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FACT
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- FACT
FACT Review: Usher makes Abu Dhabi go Yeah!
From sultry slow jams to stadium-shaking bangers, Usher brought the heat to Yas Island. Abu Dhabi has been significantly enhancing its reputation as a premier destination for hosting world-class concerts. With Coldplay kicking off 2025, followed by Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez and many others keeping the momentum going, the announcement of Usher headlining Club Social at Etihad Park felt like the cherry on top. Now, if you're a millennial, there's a 100 per cent chance that you've listened to Yeah! on repeat. It wasn't just a banger of a song but the anthem of the early 2000s. It was the equivalent of the iPhone ringtone before the iPhone even existed, as Yeah! blasted on every incoming cell phone call. Sorry Apple, Usher did it first. As someone who's been a fan since Yeah! took over every teenager's playlist — attending an Usher concert felt like a full-circle moment, a blast from the past, and a chance to live out some long-shelved high school fantasies of a 13-year-old, finally at 33. Usher headlined day two of Club Social and turned the whole night into a high-powered dance party. As part of his Past Present and Future tour, he hit the stage after a countdown that had the crowd buzzing. Dancers graced the stage first, and then in walked Usher — sultry and smooth — wearing a shimmering black long coat over a sleek all-black silhouette. You could tell, he was here to light it up. With dramatic lighting and a whole lot of crowd noise, he opened with Hey Daddy, setting the tone for what would be a night packed with sensual swagger and expert choreography. Soon, Usher stripped off the coat, broke into slick moves, and jumped into Caught Up without missing a beat. Each track came with a visual punch. For You Make Me Wanna, Usher rocked a fedora with a feather. He then switched his black tank top with a brushed black-and-white denim jacket and baseball cap for U Remind Me, sending the crowd into another nostalgia spiral. Other hits that lit up the night included U Don't Have to Call, Love In This Club, and We Know How to Party — and boy, we did. His vocals were still on point, and his energy was through the roof. At 46, he's still got it. With effortless spins, shoulder pops and pelvic drops, he danced like gravity didn't apply to him. Then came Nice & Slow which is where things got a little steamy. Usher returned in the black silhouette, this time with a parachute jacket. Moving on, he lay on the stage while performing Burn with actual flames shooting from the stage. Talk about setting the stage on fire! He brought things down a notch with Superstar, even jumping down to meet fans to get up close and personal – keeping it PG and cherry-free (if you know, you know). After a quick break, Usher reappeared in a striking all-white ensemble, contrasting his previous look. Donning a rib-patterned white jacket, pants and hat for OMG, Usher's robotic dance moves paired with strobing lights gave this performance a futuristic twist. It perfectly embodied the Past Present and Future theme of the tour. He then dropped DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love and Bad Girl, complete with smoke blasts that added an extra layer of oomph. By then, everyone knew the finale was near. But then Usher said, 'Alright, let's get to it,' — and just like that, the intro to Yeah! dropped. The entire crowd immediately came alive as if someone had hit the reset button. The energy shot back up and arms were raised high in the air. People were jumping, dancing, and yelling lyrics like they were back at that high school party in 2004. It was the moment everyone was waiting for — a generational anthem that united the entire audience. But Usher wasn't done yet. He closed the night with the mega ballad Without You, accompanied by a confetti explosion that felt like the emotional bow on an already perfect evening. From body-defying choreography and outfit changes to fire shows and fan interactions, Usher's concert was a full-on production. You'd think with all those moves, the man would be gasping for air — but he didn't miss a single beat. Instead, he ushered the crowd into a space where nostalgia hit hard and every song unlocked a memory. It was a journey through past, present, and future, led by an icon who still knows how to own the stage. GO: Visit for more information.
The National
20-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Usher in Abu Dhabi review: RnB star turns back the clock during Club Social performance
Usher has joined a growing list of musicians – including the Backstreet Boys, Christina Aguilera and Jennifer Lopez – in bringing their career hits to Abu Dhabi. Performing as part of the three-day Club Social music festival, the RnB hitmaker took to the stage at Etihad Park on Saturday night. The show kicked off at 9.45pm with a video montage hyping up the crowd before Usher stormed out full of energy, getting everyone singing and dancing along as he opened with My Way from his 1997 second studio album of the same name. The big screen then flashed '1998' as he performed Love in This Club, followed by '2017' for Party, a Chris Brown track featuring Usher and rapper Gucci Mane. These songs set the tone for the evening – a celebration of the best of Usher's career, with highlights spanning more than 30 years of music. This was also reflected in the diverse crowd at Etihad Park, which seemingly spanned different generations of fans. And with a catalogue as varied as his, Usher naturally slowed things down at times, performing some of his signature RnB ballads such as U Got It Bad, Burn and Confessions, Pt II. At one point, he even hopped off the stage to get closer to fans in the front row. Usher later took a moment to address the crowd as the camera panned across the audience, playfully singing about fans who made it onto the big screen. He expressed gratitude to those who have supported him throughout his musical journey and introduced longtime collaborator DJ Mars, saying he's been with him since day one. While Usher took a brief break, DJ Mars kept the energy high with a medley of dance floor favourites – including Get Low by Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz, We Found Love by Rihanna, Time of Our Lives by Pitbull and Ne-Yo and Danza Kuduro by Don Omar featuring Lucenzo – keeping the crowd pumped for the star's return. Riding that wave of energy, Usher saved some of his biggest hits for last. He brought out the tightly choreographed dance moves for 2010's OMG and DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love, getting everyone on their feet. 'I love you, love to you Abu Dhabi. Thank you so much for sharing the night. Thank you so much for the journey. Thirty years and I couldn't have done it without you,' he told those in attendance. He then transitioned into the 2004 megahit Yeah! before closing the night with 2011's Without You, his collaboration with French DJ David Guetta – ending the evening on a high note. Even decades into his career, at 46, Usher's vocals remain crisp and controlled, effortlessly hitting the high notes that defined his early RnB hits. His charisma hasn't waned either – every wink, glide and grin was met with cheers. His ability to move seamlessly from emotional ballads to high-energy dance tracks kept the crowd engaged throughout the hour-and-a-half-long set. As the night came to an end, Usher bowed on one knee with his head down as fans cheered him on, thanking him for the trip down memory lane. And as the final notes faded, the energy in the air suggested many weren't quite ready for it to be over – likely a testament to his enduring appeal.
The National
20-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Usher in Abu Dhabi review: R&B star turns back the clock during Club Social performance
Usher has joined a growing list of musicians – including the Backstreet Boys, Christina Aguilera and Jennifer Lopez – in bringing their career hits to Abu Dhabi. Performing as part of the three-day Club Social music festival, the R&B hitmaker took to the stage at Etihad Park on Saturday night. The show kicked off at 9.45pm with a video montage hyping up the crowd before Usher stormed out full of energy, getting everyone singing and dancing along as he opened with My Way from his 1997 second studio album of the same name. The big screen then flashed '1998' as he performed Love in This Club, followed by '2017' for Party, a Chris Brown track featuring Usher and rapper Gucci Mane. These songs set the tone for the evening – a celebration of the best of Usher's career, with highlights spanning more than 30 years of music. This was also reflected in the diverse crowd at Etihad Park, which seemingly spanned different generations of fans. And with a catalogue as varied as his, Usher naturally slowed things down at times, performing some of his signature R&B ballads such as U Got It Bad, Burn and Confessions, Pt II. At one point, he even hopped off the stage to get closer to fans in the front row. Usher later took a moment to address the crowd as the camera panned across the audience, playfully singing about fans who made it onto the big screen. He expressed gratitude to those who have supported him throughout his musical journey and introduced longtime collaborator DJ Mars, saying he's been with him since day one. While Usher took a brief break, DJ Mars kept the energy high with a medley of dance floor favourites – including Get Low by Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz, We Found Love by Rihanna, Time of Our Lives by Pitbull and Ne-Yo and Danza Kuduro by Don Omar featuring Lucenzo – keeping the crowd pumped for the star's return. Riding that wave of energy, Usher saved some of his biggest hits for last. He brought out the tightly choreographed dance moves for 2010's OMG and DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love, getting everyone on their feet. 'I love you, love to you Abu Dhabi. Thank you so much for sharing the night. Thank you so much for the journey. Thirty years and I couldn't have done it without you,' he told those in attendance. He then transitioned into the 2004 megahit Yeah! before closing the night with 2011's Without You, his collaboration with French DJ David Guetta – ending the evening on a high note. Even decades into his career, at 46, Usher's vocals remain crisp and controlled, effortlessly hitting the high notes that defined his early R&B hits. His charisma hasn't waned either – every wink, glide and grin was met with cheers. His ability to move seamlessly from emotional ballads to high-energy dance tracks kept the crowd engaged throughout the hour-and-a-half-long set. As the night came to an end, Usher bowed on one knee with his head down as fans cheered him on, thanking him for the trip down memory lane. And as the final notes faded, the energy in the air suggested many weren't quite ready for it to be over – likely a testament to his enduring appeal.
What's On
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
8 incredible things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend: April 18 to 20
April days in Abu Dhabi… There's loads of fun to be had in the capital this April, and as we go into the weekend, you're spoilt for choice with all the incredible foodie and musical things you can get stuck into. And on that note, here are eight things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend. Friday, April 18 Catch the last few shows of Les Misérables The Arena Spectacular Theatre fans, if you've been too busy to realise, Les Misérables The Arena Spectacular is currently in Abu Dhabi running at the Etihad Arena. The worldwide popular show raised the curtains for its opening performance on April 10 and its last show takes place on April 20, 2025. Meaning this is your last weekend to go and check it out. Les Misérables in Abu Dhabi, Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, April 10 to 20, 2025, from Dhs130, @ Check out a music festival Fans of bangin' beats and mouthwatering eats are in for an absolute treat this April, as Club Social is coming to town again to turn up the volume and the fun with the ultimate weekend party at Etihad Park from April 18 to 20. Whether you're heading over for the music, the food, or just the unmatched vibes, this three-day festival is where you need to be. Club Social Abu Dhabi, Etihad Park, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, April 18 to 19 5pm onwards, April 20 4pm, prices vary. Catch some classical music The Korean National University of Arts Symphony Orchestra conducted by Chi-Yong Chung is making an exciting visit. This time for the Abu Dhabi Festival, they are performing a programme of Beethoven and Tchaikovsky, preceded by an extract from the ballet Princess Bari by the Korean composer Geon-yong Lee. The Korean National University of Arts Symphony Orchestra, The Red Theatre, The Arts Centre at NYU Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Apr 18, 7.30pm to 9.30pm, @abudhabifestival Saturday, April 19 Check out the brand new teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi The wait is finally over. Set within the booming Saadiyat Cultural District, the unprecedented art megaproject will span 17,000 sq. metres and will house exhibits like nothing you've ever seen before. Here, you'll be able to experience a truly unique, one-of-a-kind experience – because admittedly, no two experiences shall be the same. With stunning visuals, light displays and music that puts you in a trance, this is an experience of a lifetime. Read more here. teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Cultural District, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, opens Friday, April 18, from Dhs150, Head to Middle East Film & Comic Con Get ready, Abu Dhabi – the Middle East Film & Comic Con (MEFCC) is back, bigger and bolder than ever before. From April 18 to 20, the ADNEC Centre will transform into the ultimate hub for all things pop culture. With celebrity appearances, epic panels, exclusive collectibles, and a whole lot of surprises in store, it's shaping up to be a weekend you won't want to miss. Middle East Film & Comic Con (MEFCC), ADNEC Centre, Abu Dhabi, from April 18 to 20, Friday 1-day pass for Dhs150, Saturday 1-day pass for Dhs185, Sunday 1-day pass for Dhs159, 3-day pass for Dhs395, Super VIP for Dhs2600, and VIP for Dhs1000, Have a groovy Easter weekend Ilios Restaurant & Beach Club is offering a groovy way to celebrate Easter this year. Live it up at the Beats Easter Pre-Party with House Movement & TKL. Start the celebrations at 5pm with golden skies and deep house vibes as HOUSE MOVEMENT and TKL take over the decks. Expect high energy, sunset beats, and coastal cool at its finest. Ilios Restaurant &Beach Club, Sat, Apr 19, 5pm till late, ladies at Dhs99 and gents at Dhs200, Tel: (0) 2 419 8508, @ Sunday, April 20 Celebrate a foodie Easter in the capital SUSHISAMBA Abu Dhabi is all set to roll out their Easter brunch, so diners can enjoy the celebrated concept's breathtaking ambiance as they dig into its signature dishes. Celebrate the occasion with an exquisite blend of traditional Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian flavours. Ingredients from Japan such as kinmedai, amberjack, hirame, and tuna, alongside fresh, organic produce from UAE-based farms will lay the table for you this Easter. SUSHISAMBA, Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, April 20, 1pm to 3.30pm. Tel: (0)2 811 5882, @sushisambaabudhabi Spend Arabian nights at Ornina Arabian Lounge Close of the weekend with some Arabian music and food at Ornina Arabian Lounge. The night comes alive with dynamic DJ beats, creating the perfect blend of music while you savor an exquisite dinner and enjoy a mesmerizing belly dance performance. Ornina Arabian Lounge, Al Rahah, Tues to Sun, 8pm onwards, Tel: (0) 50 696 9312, @orninalounge Images: Supplied/Getty
Al Etihad
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Usher and Snow Patrol headline 3-day 'Club Social' music festival At Etihad Park this weekend
17 Apr 2025 23:54 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)There's a never weekend without great live music in Abu Dhabi, but this weekend is right up there with the Park on Yas Island is set to host the 3-day Club Social music festival on April 18-20, featuring top international your fellow music lovers to watch electrifying live performances while living the festival life with food, drinks, games and entertainment 3-day programme looks like this:Day 1: Friday, April 18Snow Patrol and The KooksKicking off the day, The Kooks will light up the stage with their signature indie rock sound. Headlining a phenomenal roster of talent is the legendary BritPop band Snow Patrol. Led by Gary Lightbody, this Northern Irish-Scottish group captured hearts worldwide with iconic anthems, pairing emotive lyrics with sweeping, cinematic 2: Saturday, April 19UsherThe legendary Usher will take the stage with a special guest concert, guaranteeing to thrill music fanatics and keep the energy soaring. As one of the best-selling artists of all time, having sold over 80 million records, he's ready to bring his signature style and fresh beats to the festival, delivering a performance that promises to be nothing short of 3: Sunday, April 20Raye and London GrammarBritish dance-pop star Raye will take the stage on day three to keep the party in full swing with an infectious energy set to captivate the pop sensation London Grammar will mesmerise the audience with their signature ethereal sound. Featuring Hannah Reid's hauntingly beautiful vocals and the musical brilliance of Dan Rothman and Dominic "Dot" your choice of: A 3-day weekend to see all the acts; buy a 2-day pass for April 18-19 or April 19-20; or get a 1-day pass for any of the 3 days. Tickets available at Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
