As the FIFA World Cup is about to begin in Qatar, the country is hosting a massive music festival from November 3 to November 5 at Lusail Stadium, one of the iconic venues used for the World Cup, including the championship match.
In collaboration with Qatar Tourism and Qatar 2022, a media roundtable was held yesterday to update attendees on the event’s sides. Hassan Rabea Al Kuwari, Director of Marketing Relations for Qatar 2022, Berthold Trenkel, Chief Operating Officer for Qatar Tourism, and other others were present at the meeting.
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The three-day long music event that starts at 7pm comprises Arabic music on the first day and third day as well as Bollywood music on the second.
According to the officials, the programme that is scheduled to happen at the stadium is a final test to experience and prepare for the World Cup. The delegates emphasised that this festival is to show gratitude to the community who helped Qatar achieve tremendous feet. Leading female playback singer and youth icon Sunidhi Chauhan, legendary Qawwaii and Hindustani classical exponent Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Super-hit composer Salim-Sulaiman will be the artistes taking part in Bollywood music fest. Addressing the media on the reasons for conducting Bollywood festival, Al Kuwari said: “They (South Asian Community) are getting the most tickets in the FIFA so this is a good chance for them to get familiarised with the stadium. It is good for us also in terms of operational plans that are put in place for the stadium. We want to have our crowd there.”
“This is only for Hayya Card holders. This is a part of the test we are doing. The ticket sales has already gone up since Friday on the FIFA website and it will be the same process that you are having for the World Cup,” he added.
Al Kuwari urged the community to share the information with others who are holding Hayya cards as digital tickets will be available for the event. Besides the music festival, other entertainment programmes are planned during the event such as drone shows and DJs.
Speaking about the artistes selected to perform during the event Trenkel said: “We’ve picked artistes from different regions to represent ourselves.”
“On November 3, we have artistes from Kuwait, Abdulaziz Louis and Lebanon, Joseph Attieh. So for anyone in Arabic music, here is your chance! We have the Bollywood festival on Friday (November 4) and then on Saturday (November 5), we have Ahmed Saad from Egypt.
The officials also highlighted the public transport options, including additional metro services that will be operational to commute fans during the music festival and the FIFA World Cup. The tickets will be sold only online via www.fifa.com/tickets and no physical sales will be conducted.
