Crowds packed into Dubai World Trade Centre on Thursday night to witness the return of one Britain's biggest talents, Ellie Goulding, as she headlined the second festival night of Dubai Music Week.
The 28-year-old singer last played here in 2012 for a New Year's Eve edition of Sandance at Atlantis. Since that performance her celebrity and music catalogue have grown considrably and she seemed eager to show audiences just how much she's evolved as an artist.
Donning a black jumpsuit and military boots, Goulding commanded attention as she belted out a medley of her most popular hits including the Calvin Harris collaboration I Need Your Love, a nod to her rising synthpop popularity that energised eager young fans in the audience. She also managed to do justice to her colossal hit Love Me like You Do which was featured prominently in the film Fifty Shades of Grey.
Her electrifying show also marked one of the first live performances of her new single On My Mind, the lead track from her upcoming album Delirium, set to release in early November. The song is a not-so-subtle jab at former lover Ed Sheeran who made waves and stoked controversy last year with his track Don't that alluded to Goulding's infidelity during their short-lived affair.
Goulding's high-octane performance throughout the night proved a winning selection for Dubai Music Week organisers.
And with new music on the horizon and a distinct aura of confidence on stage, the singer gave Dubai fans plenty of reasons to be excited about her future prospects.
