Music
Huge names coming to town for Soulfest
Soulfest – the ultimate soul, funk, hip hop and R&B festival – has dropped its first line up announcement and it is massive!
International superstar Mary J Blige is set to headline the festival that will hit Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl on October 25 and Auckland’s Western Springs Stadium on October 26 – New Zealand’s Labour Day. Click here to purchase tickets.
Joining Mary J Blige will be American singer and actress Jill Scott, nine time Grammy-Award nominee Charlie Wilson, emerging artist Jhene Aiko, jazz rap trio De La Soul and R&B crooner Eric Benet, alongside many others. And that is just the beginning; Soulfest will announce more artists between now and the performance dates.
Mary J Blige is often described as the Queen of R&B. The singer, songwriter, producer is a multi-talented performer who emerged in the late 1980s as a backing singer for Uptown Records. It wasn’t long until she went from the background to the front of the stage and Mary J Blige has released 11 studio albums since then.
As well as a long list of solo hits including Family Affair, You Remind Me, Real Love, Be Without You and Not Gon Cry, Mary J Blige is well known for her collaborations with other industry heavyweights such as U2, Sam Smith, Drake, Eve, Lil Kim and George Michael.
Her version of U2’s One was a smash hit around the world and she recently recorded a duet of Sam Smith’s global hit Stay With Me. The two vocalists are near flawless, making the song a dream to listen to. But if you won’t take our word for it, check it out below. And just for good measure we have also included Mary J’s version of One, her solo hits Family Affair and Be Without You as well as her guest appearance at one of Elton John’s concerts where she belts out I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues with the legend.
Stay With Me – with Sam Smith
One – with U2
Be Without You
Family Affair
I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues – with Elton John
As you can see, Mary J Blige is an amazingly talented singer with a voice that just has to be heard to be believed. Seeing the star at Soulfest will be an experience you will never forget and seeing her alongside a whole heap of other incredible artists is just icing on the cake.
As well as the amazing talent on stage, Soulfest is also dedicated to celebrating the full culture of hip-hop and soul with pop up eateries, themed bars and cafes. The entire day has an incredibly relaxed and peaceful atmosphere – Soulfest really does have something for everyone.
If you want to see Mary J Blige and the rest of the crew at Soulfest, click here to purchase tickets. Soulfest members will get first access to tickets with a dedicated member presale beginning on May 18 at 10am. My Ticketmaster members will have access to a presale on May 26 at 10am and general public tickets will be available from 10am on May 27.
