T Cooper, Amy Ray and Scott Turner Schofield reunite for feminist bookstore fundraiser
Hometown favorite Amy Ray, best known as one half of the beloved folk duo Indigo Girls, brought her edgier solo show to the Atlanta Pride stage on Sunday evening.
Backed by the Butchies, Ray rocked through a set that opened with her striking “Rural Faggot” and closed with her mandolin-driven ode to standing up against religious hate, “Let it Ring.”
Ray spoke from the stage about the significance of playing Atlanta Pride and dedicated a song to her partner, Carrie. To hear more from Ray about her experience of coming out personally and in her music career, please read our full interview here.
From folk and country crooners to dance music divas and up-and-coming pop sensations, Atlanta Pride packs a diverse mix of performers into two stages over two days. Pull out your smartphone and check out their websites to learn even more.
SATURDAY, OCT. 14
Coca-Cola Stage
Kat Graham
2 p.m.
http://katgraham.com
Hometown hero and Indigo Girl Amy Ray was chosen by Atlanta’s Pride committee to headline this year’s event. She will be finishing out the festival on Sunday, October 14. The GA Voice caught up with her to talk to her about her own coming out, being a gay musician and living in a conservative community.
GA Voice: Congratulations on headlining Atlanta Pride. How does it feel to be a part of this event in your own home town?
Amy: It’s awesome. It’s one of those things where I can’t express the level of love that I have for my city. I love that I can bring my band into my hometown and play a Pride show. It’s like having your best friend and you really want to share with them something that’s really important to you.
When did you realize that you were gay?
The Atlanta Pride Committee is going all out to ensure a fun and lively entertainment lineup that includes Andy Bell of Erasure and Amy Ray of Indigo Girls, who also promise to entertain with songs from their solo work.
But there are plenty of other acts that will take the Coca-Cola and Bud-Light stages at the fest in Piedmont Park Oct. 13-14. Today, the APC released the full line up that includes local bands such as the Sexual Side Effects and singer and actress Kat Graham, who stars as Bonnie Bennett in CW's "Vampire Diaries," filmed in Covington, about 30 minutes from Atlanta.
Rita Ora, who has opened for Coldplay and DJ Fresh, will join Amy Ray of Indigo Girls and Andy Bell of Erasure in the entertainment line-up for this year's Atlanta Pride Festival.
The annual LGBT festival is set for Oct. 13-14 in Piedmont Park. Ora, known for her US debut single "How We Do (Party)," will perform on Saturday, Oct. 13. The show is sponsored by radio stations Wild 105.7 and 96.7.
Amy Ray, known for her rocking solo shows and as half of the beloved Atlanta folk duo Indigo Girls, will headline the Sunday stage at Atlanta Pride, organizers announced today.
The annual festival is set for Oct. 13-14 in Piedmont Park. Pride officials had already announced that Andy Bell of Erasure would headline Saturday's entertainment.
Ray's performance is set for Sunday evening, immediately before the Starlight Cabaret drag extravaganza closes out the festival.
“We are thrilled to announce Amy Ray as our Sunday headliner!” said Glen Paul Freedman, Atlanta Pride board chair, in a press release announcing the show. “The 2012 line-up is shaping up to be a great one and with the addition of Amy Ray, our festival goers are sure to be entertained.”
Fans of acoustic music have a big week coming up as three talented lesbian singer-songwriters play Atlanta shows in seven days. ans of acoustic music have a big week coming up as three talented lesbian singer-songwriters play Atlanta shows in seven days.Fans of acoustic music have a big week coming up as three talented lesbian singer-songwriters play Atlanta shows in seven days. The tunes get started with a solo show by Amy Ray on March 10, followed by concerts by gritty singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier on March 16 and eclectic performer Bitch on March 17.
Ray and musical partner Emily Saliers have led the way for acoustic musicians for more than two decades as Indigo Girls, the beloved Atlanta-based lesbian folk-rock duo. Ray has also released solo albums since 2000, allowing her to explore a more raw, more eclectic style.
“Lung of Love,” her sixth solo effort, dropped Feb. 28, backed by a tour that has Ray playing small venues around the country. She plays Atlanta’s Variety Playhouse on March 10.
Daughters of Atlanta, pioneers in music and activists on a variety of social issues, the Indigo Girls have done their city proud. With the upcoming release of “Beauty Queen Sister,” the duo of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers is about to hit the road, including a benefit show in Atlanta for Party at Ponce on Oct. 1 and a tour stop at the Classic Center in Athens, Ga., on Oct. 6.
The first single from the new album, “Making Promises,” is already winning praise as a download and an official lyric video on YouTube. We caught up with Amy Ray to talk about the music, the activism and their hometown.
Shannon Hames: Your fans really respond to your acoustic shows and recordings. Why do the fans feel so strongly about your live performances?
Amy Ray: I don’t know. I hope it’s not because we haven’t captured what we do live on our records. When you do a lot of harmonies, there’s something about the way that happens live – you’re just riveted. A live harmony has a certain effect on people. People like to sing along. Folk music lends itself a lot to a live setting.