Timbre Rock & Roots 2011: Shaking Up Asia's Festival Scene
By Yuda
Surprise, surprise -- the past few years have seen Singapore’s live music scene undergo a resurgence.
More local bands are emerging.
Slash, Taylor Swift, Eric Clapton, Janet Jackson, Santana and Stone Temple Pilots have already played Singapore this year.
The festival calendar's looking decidedly healthy, turning the Little Red Dot into one of Asia’s best live gig venues. And the country’s very own Timbre Group has been a major contributing factor.
- Last chance to enter!: Win tickets to Singapore’s Timbre Rock & Roots Festival
Starting off six years ago with one bar renowned for quality live music, Timbre now has three music venues, three restaurants and its own music academy. It also runs two annual festivals -- Beerfest Asia and Timbre Rock & Roots.
John Legend wants the world to wake up
By Yuda
SINGAPORE: Singer John Legend is telling people to fight for their rights with his latest album "Wake Up!", a politics-influenced album that was inspired by the presidential elections that brought US their first black president.
With lyrics like "Wake up everybody, no more sleeping in bed, no more backward thinking. Time for thinking ahead," as sung in the first verse of his latest single, "Wake Up Everybody".
The message rings clear across to the audience, all the while melting the hearts of many with his signature soulful croon.
A supporter of current US President Barack Obama, the singer is mostly glad that there are fewer cases of discrimination against minorities, though he feels that there is still room for improvement.
The 32-year-old said, "Disproportionately, a lot of these people are minorities staying in the criminal justice system, so I still think that it still is a difficult life for minorities in America and there are things that the country can do better."
One way, the jazz artist said, was in improve on the educational system of the country.
"If you grow up in certain neighbourhoods, or if parents don't make much money, it’s very hard to get a good education and that ends up to people staying in poverty," said Legend.
The personal interest in the schools teachings stemmed from his experience during his childhood.
Coming from a relatively modest background John Legend, then known as John Stephens, was home-schooled until the age of 12, when he continued his education in a school setting.
His intellect did not just win Legend the spot as his school’s salutatorian (the second highest scoring student) but also scholarships from universities that include Harvard.
But his view on education is just one of the many passions he relates to based on his experience.
His music is another interest where he draws on his past for inspiration.
"When you grew up in a culture that is accustomed to struggle and trying to triumph over adversity, I think the music reflects that and I think that's why the music’s been so inspiring," said Legend.
The man is not all serious though. Just a month ago, the artist took a photo of the toilet in the White House while he was there for a performance.
Coming down to Singapore for the Timbre Rock and Roots Festival, the singer said that he loved the festival crowds because they are more relaxed.
But before any shows can be staged, the singer said that he has to satisfy his stomach.
"I usually try to find a good restaurant, it's a big deal for me," said Legend.
Performing on April 16 at Marina bay Sands, the star promises a night of hits where he will be playing songs from all of his albums, including his latest Grammy-award winning album, "Wake Up!"
"Come ready to party," said the songwriter, "We are gonna have a good time!"
- CNA
Hope For Haiti Live Streaming
By YudaWatch the live streaming online or on-air on MTV Asia at the following time slots!
MTV Asia LIVE BROADCAST and ONLINE
STREAMING
Sat, 23 Jan, 9am(WIB), 9am (SG/MY/HK)
Repeats (on-air)
Sat, 23 Jan, 5pm (WIB), 6pm (SG/HK), 7pm (MY)
Sun, 24 Jan, 12.30pm (WIB), 1.30pm (SG/HK), 2.30pm (MY)
Sun, 24 Jan, 9pm (WIB), 10pm (SG/HK), 11pm (MY)
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