With performances from an impressive roster including Olivia Rodrigo, SZA, Sabrina Carpenter, Cher, and more, iHeartRadio’s Z100 Jingle Ball was one for the books.
Firearms are the leading cause of death of American children—and a group of artists have banded together to change that.
Last week, Artist for Action, an advocacy group composed of talented changemakers, including Sheryl Crow, Kevin Bacon, and Peter Frampton, gathered at NYU’s Skirball Center for a fundraising concert and panel discussion.
At the heart of the event was musician Mark Barden, whose son Daniel was tragically killed in a mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012. His vow to his son, and his efforts to prevent future gun violence, were depicted in a documentary “A Father’s Promise.” The documentary was released last Friday, with Sheryl Crow serving as the film’s executive producer.
During the discussion panel, Kevin Bacon, who pledged to match all donations up to $25,000 to support Artist For Action and Sandy Hook Promise, and Sheryl Crow were critical of our nation’s response to a mass shooting each time it occurs.
“Part of what’s so frustrating us this level complacency that’s overtaken us,” Bacon said. “When we see there’s been a shooting, that’s no longer a shock. Unfortunately, it’s a political issue: But it’s kids’ lives. It makes no sense to politicize it.”
Crow, however, was more blunt when discussing the government’s failure to change and amend laws that result in thousands of deaths from gun violence in the U.S. every year, while also placing blame on the gun lobby. Drawing comparisons to how the government stood up to the tobacco lobby decades ago, she that explained that now is the time to stand up to the gun lobby, and there needs to be a think tank to make that happen.
U.K native, and current Nashville resident, Peter Frampton also contributed to the conversation. Describing the Dunblane massacre in 1996, Frampton pointed out it only took one shooting, with 14 people tragically killed, for the government to respond by swiftly passing buy-back laws. “It just goes to prove that if we keep pushing for gun reform in every way we can…it can be done,” Frampton said, while also drawing comparisons to Australia’s and New Zealand’s legislation in response to gun violence.
A concert followed the panel discussion, with each artist beginning their set by saying their name and stating, “I am an artist for action.”
Over the weekend, The Knockturnal got the amazing chance to watch a special screening of Beyoncé’s latest film, “Queen Bey’s Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé.
Twenty years ago on December 2, 2003, Alicia Keys released her five-time platinum Grammy Award-winning sophomore album The Diary of Alicia Keys. Keys did a special intimate performance for AOL Broadband Rocks concert at New York’s Webster Hall in 2003 to promote the album’s release. Alicia returned to Webster Hall on Friday, 20 years after the AOL Broadband Rocks concert, to celebrate the album’s two decade mark and impact. A portion of ticket sales from the show were donated to Keys’ Keep a Child Alive foundation.
Prior to Keys walking on stage, DJ Saige spun records getting the crowd energized for Keys’ arrival. About forty five minutes after the posted 9pm start time, Keys entered the stage from the left side passing by background singers Raii and Whitney who are also her vocal coaches as she walked to the piano to perform Harlem’s Nocturne, the intro to The Diary of Alicia Keys album. The journey back to 2003 began while Keys performed “Harlem’s Nocturne”, the next song was “Karma” as Keys’ got up from the piano for the up-tempo song moving from side to side. Keys followed the album’s tracklist order for the entirety of the show.
Alicia was joined by Jermaine Paul for the performance of “Diary”. Paul shared his story about how he came to sing on the song. As Keys performed she received support from the audience which included her mother, mentor Clive Davis, and Grammy Award winning mixer/sound engineer Tony Black who all watched from the balcony. Before singing her rendition of Gladys Knight’s “If I Was Your Woman”, Keys mentioned Knight in homage.
The concert was memorable as being a concert of first for Keys. Keys performed songs “Dragon Days”, “Samsonite Man”, “Feeling U, Feeling Me” from The Diary of Alicia Keys for the first time since the album was released. Although Keys had never performed the songs live before, attendees knew the words and sang along. Keys also performed “Golden Child” live for the first time at the show, a song which wasn’t included on the original 2003 release of the album but was added to the 20th anniversary edition. During the encore, Keys took to the piano to perform “Lifeline”, her new song from the upcoming The Color Purple Musical film adaptation.
A little after 11pm Alicia wrapped up the show with a performance of “Empire State of Mind”. The concert showed that the songs from The Diary of Alicia Keys have stood the test of time, and even non-singles songs like “Dragon Days” should be added to the setlist of future Keys concerts.
Danish electronic band WhoMadeWho is gearing up to headline the debut edition of DGTL USA on December 1st at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, promising an extraordinary live show featuring an innovative stage design and a diverse lineup of international artists.
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WhoMadeWho, known for their dynamic blend of Indie, Disco, and Techno, has been a significant force in the electronic music scene for over two decades. The band, consisting of Tomas Høffding, Tomas Barfod, and Jeppe Kjellberg, has built a reputation for their electrifying fusion of sounds and legendary live performances, stretching from Circoloco to Coachella. Their recent album, UUUU, has received widespread critical acclaim, highlighting the emotive and transcendent nature of their music.
The DGTL USA lineup exemplifies the festival’s commitment to forward-thinking sonic curation. Alongside WhoMadeWho, the event will feature German deep house veteran Henrik Schwarz, known for his unique blend of classical and jazz elements in electronic music, and Irish DJ and producer Mano Le Tough, famed for his debut album Changing Days. Adding to the international flavor, South Korea’s Shubostar will bring her pioneering Cosmic disco sound to the event.
The highlight of the event is WhoMadeWho’s new live show concept, designed in collaboration with the renowned Danish architecture group Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and other leading design firms. The stage will feature an inflatable sphere, serving as a canvas for three-dimensional video projections, offering a groundbreaking audio-visual experience. BIG, known for their innovative and sustainable architectural designs, promises a concert experience that transcends traditional boundaries. Look at a few selects from their first show on the run, which took place in Istanbul earlier this month, below:
In collaboration with flora&faunavisions, EyeMix Studio, and Christopher Mulligan, the band aims to merge their forward-thinking sounds and visuals to create a unique and immersive live performance. The collaboration with flora&faunavisions focuses on crafting visual systems that respond in real-time to the band’s music, offering a deeply emotional journey for the audience. EyeMix Studio, an LA-based agency renowned for their work with various notable producers, will bring their expertise in AI and advanced visualization tools to enhance the live show.
As the world of live performances and electronic music continues to evolve, WhoMadeWho stands at its forefront, ready to captivate audiences in Brooklyn and beyond with their groundbreaking approach and unparalleled energy. Final tickets for DGTL USA can be purchased HERE.
Stay connected with WhoMadeWho:
INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD | WEBSITE
On October 6th, I had the immense pleasure of attending the kickoff of ENHYPEN’s second world tour. ENHYPEN, the sensational South Korean boy band formed through the 2020 survival competition show I-Land, graced the stage at Dignity Health Sports Park for their first-ever stadium performance. Comprising seven exceptionally talented members – HEESEUNG, JAY, JAKE, SUNGHOON, SUNOO, JUNGWON, and NIKI – the group has been making waves since their debut.
The timing of the concert couldn’t have been more perfect, with Halloween just around the corner. ENHYPEN’s vampire-themed extravaganza drew fans from far and wide, all dressed as their favorite vampiric incarnations inspired by the group’s latest EP, “Dark Blood,” released on May 22, 2023. This EP, the fourth in ENHYPEN’s impressive discography, features six tracks, including the haunting lead single, “Bite Me.”
For many fans, including myself, this concert marked the one-year anniversary of their previous encounter with ENHYPEN during the Manifesto Tour, which kicked off in Anaheim at the Honda Center on October 2nd. What truly sets a K-pop concert apart is the meticulous attention to detail poured into the outfits, choreography, set design, VCRs, and every other aspect of the show. ENHYPEN lived up to this reputation, emerging in opulent white-and-gold costumes reminiscent of those featured in their VCR, perfectly complementing their opening song, “Drunk-Dazed.”
The first segment of the night brought fans on a journey through ENHYPEN early albums, with performances of “Let Me In (20 CUBE),” “FEVER,” and an original composition of “Flicker,” delving into the dark and sultry side of their discography. However, what followed was a change in tone, a shift towards sweetness and sentimentality as the group serenaded their fans with personal, heartwarming songs.
Songs like “TFW (That Feeling When)” and “Just A Little Bit” received new, acoustic twists, showcasing the group’s versatility. Members like Jay and Heeseung flaunted their musical talents on guitar and piano, adding an extra layer of intimacy to the evening. Of course, no ENHYPEN concert would be complete without their iconic track, “Polaroid Love,” which showered the audience with pink, heart-shaped confetti, creating a visually stunning climax to this part of the show. Closing out the insanely sweet segment of the show, the night continued with “Go Big or Go Home.”
The final section of the concert was dedicated to their latest album, “DARK BLOOD,” which had achieved astronomical success, reaching the Billboard 200’s top positions. Fans eagerly anticipated seeing these songs performed for the first time in the United States, and the group did not disappoint. The act opened with B-sides “Chaconne,” followed by “Bills” and “Sacrifice (Eat Me Up),” leaving the audience in awe.
My personal favorite, “CRIMINAL LOVE,” from their stand-alone releases accompanying the boys’ webtoon ‘Dark Moon,’ was a highlight of the night. The show concluded with the “DARK BLOOD” title track, “Bite Me.” Despite a performance spanning almost three hours, the members executed this track flawlessly. Although teary eyed, fans knew this was not the end as the encore was soon approaching.
The encore brought ENHYPEN back to the stage in T-shirts, performing “One in a Billion” and “Karma.” The latter, “Karma,” ended with a spectacular display of crimson fireworks shooting into the night sky, adding a dazzling touch to the already larger-than-life performance. And as a surprise, they delivered a second performance of “Go Big or Go Home” before finally bidding their farewells.
In conclusion, ENHYPEN’s second world tour was nothing short of spectacular, a mesmerizing display of talent, creativity, and passion. The group’s ability to seamlessly transition between their darker hits and heartfelt acoustic renditions left the audience in awe. The night was a testament to ENHYPEN’s ever-growing popularity and their unwavering commitment to their fans.
As the final notes echoed through the stadium, there was a collective sense of fulfillment among the audience. The energy, the music, and the pure joy of that evening left us all craving more. Personally, I can’t wait to hopefully see ENHYPEN for the third time next year, hoping they continue to amaze us with their mesmerizing performances and heartfelt connection with their fans.
Maybe the next tour is sooner than we think! Just yesterday, on October 16th, following their electrifying Texas shows in Houston and Dallas, ENHYPEN made an exciting announcement. The group revealed their comeback with the release of their logo and a teaser for their physical album, ‘ORANGE BLOOD’ giving fans something to ease the “post-concert depression” by having a new era to look forward to.
For those who missed the earlier shows, fear not, as you still have the opportunity to catch their remaining performances in Newark on October 18th and 19th at Prudential Center, and in Chicago on October 22nd at United Center. The magic continues, and ENHYPEN is ready to take you on another incredible journey. Don’t miss it!
For more ENHYPEN information:
Twitter: ENHYPEN / ENHYPEN_members
Instagram: enhypen
Facebook: officialENHYPEN
YouTube: ENHYPEN
TikTok: enhypen
Weverse: ENHYPEN
Weibo: ENHYPEN 官方微博
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CeCe Winans, the best-selling and most-awarded female gospel artist of all time, delivered an awe-inspiring performance at the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn on Thursday, October 12, 2023. This concert marked a significant milestone in her career as it was her first nationwide tour in over a decade, aptly named the Believe For It tour, which encompassed 26 cities and concluded this month after a year of intermittent shows across the country.
Winans, with her unmatched talent and remarkable achievements, captivated the audience with a dynamic showcase of her biggest hits spanning her illustrious career. From classics like “Alabaster Box” to newer tracks from her recent album “Believe For It,” released in early 2021, she left no stone unturned in delivering a memorable experience for her fans.
The concert, much to the delight of the audience, featured a full-band experience that had been eagerly anticipated for over a decade. Additionally, gospel musician Todd Dulaney graced the stage alongside Winans, collaborating on the powerful track “King of Glory,” a song he had penned. The crowd was electrified by their joint performance, which showcased the harmonious blend of their voices and musical prowess.
Another highlight of the evening was when Jenn Johnson, a talented singer-songwriter and co-writer of “Goodness of God” with Bethel Music, took the stage to perform with Winans. The song, which Winans had included in her latest album, had soared on music charts and resonated deeply with the audience. The fusion of their voices created an atmosphere of pure euphoria, leaving the attendees in awe of their collective talent.
Throughout the night, Winans exuded a spirit of gratitude and perseverance, encapsulated by her poignant statement, “the blessing is in continuing.” Her unwavering dedication to her craft and her consistent delivery of soul-stirring gospel music have solidified her status as one of the most influential artists of our time.
CeCe Winans’ concert at the Kings Theatre was a testament to her enduring impact on the gospel music scene. With a staggering 15 Grammy Awards, 31 Grammy Nominations, 23 Dove Awards, and 15 Stellar Awards to her name, she has carved a permanent place in music history. Her performance was a celebration of her remarkable journey and a reminder of the profound blessings that come from unwavering dedication and steadfast belief.
When D.J. Kool Herc and his sister Cindy decided to throw a party for the young people from their neighborhood in the Community Room at 1520 Sedgewick Ave., little did they know that it would be the spark for a global movement in music. They only wanted a safe place where kids could go party and not have to worry about getting chased out of the parks by cops or random gunfire.
When I think of summertime, the first thing that comes to my mind is concerts and what tickets I can score before they’re all sold out. Thankfully, AfroPunk Fest is the best end of summer music festival to see all of your favorite artists, one last time before the sun sets early and the weather turns chilly. This years line up is a collection of fierce, unapologetically black artists featuring Brooklyn native Joey Badass, Harlems princess Teyana Taylor, Rapper/Producer Flying Lotus, Vince Staples, Baby Tate, the absolutely Iconic Durand Bernarr and more.
Sixteen freestyle rappers battled it out in Miami this past weekend for the Red Bull Batalla Regional Qualifier, testing their quick wits and killer lines for a chance to make it to the world stage and take home the title of best freestyler in the Spanish rap world.