It may only be the start of 2020, but the year is already shaping up to be a great one for music fans in the UAE. Some of the world's biggest stars will perform in the country over the coming months, with a number of one-off concerts and festivals set to take place. So, diaries at the ready, these are some of the biggest names to look out for ...
Mahmoud Al Turki, Dubai
With its cooler temperatures, January is the ideal time of year to visit Global Village, and this month you can also combine a visit to the multicultural amusement park with a gig by Iraqi singer Mahmoud Al Turki. Expect the pop star to sing some of his top hits including Yema Hmeid, Taal and Dommeny, Dommeny at the show, which will be the first of Global Village's 2020 weekly concerts.
Friday, January 3, 9pm; Dh15; Main Stage, Global Village, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road, Dubai; 04 362 4444, www.globalvillage.ae
Ellie Goulding, Dubai
EDIT: Her show has been indefinitely postponed
British singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding will perform in Dubai on Friday, January 10. The Love Me Like You Do star will take to the stage at the Coca-Cola Arena, where she's expected to deliver hits from her decade-long career, including Anything Could Happen and Burn. Goulding, who last performed in the UAE in 2015, was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2016, and has two Brit Awards to her name.
Friday, January 10, from 8pm; tickets from Dh195; Coca-Cola Arena, City Walk, Dubai; 04 215 3000, www.coca-cola-arena.com
Saad Lamjarred and Mohamed Ramadan, Dubai
Both are big names in the Arab popular landscape. Moroccan singer Saad Lamjarred has released numerous hits including Lm3allem' and Ghaltana, while Egyptian actor Ramadan has recently dipped his toes into music with the bangers Mafia and Number One. This is their first ever joint performance and is part of the Dubai Shopping Festival.
Friday, January 10; 7pm; Hall 3 and 4, Dubai World Trade Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai; www.dubai.platinumlist.net
Eida Al Menhali, Abu Dhabi
Emirati singer Eida Al Menhali is most known for his hit single Motasoa. A seasoned performer, he played in numerous large-scale events including the opening ceremony of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in Abu Dhabi as last year's Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival. He will perform at the Cultural Foundation Theatre in Abu Dhabi on Friday, January 10.
Friday, January 10; 8pm-10pm; from Dh400; Cultural Foundation Theatre, Abu Dhabi; www.culturalfoundation.ae
Jordi Savall, Abu Dhabi
Grammy Award-winning Catalonian musician Jordi Savall, who is joined by the ancient music ensemble Hesperion XXI, will present a programme that takes in 500 years of musical history spanning the East and West. A key part of the program will be Savall’s exploration of the cosmopolitan the music coming out of ancient Granada.
Saturday January 14; 8pm-10pm; from Dh150; Cultural Foundation Theatre, Abu Dhabi; www.culturalfoundation.ae
Lewis Capaldi, Sharjah
Scottish singer Lewis Capald will make his UAE debut when he takes to the stage at Sharjah's Al Majaz Amphitheatre on Friday, January 17. Capaldi is known for his chart-topping hit Someone You Loved, from the album Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent.
Friday, January 17, 7.30pm; from Dh156; Al Majaz Amphitheatre, Sharjah; www.platinumlist.net
Prateek Kuhad, Dubai
Fresh from his nod as one of Barack Obama's choices as song of the year, Indian folk singer Prateek Kuhad is performing in Dubai. He'll be taking to the UAE stage for the first time at The Rotunda at Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai on Friday, January 24. Watch him perform songs from his four album back catalogue, including the former US president's choice, cold/mess.
Friday, January 24; from 8.30pm; Dh150; The Rotunda at Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai; ae.bookmyshow.com
Robbie Williams, Dubai
The British chart-topper will take to the stage at The Pointe as part of the 25th anniversary of the Dubai Shopping Festival. Williams, who rose to fame as part of 1990s pop five-piece Take That before embarking on a solo career, will treat fans to a range of his most renowned tracks, such as Let Me Entertain You and Angels.
Friday, January 24; 9pm; Dh295; The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai; www.ticketmasteruae.ae
RedFest, Dubai
British grime artist Stormzy will return to the UAE to headline RedFestDXB 2020. The Blinded by Your Grace star will be joined by Cheat Codes and Machine Gun Kelly on Friday, February 7 for the annual two-day event at Dubai's Media City Amphitheatre. Martin Garrix, Bastille and Young Thug will play on Thursday, February 6.
Thursday and Friday, February 6 and 7; 7pm-1am Thursday, 4pm-1am Friday; from Dh395; Media City Amphitheatre, Dubai; www.redfestdxb.com
A-ha, Dubai
Norwegian band A-ha are set to play two nights at Dubai Opera. The trio, made up of singer Morten Harket, keyboardist Magne Furuholmen and guitarist Pal Waaktaar-Savoy, will play the Downtown Dubai venue on Monday, February 10 and Tuesday, February 11. The band will play their 1985 debut album Hunting High And Low in its entirety at the gig, and in the running order of the original release. Tickets start from Dh250, and there will be an early bird discount of 20 per cent until Thursday, January 16.
Monday and Tuesday, February 10 and 11, 8pm; from Dh250; Dubai Opera, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard; 04 440 8888, www.dubaiopera.com
Maluma, Dubai
Colombian superstar Maluma is bringing his world tour to the UAE for one night only, marking his debut performance in the Emirates. The No Se Me Quita singer will perform at Dubai's Coca-Cola Arena on Friday, February 14. The 25-year-old, born Juan Luis Londono Arias and raised in the city of Medellin, released his first album at the tender age of 17, though found fame with his 2015 album Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy. He has gone on to collaborate with some of the Latin music industry's biggest names, including Ricky Martin and Shakira, as well as Madonna and J Balvin.
Friday, February 14, 8pm; from Dh295; Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai City Walk; 04 215 3000, www.coca-cola-arena.com
Katherine Jenkins, Dubai
Edit: Her show has been postponed until Wednesday, March 4, 2020.
The UK's best-selling classical music artist, Katherine Jenkins, will return to the UAE in February. The star will grace the Dubai Opera stage on Saturday, February 22 to perform a concert of musical numbers including Homeward Bound and Granada and the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic The Music of the Night. Tickets start from Dh295.
Saturday, February 22, 8pm; from Dh295; Dubai Opera, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard; 04 440 8888, www.dubaiopera.com
Dubai Jazz Festival
The Dubai Jazz Festival returns in February with one of its biggest line-ups to date. Hip-hop legend Ms Lauryn Hill will headline the event, held at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre on Wednesday, February 26, while Lionel Richie will be the headliner on Thursday, February 27. One Republic will be the headliners for the third and final day of the festival, on Friday, February 28. Tickets are on sale now, and start from Dh395.
Wednesday to Friday, February 26 to 28; from Dh395; Dubai Media City Amphitheatre; dubai.platinumlist.net
Madness, Dubai
Get ready for a dose of Madness when the ska group returns to Dubai next March. Led by flamboyant frontman Graham "Suggs" McPherson, the British band will bring their party vibes to the Irish Village on Thursday, March 5. In addition to their collection of hits, including Baggy Trousers, House of Fun and One Step Beyond, the band will play selection of their well-received new album.
Thursday, March 5, 7pm; tickets from Dh275; The Irish Village; Garhoud, Dubai; www.theirishvillage.com
Ultra Music Festival, Abu Dhabi
Some of EDM’s biggest acts are heading to the capital for the inaugural Ultra Abu Dhabi. Afrojack, Alesso, DJ Snake, Major Lazer, Zedd and the Return of Dash Berlin are some of the big names scheduled to perform during the two-day event at du Arena on Thursday, March 5 and Friday, March 6. Organised in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the festival will be the highlight of Abu Dhabi Music Week, a 10-day festival of music and dance taking place from Sunday, March 1 to Saturday, March 14.
Thursday and Friday, March 5 and 6; tickets start at Dh640; du Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; ultra-abudhabi.com
Club Social, Abu Dhabi
The capital's biggest beach festival returns in March with international headliners in tow and the chance for local musicians to battle it out in its famous Battle of the Bands contest. While this year's line-up is yet to be confirmed, Club Social is promising two international headliners. Last year's event was headlined by British band Bastille.
Thursday to Sunday, March 12 to 14, times TBA; price TBA; Yas Beach, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; www.clubsocial.ae
Louis Tomlinson, Dubai
Louis Tomlinson will be back in Dubai this spring for a one-night gig at the Coca-Cola Arena on Saturday, April 18. Expect to hear hits like Miss You and Just Hold On as well as plenty of songs from Tomlinson's debut solo album, which is set for release in January. The pop star rose to fame as part of the boy band One Direction, who found their platform via British reality TV show The X Factor.
Saturday, April 18, 8pm; from Dh295; Coca-Cola Arena, City Walk, Dubai; 04 215 3000, www.coca-cola-arena.com
Iron Maiden, Dubai
English heavy metal group Iron Maiden will bring their Legacy of the Beast tour to Dubai in May. The band, who have been performing together since 1975, will play at the Coca-Cola Arena on Wednesday, May 27. Expect hits including Hallowed Be Thy Name, The Trooper, Fear of the Dark and The Number of the Beast, as well as tracks fans won't have heard live for years, such as Sign of the Cross and Flight of Icarus.
Wednesday, May 27, 8pm; from Dh250; Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai City Walk; 04 215 3000, www.coca-cola-arena.com
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