The Etihad Arena proved a perfect gathering place for thousands of Imagine Dragons fans on a rainy Thursday night.
The Las Vegas pop-rock group packed the 18,000-seat indoor arena to the brim, treating fans to a luscious set list of hits spanning 10 years.
Starting the show bang on time at 9pm, frontman Dan Reynolds, undoubtedly the star attraction of the night, received a resounding welcome as the sold-out arena erupted with applause.
Wearing a black jacket paired with green cargo pants and Vans sneakers, Reynolds began the show with a peppy version of the introspective My Life, from the group's sixth album, Mercury — Act 2, which inspired the current wold tour.
He then smoothly segued into Believer, the massive global hit from the group's third album Evolve, as confetti rained on the fans.
Reynolds's black jacket then came off, revealing a tight white T-shirt, as he launched into one and half hours of music, performing more than 17 tracks, all delivered with such energetic zeal that those in attendance would undoubtedly agree it was worth every dirham they paid.
"We came from halfway across the world to sing with you. And I give my gratitude for being here," Reynolds said to screaming fans.
"May our hearts be connected. May you let go of everything that burdens you. Tonight is a night to celebrate yourself."
The philosophical tone would be a common thread throughout the night, from the contemplative set list, which differed from other Mercury World Tour sets, to the group's latest songs, many of which deal with loss, grief and hope.
There was It's Time, from their 2012 debut album Night Visions, followed by I'm So Sorry from their second album Smoke + Mirrors, and the anthemic Whatever it Takes from their third album Evolve.
Imagine Dragons's refusal to be slotted into a musical genre ensured there was enough variety in tune and tone throughout the night.
A rendition of Thunder, also from Evolve, received one of the biggest reactions of the night — UAE fans undoubtedly feeling the extra love as the song's music video was entirely filmed in Dubai.
There was minimal interaction or breaks as Reynolds had enough stamina to carry the show through to the end, frequently checking in with his bandmates — Wayne Sermon on lead guitar, Ben McKee on bass and Daniel Platzman on drums — to make sure they each had their turn in the spotlight.
And Abu Dhabi gave them back the love in equal measure.
Radioactive, one of Imagine Dragons's biggest hits from their first album, was the penultimate song of the night, before Reynolds closed with another rendition of the opening song My Life.
It's a personal song that speaks of the singer's struggles with addiction, and eventually winning and finding happiness.
It was a perfect note to end a deeply philosophical and wildly entertaining show, a celebration of a group that is still selling out arenas around the world after 10 years in the business.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The five pillars of Islam
MATCH INFO
Burnley 0
Man City 3
Raheem Sterling 35', 49'
Ferran Torres 65'
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
