Destiny’s Child began late, but all was forgiven once they got singing.Excitement ran high as fans waited to get into the concert grounds in Dubai Media City on Thursday night.
But as the time for the concert to start came and went, the fans got restless.
Destiny’s Child were late.
And the opening act by Lebanese Darine Hadchiti, a lacklustre shadow of the much-lauded trio, failed to impress.
Finally, after an hour and 15 minutes of waiting, the lights dimmed and a video introducing the three members of the world’s best-selling female group came on the giant viewing screens next to the stage.
And once Destiny’s Child — Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michele Williams — actually took the stage with the ever-popular Say My Name, all was forgiven.
An energetic “How are y’all doin’, Dubai?” got the crowd rocking and then the three young women belted hit songs from their albums, including their latest, Destiny Fulfilled.
With all that prancing around, and in three-inch stiletto heels to boot, it was tempting to think the ladies were lip-synching, but their rendition of Girl, where they sang part of it minus musical accompaniment, dispelled all doubts.
The fact that Knowles, Rowland and Williams also had thriving solo careers added to the concert’s success.
Each took turns performing their solo hits, such as Rowland’s Dilemma and Knowles’s Baby Boy, Naughty Girl and Crazy In Love. But the belle of the ball was clearly Knowles.
Knowles shook her moneymaker all night, swivelling her hips and gyrating her body to the delight of her screaming fans.
She watered down none of her moves for Dubai: what you see on television was what you got at the concert.
The only difference were the outfits, which were no more revealing than what many Dubai women slip on every Thursday night.