There was lateness in London, monkeys in Munich and accusations of inappropriateness at Anne Frank’s in Amsterdam. Amid all the controversy, Justin Bieber’s official tour DJ Tay James has been with the singing sensation every step of the way.
And ahead of Bieber’s gigs in Dubai at the Sevens Stadium on Saturday and Sunday he’s backed the 19-year-old to do what he does best. Perform. “My favourite thing about Justin is his work ethic,” James, who has performed with Bieber since the summer of 2009, told 7DAYS.
“I love working for him because he is loyal and we vibe off each other during performances.”
James insisted of Bieber’s ‘Believe’ around-the-world bash: “The fans are responding the way I expected, very excited and energetic.
“Bieber Fever has taken over.”
Bieber, James and the rest of the ‘Believe’ crew fly into Dubai after performing in Istanbul, Turkey, on Thursday.
On Friday night, James will take to the decks in Dubai at the new ping-pong nightclub SPiN.
The table tennis party place is partly owned by Hollywood star Susan Sarandon, who will be there for its official opening on Wednesday. With Bieber a fan of the New York version of the nightclub, he’s been tipped by those in the know to pop in to the Dubai club.
The 25-year-old Baltimore, US native added: “I can’t wait to DJ at SPiN Dubai and have a good party.
“I’m very excited to visit Dubai for the first time.”
But James - for the most part - was staying decidedly tightlipped about the Canadian crooner’s Dubai downtime plans. Despite reports Bieber was looking to buy a place in Dubai while here, the star and his entourage are expected to stay at the Burj Al Arab until his next tour date in South Africa on Wednesday, May 8.
However, his official tour DJ did reveal: “I honestly want to hit the sand dunes and do some sightseeing, maybe some shopping.”
Simon Mead, manager of operations at Arabian Adventures, said they’d be delighted to drive Bieber and his backing boys out to the dunes.
With the hectic tour schedule and recent controversy that seems to have dogged Bieber’s every move, Mead reckons the “peace and quiet” of the Dubai desert would be perfect rest and relaxation.
“We operate in a Dubai conservation reservation. It’s restricted and away from the hordes,” said Mead.
According to the UK newspaper ‘The Sun’, Bieber also fancies the greens of a Dubai golf course to add to the trip to the red sands of the desert.
The newspaper claimed that Bieber, a golf aficionado who reportedly plays off a handicap of eight, has hired out an entire course in the emirate for two whole days while here.
However, when contacted by 7DAYS, all of Emirates Hills, Dubai Creek and Jebel Ali golf clubs insisted it wasn’t them that Bieber had booked.
It was a similar story at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Arabian Ranches and The Address Montgomerie greens.
But if Bieber really wants some peace and quiet while in the UAE, then Martin Duff knows the score.
Escaping the bright lights of Dubai for a round of golf in sunny Sharjah.
Because if the hitmaker really wants a breather, then The Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club even has its own altitude chamber.
“There’s no alcohol here so that’d keep him out of trouble,” said the director of golf at Sharjah.
“There’s lots of bits and pieces to do.
“We have plenty of grass and he wouldn’t lose many balls - he’d have half a chance of playing to his handicap.”
And being the generous host and true Brit that he is, would the golf pro let the ‘Beauty and a Beat’ star win on a round at Sharjah?
“No way,” said Duff.
