If you’re into R&B!
Former Destiny’s Child singers are making a habit of appearing during F1 weekend after Beyoncé stole the show with her post-race gig last year. Now it’s the turn of her former band mate, who may not be quite as famous as Mrs Jay-Z (hence not warranting a place at the main Yas Arena stage), but possesses some equally catchy hits such as ‘Dilemma’ and ‘Commander’, although fingers crossed she’ll drop in a few Destiny’s Child numbers.
Kelly Rowland. Nov 10, 9.10pm.
Kelis
Also worth checking out will be this New York-born singer, who we reckon will be bringing all the boys to the yard with her sassy stage show and high-energy vocal style. Get ready to sing along to classics such
as ‘Milkshake’ and ‘Bossy’.
November 13, 10.25pm
If you’re into Local Sounds!
Melissa
This cutesy Lebanese singer is already a huge star in her homeland, and she’ll be making sure the UAE crowd gets a good taste of her Arabic-inspired pop hits on the main stage.
November 10, 8.05pm.
Ahmed Al Sherif
The dashing Tunisian star is known for his recent hit ‘Sahran Ma3aki il Leyla’, which filled dance floors around the Middle East this summer. He’s just released his first album, Beyn Il Nas, which has been selling by the bucketload, so expect the crowd to know all the words.
November 10, 11.40pm.
Rola Saad
The former model’s charming pop songs have topped the charts across the region, making her one of the best-selling Arabic singers of the past decade. She recently sang alongside fellow Yasalam artist Kelly Rowland in the FIFA World Cup anthem ‘Everywhere You Go’. Could a live duet with Miss Rowland be on the cards? As they’re appearing on different nights, probably not.
November 11, 8.05pm.
Melhem Zein
The Lebanese star first shot to fame when he came third on Super Star 1, the pan-Arabic version of Pop Idol. In fact, he was so popular on the show, riots erupted in Beirut when he was voted off. With public support behind him, he launched a successful solo career and now has three best-selling albums to his name.
November 11, 10.25pm.
Kamal Mussalam
It’s a welcome return for the Jordanian musician after he performed at last year’s Womad. Kamal is a pioneering fusion musician who mixes Arabic styles with flamenco and jazz. He’ll be serenading the crowds with the haunting sound of the oud, as well as an instrument of his own invention – the glissendar. Highly recommended.
November 12, 7.15pm.
Fares Karam
We’re predicting it will be packed on the Corniche for this performance, as the hirsute Lebanese crooner is another megastar in the Arab World, specialising in a style known as dabke. His hits include a track called ‘Womaniser’ – yes, he’s that kind of fellow.
November 13, 11.40pm.
If you’re into Chart music!
Sophie Ellis Bextor
The sultry popstress may not have the strongest singing voice, but she sure is purdy. She’s got some jaunty tunes in her repertoire, too, such as ‘Groovejet: If This Ain’t Love’ and ‘Murder on the Dance Floor’, and she’s the daughter of TV presenter Janet Ellis, who fronted children’s show Blue Peter in the ’80s, and who most British men in their thirties will probably admit to having had a childhood crush on.
Nov 12, 9.10pm.
If you’re into Reggae!
The Beat
The veteran British ska-exponents first made their mark in the early ’80s alongside fellow 2 Tone label mates Madness and The Specials by managing to blend a punk attitude with reggae beats. They’ve been in the game for 30 years, but don’t expect their on-stage ferocity to have diminished that much. Keep an ear open for ‘Mirror in the Bathroom’, which is a bona fide ska classic.
November 11, 9.10pm.
Sean Paul
The vague Beyoncé connections continue with this Jamaican dancehall artist, who teamed up with the Bootylicious one for chart topper ‘Baby Blu’. While his tunes ‘Gimme the Light’ and ‘Get Busy’ are sure to get his Abu Dhabi massive nodding their heads. He’s even been portrayed on a video game, Def Jam: Icon, where he was part of Snoop Dogg’s crew.
Nov 11, 11.40pm.
Easy Star All-Stars
If your tastes veer from the tried and tested, then Easy All Stars is one act you won’t want to miss. The New York collective of musicians and DJs are best known for reworking albums in a dub style. Their long-player Dub Side of the Moon should give you a clue to where their influences lie.
November 13, 9.10pm.
If you’re into Home-grown talent!
Anyone who has cocked an ear to the UAE music scene will have heard of Beat Antenna. They supported Irish rockers Keane at their last gig in Dubai, so don’t expect them to be overawed by the huge
Corniche crowds.
Clarita de Quiroz
Born in Scotland, with Dutch, Irish, Filipino and Spanish ancestry, it’s no wonder she’s decided to make a multinational country like the UAE her home. She’s originally a classically trained pianist, but has swapped her background for a more chart-friendly sound, influenced by the likes of Nina Simone, Angie Stone and Al Green.
November 10, 7.15pm.
Absolace
This Dubai-based five piece mix rock, metal and jazz to create an improvisational, progressive sound. They’ve just released their first album, Resolve[d], which they’ll be dropping tunes from at Yasalam.
November 13, 7.15pm.
If you’re into Rap!
Chipmunk
The rising star of the UK grime rap scene may still be in his teens, but he can already claim bragging rights over greats such as Jay Z and Eminem after he beat them to win best hip hop artist at the urban music MOBO Awards in 2009. Expect some confident, rapid fire rhymes over pop-influenced beats from the lad known as Jahmaal Fyffe to his mum.
November 10, 10.25pm.
Fabolous
The mean streets of Brooklyn have spawned many a legendary rapper, from the hugely obese and very dead Notorious BIG to the genre’s current kingpin Jay Z. In recent years, Fabolous has been pushing hard to be added to the list. Although his lyrics deal with the usual hip hop platitudes, he’s known for an intelligence and charm that set him above his contemporaries.
November 12, 10.25pm.
If you’re into Street parades!
The practice sessions for the Brazilian Grand Prix start on November 5, and to mark the lead up to the penultimate race of the F1 season, you’ll be able to enjoy the thrills of a Rio de Janeiro-style carnival along the Corniche, with dancers, floats and other entertainment, but, we imagine, with less flesh on display and less street crime.
November 5, 7pm.
Skipping the beats
Extreme sports!
There are few things Abu Dhabi likes better than an extreme sports display, and hopping a bike up a large stack of boxes, hopping around on one wheel or jumping over a chasm with crocodiles at the bottom is nothing for the daredevil riders of the Red Bull stunt racing team. Member Julian Dupont will be showing off his extreme biking skills at the F1 Fanzone for the F1 weekend.
November 11-14, various times.
Motorsports!
If you don’t have a ticket for the F1, you could choose to watch it in a dingy, smoke-filled pub, or on the beautiful Corniche beach, with thousands of other fans cheering wildly as the action unfolds. Doesn’t sound like much of a choice does it? Both the Brazilian Grand Prix and the season finale in Abu Dhabi will be shown on giant screens, making this the most atmospheric place to watch what could both be classic F1 battles. The practice sessions, qualifying laps and the races from both the Interlagos track in Brazil and Yas Marina Circuit will all be shown live on the big screen.
Brazilian Grand Prix, 8pm, November 7; Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, 5pm, November 14.
Gadgets!
At the F1 Zone on the Corniche, there will be an interactive media zone, where touch screen walls with hi-tech screens will teach you all about the world of F1, from the technical preparations to get the car on the track to video from races at Yas Marina.
Until November 14.
