Almost three years ago, when Coldplay performed their debut concert in the UAE, more than 15,000 fans did not mind the thunder, lightning and rain that accompanied the concert. To this day, I listen to friends and colleagues gush about how good the concert was, how well the band performed, how charismatic Chris Martin was, how varied the set was. Of all the people I know who went to that concert in March 2009, all but one will be buying tickets to attend Coldplay's second UAE performance, this time scheduled for New Year's Eve in Abu Dhabi's Corniche on the Breakwater. The one who won't be repeating the experience can't, simply because she lives abroad and can't hop on a plane that day, despite really wanting to. I can't figure out people's obsession with this band, but regardless, it promises to be a night to remember in the capital: pretty much everyone will be there in the yet-to-be-erected Destination Village, with the fleet of the Volvo Ocean Race in the background and the twinkling night sky - hopefully sans rain for that one night - just over head. For me, I can't wait for the announcements sure to follow of other performances that will make it to town in conjunction with the docking of the Volvo Ocean Race in Abu Dhabi from January 1 to 14. One might not be a big fan of the various international sporting events that make it to our shores, but there will always be something or other to appeal to the varied population in the events that accompany the sporting bonanzas.