Special livestream to celebrate Bob Dylan’s 80th birthday - 24 May

Other Voices and Creative Minds present ‘Dignity’ - a special livestream to celebrate Bob Dylan’s 80th birthday

8pm, Monday 24 May 

Later this month, Other Voices, Ireland’s internationally acclaimed festival and music television programme will partner with the U.S. Embassy Dublin’s Creative Minds team to curate a unique livestream to celebrate the music and social impact of Bob Dylan on his 80th birthday. 

Hosted by Loah | Mick Flannery | Susan O’Neill | Joseph O’Connor | and many more to be announced

Named for his song ‘Dignity’, the event will bring together a wide range of acts to perform songs of Bob Dylan, embracing the power of the music, and introducing an Embassy initiative to promote diversity, inclusion, and equality—themes that weave throughout Dylan’s iconic canon.  

“I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom.” – Bob Dylan

“Our greatest strength at home but also abroad is our diversity.” – U.S. Secretary of State Anthony J. Blinken

Dignity will be presented by and will feature performances from phenomenal Sierra Leonean-Irish singer-songwriter Loah, whose career includes a series of acclaimed EP releases, television performances and her brilliant stint as Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar on the West End.

Many of Ireland's foremost musicians and artists will join forces to raise their voices in recognition of the legendary musician, songwriter and activist whose songs and poetry have touched the lives and inspired so many around the world - perhaps nowhere more so than Ireland.

On the night there will be songs, spoken word and collaborations from a diverse line-up including music by renowned Irish songwriter Mick Flannery and rising star Susan O’Neill, and an original piece from award-winning Irish writer Joseph O’Connor, with many more artists to be announced.

Other Voices and Creative Minds will stream Dignity live to the world from the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence in Dublin’s Phoenix Park, at 8pm on Monday 24 May.  Irish and international music fans can stream the performances for free on Other Voices’ YouTube and Facebook platforms. 

Dignity is supported by the Department of Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and the Ardagh Group.

Stay tuned for full line up and further streaming information. Full details available here.

Quote from Christopher Wurst, Acting Deputy Chief of the U.S. Embassy Dublin:

"The U.S. Embassy is excited not only to work with amazing and diverse Irish artists, to celebrate the legacy of Bob Dylan, but to employ the Dignity project to further highlight issues around diversity and inclusion in both our countries."

Quote from Philip King, Other Voices Founder:

“A self-styled "musical expeditionary", The Song and Dance man Bob Dylan set out in the late 1950s and has been travelling hard ever since. His genius was tracked early on. He was always an Other Voice. Pete Seeger, the guardian of folk song's eternal flame, asked Bob how he wrote songs: "Do you just spread out the newspaper in the morning until you find the story that really gets you upset?", "I really just take them out of the air," replied Dylan. Once described as the performing curator of the museum of American music, Bob Dylan is continuing the journey he started over six decades ago.