Coldplay fans in the UAE rejoiced when they heard the British band would be performing at Expo 2020 Dubai on February 15, but it soon became a battle for the tickets, as limited capacity regulations are in place.
While entry to Al Wasl Plaza, where the Higher Power stars will take the stage, is free with an Expo pass — the same rule for all past concerts — the event booked up fast, and it didn't take long before touts started posting adverts on Dubizzle, the online classifieds platform, to sell them for Dh400 to Dh600 ($108 to $163).
Expo 2020 Dubai quickly warned visitors against buying tickets from fraudsters who are taking advantage of the free event.
Each ticket has a unique QR code that can be used only once. Organisers said anyone who tried to enter the venue with a code that had already been used would be turned away.
While those in the country may be disappointed by not being able to attend in person, there are other ways to catch the on-stage action live.
Expo ticket holders, for example, can watch the show on the giant screens on-site. These are located at Jubilee Park, Festival Garden and Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre, where access is granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
senior vice president of communications
Screens have also been placed close to Al Wasl Plaza — which will be sealed off during the show — so fans can hear the action while watching it on screen.
"We're also putting up relay screens on the avenues leading into Al Wasl, so you'll be able to look towards Al Wasl, see all the light show and be able to hear it from there and watch it on a screen as well as be able to see up close what's going on on the stage," said Sconaid McGeachin, senior vice president of communications.
She advises those who don't have passes for the concert, which starts at 9pm, to come early.
Those at home can also watch a live stream on VirtualExpoDubai.com, Expo TV on YouTube, Expo 2020’s Facebook page and Oculus VR.
"Whenever we put it on [virtually] and on Expo TV, we augment it slightly, so you get a few hidden extras. So don't feel that you're missing out; it's actually a very nice way to watch the performance and enjoy and be part of it there," said McGeachin.
Most major events and performances at Expo are being broadcast to the world via livestream.
Expo's dazzling opening ceremony raked in the highest views at six million.
See photos of Expo 2020 Dubai's opening ceremony here:
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Spectacular fireworks and entertainment welcome the world to Expo 2020 Dubai on Thursday night. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
The opening ceremony under the magnificent Al Wasl dome. Photo: Karim Sahib / AFP -
The silver and white ghaf tree forms a centrepiece at the performance centre of Al Wasl Plaza during the opening ceremony. Photo: Ali Haider / EPA -
Andrea Bocelli takes the stage at the opening ceremony. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony. Getty -
Ellie Goulding performs at the Expo 2020 opening ceremony. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, at the Expo 2020 opening ceremony. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Chinese pianist Lang Lang opens the performance at Al Wasl Plaza for the Middle East's first Expo. Photo: Ali Haider / EPA -
Artists perform during the opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai on Thursday. Photo: Reuters -
In the pink with a splash of colour as the event starts with a bang. Photo: Reuters -
The impressive opening ceremony for Expo 2020 Dubai, which was streamed live to millions around the world. Photo: Giuseppe Cacace / AFP -
All flowered up at the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony. Reuters -
If the opening night is anything to go by, the entire event promises to be quite a spectacle. Reuters -
Artists perform during the opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Kamran Jebreili / AP -
Lights, colour and fun are the order of the day. Photo: Reuters -
Andra Day takes centre stage. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, declares Expo 2020 Dubai open with a prayer. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
World-renowned Emirati singer Hussain Al Jassmi performs in his country's Expo opening ceremony. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Ahlam AlShamsi performs. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Dimitri Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions, the governing body of world's fairs, addresses the audience at the opening ceremony. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Hussain Al Jassmi, Mayssa Karaa and Almas perform during the opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai. AFP -
Fireworks light up the skies around the Expo site in Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
A logo of Expo 2020 Dubai is projected during the opening ceremony. AFP -
Flag-raising at the opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai on Thursday. -
Ahlam AlShamsi performs during the opening ceremony. Photo: Kamran Jebreili / AP -
Artists perform during the opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Reuters -
The opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai on Thursday. Photo: Reuters -
The full spectacle that was the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony on Thursday night. Photo: David Jimenez / Expo 2020 Dubai -
Dubai opens its Expo 2020 with an extravagant opening ceremony of fireworks, flags and light shows. Photo: AFP -
Opening ceremony fireworks. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
A young Emirati performs in the story of the ring that inspired the Expo 2020 Dubai logo. Photo: Christophe Viseux / Expo 2020 Dubai -
The world's fair was delayed by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Performers line up to welcome visitors to the site of Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: AFP -
Emirati girls welcome guests before the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Traditions at play to help kick off the event. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Guests arrive before the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A buzz is spreading around the site before the opening ceremony. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Al Wasl Plaza before the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The national flags of countries participating in Expo 2020 Dubai. AFP -
Excited spectators arrive. AFP -
Members of staff pose for a picture before the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
An ideal photo opportunity. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Last-minute preparations, as meticulous as ever, for the big event. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Final preparations are under way in Al Wasl Plaza before the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony on Thursday. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Officials have anticipated and prepared for every eventuality that could crop up during the 182-day world's fair. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National
More than three million viewed Alicia Keys' concert in December as she debuted her new double album, Keys, as part of the monthly Infinite Nights series, which the Coldplay gig is also a part of.
These performances focus on themes tied to the world’s fair, with other past acts including Kadim Al Sahir, Nancy Ajram and Ragheb Alama and Black Eyed Peas.
This is not the first time Coldplay have performed in the UAE. They played New Year's Eve concerts in Abu Dhabi in 2011 and 2016, and frontman Chris Martin returned to Dubai in October 2021 to perform at Armani's One Night Only in Dubai event.
At Expo, the band will showcase songs from their new album Music of the Spheres in a never-before-seen show ahead of the start of their world tour in March.
The concert also promises "special guests".
See photos of Alicia Keys' Expo Dubai 2020 concert here:
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US singer-songwriter Alicia Keys performs at Al Wasl Plaza, Expo 2020 Dubai, where she launched her eighth album, ‘Keys’. AFP -
Keys demonstrated her versatility during the performance. AFP -
The show was billed as 'Live in 360’ because people around the world were able to watch it on streaming platforms. AFP -
Keys held the limelight, whether playing the piano or moving across the stage. AFP -
Al Wasl Dome made for a dramatic backdrop. AFP -
The gentle sound of a string quartet provided Keys with an understated entrance, as she swept past the audience in a flowing gown by Dubai designer Furne One of Amato Couture. AFP -
Keys ran through her hits and new songs. AFP -
She was accompanied by a small orchestra. AFP -
Emirati singer Balqees Fathi joins Keys onstage. AFP -
Those streaming the show from home could explore the venue from the comfort of their own living rooms. AP -
The hits came thick and fast. AP -
A dance troupe kept a low profile around the circular stage. AP -
Keys also visited the UAE in 2013 and 2019. AP -
The setting of the show at Expo 2020 was breathtaking. AP -
Keys wore an embroidered gold catsuit and an intricately patterned tulle cape, both studded with Swarovski crystals. Reuters
Coldplay is aligned with Expo's sub-theme of sustainability, after they pledged to make the Music of the Spheres Tour as eco-friendly and low carbon as possible.
The band's sustainability tour plan examines everything from power usage and materials sourced to build the stage, to the kind of food and beverages served.
In December, consultant Paul Schurink, the founder of Zap Concepts, who has co-designed the band's world tour in 2022, told The National they intend to cut their direct emissions by 50 per cent, compared to their previous 2016-2017 tour.
These measures are broadly outlined on Coldplay’s website.
Recently, Martin also told BBC Radio 2 that Coldplay will not record any more music as a band after 2025. The group's lead singer said they would release their last record that year and plan to "only tour" after that.
See photos of Black Eyed Peas's Expo 2020 Dubai concert here:
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The Black Eyed Peas perform at Expo 2020 Dubai. All photos: Reuters -
The US pop-rap group performed at Al Wasl Plaza. -
The group hopes the concert can help to chart a way forward for the live music industry struggling with the pandemic. -
The euphoric performance was live-streamed from the Expo website. -
Ahead of the show, will.i.am said he hoped the performance 'acts as an inspiration to hold live events with safety measures in place'. -
Band member Taboo makes a heart-shaped gesture to his fans. -
The show featured tracks sung in English, Spanish and Tagalog. -
The Black Eyed Peas have topped the charts for nearly three decades, with songs such as 'Where Is the Love?' and 'Boom Boom Pow'. -
A multicultural crowd sang along to some of the band's biggest hits. -
Will.i.am motivated the crowd throughout the night with shouts of 'yallah!' -
'We can't wait to vibe under the dome and have some magical moments,' will.i.am said ahead of the show. Pictured with singer J Rey Soul. -
The high-octane affair was held according to strict safety standards.
