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Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
The historic power of live music and activism
Live music provides a space for people to build community with one another over a shared love for an artist or music in general. Whether it be music festivals, stadium or arena concerts, or intimate shows at small venues, musical performances have fostered a sense of belonging and connection among individuals. Most significantly, live music has not only been a place to simply go see your favorite artist or band but also a way for musicians to get fans involved in activism and educate concert-goers on important issues. Live music and activism have always been closely connected for generations, particularly within protests and social movements. In the '50s and '60s, during the Civil Rights Movement, music was a vital part of inspiring unity and action. Artists such as Bob Dylan, Sam Cooke, and Nina Simone were deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement, using their music to advocate for social justice and racial equality. Additionally, songs such as 'We Shall Overcome' and 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' became anthems of the movement. The Civil Rights Movement utilized music to inspire social change and unity. (Photo via The New York Times) Benefit concerts have also been a way for artists to inspire activism. One notable example is Live Aid, a benefit concert held on July 13, 1985 that raised funds for famine relief in Ethiopia. The concert was held in London and Philadelphia with performances by famous musicians such as Queen, David Bowie, Tina Turner, and Elton John, among many others. While Live Aid was primarily focused on raising funds for famine relief in Ethiopia, it significantly increased awareness of global hunger and poverty, inspiring other large-scale charity concerts and initiatives. Although there has been some controversy regarding allegations of misspent funds, Live Aid overall had a significant impact beyond the famine in Ethiopia. Most recently, at the beginning of this year, musicians banded together for the Fire Aid benefit concert to raise funds for those affected by the Los Angeles fires. The concert raised about $100 million, which would go towards immediate relief such as housing and food assistance. The funds also supported long-term recovery efforts such as business and worker support and environmental remediation. In this day and age of live music, artists have found new ways to reach their fan base through social media and online platforms. In 2024, many artists such as Sabrina Carpenter, Green Day, and Gracie Abrams partnered with HeadCount , a nonpartisan organization that works to register young voters, ahead of the 2024 presidential election. This is not the first time HeadCount has partnered with artists on tour; the organization has also teamed up with singers such as Ariana Grande, Harry Styles, and Billie Eilish, among other artists, in the past. Popular artists collaborating with Headcount during the 2024 presidential election was a unique and clever way to get young people to vote, especially during an election that was historic and unpredictable. Headcount, a nonpartisan organization that works to register young voters, has partnered with several musicians over the years to encourage fans to vote. (Photo courtesy of Headcount) During her 'Short n' Sweet' arena tour, Sabrina Carpenter logged 35,814 voter registrations, as well as an additional 263,087 voters to engage outside of registering (e.g. checking polling location and registration status). Through giveaways and sweepstakes, Carpenter engaged more voters through HeadCount than any other artist in 2024. Additionally, Green Day's 'Saviors Tour' registered over 7,900 new voters and engaged over 61,000 voters through in-person activations, breaking their record for most voters engaged for a single tour. Similarly, Gracie Abrams partnered with Propeller , a digital platform that aims to inspire activism and build movements for social change, to support HeadCount and Planned Parenthood on her 'The Secret of Us' tour. Through Propeller, $41,858 was raised and 54,371 actions were generated. At Abrams's concert in Los Angeles at the Greek Theater, representatives from HeadCount interacted with fans as they encouraged people to vote, and a Planned Parenthood booth was set up inside the venue, educating concert-goers on reproductive rights. Musicians have also created their own initiatives to spread awareness about various important issues. Olivia Rodrigo, who is a vocal advocate for reproductive rights, launched the Fund 4 Good in conjunction with her GUTS world tour. Fund 4 Good is a global initiative that is 'committed to building an equitable and just future for all women, girls and people seeking reproductive health freedom.' A portion of the proceeds from all ticket sales go towards the Fund 4 Good, which supports organizations that Rodrigo has partnered with throughout her tour, such as the National Network of Abortion Funds , Women's Shelters Canada , and Women Against Violence Europe. Singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo frequently uses her platform to advocate for reproductive rights and encourage fans to donate to Fund 4 Good. (Photo by Good Good Good) Noah Kahan, who openly advocates for mental health awareness and candidly discusses his struggles with anxiety and depression, launched The Busyhead Project in 2023. The Busyhead Project aims to provide mental health resources to end stigma surrounding mental health, as well as raise funds for mental health organizations. At each stop of Kahan's 'We'll All Be Here Forever' tour, a Busyhead Project Action Village and Community Wall was present, where fans could access mental health resources and connect with mental health organizations. Music has the power to mobilize political and social change and amplify the voices of those who wish to inspire collective action. As the world has evolved, so has the role of activism and the way in which people encourage advocacy amongst individuals. With the emergence of social media and digital platforms, as well as the fact that the music industry is ever-changing, music and activism have continued to be closely intertwined and sustain conversations about important issues. From songs sung at protests organized by social movements to the emotional and passionate fervor of a crowd at a benefit concert, live music and activism are forever unified to strive towards creating a more equitable world. Related
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Legendary musician boycotting Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction
Legendary bassist Carol Kaye will not attend her own induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The 90-year-old musician, who was part of a group of session musicians known as the Wrecking Crew, said Wednesday she will not be attending this year's ceremony. 'People have been asking: NO I won't be there,' Kaye wrote in a since-deleted Facebook post. 'I am declining the RRHOF awards show (and Denny Tedesco process)... because it wasn't something that reflects the work that Studio Musicians do and did in the golden era of the 1960s Recording Hits.' According to Rolling Stone, Kaye was featured in Tedesco's 2008 documentary, 'The Wrecking Crew,' about the collective that recorded songs with The Beach Boys, Phil Spector, The Monkees and more in the 1960s and '70s. However, she objected to the Wrecking Crew name, which came from drummer Hal Blaine. Kaye said she started as a jazz guitarist who 'got into recording good music' in the '50s with artists like Sam Cooke. She once replaced a bassist who failed to show for a studio session and soon found it 'easy... to invent good bass lines' — but still gave credit to the group of collaborators. 'You are always part of a TEAM, not a solo artist at all….there were always 350-400 Studio Musicians (AFM Local 47 Hollywood) working in the busy 1960s, and called that ONLY ….since 1930s, I was never a 'wrecker' at all….that's a terrible insulting name,' she wrote. 'I refuse to be part of a process that is something else rather than what I believe in, for others' benefit and not reflecting on the truth – we all enjoyed working with EACH OTHER.' The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 8 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California. Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, OutKast, Soundgarden, and The White Stripes constitute this year's honorees in the 'performer' category, while Salt-N-Pepa and Warren Zevon will also be inducted and recognized with the 'Musical Influence Award.' The ceremony will stream live on Disney+ and be available on Hulu the next day. Iconic country music quartet may never perform this song live Boston Calling not returning for 2026, changing festival weekend Country star goes viral for forgetting lyrics to hit song at stadium show Chart-topping '60s pop singer dies at 82: 'He will be greatly missed' Springfield to host 8 concerts, 10 movies for free this summer Read the original article on MassLive.
New York Times
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
‘The Holy Blues' Review: Finding the Spiritual in the Secular at BAM
Whispers, rattles, drums — that's what we hear at the start of 'The Holy Blues,' Jawole Willa Jo Zollar's new work for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Then the curtain rises on what looks like a tree trunk with a door that opens to disgorge dancers, one by one. They run and stumble as if they've been ejected, spat out. As this happens, we hear another sound, among the most sweetly soulful ever: the voice of Sam Cooke. This is Cooke back when he was the lead singer of the Soul Stirrers, a gospel group, and before he helped created secular soul music. This is Cooke when he lent his heavenly voice to spiritual songs like the one we hear, 'One More River.' But the later Cooke of 'Having a Party' and 'A Change Is Gonna Come' was no less spiritual. And that continuity — between church on Sunday and twistin' the night away — is the subject of 'The Holy Blues.' The work — conceived and directed by Zollar in collaboration with Samantha Figgins and Chalvar Monteiro, both company members — reaches back even further. The door (scenic design by Joseph Anthony Gaito) represents the Door of No Return, the symbolic aperture through which enslaved Africans were forced from their home. 'The Holy Blues,' which premiered during the company's run at the Brooklyn Academy of Music this week, is a story of Africans in America. The running, stumbling dancers are strangers in a strange land. They cling to one another and drift. Collapsing and rising, they find solace and strength in Christianity, but it is a Christianity they make their own, remembering African circle dances in the 'ring shout,' circumambulating a tree with bottles on its branches. This is danced religion. The dancers shake and swoon, slain in the spirit. They catch those who fall or dip them backward, as in baptism. They also dance the blues. To the Delta blues turned Chicago electric of Howlin' Wolf, they behave as if in a juke joint, doing the slow drag in couples and clumps. The return of the ring shout in this context makes the point about continuity, the joy-from-anguish in Cooke's voice. Then the dancers strip down to their underwear as if exposing their souls, dip one another some more to a gospel choir singing 'Peace Be Still,' a gospel hymn recorded in response to the Birmingham church bombing of 1963, and lift one of their members to walk on the air and into the light. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rod Stewart Is 'Forever Young' While Accepting Lifetime Achievement Award at 2025 AMAs
Rod Stewart delivered a lively performance of 'Forever Young' at the 2025 American Music Awards Monday night as he received the AMA's lifetime achievement award. Ahead of his set, all five of the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer's children took the stage to honor their father. A subsequent video was played to showcase the extensiveness of Stewart's career. More from The Hollywood Reporter Janet Jackson Performs "Someone to Call My Lover" and "All for You" During First Televised Performance in 7 Years at 2025 AMAs Jennifer Lopez Kicks Off 2025 AMAs Dancing to Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan Hits Miley Cyrus Got a "Brutal Infection" After Filming on Hollywood Walk of Fame: "My Leg Began to Disintegrate" 'When I started singing the early '60s, way before any of you lot were here, the reason I got into it is because I had this burning ambition to sing,' he said. 'It's all I wanted to do, I didn't want be rich or famous, and here I am a few years later, picking up this wonderful award.' 'I want to thank all of the musicians I've played with, all of my influences,' he said, heaping praise to Sam Cooke, David Ruffin and Muddy Waters. After accepting the honor, Stewart sang his 1988 track 'Forever Young,' dancing across the stage as his accompanying dancers and musicians led an upbeat, high-spirited performance. Monday night marked Stewart's return to the AMAs, his first appearance at the award show in over two decades since he last performed a rendition of Louis Armstrong's 'What a Wonderful World' during the show back in 2004. Jennifer Lopez pulled double duty on Monday, acting as the night's host and one of the award show's many performers. Alongside Lopez, Benson Boone, Blake Shelton, Gloria Estefan, Gwen Stefani, Lainey Wilson and Reneé Rapp took the stage as well. Janet Jackson gave her first TV performance in seven years at the 2025 AMAs while she was notably honored with the Icon Award. Previously, the 'That's the Way Love Goes' singer received the Billboard Music Awards Icon Award in 2018, where she performed a medley of 'Nasty,' 'If' and 'Throb.' Billie Eilish won artist of the year and Eilish's Hit Me Hard and Soft won album of the year while 'Birds of a Feather' took home song of the year. Gracie Abrams was crowned new artist of the year. Heading into Monday night, Kendrick Lamar led this year's nominees with 10 nominations, followed closely by Post Malone, Eilish, Chappell Roan and Shaboozey. The AMAs were created by Dick Clark Productions. DCP is owned by Penske Media Corporation, The Hollywood Reporter's parent company, in a subsidiary joint venture between Penske Media and Eldridge. Check out the star-studded arrivals and the night's full list of winners. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2025: Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Sabrina Carpenter and More Hollywood's Most Notable Deaths of 2025 Hollywood's Highest-Profile Harris Endorsements: Taylor Swift, George Clooney, Bruce Springsteen and More
