Kim Wilde is to play Dubai for the first time this Saturday, singing and talking her way through an exclusive acoustic set.
The singer, whose career has spanned some three decades, is a regular on the international tour and festival circuit, playing hits such as Kids in America and You Came with a six-piece band. But in an exclusive interview, she told The National that she will be trialling a new style of performance at Zero Gravity’s Drift event.
“We’ve been thinking about doing an acoustic tour for a while, and this set is the first step,” she revealed. “It’ll be the biggest hits that people would know from me, I’ll also be choosing some of my favourite songs from the Eighties, and then I’ll be throwing in one or two surprises.”
Wilde exudes enthusiasm about her set — and about visiting the UAE. “We’re really excited about Dubai and looking to have a good time. I’ve only visited once, briefly, many years ago, but my sister [the backing singer Roxanne Wilde], who works with Kylie Minogue, has been several times and she’s always going ‘wow wow wow’ every time she comes back.”
The idea for the set was inspired by Nik Kershaw, a friend whose acoustic tour in the UK has impressed Kim. “It should be a really fun evening,” she says. “It’s a work in progress, but having seen Nik’s set I think it works really well. There’s a lot of water’s gone under the bridge and a lot to share with people.”
Kim Wilde will be onstage at Drift, an all-day event at Zero Gravity, from 8pm on Saturday, October 4. Entry is free before 6pm and Dh150 thereafter.
[ www.0-gravity.ae ]
