One Direction thanks fans after first-post Zayn gig

One Direction bounded onto stage in Johannesburg Saturday for their first show since young fans across the world were plunged into despair when Zayn Malik officially quit the group last week. It was the first of two shows in the city, which will be followed by Saturday’s gig in Dubai at The Sevens Stadium. A deafening wall of excited screams greeted the remaining four members of the group. Adoring young fans have been fearing that the departure of Malik, 22, could spell the beginning of the end of One Direction, but the members made no direct mention of their former bandmate as they performed into a string of hits. “Thank you for choosing to spend your evening with us,” singer and songwriter Harry Styles told a packed-out Soccer City stadium, to loud cheers from the crowd. “You have no idea how much we love you right now.” – AFP

Leto’s band postpone Dubai show

Thirty Seconds to Mars – the sci-fi-influenced rock band fronted by Hollywood actor Jared Leto – have postponed their Dubai gig. The trio were set to perform at Dubai World Trade Centre on Friday April 10 but the concert has been postponed until September 25. Promoters Live Nation blamed an “unforeseen scheduling conflict” for the change. The concert was originally intended to coincide with the Middle East Film and Comic Convention, which is at the same venue from April 9 to 11. The band members offered “our sincere apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused”. Tickets for the April 10 gig will be valid for the new date. A full refund is available to any ticket holders who cannot make the new date. Visit www.marsindubai.com before April 10 for details of how to apply. Tickets for the rescheduled show will resume selling on www.icketmaster.ae on Wednesday April 1, at the same price, Dh295. the Battle of the Bands competition to win a chance to support the band at the gig will also continue. – Tha National staff

Mark Ronson to headline new Dubai festival

Mark Ronson and Jess Glynne will top the bill at a new alfresco festival in Dubai. The 5,000-capacity DXBeach concept, on Friday April 24, will be staged on previously unused beach area at SkyDive Dubai's Zero Gravity venue. The bill is rounded out with DJs Danny Howard and John Dahlbäck, alongside local talent. Ronson is one of the most in-demand British DJs – not least since the sudden worldwide success of throwback anthem Uptown Funk, featuring Bruno Mars. However, he is best known as the super-producer behind other artists' classic records – not least Amy Winehouse's Back to Black. He is joined on the bill by much-hyped pop vocalist Glynne, who arrives off the back of heavy airplay for her recent single, Hold My Hand. Doors open at noon and the party carries on until 3am – expect more local acts to be announced. Early-bird tickets cost Dh200, with Dh250 for general admission and VIP access for Dh500. A brunch package is available for Dh495. Tickets go on sale on Wednesday at www.platinumlist.ae, www.virginmegastore.me and www.ticketmaster.ae. Pre-register at www.dxbeach.ae. – The National staff

Police look at Top Gear death threats

British police are investigating death threats against BBC director-general Tony Hall after his decision to drop “Top Gear” presenter Jeremy Clarkson. Scotland Yard confirmed it was examining comments made after Hall confirmed Clarkson’s contract would not be renewed at the end of March after he hit a producer. “Police in Westminster [central London] are investigating an allegation of threats to kill. The allegation was reported to police on Wednesday,” a spokesman said. “Inquiries continue. No arrests have been made.” The Mail on Sunday newspaper said Hall’s home has been under 24-hour guard since the threat was received. A BBC spokeswoman said: “We wouldn’t comment on security matters.” “Top Gear” is the world’s most popular factual television programme, with 350 million viewers in 170 countries. Clarkson, 54, the main presenter, is considered a straight-talking man-of-the-people by his fans, and by detractors as a boorish bigot. His contract was not renewed after a BBC investigation found he physically attacked producer Oisin Tymon following a lengthy verbal torrent of abuse, because there was no hot food at a hotel after a day’s filming. Tymon was left with a swollen, bleeding lip and went to a hospital for treatment. – AFP

Creator new Mad Men ending from start

Matthew Weiner, the creator of Mad Men – the final episodes of which begin airing next weekend – says he knew how the series would end, even before it had started. He also revealed that the series, which has occupied nearly a third of his life, had exceeded his wildest dreams. "I knew what would happen if we got long enough to get there," he said. "I told my wife first, then the writers, and I told Jon Hamm [who plays the lead role of Don Draper] very early on. I think he liked it."Talking about social issuesaddressed by the 1960s-set show that are still common today, he said: "The most startling thing to me is economic inequality ... making people think there's social mobility, when there's not. I'm shocked that the conversation about race was so quiet for so many years. (People) thought when (President Barack) Obama was elected that the show would lose its relevance. And then we have new words for things like hate crimes." – AFP

Michelle Obama encourages young black women

Michelle Obama combined a message of education for girls with one of empowerment for black women, declaring “Black girls rock” at the annual awards show of the same name. The first lady was the most heralded participant at the 5th annual event, which honoured Jada Pinkett Smith, Erykah Badu, Cicely Tyson, Ava DuVernay, Nadia Lopez and Helene Gayle. Obama told the audience to ignore voices that suggested that they were “not good enough.” She celebrated the achievement of three young black women also honoured and said education was the key to their success. Obama went to Princeton and Harvard. She said she wouldn’t be where she was had she not taken her studies seriously, and she implored young black people to do the same. – AP