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Mohammed Assaf returned to the capital on Monday for a special Eid performance at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr.
A more distinctive affair than last autumn’s outing in front of 20,000 people as part of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after-concert, the small hall provided a rare chance to glimpse the 25-year-old in more intimate surroundings.
The tight room also necessitated a change to his backing band. The string section was ditched and — for Assaf — the production was pared down to seven-man crew compete with two backing vocalists.
Acknowledging the lush venue, Assaf took the stage in the wardrobe his fans prefer him in most: a classic black tuxedo, hair in a quiff reminiscent of the classic Egyptian crooner Abdul Halim Hafiz — or a member of any modern-da boy-band.
Keeping with the concert’s celebratory theme, Assaf was in definite crowd-pleasing mode, balancing his solo material with vintage Arabic hits.
When it comes to the former, Ya Halali Ya Mali went down a storm. With the string section out of the way, the dabka-tastic track was all pounding percussion and passionate vocals.
The upcoming single Aywah Haghani, due out Sunday July 26, is also destined to be another hit — with the crowd singing along throughout.
Assaf also lent the same conviction to the covers. A former wedding singer, he clearly enjoyed performing the likes of Ya Bint Sultan, by the Lebanese star Ragheb Alama, and the Palestinian nationalist anthem Ali Al Keffiyeh. The latter track, which he plays at every show, is becoming his anthem.
The standout moment, however, arrived when Assaf dialled the energy down towards the end of the show. He went into full balladeer mode with Hafez’s enchanting Zay El Hawa. It was another reminder of Assaf’s confidence on stage — and a career that shows no sign of slowing down.
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Abu Dhabi International Airport - 41°F
