I recently wrote about the sudden invasion of spandex-clad tribute bands into the capital's golf clubs. But now things have reached a new level of pastiche.
Among the very first gigs to have been announced for the post-summer season are ... TWO different Rolling Stones tribute bands, playing TWO different Abu Dhabi golf clubs. No joke.
Kicking things off, on September 24, "The Stones" will appear at Abu Dhabi City Golf Club. Formed in 2007, the UK-based act promise "vintage instruments, costumes and mannerisms", and claim to have played to audiences 30,000-strong.
However discerning folk might hold out for "The Rollin' Clones", who play the competing Saadiyat Island Beach Club on December 17. Another UK-based act, The Clones claim to be both an "official" tribute (not sure how that works), and the longest-running copycats with 17 years on the road.
Given that it's not all that long since we had the real thing on these shores, a certain amount of eye rolling is surely obligatory.
The good news for rock fans is that these are just the first in a string of tribute acts booked for the Abu Dhabi City Golf Club’s 2015/16 season.
Look forward to tributes to AC/DC (October 22), Stereophonics and Oasis (November 15), Foo Fighters (January 28), Led Zeppelin (February 18), Pink Floyd (March 24), Queen (April 21) and Dire Straits (May 19).
Dubai-dwellers will be pleased to know all of the above are expected to gig up the road, also (dates and venue to be confirmed).
The big question in the meantime, however, is which Stones tribute to punt for. I can't personally vouch for either, but I did once review The Counterfeit Stones for a newspaper — perhaps we'll get them, too, before the season is out.
rgarratt@thenational.ae