I admit it, I am a secret Usher fan. So when a good friend of mine sent me a text and asked if I wanted a ticket. I thought why not? I wouldn’t need to travel far as it was just round the corner in Media City.
It is has been a rich time of year for gigs in the UAE and the choice in March has been bewildering – Usher, Stevie Wonder, 30 Seconds to Mars, Eric Clapton,Sharon Corr, Brand New Heavies, The Streets and Flo Rida. Really, we have never been so spoilt. I guess you can’t go to everything and I ended up choosing only Usher this month. So what was it like?
I thought it was brilliant. Long time readers of my blog will recall me raving about Justin Timberlake when he played in Abu Dhabi and how much I loved that. I often reminisce with my fellow Timberlake concert goers that it was the best gig ever and how could it be topped. Well Mr Usher came mighty close last weekend.
He started off with a dance routine to the track “Monster” that was Michael Jackson inspired. His vocals while busting out those moves weren’t the best but no one seemed to care. The light and dance show was spectacular:
After the massive opening Usher slid into his more normal smoochy R&B style and in this relaxed atmosphere he was able to show off his vocal talent better. This allowed me to pop to the bar and grab some refreshments.
The fun part of this segment was when he brought a very cute girl from the audience up on to stage and sang her a song. From what I have heard from the web and my friends in the UK who have also seen the show I can report that Usher was “Culturally sensitive” during this part of the performance. The girl he had up there was in a state of disbelief with gawking eyes and constantly mouthing “OMG” it was very entertaining and I am sure she will never forget those five minutes:
Usher performed for a full two hours treating us to a little Jackson 5 montage and a host of his biggest back catalogue hits like – Burn, You Make me Wanna and Yeah – this had the whole crowd rocking and dancing:
He closed on the tour title song OMG and it was special – going all out on the dance routine and pyrotechnics I could not have wanted more for one my favourite club songs of last year. The huge mixed crowd of all ages and some remarkable hairstyles all left the concert a buzz with excitement about what they had just witnessed. It felt to me as if the mood in Dubai has turned. Is Dubai back? Maybe it is judging by the huge traffic at the end of each working day and this concert was the first sell out in the last couple of years. Times it seems they are a changing.
As I ambled home to the Marina to avoid the mass of people looking for a taxi I thought to myself. “How would I rate that gig – simple OMG!”
Wait, wait wait, am I hearing that you are enjoying American entertainers like Timberlake and Usher more than, say, that English lass Amy Winehouse?! I am going to enjoy this moment, oh yes, I am.
And I’m with you, I hope Dubai is (yeah baby) BACK!
By: Natalie on March 18, 2011
at 5:04 am
Hi Natlie – yes I am. Turns out I am a fool for these R&B acts
By: Aaron on March 18, 2011
at 8:37 am
I have to agree with the point made by Natalie. Poor show old chap. What happened to our stiff upper lips and national pride?
Don’t let those big American bozo’s fool you, England is where musics at. We have great homegrown talent like…
By: The Guff on March 18, 2011
at 8:53 am
Hi Josh – thanks for stopping by! Tinnie Tempah is where it is at!
By: Aaron on March 18, 2011
at 10:14 am
Hi Aaron, i’ve been stalking your blog since about October time but this is the first time i’ve left a comment here.
Long live Tinnie Tempah and Dizzee Rascal!
P.S, America’s latest musical prodigy may be of interest to you. I present you with; Rebecca Black!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD2LRROpph0
It really has to be seen (and heard) to be believed.
“Yesterday was Thursday, Thursday
Today i-is Friday, Friday (Partyin’)
We-we-we so excited
We so excited
We gonna have a ball today
Tomorrow is Saturday
And Sunday comes after…wards
I don’t want this weekend to end”
By: The Guff on March 18, 2011
at 7:31 pm
Thanks once again Josh and always nice to meet a long time reader! Listening to Rebecca Black -Friday right now. So I like it – kind of ke$ha meets Beiber in reverse!
By: Aaron on March 18, 2011
at 7:46 pm
Also added your blog to my blog roll!
By: Aaron on March 18, 2011
at 7:49 pm
It’s alarming to think what passes for pop these days. Poor girl.
Thanks a bunch for adding The Guff to your blogroll, it’s a pretty big honour given i’ve been blogging for what, 2 days? I’ve reciprocated the favour FYI.
By: The Guff on March 18, 2011
at 9:03 pm
A pleasure!
By: Aaron on March 18, 2011
at 9:19 pm
Let it be said that some days I (as an American) feel like it’s the old joke about a room full of monkeys and typewriter and eventually getting a bit of Shakespeare…we have a LOT of folks making music in the States (so-called music too) and there are plenty of examples of what can best be termed monkeys.
It is telling that I savored (savoured) the moment when a Brit complimented something American…it doesn’t happen often! Entertainment is probably one of American’s best exports, though you do have to sort the wheat from the chaff. And Josh, let me say, how on earth did Mud never make the American music scene? (Thank you UK friends for bringing this massive hole in my musical education to my attention to be dealt with…immediately!) While I’m at it, a big shout-out to Aussie and Irish bands, we love ya. It’s like they say, music is universal, feel the love.
By: Natalie on March 19, 2011
at 9:30 am
“Feel the love” – couldn’t have said it better myself Natalie!
By: Aaron on March 22, 2011
at 8:49 am
too bad, I missed this one.
I think Dubai is coming back- am rooting on that one
have a nice day!
By: Edez on March 22, 2011
at 8:23 am
Thanks Edez – running around another part of the region at the moment and the channel partners are keeping me super busy!
By: Aaron on March 22, 2011
at 8:49 am
I like gigs in general,. especially those big concerts.. its always entertaining and full of surprises and excitement .. I remember I went to Mika’s at the dead sea-Jordan.. im not that “young” though but it was sooo much fun and colorful! Loved it.
Im jealous though that Dubai has so many gigs!
By: Jano on April 20, 2011
at 7:18 am
Hi Aaron
Just found this blog and I think it’s great congrats! I’ve recently set one up myself if you care to have a look.
My post today is a pre-face to yet another damning article from a UK journalist…
Best wishes
Colin
p.s.
Any chance you could add my site to your blog role?
By: Colin Harrison on May 20, 2011
at 1:21 pm
Hi Aaron
Just found this blog and I think it’s great congrats! I’ve recently set one up myself if you care to have a look.
My post today is a pre-face to yet another damning article about Dubai from a UK journalist…
http://www.mydubaionline.com/2011/05/shock-horror-dubai-is-the-root-of-all-evil/
Best wishes
Colin
p.s.
Any chance you could add my site to your blog role?
By: Colin Harrison on May 20, 2011
at 1:23 pm
usher rocks! was justin bieber a guest in this concert?
By: Dubai Best Luxury Hotels on June 15, 2011
at 9:53 am
No bieber at his gig
By: Aaron on June 16, 2011
at 2:45 pm
My husband was all charged up for this concert when I gently reminded him I was due the same day. He said “So what? I’ll only be gone for a couple of hours. You’ll only have reached the second stage by them.” Hrmph.
By: Miss Stovetop on June 22, 2011
at 11:10 am