PRESS RELEASE
STARMUS IV: THE MUSIC ANNOUNCEMENT
GRAMMY AWARD WINNING GUITARIST STEVE VAI WILL TAKE THE STAGE AS STARMUS’ HEADLINE ROCK ACT, PERFORMING WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
At the previous three festivals Brian May rocked the Starmus stage and although he is unable to be at the festival this year because he is touring with Queen, he remains committed to Starmus as a member of the advisory board. For this fourth festival Brian has invited Steve Vai to head up the music component and he will appear with his band and special guests including Nuno Bettencourt, Grace Potter and Devin Townsend.
"Gutted I can’t be at Starmus this year … but I will be there in spirit. And Steve Vai and his very special guests will keep the flame burning !!" Brian May
Brian May knows Steve Vai and Nuno Bettencourt well having performed with them at one unforgettable concert back in 1991 – Guitar Legends, in Seville. The event featured 27 top guitarists from across the world and a stunning highlight was when these three names came together on stage.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to take part in this years Starmus event with such distinguished and creative icons of science. This event will be an inclusive and dynamic gathering of powerful Universe expanders that will come together to create a collective of pure positive energy, and I’ll be there with whammy bar in hand to add a little extra gravity." Steve Vai
“Starmus has a strong music component. We bring together different styles: classical, electronic etc…I cannot think of a Starmus festival without rock music because our main quote is “ We Will Rock You “ !” Garik Israelian, Starmus’ Founder.
Steve Vai is a virtuoso guitarist, visionary composer, and consummate producer who sculpts musical sound with infinite creativity and technical mastery. The GRAMMY Award-winning musician who has sold more than 15 million albums and toured the world as a solo artist, a member of G3, and with Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth (just after Roth left Van Halen), Alcatrazz, and Whitesnake--at the peak of its popularity--is known around the globe for his incredible guitar work. Vai, a 2012 recipient of the TEC Foundation's prestigious Les Paul Award, is currently touring as a member of Generation Axe and separately on over 100 solo dates celebrating the 25th anniversary of his groundbreaking record, Passion and Warfare. He has created a set that is inspired by the theme of Starmus, integrating music with science to produce something real, yet magical.
Vai will be accompanied by his talented band for the concert titled Modern Primitives at the Spektrum on 21 June 2017 at 9pm and has invited the following very special guest artists to join him on stage:
NUNO BETTENCOURT
Guitar virtuoso, singer-songwriter, and record producer, Nuno Bettencourt rose to international prominence as guitar player with the multi-platinum rock band EXTREME. Nuno penned the acoustic ballad "More Than Words" that went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and "Hole Hearted" that reached #4 on the same chart. Outside of EXTREME, Nuno has written, produced and performed with many artists including Rihanna and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith. Steve Vai and Nuno will rock the stage with an eclectic set of classic rock songs.
GRACE POTTER
Described by Spin as “one of the greatest living voices in rock today,” Grace Potter will join Steve Vai and Nuno on stage for an electrifying performance. Heralded as one of today’s best live performers, Grace Potter has played every major music festival from Coachella and Lollapalooza to Bonnaroo and Rock in Rio. She’s had the honor of sharing the stage with artists such as The Rolling Stones, Willie Nelson, Robert Plant, the Allman Brothers, Neil Young, Mavis Staples, and The Roots to name just a few. Most recently, she was given the honor of performing, along with Sheryl Crow, a tribute to the late Glenn Frey at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
DEVIN TOWNSEND
Devin Garrett Townsend is a Canadian musician, songwriter and record producer. He was the founder, songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist in extreme metal band Strapping Young Lad from 1994 to 2007 and has an extensive career as a solo artist ever since. Townsend was discovered by a record label in 1993 and was asked to perform lead vocals on Steve Vai’s album ‘Sex & Religion’. Starmus will see Townsend and Steve Vai sharing a stage once more. Townsend’s latest venture ‘Devin Townsend Project’ released its sixth studio album ‘Transcendence’ last year to much critical acclaim, followed by a run of successful tour dates around the world.
Steve Vai and guests will also join forces with the Symphony Orchestra to honour the prestigious Stephen Hawking Medal Ceremony on 20th June.
Starmus IV, hosted by NTNU, June 18-23, tickets available from www.starmus.com.
For further information please contact:
Nicole Ettinger Ettinger PR E. nicole@ettingerpr.com T. +44 7515 394107