February 16 marked my five-year Abu Dhabi anniversary and five years as a journalist with The National. The landmark date inspired me to reflect on the many amazing musical experiences I've had in that time and how I have seen the UAE music scene develop, especially with the addition of concert venues and festivals. Madonna dazzled the Abu Dhabi crowd in 2012. Lee Hoagland / The National I frequently hear complaints that 'nothing happens in the UAE' or 'no good bands/DJs come here' but, if I am honest, I've seen a lot more in Abu Dhabi and Dubai than I would have had the time, inclination or cash for back in the UK. From festivals such as Sandance and Creamfields to major events like F1, sell-out shows at the du Arena and surprise performances by megastars in small venues, the UAE has been good to me, musically, and I've definitely checked a number of names off my bucket list. I'm sure I can't remember them all, but here goes.. Madonna, The Killers, Kings of Leon, The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Stereophonics,Travis, Groove Armada, Morcheeba, Soul II Soul, Fatboy Slim, The Fray, Frankie Knuckles, Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, Florence + the Machine, Snow Patrol, Calvin Harris, The Prodigy, Dizzee Rascal, Basement Jaxx, The Script, Rizzle Kicks, Kaiser Chiefs, Aerosmith, Guns N' Roses, Metallica, Leftfield, The Wailers, Newton Faulkner, Rihanna, Benny Benassi, Labrinth, Cypress Hill, Afrika Baambaata, Chic ft Nile Rodgers, Kasabian, Duran Duran, Of Monsters and Men, Britney Spears, Paul McCartney, Prince, Kelis, Tinie Tempah, Kylie Minogue, Rudimental, 2ManyDJs Far East Movement, Elton John, Bjorn Again, Noel Gallagher, Stereo MCs, Josh Wink, The Cuban Brothers, Felix Da Housecat, Coldplay, Mauro Picotto, Above & Beyond, Disclosure andBeenie Man. There are many more, but they're not springing to mind at the moment, and there are many others I either couldn't make it to or simply did not want to attend (Justin Bieber is a case in point). The point of the list is, it's possible to see a wide and varying range of gigs in the UAE. Sir Paul McCartney plays to a packed house at the Yas Arena after the 2012 F1 final. Antonie Robertson / The National They aren't all necessarily good (I'm looking at you, Elton John, Britney Spears and Noel Gallagher), but they were experiences, all the same. Many of the shows have been amazing (The Killers, Kasabian, Stone Roses, The Prodigy, Stereophonics, to name a few). But the stand-out has definitely got to be seeing the ex-Beatle Paul McCartney perform a near-three-hour show at the 2011 F1. Truly a breathtaking, high-energy and heart-felt show. And now, this Friday, I am going to see The Rolling Stones, another of my favourite bands of all time. Who says nothing happens in the UAE music scene? My bucket list is getting smaller and smaller...