An Arabic band can mean a quiet oud and qanun duo in a majlis or a full band playing dabke and Arabic pop until late. The line-up you pick changes the mood of the room more than anything else, so start there. You can book every line-up below for weddings, corporate events, Ramadan nights and National Day events in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Price: an oud and qanun duo usually costs AED 3,000 to AED 5,500, and a full Arabic pop or fusion band usually AED 14,000 to AED 28,000. See the table below and live band prices.
Arabic band line-ups and prices
| Line-up | Sound and use | Usual price |
|---|---|---|
| Solo oud player | One musician, for a majlis or a small dinner | AED 1,800 to AED 3,200 |
| Oud and qanun duo | Seated, acoustic, for a majlis, cocktail hour or dinner | AED 3,000 to AED 5,500 |
| Takht ensemble, 4 to 5 musicians | Nay, riq or tabla, qanun, oud and an optional violin. Classical Egyptian and Levantine songs for a formal dinner | AED 7,000 to AED 12,000 |
| Khaleeji band, 5 to 6 musicians | Male singer, oud and percussion. Emirati and Gulf songs for National Day, government events and Khaleeji weddings | AED 9,000 to AED 16,000 |
| Lebanese or Egyptian pop band, 6 to 8 musicians | Full rhythm section, keys and a lead singer. Arabic pop and dabke for the dance floor | AED 14,000 to AED 24,000 |
| Arabic fusion band | Traditional instruments mixed with a saxophone or a DJ set. Rooftops and brand launches | AED 16,000 to AED 28,000 |
A female singer usually adds AED 2,000 to AED 5,000. A sound engineer and a basic PA for rooms over 150 guests usually add AED 1,500 to AED 3,000 if the venue has no house sound. Ramadan, National Day and the October to March season cost more.
Arabic band for a wedding
The usual plan is a zaffa procession before the couple enters, a dinner set of classical and semi classical songs, then a dance set of dabke, Khaleeji and Lebanese pop. Most bookings are two 30 minute sets plus the zaffa, timed around the entrance and the cake. For a mixed wedding, ask for Arabic and English sets. See wedding bands.
Ramadan and National Day
During Ramadan, amplified music usually starts after Maghrib prayer and iftar, so sets begin around 8:30pm to 9pm, at a lower volume. National Day events lean towards Khaleeji and patriotic songs and book up early.
Sound and space
Up to about 60 guests, an acoustic duo needs no stage. From 60 to 150 guests, plan a small PA, one or two microphones and at least 2 by 2 metres. Above 150 guests, a full band needs a stage, a PA and a sound engineer. Many ballrooms have house sound the band can use.
Add dancers
Arabic bands often play live for a belly dancer or a dabke troupe, which looks and sounds better than a backing track. Ask about it in your message.
Book an Arabic band
Send the date, the venue, the guest count and the occasion on WhatsApp or through the quote form. For events in the capital, see live band in Abu Dhabi.
