Highlights by Faith Hill, Rod Stewart, Twisted Sister, Heart, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Jennifer Nettles, Jessica Simpson, Michael McDonald & More
AXS TV is getting a big jump start on Christmas with a special Christmas In July event, as some of the biggest names in music bring joy to the world in a day of classic Christmas concerts on Saturday, July 28th. The festivities begin at 8 am ET with The Royal Variety Performance 2017 — a night of music and laughs featuring appearances and performances by Kelsey Grammer with the cast of the hit musical Big Fish; as well as alt-rock quartet The Killers, R&B icon Seal, soulful vocalist James Blunt, pop sensation Louis Tomlinson, the West End casts of Annie and 42nd Street, and more.
Next, at 10:30 am ET, country superstar Jennifer Nettles performs a charming blend of Christmas classics and modern favorites including “Go Tell It On The Mountain,” “O Holy Night,” and “Merry Christmas With Love” in Band Against Cancer Presents Jennifer Nettles: ‘Tis The Season. Then, Rockabilly mainstay Chris Isaak shines in a star-studded night of Yuletide hits and originals, headlined by unforgettable duets with Michael Bublé on “The Christmas Song,” “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” with Stevie Nicks, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” with Brian McKnight, and more, in Chris Isaak Christmas at 11:30 am ET; followed by Grammy-winning R&B legend Michael McDonald’s soulful spin on Yuletide classics such as “Christmas In The Bayou,” “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” “White Christmas,” and Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” in Michael McDonald – This Christmas at 12:30 pm ET.
The day continues at 1:30 pm ET with pop songstress Jessica Simpson belting out beloved standards such as “Happy Xmas (War Is Over),” “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” and more, with guest appearances by Willie Nelson, Carly Simon, and Ashlee Simpson in Jessica Simpson: Happy Christmas. Next, country icon Faith Hill delivers a powerful set that includes “Holly, Jolly Christmas,” “Silent Night,” “O Come All Ye Faithful,” and more, backed by a 31-piece orchestra, a choir, and a big band in Faith Hill — Joy To The World at 2:30 pm ET. And eclectic crooner Rod Stewart puts his trademark vocals on full display, with a roster of holiday hits featuring “We Three Kings,” “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!,” “Silver Bells” and more, joined by fellow chart-toppers Michael Bublé, Cee-Lo Green, and Mary J. Blige in Rod Stewart: Merry Christmas, Baby at 3:30 pm ET.
Stay tuned at 4:30 pm ET, as Grammy-winning showman Brian Setzer jams on beloved standards such as “The Nutcracker Suite,” “You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch,” and “Baby It’s Cold Outside” in the swingin’ spectacular The Brian Setzer Orchestra: Christmas Rocks! Then, groundbreaking sister duo Heart rock Seattle with unconventional Christmas songs such as “Santa’s Going South,” “Remember Christmas,” and “Ring Them Bells” joined by Sammy Hagar, Shawn Colvin, Pat Monahan, and Richard Marx in Heart & Friends: Home For The Holidays From Benaroya Hall at 6:30 pm ET. And the Trans-Siberian Orchestra provides an epic soundtrack for the visionary tale of a young runaway on a magical journey home in Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts Of Christmas Eve at 7:30 pm ET.
The block closes at 8:30 pm ET with heavy metal masterminds Twisted Sister live in Sin City, blazing through a unique stage show featuring wicked renditions of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” “Heavy Metal Christmas,” and “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” along with some of their biggest hits, in the raucous 2007 special A Twisted Christmas: Live In Vegas; followed by encore broadcasts of Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve at 10 pm ET; and Heart & Friends: Home For The Holidays From Benaroya Hall at 11 pm ET.
