Dubai Metro Transforms with Live Music Performances
Dubai Metro Passengers Dance as Music Festival Hits Trains
The festival runs until September 27 across five major metro stations: Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, BurJuman, Union, and DMCC, every day from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
On Saturday, many passengers on the Dubai Metro felt as if they were at a concert while traveling. Lucky passengers in certain metro cars enjoyed live performances from musicians and artists during their journey.
Artists from around the world entertain Dubai residents and tourists with live performances in metro cars and stations as part of the Dubai Metro Music Festival, which began at 5 PM on Saturday.
Crowds gathered at the BurJuman and Union metro stations as these venues filled with the sounds of traditional and contemporary music. During each performance, the atmosphere transformed from regular commuter traffic to a shared musical experience. People stopped to enjoy the music, tapping their feet to the rhythm. Some even recorded the performances on their phones to capture the moment.
A New Experience for Passengers
Frank Abara, an expat from Nigeria living in Dubai, had just returned from the UK and decided to take the metro home to Dubai Marina. Passing through ADCB metro station, he noticed an artist performing live. “I ride the metro every day, but this felt completely different. Having live music during my journey was amazing. It completely transformed my ride. I felt like I was part of a music festival,” said Abara.
“It’s incredible how music can make everyday routines special. Now, traveling between my home and my job in Business Bay will be much more enjoyable over the next week,” Abara added.
Fatima Malik, a resident of Al Qusais, was traveling with her children. “We usually change lines at Union metro station. While on the escalator, I heard music. When we reached the ground floor, we saw the show,” said Malik, a 34-year-old Pakistani expat who has been living in Dubai for 15 years.
“My kids and I were thrilled to see musicians performing at the station. They even started dancing! This is such a creative way to bring art into everyday spaces and it definitely made our metro journey much more enjoyable,” Malik explained.
A Reason to Metro More Often
Ravi Menon, an engineer whose car was in the shop, found a new reason to use the metro more frequently thanks to the festival. “I’ve been to many cities and seen things like this in Europe, but never in Dubai,” Menon said.
His friend, Abhilash Sinha, a financial professional, said it was the best way to unwind after work. “It’s a great way to relax after a long day. I’m usually exhausted after hours at the office by the time I get on the metro,” said Sinha, a 35-year-old resident of Port Rashid who commutes to Jaddaf for work.
“As soon as I heard the live music, it was like a weight lifted off me. The rhythm of the instruments simply melted away my stress. Instead of staring at my phone as I usually do, I was completely absorbed in the performance. I’m sure I’ll enjoy these performances every day after work next week,” Sinha said.
Organized by Brand Dubai in collaboration with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the festival, which runs until September 27, brings a diverse mix of classical and fusion artists to five major metro stations: Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, BurJuman, Union, and DMCC. From string instruments like the kanun to percussion and wind instruments, the festival showcases musicians from the United Arab Emirates and around the world, creating a unique experience for every metro passenger.
