Organisers say Madonna’s stage is the biggest ever built in the region
Madonna starts a two-day party in Abu Dhabi, and everyone is invited.
As the countdown begins with only four days left until what’s said to be the biggest performance the UAE has ever seen, the event promises to be unforgettable, said a spokesperson for organizer Flash Entertainment.
“[It] will be the event of the year. It is what Madonna’s fans longed for and are talking about,” said Mira Sadek, whose company gave the media a tour of the venue yesterday.
The du Arena (formerly Yas Arena), which will accommodate more than 50,000 concert goers over the two days, has been undergoing upgrades for months with nearly everything in the arena given a face-lift.
Article continues below:
“This is one of the most significant events in the regional live entertainment history. With such a large audience, we really felt now was the time to enhance the venue and focus on every little detail. Work has been constant since March and we’re sure people are going to appreciate the changes.”
Grass has been relayed, gravel removed, Tarmac walkways laid down throughout the arena, and a central public plaza area featuring retail and entertainment has been installed.
“A new stage has been designed specifically for Madonna’s tour, with new records in size and scale for the UAE. The 23 x 54 metre stage is the biggest ever built in the Middle East with a capacity to take 70 tonnes, compared to the previous one [30 tonnes]. It will be an elaborate catwalk, pushing the superstar’s performance out into the crowd and closer to her thousands of fans,” explained Lee Charteres, Flash vice president of operations.
A complex pyrotechnics and lighting system has also been developed to ensure the fans each night don’t miss a thing; giant LED screens will be mounted onto the back of the cantilever-designed stage.
The arena will have five entrances, including an 80 metre main entrance on Yas Leisure Drive, and more space in all ticket category locations to give fans an optimum concert experience. Some 2,500 parking spaces have been added as well.
Cooling off
With temperatures in Abu Dhabi forecast to average 40° Celsius on both days, Flash has advised fans to dress lightly and to drink lots of water.
“Misting machines will be available. We will have plenty of water bottles throughout the arena, and water will be sold at a special two-for-the-price-of one deal,” added Sadek. “Yas Marina Circuit has also provided the audience of the public plaza area with a cooling dome with 44 misting cooling fans using 3,000 gallons of water.”
Although the main attraction is without a doubt the Queen of Pop herself, entertainment, music and DJs will be playing in the lounge before and after Madonna’s performance for VIP ticket holders, who will also get dedicated walkways and gourmet food and beverage.
“The first wave of 150 people travelling with Madonna arrived on May 21. Four jumbo jets will arrive on Friday, carrying 350 tonnes of the show equipment touring with Madonna,” Charteres said.
The du Arena
- 12,600 sq metres of turf have been laid in the past week
- 6,200 sq metres of Tarmac road has been rolled in the past week
- Over 150 people have worked on the venue renovation throughout April
The stage
- Madonna’s stage can hold 70 tonnes which is over three times the weight capacity of a normal concert stage
- A 21-man touring crew came to build the stage
- Madonna has four identical touring stages
The site
- 500+ technicians/ site crew/ scaffolders are currently building the venue
- Electricians have run more than 35 kilometres of power cable
- On site they have 7.5 Megawatts of power (enough to power about 3,000 homes)
- The stage alone has 4.5 Megawatts of power
- Temporary Grandstand for 3,000 people (seated category)
- 350 metres of concert barrier
- 2.5 kilometres of police barrier
- 2 kilometres of temporary fencing
- 45 cabins and 15 tents built for the crew and staff
- 15,000 square metres of vinyl branding
The plant
- 44 x misting/ cooling fans stationed around the venue
- 24 square metres Mist & Cool cooling tunnel
- 3,000 gallons of water to be used for cooling the event.
Showtime staff
- 150 touring staff
- 100 local crew
- 340 security staff
- 180 customer service staff
- 40 cleaners
- 250 F&B staff
|
