Sundance

A Celebration of Music in Film

By Jeremy Kinser

The deafening crash you likely heard near Main Street last night was the sound of the roof being blown off the Kimball Art Center as a quintet of female vocalists (Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, Tata Vega, and Judith Hill) showcased in the backup singing documentary Twenty Feet of Stardom took to the intimate stage to prove that they each deserve to be front and center.

Following an opening set by rock band The Fray, which included their hits “You Found Me,” and “How to Save a Life,” plus a stirring rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s “Streets of Philadelphia,” Peter Golub, director of the Sundance Institute Film Music Program, introduced Twenty Feet of Stardom filmmaker Morgan Neville to stage. The director still seemed in a state of disbelief as he announced to the standing room only crowd that he’d just sold international rights to his film (domestic rights were purchased earlier in the weekend).

“This movie is for everyone who has dreams that people have stepped on,” Tata Vega announced as she opened the set. “You have to have faith.” She then launched into a rousing rendition of “God Is Trying to Tell You Something,” that quickly had the entire crowd on its feet in rapturous applause.

Each of the women took turns performing in different styles. “It’s so good to be onstage with ladies you don’t feel threatened by,” Darlene Love told the capacity crowd after performing the ‘60s hit “Da Doo Ron Ron” with the other ladies singing backup on the chorus. “We all love and support each other.”

The room went silent as Fischer took center stage to deliver a sizzling slow jazz version of “I Loves You Porgy,” which she later followed with a heated rendition of the classic “Fever”

If there’s a true diva in the group, it’s undoubtedly Clayton. She told the audience that she’d originally intended to walk through the audience but it was too crowded so she’d just sing from the stage like the others. She then launched into a scorching signature take on Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin.’” A few minutes later she was joined onstage by Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready for a scorching solo version of “Gimme Shelter,” the Rolling Stones hit on which Clayton sang. Her vocal track is heard in the documentary and during the film’s premiere last Friday the audience burst into applause. Clayton’s live performance was greeted with a standing ovation.

During the encore, Clayton and Fischer combined their forces for a soulful version of “Lean On Me,” which they dedicated to Gil Friesen, the documentary’s producer who died in December.

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roxannebenjamin Producering is serious business @bradmiska @zakze #sundance #svhs

ashleemolina So Y.S.U. @lingelyseling #sundance

lorenzode Ended the night with a weird movie #magicmagic #michaelcera #sundance2013 #sundance #needsleep

kell_dub Alia Shawkat (Maeby), Michael Cera, Rock Madia, Juno Temple. 3 clubs for free and many friends made. I ❤ Sundance :) @molliecw26 @matthewrwilson19 #sundance #sundance2013 #vip #dreamscometrue #georgemichaelandmaeby #arresteddevelopment #givememore #cantgetenough #sundancefilmfestival

sommerly I MET #HARVEYWEINSTEIN. MY LIFE IS #COMPLETE. BEST #PRODUCER EVER. #sundancefilmfestival #sundance #selfie #silverliningsplaybook #weinstein #djangounchained #myhero #sundance2013 #weinsteinco #selfie #yay #lifecomplete #parkcity #chancemeeting #fate #devineappointment #thankful #blessed #Godisgood

julesdomm I hope you are happy Taboo. You are the reason my car is now being towed. But it sure was fun!! #thissucks #poor #blackeyedpeas #afterworkparty #sundance2013 #sundance

evansilverberg Back to back premieres #dedication #sundance #lovelace #magicmagic

kshapiromedia goodnight #sundance. although sleep is unlikely after #magicmagic.

adambenavides Sundance journey!! #Sundance

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tinyspoons : He is doing it all wrong!

yellowsock Ice Ice Baby. #sundance

safrumkin Michael Cera from Magic Magic #sundance

safrumkin Magic Magic Q&A #sundance

writervicyates Bestie @Sundance #ipadmini #ipad #ew #sundance #film #filmfest #art #beer #igers #igdaily #igaddict #iphonesia #iphoneonly #girl #guyswithiphones #love #picoftheday #photooftheday #streetart #party #dtla #hipster #swag #graffiti #tagging #actor #hollywood #movie

brandonrohwer IM TRAPPED IN THE CLOSET #Sundance

iamjroc Going strong Downstairs #sundance @leoburkelv @ak47lv @thekarla ... Happy Birthday @chriskennedyy

juliapott You might not be able to see this but LOOK, it's the kid from #freakandgeeks at #sundance

jantoniovegas 6 people I know are at #Sundance right now. None make films...what's up with that?

joshuadurhamlee Study break. #sundance

ahanksphoto #JonnyLang #RockLegend #signature at the #StarBar. #ParkCity #Sundance #FilmFestival #Photographer #AndreaHanksPhotography #GregClassen

shrazzz #flowers #flower #leafs #roses #i #miss #queensland :( #i #don't #like #tasmania #want #to #go #home #orange #green #thesundancekid #sundance #sun #dance #days #like #this #dayslikethis

appelagoodtime Back 2 back movie premieres #lovelace #magicmagic #Sundance

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derekkettela : Thanks to @salmass for hooking it up!

derekkettela Cast of Lovelace #sundance

ahanksphoto #CourtneyLove performing live at the #StarBar in #ParkCity during the #Sundance #FilmFestival. #AndreaHanksPhotography #Photographer #Concert #KurtCobain

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mindypeterson : @cinejoe.... have you met our friend @justinlyon yet??? he's one of the fab creators of @yogabbagabba and he is also out there right now! meet this crazy character if you can. :)

cinejoe #ArtistServices hits the #Sundance Shorts Awards Party and kills it on the bowling alley.

ahanksphoto #CourtneyLove looking right at me while rocking out! #Sundance #FilmFestival #ParkCity #StarBar #AndreaHanksPhotography #Photographer #Celebrity #Concert #Hole

fromemmawithlove #Utah #Sundance #weekend #team #Onepiece

aprylistic The Egyptian Theatre at Sundance! #sundance @sundanceinstitute

cheesus_crust Can someone please sleep with me... #Sundance

ericsharpmusic Woop we found @scooterdj #sundance

katelynachatz 'Mercia #sundance #parkcity

fromemmawithlove #Utah #Parkcity #Sundance #Film #festival #friends #Onepiece #team

juliettliu Main Street at night #sundance

katelynachatz Boomba. #sundance #parkcity

tomcjbrown @donhertzfeldt tries to hide his shame at not giving @juliapott the #sundance #shortsawards for best animation

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fruitvalemovie : Thank you for posting this! Appreciate the support!

candyland3 : @fruitvalemovie I had to repost! Thank you for this. I'm truly touched by this