Strummin’

Rockestra, the concert that takes pop, rock and classical music and spins them on their tails to create one highly-entertaining and musically-tight package, is back, bringing with it a special guest of honour for this edition, Krokus frontman Marc Storace.

Marc, who left Malta in the 1970s and has been based in Switzerland for these past years, is known on the international rock scene for fronting the metal band that has been rocking Europe, the US, Canada, Australia and beyond for almost four decades. The band’s signature power rock sound has, to date, sold over 14 million records and received gold and platinum discs.

Their latest album, Long Stick Goes Boom, was released last year after a live recording in front of the band’s hometown crowd in Solothurn, Switzerland. The band has spent most of 2014 and 2015 touring with it to packed venues.

Rockestra is organised by the Malta Community Chest Fund with the aim of raising funds for those in need. It is performed by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) and held under the musical direction of MPO chairman Sigmund Mifsud.

Past editions have included iconic works by bands like Pink Floyd, Queen and Aerosmith

Past editions have included iconic works by bands and musicians like Pink Floyd, Queen, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Alanis Mori-sette, The Animals, Labyrinth, Toto, Police, Deep Purple, Brian Adams, Robbie Williams and Jimi Hendrix. Besides a number of instrumental pieces performed by the orchestra, top local artists also perform popular pieces with the MPO musicians.

Marc Storace. Photo: Claudia Anthony

This year, Stummin’, the annual music project organised by the Young Christian Wokers (ŻĦN) Malta to raise funds for local charities, is the sole supporting act for the MPO, where they are expected to showcase their repertoire via a five-piece band joined by two backing vocalists and 11 main singers.

Rockestra takes place on Saturday at 7pm at the MFCC in Ta’ Qali. Tickets are available online or from San Anton Palace/The Palace, Valletta (weekdays between 9 am and 3pm). Standing tickets can also be bought from The President’s Kitchen Garden between 5 and 9pm.

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