Stop what you’re doing and immediately keep your group chat on stand by (you know which one). Shah Rukh Khan has just announced UNIFYD, a massive Indian music festival coming to Abu Dhabi. The first three names on the lineup are Arijit Singh, Karan Aujla and Sonu Nigam. Yes, all three. One stage. Right here in the UAE. Take a second, I’ll wait. And there are even more epic details where that came from, so just keep reading to find out more.
Meet UNIFYD
It’s called UNIFYD, and it’s a one-day music and culture festival curated by none other than Shah Rukh Khan. It’s all set to land at Etihad Live, Yas Island on 20 March 2027. The idea behind it is pretty simple – India’s artists belong on the world’s biggest stages.
Expect multiple stages, serious production and 15+ artists in one day. Whether you grew up on Bollywood, Punjabi bangers or both, there’s a good chance this lineup has your name on it.
The Names You Need To Know
Three headliners are confirmed so far, and yes, they’re all that good.
Arijit Singh is one of India’s most loved voices and a two-time National Film Award winner. If a song has ever made you quiet in the car, there’s a decent chance it was his.
Karan Aujla is the Punjabi music star whose songs have travelled across continents. His fans know exactly how loud this crowd is going to get.
Sonu Nigam is a true legend, and here’s the part that makes this special: it’ll be his first ever music festival performance. Not just a set, a first. We’d say you’ll want to be there for that.
The Man Behind It All
Shah Rukh Khan has spent more than three decades taking Indian cinema far beyond its borders. Now he’s bringing that same eye for big stories to live music, and he’s shaping the festival’s creative direction himself. In his words, UNIFYD “promises to be a true spectacle” in scale, energy and grandeur. Coming from him, we believe it.
Why Abu Dhabi & What’s Next For UNIFYD
The festival team picked Abu Dhabi because of the growing bond between India and the UAE, and Yas Island is already one of the region’s top entertainment spots. For the South Asian community here, it’s a big moment, a chance to see this much Indian music in one place, close to home.
And it’s only the beginning. UNIFYD has global plans, with more cities on the way after this first edition.
How To Grab Your Tickets
Set those reminders now, because tickets are sold only on the District app:
- Early access for Emirates NBD cardholders: Monday, 19 October at 9:30 AM GST, until Tuesday, 20 October at 9:30 AM GST
- General sale: Tuesday, 20 October at 10:30 AM GST
UNIFYD is produced by D’YAVOL Live and District, in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Miral, and in association with Emirates NBD.
For lineup news and ticket updates, follow @unifyd.festival and @districtuae on Instagram. And of course, stay tuned to Gulf Buzz for all the latest updates!
Abu Dhabi, you’re about to host one of the biggest nights in South Asian music. So grab your tickets, call your friends and start planning your outfit.
