Stellar line-up announced for Kew Gardens' Festival of Summer concerts:
Kew the Music 3-8 July 2012

March 2012

WILL YOUNG, JAMES MORRISON, STATUS QUO, M PEOPLE, CHIC FEATURING NILE ROGERS, PINK MARTINI, TIM MINCHIN LOS LOBOS AND THE GIPSY KINGS

Kew the Music is one of London’s most popular open-air picnic concerts, performed against the backdrop of the magnificent Victorian Temperate House in the magical setting of Kew Gardens.

These laid-back concerts are known for their magical festival atmosphere. Groups of friends and families can relax and enjoy an evening picnic in the stunning surroundings of the botanic gardens, whilst listening to world-class concerts. All the ingredients for the perfect summer evening out.

Tuesday 3 July:
Status Quo with special guests The Straits

2012 sees legendary rock band Status Quo celebrate 45 years of rocking all over the world. Famous for endlessly touring, their deceptively simple brand of boogie-rock and high-energy shows always bring the audience to their feet. In 2009 they picked up a legion of new fans, young and old alike, with their barnstorming performance at the Glastonbury Festival, where they performed on a Sunday afternoon to a record 80,000 people. They have sold in excess of 118 million records, have had 32 hit albums and have made more appearances on Top Of The Pops than any other artist. Status Quo’s numerous hits include Paper Plane, Caroline, Whatever You Want, Rockin’ All Over the World and In the Army Now. However, arguably their most iconic moment was opening Live Aid in 1985.

Former members of Dire Straits, Alan Clark, Chris White and Phil Palmer perform the greatest hits from Dire Straits, one of the biggest bands of the 1980’s, including the iconic songs Money For Nothing, Sultans Of Swing, Walk Of Life and Brothers In Arms. Dire Straits were one of the most successful bands of the 1980’s and their album Brother In Arms won two Grammy Awards, Best British Album at the 1987 Brit Awards and in December 2011 was ranked the fifth best-selling album in chart history. The bands line-up includes world class musicians Steve Ferrone, Terence Reis, Mick Feat and Jamie Squire.

Wednesday 4 July:
M-People with special guests CHIC featuring Nile Rogers

M People were one of the defining bands of the 1990’s with their uplifting dance songs like Moving On Up, Sight For Sore Eyes, One Night In Heaven, Open Your Heart and Search For The Hero. Between 1990 and 1999 they had ten top ten hits, sold eleven million albums and won numerous awards including a Brit Award and a Mercury Music Prize.

Chic were one of the most influential bands of the 1970’s and produced some of the most commercially successful disco songs ever. Formed by legendary musicians Nile Rogers and Bernard Edwards, Chic’s songs include Le Freak, Good Times, Everybody Dance and I Want Your Love.

Edwards and Rogers composed, performed and produced some of the most influential disco and funk records of all time, including Sister Sledge’s album We Are Family and Diana Ross’ album Diana, which included the single Upside Down. In 1996, Rogers was named Top Producer in the World by Billboard Magazine and was responsible for co-producing David Bowie’s Let’s Dance album, Madonna’s Like A Virgin album and producing Duran Duran’s Notorious album.

Thursday 5 July:
Pink Martini with special guest Tim Minchin

Oregon-based Pink Martini are a thirteen member ‘little orchestra’ who draw their inspiration from the romantic Hollywood musicals of the 1940’s and 50’s, creating a lost world of elegance with their highly polished combination of class and kitsch, swooning nostalgia and deliriously romantic melodies that have won them an international cult following.

Tim Minchin is an acclaimed musician, songwriter and comedian who is known to millions for his own brand of musical comedy. He recently embarked on an arena tour with a 55-piece orchestra, which included shows at 02, London and the Royal Albert Hall. He has written the music and lyrics for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Award-winning production of Matilda The Musical currently performing in the West End. His unique style of musical wit has made him a favourite at various UK festivals including Latitude, The Big Chill, Reading, Leeds, and Hay.

Friday 6 July:
James Morrison

Award winning singer songwriter James Morrison made his debut in 2006 with You Give Me Something, which became an instant international hit. His albums Undiscovered and Songs For You, Truths For Me have sold a combined total of 4.5 million copies and have included the singles You Give Me Something, Wonderful World, The Pieces Don’t Fit Anymore and the smash hit Broken Strings, featuring Nelly Furtado. His latest album The Awakening debuted at number one in the album charts.

Saturday 7 July:
Will Young with special guest Nerina Pallot

Will Young is one of the UK’s best-loved pop stars. Since winning Pop Idol ten years ago, he has released five albums, many of them to great critical acclaim, dominated the charts with singles such as Friday’s Child, Leave Right Now, Grace and All Time Love, collaborated with Groove Armada on their album Black Light and performed with James Brown, Elton John and Burt Bacharach. He has sold over nine million records, won two BRIT Awards an Ivor Novello Award and his debut single Evergreen was the UK’s biggest selling single of the noughties. Will Young is joined by the wonderful, platinum selling British singer songwriter, Nerina Pallot for an evening of first class music.

Sunday 8 July:
Gipsy Kings with special guests Los Lobos

The legendary Gipsy Kings achieved world-wide recognition in 1988 with the release of their eponymous album which featured the global smash hit Bamboleo, Un Amor and Djoba Djoba. The band are all members of two related families from France and are credited with being responsible for bringing the sounds of progressive flamenco to the world.

Los Lobos sold millions of records and had an instant number one hit with their version of La Bamba, which was the title track for the film of the same name. They are a multiple Grammy Award-winning band from East Los Angeles, California who have been performing their own style of Latin dance music for over 30 years.

Kew the Music is supported by Winkworth

Tickets and booking information
See website www.kew.org/music for full event and ticket information.
Tickets from £35.50. Booking fees apply.
Children aged 6 to 15, £10 discount. Children under 6 yrs, and one carer per disabled customer go free. Please note Tim Minchin’s show is not recommended for children under 12. Parental guidance advised.
24 hour ticket hotline: 0871 231 0834 or book online at www.kew.org/music.
Group discounts apply on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, call 0844 412 4650 for details.

To book a ready made Picnic Hamper that you can collect on the night or for VIP Hospitality experience visit www.kew.org/visit-kew-gardens/whats-on/kew-the-music/vip-packages

Gates open 6.00pm. Concert starts 7.30pm (7.00pm on Sunday). Firework finale at 10.15pm. No fireworks on Sunday.
No seating is provided, so bring blankets, folding chairs and picnics.

-Ends-

For further information, photographs and interview opportunities please call:

Ewan Thomson PR - 020 8743 6837 / 07917 167790 or email ewan@ewanthomsonpr.com

Kew press office - Tarryn Barrowman 020 8332 5602 or email t.barrowman@kew.org