The 2024 Rose Parade theme, “Celebrating a World of Music: The Universal Language,” was captured in the performances throughout the parade on Monday morning, Jan. 1, as crowds cheered and sang along to the music as they rang in the new year.
The parade kicked off with a highly anticipated opening performance by Destiny’s Child icon Michelle Williams, “The Voice” champion Cassadee Pope, “American Idol” alum David Archuleta and Los Angeles singer/songwriter/producer Rush Davis.
They performed on the Rose Parade opening stage, alongside the Honda float, themed “Keep Dreaming.”
Archuleta, hailed as vocal sensation since his ascent on “American Idol,” has made a name for himself exploring diverse musical landscapes, his vocals generating heartfelt renditions of songs. Archuleta performed a cover of “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol in a tunnel of roses.
Pope went from punk rock roots to “The Voice.” Parade officials said Pope is magnetic on stage. She performed a cover of “High Hopes,” by Panic! At The Disco.
Williams, a revered luminary of Destiny’s Child, fuses contemporary R&B and pop culture, performed her song “Fearless,” blooming from the center of a giant rose, where the dancers were the petals.
There were shiny space costumes. Choreographed dances, some out of the roof of a Honda. Lots of songs, mostly throwbacks and in 30-second bits.
But the reactions on social media fell flat.
Then there was Davis, fusing house, Vogue beats, Underground club music with hip-hop, R&B, and soulful melodies. The Tournament of Roses said Davis is “redefining the horizons of modern music with his innovative soundscape.”
Past Opening Spectacular performances have included LeAnn Rimes in 2022, Ally Brooke in 2020, and Fitz and the Tantrums at the 2023 Rose Parade.
The crowd sang along to the songs performed by the artists.
Music continued with the mid-parade performance presented by Visit Lauderdale, as Alexander Star took the…
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