Kings of Leon join Lewis Capaldi at Etihad Live on Thursday, 3 December 2026.
The band replace Zara Larsson and will perform music spanning their 10 studio albums.
Alex Warren, Jennifer Lopez, Imagine Dragons, The Chainsmokers and The Script complete the after-race concert line-up.
The rock band will share Thursday’s bill with Lewis Capaldi at Etihad Live on Yas Island.
Formula 1 weekend has added another big name to its opening night. Kings of Leon will perform at Etihad Live in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, 3 December 2026, joining Lewis Capaldi for a double bill on Yas Island. The American rock band replace Zara Larsson, who is no longer able to perform at the event.
With hits including “Sex on Fire” and “Use Somebody”, Kings of Leon have plenty of material for a Yas Island singalong. Their set will draw on all 10 studio albums, covering a recording career that began with their 2003 debut.
Since then, the band have sold more than 20 million albums and nearly 40 million singles worldwide. Along the way, they have collected four Grammy Awards and two BRIT Awards, and headlined festivals including Glastonbury, Coachella, Reading and Leeds.
The Abu Dhabi date arrives less than a month after the scheduled release of O My Beloved on Friday, 6 November. The band’s tenth studio album is self-produced, with songs exploring family, gratitude and the experiences that have shaped their lives together.
David Powell, Chief Portfolio & Strategy Officer at Ethara, said: “Kings of Leon are one of the biggest names in rock music, with a catalogue of hits that audiences around the world know and love. Having them perform alongside Lewis Capaldi makes for a strong opening to this year’s After-Race Concerts and a great addition to the Yasalam presented by etisalat festival, setting the stage for one of the biggest entertainment events of the year. We’re looking forward to welcoming fans for another exciting week of racing and live entertainment in Abu Dhabi.”
As for the remaining after-race line-up, Alex Warren and Jennifer Lopez will perform on Friday, 4 December 2026. Imagine Dragons take over on Saturday, 5 December 2026, before The Chainsmokers and The Script close the series on Sunday, 6 December 2026.
The wider Yasalam programme also includes Andrea Bocelli at the inaugural Yasalam Classics on Wednesday, 2 December 2026, and Anyma presents ÆDEN at the Official After-Party on Friday, 4 December 2026. At 16/360, Shimza will perform on Friday, CamelPhat on Saturday and Black Coffee on Sunday.
How to get tickets
Access to the After-Race Concerts is included with Abu Dhabi Grand Prix tickets. General Admission, Grandstand and Hospitality experiences are available, while fans can upgrade to the Golden Circle for closer access to the stage. The 18th edition of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix takes place from Thursday, 3 December to Sunday, 6 December 2026.
Readers, start your engines.
- Where: Etihad Park, Yas Leisure Drive, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
- When: Thursday, 3 December 2026
- Contact: www.abudhabigp.com