Eminem is up to speed on third night of Abu Dhabi F1 concerts

Live updates: Follow the latest on the 2024 Abu Dhabi F1

Eminem roared into the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix in what could be his biggest concert in the city to date.

Performing to a capacity crowd of more than 40,000 people at Etihad Park on Saturday, the US rapper headlined the third after-race concert of the series.

In what is also a bittersweet experience for the artist, the Abu Dhabi gig comes only five days after the death of his mother, Debbie Nelson. Fears of the Abu Dhabi show being cancelled were dispelled on Wednesday when Eminem’s social media confirmed the show would go on.

Beyond the emotions underpinning the concert, the highly anticipated show also provides a glimpse of what his coming 2025 world tour could look like, from the stage design to the material featured from his new album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grace).

The Abu Dhabi show marked Eminem’s second full-length concert of the year, following a similar performance in October at the United States Grand Prix in Texas.

Eminem performed at Etihad Park on Saturday. Photo: Michael Long

When it came to his introduction at Etihad Park, Eminem turned back the years even further. With a visual backdrop of dark Gotham-like city skyline, he emerged from a coffin wearing a hockey mask and wielding a chainsaw – recalling the on-stage persona from the Anger Management tour in the early 2000s.

Joined by supporting vocalist Mr Porter, Eminem began the set with Lucifer, a noirish, stomping track showcasing the technical rapping excellence and delightfully off-colour lyrics emblematic of his new album. Next came Square Dance, one of many stadium anthems he has compiled over the years, with its marching rhythm as he compels the crowd to “follow me as I put these crayons to chaos, from seance to seance".

The strident Won’t Back Down made full use of his live band, with its withering rock arrangement, before the group stepped up a gear with the anti-establishment anthem White America. This was followed by the second-ever live performance of his 2020 track Godzilla, featuring an absolutely blistering verse from Eminem. The coming tour is shaping up to offer some welcome surprises for fans old and new.

The Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix after-race concert series concludes on Sunday with British rockers Muse, access to which is exclusive to Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ticket holders.

Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'

Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.

Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.

"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.

"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.

"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."

UAE currency

Eminem is up to speed on third night of Abu Dhabi F1 concerts

Etihad Park show was held days after the death of his mother Debbie Nelson

Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'

UAE currency