Lenny Kravitz to headline UEFA final kick off show
US rock star Lenny Kravitz has been announced as headliner of the UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show presented by Pepsi at Wembley Stadium in London.
The performance will air in more than 200 countries and territories globally on 1 June, minutes before the European club football showpiece between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.
Since 2016, the opening ceremony has welcomed acts such as Dua Lipa, Imagine Dragons, Camila Cabello, Alicia Keys and Marshmello.
“This year’s UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show presented by Pepsi will bring fans to their feet as legendary rock and roll icon Lenny Kravitz takes the stage to deliver one of his signature performances ahead of this year’s UEFA Champions League final,” says UEFA marketing director Guy-Laurent Epstein.
“It’s going to be such an exciting event ahead of a final that means so much to so many”
The Kick Off Show will air through local broadcasters and the official UEFA YouTube channel. Pepsi has released a short film titled Wembley Is Blue | Lenny Kravitz x UCL Final Kick Off Show by Pepsi today to build anticipation ahead of the event.
“As a brand with a rich heritage in both music and football, we are proud to bring together once again, in the host city, millions of viewers from around the world and one of the most iconic names in music for an electrifying performance live from iconic Wembley Stadium in London,” says Eric Melis, VP of global brand marketing – Pepsi at PepsiCo.
“The UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show presented by Pepsi will be headlined by a legend in the music industry who adds unparalleled dynamism and energy to the show.”
Kravitz, who releases his new album Blue Electric Light on 24 May, adds: “I’m really looking forward to my performance for the UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show presented by Pepsi in London, a city which holds a special place in my heart. It’s going to be such an exciting event ahead of a final that means so much to so many. We can’t wait to show you all what we have in store.”
Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.
ASM Global leads ‘Fill the Truck’ initiative
ASM Global, Louisville’s KFC Yum! Center and Pepsi partnered to host a “Fill the Truck” supply drive to collect and deliver essential items to help Eastern Kentucky residents recover from recent catastrophic flooding.
Last month’s flooding in the US devastated the region and claimed the lives of 39 residents.
The collection event was part of the 22,000-cap venue’s larger initiative to support the local community through ASM Global Acts – the company’s corporate social responsibility platform – which also made a financial contribution.
“While we cannot imagine the devastating loss that has impacted Eastern Kentucky residents, we knew we had to find a way to provide support,” says ASM Global KFC Yum! Center general manager Eric Granger. “Our ASM Global staff approached me wanting to help with Eastern Kentucky flood relief, and we knew we could make a bigger impact with the support of our partners and the local community.
“Pepsi is such a willing and supportive partner and eagerly jumped in to help by providing transportation to deliver items directly to residents in Eastern Kentucky. Seeing our community come together to help our neighbours during this incredibly difficult time has been extremely rewarding for our entire ASM Global team, and we could not be more pleased with the response.”
“It was incredible to see the Louisville community come together to support this meaningful initiative”
Local businesses and residents were encouraged to collect supplies and drop them off at the arena’s outdoor Pepsi Plaza. With support from Louisville-area residents, businesses and government office workers, the ASM Global team filled two large semi-trailer trucks with food and supplies for flood victims.
“It was incredible to see the Louisville community come together to support this meaningful initiative,” adds Louisville Arena Authority chair Leslie Geoghegan, who worked closely with ASM on the scheme.
“As a part of this community, it is our responsibility to find ways to make a different and give back. Like the tornadoes in Western Kentucky several months ago, this natural disaster’s impact has been felt throughout our state; and we wanted to assist the many families in Eastern Kentucky affected by flooding.”
Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.
Becky Hill to play UEFA Women’s Euro final show
BRIT-Award winning UK singer/songwriter Becky Hill will headline the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 Final Show.
Presented by Pepsi Max at London’s 90,000-cap Wembley Stadium on Sunday 31 July, the pre-match event will mark the first time the women’s football showpiece occasion has hosted a live music production of such scale.
Hill will be joined on stage by surprise guest artists to perform a medley of hits ahead of the tournament final.
“The women’s game has come a long way in recent years and I’m honoured to be a part of the celebration that it so rightly deserves,” says Hill. “Wembley Stadium is one of the most famous venues in the world and I can’t wait to bring the party to fans across the globe.”
Hosted by England, over 500,000 tickets were sold for the tournament before it even began – more than doubling the previous record.
“We couldn’t think of a better artist than Becky Hill to perform a show that will celebrate this record-breaking tournament”
“This tournament is breaking records for attendance and tickets sold,” says Pepsi Beverages GBI marketing director Georgina Meddows-Smith. “We couldn’t think of a better artist than Becky Hill to perform a show that will celebrate this record-breaking tournament.”
Hill’s performance will air in over 16 countries in Europe and several territories around the world, just minutes before the final kicks off.
“Becky Hill is such a talented performer and artist and has an incredible set lined up from start to finish – we know she will bring together fans everywhere to mark the historic occasion,” adds UEFA marketing director Guy-Laurent Epstein.
“This is a huge year for the women’s sporting world and it felt only right for Pepsi Max and UEFA to create the biggest production ever held at the tournament. Fans are in for a special night of entertainment.”
Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.
Mary J Blige unveils Strength of a Woman Festival
Mary J Blige and Pepsi have partnered with Live Nation Urban to launch the Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit in the US.
The inaugural edition will take place in Atlanta, Georgia from 6-8 May, with three days dedicated to music, comedy, and community building. The all-female bill includes performances from the likes of Blige, Chaka Khan, City Girls, Ella Mai, Queen Naija and Kiana Ledé.
Intentionally staged over Mother’s Day weekend, the “multi-touchpoint” event is curated for and by women, with a focus on music, wellness, tech, beauty, and financial literacy.
“The idea for the festival came to us after early listening sessions of my latest album with my family and friends and women in the industry,” says Blige. “Each time, the people in the room would share a story, oftentimes of heartbreak or pain, but they always ended with joy and love and how their girlfriends or mom or sister helped them find their voice and strength. We felt like after two years of being inside and having to endure so much, that this was the type of experience that people, especially women, deserved.
“I’m so grateful to all of the performers, vendors, and participants for committing themselves to our inaugural event and I am so excited to do this in a city that has been rocking with me since the very beginning of my career. I am proud to create this with my sisters and I look forward to an undeniably beautiful and special experience.”
The event is the brainchild of Blige and her partners Nicole Jackson, VP of MJB Inc, and Ashaunna Ayars of The Ayars Agency, who have assembled a team of women to lead every arm of the festival, from production to communications.
Kicking off the weekend on 6 May is a concert at Tabernacle Atlanta, curated to highlight youth culture and emerging hip-hop and R&B acts such as Kiana Ledé, Emotional Oranges, Inayah, MK XYZ and Omerettá the Great.
“Being able to bring an experience like this to fruition, especially with a dynamic team of Black women at the helm, is a dream come true”
The Strength of a Woman Summit, which will feature workshops and panel discussions, will be held on 7 May at The Gathering Spot ATL, followed by the second concert night at State Farm Arena, hosted by Kenny Burns, with performances by Mary J. Blige and special guests Chaka Khan, City Girls, Ella Mai, and Queen Naija, among others.
The event will culminate with the ticketed Mother’s Day Gospel Brunch at the City Winery on 8 May, which will feature Gospel music artists including Kierra Sheard and Le’Andria Johnson.
“This festival and summit were created for our friends, mothers, sisters, and the countless women who walk unapologetically in their truth and strength,” says Ayars. “Being able to bring an experience like this to fruition, especially with a dynamic team of Black women at the helm, is a dream come true.
“I’ve lived in Atlanta for several years and am thrilled that we’ll be able to give back to a city that has nurtured, supported, and amplified to the global stage so many Black artists and entrepreneurs. We are so grateful for Pepsi’s support in celebrating and honouring women, but also with their commitment via grants for the larger Atlanta creative & entrepreneurial community.”
The festival is the billed as the first of its kind to have women not only as the performing acts, but also as the decision-makers behind the scenes.
“I’m thrilled to present a powerful line-up of all-female talent headlined by, and in partnership with, Mary J Blige for the Inaugural Strength of a Woman Weekend in Atlanta,” says Mari Davies, VP of booking and talent at Live Nation Urban. “Mary’s story and career are so inspirational, relatable, and triumphant. The weekend will showcase and celebrate strong talented women across generations and I’m proud to be a part of such a special weekend! This is for us and by us.”
The festival is also partnering with dozens of local, minority, and female-owned businesses and vendors.
Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.