Stevie Wonder announces one-off Manchester show and ticket details

Stevie Wonder has announced details of a one-off Manchester show. Playing the M.E.N Arena on June 29, the soul legend is also set to headline London's Hard Rock Calling festival on June 26 and Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage on June 27. Tickets for the show go on sale this Friday (April 23) at 9am (BST).

Stevie Wonder Tickets are available online on GigSport.

US veterans dominate summer festivals in year of the reunion

If dad rock reigned at last summer's pop festivals, 2010 looks set to be the year of the reunion. While Neil Young, 63, and Bruce Springsteen, 60, held court at Glastonbury last year, this year's festival season promises many bands who seemed unlikely to ever tour again.

In the vanguard are the Libertines, tortured love child of the infamously troubled Pete Doherty and his often exasperated co-frontman Carl Barat. A plethora of US rock bands, including Pearl Jam and Blink 182, are either reforming or returning from a break, for summer gigs. The latest incarnation of Guns N' Roses are also playing headline slots.

Detroit rapper Eminem, who has not played in the UK since 2003, will headline Scotland's T in the Park on a Saturday night in July, while, soul legend Stevie Wonder will close the 40th Glastonbury, playing his first ever UK festival.

Some critics argue that the number of reformed groups set to perform this summer could have a negative effect on the UK music industry. Artists such as Florence and the Machine, who had a hugely successful 2009, will feature on many stages this summer but will not headline at the biggest festivals, although Florence Welch and her band will top the bill on the first day of family-friendly Latitude.

"Reunions definitely seem to be a theme running through this summer's gigs and festivals," said James Foley, editor of music industry newsletter Record of the Day. "There seems to be an over-reliance by promoters on large US acts, particularly acts that have been on hiatus or that are reforming. Potentially that could be damaging for UK bands who are not getting the chance to see if they can step up to the mark."

For Neil Greenway, founder of efestivals.co.uk, it is the festivalgoers who will ultimately lose out. "There is a real dearth of new, exciting music out there this year," he said. "For the last five-eight years we've seen lots of the same bands on repeat, and there is a danger of overexposure for reformed bands. If it carries on like this I think people will just get fed up of going to see the same bands."

There is also a very American and male slant to this year's lineups, with only Kasabian and Muse flying the Union flag at the top of the festival bills, said Paul Stokes, associate editor of the NME. "These things are cyclical – British bands will come back. But it's true that a lot of bands from the first half of this century, contemporaries of Arctic Monkeys, didn't become the headliners they promised to be. I think the British bands that we have coming through now, like Foals and Mumford and Sons, could change that."

That many of the reformed acts do not have a album to promote is a sign of the times, he added. "It just demonstrates how lucrative live performances are now, in comparison to recorded music. It would have been very rare in the past to headline a festival in a different territory if you didn't have an album to sell."

The accusation that British bands are not getting a run for their money is denied by the svengali of festival promotion, Melvin Benn, who as managing director of Festival Republic is running Reading and Leeds, Latitude, Glastonbury and – for the first time this year – the Big Chill.

"I don't think that accusation can be levied at promoters," he said. "When the bands are there to step up, we want it, believe me." Benn pointed out that Arcade Fire, though Canadian rather than British, were topping the bill at Reading and Leeds, and Tennessee's finest, Paramore, who are relative newcomers to the UK scene, would also enjoy a slot high up on the bill.

"If the only bands getting to headline were [established or reformed acts] then, yes, that would be a concern but up-and-coming acts are being elevated at the same time," he added.

What will provide the story of the season, or this summer's "Blur moment" – they reformed to rapturous adulation at Glastonbury last year – remains to be seen. The Libertines' fleeting reunion – there are no plans yet for a more permanent rapprochement – may provide rich pickings.

Other highlights may include a sensitively programmed lineup at Latitude and the 40th anniversary Glastonbury.

"You really can't go wrong with headliners like U2, Muse and Stevie Wonder," said Foley. "I can't imagine any other festival in the world being able to command that type of lineup." Who might provide the stand-out moment of 2010? "My money is on Stevie Wonder at his 60th birthday at Hyde Park."

Stevie Wonder to headline London's Hard Rock Calling festival - ticket details

Stevie Wonder has been confirmed as the final headliner at London's Hard Rock Calling festival.
The soul legend plays the event on Saturday June 26. Jamiroquai, James Morrison and Corinne Bailey Rae have all been confirmed for the same day.
As previously announced Pearl Jam will headline the opening night (June 25) of the Hyde Park event, while Paul McCartney tops the bill on Sunday June 27.
Stevie Wonder Tickets go on sale at 9am (GMT) on Friday (March 26).

France calls to say it loves Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder has been granted one of France's top cultural honours, the Commander of Arts and Letters award.
The soul legend was given the award by French culture minister Fr�d�ric Mitterrand, and he dedicated it to his mother. "I receive this honour in memory of my mother and in memory of all of those who have made it possible for me to stand here today."
Wonder, said Mitterrand, was "music's familiar genius". Riffing on a Wonder song, he added: "As citizen, administrator and culture minister, I just called to say we love you."
Wonder, 59, whose mother died in 2006, said: "As I was listening to what you were saying, I had a flash in my memory, the memory of 1964, when I came to Paris, France, for the first time. I came with my mother."
Wonder's political activism is well known. He supported Barack Obama in his 2008 presidential campaign and played at his inauguration in the Capitol.
At the Paris ceremony, he did not waste the opportunity to cite France's universal health insurance and Obama's efforts to extend health coverage to millions of uninsured Americans.

Celebrate Motown's 50th; Jacksons' reality show debut to Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin

Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, the Temptations and others will be in Detroit later this month to celebrate Motown's 50th anniversary.
Event the two night will be held Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 20-21, and will benefit the Motown Historical Museum, located in the company's original Hitsville U.S.A. headquarters in Detroit's midtown section, according to Billboard.
Among the planned festivities are tributes to Michael Jackson, the Four Tops' Levi Stubbs, Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr., and the label's "First Five" -- Smokey Robinson, Brian Holland, Robert Bateman, Janie Bradford and Raynoma Singleton.
Members of the Contours and Miracles, among others, will sign autographs, and the Temptations and Franklin will headline a black-tie gala at the GM Renaissance Center hosted by actor-comedian Sinbad.
Also, Fox will air a Motown tribute during halftime of the Detroit Lions-Green Bay Packers game on Thanksgiving Day. It'll feature a medley of classic hits performed by current Motown acts including KEM, Melanie Fiona and Shontelle. The medley will be available for download on the NFL Web site, with proceeds going to the United Way.

Stevie Wonder at The Borgata, Phillyist Playlist

What to write for this preview sitting here thinking, there are a million things to say and all are completely inadequate words to use. Stevie Wonder to say has been a personal influence is one thing, but to know that he has influenced the wonderest modern musicians of our time is so far reaching and amazing that it almost defies superlatives. This danced Phillyist her first dance with her husband to Stevie's "You and I" and with her father to "Isn't She Lovely." Stevie Wonder has been a part of people's lives since the early 1960s and continues to perform with the same enthusiasm and infectious optimism since then. His new DVD, Live At Last showcases perfectly the versatility, both vocally and instrumentally, of this musical genius. You can catch Stevie performing his Wonder Autumn's Night tour when it stops for two days at The Borgata this Friday and Saturday.
Stevie play liveif you've never seen, you owe it to yourself to do so. In the fifty years (FIFTY YEARS!!) that he has been performing, his stage presence, audience interaction and connection with his ensemble musicians gets stronger every time. The alone thing about Stevie's performances is that unlike most musicians, he performs all his songs in the original key. This is downright unheard of when speaking of musicians his age—most will take songs down a few steps to accommodate their aging voices. You'll also hear him play songs from nearly every album of his marvelous career, from "Uptight (Everything's Alright)" to "So What The Fuss." Although we're not sure whether he'll be playing with a live horn section or a synth, it'll be worth your time either way.
The Borgata's Event Center is very acoustically sound and guests will be sure to have a comfortable, enjoyable experience there. The last time Phillyist saw Stevie, it was at the Wachovia Center. The acoustics there made it sound somewhat like Stevie was playing in the bottom of a trash can but here at the Borgata, you can expect a much more pure, true sound. Plus let's face it— the Borgata's a straight up swanky place in general. We actually like it there and always have a fun time when we go. It should also be noted that the Roots are also playing the Borgata that evening, in the Music Box. They're having an afterparty at Mixx later that evening, which sounds like the makings for an absolutely amazing night.
Stevie Wonder

Event Center at The Borgata, Atlantic City

Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31

Tickets: SOLD OUT! See what you can grab on craigslist

Unforgettable concert in Norfolk, Stevie Wonder delivers

Performing arts in the world, there are concerts and then there are once-in-a-lifetime events. There are shows, and then there are life affirming celebrations that reignite the sense of joy and wonder and lightness you had as a child.
At the Ted Constant Convocation Center Sunday night, Stevie Wonder delivered one of those rare, unforgettable performances an attendee can always remember fondly.
There was no jumbo screen, no fireworks and not even an opening act—just Stevie and a crew that included two keyboardists, two conga players, two guitarists and four background singers, one of whom was his daughter Aisha Morris (yes, the one immortalized in the song “Isn’t She Lovely.”)
For nearly three hours, Stevie rolled through cherished songs including “Ribbon in the Sky” and “Sir Duke” with finesse; anyone that tells you Stevie sounds exactly as he does on record as he does in person—or if not better—is telling you the absolute truth. People leapt to their feet and danced in the aisles to “Superstition” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours,” and screamed, over and over again, “I love you, Stevie!” – and he ended the show with the same refrain.
If there’s such a thing as a perfect concert, this waslikely it.

At MGM Grand at Foxwoods, Stevie Wonder Performs

Stevie Wonder, who began his long career as a kid hanging around Motown studios in Detroit, performs tonight at 8 at MGM Grand at Foxwoods.Wonder has been singing from his lengthy catalog for this tour, including songs from "Innervisions," "Songs in the Key of Life," "Talking Book," "Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium," "Talking Book" and 2005's "A Time To Love."

CHURCH GETS WONDER-FUL VISITOR

If it looks like Stevie Wonder and it sounds like Stevie Wonder, it must be Stevie Wonder.
At least that's what folks who attended Sunday services at Strong Tower Ministries in Stafford County are saying after an impromptu performance there.
"As soon as he opened his mouth, I was like, oh my gosh, that is definitely Stevie Wonder," said Lisa Thomas of Spotsylvania County.
A Stevie Wonder representative in Los Angeles had not confirmed the appearance with The Free Lance-Star as of late yesterday.
However, Ellery Taylor of Spotsylvania posted video he recorded with a BlackBerry on his Facebook page. It shows a man who appears to be Wonder singing on a stage at Strong Tower Ministries.
He sang "Falling in Love with Jesus," played the harmonica and gave testimony. A three-member band from the church off Ferry Road played with him.
Senior Pastor Kevin Mihlfeld said Wonder appeared during an 11 a.m. service and sat two or three rows from the back. He listened to a sermon by a guest pastor from South Africa.
Mihlfeld said Wonder was ushered to a room behind the stage near the end of the service. That's when he volunteered to sing.
People were getting ready to leave when Mihlfeld asked them if they wanted to hear Stevie Wonder. It got their attention.
"It was so incredibly surreal," Mihlfeld said.
He said he "knows for a fact" the man was Wonder, especially after talking with him for about 30 minutes. He said Wonder was visiting a sick friend in Virginia and knows some of the church's members.
"I know it happened but still, to me it's unbelievable," Mihlfeld said.

Stevie Wonder, Cranberries, Morrissey headed to town, Tickets

R&B great Stevie Wonder headlines the MGM Grand Garden arena on Nov. 28. Tickets are $52.50, $105 and $157.50 and go on sale at noon Saturday at Ticketmaster outlets.
Reunited '90s pop rockers The Cranberries play The Pearl at the Palms on Dec. 3. Tickets are $35 and go on sale at noon Saturday at The Pearl box office, 4321 W. Flamingo Road, and Ticketmaster outlets.
Beloved crooner Morrissey hits The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel on Dec. 4, with Doll & The Kicks. Tickets start at $39.50 and go on sale at noon Saturday at The Joint box office, 4455 Paradise Road, and Ticketmaster outlets.
Actor/comedian Robin Williams enlivens the MGM Grand Garden arena on Dec. 5. Tickets are $75, $100, $175 and $225 and go on sale at 10 a.m. today at Ticketmaster outlets.
Classical pop superstar Andrea Bocelli brings his first U.S. holiday concert tour to the MGM Grand Garden arena on Dec. 12. Tickets are $75, $125, $195, $275 and $400 and are already on sale at Ticketmaster outlets.
R&B singer Raphael Saadiq visits the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay on Nov. 21. General admission tickets are $33.50 in advance, $38.50 day of show and reserved seats are $48.50. They go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the House of Blues box office, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South, and Ticketmaster outlets.
Death-metal heavyweights Nile slam into the House of Blues on Feb. 3, with Immolation, Krisiun, Abigail Williams and Dreaming Dead. Tickets are $24 in advance, $28 day of show, and go on sale at 10 a.m. today at the venue box office and Ticketmaster outlets.
Latin alt-rockers Cafe Tacuba perform at the House of Blues on Nov. 19. Tickets are $40.50 in advance, $46 day of show, and are already on sale at the venue box office and Ticketmaster outlets.
Spanish pop-rockers La Quinta Estacion play the House of Blues on Nov. 1. General admission tickets are $40.50 in advance, $45.50 day of show and reserved seats are $50.50 and $57.50. They are already on sale at the venue box office and Ticketmaster outlets.
Country singer Phil Vassar comes to Ovation at Green Valley Ranch on Jan. 1. Tickets are $29.50, $42.50 and $55 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Green Valley Ranch Boarding Pass Rewards Center, 2300 Paseo Verde Parkway.
Rocker Ted Nugent blazes into the Grand Events Center at Green Valley Ranch on Jan. 23. Tickets are $27.50, $37.50, $47.50 and $57.50 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the venue box office.
Hard rock lifers Y&T perform at Club Madrid at Sunset Station on Dec. 11. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of show, and go on sale Saturday at the Sunset Station Boarding Pass Rewards Center, 1301 W. Sunset Road.