Despite serpentine queues, heavy traffic and a long wait for those who had chosen to arrive at the venue early, the launch event of Abu Dhabi hosting the 2011-2012 Volvo Ocean Race — and the capital's main New Year's Eve party — was a resounding success, writes Glf News in another review of last weekend's Coldplay's New Year's Eve concert in Abu Dhabi. [Full discussion on this show is at the Coldplay Live forum and more reviews can be found at WikiColdplay now (thanks to all who have contributed to the thread so far!)]
Walking amongst the 20,000-odd concert goers as they crossed from the city to the purpose-built arena, Destination Village, behind Marina Mall, one could see that the crowds had come prepared for cold weather — some, going by Coldplay's previous visit to the UAE, were even prepared for rain. But, the evening was, instead, characterised by the warmth of the group and its entourage.
The audience lapped up the dazzling laser show, the sophisticated giant screen graphics, the glitter, smoke and giant balloons that pervaded the arena. The show was interspersed with short bursts of fireworks. It culminated with another magnificent fireworks display on the Corniche. Listening intently to a mix of Coldplay favourites, some from their most recent album, the lively crowd got into the spirit of the evening thoroughly and swayed on their feet for most part of the concert.
There was much screaming, cheering and applause as this top-notch rock band showed why they are renowned for their hardcore concert-style entertainment. With a digital countdown to the start of 2012, the final song, Every Teardrop is a Waterfall, got under way to tumultuous applause. After the Coldplay members left the stage some 20 minutes into the New Year to celebrate with their families, some of whom are resident in the UAE, those remaining in the audience were treated to a live DJ whose eclectic tunes ensured the party was on until 1am.
"This is one of the most memorable New Year's Eve celebrations," Daniel Gottlieb, a British student visiting his dad in the UAE for Christmas, said. "It was great to be part of an audience with such a diverse cultural background. I celebrated the start of 2012 surrounded by people from every continent, listening to great music. It was really special. Thanks, Abu Dhabi," he said.
Once inside the security barriers, the audience had access to a well-organised array of food and drink outlets. Although the grandstand was several hundred metres back from the stage, visibility was excellent. Flash Entertainment, the concert's promoters, provided Abu Dhabi with an evening to remember — and an excellent start to the New Year.
More photos from Coldplay's New Year's Eve concert in Abu Dhabi (31st December 2011):
Photos via Flickr (Witsandnuts)
Don't forget to check out your tour discussion thread if you are getting Coldplay tickets or just getting excited for the European & North American 2011 and 2012 shows:
DECEMBER 2011
14 - Paris, France @ Bercy [discussion]
15 - Cologne, Germany @ Lanxess Arena [discussion]
17 Rotterdam, Netherlands @ Ahoy [discussion]
18 Antwerp, Belgium @ Sportpaleis [discussion]
20 Frankfurt, Germany @ Festhalle [discussion]
21 Berlin, Germany @ O2 World Arena [discussion]
31 Abu Dhabi, UAE @ Volvo Ocean Race Destination Village [discussion]
APRIL 2012
17 Edmonton, AB @ Rexall Place [discussion]
18 Calgary, AB @ Scotiabank Saddledome [discussion]
20 Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena [discussion]
21 Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena [discussion]
24 Portland, OR @ Rose Garden Arena [discussion]
25 Seattle, WA @ KeyArena [discussion]
27 San Jose, CA @ HP Pavilion At San Jose [discussion]
28 San Jose, CA @ HP Pavilion At San Jose [discussion]
MAY 2012
1 Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl [discussion]
2 Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl [discussion]
18 Porto, Portugal @ Dragao Stadium [discussion]
20 Madrid, Spain @ Estadio Vicente Calderón [discussion]
22 Nice, France @ Stade Charles Herman / Nikaia [discussion]
24 Turin, Italy @ Olympic Stadium [discussion]
26 Zurich, Switzerland @ Letzigrund [discussion]
29 Coventry, UK @ Ricoh Stadium [discussion]
JUNE 2012
1 London, UK @ the Emirates Stadium [discussion]
2 London, UK @ the Emirates Stadium [discussion]
4 London, UK @ the Emirates Stadium [discussion]
7 Sunderland, UK @ the Stadium of Light [discussion]
9 Manchester, UK @ the Etihad Stadium [discussion]
10 Manchester, UK @ the Etihad Stadium [discussion]
22 Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center [discussion]
23 Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center [discussion]
25 Houston, TX @ Toyota Center [discussion]
26 Houston, TX @ Toyota Center [discussion]
28 Tampa, FL @ St. Pete Times Forum [discussion]
29 Miami, FL @ American Airlines Arena [discussion]
JULY 2012
2 Atlanta, GA @ Philips Arena [discussion]
5 Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center [discussion]
6 Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center [discussion]
8 Washington, DC @ Verizon Center [discussion]
9 Washington, DC @ Verizon Center [discussion]
23 Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre [discussion]
24 Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre [discussion]
26 Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre [discussion]
27 Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre [discussion]
29 Boston, MA @ TD Garden [discussion]
30 Boston, MA @ TD Garden [discussion]
AUGUST 2012
3 East Rutherford, NJ @ Izod Center [discussion]
4 East Rutherford, NJ @ Izod Center [discussion]
7 Chicago, IL @ United Center [discussion]
8 Chicago, IL @ United Center [discussion]
11 St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center [discussion]
28 Copenhagen, Denmark @ Parken Stadium [discussion]
30 Stockholm, Sweden @ Olympic Stadium [discussion]
SEPTEMBER 2012
2 Paris, France @ Stade de France [discussion]
4 Cologne, Germany @ Rheinenergie Stadium [discussion]
6 The Hague, Netherlands @ Malieveld [discussion]
12 Munich, Germany @ Olympiastadion [discussion]
14 Leipzig, Germany @ Red Bull Stadium [discussion]
16 Prague, Czech Republic @ Slavia Eden Stadium [discussion]
19 Warsaw, Poland @ National Stadium [discussion]
22 Hannover, Germany @ AWD Arena [discussion]
Read also: European Stadium Tour announced! (general discussion thread for the Europe tour)
Read also: North America Tour announced! (general discussion thread for the US/Canada tour)
Read also: 2012: Live Appearances - Easy Thread Finder (last updated - 17th December 2011)
Read also: 2012 tour date rumours (please post dates for ALL countries in here)
Kit yourself up for the forthcoming MX tour and get spotted with Coldplaying's new range of merchandise! [click on the items for the full shop]
The new range of Coldplaying merchanise (unofficial of course to the official shop) has hit our stores, with our biggest range of goods so far. Prices are as low as they can be for a Cafepress shop so more people will be able to afford them. We don't take any profits for the sale of the merchandise as a result. Take a browse in one of the online stores nearest to you: UK | US | Canada | Australia | European (shipping is worldwide, but you can choose what currency to pay in) - simply alter the country dropdown menu at the top of the shop page. [thanks to TracieMorgan and zzz]
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