Rashed Al Majed in Dubai

Rashed Al Majed, one of the best-known voices of Gulf and Arabic music, takes the stage at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai for a concert with a full live orchestra. The orchestra is conducted by maestro Walid Fayed, so the evening is as much about arrangement and scale as it is about the singer himself.

Rashed Al Majed has been recording for decades and has close to 40 albums to his name. That back catalogue gives the night plenty to draw on: the concert is built around well-loved classics and fan favourites, sung live and reworked with orchestral colour. Expect strong vocals, carefully shaped melodies and new takes on songs the audience already knows by heart, with the crowd's own singing as part of the atmosphere.

Coca-Cola Arena sits in City Walk, a modern district close to Downtown Dubai and the Burj Khalifa. It is the city's main indoor arena for large concerts and shows, with tiered seating around the stage, which suits a performance that relies on sound and a big ensemble. The area has restaurants and cafes nearby, so it is easy to combine the concert with a meal before the show.

This is a seated-style evening of Arabic music for fans who have followed the artist for years, as well as listeners curious to hear his songs in a symphonic setting. It works well as a night out with family or friends, particularly if you grew up with his music. The format is a single headline concert rather than a festival, so the focus stays on one artist, his band and the orchestra from start to finish.

For anyone in Dubai looking for an Arabic concert with real musical weight, this one pairs a long-established artist with an orchestral treatment of his best-known work.