JAY-Z CONFIRMED AS FRIDAY NIGHT HEADLINER OF ALL POINTS WEST MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL

That's right. Jay-Z is set to replace Beastie Boys at All Points West.

JAY-Z CONFIRMED AS FRIDAY NIGHT HEADLINER OF ALL POINTS WEST MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL SHOW TO MARK HIP-HOP SUPERSTAR’S U.S. FESTIVAL DEBUT

In a precedent-setting move for American music festivals, ALL POINTS WEST MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL organizers have just confirmed the U.S. festival debut of JAY-Z. The hip-hop superstar and pop culture icon will take over the headlining slot for the opening night (Friday, July 31) of the critically acclaimed annual event.

This show will mark the U.S. festival debut of Jay-Z, who last year performed at a variety of overseas festivals including the U.K.’s Glastonbury, Denmark’s Roskilde Festival, Norway’s Hove Festival and the O2 Wireless Festival in London. In a review of a recent show, the LOS ANGELES TIMES’ Ann Powers said, “Jay-Z shows are fun because the rapper is so adept at spinning liquid gold; his mouth is one of the most nimble in the genre’s history, and he uses it to present thoughts that are sharp, funny and resonant” (July 4, 2009).

Grammy winner Jay-Z joins Tool (Saturday) and Coldplay (Sunday) as headliners of the three-day, multi-stage music and arts festival. ALL POINTS WEST will also feature performances from Echo & The Bunnymen, My Bloody Valentine, Vampire Weekend, MGMT, MSTRKRFT, Gogol Bordello, The Black Keys, Fleet Foxes, Neko Case, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Arctic Monkeys and more than 65 artists appearing throughout the 80-acre historic location that has panoramic views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Manhattan skyline.

ALL POINTS WEST MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL organizers would also like to extend their best wishes to Beastie Boy Adam Yauch as he undergoes treatment for throat cancer. As previously reported, Beastie Boys were forced to cancel their headlining appearance at APW's opening night (Friday, July 31)--as well as all other engagements--when Yauch was diagnosed as having a cancerous tumor in his left parotid (salivary) gland. For those requesting refunds based on this news, ticket refunds are available at point of purchase for Friday single day tickets only.

ALL POINTS WEST is produced by Goldenvoice and Liberty Event in association with the HighLine Ballroom. For up-to-the-minute information on the ALL POINTS WEST MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL, visit www.apwfestival.com.