Stormzy came to the UAE on Friday to pick up where he left off. Seventeen months after a set at the <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/music/review-redfestdxb-kicks-off-with-eclectic-pop-performances-1.975378" target="_blank">Redfest DXB </a>festival in Dubai, the British grime rapper headlined the second of the four <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/f1/2021/12/10/lewis-hamilton-hits-back-at-rival-verstappen-in-f1-abu-dhabi-gp-second-practice/" target="_blank">Abu Dhabi F1</a> after-race concerts at Etihad Park. “I have been looking for this show for so long,” Stormzy said. “It has been a long time since I have been on stage like this … let's make this a great memory for us with dance, vibes and energy.” Friday's concert is only his third of the year and follows back-to-back shows at the Reading and Leeds music festivals in Britain. So, did he appear rusty? While his trademark ferocious energy may have seemed a little tempered, there was no doubt about the genuine enthusiasm exhibited on stage. Simply put: the man is happy to be back at work. With a DJ in the background and the venue brought to life with evocative lightning and high-tech visuals, Stormzy pounced on stage to the imperial-sounding horn blasts of opener <i>Big Michael</i>, a strident motivational anthem fit for these times. Then came <i>Audacity, </i>another bouncy number packed with frenzied keyboards and a stuttering beat to showcase Stormzy's impressively nimble flow. The energy grew further with <i>Cold </i>and <i>First Things First</i>, both of which benefited from swaggering synth lines and heaving percussion before Stormzy eventually slowed it down gracefully with the one-two punch of <i>Crown </i>and <i>Own It</i>. Taken from his latest album <i>Heavy is the Head</i>, both tracks epitomise the blend of gruff lyricism, pop hooks and soulful instrumentation responsible for his crossover from club act to festival headliner. The <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/music/abu-dhabi-f1-the-after-parties-gigs-and-club-nights-happening-on-grand-prix-weekend-1.939946" target="_blank">Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix after-race concerts</a> continue with Grammy-nominated artist Lewis Capaldi performing on Saturday before rock titans and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Foo Fighters conclude the series on Sunday. More information on all the Yasalam After-Race Concerts is available at <a href="http://yasmarinacircuit.com/" target="_blank">yasmarinacircuit.com</a>
