Fans fly in from around the region for The Rolling Stones

Elie Jawad is flying in from Beirut. Courtesy Elie Jawad

Shawkat Abbas will be flying in from Saudi Arabia. Courtesy Shawkat Abbas

Cliff Bird will fly in from London. Courtesy Cliff Bird

Ian McCullogh will fly in from Qatar. Courtesy Ian McCullogh

Ian McCulloch

Age: 50

Flying from: Doha, Qatar

“Finally it’s a chance to see them. About 20 years ago I had a ticket to see The Rolling Stones in England but they cancelled the show. I was upset about it for a long time. So when they announced a show in Abu Dhabi I knew I had to come here straight away.”

Favourite song: "Can't You Hear Me Knocking, because it has an amazing saxophone piece in there. I am trying to learn the instrument and I just love it on that song."

Marie Hazelwood

Age: 50

Flying from: Manama, Bahrain

“It was an easy decision for me to make. I love The Rolling Stones and I always love coming to Abu Dhabi and Dubai for concerts. It’s really one of the best things that you can possibly do when living in the Gulf. I think this is also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity not only for us, but the band themselves.”

Favourite song: "Waiting on a Friend. It has a nice and easy tempo and while the lyrics are about a gentleman addressing a lady, I think it can also apply to two friends."

Shawkat Abbas

Age: 36

Flying from: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

“My wife and kid live in the UAE so it works out great to do things together. I also love this kind of music, especially classic rock. The songs of the 1970s have a great sound and lyrics.”

Favourite song: "Anybody Seen My Baby. It's a song that I used to listen to during a previous relationship."

Elie Jawad

Age: 36

Flying from: Beirut, Lebanon

“I just love coming to Abu Dhabi to relax. I normally come to so many events and concerts. So once the announcement came I just called my friends and seven of us will come to the show. We will spend the day by the pool and at night we will watch the show.”

Favourite song: "Anybody Seen My Baby. It's not because I like anything specific about it. I just appreciate how it is put together and how it all sounds."

Cliff Bird

Age: 61

Flying from: London, England

“I saw The Rolling Stones a few years ago in Hyde Park in London. I remember it was very rainy. This is a great chance to see them in glorious weather for a change.”

Favourite song: "Jumpin' Jack Flash, because it reminds me of my youth. Also because it's really what Mick Jagger is about. It has him singing, shouting and jumping and all that comes with it."