While the rev of an engine may be music to some people's ears, it's not in tune with everyone's taste.
For thousands of people who have meticulously planned their Formula One weekend around the impressive Yasalam concert schedule, the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is more about music than the cars.
On the track it's all eyes on the drivers, off it the attention has been turned to Flash Forum where Beirut's Skybar has taken up residency, Longitude Bar for a few intimate evenings with some famous ladies, Yas Arena with Kanye West, Linkin Park and Prince and, of course, the Corniche.
And it seems, the stars are just as excited about the series as the fans.
On Friday, ahead of his big concert at Yas Arena, West was looking forward to the show as well, sending the following Twitter message from Dubai: "Bout to rip down this Abu Dhabi stage tonight".
Ahead of his debut performance in the capital, Grammy Award-winner Sean Paul said he was "jacked" about getting up on stage at Yasalam's Beats on the Beach.
"It's a truly wonderful place and I am blessed to be here," he said, dressed in a checked shirt and jeans and sporting an impressive Mohawk haircut. "It's so exciting and the F1 line-up is impressive."
The Jamaican singer hit the stage at the free event on the capital's Corniche following sets from local rockers Sho?, Lebanese singer Rola Sa'ad, reggae band The Beat and the traditional sounds of Melheim Zein, also from Lebanon.
Fares Karam brought his dabke-inspired brand of Lebanese pop to the beach along with Dubai-based artist Kamal Mussalam and local boys Beat Antenna.
Neil Harrison, lead singer of the band, said the band had enjoyed every second. "The Formula One is a big event, and the chance to be a part of it is really great," he said.
Crowd favourite
The US rapper Fabolous and the UK singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Kelly Rowland, Kelis and Chipmunk were also part of the Corniche line-up, not forgetting crowd favourite Haifa Wehbe who brought the house down on Friday night.
Back on Yas Island, for four nights a 2,400-capacity venue Flash Forum has been taken over by the brains behind Beirut's Skybar — now a world-famous music institution — hosting a stellar line-up of international artists.
The first on Thursday saw Sean Paul, Ferry Corston, Fatman Scoop and Adam Clay but it was Friday night which made all the headlines when Prince made a guest appearance, as exclusively revealed by tabloid!.
A packed venue went into overdrive when the Purple Rain singer appeared on stage following performances from Basement Jaxx, Kelis, Tinie Tempah and Rudy.
The legendary Prince will also perform at Yas Arena tonight, bringing the celebrations to a close.
The talented West took to the stage at Yas Arena for the first of the three F1 mega concerts on Friday and Linkin Park did the same last night.
Around 200 lucky music fans enjoyed An Intimate Evening with Gabrielle on Friday and The Sugababes last night at Longitude Bar at Yas Hotel. The final in the series sees Corinne Bailey Rae on stage tonight.
West in the Middle East
In his opening song in Abu Dhabi on Friday night he promised to "run this town tonight" and that's exactly what Kanye West did.
Mr West seems focused in his quest to become the greatest rapper ever, and ensured the audience at the Yas Arena was aware of this as he fired salvo after salvo of classic and new hits including Gold Digger, Jesus Walks, Heartless and Love Lockdown.
Not every track was perfect, as he sang in a voice slightly higher than that on his albums, but fans enjoyed the authenticity of his performance, with auto tune only being utilised in the latter part of his show.
West cuts a striking figure on stage, whether he inhabits the space alone, in two dashing suits (one dark and shiny, the other his trademark red) or with a ballerina adding to the artistry of his performance.
— Eduan Maggo
