Smiley and Bosquito, opening acts for Shakira's Bucharest gig

Local performers Smiley and Bosquito will open for Shakira’s concert on May 7, in Piata Constitutiei (Constitution Square) in Bucharest, as part of Emagic Summer Fest. The diva’s concert is part of The Sun Comes Out tour, promote her eponymous most recent studio album, the seventh of her career.

Singer, songwriter, producer, dancer, TV presenter or an actor, Smiley (in picture) is currently one of the most acclaimed local artists. Smiley came to public attention as a band member of Simplu, with whom he released numerous successful singles since 2002, like Oare stii, Hai, Bye, Sa zburam spre cer, O secunda, Jumatatea ta, Zece, Oficial imi merge bine, Mr. Originality or Dance for Money. Meanwhile, Smiley has focused on his solo career, releasing the 2008 album In lipsa mea (While I was gone), awarded the gold record locally and the Best Album award at the Romanian Music Awards. Two years later came Plec pe Marte (I’m leaving to Mars), his second solo album. The second single from the album, Love is for free, brought Smiley international recognition, entering the charts and radio stations in France and Greece.
After a long pause, Radu Almasan recently returned to Romania, along with colleagues from the new musical project that the artist started in Los Angeles, Madame Hooligan. Once returned home, Radu started writing again in Romanian, which naturally led to new tracks under the name Bosquito. Formed in 1999, Bosquito was one of the most popular Latin-pop bands in Romania. Promoting a relatively new musical style at that time, a mix of Latin rock with influences of gypsy, Balkan and symphonic genres, the band quickly made itself known, becoming a constant presence in the Romanian music charts. Since its debut on the local scene, the band has released no less than four albums and countless singles such as Pas cu pas, Hopa Hopa, Doua maini or Marcela. The most recent Bosquito piece, Tobogan (Slide) was launched late last year.
Tickets may be purchased online from www.myticket.ro, or Diverta stores, Muzica shop, Mihai Eminescu library, Sala Palatului and The Ark (Uranus 150), in the following price categories, depending on the distance to the scene: Golden VIP (with seats) for RON 380, VIP gallery for RON 280, lawn A for RON 180 and lawn B for RON 120. The concert is organized by Emagic.