Global pop group Now United will perform a virtual concert filmed at Louvre Abu Dhabi on Thursday, July 1. It will be streamed on the group's YouTube channel, and mark Now United's first public performance since their sold out Dreams Come True tour in 2019.
All 18 singers and dancers of Now United, each representing a different country, will be at the show including newest members Nour Ardakani (Lebanon), Savannah Clarke (Australia), Melanie Thomas (Ivory Coast) and Alex Mandon Rey (Spain).
"Having my first Now United performance in Louvre Abu Dhabi is going to be fantastic. It’s such an inspiring location and totally reflects what Now United’s all about. We are so excited to perform here," Ardakani said.
The 18-year-old was selected to become the group's 16th member last year, after an extensive search for talent across the Middle East and North Africa.
“We can’t wait to get back on stage and perform for our amazing fans. We have new songs and new group members, so this show is going to something special for us," Josh Beauchamp, representing Canada, said.
The group, who arrived in the capital earlier this month, already filmed a video at Louvre Abu Dhabi to mark World Music Day on Monday.
"Music is a universal language and a form of art. In celebration of World Music Day, Now United take us on a journey across our Museum Galleries," the museum posted on Instagram.
Now United members have also been rehearsing for their show at the Berklee Abu Dhabi campus.
On Saturday, new member Rey surprised his bandmates after his arrival in the capital.
"It's my first time seeing them and I'm so excited," he said in a video posted on the group's Instagram.
Now United members were flown into Abu Dhabi from different parts of the world on business class by Etihad Airways.
Last week, eight members of the group also got to visit the UAE national airline's state-of-the-art training facility and enjoyed a flying lesson at Etihad Aviation Training's flight simulators. They tried cabin crew training exercises, including the Boeing 787 door trainer, and also took part in a mock evacuation by sliding down the emergency slides.
Now United, which started with 14 members, was formed by Simon Fuller, who managed the Spice Girls and created the American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance television franchises.
The group is known for sharing their experiences in real-time, allowing their Gen-Z fans to engage with their every move.
Last year, on a trip to Abu Dhabi to film their video for Lean on Me, members documented all their activities as they took in the city's attractions, including Louvre Abu Dhabi, Ferrari World and a boat trip around Yas Island.
Speaking to The National, Ardakani, who had just been selected as a new member said she was "ready for the responsibility".
“I am not only representing the Mena region and Lebanon, but also the youth who come from here. This only makes me want to work harder and I can’t wait to get started,” she said.
The video for Lean on Me, which was extensively filmed within Emirates Palace, has been viewed more than 36 million times since it was uploaded in January.
"We wanted to show our amazing local talents and the high-level productions we are capable of," the music video's Emirati director Aiham AlSubaihi told The National.
"We wanted to show that even during the pandemic, we were continuing to put quality productions while still ensuring all the necessary safety measures.”
The group first came to the UAE when they performed at the Special Olympics World Summer Games Abu Dhabi in 2019.
Now Love – Live From Abu Dhabi will be streamed on Now United's YouTube channel from 10pm UAE on Thursday, July 1.
_____________________
Read more:
[ Now United have filmed their latest music video in Abu Dhabi ]
_____________________
