Shakira concert

Amr Diab's concert with Shakira seems to have gone off well but it's hard to find a proper review since the media continues to focus on The Plateau who fled the youth revolution. Check out this opinion piece And if anyone wants to comment on what this youth revolution has accomplished, please I would love to hear! Who rules Egypt now? If the answer is the military, then who owns the military? Just asking.

Next controversy: Mawazine at the end of May.
Stay tuned.

Hold the rotten eggs

In Morocco, they're still calling for the cancellation of this year's Mawazine Festival citing more pressing priorities for the vast sums paid out to festival stars.

Singled out are Amr Diab and Shakira, both slated for shows on May 28th, the last day of the festival. Protesters say the pair will be greeted with rotten eggs and rotten tomatoes if they make an appearance. Link

calls mount for cancelling Mawazine

Accident and album update

Seems as if the rumoured automobile accident really did happen on the Ring Road. Our Amr Diab was uninjured, a 20 year old girl ended up in hospital but is also fine (and a little richer). Meanwhile, Amr continues with the upcoming album. Anticipated on this new release is a song first introduced at Marina 2008 but not included on "Wayah".

Mawazine Festival on or off?

Apparently the "social media" youth groups of Egypt have called on Morocco to exclude Amr Diab from participating in the 2011 Mawazine Festival being held in Rabat from 20-28 May. They cite Amr's "lack of support" for the Egyptian youth in revolt. Well, indeed, the official festival website does not list Amr.

Starting to sound sort of like what happened to Umm Kalthoum, no? Come on kids, read some history and get a grip! Divide and conquer works every time.

Today's rumour

Another day, another rumour. Today the media was running with a story stating that Amr Diab had been involved in some sort of automobile accident. Fortunately, this story appears to be unfounded and someone's idea of an April Fool's joke. A bit late, to say nothing of humourless. Link (Arabic)

Amr leaves Egypt

Just a rumour for now but the word is out that Amr Diab could be leaving (have already left?) Egypt for the United Arab Emirates. Doesn't ring true to me but 2011 is a year when anything could happen! Link

Not a rumour is his April 29 concert in Abu Dhabi where tickets (on sale now) run from AED 250-595. Better than a royal wedding and we wonder why Amr is not topping the bill but being promoted as the supporting act.

Abu Dhabi Concert

Returning to UAE shores following her incredible 2008 New Year’s Eve performance, Shakira will be bringing her distinctive pop/folk sound and incredible Middle Eastern and Latin-inspired dance moves to the Island. Joining her for the evening will be Amr Diab, double award winner of the World Music Awards for his albums "Nour El Ain" and "Aktar Wahed".

Shakira and Amr Diab are brought to Abu Dhabi by Du World of Music in association with Nokia. Shakira with Amr Diab live at the Yas Arena is part of the hugely successful Yas Island Show Weekends and follows hot on the heels of the recent capacity shows by Eric Clapton, Tiesto, Thirty Seconds To Mars and Stevie Wonder.

* Location: Yas Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
* Date: Friday, 29 April 2011 - Saturday, 30 April 2011
* Time: 6:00:00 PM to 12:00:00 AM

Tickets go on sale soon, in fact you could try this link tomorrow!