On the second night of the Formula 1® Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025, Etihad Park transformed into a cultural moment. Under the warm December evening sky, Palestinian–Chilean star Elyanna delivered a performance that felt less like a concert and more like a shift of declaration that the modern Arab sound has arrived on the world stage with global force.
Her appearance marked one of the most anticipated sets in this year’s Emirates NBD After-Race Concerts, and for good reason: few artists have reimagined Arabic music the way Elyanna has.
The Rise of a New Arab-Pop Vanguard
At just 22, Elyanna has become one of the most compelling voices in Middle Eastern music. Known for merging Levantine melodies with Latin rhythms, stripped-back R&B, and contemporary pop production, she has created a hybrid sound that resonates far beyond the Arab world.
Her rise accelerated significantly in the past year, propelled by:
- Her viral hit “Mama Eh”, which dominated TikTok and streaming platforms globally.
- Performances at Coachella, making her one of the first Arab female artists to debut Arabic-language songs on the festival’s main stage.
- Her debut EP on Universal Arabic Music, showcasing her artistic direction under the guidance of Wassim “Sal” Slaiby, the manager behind The Weeknd.
This momentum set the stage for her Abu Dhabi show, and the crowd felt it.
A Set That Blended Nostalgia, Rhythm, and Identity
Elyanna opened with Al Sham, her emotional love letter to Levantine culture, before moving into Yalla Yanna, setting a warm yet powerful tone from the first note.
As she slid into Yabn El Eh and Ganeni, tracks deeply rooted in her Arab identity yet framed through a contemporary Latin and pop lens, the audience found a rhythm that belonged everywhere and nowhere at once. Her voice moved fluidly between Arabic melisma and Western phrasing, giving her music that signature duality fans have come to love.
On stage, Elyanna’s presence was controlled yet soft, a calm confidence that allowed her vocals and compositions to take centre stage. It is this effortless blend of cultural depth and global accessibility that has made her a generational talent.
A Seamless Prelude to Post Malone
The evening was curated to build energy, and Elyanna fulfilled her role with precision. Her set warmed Etihad Park with atmosphere rather than theatrics, a gentle intensity that set up a perfect transition into Post Malone’s high-production performance.
The pairing made sense: both artists sit at the crossroads of genres, both define a generation that no longer sees boundaries in music.
A Weekend of Global Icons on Yas Island
Yasalam presented by e& continues its tradition of eclectic programming. Elyanna’s show opens a four-night lineup that includes:
- Metallica on Saturday — one of the most iconic heavy-metal bands of all time.
- Katy Perry on Sunday — closing the weekend with a pop-spectacle finale.
The mix reflects Yas Island’s growing role as one of the world’s most diverse live-entertainment destinations.
A New Generation of Music
Elyanna’s performance was a cultural signal. In a space dominated by global superstars, a young Arab woman stood centre stage, singing in Arabic to tens of thousands, and the world listened.
She represents a new generation of regional artists who are not just participating in global music but moulding it into something new and meaningful. And on the second night of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Etihad Park belonged to her.
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