The Algerian singer Cheb Khaled, Lebanese singer Fares Karam, Emirati singer Aryam and Lebanese producer DJ Said Mrad have been announced as the four artists who will launch the seventh annual F1 race weekend with performances at du Arena on November 26.
Since 2013, the race weekend has opened on Thursday night with a programme of Arabian music – a tradition that continues this year.
The line-up was revealed at the Arabian Travel Market, at Dubai World Trade Centre. The three international acts that will perform at the After-Race Concert series (November 27-29) are yet to be revealed.
Khaled is considered to be an Arab music legend. Having achieved international success with his 1993 breakout hit Didi, the 55-year-old continues to captivate, most recently with the 2012 smash album and single C'est La Vie, overseen by Lady Gaga's producer RedOne. A talented multi-instrumentalist, Khaled is known to fans as the "King of Rai".
Khaled will have some younger competition from Karam, who specialises in adding a modern twist to the traditional Dabke style, an Arab folk-circle dance. Rising to fame after competing on the Studio El Fan talent show, the 40-year-old Karam scored dozens of hits including Retani (I Wish), El-Tannoura (The Skirt) and Shefta (I Saw Her).
All eyes will also be on the Emirati Aryam, who is representing the UAE and is the only female artist on the bill. Her appearance on the Yas Island stage is akin to a graduation. Aryam performed as part of the Grand Prix festivities in 2011 as part of Beats on the Beach at the Corniche, and her graduation to the du Arena heralds her arrival as a growing musical force in the region.
Since her first TV appearance in 1995, as the youngest contestant on the talent show Ya Hala Beldaif, Aryam has steadily built her career, with a standout performance at Dubai Shopping Festival two years later in addition to a string of Gulf pop hits, including the popular Seyan and Indi Kalam.
The late-night tempo will be set by DJ Said Mrad, who is known for mixing Arabian instruments and melodies with dance-floor beats. After conquering the international market with the breakout hit 1001 Nights (Alf Leila w Leila), Mrad has earned the tag of "guru of Arabian electronic dance music".
There will be plenty more music to look forward to over the race weekend, with a trio of international acts to perform on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, stacking up to four nights of great music.
Some of the biggest acts in the world have performed at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix since the inaugural event in 2009.
They include contemporary urban superstars Jay Z, Beyoncé, Kanye West and Pharrell Williams, rock legends such at Paul McCartney, Prince, The Who and Aerosmith, and pop stars Britney Spears and Kylie Minogue. Organisers have hinted that we can expect artists of a similar calibre.
• The After-Race Concert series is free and exclusive to race-day ticket holders only. For more information on ticket packages, visit www.yasmarinacircuit.com or contact the Yas Marina Circuit call centre on 800 927 or call 02 659 9800. Tickets are also available at all Etihad shops and Virgin Megastores
rgarratt@thenational.ae
