Dubai: The wait is over. Come Saturday, crazy Directioners from the region will converge on Dubai’s Sevens Stadium to watch One Direction perform. And it won’t be just screaming teens swarming the venue on April 4.
Many will be in tow – much to their dislike and with all due respect – with their mums and dads who, either by choice or compulsion, have also ensured a place for themselves for the big night.
Pakistani expat Nausheen Khan for one is taking her crazy ‘Directioner’ Aimun to the concert for a mother-daughter night out. “I will relive my past. I grew up being a fan of the Backstreet Boys and I totally understand why 1D means the world to my 14-year old.”
For daughter’s sake
Her love for her daughter was put to the test in May last year when, like many other parents, she stood in a queue for hours at the Virgin Megastore in Mall of the Emirates (MOE) to book a place to the concert. “I could not let her down. It would have broken my heart. I reached MOE at 7am and completed the booking at 9am. The excitement in Aimun’s voice when I told her I got the tickets made the wait worth it,” said Nausheen.
For father Kapil Singh, standing three hours at MOE for tickets was his way of making up for the opportunities he never had to watch big band concerts while growing up in India.
“I never had a chance to see my favourite band Led Zeppelin play live. Today when my 14-year-old daughter has the opportunity to watch her heroes on stage there’s no way I am going to let her miss it. Back in 2011, when the 1D craze hit Dubai, I promised her a fan pit ticket if the band came here. I had to live up to my promise,” said the Indian father, adding his daughter’s 1D obsession reminds him of his own fascination with music bands during his youth.
Singh will be accompanying his daughter to the concert. “I have bought her a diamond ticket and a gold one for me. I just want to be close to her without coming in her way.”
Another Pakistani mother Sumra Khawaja said she spent three hours on the net to book a ticket for her daughter Zainab. “She would not have spoken to me for days if I did not get her the tickets. The moment the booking lines opened, there was a mad rush on the website. I kept trying for three hours and finally my request was accepted. I must have been one of the last people to book online that day,” said Sumra.
Dutch expatriate Sandra Vijfhuizen, however, is sending her daughter Laura to the concert by herself.
“It is her moment and time. She is going with a friend whose father will be around to keep an eye on the girls - from a distance. I don’t want to spoil the fun for her by standing next to her.”
Kamar Kiebi, 14, is excited her cousins from Saudi Arabia are coming to the show. “It is going to be really fun. I cannot wait for Saturday. My mother [Fida] stood in MOE for hours and bought us all tickets. She is amazing,” said the Niall fan.
The five-boy English-Irish pop band became a quartet on March 25 when Zayn Malik quit the group.
“It is annoying how many people have been posting hate messages after Zayn quit the band. It is not right. If you are a true Directioner, you must respect Zayn’s decision. At the end of the day, it is his life and he has a right to do what is best for him,” said a Grade 8 student of Chouiefat, Yashica Kantaria.
Zainab could not agree more. “It has been harrowing in school as the boys have been at us telling us one down four to go. Why can’t people just accept it and move on without making such a fuss? One Direction is here to stay. Let’s enjoy them for now and not brood about what’s transpired.
“One Direction are inspirational singers. They make meaningful songs and their music is lilting too. I particularly like Diana from their third album Midnight Memories. It’s a soothing number that reassures youngsters they are not alone in this world. I would rather remember the band for their good numbers than stay angry over Zayn’s exit,” said Zainab.
Gig details:
When: April 4
Where: 7he Sevens Stadium
Tickets: Sold out
Call: 04-439 0900
