Pictured: Hudson Yang, Amy Hill, Simon Tam and Nadia Hatta
With defiance, passion and spirit, leading Asian American musicians and entertainers will come together to Rock Against Hate for a free virtual concert on May 6 at 9 pm Eastern/6 pm Pacific.
The Slants will reunite for a special performance for the first time since discontinuing live performances together in 2019.
Simon Tam founded the Asian American dance rock band in 2006, but the group stopped live performances in 2019 to concentrate its efforts on a non-profit organization to empower other artists.
“In difficult times, we often turn to the arts,” says Tam, “not only do they provide expression for our pain, but they connect us through our hope as well. Our band is excited to be a part of this powerful moment to stand against hate.”
The concert will be streamed for free, but viewers will be encouraged to leave a donation of any amount for Stop AAPI Hate, a national hate crime reporting site that has logged more than 3800 incidents of hate against Asian Americans since March 2020. Performances, appearances and labor are all being donated. 100 percent of the proceeds will go to Stop AAPI Hate.
Produced by the daily Asian American digital news site AsAmNews, The Asian American Music Video Festival, the Slants Foundation and filmmaker Quentin Lee, other confirmed performances include Dan Aka Dan featuring Priska along with Wind Meets West, Ting Lin and Wu Am I.
More performers are expected to be announced at a later date.
The performers represent some of the diversity within the AAPI community, with hip hop, rock, and pop. Many of the artists are also showcasing new projects through #AAMVFest, the music festival collaboration between The Slants Foundation and AsianAmericanMovies.com.
“AAPI heritage month is a perfect time for the community to not only come together and celebrate, but to join in solidarity to speak out against hate and do something positive to combat it,” said Randall Yip, founder and executive editor of AsAmNews. “Music is a force that unifies us and Stop AAPI Hate both educates and informs. It’s a perfect blend of fun and inspiration.”
AsAmNews, the only daily digital news website dedicated to covering the Asian Pacific American communities, reached out to the Asian American Music Video Festival to take part in this concert. It quickly came together with the additional energy of Lee and Tam.
Tam will emcee the concert along with Hudson Yang of Fresh off the Boat fame, comedian and actress Amy Hill and actress and professional emcee Nadia Hatta.
Acclaimed Tony winner, singer and actress Lea Salonga will make a special appearance as well the Linda Lindas. Other celebrities and guests are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
“As an Asian American and LGBTQ immigrant having experienced physical violence twice and sexual violence one, I feel obligated to do my own part, as an artist, to push toward a cultural and systematic change that can reduce and end hate crimes in America,” Lee said.
The concert will be streamed on various platforms including the Facebook and YouTube pages of AsAmNews, The Slant Foundation and the Asian American Music Video Festival.
You can RSVP for the concert here.
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