strictly a capella

Baz Luhrmann Is Way Into a Cappella

Photo: Matteo Prandoni/BFAnyc.com

Given the news that Barneys New York has teamed up with Baz Luhrmann for its latest holiday campaign, you might expect that it will involve ballroom dancing, Elton John covers, or a Lana Del Rey ballad. In fact, for his Baz Dazzled holiday celebration, the director has signed on Pentatonix, the wildly popular a capella group that has more YouTube followers than Beyoncé. (Does the Beygency know about this?) The group will perform at the campaign unveiling. Luhrmann tells the Cut, “It’s impossible for anyone to hear a recording and see a YouTube clip of Pentatonix and not be astounded at their vocal dexterity and creativity. Their original score and arrangements for the windows, indeed, for the whole production, embodies the essential mix of taking the traditional and turning it on its head in a contemporary way. I’m sure it’ll be a thrill for anyone who happens to be passing the Barneys windows at 7 p.m. on Thursday night to see these young stars in the making, bringing Madison Avenue to a standstill with a live performance.” Seriously, if there’s anyone who can make an a capella jam cool, it’s Luhrmann.

Baz Luhrmann Is Way Into a Cappella