The joy and celebration of Eid is not limited to family and other social gatherings: the festive season also marks the return of music and, traditionally, presents a bevy of concerts featuring top local and regional talent. This year is no different, offering a week’s worth of performances in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Dubai featuring nearly a dozen artists. They cover a wide range of styles, and include Emirati pop king and queen Hussain Al Jasmi and Ahlam; seasoned veterans Saudi Arabia’s Mohamed Abdo and Iraq’s Kadim Al Sahir; and promising new local talents Habib Al Yasi and Balqees.
Abu Dhabi Summer Season: Mohamed Abdo, Saturday, du Forum, Yas Island
The Saudi singer Mohamed Abdo is a music institution and one of the first Gulf acts to garner a fan base across the Arab world. With more than 20 albums spanning four-plus decades, the 66-year-old is responsible for introducing Saudi folk music to fellow Gulf neighbours, with performances in the UAE as early as the 1970s. The following decade saw him focusing his efforts in building a pan-Arab fan base and thus opening the doors for other Gulf stars such as Hussain Al Jasmi and Ahlam. Indeed, even the normally boisterous Ahlam quiets down in awe whenever mentioning Abdo’s name – she refers to him as “my teacher” when talking to the media.
• Tickets from Dh75 on www.ticketmaster.ae
Abu Dhabi Summer Season: Habib Elyasi, Saturday, Al Ain Municipal Theatre; Sunday, du Forum, Yas Island
Habib Elyasi is working twice as hard this Eid: the Emirati singer will perform on two consecutive dates. It is a case of good timing for Elyasi as he is gearing up to launch his as-yet-untitled album. The album, reportedly an eclectic affair, has songs in Khaleeji, Lebanese, Egyptian and Moroccan pop styles.
•Tickets for both shows from Dh75 on www.ticketmaster.ae
Dubai Summer Surprises: Abdallah Al Rowaished, Nawal Al Kuwaitia and Diana Haddad, July 23, Dubai World Trade Centre
The Dubai Summer Surprises series kicks off with Kuwaiti leading lights Abdallah Al Rowaished and Nawal Al Kuwaitia headlining with support from Lebanese starlet Diana Haddad (pictured). Fresh from celebrating his 53rd birthday earlier in the week, Al Rowaished will, no doubt, deliver another solid performance full of his trademark friendly onstage banter. He is a far cry from the intense figure Al Kuwaitia cuts on stage; she is more concerned with performing classic Arabic ballads as opposed to radio-friendly pop. That job falls on Haddad – her exuberant singalong tracks are a great way to begin the night before the main event.
•Tickets from Dh200 on www.platinumlist.net
Dubai Summer Surprises: Kadim Al Sahir and Hussain Al Jasmi, July 24, Dubai World Trade Centre
This mega double bill was supposed to crown the Dubai Shopping Festival back in January, but was cancelled out of respect to the three-day mourning period announced in the UAE to honour the late Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. With both stars, from Iraq and the UAE respectively, more than able to sell out the same venue in their own right, this show is nothing less than a treat for Arab music lovers of all persuasions.
• Tickets from Dh200 on www.platinumlist.net
Layali Dubai 2015: Rabeh Saqer and Balqees, Sunday, Dubai World Trade Centre
After wowing the crowd at the same venue last Eid, Saudi singer Rabeh Saqer and Emirati-Yemeni singer Balqees partner up once again to perform their hits. Well, in Saqer’s case, he may not have time to perform all the favourites, considering the epic double album he recently released. With 38 songs on offer, it will be interesting to see how he balances his set between singing the new material and the crowd favourites. Also playing new tunes is Balqees, the young singer who has returned with her second album, the Khaleeji pop collection Zai Ma Ana.
•Tickets from Dh200 on www.platinumlist.net
Layali Dubai 2015: Ahlam and Majid Al Muhandis, Monday, Dubai World Trade Centre
Monday’s performance marks the popular Emirati singer and Arab Idol judge Ahlam’s first full UAE show since the release of her new album Abathaddak in April. Fans should finally get a chance to sing along to highlights Ala Shanek and Kaani Omry Ma Habet. As for Majid Al Muhandis, the Iraqi’s blend of catchy Khaleeji pop always goes down well with the youngsters, particularly the hits Bayni W Baynak and Saharni Halaha.
• Tickets from Dh200 on www.platinumlist.net
