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In a moment that will be remembered as one of Hollywood’s most heartfelt farewells, Jack Nicholson, 88, made a rare and deeply emotional appearance to honor his longtime friend and co-star Diane Keaton at her private funeral in Beverly Hills.

Dressed in a simple black suit and dark sunglasses, the legendary actor appeared visibly moved as he stepped onto the stage before a room filled with Hollywood’s elite — Meryl Streep, Al Pacino, Warren Beatty, and Woody Allen among them. Behind him, a black-and-white image of Diane was projected — smiling warmly in her trademark hat and tailored suit, a symbol of her timeless spirit.

El día que Diane Keaton y Jack Nicholson protagonizaron un insólito momento mientras filmaban una película

Nicholson paused before speaking, visibly gathering his strength. When he finally began, his voice trembled with grief and affection.
“Diane wasn’t just an actress,” he said quietly. “She was electric. She lit up every room, every scene, every heart she ever touched. I loved her — we all did.”

The audience listened in complete silence, many in tears. The two had shared decades of friendship and creative collaboration, most memorably in Something’s Gotta Give (2003), a film that captured their real-life chemistry and affection. Nicholson recalled those years with both fondness and sorrow.
“I used to tell her, ‘You’re the heartbeat of every movie you touch,’” he continued, his voice breaking. “But what I never said enough was — you were also the heartbeat of all of us who loved you.”

Diane Keaton Attended Jack Nicholson's Birthday Party Before Her Death | Us Weekly

As he spoke, soft piano chords began to play in the background — a gentle rendition of You’ve Got a Friend, one of Keaton’s favorite songs. Nicholson turned toward the photo once more, whispering almost to himself, “Goodbye, my friend. You made this world a better movie to live in.”

The moment brought the entire room to tears. Meryl Streep, sitting in the front row, was seen wiping her eyes. Al Pacino bowed his head. Even the stoic Nicholson struggled to hold back emotion as he stepped away from the podium to a standing ovation.

Jack Nicholson Pays Tribute to Diane Keaton: 'Goodbye Diane' - YouTube

After the ceremony, several attendees described the tribute as “transcendent” and “unlike anything they’d ever witnessed.” One mourner said, “It wasn’t just a eulogy. It was love — raw, real, and unforgettable.”

Social media quickly lit up with clips and quotes from the speech. Fans called it “one of the most moving moments in Hollywood history,” while others praised Nicholson for showing a side of himself rarely seen — vulnerable, gentle, and profoundly human.

Jack Nicholson's kind and unexpected gesture to Diane Keaton after unconventional rom-com Something's Gotta Give earned $266 million at the box office | Daily Mail Online

Nicholson, who has largely stepped back from public life in recent years, later released a brief statement through his publicist: “Diane was the real thing — funny, brave, beautiful, and full of grace. I’ll miss her laugh most of all.”

At Diane Keaton’s farewell, Jack Nicholson reminded the world that even in loss, friendship and love can shine brighter than the silver screen.

Holiday cheer took a rock‑and‑roll detour this Halloween for the Osbourne‑Wilson household. In a playful and poignant TikTok video shared by Kelly Osbourne, her 2‑year‑old son, Sidney Wilson Jr. (son of Kelly and Sid Wilson), reenacted one of his late grandpa Ozzy Osbourne’s most infamous moments by biting the head off a stuffed bat toy — a nod to the “Prince of Darkness” himself. The clip went viral, and fans are loving the call‑back to rock history.

In the video, little Sidney, dressed in a skeleton‑themed outfit and red cowboy boots, picks up a plush bat whose head is attached via Velcro. With a grin, he bites the head off, drops it to the floor, and laughs — all while Ozzy’s classic track “Crazy Train” plays in the background. Kelly captioned the post simply, “Learned from the greatest, Papa!

Kelly Osbourne's toddler bites off bat's head in Halloween nod to grandpa Ozzy

For fans of Ozzy Osbourne, the moment is layered with nostalgia. Back in 1982, Ozzy bit the head off a real bat on stage during a concert in Des Moines, Iowa — an incident that became a defining and controversial moment in his career. The Washington Post

Ozzy passed away on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76, after a long struggle with health issues. The bat incident, for all its shock value, eventually became part of his legacy — and now, in a lighter way, part of his grandson’s. People.com+1

Sharon Osbourne Shares Snap of Husband Ozzy with Their Grandson

In that simple, joyful Halloween clip, you can see more than just a funny moment — you can see family, memory, and the next generation carrying on a legacy of loud rock and tender love. Kelly has often spoken about her son’s close bond with her father. In one recent interview, she said her dad and Sidney were “best friends,” sharing cartoon time and bedtime routines that bonded them deeply. People.com

Ozzy Osbourne Spent Time with Daughter Kelly and Grandson Sidney in a Video Shared 2 Days Before His Death

Social media has responded with a mix of amusement and affection. Comments on Kelly’s post ranged from “He’s got the Osbourne grin already!” to “Next generation of rock ‑‑ in red cowboy boots!” One fan observed, “Before I even saw who posted it, I thought… ‘He even looks like Ozzy.’” pagesix.com

The video is more than a Halloween gag; it’s a subtle tribute, a way of saying that while one legend may have passed, his spirit and his music live on in the hearts — and the antics — of those he loved. For Kelly, sharing the clip with Sidney isn’t just about fun or nostalgia. It’s about legacy.

 

He may only be 2, but Sidney’s bite‑and‑laugh move says a lot: He’s joining the lineage of eccentric rock moves, family memories, and the kind of moments that don’t go through an agent or a press release — they just happen. And this one, in red boots and with a plush bat in hand, just might go down as a clip people smile about for years.

🎸 “Learned from the greatest, Papa!” indeed. The little one made sure grandpa Ozzy’s wild moment didn’t disappear — it just got softer, funnier, and full of love. Here’s to Sidney, the youngest Osbourne to ever channel the legend… and to the memories that rock on.

Coldplay’s massive world tour is known for stadium-shaking lights, soaring choruses, and moments of pure magic — but nothing prepared fans for the emotional scene that unfolded when Chris Martin invited his 19-year-old son, Moses, to join him on stage. What began as a surprise appearance became one of the most intimate and unforgettable performances in the band’s history.

As the opening chords of “A Sky Full of Stars” rang out, the crowd roared — but the cheers turned to stunned silence when a spotlight revealed Moses standing beside his father, microphone in hand. Chris reached over, gave his son’s shoulder a squeeze, and the two began singing in perfect harmony. Their voices — one seasoned, one youthful and steady — blended effortlessly, creating a version of the song that felt deeply personal.

Moses Martin is dad Chris Martin's spitting image - it's uncanny | HELLO!

Halfway through the performance, Chris leaned toward his son and whispered into his microphone, “This is for your granddad. He would be so proud.” The words echoed through the stadium, catching fans off guard. Many later said that moment hit them harder than any lyric ever could. It wasn’t just a duet — it was a family tribute, filled with love, grief, and legacy.

Audience members described seeing tears streaming down Chris’ face as he continued to sing, looking at Moses with a mixture of pride and tenderness. The massive screens behind them displayed star-filled skies, but the most powerful sight was the real emotion between father and son. Fans raised their phone lights, turning the arena into a glowing universe — a symbolic sky full of stars of their own.

EXCLUSIVE: Chris Martin, 46, and son Moses, 17, lead star parade as Coldplay singer throws 34th birthday bash for partner Dakota Johnson - with guests including newly-single Jodie Turner-Smith, Jeremy Allen White

By the final chorus, the crowd sang along, thousands of voices lifting the melody. When the song ended, Moses wrapped his arms around his father, and Chris kissed the top of his head. The stadium erupted into a roaring ovation that lasted longer than any Coldplay encore in recent memory.

After the show, fans took to social media to share clips of the performance. Some called it “the purest moment of the tour,” while others admitted they cried the moment Chris mentioned Moses’ grandfather. One fan wrote, “Coldplay always brings joy, but this time they brought healing too.”

Rare photos of Chris Martin and lookalike son Moses – Gallery | news.com.au — Australia's leading news site for latest headlines

Those close to the band say Chris had been waiting for the right moment to share the stage with his son — and choosing a song with such emotional meaning made it even more powerful. Moses, who has mostly lived outside the spotlight, impressed fans with his calm stage presence and warm voice. For many, the night felt like watching a legacy pass down in real time.

Coldplay concerts are known for spectacle, but this moment proved that sometimes the quietest gestures create the biggest memories. No special effects. No fireworks. Just a father, his son, and a song their family will remember forever.

And as Chris told the audience before they walked offstage:

“Family is the greatest music in the world.”

The recent royal family gathering at Balmoral Castle was not just another formal event; it became a memorable occasion thanks to the enchanting presence of Catherine, Princess of Wales, and her daughter, Princess Charlotte. Their stunning coordinated outfits and heartwarming interactions captured the attention of attendees and royal watchers alike, turning a traditional family reunion into a delightful spectacle. In this blog post, we’ll explore the highlights of this gathering, the fashion choices of Catherine and Charlotte, and the reactions from those who witnessed the event.

 

Balmoral Castle has long been a cherished retreat for the British royal family, serving as a backdrop for many family gatherings and celebrations. This particular event was a blend of formal dinner and relaxed family moments, aimed at strengthening bonds among the Windsors. Amidst the grandeur of the castle, the atmosphere was filled with both tradition and warmth, but it was Catherine and Charlotte who truly stole the show.

One of the most talked-about aspects of the gathering was the impeccable fashion coordination between Catherine and her nine-year-old daughter. The duo appeared in matching outfits that not only showcased their royal elegance but also reflected their close mother-daughter bond. Their choice of colors and styles resonated with royal traditions while adding a modern touch, demonstrating their ability to blend individuality with unity. As noted in reports, their coordinated ensembles sparked conversations among guests and staff, highlighting their fashion prowess

Beyond their stunning outfits, what truly captivated onlookers were the adorable moments shared between Catherine and Charlotte. Their interactions during the event were filled with laughter and affection, showcasing a genuine bond that resonated with everyone present. Such moments not only highlight their relationship but also serve to humanize the royal family, allowing the public to connect with them on a more personal level

The response to Catherine and Charlotte’s appearance was overwhelmingly positive, with many royal watchers taking to social media to express their admiration. Comments flooded in about their coordinated outfits and the warmth they brought to the event. Observers noted how their fashion choices and delightful interactions made a lasting impression, reinforcing the idea that royal appearances can be both formal and relatable

Pierce Brosnan has hit back at cruel friends who offered his wife weight loss surgery.

The James Bond star has been married to Keely for more than 20 years after they met back in 1994.

And he was quick to defend his wife, saying he ‘loves her for her person’ as well as her beauty.

“Friends offered her surgery to reduce her weight,” Pierce reportedly said.

Pierce Brosnan and his wife Kelly have been married for more than 20 years

Pierce Brosnan and his wife Kelly have been married for more than 20 years. Picture: Instagram

“But I strongly love every curve of her body. She is the most beautiful woman in my eyes. And also because she had our five children.”

He added: “in the past, I truly loved her for her person, not only for her beauty, and now I’m loving her even more that she is my children’s mother. And I am very proud of her, and I always seek to be worthy of her love.”

The pair met in Cabo San Lucas a year before Pierce made his James Bond debut in Golden Eye.

Speaking of their meeting, Pierce later told People he loved his wife as soon as he laid eyes on her.

“Wherever I went in the world I missed her, and I’d send her tickets to come so we could be together. We just seemed to fit,” he said, continuing: “I found a great woman in Keely Shaye. Not if I searched a million times over would I find one as good.”

Pierce Brosnan and Keely met in 1994

Pierce Brosnan and Keely met in 1994. Picture: Alamy

He went on to tell The Sun in 2019: “I love her vitality, her passion. When Keely looks at me I go weak at the knees.”

The couple married in 2001 in County Mayo, Ireland, surrounded by friends and family.

Keely has also praised her relationship with her husband, taking to Instagram to celebrate their 20 year marriage in 2021.

At the time she posted a picture from their wedding day, writing: “Still the one! Happy 20th wedding anniversary @piercebrosnanofficial.”

The couple have two children together – Dylan and Paris – while Pierce has three children from his marriage to first wife, Cassandra Harris.

Cassandra sadly died from Ovarian cancer in 1991, with Pierce adopting Cassandra’s kids from her previous marriage, Charlotte Brosnan and Christopher Brosnan.

Tragically, Charlotte also died from Ovarian cancer in 2013.

In a lot of ways, Lady Gaga’s new  Netflix documentary, Gaga: Five Foot Two, is your standard pop star documentary, in the vein of Madonna’s Truth or Dare or Katy Perry’s Part of Me. It follows her around as she’s writing and recording songs and music videos for her album Joanne, and preparing for concert appearances (including her performance at Super Bowl XLI). There are glimpses of her family life, and Lady Gaga, or in this case, regular old Stefani Germanotta, attends a baptism as the godmother to one of her bandmates’ babies. You meet her parents and grandparents. All standard celebrity documentary material.

What sets Gaga: Five Foot Two apart is Lady Gaga’s willingness to put her struggle with chronic pain, specifically her fibromyalgia, front and center in her story. In fact, the whole doc is shot through with pain and trauma, and the struggle to maintain not just her sanity but continue to function at a high level. The film opens with Gaga getting out of bed and getting a treatment for her hip pain. So right away we know that pain is going to be front and center.

About 38 minutes into the film, after a moving scene in which Gaga plays a song for her father and grandmother, we see her in a full blown fibro flare, which at the time of the filming was undiagnosed. We see Lady Gaga, lying on the couch under a towel, crying, describing “the entire right side of my body in a spasm.” It’s powerful, and something that every person with fibromyalgia has gone through. She even acknowledges, to her credit, I think, how her privilege as a massively famous and wealthy entertainer allows her access to constant and excellent healthcare. “I think of other people that have, maybe something like this, but that are struggling to figure out what it is, and don’t have the money to have someone help them,” she says. “And I don’t know what I’d do without all these people to help me. What the hell would I do?”

It’s a good question and one that many, if not most, people with fibromyalgia ask themselves on a daily basis. We know how hard it is to get a doctor to take it seriously, how stigmatized chronic pain is. And most people don’t have millions of dollars and nurses as part of their entourage. But it’s still pretty amazing to see her go from that to performing a lights-out rendition of “Bad Romance” for Tony Bennett’s birthday just hours later.

Next, we get a montage of her working, squeezing past paparazzi, recording radio station greetings, surprising fans. In a way it’s inspiring, to see someone go from being in so much pain to being non-stop “on” for an adoring, voracious public. Again, this is all standard celebrity pop star stuff: Gaga dealing with a public breakup, worrying about whether her long-time fans will like her new look, will the record be any good?

But it’s the fibro stuff that sticks with you. We see her visiting her doctor, listing her symptoms and medications. This is one of those “Stars, they’re just like us” moments that celebrities try to pull off, and not always successfully. But Lady Gaga manages to do it. She gets a trigger point injection and we get to see it, all the while she’s stressing out because the new album is leaking all over the internet.

“Awareness” is one of those weird terms that gets thrown around a lot for diseases like fibromyalgia, and I’m not always sure it’s enough for people to just be “aware” that something exists. But Lady Gaga’s decision to show herself in so much pain, and to let us into her doctor’s office with her, seems to be doing more than just raising awareness. It really can chip away at the stigma of these chronic conditions. Nobody could ever, watching Lady Gaga go through her preparations for performing at the Super Bowl, and call her “lazy,” which is a common slur thrown at people with chronic pain conditions. I suppose there are some who might look at this and say, “Well, if Lady Gaga can do it, why can’t you get of out of bed?”

Buy vitamins and supplements

But completely misses the point. As Gaga herself points out, she has a lot of money to pay for world-class medical care, money that not everybody has. But there’s also a vulnerability that she shows that a lot of celebrities of her stature wouldn’t, and that’s a big deal.

Some moments at the Emmys are planned down to the second. This one wasn’t — and that’s exactly why it became unforgettable. When Tim Conway and Harvey Korman stepped onto the stage together, audiences expected effortless charm. What they got instead was a masterclass in unscripted comedy — and a moment that would go down in television history.

Conway, known as the undisputed master of deadpan absurdity, began to riff mid-speech, spinning an off-the-wall story that took Korman completely by surprise. Within seconds, Harvey Korman — usually the picture of composure — began to crack. His shoulders trembled, his eyes filled with tears of laughter, and he nearly doubled over behind the microphone while Conway carried on, perfectly straight-faced, as though nothing unusual were happening.

The audience erupted. The orchestra didn’t even bother to cue the exit music — nobody wanted the magic to end. It wasn’t just an awards show highlight; it was living proof that true comedy doesn’t need a script, only timing, chemistry, and fearless spontaneity.

That night, in a golden blur of laughter and chaos, two men who helped define television comedy reminded the world why the Emmys exist in the first place — to honor brilliance born from joy and human connection.

Decades later, fans still replay that 1978 Emmy moment — not for the trophy, but for the laughter. For Tim Conway’s perfect silence. For Harvey Korman’s helpless giggles. For the shared happiness of a room full of people who couldn’t stop smiling.

It was supposed to be another night of musical perfection — but what unfolded was something far more powerful. Ignazio Boschetto, the golden-voiced tenor of Il Volo, took the stage alone under a single beam of light. The audience expected vocal fireworks; what they received instead was a moment of pure, unfiltered humanity. With one song — and one unmistakable crack in his voice — Boschetto turned an arena into a cathedral of emotion.

The Crack in the Voice: Love’s Purest Note

Fans watched in quiet awe as Boschetto introduced a new, self-written ballad — his first as a solo artist, and his most personal yet. Dedicated not to fame, nor to romance, but to his two-month-old baby, the song unfolded as a tender meditation on the overwhelming, transformative love of new fatherhood.

1,131 Ignazio Boschetto Photos Stock Photos, High-Res Pictures, and Images - Getty Images

His voice, known for its operatic strength and precision, softened into something fragile and intimate. Every lyric felt like a whispered confession — about the tiny hands he holds, the sleepless nights, and the breathtaking realization that his heart no longer belongs to him alone. Then came the verse that changed everything: the line about holding his child for the first time.

His baritone wavered. His breath caught. The sound that escaped was not a note, but a break — a pure, uncontrolled crack that rippled through the silence like lightning through still air. It wasn’t a mistake. It was truth. It was love, made audible.

 

Voice recording equipment

A Love Letter Signed in Tears

For a moment, Boschetto couldn’t continue. He closed his eyes, his chest rising with emotion, and the entire arena held its breath. When he finally resumed, his voice carried a different kind of strength — the strength that comes after surrender. Fans later said the crack in his voice was “the most beautiful sound of the night,” because it wasn’t just a singer performing. It was a father overwhelmed by love.

  • The Depth of His Love: That voice break was more than a sound — it was a tear turned into melody, proof that fatherhood had softened the man who once seemed untouchable on stage.
  • A Universal Truth: It reminded everyone listening that even stars are human — and that the love between a parent and a child can silence the world.
  • An Eternal Vow: In that moment, Boschetto’s performance became a living promise — a vow sung from a father’s heart to his child’s soul.
  • https://youtu.be/rrxYJYYvUm8

The Roar of Compassion

When the final note faded, silence held for a heartbeat — then came the roar. Thousands of fans rose as one, not just clapping but crying, cheering, and reaching out in gratitude. Many said it felt less like a concert and more like witnessing something sacred. Cameras caught Boschetto smiling through tears, pressing a hand to his heart in silent thanks.

Ignazio Boschetto and Michelle Bertolini's Wedding: Details and Photos from the Villa Sola Cabiati Ceremony

That night, Ignazio Boschetto reminded the world that perfection doesn’t move people — truth does. His cracked voice became a symbol of everything that makes music, and love, unforgettable. Because sometimes, the most beautiful performance is the one that breaks — and in breaking, becomes eternal.

Cyndi Lauper performed the last show of her farewell tour Saturday at the Hollywood Bowl, where guests like Joni Mitchell, Cher, SZA and more helped send off the singer onstage.

Mitchell, in only her second public live appearance of 2025, first joined Lauper for a rendition of “Carey,” the Blue classic that Lauper herself had covered a dozen or so times in concert, including at a 2000 tribute concert for Mitchell:

For the next song, Lauper was joined onstage by John Legend, who assisted the singer on her hit “Time After Time”:

 

The encores featured two more surprise guests: First, SZA came out for the Lauper’s “True Colors,” while the final song of the Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour was, fittingly, “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” with none other than Lauper’s friend and former tour mate Cher joining her onstage for the finale:

In an interview with Rolling Stone last fall, Lauper said of the farewell tour, “Oh gosh, it’s a bucket list. I haven’t done an arena tour since ‘86. I’m excited because I get to have all these fantastic young women on tour with me. So many years, I was told I can’t do a women’s tour because nobody will go see it. ‘Women don’t sell like men sell.’ Then I toured with Cher and we played for a million people. So bullshit.”

Previous guests on the farewell tour included Sam SmithHayley Williams, and Mickey Guyton, who cameoed at the penultimate show at the Hollywood Bowl.

The AFL’s Most Memorable Music Moments

Ahead of the 2025 Toyota AFL Grand Final, we’re looking back at the game’s most memorable musical performances and collaborations.

Katy Perry AFL

In partnership with AFL 

As the sun sets on this year’s season, punters around the country are gearing up for the 2025 Toyota AFL Grand Final.

The biggest sports day of the year is more than just the trophy and sirens, though. Across generations, music has amplified the spirit of the AFL: mateship, camaraderie, celebration.

From explosive Grand Final day performances to local singer-songwriter collaborations, we’re looking back at the AFL’s most memorable musical moments before September’s final.

Image of MCG grounds

Supplied AFL Photos

2020 Grand Final in Brisbane

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the state, the 2020 Toyota AFL Grand Final was played outside of Victoria for the first time in its 123-year history.

The league headed north to Brisbane, Queensland, and in a moment of pause and community, the AFL chose an all-Aussie lineup to soundtrack the showdown between Richmond and Geelong.

Electric Fields, Thelma Plum, Busby Marou, and Queensland Symphony Orchestra opened the game with a cover of Paul Kelly’s “From Little Things Big Things Grow”.

Brisbane pop group Cub Sport performed a rendition of Powderfinger’s “These Days”, Sydney trio DMA’S covered their Like A Version hit “Believe” by Cher, while Wolfmother’s Andrew Stockdale sang his hit “Joker & the Thief”.

The 2020 Grand Final reminded Australians that the AFL is an important part of the music calendar and gave viewers a moment of celebration amidst the pandemic.

The 2021 Dreamtime Game in Perth

A host of iconic Australian artists, including John Butler and Ziggy Ramo, performed at the 2021 Sir Douglas Nicholls round in Perth.

An annual fixture in the AFL calendar, the Dreamtime Game celebrates Indigenous culture and the contributions of Indigenous players to Australian football.

Fostering local First Nations talent, including Sycco and Budjerah, the four acts warmed up crowds before the showdown between Richmond and Essendon Bombers. It was a showcase of First Nations artistry and a reminder to keep cheering for the voices on our shores.

John Butler

Supplied AFL Photos

The Killers’ 2017 Performance

Since the 2010s, the AFL has begun importing international acts down under for the Grand Final pre-game performance. One of the most memorable was rock act The Killers, performing their greatest hits at the MCG in 2017.

“When You Were Young”, “Somebody Told Me”, and “The Man” echoed across the MCG grounds, with the American rockers performing a Midnight Oil cover, “Forgotten Years”. Of course, the famous “Mr Brightside” was played and revved up the Richmond Tigers to clinch their Grand Final victory.

Plus, who could forget captain Jack Riewoldt joining The Killers on stage to belt out the hit once more after the team’s win?

Katy Perry 2024 Telstra Pre-Game Entertainment Show

Seeing one of the world’s biggest pop stars performing in Melbourne’s blazing spring sun on a Saturday afternoon was undoubtedly a cultural moment.

As part of her comeback and promotion for her first album since 2020, 143, Katy Perry performed her hits at the 2024 Grand Final game.

She belted out “Roar”, “California Gurls”, “Teenage Dream”, and more with arguably the most technical pre-game performance in the AFL’s history.

Tina Arena even cameoed for a duet of Katy Perry’s 2008 hit, “I Kissed a Girl”, and pumped the crowds for the Sydney Swans versus Brisbane Lions showdown.

Senator Briggs and Paul Kelly

Earlier this year, Australian singer Paul Kelly performed with rapper Senator Briggs as part of the Sir Doug Nicholls Round (Round 11) game. The pair sang a rendition of Briggs’ “The Children Came Back,” a powerful song about cultural resilience.

The heartfelt performance showed that the AFL can hold a spotlight on Indigenous stories, ones that reach millions of Australians through their televisions.

Whether you’re watching in your local pub or gathering friends for Grand Final day, the collaboration between music and sport in the AFL is clear. These memorable musical moments have soundtracked the highs and lows of the sport, and they prove that Australia’s national game is about so much more than just the scoreboard.

Cyndi Lauper, Annie Lennox, Angélique Kidjo, and Brandi Carlile led a star-studded performance of the Joni Mitchell classic “Big Yellow Taxi” that had a real loose, feel-good vibe. The fabulous lineup performed the 1970 hit right in front of Mitchell herself, and everybody was clearly stoked to be there doing it. The best part came when Carlile went down into the audience at the end, put the mic in front of Mitchell, and the legendary singer-songwriter finished off the last line!

Annie Lennox sang the opening verse and put a whole lot of soul into it. The lineup of seven vocalists then sang the chorus together, before Cyndi Lauper took centre stage and sang a sassy second verse. Brandi Carlile sang a low-key and melodic verse soon after, before Angélique Kidjo really stole the show with a fiery solo chorus. You know it hit the spot because Kidjo’s voice put a big smile on Mitchell’s face in the audience.

Mitchell was the recipient of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in 2023, and the performance took place at the ceremony on March 1 in Constitution Hall, Washington, DC. The Lauper and Lennox collaboration was a big hit online, attracting 1.4 million views, making it the most popular performance from the event.

At age 79, Mitchell herself also gave a hit performance at the ceremony, singing her timeless classic “Blue.” After she sang the opening line as smooth as silk, the audience put up a cheer, which made the septuagenarian smile like she was a kid again. The vibe of the whole show was really special, as you could just tell everybody, including Mitchell, was just loving being there together to celebrate her tremendous career.

Fans online were particularly enamoured with the “Big Yellow Taxi” performance, and added comments such as “Oh my God. Joni finishing off the last line of that performance was everything!” and “When you stumble on something you didn’t know you needed. A joyful celebration of an icon and all wonderful female performers in their own right.”

Mitchell’s Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song ceremony was filmed and made into an official release directed by Sandra Restrepo. Several of the performances made it onto YouTube, while the full concert was made available via streaming services. If you want to hear more from the incredible Joni Mitchell, consider subscribing to her YouTube Channel or follow her on Instagram.