In today's issue

Concert review: Daughtry gives Dubai a high energy rock show

The rock band performed some of their biggest hits and showcased new songs

By Yusra Farzan, Staff Reporter
Published: 12:28 October 20, 2012

Image Credit: Gulf News
Chris Daughtry (pictured) and his eponymous band perform at the Gulf Bike Week on Friday.

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“You guys have been absolutely amazing and we cannot wait to come back,” Chris Daughtry told his adoring fans on Friday night as he and his eponymous band performed at the Gulf Bike Week.

In an exclusive interview with tabloid! before the show, he promised Dubai a “high energy rock show” and for everyone gathered at Festival Park, it was all that and more.

One of the stalwarts of Dubai’s rock scene, Juliana Down, and English indie rock band Razorlight set the stage for Daughtry’s performance.

Juliana Down played songs from their new album Empires and won over many new fans with the energetic show. Young girls gushed over lead singer Dia Hassan’s Daughtry-esque rugged looks and he kept them very happy by getting the crowd involved throughout.

“I didn’t know Juliana Down prior to this but they were really good and extremely entertaining with a good stage presence,” Minttu Viljaharju and Jena Schmidt happily told us.

Razorlight, on the other hand, looked like they preferred to let their music do the talking. Front man Johnny Borrell, branded as arrogant by some, had very little to say to the crowd. Their music, including chart-topper America, however did leave its mark. Bassist Freddie Stitz didn’t seem to mind the heat as he performed with three layers of clothing.

Everyone we spoke to was waiting for one man though and when Daughtry came on, the crowds pushed their way to the front and made him feel like he was ‘Home’. When he asked them to jump, they jumped. When he asked them to hold up their mobile phones and cameras, they obeyed.

The band opened their performance with Renegade and went on to play crowd favourites: Feels Like Tonight, Break the Spell, September, Crawling Back to You and Over You. And with a very vocal audience asking for one of their biggest hits, Home, Daughtry, the band, was happy to oblige.

After September they wrapped up their performance only to return to the stage as the crowd screamed for an encore. For their second coming, they sang It’s Not Over and There and Back Again.

Daughtry also debuted two firsts at their Dubai concert: they played a new track We Are Not Going to Fall from their latest album Break the Spell for the first time. Also Andy Waldeck was revealed as the band’s new bassist.

After the performance, Chris tweeted “What an incredible show Dubai!!! Played “We’re Not Gonna Fall” for the first time…wow!!! So moving!”

The band has promised to be back soon and we hope they keep their word.