The temperature is going up, which means the concert calendar is winding down. We take a look at outdoor gigs you can catch while the weather is still on your side.
We Got Rhythm featuring Dev at Zero Gravity, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai
Thursday, May 15
She may now want to be referred to as Devin Star Tailes, but the American rapper and singer is mostly known as Dev due to slick songs such as Booty Bounce (sampled in Far East Movement's chart-topping single Like a G6) and her latest single Kiss It.
• Tickets from Dh120, www.timeouttickets.com. Doors open at midday with first act on stage at 7pm
Neil Finn at the Dubai Tennis Stadium, Dubai
Thursday, May 15
Neil Finn has a successful career as both the frontman of Crowded House and as a solo artist. Both factors will come together on the Kiwi’s maiden UAE visit, which is set to be a celebration of fine songwriting.
• Tickets cost Dh300 from all Virgin Megastore outlets and www.doneevents.com. Doors open at 6pm
Sasha at the Monte-Carlo Beach Club, Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi
Friday, May 16
Yas Island is not the only place to catch decent acts in Abu Dhabi. The swish Monte-Carlo Beach Club at Saadiyat Island has now entered the mix with its biggest music event. The pioneering British DJ Sasha will headline a day-long event with supporting DJs and food stalls.
• Tickets begin from Dh195, www.timeouttickets.com. From 4pm to 4am
Boyzone at the Dubai Tennis Stadium
May 22
Celebrating two decades of boy-band-hood, the Irish quartet will hit Dubai to kick-start a tour that includes the hits Picture of You, No Matter What and All That I Need in addition to some of the newer tracks. "It's certainly not just a greatest-hits show," the band member Shane Lynch told The National recently. "There are songs from the past and present and the tour is also a message that Boyzone are here to stay."
• Tickets are priced at Dh225, www.timeouttickets.com. Doors open 7pm
Justin Timberlake at the du Arena, Yas Island
May 23
One of the world’s biggest pop tours arrives in the capital. After his previous boy-band ‘N Sync ran its course, Timberlake went on to a fabulously successful solo career with progressive albums mixing slinky pop with futuristic sounds. He comes to Abu Dhabi at the top of his game.
• Tickets cost from Dh395, www.ticketmaster.ae. Doors open at 7pm
Dubai Rock Festival featuring Nervecell and Nightmare at Al Nasr Leisureland, Oud Metha, Dubai
May 23
The UAE’s leading metal exports Nervecell headline the event alongside the French metalheads Nightmare. The event is a perfect way to dust up on your headbanging skills before Black Sabbath arrive in Abu Dhabi the following week.
• Tickets are priced at Dh100, www.timeouttickets.com. Doors open at 5pm
Kings of Leon, Atlantis Beach at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai
May 28
The Southern rockers return to the UAE after headlining the inaugural 2009 Abu Dhabi Formula One after-race concerts. They will hit the beach to perform tracks from their latest release Mechanical Bull.
• Tickets begin from Dh385, www.ticketmaster.ae and www.atlantisthepalm.com. Doors open at 6pm
Black Sabbath, du Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
May 29
It looks like the British metal titans Black Sabbath will bring the UAE concert season to a close before the summer and Ramadan break. Expect the metal community to be giving Ozzy Osbourne and company a roaring reception.
• Tickets begin from Dh295, www.ticketmaster.ae. Doors open at 7.30pm
[ sasaeed@thenational.ae ]
