Abu Dhabi GP concerts: Post Malone brings his southern charm to UAE


Saeed Saeed
  • English
  • Arabic

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix may be celebrating a decade of racing excellence this year, but when it comes to the talent performing at the after-race concerts eyes are kept firmly to the future.

With the exception of race-day headliners Guns N' Roses, all the acts – including Friday's performer The Weeknd and Saturday night act Sam Smith - are from the here now.

Nothing encapsulates that more fittingly than Thursday’s performer Post Malone.

The fuzzy haired and face tattooed rapper hit the mainstream when his 2015 track White Iverson became an internet sensation. His mash up brand of hip-hop, pop and soul sounds more like an online playlist than a considered attempt to make a cohesive album (remember those?), and speaking of which -  his latest album Beerbongs and Bentleys broke the online record at the time for the biggest first week streams.

The fact is, the 23-year-old Malone – real name Austin Post – is the sound of today. It was a realisation that caused panic among hip-hop elitists who shouted to anyone that would listen that he was an imposter – more a slick fast rhyming singer than an MC.

But that debate is fast becoming as outdated as last month’s sneakers. Music streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music has allowed the playlist to emerge as the favoured choice for music consumption. The benefits of which is the slow erosion of musical boundaries: hip-hop can now sit beside pop, soul and rock. Hence, Malone’s startling success: a former rock singer with an appreciation of rap, he entered the fray without hip-hop’s cultural baggage and fashioned a sound that is respectful yet devoid of featly to any genre. Basically, it is cherry picking at its most effective.

A one-man show

This is why his debut Middle East concert performance at Abu Dhabi’s du Arena on Thursday was fascinating to watch.

Throughout his 70-minute show, Malone was a riot of contradictions: his trademark slacker attitude was represented in his pyjama stage costume. But he is still a hip-hop lover, so those expensive sneakers were there for all to see.

He sometimes claims to be a hip-hop artist, but he was not joined on stage by an accompanying DJ. Instead, he did it solo – literally.

With two dozen spot lights behind and a large screen, a solitary Malone carried the show himself as he sang-alone to instrumental version of his hits.

It was a risky move that ultimately paid off. It allowed us to move past the pointless musical debates and his penchant for face tattoos – he has “always” and “tired" inked under each of his eyes - and focus more on his talent instead.

There is no doubt that Malone is a strong vocalist. In songs such as the pensive Over Now, Malone's fluidly transitions from a melodic rap flow in the verse to full-throated rock roar in the chorus. While in the woozy haze of the ingeniously catchy Psycho, Malone's mellow croon is more owing to the country roots to his home State of Texas.

Speaking of which, Malone's stage persona had none of the boisterousness and braggadocio that is part and parcel of hip-hop shows. He was all southern charm; songs were prefaced with an almost shy request to the crowd to sing along before launching into tracks where he sings about throwing televisions out of hotels (Rock Star) and how his burgeoning diamond collection (Candy Paint).

That hospitality was extended to special guest Moroccan-American rapper French Montana, who took to the stage to perform the hits No Stylist and Unforgettable – Malone merely stood to the side and danced away like a fan.

Perhaps this also goes to show why Malone fans – which Abu Dhabi has a lot of – are loyal to their hero. Malone is the story of the slacker turned star. He is the rapper who appreciates some of the ridiculousness of the genre’s trappings and the pop star who pays no mind to styles and sings freely whatever he enjoys.

“Just be yourself,” he said before leaving the crowd. “Because no one is going to do it better than you.”

The Abu Dhabi after race concerts continue with The Weekend performing on November 23, UK crooner Sam Smith the following night and Guns’n’Roses on November 25.

Concert ticket is complimentary with an Abu Dhabi F1 ticket. For details go to www.yasmarinacircuit.com

_________________

Read more:

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Everything you need to know about tickets and the 2018 race weekend

F1 brunches to get revved up about ahead of the big race

After party Amber Lounge will feature DJ Sigala and sparkling crystal theme

MATCH INFO

Manchester United 6 (McTominay 2', 3'; Fernandes 20', 70' pen; Lindelof 37'; James 65')

Leeds United 2 (Cooper 41'; Dallas 73')

Man of the match: Scott McTominay (Manchester United)

Graduated from the American University of Sharjah

She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters

Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks

Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding

 

The%C2%A0specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20synchronous%20electric%20motors%20%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E646hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E830Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETwo-speed%20auto%20(rear%20axle)%3B%20single-speed%20auto%20(front)%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh552%2C311%3B%20Dh660%2C408%20(as%20tested)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Low turnout
Two months before the first round on April 10, the appetite of voters for the election is low.

Mathieu Gallard, account manager with Ipsos, which conducted the most recent poll, said current forecasts suggested only two-thirds were "very likely" to vote in the first round, compared with a 78 per cent turnout in the 2017 presidential elections.

"It depends on how interesting the campaign is on their main concerns," he told The National. "Just now, it's hard to say who, between Macron and the candidates of the right, would be most affected by a low turnout."

MATCH INFO

Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)

Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm

PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

Saturday (UAE kick-off times)

Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)

Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)

West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)

Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)

Sunday

Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)

Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)

Everton v Liverpool (10pm)

Monday

Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
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If you go

Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.

Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com

A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com

Best Academy: Ajax and Benfica

Best Agent: Jorge Mendes

Best Club : Liverpool   

 Best Coach: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)  

 Best Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker

 Best Men’s Player: Cristiano Ronaldo

 Best Partnership of the Year Award by SportBusiness: Manchester City and SAP

 Best Referee: Stephanie Frappart

Best Revelation Player: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid and Portugal)

Best Sporting Director: Andrea Berta (Atletico Madrid)

Best Women's Player:  Lucy Bronze

Best Young Arab Player: Achraf Hakimi

 Kooora – Best Arab Club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)

 Kooora – Best Arab Player: Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Nassr FC, Saudi Arabia)

 Player Career Award: Miralem Pjanic and Ryan Giggs

The Little Things

Directed by: John Lee Hancock

Starring: Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Jared Leto

Four stars

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%3Cp%3EChris%20Jordan%20insists%20Sanchit%20Sharma%20will%20make%20an%20impact%20on%20the%20ILT20%2C%20despite%20him%20starting%20the%20campaign%20on%20Gulf%20Giants'%20bench.%3Cbr%3EThe%20young%20UAE%20seamer%20was%20an%20instant%20success%20for%20the%20side%20last%20season%2C%20and%20remained%20part%20of%20the%20XI%20as%20they%20claimed%20the%20title.%3Cbr%3EHe%20has%20yet%20to%20feature%20this%20term%20as%20the%20Giants%20have%20preferred%20Aayan%20Khan%20and%20Usman%20Khan%20as%20their%20two%20UAE%20players%20so%20far.%3Cbr%3EHowever%2C%20England%20quick%20Jordan%20is%20sure%20his%20young%20colleague%20will%20have%20a%20role%20to%20play%20at%20some%20point.%3Cbr%3E%22Me%20and%20Sanchit%20have%20a%20great%20relationship%20from%20last%20season%2C%22%20Jordan%20said.%3Cbr%3E%22Whenever%20I%20am%20working%20with%20more%20inexperienced%20guys%2C%20I%20take%20pleasure%20in%20sharing%20as%20much%20as%20possible.%3Cbr%3E%22I%20know%20what%20it%20was%20like%20when%20I%20was%20younger%20and%20learning%20off%20senior%20players.%3Cbr%3E%22Last%20season%20Sanchit%20kick-started%20our%20season%20in%20Abu%20Dhabi%20with%20a%20brilliant%20man-of-the-match%20performance.%3Cbr%3E%22Coming%20into%20this%20one%2C%20I%20have%20seen%20a%20lot%20of%20improvement.%20The%20focus%20he%20is%20showing%20will%20only%20stand%20him%20in%20good%20stead.%22%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2014%20PRO%20MAX
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What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS

Bournemouth 1 Manchester City 2
Watford 0 Brighton and Hove Albion 0
Newcastle United 3 West Ham United 0
Huddersfield Town 0 Southampton 0
Crystal Palace 0 Swansea City 2
Manchester United 2 Leicester City 0
West Bromwich Albion 1 Stoke City 1
Chelsea 2 Everton 0
Tottenham Hotspur 1 Burnley 1
Liverpool 4 Arsenal 0

Company%20Profile
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Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

Racecard
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