You can hire an oud player in Abu Dhabi through the same team that books oud and qanun players in Dubai, with the same pricing structure. Musicians play at hotel ballrooms, majlis tents, villas and outdoor venues in the capital, for weddings, corporate galas, government functions, National Day and Ramadan. Send your date, venue and guest count, and we send the musicians who are free, with videos and a price.
Price: an oud player in Abu Dhabi follows the same pricing structure as Dubai. Oud and qanun players start from AED 2,000. The final price depends on the season, availability and how you customise the performance. See oud player prices.
What changes in Abu Dhabi
Pricing stays the same, but a few things are different. Abu Dhabi venues can have their own sound and staging requirements, so share the venue's technical rules with the team early. Events in Abu Dhabi fall under DCT approval instead of DET. The process is similar, but it can take a few days longer than in Dubai, so leave time for it, especially for an event at Yas Island or a Corniche venue.
National Day
Abu Dhabi has a much heavier events calendar around National Day in December. Government and semi-government events push demand for oud and Khaleeji acts up sharply, and the same small pool of experienced musicians is booked across many events. For that window, book at least 3 to 4 weeks ahead rather than the usual few days. National Day events lean towards Khaleeji and patriotic songs, often next to a folk dance troupe.
Line-ups
Solo oud. For a majlis, a private dinner or a hotel lounge.
Oud and singer. Tarab and Khaleeji songs for weddings and family evenings.
Oud and qanun. The classical pairing for galas, cultural evenings and embassy functions. See the oud and qanun duo.
Qanun player. On their own or inside an ensemble. See qanun player.
Takht ensemble. 4 to 5 musicians for a formal dinner. See the Arabic takht ensemble.
Occasions in Abu Dhabi
Weddings. Two sets for the majlis and dinner, with a female oud player available for the ladies' hall. See wedding oud players.
Corporate and government events. Gala dinners, award evenings and receptions. See corporate and hotel events.
Ramadan. Music after iftar at a lower volume. See Ramadan and iftar.
Outdoor events
Outdoor settings, such as a desert majlis tent or a beach venue, usually need the musicians to bring their own speaker, so confirm this early rather than assuming the venue supplies it. Ask the venue about power near the musician's spot and about load-in times.
Book in Abu Dhabi
Send the date, the venue, the guest count and the line-up you have in mind on WhatsApp or through the quote form. Bookings outside the main event area, for example in Al Ain, add a travel fee.
