NEW BEDFORD — Popular rock band Sugar Ray, led by Mark McGrath, will headline the 110th Feast of the Blessed Sacrament on July 30.
«"Keeping the secret was probably one of the hardest things we've ever had to do," Brandon Travers, vice president and chairman of the Madeira Feast entertainment committee, said in a video on the festival's official Facebook page.
Recognized as the largest Portuguese cultural festival in the world, the festival will run from July 30th to August 2nd and feature authentic Portuguese cuisine, Madeira wine, live performances and a Sunday parade.
People watch members of the Grupo Folclorico do Clube Madeirense perform traditional Madeiran dances during the 2025 Feast of the Blessed Sacrament in New Bedford.
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Who is Sugar Ray?
Formed in Newport Beach, California, in 1986, Sugar Ray initially made a name for themselves with a heavier blend of nu metal and funk metal before breaking into the mainstream with their 1997 hit "Fly." The success of that single helped the band transition to a more radio-friendly pop-rock sound, leading to a string of major hits, according to Sugar Ray representatives.
Their best-selling album, 1999's 14:59, featured fan favorites like "Every Morning" and "Someday," and their 2001 self-titled album yielded another iconic single, "When It's Over." The band later released "In the Pursuit of Leisure" in 2003 and "Music for Cougars" in 2009.
Sugar Ray frontman Mark McGrath rocked the crowd at the 2025 Rheneypalooza Jam festival.
In 2019, Sugar Ray returned with their seventh studio album, "Little Yachty," their first in a decade. The album's lead single, "Make It Easy," continued the band's light pop-rock style.
Sugar Ray's current lineup consists of Mark McGrath (vocals, rhythm guitar and percussion), founder Rodney Sheppard (lead guitar, backing vocals and ukulele), Dean Butterworth (drums, percussion and programming) and Christian Attard (bass guitar, backing vocals and keyboards).
Beyond his work with Sugar Ray, McGrath has become a well-known figure in pop culture and television. He has hosted shows like "Extra, Don't Forget the Lyrics!" and "Killer Karaoke," won "Rock & Roll Jeopardy!" three times, and appeared on reality shows like "The Celebrity Apprentice" and "Celebrity Big Brother.".
Standard-Times correspondent Seth Chitwood can be reached at schitwood@st.com. Follow him on Instagram: @Official_Seth_Chitwood. Support local journalism by subscribing to the Standard-Times digital or print today.
This article originally appeared in the Standard-Times: Madeira Festival announces 2026 headliner: Sugar Ray.