Track officials have confirmed that Ben Harper will be among the big-name headliners this year to perform during the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club's annual season where the "surf meets the turf."
Harper is slated to take the stage on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend (Sept. 4) during the track's annual Del Mar Summer Concert Series -- also known as 4 O'Clock Fridays, though there are some special weekend performances as well -- and is sure to perform tracks from his 10th studio album, Give Till It's Gone, which is set to drop May 17.
Racetrack officials have not released the names of the other artists that will perform this year; they say they'll name the other acts in early June. What is known is that the first show will take place July 20.
Harper is an eclectic singer/songwriter with roots in blues, folk, soul and reggae. The "Diamonds on the Inside" singer won two Grammy awards in 2005, one for Best Pop Instrumental Performance and another for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album. Harper played a memorable set with Fistful of Mercy at Coachella last month.
Among the musical highlights last year at the track were shows by Weezer, the Soft Pack, the English Beat, Pinback, B52s and ZZ Top. The venue has also hosted top talent in the past, including Billy Idol, Flaming Lips, Ziggy Marley, Devo, Alice in Chains, Violent Femmes, Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson.
Each Del Mar Series Concert Series show is free with track admission.
The shows are not to be confused with the San Diego County Fair Summer Series, which this year will include concerts by Bruno Mars on June 11, Switchfoot on June 17, Neon Trees on June 22 and more (click here for a full rundown of the fair's line-up).
