WATCH: AR Rahman lights up Abu Dhabi with live concert
Legendary composer performs iconic songs to packed Etihad Arena
ABU DHABI – Oscar-winning composer A R Rahman delivered a powerful live performance in Abu Dhabi, as thousands of fans gathered at Etihad Arena on Friday night for his much-anticipated one-night-only concert.
The globally celebrated musician brought decades of music to the UAE capital, turning the arena into a sea of voices as audiences sang along to some of his most iconic works.
Doors opened at 6pm, with the concert beginning at 8pm, and the venue quickly filled with fans from across the UAE and the wider region. Tickets, priced from Dh225, saw strong demand ahead of the show, reflecting Rahman’s enduring popularity and cross-generational appeal.
AR Rahman live in Abu Dhabi
Rahman’s performance drew heavily from a catalogue that has shaped modern film and contemporary music for more than three decades. Widely regarded as one of the most influential composers of his time, he rose to prominence with Roja and went on to achieve international acclaim with projects such as Slumdog Millionaire, which earned him two Academy Awards and two Grammy Awards.
His career has also been recognised with a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, the Padma Bhushan and six National Film Awards, placing him among the most decorated composers in global music history.
Friday’s Abu Dhabi concert featured a mix of upbeat anthems and soulful ballads that resonated strongly with the audience. Tracks such as Rang De Basanti and Muqabla brought high energy to the arena, while emotional favourites including Tere Bina and Tu Hi Re prompted mass singalongs and illuminated phone screens across the seated sections.
Known for the scale and polish of his live shows, Rahman delivered a production that combined orchestral arrangements with immersive visuals and carefully timed lighting. Rather than a standard concert format, the performance unfolded as a cinematic experience, with each song flowing into the next through layered soundscapes and extended musical passages.
Fans responded enthusiastically throughout the night, with sustained applause marking key moments of the show and reaffirming Rahman’s status as a live performer as much as a composer.
Etihad Arena
The concert was held under strict venue regulations, with attendees required to follow UAE cultural norms and security protocols. E-tickets were scanned at turnstile entry, and no re-entry was permitted once inside the arena. Children aged five and under were not allowed into the venue, while floor standing areas were restricted to guests aged 21 and above.
Etihad Arena provided accessibility support for guests with disabilities and additional access needs, with accessible seating available through advance ticket purchase.