A constellation of musical luminaries, including Michael Stipe, Patti Smith, and Laurie Anderson, graced Carnegie Hall for the 38th annual Tibet House US Benefit Concert. The event, a fusion of artistic brilliance and cultural advocacy, showcased a diverse array of performances, from poignant tributes to electrifying anthems, all in support of preserving Tibetan heritage and fostering global unity.
BeatCurry Team
The 38th annual Tibet House US Benefit Concert, held at Carnegie Hall in Manhattan on March 3, 2025, brought together a diverse and illustrious lineup of artists in support of Tibetan culture. This year’s concert, co-artistic directed by Philip Glass and Laurie Anderson, featured performances by Michael Stipe, Patti Smith, Jackson Browne, Orville Peck, Arooj Aftab, Allison Russell, Tune-Yards, Angélique Kidjo, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Gogol Bordello, Gina Gershon, the Philip Glass Ensemble, Tenzin Choegyal, and others.
The event, which supports Tibet House US’s mission to “protect, preserve and empower” Tibetan culture, has become a staple of the New York music scene, attracting both legendary performers and enthusiastic audiences. This year’s concert also celebrated the year of the wood snake as well as the 90th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The evening commenced with an invocation of prayerful chants by monks from the Drepung Gomang Monastery, setting a contemplative tone. Robert Thurman, president of the Board of Trustees at Tibet House US, delivered a keynote address, emphasizing the ongoing challenges faced by the Tibetan people and their culture. Eugene Hütz of Gogol Bordello echoed these sentiments, drawing parallels between the struggles of Tibetans and those in his native Ukraine, highlighting the universality of governmental oppression.
Among the many memorable moments, Michael Stipe’s rendition of David Bowie’s “The Man Who Sold the World,” accompanied by Tibetan musician Tenzin Choegyal, stood out as a powerful and moving performance. Stipe also read Max Ehrmann’s poem “Desiderata,” adding a layer of introspection to the evening. Patti Smith electrified the audience with a reading from Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl,” followed by a performance of “Peaceable Kingdom” dedicated to late activist Rachel Corrie and children lost to war.
Laurie Anderson, a co-founder of Tibet House US, shared poignant insights and advice, including “three rules to live by” attributed to her late husband, Lou Reed: “Don’t be afraid of anyone,” “Get a really good bullshit detector,” and “Be really tender.” She also performed “Junior Dad,” featuring recordings of Reed’s voice.
Orville Peck delivered a rare performance, covering Leonard Cohen’s “Chelsea Hotel #2” and joining Allison Russell for a duet on their collaboration “Chemical Sunset.” Allison Russell also reworked her Luther Dickinson collaboration “Superlover” for the benefit show, changing the lyrics to call for greater love and understanding in Israel and Palestinian territories. Tune-Yards debuted new songs from their upcoming album, and Angélique Kidjo had the crowd dancing to her infectious rhythms.
Gogol Bordello closed the night with an energetic set, including a cover of Patti Smith’s “People Have the Power,” which brought most of the performers back to the stage. Patti Smith herself had already left the venue. The band also spoke out for Ukraine, and reminded the audience that the struggle of Ukraine is one in the same with the struggle of Tibet House.
The concert, which has featured past performances by David Bowie, Lou Reed, R.E.M., and many others, raised substantial funds for Tibet House US, supporting its mission to preserve and promote Tibetan culture and heritage.
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