The UAE has Bon Jovi mania at the moment.

News about the band is in newspapers and magazines, the music is getting more airplay than ever before and I am pretty sure it is only a matter of time before leather pants and bouffant rocker wigs appear in shop windows.

The rumours of a Bon Jovi concert in Dubai seem to have been around since we started Time Out magazine more than five years ago.

And now its official. They’re coming. Not to Dubai, but neighbouring Abu Dhabi. But this is one of those events it is worth making the drive across the country for.
Like Elton John and JustinTimberlake before them, Bon Jovi will be playing at the Emirates Palace.

I chatted to Tico Torres and Richie Sambora from the band on the phone the other night and these guys are very excited about the gig. Their first in the Middle East. See more extracts from that interview over on Ahlanlive right now.

As ever Time Out will be bringing you the best coverage of the event in the run up to the gig.

But you have got to get your tickets quick.

I’ve just put my head around the door of a very busy ticket office at Time Out towers. My colleagues there started selling tickets at noon today and they tell me the demand is very high.

My advice is to snap them up while you still can to avoid disappointment.

There are less than four weeks to go, but until then enjoy the video below. Bon Jovi in all their hairspray glory:

Once again Time Out teams up with Jeff Price and Suzanne Radford from Dubai Eye to bring you an audible round-up of the best entertainment in Dubai this week.

The TODcast team take a look at the dangers of losing your swimwear at Wild Wadi,  discusses the upcoming flower festival at the ‘Venice of Sharjah and asks whether Shakespeare would be different in the age of mobile phones.

 

 Standard Podcast [15:11m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (208)

 

 Standard Podcast [7:41m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (86)

 

 Standard Podcast [13:13m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (85)

 

 Standard Podcast [14:17m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (80)

Also listen out for this week’s opinions on gangster rap, autism awareness and violence in sport.

Time Out is taking over Home at The Lodge on April 25th and has secured the services of yet another top international act.

Razorlight are now confirmed as the headline DJs for the indie room at Time Out’s festival.

It is only a DJ set - the guitars are staying strictly in their cases - but the chance to see members of one of Britain’s most promising indie bands behind the decks is one not to be missed.

D on’t know Razorlight? You should. Check out their hit record by pressing play on the video screen below:

Razorlight join the world’s best hip hop DJ, Ca$h Money, and house legends Masters At Work as Time Out’s festival headliners.

You can also see about a dozen local DJs and bands, firebreathers, stiltwalkers and some living statues at the club. Like all good festivals we will be selling hot dogs and sarnies as well.

Read more about Time Out’s festival here.

Quiz question: Which of the top 25 best-selling recording artists of all time is performing in the UAE this weekend?

Not Elvis Presley, The Beatles or Michael Jackson.

The answer is, music fans, A.R. Rahman.I admit that I am ashamed to say I have never heard of him. But, considering his last UAE performance is rumoured to be the country’s biggest ever gig (with more than 40,000 in attendance) it is obvious this is going to be hugely popular.

The Indian film composer, once dubbed the “Mozart from Madras”, has sold more than 100million records and will be performing at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday night.

My friends at www.masala.com gave me the tip off. See their full story and preview here.

As a composer of film scores for some of Bollywood’s, and now Hollywood,s, biggest hits Rahman has amassed a worldwide following.

This is a great chance to see a world class artist. If, like me, you have admired Bollywood style from afar but never seen its hit numbers performed live this could be well worth a visit. If you are already a Bollywood fan then Rahman’s tunes will need no introduction whatsoever.

Check out the video below to hear A.R. Rahman’s reinvention of one of India’s most popular national songs:

News has come to Time Out towers about the fate of the late, great Trilogy club.

As we exclusively revealed on this blog back in February the venue was suddenly closed down.

But now its successor is about to open.

Or, at least the section of the venue formerly known as Trilogy Rooftop is.

This is not Trilogy. This is the club that will replace Trilogy.

Under the name of The Rooftop (I don’t know how they come up with these names) the excellent outdoor venue will host a series of seven exclusive parties organised by Prestige Clubbing. This is what they have to say about the operation:

THE ROOFTOP – formerly Trilogy’s Roof Top, is reopening exclusively for Prestige Clubbing for a series of 7 exclusive special parties!Launching Thursday 17^th April with HED KANDI, and every Thursday after that until we just cannot take the heat anymore ;) Please note admission to these exclusive parties is strictly pre-bought tickets and table bookings only.

So there you have it. Trilogy Rooftop fans will probably like The Rooftop just as much.

No more updates on the rest of the club just yet, but needless to say Time Out Dubai will be the first with the news and we will be there on opening night to bring you reviews and pictures from the new venue.

Anybody fancy tickets to the opening of The Rooftop? Time Out will be putting in a call to the organisers this afternoon and we will try and get some free stuff for readers. Check back later for a competition.