A lot of acts performed in Abu Dhabi in 2019 but the best may have been saved for last, as Bruno Mars took to the stage at du Arena on Yas Island.
The global superstar was in town to see out 2019 with a bang, and with a packed crowd ready to celebrate a new decade, the Grammy Award-winner duly delivered.
A sense of anticipation was in the air before he stepped on stage and as he walked out the whole place went crazy.
It was one of the loudest responses we’ve ever heard in the capital.
The atmosphere was electric from the off as 24k Magic got the crowd moving. Mars quickly followed up with Finesse and Treasure.
Energy levels were high throughout, as the band went about their business, engaging with the crowd and getting everyone ready for the big countdown.
Away from the funk and the pop hooks, there were numerous singalongs with When I Was Your Man and the toe-tapping Locked Out Of Heaven highlights.
As the time edged closer to midnight, a special rendition of Just the Way You Are began. It spanned 10 minutes, most of it instrumental, with the performers and the crowd looking up to the sky as fireworks shot across Yas Island when the clock struck midnight.
Fireworks lit up the night sky, coming from du Arena itself and in the distance from the Marina.
The band thanked the crowd and took their leave but things weren’t over.
Bringing the show to a huge close, when the first few bars of Uptown Funk started the crowd went wild.
Who doesn’t love that song? It was one of the biggest tunes of the decade and it was a fitting end to an excellent performance and a great way to start 2020.
The crowd danced their way into the new year and sang along as the good vibes flowed throughout the arena.
If you weren’t there, you missed out on a truly memorable show.
