It started off a tad slow but things picked up on the UAE music scene as 2010 sailed by.
Early announcements included breaking news of Rod Stewart, Spandau Ballet, Tom Jones and Harry Connick Jnr with a number of DJs thrown in for good measure.
The boys didn't disappoint. Stewart provided arguably one of the best gigs of the year with almost 30,000 turning out to see the Maggie May singer in action. An array of brightly-coloured suits, energetic stage antics and the unmistakable husky tones keeping everyone mesmerised for almost two hours.
The great thing about a UAE crowd is the ability to have a sense of humour as well as appreciate the big guns. When Vanilla Ice, Snap and Chesney Hawkes announced concerts in Dubai, it wasn't exactly the thinly-spread layer of punters we may have all (perhaps unfairly) anticipated. Tinie Tempah, Jermaine Dupri, Alors on Danse producer Stromae, even UK chart stalwarts East 17, also made appearances throughout the year.
But it wasn't until the latter part of 2010 the names really started flying around. There were moments in November where you could say the market was almost saturated with names causing utter panic and confusion.
Prince (x2, because once just wasn't enough), Linkin Park, Kanye West, Kelis, Gabrielle, Sugababes, Corinne Bailey Rae, Sean Paul, Chris Willis, Chipmunk, Fabolous, Basement Jaxx, The Jonas Brothers, Guns N' Roses, Nelly Furtado — it was easy to get a little overwhelmed by it all.
Surprises
Of course tabloid! was there to break it down, reveal a few surprises and bring you all the interviews.
Almost all the stars listed so far took the time to chat to their fans in the UAE via our pages but there was one interview which even we didn't expect. When Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose announced he wanted to chat we'll admit to being caught off guard. His first interview in 14 years, according to his manager, Rose's words made it round the world and back again in a matter of hours via websites, fan forums and social networks.
Bryan Adams returned to the UAE for the umpteenth time (he actually can't even remember himself) saying he'll continue to return until he's not wanted any more.
The export of music has been just as successful this year with a number of artists taking the sounds of the UAE to the world. Artist and music producer Dion Mavath was once the DJ who supported the big acts when they came to perform in the UAE. But 2010 was Dion's year when in May, he was approached by the Sony International record label who wanted him on their books. A music video and number one single later, Mavath is making waves as a UAE export.
"I cannot believe I have been given this opportunity to take my music to the world. I am happy to fly the flag for the UAE on an international platform," he says.
Meanwhile, teenager S1 hit headlines in September after shooting his first music video with hip-hop legend Flo Rida.
DJs had their time too, this year with Mark Ronson at Trilogy getting the biggest "gasp" and David Guetta took Creamfields in Abu Dhabi by storm. Poor Tiesto was cancelled but have no fear, he's back next year.
Inspired by the international acts coming through the country, it's the local boys who will take the UAE music scene to the world. Go guys.
And up next…
It's looking even better next year already. Names include Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, Thirty Seconds to Mars and Tiesto at Yas Island. Macy Gray, Jools Holland, Alison Moyet, Lifehouse and Train at the Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival and Amy Winehouse, Pharrell Williams and Mike Posner for Gulf Bike Week.
