Justin Bieber returns to Power 96.1 Jingle Ball, joining Nick Jonas, Fifth Harmony, Charlie Puth
By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Monday, October 5, 2015
Part-time Atlantan Justin Bieber was the headliner for the very first Power 96.1 Jingle Ball in 2012. Three years later, he returns to Philips Arena December 17 for the top 40 station's annual shindig.
He joins other hot artists Nick Jonas, Fifth Harmony, Shawn Mendes and Charlie Puth.
Collectively, these five acts have been dominant on the top 40 charts this year.
Bieber, who has cut back on the juvenile behavior this year, is back on the charts with his top 10 hit "What Do You Mean." Power spun that song 130 times last week, more than any other tune.
Mendes' first big hit "Stitches" is also in power rotation on Power, played 113 times over the past seven days, according to Mediabase 24/7, which tracks radio airplay.
Jonas has found new life post Jonas Brothers with two big top 40 hits, first "Chains" and now "Levels." Power has played "Chains" more than 1,400 times since January. "Levels," which Power began playing six weeks ago, is now in mid-power rotation with 64 spins.
Fifth Harmony, Simon Cowell's X Factor creation," had a massive hit over the summer "Worth It" that Power has played more than 1,300 times. Their new single is "I'm In Love With a Monster."
Charlie Puth was the main vocal on one of the biggest hits of the year "See You Again" with Wiz Khalifa. Since March, Power has played that song a whopping 1,842 times, or once every two hours on average since the song debuted. His catchy single "Marvin Gaye" has also been a big hit in town though Power has spun it only 290 times.
New artist Hailee Steinfeld is building herself a hit with "Love Myself," which is No. 15 on the top 40 chart.
This lineup is a step up from last year's relatively weak one featuring Calvin Harris and Fall Out Boy. (And while T.I. was a big get in one sense, he is better known as a hip-hop artist, not a pop artist.)
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday with prices starting at $35. More details here.
The headliners at the 2013 Jingle Ball included Miley Cyrus, Robin Thicke and Pitbull.
Power 96.1 as a station has seen its ratings grow this year, its best performance since it debuted in 2012, replacing rock station Project 96.1.
