David Giles

Bringing the stars to Marbella
Report: Michael Cruz Photography: Johnny Gates

Although an Englishman, David has made a big name for himself in the Miami entertainment industry, co-owning legendary South Beach Club ‘Woody’s on the Beach’ with Rolling Stone Ron Wood. The Club’s opening, in December 1987, was one of Miami’s most glamorous nights, while it later attracted such live performers as Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Charles and George Michael. When the Stones reunited for Steel Wheels, Ronnie had to go on tour and the club was sold on. David later opened another two famous Miami clubs, Who’s in the Grove-co-owned with Stewart Copeland, Ian Copeland and Maria Conchita Alonso- and Sticky Fingers, both in Coconut Grove.

After selling his last club, in 1998 he ventured into the event business and by New Year’s Eve 2000 had produced the Millennium Night on Ocean Drive, the largest televised event in the Southern US. “It was a huge event, featuring Blondie and the Gipsy Kings, and its success helped to make my reputation in the event industry.” Now David produces events for the NFL Superbowl parties, high-profile US corporations, large annual festivities such as Florida’s Art Deco Weekend, which culminates with a crowd of 400,000 on Miami’s Ocean Drive, and the Urban Latin Music Festival, organized by his daughter’s company, Soulfrito. “We’re planning to bring it to Madrid next year”, says David.

For this year, he has booked a new list of acts to liven up our summer with top international entertainment like the Ricky Martin. As David says: “We want Awesome Events to be synonymous with top acts, good music, great sound and a fantastic atmosphere.”