Back in April, Secta dropped some insane news on everyone who loves their parties (and not just them). They were doing their first-ever open-air. That was a huge step. Actually, a massive leap.

We all know how seriously the Secta crew takes their events, how much love, effort, and care they put into every single detail. They are perfectionists in the best sense of the word, always chasing quality. So taking things to an entirely new scale was no small feat. And it turned out incredible.

What is even more exciting is that in just a few days — on November 22 — Secta Open Air is back with its second edition. It is going to be bigger, wilder, and full of even more energy than before — with an unreal line-up featuring global names.

I caught up with Dea from the Secta team to talk about what they learned from the first open air, dig into a few exclusive details about what is coming at the second one, and find out why everyone needs to be there.

Tickets are here — run for it.

— Guys, so the second Open Air is happening! In April this year, you launched the very first one — a huge step for Secta. What did you learn from that first experience, and how did it shape this new edition?

— We learned so much from the first Open Air edition.

At the time, we went in without organising ourselves that much — it was all very spontaneous. This time, we are definitely much more structured, and we know what to expect, especially since the location is a fully functioning marina and business hub.

It is super hard to work around something like this because it is not a proper venue, and that comes with a big set of challenges. But being such a cool spot in Jebel Ali, we knew we had to step up our organisation and planning to make it happen — and that is exactly what we did.

We also realised that there is so much space we wanted to use, and this time we are doing it in a much better way.

We are expanding to include three stages.

A more abandoned area of the site will become our entry and exit point, as well as our Art Hub, marketplace, and third stage, which will feature a sit-down vinyl listening vibe with vinyl DJs.

— You have shared with me before a lot of stories that happen during Secta events — stories that only you, as organisers, know about. Can you share one that happened during the first Open Air?

— There are always crazy stories behind every event! For us, one of the funniest (but not at the time) moments was that, as an independent brand, we have such a small team, so we do everything ourselves. Manual labour, moving furniture, setting up stages, carrying police barriers — everything. And we completely underestimated the sun. Being next to the sea, the heat was brutal, and even with SPF 50, we all got horrible sunburns - me, Bianca, and the entire team.

So, imagine: we had just finished setting up, totally exhausted, and had to jump straight into doing panel talks — all of us looking like Bob the Builder, with tan lines and red arms. It wasn’t funny then, but looking back, it is hilarious.

We were running until 7 pm — we opened at 6 pm — still putting things together. That is how intense it was. And we also had to remind ourselves that we are DJs, too! We had to switch from manual labour to performing in front of cameras and a crowd. But in the end, the sets were amazing, the event was a huge success, and the next day, we were all so proud and fulfilled.

— This edition introduces the new Art Hub + Alt Marketplace. What made you decide to add this element now? What exactly will it include — and what makes it special?

— For this edition, we really wanted to expand Secta beyond music and build something that represents the wider creative ecosystem in the UAE. We decided to introduce an Art Hub and an Alternative Marketplace — not as add-ons, but as integral parts of the festival’s identity.

The venue itself is an abandoned garage space with three distinct rooms. Instead of filling all of them with more stages, we wanted to create something that adds another layer to the experience. You will be able to walk from sound to art to design to fashion — it makes the festival feel more immersive, more multidimensional, and more reflective of the community we are part of.

The Art Hub is in collaboration with Costa Collective, and the main installation is by Russian artist George Sans. His full-room installation, titled Electricity, sits right at the entrance, so every single guest passes through it on the way in and out. It plays with themes of club culture, darkness and light, and sensory transitions — I won’t give away too much, but it sets the tone in a really powerful way. For us, it was important to create something that feels like a proper art experience, not just décor. You usually only see this level of curation during design weeks or biennales, so we are proud to bring it into a festival setting for the first time here.

For the Alternative Marketplace, we invited a select group of independent brands — people we know, trust, and truly believe reflect the more experimental side of the scene. Each brand represents a different category, from beauty to fashion to customisation. Nothing is mass; everything is curated. We are also showcasing Secta’s own creativity with our stand: new accessories, exclusive merch pieces, vinyl records shipped in from Amsterdam, and signed vinyl from some of our main artists.

A lot of the marketplace pieces are collaborations — for example, special editions with Shabab and other local creatives. These items won’t be sold anywhere else; they are exclusive to Secta, which makes the marketplace feel like a true creative exchange.

Overall, expanding into art and design is really about staying true to who we are. Secta has always been built by creatives, not just DJs — so bringing this element into the festival feels natural. It adds a new soul to the experience and creates space for the community to express itself in more than one way.

— The second edition of Open Air is happening once again at The Hangar in Jebel Ali. Why does this industrial space feel like such a perfect fit for Secta’s DNA?

— It took us over two years to finally secure this location — something we had been working toward since late 2023.

It is a perfect fit because it is raw, industrial, and real — something Dubai really lacks. These kinds of spaces don’t exist here, and that is exactly why they resonate so much with what Secta stands for: alternative, underground, creative energy.

We worked hard to get the space and build trust with the venue. It is not an event venue by nature, so we had to prove we could deliver shows without disrupting their operations.

The location itself is magical — it is an industrial site by the sea. You have warehouses, garages, a boatyard, and a water tower all in one place, with sea breeze in the background. It is raw yet scenic, man-made yet organic — very “Dubai,” but not in the way people expect.

It also matches our aesthetic perfectly — we repurpose materials like metal and steel for our stages, booths, and installations. Everything fits together naturally with Secta’s identity.

— There are three zones — The Warehouse, The Water Tower, and The Garage — each with its own energy. How would you describe the vibe of each one? What do you personally feel in each space?

— We have expanded to three areas this year. Last time, we only had the warehouse and the water tower, and now we have added the garage — a repurposed, previously abandoned junkyard that we have completely transformed.

So, Warehouse is the majestic heart of the site — high ceilings, open walls, an 11-meter structure. It feels both indoor and outdoor at once. It’s where our bigger artists perform and where our signature raw Secta sound lives. It is powerful, immersive, and visually striking.

Water Tower is our “fun” stage, our cheeky, more eclectic space. The sound is not as precise and highly crafted as the main warehouse. It is for younger, more playful energy - a place to let go, dance, and have fun without any pressure.

Garage is our new addition — the Art Hub, third stage, and alternative marketplace. It is a place for activations, vinyl listening sessions, chill sets, and discovering local artists. You can grab a drink, buy a custom piece, or just hang out.

Secta has always been about community, creativity, and exploration — not just music. The garage embodies that: it is where art, chill, and connection come together.

— Tell us a bit about the XXL metal installation — what is it, and how does it tie into the festival’s concept?

— The XXL metal installation will be part of the entrance — a repurposed room from the abandoned garage, transformed into a dramatic entry point.

It is built from metal scaffolding, a material we have always used for our booths and stages. We are playing with lighting, fog, and sound to make it an immersive art piece that reflects Secta’s DNA.

Then there is the Art Hub, created in collaboration with Koshta Collective, an art collective known for their tactile, 3D, and digital work. It ties in beautifully with what we already do visually at Secta. As mentioned, the main installation will be by artist George Sans.

It is something no one in Dubai has done before — blending music, art, and community at this level. We plan to keep the Art Hub open beyond this event as a permanent creative space for other artists and collectives to exhibit.

— You have got international artists like Alarico and Laure Croft joining the lineup. How did those collaborations come about, and why did you choose them for this edition?

— This is the first time we are bringing back artists from our past rosters.

Alarico is from my hometown in Italy — we even went to the same school! He was one of the early pioneers of the sound Secta has been pushing since 2021. He is now a global name with his own label and live sets made entirely of unreleased tracks. He doesn’t do live performances for every event, so having him do one for Secta is really special.

Laure Croft played with us last year, and we instantly wanted her back. She is a phenomenal vinyl DJ — her energy is contagious, and her technical skill is unreal. Vinyl can be tricky in club environments, but her set last year was flawless — no off-beats, no errors, just pure flow. The crowd went wild.

We have become friends since, and this year’s Open Air felt like the perfect moment to bring both of them back.

— Now, tell me what is closest to your heart about this upcoming Open Air. What makes it so special that people just can’t afford to miss it?

— It is hard to choose, but first and foremost, the location. There is nothing like it in Dubai — industrial, by the water, with this unique indoor-outdoor flow.

Then, of course, the music direction. Each of the three stages has its own identity, so there is truly something for everyone.

And finally, the community. Secta has always been about giving creatives and alternative people a place to belong — somewhere they can be themselves, express, connect, and create.

That is the heart of Secta. That is why we do this — and why Open Air exists.