Earth, Wind & Fire, work their magic in Marbella with a high-energy, feel good show to remember.  Report: Louise Cook  Photography: Gary Edwards

With a glorious Full Moon beaming down, and a clear star-filled sky above,  smooth funksters the Earth Wind & Fire could not have had a more perfect Marbella night on which to perform to a packed venue at the Puente Romano Tennis Club.

The 3000 strong crowd, eager to party filed into the venue from around 8pm, filling up seats around the central court venue, and the numerous VIP seats and tables in front of the stage, as twilight set in and the air of expectation became palpable.  Well known radio DJ and presenter, Paul Breen Turner hit the stage to greet the crowd on behalf of the band, and rouse them into an enthusiastic welcome of the unannounced curtain raiser.

The Santana Project, a respected Santana tribute band warmed up the crowd with the rhythmic latino classics so loved by the audience, building up to a crescendo of guitar solos while the singers performed the selection of songs with a certain charisma, connecting with the crowd and leaving them ready for the act they had all come to see…

In the line up on stage at the Puente Romano was founder member, Al McKay. Lead guitarist, songwriter, producer and musical arranger, McKay has been instrumental in Earth, wind & Fire’s six Grammy wins, four American Music Awards and place in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame.

Disco Divos

Reviving the slick sounds of 70s and 80s disco at the prestige open air concert venue,  the multi award winning line up quickly whipped up a storm with a series of hi–energy tracks. With three dynamic front men, 4 brass, lead guitarist Al McKay, and bass, guitar, keyboard, drums and percussion, the 12 strong band created an alchemy that made their sound more than the sum of its parts – and very quickly, the crowd in the bag…  Two or three songs into the set, upbeat classic Gotta Get You into My Life had the audience up and out of their chairs, rising to the challenge of the lead singer, “You all got to bring on the party!!”

Playing their way through the band’s legendary repertoire  which swings effortlessly between  feel-good foot-tapping pop, full on funk and dreamy ballads, giving individual band members a chance to be the Shining Star of the moment with screeching sax solos, strident trombone, slick guitar solos and honky tonk keyboards, while the three singers showed all their virtuosity with the high notes of their heartbreaking classic, After the Love is Gone.  Shimmering in their black and silver stage garb, the dance routines were so seamless, the three stars of the show could probably do them in their sleep.

The Real Deal

In the line up on stage at the Puente Romano was founder member, Al McKay. Lead guitarist, songwriter, producer and musical arranger, McKay has been instrumental in Earth, Wind & Fire’s six Grammy wins, four American Music Awards and place in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame.  Transcending musical genres of the time, the band, founded by Maurice White, created a blend of jazz, African and gospel music which ended up as pure pop, and their particular sound became popular with both black and white Americans.

With the irresistible track Getaway, the band seemed to flick a switch which notched the crowd up into a higher gear, and the audience could be seen boogying and cooing in delight, and the funky riffs just kept coming until following a brief curtain call, it was not adiós, but hasta luego, with the universally awaited Boogie Wonderland – the band’s 1978 hit about addictive nightly clubbing.  In no hurry to bring the night to a close, the band continued with several more songs before calling it a day, and leaving behind a little bit of their musical magic in Marbella’s eclectic concert history.

Hot on the heels of Joaquin Cortes, Jamiroquai, a Queen Tribute Band, George Benson, Rafael Amargo, Mica Paris and Soul2Soul we can still look forward to Earth, Wind & Fire,  Kid Creole and Tom Jones… Summer 2011 is an  entertainment paradise in Marbella… reports marbellas.com

Marbella may have become too small for the super groups who will only play to crowds of 50,000 plus, but this summer is proving that Marbella society still has a thirst for quality entertainment, and in the next few weeks the culture hungry crowd will be royally entertained by some of the finest names in the business.

Tom Jones – Live in Concert.

18th August – Living legend, Tom Jones  will be making a star appearance on 18th August at the Tennis Club Puente Romano – his first concert in the area in a decade.  As  the years pass by, Jones loses none of his charisma and sex-appeal, and his performance is all set to crank up the temperature on an already sizzling Marbella summer.

The music of Tom Jones traverses musical eras and genres, appeals to the young and old, mainstream and cutting edge. The Godfather of modern soul and sex symbol to 3 generations of women, Marbella audiences can expect the star to be performing his classics including Kiss, Delilah, Sex Bomb and new tracks from his critically acclaimed album Praise & Blame. The concert begins at 8pm. Tickets are from 90€ to 250€ plus handling fee.  Available from ticketmaster.es.

A Stylish Final.

And on 25th August, just before the sun goes down on Marbella’s summer madness, Kid Creole & the Coconuts will bring some of their tropical sunshine to the ultimate party venue, Nikki Beach. Playing a set of his signature slick blend of feel good latino party music with killer lyrics, Kid Creole and his band will be followed by the foxy singer turned DJ, Sophie Ellis Bextor who will keep the party mood going until 5am.  Tickets will be 50€, or 30€ for just the after-show party. A delectable pre-show dinner with a Creole twist is the perfect complement to the feel-good event of the summer (also 50€). For reservations contact Nikki Beach on Tel:  952836239. www.nikkibeach.com

DATES IN SHORT – What’s been and what’s coming up…

21st July – Nikki Beach
Diamond Party

23rd July – Playa del Pinillo Marbella
Life Festival – DJs John Shelvin, Fonsi Nieto, Ruben Morán, Rebeka Brown

30th July – Finca La Concepcion
Millionaires White Summer Party

3rd August – Auditorio Malaga
Jamiroquai

4th August – Castillo de Sohail Fuengirola
Jamie Cullum

5th August – Playa del Pinillo Marbella
Queen Tribute

6th August – Villa Padierna Hotel
Starlite Gala

13th August – Puente Romano Tennis Club
Earth, Wind & Fire

18th August – Puente Romano Tennis Club
Tom Jones

25th August – Nikki Beach
Kid Creole & the Coconuts
followed by DJ tunes from Sophie Ellis Bextor

2nd October – Nikki Beach
The Grand Closing Red Party Weekend

The party was a perfect showcase of everything Nikki Beach represents, sexy, glamorous, fun, original and explosive! With a sea of guests dressed in emblematic white, the exhilarating ambience was a true reflection of the world-class entertainment offered by the Nikki Beach brand, as a global style leader in the luxury Beach club sector.

The rhythm of the night was accompanied by five top national and International DJs including the well-known Swiss model and DJ Tanja La Croix, and recently retired motorbike ace, Fonsi B20, along with resident Nikki Beach DJ Mario Zarate. A 9-piece percussion group whipped the crowd up into a storm with their electrifying beats, along with the wizardry of the electric violin and sounds of the sax.  The famous Nikki Beach go-gos -  fresh from Miami  brought touches of glamour and exotica to the evening featuring prominently on stage.

Cool Entertainment

As the party reached a crescendo, an aquatic light show kept the mood cool with giant water jets reaching up to 30 metres into the air, lasers and projections forming sheets of shimmering liquid, synchronised in a mesmerizing show with percussionists playing the well-known track Insomnia.

In the VIP area, Marbella society figures mingled with Nikki Beach’s faithful followers from all corners of the globe.  250 VIPS were treated to gift bags packed with luxurious items including Mumm champagne, Grey Goose Vodka, Red Bull and a Hugo boss cap.

Among the famous faces mingling in the crowd were Fonsi Nieto and Irish top models, Georgia Salpa, Nadia Forde, Daniella Moyles, Michelle McGrath, Leah O’Reilly, Emily McKeogh, Miss Manchester Elicia Davies, and Rugby Champion Mike Catt..

The opening party mood continued through the weekend with the Miami Vibes Party on Friday, Champagne World Tour Party on Saturday, rounded off by Amazing Sunday.

Check out www.nikkibeach.com for news of more legendary Nikki Beach parties coming up soon in  Marbella.
Nikki Beach Marbella, Playa Hotel Don Carlos, Carretera de Cádiz Km. 192, 29600 MarbellaReservas:  Tel: + 34 952 83.62.39    + 34 646.44.43.43

The marbellas.com Clubber’s Guide to the best 10 Nightclubs in Marbella

Dreamers

For over a decade, Dreamers has provided Marbella’s coolest clubbers with mind-blowing nights of music and high-class entertainment. With top international DJs such as Carl Cox, Roger Sanchez, Bob Sinclair, Tiesto, John Digweed, Erik Morillo, David Guetta, Axwell, Fedde Le Grand and Laurent Wolf having played at Dreamers, the venue is now renowned far and wide as the place to go for a night of pure club class.

Oscar Horacio, Saeko Hamada, Louise Cook Edwards and John Thomson / The Moroccan
Tea Genie

Inspired Chef
With exotic chef Elgin in residence, the club has moved on from its hippie
chic Moroccan roots and is now purveying a menu which revolves around
a melange of subtle cultural influences. Elgin, who not long ago was cooking
up a storm at trendy Madrid restaurant Minabo, brings with him a unique blend
of South American and Oriental influences which reflect on his cooking style
and the presentation of dishes.

Simon Padilla, Chef Elquin, Nadine, Zoe , Paco and John.

The menu includes sushi surprises, along with such original delights as Spicy
Tuna Tartare with Wonton pasta,Tempura Prawns with Thai sauce, Crispy Duck
with Miso and Orange, and the chef’s own special choice Black Cod with a
Wafu and Honey Sauce.  A few Moroccan inspired dishes remain including
Couscous of Lamb, Chicken or Vegetables and a Tajin of Beef with Prunes, Almonds
and Cinnamon.

Sushi Platters / Miso and Pumpkin Soup with Caviar

King Prawn Tempura / Green Tea Ice Cream

And for Suite?
The Puente Romano has long been famed for its delicious desserts, and the subtle
use of green tea ice-cream with a caramel sauce carries on the fusion
theme to the end of the meal.  There is no substitute for the sublime
mint tea served up by the moody Moroccan tea genie as dinner gives way to
dancing, in that subtle, Suite way….