What’s On has a pair of VIP tickets to both days of Blended Festival at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre featuring Aloe Blacc (with whom you can read an interview right here), Elvis Costello, Joss Stone, Xavier Rudd and Maverick Sabre.

Put blues, jazz, soul and folk into a food processor, flick the switch and you get Blended, a new music festival coming to the UAE in May.

The two-day event opens on May 1 with Xavier Rudd, Aloe Blacc and Joss Stone, followed on May 2 by solo stars – and husband and wife – Elvis Costello and Diana Krall.

Costello is a veteran singer/songwriter who blasted into the spotlight in the mid 1970s with his band The Attractions. He led the punk and New Wave scene with hits such as Oliver’s Army, Watching The Detectives, Alison and Everyday I Write The Book. He enjoyed new recognition with a cover version of She, which featured on the soundtrack to Notting Hill.

Xavier Rudd plays multiple instruments in his sets and is considered one of the most original artists making music today, blending the sounds of his Australian homeland with reggae and folk. “Playing live is everything,” he says. “Sometimes being on the road is hard and it’s a lot of work, and tiring. From a musical point of view, you improve all the time.” Joining him is British soul singer Joss Stone. Completing the trio on opening night is Aloe Blacc, whose voice was heard on I Need A Dollar and Wake Me Up that he co-wrote with Avicii.

Diana Krall is a multi award-winning Canadian jazz singer and pianist. She and Costello married in 2003 and have two sons, Dexter and Frank. Costello says his wife is good for his health. “My wife is ten years younger than me, so I look after myself. I don’t want her to be dragging me round in a wheelbarrow.”

You can see all this and more from the comfort of the VIP stand simply by filling in the form below before Wednesday April 30 at 4pm (and be able to collect the tickets from Media City by 5.30pm on Thursday May 1). Usual terms and conditions apply.

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May 1 and 2
Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, Dubai, Thur 6pm, Fri 4pm, Dhs350. Tel: (04) 4390900. Metro: Nakheel. blended.ae