A 4,000-strong audience attended Dubai’s famous Atlantis, The Palm on 31 December 2023 to ring in the new year, entertained among others by superstar British singer Sting. As the clocks chimed midnight, 2024 was welcomed with fireworks and a vibrant drone display by AO Multimedia & Drones synchronised to music.

Five hundred of AO’s technically advanced LED drones ascended around the palatial The Palm resort’s main building, forming into specially created messages and interacting with the fireworks. The highly anticipated performance was produced by Artists in Motion, with drone show creation by AO Creative.

The drones created a pre-midnight show by flying a graphic grid that conjured up a variety of patterns with a video feed that matched the music. These patterns led to a countdown, after which the large-scale fireworks display ignited. And within this fireworks display, festive designs such as a champagne bottle or champagne glasses clinking a “Cheers” in an array of vivid colours. The final image then belonged entirely to the drones again, as a large colourful HAPPY 2024 was emblazoned in the night sky. The fireworks and drone elements were programmed to give each other enough space to work, but also choreographed to give the effect of merging into each other in a striking play of light and emotions.

Sting delivered an electrifying hour-long set defined by global hits including “Every Breath You Take”, “Englishman in New York,” and “Desert Rose.” The performance was staged on a custom-built deck with views of Dubai’s skyline and overlooking The Palm Island, with stunning pyrotechnics and drone displays, which were watched by esteemed guests from around the world.