Fans were reminded why Irish singer and songwriter Chris de Burgh has had a career spanning almost half a century as they came together for his rock concert at Expo 2020 Dubai on Friday (11 March).
De Burgh was thrilled to be back on stage with his band for the first time in 826 days after a series of cancellations and mishaps brought about by the COVID pandemic. “I’m really happy to be back in Dubai. I’m very attached to this part of the world – I’ve been to Lebanon a great deal and I have been to Dubai a few times. There’s a passion and there’s a history here that I admire enormously. Being able to perform at Expo is quite extraordinary. I’m overwhelmed.”
With a body of work spanning 320 songs written and recorded since 1974, he played a mix of his classics, such as ‘Homeland’ and ‘Light a Fire’ as well as some of his more recent material, which continues to carry his music’s message of humanity, peace and better future.
He said: “We’re only on the planet for a short time. I’m the grandfather of three little babies now and I see them growing up and I wonder what world they’re going to inherit. I will certainly do my best to make sure it’s a lovely and a better world.”
The concert would not have been complete without his most well-known hit, ‘Lady in Red,’ which had the audience dancing and singing along. He cannot explain its popularity, adding, “It looks like [the song] will last a great deal longer than me which I think is every songwriter’s dream… I’ve had numerous hits before that and since then, but there’s something about that song that attracts attention and I don’t know what it is. I’ve recorded it in Spanish and French and it’s been recorded numerous times by other people, but it’s just one of those iconic songs.”
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