The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk announced that hometown rocker James Durbin is returning to the world’s best seaside amusement park for a free beach concert on May 19, 2012. James Durbin will perform on the Boardwalk’s Beach Bandstand during the park’s annual Season Kick-Off weekend, celebrating the start of the summer season. This will be Durbin’s first public concert in Santa Cruz since his American Idol homecoming last May.
“Santa Cruz loves James Durbin,” said promotions director Karley Pope. “He’s inspired so many people with his personal story and his amazing talent. We’re really excited to bring this rising star back to the Boardwalk to ‘give metal a chance’ as James likes to say.”
Durbin will perform songs with his new band from his recently released album “Memories of a Beautiful Disaster” which debuted at No. 8 on Billboard’s Rock chart and No. 36 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. “Memories of a Beautiful Disaster” features two lead singles - the power-charged ballad “Love Me Bad” and the rock anthem “Stand Up,” selected for NFL’s Official Gameday Music.
The free concert begins at 5:30pm and will last approximately one hour. Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis with rules similar to the Boardwalk’s Free Friday Night Concert series. Further details about the Durbin concert will be available on http://www.beachboardwalk.com/events in May.
James Durbin thrilled a record-breaking crowd of 30,000 at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in 2011 when he made a dramatic hometown return following his elimination from American Idol. That event, dubbed “Durbin Day” was the first time in Idol history that a 4th place contestant was allowed a homecoming; the privilege is normally reserved for top 3 finishers. At the Boardwalk, Durbin charmed the huge crowd with his blockbuster voice and genuine appreciation for the turnout. The young singer’s magnetic effect on the crowd was noted by American Idol producers and the media, helping turn a disappointing Idol elimination into a powerful launch of Durbin’s new career.
James Durbin’s May 2012 concert will be a major highlight of the Boardwalk’s annual Season Kick-Off.
The historic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk features both modern and classic thrill rides, restaurants, miniature golf, video game arcades, and family bowling located on a mile of sandy beach. Named the world’s Best Seaside Amusement Park by industry experts, the Boardwalk is home to two National Historic Landmarks.