All the top live action

The end of Ramadan and a discernible drop in temperatures only mean one thing: The region's live scene is back in full swing. It's only October, but UAE's residents already have numerous major shows to choose from. Whether its English, Arabic, Hindi or Filipino, there's a little bit of something for everyone in the weeks ahead. And according to concert organisers, this year is set to be the best yet, with the spotlight firmly on the capital. "There are more concerts happening in Abu Dhabi in comparison to previous years, which is great because it shows how much the country's live music scene is expanding," Thomas Ovesen, Managing Director, AEG Live Middle East told Emirates Business.

"I just hope that promoters bring artists to execute successful concerts, and not just to pay them ridiculous amounts of money. We cannot keep increasing artists' fees in the region." Here are some of the big events to look forward to before the end of the year.

OCTOBER

LORD OF THE CHORDS: SENSATIONAL SONU, Dubai Tennis Stadium.

After seven successive sell-out concerts in the past seven years in Dubai, India's top singing icon, Sonu Nigam, is set to return to perform this Thursday.

Latest CD release: Rafi Resurrected
When: October 16, 9.30pm
Tickets: Dh150, Dh250, Dh500, and Dh1,000
Call: +971 (0)50 698 4599

JIMMY BARNES

InterContinental Dubai Festival City

His career as both a solo performer and as lead vocalist with rock band Cold Chisel have made Barnes one of the most popular Australian music artists of all time. No stranger to the UAE, the 52-year-old returns to the region to perform next week.

Latest CD release: Out In The Blue
When: October 18, 9.30pm
Tickets: Dh150
Call: +971 (0)4 367 6699


CHRISTINA AGUILERA

Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi

She started her career being accused of copying Britney Spears, but nine years on – and several Grammy Awards later – the American singer/songwriter has no problems proving she is the real talented one. This will be the 27-year-old's first visit to the region, and support comes from American-Armenian singer Taleen.

Latest CD release: Her greatest hits album, Keeps Gettin' Better, is out this month.
When: October 24, 9pm
Tickets: Dh295, Dh595 and Dh890
Call: +971 (0)4 367 6699


ABU DHABI CLASSICS

Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi

British actor Jeremy Irons narrates Journey of Emotions, which explores music as a medium of expression that crosses all borders. Day two will feature the world-renowned Bayreuth Festival. This event is not expected to clash with Aguilera's concert as they will be held in opposite sides of the hotel.

Latest CD release: No CD, but Irons's latest movie, Appaloosa, is out soon.
When: October 24 and 25, 8pm
Tickets: Dh250, Dh450, and Dh650
Call: +971 (0)4 367 6699


TEMPTATION RELOADED

Dubai Festival City

Looks like Shah Rukh Khan was scared of the competition, as this gig was originally set for the same day as Christina's before being rescheduled. The concert will feature the Bollywood heavyweight himself, joined by Arjun Rampal, Bipasha Basu, Deepika Padukone, Anushka Dandekar, Katrina Kaif and Kareena Kapoor.

Latest CD release: There are no albums as such, but why not check out his hit film, Om Shanti Om, out on DVD now?
When: October 25, 9pm
Tickets: Dh100, Dh250, Dh500, and Dh1,000
Call: +971 (0)4 367 6699


NOVEMBER

CELEBRATE LEBANON: A NIGHT OF BEAUTY AND MUSIC

Atlantis The Palm, Dubai

Presented by comedian Tony Baroud, the evening will include an introduction to the Miss University finalists before they compete in the grand finale at Casino du Liban, Beirut on November 23. Providing the music will be Lebanese stars Fares Karam and Roula Saad.

Latest CD release: Ok, it's not an album, but Roula's video for her new single, Nawihalo, features Turkish actor Kivanç Tatlitug (the blond one who played Muhannad in MBC 4's hit series, Noor), who was paid $150,000 (Dh550,000) to appear alongside her.

When: November 7, 8.30pm
Tickets: Dh700, Dh850, and Dh1,000
Call: +971 (0)4 323 5898


QUEEN AND PAUL RODGERS

Dubai Festival City

Queen guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor have remained active in the music industry since the death of lead singer, Freddie Mercury in 1991. Paul Rodgers joined the band in 2004, adopting a new sound. So don't expect Freddie impersonations.

Latest CD release: The Cosmos Rocks
When: November 14, 9pm
Tickets: Dh400, and Dh800
Call: +971 (0)4 367 6699


DIVALICIOUS CONCERT

The Aviation Club, Tennis Stadium

One of the biggest live artists from the Philippines (she's dubbed "The Concert Queen") Pops Fernandez, performs alongside other stars including Jay R, Geneva Cruz, John Prats, Kris Lawrence, and Iya Villania.

Latest CD release: Don't Say Goodbye
When: November 14, 8pm
Tickets: Dh75
Call: +971 (0)4 367 6699


FERGIE

Dubai Media City Amphitheatre

As if having two concerts on the same day wasn't enough, the Black Eyed Peas' Fergilicious singer also visits Dubai Friday 14.

Latest CD release: She's only had one album out as a solo artist, 2006's The Dutchess
When: November 14, 8pm
Tickets: Dh295, Dh495, and Dh995
Call: +971 (0)4 319 7611


ABU DHABI JAZZ FESTIVAL 2008

Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi

Jazz fans can enjoy this three-day event featuring artists, including Jonas Desai, Guy Manoukian and Anita Wardell.

Latest CD release: Too many to choose from, but Guy Manoukian's Live In Cairo is well worth checking out
When: November 20 to 22, from 6pm
Tickets: Dh200
Call: +971 (0)4 367 6699


KYLIE MINOGUE

Dubai Festival City

The Australian pop diva, officially the highest paid celebrity for a single gig in entertainment history (remember Atlantis The Palm's reported $4.4m (Dh16.14m) offer?) will perform at the popular Dubai shopping hotspot.

Latest CD release: 2007's X
When: November 21, 9pm
Tickets: Dh195, Dh395, Dh595, Dh695, and Dh995
Call: 04 367 6699



DECEMBER

MAROON 5

The Palladium, Dubai Media City

The Grammy Award-winning band, fronted by Adam Levine, have enjoyed a string of hits since their debut in 2000, including This Love, She Will Be Loved, and Makes Me Wonder. This appearance marks their debut in the Middle East, and regular tickets have already sold out.

Latest CD release: 2007's It Won't Be Soon Before Long
When: December 10, 9pm
Tickets: Dh295 is the only ticket category now available.
Call: +971 (0)4 367 6699

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