Bulgaria’s summer concert highlights, June to August 2013
Sofia and Varna will rock, Bourgas show off its spirit, and musicians both legendary and upcoming will strut the stages of Bulgaria between June and the end of August 2013.
This is a list of some of the highlights of music performances in Bulgaria this summer, from Ayo through Boney M to Jamiroquai to Snoop Dog and Roger Waters’ The Wall.
Ayo, a German singer of Nigerian origin, who first came to international notice in 2006 with her Down on My Knees single, is at Hall 1 of the National Palace of Culture, NDK, on June 6 at 8pm, with an after-party at Sofia Live Club at 11pm.
The 359 Hip-Hop Festival 2013 is at the International Fair Ground Plovdiv from June 20 to 22. Among those to be featured will be gangsta rap star Rick Ross, who opens the first night of the festival. June 21 sees some of the biggest names in Bulgarian hip hop, with the evening headlined by 100 Kila. June 22 is “Bad Girls Night”, headlined by Ciara. The festival is to feature accompanying events such as skateboarding competitions and a graffiti workshop. Tickets are available through the Eventim network and TicketStream.
On June 21, Francophone singer Patricia Kaas, whose first major hit was in 1987 with Mademoiselle Chante le Blues, appears at 8pm with “Kaas sings Piaf in Sofia”, at 1 Bulgaria Square in the capital city.
June 28 sees jazz-funkster Jamiroquai at the Arena Armeec in Sofia and, somewhat different in not only venue but genre, disco veterans Boney M at the Summer Theatre in Veliko Turnovo at 8.30pm. For the latter, tickets are available at the Tourist Information Centre in Veliko Turnovo, online at Eventim.bg and at Germanos and Piccadilly stores.
The first Varna Rock Festival is at the Lokomotiv Stadium in the Bulgarian Black Sea city on June 27, 28 and 29, with Joe Lynn Turner, best known for his work with hard rock band Rainbow, as the special guest. Starting times on the first two days are 7.30pm and on June 29, 7pm. The festival is part of the city’s bid to be named European Capital of Culture 2019.
British pop singer-songwriter Jessie J is to perform at Arena Armeec in Sofia on June 29 at 8pm, with tickets costing from 70 to 130 leva.
July 8 sees one of the best-known names coming to Bulgaria this summer, rapper Snoop Dogg, aka Snoop Lion, at Sofia’s Arena Armeec at 8.30pm.
On July 23, Bloodhound Gang return to Bulgaria, several years after their visit in 2006, to perform at Maimunarnika at 8pm.
That besides, the biggest events locally in July are Sofia Rocks 2013, on July 26, Spirit of Burgas on July 27 and 28 and Solar Summer on July 26.
Being held in 2013 for the fourth year, Sofia Rocks, at Vassil Levski stadium, will be headlined by German heavy metal band Rammstein. Tickets are on sale via Eventim.bg, Germanos, Piccadilly and Technopolis, costing from 79 to 99 leva for seating, 89 leva in the standing space and 109 leva in front of the stage.
Spirit of Burgas, at the Black Sea city’s central beach, features artists from a range of genres of music, including pop-rap duo Rizzle Kicks, Chase and Status, Selah Sue, reggae legend Little Roy, Che Sudaka and Enter Shikari. Tickets are on sale at Eventim.bg.
Electronic music fest Solar Summer 2013 is at Cacao Beach, Sunny Beach, from July 26 to August 24.
The programme includes: July 26, Adam Beyer, Nicole Moudaber; July 27, Sharam, Sandy Rivera, Dirty South; August 2, a six-hour set by DJ Mark Knight; August 3, Loco Dice, Robert Dietz, Enzo Siraguza; August 9, Hernan Cattaneo, Nick Warren, Guy Gerber; August 16, Dubfire plus Carlo Lio, The Junkies; and August 17, Fedde le Grand plus MC Gee.
As to August, there are conflicting reports about the inclusion of a performance in Sofia by Rihanna on her Diamond World Tour. If true, the concert is on August 3 at 7pm.
Rounding off August is one that has generated a lot of excitement, Roger Waters’ The Wall, at Sofia’s Vassil Levski National Stadium at 8pm. Tickets are being sold via ticketpro.bg, ranging from 65 to 180 leva.
