In Japan, the PS3 launch was greeted with the gray market. In America, it was violence. In Dubai, it'll be Shakira. On March 23, the Latin American popstar will take the stage at the Dubai Autodrome (which Phil Collins recently sold out) as part of her "Oral Fixation Tour." The event will be sponsored by the PLAYSTATION 3. Collin Thomas, Marketing Manager of the Sony Gulf PlayStation Division:

We are delighted to be helping to boost the Middle East's popularity as a tour venue for mega stars. March will be a great month for the region with what is expected to be the largest pop concert ever held here as well as the launch of PLAYSTATION 3 taking place across the Gulf. We are sure both will be a resounding success!

Actually, the PS3 will launch in the Middle East on March 22, which is a day before the concert. Curious how the machine's gonna do in Dubai — A place which voraciously consumes slick, expensive tech. Hit the jump for the press release. Brian Ashcraft

Press Information,

24 January 2007

ShAkira is coming to Dubai

- Dubai to host its largest ever concert -

Mirage Promotions today (24 January 2007) announced that global pop sensation Shakira will be performing a live concert in Dubai on March 23 2007 as part of her 'Oral Fixation Tour'. The concert is being presented by PLAYSTATION 3 also due to launch in March and will be staged at Dubai Autodrome.

The concert is expected to sell out quickly with Shakira being the best selling artist in the Middle East - this will make the Dubai concert the largest ever regional contemporary music concert with Dubai Autodrome holding a record breaking 25.000 people.

Nasim Tabatabaei, Marketing and PR Manager for Mirage Promotions commented:

"The 30 million albums Shakira has sold world wide, more than 7 million copies of her latest album Oral Fixation, shows how popular she is and after the recent sell out Phil Collins concert at Dubai Autodrome we will be expanding the arena to accommodate one of the most anticipated concerts ever staged in the region - bringing this super star to Dubai is only possible thanks to the support from PlayStation .

"The 25.000 hip shaking fans can expect to hear a selection of her new songs and many of her greatest hits including Whenever-Wherever, La Tortura, Underneath Your Clothes, Don't Bother, Objection, Hips Don't Lie..."

Lebanese-Columbian Shakira continues:

"I have heard a lot about Dubai and performing in the Middle East for the first time will be something special. The Dubai show will be one of the biggest shows on my 2007 "Oral Fixation Tour".

Shakira, the two-time Grammy Award and eight-time Latin Grammy Award-winning Colombian/Lebanese singer-songwriter, musician and record producer has been a major figure in the worldwide pop music scene throughout the last decade and this will be her first visit to Dubai.

More...

Colin Thomas, Marketing Manager of the PlayStation Division for Sony Gulf said:

"We are delighted to be helping to boost the Middle East's popularity as a tour venue for mega stars. March will be a great month for the region with what is expected to be the largest pop concert ever held here as well as the launch of PLAYSTATION 3 taking place across the Gulf. We are sure both will be a resounding success!"

Tickets On Sale Soon! - Check Your Local Media For Details!

- ENDS -

For more information, please contact:

Nasim Tabatabaei

Mirage Promotions

W: www.miragepromotionsonline.com

E: nasim@miragepromotionsonline.com

T: +971 4 3431110

Ben Thomas / Mustafa Al-Sheikly (Arabic)

Four Communications, PR Agency, PlayStation

E: PlayStationGulf2@fourcommunications.com / ben.thomas@fourcommunications.com

T: +971 4 369 3727

Note to Editors:

About Sony Gulf FZE

Sony Gulf FZE is a 100% subsidiary of Sony Corporation and is the regional headquarters for the Middle East and Africa regions. The company is engaged in the business of Sony Consumer Electronics, VAIO laptop computers, Computer Peripherals, Data media, Recording Media and Energy (Batteries), Mobile Electronics (Car Audio) and Computer Entertainment (PlayStation) products in more than 40 countries in the region.

Apart from stock operations in the Jebel Ali Free Zone Establishment in Dubai, Sony Gulf FZE leads execution of various logistics, sales, marketing, advertising and customer services activities through its business partners and representative offices. A network of representative offices in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Lebanon and Kenya along with a multiple of service centres reinforces Sony's presence in key markets in the region.

PS3 Middle East Launch [critic.ae, Thanks Taimoor!]