meet me in the place that makes you laugh

A few nights before the Grammy Awards, comedians, artists- some past/present Grammy winners and nominees, and a fashion designer came together to put on an epic night for an awesome cause. The Ally Coalition was started by the band fun. (Nate Ruess, Jack Antonoff, and Andrew Dost) and fashion designer Rachel Antonoff. TAC works with friends in the entertainment, fashion, and music worlds to raise awareness and funds in support of LGBTQ+ equality, to help create safe spaces, and to be a resource to take action.

The 4th annual star-studded talent show included Lorde, Kacey Musgraves, The National, Spoon (Britt Daniel/Alex Fischel), Shamir, Bleachers, Andrew Dost, Phoebe Robinson, Aparna Nancherla, Jacqueline Novak, Mike Birbiglia, and hosted by Rachel Antonoff. It was The Ally Coalition’s biggest talent show yet. The show raised almost $200K (double of last year!), which will go to homeless LGBTQ shelters and local organizations around the country including New Alternatives NYC.

In times like these, saying that you’re an ally is nice, but not good enough. Be kind to each other and support one another. If the world isn't being inclusive, stand up for all and fight for not just your rights, but the rights of others. We all deserve to be treated equally and love who we want to love. Donate or volunteer for different organizations. Get involved and help in any way you can.

Some highlights from the show included:

Kacey Musgraves unfortunately didn’t bring her karaoke microphone, but she was still amazing and hilarious. She performed two songs “Butterflies” and “Rainbow” that will be on her upcoming album, and her hit “Follow Your Arrow”. After performing she declared, “I’m an ally for fucking life. Hands down. Don’t care what anyone says.”

Comedians Novak, Birbiglia, and Dope Queen Robinson did sets on about the importance of ordering your own damn fries, some sperm troubles, and a super weird scene in the Kingsman: The Secret Service movie, respectively. Aparna “Beast Mode” Nancherla talked about New York winters and how vaginas are more regulated than guns.

The National performed three songs including “I Need My Girl” and “Fake Empire.” Spoon beautifully covered John Lennon’s “Isolation." Both bands rocked and were super honored and psyched to be at the show. Mr. co-founder Andrew Dost showed off his piano skills playing some music from an upcoming secret project and covers of Judee Sill’s “Waterfalls” and Harry Nilsson’s “Turn on Your Radio."

It was also great to have songs performed that were LGBT themed. Shamir started off by saying, “I have a lot of songs about LGBT issues because I’m a part of that alphabet.” And then sang his songs “Straight Boy” and "90's Kids." Kacey’s “Follow Your Arrow” has the lyrics, “Make lots of noise/Kiss lots of boys/Or kiss lots of girl/If that's something you're into.” Bleachers performed “Alfie’s Song (Not So Typical Love Song)” live for the first time. The song is off of the Jack Antonoff-curated album for the movie Love, Simon- a film about a teenager’s coming out story.

Bleachers played a heartfelt tribute to Dolores O'Riordan of The Cranberries. Band member Mikey Hart actually went on tour with The Cranberries making it a little more emotional. They also performed “I Wanna Get Better”, a cover of ELO's “When I Was a Boy," and kicked off the show with the Beatles-esque “Good Morning.”

Ella spoke to the crowd, “We were here [at The Ally Coalition Talent Show] last year, we were doing this, and it was like the first time I’d been on a stage in a long time. I felt very much like I just emerged from our hiding place situation to come and play. I could feel like everyone was just like, ‘Oh my god, it’s her. What is she doing out in the world?’ By that point, we’d written pretty much all of Melodrama and we were just getting ready to finish it up and put it out into the world. And I remember being here last year and thinking like that feeling just felt impossible to even understand- that there would be another record for me. And now there is. We made it together and it’s nice that I can still come here and annoy Jack.”

Sitting on the piano bench, they performed “Writer in the Dark”, Carly Rae Jepsen (a TAC talent show alumni)’s song “Run Away with Me”, Roy Orbison’s “You Got It”, and “Green Light”. While singing, she pointed to mic to the crowd and everyone sang, “I’m waiting for it, that green light, I want it!” The performance got the only standing ovation of the night. It’s just the magic of Lorde and Jack.

The evening ended with The Ally Coalition Talent Show tradition of inviting everyone back on stage to sing Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way”. The best part of these talent shows is that they’re low-key and chill. They allow the artists to be themselves and vulnerable and appreciative. They are all there to show their talent and help raise funds for LGBT+ youth. It makes you fall in love with new artists and more in love with artists you already love/like.

You know what’s also cool about bringing all these artists together- not only are we fans of them, they are also fans of each other. Shamir spoke about how excited he was to finally meet Lorde, Aparna, Phoebe, and Kacey. He has even covered Kacey’s “Merry Go ‘Round” in the past. As you watch each performer, you could see the other performers watching from backstage.

Take the pledge to be an ally with The Ally Coalition and start doing something to make a difference.