MUSIC
Isle of MTV Malta
Brazilian deejay Alok, British chart-topper Ella Henderson and Italian singer-songwriter Damanio David, frontman of rock band Måneskin, are headlining the Isle of MTV concert on July 15 at the Granaries in Floriana. The concert will also include a performance by Miriana Conte.
The event forms part of Malta Music Week, which also includes an exclusive Isle of MTV after-party at Marrakech, Rabat, on July 15; a Café del Mar special event starring Nervo on July 16; a boat party on July 17; a G7 Fridays special at Gianpula featuring chart-toppers Goodboys on July 18; a Toy Room clubbing night with special guest Damante on July 19; and a Club MTV Pool Party by Day at Toy Room Beach Club in Sliema.
For all the details and tickets, visit isleofmtv.com.
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Ella Henderson and Alok. Photos: FacebookGħaxaq Music Festival: Zucchero and Gipsy Kings in concert
Għaxaq Musical Festival 2025 opens on July 17 with Italian blues-rock icon Zucchero, who is bringing to Malta his Overdose D’Amore World Tour concert on July 17.
Setting the stage before Zucchero is singer-songwriter Chess Galea, who will be joined by guitarist and music producer Peter Borg.
Warming up the crowd is Pierre Cordina, while DJ Mykill will bring the night to a close.
ZuccheroThe following day, on July 18, the Grammy-winning Gipsy Kings by Diego Baliardo are performing in Għaxaq grounds as part of their Back to The Origins Tour.
Before that, Kurt Calleja will lead a special showcase titled Kurt Calleja & Friends, featuring Chiara, Owen Leuellen, Brooke and Kersten Graham. Warming up the evening is Maltese deejay Alex Grech, while DJ Sue will wrap up the event with a final party.
For details, visit the festival’s Facebook page. For tickets, visit showshappening.com. Children under 12 can attend for free when accompanied by an adult, except for seated area, where a ticket must be purchased for the seat.
Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Embrace Diversity Organisation, supporting children and youths with disabilities.
Gipsy Kings by Diego Balairdo. Photo: FacebookPlugged Sessions in the Park
Project Green’s event Plugged Sessions in the Park is back this summer.
The next session will host rock and blues band Vinyl Paradise at the Milbrae Grove in Mosta, on July 18 at 7.30pm.
Admission is free.
Tango Tales and American Dreams
Led by Sergey Smbatyan, the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra is performing at the Grandmaster Suite, Hilton Malta, St Julian’s, on July 19 at 8pm.
The concert opens with Morricone’s iconic Western Medley and Nino Rota’s Omaggio a Fellini.
Acclaimed musician Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi (bandoneon) will join the orchestra for Piazzolla’s beloved tangos.
The programme concludes with Ives’s Symphony No. 1, a lyrical, richly harmonic work that hints at the bold innovation that would later define the composer’s unique musical voice.
Tickets from showshappening.com.
Special guest Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi will accompany the MPO with his bandoneon in Piazzolla’s well-known tangos. Photo: FacebookARTS
Victoria International Arts Festival
The 28th edition of the festival comes to a close at St George’s basilica on July 14 with a concert by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, featuring the Laudate Pueri Choir − St George’s Basilica, conducted by Philip Walsh, and the Cappella Sanctae Catharinae.
The concert will also feature Sicilian tenor Antonino Interisano and Maltese baritone Louis Andrew Cassar.
The programme features In Memoriam op. 96 by Joseph Vella, Vaughan Williams’s Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis and G. Farrugia’s Messa dei defunti.
The concert starts at 8pm and admission is free. For more information, visit viaf.org.mt.
THEATRE
King Lear
MADC is this year staging King Lear for its annual summertime appointment Shakespeare at San Anton.
Directed by Chris Gatt, the production features an all-star cast, who will perform in period costumes with a Game of Thrones-inspired aesthetic designed by Nicole Cuschieri.
Stephen Oliver plays the title role. He is joined by Faye Paris, Daniela Carabott Pawley, Melissa Mercieca, Michael Mangion, Simone Ellul and Edward Caruana Galizia, among other cast members.
The production is on at San Anton Gardens, Attard, from July 18-21 and 23-27 at 8pm. It is suitable for audiences aged 10+. Tickets are available at www.madc.com.mt.
King Lear cast members Faye Paris, Melissa Mercieca, Stephen Oliver and Daniela Carabott Pawley. Photo: Justin MamoBoċċi: Il-Musical
Teatru Malta and Give and Take Productions’ production is being staged for one last time at the Żabbar Boċċi Club on July 19 and 20.
Set against the backdrop of a struggling boċċi club on the brink of closure, the musical follows an eccentric group of characters who come together in a last-ditch effort to save the club.
Written by Malcolm Galea, the production stars Joseph Zammit, Rebecca Camilleri, Philip Vella, Adam Ryan, Michela Farrugia, Sandie von Brockdorff, Christian Scicluna and Bertha Farrugia.
For more information and tickets, visit teatrumalta.org.mt.
The cast of Boċċi: Il-Musicalwhatson@timesofmalta.com