Line-Up Announced for 2019 KCRW’s World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl

LINE-UP ANNOUNCED FOR
2019 KCRW’S WORLD FESTIVAL
AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL

Groundbreaking Concert Series Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Santa Monica, CA (February 5, 2019) – The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association has announced today the line-up for the 2019 KCRW’s World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl. The successful collaboration between KCRW and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association celebrates its 20th anniversary, and launches Sunday, June 16, at 7PM.

KCRW’s World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl embodies the eclectic musical spirit of both organizations by featuring artists from a wide array of genres. Hundreds of artists have performed at the iconic venue since the inaugural season including, A.R. Rahman, Adele, Arcade Fire, Ben Harper, Bon Iver, Caetano Veloso, Cesaria Evora, David Byrne, Erykah Badu, Femi Kuti, Goldfrapp, Grace Jones, Hot Chip, Hugh Masekela, Janelle Monae, Kraftwerk, Lauryn Hill, M83, Massive Attack, Miriam Makeba, Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club, Os Mutantes, Ray LaMontagne, Robyn, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Sade, Santigold, Solange, Spoon, St. Vincent, Sufjan Stevens, The Flaming Lips, The Pixies, Underworld, Willie Nelson, Yellow Magic Orchestra, Yo Yo Ma, Yoko Ono, Zero 7 with Sia, Ziggy Marley, and many more. The 20th Anniversary season of KCRW’s World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl continues this tradition.

KCRW’s World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl 20th Anniversary Season

Sunday, June 16, at 7PM

CHROMEO
TORO Y MOI
NONAME
IAN ISIAH
Jason Bentley, host

Since making their debut in 2004, Chromeo have turned festivals around the world into gigantic outdoor dance parties. Taking cues from Prince and Daft Punk, the Montreal duo have forged a brand of electro-funk that’s equal parts vintage groove and futurist fantasy. Toro y Moi’s Chaz Bear has followed his own omnivorous taste throughout a fascinating career that encompasses collagist sampling, laid-back funk, smooth rock, and existential R&B, all of it set to a club-ready dance beat. Chicago-born rapper and poet Noname, known for her thought-provoking message and freestyle skills, garnered national notoriety from her collaboration with Chance the Rapper, and her star has been rising ever since. She’s released two universally acclaimed records which led Rolling Stone to declare her as “one of the best rappers alive.” Brooklyn-born Ian Isiah (aka Big Shugga) was raised on gospel music, and has infused his heart and soul into a new brand of modern R&B and radio rap. The Blood Orange collaborator is also a key player in NY’s underground DJ club culture and the LGBTQ movement, having found the sweet spot where music meets lifestyle.

Sunday, July 7, at 7PM

REGGAE NIGHT XVIII
DAMIAN “JR. GONG” MARLEY
THIRD WORLD
KABAKA PYRAMID
Garth Trinidad, host

Four-time Grammy® winner Damian Marley has established himself as a unique and influential presence in reggae, combining the roots sound of his father’s legendary music with the fast flow and spirit of dancehall and hip-hop. Third World are no strangers to fusion, setting their blend of soul, R&B, rock, and disco to a reggae beat since 1973. Socially conscious Kabaka Pyramid opens with a fiery, beat-based reggae sound built around messages of love, unity, and justice.

Sunday, July 21, at 7PM

NATALIA LAFOURCADE AND GUSTAVO DUDAMEL
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Gustavo Dudamel, conductor
Madeleine Brand, host

A stellar pairing of two passionate artists. New to the Bowl but no stranger to the stage, premier Mexican singer-songwriter Natalia Lafourcade is joined by the dynamic maestro Gustavo Dudamel, and the LA Phil. Expect an evening filled with melodic magic showcasing the beautiful lyricism of Lafourcade’s voice and their shared reverence for music and its vast capacity to change lives.

Sunday, August 4, at 7PM

LORD HURON
SHAKEY GRAVES
YOLA
Anne Litt, host

Framed by the beautiful Hollywood Bowl shell and twinkling skyline, this is a perfect setting for Lord Huron’s distinct vocals and sweepingly intricate noir-pop textures. Shakey Graves has evolved from a campfire storyteller into a songwriter armed with a full band, and the rich instrumentation clouds around his lyrics like Broadway set designs. Yola’s new Dan Auerbach-produced album – her debut – showcases her electrified country and roots music.

Sunday, September 15, at 7PM

CAFÉ TACVBA
Additional artist to be announced
Raul Campos, host

It’s impossible to limit what this Mexico City group does to just one genre. The innovative quartet emerged from the rock en español scene of the ’90s to explore indie rock, electronic music, musique concrète, cumbia, norteña, and more. It all amounts to a thoroughly modern portrait of Mexican music – and an adventurous and viscerally exciting live concert experience that’s Made them a sell-out favorite around the world.

Sunday, September 29, at 7PM

GARY CLARK JR.
MICHAEL KIWANUKA
Aaron Byrd, host

Grammy® Award-winning maverick Gary Clark Jr. channels his signature sound from the crossroads of rock ‘n’ roll, blues, jazz, hip-hop, reggae, and punk. Clark’s new album This Land – his most accomplished to date – is a socially relevant and musically ambitious declaration that’s as unapologetic, undeniable, and unique as he is. It’s an embodiment of an ever-evolving sound that’s made him into a live music powerhouse and artistic force anointed by everyone from President Obama to Prince. A UK native of Ugandan heritage, Michael Kiwanuka was raised in north London and has risen to the top of the British charts with his blend of vintage soul, folk, and stone-cold grooves. With influences including Jimi Hendrix and Bill Withers, Michael will be celebrating the release of a new record, his first since 2016’s critically acclaimed Love & Hate.

Tickets for the Hollywood Bowl 2019 summer season will be available online at HollywoodBowl.com or via phone at 323.850.2000 on the following dates:

Subscriptions currently on sale.
“Five or More” packages will be available March 12, 2019.
The Hollywood Bowl Box Office opens for single ticket sales May 5, 2019.

About KCRW

KCRW creates and curates a unique mix of content centered around music discovery, NPR news, cultural exploration and informed public affairs. We are driven by the spirit of LA and deliver in innovative ways — on the radio, digitally and in person — to diverse, curious communities around the corner and around the world. A community service of Santa Monica College, KCRW can be found on the air in LA, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Mojave, Palm Springs, San Luis Obispo, and Berlin, Germany, and worldwide via the KCRW-developed smart phone app, or online at kcrw.com.