It’s loud, sweaty, and someone may have potentially spilled a drink or two on you, but it doesn’t matter because the anticipation is deafening as you wait for your favorite artist to make their way on stage to perform an album or a track that you have had on repeat— It’s that unbeatable adrenaline rush that you can only experience during a live concert. Below, a comprehensive list of all the live shows and performances set to take place in the UAE that capture exactly that feeling. From 50 Cent to Tinawarien, there’s plenty of musical moments to look forward to before the beginning of the new year.
Tinariwen
Dubai
Dec. 12, 2023
Tinawarien, a Grammy-award winning band from South Mali, will take to the Dubai Opera stage to perform nuanced Sahara blues with a hint of rock and roll. They have been making waves due to their distinctive sound that unravels traditional Tuareg and African sounds.
Gunna
Dubai
Dec. 16 2023
AFROWORLD’s fourth edition is set to ignite with the presence of the infamous American Drip or Drown rapper, Gunna at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena. Headlining this year’s concert, this will be Gunna’s first time performing in Dubai.
50 Cent
Abu Dhabi
Dec. 21, 2023
P.I.M.P, Many Men (Wish Death), In Da Club, Like My Style, 21 Questions… We can go on naming every track on Get Rich or Die Tryin that we would kill to hear live and direct by rap legend, 50 cent. The US rapper will be headlining the World Tennis League opening night show at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena on Dec. 21. If you’re in Abu Dhabi, this isn’t one to miss.
Reggae Night: The Original Wailers, UB40, Trojan Sound System
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Abu Dhabi
Dec. 23, 2023
Also a part of the World Tennis League, Reggae Night will feature some of the genre’s most esteemed musicians, starting with The Original Wailers member Al Anderson, the legendary guitarist from Bob Marley’s and The Wailers who is responsible for some of the most fabled reggae riffs. The reggae night will also see UB40 featuring lead singer Ali Campbell, known for the beloved reggae tune Red Red Wine. Last but not least, the experimental reggae group known for their remixing prowess Trojan Sound System is bound to transport the crowd to Kingston.
Sting
Dubai
Dec. 31, 2023
The Englishman in New York and Desert Rose singer will be making his way to Dubai’s Atlantis for The Palm’s annual New Years Eve Gala dinner. Step into 2024 with the British singer, as he performs some of his classics from his former band, The Police’s discography.
