Starlite Marbella is an annual music festival held in Marbella, which each year attracts tens of thousands of fans eager to enjoy performances by their favourite artists. If you’re planning a holiday in Marbella during the summer months, be sure to check out who will be performing during this time.
History, or how it all began
In 1983, Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe, singer Julio Iglesias and tenor Plácido Domingo organised a musical event in… the Nagüeles quarry in Marbella, using the space as a natural auditorium due to its excellent acoustic properties. This was a historical precedent and also a prelude to the Starlite Festival, which eventually took shape thirty years later. Back then, the first edition of the festival was held in the grounds of the tennis club, and the idea of the event’s creators was to combine music and culture with the beautiful views of the Costa del Sol.
Over several years, the Starlite Marbella festival has become one of the most important cultural events in Europe, attracting both music lovers and stars from the world of show business. The organisers strive to invite the biggest names from the world of music every year to offer the public a rich and varied programme.
In 2013-2014, the Starlite festival was held on the grounds of the Marbella convention centre, but since 2015 the event has returned to its original venue – an abandoned quarry. There, spectators can enjoy beautiful views of the sea, the city and the surrounding rocks. During its 11-year history, the Starlite festival has hosted many famous artists such as Elton John, Andrea Bocelli, Julio Iglesias, Sting, Lenny Kravitz, Ricky Martin and Tom Jones.
Amazing location and power of attractions
The Starlite Festival attracts thousands of people from all over the world every year and its popularity continues to grow. The organisers are always trying to introduce innovations to make the attendees’ experience of the event even better. Imagine a 2200-seat auditorium, built in an old quarry for only two summer months. While at the concert, you see illuminated rocks and pine trees growing on the rock walls all around you. All this creates a truly unique atmosphere.
If we are talking about attractions provided by the organisers, it is also worth mentioning Starlite’s charitable side. During each edition of the festival, a gala takes place on one of the evenings to raise funds for selected foundations. The gala is hosted by Antonio Banderas, who has lived in Malaga for many years. It is one of the biggest charity events in Spain.
The amphitheatre offers seating, as well as a VIP area. There are numerous restaurants and bars in the area. After each concert, you can move to an area with a large dance floor, where you can continue your evening with DJ music interspersed with various artist performances or dance shows. You can party until the morning under the open sky. In addition, a VIP lounge area is available.
Who will perform at Starlite Marbella 2023?
Over the years, the festival has hosted many artists – representing a variety of musical genres, including pop, rock, jazz and classical music. This year will be no different either! One of the most anticipated performers at the Starlite Marbella 2023 festival is Lionel Richie – a true music icon and one of the most popular artists of all time. Richie’s biggest hits include ‘Hello’, ‘All Night Long’ and ‘Dancing on the Ceiling’. Fans can expect an unforgettable performance from this legendary artist.
Another legend to appear on the Starlite Marbella 2023 stage is Tom Jones, widely known for his powerful voice and hits such as ‘It’s Not Unusual’, ‘What’s New Pussycat’ and ‘Delilah’. Like Richie, Jones boasts staggering sales success, with his albums to date selling over 100 million records worldwide. Jones is also the winner of numerous music awards, including a Grammy Award and a Brit Award.
The festival in Marbella, Spain, could also not take place without one of the biggest stars in Latin pop, which is undoubtedly Ricky Martin. The artist, known worldwide for hits such as ‘Livin’ la Vida Loca’ and ‘She Bangs’, has sold more than 70 million records and his performances are a real energy bomb that will get everyone who attends the show dancing. Martin has won many awards during his career, including two Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy Awards.
Rod Stewart is another exceptional artist who will be performing at Starlite Marbella 2023. We don’t need to introduce him – suffice it to say that he is known for his voice and hits such as “Maggie May”, “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?” and “Forever Young”. Stewart has won several awards throughout his career, including being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame several times.
The organisers of the Starlite Festival care about the diversity of artists in order to please the assembled fans as much as possible. That is why this year’s edition will also feature the ‘Godfather of punk’, i.e. Iggy Pop, who is known for his high-energy performances and hits such as ‘Lust for Life’ and ‘The Passenger’. He has won numerous awards throughout his career, including a Grammy for lifetime achievement.
Luis Fonsi is a Latin pop singer and songwriter, known for his hit song ‘Despacito’. The song became a global phenomenon in 2017, breaking several records and becoming the most played song of all time (it lost this title to ‘Baby Shark Dance’ in 2020). Fonsi also boasts music awards, including winning the Latin Grammy Awards 5 times.
When announcing this year’s edition of the festival, the event planned for 22 August should definitely not be overlooked. On that day, the organisers have planned a concert – which is a tribute to Whitney Houston – ‘Whitney Queen of the Night’. The performance also includes a range of costumes and choreography to capture the artist’s style. The event will be a celebration of Houston’s life and music – a must-see for any fan of the legendary artist.
Also performing in Marbella during the summer months will be: Black Eyed Peas, Seal, Gypsy Kings, Ludovio Einauldi, Zaz, Norah Jones or Zucchero. The full programme and list of artists can be found on the festival’s official website. Starlite Marbella 2023 promises to be an incredible event, featuring some of the biggest names in the music industry. With a huge variety of genres, a great selection of artists and a beautiful location, this festival is a must-see for anyone who loves music.
Photographs: http://starlitemarbella.com/
