Connect Savannah : SAVANNAH MUSIC FESTIVAL: Rosanne Cash spins full circle with her album “The Wheel” (by Angie Miller) →

In 1993, Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Rosanne Cash released her album “The Wheel.” To mark its 30th anniversary, Cash and her husband and longtime collaborator, a six-time Grammy-winning producer and songwriter, John Leventhal have remastered the album and are making a stop at the Savannah Music Festival. “I had a clause in my contract with Sony when I made ‘The Wheel’ that the master recording would return to me after 30 years and that 30 years came up last year,” Cash stated. “It was a powerful feeling to get it back, you know, to actually own that record again. So, John and I formed a record label, remastered it for modern times and released it with some added bonuses and fun stuff. We’re just out celebrating it.”

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ArtsHub : Music review: Angélique Kidjo, Perth Festival (by Wolfgang von Flugelhorn) →

Beninese-French singer-songwriter Angélique Kidjo is a force of nature. Now in her early 60s, her voice is as strong and percussive as ever, her dancing as energetic and playful, her enthusiasm as infectious and her message of empowerment and justice as heartfelt and resounding. In her concert at Perth Concert Hall last Thursday night, she was the embodiment of this year’s Festival theme of Ngaangk (the sun), a female deity in Noongar cosmology who is equally a source of warmth, light, nourishment and protection.

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BNN Breaking : Mahalia Barnes Honors Aretha Franklin: An Empowering Tribute at Joondalup Festival (by Geeta Pillai) →

Mahalia Barnes, a seasoned artist with music in her veins, is set to honor Aretha Franklin in an empowering tribute at the Joondalup Festival. As the daughter of Australian rock legend Jimmy Barnes, Mahalia has carved her own path in the music industry, embracing both her heritage and her individuality. Next week, she joins a lineup of talented Aussie vocalists in Perth to celebrate the Queen of Soul's legacy. [...] This tribute to Aretha Franklin represents not just an homage but an affirmation of Barnes's own journey and the influence of powerful female voices in music.

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BNN Breaking : Joan Baez and Maggie Rogers Unite for Bob Dylan Cover at 37th Tibet House Benefit Concert →

The 37th annual Tibet House Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall brought together musical legends like Joan Baez and rising stars like Maggie Rogers for a night of unity and advocacy. Explore the unforgettable performances and messages of solidarity for Tibet's cause. [...] As the concert drew to a close, the stage was shared by artists from the night's lineup for a moving rendition of 'We Shall Overcome,' led by Baez and Rogers. [...] The collaboration between Joan Baez and Maggie Rogers on Bob Dylan's classic was not only a highlight of the evening but also a powerful message of resilience and solidarity.

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Wecb : MGMT and Christine and the Queens collaborate on “Dancing in Babylon” →

MGMT has just presented a new song, “ Dancing in Babylon », a collaboration with Chris from Christine and the Queens. The new song, which should appear on Loss of Life, which will be released on February 23 via Mom + Pop, is, at its core, a tender piano ballad, but with the kind of strange undertones one would expect from MGMT. Andrew VanWyngarden and Chris team up beautifully on vocals, trading lines before reaching sublime harmonies at the end of the bridge. [...] Commenting on his collaboration with MGMT, Chris said: “ I’ve always loved MGMT’s multiverse, their freedom and talent, their crystal clear writing and crazy soundscapes. It’s royal, it’s a source of inspiration. When they contacted me for this power ballad, I was honored and excited to dive into their dream, as I have the same overall approach to my work. I also loved the story of the lyrics, and I worked my lower register here more than usual. I felt invited into their film, and I’m happy to be part of the galaxy. Let’s work towards more love in the galaxy of love. »

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Variety : Bono Leads U2’s Audience in Chanting Alexei Navalny’s Name During Impassioned Anti-Putin, Pro-Ukraine Speech (by Chris Willman) →

U2 has been performing Crowded House’s “Don’t Dream It’s Over” in concert at the band’s Sphere residency recently, and before Saturday night’s show, the introduction to that song extended far longer than usual, as Bono paid tribute to the dream of Alexei Navalny, the Russian dissident who died in prison days earlier. The singer spoke up for the freedom of the Ukrainian people and against Russian leader Vladimir Putin — who many believe is directly responsible for the political prisoner’s still-unexplained death — before leading the crowd in a chant of Navalny’s name.

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Devdiscourse : Patti Smith and the Ukraine war intertwine in Ferrara's Berlinale doc →

In "Turn in the Wound," long-time filmmaker Abel Ferrara intertwines clips of U.S. singer-poet Patti Smith's performances in Paris with the testimonies of ordinary Ukrainians about Russia's invasion and grainy videos taken mid-battle by unnamed fighters [...] Patti Smith's unmistakable voice reads out work by French avant-garde artist Antonin Artaud as on screen, the viewer follows a Ukrainian soldier through a point-of-view camera, appearing almost video game-like as he moves along a smoky field at dawn.

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The Cut : Using the Grammys Red Carpet to Make a (Political) Statement →

Esperanza Spalding, a double nominee, opted for the most overt show of solidarity on the red carpet by wearing a keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian scarf. The scarf has become the most universal symbol of support for the Palestinian struggle, with its patterns representing important facets of Palestinian life. Noted in NPR, the black stripes are for the historical trade routes that ran through Palestine, the fishnet represents the Palestinians’ tie to the Mediterranean Sea, and the short, curved lines resemble the leaves of an olive tree, an important crop and symbol for Palestinians.

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