Nick Jonas is coming to the capital for a highly anticipated performance at VidCon Abu Dhabi. This is the first-ever VidCon Abu Dhabi and the content creator festival has some incredible international music acts as part of its jam-packed line-up. And the Jonas Brother and solo artist is one of the top headlining acts.
All the excitement is happening at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre on Friday December 3 to Monday December 6. Tickets start at Dhs130, and include the day of activities plus that night’s concert. You can also get a Community Track ticket for Dhs270, which gets you access to VidCon from Friday December 3 to Sunday December 5, including the concerts.
Before Jonas hits the stage for his gig, he chatted with Time Out about what fans can look forward to when he performs in the capital.
Time Out: Can you tell us about how this collaboration with VidCon came about, especially with it being the first one in Abu Dhabi?
Nick Jonas: I had known about VidCon for a while, and had known that it was their first in Abu Dhabi when they reached out to me and my team about being involved. I was thrilled. I love opportunities to connect with my fans both in the US, but also globally, and I feel like it is such a special opportunity to connect fans, creators and brands in the way that they do. And from watching from the sidelines for a while and to actually be a part of it is gonna be a lot of fun.
Can we expect anything unique with this performance given it’s such a creative event?
I always try to bring something fresh to my performances and this is very fresh for me because I’ve been singing mostly Jonas Brother tunes all year because we’ve been on tour. So, to come and do some solo music, and the familiar ones, like “Jealous”, “Chains” and “Close”, but to also mix it up with songs from my most recent album, Spaceman, will be a lot of fun and not something that I’ve done a whole lot of this year. We’re very excited for that.
And I’m thinking of ways to integrate that fan experience and that creative element. I have a wonderful creative team that I’ve worked with for a long time, and we’ve been going back and forth, so I’m just excited to get there, and get going.
What song are you most excited to perform?
I usually play “Jealous” in the [Jonas] Brothers show, so the Spaceman stuff is what I’m most excited to play, particularly over the last few months a song that has been called out as a fan favourite, a song called “Delicious” from my latest album. It has been used in a bunch of commercials and I think that Bachelor TV show did something with it…and I don’t know if I’ve ever played it live. This will be the first for me and the audience.
How are you feeling about coming to Abu Dhabi?
I have been to Abu Dhabi before. My brothers [Joe Jonas and Kevin Jonas] have performed there before, I think in 2010 or 2009. It was a great time.
And I’ve been to Dubai since. I love it. I think it’s an incredible city and a place where I always have a lot of fun so I know this night is going to be no exception, and I’m thrilled to be back.
Do you have a most memorable moment from your time in the UAE previously?
We were there during F1 race trials, and our hotel was sort of integrated into the track, and I remember we were all very jetlagged and we were awoken by the thunderous roar of F1 cars doing their test beneath us. We thought there was maybe an earthquake happening, or something. But, it was still a good time.
Are you hoping to be at F1 this year?
I don’t know if I will have the time to be there this week, but I’m friends with Lewis Hamilton and I always love watching him doing his thing.
Any plans to attend Expo?
When I first get there [in Abu Dhabi], my time is going to be spent with my creative team, talking about the show and getting things ready. Also, reviewing some of the lyrics to some of the songs I haven’t played a whole lot this year [Chuckles]. We’ve been playing mostly Jonas Brothers music.
But, if there is an opportunity, I’d love to go to Expo. I was also talking to Kehlani last night. I’d love to see her perform [at VidCon], too, because she is one of my favourite artists. I’d love to be able to attend as well as perform.
Is there anything else you’re looking forward to about coming to the UAE again?
I think just the opportunity to be with fans again and be with the creators. I think it is a very unique moment to be around other creative minds and to be inspired. And I try to pull inspiration from everywhere around me, and as I approach another creative season in my life, after the tour has ended, and getting back in the studio, doing some writing, whether it’s for the [Jonas] Brothers, myself or other people, it’s always good to have that arsenal of creativity.
And also just thinking about connecting with people in a more meaningful way, is always something that is on my mind.
What are you most looking forward to in 2022?
New music is probably the thing I’m most looking forward to. There are some really exciting acting opportunities that I’m circling at this moment. I’ve also spent a lot of time during the lockdowns writing film and TV projects myself and producing on that side of things.
I’ve stayed very creative, not just limited to music so watching some of those things, and seeing some of those things come to life and actually happen would be a dream come true, but also be something that keeps me very busy next year.
Any specific projects we can look forward to?
Stay tuned. The thing about the film and television process is there’s the creative process of writing but then there’s the thing of actually getting it made, which is a whole different story. We’re in that process now. These things are written, the ideas are created, and now it’s just about pulling the team together and getting across the finish line. I’m hoping that process happens in a simple way over the next 18 months.
Starting at Dhs130. Fri Dec 3, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, vidcon.com/abu-dhabi-en.
Want more music in Abu Dhabi? To find out about Kid LAROI coming to the capital for the MOTN festival click here.
