News

Organised by Sos (Save Our Selves), Live Earth is a series of concerts set to take place around the world on July 7th, 2007 to engage people on a mass scale to combat our climate crisis.

Concerts will include performances by more than 150 of the world’s top musicians performing at various venues around the world.

Venues and musicians include:

Sydney, Australia:

Blue King Brown Crowded House Eskimo Joe Ghostwriters Jack Johnson John Butler Trio Missy Higgins Paul Kelly Sneaky Sound System Toni Collette and The Finish Wolfmother

Shanghai, China:

12 Girls Band Anthony Wong Eason Chan Evonne Hsu Huang Xiao Ming Joey Sarah Brightman Soler Winnie Shin

Hamburg, Germany:

Chris Cornell Jan Delay Juli Katie Melua Lotto King Karl Mana Mando Diao Michael Mittermeier Reamonn Roger Cicero Sasha Silbermond Snoop Dogg Shakira Enrique Iglesias

Tokyo, Japan

AI Abingdon Boys School Ai Otsuka Ayaka Bonnie Pink Cocco Genki Rockets Kumi Koda Linkin...

Feist has mapped out a 2024 North American tour in support of her latest album, Multitudes. The dates will serve as the “finale” of her “Multitudes” concert residency, which began in 2021.

The tour will kick off proper with a performance in Winnipeg, Canada, on February 6th, followed by stops in cities like Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and more. On March 3rd, Feist will wrap things up with a final show in Toronto.

Tickets will first become available through a Ticketmaster artist pre-sale beginning Wednesday, October 25th, at 10:00 a.m. local time (use access code Redwing), and will go on-sale to the general public on Friday, October 27th. Once tickets are on sale, you can also find them at StubHub, where orders are 100% guaranteed through StubHub’s FanProtect program.

Get Feist Tickets Here

Multitudes is the Canadian songwriter’s first full-length in six years, and arrived this past April.

Feist stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday to perform “Hiding Out In the Open,” a cut from her new album Multitudes. Watch her appearance on the show below.

Taking over the late night stage with a four-piece backing band, Feist sounded just as good — if not better — than the studio recording of “Hiding Out In the Open,” an acoustic ballad that attempts to navigate the baggage that’s brought into a romantic relationship: “Maybe he’s gonna let me down/ Love is not a thing you try to do/ It wants to be the thing compelling you,” goes some of the track’s standout lines. Although the stage backdrop emulated the seemingly-infinite images of the Multitudes album cover, the one real Feist was the true focus. Check it out below.

Earlier this year, Feist sat down with Kyle Meredith to discuss her new record, as well...

Sandrayati has always been earth’s gentle admirer. Her life and music are intertwined with nature’s authenticity, illuminated by each stage of society’s oldest rhythm. Welcoming us into her tranquil world, Sandrayati’s brand new single “Vast” (out now on Decca Records/Universal Music Canada), featuring Ólafur Arnalds, circles four stages of a woman’s menstrual cycle, which mirror “the new moon”, “the waxing moon”, “the full moon” and “the waning moon”.

Whilst the first single from her upcoming album, ‘Suara Dunia’, was inspired by indigenous wisdom in connection with the earth, ‘Vast’ appears more abstract. In the writing process, Sandrayati imagined that she was an element of nature singing to humankind. In the music video, the cycle is a symbol of the closest relationship humans have with the rhythm in nature. Nearly four billion people in the world have a menstrual cycle, yet it is a topic many shy away from.

Nigel Godrich discusses the impetus for his celebrated performance series, From the Basement, in a new clip tied to the arrival of the show on the Coda Collection. Curated episodes will hit the streaming platform each week, starting today, July 23rd, with Radiohead’s 2011 appearance in support of The King of Limbs.

The clip comes from a new interview Godrich did with the Coda Collection’s editorial director Greg Kot. Godrich explained that the show’s creation was linked to advances in technology, like the proliferation of high-definition television (shooting...

Nadia Mitri says it was her experience on the dance floor in a Hawaii hotel ballroom with a veteran Hollywood actress that led to the darkest interlude of her life.

In 2015, at a wellness retreat in Kona, Mitri danced to Damien Rice’s “Cheers Darlin’ ” for Sheila Kelley, a self-styled “feminine embodiment leader” who has acted in L.A. Law, Gossip Girl and Lost and in 2001 opened the pole dancing fitness studio S Factor. A hundred women, who like Mitri had paid several thousand dollars to spend five days under Kelley’s guidance, watched the pair.

By Mitri’...

Nadia Mitri says it was her experience on the dance floor in a Hawaii hotel ballroom with a veteran Hollywood actress that led to the darkest interlude of her life.

In 2015, at a wellness retreat in Kona, Mitri danced to Damien Rice’s “Cheers Darlin’ ” for Sheila Kelley, a self-styled “feminine embodiment leader” who has acted in L.A. Law, Gossip Girl and Lost and in 2001 opened the pole dancing fitness studio S Factor. A hundred women, who like Mitri had paid several thousand dollars to spend five days under Kelley’s guidance, watched the pair.

By Mitri’...

Production on BBC One talent show “Little Mix The Search” has been postponed after a “small number of people” tested positive for coronavirus.

The production tweeted a statement on Wednesday that said: “We can confirm that a small number of people on Little Mix The Search production have tested positive for coronavirus and they are now self-isolating following the latest government guidelines.”

“Due to the format of the show we have made the decision to postpone Saturday’s programme. There are rigorous protocols in place to manage Covid-19 as the safety of all those involved in the production is paramount,” the statement added.

“We hope to be back on air Saturday 24th October.”

Statement from production#LittleMixTheSearch pic.twitter.com/7NVtceqknT

— Little Mix The Search (@LMTheSearch) October 14, 2020

The news comes just one day after crew members on the Christmas special edition of “Britain’s Got Talent” contracted coronavirus and production was halted.

Julia Stone returns with her first new solo music in eight years, “Break,” a euphoric new track produced by St. Vincent.

In the striking video, directed by Jessie Hill, Stone visits a nightclub in Mexico City, later leading dancers in synchronized movements throughout the city. “Darling, darling, I feel that I might break,” Stone sings repeatedly, over synths and horns. “You take my breath away.”

“Break” was also produced by Thomas Bartlett and features contributions from Warpaint’s Stella Mozgawa and the National’s Bryce Dessner.

“It’s when you first meet somebody,...

The National, Kurt Vile, Damien Rice and more have contributed cover tracks to Songs For Australia, a compilation album put together by Julia Stone to benefit brush fire relief efforts. Stone, an Australian singer-songwriter best known as one half of brother-sister duo Angus & Julia Stone, brought together local and international bands for the album, out March 5th on digital and in June on CD and vinyl.

The National’s contribution is a cover of Inxs’ “Never Tear Us Apart” while Vile has taken on Nick Cave’s “Stranger Than Kindness.

A new mini-documentary explores the making of Leonard Cohen’s posthumous album Thanks For the Dance, out Friday.

“When my father saw the success of You Want It Darker right before he passed, he asked me, ‘Complete the task. Finish the songs that we started,'” Leonard’s son Adam says in The Story of Thanks For the Dance.

The posthumous album features vocal recordings Cohen made prior to his 2016 death — including some leftover material from You Want It Darker — alongside guests like Beck, Leslie Feist, Damien Rice, Daniel Lanois,...

Leonard Cohen’s experience as a Buddhist monk is the inspiration for the new video for “Happens to the Heart,” the first official single off the late poet-singer’s posthumous final album Thanks for the Dance.

The “Happens to the Heart” video, directed by Sia collaborator Daniel Askill, is the latest in a series dubbed Nowness, a partnership between the Cohen estate and Sony Music Canada that will feature international filmmakers creating visuals to accompany Thanks for the Dance tracks.

Nowness creative director Bunny Kinney said in a statement: “Our...

New music from an unexpected source, a problem with tickets to a Black Keys show, and technology bringing us a mobile karaoke feature and the return of high-fidelity to streaming services were some of the highlights of the week.

We also saw yet another superstar depart the big stage, as Ric Ocasek of The Cars died in his Manhattan home, leaving behind an impressive legacy.

This week in music:

How Old Was Ric? Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and the mastermind behind The Cars died last Sunday. Ric Ocasek leaves behind a considerable catalog of great music and one mysterious question – how old was he? Some obits said age 70, others 75. There’s considerable differences of opinion among various media, but extensive research by the New York Times finally pegged him as 75 years old at the time of death.

Music Center Problems: It was not a good month at the Music Center.

Columbia/Legacy has released the first posthumous song from late singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen, “The Goal.” The short, acoustic track, which clocks in at a little over a minute long, is an intimate song that feels more like a spoken word poem. The song previews a posthumous album of the musician’s work titled Thanks for the Dance, which will be released November 22nd.

“I can’t leave my house,” Cohen intones on the moody track, which features piano and acoustic guitar. “Or answer the phone/ I’m going down again/ But I’m not alone.

Glen Hansard once received a nickname from his friend Nico Muhly: Earnest Strum. The name was a way for Muhly, a contemporary composer, to poke fun at the type of exceedingly sincere, traditionally-rooted folk that Hansard has mostly been making for the past dozen years, ever since he rose to unlikely mainstream fame with the success of the 2007 musical drama Once.

In recent years, Hansard himself has grown a bit restless with his reputation as a bearded balladeer. After 2018’s Between Two Shores, the latest in a steady stream of heartfelt solo records,...

Ed Sheeran doesn’t use a lot of gear when he plays a stadium – just a few small acoustic guitars and a pedal board. Now, fans can own the same kind of guitars as Sheeran, who at a surprise appearance at the Anaheim, California Namm instrument conference announced “Sheeran by Lowden,” a new line of acoustics made by the high-quality Northern Ireland guitar company.

“It’s any kids’ dream to have a signature guitar,” Sheeran said in a sit-down with the company’s founder owner George Lowden (though unlike most musician signature lines,...

U2’s Bono and the Edge busked on a Dublin street on Christmas Eve as part of an annual all-star fundraising event to aid the Ireland city’s homeless population. The U2 rockers were among a collective of Irish musicians –– including organizer Glen Hansard of the Swell Season, Damien Rice and Imelda May –– to perform on a makeshift stage on the city’s Grafton Street, the Guardian reports.

In addition to Songs of Experience‘s “Love Is Bigger Than Anything In Its Way,” the U2 duo also performed a pair of Christmas carols,...

Travis Wall dug deep for a routine he choreographed on “So You Think You Can Dance” for the live show on Monday night, August 27, when the Top 6 contestants performed. Contemporary dancer Darius Hickman was paired with a “Sytycd” all-star, season 14 finalist Taylor Sieve, for a bold, risk-taking routine to Damien Rice‘s “It Takes a Lot to Know a Man” that challenged standards of gender expression. Watch their performance above.

Wall’s choreography was inspired by his own experience of coming out of the closet as gay, after which he experienced bullying and ridicule. So in his dance Darius embodied a more traditionally feminine form of gender expression, while Taylor played the more masculine role, representing the negativity, rejection and toxic masculinity that Darius must fight against to live as his more authentic self. After Darius thwarted Taylor he reapplied his lipstick to close the performance, demonstrating his self-acceptance.

Sign...

Jane Roberts Feb 2, 2018

This week, how music can help punctuate the dark times....

Welcome to Geeks Vs Loneliness, our spot on the site where we try and natter about things that may be affecting you, or people around you. We fully understand that not everything we write in these articles will be of use to all, but hopefully, there's something across the series that resonates for you.

See related Hard Sun episode 4 review Hard Sun episode 3 review Hard Sun episode 2 review

This week, we're handing over to the brilliant Jane, who wants to have a chat about music...

I’m in the kitchen, heading for the door. Radio on for the dog, places to be. Then – boom! I’m getting a bit Freddy, tasks forgotten, tail feather shaking, vocal chords straining. Yes, whichever generic rock station I’m tuned to today has just played Queen’s Hammer To Fall and...

Lana Del Rey, Sting, Elvis Costello, and The Lumineers’ Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites are just a handful of artists set to perform at a Leonard Cohen tribute concert to mark the first anniversary of the star’s passing last November. The event will kick off a week of celebrations honoring Cohen in Montreal.

Philip Glass, Feist, k.d. lang, Damien Rice, Patrick Watson and Cohen’s son, Adam, will also take part in Tower of Song: A Memorial Tribute to Leonard Cohen at Montreal’s Bell Center on Nov. 6. Cohen died in his sleep after falling in the middle of the night on Nov.

It was a pretty sweet day for the Kardashian family!

Kim Kardashian West and Kourtney Kardashian spent the day at the Museum of Ice Cream in Los Angeles, California on May 11, bringing along their little ones for a day of sprinkles, popsicles and fun.

Kourtney and daughter Penelope certainly enjoyed the museum's iconic life-size sprinkle pool, while Kim and daughter North took a call in the bubblegum pink room. It appeared the group was filming the visit for season 14 of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, so we'll have to wait and see if fans will get more of their adventures there!

Earlier in the month, The Real hosts Jeannie Mai, Adrienne Bailon-Houghton and Loni Love all posed in celebration of DeLeón Tequila's Cinco de Mayo bash at the Doheny Room in West Hollywood, California. Joining the group of gals in a stylish red hat was Mai's mom. Guests sipped on DeLeón Tequila’s specialty cocktail, "Mexican...

A total of 16 films were submitted for consideration in the Best Animated Feature category at the 88th Oscars. After being absent from the race last year, powerhouse Pixar returns with two films, “Inside Out” and "The Good Dinosaur," of which the former is the clear front-runner. Stop-motion animation is represented by two contenders, Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson’s critical hit “Anomalisa” and the equally celebrated, though less contemplative, “Shaun the Sheep Movie” from Oscar-winning Aardman. Of the other major studios the only serious film in competition is Blue Sky’s “The Peanuts Movie.” CG animated films such as “Minions,” “Home,” “Hotel Transylvania 2,” "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water," performed well at the box-office but will likely fail to break in.

Thankfully the Academy has been very good at noticing, while not yet awarding, the work of independent artists working in the animation medium. Since 2010, when Gkids garnered its first nomination for Tomm Moore’s gorgeous “The Secret of Kells,” the New York-based distributor‘s films have been present among the five nominees every year. Last year two masterworks from their impeccable repertoire were included, Moore’s “Song of the Sea” and Isao Takahata’s “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya,” leaving out Warner’s “The Lego Movie,” which was considered a lock for most of the season. This year Gkids has three films vying for recognition, all of which received Annie nominations in the Best Independent Animated Feature category, but there also a few other internationally produced, independently made, traditionally animated works on the list that deserve the attention.

There is no doubt that some of the most unconventional and stunning animated films come from outside the mechanized mainstream, and we hope this year, once again, some of them make it to the Dolby Theater so that such exposure helps them reach a larger global audience.

Note: The only 2D-animated feature not included here is “Regular Show: The Movie,” which, despite having a limited release as most independent films, is an American production by a major studio

"The Boy and the Beast"

Dir.Mamoru Hosoda

Having worked in some of the most beloved anime series of all time before transitioning into greater artistic heights with singular animated features such as “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time,” “Summer Wars,” and “Wolf Children,” Mamoru Hosoda is one of the most important figures in Japanese animation today and his work has a loyal following around the world. “The Boy and the Beast,” his most recent film, is a martial arts saga ruled by its very own mythology, yet grounded on universal thematic elements. Following his mother’s death, Ren runs away from home and accidentally finds his way into Jutengai, an alternate reality inhabited by beasts. Reluctantly, young Ren is taken in by Kumatetsu, a bear-like brute desperate to train a disciple in order to be selected as the realm’s new leader. Despite countless arguments and numerous rough patches, a profound bond that transcends the divide between their worlds forms between the two lonely fighters. Fantastical creatures, epic battles, and amusing banter, spice up an endearing story that analyzes parent-children relationship from a highly inventive vantage point.

"Boy and the World"

Dir. Alê Abreu

Read More:Review: Why Alê Abreu's Sublime 'Boy and the World' is the Best Animated Film of the Year

The most awarded animated feature to open in U.S. theaters this year is a Brazilian wonder that ditches dialogue entirely for a storytelling approach that’s purely visual, whimsical, and even heartbreaking. Through the eyes of a playful young boy searching for his father, Alê Abreu’s musical odyssey conveys sophisticated notions about social justice, the voracious appetite of capitalism, and the yoke of oppression. Color pencils, pastels, watercolors, cut outs, and multiple other techniques are blended with an eclectic soundtrack molding a fascinating and gorgeous cinematic experience. Abreu’s animated masterpiece should certainly become the first Latin American animated feature to be nominated in the category (while “Chico and Rita” is set in Cuba, it's actually a European production helmed by Spanish filmmakers), as it would be an unforgivable mistake if the Academy fails to acknowledge dazzlingly craftsmanship on display.

Read More: How "Boy and the World" Director Alê Abreu Handcrafted His Heartfelt & Dazzling Animated Masterpiece

"Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet"

Dir. Roger Allers

Read More: Why 'Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet' is a Cinematic Out-Of-Body Experience Brimming with Animated Wisdom

Realizing her long-awaited passion project, Mexican-born star Salma Hayek produced this mesmerizing reimagining of Lebanese poet Kahil Gibran’s timeless classic with the help of some of the most important names currently working in the medium. Hayek, who also voices one of the lead characters, recruited Roger Allers, the man behind Disney’s “The Lion King,” to craft a linear canvas upon which eight artists could weave in their visual interpretations of Gibran’s poems on specific subjects. Acclaimed animators such as Tomm Moore, Bill Plympton, Nina Paley, and Joan C. Gratz , had complete freedom, both regarding technique and storytelling, to create these breathtaking and distinct segments. Aller’s frame narrative follows Mustafa (voiced by Liam Neeson ), a wise poet, as he is being escorted out of town by the repressive Ottoman authorities that consider his writings and paintings as subversive materials that threaten their tyrannical grip. While each individual vignette offers a lyrical rendition of Gibran’s universal lessons, Moore’s “On Love” is an awe-inspiring standout. “Hypnosis,” the tune written and performed by Damien Rice, is also in contention for the Best Original Song Academy Award.

Read More: Salma Hayek on 'Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet': 'His Poetry Talks About the Simple Things in Life That Unite Us All'

"The Laws of the Universe - Part 0"

Dir. Isamu Imakake

Eleven Arts, a small distributor dedicated to bringing Asian cinema stateside, has entered the Best Animated Feature race with an action-packed contender that will appeal to anime fans fond of intricate plots. Directed by Isamu Imakake, this Japanese sci-fi film centers on five high school friends who are forced to become heroes when they discover an alien conspiracy that endangers the Earth and life as we know it. Teen drama collides with intergalactic standoffs in an exciting and large-scale adventure. It’s luminously stylized character design and the epically orchestrated action sequences elevate the film beyond the conventions and aesthetics associated with anime series produced for TV. Imakake’s previous efforts, "The Mystical Laws” and “The Laws of Eternity," also dealt with adult-oriented and otherworldly duels between powerful evildoers and courageous youths.

"Moomins on the Riviera"

Dir. Xavier Picard

Read More: Review: In 'Moomins on the Riviera' the Beloved Finnish Icons Remain Timeless and Wise

Created in the 1940s by author and illustrator Tove Jansson, these Finnish superstars have an incredibly devout following across Europe and Asia, and though they are still not household names this side of the Atlantic, their humble wisdom cuts across geographical boundaries with ease once one gives in to their charm. In their first big screen appearance in over a decade, the Moomins decide to leave the comfort of rural life in the valley for the extravagant pleasure of the Côte d'Azur. Soon after their arrival, the roundish and unpretentious family realizes that opulence and material wealth are far from what they consider happiness. Elegantly drawn to resemble a nostalgic storybook and drenched in pastel hues, Xavier Picards take on the beloved characters is sure to add new fans to the Moomin legion and to satisfy those that throughout the decades have been enchanted by their innocent humor and surprisingly philosophical observations on the things that really matters.

"When Marnie Was There"

Dir. Hiromasa Yonebayashi

Read More: Review: Wondrous 'When Marnie Was There' is One of Ghibli's Most Profoundly Moving Works

Following Miyazaki’s “The Wind Rises” and Takahata’s “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya,” another Ghibli gem (and as of now their final one) of much more intimate qualities was released to eager U.S. audiences this spring. Hiromasa Yonebayashi's adaption of Joan G. Robinson’s 1967 switches England for a Hokkaido but preserves the moving bond between the protagonist and what seems to be a vision from another time intact. Introvert Anna (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld in the English-language dub) is a young girl that struggles to connect with her foster mother, thus feels alienated. When Anna meets Marnie, a gracious blond girl, while exploring the marshes that surround the town, a secret friendship quickly develops. As their individual histories are slowly revealed through expertly paced twists, it becomes apparent that their initial encounter was not merely serendipitous. Magical realism, instead of more fantastic elements as in most of Ghibli’s films, dictates the narrative, while the artistry that is expected from the legendary studio is as captivating as usual and never disappoints. The way Yonebayashi channels the original material to create a delicate coming-of-age story that accepts its characters flaws and troubling emotional journeys without simplifying them is truly remarkable. Priscilla Ahn’s heartbreaking ballad “Fine on the Outside” is also in the running for the Best Original Song Oscar.

Fast-paced modernity acts like deceptive facade that tricks us into thinking we've become something very different from what we've always been. But below the multiple layers of unimportant burdens, pretended indifference, and overflowing cynicism, lies an unalterable human core that rejoices and suffers like it’s done since its genesis. A person navigating the turbulent waters of life today is indeed pondering on the same questions that another did centuries ago. Pain and pleasure, births and deaths, tears and laughter, passion and despair, they all continue to trap us all in their ambivalent choreography that forced us to question if there is meaning to the madness or if the absurdity of the human condition is just an indecipherable codex.

Enlightened thinkers have incessantly taken it upon themselves to interpret our common fears and urges to arrive at somewhat logical conclusions about our puzzling purpose and put these into comprehensible words. Academic and formal the philosopher appeals to rational mind, while the poet delicately arranges his thoughts and aims for the impetuous tenderness of our visceral side. Like preachers of a higher faith that exist about authoritarian religions, poets share their knowledge in ways unrestricted by physicality. Their words travel in the wind and pierce hearts with darts made out of profound realizations. Such sacred gift was granted by the universe to Kahlil Gibran, the Lebanese-American poem who would pen The Prophet, one of the most spiritual books ever written unbound by any denomination.

Containing ethereal poems delving into specific facets of our mortal condition, Gibran’s volumes are not quintessential material for a film adaptation. His writing seemed elusive to traditional representations limited by a rigid narrative structure. Conscious of this seemingly obstructive aspect, determined producer Salma Hayek recognized that a much more fluid and unrestrictive medium was required to portray Gibran’s teachings not with literal imagery, but with dreamlike works of moving art that could evoke the essence of each verse. Ambitiously, Hayek set out to expand the accessibility of this book, one that her grandfather of Lebanese origin treasured deeply and which she had grown to appreciate herself, thought an animation project of tremendous magnitude.

Aspiring to effectively turn this lifelong wish into a soulful visual feast, Hayek enlisted nine of the world’s most passionate animators to fabricate magic with color and to take part in an exuberant celebration of creativity. Eight of them would craft individual segments interpreting a specific poem without any parameter other than Gibran’s intricate phrases, while another director was charged with the demanding task of wrapping these delightful fragments in a frame narrative that could cohesively unify them. The product of this phenomenal amalgamation is Roger Allers’ “Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet,” a cinematic out-of-body experience that deconstructs our existential yearnings and translates them into mesmerizing animated wisdom.

Honed during the Disney Renaissance, Allers’ stylistic principles still carry a familiar aesthetic that resembles iconic films from said period. Although better known for directing one the most beloved animated tales of all time, “The Lion King,” his resourceful hand touched several other projects including “The Little Mermaid” and “Beauty and the Beast,” as both a writer and a storyboard artist. That myriad of storytelling abilities is reflected in his approach to this unorthodox venture. While the character design employed in his enveloping storyline will immediately and instinctively remind viewers of the filmmaker’s Disney origins, he manages to tailor he manages to tailor such distinct appearance for this singular undertaking. It’s classically elegant and precisely suitable for the plot-driven portion of the film.

Centered on Mustafa (Liam Neeson), a poet and painter living as a prisoner of the Ottoman Empire for what they considered subversive ideas, Allers’ screenplay channels Gibran’s thin fictional account and develops it further so that it blossoms into a full-length fable that relays its own moral, while serving as vehicle for the abstract enclaves to be presented seamlessly. Besides spearheading the entire operation, in this section of the film Hayek also voices Kamila, a hardworking widow paid by the regime to tend to Mustafa and who is out of option when it comes to dealing with her rebellious, yet silent, young daughter, Almitra (Quvenzhané Wallis). It’s only when the girl meets the unassuming wise man that her quiet frustration begins to dissipate.A receptive vessel, Almitra is fascinated by Mustafa’ss tranquil demeanor and fascination by his convictions even if she can’t fully grasp their significance.

Neeson’s virile tone gives the protagonist a regal air without sounding intimidating. His voice emanates tranquility coated with strength, like a fatherly figure at peace with his every step. Alfred Molina appears as the comically villainous Sergeant in charge of escorting Mustafa through the village, but who often gives in to his human impulses on their way to the harbor. Meanwhile John Krasinski plays Halim, a young official romantically pursuing Kamila, and veteran thespian Frank Langella is heard briefly as Pasha, the evil ruler who holds the poet’s fate in his hands. As the events that lead to Mustafa’s final trial unfold each of the stylistically eclectic short sequences finds the right moment to be unveiled.

First comes Michal Socha’s “On Freedom,“ in which an anthropomorphic birdcage prevents its feathered captives from flying into the sunset. Ridding themselves of their shackles holds the promise of fulfillment, but that desire is in fact “the strongest of these chains.” Clever in its use of symbolism and graceful in its execution, Socha’s rendition of Gibran’s piece is sharp and poignant. Then, with kaleidoscopic vividness, Nina Paley uses multiple motifs evocative of both Indian and Greek iconography in “On Children,” to depict the cyclical nature of life and the perennial bond between parents and their descendants. Though this connection is irreproachable, progenitors shouldn't attempt to command the life they’ve brought into the world because it’s not their possession, but a link in a greater continuum. Like bows launching arrows into an uncertain abyss, mothers and fathers must come to terms with letting go. Singer/songwriter Damien Rice rearranges the author’s lines into heartfelt lyrics for a melancholic song that builds up to a captivating finale.

Seductively, Joann Sfar's “On Marriage” shows two lovers dancing tango under the moonlight. Ancient ruins become the battleground for a sensual clash where impeccable choreography is a more of a strategic maneuver than just coordinated movement. Subtly wrestling each other to set the boundaries of their union, husband and wife know their paths advance parallel, yet independently. Similarly exquisite is the manner in which Academy Award-winner Joan Gratz delivers “On Work,” via a painstaking technique known as claypainting. Blending colors with inconspicuous ability, the seasoned artist travels through the numerous notions on the worthiness of labor, whether physical or creative. Exceptionally delicate in nature, her work thoroughly explains why “he who seizes the rainbow to lay it on a cloth” is not nobler than “he who makes sandals for our feet.”

Bill Plympton's scratchy and utterly handcrafted frames in "On Eating and Drinking" flow with the uncompromising animator's expected candidness.These elemental joys are held sacred by Gibran as “an act of worship,” and while the cartoonist is respectful of this canon, humor is always a vital quality of his deliberately nonchalant drawings. A man bites an apple and as we follow its journey through the human body we witness nourishment and sustainability by means of Plympton's style. Now, the most unquestionably breathtaking piece of this magnificent puzzle, and perhaps the most beautiful piece of filmmaking to be projected on screens this year, is Tomm Moore’s “On Love.” Its alluring rhythm and detailed Art Nouveau designs flood each frame with spellbinding imagery that speaks of the thorny splendor that falling for another being entails. Elating and devastating at once, “love crowns you” with its intoxicating glory, but just as strongly it can “crucify you” with merciless fury. Moore’s unmistakable enchantment illustrates an ancestral couple ascending from the depths of darkness into the light of redemption propelled by the dazzlingly magic of “love’s ecstasy.”

Silhouetted animals racing for survival personify human ambitions in Mohammed Harib's “On Good and Evil.” Given the broadness of the poem’s subject matter the animator could have taken much more literal routes to relay its lesson, but his metaphorical approach successfully encapsulates Gibran’s stance on benevolence and wickedness. In hi eyes any wrong doings perpetrated have a purpose within the landscape of our collective destiny. All that is evil was once kindness, because, according to the poet, “good tortured by its own hunger and thirst.” Finally, our unavoidable fate is treated with compassion rather than morbid tropes by Gaëtan Brizzi and Paul Brizzi in their transcendent visualization of "On Death." Our soul, comes to life in the form of an incorporeal character who dances swiftly celestial radiance. Sorrow is replaced with the hope that the end is just a transition into an “unencumbered” state. Drinking from the “river of silence” allows our inner divinity to truly sing without restrains. A peaceful rebirth only comes from letting go of carnal necessities, and that’s something both Gibran and Mustafa are convince of.

Musically, “Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet,” was embellished by composer Gabriel Yared’s grand score, which mixes epic sentiments with soothing melodies decorating almost every second of it. Accentuating Tomm Moore’s lovely bit, Irish singers Lisa Hannigan and Oscar-winner Glen Hansard fashion a stirring tune out the scribe’s contemplation on amorous frenzy. Lastly, in addition to providing a song for Paley’s segment, Damien Rice wrote another moving ballad titled “Hypnosis” to play during the final credits. Perfectly reflective of the experiential attributes of the film it caps, Rice’s stanzas put an empowering final touch as it asks us to seek strength from our personal truth.

In this tapestry of lyrical mirages, the eternal endurance of art prevails as testament of the immortality bestowed only on those whose brilliance surpasses time and space. Harnessing wide-ranging techniques, the artists behind “Kahil Gibran’s The Prophet” gifted us one of the most mesmerizing films of the year and a milestone in the history of animation, which brought together the genius of many to spread words of compassion and serenity. Solidarity amongst mankind and the acceptance of our flaws as virtues hidden by unnecessary vanity and greed, are the first steps towards the reconciliation between what we think we are now and what we've always been. Gibran’s message is as relevant as ever today, so let us fill ourselves with the majesty of his wisdom, and become vindicated disciples willing to live beyond merely existing.

"Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet" is now playing in L.A. and NYC and will open in other cities across the country in the upcoming weeks.

There’s only you and me and an all new TVLine Mixtape!

This time we’ve compiled a series of songs from recent season finales, including artist and album information in case you want to add them to your personal collection.

Spoilers abound, and we chose songs we liked — but we always love to hear your thoughts and suggestions.

So peruse our playlist, then hit the comments with your favorite TV tunes. And remember: You can always submit questions or suggestions about TV music on Twitter @RyanSchwartz.

Related‘Transitory’ Orphan, New Girl‘s ‘Slow Southern Style’ and More TV Tunes...

About one month ago, we featured a beautiful international trailer for an animated adaptation of Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, a big screen version of the collection of prose and poems known around the world. Now another gorgeous domestic trailer for the film featuring several different kinds of animation has arrived, all connected by an artist (Liam Neeson), his housekeeper (Salma Hayek), and her daughter (voiced by Quvenzhané Wallis). This looks like it'll be a nice break from the blockbuster action extravaganzas late this summer, with wonderful animation to stimulate your eyes and your mind. There's also supposed to be some great new music from Glen Hansard, Damien Rice and Yo-Yo Ma. Watch below! Here's the Us trailer for Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet from Gkids Films: You can still watch the previous international trailer for Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet right here. Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet is directed by Roger Allers,...

Translated into over 40 languages, never spending a moment out of print, and selling over 100 million copies worldwide, it was probably inevitable that someone would bring Kahlil Gibran's "The Prophet" to the big screen. And indeed, it has been given the animated treatment and today the first U.S. trailer for the movie has arrived. Read More: Watch The First Trailer For Kahlil Gibran's Animated 'The Prophet' Helmed by "The Lion King" director Roger Allers, the picture features animated sequences by Bill Plympton, Joann Sfar, and more; the all-star voices of Liam Neeson, Salma Hayek, Quvenzhané Wallis, John Krasinski, Frank Langella, and Alfred Molina; and music by Yo-Yo Ma, Damien Rice, and Glen Hansard — this production hasn't missed a note in trying to bring the best to the table. Here's the official synopsis: Set in a Mediterranean sea-side village, Kamila cleans house for exiled artist and poet Mustafa,...

Pop's acoustic phenomenon Ed Sheeran recently made his Austin City Limits debut last fall, performing five songs for an intimate crowd. His episode became a fan favorite, with many requesting a re-broadcast of his performance. Prior to the encore, watch an exclusive clip of him performing the sweet, romantic single "Thinking Out Loud."

Sheeran joins the long-running music program's spectacular 40th season lineup, which included appearances from the Black Keys, Foo Fighters and Ryan Adams. Along with his current single, the British singer-songwriter treated his fans to live presentations of "Lego House,...

Salma Hayek can breathe easy now. Her passion project "Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet" is finally coming to the big screen. Directed by Roger Allers ("The Lion King"), "The Prophet" is a collaborative animated tale featuring individual "chapters" from animation legends such as Tomm Moore ("The Secret of Kells" "Song of the Sea"), Joan Gratz (Academy Award winner for "Mona Lisa Descending a Staircase"),  Bill Plympton ("Guard Dog and Your Face"), Paul and Gaetan Brizzi ("Fantasia 2000") and Mohammed Harib ("Freej"), among others.  It's based on Gilbran's 1923 book and features a voice cast including Hayek, Liam Neeson,  Quvenzhané Wallis, John Krasinski, Frank Langella and Alfred Molina.  The film's score is by Oscar winner Gabriel Yared ("The English Patient") and it also includes additional music from  Damien Rice, Glenn Hansard ("Once") and Lisa Hannigan.  So, yes, that's a lot of pedigree talent in the mix. "The Prophet" debuted to positive reviews at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival,...

Youngsters and oldsters alike…here is the reel deal: The New York International Children’s Film Festival (Nyicff) will be making its presence known in the upcoming days. On tap for the 18th annual event will be a noted variety of creative animated films and shorts for all ages to enjoy and relish. The New York International Children’s Film Festival promises to serve up an array of animated showcases that boasts all styles and formats that should prove imaginative and appealing to our past and present childhood memories.

Please note that the Nyicff will run its operation from February 27, 2015 to March 22, 2015. Additionally, the majority of these impressive feature-length and short films have experienced critical acclaim overseas. Therefore, the impact of the Nyicff’s cinematic selections should be rewarding for ardent fans of animated film fodder designed to capture the spirit of its enthusiastic viewers.

Among the films being displayed...

Professional beard grower and legendary record producer Rick Rubin has begun using the annotating service Genius. It's not the fact that Rubin's using the site that has people taking note, but rather how he's using it. As Pitchfork pointed out, Rubin has taken the last three days to essentially turn his verified-user page into a nostalgic stream of diary entries, commenting on songs he's worked on and opining on other people's work. All of his notes — which range from interactions with Damien Rice to Jay Z to Metallica — can be found here. Many of the posts give unique insight into the creative processes of the titans Rubin's collaborated with. We've culled through and put our favorite blast-from-Rubin's-past highlights below.On Metallica's "That Was Just Your Life": The idea is to allow an artist to see themselves as greater than they thought. Or break down any pre-conceived idea of what...

Ed Sheeran will play an intimate concert live on MTV later this month.

The 'Thinking Out Loud' singer will perform at Whelan's in Dublin on Saturday, January 24 at 12am.

Ed Sheeran Storytellers Live will see the star perform some of his favourite songs, as well as sharing the personal stories which inspired him to write them.

The venue holds a special place in Sheeran's heart as he went there to see Damien Rice, one of his inspirations, when he was younger.

He said: "It's amazing to come back to perform at a place that means so much to me personally.

"I was only about 11 or 12 years old when I saw Damien play at Whelan's, and that night literally changed my life. The time he spent talking with me after the show made all the difference. It inspired me in a way that I only hope to do for someone else.

Moe from "The Simpsons." All of Damien Rice's albums. "Winnie the Pooh's" Eyeore. Steve Buscemi's Seymour in "Ghost World." Sad bastards are sometimes the leads, like Matthew McConaughey's Rusty in "True Detective" or Hazel in "Fault in Our Stars." Sometimes they're just the whipping boy like Philip Seymour Hoffman in "The Big Lebowski" or the stricken Ellinor in "The Knick." And sometimes they're not even characters: they're just Drake. Sad sacks deserve their own recognition, because we kind of love them due to, in spite of and aside from their sinking-rock sulk. So as part of our Year-End roundup from 2014, we've decided to recognize the sourest, most unfortunate characters in TV movies and even music: The 2014 HitFix Sad Bastard Awards. Check out who we picked from "Mad Men," "Rectify," "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay," the Grammys, "Game of Thrones," "Orange Is The New Black" and more.

The Voice's Top 8 contestants brought plenty of emotion to Monday night's live show – and had the judges feeling it, too.

With competition fierce and three artists set for a tough elimination Tuesday, the remaining singers raised the bar and gave prospective fans a sharper window into what they'd look and sound like as future stars.

Pharrell Williams already said he'll be buying new music as he paid high compliments to Team Gwen Stefani's quirky but charming indie standout, Taylor John Williams, who took Lorde's hit "Royals" and reimagined it as more rebellious and true to his trippy vibe.

The Voice's Top 8 contestants brought plenty of emotion to Monday night's live show - and had the judges feeling it, too. With competition fierce and three artists set for a tough elimination Tuesday, the remaining singers raised the bar and gave prospective fans a sharper window into what they'd look and sound like as future stars. Pharrell Williams already said he'll be buying new music as he paid high compliments to Team Gwen Stefani's quirky but charming indie standout, Taylor John Williams, who took Lorde's hit "Royals" and reimagined it as more rebellious and true to his trippy vibe.

Gwen Stefani might still be using adjectives as adverbs — it’s “somebody like you that sings so incredibly,” not “sings so incredible,” girlfriend! — but everything else went “kablooey” on the Top 8 performance episode of The Voice.

My three favorite contestants going into the evening — Craig Wayne Boyd, Luke Wade and DaNica Shirey — delivered varying degrees of “eh,” “huh?” and “hrmm,” and in the process, made me take a second look at boarding the bandwagons of Taylor John Williams, Damien and Matt McAndrew.

Fret not, Ryan Sill is still the cheese, standing alone at the bottom of my weekly rankings, asking me to love him.

On this week's special edition of Week We Love, Will Marfuggi is here to give you the latest entertainment scoop, as well as a sneak peek at the newest trends! We're used to seeing funnyman Steve Carell in lighter roles (such as the endearing Michael Scott on The Office), but in his upcoming film Foxcatcher with Hollywood hottie Channing Tatum, Steve shows audiences his scarier side as a terrifying wrestling coach who isn't afraid to resort to violence! Will almost threw out his back as he tried imitating musician Damien Rice's weird dance moves from his latest music video "I Don't Want to Change You fresh off his new album, which is also his first musical release in the past 8...

Damien Rice found the most beautiful docks of all the docks and got sad on it. "I Don't Want to Change You" is the first single from the Irish singer-songwriter's forthcoming album "My Favourite Faded Fantasy," out on Nov. 10 and co-produced by Rice and Rick Rubin. "Change You" is danceably upbeat wild party ride of a firework, with lots of cheerful whistles and a rap verse. Just kidding, it's a slow, mellow, bummed-out chugger, which we've grown to know and love about Rice. The video matches: all blue hues and wet wool, Rice is solitary as an oyster on his gorgeous Icelandic dock, with small jilts of movement and crawling motions to and from the water until that bridge (the song bridge, not a bridge-bridge) where he has himself a little Thom Yorke-ian freak-out which I could scarcely call a "dance." To compare: "My Favourite Faded Fantasy" will be released on Nov.

"Hozier who?" That was likely the question on most Saturday Night Live viewers' minds when the Irish singer was first revealed as the October 12th musical guest for Bill Hader's return episode. However, the rising soul singer delivered a rousing performance that ensured people don't forget his name anytime soon. Hozier played a pair of tracks off his self-titled LP, his hit "Take Me to Church" and the harrowing "Angel of Small Death & the Codeine Scene."

Just seconds into "Take Me to Church," it seemed as though microphone troubles...

One of the highlights of the Cannes Film Festival for me this summer was a presentation of selected clips from "Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet," an ambitious animated film that adapts one of the most beloved works of poetry of the 20th Century, and I wrote in that piece that I hoped the final film would live up to the segments that I saw out of context. It is safe to say that is the case. Ultimately, this is a very simple, very direct film. There are plenty of movies playing at this festival that want to make you work for whatever meaning you take from them, but this feels like the opposite. "Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet" has been designed to be as emotionally direct as possible, easy to understand and very, very clear in its storytelling, and the result is a film that I would feel comfortable showing to my...

Even if you’re a licensed, certified Sheerio with a PhD.-level knowledge of Edward Christopher Sheeran (like, you already knew that he loves Damien Rice, hates kale, and speaks German he speaks German and hates kale), there’s a fair chance you may have learned something new about the Bard of Britain (sorry, Shakespeare — you’ve been... Read more »...

Cannes -- One of the more unexpected events at this year's Cannes Film Festival for me happened on Saturday night. I went to what I thought was going to be a screening, but which turned out instead to be a presentation hosted by Salma Hayek for the work-in-progress version of an animated anthology film based on "The Prophet," the internationally acclaimed book of poetry by Kahlil Gibran. Ultimately, we ended up seeing less than half of the film, but Hayek's enthusiasm and the finished footage that we did get to see made a strong case for not only how much this film means to her personally, but also what a beautifully crafted experience the end result promises to be. If you're an animation fan, this is going to be a fascinating collection of voices and techniques from around the world, all in service of this beautiful, profound piece of work...

Cannes organisers have scheduled a screening of official selection work-in-progress animation Khalil Gibran’s The Prophet on May 17.

Salma Hayek-Pinault and director Roger Allers will present the event alongside other animation directors involved with the film who include Tomm Moore, Joan Gratz, Joann Sfar, Bill Plympton and Paul and Gaeton Brizzi.

Composer Gabriel Yared will attend to discuss the film’s music, which includes cello solos by Yo-Yo Ma and original songs by Damien Rice, Lisa Hannigan, and Glen Hansard.

“I am thrilled to share with the Cannes audience a glimpse of our film and a chance to meet some of the remarkable artists who contributed their unique talents,” said Allers.

“For the last three years, this film has been my passion,” said produce and voice actor Hayek-Pinault. “But I have loved the book since my childhood, when I discovered it by my grandfather’s bedside, where he kept it. I am extremely...

The David Lynch Foundation paid tribute to Rick Rubin, famed producer and founder of Def Jam Records, on Thursday night in an event full of live music and emphasis on the healing powers of transcendental meditation. The foundation honored Rubin with the Lifetime of Harmony Award for his lifelong dedication to transcendental meditation, both as someone who practices it and as a mediator who has introduced many to the benefits of meditation.

British indie folk artist Jake Bugg, indie rock artist Damien Rice, and the Dixie Chicks all performed in tribute of Rubin who has served as producer on some of their most popular records.

Los Angeles - Jim Carrey's status report on "Dumber and Dumber To": "We just finished up." Speaking to a small group of reporters on the red carpet at a David Lynch Foundation event in the Beverly Wilshire, the actor and comedian had nothing but kind words to say about the "Dumb and Dumber" sequel, set for a November 14 release this year. "It's just really fantastic getting together with the old group again," Carrey said, referring to "Dumb and Dumber" writers/directors Bobby and Peter Farrelly and co-lead Jeff Daniels. "I just saw an assemblage of the new movie… it's just so fun, it's almost a dissociative experience now. Harry and Lloyd are kind of their own people, like they actually exist. And they're not me, that's for sure." He said climbing back into his character Lloyd Christmas' shoes was no sweat across from Daniels' Harry Dunne, like "no time had passed at all.

Fifteen men. Fifteen layered “rocker” outfits from H&M. Fifteen obligations to make preteen girls clap, whinny, and vote. Who will win? Who will whinny?

I did a couple of times. Not raucously, but overall, the first showcase of American Idol‘s male contestant crop was much better than the distaff half’s debut on Tuesday night. Some areas of improvement over the ladies: less screaming; more looking-like-they-belong-on-a-stage; handsomeness; guitar antics; palpable sensuality; faces for gay men to enjoy. Maybe we didn’t get a tender, tearful moment in the vein of M.K. Nobilette‘s whispery triumph on Tuesday, but I think we clearly saw five dudes fulla feelings emerge as frontrunners. Which is convenient, considering only five are guaranteed to proceed.

I know this isn’t news to readers of TheBacklot, but it must be stated: Adam Lambert, who again appeared as a guest mentor alongside the world...

Did you like Sam as much as we did? Watch his performance, then drop a comment with Your top ‘Idol’ pick from Rush Week!

This season’s top 15 guys went head to head (voice to voice?) on the Feb. 19 episode of American Idol, and while there were quite a few stand-out performers, one contestant stood head and shoulders above the rest: Sarasota, Fla., resident Sam Woolf! Excuse me while I totally fan-girl over him.

Not only was Sam’s version of David Gray‘s “Babylon” a breezy romp of plucky perfection, but the charming brunette had the entire audience eating out of the palm of his hand. I hate to be ‘that guy,’ but Sam totally fits the mold of past winners like Phillip Phillips and David Cook – and by that, I mean he’s a handsome white guy with a guitar. He’s pretty much a shoe-in to make...

American Idol returned on Wednesday with the all-male portion of Rush Week, where the top 10 guys performed before a live audience in the hopes of cracking into the final group of singers.

'American Idol' Recap

As with the girls, the 15 male semi-finalists waited nervously to see if their names were called by Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez or Harry Connick Jr. to hit the stage and sing for America’s votes. Idol alums Adam Lambert and Chris Daughtry were back mentoring in the workshop, as was veteran judge Randy Jackson.

Caleb Johnson, the 70s Meat Loaf lookalike, was the first name called. Singing “Stay with Me” by The Faces. Johnson carried the song by the British rock band admirably, while working the stage like a pro. Perhaps his biggest fan at the judges table, Urban, said the performance was “killer.”

Next up, was the soulful Cj Harris. Harris took on Ray Lamontagne song “Shelter,...

The "American Idol" Season 13 live shows have started and, well, the Top 10 girls gave us some serious pause about the talent this season. We know these girls can sing -- we've seen it in audition and Hollywood Week clips. But you wouldn't know it by Tuesday's (Feb. 18) performances.

Thankfully (spoiler alert) the boys do a better job.

1. Caleb Johnson, "Stay With Me," Rod Stewart

Well, this is already 1000 percent better than the women were. Great song choice, solid use of the whole stage and he sounds good. It's not the most vocally demanding song ever, but you also gotta build on this show. It's a marathon, not a sprint, so he can work his way up to the bigger stuff. Plus, Caleb really nailed the ending. Terrific.

2. C.J. Harris, "Shelter," Ray Lamontagne

Interesting song choice. We're enjoying this immensely but is it too obscure for the voting "Idol" viewers? If...

Ryan Amador photgraphed by Shervin Lainez

Born in L.A. and currently based in Brooklyn, the incredibly talented and charming Ryan Amador is certainly someone we should be keeping an eye on. It’s been a an exciting year for the singer/songwriter; opening for Adam Lambert at Pittsburgh PrideFest, performing at the New York Pride Rally, and hitting the studio. After the rousing success of his music video for the song “Define Me” – a collaboration with Jo Lampert of Avan Lava – and the release his first full length self-titled album earlier this year, it was an absolute pleasure to have a talk with him about his musical roots, the experiences of the past year, and what lies ahead for him.

How did you come into music, I know you started when you were a kid. Did you grow up around music?

There was always a piano in my house when I was growing up.

It’s finally the weekend, and you know what that means: It’s time to curl up with Netflix and do some serious binge-watching. That’s why, for this edition of TVLine Mixtape, we’re going old school.

What follows are some excellent songs from TV episodes past, complete with artist and album information in case you want to add them to your permanent collection.

We chose tunes that stuck in our memories, but we know you’ve got favorites, too. So check out our TVLine Mixtape playlist — Throwback Edition — and then hit the comments with your favorite TV jams from the past!