Abu Dhabi’s live-music calendar adds a globally focused night as Tamaas Festival brings Yasmine Hamdan, Al-Qasar, and Maruja Limón to East Plaza at The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi on Thursday, 29 January 2026. The venue sits on Saadiyat Island at New York University Abu Dhabi, and the general Arts Center line is +971 2 628 6868. For ticketing support, the Box Office can be reached on +971 2 628 4555. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the show starts at 7:00 pm, so arriving early helps you settle before the first set.
One stage and three distinct worlds
Tamaas Festival is built around a simple promise: one stage, three acts, and a sound journey that connects modern approaches with deep roots. Instead of spreading attention across multiple rooms, the programme keeps the crowd together and lets each set reshape the atmosphere. Expect a full evening that runs roughly from 7:00 pm to about 11:00 pm, with the pace rising and shifting as the lineup moves forward. It works well for couples and solo music fans who enjoy discovery and live-band intensity (suitable for couples, solo).
Yasmine Hamdan brings Arab indie elegance
Yasmine Hamdan returns as one of the defining voices of Arab alternative music, and her set typically balances intimacy with edge. She first gained attention through the Beirut electronic duo Soapkills, and later expanded her international profile after moving to Paris. Her solo work weaves pan-Arabic references with pop, poetic lyrics, and electronic textures, so the songs feel modern while still grounded. Moreover, her collaborations with filmmakers and her global touring history translate into a stage presence that feels cinematic rather than casual. If you want a set that rewards close listening, this is the moment to be fully in the crowd and switched on.
Al-Qasar pushes retro-futurist desert psychedelia
Al-Qasar arrives with a sound that feels like a cultural collision done with intent, not chaos. The project began between Los Angeles and Paris, and it draws from North African trance, Arab scales, and rock-and-roll urgency. Their approach can flip from hypnotic to explosive within a single track, which keeps the plaza feeling alive and unpredictable. Additionally, their recent touring and collaborations reinforce their reputation as a band that thrives in loud, physical environments. If you like the idea of a concert that feels part ritual, part rock show, Al-Qasar will likely be your peak-energy set.
Maruja Limón closes with Catalan rumba impact
Maruja Limón bring a vibrant Barcelona-rooted style that fuses flamenco and pop with Latin rhythm and modern production touches. Their latest work leans into rumba Catalana while also playing with electronic and organic textures, so the set can move quickly without losing warmth. You will hear danceable momentum, but you will also catch lyrical turns that shift from sensitivity to sharp irony. Because they perform as a full band, the ending often feels like a communal release after the earlier intensity. If you want the most dance-forward stretch of the night, stay late and keep your energy for the closing run.
Ticket approach and entry planning
Tickets start from AED 52.50 approximately, and availability can tighten as the date approaches. The most reliable place to purchase is PLATINUM LIST, and you can also confirm ticketing details via the NYUAD Box Office line if you prefer a direct venue check. Moreover, because this event takes place on the NYU Abu Dhabi campus, you should keep your ticket ready when you arrive to avoid delays at entry points. If you are planning with friends, arriving together usually makes scanning and seating decisions easier.
Travel options from Abu Dhabi and nearby Emirates
Saadiyat Island is straightforward by car, and it also suits taxis and ride-hailing if you want to avoid parking decisions. For drivers, it helps to plan your route before 6:00 pm, because bridge and island approaches can slow as people converge on evening programmes. If you come from Dubai, many guests allow about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes depending on departure time, and Sharjah visitors often need a wider buffer. If you want the calmest arrival, aim to reach Saadiyat before 6:15 pm, then walk in without rushing.
Parking and campus entry details
NYU Abu Dhabi runs event access through defined entry points, so a little planning goes a long way. Entry to the campus is through the East Parking, West Parking, or the Welcome Center, and staff may ask to see a valid event ticket as you enter. Therefore, even if you bought a ticket in advance, keep it open on your phone before you reach the gate. Parking is available on campus, but it can fill faster close to doors, especially for outdoor plaza nights.
A few easy ways to shape your night
If you want a low-stress evening, arrive near doors and treat the first set as your warm-up, because the crowd often thickens after 7:30 pm. Alternatively, you can come later and lean into the peak atmosphere, especially if you care most about the middle or closing sets. Another strong option is to plan a simple early dinner on Saadiyat, then head straight to campus so you do not juggle timing once traffic builds. If you attend as a couple or solo, the single-stage design helps, because you never have to choose between overlapping shows (suitable for couples, solo).
Weather, comfort, and the smartest timing notes
Abu Dhabi on Thursday, 29 January 2026 looks comfortable, with hazy sunshine during the day and a cooler, cloudier evening around showtime, sitting near 22°C at 7:00 pm and around 19–20°C later at night. Because East Plaza is outdoors, wear light layers and bring a thin jacket for the final hour. Traffic usually peaks close to doors, so building a buffer and arriving before 6:30 pm often saves the most stress. Ticket prices can change and remain approximately listed, and PLATINUM LIST is the safest purchase channel for entry. <b>Secure your ticket early and arrive before doors for the smoothest campus entry.</b> In a similar practical tone to what the editors at www.few.ae often emphasize, a calm arrival plan is the easiest upgrade you can give this kind of one-stage festival night.
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