It’s a huge weekend ahead for the UAE’s music fans - just make sure you choose wisely...

with pop superstar Sting and American hip hop rap star Flo Rida set to wow big crowds.

Here’s a quick lowdown of what to expect, and where to go...  

Sting Venue: Meydan Racecourse, Nad Al Sheba Regular racegoers may be baffled but the former Police frontman is a true megastar, and he has the back catalogue to prove it. ‘Message in a Bottle’, ‘Walking On The Moon’ and’ Every Breath You Take’ are cut and dried pop classics and were regulars of the setlist Sting used in his 2009 world tour.
The artist formerly known as Gordon Sumner also performed solo hits ‘If I Ever Lose My Faith in You’ and ‘Fields of Barley’ regularly on that tour.
Sting’s only just announced a series of concerts where he’ll be backed by band and orchestra, so here’s hoping he’s dusting off the old favourites! The concert is part Dubai International Racing Carnival. Log on to www.ticketingboxoffice.com or go to the nearest Virgin Records store; www.boxofficeme.com or call 04 367 6699; www.timeouttickets.com or call 800 4669.

Flo Rida Venue: The Palladium, Media City
Just along the road, and it couldn’t really be more different from Sting, either solo or in 1980s Police mode. It’s all about hip hop and rap,  with American sensation Flo Rida set to rock the swanky new indoor venue.
Virgin Radio’s master DJ Ali Mack will be warming up the 5,000 fans and the roof is sure to come off the Media City venue when Flo Rida  plays ‘Right Round’ and ‘Low’.
Tickets are now available in all Virgin Megastores,
www.ticketingboxoffice.com, www.itptickets.com and Joga Juice outlets in DIFC and Madinat Jumeirah. Doors will open at 7:00pm with performances scheduled to start at 9:00pm.

2 many DJS Venue: Chi at the Lodge
Bring out the candles and cake, this much-heralded dance duo are set to take Chi by storm to celebrate the venue’s third birthday.
Belgian brothers David and Stephan Dewaele have been known to play literally everything and anything in their sets, so just bring your party hat and dancing shoes. The Stooges have featured in previous setlists while the brothers could well throw in anything from Dolly Parton to Emerson, Lake and Palmer or Nirvana. Call 04 337 9470 for details

WAKESTOCK Venue: The Corniche, Abu Dhabi
The entertainment at the capital’s wakeboarding festival is varied, and runs all weekend.
But things get going properly on Friday night when British scenesters Maximo Park headline proceedings. Expect edgy guitar based indie rock in spades, and plenty of star jumps from bowler-hat wearing, charismatic frontman Paul Smith. They have three albums of material to choose from but get there early as recent setlists have seen them blast through excellent 2005 debut ‘A Certain Trigger’ early in the set. Cult American rappers De La Soul headline on the Saturday so here’s hoping they make up for last year’s late pull out at Dubai Sound City.  See www.wakestock.ae for details.