It’s that time of year when we crank up the rumour mill. The announcement of which big-name artists will headline the three remaining after-race concerts at the du Arena from November 21 to 23 is imminent. After consulting touring maps and investigating online rumours, here are our thoughts on who might come to the capital for F1.
Drake and / or Lil Wayne
After the massive success of concerts by Eminem and Jay Z in 2012 and 2013 respectively, Abu Dhabi race fans have more than established their love of hip-hop and it would be surprising if this year’s bill omits a leading MC. Which brings us to the two brightest stars of today’s hip-hop scene: the Canadian rapper Drake and America’s Lil Wayne. Both are label buddies – Lil Wayne owns Young Money Entertainment, so technically he is Drake’s boss – and have been touring together throughout the year. Although their different schedules might make it difficult for both to appear in Abu Dhabi simultaneously, but there could be a good chance of Drake visiting because he will be finishing his European solo tour right around the time the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix kicks off.
Pharrell Williams
This is a rumour that refuses to go away – the super-producer and R&B star has been linked to a gig in the UAE for some time (in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai), so perhaps the forthcoming announcement will finally settle things and we can all start practising our own version of the Happy dance.
Mariah Carey
With the exception of Beyoncé (and maybe Britney Spears), the after-race concerts have been suffering from a diva shortage. The best way to make up for this: bring Mariah Carey to our shores. The singer will be finishing up her Asian tour on November 16. Perhaps an Abu Dhabi stop on the way back?
The Who
Classic rock and motor cars go together like (insert cheesy metaphor here). Just like The Rolling Stones earlier this year, fellow British legends The Who would command a loyal following if they stopped in Abu Dhabi.
Technically, this is possible. The band start their 50th anniversary tour in Dublin on November 26.
Perhaps they can follow the lead of last year’s headliners, the goth-rockers Depeche Mode, who used Abu Dhabi as a warm-up for their European tour.
Simple Minds
OK, this is pure speculation. Each Abu Dhabi Grand Prix offers a band with plenty of singalong potential – although this expectation was nearly broken by Depeche Mode’s uncompromising set last year – and who better to supply that than the evergreen Scottish rockers Simple Minds?
They are releasing a new album on November 7 and are promising an extensive tour. Even the cynics would be hard-pressed not to sing along to tracks such as Don't You Forget About Me.
The details
The 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix runs from November 21-23 at Yas Marina Circuit.
Already announced is the first after-race concert, an Arabic pop extravaganza held at du Arena on November 20 featuring the Egyptian heart throb Tamer Hosny, the Lebanese songstress Carole Samaha, the Dubai-based singer Fayez Al Saeed and the Palestinian singer Mohammed Assaf.
The concerts are exclusively for F1 ticket holders, who each receive a pair of complimentary invitations to Thursday night’s concert.
F1 tickets can be purchased at www.yasmarinacircuit.com
sasaeed@thenational.ae
