DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, 10 NOVEMBER 2015. Katy Perry performs at the 2015 Dubai Airshow Gala Dinner held at Atlantis The Palm. (Photo: Antonie Robertson/The National) ID: 31410 Journalist: Saeed Saeed. Section: Arts&Life. *** Local Caption *** AR_1011_Katy_Perry-23.JPG
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, 10 NOVEMBER 2015. Katy Perry performs at the 2015 Dubai Airshow Gala Dinner held at Atlantis The Palm. (Photo: Antonie Robertson/The National) ID: 31410 Journalist: Saeed Saeed. Section: Arts&Life. *** Local Caption *** AR_1011_Katy_Perry-23.JPG
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, 10 NOVEMBER 2015. Katy Perry performs at the 2015 Dubai Airshow Gala Dinner held at Atlantis The Palm. (Photo: Antonie Robertson/The National) ID: 31410 Journalist: Saeed Saeed. Section: Arts&Life. *** Local Caption *** AR_1011_Katy_Perry-23.JPG
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, 10 NOVEMBER 2015. Katy Perry performs at the 2015 Dubai Airshow Gala Dinner held at Atlantis The Palm. (Photo: Antonie Robertson/The National) ID: 31410 Journalist: Saeed

Katy Perry brings her flamboyant fun and a ‘Freddie’ spirit to Abu Dhabi


  • English
  • Arabic

She’s a cracking performer who could well be the finest showwoman in modern pop today, which makes Katy Perry a fitting headliner for a New Year’s Eve concert at du Arena, Abu Dhabi.

There's little doubt that the Californian songstress's big hit Firework will go off with a bang, just as the fireworks signifying the start of 2018 at Yas Island do.

As we’ve come to expect of her, Perry is sure to be in party mode when she takes to the stage, but she will not only be celebrating her Abu Dhabi debut – 2018 marks a significant anniversary for the 33-year-old, whose fame went supernova back in 2008.

Perry began her career as a gospel singer in the early 2000s with a style much quieter than her current persona. A decade on, she positively relishes being on stage, and clearly revels in the freedom that the world of pop brings, that her gospel environment didn't.

Born Katy Hudson, she grew up in a strict family environment in California, where commercial music was virtually off-limits. But she was influenced by two artists – the confrontational and confessional Alanis Morissette and Queen's extravagant frontman, Freddie Mercury.

If a pop scientist tried to concoct the perfect blend of Morissette and Mercury, Perry would likely be the result. Even so, the star's first record was far from flamboyant. Low-key gospel album Katy Hudson made a negligible impact. It was only after an endorsement from Madonna that Perry's career blossomed. She switched record labels, changed her stage-name – Perry is her mother's maiden name – and radically altered her look, becoming poppier, brighter and more revealing.

The music altered dramatically too, and to this day it continues to evolve. On her second album, One of the Boys (2008), Perry reverted to stomping pop-rock and provocative lyrical themes, notably the breakthrough single I Kissed a Girl. Subsequent albums have gradually incorporated more dancefloor influences, from disco to heavier beats: several Witness tracks were produced by the alternative electronica duo Purity Ring, with a harder edge.

Witness earned a mixed reception, but the subsequent tour has been widely praised and there is a sense that Perry really lives for live performances. She once described her pre-tour regime as "like I'm training for the Olympics", with the planning rivalling that of a lavish Broadway musical.

On her first major arena tour, in 2011, Perry was already innovating, with arty visuals and even smell-o-vision. "It's the first concert that's going to smell good," she told Rolling Stone. "It's going to smell like you're in cotton candy heaven."

Those carefully-planned visuals have been a significant part of Perry's creative process since her star exploded, and a wide array of sources inspire her stage sets, from avant-garde artists to the kid-friendly colours of Hello Kitty and Alice in Wonderland.

For her second world tour, 2013/14’s Prismatic, she personally co-created more than 270 costumes, many of which were for her dancers. However, the lure of Perry’s elaborate productions did cause some bad blood in a pop rival.

Several of those Prismatic dancers abruptly defected from Taylor Swift’s Red Tour, and the pair have been openly feuding since.

In truth, that row has rather overshadowed Perry's work in recent years – the most talked-about track on Witness is the single Swish Swish, a response to Swift's beef-fuelling track Bad Blood, but perhaps the New Year will bring a fresh start. The stars reportedly hung out while both were in Miami a few days ago. And while that feud may finally be thawing, Perry remains an uncompromising presence when it comes to providing the most memorable show she possibly can. Ten years on, there are few better.

Katy Perry performs at Du Arena, Yas Island on December 31. Tickets start from Dh350 at www.ticketmaster.ae and Virgin Megastores across the UAE. For more details go to www.thinkflash.ae

___________________________

Read more:

___________________________

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3ECompany%20name%3A%20Znap%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarted%3A%202017%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EFounder%3A%20Uday%20Rathod%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIndustry%3A%20FinTech%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EFunding%20size%3A%20%241m%2B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EInvestors%3A%20Family%2C%20friends%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
SECRET%20INVASION
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ali%20Selim%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Samuel%20L%20Jackson%2C%20Olivia%20Coleman%2C%20Kingsley%20Ben-Adir%2C%20Emilia%20Clarke%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Profile box

Founders: Michele Ferrario, Nino Ulsamer and Freddy Lim
Started: established in 2016 and launched in July 2017
Based: Singapore, with offices in the UAE, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand
Sector: FinTech, wealth management
Initial investment: $500,000 in seed round 1 in 2016; $2.2m in seed round 2 in 2017; $5m in series A round in 2018; $12m in series B round in 2019; $16m in series C round in 2020 and $25m in series D round in 2021
Current staff: more than 160 employees
Stage: series D 
Investors: EightRoads Ventures, Square Peg Capital, Sequoia Capital India

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League, last-16 second leg
Paris Saint-Germain (1) v Borussia Dortmund (2)
Kick-off: Midnight, Thursday, March 12
Stadium: Parc des Princes
Live: On beIN Sports HD

While you're here
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206-cylinder%203-litre%2C%20with%20petrol%20and%20diesel%20variants%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8-speed%20automatic%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20286hp%20(petrol)%2C%20249hp%20(diesel)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E450Nm%20(petrol)%2C%20550Nm%20(diesel)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EStarting%20at%20%2469%2C800%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A