Miguel Poveda Flamenco Festival Review

When a tannoy booms out over the sticky-hot concert hall of Malaga’s Cervantes Theatre announcing that the concert will begin in two minutes, the thrill of expectation is tangible. Named for Don Quixote´s creator,  this 19th century theatre located on a marble-paved square hidden in the warren of Malaga’s cobbled backstreets is the fitting setting for the concert of Miguel Poveda, the 42 year old singer who has been described as ‘one of the best flamenco artists of his generation’.

From my ornate four-seater opera box, I stare out over the audience. Every seat facing the narrow proscenium stage is taken, which is a huge tribute from this province where everyone lives and breathes flamenco, and where some of Spain´s greatest artists – ranging from Juan Breva and Paca Aguillera, to La Trini and El Nino de Velez – were born.  When the concert starts there is a sudden hush, which is an even greater tribute from this southern Spanish audience who generally greet every event of their lives at top volume.

The lights lift in a wide fan, illuminating Poveda and his seven piece band. He is small, with fine hands and expressive features. Despite singing with top artists, including Paco de Lucia and Passion Vega, Poveda is a humble artist and before he swings into his first number he tells the audience how much their participation gives him the courage to sing his songs: “Your heart gives my heart strength,” he tells them. They respond with cheers and friendly catcalls asking him to sing this, or that favourite song.

He explains  that there will be three parts to the two-hour show  First he says that he will sing his favourite songs ´because I enjoy doing them.” Next he tell us that he will sing the flamenco numbers and the third act will include several Argentine ballads.

If the first part of the show is enjoyable and the third part polished, the flamenco section is startling in its intensity. I thought that Poveda was sweating because of the 29 centigrade temperatures, but Miguel Poveda is an artist who sweats every line, every movement of the music he sings. When he interprets works by the great poet, Lorca, I don’t need to understand the words in order to   grasp the meaning of these Cante Jondo songs about broken hearts, death and despair – Poveda is like Houdini: a contortionist of flamenco art who wrings every meaning from every syllable and every tremulous note.

As Lorca stipulated in his famous lecture on the subject of Duende: ‘that mysterious power that everyone feels but no philosopher can explain’, Poveda battles with Duende and he surrenders to Duende. Best of all he takes his audience along for a roller coaster ride. 

Miguel added to Poland’s Open’er Festival

The line-up for this year's Open’er Festival is ever expanding as more outstanding major acts confirm for 2013’s edition.
 
Each year, the Grammy Award ceremony needs it's quiet, surprising hero. In 2012, it was Bon Iver, while at this year's ceremony the role was played by Miguel, a 28-year-old Los Angeles singer. With the surprising five nominations, until the ceremony, known only to a small handful of fans, he gave a fiery interpretation of his hit single "Adorn", later receiving a Grammy award for it as Best R’n’B Song. He was just a little short from returning home as author of "Song Of The Year", yet, the American market wasn't ready for him yet.
 
Miguel Pimentel debuted in 2010 with a decent, yet unnoticed album "All I Want Is You”. While the LP gained its faithful listeners, its high quality deserved a far better reception. In 2011, Miguel broke the contract with his label at the time, signing to the renowned RCA Records, who understood the potential in the young singer. In October 2012, he released "Kaleidoscope Dream", deemed one of the best albums of the year straight away. Perfected to the last detail, sung in a way to strike only one comparison – Prince, the album did not only gather words of praise, but also checked in at top positions in the charts. The comparisons to Prince appear in nearly all "Kaleidoscope Dream" reviews, as Miguel has another advantages but exquisite songwriting: good looks and untamed stage antics.
  
Hip-hop beat and the use of rock instruments make Miguel not only one of the creators of the so-called "new r'n'b" (along Frank Ocean or The Weeknd), but also an artist to refresh the entire genre, while keeping faith to the classical sound. It is acknowledged by the growing crowd of fans, award juries and the greatest stars. We believe that on July 6, the Open'er audience will acknowledge it too.

31 acts added to Yahoo! Wireless

Live Nation today announced that a huge 31 new acts have been added across the Yahoo! Wireless line up. They join headliners Justin Timberlake, JAY Z, and Legends of The Summer featuring both JAY Z and Justin Timberlake. Yahoo! Wireless Festival takes place across Friday 12 July, Saturday 13 July and Sunday 14 July.  Additions across the weekend include Earth, Wind & Fire, Little Mix, Wiz Kid, B Smyth, Dream Mclean, Joey Bada$$ and Sinead Harnett.

Tickets for Sunday 14 July headlined by Legends of The Summer featuring Justin Timberlake and JAY Z – a special preview of their North American Stadium Tour – are available but selling fast, www.wirelessfestival.com Tickets for Friday 12 July (headlined by Justin Timberlake) and Saturday 13 July (Headlined by JAY Z) are now sold out.

FRIDAY 12 JULY

Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dogg, Trey Songz, John Legend, Miguel, Ke$ha, Wretch 32, Conor Maynard, special guest Frank Ocean, Bingo Players, Sub focus, Zane Lowe (DJ set), Bluey Robinson, Drop City, Yacht Club, Fazer, Mikky Ekko, A*M*E, Mat Zo, Waka Flocka Flame, Phlo Finister, Wiz Kid, Little Mix, B Smyth Flume, Chloe Howl, Jacob Banks, Joel Compass, Kat Dahlia, Ed Drewett, Raleigh Ritchie, Tom Prior

 

SATURDAY 13 JULY

JAY Z, Emeli Sande, Rita Ora, Kendrick Lamar, Miguel, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, DJ Fresh/Live, Special guest Calvin Harris, Flux Pavilion, Zedd, Iggy Azalea, Devlin, Taboo, Watsky, Mikill Pane, Clean Bandit, JAKWOB, Logic, Drop City Yacht Club, Joel Compass, Earth WInd & Fire, Dream Mclean, Cherub, Monsta, Rascals, Phlo Finister, Roses Gabor, Knytronium, Etta Bond x Raf Riley

 

SUNDAY 14 JULY

Justin Timberlake and JAY Z LEGENDS OF THE SUMMER STADIUM TOUR, A Tribe Called Quest, NAS, A$AP Rocky, Jessie Ware, Rizzle Kicks, Drop City Yacht Club, Special guest will.i.am, Katy B, Magnetic Man, 2 Chainz, Porter Robinson, Daley, Misha B, Angel, Giggs, Koan Sound, Jacob Plant, P Money, Charlie Brown, Joey Bada$$, Sinead Harnett, Stylo G, Fuse ODG, B Smyth, Context, MAUSI, Jetta, Joel Compass, Purple Ferdinand, Sasha Keable

 

Ticketing Information:

Tickets for Sunday 14 July – are on sale now and are priced at £75 plus booking fee.

 

Tickets available at www.wirelessfestival.co.uk

 

VIP packages still available across all three days from:

www.wirelessfestival.co.uk

Justin Timberlake and Jay Z to headline Wireless Festival

Superstar Justin Timberlake is confirmed to headline Wireless Festival on Friday 12 July, this will be his only UK festival performance of 2013, Snoop Dogg, Trey Songz, John Legend, Miguel and very special guest Frank Ocean also join the bill.  Music megastar Jay Z has confirmed his only European performance of 2013 at Wireless Festival on Saturday July 13Emeli SandeRita OraKendrick Lamar, Miguel, DJ Fresh/Live will also appear along with Calvin Harris who is confirmed as special guest. Tickets for Wireless Festival go on sale Friday 22 February at 9am, available at www.wirelessfestival.co.uk

Justin Timberlake is a true musical icon.  As a solo artist, he released two chart-topping and influential, groundbreaking albums that both reached multi-platinum status in many countries across the world. His debut album ‘Justified’ has sold in excess of seven million copies and included epic hit singles such as ‘Cry Me A River’ and ‘Like I Love You’.  His follow-up album, ‘FutureSex/LoveSounds,’ sold over 10 million copies worldwide, was met with equal acclaim and produced the massive singles ‘SexyBack’ and ‘My Love’.  After a break from music Justin recently thrilled fans with the surprise release of a brand new single, ‘Suit & Tie.’ The track reached number one on the iTunes charts in 31 countries and broke radio airplay records in the U.S.  An eagerly anticipated brand new album ‘The 20/20 Experience’ will be out on March 18.

Justin Timberlake

Very special guest Frank Ocean will be making his Wireless Festival debut this year. Before the release of his first album ‘nostalgia, ULTRA’ in 2011 Ocean made a name for himself by penning tracks for the likes of Justin Bieber and Beyonce. His Sophomore album ‘channel ORANGE’ was released last year to both critical and popular acclaim, he recently scored a standing ovation at the 2013 Grammy Awards when the album was awarded best urban contemporary album.

Snoop Dogg makes a welcome return to the Wireless Festival stage this year after a rapturously received set in 2010.  Having sold over 30 million albums world wide Snoop Dogg has become a true music legend. His quadruple platinum debut album, 1993’s ‘Doggystyle’, stormed the charts, selling more than 4 million copies and became a seminal moment in the evolution of gansta rap.  A brand new album, ‘Reincarnated’ will be released later this year.
 
Trey Songz, who is responsible for hits including ‘Already Taken’, ‘Bottoms Up’, ‘Neighbors Know My Name’ and ‘Say Aah’, will be bringing his unique soulful swagger to Wireless Festival fans. He has sold 14 million albums and singles worldwide, and received numerous Grammy nominations. His latest album ‘Chapter V’ was released last year. Nine-time Grammy Award winner John Legend, who has sold over seven million albums worldwide, hits Wireless Festival for the first time this year.  He topped the US Billboard R&B album chart with his 2004 debut 'Get Lifted', a fete he repeated with follow-up's 'Once Again' and 'Evolver' in 2006 and 2008 respectively. In 2010, Legend teamed up with The Roots for the critically-acclaimed, award-winning collaborative album 'Wake Up'.  His new album, ‘Love In The Future’ Is out this year.  Man of the moment Miguel who was recently awarded a Grammy for his US hit single ‘Adorn’ also joins the bill, he will appear Friday 12th July and Saturday 13th July.
Chart-topping, multiplatinum producer Calvin Harris makes a welcome return to the Wireless Festival joining headliner JAY Z on Saturday 13 July as very special guest.  Undoubtedly one of the biggest names in dance music today, he broke chart records earlier this year by becoming the first UK act to achieve seven top ten singles all from the same album, which included two number ones. He’s collaborated with the likes of Rihanna, Florence and The Machine, Ne-Yo and Tinie Tempah, and was recently nominated for Best Male Artist at the BRIT awards 2013.
 
Scottish singer songwriter Emeli Sande, one of Britain’s brightest music stars, will be making her first ever Wireless Festival appearance this year.  Her debut album 'Our Version Of Events' was the top selling album of 2012 in the UK and included epic songs such as ‘Next To Me’ and ‘Read All About It’.  After an electrifying performance at last years Wireless FestivalRita Ora is confirmed to return.  Since the release of her debut single ‘Hot Right Now’ from her #1 certified platinum album ‘Ora’ she has been an unstoppable presence in the UK Charts.   Hotly tipped Kendrick Lamar, whose recent album ‘Good Kid, M.A.A.D City’ received worldwide acclaim, also joins Saturday’s bill. DJ Fresh will also be performing, the Drum & Bass/Dubstep producer and DJ has had several #1 singles, the most recent being ‘Hot Right Now’ featuring Rita Ora.
 
Entering its ninth consecutive year Wireless Festival promoter Steve Homer from Live Nation is looking forward to another sensational year.  He said, “Wireless Festival has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2005, we’re incredibly excited to take it to its new home, London’s iconic Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and are delighted to secure Justin Timberlake and welcome back JAY Z.   Securing these two artists – JAY Z for his only European performance of 2013 and Justin Timberlake for his only UK festival appearance this year – cements our reputation as a world class player on the festival circuit.”

Dennis Hone, Chief Executive of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, said: "We are delighted to welcome world class artists like JAY Z and Justin Timberlake to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. This summer we are hosting a summer series of events and concerts, including the fantastic Wireless Festival. We are on track to deliver a great summer, a top visitor destination and a great legacy for east London."

Boris Johnson said: 'This is a stellar line up of stars that is set to bring the house down this summer at Queen Elizabeth Park London. It proves that our fantastic Olympic park is now a destination of choice for world class musical events.'

Wireless Festival is the UK’s number one urban/ pop festival and the destination of the summer.  A dazzling open-air live music experience It offers a chance to experience the excitement of watching the best in popular music in one of London’s most iconic sites – Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. With many more acts and details still to be unveiled, Wireless Festival 2013 is set to be the biggest and best event on the summer’s musical calendar.

Ticketing Information:

Tickets go on sale Friday 22 February at 9am and are priced at £57.50 plus booking fee.

Two day tickets are priced at £110 plus booking fee

Tickets available at www.wirelessfestival.co.uk