Fans brave scorching heat for Justin Bieber concert
dubai — Justin Bieber fans braved the scorching heat and some turned up 10 hours before his concert actually started in Dubai on Saturday. Thousands of loyal Bieber fans went to the Canadian singing star’s The Purpose World Tour concert at the Autism Rocks Arena.
Even though temperatures reached a high of 43 degrees Celsius on the day, Beliebers — what Bieber’s loyal fans are called — brought tents and camped near the venue.
This is Bieber’s second performance in Dubai. His first one was in 2013, when he had upset several fans and parents as he showed up two hours late on stage on a school night.
One Belieber, Mira Akl, 13, said she went to his first concert and was “so excited” when she heard he was coming back. “I absolutely love him. I have so many posters of his. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t late for his concert because of traffic, so I came here really early. I think I’ve been here since 11am,” she said. “I used all my savings to purchase a ticket. It’s totally worth it.”
Gates opened at 4pm, with Bieber’s arrival on stage slated to be 8pm. Ticket prices started at Dh335 for regular tickets and went up all the way to Dh4,000 for the ‘ultimate purpose backstage tour’ pass and a whopping Dh14,500 for a VIP table.
Malak Ahmed, 14, said she paid Dh600 for a regular ticket as they were sold out. “Doesn’t matter to me how much I had to pay; I had to get my hands on a ticket. I went to his concert before and I had to go again,” she said.
Helena, 14, had purchased the golden circle tickets for Dh595. “Last time, I missed out on good tickets, and this time I wanted to
I wanted to make sure I wasn’t late for his concert because of traffic, so I came here really early. I used all my savings to purchase a ticket. It’s totally worth it.” Mira Akl, 13
do it right. I love Justin and it would be a dream (come true) if I could meet him,” she said.
Sophia, 14, said: “I have his posters and all of his albums. If I had to come at 6am for him, I would have.”
However, it wasn’t just teens who turned up to see the singing star perform. David, 33, said: “I think his music has improved. He’s gotten better. I don’t mind coming to one of his gigs.”
It doesn’t matter to me how much I had to pay; I had to get my hands on a ticket. I went to his concert before and I had to go again.” Malak Ahmed, 14
Priyanka Jain, 45, said: “My daughter loves him and she always plays his music. I started liking some of his songs, too.”
Two adult Beliebers flew all the way from Japan to see Bieber perform. Kenchl said: “We’d follow him around the world if we could.”
Bieber was spotted a day before his performance in Dubai playing football and taking a dip at the beach and a pool.
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com
Last time, I missed out on good tickets, and this time I wanted to do it right. I love Justin and it would be a dream (come true) if I could meet him.” Helena, 14