DUBAI // With One Direction finally in Dubai, Dr Firdaus Singh Sukhi, like scores of parents, has lost a powerful bargaining tool.
The Dubai-based eye surgeon has been invoking the band’s name to get chores completed promptly by her children for several months.
“I’m worried about what I will do from now on because this was my best way to blackmail my daughters,” Dr Sukhi said while dropping off her children more than five hours before the UAE’s biggest concert kicked off at the Sevens Stadium.
“I have been saying, ‘If you don’t study, you can’t go for One Direction, if you don’t clear your cupboard I will not let you go for One Direction.’
“The girls were ready since 11am and wanted to come here then. We had to convince them to come later.”
Her daughters Sarah and Sufi Singh, aged 14 and 11, with 1D painted on their cheeks and carrying banners proclaiming, “Zayn Malik – Always in our hearts”, ran ahead to join friends in serpentine queues. One friend with a fractured leg was pushed along in a wheelchair.
“We cried a lot, we were really sad about Zayn leaving. He had the best voice and looks great, but Harry [Styles] looks hot too,” Sarah said.
Zayn’s non-appearance in Dubai did leave fans heartbroken but they have come to terms with his departure from the group.
The next big calamity parents fear they will have to deal with is the likelihood of the band splitting up.
“I’ve told her that boy bands have a history of not lasting,” said Ricardo Deocareza as his daughter Tatjana, 11, shrieked a loud, “No!”
“She cried on the phone when Zayn left but I tell her it’s inevitable for these bands to break up.”
The concert and vacation in Dubai was a reward for good grades for Tatjana, who lives in Manila.
She counted herself among the lucky few to have twice seen One Direction perform, having also watched them in concert in the Philippines capital last month as part of the On the Road Again tour.
“She wanted to come here as soon as she got off the plane at 8am today,” said Mr Deocareza, an interior designer.
“She sings us their songs when we talk.”
Tatjana readily admitted to being devastated by Zayn’s departure. “I broke down and cried a lot, it will not be the same without him,” she said.
“But I’m here to support the other boys. It’s still 1D.”
Holding aloft colourful posters, young fans screamed and cheered while waiting in queues. Parents, meanwhile, came equipped with chairs and cushions.
Despite good-natured grumbling, parents understand the adulation since they remember being starstruck themselves about groups ranging from Take That to Madonna. Many parents stood in queues for hours to buy tickets when they went on sale last year in Dubai.
“I’ve put up with the songs every day, One Direction has pretty much taken over our playlist and I wouldn’t be surprised if that continues after this concert,” said Sally Griffiths, who was escorting her daughter Taylor, 10.
“I stood in line from 5am for two and a half hours last year to get the tickets. I’m not a fan, my eldest daughter and I like Take That, but I can understand why youngsters like 1D.”
Ellie Beck Martin, 10, explained why the band ranked number one for her and her two younger sisters. “We just really, really like their songs,” said Ellie, who also saw Justin Bieber perform in Dubai two years ago. Her vote stays with 1D.
“I just like them a lot more.”
The three girls wore white T-shirts emblazoned with “One Direction Biggest Fan!” sent as a surprise gift by their grandmother from Lancashire at Christmas.
Another big fan, Mohamad El Bawab, 7, was among the few males not reluctantly dragged to the concert.
“I was the one who told my sister to listen to their songs,” said Mohamad, who was accompanied by his parents and sister.
“I like every song.”
rtalwar@thenational.ae
