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A-Listers do the Emirates: Your guide to the UAE's star-studded Fall music fest

Published September 24th, 2013 - 09:48 GMT

Even though the UAE has some strict Islamic laws governing daily life in the Emirates, Western celebrities can’t seem to keep away from the Gulf, fast turning into celeb-central. Regulars on the beaches of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, now some of our favorite music acts are returning to the UAE - to hit up the the stage, not the sands!

Cosmopolitan cities and luxurious lifestyle, it’s no wonder Western stars love the UAE. Bulging paychecks at the ready to sweeten the deal, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are drawing in the bigdogs such as Jay Z and Rihanna.

With Dubai Music Week upon us, headlined by will.i.am and with performances by Selena Gomez and Timbaland, it looks like the Gulf is at the forefront of this season’s musical buzz. With huge events on the horizon, such as Abu Dhabi's spin off from the UK rave festival Creamfields, some of music's biggest names are flocking to the Middle East and flaunting their talent.

All types of genres being spoken for - pop, folk, hip-hop and dance - there really is something for everyone.
 
So roll up, roll up -- there will be a million stars in the desert skies but just as many closer to the stage in Dubai's Music week, kicking off the UAE's feisty musical Fall line-up!
 
 
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Rihanna

Barbadian beauty Rihanna will shine bright like a diamond when she heads to Dubai this fall - especially when she’s being paid $3 million to sparkle! Ri-Ri will be performing Oct 19 at the du Arena on Yas Island - not to be missed - and with 41 million albums sold, you’d be forgiven for thinking she was the ‘Only Girl (in the world)’.

Selena Gomez Arabic name necklace

From Disney to Dubai, Selena Gomez might look like the girl next door, but she wants you to ‘Come and Get it’ when she performs at Dubai Music Week. With her on-off romance with teenage heartthrob Justin Bieber, maybe we’ll get two for the price of one in Selena’s concert?

will.i.am

Former member of the Black Eyed Peas, will.i.am is now a music phenomenon in his own right having worked with Britney, Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake. Now that he’s sold 33 million albums, it's time to conquer the UAE! Will.i.am will be headlining at Dubai Music Festival, and this ‘Heartbreaker’ is sure to put on a good show!

Timbaland

Rapper, producer, songwriter - Timbaland can do it all, including joining Selena and will.i.am at Dubai's Music Week. With some classic hits up his sleeve (think Justin Timberlake’s ‘FutureSex/LoveSounds’ and Nelly Furtado’s ‘Maneater’), everything Timba touches turns to gold and his concert will be a must-see.

Calvin Harris

Dance music darling Calvin Harris will perform at Abu Dhabi’s Creamfields festival in December. This sexy Scot has had massive hits such as ‘Acceptable in the 80s', and collaborated with Ri-Ri on smash song ‘We Found Love’. Catchy tunes and clever lyrics make Mr. Harris a rave sensation - you won't be able to stay in your seat.

Lumineers

Ho hey, come to Dubai! The Lumineers are coming to town! If folksy-undertones and deep lyrics are your thing, get yourself to their upcoming gig in Dubai. With their debut album going platinum in the US, UK and Australia, this feel-good band is going from strength to strength - don’t miss out! and be there with ‘Flowers In Your Hair’!

Jay Z

He’s got 99 problems, but a UAE fanbase ain’t one! Hova is set to headline Abu Dhabi’s post-Grand Prix F1 concert, his first ever Emirati gig. Jigga always performs, and with his new album ‘Magna Carta Holy Grail’ out, Mr. Beyonce is sure to have some tricks up his sleeve. You never know, Jay Junior Blue Ivy could make an appearance!

Muse

They'll suck you in black-hole-style! Crowds will be in “Hysteria” with Muse scheduled to do Abu Dhabi's post-Grand Prix concert. These Grammy-award winning Brits will keep crowds wanting more with brilliant bass lines and progressive electronic sounds that only the Bellamy, Howard, and Wolstenhome trio can deliver. Now there's a revelation!

Depeche Mode

In case you just couldn't get enough...We wouldn’t want to follow Jay/Muse, but if someone’s got to do it, let it be Depeche Mode! Closing up the Abu Dhabi post-Grand Prix F1 concert, this 80s classic Brit band, dubbed the most ‘successful electronic band in music history’, are guaranteed to end on a high feel-good note - not to be missed.

Olly Murs

“Hearts [might] skip a beat” at February’s Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival with British singer and beautiful man Olly Murs headlining the annual event on Valentines Day. Murs will be sure to warm hearts, serenading concertgoers with melodies from his albums, “Right place, right time” and “In case you didn’t know.”

Russell Peters

Bonus! If none of the mega-musical acts float your boat, fret not! Canadian comedian extraordinaire Russell Peters is returning to Abu Dhabi in October. Regularly selling out venues, this year Peters is slated to have eyes (and bladders) leaking with laughter in the du Arena in Yas Island.

Rihanna
Selena Gomez Arabic name necklace
will.i.am
Timbaland
Calvin Harris
Lumineers
Jay Z
Muse
Depeche Mode
Olly Murs
Russell Peters
Rihanna
Barbadian beauty Rihanna will shine bright like a diamond when she heads to Dubai this fall - especially when she’s being paid $3 million to sparkle! Ri-Ri will be performing Oct 19 at the du Arena on Yas Island - not to be missed - and with 41 million albums sold, you’d be forgiven for thinking she was the ‘Only Girl (in the world)’.
Selena Gomez Arabic name necklace
From Disney to Dubai, Selena Gomez might look like the girl next door, but she wants you to ‘Come and Get it’ when she performs at Dubai Music Week. With her on-off romance with teenage heartthrob Justin Bieber, maybe we’ll get two for the price of one in Selena’s concert?
will.i.am
Former member of the Black Eyed Peas, will.i.am is now a music phenomenon in his own right having worked with Britney, Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake. Now that he’s sold 33 million albums, it's time to conquer the UAE! Will.i.am will be headlining at Dubai Music Festival, and this ‘Heartbreaker’ is sure to put on a good show!
Timbaland
Rapper, producer, songwriter - Timbaland can do it all, including joining Selena and will.i.am at Dubai's Music Week. With some classic hits up his sleeve (think Justin Timberlake’s ‘FutureSex/LoveSounds’ and Nelly Furtado’s ‘Maneater’), everything Timba touches turns to gold and his concert will be a must-see.
Calvin Harris
Dance music darling Calvin Harris will perform at Abu Dhabi’s Creamfields festival in December. This sexy Scot has had massive hits such as ‘Acceptable in the 80s', and collaborated with Ri-Ri on smash song ‘We Found Love’. Catchy tunes and clever lyrics make Mr. Harris a rave sensation - you won't be able to stay in your seat.
Lumineers
Ho hey, come to Dubai! The Lumineers are coming to town! If folksy-undertones and deep lyrics are your thing, get yourself to their upcoming gig in Dubai. With their debut album going platinum in the US, UK and Australia, this feel-good band is going from strength to strength - don’t miss out! and be there with ‘Flowers In Your Hair’!
Jay Z
He’s got 99 problems, but a UAE fanbase ain’t one! Hova is set to headline Abu Dhabi’s post-Grand Prix F1 concert, his first ever Emirati gig. Jigga always performs, and with his new album ‘Magna Carta Holy Grail’ out, Mr. Beyonce is sure to have some tricks up his sleeve. You never know, Jay Junior Blue Ivy could make an appearance!
Muse
They'll suck you in black-hole-style! Crowds will be in “Hysteria” with Muse scheduled to do Abu Dhabi's post-Grand Prix concert. These Grammy-award winning Brits will keep crowds wanting more with brilliant bass lines and progressive electronic sounds that only the Bellamy, Howard, and Wolstenhome trio can deliver. Now there's a revelation!
Depeche Mode
In case you just couldn't get enough...We wouldn’t want to follow Jay/Muse, but if someone’s got to do it, let it be Depeche Mode! Closing up the Abu Dhabi post-Grand Prix F1 concert, this 80s classic Brit band, dubbed the most ‘successful electronic band in music history’, are guaranteed to end on a high feel-good note - not to be missed.
Olly Murs
“Hearts [might] skip a beat” at February’s Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival with British singer and beautiful man Olly Murs headlining the annual event on Valentines Day. Murs will be sure to warm hearts, serenading concertgoers with melodies from his albums, “Right place, right time” and “In case you didn’t know.”
Russell Peters
Bonus! If none of the mega-musical acts float your boat, fret not! Canadian comedian extraordinaire Russell Peters is returning to Abu Dhabi in October. Regularly selling out venues, this year Peters is slated to have eyes (and bladders) leaking with laughter in the du Arena in Yas Island.
Tags:DubaiAbu DhabiRihannaTimbalandSelena Gomez

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