[ad_1]
In recent years, the UAE has delivered not one, but two new world-class arenas, all previously constructed as temporary structures on urban sites.
In Dubai, ASM Global’s 17,000-capacity Coca-Cola Arena opened in June 2019, although it only operated for nine months before the global livestreaming business temporarily came to a close.
Abu Dhabi’s 18,000-capacity Etihad Arena in Yas Bay, owned and operated by state-owned Flash Entertainment and focusing on music, comedy and sports, was originally scheduled to open in March 2020, but closed in July 2020. The first step has been taken with a series of UFC MMA events that are not publicized.
“The appetite is there, and a lot of artists are interested and want to play.”
Regular services have since resumed, with Arjit Singh, Michael McIntyre, Atif Aslam and Maroon 5 in Etihad Airways’ star rotation – the last time as part of a historic tour of the region that also included stops at the Egyptian Pyramids and Hayar in Israel Hole Park.
The Coca-Cola Arena is also thriving, with Western, Asian and Arab events spreading widely – Ronan Keating and Tiesto mingling with Pakistani Qawwali performer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen and playback star Atif Islam.
Coca-Cola Arena general manager Mark Jan Kar said the opening of Saudi Arabia had the potential to have a significant impact on traffic in the region, but added that there was still work to be done in terms of attracting tourists.
“We are now offering opportunities for artists performing in Saudi Arabia and Dubai to take advantage of these opportunities,” he said. “The appetite is there, and a lot of artists are interested and asking to play. For us, it’s about how we get more involved and start booking more of these world tours.”
“We are now offering opportunities for artists performing in Saudi Arabia and Dubai to take advantage of this.”
One of the first tasks, he said, is to bring the region more in sync with the time of the wider world. “Lead times across the Middle East are always very, very short, with shows usually being announced six to seven weeks in advance. So we want to work on extending lead times while maintaining the flexibility that we have.”
At the Etihad Arena, the offering is equally varied, with recent performances by Amr Diab and ‘Arab Artist’ Mohammed Abdu, as well as Jimmy Carr, the NBA Abu Dhabi Games and Disney on Ice. Disney Theatrical Group’s The Lion King recently announced a four-week run starting in mid-November, with ticket prices starting from AED 200 (€53).
With the help of the region’s first rollable StageRight stage, Etihad Airways has a variety of configurations. The arena also has four 28m² LED screens and an L-Acoustics PA. General manager Blint Jackson described the venue as the most versatile space he has ever seen. “We can host anything from an intimate cocktail party for 180 people all the way to a rock show for 18,000 people,” he said in 2021.
“Lead times throughout the Middle East are always very, very short, with shows usually announced six or seven weeks in advance.”
Dubai is also home to the TECOM Group’s two outdoor amphitheatres, Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City, which served extensively before the arena was built, with a capacity of up to 15,000 people. On Yas Island, Abu Dhabi has du Forum, an indoor event venue for up to 4,500 people.
[ad_2]
Source link