By Chesney Hearst, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Rock in Rio organizers confirm the additions of British superstar Sir Elton John, Australian indie-pop band Sheppard, and Swedish pop star Robyn to the 2015 Rock in Rio line-up. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the festival will take place on September 18th, 19th, 20th, 24th, 25th, 26th, and 27th and will again be held in Barra da Tijuca’s Cidade do Rock.
Elton John will join Rod Stewart and Paralamas do Sucesso on the Palco Mundo (World Stage) line-up for September 20th while Sheppard will join Rihanna, Sam Smith and Lulu Santos on the Palco Mundo stage on September 26th. Finally, Robyn increases the line-up of Katy Perry, A-Ha, and Cidade Negra on the Palco Mundo for September 27th.
No stranger to Brazil, this will be Elton John’s second appearance at the Rock in Rio festival. He performed as part of the fourth edition, held in 2011. Additionally, John has toured the country numerous times and was last in Rio during his “Follow The Yellow Brick Road” tour in 2014.
With a career stretching over five decades, the singer-songwriter and pianist is one of the most successful solo artists in history. He has released more than thirty studio albums, selling over 250 million records worldwide.
Elton John’s chart-topping singles include “Your Song”, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”, “Tiny Dancer”, “Rocket Man”, “I’m Still Standing”, “Candle in the Wind” and its rewritten tribute version honoring Princess Diana following her tragic death, “Candle in the Wind 1997,” which is one of the best-selling singles of all time.
Truly a living legend, John is a multiple award-winner, receiving an Academy Award, a Tony Award, and six Grammy Awards, among others. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998, making him Sir Elton John.
This year’s Rock in Rio will mark the first appearance at the festival in Rio of six-piece Australian pop band Sheppard. Formed in Brisbane, the group released a self-titled EP in 2012 and followed with their debut album Bombs Away in 2014. They are known for their single “Geronimo.”
Singer Robyn, who joins the festival’s line-up for its final day on September 27th, is known around the world for blending Swedish pop with American R&B, hip-hop, and electronic elements. Performing professionally since the age of sixteen, the now 35 year old Robyn has released multiple studio albums and most recently an EP, Do it Again, which was a collaboration with the Norwegian duo Röyksopp.
Robyn’s well-known singles include “Do You Know”, “Dancing on My Own“, “Indestructible”, “Do it Again,” “Monument“, and “Call Your Girlfriend.” She toured with Katy Perry in 2011 and appeared with her on “Saturday Night Live.” She will open for Perry during the festival.
Previously confirmed artists for Rock in Rio include Perry, Queen with Adam Lambert, One Republic, The Script, Metallica, Mötley Crüe, Royal Blood, System of a Down, Queens of the Stone Age, Slipknot, Angelique Kidjo, and John Legend.
More additions will be made to the 2015 Rio line-up during the upcoming months including the DJs for the Electronica stage. For more information, check back with The Rio Times and see the festival’s official website.