BREDx has announced its regional line-up for November, with Bu Kolthoum, Nasser and Zaid Khaled joining international headliners Bryson Tiller and Central Cee. Three of the five named acts are from the region, which sets the tone for a festival built around local voices. It takes place on November 13 and 14 at Etihad Live on Yas Island, as a limited-edition event from BRED Abu Dhabi ahead of the main festival’s return in April 2027.
Opening night on November 13 belongs to the region. Syrian rapper and producer Bu Kolthoum pairs rap with older Arabic forms like Tarab, Zajal and Ataaba, and Jordanian-Palestinian singer Zaid Khaled writes intimate Arabic pop about personal stories, with electronic touches. On November 14, Bryson Tiller and Central Cee headline the Main Stage while rising Egyptian pop artist Nasser takes over the AMP Stage with a contemporary, youthful sound.
The BREDx Concept Store is the other big draw. Over 30 local and regional brands across fashion, streetwear, vintage, beauty, accessories and home will each create a BREDx-exclusive piece, and some will make first physical appearances for audiences who only know them online.
Bad Berry Club launches two Y2K-inspired eyewear lines, Protagonist and Fever Dream, Peace Venue and Blaze 85 team up on a hat capsule, and ASHRI releases a vanity case of skincare essentials. Subko Specialty Coffee Roasters and Egyptian label UNTY make their Abu Dhabi debuts, and UAE-born names including Freej, Terribly Real and Carnival bring local perspectives.
The food and sport are just as homegrown. Marmellata and Barbassi are partnering on a one-off Slice Shop with a façade by Jordanian agency Turbo 45, and Chef Khaled of Burnt Butter joins Mina Creamery and El Botik for a grilled banana split made only for BREDx. Barjis hosts its first Abu Dhabi pop-up, Fowli debuts in the capital with its whole-fried chicken concept, and Ugly Noodles presents its first-ever BBQ concept. The Red Bull Half Court 3on3 basketball finals will be the first Half Court event held within a culture and music festival.
There’s also Forward, Forward, Forward, a limited-edition photography book made with Middle East Archive, featuring Yasmina Hilal, Taqwa Bint Ali, Ali Al Shehabi, Omar Al Mahri and more than 15 other regional photographers. The book is sold exclusively at BREDx, and the work will be shown in the festival’s neo-gallery.
Check out bredabudhabi.com, Ticketmaster UAE and Platinumlist for more details.
