Al Di Meola brings the Electric Band to Maui for a one-night-only concert on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. in the Castle Theater at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center (MACC), with local duo Indio & Avi announced as special guests and pre-concert music in the Yokouchi Pavilion by Andrew and Jay Molina. The performance is part of Di Meola’s 2025 electric-focused tour and marks a rare Hawaii date where the Grammy-winning fusion icon revisits the high-energy sound that defined his early solo albums and Return to Forever years, alongside newer works from his acclaimed 2024 double studio release, TWENTYFOUR.
Date, time, and venue
- Saturday, September 6, 2025
- 7:30 p.m. curtain
- Castle Theater, Maui Arts & Cultural Center, One Cameron Way, Kahului, HI
- The official event listing confirms the schedule, venue, and presenting details, with MACC anchoring all ticketing online for this date.
Tickets and packages
- Price range: The MACC listing notes reserved seating with tiered pricing and a limited Premium Seating option; media announcements cite a range from $15 to $125, with a separate $100 pre-show meet-and-greet and signed merch upgrade package available for add-on purchase.
- Member benefits: MACC members receive an early access purchase window and a published discount on select seats per venue policy.
- How to buy: All tickets are sold through the MACC website; the physical box office is not open for walk-up sales, but email support is available for inquiries.
Program notes and what to expect
Di Meola’s Electric Band set is designed as a high-energy showcase that stitches together chapters of his storied career: early fusion masterpieces like Elegant Gypsy, Return to Forever-era fireworks, and global-leaning newer material that blends complex rhythmic syncopation with lyrical melodies and sophisticated harmony. Press previews quote Di Meola framing the show as “many chapters” of his musical life, with nods to the Mediterranean Sundance legacy and pieces from recent cycles, ensuring both longtime fans and new listeners can follow an arc from blazing fusion to nuanced world-jazz textures. Expect virtuosic interplay, tightly arranged ensemble passages, and electric tone craft that contrasts the acoustic trio settings he’s also renowned for.
Guest artists and pre-concert entertainment
The night opens with Maui’s Indio & Avi, whose acoustic guitar interplay sets a complementary tone before the electric fireworks to come, followed by pre-concert music in the Yokouchi Pavilion by Andrew and Jay Molina that creates a festive lobby atmosphere as doors open and guests arrive. The MACC format encourages arriving early to enjoy food and beverage vendors on-site before taking seats in the Castle Theater.
Artist background and recent releases
- Fusion legacy: Di Meola’s breakout with Chick Corea’s Return to Forever put him at the vanguard of 1970s fusion, and subsequent solo albums like Land of the Midnight Sun and Elegant Gypsy became touchstones for electric guitar virtuosity.
- Acoustic chapters: The historic Guitar Trio with Paco de Lucía and John McLaughlin and best-selling live release Friday Night in San Francisco broadened his influence into acoustic flamenco-jazz fusion.
- Latest work: TWENTYFOUR (2024), a double studio album, drew strong praise and underlines the continued evolution of his writing, which often weaves tango, flamenco, and Middle Eastern motifs into modern jazz contexts.
Practical tips for the Maui show
- Parking and arrival: Allow extra time for evening parking at MACC and to enjoy pavilion entertainment; doors typically open well before showtime so guests can purchase food and beverages and settle in.
- Meet-and-greet logistics: The $100 upgrade requires a valid concert ticket and includes signed merchandise and an artist photo; quantities are limited and sold separately through the MACC link.
- Accessibility: Castle Theater provides accessible seating; contact the venue ahead of time for assistance and seating accommodations.
Why this date is special
Maui receives fewer major jazz-fusion bookings than mainland markets or Honolulu, which makes Di Meola’s Castle Theater appearance a standout opportunity to experience a living guitar legend in a world-class acoustic setting on-island. Local media note the concert as a return after many years, with setlist expectations spanning “elegant” early fusion through contemporary compositions that retain rhythmic bite and melodic depth. The MACC’s request for attendees to bring non-perishable donations for Maui Food Bank adds a community-forward dimension to the evening, with incentives for donors including a chance to win a meet-and-greet and signed poster bundle.
Travel pairing for visitors
- Make a weekend of it: Combine the Saturday night concert with daytime Upcountry drives, ʻĪao Valley hikes, or North Shore beach time; the venue’s central Kahului location is convenient from most resort areas.
- Dining: Consider early dinner in Kahului or Wailuku before doors open to avoid intermission lines; on-site vendors are available for bites and drinks pre-show and at intermission.
- Late-night options: Post-show, nearby Wailuku and Kahului spots offer dessert or nightcap possibilities before heading back to resort areas.
Verified details at a glance
- Event: Al Di Meola Electric Band, with special guests Indio & Avi; pre-concert music by Andrew & Jay Molina.
- Date/time: Sat, Sept 6, 2025, 7:30 p.m..
- Venue: Castle Theater, Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Kahului.
- Tickets: Reserved seating; media and venue listings cite tiers from $15 up to a premium level, plus a $100 meet-and-greet upgrade; MACC member early access and discount apply.
- Box office: Online sales only via mauiarts.org; email assistance available for questions.
Al Di Meola’s Electric Band promises a rare, high-voltage night on Maui. Secure seats through the MACC site, consider the meet-and-greet upgrade while it lasts, and arrive early to enjoy the pavilion music and local food and drinks. Whether drawn by the ferocious precision of his fusion years or the global lyricism of recent albums, this is the moment to experience one of the guitar’s defining voices live in an intimate Hawaiian setting.