Music and more at the next Sandance festival in Dubai

Saeed Saeed checks out what's on the list at the popular event, which takes place in October.

Isaac Slade of The Fray. The band will be seen at the Dubai Sandance Festival. AP

The UAE music calendar is kicking off once more with a slew of new concert and club announcements.

One of the most anticipated is the next instalment of Dubai's Sandance music festival.

The October 12 event, held on Dubai's Nasimi Beach at Atlantis The Palm, will by headlined by the British DJ Krafty Kuts. The London singer and rapper Example is also returning, alongside the chart topping, American pop-rock group The Fray and the legendary house music DJ Frankie Knuckles.

After Sandance brought the Irish rockers Snow Patrol to the emirate last year, it seemed like the festival crew had finally found a winning formula.

Prior line-ups mostly catered to younger dance heads, among them the headliners Armand Van Helden, Basement Jaxx and 2manyDJs. The addition of middle-of-the-road bands and singer-songwriters has attracted an older set who fancy a bit of beachside singalong.

Sandance bands fitting that bill were Travis (although it was a bit surreal to have them sing Why Does it Always Rain on Me in the Dubai heat), Richard Ashcroft, The Script and Pete Murray.

This year's duties fall on The Fray. While they may sound Coldplay-like, the piano-led group really know how to craft an anthem, with their winning tracks How to Save a Life and Over My Head (Cable Car).

The American singer-songwriter Mat Kearney is an interesting addition, too, with his troubadour-meets-hip-hop styling. His languid tunes will provide suitable chilling time before Krafty Kuts' big beats.

Those wanting to know where house music came from shouldn't miss Knuckles. He played a big role in the development of the genre as a Chicago DJ in the 1980s.

The GCC will be represented by the promising Saudi electronic dance producer Omar Basaad, who will surely play Nehyatina Eh, renowned as one of the first Arabic dub-step tracks.

The Sandance Festival in Dubai is scheduled for October 12 from 2pm-2am at Nasimi Beach, Atlantis the Palm, Dubai. Tickets from www.timeouttickets.com.