Dubai’s Desert Rock Festival, a celebration of the various genres of rock music, has the distinction of being the only event of its kind in the Middle East. Including many kinds of rock music with a focus on metal specialists, the festival has gained a strong following amongst the fans of the genre in the desert Emirate. In addition to live musical performances, various extreme sports have been featured to entertain the crowds. Initially a single day event, the extravaganza has developed into a two day showpiece.
The event was first held in 2004, when pioneering event management company Centre Stage Management amazed the desert state and the entire world by announcing the arrangement of a fully fledged rock concert amongst the desert sands. In the initial edition of the festival three highly regarded bands were scheduled to make their appearance. Sadly the event had an inauspicious start with the headlining band Limp Bizkit cancelling their appearance at the last minute. Still the gala specialty went ahead, with the fans who attended being treated to a mesmerizing performance.
In the years to come the Rock Festival moved from strength to strength, with an array of the best known names in the rock arena making their appearance. 2005 saw the fiesta developing into a full day extravaganza, with the presence of such notable bands as Machinehead, The Darkness, Within Temptation and Sepultura. A couple of local bands, Nervecell and Juliana Down also participated.
2006 saw the most extravagant showpiece yet, with the participation of such maestros as the headliner Megadeth with the support of 3 Doors Down, Testament and the Dubai band Mannikind. This year in addition to the music, fans were kept entertained by airbrush tattoo artists, hair designers, a skatepark show, a display of customized cars and painting facilities for budding graffiti artists.
In the subsequent years the one of a kind spectacle continued to make significant strides, consolidating its reputation as a first class musical concert. Bands of the calibre of Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Velvet Revolver, Korn, Muse and Arch Enemy amongst a host of others have graced the stage of this event. For the selective traveller desiring a luxury hotel Dubai there is no finer choice than the Raffles Dubai, UAE. This exceptional Dubai hotel satisfies every expectation of its exclusive clientele.