Cirque du Soleil and Universal Music Group Nashville to Launch New Experience in Music City: Exclusive

Following the tremendous success of such music-driven shows  as The Beatles’ Love and Michael Jackson’s MJ One, Cirque du Soleil is partnering with Universal Music Group Nashville for an acrobatics spectacular that will feature country music. The still-untitled touring show will launch in Nashville  in July 2024 at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center and feature music from both contemporary and legendary country artists. 

“Nashville is the perfect location to launch our new show centered around country music,” Cirque du Soleil CEO Stéphane Lefebvre tells Billboard. “It’s a place where the genre has thrived and continues to evolve, making it a natural fit for our new theatrical touring show to debut, celebrating the roots and evolution of country music.”

The show marks Cirque’s first venture using country music. “Working with this new specific music genre challenges our creative team to innovate and come up with unique ways to interpret the music,” says Lefebvre. “It pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in live entertainment. Shows like Love and MJ One have taught us that the synergy between our extraordinary performances and the power of the music can create a powerful and captivating live experience, and we are convinced that pairing our expertise with the country music genre including artists from Universal Music Group’s vast repertoire, will be a successful collaboration.”

Lefebvre says it is too early to specify what songs or artists will be used in the show, but says, “Our goal is to create a captivating musical experience that resonates with our audience on a deep and emotional level. The heart of our show lies in the diverse selection of songs. We have carefully curated a blend of classic and new songs that touch upon a wide range of subjects. From heartbreak to love, good times and bad times, celebration, and friendship, our song choices are a reflection of the human experience in all its complexity.”

The music will be performed by live musicians and singers instead of licensing the existing recordings.  “The live element adds an extra layer of authenticity and energy to the performance, enhancing the emotional connection with the audience,” Lefebvre says. “It will be a celebration of the evolution of country music and we aim to showcase the authenticity of the genre and how it has evolved over time.”

Though running in Nashville instead of Las Vegas, Lefebvre still expects the show to have an international appeal: “Country music also has a global fanbase, and its unique storytelling and melodies can resonate with people from all walks of life… Exploring the world of country music provides us with an exciting artistic challenge as well and the emotional depth, storytelling, and authentic charm of country music can be translated into breathtaking acrobatics, visual spectacles, and immersive storytelling.”