14 posts tagged “world festival”

KCRW DJ Jeremy Sole hosted KCRW’s 8th Reggae Night at the Hollywood Bowl, kicking off an evening of stellar performances from Toots and the Maytals and Michael Rose (sadly, Gregory Isaacs canceled last minute due to illness). I asked him to set the scene and tell me about the experience:

“As they led me to my room backstage, I noticed the black and white photos that line the hallway - Frank Sinatra, Jimi Hendrix and other legends that have graced the stage of the historic Hollywood Bowl. The depth of the moment began to set in. Now, I have seen a lot of green rooms, introduced and deejayed for many of my living idols - and your better believe hosting a night with Black Uhuru's Michael Rose and the one and only Toots & The Maytals would definitely be one of them. But what was unprecedented in my world was hosting a sold out show of 18,000 people, under a perfect August sky in Los Angeles. The energy was electric, and the honor I felt was majestic.  

If you had asked me when I moved to LA, if I could picture myself on the stage of the Hollywood Bowl, I'm not going to lie - the answer would be yes. Yet still, when the moment came and I was cued to take the mic, all the warmth flooded inward; the joy of sharing music for a living, the inspiring family that I have inherited at KCRW, and the present moment of personal grandeur all compounded on inhalation. And let me tell you the exhale was even sweeter. I stepped to the mic and did what I do, and the rest of the night, as they say, is history - at least personally."

You can hear Jeremy on Wednesday nights from midnight to 3am

RR

World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl feat. GRACE JONES This Sunday

KCRW’s World Festival show THIS Sunday, July 26 features Grace Jones and of Montreal in there Hollywood Bowl debuts. Also, LA’s own Dengue Fever opens the show. This is Grace’s first Los Angeles appearance in over 20 years! Also, word from of Montreal's camp is that they are pulling out all the stops for an elaborate stage production for this special occasion.  The show starts at 7pm and tickets are still available.

KCRW  Hosts Free Show at Grand Performances

KCRW’s DJ’s Raul Campos and Anthony Valadez host an evening with Curumin w/ Money Mark and Novalima this Saturday, July 25 at 8pm. It’s a free show open to the public, bringing you Latin America’s 21st century sounds.

Jones, Grace 250

KCRW’s World Festival show THIS Sunday, July 26 features Grace Jones and Dengue Fever in there Hollywood Bowl debuts. Also, LA’s own Dengue Fever opens the show.

This is Grace’s first Los Angeles appearance in over 20 years! The Hollywood Bowl performance will include the natural combination of music, theatrics and fashion that define a Grace Jones concert.  Also, word from Of Montreal's camp is that they are pulling out all the stops for an elaborate stage production for this special occasion. The KCRW favorites are known for their unpredictable shows so we can’t wait to see what happens.

Sunday, July 26th – 7pm
KCRW's World Festival - hosted by Henry Rollins

Grace Jones
Of Montreal
Dengue Fever

Tickets at www.hollywoodbowl.com

KCRW’s World Festival is proud to present Ray LaMontagne (w/ the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra), Jenny Lewis and Blitzen Trapper in their Hollywood Bowl debuts THIS Sunday, July 12! It’s going to be a fantastic show and as of this moment, there are still tickets available.

TONIGHT, July 10 is the beginning of KCRW sponsored shows at Grand Performances, the free multi cultural series at California Plaza starting at 8pm.  Join KCRW DJ’s Jeremy Sole and Garth Trinidad as they host acoustic world reggae and rai inflected electro pop, courtesy of Rocky Dawuni and MC Rai. On Saturday, July 11, KCRW’s Tom Schnabel hosts Buika performing her unique mix of jazz, bolero and funk and Perla Batalla fusion of traditional Mexican music and alt folk.  (also mark your calendars for July 25 -- it’s “muy caliente” as KCRW’s  Raul Campos and Anthony Valadez host an evening with Curumin and Novalima bringing you Latin America’s 21st century sounds.)

Lastly, a handful of KCRW DJ’s will be spinning as part of the Funk Rumble Block Party in Chinatown's Historic Central Plaza this Saturday, July 11. The all-day event is hosted by our very own Jeremy Sole and features live performances by Breakestra, The Lions, Orgone and more.

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Etta James, who was scheduled to appear on the KCRW World Festival series at the Hollywood Bowl on June 28, 2009, has been forced to cancel due to illness. James is replaced by legendary music icon Chaka Khan. Janelle Monáe opens the show and Adele with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra Strings headlines.

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Now we know summer is really here!

We are kicking off KCRW’s World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl this Sunday with a show featuring Afrobeat superstar Femi Kuti, breakout star Santigold and the soulful sounds of Raphael Saadiq. It’s an incredible lineup and the show starts at 7pm, with KCRW DJ Garth Trinidad as host.

If you're still up for a party after the Bowl, head over to the Vanguard in Hollywood for a special Afro Funke event with KCRW's own Jeremy Sole. It's from 10pm to 4am. Info: www.afrofunke.com

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This summer’s World Festival lineup includes everyone from Afrobeat superstar Femi Kuti to Grammy winner Adele and legends like Grace Jones, Etta James and Toots and the Maytals. Ray LaMontagne will make his Hollywood Bowl debut, as will Santigold and many others. Each Sunday night show will be hosted by a different KCRW DJ. The 11th season of the World Festival kicks off on June 21 and runs through September 20. To check out the full line up and purchase series or single tickets, go to HollywoodBowl.com or drop by the Hollywood Bowl Box Office in person. 

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Reggae Night is special because of the people who come to Reggae Night. The bands were great, don’t get me wrong, but the mood of the night was set by the positive vibes emanating from the sold out audience. Barrington Levy got things off to a great start but Beres Hammond really kicked it into high gear. He reminded me of Curtis Mayfield in a lot of ways – integrating some social commentary and a smile that would come out of nowhere and brighten his face, just like Curtis. He had a lot of spirit and it translated really well.

When I told my friend Nichole we were going to see UB40, she was a bit surprised. The UK reggae band gained worldwide fame in the ‘80s but a lot of people did not realize they are still touring and making music. The set was solid, but the last four songs were just fantastic. It took me right back to 6th grade, sitting in a room I shared with my sister, with the little boombox I LIVED for. I used to tape songs I loved off the radio and I know I have a mix cd somewhere with ¾ of “Red Red Wine” on it.  “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” “Here I Am,”  and “The Way You Do the Things You Do” were pure gold. Everyone was singing and dancing (and clinking plastic glasses of red, red wine).

Just one more show left! Come see Ozomatli, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Nortec Collective and Lila Downs on Sunday, September 21.

RR

Another great night at KCRW’s World Festival. Garth Trinidad hosted the evening, which had headliners Gnarls Barkley covering Radiohead as well as performing their hit “Crazy” (perhaps a bit reluctantly…read the LA Weekly blog for more on that, as well as great photos by Timothy Norris) and tracks off the new album like “Run.” Cee-Lo cussed within seconds of taking the stage which makes me realize it was probably pretty hard for him to censor himself during their live set on MBE, but he did do it! Cee-Lo is so much fun to watch – he’s charming and funny and his voice never fails to amaze me.

I’ve heard a lot about Deerhoof but I’ve never seen them play, so this was a treat. The second I walked in, they blew me away. The bowl is not an easy place for a rock band to play but their energy and ferocity got everyone’s attention. Fallou Dieng was exciting to watch. Incredible percussion and really wild dancing. I don’t have the words to explain it but it was definitely interesting to watch!

Just a couple more shows left – next week is Reggae Night!

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Gnarls Barkley will be dropping by for a live set on Morning Becomes Eclectic before their Hollywood Bowl debut on Sunday.  Garth Trinidad will host the show, which is part of KCRW's World Festival. Senegalese artist Fallou Dieng and experimental rockers Deerhoof are also on the bill.  

More MBE Guests:  The Black Kids will be here on Monday. Nic has been spinning songs off their EP since the CMJ conference last year. They also have one of the longest song titles I have ever seen in our playlists – “I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Girlfriend How to Dance With You.”

Also, the Virgins perform a set on Wednesday. Their CD is one of my fave high-energy discs of the summer. They are excellent live so I am really looking forward to the show.

RR