Latest news with #Uproar
The Guardian
16-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Uproar review – shimmering premieres showcase the dynamism of Welsh new music ensemble
In the context of a diminishing Welsh landscape – about which there needs to be a concerted uproar – the success of Wales's new music ensemble, which happens to call itself Uproar, is all the more important. Under conductor and artistic director Michael Rafferty, their presentation of György Ligeti's Chamber Concerto – a piece described by the composer as one for 13 concertante soloists – underlined just what a dynamic force they have become. Their programme opened with Hrím, written by Anna Thorvaldsdottir as a companion piece to the Ligeti: it unfolded with Thorvaldsdottir's customary poise, its crystalline textures comparable to the hoarfrost of the old Icelandic title, the celeste giving glistening touches. By contrast, Floating Theatre by Kiko Liteng Shao, the first of three premieres by Welsh or Wales-based composers, was inspired by the ebb and flow of waves and her perception of the musicality of water. Chinese cymbals were among the percussion instruments sharpening the palette, with the greatest theatricality coming in the last section where the audience, using their mobile phones, added the sounds of birds. This final aerial dimension permitted the piece its necessary lift. David John Roche's Harm Reduction was buoyant and energetic, indulging memories of his own rock and metal beginnings, with Ben Smith's piano solos emerging from the melee – at first slightly Elton John and later just schmaltzy, helping to convey unselfconscious hedonism. Imagin'd Games by Ashley John Long, the ensemble's double bassist, revisited the Iron Age hill fort that was his childhood stamping ground. Reflecting on time and history, it was fluent and had moments of strange beauty. Ligeti's concerto – getting its Welsh premiere, as was the Thorvaldsdottir – was the culminating glory of this concert. The fluttering, fluctuating shimmer of its opening established the aura that makes this a seminal work of the later part of the 20th century. The quiet vibrancy of the second movement, its flurry of urgency then returning to stillness, achieved another mesmerising atmosphere, with the precision and brilliance of the last two movements setting the seal on a fine performance. Ligeti's instrumentation somehow managed to sound densely fabricated yet translucent, all expressively realised, the clarity of the Dora Stoutzker hall's acoustic allowing the Uproar players' virtuosity to be heard and warmly appreciated. At Soar theatre, Merthyr Tydfil, on 22 March, and Rhosygilwen, Cilgerran, on 23 March
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lil Wayne Recruits The Roots for Singles Medley on ‘SNL50' Special
Lil Wayne has joined the eclectic roster of musical guests to share a career-spanning singles medley on Sunday night's (Feb. 16) SNL50: The Anniversary Special. Wayne was joined by The Roots and DJ T. Lewis for his performance, which opened with 2018 single Uproar, and saw Weezy run through other tunes from his Tha Carter series of albums, including his lone Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper as a solo artist 'Lollipop', followed by '6 Foot 7 Foot' and 'Mrs. Officer'. More from Billboard DJ Cassidy's 'Pass The Mic Live!' Brings Bay Area Flair to NBA All-Star Game Halftime Show Starring E-40, Saweetie, Too Short & En Vogue Adam Sandler Boils Down 50 Years of 'SNL' Into a Perfectly Sweet Song: Watch the 'SNL50' Moment Lizzo and SZA Almost Formed a Rock Band Called Pussy Lasers The lion's share of the set was devoted to closer 'A Milli', which currently serves as Wayne's standard set-closer, almost 17 years since it was first released. His non-musical contributions to the SNL50 appearance were limited, with the musician closing out his set with a simple, 'Thank you, happy 50th'. This performance also marks Wayne's fourth time appearing on a Saturday Night Live broadcast as a musical guest, having first made his debut back in 2008 as part of season 34 opening episode. Featuring Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps on hosting duties, Wayne performed 'Got Money' and 'Lollipop' during that initial appearance. Two years later, he appeared with Eminem and also shared a solo performance of '6 Foot 7 Foot', in an episode which saw Jeff Bridges as host. Wayne would return again in 2018 to appear in a Liev Schreiber-hosted episode where he performed 'Can't Be Broken' with Halsey and 'Uproar' with Swizz Beatz. Earlier this month, Lil Wayne confirmed that he would be releasing his highly-anticipated Tha Carter VI album on June 6, announcing the news as part of an ad for Cetaphil. The third, fourth and fifth installments of Tha Carter each topped the Billboard 200 and the Drake-assisted 'She Will' has had a second life vaulting the 2011 track to top the TikTok Billboard Top 50 on the Feb. 8-dated tally. SNL50: The Anniversary Special is airing Sunday night, following Friday's SNL50: The Homecoming Concert on Friday night. Best of Billboard Kelly Clarkson, Michael Buble, Pentatonix & Train Will Bring Their Holiday Hits to iHeart Christmas Concert Fox Plans NFT Debut With $20 'Masked Singer' Collectibles 14 Things That Changed (or Didn't) at Farm Aid 2021
