Latest news with #BadBadNotGood
Hindustan Times
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Toronto's finest treblemakers: Sanjoy Narayan reports live from a gig by BadBadNotGood
On Wednesday night, by Helsinki's harbour, the Nordic summer was playing its usual tricks. The cover art for Mid Spiral, released last July. What began as a perfect evening turned fickle, the wind whipping off the Baltic Sea. It was the kind of weather that sends fair-weather concertgoers scrambling for cover. But as Black Sabbath's War Pigs thundered across the open-air venue's sound system, setting the mood, those who stayed knew they were about to witness something special. When BadBadNotGood finally took the stage at Allas Live, the cold suddenly felt irrelevant. The Canadian trio of Alexander Sowinski (on drums), Chester Hansen (on bass) and Leland Whitty (switching between saxophone and guitar) was joined by their expanded tour line-up: Felix Fox-Pappas on keyboards, Kaelin Murphy on trumpet and Juan Carlos Medrano on percussion. They launched into their set with the kind of controlled intensity that has made them one of the most compelling genre-benders in contemporary music. This wasn't just another gig; it was a masterclass in how jazz can evolve without losing its soul. The setlist was a journey through the band's 15-year evolution, blending tracks from their latest opus, Mid Spiral, with older favourites that reminded everyone why they fell in love with BadBadNotGood in the first place. The evening's most poignant moment came when they paid tribute to Sly Stone, (the pioneering American funk and soul musician who died earlier this month, aged 82) with an instrumental version of Family Affair, turning his 1971 funk classic into something both reverent and revolutionary. BadBadNotGood started out in a Toronto basement, and weren't an instant success. Critics dismissed an early set of releases, their Odd Future jazz covers, as having no artistic merit at all. College students then, and now in their early 30s, they've travelled far from those early jam sessions with rapper Tyler, The Creator that were nonetheless internet gold. Today, they are selling out venues across continents, their journey a vindication of their musical fearlessness. Mid Spiral, their 18-track manifesto released in July, captures the band at their most adventurous. Born of an intense week at the iconic Valentine Recording Studios in Los Angeles, the album showcases their democratic approach to music-making. Unlike ego-driven bands, they operate like a true jazz collective, with long-time touring keyboardist Fox-Pappas and collaborators such as Murphy, Medrano and LA guitarist Tyler Lott expanding their sonic palette. Their genius lies in this collaborative spirit. The band's recent single, Found A Light (Beale Street), featuring three-time Grammy-nominated singer-composer VCR, exemplifies this. The seven-minute opus, released in April, serves as both a love letter to Memphis's musical heritage and as proof of collaborative mastery. VCR's vocals soar over the band's signature instrumentation, creating what she calls 'more than a song… a milestone'. Each member brings distinct virtuosity to the whole. Sowinski's drumming is a masterclass in restraint and explosion, seamlessly blending acoustic percussion with electronic elements. Hansen's bass links jazz walking lines with hip-hop's rhythmic foundation, often serving as both anchor and propulsive force. Whitty, who became permanent after their collaboration with Wu-Tang Clan's Ghostface Killah on the album Sour Soul (2015), transforms their sonic possibilities, his saxophone work showcasing not just technical prowess but an understanding of the instrument as both melodic voice and textural element. Mid-set at Helsinki, he held the crowd in thrall with an unaccompanied extended solo on the sax. The band's collaborative history reads like a contemporary-music who's who. The album with Ghostface Killah remains a highwater mark in hip-hop-jazz fusion, eschewing commonly adopted samples for live instrumentation. BadBadNotGood have provided jazz backbone to Kendrick Lamar's Lust, crafted grooves with Kaytranada, and have partnerships ongoing with Charlotte Day Wilson and Daniel Caesar. The collaborations never feel calculated; they appear to emerge from genuine musical relationships and shared curiosity. BadBadNotGood's impact extends beyond recordings. The fact that they incite mosh pits at jazz festivals speaks to their ability to honour tradition while shattering expectations. At the Helsinki gig, there wasn't a mosh pit, but drummer Sowinski got the crowd to do sequenced hand waves and, on one occasion, deep breathing with guttural exhales! Not something commonly witnessed at such an event. As they continue their world tour through major festivals that include Glastonbury, they carry more than songs from Mid Spiral. BadBadNotGood embody a philosophy that music is at its best when it refuses restraints. Their evolution from college kids to internationally respected collaborators proves that innovation occurs when talented people choose exploration over comfort. On Wednesday night, watching them transform Sly Stone's funk into something entirely new while Nordic winds whipped around us, it became clear that BadBadNotGood isn't just a band; they are a beacon of musical adventure. Proof that the magic, in music, still happens in the spaces between traditions. The cold may have been biting, but the music was pure fire.
New York Times
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Baltimore's Brandon Woody Channels His Hometown on ‘For the Love of It All'
'To get here, it hasn't been a yellow brick road. Even now, it's not no damn yellow brick road,' the trumpeter and composer Brandon Woody said on a video call from a Fort Myers, Fla., hotel room. It was mid-March and Woody, 26, was in between tour stops supporting Luther S. Allison. In the weeks leading up to the release of his first album as a bandleader, his eyes glimmered with vigor. The road he spoke of was both metaphorical and literal. Woody has earned a fortunate position among 20-something peers like Allison and the Toronto electro-jazz group BadBadNotGood (with whom he toured this spring). To get there he traveled a serpentine, sometimes-rocky path through institutionalized jazz education that has, for others, been a prerequisite for obtaining a record deal with a grande dame of jazz labels. It took him from Boston to Stockton, Calif. to New York, in search of a breakthrough that he eventually got — in his hometown, Baltimore. 'I'm always going to be a little bit jagged around the edges,' he said of his music. 'You're going to hear my struggles, but you're also going to hear my celebrations and my successes. This is a homegrown thing, and it's going to stay that.'
Irish Independent
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Summer in Co Wicklow: From air shows, to regattas and music festivals
No matter what your personal tastes are, or regardless of your age, you are bound to find a Wicklow event over the summer months which will be right up your alley. Wicklow 200 Cycling Challenge Established in 1982, the Wicklow 200 is one of Ireland's premier cycling sportives, with the 41st edition taking place on Sunday, June 8. The Wicklow 200 starts and finishes at Russborough House in Blessington and takes in many of the most iconic climbs the Garden County has to offer. It's considered among the most arduous and most revered annual cycling events on the Irish calendar. As the name suggests, the event covers over 200 kilometres around Co Wicklow, a major international cycling destination. The shorter Wicklow 100km takes place on the same day, and shares most of the route with the Wicklow 200. Sign up at Beyond the Pale The fourth edition of Beyond the Pale Festival takes place over three days at the Glendalough Estate, running from June 13 to 15. Arklow disco queen Róisín Murphy will be playing her first ever gg in her home county of Wicklow. Jon Hopkins, Berlioz and Broken Social Scene will all be performing at Beyond the Pale, which will be their first Irish show of the summer, while Boney M will be playing their first Irish show in nearly a decade. Brooklyn-based rockers, TV on the Radio, will perform their first show in Ireland in 17 years, with festival-favourite Marc Rebillet, BadBadNotGood, and recent Brit Award winners Ezra Collective joining a bumper line-up of acts. The jam-packed weekend will culminate with another high-energy performance by Marc Rebillet, along with TV on the Radio, Death in Vegas, Samantha Mumba, And So I Watch You from Afar and Wicklow native Fionn Regan. Buy tickets at Kaleidoscope Festival Kaleidoscope Festival celebrates its fifth anniversary when it returns to Russborough in Blessington from July 4 to July 6. Its known as one of Ireland's most family-friendly music festivals with entertainment and facilities suitable for all ages groups. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more As a birthday celebration one of its stages will be transformed into a house party featuring Abbaesque and their smash-hit ABBA tribute show, a Daft Punk tribute, alt rock scene-loving The Year Grunge Broke, disco-loving DJ queen Kelly-Anne Byrne, a floor-filler live show from Love Sensation, and These Charming Men and their tribute to indie rock favourites The Smiths and Morrissey. Other headliners and main stage music acts already confirmed consist of legendary Scottish band Texas, homegrown favourites The Coronas, Ocean Colour Scene, acclaimed Limerick's Hermitage Green and one of Ireland's brightest young music stars, Allie Sherlock. Tickets at Kilmacanogue Show The Kilmacanogue Show is one of the most popular events in the county and returns for its 53rd renewal on July 26 to Enniskerry Horse Farm, with all the usual fun and activities for all the family. At the heart of the show are the horse and pony classes, with everything from rein to in-hand to showjumping and working hunter opening the event up to every kind of equestrian. But it's not just about horses; there's a dog show, classes for sheep and a host of entertainment away from the rings. Last year K2 Alpacas came, and a famous goose-herding collie dog, as well as a woolspinning expert and a wood sculptor. Expect free pony rides, a kids games zone, and face painting, with the full schedule to be released soon at Wicklow Regatta Festival The Wicklow Regatta Festival is now in its 147th year, making it the oldest maritime-themed festival in the land, and will take place this year in Wicklow town from July 25 to August 4. You can expect all the fan favourites the regatta is renowned for, including golly fishing, 'Young at Heart' and the opportunity to crow the Regatta Queen. The Singing Pubs competition takes place each year and gives members of the public the opportunity to showcase their considerable talents. You can also enjoy heritage walks, street busking and live music, art trails, a dog show, a teddy bears picnic, a barman's race, a kids treasure hunt, along with art workshops. The schedule will be at Bray Air Display Wicklow's biggest event of the year by far is the Bray Air Display, which will bring tens of thousands of visitors to the seaside town on Saturday, August 2. This year's show promises to be a spectacular event, featuring the awe-inspiring skills of world-class pilots who will fill the skies over Bray with thrilling aerobatics and breathtaking formations. Marvel at the stunning flying skills of talented pilots as they paint the skies with mesmerising aerobatics. But the excitement isn't just in the sky. On the ground, visitors can revel in the thrills of the Seafront Funfair, explore the static display by the Irish Defence Forces, and indulge in delicious offerings at the food and craft village. It's free to view the Bray Air Display, with viewing points along the beach, in the harbour and even up Bray Head, but be sure to go early to get the best spot. Details at Tinahely Agricultural Show Dating back to 1935, the historic Tinahely Agricultural Show takes place on August bank holiday Monday at Fairwood Park. The popular event always attracts thousands of visitors, featuring a series of competitions, covering categories including equestrian, cattle, goats, sheep, dogs, poultry and many others, providing children and families with a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with the animals. Alongside the competitions are acres of trade stands, a funfair, live music, food, machinery displays, dog and baby shows, sheep shearing, sheaf tossing, machinery displays and plenty more. Tickets available at
CBC
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Calgary Folk Music Festival drops the needle despite exchange-rate sour note
Social Sharing Picture it. Late summer 2025. You are strolling along Memorial Drive and as you get closer to Prince's Island Park, you can hear music. Lots and lots of folk music. The 46th edition of the Calgary Folk Music Festival takes over the urban island park for a four-day weekend starting July 24. "There are a lot of local artists and Canadian artists," the festival's artistic director Kerry Clarke told reporters Wednesday. "Because our festival is so collaborative, it gives them a chance to try things out and meet other artists and maybe do some new songs for them." Thursday's stage will welcome Sierra Ferrell, Michael Kiwanuka and Elisapie. Patrick Watson, Ruby Waters, Cymande, BadBadNotGood and Moontricks will entertain Friday. "Saturday night's festivities culminate with revered hardcore troubadour Steve Earle with Reckless Kelly, Texas's beacons of fresh hick rock, after crack East L.A. Mexican roots and blues rockers Los Lobos and Madeleine Peyroux's dusky lyrics, wrapped in sultry, playful, retro sounds," the festival said in a release. The festival wraps Sunday with Cake, Ocie Elliott and LA LOM. Here's the full lineup. Clarke said there's a lot of moving pieces with a festival of this size. "A lot of negotiation, a lot of back and forth. Michael Kiwanuka was out, then he was in, then he was out, now he is in. So a lot of juggling and negotiation," she said. "This festival is able to attract great artists because we have a really good reputation." The volatile situation south of the border with tariffs and a punishing exchange rate affects decision-making in Calgary, Clarke explained. "A lot of artists are booked well before we knew exactly who was going to be elected and when they were elected, exactly what impact that would have," she said. "There are a lot of American headliners that are going to bring in people to see Canadian artists, and we want to keep collaborations between the two countries. Those conversations are critical." The festival aims for a minimum of 50 per cent Canadian artists. This year, Clarke said it's closer to 60. But it's the U.S.-Canadian exchange rate that's really hurting. "It impacts the budget hugely," Clarke said.
The Independent
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Snoop Dogg blasted for ‘stand up to hate' commercial with Tom Brady after performing at Trump inauguration
Snoop Dogg and Tom Brady have been criticized for their 'Stand Up to Hate' Super Bowl commercial over the pair's support for President Donald Trump. In the advertisement, which aired during Sunday's NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, Snoop and Brady are shown going back and forth, trading 'I hate you' statements. 'I hate you because I don't understand you,' Snoop says, while Brady hits back: 'I hate you because people I know hate you.' The screen then goes black before the message, 'The reasons for hate are as stupid as they sound' appears. 'Man, I hate that things are so bad that we have to make a commercial about it,' Snoop adds, with Brady concurring: 'Me too.' The commercial was paid for by the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism. The advertisement comes weeks after Snoop appalled fans with his surprise performance at Trump's inauguration party. His support of the second-term Republican was a major change of heart from his previous views of Trump. In 2017, the 'Drop It Like It's Hot' rapper sparked outrage by pretending to shoot a clown resembling the then-president in his remix of the BadBadNotGood song 'Lavender.' The following year, he released another video of him saying 'f*** the president' while smoking a blunt outside the White House. However, last year, Snoop changed his tune, praising Trump and claiming he 'has done only great things' for him. Brady also has a history with the president. In 2015, the Patriots star infamously displayed a Make America Great Again cap in his locker. Asked at the time if Trump could win, the quarterback said: 'I hope so. That would be great.' He added: 'There'd be a putting green on the White House lawn, I'm sure of that.' The seven-time Super Bowl champion has since refrained from discussing his political leanings; however, this didn't stop Trump from boasting about his supposed endorsement in 2016. Just before the vote, Trump had touted Brady as one of his highest-profile endorsements, claiming that the sportsman had told him: 'Donald, I support you, you're my friend, and I voted for you.' On X/Twitter, numerous people called out Brady and Snoop for their apparent 'hypocrisy.' 'Nothing says 'taking a stand' like cashing a check when it's convenient. But hey, maybe the real message was 'hate is bad… unless the price is right,'' wrote one. A second commented: 'These two hold no weight on the subject.' 'These people have no convictions they go with whatever pays the most lmao,' a third agreed, wile a fourth said: 'Hypocrisy at its best. Snoop is an accessory now to all this hate. He kissed the ring.' 'Snoop Dogg doing a commercial about speaking out against hate while also being the man who performed for the enforcer of hate is WILD!!!!' another added. 'This was the dumbest commercial of the Super Bowl,' one declared. 'If Snoop Dog wanted to stand up to hate, he shouldn't have sold out and performed at Trump's inauguration.'
