Abu Dhabi was spoilt rotten last year, with superstars such as Sir Paul McCartney, Metallica, Britney Spears and a whole group of cool DJs making live appearances on Yas Island. But you’d be wrong if you thought the fun was all over, because 2012 is turning out to be just as promising. Not only is the Material Girl herself, Madonna, appearing in June, but we’re also about to be treated to a set from French house music producer and DJ, David Guetta, who will hit the stage at Yas Arena next week.
Crowds numbering into the thousands are expected on Friday, March 2 when David Guetta will return to the capital as the world number one House DJ (voted by DJ Mag Top 100) for one night only. Guetta will be performing his latest international hits with some very well known names in the music industry such as Usher, Flo Rida, Snoop Dog and Kelly Rowland.
Guetta started his career as a DJ in the 80s and 90s and released his first album, Just a Little More Love in 2002. He then released Guetta Blaster in 2004 and Pop Life in 2007. Guetta shot to international fame in 2009 after releasing his fourth album, One Love, which included hit singles such as Gettin’ Over You, featuring Chris Willis, Fergie and LMFAO, and When Love Takes Over, featuring Kelly Rowland. His other hit single on this album, Memories, featuring Kid Cudi became a top five hit in many countries. Guetta has sold over three million albums and 15 singles worldwide and following One Love’s success, Guetta won his first Grammy in 2010 for Best-Remixed Recording, Non-Classical. He was also nominated for three other categories; Best Electronic/Dance Album for One Love, Best Dance Recording for When Love Takes Over and Record Of The Year for I Gotta Feeling, which he produced for the Black Eyed Peas.
After the international breakthrough of One Love, Guetta’s fifth studio album Nothing But The Beat was released in the summer of 2011. The double-disc album, one being vocal and the other being electronic, was influenced and inspired by rock bands from Kings of Leon to Coldplay. The album features no fewer than 17 guest artists, from hip-hop royalty, including Snoop Dogg, Ludacris and Timbaland, rappers Minaj and Lil Wayne to R&B superstars such as Usher and Akon. Will.I.AM also features on this album along with Jennifer Hudson performing the hit single, Night of Your Life.
Nothing But The Beat builds on Guetta’s breakthrough momentum and takes his decades-spanning career to a new level marked by working with bigger names and more mind-twisting beats. With Nothing But The Beat showcasing today’s hottest hip-hop and R&B artists, it flaunts Guetta’s talent and his electronic styling. In recognition of Guetta’s crossover success, the double album also offers an all-instrumental disc designed to turn listeners on to the magnetic sound of house music.
On March 2 Guetta will be supported by local DJ Natalie Brogan and Dubai DJ MaDJam, who will be spinning the decks prior to the main man’s appearance on stage. David Guetta’s first priority is making people dance and there should be no shortage of this on the night. It certainly is very exciting to have someone of this calibre performing here in Abu Dhabi.
March 2nd, Yas Arena, Yas Island. This is an 18+ event. Tickets range from Dhs195 to Dhs9,500 for platinum tables. For tickets and more information go to www.thinkflash.ae or call 800 FLASH.
