Marbella will certainly have something for every style of music this summer. From a folk legend playing his first show in Spain in over 40 years, a legendary family making a welcome return, a brand new Ibiza style festival and even the Godfather of Punk set to burn up the night, Marbella’s summer music season has never been so varied!
Article by Giles Brown
Making its debut this summer is The Boho Project. Bringing Ibiza style and the island’s vibrant party atmosphere to Marbella, the one-day festival takes place on Saturday April 29 at the Finca La Concepción. Ibiza favourites and Café Mambo, Pacha and Amnesia regulars, DJ and sax duo Lovely Laura and Ben Santiago will headline a line-up of some of the best world-renowned DJs, musicians and performers. In addition to music, The Boho Project will offer pop-up boutiques, entertainers, live art as well as food and drinks. Embrace the vibe and throw on your best boho-chic outfit.
Without doubt the party concert of the summer will take place on Thursday July 27 when legendary music family, The Jacksons, return to Marbella. Performing all of their hits – including “Can You Feel It”, “Blame It On The Boogie”, and “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)” with a full backing band, The Jacksons promise a show that is sure to make full use of Marbella Arena’s superb setting and facilities.
International promotors Rock Lounge and global hospitality brand Hard Rock Hotel Marbella have once again teamed up, with The Jacksons just one part of the busy summer of events planned. Hard Rock Hotel Marbella will be the venue for the Heatwave series of pool parties, part of Marbella Music Week. International DJ and House Music icon David Penn, famed for his residences at Pacha Ibiza and Defected, will get the party started on Friday, June 30.
Starlite Festival highlights
Now in its eleventh year, the Starlite Catalana Occidente continues to dominate the summer music scene in Marbella. Boldly proclaiming itself the ‘The Most Important Boutique Music Festival in the World’, this year’s line-up of artists is one of the most interesting for some time.
Underlining that point, Starlite begins on June 21 with a performance by seminal 60s and 70s singer/songwriter Yusef/Cat Stevens. His only show in Spain this year and the first in the country since 1976, Yusef/Cat Stevens is the genius behind classics such as “Peace Train”, “Wild World” and “Father and Son”, having sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, including the multi-platinum “Tea for the Tillerman” and “Teaser and the Firecat”.
In the 70s, Cat Stevens turned his attention to working directly in the fields of humanitarian aid and education, raising funds, and supporting victims of disasters, both natural and man-made, through his own global Peace Train initiative. His music has always focused on the search for spiritual enlightenment and peace. It should be interesting to see what the “Marbs” crew make of that one…
Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Seal I and Seal II, albums, the man himself will be making his debut at Starlite on Friday July 7. With more than 30 million records sold worldwide, and an award haul that includes four Grammys and three BRIT Awards, Seal has matured magnificently – breathing new life into anthems such as “Killer”, “Crazy” and “Kiss From A Rose”.
Recently knighted for his services to music and charity, Sir Rod Stewart celebrates more than 50 years at the top with a unique show on July 21. A long time Marbella resident in the 80s, Rod will look back at his career, performing his best-known hits including “Forever Young”, “Maggie May”, “Rhythm of My Heart” and “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?
Nora Jones, whose 2002 debut album “Come Away With Me”, was the soundtrack to a million middle class dinner parties, takes to the stage on July. She may have called it a “moody little record”, but the album heralded a career that thus far has yielded nine Grammy Awards and 50 million album sales. The talented Miss Jones plays on July 27.
I’ve worked in concert production in Marbella for over 20 years. So, there are few things that surprise me, especially when it comes to who is playing. Stars like Michael Bolton (who is playing June 30th), Lionel Ritchie (July 7th), Ricky Martin, (July 14th & 15th), or Tom Jones (July 10th), are the mainstream acts that I would expect. So I dropped my con gas in shock to find out that The Godfather of Punk, Iggy Pop, will be tearing up the stage on August 2nd. Book your tickets now, the show is likely to sell out!
The man wrote the rulebook when it comes to full on power performance, infamously with The Stooges and then as solo artist, collaborated with Bowie in Berlin and Lou Reed in New York – Mick Rock’s photo of the three of them was one of the defining images of the 70s – and staged one of the greatest comebacks from self-destruction ever. Renowned for pulling no punches, I’m looking forward to Iggy’s take playing to a Marbella audience for the first time. Should be more than interesting, so I will see you there – I’ll be the one in the skull T shirt, obviously!
If none of the above appeal to you, other acts at Starlite include Italian stars Zuccero and Eros Ramazotti, The Black Eyes Peas, Ruben Blades, Wilco, Juanes, Anastacia, Spanish guitarist Vincente Amigo and dance legend Sara Baras – so there really is something for everyone!
Book your tickets and VIP tables here!