Intercontinental Maldives Resort Takes Flight With First-Ever ‘Seachella' Experience
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
Coachella and Stagecoach helped to kick off music festival season from the California desert, but halfway around the world, another festival was debuting at the InterContinental Maamunagau Resort in the Maldives.
More from Rolling Stone
How to Watch Arsenal vs. PSG Champions League Semifinal Match Online
How to Buy Beyoncé 'Cowboy Carter' Tour Tickets Online Before They Sell Out
The 11 Best Shoes for Flat Feet to Add a Little Extra Pep to Your Step
SEE ROOMS & RATES AT INTERCONTINENTAL MALDIVES
Dubbed 'Seachella,' the music and food festival took over the resort's beachfront locale for a weekend of live performances, local delicacies and one-of-a-kind activations for those seeking a decidedly more elevated festival experience.
This was the first-ever Seachella festival, with organizers promoting it as not only a chance for guests to experience the bucket list island, but also as an alternative to the often-overwhelming crowds and chaos of Stateside events. Indeed, Seachella fostered a more intimate environment, with the guest list limited to less than 200 attendees, spanning travelers, influencers and VIPs alike.
The three-day event included DJ acts, a local live band, aerial and acrobatics, and fire shows at night, culminating in a DJ set from Marvin Humes, best known as a member of the BRIT Award-winning boyband, JLS. Set against a breathtaking star-lit sky, Humes spun a 90-minute long set that spanned R&B and pop classics, from Human League to Whitney Houston to Sir Mix-a-Lot. At one point, Humes had the crowd break out into the Macarena, with the three decade-old dance moves coming back surprisingly easily for everyone. The singer and radio host, who is set to embark on a reunion tour with JLS this fall, also had the dancefloor going (and his kids storming the stage) after dropping a one-two punch of Doechii's latest hit 'Anxiety,' and Bruno Mars and Rosé's 'APT.'
In addition to Humes, former Capital Xtra radio host DJ Charlesy played live sets throughout the festival, including a daytime beach party that also saw aerial acts take to the sky in three-storey-high spinning 'flowers,' while guests down below enjoyed treats from an oyster bar and champagne stall. Chefs also served up locally-inspired fare at the Maamunagau Resort's multiple restaurants, including cuts of fresh tuna and reef fish, and curries and noodle dishes that drew on flavors from neighboring countries India and Sri Lanka. The vibe was delightfully upbeat yet laidback, with revelers freely mingling as they ate, danced and chased the sun.
And for those who just wanted to take it easy, there was plenty of time for relaxation too. Unlike the overly stimulating music festivals in the U.S., guests at the Intercontinental Maldives were invited to decompress and wind down with a number of tranquil experiences, from a facial or massage in the private overwater treatment rooms at the resort's AVI Spa (using Eminence Organics products), to oceanside yoga classes or just a leisurely bike ride along the resort's many winding paths.
$137 $183 25% off
Buy Now AT DERMSTORE
Other activities at the resort include their popular manta watching excursion, which is led by researchers at the non-profit Manta Trust, who work to bring awareness to the declining population of these animals. The property can also arrange private boat trips, scuba diving excursions, dolphin watching and more.
This was the first Seachella festival at the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, which opened in 2019. Located in the Raa Atoll, just 35 minutes by seaplane from the Velana International Airport, the resort offers the iconic, postcard-worthy overwater villas you've no doubt seen before, in addition to residences situated along the beach and the property's own private lagoon.
A favorite destination for actors, musicians and entrepreneurs, InterContinental Maldives offers a number of other arts and culture-related programming throughout the year, including an artist in residence program, and a rotating roster of acclaimed chefs and sommeliers from around the world who set up guest stints on the property.
Getting to Maldives is surprisingly easy, with daily direct flights from Dubai via Emirates Airlines. Have a layover? There's lots to keep you entertained in Dubai this summer, whether you have a few hours or a full day. We spent our seven-hour layover at the world famous Dubai Mall, where luxury stores like Margiela and Louis Vuitton are just steps away from an (indoor) ice skating rink, the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, and Instagram-worthy choreographed fountain shows set under the soaring Burj Khalifa skyscraper. Not only is the Burj the world's tallest structure, the Dubai Fountain is the world's largest choreographed fountain system (yes, it's even more impressive than Vegas).
SEE LATEST EMIRATES AIRLINES DEALS
Hotel hopping is also a popular tourist attraction in Dubai and the cruise ship-like Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab just opened in March, completing Jumeirah's 'oceanic trilogy' of ultra-luxury properties, alongside the wave-shaped Jumeirah Beach Hotel, and the sailboat-inspired Jumeirah Burj Al Arab (see rooms and rates here).
Atlantis The Royal on Palm Jumeirah opened to much fanfare when Beyonce performed there in 2023 and the hotel is now the latest international outpost for celeb-favorite Italian restaurant, Carbone. Foodies will also want to swing by Time Out Market Dubai, an international food hall serving up unique dishes that run the gamut from Asian comfort foods to Spanish tapas to Middle Eastern cuisine (and yes, there are a couple bars there to help you pass the time as well).
Other events this summer include the Dubai Esports and Games Festival, which is a serious networking and money-making event for gamers, creators and entrepreneurs alike. DJ Kygo, meantime, hits Coca-Cola Arena on May 30 for a special one-night-only performance. Get a full calendar of events at VisitDubai.com.
Best of Rolling Stone
The Best Audiophile Turntables for Your Home Audio System
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
🎥 On the loo for the Henkelpott: why TikTokers spent 27 hours on the toilet
🎥 On the loo for the Henkelpott: why TikTokers spent 27 hours on the toilet Quit your job, trade in your car, skip your own wedding - for a ticket to the Champions League final, many fans would sacrifice just about anything. Two TikTok influencers from Belgium took it to the extreme this year, venturing into not entirely legal territory. Neal Remmerie and Senne Haverbeke donned yellow safety vests 27 hours before the final in Munich, made their way onto the stadium grounds, and hid out in a stadium restroom. Advertisement The duo revealed as much to Belgian news outlet 'VRT News'. To make their hiding spot even more secure, they stuck "out of order" signs on the toilet doors. 📸 Stu Forster - 2025 Getty Images But the overnight stay wasn't quite as relaxed as it seemed, according to Remmerie: "We had a backpack with snacks and played on our phones to pass the time. The lights were on the whole time and the seating position was uncomfortable, so it was almost impossible to sleep. That made it physically and mentally tough." Incidentally, they also filmed the whole thing and documented it on TikTok: At least the hardships seemed worth it for the two Belgians: after the stadium gates opened, they managed to sneak into the block with the PSG fans. It was the best game they'd ever seen, they told 'VRT News'. Advertisement UEFA and the Allianz Arena's stadium operator have yet to comment on the incident in response to inquiries from the 'BBC'. It remains to be seen whether the two Belgians will face any official consequences. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here. 📸 Dan Mullan - 2025 Getty Images
Cosmopolitan
5 hours ago
- Cosmopolitan
Marina Is 'Manifesting' Love on New Album, ‘Princess of Power'
Another MARINA album is nearly upon us, which means we'll soon have an entirely new rolodex of glittery alt-pop bangers to soundtrack our summer. According to the singer-songwriter, her latest record PRINCESS OF POWER is a form of 'manifestation music,' as her discography has always been. During a recent interview with Rolling Stone, she got candid about how certain things in her life came true once she released her past fan-favorite albums, The Family Jewels, Electra Heart, and FROOT. 'The Family Jewels was full of manifestation,' she told the outlet. 'It was believing that I deserved… that I could be a star. It was based on what I'd been dreaming of. So, I fully believe this works.' She added that 2015's FROOT 'brought a major love into my life,' and that her Tumblr-era megahit 'Primadonna,' off her album Electra Heart, 'created that lifestyle' of being front and center in the spotlight. As for PRINCESS OF POWER, MARINA describes her track 'Rollercoaster' as 'manifestation music,' as she sings about 'embracing life's highs.' 'It almost always comes true,' she said, adding, 'I want this fresh, free energy.' She explained that she 'manifests finding love' in the song while another track on the album, 'Metallic Stallion,' tells the story of a lover with intimacy issues. The album's title track 'reteaches' her how to love, and according to the artist, she 'had to reconsider' her approach to romance. 'A lot of us, I think, prioritize romantic love. And I've, by force, had to reconsider that,' she said. 'That's massively part of this album as well,' she shared, adding, 'I just really want it to have a positive impact. Otherwise, what's the point of doing anything?' PRINCESS OF POWER drops June 6 along with her fourth single, 'I <3 YOU.' The star has been teasing the track across social media before she takes the stage at New York's Governors Ball music festival on Saturday, June 7. So far, fans have gotten a taste for MARINA's new album with tracks like 'Cuntissimo,' 'Cupid's Girl,' and 'Butterfly.' This marks MARINA's first full-length release since she dropped the deluxe edition of Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land in 2022, and we can't wait for the newness she's bringing with this new era.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Levi Strauss Buying Beyond Yoga
Levi Strauss & Co. is going beyond denim. The jeans giant is buying Beyond Yoga, jumping into the premium athleisure market with a quickly growing brand based on body inclusivity. More from WWD Authentic Brands Group Is Buying Dockers for $311 Million Beyoncé and Levi's Reimagine the Brand's Classic Logo for 'Cowboy Carter'-inspired Shirts Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Levi's Are Back With Chapter Three of Their Collaboration 'This is a really big day for us,' Chip Bergh, chief executive officer, told WWD, unpacking the company's first acquisition of an outside brand during his 10 years at the helm. The Los Angeles-based Beyond Yoga — which was founded in 2005 and makes athleisure wear in sizes from XXS to 4X — brings a new aesthetic and approach to Levi's, but fits squarely into the company's casual sweet spot. 'One of our key strategies is to diversify the business and this casualization trend has definitely been accelerated because of the pandemic — and not just here in the U.S., on a global basis,' Bergh said. 'This further positions us as a company, with a new brand in a new space.' While athleisure is a trend that has been championed and developed by a number of larger brands, especially Lululemon and Athleta, Bergh described the space as 'where the puck is headed' in fashion. The deal, he said, 'puts us into the activewear segment in a really credible way, much faster than if we were going to try to do it on our own from scratch.' Levi's has talked about bringing in an outside brand in a low-key kind of way for years and Bergh described an 'extremely disciplined' approach that demanded a deal that would have a strong strategic rationale, a compelling business case and a good cultural fit. 'Beyond Yoga ticks all the boxes,' he said. The cash deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter. While the price wasn't disclosed, Levi's did pull back the curtain on Beyond Yoga's financials a little. The brand is expected to add more than $100 million in sales to Levi's next year and be 'immediately accretive to gross margins.' Beyond Yoga more than doubled its revenues over the past three years while also boosting its profitability. Seventy-seven percent of the brand's sales are done through the web — the company's own site and through wholesale partners — and it has no stores. Retail is an opportunity Levi's can help Beyond Yoga jump into with both feet. Cofounder Michelle Wahler, who will continue to lead Beyond Yoga as CEO and report to Bergh, is looking forward to a Levi's boost. 'We know they're going to be able to help us,' Wahler said. 'They have intellectual capital. They'll have capital. They'll have the ability to help us expand into different markets. They're going to help us with the expansion [into] men's.' Athleisure might be a crowded market, but clearly Beyond Yoga is going to be a brand to watch even more closely. 'It's a competitive space, but we have always been very heads down and focused and we're authentic and values-led and I think that really resonates with the customer,' Wahler said. Jodi Guber Brufsky, founder and chief creative officer, added in a statement: 'I have always had one goal: to make women feel good in their bodies. Beyond Yoga was created with this mission in mind, and it has served as the touchstone of the company. It was important to me that when the time came, the company would move into the hands of someone whose values matched ours. We are so excited about this partnership and look forward to a successful future.' Harmit Singh, Levi's chief financial officer, said Beyond Yoga was going to operate as an independent division, a setup the company is going to use for its Dockers brand as well. 'They're empowered to run this the way they've run [it],' Singh said. 'I think that sets up a great business model for us as a company.' Having Beyond Yoga onboard will also bring some additional outside energy into Levi's. As Singh said, 'innovation and entrepreneurship — bring it.' The top fashion companies have generally sought to make an opportunity out of the pandemic's many disruptions, trimming and reworking operations, selling off side businesses and doubling down on digital capabilities. At Levi's, Bergh's efforts to power through — and eventually out — of the pandemic with a stronger company seem to be driving results. The denim maker's second-quarter profits of $65 million showed a massive bounce back from the lockdown losses of $364 million a year earlier. Sales increased 156 percent to $1.3 billion. The rebound is helped by a consumer recovery and market trends that the CEO sees as meshing well with the company's casual comfort zone. With Thursday's surprise deal, Levi's is joining a growing number of companies that are taking their pandemic evolution a step further by bringing in a new business. VF Corp. kicked the buying spree off last year, acquiring streetwear leader Supreme in a $2.1 billion-plus deal. But the trend has been heating up lately. Just this week, Wolverine World Wide agreed to buy Sweaty Betty for $410 million and Foot Locker Inc. cut two deals, agreeing to spend $1.1 billion to buy sneakerhead mainstay Atmos in Japan and the WSS chain targeting the Latine market in the U.S. The flurry of acquisitions accompanies a rush of initial public offerings on Wall Street — including the pending introductions of Authentic Brands Group, Rent the Runway, Warby Parker and more. Set that against the spate of bankruptcies last year that saw J.C. Penney Co. Inc., J. Crew Inc., Neiman Marcus Group, Brooks Brothers and others succumb to their creditors, and it's clear the fashion industry is in the midst of a major reinvention. And that is its own kind of disruption — another opportunity that Bergh and Levi's are going for, with the help of Beyond Yoga. More from WWD: Ralph Lauren Going on the Offensive Vans and Supreme Power VF Corp. Gains in Quarter Revolve Rallies Through Pandemic With 122 Percent Profit Gain Best of WWD Harvey Nichols Sees Sales Dip, Losses Widen in Year Marred by Closures Nike Logs $1.3 Billion Profit, But Supply Chain Issues Persist Zegna Shares Start Trading on New York Stock Exchange
