Category Archives: The DXB
David Guetta coming to Abu Dhabi, UAE!
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FLASH Entertainment today announced that that global superstar DJ David Guetta would be making his long-awaited return to Abu Dhabi, as part of what is shaping up to be an exciting 2012 year of entertainment.
David Guetta will perform on Friday, 2nd March, returning as the world’s number one DJ, after being voted DJ Magazine’s best DJ in 2011. He will be bringing his latest international smash hits with some of the most recognized names in music, from Nicki Minaj, Sia, Usher, Taio Cruz & Ludacris, Flo Rida, to Snoop Dogg and Kelly Rowland.
Scissor Sisters coming to Abu Dhabi, UAE!
The ever-so-risque Scissor Sisters are going to take on Yas Island! The chart topping band will be bringing their widely loved and infectious dance floor anthems to the FLASH Forum this January. Known for their humorous and often controversial performances, the band’s unique mix of disco, New York electro and good old fashioned Elton John-era rock n’ roll is widely loved right across the globe. I wonder how they will do the gold leotards in the UAE.
Exclusive: Review of Sade’s Abu Dhabi concert performance!
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By Sara Al Ibrahim, for Loft965.com
Walking into the Flash Yas Arena I expected the standard pre-concert activities. Walking around trying to find friends, stocking up on food and drinks before the concessions stand gets too crowded, and the general standing and waiting for the star of the night to make their appearance. I was very pleasantly surprised by the pre-show entertainment, which consisted of games where concertgoers could win fun prizes, and a photo booth fully stocked with wacky accessories to make for some photos you’re sure to remember years later. The opening act of the night was Abri, who I must say set the mood for what was to come. His smooth vocals warmed up the crowd and seemed to bring people together in their excitement.
We weren’t kept waiting for long, as we could soon hear music that caused a mass rush towards the stage from all sides of the venue. Dramatic drums served as an intro to “Soldier of Love” where the sexy dark silhouette of Sade appeared center-stage ready to seduce our senses. We were taken on an emotional rollercoaster with her selection of 21 songs off her 10 studio albums, spanned over her 20+ year career, ranging from the happy upbeat “Color of Love,” the slow sad lullaby that is “Jezebel,” to what are arguably two of her biggest hits “Smooth Operator” and “Sweetest Taboo.”
The stage setup was simple and elegant, which is very fitting to Sade’s vocally-charged performance style. Her live vocals are arguably the best in today’s lip-synching laced concert market. The band followed her every move, note and word. The incorporation of her band into the song transitions made the concert flow as though seconds had passed by, and that she had never left the stage for a moment. Her wardrobe changes complimented the stage setups to a T, from wearing all black suit, to a long slinky white sequin gown, which left everyone wondering how she looks this good as a woman in her 50’s! I must add that she was barefoot most of the second half of the concert which left her free to move and dance and connect with her entranced adoring audience.
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Not one to disappoint, Sade used her strong, smooth, sexy voice to keep us in a daze throughout her almost 2 hour set, which was longer than most artists, but seemed to last for only a few moments.
Sade made a conscious effort to connect with the UAE, using Arabic words such as “Shukran” and even renaming Abu Dhabi to Adu Dhabi (Adu being her surname) for the night. Those little things made her concert feel personal to everyone there, even prompting people to say “She’s so down to earth” and “I felt like I was onstage with her”.
By the end of the night not a dry eye was in the house as this was the closing night of the tour. A teary-eyed Sade introduced and thanked every member of her band with heartfelt words that made the audience feel as though they were part of her tour family. The passion and love for music and performing Sade exhibited during her performance left you feeling like it was all a dream… a beautiful dream you never want to awake from.
Exclusive: Review of Britney Spears’ Abu Dhabi concert!
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The legendary Miss Britney Spears took her highly critically-acclaimed Femme Fatale Tour to Abu Dhabi this past weekend (11/11/11) as part of the F1 formula opening ceremony, and LOFT965.com had an exclusive press pass to give you all the inside details of what went down. It is safe to say that Britney spears has still got it, is using it and will probably have it for a long time to come. She certainly rocked the stage, and is probably going to earn her thrown as the queen of Abu Dhabi with her amazing, eye-popping, flashy dancing, and eye spectacle of a tour!
Upon arrival, it was clear that Yas Arena, where the concert was being held, seemed pretty packed. You always know if a concert is going to be good just by looking at the crowed. Doors opened for the show at 7:00 pm, and when inside there were two female DJ’s that took the stage and started playing some pretty decent dance tracks to hype up the crowed. Having a press pass gave me the privilege of being in the fan pit and very close to the stage, which was perfect because I was afraid the photos I would take wouldn’t come out clear due to distance, however they turned out to be good. At exactly 8:30 pm the girls on stage thanked the crowed and yelled if we are ready for Britney? The answer they received was very clear; “HELL YES WE WERE!!” A screen came on stage with Britney’s Femme Fatale album cover and had a countdown set for 30 minutes. With every passing minute the crowd grew bigger, and the anticipation got higher. The countdown came to 10 seconds with the crowd chanting out till zero and when it reached 00:00 minutes the infamous “It’s Britney, Bitch” was heard and the stage was lit up with hot pink neon words that flashed “Femme Fatale.” The crowd went wild – myself included!
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The show begins with a video introduction in which Britney is arrested by the police after a chasing sequence. As she says “I’m not that innocent”, the video screens part and she appears sitting on a metallic throne in a silver costume to perform “Hold It Against Me.” The show is divided in five segments, and portrays a story in which Britney is a secret agent, who is chased by a stalker. The first section features her escaping from prison along with other female inmates. The second segment displays upbeat dance numbers and ends with a performance inspired by Marilyn Monroe (Amazing!). The third section features an Egyptian theme with fireworks and acrobatics. The fourth segment displays energetic routines and motorcycle costumes. The encore begins with a video interlude of Britney capturing the stalker, and is followed by two performances in which she defeats a group of ninjas.
Sade is heading to Abu Dhabi soon!
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The queen of smooth is heading to the Middle East. Sade and her band are going to perform live in the ever-so-visited Yas Island on Friday the 16th of December, 2011. This is her first time in the city and she will undoubtedly put on a good show as she has previously been known for. The tour has been launched to promote her new last album Soldier Of Love. Get your tickets from here right now! It will be put together buy the people who brought you Janet Jackson and Britney Spears this year, Think Flash.
Madonna is coming to Abu Dhabi in 2012!
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Allegedly, an upcoming tour dates rooster from the Madonna camp has leaked onto the internet. The list contains the entire dates and locations of the tour and it includes Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island as one of the dates. The concert was tentatively listed as happening on June 6th, 2012. There were previous rumors that Madonna was going to visit the UAE, but this is the first official mention, if that list is real. We will keep you updated. Click below for the list of the tentative dates.
Promo for Janet Jackson’s Abu Dhabi tour date!
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Britney Spears brings tour to Abu Dhabi!
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The princess of pop is coming to the Middle East to bring her Femme Fatale tour. The singer is set to play Abu Dhabi on the 11th of November, 2011. Click here for more information.
Must-Watch: Video Premiere: “This Thirst” by Reham
1We’ve followed Reham’s career for a while now and we are constantly reminded of how beautiful her lullabies are and how poignant and timely her lyrics are. When we originally listened to this track we knew it was written about Kuwait, but the video treatment for the song takes place in Dubai’s metro system and it’s quite lovely. It propels the song to a different level and brings it back to life for us. Watch for yourself!
Snoop Dogg wears Gulf garb!
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Erykah Badu wears Gulf-inspired attire!
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It looks like Erykah Badu did some local shopping recently when she visited Dubai for a concert and took it back home with her. She wore this to one of her Coachella appearances. What do you think?
Amy Winehouse to play in Dubai!
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We’re pleased to report that Amy will be performing a concert at the Gulf Bike Week on Friday, February 11th 2011. The Expo is an international festival of bikes, off-road vehicles, clothing and lifestyle, which takes place in Dubai. We’ll post more info – including ticket details – very soon.
Bring Janet Jackson to Dubai!
Some good folks over here are starting a campaign to bring Miss Janet Jackson to Dubai. If this happens, it will be the first time Janet Jackson comes to Dubai. Considering that her new boyfriend is from Qatar and she hasn’t treaded here, it’s not a far stretch as it is listed in the drop-down menu of her site. It would be great if she did come here as this could be her last tour and, as you might know, we are huge Damita Jo fans since our childhoods and would love to see her and review her. We have seen her live before on the Velvet Rope Tour and it was just stellar.
Click here for more information and to support the campaign.
Must-Watch: Film: The Philosopher
4Young and talented UAE film director Abdulla Alkaabi is about to unleash his newest effort to the world and it is looking grand. This is a teaser from the film, which stars Jean Reno. Please support and follow the news of the film on Facebook by clicking here.
UAE bans “Sex & The City 2″
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Really? For all reals!
“”Sex and the City 2 will be banned from being shown in cinemas across the UAE when it is released for various reasons,” the spokesman said.
He added: “Among them are that the film’s website stated that filming was done in Abu Dhabi even though they were denied permission to do so and that they continue to attribute the locations shot in Morocco as being in Abu Dhabi, which is false, as the theme of the film does not fit with our cultural values. Also, they persisted in using Abu Dhabi’s name in the movie despite the fact that no official permission was given to them to do so.”
Burj Khalifa desktop wallpaper…
For the heck of it.
Some hot Dubai fashion for you!
Get your dosage of Dubai nightlife and sexy fashion statement over at LastNiteInDubai.com. Bookmark it!
Boogie down in Dubai!
Spent some good times in the DXB and got featured on LastNiteInDubai.com!
Emirates designer Qasimi dresses Florence + The Machine in new video
UAE designer Qasimi has gone and done it again. He dressed it-girl Florence Welch for her new video “Dog Day Are Over” from the highly successful and award-winning album Lungs. The new video can be viewed here.
