The Gipsy Kings; Michael Franti & Spearhead Announce New Zealand Bluesfest Sideshows!
Bluesfest Touring’s second sideshow announcement is bursting at the seams with a MASSIVE array of talent, who will be
stopping by our major cities as well as Bluesfest Byron Bay in March and April 2015. There are now plenty of options for
music enthusiasts around Australasia to get to enjoy the incredible calibre of artists that Bluesfest patrons get to
experience each Easter.
World Music Superstars, The Gipsy Kings will be bringing their Gypsy Flamenco, genre bending sound to Melbourne,
Adelaide, Perth and New Zealand as part of their 25th Anniversary Tour. The Gipsy Kings are the highest selling artist
in French music history and their recent US tour has reignited the flame and lead to reviews including; “Their music touches the soul and moves my feet" , "They make their audience come alive", "I have attended 10-12 GK
concerts over the years...This without doubt...was their best ever". Reviews from The Gipsy Kings Beacon Theatre performance, New York - September 6, 2014
Michael Franti will be embarking on a massive tour around his Bluesfest performance with his much loved band Spearhead.
Bluesfest Festival Director, Peter Noble says; “A Michael Franti & Spearhead concert is spiritual - it's physical - it's about life and loving life - it's such a wonderful experience. We
welcome Michael Franti & Spearhead back for an Australasian tour for the second time in 2 years simply because - you can't get enough of the
best!”
THE GIPSY KINGS FEAT. NICOLAS REYES & TONINO BALIARDO
The Gipsy Kings are performing in New Zealand for the first time - on their 25th anniversary tour - an incredible band
and still at the top of their game. They have bought us hits such as ‘Djobi Djoba’, ‘Baila Me’, ‘Bamboléo’, ‘Bem Bem Maria’, ‘Volare’, ‘Tu Quieres Volver’,‘A Mi Manera (Comme
D’Habitude)’,‘Vamos A Bailar’ and many more.
Melding deep-heated Flamenco, Rumba, Salsa and Pop to the tune of 25 million albums sold, the Grammy Award-winning
hit-makers celebrate their 25th anniversary in their very own, blistering tradition – taking audiences back to the south
of France on a ride through party-start guitars and booming Spanish vocals on their third tour of Australia in almost
three decades of performing.
Uniting the family Reyes, sons of the legendary Flamenco singer Jose Reyes and the family Baliardo, sons of the
legendary million record selling Flamenco guitar player Manitas de Plata, the band continues a tradition that has drawn
famous fans such as Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau, Salvador Dali and Charlie Chaplin who championed their parents, through
to the millions of fans who follow the sons. Lead vocalist Nicolas Reyes and lead guitarist Tonino Baliardo continue to
lead The Gipsy Kings as they have from the beginning - with their exciting music which fans have described on their
recent US tour as their best ever.
From playing on the streets of Cannes and the hedonistic heights of St. Tropez, breaking world music barriers as one of
the rare groups to top the US mainstream and world music charts – as well as the Australian and New Zealand charts.
Their music has featured on soundtracks of the movies The Big Lebowski, Toy Story 3 and Glee. The band has embraced
western classics by Bob Marley, the Doobie Brothers and The Eagles with globe-hopping grace, whilst also embracing
dramatic cues from Brazilian and Caribbean culture.
Now bringing the party back to their homeland coliseums and amphitheatres, The Gipsy Kings will raise the roof of every
venue they play with dance-ready furore, returning to their ground-breaking eponymous album and the nomadic spirit that
has led them to their latest Grammy winning album Savor Flamenco – giving audiences the 'deep shout at the heart of our community'.
BLUESFEST TOURING PRESENTS THE GIPSY KINGS FEAT. NICOLAS REYES & TONINO BALIARDO NZ SHOW:
MICHAEL FOWLER CENTRE: WELLINGTON, WED 1 APR 2015
Tickets on sale Tuesday 11th November at 9am from www.ticketek.co.nz ph 0800 842 538
ASB THEATRE: AUCKLAND, THUR 2 APR 2015
Tickets on sale Tuesday 11th November at 9am from www.ticketmaster.co.nz ph 0800 111 999
MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD
“If there is one thing you do in this life: see Michael Franti!” Scenestr.
There are some great live artists in the world whose performances really stamp themselves on your memory and they don’t
get much more memorable than Michael Franti & Spearhead.
One of the most positive and conscious artists in music today, Michael Franti’s musical journey started with his punk
and hip-hop beginnings in his bands ‘Beatings’ and ‘The Disposable Heroes of HipHoprisy’ (who toured with U2 and Public
Enemy). Although Franti’s sound has changed over time, he aims to make music that will stay relevant.
Singer, songwriter, guitarist and philanthropist, Franti knows all about the power of music. Along with his band
Spearhead, they have earned a reputation for creating a communal spirit with their extraordinary live shows and their
festival performances over the years have been no exception. The founder of the nonprofit wish-granting network 'Do It For The Love Foundation' brings pleasure to many by gifting people living with advanced stages of life-threatening illnesses, live concert
moments and ‘meet & greet’ encounters.
Don’t miss another series of uplifting, soulful experiences courtesy of Michael Franti & Spearhead nationally in 2015!
BLUESFEST TOURING PRESENTS MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD TOUR:
THE BEDFORD: CHRISTCHURCH, THURS 26 MAR 2015
Tickets on sale Tuesday 11th November at 9am from www.ticketek.co.nz ph 0800 842 538
SHED 6: WELLINGTON, FRI 27 MAR 2015
Tickets on sale Tuesday 11th November at 9am from www.ticketek.co.nz ph 0800 842 538
POWERSTATION: AUCKLAND, SAT 28 MAR 2015
Tickets on sale Tuesday 11th November at 9am from www.ticketmaster.co.nz ph 0800 111 999
ALSO TOURING: BETH HART / GEORGE CLINTON & PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC
For all things Bluesfest Touring visit: www.bluesfesttouring.com.au
ENDS