Whether you’re a K-popper or a teenybopper, here are the best concerts in Dubai and Abu Dhabi this year.
Live entertainment is well and truly back in the UAE with a slew of artists taking to stages across Abu Dhabi and Dubai. So, if you're a lover of live concerts these are the all-important dates for your diaries. Curtain up – here are the best concerts in the UAE.
Enrique Iglesias: 13 September 2024
Do you need a hero? Well, you may just find that in the form of Enrique Iglesias. The Latin superstar has announced that he is performing at Coca-Cola Arena on 13 September. We're hoping that Enrique sings his famous hits, from Bailamos to Hero. He was born in Madrid, Spain to the Spanish singer Julio Iglesias and Filipino journalist Isabel Preysler. When he launched his career, he originally had a pseudonym, so that he could distance himself from his father. Today, he is one of the best-selling Latin music artists, as he has sold more than 70 million records worldwide.
O: Visit www.coca-cola-arena.com for tickets and more information.
Suho: 20 September 2024
K-pop acts are descending on Dubai, and South Korean star Suho is set to perform at The Agenda in Dubai Media City on 20 September. Suho is the lead singer of the K-pop group EXO. In 2020, he released his solo EP, Self-Portrait, and its lead single was Let’s Love. In 2022, he released his second album, Grey Suit. He has also starred in film and TV shows including How Are U Bread, One Way Trip, Rich Man and The Universe’s Star.
GO: Visit https://platinumlist.net for more information.
Carla Bruni: 27 September 2024
Carla Bruni was born in Turin, Italy. Carla will perform at Dubai Opera on 27 September. She was a fashion model and singer and later became the First Lady of France when she married the then President, Nicolas Sarkozy. She previously wrote songs for Julien Clerc and featured on his album. In 2003, she released her debut album, Quelqu’un M’a Dit. Over her career, she has sold five million albums.
GO: Visit www.dubaiopera.com for more information.
Macklemore: 4 October 2024
Born Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, Macklemore is an American rapper and songwriter whose unique style and socially conscious lyrics have earned him a notoriety in the world of hip-hop. He gained widespread recognition alongside producer Ryan Lewis with their 2012 breakout single, Thrift Shop, which used quick-fire wordplay over a catchy beat. In a career spanning almost two decades, Macklemore has worked with Ed Sheeran, Idris Elba, Kesha, Lil Yachty and Martin Garrix. He will now make his Dubai debut with a performance at Coca-Cola Arena in City Walk. Get ready to return to the Good Old Days with tickets starting from AED 199 via Platinumlist.
GO: Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for tickets and more information.
KT Tunstall: 16 October 2024
Scottish singer and songwriter KT Tunstall is heading to Dubai. Her hit songs include Hold On, Other Side of the World, and Suddenly I See. She released her first studio album in 2004, which was Eye to the Telescope. KT Tunstall will be performing inside The Tent at Bla Bla Dubai. It’s a rare chance to watch the singer in a serene setting, which has welcomed some of the world's biggest stars.
GO: Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for more information.
Take That: 25 October 2024
Abu Dhabi, it’s time to Take That. The British band are heading to Etihad Park on Yas Island on Friday, 25 October 2024. The trio will perform their greatest hits in the capital, including Back For Good, Never Forget and Relight My Fair. Now, the three members — Gary, Howard and Mark — are bringing the This Life on Tour to Abu Dhabi.
GO: Visit https://platinumlist.net for more information.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor: 26 October 2024
Dubai Opera has announced an exciting line-up of shows for autumn and winter. The highlights include the British singer, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who is best-known for her single Murder on the Dancefloor. Sophie Ellis-Bextor hails from Hounslow, London. Sophie will perform at Dubai Opera on 26 October. She first came to prominence in the early 2000s. She topped the charts with her single, Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love). She is famous for her disco meets electronic sound, and her singles include Get Over You, Mixed up World and Music Gets the Best Of Me. The 2001 hit Murder on the Dancefloor returned to the charts in 2024, thanks to its inclusion in the film Saltburn.
GO: Visit www.dubaiopera.com for more information.
Mixtape Dubai: 2 November
If iPods, Popworld and Heat magazine mean something to you, then you’ll be excited about Mixtape Dubai. Taking place at Bla Bla Dubai on Saturday, 2 November, the concert brings together the biggest names from the noughties. The line-up includes Gareth Gates, Melanie C, Peter Andre and S Club. Celebrating their 25th anniversary, S Club will perform their greatest hits to Dubai, including ‘Bring It All Back,’ ‘Don’t Stop Movin’ and ‘Never Had a Dream Come True’.
GO: Visit https://www.livenation.me for more information.
Beenie Man: 9 November 2024
The carnival is coming to town. The Butterfly Carnival Festival is fluttering into Dubai. Expect the best of London’s Notting Hill Carnival, Trinidad and Tobago’s beats, and the wild spirit of Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro Carnival right to Dubai. The event will be headlined by Beenie Man, who is known for the hits "Who Am I" and "Girls Dem Sugar" featuring Mya and collaborations with artists like Janet Jackson. The Butterfly Carnival Festival’s set-up spans five stages, and performances also include acrobats, dancers, drummers and more. Plus, there will be street food trucks and bars, so you can refuel.
GO: Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for tickets and more information.
Defected Dubai: 9 and 10 November 2024
Get ready to groove because Defected, the ultimate house music brand, is returning to Dubai and it has unveiled its epic plans for an insane event. Picture this: two days, one venue and non-stop beats that will leave you breathless. We’re talking electrifying music, mind-blowing entertainment and a weekend that will redefine the word ‘unforgettable’. The lineup for Defected Dubai 2024 has been announced and includes the likes of A-Trak Dul, Eats Everything, Eliza Rose, Folamour, Girls of the Internet, Gorgon City, Low Steppa, Monki, Oden & Fatzo, Olive F, Rio Tashan and Sam Divine.
GO: Visit https://fever.pxf.io for tickets and more information.
B*Witched: 22 November 2024
The British girl group B*Witched will perform at Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Stadium as part of The Irish Village Garhoud’s Back to the 90s events. B*Witched hail from Dublin, Ireland, and were famous for their bubble gum pop songs. Dressed in double denim, the group Irish danced their way to the top of the charts. Their hit singles include Blame It On The Weatherman, Jesse Hold On, Mickey and Rollercoaster. However, it was their debut song C’est La Vie, which garnered them worldwide attention and made them the youngest girl group to get a number-one song in the UK.
GO: Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for more information.
Lang Lang: 22 November 2024
Disney fans, this one's for you. Taking place on 22 November, Lang Lang will take over the stage at Etihad Arena, Yas Island, to bring some of Disney's most beloved songs to life. This special performance — called Lang Lang Plays Disney — will feature classics like Let It Go from Frozen, You'll Be in My Heart from Tarzan, The Bare Necessities from The Jungle Book, and many more. Accompanied by a full orchestra and some surprise guests, this event promises to be a nostalgic trip down memory lane. Tickets start from AED 145.
GO: Visit https://abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net for more information.
From The Oyster Comes The Pearl: 23 November 2024
From The Oyster Comes The Pearl festival will be held at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. Four rock bands will take to the stage with The Mission headlining the show. Formed in 1985, the upcoming concert will mark their debut in the Middle East. Expect to bang your head to hits like Wasteland, Tower of Strength, and many more. Apart from The Mission, Claytown Troupe will also take to the stage alongside IST IST and The Chameleons. Together, these bands promise a night of head-banging rock glory. Early bird tickets start at AED 199.
GO: Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for more information.
Wireless Middle East: 23 November 2024
Brits will be familiar with Wireless Festival, one of the UK’s biggest music events which brings together the biggest names in hip-hop, rap, R&B, grime and dance. Now, as the festival prepares to make its return to the capital with Wireless Middle East 2024, FACT can reveal the first 12 artists to perform at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Park on Saturday, 23 November. SZA, 21 Savage, Flo Milli and Yeat will all make their Middle East debuts, alongside Dina Ayada, Faris Shafi, Fridayy, Lancey Foux, Mazen, Raf Saperra, Seedhe Maut, and the locally-based group Stick No Bills.
GO: Visit https://wirelessfestival.me for more information.
Maroon 5: 6 December 2024
Rihanna, Eminem, Foo Fighters and The Weeknd are just some of the names that have performed live at the F1 Yasalam After-Race Concerts in Abu Dhabi, and now Maroon 5 will soon be added to the mix. Led by Adam Levine, Maroon 5 will be treating fans to an unmissable live show at Etihad Park on 6 December, performing hits like US Diamond breakout single “Girls Like You”, platinum-selling “Beautiful Mistakes”, and more. The Los Angeles-based band not only boasts multiple Grammy Awards, but it has also become one of the most successful groups on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. With over 750 concerts in more than 30 countries worldwide behind it, Maroon 5 now reaches over 61 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
GO: Visit www.abudhabigp.com for tickets and more information.
Eminem: 7 December 2024
The upcoming Yasalam After-Race concert marks Eminem’s return to the capital. He had previously performed in Abu Dhabi back in 2012. Eminem’s career spans over two decades. Throughout his musical journey, he’s produced hits such as The Real Slim Shady, Mockingbird, Without Me, Lose Yourself, and many more. It’s been a busy year for the artist known as Slim Shady, who released his 12th studio album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) in July.
GO: Visit www.abudhabigp.com for tickets and more information.
Muse: 8 December 2024
Abu Dhabi is turning up the volume, as it has announced a stellar act for the F1 Yasalam after-race concerts. English rock sensation Muse will be heading to Abu Dhabi to wow crowds with an electrifying performance. This rock band—consisting of Matt Bellamy, Dominic Howard, and Chris Wolstoneholme—was formed in 1994 and has been dominating the music scene ever since. With its unique fusion of rock, electronic, R&B, and a dash of rock opera, Muse has managed to stay in the game for 30 years. With chart-topping albums like The 2nd Law, Absolution, and Drones, and hits including Hysteria, Psycho, and Uprising — not to forget a cabinet full of awards, including Grammys, Brit Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards, and NME Awards — Muse has solidified their spot as one of the biggest acts in the world.
GO: Visit www.abudhabigp.com for tickets and more information.
Thirty Seconds to Mars: 12 December 2024
The countdown is on. The American rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars have announced that they will be performing at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. Thirty Seconds to Mars was formed in Los Angeles, California, and includes the brothers Jared and Shannon Leto. Jared is better known for his acting credentials, as he has starred in films including American Psycho and House of Gucci. Thirty Seconds to Mars is famous for its alternative rock sound. The songs include A Beautiful Lie, Closer to the Edge and The Kill. The band have sold more than 15 million albums, and toured the world and headlined festivals. Tickets start from AED 295.
GO: Visit www.livenation.me for more information.
Sole DXB: 13 to 15 December 2024
Taking place from 13 to 15 December, Sole DXB 2024 promises to deliver an unforgettable experience once again. This festival offers a dynamic mix of events, including live music, DJ sets, fashion shows, film screenings, talks, workshops, sports tournaments, youth clinics and much more. The lineup is yet to be unveiled, but past performers and guests have included the likes of Big Daddy Kane, Central Cee, Jorja Smith, Nas, Scottie Pippen, Stormzy, Tobe Nwigwe and Wu-Tang Clan.
GO: Visit https://sole.digital for more information.
Eternal: 14 December 2024
The British R&B group Eternal will perform at Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Stadium as part of The Irish Village Garhoud’s Back to the 90s events. Eternal hail from London, United Kingdom, and were known for their signature soul sound. The original line-up included sisters Easther and Vernie Bennett, Kelle Bryan and Louise Redknapp. The group’s hit singles include I Am Blessed, Power of a Woman and Stay. It was I Wanna Be The Only One, which scored them their first UK number one. Get ready for some nineties nostalgia when the girl group performs at The Irish Village this winter.
GO: Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for more information.
Bryan Adams: 19 December 2024
Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams will perform at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi as part of the World Tennis League 2024. His hits such as (Everything I Do) I Do It For You, Heaven, and Summer of ’69 have become timeless anthems, and having previously performed in Dubai at the Autism Rocks Arena in 2017 and at Coca-Cola Arena in 2023, Adams’ return to the UAE promises to be a momentous occasion. Tickets are available via Platinumlist from AED 199.
GO: Visit https://abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net for tickets and more information.
Ludovico Einaudi: 19 January 2025
Get ready to welcome Italian pianist and composer Ludovico Einaudi to Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena. While it'll be his first time in the capital, he's no stranger to the UAE, having sold out three shows in Dubai already. Born in Turin, Einaudi's musical journey began under the guidance of his mother, who introduced him to the piano at a young age. His early experimentation with music eventually led him to pursue formal training in Milan, where he honed his composition skills. Einaudi's music draws inspiration from minimalism and contemporary pop. Some of his most famous works include the likes of Experience, Nuvole Bianche, and I Giorni. Tickets for the event are on sale now, starting at just AED 250.
GO: Visit www.platinumlist.net for tickets and more information.
Green Day: 27 January 2025
American hitmakers Green Day are set to perform for the first time in the Middle East. The talented trio will perform in a purpose-built open-air stadium at Expo City Dubai, which can accommodate 30,000 people. The landmark show will see the group perform their old and new hits. The group has sold more than 75 million records worldwide and their hit songs include American Idiot, Boulevard of Broken Dreams and Wake Me Up When September Ends. Plus, Good Riddance (Time of Your Life), which is often played at the end of their concerts. Plus, they will be supported by the American rock group, The Offspring.
GO: Visit https://greendaydxb.com for more information.
CAS: 31 January 2025
CAS will perform at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on 31 January 2025. The upcoming concert will heavily feature tracks from the band's upcoming album, X. The songs take inspiration from CAS frontman, Greg Gonzalez's personal life — taking listeners back to the 70s and the 80s. Formed in 2008, CAS is led by Greg Gonzalez, along with Jacob Tomsky and Randall Miller. With music that dives deep into the intricacies of relationships and emotions, the band shot to fame in 2015 with Nothing's Gonna Hurt You Baby. Other hits include Apocalypse and Sunsetz. Tickets start at AED 195.
GO: Visit www.livenation.me for more information.
REWIND Festival: 22 February 2025
REWIND is returning to Dubai for its third year with a lineup packed full of your favourite 80s icons. The 2025 edition is set to take place at Bla Bla Dubai and will showcase a stellar lineup, headlined by the legendary Tony Hadley. The festival will be a vibrant affair filled with top-notch entertainment, including fantastic food, numerous bars, and live performances from Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey, Midge Ure, Tunde (voice of the Lighthouse Family), The Christians, Katrina, Toyah, Tiffany and Disco Inferno.
GO: Visit https://www.rewindfestdxb.com/ for reservations and more information.
