Lens: Following F1 with Beats on the Beach
More than a dozen international and local artists took the stage on the Corniche this weekend as part of the 2013 F1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand ...
Nov 2, 2013
More than a dozen international and local artists took the stage on the Corniche this weekend as part of the 2013 F1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix events in Abu Dhabi. Beats on the Beach was open to the public, with free entrance to the concerts on evenings from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2.
The lineup of performers included a mix of big international names such as Ludacris, Ciara, Labrinth and Sean Kingston. Just as popular with the crowd were celebrated regional stars like this year’s Arab Idol winner Mohammed Assaf and Lebanese singer Assi el Hellani.
“It sounds fun; it’s a different way of spending your time … something to do at night,” said freshman Clara Palazzolo, as she headed out to see a Beats on the Beach performance for the first time.
“I think it’s super [that it’s free],” added Palazzolo. “Except for Sean Kingston, I don’t know the artists … so if I had to pay an expensive price, I wouldn’t go.”
Students who attended the concerts last year had more of an idea of what to expect.
“This year I was more excited about the artists, “ said sophomore Emma Leathley, comparing it to Beats on the Beach 2012. “And I actually knew the Arab artists this time… I thought this year was better.”
Leathley expressed surprise that some of the more advertised and internationally well-known performers were not the most popular ones at the concerts. Gaza-born Assaf, for example, received a particularly loud welcome, and many in the crowd brought checkered scarves to wave as he sung.
“At home, Ludacris is such a legendary artist … it was really crazy to me because after Mohammed Assaf finished singing, people were leaving,” said Leathley. “I guess it’s just a cultural difference … American music has some broad appeal but maybe music in Arabic, by this guy who just won Arab Idol, is more popular.”
Clare Hennig is features editor. Email her at editorial@thegazelle.org.
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