As far as the Malta Tourism Authority was concerned, these past few months have been some of the most hectic for a long time. The MTA has either sponsored or supported a record number of top-line events this summer, which makes one wonder how they can possibly follow this achievement next year.

The Isle of MTV concert is one event that certainly will be repeated again next year and for some time to come; but top one-off gigs like Duran Duran and the Joseph Calleja concert are almost impossible to top. Maybe Kevin Drake and co. could persuade the surviving Beatles to reform, or exhume... yet again the skeletal remains of the Rolling Stones - who are still, incidentally, stunning live performers.

This summer we also welcomed the highly rated British band Faithless to our islands, as well as the disco phenomenon that is Creamfields.

But we at Showtime think it is time to look back and reflect on a summer of content... and what content! It would be difficult to single out just one event as the high point of the season... so we've chosen three. Obviously the Isle of MTV concert on the Floriana Fossos was huge, with an even bigger TV audience giving massive exposure to both the concert and, probably more importantly, to Malta. The line-up of supergroups One Republic, N*E*R*D and the Kooks, rising star lady GaGa and, of course, a return visit by Spanish superstar Enrique Iglesias (who arrived a free man of the world and left an honorary citizen of Valletta). This was some gig and one that thrilled the huge crowd that turned up for it.

Also very much in the superstar class is tenor Joseph Calleja. His concert on the Main Guard was sold out weeks in advance. Indeed, he could easily have sold out a dozen such occasions. He teamed up with the National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Mro Brian Schembri, the brilliant soprano Natalya Kovalova and the hugely impressive Romanian baritone George Petean, to give a concert that will long remain in the memories of anyone fortunate enough to be there.

The third MTA sponsored event worthy of note is obviously the visit of 1980s chart-topping band Duran Duran. Led by their iconic front-man Simon Le Bon they are enjoying a worldwide renaissance. Their concert at the Luxol Grounds in St Andrew in July was - for many aging aficionados - the seminal moment of this summer. Although admittedly no longer in the first flush of youth, the band still managed to recreate their very individual sound and gave a brilliant concert, reprising many of their biggest hits. Their Malta gig was a stage on the band's Red Carpet Massacre world tour. We were indeed privileged to be included on their agenda. Duran Duran were brought here by NnG Promotions and supported by the MTA.

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