The only real Rock Festival in the Middle East took place at Dubai between 6 March 2009 at the Dubai Festival City. At its sixth edition, the Dubai Desert Rock Festival represented not just the musical spirit of the young of all ages, but the will of a genuinely young country (born just 38 years ago), in step with the times, if not also, as often happens, precursor of new and advanced trends. This event offered a house composed of a good 13 bands of great importance. On 7 March, the following performed: Korn, Machine Head, Killswitch Engage, As I Lay Dying, Nervecell and Slapshock, while on stage the next day there were: Muse, Velvet Revolver, Marky Ramone, Juliana Down and Spoon Feedas.
In 2004, Center Stage Management (CSM) decided to undertake a mission which did not appear to be among the most simple: to bring to life a real rock festival in the Middle East, a land which had not yet had a direct or deep relationship with this musical genre, even if some happy islands already existed, above all in terms of artists and groups that had risen to international fame as well as in their country of origin.
The first edition of the Festival which was held over half a day, saw 2 rock bands, Rasmus and Julian Down. In spite of forfeit on the part of better known stars, Limp Bizkit, at just 48 hours after the beginning of the festival, registered a good turn out on the part of the public.
The second edition, in 2005, enjoyed a lengthening of the show’s duration, which covered an entire day and above all presented established names from the international scene, such as The Darkness, Machine Head, Sepultura and Within Temptation, which were flanked by two Arab rock bands, Juliana Down and Nervecell, who played in front of over 6,000 people. That year, the show earned itself at international level, the name of Middle East Annual Rock Festival.
In 2006, among others present at the DDRF, there were Testament, Reel Big Fish, Saxon, 3 Doors Down, Megadeth and the Dubai band Mannikind.
It was during the third edition that the CSM enriched the offer with numerous extra attractions, which entertained guests between one concert and another throughout the event, which continued to grow in terms of duration. Among other things on hand, there was a skating park, decidedly over the top rock hairstylists, and tattoo and graffiti artists. Moreover, every type of merchandising, naturally rock and above all metal, had a big debut.
In this spirit of constant growth, the last three editions took place: artists, public and sponsors, all drawn together to enjoy the great passion for live rock music.
Naturally, the whole commercial sector offers its best and constant support to the DDRF: a vast assortment of foods, capable of satisfying the most varied of tastes. There are also opportunities to purchase souvenirs, both regarding the music and the desert itself.
The pre-sale network for tickets, both in loco and on-line, helps, what is more, to avoid long and wearing queues, while as far as security is concerned, large scale deployment of police and medical personnel guarantees great enjoyment without worries. In effect, free entrance is allowed for children under 12 years of age, on condition that they are accompanied by an adult.
Lastly, an important initiative on the part of CSM should be mentioned: the DDRF is spokesman for the HIV/Aids Awareness Campaign. Through a series of messages, it seeks to spread among the public knowledge about and the use of different means of prevention of the spread of this frightening disease, offering, in all probability, excellent ideas for future campaigns aimed at developing sensitivity to this issue.
Photograph provided courtesy of Dubai’s DTCM