What does a billion-dollar rock tour look like? In the hands of Coldplay, it’s an intergalactic Narnia, complete with its own planets, sustainable energy sources, singing puppets and an unyielding message of love and care. Welcome to Music of the Spheres, hailed as the biggest band tour of all time.
For those in the UAE, welcome back to Zayed Sports City Stadium, a cherished Abu Dhabi landmark hosting its first full-scale concert since George Michael and Alicia Keys graced the stage in 2008. Situated off Airport Road near Al Mushrif, the venue appeared as revitalised as Coldplay sounded – finally providing a stage that matched the boundless ambition of their shows as they kick off a record-breaking run of four shows in the venue.
While all four previous visits to the UAE, beginning with 2009’s famous rain-soaked first show at Emirates Palace, presented slimmed-down versions of their respective tours, this time Abu Dhabi was given the real deal. This set-up includes a neon-lit circular main stage with an extended runway, as well as two satellite stages positioned deep in the arena.
The visuals projected on to the stage and backdrops feature abstract animations, galactic landscapes and slogans drawn from song lyrics. There are the wristbands – known to Coldplay's faithful fans as Xylobands after their 2011 Mylo Xyloto album – that light up to create cascading waves of purples and blues in time with the music.
Which brings us to the music. Despite all the technical wizardry and well-meaning sustainability ambitions of the tour, none of it would work without Coldplay’s indomitable 25-year catalogue of hits.
While it’s easy – and, in some cases, justifiable – to label some of their songs as overly sentimental, given the full treatment, tracks like the opener Higher Power and Adventure of a Lifetime transform into undeniable, bombastic anthems that are hard to resist.
By the time Paradise arrived, with its swaying, singalong chorus, it became clear not only why Coldplay are arguably the biggest band in the world, but also why Zayed Sports City Stadium finally feels like a venue worthy of their pedigree.
The Xylobands, shifting from cherry red to soft tea green, created a cascading effect as the crowd waved their arms, making it seem as though singer Chris Martin was strolling through a dark, enchanted forest.
The set was interspersed with occasional quieter numbers, the first of which was The Scientist. Anchored by its plaintive piano line and a beautiful bridge ("nobody said it was easy"), it was stunningly sung by the crowd. The B-stage – an offshoot platform positioned near the middle of the stadium – became the backdrop for stripped-down renditions of Viva La Vida, Hymn for the Weekend and a particularly poignant version of Afterglow.
Back on the main stage, any potential lull in the atmosphere was swiftly averted by guitarist Johnny Buckland. His driving riffs raised the energy with an exhilarating performance of Charlie Brown and the evergreen Yellow.
Meanwhile, People of the Pride, a deep cut from the Music of the Spheres album, is probably as dark as the perpetually upbeat Coldplay get, with its marching buzz-saw riffs and Martin railing against consumerism and revolution.
Such turbulent thoughts were swiftly cast aside as the band closed their set with what felt like an unending stream of emotive, giddy singles. From the spectacular pop-EDM fusion of A Sky Full of Stars to the soaring, U2-inspired anthem Fix You, and the relentlessly upbeat Good Feelings, the finale was a euphoric crescendo.
As I watched the rapturous crowd singing and dancing amid floating balls bobbing across the stadium, vibrant streamers and a kaleidoscopic production, it struck me: Coldplay’s childlike innocence and joyful approach to their stage shows are more than just a perception – they’re part of their charm. In many ways, they’re like The Wiggles (an Australian children's group formed in the 1990s) for an adult audience: relentlessly colourful, exuberant and unapologetically cheerful. And in these challenging times, that’s not a bad thing at all.
Aside from the main act, Elyanna proved once again why she is a star in the making. The Palestinian-Chilean singer has been making international waves since her breakthrough performance at the 2023 Coachella music festival. Her scintillating pop approach, marked by bilingual lyricism (Arabic and English), is as fluid and effortless as her seamless blend of styles – from modern and classic Arabic pop to contemporary RnB.
It’s no wonder Martin has virtually taken Elyanna under his wing, inviting her to guest at numerous stops on Coldplay’s current tour, including the group's coming shows in India this month. Backed by a troupe of dancers, Elyanna seamlessly transitioned from the classic Arabic balladry of Abdel Halim Hafez’s Ahwak to scintillating dabke-pop tracks like Ya Waylak and Mamma Eh.
Her appearance with Coldplay to perform Arabic verses on We Pray and Good Feelings didn’t feel like a mere nod to the region. Instead, it felt natural and powerful. Sashaying effortlessly across the stage, Elyanna looked completely at home on the grand stage – a promising step forward on her road to stardom.
Coldplay perform at Zayed Sports City Stadium on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday. All tickets are sold out. Doors open at 5pm
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Karwaan
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala
Director: Akarsh Khurana
Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar
Rating: 4/5
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WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The squad traveling to Brazil:
Faisal Al Ketbi, Ibrahim Al Hosani, Khalfan Humaid Balhol, Khalifa Saeed Al Suwaidi, Mubarak Basharhil, Obaid Salem Al Nuaimi, Saeed Juma Al Mazrouei, Saoud Abdulla Al Hammadi, Taleb Al Kirbi, Yahia Mansour Al Hammadi, Zayed Al Kaabi, Zayed Saif Al Mansoori, Saaid Haj Hamdou, Hamad Saeed Al Nuaimi. Coaches Roberto Lima and Alex Paz.
Read more about the coronavirus
Elvis
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The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup – Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
How to play the stock market recovery in 2021?
If you are looking to build your long-term wealth in 2021 and beyond, the stock market is still the best place to do it as equities powered on despite the pandemic.
Investing in individual stocks is not for everyone and most private investors should stick to mutual funds and ETFs, but there are some thrilling opportunities for those who understand the risks.
Peter Garnry, head of equity strategy at Saxo Bank, says the 20 best-performing US and European stocks have delivered an average return year-to-date of 148 per cent, measured in local currency terms.
Online marketplace Etsy was the best performer with a return of 330.6 per cent, followed by communications software company Sinch (315.4 per cent), online supermarket HelloFresh (232.8 per cent) and fuel cells specialist NEL (191.7 per cent).
Mr Garnry says digital companies benefited from the lockdown, while green energy firms flew as efforts to combat climate change were ramped up, helped in part by the European Union’s green deal.
Electric car company Tesla would be on the list if it had been part of the S&P 500 Index, but it only joined on December 21. “Tesla has become one of the most valuable companies in the world this year as demand for electric vehicles has grown dramatically,” Mr Garnry says.
By contrast, the 20 worst-performing European stocks fell 54 per cent on average, with European banks hit by the economic fallout from the pandemic, while cruise liners and airline stocks suffered due to travel restrictions.
As demand for energy fell, the oil and gas industry had a tough year, too.
Mr Garnry says the biggest story this year was the “absolute crunch” in so-called value stocks, companies that trade at low valuations compared to their earnings and growth potential.
He says they are “heavily tilted towards financials, miners, energy, utilities and industrials, which have all been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic”. “The last year saw these cheap stocks become cheaper and expensive stocks have become more expensive.”
This has triggered excited talk about the “great value rotation” but Mr Garnry remains sceptical. “We need to see a breakout of interest rates combined with higher inflation before we join the crowd.”
Always remember that past performance is not a guarantee of future returns. Last year’s winners often turn out to be this year’s losers, and vice-versa.
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
more from Janine di Giovanni
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The specs: 2018 Maxus T60
Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder
Power: 136hp @ 1,600rpm
Torque: 360Nm @ 1,600 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel consumption, combined: 9.1L / 100km
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