant environment for art, music, and culture to flourish. The festival formed part of the Dubai Destinations campaign focused on highlighting the exceptional experiences, events, and activities of Dubai Art Season.
Sustainability was at the forefront of the Dubai metro music festival, with innovative international artists performing on musical instruments made from everyday objects. Over 20 musicians from the UAE, the region, and across the world, performed at five Dubai Metro stations – Union, Mall of Emirates, Burjuman, Dubai Financial Centre, and Sobha Realty – from 16:00 to 22:00.
French musician and inventor Nicolas Bras, who is known for crafting unique musical instruments from recycled materials such as discarded pipes, scrap metal, recycled wood, and tin cans, performed at the festival. His handmade instruments produce visually stunning music that inspires creativity and wonder. “I believe music is not only about playing an instrument, it is about creating one as well,” said Bras. He triggered curiosity with his exceptional performances that incorporated a variety of notes including string, wind, and percussion.
Another group that highlighted the theme of sustainability at the festival was ‘The Show Theatre’ from Thailand. The group performed on instruments made from recycled items like kitchenware, pots, spoons, glass, pans, and blenders among others. Their performances combined percussion, movement, and visual comedy. The group aimed to inspire environmental awareness and responsibility by highlighting the use of disposable materials.
Amina Taher, Senior Executive Marketing, Brand Dubai, said, “The third edition of the Metro Musical Festival is a testament to Dubai’s ability to offer a platform for musicians from across the world to showcase their talent, while also highlighting the message of sustainability to inspire the community to be more eco-conscious, in line with the UAE’s announcement of 2023 as the ‘Year of Sustainability’. The recycled instruments featured in the festival added a new dimension to the event, encouraging audiences to embrace sustainability in fresh creative ways. The programme for this year’s Metro Musical Festival was designed to present to audiences a delightful fusion of creative expression and environmental consciousness.”
Apart from the innovative use of recycled materials, a refreshing blend of traditional and contemporary dance forms made the performances stand out. The festival delighted audiences with a fusion of creative expression and environmental consciousness, encouraging them to embrace sustainability in fresh, creative ways.
