Raye completes Isle of MTV Malta 2017 line-up

MTV International and the Malta Tourism Authority have announced that UK Platinum selling artist, Raye, will open this year’s Isle of MTV Malta main show. Returning to the granaries of Il-Fosos Square on Tuesday, 27 June, pop’s new superstar-inwaiting will join past collaborator, Jonas Blue, along with DNCE and The Chainsmokers for what will be the 11th year of Europe’s largest, free live music event.

Tipped by the likes of MTV, i-D Magazine, and the BBC Sound Poll Raye has hit the UK charts hard in recent months, collaborating with fellow IOMTV 2017 performer Jonas Blue on the smash By Your Side and with Jax Jones on the hit single You Don’t Know Me. The latter reached No. 3 on the Official UK Singles Chart, has been certified Platinum in the UK alone and has garnered over 100 million streams to date. Her infectious new single The Line is out now.

Fans around the world have not been forgotten and will be able to join in on all the fun – Live! IOMTV Malta’s main show is to be streamed on Facebook Live (@IsleofMTVMalta) and www.isleofmtv.com from 7.35pm CEST.

In addition to the performances and main stage action introduced by MTV VJ Becca Dudley, a host of behind the scenes content will form a Backstage Live stream, hosted by presenter Maya Jama.

That’s not all – this year in a special one-off edition, the hit 1990s dance party, MTV’s The Grind will make a return. The re-imagined pool party will take place on Sunday, 25 June at the island’s iconic Café Del Mar, featuring DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJ and record producer Martin Jensen, who will be bringing the party to an almighty close and no doubt playing his monster global hit single Solo Dance.

Those who spent their teenage years in the early 1990s will remember the heavy basslines and beats that provided the soundtrack to the DJ-led events. With appearances and performances from the likes of the Spice Girls to Notorious B.I.G – MTV’s The Grind successfully ran internationally from 1992 to 1997.

Fans will be the ultimate contributors to the reinvention of MTV’s The Grind with exclusive access to the party on Facebook Live (@IsleofMTVMalta), Snapchat (isleofmtv) and Instagram Stories (@isleofmtv) and Twitter (@isleofmtv). MTV asks viewers around the world to tune into the fun in Malta from 3.30pm CEST on social media and vote for their favourite dancers while interacting with other fans and featured talent. The Grind will be hosted by Becca Dudley and co-hosted by Rio Fredrika. The event is scheduled to Live stream in its entirety on www.isleofmtv.com.

“This reimagined return of The Grind gives fans a chance to relive an old favourite in the context of today’s social music culture, while introducing younger MTV fans to a legendary MTV dance party. We’re excited to breathe new life into one of our favourite MTV shows and present The Grind in a fresh way on all of our platforms,” commented Bruce Gillmer, head of Music and Music Talent, Viacom International Media Networks.

The Grind is the latest and final event addition to the Isle of MTV Malta Music Week line-up featuring a host of not-to-be missed club nights and international superstars. For further details, tickets and travel packages head to www.isleofmtv.com. Friday, 23 June: Cheat Codes & Club MTV @ Gianpula Saturday, 24 June: Pacha on Tour with Don Diablo @ Aria Sunday, 25 June: MTV’s The Grind featuring Martin Jensen @ Café Del Mar (1 to 5pm) Sunday, 25 June: Café Del Mar Sunset Party featuring Kungs @ Café Del Mar (from 6pm) Tuesday 27 June: Isle of MTV 2017 featuring The Chainsmokers, DNCE, Jonas Blue & Raye @ Il Fosos Square Tuesday, 27 June: Isle of MTV Malta Official After Party @ Uno Wednesday, 28 June: HedKandi House Sessions @ Cafe Del Mar