Soul-singer Aloe Blacc has been added to the line-up for May’s Blended festival, alongside the likes of musical mega-stars – and husband and wife duo – Elvis Costello and Diana Krall , Australian musician Xavier Rudd and Joss Stone.

So named due to it’s eclectic line-up of blues, roots, jazz, soul and funk, Blended takes place on May 1 and 2 at Dubai Media City amphitheatre and is aiming to attract as wide an audience as possible. 

Blacc’s inclusion will certainly appeal to a younger generation than those already swayed by Costello and Krall. The 35-year-old from California hit the big time with his massive hit ‘I Need Dollar’ in 2010 and has gone onto to feature on DJ Avicii’s megahit ‘Wake Me Up!’

A spokesman for Done Events said: “Confirming Aloe Blacc is a real scoop for all music fans as he is not only a rising star but an amazing live performer with a catalogue of great hits and solid soul music. What a perfect fit for the first ever Blended event.”

Expected to bring a boutique festival vibe to Dubai’s live music scene, the two-day event will see upscale food and drink outlets cropping up at the venue for fans enjoying the live music with picnics on the grass.

When the festival was originally announced, Thomas Ovenson from organisers Done Events said: “We know that a large number of people across the region crave culture and quality live music. Blended has been developed to meet this gap in the market, and launches a completely new live music concept in the Middle East.”

 

 

Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, Dubai. Thursday May 1 from 6pm and Friday May 2 from 4pm. From Dhs350. Metro: Nakheel. blended.ae