If 2023 was the standing ovation, then 2024 was the encore that we didn't want to end
2024 marked MAC Global’s tenth year in the Middle East. We produced some incredible events in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as well as homegrown events in Dubai and Abu Dhabi (including some firsts and a record-breaker). We also established some new alliances with venues and commercial partners. Here’s a look at some of the highlights.
The year kicked off with a bang – or rather, a clang – as we celebrated 50 years of Mike Oldfield’s musical masterpiece, ‘Tubular Bells’. Robin A. Smith and his band began with the famous spine-tingling theme from ‘The Exorcist’. Thankfully the tune span heads with pleasure, not terror, and by the time they played ‘The Hornpipe’, Dubai Opera was on its feet, dancing like sailors on shore leave.
February saw us in Riyadh at the Mayadeen Theatre, where we partnered with the Saudi Music Commission to create their inaugural International Jazz Festival. The first-ever three-day extravaganza featured legends such as Chaka Khan, YolanDa Brown and Hiatus Kaiyote, alongside some rising stars and local, regional talent.
The stand-out moment came as the Saudi audience threw protocol to the wind, ran to the front of the stage, while the iconic Chaka Khan belted, “And now we’re flyin’ through the stars / I hope this night will last forever”. The audience danced as if no one was watching – except somebody was. Energy was high; rules were broken; history was made.
By the Spring, MAC Global broke an events record with André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra selling out Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena. The 12,000-strong capacity crowd made it the biggest classical concert in UAE history. You can say what you want about a waltz and a fiddle but when André’s in town, classical music lovers are there for the show.
In April, there was another MAC Global first, as we joined forces with Live Nation to open the Dubai Comedy Festival with the brilliantly razor-sharp witted and unapologetic Katherine Ryan. One funny woman, one massive stage, one audience in stitches and a whole lot of laughs.
In early May, MAC Global signed a strategic collaboration agreement with Prestige Chameleon International (PCI), a company with a track record of producing more than 2,000 shows in 35+ countries. The collaboration is set to bring more world-class productions from UK theatres and London’s West End to audiences in the Middle East. Watch this space!
And then came one of the busiest Q4s in MAC Global’s decade-long history…
Roxie Nafousi, the ‘Manifesting Queen’, delivered two inspirational seminars at Zabeel Theatre. The first sold-out seminar turned into an emotional and deeply personal moment as she channelled the recent grief of losing her father into a raw, honest and unfiltered connection with the audience. Not a dry eye in the house.
And then there was Take That at Etihad Park in Abu Dhabi – a hot, humid, sticky and sweaty night that proved why the lads are still top of their game after three decades. Things got steamier as the trio ventured down into the crowd, making their way along the front of the Golden Circle to hug their swooning fans.
Our third Dubai Opera tenancy of the year had us turn the venue into Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s personal front room dancefloor. Out went the stall seats and in came the mirrored disco balls and glittery costumes. Sophie’s glamour, sparkle, infectious energy and classic dance-pop tunes turned the venue into a full-on party.
November brought another wave of nostalgia with Ministry of Sound Classical at Coca-Cola Arena. Conductor David Mahoney and a full orchestra reimagined iconic club anthems and took old-school ravers on a time-traveling journey back to South London’s 90s dance culture scene.
World-renowned pianist, Lang Lang, followed with a virtuoso performance at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Backed by the 80-piece Wiener Concert-Verein orchestra (and his wife for a couple of numbers), the maestro reinterpreted Disney classics on a hand-painted Steinway, creating a show that can be simply labelled – “artistic brilliance”.
MAC Global’s November output couldn’t get any more diverse, as we presented Goldie, the Godfather of Drum N’ Bass, at the P7 Arena. Or rather, we almost didn’t. A last-minute postponement due to a family emergency almost derailed the gig. When Goldie finally stood behind the decks the following Saturday, he dropped an epic extended three-hour set and Dubai’s Drum N’ Bass faithful got two parties for the price of one. Oh sweet, chaotic November!
As the year raced to its conclusion, we triumphed in another milestone moment at the F1 Qatar Grand Prix, with Myriam Fares becoming our first Arabic artist collaboration. Following that gig, everyone felt like a winner.
On MAC Global’s tenth anniversary of activity in the region, CCO Dan Goldberg made a commitment; “we look forward to the next ten years of delivering unforgettable experiences and incredible entertainment in the Middle East” … and so say all of us!
To everyone who showed up, danced, laughed, and made this year what it was: thank you. Here’s to whatever 2025 has in store – bigger, better, and with more stories to tell.
MAC Global’s 2024 event schedule –
JANUARY
* Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells – Dubai Opera
FEBRUARY
* International Jazz Festival – starring Chaka Khan, YolanDa Brown, Hiatus Kaiyote, The Cat Empire, Kokoroko, Masego, Majaz, Fulana, Garwasha – Mayadeen Theatre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
MARCH
* André Rieu & His Johann Strauss Orchestra – Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
APRIL
* Katherine Ryan; Dubai Comedy Festival – Dubai Opera
OCTOBER
* Roxie Nafousi – Zabeel Theatre, Dubai
* Take That – Etihad Park, Abu Dhabi
* Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Dubai Opera
NOVEMBER
* Ministry of Sound Classical – Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai
* Lang Lang – Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
* Goldie – P7 Arena, Dubai
DECEMBER
* Myriam Fares – F1 Qatar Grand Prix, Doha