Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.
Press Release

Summerfest Announces Fifth Marcus Amphitheater Headliner for 2016

Sting and Peter Gabriel Bring Their Once in a Lifetime Tour to the Marcus Amphitheater on Sunday, July 10

By - Jan 19th, 2016 09:31 am

MILWAUKEE (January 19, 2016) – Two of music’s most iconic artists – Sting and Peter Gabriel – will unite this summer for a once in a lifetime concert tour. Rock Paper Scissors, produced by Live Nation Global Touring, will visit select North American cities this June and July.

Having first toured together in the eighties for Amnesty International, Rock Paper Scissors will find Sting and Peter Gabriel performing both separately and together, playing their own songs as well as melding their bands to explore each other’s most celebrated hits.

 “I’m very happy that we’re taking the chance to experiment this way. I think people will be intrigued, I certainly am.” Sting

“What intrigues me is that you get a good bunch of musicians together and interesting things will happen.” Peter Gabriel

Peter Gabriel first came to international prominence with the success of Genesis, a band that he co-founded while still at school. Since leaving Genesis in 1975, his recording career has included 11 studio albums, film soundtracks for Alan Parker’s ‘Birdy’, Martin Scorsese’s ‘The Last Temptation of Christ’ and Philip Noyce’s ‘Rabbit Proof Fence’ as well as numerous live albums. His wider musical career has included multiple Grammy Awards, the creation of the Real World Records label and, in 1980, the creation of WOMAD, the festival that has launched the careers of many world music artists and has presented over 170 festivals in 30 countries to date.

Peter Gabriel co-founded the human rights organization WITNESS (Witness.org) in 1992, the organization that pioneers the use of cameras and technology in human rights campaigning, and in 2007, alongside Sir Richard Branson, he founded The Elders (theelders.org) which was launched by Nelson Mandela.  In 2006, Peter Gabriel was awarded the prestigious Man of Peace title by The Nobel Peace Laureates and in 2008 was also included in the Time 100 list. He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. He remains engaged in a wide variety of tech-based businesses throughout a variety of creative industries.

Composer, singer, actor, author and activist, Sting, was born in Newcastle, England before moving to London in 1977 to form The Police with Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers. The band released five studio albums, earned six Grammy Awards and two Brits, and was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.  Since 1989, Sting has released fourteen solo albums and received an additional 10 Grammy Awards, two Brits, a Golden Globe, an Emmy, three Oscar nominations, Billboard Magazine’s Century Award and MusiCares 2004 Person of the Year. Also a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, he received the Kennedy Center Honors in December of 2014. Throughout his enduring career, he has sold close to 100 million albums from his combined work with The Police and as a solo artist.

The Last Ship, his latest release, is inspired by his memories of the shipbuilding community of Wallsend in the North East of England where he was born and raised. A play of the same name, with music and lyrics by Sting, debuted on Broadway in October, 2014 and was heralded by the Associated Press as “thrilling with powerful performances, outstanding songs, and real heart.”  Sting received a Tony Award nomination for Best Original Score. He has appeared in more than 15 films and authored two books, including The New York Times best-selling memoir, Broken Music. His support for human rights organizations mirrors his art in its universal outreach. Along with wife Trudie Styler, Sting founded the Rainforest Fund in 1989 to protect both the world’s rainforests and the indigenous people living there.

Tickets for Sting and Peter Gabriel’s show go on sale Monday, February 1 at 10:00 am CST and include Summerfest admission. Tickets can be purchased at the Summerfest Box Office in person and by phone at 1.414.273.2600, Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, Walmart stores, online at Ticketmaster.com and by phone at 1.800.745.3000 (live Ticketmaster Agent) or 1.866.448.7849 (“Ticketmaster Express” automated phone line).  Patrons may also utilize “ticketfast” at Ticketmaster.com to print barcoded concert tickets from home.  Convenience fees may be added to all purchases.

The artists’ fans will have access to presales through their respective official websites beginning Tuesday, January 26 at 10:00 am CST through Thursday, January 28 at 5:00 pm CST.  An American Express© presale will also be available to card members beginning Wednesday, January 27 at 10:00 am CST through January 31 at 5:00 pm CST.  For complete tour and ticket information, VIP Packages and more visit: Livenation.com, Petergabriel.com and Sting.com.

Summerfest fans get access to “Stay Connected” presales before tickets go on sale to the general public when they subscribe to receive Summerfest News email alerts at Summerfest.com, “Like” Summerfest on Facebook or follow Summerfest on Twitter.  The Sting and Peter Gabriel Summerfest presale will run Friday, January 29 from 10:00 am – 10:00 pm CST or until presale inventory has been exhausted.

About Summerfest
Summerfest 2016 will take place June 29 – July 3 and July 5 – July 10 from noon until midnight and will be closed Monday, July 4.  Following its 1968 debut, Summerfest has evolved into what is now recognized as “The World’s Largest Music Festival” and Milwaukee’s cornerstone summer celebration, bringing the music industry’s hottest stars, emerging talent and local favorites along with approximately 900,000 people from Milwaukee and around the world together each year for an unforgettable live music experience.  During the festival, the spotlight shines on over 800 acts, over 1,000 performances, 11 stages, delectable food and beverages and interactive activities, all in a world-class festival setting.  Patrons can also enjoy Miller Lite, the Official Beer of Summerfest.  For more details, visit Summerfest.com, Facebook.com/summerfest or Twitter: @Summerfest.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.

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