Latest news with #OfflimitsMusicFestival
FACT
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- FACT
FACT Review: Ed Sheeran's one-man show proves to be the perfect equation
Ed Sheeran performed as part of the inaugural Offlimits Music Festival which also marked his debut in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi has been upping the ante lately with a lineup of incredible concerts. 2025 kicked off with Coldplay, and we've since seen legends like Sting, Christina Aguilera, and Usher set stages on fire. Most recently, it was Ed Sheeran who headlined the inaugural Offlimits Music Festival in the capital. Bringing his Mathematics Tour to Abu Dhabi's Etihad Park, this marked Ed Sheeran's first-ever performance in the UAE capital. He had previously wowed Dubai crowds last year with the same tour. As a long time Ed Sheeran fan, this concert was a third time's the charm moment. Having missed his 2015 show at Dubai Media City Amphitheater and 2024 Dubai shows, his performance as part of the Offlimits Music Festival felt like fate — even if fate involved a very last-minute dash to the venue. Getting into Etihad Park was its own mini adventure. With Yas Mall parking packed to the brim, a solid 15-minute mall trek and then to the actual gate, FACT made it just in time. Before Ed Sheeran took the stage, One Republic had gotten the crowd buzzing. The band's frontman, Ryan Tedder signed off cheekily, announcing, 'Next up is Ed Sheeran from the UK… he's alright,' sending ripples of laughter and cheers through the crowd. Then, without any dramatic pause, playful tease, or the usual 'get-your-phones-ready' intro most artists lean on, Ed Sheeran burst onto the stage strumming — and drumming — with his battered and beloved guitar. The crowd instantly erupted. Dressed in simple black trousers and a black T-shirt that had 'Abu Dhabi' printed across it in the colourful style of his Mathematics Tour branding, Ed Sheeran took command of the stage effortlessly. He kicked off with a guitar solo, layering beats with his loop pedal. This lets him create tunes completely live and have them looped, freeing him up to interact with the crowd without missing a note. Once Ed Sheeran was in the groove, he launched into Castle on the Hill, with the entire crowd belting along. Behind him, animations danced across giant screens — some clips from his album artwork, some live visuals like butterflies fluttering across bright backgrounds. It added a dreamy feel without overpowering the simplicity of his one-man-band setup. Ed Sheeran rolled through hit after hit — Shivers, I'm a Mess, and The A Team. Fun fact: the singer confessed he thought The A Team would be a one-hit-wonder. Safe to say, things turned out just fine for him. When he sang Give Me Love, the mood mellowed, but the crowd stayed connected, humming along with him. Then, picking the energy right back up, he invited the audience to sing along that only made the night feel even more special. Next came Don't and Take It Back, where Ed Sheeran went full rap mode, ditching his guitar for a bit and just spitting bars. While most artists spend live shows switching flashy outfits, Ed Sheeran stuck to his trusty black tee and swapped out guitars instead. It was clear. For him, it's about the music, not the theatrics. Soon, he slowed things down with Happier, Love Yourself and Sing. When Photograph started, you could feel the emotional shift. That song hit differently as the crowd swayed under a soft green sage-like animation playing on the screens. From there, the set flowed beautifully — One, Perfect and Thinking Out Loud had couples dancing and grooving in a sea of lights, before everyone jumped back up for Ed Sheeran's latest track, Azizam. Finally, we hit the home stretch with the high-energy Shape of You — the entire Etihad Park jumping in unison — before he closed the night with Bad Habits and a massive firework display that lit up the sky. It was a grand, sparkling finale to a night that felt like it flew by too fast. Ed Sheeran performed for two hours straight — no backing band, no break, just a man, his guitar, his loop pedal, and 30,000 fans singing right along. Most artists would have taken a breather, but not Ed Sheeran. He powered through with an energy and passion that proves why he's considered one of the best live performers today. Now, to be fair, not everything was perfect. While Ed Sheeran's performance was spot on, the sound system at Etihad Park left a bit to be desired. It felt overly loud and slightly distorted with that crackling sound that can get a bit uncomfortable. Maybe it was because the organisers were trying to project all the way to the back of a massive crowd or to drown out the sounds from the other stages, which really should have been inactive during the headline set. All in all, Ed Sheeran's set at the Offlimits Music Festival was nothing short of incredible. The sheer talent, energy, and heart he brought to the stage completely overshadowed everything else. After years of near-misses, finally seeing Ed live felt like the perfect full-circle moment — worth every step of the mad dash to the venue. GO: Visit for more information.
FACT
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- FACT
Offlimits Festival: Who's headlining the inaugural event in Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi has long been known for hosting some of the world's biggest stars. The Offlimits Music Festival, which will debut on 26 April at Etihad Park, will welcome an electrifying lineup of artists. While several names have already been announced, the entire roster, featuring some of the biggest acts from across the world, has now been revealed. UK-born twin brothers Michael and Lukas Fernandes-Pense, collectively known as Altego, have transformed into a global phenomenon with their DJing skills. Amassing over 156 million streams and over four billion TikTok views, their set promises to bring high-energy beats to the capital. Representing the electronic music scene, Ukrainian duo ARTBAT is known for their techno beats. With tracks like Horizon , Mandrake , and Uplift , as well as performances at major festivals worldwide, expect an unforgettable set in Abu Dhabi as well. Ed Sheeran needs no introduction. With his soulful lyrics and heartfelt melodies, he has captivated audiences worldwide. Known for hits like Bad Habits , Shape of You and Thinking Out Loud , his headlining performance at Offlimits Music Festival will be nothing short of magical. Faithless has been influential in the music since the 90s, with tracks like God Is a DJ and Insomnia becoming fan favourites. Known as the pioneers of EDM, they will bring their mix of house, trance, and trip-hop to Abu Dhabi. Like Faithless, Fun Lovin' Criminals have also carved out a niche for themselves since the 90s. Known for their breakout track, Scooby Snacks , the band brings groovy rhythms and engaging banter, promising a fun-filled set to get the crowd moving. Hailing from England, Kaiser Chiefs will bring singalong hits like I Predict a Riot and Ruby to the OffLimits Music Festival. They've become a staple in the British rock scene, and their upcoming performance in Abu Dhabi promises to have the crowd on their feet. Dubai's very own Mr Levier brings a fusion of house, electronic, and dance anthems to the stage. Whether he's dropping a classic house banger or introducing the audience to a fresh track, Mister Levier's performance at Offlimits Music Festival will be a sonic journey. Bringing their anthemic pop-rock sound to Abu Dhabi, OneRepublic is set to deliver an electrifying show. Frontman Ryan Tedder's powerful vocals and the band's massive hits like Apologise and Counting Stars make them a must-see headlining act at the festival. Iranian-Dutch artist Sevdaliza brings her blend of alternative R&B, electronic, and experimental sounds to the Offlimits Music Festival. With her hit tracks, such as Human and Marilyn Monroe , Sevdaliza is sure to wow the crowd. Palestinian-Jordanian pop singer Zeyne promises to blend Middle Eastern influences with contemporary pop, creating a unique sound. Her performance as part of the OffLimits Music Festival promises to be nothing short of powerful. Tickets to the Offlimits Music Festival are now live, starting at AED 495. GO: Visit for tickets and more information.
