The Arts&Life team spent the weekend dashing between the F1 concerts, festivals, parties, lounges and even a tasty lunch. Here are a few highlights of what was another fun race weekend in the capital.
Florence Welch's old-school request
It's hard to remember a concert in recent years during which the performer hasn't asked – no, demanded – at least once that people in the audience pull out their mobile phones, to shower the crowd in twinkly lights and generate a thousand social-media posts. Not Florence "and the Machine" Welch. It was a breath of fresh air when the singer implored the audience to put their phones away and enjoy the music. "I'm going to ask you all something that's gonna sound kind of crazy," said Welch, introducing her fourth song of the evening, Third Eye. "Can you all put your phones away just for this one song. Remember it with your ears, eyes and feel it in your hearts." While not (quite) everyone we spotted complied, it was a touching sentiment nonetheless. More, please.
* Rob Garratt
Mohammed from Iran’s Enrique dream comes true
Arriving onstage 40 minutes late, Enrique Iglesias channelled buckets of charm to win over the Abu Dhabi audience. This included inviting one lucky audience member onto the stage. But rather than pick a typical cute kid or glamorous blonde, he chose Mohammed from Iran – an uninhibited super-fan. "You look like me," said the singer, clocking his guest's identical baseball cap – and the huge image of his own face staring back at him from his 30-year-old guest's T-shirt. The ever-smooth star kept this surreal exchange up for several minutes – and many bromantic hugs – before the pair duetted on Ben E King's classic Stand By Me. This sentimental exchange was enough to melt the most frozen of hearts.
* Rob Garratt
Happy birthday Trey Songz
American rapper Trey Songz celebrated his 31st birthday at Rush nightclub in the Yas Viceroy at the 1 Oak Grand Prix after party. In a reflective mood the following day, presumably on his flight back to the United States, he wrote a touching message to his fans that was accompanied by a new mixtape, To Whom It May Concern, released the same day. "I give you my love, my confusion, my worries, my happiness, my sadness, my music," he wrote in the lengthy letter.
* Jessica Hill
Cheb Khaled is all joy
Cheb Khaled defines positive energy. His endearing megawatt smile could have powered du Arena during his joyous set on Thursday night. Headlining the all-Arab concert, the Algerian was in sterling form, with a greatest-hits set spanning his four-decade career. By the time he dropped his latest stirring anthem, C'est la Vie, towards the end of the set, fans were dancing and crying – some at the same time.
* Saeed Saeed
No you were not rick-rolled – he was here
The Flash VIP Lounge was home to a plethora of celebrities who visited to receive gifts from local brands. As well as the expected guests, including Etihad ambassador Danni Minogue, pictured left, and model Tyler Beckford, the space – located in a hidden corner adjacent to the Du Arena stage – also had some surprises. “We had Rick Astley here,” said lounge manager Katherine Raso. “He made a stop here on the way to a show in Manilla. He is such a sweet man.”
* Saeed Saeed
And in the latest instalment of why Tyrese loves the UAE...
The UAE's number-one celebrity fan, Tyrese Gibson, had another grand time in the country during the F1 weekend. As well as landing the offer of the use of up to 30 custom-made Rolls-Royces by colourful Chinese businessman Stephen Hung for the next Fast and Furious instalment, the R&B singer and actor travelled to a private yacht party on a chopper and stayed in a palatial room in the new St Regis Hotel in Dubai.
* Jessica Hill
Battle of the boats
The socialites, party people and freeloaders were out en force over race weekend, typically haunting more than 200 yachts moored around Yas Marina. The nautical-party scene is mighty competitive, with rows of ever-larger, louder and flashier boats berthed trackside, and each private shindig more exclusive than the last. While it was easy to feel outclassed and underdressed in such glamorous company, we snuck aboard the comparatively modest Vii Dubai party boat, where the sound of beats and brumming cars mingled along with the guests. The party celebrated the news that the Conrad Hotel venue will be launching a neighbouring sister outlet, The Vii Club, on December 10.
* Rob Garratt
Michelin-starred food trackside
During the Formula One weekend, those lucky enough to make it to Amici in the Yas Viceroy were treated with a meal by a very special guest. Chef Antonio Mellino, from the two Michelin-starred restaurant Quattro Passi in Italy, and his team took over the kitchen for the big racing event. The visiting Italian chef cooked up an exclusive menu that included ravioli filled with smoked provola cheese; spaghetti with sea-urchin sauce; sea bass fillet in a tomato, caper, olive and basil sauce; and more. The restaurant, which overlooks Yas Marina as well as the Grand Prix track, allowed those dining on the terrace to get a view of the racing action while also enjoying a world-class meal. The experience could be best described with one of Mellino’s seemingly favourite phrases: “Fantastico.”
* Evelyn Lau
