The 8th Annual Unmissable Music, Entertainment and Community Festival Draws to a Close

One of the most celebrated performers of modern times Rihanna closed out the landmark eighth year edition of the Yasalam festival with a sensational After-Race Concert performance enthralling 40,000 fans with her inimitable and celebrated style. It marked the final day of Yasalam 2016, which saw 213,000 fans entertained over four days.

Rihanna ‘works’ UAE crowd

In a stunning performance Rihanna appeared on a glamorous white-lit stage in a dazzling outfit flanked by dancers, before taking the audience from high to even higher as she belted out favourite early chart toppers “Umbrella” and “We Found Love” to her modern classics “Stay” and “Work”.  Her non-stop set also included her latest song “Love on the Brain”.  As she continued throughout the show, the Bajan megastar drove the crowd wild bringing the house down with “Shine Bright Like a Diamond.”  She delivered a powerful performance worthy of the Yasalam finale, declaring ‘it was great to be back’ which was met by massive cheers.

Rihanna’s spectacular show was the ultimate cap on three months of musical competitions, community activities, health, fitness and entertainment further exemplifying Yasalam’s status as the largest festival of entertainment run by any race host city.

Festival wraps After Hours

For some, the night was still young and eager party-goers headed to the After Hours nightlife. With Future at MAD, Jay Seanand DJ ONO (Bangkok Invaders) and DJ PHB at the F1 Driver Party at the Amber Lounge, Drake and his friends at Famous Club VIP Room and Nic Fanciulli at Iris the festival came to a rapturous end.

Yasalam 2016 draws to a close

Since Thursday, 17 November until tonight (Sunday) the Yasalam festival has built to a crescendo of excitement and volume with a myriad of activities and respected international and regional superstars taking to the stage at du Arena and on the Abu Dhabi Corniche. On Yas Island global superstars Pitbull, The Chemical Brothers, Lionel Richie and Rihanna performed to capacity crowds at the du Arena for yet another stellar year of the world-renowned After-Race Concerts.

Over on the Corniche, Beats on the Beach saw more top talent take to the stage for free-to-attend concerts with Shamma Hamdan, Krept & Konan, Yeng Constantino, The5, Adham Nabulsi, Sean Paul, Big Sean, Bull Funk Zoo, Travis Scottand Nancy Ajram serving up memorable live experiences.

Speaking on the success of this year’s festival, John Lickrish, CEO, FLASH Entertainment said: “Now in its eighth year, Yasalam has been the best yet, witnessing even more global audiences able to experience a festival which has entertained millions. Since Yasalam’s inception in 2009 it has continued to deliver an unrivalled line-up of free concerts, events and community activities across eight stunning years. By bringing exciting entertainment and culture to the diverse communities of the UAE, the festival continues to be the highlight of the Abu Dhabi calendar.”

Emerging Talent Competition

Once again a pillar of celebration in 2016 was the second edition of the Emerging Talent Competition, an initiative close to the heart of Yasalam’s musical legacy. Bringing together industry specialists and local stars together with hopeful artists for an amazing money-can’t-buy opportunity, the competition saw an exceptional number of entries and engagement from across the UAE and the ultimate winner Hasan Malik crowned.

Corniche Activities

Delivering on Yasalam’s commitment to excitement and race weekend fun for the entire capital, the world’s Official F1 FanZone™ returned to the Corniche alongside the expanded Urban Art Zone – all of which was kicked off in true race fashion by the Opening Parade and a thrilling display by the UK’s Royal Air Force display team, the Red Arrows. New additions this year included: The Hangout, a nexus of food and entertainment with an eclectic mix of food outlets for every taste. Film lovers were able to watch much-loved movies under the stars with Cinema by the Sea presented by Vox Cinemas. Meanwhile festival-goers who wanted to jump to the beats, hit the Bounce trampoline experience.

2016 also saw the fitness and fun focus continue with the fourth year of Get Driver Fit programme brought to you by Daman’s Activelife, featuring an unmatched seven weeks of free fitness classes culminating in the Obstacle Course Challenge that once again tested the UAE’s limits. The Corniche continues to grow year on year with the newest additions of the GDF, the Fitness Zone with beach fitness classes and a bespoke Muscle Beach.

To cap it all, in one of FLASH Entertainments’ biggest online competitions, Sarah Jackson was named as Yasalam’s ‘SuperFan.’. Following their winning comment on why they are festival’s number one fan they walk away with a full VIP experience. The unmissable prize includes a trip to London for two, with flights, hotel and tour courtesy of Nirvana Travel & Tourism.

At the end of its eighth year of celebrations, the Yasalam festival has once again built on the positive messages of competitive motorsport: healthy living, social interaction and car loads of fun. With a strong legacy of blockbuster entertainment, the adrenaline of the Yasalam festival is sure to continue far into the new year with FLASH Entertainment’s ongoing commitment to provide the best of entertainment for Abu Dhabi and across the UAE.

Once again this year, Y1 Access provides race ticket holders with a unique package of value-added benefits. As part of Y1 Access all race ticket holders receive a 20% discount on specific ticket categories offered for selected FLASH events until February 2017.  This includes the 3-day action-packed Mubadala World Tennis Championship, which is back in December for its ninth year, PLUS, just announced Coldplay on 31 December, 2016.