Today's Edition
Kuumar Shyam (Aletihad)
Like thousands residing outside of the UAE, Pankaj Agarwal has been calling up his contacts in Abu Dhabi and Dubai for tickets to any of the four concerts of the British rock band Coldplay, to be held on January 9, 10, 12 and 14 at the Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi.
As Chief Executive Officer at one of the leading Indian business houses, Agarwal managed to get a full corporate box for the Coldplay concerts which are scheduled to be held in Mumbai on January 18 and 19.
Yet, he is more keen on coming to Abu Dhabi. Reason? The ticket prices are cheaper than the cost of flight tickets and the accommodation in Mumbai is difficult to get for the Bengaluru resident.
Besides the entry, reaching to the concert can be a disconcerting experience. Which is also one reason why travel and tour operators within UAE are also building up experiential products ahead of meeting the main band’s “Music of the Spheres World Tour” on any of the four days in the Emirate.
Maritza Solis from Garilos Travel, in an interaction with Aletihad, revealed that they have a tickets for a “roundtrip from Dubai to Coldplay’s concert, but with a twist. This is a new concept we are launching. It brings more than just a transfer; from the moment you board, you will receive a full fan experience,” she said.
At Dh300 per person, people can forget about transport headaches while enjoying a musical journey, a commemorative badge, snacks and water, travel insurance and a co-ordinator to shepherd groups to the main act. Such instances of a parallel economy around the concerts can be very interesting.
On the negative side, people are getting scammed into buying tickets from unauthorised sources. Even genuine tickets can be transferred under a certain set of rules which many are not aware of.
Organisers Live Nation Middle East have shared some information which may come handy.
Orginally slated only for January 9, these have swelled to four days. The evening on the opening day will begin with a performance by Shone, the French modern hip-hop artist, at 6pm, followed by Elyanna, the Palestinian singer-songwriter known for her unique blend of Arab and pop music, at 6.30pm.
Coldplay should make an appearance at 7.45pm, where they are expected to set the stage figuratively on fire with their hit songs, coupled with the stunning visual elements that define their Music of the Spheres World Tour.
The final entry time for guests is 8.30pm. If you’re among the lucky ticket-holders, now is the time to finalise your plans, including ticket downloads, travel arrangements, and the event details to ensure a seamless and unforgettable experience.
Each day of the concert, Fanzones will open for all at 3pm, while general entry to the stadium begins at 5pm.
As these shows are sold out, attendees should ensure that their tickets are downloaded and saved to their mobile phones via Ticketmaster.
The scannable tickets will be available 72 hours before the event. Each ticket contains a unique QR code, and entry will only be granted through the designated gate listed on the ticket.
With no tickets available for purchase at the venue, fans are strongly advised to avoid unauthorised resellers to prevent the risk of counterfeit tickets.
To avoid congestion and ensure the safe movement of ticket holders, there will be no parking available at the venue or on surrounding roads. Guests are encouraged to use the free park-and-ride shuttle bus service to reach the stadium.
For fans travelling from Dubai, shuttle buses will depart from Expo City Dubai. In Abu Dhabi, buses will depart from Al Shahama, Sas Al Nakhl, Al Raha, and Nation Towers.
Bus seats from Expo City Dubai and Al Shahama will be available on a first-come, first-served basis via Ticketmaster.
Return shuttles to all departure points will operate after the concert. Full details on bus schedules and list of prohibited items will be available at www.livenation.me/coldplay.
For safety reasons, children under the age of 5 will not be permitted at the event, and anyone under 14 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older.
Additionally, Under-14s will not be allowed in the pitch standing area.
Attendees are encouraged to travel light, as only small bags (no larger than an A4 size) will be permitted into the venue. The concerts are cashless, so fans should bring their credit/debit cards or use mobile payment options.
Coldplay has long been committed to reducing the environmental impact of their world tour, and the Abu Dhabi shows will follow this sustainable approach.
The event encourages eco-friendly transport options, such as the park-and-ride shuttle service, to help reduce carbon emissions. Additionally, fans are advised to bring a refillable water bottle (up to 750ml, no metal or glass) to use the free water stations throughout the venue.
Unused, unspoiled food from the event will be donated to local charities, supporting community initiatives.
