"Is that it?" my friends said, sounding quite shocked that Maroon 5's show was already over. "Did they even do all their hits?"

But enough of that for the moment.

Flashback 60 minutes when Adam Levine, James Valentine, Jesse Carmichael, Michael Madden and Matt Flynnto were about to hit the stage, and the atmosphere was electrifying. Despite being on a school night, fans turned out in their thousands at Dubai Festival City to catch the American band's first live performance in the Middle East – and where else would it be but the UAE?

Several minutes later and the boys made it onto centre stage-kicking off with fans' favourite, and the track that ultimately made the band the worldwide phenomenon it is today, This Love, followed by another hit If I Never See Your Face Again, sans Rihanna this time around.

When not busy posing for the cameras or interacting with fans, Levine shone with his spectacular voice, and the band included all the favourites in their setlist, including Sunday Morning, I Won't Go Home Without You, The Sun, Shiver, Makes Me Wonder and Wake Up Call and She Will Be Loved.

For the encore, Levine and co gave an energetic performance of the band's very first single, Harder to Breathe, before bursting into Sweetest Goodbye; quite fitting for the last song of the night.

But before disappearing back to their Sheikh Zayed Road hotel, the band gave it their all one last time with a fabulous guitar and drum solo combo with lead guitarist Valentine and drummer Flynn, as well as Levine (who's also a guitarist) dominating the final two minutes.

Returning to the beginning of this review: Yes, it was short, but let me tell you, Maroon 5 live in Dubai was one sweet experience. Would I go see them again? I think you know the answer.


Simple plan @ Madinat arena

Canadian rockers Simple Plan playing in Dubai last weekend was probably a godsend for numerous parents who usually don't know what to do with their teenage kids in the evening.

While the Madinat Arena usually hosts big-name DJs playing to an over-21s crowd, this time was the turn of the 12 to 15 year olds who showed up in their hundreds to catch Simple Plan in action. And judging by the ear-piercing screams, they loved every minute of it.

The boys kicked off their set with the energetic Generation from their third and latest, self-titled, album.

Several favourites followed, including When I'm Gone, Addicted, Your Love Is A Lie, Save You and I'd Do Anything, with the crowd – most clad in gear that would make Avril Lavigne circa 2002 proud – responding to every word, lyric and "I love you, Dubai" frontman Pierre Bouvier uttered.

Knowing their target audience, the band took time out from its own set to give their unique – and quite hilarious – takes on the pop songs of Flo Rida's Low, Katy Perry's I Kissed A Girl and Justin Timberlake's Summer Love.

However, the biggest favourite of the night had to be Untitled (How Could This Happen To Me?) which saw Bouvier disappear from the main stage to make it onto what resembled a table in the middle of the crowd.

All in all, a quality night of good fun and enjoyable music. (RM)