The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) has announced that the 20th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party, hosted by Sir Elton John and David Furnish, will feature a special performance by the Grammy Nominated and Billboard chart-topping band, Foster the People.
Best known for their edgy smash single, “Pumped Up Kicks,” off their debut album “Torches” (Sony Music Entertainment), Foster the People is one of the hottest young indie bands in the country. The group will briefly take a break from their world tour just in time to perform at the EJAF Academy Awards Viewing Party to be held on February 26, 2012.
“We were thrilled when Sir Elton John asked us to play his Academy Awards party,” said Foster the People front-man Mark Foster. “His foundation has globally impacted the lives of millions of people suffering from HIV/AIDS and we’re honored to be involved in any way we can.”
“‘Torches’ by Foster the People is one of my favorite albums of 2011 and ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ was my favorite single,” says Sir Elton John. “I’m so thrilled that they are playing at our 20th anniversary Oscar party and I’m so impressed that they want to give back so early in their career.”
In the fall of 2009, Mark Foster joined forces with Cubbie Fink and Mark Pontius to form Foster the People. Shortly after releasing their first single “Pumped Up Kicks,” the band received numerous accolades from high-profile print publications helping to send the track to the top of the charts. The song reached number one on Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart, number three on the Rock Songs chart, and number three on the Billboard Hot 100.
The band is currently nominated for two GRAMMY Awards: Best Pop/Duo Group Performance for their single “Pumped Up Kicks” and Best Alternative Album for “Torches.”
This year’s event will be sponsored by Chopard, Neuro Drinks and Wells Fargo.
