Fans more than ‘Happy’ with capital’s music line up

Thousands gathered at the Du arena to see Pharrell, who last made an appearance in the UAE in 2011 as lead vocalist and drummer of N.E.R.D.

Pharrell Williams performs at the Du Arena on Yas Island. DELORES JOHNSON / The National

ABU DHABI // It was the night the capital’s pop music fans had been waiting for with a host of musicians performing across Abu Dhabi – the only question was who would pull in the bigger crowd.

As British pop star Rita Ora stepped out on stage at the Yasalam 2014 Beats on the Beach concert at Abu Dhabi Corniche, American singer Pharrell Williams was wowing the crowds as part of the F1 after-party on Yas Island.

Fans gathered at Lagoon Beach stage to catch London-born Ora as well as R&B singer Tinashe, Arabic superstar Ragheb Alama, Lebanese-born singer and dancer Sabine and Dubai rockers Juliana Down as part of the free international music festival.

But the biggest crowd of the night was reserved for the US superstar Pharrell, with many in the audience travelling from far and wide to catch his show to hear him perform his global hit Happy.

Thousands were already at the Du arena to see Pharrell, who last made an appearance in the UAE in 2011 as lead vocalist and drummer of N.E.R.D.

Zayed, a 26-year-old Emirati, said he attended the Yasalam concerts every year. “It’s the most fun part of the year and we make sure we remain part of these festivities,” he said.

Although he admitted he didn’t know too many of the singer’s songs, Zayed said he was looking forward to hearing ‘Happy’.

Will Anazy travelled from Saudi Arabia for the concert. But the 26-year-old was still struggling to find tickets with an hour to go before the show. “It’s a long queue but I am hopeful that my love for Pharrell will eventually take me in,” he said.

Friends Asim and Ahmed were waiting restlessly outside the venue for pals who had their passes.

“We come every year to attend Ya Salam concerts. They are not only very entertaining but also very organised and tickets are affordable for students,” said 18 Ahmed, 18, who is from Sudan.

Asim, 19, from Canada, said he and his friends were big fans of all of Pharrell’s songs, but their favourite is Happy.

Julia Maahan, a 37-year-old Briton who made the trip to Yas Island with her family, couldn’t have been happier to have tickets for the biggest night of the year.

“It’s a double treat. We are not only having fun in the most happening event in the country but also attending the most talked about concert. We are Pharrell fans and will be looking forward to hearing Happy,” said Julie, who was attending Yasalam for the first time.

Last year more than 400,000 people participated in the city-wide entertainment programme. Since Ya Salam began in 2009, more than 2 million people have enjoyed the free concerts.