A night with Enrique...

Enrique Iglesias performed live in Dubai on October 26 in front of an impressive 17,000+ fans at the Dubai World Trade Center. The artist performed most of his latest hits and some of his classics as well, such as Hero and Bailamos!

Enrqiue at the DWTC (image source: khaleejtimes.com)

The organization of the concert, on the other hand, had its pitfalls! To start with, the organizers opened the doors half an hour late after receiving a lot of pressure from an disgruntled mob queuing up at least an hour before the announced door opening time. The fans chanted to the security at the gates: "OPEN THE DOOR" (see video)!

Once done with this nightmare, I realized my prediction on who will be attending the concert was wrong! Surprisingly, there were lots of kids (below 18) as well as an unexpectedly large number of guys (thought it would be mostly girls)!

Kids at Enrique's concert???!!!

A big let down was letting people smoke indoors! Anyone from the organizers heard of the UAE's rule regarding that? Seemed like they treated the venue as a huge club and they didn't care much to what people did inside! And what's up with the shirtless teenager guys?? COME ON!

The venue's sound system was also disappointing! When standing at the back, you can barely hear Enrique and his band. Thanks to the loud, sing-along, crowd; we always knew which songs were on! Other than that for the stage; there was practically no lighting at all! Seemed to me then that M4 Events were on a tight budget!

Virgin Radio's, Big Rossi's was cool; got people pretty warmed up before Enrique took on the stage. Kris Fade and Big Rossi organized the biggest Gangnam Style dance under one venue in Dubai; they never cease to impress those two! (see video)

Enrique is also a true fan pleaser. He called on security more than once to "let the people do what they want to do" when a few of them tried to mount the stage. A resident of Kuwait (Abdallah, I think was his name) was successful at it and put on a great show himself; I think Enrique was impressed! Abdallah also broke out some basic salsa moves showing them off in front of the Latino singer. A girl from the crowd was also pulled up on stage by Enrique who in turn sang to her "Hero" and ended the emotional dedication that he sent out to the dubai crowd "who were from all over the world" by kissing that anonymous girl (see video).

What I liked about the show:

- Entertaining (music, interaction with audience)
- Large venue
- Reasonably priced F&B

What I didn't like about the show:

- Lots of kids
- Shirtless guys
- Poor sound system and lights
- Indoor smoking
- Late opening of doors