“Without music, life would be a blank to me.”
— Jane Austen (Novelist)
Guess who secured the tickets to the Coldplay concert in Abu Dhabi? Well, I did, though it took hours of waiting in digital queues and praying to get my hands on at least one ticket.
I remember getting all excited when Coldplay first announced their ‘Music of the Spheres’ world tour in 2022. This tour generated billions and broke various records (Wikipedia: Music of the Spheres). Finally, this year, I got the chance to watch one of my favorite bands perform live.
Luckily, the concert is at the Zayed Sports City where I attended the Mansour festival, last November. Now that I am well-equipped with the knowledge of the rules, regulations, and everything related to that place, why not share it all with other attendees and make it a little bit easier for them? So read on!
Coldplay’s Dubai Concert: A Dream Come True for Fans
I believe concerts are the perfect place to make memories, watch your favorite artists perform, meet new people who have similar music tastes as yours, dance with strangers, get lost in the festival of music, and leave with a smile on your face and head full of beautiful memories.
Nothing short of a magical dream, right?
For Coldplay fans attending this concert, this dream is about to come true and turn into a night to remember. To be honest, I am already armed with excitement and happiness for the moment I will listen to my favorite songs ‘Viva la Vida’ and ‘Yellow’ live, and enjoy the feeling when the stadium comes to life and just sway to these beautiful melodies.
Yes, I have watched this moment countless times through my phone screen on social media because how could anyone miss it, after all, Coldplay’s tour was among the top five most successful world tours last year, as you can observe from the graph below.
Why Are Indian Fans Flocking to Dubai?
Thousands of Indian fans are all set to fly to Dubai to attend the Coldplay concert, the major reason for this is considered the technical blunder that happened during the Mumbai ticket sales on BookMyShow.
Being one of those, who experienced this firsthand, I can tell you that it was not only frustrating but heartbreaking as well. Being in a digital queue for hours, only to be greeted with disappointment due to poor management and technical glitches, what worse could have happened?
But the concert in Abu Dhabi is like a second chance for fans like me, it is an economical option with lower ticket prices and affordable accommodation choices, which is why many Indians are now flocking to Dubai to watch their favorite band perform live.
How to Apply Dubai Visa for Indian Travelers
I understand that all these visa applications and traveling procedures can be complicated for some, especially if they are visiting for the first time, that is why, I have listed down some useful points to get a Dubai visa for Indian travelers.
- Choose the Right Visa Type: Choosing the right type of visa depends on the purpose of your trip, I would advise you to apply for one of the following options.
- Tourist Visa: This is considered the ideal choice if you are visiting for an event or concert. It is usually valid for 30 days, but you also have the choice to extend it if needed.
- Transit Visa: This is usually preferred by people who are on their way to some other destination. It allows them to stay in Dubai for 98 hours only.
- Visit Visa: If you are going with your family or friends, this one would be the best choice for you, it is also valid for 30 days.
- Apply Online or Through a Travel Agent: I always apply for a visa online, since it is the easiest and most convenient way. You will just need some essential documents like a passport with a validity of at least six months, some passport-sized photographs, and your flight details.
If you don’t favor this method for any reason, you can also opt to apply through a travel agency, that will handle all the document work for you.
- Processing Time: Generally it only takes 3-7 working days for your visa to arrive, but I would advise you to apply in advance, because of high visa demands during this time of popular events.
- Dubai Visa Fees: It always costs around INR 5,000 to INR10,000 for me, these prices can vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for.
- Arrival in Dubai: Once you land in Dubai, you are free to travel as per your will. But do not forget to carry a copy of your visa approval, return flight tickets, hotel reservations, and sufficient funds based on your plans, to avoid any trouble with visa officers.
DO YOU KNOW?
Coldplay is taking impressive sustainability measures after announcing that they would cut their carbon emission by 50%, not only that, but the wristbands and other related items are also said to be 100% biodegradable.
Tips for Indian Fans Attending Coldplay’s Dubai Concert
Since it is a concert of a world-famous band, you can expect a large crowd. Being familiar with the event location and regulations, here are a few tips that I would like to share with you to make your experience better and more memorable.
- Book Concert Tickets Early: Waiting for the last moment to book the passes is not a smart choice if you genuinely want to visit the concert, because there is a high possibility of getting greeted with disappointment rather than tickets. I booked my tickets early, and it sort of gave me an advantage to choose the panels and seats of my choice.
- Accommodation: Do not forget to download your ticket via Ticketmaster and keep it saved on your mobile before reaching the venue. Also, different timings are scheduled for different areas in the stadium, so make sure you check those on your ticket and reach on time for a stress-free experience.
- Transport: There is no parking near the Zayed Sports City, so I would suggest you take a shuttle bus to reach the location.
- Weather Considerations: Generally the weather in January is all cool and cozy in Dubai, but the temperature can drop in the evenings. So, it is better for you to layer up and come prepared with comfortable footwear.
- Explore Dubai: If you are visiting another country for a concert, how can you leave without exploring other famous destinations there? You can consider extending your trip and visiting some famous places as well.
Conclusion
Till now, you must have been ready and all prepared for the concert, but still, this guide will help you cross-check all the major aspects of the concert preparation. Remember all the procedures and tips mentioned in this article for a stress-free and enjoyable experience.
See you at the concert!
