It was around first week of October, ads for Coldplay concert in UAE circulated in social media. It was also close to time when Coldplay announced their concert tour in Southeast Asia which includes Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan and Japan this coming April 2017. As expected, the response of Filipino fans in Philippines was very positive and it seems everybody wants to watch the incoming concert.
The eagerness and interest was seen in social media, I had the feeling of envy that I want to chase the band in Southeast Asia. So when it was announced in UAE in a very short notice, I was excited. Decision making either to watch or not is very easy when a friend just mentioned of watching the said concert and I just gave it a go.
Fast forward, Christmas time had passed and we are waiting for New Year’s Eve.
As a Filipino who is away from home, celebrating New Year became like a normal day. Though other Filipino expats choose to visit friends and some just go out to watch firework displays.
But for this New Year’s Eve, it is something different for many. We are breaking the Filipino culture instilled in us that we should have to stay home during NYE. We are going to celebrate New Year and watch the Coldplay together with thousand others which are mostly expats here in UAE.
We headed to du Arena, Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. It is a year-ender event of 2016 and at the same time to welcome year 2017. What else to expect but a large crowd and long queues.
The eager crowd patiently waited for the show to kick-in while we have our own different ways to entertain ourselves.
At past 10 in the evening, a short display of fireworks awed the crowd, wristbands worn by thousands lighted up automatically and the first song, A Head Full of Dreams was rendered by Coldplay.
Coldplay is a British band with Chris Martin as the lead vocalist and keyboardist; Jonny Buckland as the guitarist; Guy Berryman as bassist; Will Champion as drummer and back-up vocalist; and Phil Harvey as the creative director.
The lighting on the stage then beamed into yellow and the audience sang with the band the subtle song Yellow. Songs full of emotions such as Every Teardrop is a Waterfall, The Scientist, Fix You among the many others was sung with their melancholic message and melodies.
Everglow was heartily sung being dedicated to Syria, Yemen and to the whole world to send the positive vibes from Abu Dhabi. It was the song as if the message has united the crowd and let peace glow from within us.
The songs Hymn for the Weekend, Viva La Vida, Adventure of a Lifetime, Paradise continued to entertain the fans that were cheering, singing along and dancing along the rhythm.
Display of fireworks in between keep on surprising the audience, tossing of different-colored big balloons, special light effects that go along with the rhythm of the music, loads of starry confetti that filled the air, the colorful lighted wristbands and the amazing crowd just made the night a memorable one.
As it was time to welcome 2017, the atmosphere in du Arena was fueled with much energy when the countdown started from 30 seconds until it is already 2017 followed by fireworks that lasted for few minutes
As we enter the year 2017, Coldplay rendered to us their song A Sky Full of Stars and Up & Up…
Fixing up a car to drive in it again
When you’re in pain
When you think you’ve had enough
Don’t ever give up
Don’t ever give up – Up & Up by Coldplay
It was indeed a memorable night to bid goodbye to 2016 and welcome 2017.
About the Author: Louiela
Louiela Ann Analista is a Pinoy expat in Abu Dhabi, a Nurse by profession and a nomad by heart… She’s also the person behind Beyond Chasing Dreams and www.beyondchasingdreams.
“Hi, thank you for passing by. May you keep on chasing your dreams whatever it is.”}
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