Shakira to headline Offlimits Music Festival in Abu Dhabi!
OFFLIMITS Music Festival, the UAE’s first open-format and largest genre-blending music festival, returns to Etihad Park, Yas Island on April 4, 2026, with global music icon Shakira headlining this year’s edition. Celebrated for its bold multi-stage setup, OFFLIMITS blends music with art, visual design and cultural experiences to create an electrifying atmosphere for festival-goers. Abu Dhabi’s newest musical fixture will be held across two stages, as momentum builds for a highly-anticipated second edition on 4 April.
One of the world’s most influential artists, Shakira has sold over 95 million records worldwide, earned four GRAMMY® Awards and fifteen Latin GRAMMY® Awards, and is the most-streamed female Latin artist of all time. Shakira will perform in Abu Dhabi as part of her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour, bringing her global hits, electrifying energy and powerhouse live performances to fans worldwide.
From chart-topping American pop icons and Grammy-winning R&B royalty to Scottish rock heavyweights, Icelandic blues-rock trailblazers, and rising Arabic stars, the annual OFFLIMITS Music Festival in Abu Dhabi has announced a fresh batch of international performers for this year’s edition at Etihad Park, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi on 4 April.
Besides Shakira, OFFLIMITS Music Festival confirms chart-topping pop trio the Jonas Brothers. One of the most successful pop groups of the 21st century, Nick, Joe, and Kevin have sold more than 20 million albums worldwide, earned multiple GRAMMY® nominations, scored 26 Billboard Hot 100 hits and achieved three consecutive No 1 albums on the Billboard 200. Jonas Brothers will perform on the T11 Stage.
Three-time GRAMMY award-winning hitmaker NE-YO also added to the line-up. The songwriter, actor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist has generated more than 23 billion streams since his 2005 breakout track ‘So Sick’. With other hits such as ‘Sexy Love’, ‘Closer’ and ‘Miss Independent’ – which won Best R&B Song and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 51st GRAMMY® Awards – NE-YO’s inclusion will provide attendees the chance to enjoy a host of instantly recognisable hits live.
Also added to the line-up is British breakout star Myles Smith, whose sudden rise has seen him surpass one billion global streams worldwide, with ‘Stargazing’ spending 12 weeks in the UK Top 10 and sold-out North American dates underlining his growing profile.
Rock and Indie fans can also look forward to Scottish stadium favourites Biffy Clyro, whose explosive live shows and anthemic catalogue including the likes of ‘Many of Horror’, ‘Mountains’, and ‘Bubbles’ have made them festival mainstays worldwide. They will be joined on the Meteor Stage by Icelandic blues-rock outfit KALEO. Formed in 2012 near Reykjavik, the band have amassed more than six billion streams and 70+gold, platinum and diamond certifications worldwide.
Bayou and Yara Mustafa also join the OFFLIMITS 2026 lineup, highlighting the festival’s commitment to showcasing Arabic talent alongside global acts. Bayou is an Egyptian singer, songwriter, and producer whose cross-cultural sound blends modern R&B with Arabic pop. Known for tracks such as ‘Call Her Right Now’ and ‘Egyptian Wifey’, he released his debut EP ‘Never At Home’ in 2024, before building further momentum in 2025 with singles Ya Zeina, Kayani, and Wesh El Bahr. Yara Mustafa blends contemporary Arabic pop with emotional depth and is known for her expressive vocals and storytelling-driven songs such as ‘A’ish Balak’ and ‘Ya Sare2 Albi’, which have helped build her growing regional following.
Chart-topping indie-pop band Scouting for Girls also join the Meteor Stage lineup. Known for tracks including ‘She’s So Lovely’, ‘Elvis Ain’t Dead’, and ‘Heartbeat’, Scouting for Girls will appear alongside Toploader who add heavyweight festival pedigree to the roster courtesy of their worldwide hits ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’ and ‘Achilles Heel’. They will be joined by London-born pop newcomer YAZ, who will bring the diaristic lyricism and big-room hooks that have quickly earned her attention across digital platforms–including her viral single ‘Mr Valentine’, which has amassed millions of streams and critical praise.
Together, the newly confirmed artists and genre-spanning programme strengthen OFFLIMITS’ open-format identity, inviting audiences to roam between stages, discover new sounds, and experience immersive visuals, art installations, and lifestyle activations across the festival site.
This year’s festival will take place on 4 April at Etihad Park on Yas Island. Brought to AbuDhabi by Theory 11 Entertainment in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism–Abu Dhabi and Miral, ticket prices start from Dh 495. OFFLIMITS Music Festival returns to Yas Island following the success of its inaugural edition, which welcomed major international acts including Ed Sheeran and established the event as one of Abu Dhabi’s most anticipated new musical fixtures. The 2026 edition builds on that momentum with expanded production, multiple performance zones, and a full-day celebration of music, art, and creativity.