The full line-up of international bands, musicians and DJs heading to the UAE capital for Abu Dhabi Showdown Week has been unveiled, with major global talent from three continents due to converge on the emirate for the ultimate week-long entertainment blockbuster in support of the mega UFCâ 242 event on September 7.
American rock legends the Red Hot Chili Peppers top the concert bill and will make their long-awaited UAE debut at The Arena, Yas Island’s brand-new indoor venue, on Wednesday, September 4. The band, featuring charismatic frontman Anthony Kiedis, high-energy bass player Flea, drummer Chad Smith and guitarist Josh Klinghoffer, are promising a memorable evening.
“We’re excited about coming to Abu Dhabi for our first-ever concert in the UAE. The UAE has been on our list for a long time and we have played twice in the region before, in Beirut and Cairo, so we know how loyal and knowledgeable the region’s fans are. We can’t wait to see everyone on September 4,” said Kiedis.
Following the Chili Peppers’ historic gig, Colombian reggaeton sensation J Balvin will take-over The Arena stage on Thursday, September 5. J Balvin will be supported by Flipperachi & Daffy, the Arabian Gulf hip hop duo behind official Abu Dhabi Showdown Week song. Tickets in multiple categories for The Arena concerts are still available at www.ticketmaster.ae.
To complement The Arena concert series, multiple venues across Abu Dhabi will also host performances by additional international artists as part of Abu Dhabi Showdown Week’s packed programme of nightlife and entertainment events.
“Abu Dhabi Showdown Week will be the first of five such mega events we will hold in the UAE capital over the next five years, after signing our partnership deal with UFC. The world-class calibre of artists performing during this inaugural edition is guaranteed to thrill both residents and visitors, and music and MMA fans can look forward to superstars appearing every year,” said Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, Acting Executive Director of Tourism and Marketing at DCT Abu Dhabi.
“We are expecting a total of 30,000 spectators over two separate nights at The Arena, as well as at the additional venues we have added to the entertainment roster. The popularity of the artists and the magnitude of these concerts, along with the accompanying emirate-wide experiences during Showdown Week will further elevate Abu Dhabi’s international standing as a top tier leisure destination and entertainment hub, with events of this stature aligning perfectly with our global strategy to populate our events calendar with world-class events.”
Immediately following the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ concert on September 4, chart-topping pop and soul singer Jess Glynne will perform at BIZAAR at MAD Yas Island. The British hit-machine, who rose to fame as a featured artist on the singles ‘Rather Be’ by Clean Bandit and ‘My Love’ by Route 94.
On Thursday, September 5, Las Vegas’ Drai’s Beach Club will move into the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr with an epic pool party headlined by British Drum & Bass (DnB) legends, Rudimental. The ‘Waiting All Night’ stars are expected to perform ‘These Days’, which featured none other than fellow Abu Dhabi Showdown Week artist Jess Glynne. The UK’s DJ Sigala will join Rudimental at the pool party.
On Friday, September 6, Iris Beach Club from Lebanon will move into Yas Beach with guest DJ sets by Colombian-American DJ and producer Erick Morilloand British DnB duo Sigma, before a DISTURBING event featuring the UK’s grime and rap star Tinie Tempah and DJ Charlsey is unleashed at MAD Yas Island in the evening. Tempah, who claimed an historic double at the 2011 Brit Awards for Best British Breakthrough Act and Best British Single for ‘Pass Out’, has released three hit albums, the first of which has been certified as double platinum.
Finally, the post-UFCâ 242 after party on Saturday, September 7, will see premier nightlife brand The White Experience at MAD Yas Island for an epic Abu Dhabi Showdown Week send-off featuring American rapper 2 Chainz.
Tickets for artist performances at MAD Yas Island, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr and Yas Beach will be available on the door at each venue.
To find out the latest Abu Dhabi Showdown Week updates, visit www.ADShowdownWeek.ae follow @ADShowdownWeek on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
For 2019, IMG will act as the local promoter for UFCâ 242 and Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, overseeing operations and production logistics for the whole seven-day experience. IMG is part of the Endeavor network alongside UFC.
Tickets Update
Due to popular demand, Abu Dhabi Showdown Week organisers, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), have released a final number of tickets for Red Hot Chili Peppers fans to snap up. The limited batch of tickets are priced at AED 250 and AED 350 and are available from www.ticketmaster.ae.
With the majority of ticket categories for UFCâ 242: KHABIB vs. POIRIER sold out, the last remaining hotel and ticket packages for the event are available at www.adshowdownweek.ae. VIP tickets can also be purchased via https://ufcvipexperience.com/ufc-242. Bundled hotel and ticket packages for the Red Hot Chili Peppers and J Balvin concerts are also available at www.adshowdownweek.ae.
