Rihanna closes F1 weekend in fashion



Sunday’s prime attraction was a live appearance by pop superstar Rihanna at du Arena as part of the Yasalam after-race concert series.

There could be far more fitting acts to take this coveted closing night slot – previously filled by music legends including Prince, The Who, and Paul McCartney.

An electric atmosphere spread across du Arena ahead of the gig by the Barbadian.

Dressed in a far less subtle get-up of a gold-sequined jacket and trousers, plus dark glasses, her silhouetted figure commanded instant attention with imposing intent and stagecraft.

"Abu Dhabi," Rihanna announced soberly, before continuing with the anthem Love the Way You Lie (Part II), segued swiftly into the abrasive beats of Birthday Cake, joined now by four theatrical dancers clad in blonde wigs...

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Where to begin? Rihanna’s oeuvre is packed with such an embarrassing raft of riches, she could simply have performed straight takes of her 14 US billboard number ones, and no one would have left unhappy. Yet this was not a greatest hits show, but instead an artistic reappraisal of a colourful decade-long career Like the kind of pop theatre which chameleons Prince or David Bowie might be proud — yes, really — the Anti tour is presented as a conceptual suite, divided into neatly themed acts, offering fresh continuity and coherence to a scattershot career which has at times cynically embraced a sweeping spectrum of styles and musical personalities. In a calculated bid to showcase Rihanna’s timeless artistry, the night ended as it began, dialled down for the Earthy gospel-blues vamp FourFiveSeconds — recorded alongside Paul McCartney and Kanye West, no less — and the glorious, Muscle Shoals soul of last single Love on the Brain. Channelling the torment and talent of 1960s legend Etta James, this blatant appeal for her place in the pantheon served its purpose well. Not just a set of songs, but a stunning summation of a life and career which has remained in steady flux, Rihanna’s Anti World Tour is a knockout contender for pop spectacle of the year — not just in the UAE, but anywhere on the globe. Or, as one witty front row fan put it on a placard waved at the show’s close, "I love you more than free Wi-Fi". In 2016, that sounds like diehard devotion.

Originally posted by Cain Legend in the making.

Goddess. I LOVED the show. I was practically in tears when I saw LEGEND appear on stage with Stay. Also you can't see it on the pants on the pic but the it was incredibly shiny and looked great.

ICON