The Red Hot Chili Peppers played a one-off show in front of Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza back in March, and it looks like they're returning to the Middle East to perform in connection with Abu Dhabi's UFC 242 event in a purpose-built-arena on Yas Island.
Sources have told The National that the Chili Peppers will play in Abu Dhabi as part of the wider event, and UFC President Dana White told sports vlogger and podcaster Robbie Fox that the Chilis were likely come to the UAE for the UFC, so it's looking like it could definitely be on the cards.
Plus, there will be another concert as part of UFC 242 according to our sources. So expect another show announcement imminently.
We don't know what date the Chili Peppers gig will be, if it happens, but we do know that the UFC 242 event will take place on September 7 with Khabib Nurmagomedov headlining (see a video tour of the venue here). The purpose-built arena can hold 13,000 people, however the first batch of tickets sold out very quickly, with only hotel packages left.
Whether the tickets to the concerts will be separate, or what date the concerts will be on, we don't yet know, but we will keep you updated. It's likely, however, that the concerts will be in the days leading up to the event.
What is certain is that there will be strong demand for Chili Peppers tickets. The Californian band have sold more than 80 million albums in the space of 35 years, and tour prolifically to this day. They are playing in Japan in August, before likely heading to Abu Dhabi, and then in late September and early October they're travelling to Singapore (for the Grand Prix), California and Brazil.
The four-piece, made up of Anthony Kiedis, Flea, Chad Smith and Josh Klinghoffer, are known for delivering electric rock with a big old side of funk and a dash of hip hop. They have won six Grammys, and are behind 25 top ten songs.
The band is known for being high energy live, as well as generous with their hits, so you can definitely expect to hear 1991's Under the Bridge and 1999's Otherside:
Here they are performing at this year's Grammy Awards with Post Malone:
And here is what the Yas Island stadium will look like:
