Is there anyone on your wish list who you haven’t brought in yet?

Malcolm Young’s death [this week] was heartbreaking to me. He was the rhythm guitarist for AC/DC. I’ve come close a few times. I usually refrain from saying, but because of his passing I think it would be apt. I would’ve loved to have the real band. It was the first concert I ever went to — a sold-out AC/DC show at the Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. I was probably 12 or 13.

Is there competition between promoters in the UAE?

There’s always going to be competition for those top artists. [When it comes to] festival stuff, most promoters respect each other’s space when it comes to doing events against each other. But the top tier acts is kind of a free for all.

What keeps people coming back?

Flash has been here since our Justin Timberlake show in 2007. If you come to a show in Abu Dhabi, you’re probably getting the same exact experience you’d be getting in London. Probably better, to be honest. I went to a UFC fight in Sweden and it took me two hours to get home. I go to an event in Abu Dhabi, it takes me 15 minutes.

Finally — craziest request you’ve ever had from the talent?

I was asked by an artist during Formula 1 to clear the lobby of Yas Hotel. The [US] Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was standing in the lobby, as well as Richard Branson and James Cameron. They called me and said, ‘Clear the lobby, get everyone out or we’re not going to perform tonight.’ I just hung up the phone and said, ‘Get lost. I’m not even entertaining it.’ They wanted me to kick Hillary Clinton out of the hotel lobby. The second one is sushi in the parking lot at 4am. Where am I gonna get sushi at 4am during the Formula 1?