This Is Michael – Mar Abierto Festival 2026

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The legacy of Michael Jackson will once again come to life on Canarian stages at Festival Mar Abierto 2026 with the international show “This Is Michael”. The legacy of Michael Jackson will once again come to life on Canarian stages this autumn. The international show “This Is Michael”, one of the most acclaimed stage tributes worldwide dedicated to the American artist, lands in the Canary Islands as part of the 20th anniversary programme of Festival Mar Abierto. This production, which has toured several countries in Europe and the Americas in recent years, will be presented in three exclusive performances: on 16 October in the Parking Palmetum in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, on 17 October at the Auditorio Alfredo Kraus in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and on 19 October at the Palacio de Formación y Congresos in Fuerteventura. With a running time of more than two hours, the show offers a journey through some of the most iconic songs in Michael Jackson’s repertoire, from Billie Jean and Thriller to Beat It and Smooth Criminal, combining live music, choreography and a staging designed to recreate the look and feel of the artist’s concerts. Leading the production is Lenny Jay, a performer who has developed part of his career in international productions dedicated to the singer and who has been recognised for his physical and vocal resemblance to Jackson. His work has been praised in the European musical theatre scene, where he took part in a production that sold more than 400,000 tickets in different cities. One of the distinctive elements of “This Is Michael” is the presence of Jennifer Batten, the guitarist who accompanied Michael Jackson for more than ten years on his world tours. Her participation in the show provides a direct link to the artist’s original career, having taken part in some of his most representative concerts in the 1980s and 1990s. Batten, who has also worked with musicians such as Jeff Beck, is considered a leading figure in the recent history of the electric guitar. During its visit to the Canary Islands, the show will feature a production adapted to each venue. In the case of Tenerife, the organisers have planned a special open-air format at the Parking Palmetum, with an expanded stage design that will include side screens and a large LED screen, with the aim of enhancing the audience’s visual experience. The arrival of “This Is Michael” in the Islands comes at a time of renewed international interest in the figure of Michael Jackson, whose influence remains strong in both music and popular culture. In this context, the show is presented as an opportunity to revisit his legacy through a contemporary stage production. With this addition, Festival Mar Abierto strengthens its programme in its 20th anniversary year, maintaining its commitment to bringing international productions and large-scale shows to the Canary Islands. Tickets for the three concerts are already available through the festival’s official channels at www.festivalmarabierto.com