Brian May’s Starmus Festival promises to be pretty special this year, with the last night reserved for the world's first space-themed concert, in tribute to the event’s guest of honour, Stephen Hawking.
The Queen musician will be picking up his guitar to perform. His choice of music is currently unrevealed, but fans can expect a space theme.
Other stars to appear on the night include Sarah Brightman, with a special “space” set, and Rick Wakeman, with his customary out-of-this-world atmospheric repertoire.
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The luminaries line up for Starmus Festival 2016
Starmus
Joining him will be retired astronaut Chris Hadfield, the first person to actually record a song in space, an astral version of ‘Space Oddity’ of which even David Bowie approved. Other big names include Hans Zimmer and rapper MC Hawking.
Under the theme ‘Beyond the Horizon – Tribute to Stephen Hawking’ the 2016 event will take inspiration from the legendary man himself and the notion that nothing is impossible. A comprehensive programme of events will include lectures from key note speakers, round table discussions, exclusive music performances, creative arts exhibitions and visits to local observatories.
The founder of Starmus, Garik Israelian, explains why music is at the core of the festival’s success: “Starmus is a science communication festival with a unique format. We use the power of music to communicate science, first of all - astronomy.
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Brian May is preparing a musical surprise, with a space theme. Here he is with Rick Wakeman at Starmus 2014
Starmus
"Stephen Hawking is enjoying life as much as he can, getting energy from music, science and people who are important in his life. He said that he survived thanks to science and music.
“Hawking has shown, with his own life, that there is no science without inspiration. Music inspires science and vice versa."
Brian May, as passionate about his astronomy as he is about music, puts it thus:
”Starmus is a festival where passions are shared in a language we can all understand. At the last two festivals we heard Neil Armstrong talking about the new age of development of the human character, Alexei Leonov described his first space walk, Dawkins spoke on evolution, (Apollo astronauts) Charlie Duke, Buzz Aldrin and a legion of other amazing scientists presented - some of the greatest communicators I've ever seen.... And this was all accompanied by Cosmic music, including Rick Wakeman and Tangerine Dream.
“Starmus is about the joy of being complete human beings,able to enjoy art and science without having to make that choice.”
Click here for info on Starmus Festival, which takes place from 27 June to 2 July 2016 in Tenerife. Tap the first picture below to open the slideshow:
Stephen Hawking's Life In Science
(01 of17)
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British theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, Cambridge in January 1993. Photo: David Montgomery/Getty Images
(02 of17)
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Cast member actress Jane Fonda (who portrays a Musicologist with ALS) talks with Physicist Stephen Hawking backstage after a preview performance of '33 Variations' Los Angeles, California in February 2011. Photo: Ryan Miller/Getty Images
(03 of17)
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Cellist Yo-Yo Ma and Physicist Stephen Hawking attend the 2010 World Science Festival Opening Night Gala at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Centre in New York on 02 June 2010. Photo: Wireimage
(04 of17)
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U.S. President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Freedom to physicist Stephen Hawking during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in 2009. Obama presented the medal, the highest civilian honor. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
(05 of17)
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Dr. Stephen Hawking, professor of mathematics at the University of Cambridge, and his daughter Lucy Hawking at George Washington University's Morton Auditorium in Washington, DC in 2008. Dr. Hawking gave a speech entitled 'Why we should go into space'. Photo: George Washington University/Getty Images
(06 of17)
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South Africa former President Nelson Mandela meets with British scientist Professor Stephen Hawking in Johannesburg in 2008. Photo: AFP/Getty Images
(07 of17)
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Physicist Stephen Hawking experiences a zero-weight moment during a flight on a Zero Gravity jet above Orlando, Florida in 2007. Photo: PA
(08 of17)
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Queen Elizabeth ll meets professor Stephen Hawking during a reception at Buckingham Palace to mark the importance of British Science in 2006. Photo: Anwar Hussein Collection/Getty Images
(09 of17)
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Professor Stephen Hawking and his second wife Elaine Mason arrive at the European Premiere of 'Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events' at the Empire Leicester Square, London in 2004. Photo: Dave Hogan/Getty Images
(10 of17)
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Physicist Stephen Hawking smiles during a symposium in honor of his 60th birthday at the University of Cambridge on 11 January 2002. Hawking is the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics, a post once held by Sir Isaac Newton. Photo: Sion Touhig/Getty Images
(11 of17)
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Professor Stephen Hawking,the leading theoretical physicists, attended by his wife Elaine before delivering a lecture on 'Science in the Future' to a packed auditorium on on 14 January 2001 in Bombay. Photo: AFP/Getty Images
(12 of17)
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US President Bill Clinton and Professor Stephen Hawking watch a scene from 'Star Trek the Next Generation', during a 'Millennium Evening' at the White House in 1998. Theoretical physicist Hawking talked about the future of science during the live telecast with the Clintons. Photo: AFP/Getty Images
(13 of17)
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Theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking (second left) makes a guest appearance on Star Trek; The Next Generation in 1993. The episode features a scene in which the character Data participates in a poker game with a group of brilliant scientific figures consisting of Hawking, Einstein, and Newton. Photo: Julie Markes/AP
(14 of17)
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Microsoft President Bill Gates meets Professor Stephen Hawking on a visit to Cambridge University in 1997. Photo: AFP/Getty Images
(15 of17)
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British physicist Professor Stephen Hawking with his first wife Jane Hawking in 1990. Photo: David Montgomery/Getty Images
(16 of17)
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Famed jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald (back right) applauds renowned theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, as he given an honorary degree, Doctor of Science, at the 339th Harvard University commencemen in 1990. Photo: Charles Krupa/AP
(17 of17)
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British theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking with student Chris Hull in Cambridge, January 1985. Photo: David Montgomery/Getty Images