Abu Dhabi music lovers are smart. I should know. I am one of them. Flash Entertainment, the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, NYU Abu Dhabi, Rooftop Rhythms and other respectable organizations challenge us every year. Every year we realize that we’ve got to pay to play. Our wallets weep while our feet rejoice. That’s why I highly recommend creating a fall concert season budget because you don’t want to spend what you don’t have just to see Rihanna singing ‘work work work wooo wah wah’ at Yas Marina Circuit. Don’t get me wrong: she’s great; her performances are fiery; her band plays like they are not from this earth. However, Abu Dhabi music lovers are spirited and open-minded and we love discovering newness. We are lucky because:
- We get the most diverse concerts.
- We don’t have to empty our wallets every time.
- We trust Abu Dhabi’s event organizations to think differently.From celebrating India’s Independence Day concerts to peeping the latest tunes from superstar Yanni, I’ve compiled a list of the best music concerts for you to check out for August and September. You’re welcome.
Event: SHAAN Live in Concert
Type: Music
Date: August 11, 2016
Location: Emirates Palace, West End Corniche
SHAAN is Bollywood’s most sensational singing icon. He is an expert in Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Urdu, and Telugu. Over the decades, he has been awarded numerous times at MTV Asia Music Awards, IIFA, Filmfare, Star Screen Awards, Bollywood Movies Awards, and the Zee Cine Awards. Expect to hear a variety of pop, ghazals, hip-hop, and more.
Event: Bollywood in the Capital – Farhan Live! + Vishal & Shekhar
Type: Music
Date: August 12, 2016
Location: du Forum
Farhan Akhtar is Bollywood royalty. He is a multi-talented Indian film director, producer, screenwriter, actor and playback singer. Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani are the widely successful duo Vishal-Shekhar. They are lyricists, composers, singers, music directors and performers. Vishal-Shekhar has won several industry awards. Audiences will wave their arms and move their feet. Expect an upbeat performance. Rock with them and celebrate India’s Independence Day.
Event: Bollywood in the Capital – Shankar, Ehsaan & Loy
Type: Music
Date: August 13, 2016
Location: du Forum
This famed trio is beloved in India. They are skilled composers, record producers, and multi-instrumentalists. They have notched more than 20 awards and composed over 50 soundtracks. They will perform their old songs and hit the audience with some new tunes. Expect a non-stop celebration of India’s Independence Day.
Event: Marlon Wayans – Stand Up Comedy
Type: Comedy
Date: August 19, 2016
Location: Emirates Palace, West End Corniche
Marlon Wayans has been in the comedy business for a quarter of a century. He has starred in hit movies which include Little Man, White Chicks, Scary Movie 1, Scary Movie 2, A Haunted House, A Haunted House 2, and 50 Shades of Black. Expect his first show in Abu Dhabi to be hilarious.
Event: Nik Bärtsch’s Mobile
Type: Music
Date: September 1, 2016
Location: New York University Abu Dhabi
Nik Bärtsch is a pianist and composer. He leads his acoustic quartet MOBILE in a 27-hour “Ritual Groove Music” performance installation. They delicately weave funk, jazz and other genres. The performance will travel from one venue to another on the NYU campus starting in the Black Box. Expect a sonic and social resonance that will hit all the right pitches.
Event: NSO – A Night at the Movies
Type: Music
Date: September 30, 2016
Location: Emirates Palace, West End Corniche
NSO opens its fifth annual season with a cool film conducted by Andrew Berrman. The success of last season’s Andrea Bocelli and Disney’s Frozen performances left audiences stunned. Expect to hear lots of treats like special arrangements of Cartoon Network Classics’ theme music and ‘Ode to Joy’ from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Please keep in mind that audience members must be 8 years old or older.
Event: Yanni LIVE!
Type: Music
Date: September 30, 2016
Location: du Forum
Yanni is an award-winning composer and multi-instrumentalist. He’s a SUPER star having been one of world’s top selling live acts in more than 35 countries for much of his career. He’ll be performing compositions from his latest album “Sensuous Chill.” Expect to be blown away by a 15-member orchestra accompanying the brilliant pianist.
Whether you end up singing along to Rihanna or listening to Yanni and his 15-piece orchestra, make an effort to attend a concert outside your norm. Support a musician who traveled here for Abu Dhabi music lovers. After all, you’re one of them. Feel special.
