Program
Friday
30 August
These acts have been confirmed. The timetable will be published soon.
Black Eyed Peas
Founded in Los Angeles as an alternative hip hop group in 1995, Black Eyed Peas became a hit sensation after they changed their direction towards a more dance/pop sound and rappers will.i.am, Taboo and Apl.de.ap found a valuable asset in singer Fergie. Their big breakthrough came with the smash hit Where Is The Love? from the 2003 album Elephunk, which was their third. The next two albums, 2005’s Monkey Business and 2009’s The E.N.D., were even more successful and the band became a worldwide phenomenon with hit singles such as Shut Up, Don’t Phunk With My Heart, My Humps, Boom Boom Pow, and I Gotta Feeling, among many others. In recent years, things got quiet around the band, with the members embarking on solo projects and will.i.am functioning as a coach on The Voice UK. After singer Fergie left the band, it now consists of its three original members, although a new vocalist was found in Jessica Reynoso. Last year saw the release of a new album, Masters Of The Sun Vol. 1.
Earth, Wind & Fire
Who doesn’t remember the scorching disco party Earth, Wind & Fire put on at Sam Cooke stage in 2011? Good news to anyone who does: after eight years the band is coming back to the island! Their unforgettable seventies hits - Fantasy, September, Boogie Wonderland, After The Love Has Gone, and many more - are ingrained in the memory of anyone who ever wore platform heels and flared pants. The band from Chicago has been partying on stages all over the world for almost fifty years with their amazing formula of at least ten band members, a blazing horn section, expertly layered vocals, and an effortless mix of styles in which pop, soul, disco, and funk blend together. Founder Maurice White hadn’t been part of the touring band for a while when he passed away in 2016. But the other three original core members – falsetto singer Philip Bailey, percussionist Ralph Johnson, and bassist Verdine White (brother of Maurice) are still feeding the flames with verve.
Pitbull
From Mr. 305 to Mr. Worldwide, Armando Christian Perez, a.k.a. Pitbull, rose from the streets of Miami to exemplify the American Dream and achieve international success as a Grammy award-winning global superstar, business entrepreneur, education ambassador and motivational speaker. Pitbull has landed #1 hits in over 15 countries, sold over 80 million singles, has more than 84 million Facebook/Twitter/Instagram followers and over 13 billion views on YouTube. In addition to the United States, his sold-out world concert tours have taken him to North and South America, Europe, China and Japan. Along the way, he has co-headlined with Enrique Iglesias, toured with Britney Spears in the U.K. and Europe, and spoken to thousands as part of Tony Robbins’ motivational seminars. Pitbull also serves as ambassador to the Sports Leadership Arts and Management (SLAM!) charter schools helps to establish.
Kenny G
With global sales totaling more than 75 million records, saxophonist Kenny G is the biggest-selling instrumental artist of all time. Growing up as Kenny Gorelick in Seattle's Seward Park neighborhood, he came into contact with the saxophone when he heard a performance on The Ed Sullivan Show and started playing at age 10. Gorelick started professionally with Barry White‘s Love Unlimited Orchestra in 1976, recorded with Seattle-based funk group Cold, Bold & Together and worked with Jeff Lorber Fusion before embarking on a solo career. His fourth album Duotones, which featured the hit Songbird, made him into a star and in demand for guest appearances on recordings of Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, and Natalie Cole. His sixth studio album, 1992’s Breathless, went on to become the best-selling instrumental album ever; two years later, his album Miracles became the best-selling Christmas album ever. Gorelick continues to tour all over the world; his latest album, Brazilian Nights, was released in 2015.
Maxwell
Singer-songwriter Maxwell was instrumental in bringing the neo-soul movement to prominence over the latter half of the 90s, creating a whole new genre together with fellow artists such as Fugees and Erykah Badu. After making a name for himself on the New York club scene, Maxwell signed a recording contract and debuted with the 1996 album Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite, with which he scored his first Grammy nomination – with many more to follow. Maxwell garnered rave reviews from the onset: Vice magazine dubbed him ‘the next Prince’, while The Washington Post called him ‘the Marvin Gaye of the 90s’. After three albums and a seven-year hiatus, he released 2009’s BLACKsummers'night; the first installment of a trilogy of which the second part, blackSUMMERS'night, was released in 2016.
Michael McDonald
The man with one of the most recognizable voices in the world is coming to the island! Michael McDonald’s soulful sound stands out anywhere; whether it be on his solo hits, those with his two famous bands or as a session musician. McDonald grew up in Missouri, playing in local bands before he moved out to Los Angeles in the early 1970s. In 1974 he became a member of Steely Dan and after that joined the Doobie Brothers. As a singer, keyboardist, and composer he contributed to such classic hits as Takin’ It To The Streets, It Keeps You Runnin’, and What A Fool Believes. During the ‘80s and ‘90s, his solo career knew successes like Sweet Freedom and two legendary duets: On My Own with Patti LaBelle and Yah Mo B There with James Ingram. McDonald’s distinct vocal style made him one of the most sought-after session musicians, contributing to records by artists such as Aretha Franklin, Elton John, and Toto. He has five Grammys to his name; his latest album Wide Open was released in 2017.
