Justin Bieber was booed once again at Dubai’s Sevens Stadium on Sunday after taking to the stage two hours late, and was later attacked on stage by a male fan who stormed the stage.
The two events are not believed to be related.
Bieber was 90 minutes late at his concert last night (May 4) and Sunday’s show was a repeat performance, but this time the 19-year-old arrived onstage two hours later than the scheduled call time.
The Canadian, who was meant to start his performance at 8 pm, finally kicked off his show at 10 pm, and the crowd — reported by The National to be half the size of last night’s 15,000 plus turnout — showed their displeasure by booing.
As well as incurring the wrath of parents — many of whom reportedly flew in just for Bieber’s UAE debut — the Dubai delays have reawakened the ghost of his late showing on March 4 at London’s 02 Arena.
The details of the stage attack are still emerging, as is clear footage, but Dubai outlet The National is reporting that the singer was at the piano performing the set closer “Believe” when a young man wearing a white shirt and jeans ran on to the stage.
The attacker grabbed Bieber from behind while he was seated at the piano, but seconds later security rugby-tackled the young man while Bieber freed himself and sauntered to the side of stage, still singing .
Young fans in the audience could be heard screaming as they watched the attack — which could have been a lot worse — unfold.
The security team wrestled the stage invader, who also pushed the piano over. In the scrum, the piano was damaged and unplayable for the rest of the show.
After the incident, Bieber was reportedly shaken but — to his credit — finished the song.
The attacker was bundled off stage by security, with the piano removed shortly afterwards.
Bieber came back on stage after only a three minute break and encored the dramatic show with renditions of “Boyfriend” and “Baby.”
The Believe tour now moves on to South Africa where the singer will perform two stadium shows in Cape Town on May 8 and Johannesburg on May 12.
The odyssey continues.