February 21, 2014 will go down in UAE history as the night that one of the biggest bands in the world put on one of the biggest shows the capital city has ever seen. Yes, we’re talking about The Rolling Stones, and no, we’re still not over it. No one can resist the juicy, pink-in-the-middle dynamic of a rock band whose boots have touched down in every corner of the world.
But there’s something to be said about solo artists, too. They conquer the stage (mostly) on their own, and it’s their name that’s on the dotted line. Lady Gaga, for instance, is the queen of larger-than-life stage shows, and her fourth and latest tour, ArtRAVE, isn’t likely to be an exception as it stops at Dubai’s Meydan this September 10.
In honour of Gaga’s upcoming gig — and the solo artists who make us smile, dance and sing our hearts out — tabloid! has rounded up ten chart-topping pop stars who’ve rocked the UAE.
THE GIRLS
Rihanna
When: October 19, 2013
Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi
What: Though Rihanna’s second trip to Abu Dhabi became known as “that time she got kicked off a mosque’s premises for an impromptu photo shoot,” she also performed. Though her 2013 show wasn’t as engaging as her 2009 gig in Emirates Palace, her hits carried her through. Between Diamonds, Stay, Rude Boy and Man Down, some songs were sung live and some were pre-recorded, but with only one costume change, Rih-Rih delivered a refreshingly gimmick-free show.
Britney Spears
When: November 11, 2011
Where: Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
What: Yes, Britney Spears fell from grace for a hot minute or two. But as one of the three acts to perform at Abu Dhabi’s Grand Prix in 2011, she proved herself to be a true entertainer. Even as she continued her tradition of lip-syncing her way through hits such as Toxic, Baby, One More Time and Womaniser, she performed her heart out. She hooked the crowd with her risqué costumes and dance routines and even whipped out some absurd props — pink Mini Cooper convertible, anyone?
Madonna
When: June 3, 2012
Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi
What: If you want to witness greatness, you’re going to have to wait. And wait. And wait. Madonna arrived at the du Arena in front of 22,000 fans two hours late. But what followed was another two hours of controversial imagery, countless hits and shirtless male dancers in high heels. Madonna even sampled Lady Gaga’s Born This Way during her song, Express Yourself. She followed it with She’s Not Me — a jab if we’ve ever heard one.
Jennifer Lopez
When: March 29, 2014
Where: Meydan Racecourse, Dubai
What: Not only is JLo real — she’s brilliant. Debuting a new tour, Lopez performed to a crowd that was packed like sardines after the 2014 Dubai World Cup. She belted out hits including I’m Glad, I’m Real, Waiting for Tonight and even a never-before-heard ballad, Never Again. Between her funky dance routines (we can’t forget that’s where Lopez got her start) and her cheeky outfit changes, she took selfies with a select few audience members. Lucky!
Beyonce
When: October 29, 2009
Where: Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi
What: She isn’t called Queen Bey for nothing. Beyonce stepped out at the Grand Prix in 2009 looking like a dream. Clad in her signature gold leotard and a disarming smile, she started off hot with Crazy In Love and didn’t slow down with the hits, from If I Was a Boy to Halo. She even caught the audience off-guard with a snatch of Alanis Morissette’s You Oughta Know. Destiny’s Child aficionados weren’t forgotten, treated to a medley of the trio’s songs.
THE BOYS
Kanye West
When: January 31, 2013
Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi
What: For a rapper whose lyrics read like poetry, it makes sense that Kanye West’s show in Abu Dhabi was akin to performance art. Though West was distant from the crowd, he still delivered a one-of-a-kind show. Oceans, icebergs and snowstorms were projected over a slanted stage. His candid storytelling shone as he sang Cold, All of the Lights, a cover of Rihanna’s Diamonds and his artsy melody, Runaway.
Justin Timberlake
When: December 6, 2007
Where: Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
What: If Britney Spears is the princess of pop, then fedora-donning ex Justin Timberlake is the prince of it. Before his drawn-out hiatus, the former NSync member stopped in Abu Dhabi. The show ended his year-and-a-half long FutureSex/LoveShow tour. He delivered slick dance moves, his signature high-pitched warble and a rock edge to his polished pop. Oh, and he sang some songs you might have heard of, from Seniorita and Cry Me a River to Rock Your Body and What Goes Around Comes Around.
Justin Bieber
When: May 4, 2013
Where: Sevens Stadium, Dubai
What: Wherever JB goes, he ruffles feathers. He arrived on stage in Dubai two hours late, leaving parents enraged. But his teenaged fans were happy to wait, shrieking at first sight of him. He focused on his Believe hits and sang a medley of One Time, Eenie Meenie and Somebody to Love, all the while donning a heartthrob-worthy white vest. Despite getting into trouble for speeding and getting kicked out of a club for being under-aged, he put on a show that made dreams come true.
Paul McCartney
When: November 13, 2011
Where: Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
What: If you think you’re the Beatles’ biggest fan, step aside: Paul McCartney has you beat. The proof is that five decades later, “the cute one” is showing no signs of retiring the foursome’s repertoire. McCartney performed for over two hours — age hasn’t slowed him down — and engaged the crowd. He sang everything from Day Tripper, Eleanor Rigby, and Let It Be to the tear-jerking Lennon-tribute “Here Today” and the iconic sing-along “Hey Jude”, leaving no heart in the audience untouched.
Prince
When: November 14, 2014
Where: Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
What: Prince doesn’t just think out of the box — he stomps all over it in signature heels, structured costumes, iconic eyeliner and sparkly in-ears. With a voice that could give you chills even in the UAE’s scorching heat, he rotated his hits from Let’s Go Crazy to Cream and Kiss. But what really brought the crowd to peak excitability was his defining hit, Purple Rain. A few lucky fans were even selected by the enigmatic singer to join him on stage for a dance to remember.
