Mavis Staples & Angelique Kidjo

In a one-off double fantasy featuring a Hall-of-Fame soul legend and a Grammy Award-winning icon, r ‘n’ b revolutionary Mavis Staples goes back-to-back with world music powerhouse Angélique Kidjo – gripping audiences with two of the most uplifting careers that have influenced the likes of Alicia Keys, Dave Matthews, Glen Hansard and Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings.

Following a prolific year that has seen her awe-inspiring autobiography Spirit Rising hit shelves alongside her 11th album Eve, Kidjo has continued her tireless work as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador whilst performing with Laura Mvula, Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Keonig, and the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra for Philip Glass. A consummate collaborator, Eve sees the New York-based Benin-native in a moment of deep reflection, singing in her signature multi-lingual voice with a cast including Bono, Dianne Reeves and Dr. John.

Proving Kidjo’s prolific equal at a youthful 75 years of age, the Staples Singers belter has turned her smoky vocals toward the gospel golden days across two critically acclaimed albums helmed by Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy. Celebrating her birthday with a star-studded concert in her hometown Chicago, Mavis Staples has hit a new roll akin to her chart-topping years with ‘Respect Yourself’ and ‘(If You’re Ready) Come Go With Me’, recently fronting Arcade Fire as they brought the epic Reflektor tour to an end.

Taking their dual legacies of female empowerment to the stage for a marathon of dance fever hits, Angélique Kidjo and Mavis Staples will share the stage in a sweat-inducing affair from the rarest of song-writing greats.

Who: Angelique Kidjo & Mavis Staples

When: 8pm Sunday 12 April 2015

Where: Sydney Opera House

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Soul legend Mavis Staples, roots rock band The Alabama Shakes, and Grammy-winning singer Angélique Kidjo just happened to spend Easter Sunday together this year. They were spending the weekend in Australia for the Byron Bay BluesFest, and decided to celebrate the holiday together. In between serenading crowds during the fest’s final day, Staples, Kidjo, and Shakes frontwoman Brittany Howard all convened backstage for a few a cappella jams.

The three women ended up giving an impromptu performance of the Staple Singers’ classic “I’ll Take You There”, and someone was mindful enough to capture the moment on video. Today, Staples shared the clip on YouTube — watch it below.