Nile Rodgers and Doves head galaxy of stars for landmark 100th Eden Session

21 May 2019 - Press release

Stunning gigs spanning 18 years to be celebrated at all-day event on Sunday June 23 

Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Doves, Dreadzone, Asian Dub Foundation, Bill Jefferson and Backbeat Soundsystem will star in a special all-day show celebrating the 100th Eden Session on Sunday June 23. 

The Eden Project’s world-famous Biomes have provided the unique backdrop to a series of unforgettable summer concerts since Pulp headlined on July 5, 2002. This unique celebration will be the final Eden Session to be announced for 2019. 

The Sessions have featured a host of top artists over the years, including Muse, Oasis, Elton John, Blondie, Bjork, Ellie Goulding, Lionel Richie, Paul Weller, Mumford and Sons, Blink 182, Sigur Ros, The xx, Pixies, Tom Jones, Van Morrison, and Queens of the Stone Age. 

Over the years, more than half a million concert goers have enjoyed the unique experience of an Eden Session. 

Rita Broe, Executive Producer of the Eden Sessions, said: “Reaching our 100^th Session is a magic milestone and to celebrate we’ve put together a galaxy of talents, led by the incomparable Nile Rodgers & CHIC. All the acts have played a big part in our 18 years of unforgettable concerts and we’re sure that this all-day event will find its place in the fabulous history of the Sessions. Here’s to the next 100!” 

The June 23 show is in addition to the sold-out Nile Rodgers & CHIC Eden Session already scheduled to take place on Friday June 21. 

Nile made his debut at the Sessions in 2013 and also appeared at Eden for the BBC Music Day concert in 2016. 

He is a multiple Grammy-winning composer, producer, arranger and guitarist with more than 200 production credits to his name. As the co-founder of CHIC, he pioneered a musical language that generated chart-topping hits such as Le Freak, sparked the advent of hip-hop with Good Times, and won CHIC 11 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominations. 

His work in the CHIC Organization and his productions for artists such as David Bowie, Diana Ross and Madonna have sold over 500 million albums and 75 million singles worldwide. 

CHIC released their ninth studio album, It’s About Time, in September last year. The record features collaborations with Lady Gaga, Elton John, Stefflon Don and Emeli Sandé. CHIC were nominated in the International Group category of this year’s BRIT Awards. 

Doves are one of British music’s rarest treasures whose sound ranges from the glinting riches of golden age soul and gritty garage to the woody rhythms of folk. They have recently started performing together again after a lengthy hiatus. 

The Manchester three-piece released four acclaimed studio albums between 2000 and 2009, including 2002's The Last Broadcast and 2005's Some Cities which both hit number one in the UK charts. They have been nominated for the Mercury Prize twice and in the BRIT Awards British Group category twice. 

They have played at the Eden Sessions twice – in 2002 and 2010, the latter of which saw them supported by Mumford and Sons. 

Dreadzone, one of the most powerful and exciting bands to come out of the post-rave scene, launched their eighth studio album Dread Times in 2017. 

Dread Times became their second top-40 album of their career after their signature release Second Light in 1995, a record that legendary DJ John Peel ranked as his 12th favourite ever. They were part of the line-up for A Beautiful Day Out at Eden last year (2018). 

London-based polemicists Asian Dub Foundation return to Eden after headlining an incendiary set for the WOMAD Session in 2004. The band, who merge elements of electronica, hip-hop, reggae and drum and bass with a punk sensibility, were nominated for the Mercury Prize for 1998’s Rafi’s Revenge. 

They followed it up with 2000’s seminal Community Music, featuring the singles Real Great Britain and New Way New Life, and 2003’s Enemy of the Enemy, which became their best-selling album. They are working on a new album, due to be released this year. 

Bill Jefferson has previously appeared at the Eden Sessions with his band Crowns, supporting Brandon Flowers in 2011 and Blink-182 in 2012. He returns to the Sessions as a solo artist for the first time. 

Backbeat Soundsystem, an eight-piece funk reggae band from St Austell, just down the road from the Eden Project, round off the bill for the 100^th Eden Session. 

Backbeat followed up their 2014 debut album Together Not Apart with 2016’s Into the Light EP. They have previously supported Dizzee Rascal and Madness at the Eden Sessions. 

The Eden Sessions are in their 18th year with a sold-out line-up of Stereophonics (June 20), Nile Rodgers & CHIC (June 21), Liam Gallagher (June 26) The Chemical Brothers (June 28), Snow Patrol (June 29) and Kylie Minogue (July 2 and 3) the other concerts confirmed for the season. 

Tickets to the 100^th Eden Session featuring Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Doves, Dreadzone, Asian Dub Foundation, Bill Jefferson and Backbeat Soundsystem cost £55 plus £5 booking fee and are on sale to members of the Inside Track club from 4pm today (Tuesday May 21).Tickets go on general sale at 4.30pm on Thursday May 23 on www.edensessions.com.