The dimensions of Moby’s Area: One festival were solved Monday (April 23) when the electro-rocker unveiled lineup additions as well as dates and venues for his musically diverse roadshow.
At a New York press conference, Moby heralded the addition of a side stage that will feature artists from the DJ/electronic scene, including Paul Oakenfold, Carl Cox, the Orb and Timo Maas. Also scheduled to play under the air-conditioned tent that will serve as the second stage are Detroit techno pioneers Juan Atkins, Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson. “Without them I wouldn’t be here,” Moby said.
The tour will also feature Outkast and Incubus headlining East Coast shows, while new-wave rockers New Order will hook up on West Coast dates. Philly hip-hoppers the Roots and French dance-pop act RinÙÃÈrÙse will also play the festival’s main stage, while up-and-coming singer Nelly Furtado is scheduled join up for a few dates as well.
Moby said he drew inspiration for Area: One from “the celebratory and eclectic nature” of European festivals like Glastonbury and Reading. “Spending time at European festivals, you realize what makes them so exciting is their eclecticism,” Moby said. “I figured, ‘Why can’t we do that in the States?'”
Also announced Monday were the charities that will benefit from a portion of the festival’s proceeds. LIFEbeat and Greenpeace will be the primary beneficiaries for the event, but Moby said he also plans to involve local charities at each show. Festival officials have not settled on a ticket price, but said it would be around $40.
Addressing security concerns that have plagued other summer festivals, Moby said he felt confident that Area: One would be incident-free. “Between myself and Nelly Furtado, I can’t imagine there’ll be too much stage-diving,” he joked.
Moby also said that although he’s got new material he’s itching to play, fans probably won’t hear it during his Area: One sets. “I’m a populist at heart when it comes to performing. I don’t want to play 45 minutes of material no one has ever heard so people can stand around and pretend to be interested,” he said.
Area: One Festival Dates, According To The Tour’s Promoter:
- July 11 – Atlanta, GA – HiFi Buys Amphitheatre
- July 13 – Bristow, VA – Nissan Pavilion
- July 14 – Camden, NJ – Tweeter Center at the Waterfront
- July 15 – Wantagh, NY – Jones Beach Amphitheater
- July 18 – Mansfield, MA – Tweeter Center
- July 19 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
- July 20 – Montreal, QC – Parc Des Iles
- July 22 – Toronto, ON – The Docks
- July 24 – Clarkstown, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre
- July 25 – Tinley Park, IL – Tweeter Center
- July 26 – St. Paul, MN – Midway Stadium
- July 28 – Denver, CO – Mile High Stadium
- July 31 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
- August 2 – Vancouver, BC – Thunderbird Stadium
- August 3 – Gorge, WA – Gorge
- August 5 – Devore, CA – Glen Helen Blockbuster Pavilion