Nick Jonas excited to head to Abu Dhabi for VidCon performance

Ever since the Jonas Brothers burst on to the pop scene with their debut album It’s About Time in 2006 - the baby of the group, Nick Jonas, has continued to court the spotlight. Whether as part of the famous sibling trio who had superhits like S.O.S. and Burnin’ Up, or as a solo singer with triple platinum hit Jealous, or even in a budding acting career where he starred in notable projects like Jumanji: The Next Level and Scream Queens, the now 29-year-old Jonas has always commanded the love and attention of a loyal fanbase.

After a long split, Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas reunited musically in 2019, announcing the Jonas Brothers’ new single Sucker and their comeback was hailed by many fans as one of best ever. Adding the tantalising fact that Nick had just married Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra to the mix, it seems there was no stopping the Jonas train to renewed success.

Since 2019, the brothers have released some fabulous music including hits like Leave Before You Love Me with DJ Marshmello and What A Man Gotta Do, as well as upbeat seasonal songs Like It’s Christmas and I Need You Christmas.

They were recently on a tour of the United States and now Nick is dropping into the UAE to perform at VidCon Abu Dhabi 2021, much to the delight of his local fans.

We managed to catch up with Nick in London (where he attended the British Fashion Awards with wife Priyanka Chopra) over Zoom ahead of his highly anticipated visit.

Nick, you’re going to be in Abu Dhabi for VidCon on Friday - and fans here are really excited for your performance. Tell us what they can expect from your show.

I’m also very excited. I was on tour with my brothers in the United States, we wrapped up just about a month ago. But I also released an album of my own this year, Spaceman. And you know, because we were playing mostly Jonas Brothers songs obviously, I didn’t have a chance to play a lot of the Spaceman songs or other songs of mine.

So this will be a lot of fun to get out there and see my fans, and be able to celebrate creators (at VidCon) and the fun of being connected in the way that we all are. I’m thrilled to be able to get back on stage and perform for them.

This is your first time performing in the UAE. What are your thoughts on Dubai and Abu Dhabi? Are you excited to visit?

I’m very excited to visit. I love Abu Dhabi and Dubai. My brothers and I performed in Abu Dhabi, I think back in 2010 or around that time. So it’s been quite a long time and I’m just eager to get out there and play. The fans are amazing; very passionate and they show so much love on social media. So I’m glad to be able to see them.

You mentioned the Remember This tour with Kevin and Joe around the US. How did it feel to be touring again after such a long break because of Covid?

It felt so good to be back on stage! Obviously this last 18 months - 2 years has been really challenging for everybody in different ways and to not be able to be out there and perform - it was tough. But I think that we were happy to do it in a safe way and to bring a great outdoor show to our fans and (I think it was) 45 or 46 shows flew by.

It was just a dream to be back out there.

You’ve had amazing music out in the past two years including Leave Before You Love Me with DJ Marshmello and What A Man Gotta Do (two of my personal favourites) as well as two Christmas songs. Can fans expect anything new this Christmas?

Ooh! I think this year we’re going to let the last two just live and have a moment! We were so busy with the tour and just kind of all that’s going on with our own lives, we weren’t able to record another Christmas song this year but the reaction to both of them (the earlier songs) especially Like It’s Christmas is just amazing to watch - that even a few years after it came out it’s still resonating the way it is.

Last month your comeback single with the Jonas Brothers, Sucker, was the newest member of Spotify’s Billions Club. It’s such a big accomplishment for a singer or band - what are your thoughts on that?

It’s really special. Obviously Sucker was the comeback song for us after the break-up and coming back together and just seeing the world react the way that it did to that song that meant so much to us.

I think anytime you enter a ‘Billion’ club it’s a pretty incredible thing and I think we get a nice plate for it or something so I’m eager to have that sent to my house (laughs)!

As someone who has been making music since they were in their early teens, how would you describe what it means to you? What is your philosophy of music?

Music is something that’s always been within me and I’m lucky to come from a very musical home! My dad was a musician and my brothers and I always made music together but to be able to turn that into a career and to be able to do what I love as a career is a dream come true.

I’m thrilled that I’ve been able to branch out as well and that music was the catalyst to me getting into acting, also writing and producing. It’s been something that’s opened so many doors for me creatively and I just always try to follow that instinct.

And follow my heart when it comes to the music that I make.

You’ve been in some great projects like Jumanji: The Next Level and Scream Queens. What is it that inspires you as far as acting is concerned? What kind of roles would you love to do in the future?

I try to find things that continue to help me to grow and try to work with people that push me. So I think I’d like to find (in addition to things like Jumanji, which was so incredible to be part of) more roles, even that I write myself or go after where there’s opportunity for me to just show different sides of myself and push myself as an actor and tell really complex stories.

Nick Jonas will perform on Friday, December 3 at VidCon, the UAE’s debut edition of the world’s largest celebration of digital creators and online video. The Anasala Family, Kwebbelkop and Supercar Blondie are among the global digital stars confirmed to attend. Bollywood actor Nora Fatehi will also perform on December 3. Singer Kehlani will perform on Saturday, December 4. VidCon Abu Dhabi 2021 is being held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from December 3-6, and tickets are available for purchase at vidcon.com where you can also check out more information about the event.