Music, obviously, is pretty damn great. Live shows may have mostly been a no-go for the past year, but many of us have used this ceaselessly weird time to dig deep and rediscover the records that actually, truly mean stuff to us. Because that’s what music is all about, right? It’s something that can provide hope and solace and inspiration even when everything is going to total shit. And that, like we say, is pretty damn great.
But you know who’s probably better placed to tell you all about that? Craig David, for one. And Nile Rodgers. And Eve. They’re just three of the biggest names who appear in a new documentary, Together We Hear, which we’re premiering exclusively today.
This short film, produced for non-profit Peace One Day, gives six big-name artists the floor to speak about the role music has played in helping them find their voice – and engage with fundamental social and political issues. It’s structured around three key conversations, between Nile Rodgers and Emeli Sandé; Craig David and Alicaì Harley; and Eve and Ms Banks.
Are you aware of just how influential Notting Hill Carnival has been in the scheme of Black British music? How about the pioneering role Eve played in paving the way for women in rap? And did you know Rodgers envisaged Chic’s disco sound as a canny way to unite Black and white audiences?
You’ll learn about all that and more in the brand-new film, which is available to watch below.
Together We Hear is presented by Peace One Day, and produced by Lipton in association with Time Out.
When will live music come back? We asked scientists, venues and music industry insiders.
Plus: we went to a weird government-run club night in Liverpool – here’s what it was like.