10-Year Anniversary of KCRW’s World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl Kicks Off June 22

KCRW’s World Festival returns to the Hollywood Bowl this June, celebrating a decade-long partnership with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association that features fresh talent alongside the hottest and most recognized names at the legendary venue. The 2008 season offers one of the strongest line ups yet, with appearances by Gnarls Barkley, Feist, Devendra Banhart, Thievery Cooperation, UB40, Ozomatli and more.

Over the last ten years, KCRW (89.9 FM and KCRW.com) built the World Festival from a small series to a blockbuster hit at the Bowl, and one of the few series to ever sell out all season performances.

“KCRW and the L.A. Philharmonic have enjoyed an enduring and successful partnership. Since 2000, the KCRW World Festival has enjoyed sold-out shows repeatedly, and is considered the hottest—and coolest— ticket of the summer,” said KCRW DJ Tom Schnabel, who is also the Program Advisor of World Music at the Hollywood Bowl and Walt Disney Concert Hall.

KCRW’s eclectic approach to radio programming can also be seen in the line-ups for the six-show series, which showcase sounds from around the globe and pair the best of the best from a variety of genres and formats.
 
 KCRW’s World Festival kicks off on June 22 with a full band performance by Thievery Corporation featuring special guest Seu Jorge, and Bebel Gilberto, Los Amigos Invisibles, and Argentine singer-songwriter Federico Abuele. Influential Brazilian artist Gilberto Gil and Venezuela-raised world-folk savant Devendra Banhart share the stage on June 29, along with The Album Leaf, featuring Mike Heron from The Incredible String Band.

Three KCRW favorites make their Hollywood Bowl debut on the same night. Canadian songstress Feist joins the soulful Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, with the eclectic global pop of Pacifika starting off the show on July 20. Grammy winners Gnarls Barkley also make their debut Hollywood Bowl, sharing the bill with Senegalese superstar Youssou N’Dour, who was selected as one of the world’s

The seventh annual Reggae Night features the Bowl debut appearance of the U.K.’s pioneering pop reggae band UB40 with legendary singer/ producer Beres Hammond and renowned dancehall singer Barrington Levy on August 3. Youssou N’Dour  return to the Hollywood Bowl for the final night of the series on September 11, with its socially-conscious mash-ups of hip-hop, salsa, cumbia, dub, and Middle Eastern funk. Michael Franti & Spearhead, Mexican singer Lila Downs and Tijuana’s electronica leaders Nortec Collective, performing with a mariachi band, round out the bill.

Tickets ($10 – 96) are on sale now at the Hollywood Bowl Box Office, by calling Ticketmaster at 213.480.3232, at all Ticketmaster outlets or online at HollywoodBowl.com. Groups of 12 or more may be eligible for a 20% discount, subject to availability; call 323.850.2050 for further details. For general information or to request a brochure, call 323.850.2000.