Music takes Center Stage At Sundance 2014


By Taylor Bennett & Lauren Clarke-Bennett

This year during the Sundance Film Festival, the theme of music was everywhere. From the films to the concerts to the streets and lounges, the eclectic mix of the pervasive beats permeated the cold crisp mountain air.

PARK CITY LIVE, one of the premium music venues on Main Street changed its musical direction during the festival from Rock ‘n Roll to Electronic Dance Music (EDM) and pulled out all the stops on their night time roster by booking some of the top DJs in the world like Kascade, Steve Aoki and the twins; Nervo to wow the late night revelers.

ACURA, one of Sundance’s major sponsors made a big show of it in the middle of Main Street with an outdoor square filled with their hottest new cars and people partying to top DJ’s spinning their latest danec-floor hits. Inside the tent and pub was a respite for VIPs to recharge their tech equipment and their batteries with yummy hot drinks, spirits and snacks.

YouTube had quite the lounge bringing in continual DJ’s during their evening Spins and live entertainers like the multi-talented singer songwriter Damon Albarn, front man of the English band Blur. Also on the roster were industry interviews, films, happy hours, wi-fi, discussion panels, Yoga, the premiere party for the film ‘They Came Together’ with Amy Poehler and Paul Rudd and The YouTube Awards.

NEW FRONTIER 2014 where music & art meets film, was on the cutting edge of what is new and exciting in the world. Oculus Rift 3D Head Sets were used to take a deeper look inside the Universe, play a game like you’re virtually in it and take part in the new Electronic Dance Music movie ‘Under The Electric Sky’. From film concepts at the forefront to heady panels and eye opening presentations like the ‘DIGITAL DIASPORA FAMILY REUNION’ which invites audiences to upload and share their own family photos and stories, thereby building a “One World, One Family” album, the museum delighted and mesmerized all who participated.

The AIRBNB HAUS was a comfort and welcome oasis during the Festival to come out of the chill and hang with stars like, Mark Ruffalo and Adrian Grenier who stopped by to warm themselves by the fire and sip on a hot toddy. The worldwide accommodations leader also provided free housing for emerging filmmakers and a plethora of events including a midnight show with comedian SETH HERZOG and an uber fun Karaoke night with a live band!

McDonalds, McCafe At The Lift presented the celebrity WireImage Portrait Studio and warmed the innards of many VIPs who stopped by to sip a cup of their delish java. From relaxing in their comfy sofas to scoring a pair of snuggly nite nites to signing a wall with inspirational messages for the Olympic Athletes at Sochi (#CheersToSochi), the lounge was a welcome port in the storm.
The HP SUNDANCE HOUSE 15th anniversary, garnered musical talent from a host of films that showcased during the 2014 Festival. From the movie Low Down, THE RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS’ Flea performed with composer Ohad Talmor as Glenn Close did a magnificent reading. The Fela! Band, performed music from the film Finding Fela, which honors the music of legend Fela Kuti, creator of the Afrobeat sound, and critically acclaimed singer song-writer Rae Spoon from the documentary-musical My Prairie Home made an appearance. The Sundance Film Festival and the Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) that fosters the talent behind the song, also presented its 12th annual Snowball at the HP venue with Kris Orlowsky, KT Tunstall and a host of other musicians.The audiences thoroughly enjoyed checking out HP’s new technology, and the performances that put the spotlight on the critical role that music plays in film.