How long has it been since we all got together in front of a real stage? An eternity, says the team of Columbia Records Germany, and invited partners as well as friends to an exclusive virtual Columbia Calling Showcase. The newcomer artists Evangelia, Justin Jesso, and Robert Grace played on 18th November this year in this context. The showcase was initiated live from the legendary Belasco Theater in Los Angeles and streamed via YouTube worldwide.
Within a 60-minute performance, Evangelia, Justin Jesso, and Robert Grace performed their latest hits, making you feel like you were in a concert hall for a short time.
EVANGELIA
The show started right away with an exciting performance by Evangelia. “Fotiá” – Greek for “fire” – is the name of her current single. It is all about falling in love, as well as the tension and eventual detachment that comes with it. Urban dance beats and the Mediterranean sounds of the Cretan-born singer created real summer feelings among the audience. And therefore also a longing for normal times.
ROBERT GRACE
The Irish singer was added live from his European home country. Among other things, he presented his current song “Fake Fine”. This one sums up the turbulent times we are currently living in extremely well. The track reached the top of both the Spotify viral chart and the Shazam chart in his native Ireland. Furthermore, it achieved the top 10 of the airplay charts and the top 20 of the Irish single charts.
JUSTIN JESSO
Singer and songwriter Justin Jesso provided the highlight of the show with his viral hits “Getting Closer” and “Stargazing”, which put the guests in a real party mood in their living rooms and offices. Jesso also performed his brand-new single “The End” for Columbia Calling, which was released on Nov. 21. Although he presented his songs very energetically and with a lot of happiness, the singer from Chicago also provided the probably most emotional moment of the Columbia Calling showcase.
A SHORT BUT EMOTIONAL SPEECH AT COLUMBIA CALLING
“This is really special to me because this is the first and the last show, I will probably do this year. So, thank you guys for being here with me.”
The emotional reactions in the live group chat showed that Justin spoke from the bottom of everyone’s heart with his short speech. It became clear how much every audience member, professional or fan, longs for normal times as well as for concert, movie and theater attendances. Culture is our inspiration. It is our identity. It gives us strength. And it keeps us all connected.
Thanks to Sony Music Entertainment, for a moment all participants could feel the breath of this creative bond. Sigi Schuller and Alexandra Falken, Vice Presidents Columbia Records GSA, explained, “We’ve always known how important the live experience is in music. But now that this important part of the culture is missing, it’s just becoming painfully clear. We are even more pleased to have provided a bit of a live feeling with this showcase.”
We are looking forward to perceiving more of that live feeling, at least digitally, while COVID-19 still holds us in its clutches.
Pictures: © SONY MUSIC
