Latest news with #GeorgeClinton
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Summer Camp music festival to return next year, tickets halfway sold out
CHILLICOTHE, Ill. (WMBD) — For fans of the popular music festival Summer Camp, the stage will soon be set. The festival returns next year after its hiatus this year, which was announced after their decision to move the event, and then eventually cancel it. The 25-year-old event had moved out of its only home at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe with plans to be on Peoria's Riverfront over Memorial Day weekend for a three-day affair before it was called off. The festival was called off in March, citing several factors in a Facebook post. 'Although we gave it our best efforts, a variety of factors such as the state of the music festival industry, artist conflicts, and more did not allow us to put together a Memorial Day event this year that would live up to the Summer Camp Presents brand,' the post said. 'At this time, our team is looking ahead to our full return in 2026.' 3-day Memorial Day Summer Camp music festival is off for 2025, organizers say Now, the festival is getting a rejuvenation, and a 2026 return to its original location on May 22 through 24. In the past, the festival featured days of camping and had a counterculture 1960s feel to it. The event had also brought in some big-name performers such as George Clinton, Phil Lesh, moe., Willie Nelson, and others. The festival was downsized in 2024, citing economics as the driving factor. 'We know you all have been waiting for word of this year's festival, and we have some good news. We will indeed be hosting an event in 2025. However, with the difficult economic factors continuing to impact the festival market in various ways we have elected to make some changes which we are happy to share with you now,' another Facebook post said at the time. In the past, it was also a huge economic boom to Chillicothe as well, given that in some years, the number of guests attending was more than the village's population. To find where to get tickets, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Forbes
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Sunday Conversation: Wiz Khalifa On Weed, Jazz, Fans And More
Fifteen years after his musical love letter to weed culture, Kush + Orange Juice, hip-hop superstar Wiz Khalifa recently released a long-awaited sequel, one that reflects his maturity. Kush + Orange Juice 2 is still all about the weed life, but musically it calls to mind a serious '70s vibe, it is, as he tells me, jazz influenced, reggae influenced, R&B influenced. This is Khalifa, the dad. A humble superstar, Khalifa spoke to me about the album, jazz, his fans, community and more. It is indeed all good vibes, the name of his upcoming tour with Sean Paul. Steve Baltin: I love doing this today because I talked to Bootsy Collins three weeks ago and Ice Cube last week and they were telling me their crazy stories of the greats before them. I'm sure you have stories from working with Bootsy and Cube, the greats before you. Wiz Khalifa: All these dudes you name got the same spirit. I met Bootsy at this concert that I did with George Clinton, because I played George Clinton in a movie, and I got to meet him and jam out with him and his band, and I met Bootsy and his wife. And they had like the same outfit on and everything. It was super inspirational and cool to see somebody who was a player and a real big figure in the 70s and 80s still having that energy and still caring and still putting that effort into what his reality is. And that's what I think is real about all those guys. It's beyond making amazing music and being incredibly talented in music, whether it's playing instruments or bringing people together to create one, these guys were able to create a world based off that sound and what to expect from that sound or what to expect from an album cover or what to expect from a live show. That's what a true artist really is, is when they're out here world building and changing people's lives. Like anybody who listened to their music for the first time, whether it's as a kid and you hear it through your parents or an older sibling or something or you get of age and you smoke a little bit of weed and you start to experience what they're talking about. It latches on to you and it stays with you for life. Baltin: I see Kush + Orange Juice 2 the same way. Vibe wise, it reminded me of the '70s, with the spoken word interludes and the music was so chill. Khalifa: Thank you. It's definitely inspired by the 70s. Its jazz inspired. Its reggae inspired. It's R &B inspired. Its funk inspired. It's really soulful. It's a soulful album. Baltin: What's the perfect day today? Khalia: Perfect day is waking up about six a m., kissing my daughter, she's still asleep. Kissing my son on the forehead, he's still asleep. Feeding my dogs, getting my son up, getting him to school, making it back home to my daughter. She's awake, having breakfast with her, smoking a few joints, playing with my dog, getting on social media, making about three posts that are going to do at least a million each. Eating breakfast, going to the gym, doing some yoga after, making it home by three, eating lunch, taking a nap, waking up by five, making sure my son does his work, making sure my daughter's getting ready for her last little round, eat dinner, get dressed, go to the studio, maybe record about two verses, stay out till about 12, maybe make it back home, take a shower back in the bed, that's perfect. Baltin: When you think of doing the original Kush + Orange Juice and what a perfect day was to you then, could you ever have imagined that this would be a perfect day for you now? Khalifa: No, I wouldn't imagine that at all. And not that I looked down on it, but at that age, I never knew what that would feel like. It wasn't even a goal of mine at that time. So, I'm very appreciative that I am fortunate enough to have learned that lesson, especially at my age. So, I wouldn't have imagined it, but I'm very grateful that I've achieved it. Baltin: What makes life so worth living is you have this idea of what you think you want your life to be and then it turns out to be something completely different and it's way better than you imagine. Khalifa: It's way better and people change. You have to allow yourself to change and let go of certain things and be comfortable with it. And there's just certain things that I know if I put myself around it, what the results are going to be. So instead of continuously just offering myself to that, I know the difference. I can be over here where I really enjoy myself, or I could be over here where it might be necessary, and I'll pop in and pop out. But having that discretion, I think, is worth a lot. Baltin: Like I said, I just talked to Cube last week, he runs a basketball league. He's having the time of his life doing movies and more. Is there anybody you are really inspired by? Khalifa: I'm really inspired by Snoop. Just getting close to Snoop and him being one of the first real superstars to embrace me, he really set the bar high for what behavior is supposed to be. I've only seen Snoop be nice and pleasant and really giving with his platform and with his talents and with anything that he does, whether it's knowledge or information or weed, whatever it is, he just gives it to you. And Snoop, he stands in his role as somebody who can change other people's lives, even if it's just him being kind to them or shaking their hand and whatever it is, letting them go before him. There are just certain things that Snoop does that show me that when you reach a certain level of greatness, how gentle you're supposed to be and how much care you're supposed to put into having that so you can have longevity through that position. So I definitely look up to Snoop in a lot of ways when it comes to that. Baltin: I have found the thing that drives successful people, whether you're an athlete, whether you're an author, whether you're a CEO, is the internal fire. The only way to keep motivated is with yourself. Khalifa: Yeah, I figured it out just by knowing my connection with my fans and the people who really support me. Those are the people who've taken me to the top and who continue to support, challenge, inspire me and motivate me. And that's what creates that fire because I'm not afraid to run things past them and be wrong or find out exactly what right is and what serves this community. My community is full of peaceful people. My community is full of hard workers. My community is full of people who respect themselves and respect the people around them. So, it's not hard to really navigate and make good decisions based off what we all would expect from each other. In turn, I think that just brings up the whole vibration and elevates everybody around us. Cause who doesn't want to be cool just for who they are. Or who doesn't want to just feel good about trying some s**t and making a mistake and still being all right. And that's what I think a lot of my following is all about, just figuring this whole thing out together and doing it the right way, who we really are deep down inside. Music is a channel for that because it makes everybody feel good. And if you see me on stage, whether you know my music or not, I make it so you remember the performance. You remember that night. You remember moments. And you're in love with it. You leave happy. You feel elevated and I just think that everybody deserves that feeling whether you know it or not. Through the music you're able to discover it and I put all of that energy into making sure that my fans have that first. That's what keeps me focused on that mission. Baltin: At what point did you first realize that power of music to transform you? Were there one or two records early on that spoke to you? Khalifa: For me, it was Bone Thugs and Harmony. I was born in '87, so I grew up in the Nineties. When they first started releasing music, it just sounded so different to me. And I remember when I heard 'Crossroads,' I just fell in love with that song. The first time I heard it, it was so good that I thought I was never going to hear it again. I was like, 'This song is so good.' Then I got to the age where I was able to figure out the artist and see the videos and stuff like that. Then I went to one of their concerts. And that's where it really hit me instantly, just that love and that being captivated that much by something and feeling positive about it. That's when I knew music was really powerful. Baltin: The one person who nearly killed me smoking was B-Real. Khalifa: B-Real, the top smoker. He is top of the top. Baltin: That's funny cause he said the only person he couldn't keep up with was you. He said you were doing like six joints at a time. Khalifa: Yeah, I'm just trying to hang with the big dogs, man (laughs). Baltin: I also think obviously that just makes you a better musician, the more stuff you listen to. Khalifa: Absolutely, it opens up the way that you're able to approach things. And while I understood listening and being inspired by jazz, I couldn't make a full jazz record. I did go there and take the important parts and bring it back to where I was at, especially having Terrace Martin on. I've known him since I was like 19 years old. So, to be able to have him on the album is a full circle moment. I learned a lot about jazz just by watching him play. I went and saw him play four or five times during the process making this album and was just blown away. Even just seeing it live had a huge effect on me while making this album.
The Star
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Desaru Coast's Ombak Festival 2025 to put spotlight on Asean
Malaysia's popular integrated destination resort Desaru Coast in Johor is set to host another major entertainment event this September – Ombak Festival. Following its successful debut last year, Ombak Festival 2025 will again see numerous activities, exhibits, performances and curated dining events being held over a three-day weekend in September. This time around, there will be a spotlight on South-East Asian artistes, performers and vendors, to go with Malaysia's current Asean chairmanship. You can expect to see some Asean-themed family-friendly experiences like traditional games, puppeteering, art workshops and food tastings. 'For our second year, building on our intentionally diverse ethos, we are going bolder in vision, broader in scope and bursting with South-East Asian soul. 'The play this year is to intrepidly represent the best of Asean by uniting global icons with regional talents to stage an unparalleled experience of live music, taste explorations, and artistic expression in one ultimate weekend,' said Karina Ridzuan, director of Ombak Festival, in a press release. Aside from the regional selections, there are also plenty of international features. On the entertainment section, for example, headliners include British artistes Simply Red and Joss Stone, US group George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, and Australian electronic duo Flight Facilities. George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic wants to party with you. Asean artistes who will also perform on the main stage include Thai singer Phum Viphurit, Singapore's The Pinholes and Keyana, Cambodia's Vanthan, Indonesia's Tanayu, and of course, Malaysia's own Joe Flizzow, Gerhana Skacinta, LZZY, Golden Mammoth, and SonaOne and Ismail Izzani. So far, there are 29 regional music talents featured at the festival; more will be announced in the months to come. Meanwhile, the curated gourmet experiences includes 'Smoke & Fire' by Malaysia's own grill expert Carbon KL, 'Flavours Of Johor', and 'Tapas & Grill' by Sazon, well-known chef Andrew Walsh's latest venture in Bali, Indonesia. In the arts section, there will be upcycling workshops by Pulau Pulao, a block printing project by Segaris Art Centre and a bazaar curated by the popular lifestyle pop-up initiative, Pasar Seloka. There's also a mahjong 'session' called All Tiled Up, where guests can learn how to play the traditional tile game from experts. Of course, this experience is strictly for educational purposes only. Folks who plan to bring their children to the festival can check out the Ombak Kids schedule, where loads of kid-friendly activities will be held. Some of them include Go Fly Kites, super-sized Mereka Games, Funfair Of Forgotten Futures, and a Legoland Speed Building Challenge. The delightful giant puppets Meera & Fiz will also make their return to the festival. Soul singer Joss Stone's new album is slated for a release sometime this year. She will be performing on the main stage on the final day. 'Ombak Festival 2025 is set to deliver another year of extraordinary experiences in our intimate coastal setting. Driving our ambition is the vision to establish the event as South-East Asia's must-attend festival, setting the stage as we build momentum towards Visit Johor and Visit Malaysia 2026. 'None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of the state authorities and the communities across the greater Desaru region, whose collaboration was instrumental in bringing Ombak Festival to life,' said Karina in the press release. The festival, presented by Desaru Coast, will be held from Sept 12 to 14. Early bird passes are now available from or Ticketmelon ( There are single, two-day and three-day passes, with prices ranging between RM200 and RM650. Children aged 13 and above must have their own tickets. The festival schedule can also be found on the website, as well as a list of rules and regulations, and other helpful tips. Australian DJ duo Flight Facilities will make its long-awaited Malaysian debut at Ombak Festival. Travel notes How to get there: If you're travelling from anywhere in Peninsular Malaysia, you can drive all the way to Desaru Coast; the drive will take a minimum of four hours from the Klang Valley. Otherwise, fly into the Senai International Airport, and then book a taxi or rideshare service to Desaru Coast. If you are travelling from Singapore, make your way to the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and take a 90-minute ferry ride straight to the Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal. Where to stay: There are three 5-star resorts within Desaru Coast (Hard Rock Hotel, The Westin, and Anantara Resort & Villas), and Ombak Festival will be held across these properties. Festivalgoers who choose to stay at any of the resorts may get special discounts and/or privileges, so do check their official websites to find out more. There are also plenty of hotels available within a 1km radius – it may be possible to arrange for shuttle services from your accommodation to the festival venue.
Independent Singapore
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Independent Singapore
Desaru Coast unveils a bigger and bolder 2025 Ombak Festival
- Advertisement - MALAYSIA: Desaru Coast has just unveiled its bigger and bolder Ombak Festival for 2025. The action-packed weekend includes Simply Red headlining the event with a star-studded ensemble, including international and local acts. Happening from Sept 12 to 14, 2025, it will be fun for everyone and a celebration of creativity, culture, and community. The event is being hosted by Desaru Coast, the perfect award-winning destination resort and home to five-star resorts all within walking distance of the festival village. 'For our second year, building on our intentionally diverse ethos, we are going bolder in vision, broader in scope and bursting with Southeast Asian soul. The play this year is to intrepidly represent the best of ASEAN by uniting global icons with regional talents to stage an unparalleled experience of live music, taste explorations, and artistic expression in one ultimate weekend,' said Karina Ridzuan, director of Ombak Festival. 'We are thrilled to present Simply Red's exclusive Southeast Asian performance as the band celebrates their 40th anniversary. The festival also welcomes funk legend George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, while Joss Stone offers a soulful preview of her upcoming 2025 album and DJ duo Flight Facilities make their long-awaited Malaysian debut. Taking the same stage are ASEAN powerhouses of talent — Thailand's Phum Viphurit, our very own anak Johor, Joe Flizzow and friends, SonaOne and Ismail Izzani, Malaysian ska veterans Gerhana Skacinta, Singapore's The Pinholes, and Indonesia's Diskoria and Tanayu — and we have more Southeast Asian acts to announce in July,' Karina said. - Advertisement - 'With iconic acts and culture-defining moments, Ombak Festival 2025 is set to deliver another year of extraordinary experiences in our intimate coastal setting. Driving our ambition is the vision to establish the event as Southeast Asia's must-attend festival, setting the stage as we build momentum towards Visit Johor and Visit Malaysia Year 2026. None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of the state authorities and the communities across the Greater Desaru region, whose collaboration was instrumental in bringing Ombak Festival to life,' she added. Grab your early bird passes! Early bird passes are now available, so don't miss the opportunity to secure tickets to one of the most highly anticipated music events of the year at or Ticketmelon. 1-Day Pass 2-Day Pass - Advertisement - 3-Day Pass Friday (Sep 12) RM200 (S$58) - Advertisement - Saturday (Sep 13) RM300 (S$87) Sunday (Sep 14) RM300 (S$87) Saturday & Sunday (Sep 13 & 14) RM550 (S$167) Friday, Saturday & Sunday (Sep 12, 13, & 14) RM650 (S$197) Main Stage Flight Facilities LZZY Main Stage Simply Red Joe Flizzow, SonaOne and Ismail Izzani Phum Viphurit Tanayu Vanthan Main Stage George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic Joss Stone The Pinholes Gerhana Skacinta Don West Keyana Main Stage Simply Red George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic Joss Stone Joe Flizzow, SonaOne and Ismail Izzani Phum Viphurit Tanayu Vanthan The Pinholes Gerhana Skacinta Don West Keyana Main Stage Simply Red George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic Joss Stone Flight Facilities Joe Flizzow, SonaOne and Ismail Izzani Phum Viphurit Tanayu Vanthan The Pinholes Gerhana Skacinta Don West Keyana LZZY Studio Ombak Blackout Agency feat. Miss Lil, Sivanesh, Zig Zach, Ouissam, JonnyVicious Studio Ombak NADA Diskoria Studio Ombak Blackout Agency feat. Miss Lil, Sivanesh, Zig Zach, Ouissam, JonnyVicious NADA Diskoria Studio Ombak Blackout Agency feat. Miss Lil, Sivanesh, Zig Zach, Ouissam, JonnyVicious NADA Diskoria Village Stage Golden Mammoth Masia One & The Jah Jah Army Village Stage The Filters Kyoto Protocol Village Stage Golden Mammoth Masia One & The Jah Jah Army The Filters Kyoto Protocol Village Stage Golden Mammoth Masia One & The Jah Jah Army The Filters Kyoto Protocol To enjoy the festival at your doorstep, book your stay at one of Desaru Coast's 5-star resorts: Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort, and Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas. The Ultimate Weekend redefined through sound, taste, art, and play Be it soul, funk, pop or hip-hop, the festival stages come alive with legendary musicians. Get ready to be wowed by the classic Simply Red as well as George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic. Revel in a soul session with Joss Stone or go on an electronic journey with Australia's Flight Facilities. Enjoy dreamy indie-pop tracks by Thailand's Phum Viphurit. Joe Flizzow, Sona One, and Ismail Izzani are Malaysia's homegrown talent. Don West brings fresh and zesty energy with diverse sounds. Diskoria delivers infectious grooves, while Gerhana Skacinta specialises in the ska musical style. The Pinholes exude indie charm and dynamic renditions of funk, soul, and pop together with classic rock and roll. Blackout Agency from Singapore is set to make waves while on the decks, Miss Lil, Sivanesh, Zig Zach, Ouissam and JonnyVicious will bring down the house. While Keyana, Kyoto Protocol, LZZY, and Masia One & The Jah Jah Army bring smooth rhythms and daring performances to the festival, Disko Santan and Golden Mammoth will keep the dance floors crowded. In a celebration of sound, culture, and unadulterated joy, NADA, Tanayu, The Filters, and Vanthan from Cambodia all contribute their distinct styles to the stage, making every moment amazing! Besides music, Ombak Festival has something for everyone. There will be immersive art installations, creative workshops, gastronomic adventures and fun zones for children. Taste and toast to good times Savour both Malaysian and ASEAN ingredients and flavours by the top chefs from the region. While Carbon KL offers Smoke & Fire, which elevates grilling with innovative techniques, also savour the Flavours of Johor, an outstanding feast that showcases the best of local tastes. Festival attendees will also be treated to the magnificent Sazón Tapas & Grill by Andrew Walsh. Nurture the Artistic Side Through carefully designed exhibits that showcase cultural narratives, ancient techniques, and modern expressions derived from Malaysia's rich artistic past and the region's creative energy, art enthusiasts may immerse themselves in a captivating experience. Pasar Seloka is a vibrant marketplace filled with artisanal mementoes. Pulau Pulao DIY and upcycling workshops are perfect for those who want to craft their creations. All Tiled Up is where you can learn how to play mahjong just like in Crazy Rich Asians. Big Fun for the Little Ones At Ombak Kids, children can immerse themselves in the Funfair of Forgotten Future, a build-and-play experience with the LEGOLAND Speed Building Challenge. There is also interaction with the festival's specially commissioned giant puppets, Meera & Fiz, by Thailand's Nice Monster puppetry studio. The 10-foot Meera & Fiz represent figures from Johor's rich folklore and were crowd favourites last year, together. There will also be kitemaking lessons with Go Fly Kites and super-sized garden games by Mereka Games, both returning due to popular demand. Getting to Desaru Coast • From Singapore: A two-hour drive OR a 90-minute ferry ride from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. For more information, visit
Malay Mail
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Desaru Coast's Ombak Festival 2025 brings global stars to SE Asia this September, including Simply Red, George Clinton and Joss Stone
JOHOR BAHRU, May 8 — The Sept 12-14 Ombak Festival is set to create waves at Desaru Coast, Kota Tinggi as it promises a vibrant celebration of the fusion of global communities as well as Southeast Asian culture and creativity. Ombak Festival director Karina Ridzuan said that as one of the most anticipated events, this year's edition will focus on regional talent across music, performance, arts, food and family-friendly experiences through Ombak Kids, in conjunction with Malaysia's role as Chair of Asean. '... for our second year, we are featuring a bolder vision, a broader scope and one that is bursting with Southeast Asian soul. 'In addition, we aim to represent the best of Asean by combining global icons with regional talents to offer an unparalleled experience, including live music and artistic expression,' she said in a statement, adding that the event attracted over 5,000 visitors last year. She added that the festival is organised by the internationally renowned Desaru Coast resort destination that had previously won various awards and that, this year's edition will feature more exciting acts, including an appearance by funk legends George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic. The festival will also feature a special appearance by British singer, songwriter and actress Joss Stone, who will preview tracks from her upcoming album. 'We are also excited to present Simply Red's exclusive Southeast Asian performance in celebration of their 40th anniversary, while popular DJ duo Flight Facilities of Australia will also be making their Malaysian debut,' she said. A stellar lineup of Asean artistes is also set to grace the stage at the Ombak Festival, including the likes of Phum Viphurit of Thailand; local rappers Joe Flizzow and SonaOne; hip-hop artiste Ismail Izzani; Gerhana Skacinta, a Malaysian ska band; The Pinholes, a power-packed quartet from Singapore; as well as musical duo Diskoria and the talented multidisciplinary artiste Tanayu from Indonesia. Karina said that one of the unique features of this year's Ombak Festival will be its 'The Ultimate Weekend', which is meant specifically for everyone as it offers a wide variety of food and beverages, a strong artistic lineup and a special Ombak Kids programme for children. 'Following last year's success, there will be a return of fan favourites for the 2025 edition, namely the grilling skills of Andrew Walsh and Carbon KL to sizzle up the culinary event; and kitemaking with Go Fly Kites as well as the presence of 10-foot-tall festival puppets Meera and Fiz under the Ombak Kids programme. 'In terms of arts, the Segaris Art Centre is again collaborating with local students. Last year, they featured sculpture and this year they will be presenting block printing techniques,' said Karina. She added that their target for the long term is to make this event a must-attend festival in Southeast Asia, in line with efforts to build momentum towards the Visit Johor Year and Visit Malaysia 2026. Those keen to attend the festival can get their early bird passes at or Ticketmelon. The one-day pass is priced at RM200 for Sept 12 (Friday) and RM300 each for Sept 13 (Saturday) and Sept 14 (Sunday. The two-day pass for Sept 13 and 14 is priced at RM550; while the three-day pass for Sept 12-14 is priced at RM650 each. — Bernama
