Pharrell Williams, The Who and DJ Armin Van Buuren are the acts for this November’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after-race concerts.
Flash Entertainment, the organisers behind the annual Yasalam after-race concert series, which takes place at du Arena, on Tuesday announced
The Who will kick off their 50th anniversary tour, Who Hits 50, with a show on the closing night of the Grand Prix, November 23, following the race at Yas Marina Circuit.
The band — who just released their first song in eight years, Be Lucky — is planning a tour of Britain and Ireland in November and December to mark 50 years since they first released a single.
Happy singer-songwriter and producer Pharrell Willaims performs on November 22.
DJ Armin Van Buuren performs on November 21, bringing a show “customised” exclusively for Abu Dhabi.
Arab stars, Tamer Hosny, Carole Samaha, Mohammed Assaf, and Fayez Alsaeed, will perform on November 20.
Entry to the concerts is for F1 ticketholders only. Ticketholders get three passes each for the first two concerts (November 20 and 21).
For November 22 and 23 (Williams and The Who), ticketholders get one pass each.
The Yasalam annual festival runs from September till November across Abu Dhabi. The free Beats on the Beach concert series will take place on Abu Dhabi Corniche from November 20-22. The acts will be announced after Eid.
“We wanted to bring different genres and different types of music to the UAE. The Who’s show marks a lasting legacy for them, and it’s also a lasting legacy of Yasalam, which is getting better and bigger every year. We like to bring globally-recognised names to embody our commitment to world-class talent,” said Reeva Bains, vice president of marketing and communications at Flash Entertainment, the organisers of the festival.
Now in its sixth year, Yasalam will see Emirati cultural activities held on Yas Island, along with an opening parade with a marching band that will run across Abu Dhabi city.
Coinciding with the Grand Prix, there will also be the F1 fan zone, taking place on the Corniche, where Formula 1 drivers will sign autographs, and there will be race simulators and live graffiti art.
“Our ambition is to leave lasting memories for the people in Abu Dhabi, and the people visiting Abu Dhabi. Over the years, 1.5 million people have attended Yasalam, and we hope to grow every year,” Bains said.
Last year’s Grand Prix concerts saw musicians such as Jay Z, Muse, Depeche Mode, Amr Diab, Elissa, and Hussain Al Jasmi.
Tickets for the Formula 1 Grand Prix are sold at www.yasmarinacircuit.com as well as Virgin Megastores, and Etihad Airways shops across the UAE.
The full line-up:
November 20: Tamer Hosny, Carole Samaha, Fayez Al Saeed, Mohammed Assaf
November 21: Amin Van Buuren
November 22: Pharrell Williams
November 23: The Who
