Coinciding with U2′s Oct. 3 show at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina Central University will host U2: The Hype and the Feedback, an academic conference exploring the global reach of the internationally renowned rock band. From Durham Magazine:
U2: The Hype and the Feedback conference is Oct. 2-4. Featured speakers include Rolling Stone contributing editor Anthony DeCurtis, the UK’s Telegraph columnist (and classmate of the band members) Neil McCormick, Ugandan AIDS activist Agnes Nyamawaro and Matt McGee, founder of @U2, a Web site that follows the band, and author of “U2-A Diary”. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Curator Jim Henke will also speak via video. Registration opens Aug. 1.
“U2 and the Politics of Irony,” “Bono Versus Nick Cave on Jesus” and “U2: An Elevated Brand” are among some of the topics that will be discussed.
For more information, check back at the conference’s blog for updates.
Duke Performances has just released its schedule for the 2009-2010 academic calendar. The season incorporates 10 thematic series (By the River, This House on Fire, With These Hands, Voices Lifted, At the Crossroads, Moved, Piano Recital Series, Duke Artists Series, Ciompi Quartet and Chamber Arts Society) from around the world and commences Sunday, August 30 at 4 p.m. in the Sarah P. Duke Gardens, commemorating their 75th year. Tickets go on sale for all events July 21. For the full listings, check out the dP Web site here. Or, you can check out the version I’ve copy-pasted from the press release after the jump.
(more…)
I am driving from North Carolina to Colorado next weekend, and to get ready for this roadtrip, I decided to amass a collection of all the songs released since 1955 that I am confident I could sing along to. The end result is a 234-song, 15-hour playlist that does not feature the same artist twice*. The entire playlist is listed in chronological order after the jump.
Yet, perfection can still manage some improvement (I think), so I am turning to all Playground readers for suggestions on possible oversights.
(more…)
In a recent episode of NPR’s “All Songs Considered,” the show honors Chapel Hill-based record label Merge Records as it celebrates 20 years of groundbreaking business.
The co-founders, Mac McCaughn and Laura Ballance, discuss topics such as why they decided to dive into this musical arena and how Kinko’s was a good employer while they started up the company.
Check out recess‘ feature of the “XX Merge” musical festival that takes place July 22 to 26 at various venues around Chapel Hill.
(Via my friend, via her other friend) Back when Jamie Stewart played a Xiu Xiu show at the Coffeehouse, John Darnielle was in attendance, and it was great. Now, the two Durham denizens are popping up on Flickr, spending summer evenings on swinging benches. Check out the photo here.
