When will Blackpink light up UAE skies again? Reliving their last explosive Abu Dhabi concert at Etihad Park

Sometimes, you don’t really need to be a fan to enjoy a concert. Even if you don’t know the songs, you will find yourself singing along with the others. Even if it’s some jumbled words. The vibes are contagious.

And that’s what the 2023 Blackpink concert felt like in Abu Dhabi, Etihad Park. There were scores of people filling up the park that normally has the capacity of over 25,000 people, they had been queuing up since 5:30 pm, for a show at 8pm. Most fans were dressed in the band’s signature colours, black and pink, holding posters, practising the dance steps to the bopper Boombayah.

Moreover, it was life outside Twitter angry fan wars. People freely admitted that they enjoyed the music of other ‘rival’ bands’. There were ARMY’s, Carats, and just more importantly, there were those who loved concerts and music.

Music mattered more than fandom boundaries.

Not much mattered in that space. You were simply there to cheer the girls on, setting aside whatever you'd heard or read about them before.

The girls took the stage, sang all their hits, from Shut Down to Pink Venom,  and the crowds screamed and sang. Blackpink in the area echoed through the park. The night was filled with fireworks, blue, green, blue and red confetti. It was also band member’s Rose’s birthday celebrations, so little moments of sisterhood were caught on the stage. A cake was cut.

Since then, Blackpink took a break to focus on solo projects, and for a while, fans were unsure if the group would reunite. So, when a new world tour was announced this year, it stirred both excitement and anxiety. Some fans worried the girls hadn't had enough time to rehearse. Others speculated about disbandment and agency pressure. Online debates grew loud.

Yet, despite all the noise, Blackpink returned to the stage in Seoul last weekend. The K-pop world turned up in support—BTS’s J-Hope, LE SSERAFIM, and many others sent their cheers. While some critics pointed out a lack of synchronicity, most fans were simply grateful.

The truth is, stripped of rumours and rivalry, one truth remains: Blackpink is in the area again. They were happy to be on stage in Seoul. And the world tour is just beginning, including Los Angeles, Chicago, Milan, Barcelona, London, Bangkok and Jakarta.

UAE doesn’t feature this time on the list, but UAE Blinks do harbour hope to see the girls again.