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Stevie Wonder and Will Smith to headline Cardiff gigs

Paul Pigott
BBC News
Getty Images Pictures of Will Smith and Steve Wonder are side by side. Will Smith is smiling and wearing a black shirt with silver jewelled and embroidered detailing. Steve Wonder is pictured performing. There is a microphone in front of him and he is wearing a white shirt and yellow suit jacket. He is wearing sunglasses.Getty Images
Will Smith and Stevie Wonder have both announced headline shows in Cardiff over the summer

Legendary singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder and actor and rapper Will Smith have announced they will be headlining at outdoor gigs in Cardiff this summer.

Wonder, 74, will perform in the capital for the first time since the 1970s in a gig at Blackweir Fields, on the banks of the River Taff.

The 25-time Grammy winning singer, songwriter, musician and producer will bring his Love, Light & Song show to the city on 9 July.

Grammy-award winning artist, Will Smith will bring his Based on a True Story tour to Bute Park on 25 August, when he will perform alongside disco legends, Nile Rodgers and CHIC.

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There are several gigs at the new city centre venue this year, with Noah Kahan, Kings of Leon, Alanis Morissette and Slayer also headlining.

Oasis and Sir Tom Jones have also announced shows in Cardiff over the summer.

Wonder began as a Motown child prodigy in the 1960s, becoming one of the most influential musical artists of the 20th Century.

Promoter Peter Taylor said: "Stevie Wonder is without doubt a legend who, since the 1960s, has continued to amaze audiences everywhere with his talent.

"Cardiff is in for a treat with this concert and we can't wait to welcome such a huge global icon to this beautiful part of the world."

Wonder's back catalogue of 32 number one singles includes For Once in My Life, Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours, I Just Called to Say I Love You, My Cherie Amour and Superstition.

Stevie Wonder holding a microphone and singing with his head lifted up. He is wearing black sunglasses and had long dreadlocks reaching down below his shoulders. He is wearing a purple short sleeve shirt which fades to black, with circles containing a sun pattern on it.
Steve Wonder will play an outdoor gig in Cardiff on 9 July

Will Smith, whose songs include Gettin Jiggy Wit' It, Summertime and Miami, will be appearing at Live at Bute Park on 25 August.

The appearance will come on the back of the release of Based on a True Story, his first full-length album in 20 years.

Nile Rodgers and CHIC will also be appearing at the gig. Rodgers, who co-founded the band, was responsible for chart-topping hits like Le Freak, the biggest selling single in the history of Atlantic Records.

Nick Saunders, founder of event co-promoter, DEPOT Live said: "What a night this will be. Will Smith and Nile Rodgers with CHIC in Bute Park has all the makings for one of the most fun live music events of the summer."