Lebanese shocked by ticket prices in the mad race between singers on New Year’s Eve

This New Year’s Eve will witness a large number of concerts by singers from all over the Arab world throughout prestigious hotels in Lebanon. Singers are competing with each other in order to obtain the largest number of attendees at their concerts to be chosen the number one Arab singer. 

Lebanese were in shock to find out that ticket prices reached up to 600 dollars per person forcing some to change their New Year’s Eve plans at the last minute, reported the London based daily Al Sharq Al Awsat. In turn Lebanon’s elite rushed to reserve seats which were running out fast due to the number of tourists coming in to attend the concerts held by some of the greatest singers of the Arab world. Despite the absence of most singers from the scenes during the Eid Al Fitir celebrations, this New Year’s Eve will witness almost all the great names of the music world.  

Najwa Karam, Nawal Al Zoughbi, Fadil Shaker, and Wael Kfoury are among the singers who will perform with ticket prices ranging between 250-600 US dollars. While Assi Hilani and Ragheb Alameh concert tickets are at a set price of 500 dollars. 

The four cats, Suzan Tamimi, Nabil Shu’ail, Saber Al Ruba’e, and Abdullah Ruwaished will all perform under one roof with ticket prices ranging between 250-350 dollars. The music world’s new arrival Haifa Wahbi and Prominent Iraqi singer Kathem Al Saher concert ticket prices begin at 350 dollars and ending at 450. Other concert ticket prices range from 100-250 dollars for less famous singers. 

A number of singers will make more than one appearance at different hotels. Most concerts will feature a fancy dinner along with light entertainment before the main performance by a singer. 

On a similar note, wages are sky high for singers hosting New Year’s Eve parties. The list of wages for each singer has been set prior to any agreement. Singers such as Hani Shaker, Mostafa Amar, Angham, and Ehab Tawfiq are asking for such high prices reaching 155 thousand Egyptian pounds, refusing to go lower. Mohammad Munier and Asalah Nasri requested 150 thousand Egyptian pounds for the night. Mohammad Foad and Samira Said come next inline asking for 120 thousand Egyptian pounds.  

Shireen Wajdi, Hisham Abbas, Hakim and Khaled Ajaj asked for 60 thousand Egyptian pounds, while Baha Sultan, Tamer and Shireen, Shaimaa Said, and Ghada Ragab only requested 50 thousand.  

On a lighter less expensive note, dancers also requested set wages for their half-hour performances during concerts on New Year’s Eve. The more prominent dancers like Fifi Abdo and Lucy cost 60 thousand Egyptian pounds for their performances. Dancers Dandash, Suhair Rajab and Samraa asked for 50 thousand Egyptian pounds. –Albawaba.com  

For the first time in his career Egyptian singer Amro Diab’s name is not among those who will perform. The singer said he refuses to hold any concert during New Year’s Eve, for reasons that are somewhat vague and just adding that he prefers to spend it with his family. –Albawaba.com