Over 5,000 Attend Michael Jackson Tribute Show in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
More than 5,000 fans gathered at the Palmetum in Santa Cruz de Tenerife for "This is Michael," an international tribute show featuring performer Lenny Jay that celebrated the legacy of the pop icon.
The Palmetum esplanade in Santa Cruz de Tenerife hosted This is Michael this past weekend, an international tribute show dedicated to the legendary American pop star. More than 5,000 people attended the event, which featured a high-energy production focused on recreating the singer’s iconic choreography and stage presence.
Led by performer Lenny Jay, the show served as a trip down memory lane, holding special significance for the Canary Islands. It evoked memories of Michael Jackson’s own historic 1993 concert on the island, a moment that remains a key part of the archipelago's cultural history. The performance featured classic hits like Thriller, Smooth Criminal, Dangerous, and Bad, all brought to life with costumes and dance routines that mirrored the artist's original tours.
The event also highlighted local talent through the "Talentos en Mar Abierto" initiative, a program run by the Mar Abierto Festival to help emerging artists reach professional stages. The show opened with jazz and soul singer Kim Simmons, followed by the Gran Canarian band Rebel Free Souls, who performed a mix of funk, reggae, and soul.
Tribute shows like this are becoming increasingly popular in Spain, sparking a conversation about how we preserve the legacies of major pop stars. While digital archives are important, live performances remain the best way to pass music down to new generations who didn't experience the artist's peak years. Hosting such a large-scale production also highlights Santa Cruz de Tenerife’s growing importance as a major stop for national and international tours.