Adam Lambert at Stonewall Day
Adam Lambert, on behalf of his Feel Something Foundation and Pride Live, is curating musical performances for Stonewall Day 2021, a virtual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, to promote positive messages from Stonewall Day Ambassadors and special guests who include artists of diverse genres, generations and cultural backgrounds. Lambert hosted two Stonewall Day Unplugged concerts and conversations, leading up to the main event June 6.
Antibacterial Guitar Necks
Furch Guitars, the Czech-based manufacturer of premium acoustic guitars, has added an antibacterial additive to its guitar neck finish. This latest addition of certified antibacterial varnish containing silver nanoparticles, minimizes the amount of harmful microorganisms on the neck of the instrument and also increases overall comfort while playing. The neck is, by nature, one of the most handled areas of any guitar. The satin finish is even smoother and reduces friction at the hand while moving along the neck of the guitar, allowing for faster and more accurate playing.
Patti Smith and Eddie Vedder Open for Dalai Lama
Tibet House N.Y. held its 34th annual benefit concert. But this being the year of living COVIDly, artists performed remotely, with an eclectic lineup including Patti Smith, Eddie Vedder, Annie Lennox and Cage The Elephant. Smith and Vedder were, in effect, warm-up acts for the Dalai Lama, who headlined the show with praise for Tibet House’s accomplishments in philosophies, arts and culture. The show was closed out with a performance by founder Philip Glass with Saori Tsukada and Tenzin Choegyal. — Rob Putnam
Planet Classroom Network
Planet Classroom is a global media network for youth, by youth, that brings together musicians, dancers, video game creators, filmmakers and innovators to entertain, educate and engage.
Recent episodes on Planet Classroom’s YouTube channel raise awareness on the 463 million students around the world with no access to technology, and feature video presentations from youth in Malawi talking about the challenges of learning in the Pandemic.
Six60 Plays Stadium Shows in New Zealand
In a scene that reminds us of the “before times,” New Zealand’s biggest pop band, Six60, recently headlined the 32,000-person capacity Sky Stadium and Claudelands Oval on their Six60 Saturdays tour. Six60 have performed in front of a whopping 100,000 COVID-free fans this year across their epic outdoor concerts—a rarity for the music industry in 2021. Frontman Matiu Walters says, “I remember being in lockdown and wondering if it would end. Wondering if we were going to be able to play a show. So, there is hope out there.”
Suzanne Ciani’s Digital Archive
Electronic music pioneer Suzanne Ciani has begun the preservation of her music catalog with engineer Bill Smith, head of Archiving at Hollywood's United Recording. After studying music technology in college, Ciani moved to N.Y.C. and modernized sound design for TV advertising, including creating Coca-Cola's pop-and-pour sound.
Regarding her archive, Ciani says, “There is a timestamp on all of these formats because they don't last forever. I knew I had to reclaim the future of these raw materials.”
Pictured is Ciani and her Buchla synthesizer in 1973.
Gibson Partners with Universal in China
Gibson has formed a full-scale partnership with Universal Music Publishing Group in China and Hong Kong, offering tailor-made support for artists, songwriters and producers in China. In addition to Gibson outfitting UMPG China’s professional recording studios in Beijing and Shanghai, the guitar company has backed UMPG songwriting camps and artist events. UMPG and Gibson are committed to supporting charity campaigns and causes that serve the music community.
Pictured is UMPG China Managing Director Joe Fang (l) and Gibson China sales director Wells Wang (r) with the top three songwriting camp winners.
