Concerts at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre

Eric Clapton melted some faces at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre last month:



Who would have thought the old guy can still lay it down? 

I grabbed these tickets sort of on a whim because the concert was the day after my wife and I got back from a seven-day adventure in Sri Lanka. Plus, we had never been to the venue before so we didn't know what to expect.

It quickly become our new favorite place to see a show. Very intimate, not overwhelming and they served booze so you know I enjoyed it.

There is a great view of some nearby skyscrapers and the lawn seating reminded me of some chilled-out venues from back in the States. 

We're going back there tomorrow for the first day of the Blended Festival, which will feature a mix of blues, roots, jazz, soul and folk music. We're going to see Aloe Blacc, Joss Stone and Xavier Rudd. Pretty sweet lineup, huh? 

A lot of popular musical acts come through the UAE while traveling in from Europe or to Asia and why not? A huge pay day is always waiting for you in the desert. Just a word of advice for the rockers: don't disrespect your surroundings or you will find your ass in the slammer.

Check out this story published in The National yesterday about a heavy-metal drummer from the band, the Scorpions, who has been jailed in Dubai for the last month because he got drunk, ran his mouth about Islam and allegedly pulled down his pants and showed his ass to someone. In the article, they refer to it as 'his bottom', which I think is hilarious.

That may be a rockstar move back in the States but not here, buddy. 

So showing off your derriere to random folks on the street is against the law in the UAE (ahem, just like everywhere else in the world) but our common fix for good concerts is usually met. Just don't expect the Scorpions to be playing here anytime soon. 

Who listens to those guys, anyway?