Part of the ‘Is R&B live music an untapped gem for Abu Dhabi?‘ Series, this will focus on artists The Travel Consigliere believe are capable of attracting over 15,000+ attendees to their standalone concert, or should be considered for headliners for major Abu Dhabi events. Can drive tourists to visit the city in order to see their favourite star.

The Weeknd

The Canadian Grammy award winning R&B powerhouse The Weeknd was the UAE & Saudi Arabia’s most-streamed Spotify artist of 2022. He is also constantly the most requested on Abu Dhabi social media platforms.

Previous UAE Performance: Abu Dhabi F1 2018

Potential Venue(s): Etihad Park, Etihad Arena

Potential Event(s): Abu Dhabi F1, NBA Events, UFC Events, National Day, New Years Eve

Socials: IG: 53.5 million, Twitter: 17.3 million, Spotify: 107.8 million

Notable Songs: Blinding Lights, Starboy, Save Your Tears, Die For You, I Feel It Coming

Beyoncé

I mean, it’s Beyoncé. The American superstar holds the record for the most Grammy wins ever (32 no less), The Renaissance World Tour had millions of fans scrambling to purchase tickets and are is regarded as a status symbol, with rumoured plans of a Latin America, Asia, Oceania and Africa run in 2024.

Previous UAE Performance: Atlantis the Royal Dubai 2023, Abu Dhabi F1 2009

Potential Venue(s): Etihad Park, Etihad Arena

Potential Event(s): Abu Dhabi F1, NBA Events, UFC Events, National Day, New Years Eve

Socials: IG: 306 million, Twitter: 15.5 million, Spotify: 49.1 million

Notable Songs: Halo, Crazy in Love, Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It), Irreplaceable, If I Were A Boy

Rihanna

Barbadian 9x Grammy award winning artist, recently hosted the Super Bowl Halftime show this year with the most-viewed show in its history at 118.7 million viewers (5.7 million more than the actual game!). Whilst currently out of commission due to having baby no.2 and managing a beauty empire, if we ever get a new album, referred to by fans as R9, a world tour could be on the cards.

Previous UAE Performance: Abu Dhabi F1 2016, Abu Dhabi NYE 2009

Potential Venue(s): Etihad Park, Etihad Arena

Potential Event(s): Abu Dhabi F1, NBA Events, UFC Events, National Day, New Years Eve

Socials: IG: 149 million, Twitter: 108.3 million, Spotify: 75.8 million

Notable Songs: Umbrella, We Found Love, Diamonds, Work, Stay

Bruno Mars

American 15x Grammy award winning artist, 26 million albums sold worldwide, renowned for his performances and showmanship, who made history as the youngest artist ever to serve as the sole NFL Super Bowl Halftime headliner and has also had multiple Vegas residencies. Bruno is also of Filipino heritage, of which the UAE is home to 650,000.

Previous UAE Performance: New Years Eve 2019

Potential Venue(s): Etihad Park, Etihad Arena

Potential Event(s): Abu Dhabi F1, NBA Events, UFC Events, National Day, New Years Eve

Socials: IG: 27.9 million, Twitter: 42.9 million, Spotify: 59.5 million

Notable Songs: Uptown Funk, Just The Way You Are, The Lazy Song, 24K Magic, Leave The Door Open

Justin Bieber

The Canadian superstar is one of the most streamed artists in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Whilst he cancelled 2 Coca-Cola Arena shows last year due to health issues, Justin remains a top draw and should definitely be considered for headliner for Abu Dhabi major events (health permitting).

Previous UAE Performance: Purpose World Tour 2017, Believe Tour 2013

Potential Venue(s): Etihad Park, Etihad Arena

Potential Event(s): Abu Dhabi F1, NBA Events, UFC Events, National Day, New Years Eve

Socials: IG: 287 million, Twitter: 112.9 million, Spotify: 73.1 million

Notable Songs: Sorry, Baby, Love Yourself, Stay, Peaches

Usher

American 8x Grammy award winning artist, selling 65 million albums worldwide, renowned for his performances and showmanship at his hit sold out Vegas residency. Yes I know he just performed for F1 in 2022, but this wasn’t the full Usher experience as seen in Vegas. And with a new album reportedly dropping by the end of 2023, it could be beneficial to have Usher on our shores to perform once again in 2024.

Previous UAE Performance: Abu Dhabi F1 2022

Potential Venue(s): Etihad Park, Etihad Arena

Potential Event(s): Abu Dhabi F1, NBA Events, UFC Events, National Day, New Years Eve

Socials: IG: 10.9 million, Twitter: 11.8 million, Spotify: 25.6 million

Notable Songs: Yeah, DJ Got Us Falling In Love, OMG, Burn, U Got It Bad

Justin Timberlake

American 7x Grammy award winning artist, selling 88 million albums worldwide, has headlined the Superbowl and hasn’t performed in the region for almost 10 years. With super producer Timbaland confirming a new album completed, a new tour is surely on the way and could be great for Abu Dhabi.

Previous UAE Performance: The 20/20 Experience World Tour 2014

Potential Venue(s): Etihad Park, Etihad Arena

Potential Event(s): Abu Dhabi F1, NBA Events, UFC Events, National Day, New Years Eve

Socials: IG: 69.3 million, Twitter: 62.1 million, Spotify: 29.9 million

Notable Songs: Can’t Stop The Feeling, Mirrors, Cry Me A River, What Goes Around / Come Around, SexyBack

Ariana Grande

American star who has sold over 85 million units and is renowned for her incredible voice and impressive four-octave vocal range. Originally supposed to perform in 2015 on her Honeymood Tour, the 2 arena shows were cancelled as she was not able to travel. But as her work wraps up for the Wicked Movie, perhaps she can finally make her UAE debut.

Previous UAE Performance: N/A

Potential Venue(s): Etihad Park, Etihad Arena

Potential Event(s): Abu Dhabi F1, NBA Events, UFC Events, National Day, New Years Eve

Socials: IG: 368 million, Twitter: N/A, Spotify: 73.6 million

Notable Songs: 7 Rings, thank u, next, Side to Side, One Last Time, no tears left to cry