The Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021 will end on an epic rock note with Foo Fighters headlining the race day concert at Etihad Park on December 12.
The latest additions to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will play the fourth and final Yasalam After Race Concert, completing an impressive line-up.
US pop star Khalid begins the proceedings on December 9, and British rapper Stormzy performs the following night on December 10.
On Saturday, December 11, Scot Lewis Capaldi, winner of two Brit Awards, brings his soulful sound to Etihad Park before Foo Fighters close the race weekend with a roaring set packed with 25 years’ worth of hits, including Everlong, Learn to Fly and Monkey Wrench.
John Lickrish, chief executive of promoters Flash Entertainment, says the line-up continues Abu Dhabi F1’s mission to appeal to all music fans.
“This is something that we have been developing since the first race in 2009, when we had artists like Beyonce playing as part of her first world tour,” he tells The National.
“On Thursday, we try to do something for a younger audience. Then Friday we ramp up the energy even further, and on Saturday, we try to add something more mellow and soulful.
"And when it comes to Sunday, it is all about that big emotional release and it’s an artist with huge catalogue of anthems that really gets the crowd involved.”
On that score, Foo Fighters are a bullseye.
Not only are they arguably the biggest band touring at present, but the rockers have headlined just about every major rock music festival over the years, from the UK’s Glastonbury and Lollapalooza in the US to Brazil’s Rock in Rio.
The Abu Dhabi F1 concert marks their debut concert in the Mena region and caps a run of sold-out arena dates this year, including being the first band to perform at New York's Madison Square Garden in June, after Covid-19 closed the gates for 15 months.
Judging by the group's set list over the last dozen concerts, expect nearly 20 songs spanning their 10 albums including anthems My Hero and Best of You.
Lead singer and irrepressible frontman Dave Grohl has been showing off his fine falsetto and high notes courtesy of the band covering The Bee Gees' You Should Be Dancing and Queen's Somebody to Love on the tour.
Lickrish says the band’s energy and affability on stage should make the Foo Fighters show a night to remember.
"Abu Dhabi F1 is the final race of the season, and we want to finish with a bang," he says.
"What better than one of the biggest rock bands in the world. They are brilliant on stage and they have so many hits that people will at least know one song. This is also a concert to show the whole music industry that Abu Dhabi is really back in business."
The Foo Fighters announcement comes as the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix returns to full capacity and with updated guidelines for the Yasalam After Race Concerts.
All ticket holders will now have access to Khalid’s Thursday concert, while single-day ticket holders can also attend that evening’s concert.
Those with two-day tickets will have access to the Saturday's Capaldi gig and Sunday's race day concert, as well as Khalid's show. Three-day ticket holders have access to all four after race concerts.
More information is available at www.yasmarinacircuit.com
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
Honeymoonish
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The%20Killer
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2014
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ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Jiu-jitsu calendar of events for 2017-2018:
August 5:
Round-1 of the President’s Cup in Al Ain.
August 11-13:
Asian Championship in Vietnam.
September 8-9:
Ajman International.
September 16-17
Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, Ashgabat.
September 22-24:
IJJF Balkan Junior Open, Montenegro.
September 23-24:
Grand Slam Los Angeles.
September 29:
Round-1 Mother of The Nation Cup.
October 13-14:
Al Ain U18 International.
September 20-21:
Al Ain International.
November 3:
Round-2 Mother of The National Cup.
November 4:
Round-2 President’s Cup.
November 10-12:
Grand Slam Rio de Janeiro.
November 24-26:
World Championship, Columbia.
November 30:
World Beach Championship, Columbia.
December 8-9:
Dubai International.
December 23:
Round-3 President’s Cup, Sharjah.
January 12-13:
Grand Slam Abu Dhabi.
January 26-27:
Fujairah International.
February 3:
Round-4 President’s Cup, Al Dhafra.
February 16-17:
Ras Al Khaimah International.
February 23-24:
The Challenge Championship.
March 10-11:
Grand Slam London.
March 16:
Final Round – Mother of The Nation.
March 17:
Final Round – President’s Cup.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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