HIGH NOTE: Prince at Pacha Ibiza Dubai, February 4
The phrase "once in a lifetime" is overused and yes, this was far from the only "secret" guerrilla gig of Prince's storied career. But that didn't dim the sense of electricity that flashed through the small and sweaty room when The Purple One tore into 1999, in the centre of a few hundred bewildered invited guests huddled just metres away. Prince's stratospheric, funk-filled, hit-laden 100-minute set will go down in UAE gig lore, destined to be the subject of reminisces years from now.
* Rob Garratt
HIGH NOTE: Drake at the Dubai International Stadium, March 14
The Canadian cemented his pedigree as one of hip-hop’s leading stars with a superb set on his UAE debut performance. The 28-year-old’s backing band may have been small for such a venue – a keyboard player, drummer and DJ – but Drake made it work with a blistering show full of energy and his trademark lyrical candour.
* Saeed Saeed
HIGH NOTE: Leif Ove Andsnes at Emirates Palace, March 26
The Norwegian pianist's Abu Dhabi Festival appearance was the final stretch of a four-year Beethoven journey, that has seen him record and perform each of the master's five piano concertos. The 25-year-old presided over the dramatically demanding Fifth Concerto with trademark theatre and aplomb.
* Rob Garratt
HIGH NOTE: Zeid and the Wings & Loopstache at And Lounge, August 28
The UAE solo debut of Lebanese rock pioneer Zeid Hamdan, the former SoapKills founder, was a highlight of The Otherside indie-rock concert series in Dubai. He was rewarded with four encores after a sweaty, spirited and epic evening of songs old and new, in front of hordes of devotees.
* Rob Garratt
HIGH NOTE: Tinariwen at Warehouse421, November 19
The term trance music should not just be limited to dance music. Mali bluesmen Tinariwen’s set at the opening of Warehouse421 was otherworldly. Their sound, both rhythmic, groove-laden and chant-like, had the crowd moving along – often with their eyes closed.
* Saeed Saeed
HIGH NOTE: Rudresh Mahanthappa at The NYUAD Arts Centre, November 24
In truth, many of the incredible international performers hosted (for free) as part of The Arts Center at NYUAD's inaugural season deserve a spot on this list – but it was American saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa's frenzied set of jazz-fusion that is still seared deeply into my skull. Performing material from 2013 album Gamak, an exploration of Carnatic music in an instrumental jazz-rock setting, it was among the most intellectually demanding and viscerally thrilling performances of the year.
* Rob Garratt
LOW NOTE: Robbie Williams at du Arena, April 25
Things got off to a shaky start when the pop star changed the date from April 26 to a day earlier so as not "to ruin your working week by performing on a Sunday". Once on stage, he raised eyebrows before singing a note, clad in devil horns and a misjudged leather skirt/kilt. Live, and past his prime, the former Take That heartthrob was reduced to little more than a cabaret act, fleshing his set out with more than 10 covers. Exhuming buckets of narcissistic showmanship, Williams presented a preposterous pop pastiche, complete with ample muscle flexing, a bizarre jumpsuit, the sudden appearance of his father and the most misjudged cover of Bohemian Rhapsody I've ever heard. How the mighty fall.
* Rob Garratt
LOW NOTE: Majed Al Mohandes at the Dubai Shopping Festival, January 15 (picture unavailable)
Absolutely infuriating. The Iraqi singer had the tunes but lacked the charisma to pull it off. He didn’t even try. Instead, he just stood there as stationary as a pole throughout his 90-minute performance in the hope that his songs would provide the energy. Fortunately, the crowd was up for it and saved the night. However, the performance left a bad aftertaste.
* Saeed Saeed
