Bob Dylan, Royal Albert Hall
In what was undoubtedly the most momentous concert of 2024, Bob Dylan played the Royal Albert Hall for three nights sin November – the last night of an epic three-year world tour to promote his 2020 album Rough and Rowdy Ways. Now 83, Dylan performed a 17-song set drawn mostly from that LP, as well as tracks spanning his career including All Along the Watchtower and Every Grain of Sand. Those there to watch the world’s greatest singer-songwriter give his all at the baby grand piano and harmonica wondered if this would be their last time seeing him perform. (Collage, bottom row, centre)
Eurovision
Let the Jews' music play on: Eden Golan lands in Malmo for this year's Eurovision Song Contest הופעה בן גוריון תל אביב האירוויזיון עדן גולן
After death threats and lyric changes, Israel’s Eden Golan arrived in Malmo, Sweden, for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with three times the typical number of security guards and advice to not leave her hotel room. The 20-year-old born in Israel to Russian parents braved the hatred to deliver a defiant, dignified and stunningly emotive rendition of Hurricane. The triumphant moment, in which Golan scored the top public vote from 14 countries in Eurovision, united Jews around Europe. One of the most controversial performances in the singing competition’s history, and one that will never be forgotten.
As1one
Brought together to show the possibilities of co-existence, as1one became the world’s first Israeli-Palestinian boy band, after a search and audition to find the most talented singers and musicians in Israel launched by industry hitmakers James Diener and Ken Levitan (who signed and developed Maroon 5 and Kings of Leon). The six young Jewish Israelis and Palestinians embarked on their life’s dream as a boy band recording their debut album only for October 7 to threaten to shatter their aspirations. Still, they emerged united with an LP of five songs featuring Nile Rodgers on guitar, and a new documentary series on Paramount+ telling their remarkable story. (Collage, top right).
Back to Black, Amy Winehouse
The new Amy Winehouse biopic was a talking point of the year, and attracted polarising reviews. While the Evening Standard and Daily Mail both allotted Back to Black a single star, the Guardian championed it as an “an urgent, warm, heartfelt dramatisation”. Sam Taylor-Johnson’s film – scripted by Matt Greenhalgh – intended to capture the star’s own perspective and starred Marisa Abela as one of the greatest jazz and soul voices of all time. It led Winehouse to have a posthumous trio of Top 40 hits: Valerie, her Zutons cover and collaboration with Mark Ronson; Back to Black, the title track from her smash-hit LP, which broke records as the UK’s bestselling album of the 21st century; and Tears Dry on Their Own. (Collage, bottom right, Marisa Abela as Amy Winehouse).
Billy Joel
Billy Joel performs in Las Vegas last month
Five-time Grammy-winning “Piano Man” Billy Joel made his return with his first new solo song since 2007, Turn the Lights Back On, in February. Billy Joel performed his reflective ballad live for the first time at the Grammy Awards and racked up ten million streams in mere days. Only his second since 1993, it was written with producer Freddy Wexler, a collaborator with mega stars such as Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber.
With promo describing the single as “ushering in the next chapter of his story”, it was a hint that more music could be on the cards from the singer songwriter.
