Gulf News Web Editor Adam Flinter plunges headlong into the blogosphere to find out what bloggers from the Middle East and beyond have on their minds.
Star blog: Abu Dhabi does it again
I was at the Bon Jovi concert at the Emirates Palace, and yet again, the organisation was flawless. This was also the case at the Justin Timberlake concert last December (and apparently at the Elton John concert in January, which I did not attend).
It took all of 15 minutes to get to the Emirates Palace, parking was widely available, we walked to the wristband exchange area, got our wristbands in seven minutes, and walked into the venue. A far cry from the Shakira concert last year.
The police were there, directing traffic, making sure there was no congestion. Security was efficient and quick. Service at the VIP hospitality tent was impeccable. The Emirates Palace is really ideal for such an event, thanks to its immense lawn which easily accommodated over 19,000 fans last night.
The concert itself was also incredible. I went there with no expectations, but came out of the concert truly impressed (and with a slight crush on Bon Jovi).
Bon Jovi are real performers, and although I'm not too fond of their newer stuff, they did belt out a lot of their classics such as Living On A Prayer, I'll Be There For You, Bed Of Roses, Keep The Faith and In These Arms (but no Blaze of Glory or Always unfortunately).
Yet again, Abu Dhabi has proven itself as a city that can attract big names and organize great events. So who's next?
http://dxbsunshine.blogspot.com
Not a secret
It's no secret that anything even remotely "Middle Eastern" (or perceived to be) gets a bad rap in the West. It's also no secret, for anyone who knows me well enough, that I have a passion for a New Jersey band called Bon Jovi.
Well, those two non-secrets came together two days ago (Tuesday, May 20) when the Joves played their first ever concert in the Middle East, a 20-song set in the searing heat of Abu Dhabi.
On paper, the set was nothing special. Then, it emerged that the band had performed the original version of Bed of Roses, as it appears on the Keep the Faith album - not the version that appears on the widely-disliked This Left Feels Right (although I don't think it's bad personally). I don't think the original Bed of Roses had been played since the Bounce tour of 2002/2003, and certainly not on the current tour..
http://thesquatpen.blogspot.com/2008/05/talking-across-cultures.html
In heaven
At one point in the Bon Jovi concert I attended yesterday, I just lay on the ground and closed my eyes and felt like I was in heaven. Not because of Bon Jovi, but I just felt blessed to be able to do that, with Bon Jovi playing live not 20 metres from where I lay.
It was like I hired the band to play for me in my backyard. Only, of course, it wasn't my backyard. It was the Emirates Palace grounds in Abu Dhabi. And I was sharing overall space with 20,000 other people. Still, it felt good.
http://ninety9words.blogspot.com/2008/05/jovi-al-moment.html
Awesome
Yes we went to a Bon Jovi concert last night in Abu Dhabi. It was awesome! We would have had some great pictures but I wanted to have a full battery for the camera and when we left the house I grabbed the camera and left the battery.
Yes, I wanted to die! But we met some nice stranger sitting next to us and he is going to e-mail his pics to us, maybe. When that day comes I will share them! They sang every song that you know the words to!
It was an outside stadium that holds about 20,000 people and it was full. I am glad my neighbours convinced me to get the more expensive tickets with seats because the two sections that were standing room only were packed and it was slightly hot outside. We were up in a stadium on the water so at least we had a breeze.
http://davidsonfam4.blogspot.com/2008/05/bon-jovi.html
Shopaholic
There are times in a marriage when all one is doing is criticising one another. I wish he'd stop shopping so much. I wish she'd praise my shopping skills once in a while. Am married to a shopaholic. Many a woman would feel envious of me... my husband shops constantly - on his way back from work/golf/tours/filling petrol. I have never seen him enter home without something in a plastic bag. Dubai suits him to the hilt.
http://thoughtsdubai.blogspot.com
Low-cost carrier
Qatar Airways is hinting it may launch a low-cost carrier. The airline says it may need to respond to threats to its revenues from existing low-cost rivals; it could be operation in three months. Emirates has committed to its own low-cost airline within the year.
Lower fares and more competition should be a good thing, but not if these low-cost excursions are only used to squash private competition. Air Arabia and Jazeera Airways, the specialists, have got off to solid starts and have big plans for the future.
Emirates and Qatar Airways, with orders for a huge numbers of planes and ritzy new terminals being built, have enough clout to run a spoiler operation.
It is to be hoped that the big boys bring something new to the market. Low-cost is now a mature sector, it could benefit from category innovation. Emirates converting some of its A380s to carry 1,000 passengers might be a new trick; as might once a week long haul specials. Dubai to Sydney for Dh1,000, say.
http://19thfloordubai.blogspot.com
