World renowned funk band Earth, Wind and Fire will headline the final night of the Bermuda Music Festival this October.

Premier Ewart Brown announced the latest addition to the line-up of the autumn event at a press conference outside Cabinet ¿ and hinted that another big-name act could still be signed up.

"Our team at Tourism has been working day and night to secure more top notch talent for the Bermuda Music Festival in October," said Dr. Brown, who is Tourism and Transport Minister.

"We promised you additional performers to dazzle the thousands of fans who have made the music festival their annual tradition. Well, today I think it is fair to say that we have delivered.

"I am pleased to report that Earth, Wind and Fire are now confirmed to perform at the 2007 Bermuda Music Festival."

Earth, Wind and Fire, who will perform here on Saturday, October 6, scored a series of smash hits in the 1970s, including Boogie Wonderland, Got To Get You Into My Life and Saturday Nite.

The Premier said it was decades since the legendary R&B act had played on the Island.

"They will return to these shores in just two months," he said.

"We fully expect that fans of this Hall of Fame band will flock to the National Sports Centre to see Earth, Wind and Fire in action.

"The group will perform on Saturday night to anchor what is now truly a blockbuster line-up card for the Bermuda Music Festival.

"In the 70s Earth, Wind and Fire was on everyone's lips for the way it changed the face of black popular music in the United States with racially conscious lyrics that unified people spiritually.

"The group started all the way back in 1969 ¿ first taking to the stage almost 40 years ago with show-stopping performances. Earth, Wind and Fire's music has literally spanned a generation."

He added: "Rest assured that we're not done yet. There is at least one more exciting artist we are trying to land to make the festival even bigger. Stay tuned for more information."

Earth, Wind and Fire join a festival line-up featuring Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, Natasha Bedingfield and the O'Jays. The latter start the four-day music festival at a beach party at the Fairmont Southampton on Wednesday, October 3.

Richie will headline the following night (October 4) at the National Sports Centre in Devonshire before a crowd of up to 5,700 people, with soul legend Robinson and newcomer Bedingfield appearing there the next evening (October 5).

"The venue change from Dockyard to the Sports Centre gives us a larger seating capacity and means every paying customer will have an assigned seat," said Dr. Brown.

"Throughout the multi-night event everything will be woven together by master of ceremonies Steve Harvey ¿ a man who has become synonymous with our event and will be our host for the next three years."

Dr. Brown urged residents to snap up their tickets soon as the event is already being promoted on American radio. Individual tickets are priced at $85 and $100, while festival passes range from $230 up to $310. The beach concert is $50.

Tickets for the Island's 12th annual music festival are available at Sound Stage at Washington Mall, Hamilton.