DALLAS – The NCAA and Turner Live Events, together with official NCAA Corporate Champions AT&T, The Coca-Cola Company and Capital One on Tuesday announced the lineup for the 2014 NCAA March Madness Music Festival in conjunction with the 2014 NCAA Men’s Final Four, taking place this year in North Texas.
The free, three-day music festival, produced by Turner Live Events, will kick off April 4 with multi-platinum entertainer Jason Aldean at the AT&T Block Party; followed by country music superstar Tim McGraw and acclaimed rock band The Killers, both performing at the Coke Zero Countdown Concert on April 5; and closing on April 6 are Grammy Award-winning band fun. and headliner Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at the Capital One JamFest.
AT&T Block Party, Coke Zero Countdown Concert and Capital One JamFest are all part of the free, three-day NCAA March Madness Music Festival, held this year at Reunion Park in Dallas on April 4-6. Additional performances for each day’s lineup will be announced soon. To access the latest concert announcements and specific times for all of the musical acts please see below and visit http://www.ncaa.com/musicfest. Fans can also stay updated by following @MMMusicFestival on Twitter.
The NCAA March Madness Music Festival is a non-ticketed event open to the public on a first-come basis and will feature the following events:
April 4 -- AT&T Block Party
• Country star Jason Aldean headlining
• Performances from 4 to 10:30 p.m.
• Additional performances and events to be announced soon
April 5 -- Coke Zero Countdown Concert
• Tim McGraw headlining the afternoon lineup
• Live broadcast of the first national semifinal game
• Rock band The Killers headlining that evening, immediately following the live broadcast
• Performances from noon to 9 p.m.
• Additional performances and events to be announced soon
April 6 - Capital One JamFest
• fun. performing
• Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will close the three-day festival
• Performances from 2 to 10:30 p.m.
• Additional performances and highlights to be announced soon
Headlining at the AT&T Block Party is reigning ACM Male Vocalist of The Year Jason Aldean, who is hot on the heels of what was a career-defining year, recently wrapping his record-breaking 2013 "Night Train" tour, including notching his 12th No. 1 single. Aldean has sold more than 8.5 million albums, with his current album "Night Train" scoring the biggest debut by a male artist in five years and earning platinum certification in only four weeks. Aldean, a Macon, Ga., native, recently announced his 2014 "Burn it Down" tour, which kicks off May 1 in Roanoke, Va., and includes stops at five Major League Baseball stadiums. Aldean already has sold out two of the upcoming stadium dates and two nights at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre. He's also just rolled out a three-night run in Atlanta. For more information, visit www.jasonaldean.com.
“As an NCAA Corporate Champion, we look to help fans connect with their passion for both sports and music,” Jamie Kerr, AT&T's director of corporate sponsorships, said. “Throughout Final Four weekend in North Texas, fans can enjoy unique and interactive experiences courtesy of AT&T at both the March Madness Music Festival and Bracket Town.”
Also taking the stage at this year’s festival at Saturday’s Coke Zero Countdown Concert are country music and film star Tim McGraw and chart-topping rock band The Killers. Since forming more than 10 years ago, The Killers have gone on to sell more than 20 million albums worldwide, headlined festivals across the globe, performed at the White House and picked up a myriad of awards. In celebration of their first decade together, the band released “Direct Hits” this past November, featuring tracks from their four incredible albums, along with two brand new songs. The Killers is comprised of Brandon Flowers on vocals, guitarist Dave Keuning, bassist Mark Stoermer and drummer Ronnie Vannucci.
In addition to performing at the NCAA March Madness Music Festival, music by The Killers will also be featured as the backdrop for the 2014 NCAA March Madness video campaign featured across Turner Broadcasting and CBS Sports linear and digital platforms. Turner Sports and CBS Sports will provide live coverage of all 67 games from the 2014 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across four networks – TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV. For the first time in the event’s 76-year history, the 2014 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship national semifinals will be presented live across three networks – TBS, TNT and truTV – to provide fans with a variety of viewing options for this marquee event.
For the 33rd consecutive year, CBS will broadcast the national championship game in 2014.
Tim McGraw has sold more than 40 million records worldwide and dominated the charts with 35 No. 1 singles. He's won three Grammy Awards, 15 Academy of Country Music Awards, 14 Country Music Association Awards, 10 American Music Awards, three People's Choice Awards and numerous other honors.
Also an accomplished actor, McGraw's film credits include "Country Strong," the Academy Award nominated "The Blind Side," "Friday Night Lights" and the upcoming “Tomorrowland.” His current single, "Lookin' For That Girl," comes on the heels of three consecutive No. 1 songs and is the lead track from his next Big Machine Records release. McGraw will kick off his "Sundown Heaven Town" tour in May on the West Coast. McGraw's "characteristically high-octane" (Billboard) show will hit 30 cities during the summer.
“The NCAA Men’s Final Four is college basketball’s biggest party, and nothing brings fans from competing schools together to celebrate the anticipation quite like the Coke Zero Countdown Concert,” said Sharon Byers, senior vice president, Sports & Entertainment and Community Marketing, Coca-Cola North America. “Coke Zero is proud to partner with the NCAA, Turner and CBS Sports and present Tm McGraw and The Killers — two acts famous for their memorable performances. We can’t imagine a better countdown to the tip off of Saturday’s semifinal games.”
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, who will be closing the three-day festival at Sunday’s Capital One JamFest, are known as one of the most iconic bands of all time with a career that spans more than 40 years. Springsteen has released 18 studio albums, garnered 20 Grammy Awards, won an Oscar, has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, was a 2009 recipient of Kennedy Center Honors and was named 2013 MusiCares Person of the Year by the Recording Academy. Springsteen’s newest album "High Hopes" was released Jan. 14.
fun., comprised of Nate Ruess, Jack Antonoff, and Andrew Dost, also will perform during the Capital One JamFest. The band has earned two Grammy wins for their 2012 album “Some Nights,“ including Best New Artist and Song of the Year for the five-time RIAA platinum “We Are Young.” Bolstered by the global success of “We Are Young,” as well as the four-time platinum title track “Some Nights” and two-time platinum song “Carry On,” “Some Nights” debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and has since been certified platinum. The band, known for its incredible live shows, continues to perform to sold-out crowds around the world.
“Capital One is thrilled to bring this incredible musical lineup to fans during this year’s Final Four,” Roger Ferguson, managing vice president, brand advertising, media and sponsorships at Capital One. “Whether it’s hosting the very best musical talent or providing fans the ultimate sports experience at Bracket Town, we’re delighted to help make the Final Four a unique and very special experience."
Past performers at the festival have attracted hundreds of thousands of music fans to watch talented acts including Sting, Dave Matthews Band, Muse, The Kings of Leon, Zac Brown Band, Jimmy Buffett, KISS, The Black Keys, Kenny Chesney, Kid Rock, LL Cool J, Taylor Swift among many others. The March Madness Music Festival is an activation extension of the NCAA’s Corporate Champions and Partners marketing program, which Turner Sports and CBS Sports license and collaborate on as part of a 14-year multi-media agreement with the NCAA.
