On Tuesday, June 23, Piazza Matteotti in Capoliveri will host the final and most prestigious chapter of the "Sugar is Back 2026" festival. For the last night of the festival dedicated to Black Music, a true living legend of world music history will take the stage: Ms. Martha High & The Funky Divas, who will make Elba resonate with the explosive "Sisters Are Doing It Tour - Homage to our Soul Sisters."
Unanimously defined as one of the most powerful, iconic and representative voices of the golden age of soul and funk, Martha High began her extraordinary career at a very young age, immediately catching the attention of James Brown. Since 1964, and for over thirty years, she has been his lead vocalist, sharing stages, world tours, and historic recordings with the "King of Funk."
His résumé boasts mind-boggling collaborations with the biggest legends on the planet-Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, B.B. King, The Temptations, Aretha Franklin, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, George Clinton, The Police, and, in more recent times, Mary J. Blige.
The Capoliveri show will be an overwhelming journey into the heart of black music, but also a special and heartfelt tribute to the legendary "Sisters" who shaped the genre, such as Lyn Collins, Marva Whitney and Vicki Anderson.
Accompanied by the exceptional Funky Divas (the powerful voices of Mayke Smit and Bernadette Pires), Martha High will lead the audience in a volcanic show where funk and soul classics will be interpreted with a passion and physical energy that will be impossible to resist. Not just a concert, but a collective experience where the rhythm can be felt under the skin and will make the entire square dance, evoking the purest and most authentic spirit of the Sugar Reef's historic nights.
Supporting the three singers' incendiary groove will be a top-notch international rhythm section on stage:
Martha High: Lead Voice
Myke Smit & Bernadette Pires: Background Voices
Jetse De Jong: Keyboards
Thomas Couperus: Guitar
Erwin Latuheru: Bass
Stefan Franssen: Drums
Location: Matteotti Square, Capoliveri.
Time: Concert starts at 9:30 pm.
Admission: Free and free of charge.
Who it's for: Anyone. Being in front of a legend who made world music history is a must-see transgenerational event for tourists, residents and music fans.
