The Avett Brothers, known for their romantic ballads and frenetic bluegrass songs, joined Front and Center for an intimate and exclusive performance. The critically acclaimed American band performed a set that included 2009’s hit “I and Love and You”, as well as songs from their most recent eighth studio album, Magpie and the Dandelions, which reached #5 on the US Billboard Top 200 Albums chart.
Jon Batiste, winner of the prestigious Rising Star Award at the Montreaux Jazz Festival, and one of the ‘30 under 30’ most influential figures in art, delighted the crowd with his performance at New York’s McKittrick Hotel. Along with his irrepressible musical collective, Stay Human, he performed songs from his new album Social Music, released October 15, 2013. Batiste, a bandleader, pianist, singer- songwriter, composer and descendant of New Orleans musical “royalty,” transcends any genre with his modern take on American Music. As well as selections from their latest release Jon, and Stay Human, performed “Star Spangled Banner” and “Express Yourself.”
James Blunt has sold nearly 17 million albums and 20 million singles worldwide. The British singer-songwriter and five-time Grammy nominee, along with his six piece band, performed songs from his fourth studio album, Moon Landing, including his new single “Bonfire Heart”. He treats the audience to his collection of raw, direct, and emotionally honest lyrics including, his chart-topping hit “You’re Beautiful” along with “Goodbye My Lover” and “Same Mistake.”
The release of She’s So Unusual in 1984, catapulted Cyndi Lauper to the top of the charts and established her as a household name. She became the first woman to record four Top 10 singles on a debut album; “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” “Time After Time,” “All Through the Night” and “She-Bop.” With her iconic four-octave voice, Cyndi celebrates the 30th Anniversary of the Grammy-winning smash debut album with Front and Center. Taped from New York City’s Highline Ballroom, the performance marks the first time Lauper has ever performed the album from start to finish.
Ginger Baker, the legendary rock drummer, best known for his work with Cream and Blind Faith, teamed up with his band Jazz Confusion for a special performance at New York City’s Iridium Jazz Club. Ginger was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 and his awards include a Grammy Life Time Achievement Award (2005) and the Zildjian Top Drummer Award (2008). He and Jazz Confusion performed songs including “12 More Blues,” “Ginger Spice,” and “Footprints.”
Alt-J, the English quartet and Mercury Prize Winners, brought their crushing synths, tight vocal harmonies and hypnotic sound to New York for Front and Center. The band’s performance, whose debut single “Breezeblocks” became an Alternative radio hit in 2012, includes tracks from their critically acclaimed debut release, An Awesome Wave.
Christina Perri is known for her soaring bittersweet vocals and raw emotional songwriting. The Philadelphia native, named as iTunes’ “Breakthrough Pop Artist of 2011,” gave a breathtaking performance that included the broadcast debut of past music, as well as new music from her highly anticipated forthcoming album, Head or Heart, due out March 11. Perri performed hits including the RIAA four-times platinum single “A Thousand Years” from the Twilight Saga’s Breaking Dawn and the three times platinum smash, “Jar of Hearts.”
The LA-based indie pop band Grouplove, rocked with energetic and anthemic pop songs from their recently released album Spreading Rumours, including the Top 5 smash “Ways To Go,” and current single “Shark Attack.” Their effervescent set, wound together with irresistible choruses, radiant harmonies, and cheery bits of pop-rock perfection, also featured hits from 2011’s breakout debut Never Trust A Happy Song. The set included “Colours” and the Platinum certified #1 single “Tongue Tied” as well.
Here Come The Mummies is a Funk/R&B band best known for their live performances in which band members perform in full mummy attire. There are rumored to be several Grammy awards among the members, though this is difficult to verify, as the identities of band members are kept “under wraps.” This unique performance was captured at the War Memorial in Nashville in front of a sold out audience for Front and Center, and included songs “Ra Ra Ra,” “Carnal Carnival,” and “Petting Zoo.”
The BRITs Critic’s choice winner of 2013, Tom Odell, brought his soulful blend of lyrics to New York City and the Iridium Jazz Club for Front and Center. The British singer-songwriter, nominated for 2014’s Best British Breakthrough Act and Best British Male Solo Artist of the year, performs selections from his debut studio album, Long Way Down, including the title track “Long Way Down” and “Another Love.”
The chart topping American rock band, the Goo Goo Dolls, have sold over ten million albums worldwide from their impressive nine-album catalog. Most recently three of the band’s songs placed in Billboard’s Top 100 of 1992-2012, with “Iris” standing at No. 1. After more than two decades together the Goo Goo Dolls have joined Front and Center to perform an exclusive set that traces their career from their Grammy-nominated 1998 debut Dizzy Up The Girl to their latest release, Magnetic.
