The Eight-Episode Series Opens with Kraftwerk and Yellow Magic Orchestra hosted by KCRW’s Anne Litt
Subsequent Episodes Feature Blondie, Cibo Matto, Devotchka, Femi Kuti, Flying Lotus, Janelle Monáe, Jimmy Cliff, Little Dragon, Robyn, Rodrigo y Gabriela, St. Vincent, Santigold, Sigur Rós, and Toro y Moi
Sundays, 6:30pm – 8:00pm, August 23 – October 11
Los Angeles, CA (August 17, 2020) – The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association and KCRW today announce details of an exclusive on-air series featuring previously recorded live concerts from KCRW’s World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl.
Created in partnership with the LA Phil, KCRW’s World Festival has been bringing an eclectic array of artists from around the world to the Hollywood Bowl stage for 20 years. Following the cancellation of the 2020 Bowl season due to COVID-19, the LA Phil and KCRW, Southern California’s flagship public radio station, collaborated to present highlights of past World Festivals through an exclusive eight-episode series of archival concerts to be broadcast on Sundays, 6:30pm – 8:00pm, from August 23 to October 11.
The first episode features the September 18, 2016 Hollywood Bowl debut of Kraftwerk, whose electro innovations and odes to the autobahn shot well beyond their native Germany and made them one of the most influential groups of all time. Also in the first episode is Tokyo’s Yellow Magic Orchestra, which appeared at the Bowl June 26, 2011 in their Bowl debut. The band helped to pioneer electronic music in Japan in the late 1970s and introduced the world to Ryuichi Sakamoto and Haruomi Hosono. KCRW Program Director of Music Anne Litt hosts.
Additional featured artists in upcoming episodes include: Blondie (July 9, 2017), Cibo Matto (June 26, 2011), Devotchka (July 13, 2013), Femi Kuti (June 21, 2009), Flying Lotus (June 17, 2018), Janelle Monáe (June 12, 2016), Jimmy Cliff (July 25, 2010), Little Dragon (June 17, 2018), Robyn (June 29, 2014), Rodrigo y Gabriela (July 14, 2013), St. Vincent (August 30, 2015), Santigold (June 21, 2009), Sigur Rós (September 24, 2016), and Toro y Moi (June 16, 2019). Each episode will be hosted by a KCRW DJ.
“Building on our long and rich history with KCRW on the World Music Series at the Hollywood Bowl over the last 20 years, the LA Phil is thrilled to continue this valuable partnership by bringing music from the series to our audience in Los Angeles and beyond in a new way. We appreciate our artists collaborating with us and look forward to seeing everyone back at the Bowl next summer,” said Johanna Rees, Los Angeles Philharmonic Senior Director of Presentations.
“Music’s power to bring us together seems even more essential during this time,” stated Anne Litt, Program Director of Music at KCRW. “The long-standing relationship between KCRW and the LA Phil has made it possible to share some of the Hollywood Bowl’s most magical music moments. We can’t wait to be together in person again enjoying warm nights, under the stars, with friends, great food and a glass of wine. Until then, we are delighted to be able to share recordings of these incredible live performances with our listeners.”
LA Phil x KCRW: World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl broadcast series can be heard live wherever you listen to KCRW: on-air at KCRW 89.9; online at KCRW.com and hollywoodbowl.com/kcrw; via the KCRW app, which is available for free for both iOS and Android devices; or by asking your smart speaker to “play KCRW.”
EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:
LA Phil x KCRW: World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl
Sundays, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
August 23 – October 11
Episode One:
August 23, at 6:30PM
Kraftwerk (2016 Hollywood Bowl debut)
Yellow Magic Orchestra (2011)
Hosted by Anne Litt
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PLAY YOUR PART: Due to COVID-19, for the first time ever we are unable to bring music to our stages. We ask you to Play Your Part in helping the LA Phil reach that longed-for moment when we will return to Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Hollywood Bowl and The Ford. Follow this link to see how you can support the LA Phil. Your generosity will directly support our musicians, teachers, students, and staff, ensuring that our community is alive with music, today and always.
About the Los Angeles Philharmonic
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, under the vibrant leadership of Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel, presents an inspiring array of live performances – orchestral, pop, rock, country, jazz, blues, Latin, world music, opera, chamber, Baroque, organ and celebrity recitals, theatrical performances, explorations of film music, dance, comedy, groundbreaking multimedia productions and an unmatched commitment to commissioning and performing music from the composers of today – at three of L.A.’s iconic venues, Walt Disney Concert Hall (laphil.com), the Hollywood Bowl (hollywoodbowl.com) and The Ford (theford.com). The LA Phil’s season at Walt Disney Concert Hall extends from September to June and at the Hollywood Bowl and The Ford throughout the summer. With the preeminent Los Angeles Philharmonic at the foundation of its offerings, the LA Phil aims to enrich and transform lives through music, with a robust mix of artistic, learning and community programs.
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 L.A. 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 L.A., Santa Barbara, Ventura, Mojave, Palm Springs, San Luis Obispo, Berlin (Germany), worldwide via the KCRW-developed smart phone app or online at kcrw.com.
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About KCRW’s World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl
KCRW’s World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl embodies the eclectic music 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, Café Tacvba, David Byrne, Erykah Badu, Femi Kuti, Gary Clark Jr. Goldfrapp, Grace Jones, Hot Chip, Hugh Masekela, Janelle Monáe, Kraftwerk, Lauryn Hill, M83, Massive Attack, Miriam Makeba, Natalia Lafourcade, 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, Toro y Moi, Underworld, Willie Nelson, Yellow Magic Orchestra, Yo-Yo Ma, Yola, Yoko Ono, Zero 7 with Sia, Ziggy Marley, and many more.
For more information about the LA Phil please contact:
Lisa White, lwhite@laphil.org
For more information about KCRW please contact:
Laura B. Cohen, LC Media, lcmediapr@gmail.com