Three renowned acts took to the stage at Irving Plaza to support WhyHunger’s annual Amplified kickoff concert.
On Oct. 15, the thrum of pounding acoustics overtook Irving Plaza in honor of nonprofit WhyHunger’s second annual Amplified concert: A night of music aimed to raise funds to combat world hunger, and serving to kick off the organization’s 39th annual Hungerthon and corresponding educational campaign. The concert was hosted by comedian Roy Wood Jr. and featured performances by The Roots and Cimafunk, as well as guitarist Grace Bowers and her band, The Hodge Podge.
In tackling injustices around food insecurity and poverty through musical performance, WhyHunger raised a total of $545,000, which will be channeled towards supporting community-oriented solutions to food injustices across the country. The organization’s subsequent Hungerthon, an ongoing annual educational and fundraising campaign, will proceed through the fall season to educate and aid individuals on these inequities nationwide.
Whether through her professional beginning delivering powerful rhythmic solos at Nashville dive bars or more recent on-stage collaborations with the likes of Dolly Parton or Susan Tedeschi, Grace Bowers has situated herself within the rock ’n’ roll and acoustic scenes through her rousing accompaniments and guitar improv — all by the age of 18. She spoke to The Knockturnal following her set at Amplified, discussing how philanthropy plays a role in how she shares her artistry.
“I’m always very outspoken about things I believe in, no matter what it is,” said Bowers. “If I think something should be a certain way, you’re gonna hear about it. So when WhyHunger reached out, I was like, ‘Absolutely, yes!’ It’s an organization that I love, and also, I love the Roots, so getting to perform with them is amazing.”
Grace Bowers & The Hodge Podge’s set at Amplified hosted a number of selections from Wine on Venus, the band’s debut album, which features nine funk and rock-infused numbers. After spending the summer promoting its release across music festival circuits, Bowers expressed enthusiasm about sharing her songs at Irving Plaza.
“Here, you can really get more time to interact with the crowd, or in any venue, really, that’s on a smaller scale,” Bowers said. “You can hear yourself better on stage — for me, it’s more comfortable.”
The blending of music and activism is characteristic of WhyHunger; the organization’s origins lie in the goals of the its founders, musician Harry Chapin and radio DJ Bill Ayers, who established WhyHunger in 1975. Their initiative, Artists Against Hunger and Poverty, has driven WhyHunger to partner with musicians like Bruce Springsteen and Yoko Ono Lennon in the past, collaborating with creators and their fans to raise awareness and funds to combat hunger injustice. Amplified 2024 marks a continuation of the nonprofit’s 49-year legacy of fundraising and support based on the belief that social change can be galvanized through placing emphasis upon community, education and art.
Photo Courtesy: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for WhyHunger
