Circuit of the Americas officials have repeatedly told the American-Statesman they like to go big on entertainment for Formula One weekend in Austin.
They have delivered again, announcing Tuesday that iconic music star Stevie Wonder will perform on COTA’s super stage Sunday, Oct. 22, following the United States Grand Prix.
Musican Stevie Wonder performs to announce his “Songs in the Key of Life Performance” tour at Central Park SummerStage on August 17, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images)
Previously announced headliner Justin Timberlake will perform Saturday night, Oct. 21, at the Austin race track after F1 qualifying and support races.
Taylor Swift’s concert last year, attended by 80,000 according to officials, was instrumental in turning around declining F1 attendance at the Austin race track. Damaging storms and flooding were a serious problem for the 2015 event.
Eight-time Grammy winner Usher performed the post-race concert last year, and a USGP record weekend crowd of 269,889 was reported by track officials.
Elton John played at COTA in 2015 during Formula One weekend.
Wonder, 67, is one of the most accomplished musicians/entertainers on the planet. He’s bagged 25 Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe, an Academy Award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
He has 49 Top 40 singles to his name and 32 No. 1 hits among his worldwide sales of more than 100 million.
In the days ahead Circuit of the Americas will be announcing acts for the American Sound Track with local and Texas-based ties to perform in stages all over the venue.
Three-day tickets are available for purchase starting at $159 if bought prior to July 4 at www.thecircuit.com. Sunday-only bleachers and Sunday-only main grandstand tickets are also now available for purchase as well as Sunday concert upgrades.
COTA also put in a rare rain guarantee last year and is sticking with it. Should more than two inches fall in the 24-hour period before the start of the F1 USGP race Oct. 22, COTA will refund 105 percent of the value of the ticket for any fan who purchased a reserved seat on a three-day weekend pass by July 4 while still letting the buyer attend the race.
