Tony Ann Live 2027 in Dubai

Tony Ann Live brings the Canadian pianist and composer to Dubai Opera on Sunday 10 January 2027 for his Dubai debut, an evening of modern piano that moves from quiet reflection to big, cinematic peaks. Presented by Live Nation Middle East, the concert also features a special support set from ARKAI, the violin and cello duo, and starts at 8:30pm.

Who is Tony Ann?

Tony Ann is a classically grounded pianist who has built one of the largest online audiences in contemporary piano music. He studied briefly at the Cleveland Institute of Music and Berklee College of Music, and describes himself as a harmony connoisseur. His sound blends classical foundations with a contemporary, often filmic edge, and it sits in the same neoclassical space as many of the most streamed pianists today.

#playthatword

His breakthrough came through #playthatword, a series in which fans suggest a word and he uses its letters on the keyboard to compose an original piece on the spot. The idea turned a technical party trick into small, emotional pieces of music, and it introduced a younger audience to neoclassical piano. His work has passed a billion views across platforms, with millions of followers.

From pop writer to solo artist

Before his solo career took off, Ann worked behind the scenes in pop. He co-wrote The Chainsmokers’ US platinum singles Sick Boy and Call You Mine, as well as the gold single Side Effects, and toured as the band’s keyboardist on their Memories: Do Not Open arena tour in North America, including performances on Saturday Night Live and Good Morning America. He has also worked with Don Diablo, Wrabel and L.Dre.

As a solo artist he released a trilogy of EPs with Decca Records France in 2023, Emotionally Blue, Emotionally Orange and Emotionally Red, 15 tracks in all. In 2024 he released monthly singles from his second album, 360, and his track ICARUS went viral. He was nominated for Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year at the 2025 JUNO Awards, Canada’s national music awards, and has played sold-out halls from the Olympia in Paris to the Barbican in London.

What to expect on the night

The concert centres on Ann alone at the piano, playing music that ranges from gentle, reflective pieces to dramatic, cinematic moments. It is not a strict classical recital, so it suits people who love the sound of a grand piano but prefer modern, melodic writing to a programme of sonatas. The programme has not been published, but the Emotionally EPs and 360 make up the core of his solo catalogue, so those are the pieces fans will be hoping for.

Support: ARKAI

ARKAI open the evening. The duo is violinist Jonathan Miron and cellist Philip Sheegog, both Juilliard graduates, who met at a Juilliard conference in 2018 and formed the duo after a jam session that ran for over an hour. Their electroacoustic sound mixes classical training with fiddle, jazz and crossover styles, and Juilliard reports that their album Brightside won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. Be in your seat early so you do not miss them.

At Dubai Opera

Dubai Opera, the dhow-shaped venue on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard in Downtown Dubai, opened in 2016 and seats around 2,000 people, and its warm, wood-lined auditorium is a natural home for a piano concert. The building opens two hours before the show and the auditorium doors open 30 minutes before the 8:30pm start. This is a venue hire by Live Nation Middle East rather than a Dubai Opera production.

• Latecomers: not admitted once the performance starts, except possibly at an interval if there is one, and there are no refunds for late arrival.
• Age: children under 6 are not allowed in the main auditorium. Everyone aged 6 and over needs a ticket, and under-18s must be with an adult.
• Dress code: avoid overly casual or provocative clothing such as shorts or flip-flops, as guests who do not comply may be refused entry.
• Food, drink and phones: no outside food or drink, no eating or drinking in the auditorium, and no photos or recording unless authorised.

By Metro, take the Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station, then walk for about 10 minutes or take a short taxi. By car, leave Sheikh Zayed Road at the Financial Center Road exit and follow signs for Downtown Dubai onto Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard.

Who it suits

This is a concert for fans who found Tony Ann through #playthatword, lovers of modern classical and cinematic piano, and anyone after a calm, beautiful evening in Downtown Dubai. With a 6+ age rule, it can also be a first grown-up concert for music-loving children.

For more, browse our concerts in Dubai and art and culture guides, things to do in Dubai and things to do in January.