Dubai's EDM party Bao Festival is cancelled

The event was set to headline DJ Steve Aoki but featured lower profile acts than last year's line-up

Steve Aoki performs onstage during the 2019 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 20, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP 

This weekend's Bao Festival has been cancelled.

The much-anticipated return of the dance music extravaganza, which was set to take place at Dubai’s Meydan Grandstand on Friday, October 4, has been called off by organisers.

Those who purchased tickets from Dubai.platinumlist.net are to be refunded within 15 days.

While organisers blamed the cancellation due to 'unforeseen circumstances' on social media, one reason couldbe due to unmet expectations from fans.

The inaugural Bao Festival, held last year, was a roaring success with a smattering of leading DJs including Martin Garrix, Dimirti Vegas & Like Mike, Afro Jack and Don Diablo. All acts performed in a spectacular stage setting, which had the Meydan Grandstand resemble a Chinese inspired amusement part with eye-popping visuals and acrobatic displays.

The line-up for Friday’s event, however, was lighter in comparison, with only one big name: the US spinner Steve Aoki. He was to be joined by respectable, yet lower profile acts, such as DJ L and DJ Mariana Bo.

Dance music fans, however, should not despair.

Those still looking for a festival experience this weekendshould check out Groove on the Grass at the Emirates Golf Club. Running on Friday, the event features a number of acts such as Acid Pauli, Egyptian Lover and Palms Trax. Tickets begin from Dh200 at Platinum from Dubai.platinumlist.net