The Crystal Method, Nortec Collective, Nitin Sawhney, and Sidestepper Make Their Hollywood Bowl Debuts
Program Highlights World Electronica Music from Asia, Colombia, U.K., Mexico, the Middle East, and the U.S.
SUNDAY, JULY 25, AT 7 PM
KCRW'S WORLD FESTIVAL
Media support provided by KCRW
The program includes The Crystal Method rocking the Bowl with their big beats, the Asian-inspired grooves of Nitin Sawhney, the Latin and UK-derived electronica of Sidestepper, and the Nortec Collective's Mexican beats. Nortec performs with a live band, while Sawhney's set includes a DJ set with two breakdancers and two South Asian dancers. The Crystal Method (with special guests) also presents a set with special guests created for this unique evening.
The Bowl's six-concert World Festival continues with the popular Reggae Night III on August 8 featuring Bunny Wailer, Luciano and The Skatalites; World Hip Hop on August 29, featuring Wyclef Jean, Thomas Mapfumo (with DJ), and Control Machete; and American Roots, featuring Lyle Lovett, Shelby Lynne, and eastmountainsouth, on September 12.
A product of the Las Vegas' rave scene, THE CRYSTAL METHOD is an electronica duo with a distinct rock feel. Formed in 1993 by Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland, the duo have incessantly toured clubs, given extended performances, and set themselves apart from the plethora of studio-only dance groups. As a result of their live shows, their debut release in 1997, Vegas, won critical acclaim and firmly set them up as the genre's frontrunners of dance music for people who also like rock 'n' roll. A sophisticated mix of beats, guitar riffs, and hedonistic club sounds is exemplified on their most recent release Legion of Boom, which delivers a late-night party sound with a hard-edged groove. Along with their live set they promise stunning visuals on the Bowl's screens. They make their Hollywood Bowl debut.
Traditional Mexican norteño, ranchera riffs, drums, tuba and accordion combined with electronic music makes for a unique fusion, otherwise known as THE NORTEC COLLECTIVE (Nortec stands for "norteño-techno"). Comprising five members - Fussible, Bostich, Panoptica, Clorofila and Hiperboreal - from Tijuana and Ensenada, they mix border sounds with high-tech technology cut-ups and sequenced breakbeats to produce what they call "the sound of the First World in the Third and the Third World in the First." Their debut release The Tijuana Sessions Vol. 1 (Palm) came out in 2001; the second disk, The Tijuana Sessions Vol. 2 will be released in July 2004. They make their Hollywood Bowl debut.
Splitting time between Colombia and the U.K., producer Richard Blair has merged the sounds associated with each area resulting in SIDESTEPPER, a Latin-electronica dance fusion that began in 1999. Varied instrumentation and vocals add a refreshing live salsa element to Blair's drum 'n' bass beats, which translates into sizzling stage shows. Latin bandleader Ivan Benavides (Bloque, Carlos Vives) finds the traditional in Blair's modern on all three releases from the band, most recently the critically-praised 3am: In Beats We Trust. Sidestepper is making its Bowl debut.
An artistic pioneer of music, technology, acting, writing, and more, NITIN SAWNEY has found a way to successfully turn his talent into product for the people. A distinguished producer/songwriter in the British electronic and fusion music scene, Sawhney's Asian-inspired electronica trip-hop was first showcased when he was invited to tour with James Taylor. He has performed and/or collaborated with noted artists including Gilles Peterson, Talvin Singh, Sting and others. His debut, Spirit Dance, was released in 1993, and he has continued successful studio and television work as well as his live appearances. His recent release, Human, received critical accolades, and a new record is expected this summer. This is Nitin Sawhney's Bowl debut.
One of the largest natural amphitheaters in the world, with a seating capacity of nearly 18,000, the HOLLYWOOD BOWL has been the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since its official opening in 1922, and in 1991 gave its name to the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, a resident ensemble that has filled a special niche in the musical life of Southern California. The 2004 season introduces audiences to a revitalized Hollywood Bowl, featuring a newly-constructed shell and stage and the addition of four stadium screens enhancing stage views in the venue. To this day, $1 buys a seat at the top of the Bowl for many of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's concerts. While the Bowl is best known for its sizzling summer nights, during the day California's youngest patrons enjoy "SummerSounds: Music for Kids at the Hollywood Bowl," the Southland's most popular summer arts festival for children, now in its 35th season. Attendance figures over the past several decades have soared: in 1980 the Bowl first topped the half-million mark and last summer close to one million admissions were recorded. It is no wonder that the Bowl's summer music festivals have become as much a part of a Southern California summer as beaches and barbecues, the Dodgers, and Disneyland.
EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:
Sunday, July 25, at 7:00 p.m.
KCRW's World Festival
HOLLYWOOD BOWL, 2301 N. Highland Ave. in Hollywood
World Electronica
THE CRYSTAL METHOD
NORTEC COLLECTIVE
SIDESTEPPER
NITIN SAWHNEY
Media support provided by KCRW
Tickets ($1 - $76) are on sale now at the Hollywood Bowl Box Office, by calling Ticketmaster at 213.480.3232, at all Ticketmaster outlets (Robinsons May, Tower Records and Ritmo Latino locations), or online at HollywoodBowl.com. Groups of 12 or more may be eligible for a 20% discount, subject to availability; call 323.850-2050 for further details. For general information or to request a brochure, call 323.850.2000.
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Ryan Jimenez, 213.972.3405; for photos: Ellie Lloyd, 213.972.3448