As UAE Superclub White Dubai enters DJ Mag's global Top 100 Clubs competition this year, we speak to general manager Elie Saba on what makes the venue viewed as one of the best in the region.
White Nightclub is currently competing in the DJ Mag Top 100 Clubs Poll. Why is this list important to a nightclub and what can it do?
The DJ Mag Top 100 Clubs Poll has been for many the international hallmark of the globe's finest dance floors, voted for by thousands of clubbers from every corner of the planet - as opposed to a panel of "experts". This list's pinned as a barometer of the biggest and best club spots that reverberate to the thumping grooves of that genre of music we all love so much; dance music. White Dubai's top placement in Top 100 world clubs has helped leverage Dubai's positioning as the first choice for the international leisure and business traveller as well as complement the city's offering across events, attractions and services.
White has been on that list before. Between that time and now, have there been any changes to WHITE in order for it to be viewed as being eligible in this list again?
To help solidify its global reputation, the new season saw White Dubai unveil a high-tech upgrade, including fresh laser and smoke effects, improved sound and light, dancers sailing from zip lines and more ominous-sounding “bespoke elements of intrigue”. In October 2016, White Dubai introduced White Noise, a pop-up dedicated to electronic dance music with a line-up of EDM powerhouses Armin Van Buuren, Dimitri Vegas, W&W, Nervo, Sander Van Doorn and Rita Ora. To date, Whitenoise remains one of the most influential music events in the UAE, enabling a new found prestige of EDM artists.
White is the only club in the Middle East that made it to the list. Is this a surprising thing to you? Should more Middle Eastern clubs be on that list? If not, what should Middle Eastern clubs do to get on that level?
Should more Middle Eastern clubs be on that list? Yes! I’m a big advocate of healthy competition, and I highly appreciate the efforts my colleagues have put over the years to sustain their businesses in such unstable times. There’s no secret recipe to success; hard work, perseverance, following up on trends and staying on top of them is a full time job, and committing is not an easy task.
Finally, in terms of your fans and general nightclub goers, what's next for White? What other events do you have that people should look forward to?
White is always evolving. Every Tuesday, Disturbing Dubai, will host a fusion of Hip-hop, R& B and dance sets with some of the biggest names in the world, launching with Krept & konan on Feb 14th and continuing with Tinie Tempah on Feb 21; Lethal Bizzle on Feb 28; Giggs on March 7 and Tinie Tempah, again, on March 14. Along with that, White also has international pop-ups in Mumbai, Monte Carlo, and many more places. We will continue to spread a high-tech and ultra-modern nightlife experience around the world. Voting ends on Feb 17 at 3.59am UAE time.
To vote for White Dubai in DJ Mag's annual Top 100 Clubs poll. Cast your ballot by clicking the link on https://vote.top100clubs.com.
sasaeed@thenational.ae