Dubai Rocks !!!

Any average working man goes to work every week planning for the upcoming weekend. There is a strange comfort in the planning. It does not matter whether the plan actually succeeds or not but the planning continues and hope prevails. I was waiting for this Friday for more than two weeks - for the Dubai desert rock festival 2008.

The Desert Rock Festival lasts for 2 days. There are some very famous bands that come and play and some not so very famous. I was naturally excited because I did not go last year as I did'nt really like any of the bands. This time also the only band that was actually worth going for was KORN and Velvet Revolver. However, they both were playing on two seperate days. No problem. My restless spirit confirmed that I would take the two day ticket. My friends however, were sane enough to give me better advice and thus we bought only the first day ticket when KORN was playing. Reason? They had gone last year and realized that one gets too tired the first day itself to actually really enjoy the second day. And not to mention Sunday is work day. Also, I was coughing my lungs out the entire week (I wonder why ?). I thought maybe its not that bad an idea.

I woke up in throat pain, heavy chest and went for Friday prayer thinking all along about the planned night ahead. Ironical I thought.
- Angel: God, is there anyone who can manipulate you?
- God: Ask any human. They always try and I always let them.

I came back from prayer and called up the gang that was planning to go. We planned a little late because there was no point going early and head banging to bands that were not famous. I knew I had to conserve the energy to use it when required especially when I was coughing out half of it. As it turned out, I was right.

So it was time to pick what to wear. I have not been to many rock conerts but I have seen many on television and my laptop. I had it decided in my mind that I can wear whatever I want but it has to be a bit crazy - after all its a ROCK FEST. Opening my closet I saw nothing but clothes pouring out like water from a fire hose. After a bit of an effort I found two shirts to choose from. One was an "Audioslave" shirt that a friend got from Canada and the other - well a shirt I use to scare my 3 year old niece when she does not listen to me. I got it from Mall of America in Minnesota when I was visiting a friend. I've never worn it outside and at home also only if im too lazy. After a little dilemma I decided against the Audioslave shirt. Later, as I walked towards the car I realized everyone was staring at my shirt as if I have breasts. I picked up a friend and followed another friends car to the venue. I was wearing "The Punisher" shirt.

Arriving late at the venue the Rock Fest had already started. I hated the fact that I cannot smoke because I was not feeling too well. We roamed around the Dubai Festival City for a while looking for smokes. This place was buzzing with people. When we entered the actual arena I was taken by surprise.

The stage was huge - typical of any rock concert. People of all ages were attending the concert. Most of them ranged from 15 to 28 (it was actually less than 28 but then I dont wanna be part of the old group) but there were the occasional toddlers and retirees. The first thing I remembered after looking at the kids was "how was it like when I was fifteen?". I had to take permission for everything from my parents. Is there a word "Concert" in the dictionary. These kids on the other hand knew what they wanted. They wanted to have fun and be wild. After all it was a rock fest. They were wearing clothes, make-up and shoes that redefined the word "weird". I obviously felt good here. Why? For one because no one was staring at my shirt.

They were changing bands when I walked in. It is interesting to know that in any rock fest, everytime the band changes the entire stage is changed with it. This does not just include the entire kit but also the overall setting of the stage and the backdrop, lights etc etc. During this time people go around have a drink or two and just enjoy the overall atmosphere. There was a hanging bar as well. You can pay for your drink and a little more, and they will take the bar a 100 feet up thanks to the big crane. I would never do it. I dont drink and I am scared if heights. The band "Killswitch Engage" was gonna play next. Never heard of them.

Killswitch Engage has a black lead singer. Very rare in rock industry. The only one I have heard of is Lenny Kravitz. Killswitch Engage was good except that I could not understand anything this guy was saying because he was screaming into the mic more than singing. But the music was good. It was heavy and it was crazy. Served the purpose.

The next band was "Machine Head". I had heard about this band but never heard any of their songs. After the concert I dont really regret not hearing them before. They were good but it was too heavy for me. After one of the songs the lead singer was told to stop using the 'F' word. What? Its a Rock Fest for crying out loud; that too heavy metal. The 'F' word comes as a packaged deal. Someone having a problem with that should go to Celine Dions' concert. The lead singer apologized for his actions and the apology did last for a little while though.

After "Machine Head" finally, it was KORN. This was the last band for the day. Needless to say, the crowd went crazy, and KORN just worked their magic. It took them the longest to setup the stage and I am sure no one complained about that. The lighting, the lasers everything just gelled so well with the music that it was not just worth listening but also worth watching. Some of their songs got me into the mood and my head started swinging. By this time some of my friends had already left. They did not conserve theiry energy for the best.

Some time during the concert I went to the restroom. It is worth mentioning because the restrooms were VERY VERY CLEAN. I was surprised. Usually at such events this is one thing that is completely ignored but not at the DDRF. There were people all around. Some lying on the ground because they passed out, others just having fun with friends. And then there were those who were too crazy to handle the music and started a mosh pit. This was the first time for me to see live moshing. It was crazy.

As I walked back from the restroom a friend mentioned something very interesting. He said that we cannot get such entertainment back home. Inspite of all the issues and problems people face in Dubai, in terms of rules and regulations, expensive commodities, traffic etc etc there is one thing that Dubai provides to everyone - lifestyle. I guess it depends how you look at it. After the concert however, I agreed.