Radio station KCRW, a community service of Santa Monica College, is partnering with the Los Angeles Philharmonic for the 11th season of KCRW’s World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl, kicking off on June 21.
Highlights of this year’s line up include performances from Afrobeat superstar Femi Kuti & The Positive Force, soulful singer Ray LaMontagne, reggae pioneer Toots & The Maytals, Grammy winner Adele, Bhangra superstar Malkit Singh as well as an appearance by Grace Jones, who is headlining her first live performance in Los Angeles in over 20 years.
Six Sunday concerts will showcase sounds from around the globe from both established and rising artists.
“Simply put, there is nothing like this magnificent canyon amphitheater,” said KCRW music director and host of “Morning Becomes Eclectic” Jason Bentley. “The 2009 music program at the bowl’s World Festival is a concert series without equal. Where else can you enjoy insightful pairings like Femi Kuti and Santigold, or Ray LaMontagne and Jenny Lewis? It’s a bold and progressive lineup that reflects the taste and sophistication of the city of Los Angeles itself.”
Bentley, as well as KCRW DJs Henry Rollins, Garth Trinidad, Anne Litt, Jeremy Sole and Tom Schnabel, will serve as hosts for these captivating concerts held throughout the summer months.
Though many of this year’s featured artists are making their Hollywood Bowl debuts, quite a few have already been through KCRW’s studios for live performances. For a preview of this summer’s line up, check out archived performances at www.kcrw.com/worldfestival. For more information on the festival, go to www.kcrw.org.
