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Pamela Anderson is flying high at the moment thanks to the most glowing notices of her career in The Last Showgirl. But the actress and former Baywatch star revealed on the Happy Sad Confused podcast this week that years ago a man threatened to kill her on a plane when he mistook her for a […]
The 2025 Boston Calling Festival will feature headlining sets from Luke Combs and Megan Moroney, Fall Out Boy, Avril Lavigne, Dave Matthews Band and Vampire Weekend. The three-day Memorial Day (May 23-25) throwdown at the Harvard Athletic Complex will also usher in some new changes this year aimed at easing crowding and providing more shade and free water for fans.
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Joining Combs and Moroney on the first night will be: Sheryl Crow, T-Pain, TLC, Thee Sacred Souls, Wilderado and Mike. Night two will find FOB and Lavigne sharing the stage with Cage the Elephant, The Black Crowes, All Time Low, James Bay, The Maine, Lucius and Valley, among others. The final night will pair DMB and Vampire Weekend with Sublime, Public Enemy, Remi Wolf, Goth Babe, Rager Against the Machine and solo guitarist Tom Morello, The 502s, Spin Doctors and IDK How But They Found Me, and more.
According to CBS News, after some complaints from some fans last year about overcrowding, BC has made some structural changes to the event’s footprint this year, including merging the main Green and Red stages. “We’ve invested in a world-class rotating stage system to provide better views, more space to roam, and enhance audio/video experience for everyone,” read a Facebook post announcing the staging news. Other changes include a decrease in some ticket prices, the return of the Indoor Arena, where fans are invited to take a break in an air-conditioned indoor space (with programming to be announced soon), as well as the addition of more free water stations.
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A presale will kick off on Wednesday (Jan. 8) at 10 a.m. ET, with lowest-price tickets available for two hours (10 a.m.-12 p.m.); you can sign up for it here.
See the full lineup poster below.
New York rapper Ice Spice has used the penultimate show of her current touring schedule to share a brief apology for a controversial appearance at an Australian festival last week.
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Ice Spice has spent the new year period in Australia, where she was booked to perform at a couple of festivals, including the Beyond the Valley festival in the state of Victoria, and three legs of the Wildlands Festival in capital cities Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide.
The Brisbane edition of Wildlands took place on New Year’s Eve, just one day ahead of Ice Spice’s 25th birthday, and as one of the headliners, the musician was scheduled to perform in the 10:30pm – 11pm slot. While her spot was reportedly brought forward by five minutes, Ice Spice was ultimately 30 minutes late to the stage, and didn’t appear before the crowd until 10:55pm.
Due to the festival’s tight scheduling ahead of the evening’s celebrations, Ice Spice was only able to perform two songs – including “Deli” and “Princess Diana” – before her microphone was cut off during “In Ha Mood”.
“At 11.01pm – they gave her an extra minute – they cut the mic and you heard the collective sigh from the crowd,” journalist and podcaster Brenton Larney told The Guardian. “They’d been waiting for a while and they get two songs?
“So that was a bit ridiculous and it was just really disrespectful how she walked off, she was laughing, they tried to give her flowers for her birthday and she just shrugged them off,” he added, noting that it seemed as though the musician “didn’t want to be there”.
Though initially silent in the aftermath of the festival, organizers later addressed the situation via their Instagram comment section, explaining that Ice Spice’s microphone had to be cut off to ensure the rest of the festival – which included a countdown from U.K. duo Chase & Status – ran to time.
“We understand that Ice Spice’s delayed arrival caused some disappointment,” the festival stated. “Managing a stacked festival means that we have to be extremely firm with set times. We had a strict curfew of 12:30 and need to ensure that the final act went on stage on time, so everyone could enjoy the New Year’s Eve countdown.”
While Ice Spice was herself silent following the event, the musician returned to the stage on Saturday (Jan. 4) to perform at the Perth leg of the festival, where she briefly addressed the situation ahead during her set, as local radio station Youth Jam have reported.
“I’m sorry guys, surely y’all can forgive me,” she was quoted as saying. “It was my birthday and it takes a long time to look like a Barbie.” The statement was ostensibly shared as a brief lead in to her next song, the Nicki Minaj collaboration “Barbie World”.
Ice Spice wrapped up her current touring plans the following day (Jan. 5) with a performance in Adelaide, closing out the global tour in support of her debut album, Y2K!. The record received largely positive reviews from critics and reached No. 18 on the Billboard 200 and No. 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
15 years on from his death at the age of 74, actor Dennis Hopper will have his legacy further immortalized thanks to a new concept album from Scottish rock band The Waterboys.
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Fittingly-titled Life, Death and Dennis Hopper, the record is scheduled for April 4 release via the historic Sun label, and features a number of special guests, including Bruce Springsteen, Fiona Apple, Steve Earle, Taylor Goldsmith, and more. Apple is herself a noted fan of The Waterboys, having covered their signature song “The Whole of the Moon” for the series finale of Showtime’s The Affair in 2019.
Interestingly, The Waterboys have previously focused on Hopper for their work, with 2020’s Good Luck, Seeker featuring a track named after the late actor.
“The arc of his life was the story of our times,” said The Waterboys’ Mike Scott in a statement. “He was at the big bang of youth culture in Rebel Without a Cause with James Dean; and the beginnings of Pop Art with the young Andy Warhol. He was part of the counter-culture, hippie, civil rights, and psychedelic scenes of the ’60s.
“In the ’70s and ’80s, he went on a wild 10-year rip, almost died, came back, got straight and became a five-movies-a-year character actor without losing the sparkle in his eye or the sense of danger or unpredictability that always gathered around him.”
The album’s first single, “Hopper’s on Top (Genius)”, will arrive on Friday (Jan. 9), and will preview a record which also features the talents of artists such as Barny Fletcher, , Anana Kaye, Patti Palladin, and Kathy Valentine of The Go-Go’s.
“It begins in his childhood, ends the morning after his death, and I get to say a whole lot along the way,” added Scott. “Not just about Dennis, but about the whole strange adventure of being a human soul on planet Earth.”
The surviving members of Canadian progressive rock outfit Rush have reflected on their final tour, sharing their regrets that the tour didn’t extend to the likes of the U.K. and Europe.
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Close to ten years on from their final run of shows, Rush bassist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson spoke to Classic Rock magazine about the group’s last gigs, apologizing to the British and European fans who didn’t get a chance to see them perform live.
“I’d pushed really hard to get more gigs so that we could do those extra shows and I was unsuccessful,” Lee said of the band’s R40 Live Tour. “I really felt like I let our British and European fans down. It felt to me incorrect that we didn’t do it, but Neil [Peart] was adamant that he would only do thirty shows and that was it.
“That to him was a huge compromise because he didn’t want to do any shows. He didn’t want to do one show.”
Rush’s R40 Live Tour kicked off in Tulsa, OK in May 2015, and featured a total of 35 shows across the U.S. and the band’s native Canada, ending in August of that year. Ultimately, while Rush’s dedicated fanbase called out for more dates to be added, these would become the final performances from the veteran band. Despite releasing their final album, Clockwork Angels, in 2012, Rush’s dissolution wasn’t confirmed until the death of longtime drummer Neil Peart in January 2020.
While Lee would detail the band’s final tour in his 2023 memoir, My Effin’ Life, he admitted to being very cautious in regard to how he discussing Peart’s death, but strived to be as candid as he could so as to give Rush’s audience the closure they wanted about the band’s end.
“I just kind of felt I owed an explanation to them, the audience,” Lee explained. “It’s part of why I went into the detail I did about Neil’s passing in the book, was to let fans in on what went down. That it wasn’t a straight line.
“This is how complicated the whole world of Rush became since August 1 of 2015 until January 7th of 2020 when Neil passed. Those were very unusual, complicated, emotional times. Fans invested their whole being into our band and I thought they deserved a somewhat straight answer about what happened and how their favourite band came to end.”
Lifeson also expressed his disappointment about Rush being unable to tour some of their favourite markets as part of their final run, noting that while Peart’s scheduling demands and health issues made further shows impossible, an additional “dozen or so” dates may have made the surviving members “a bit more accepting”.
“There was a point where I think Neil was open to maybe extending the run and adding in a few more shows, but then he got this painful infection in one of his feet,” Lifeson added. “I mean, he could barely walk to the stage at one point. They got him a golf cart to drive him to the stage. And he played a three-hour show, at the intensity he played every single show.
“That was amazing, but I think that was the point where he decided that the tour was only going to go on until that final show in LA.”
Having formed in Toronto in 1968 by Lee, Lifeson, and original members John Rutsey and Jeff Jones, Rush began to find widespread fame throughout the ’70s, with Peart replacing Rutsey following the recording of their 1974 self-titled debut.
While much of Rush’s touring was confined to the U.S. and Canada, the U.K. was their next most popular market, with European countries such as Germany and the Netherlands following behind. Curiously, Rush rarely ventured beyond these territories, with countries such as Australia never hosting the band on their shores.
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President-elect Donald Trump is slated to appear for sentencing for his conviction in the “hush money” case in New York City, and his online supporters are beside themselves.
Last Friday (January 3), President-elect Donald Trump received bad news regarding his sentencing in the “hush money” case in New York City when Judge Juan Merchan issued a decision that he would proceed. Judge Merchan ordered the sentencing to take place ten days before Trump is to be sworn in as president in Washington, D.C. The 18-page decision detailed Merchan’s reasoning, primarily explaining that Trump’s claims of immunity citing the Supreme Court’s infamous opinion were not valid. “The Constitution dictates that only a President, after taking the oath of office, has the authority of the Chief Executive, a President-elect does not. Accordingly, a President-elect is not permitted to avail himself of the protections afforded to the individual occupying that Office,” Merchan wrote.
Trump’s constant trashing of Merchan and other lawmakers and the court system also played a part in the decision. “Defendant’s disdain for the Third Branch of government, whether state or federal, in New York or elsewhere, is a matter of public record. Indeed, Defendant has gone to great lengths to broadcast on social media and other forums his lack of respect for judges, juries, grand juries, and the justice system as a whole,” he continued. Trump is not expected to receive any time in jail, as Merchan noted the difficulties in handing a prison sentence to a sitting president, he will not move to throw out the conviction.
Trump raged over that fact in a post on his Truth Social platform in the early hours of Monday morning (January 6), hours before his team declared that they would file an emergency appeal with New York State known as an “Article 78” petition used to challenge decisions by state judges and agencies. Several of Trump’s supporters among the right voiced their displeasure with Merchan on social media. “JUST IN: Judge Juan Merchan has just ordered President Trump to be sentenced in his phony hush money case on January 10th in New York City, 10 days before his inauguration. Outrageous,” wrote Laura Loomer, a far-right activist who’s been an ardent follower of Trump.
Vivid Seats, an online ticket resale marketplace that went public through a SPAC merger in 2021, is reportedly fielding acquisition offers from several equity firms hoping to take the company private, according to a recent report in Bloomberg. Company officials have brought on an advisory firm to help gauge interest in a potential sale, according […]
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One of Hip-Hop’s longest running fueds continues. Ja Rule found it hilarious that 50 Cent’s Las Vegas residency was panned by a critic.
As spotted on HipHopDX, the G-Unit Records recently kicked off his residency at PH Live in Planet Hollywood. As expected, 50 Cent performed his medley of hits, b-sides and guest appearances to a crowd of his fans. In attendance at one of the dates was blogger Jennifer Gay, who goes by the name Vegas Starfish on social media. She recapped her evening in a video that made it clear that she was unimpressed by the set up and even 50’s performance. “The sound was balanced poorly making it impossible to hear the performance. His hypemen were unrelenting and overbearing making it difficult to hear anything but their echos,” she wrote. “The only surprise was the lack of energy. This was the worst live performance, for any artist, I’ve ever attended,” she added.
Her review soon went viral on social media and eventually landed on Ja Rule’s radar. The “Always On Time” rapper reposted the clip and added, “Not the worst… #ICONN,” with several laughing emojis. Jeffrey wasn’t the only one who took shots at 50 Cent over the footage, as many people online noticed that Fif only waves his right arm up and down while he raps throughout his entire set.
http://www.twitter.com/jarule/status/1874459263583560082
As expected, 50 Cent has responded to the criticism and paused for a brief moment at a subsequent show to address the poor review. “What, you thought I was going to be out here rollerblading like Usher and sh*t? I seen some sh*t, Chris Brown was flying in Africa. I don’t have records that require me to fly in Africa,” he told the crowd. The blogger Vegas Starfish continues to stand by her original review.
Will Smith sent Matrix fans into a frenzy on Monday morning (Jan. 6) when he shared an Instagram post that appeared to be teasing his role in the next installment of the popular film franchise.
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However, insiders tell The Hollywood Reporter that Smith will not be joining Warner Bros. and director Drew Goddard’s The Matrix 5, which was confirmed to be in development in early 2024.
In his post, Smith revealed how he passed on the starring role of Neo in the original 1999 sci-fi classic, directed by Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski — complete with Matrix-inspired digital font over a black screen that reads: “In 1997, the Wachowskis offered Will Smith the role of Neo in ‘The Matrix.’ Smith turned it down,” his Instagram video, written in third-person, reads. “He chose ‘Wild Wild West,’ believing it was a better fit for him at the time. But the question remains: What would ‘The Matrix’ have been like with Will Smith as Neo?”
See the post here.
While Smith will not be taking on the role of Keanu Reeve’s leading character, there is a chance that the teaser post is music related. Smith has not released a studio album since 2005, but he’s been teasing a return to music, including dropping a new single, “Work of Art,” which features his son, Jaden Smith, as well as rapper Russ. In April, Smith made a surprise cameo during J. Balvin’s Coachella set, followed by the live debut of his gospel-tinged song “You Can Make It” at June’s BET Awards.
He also discussed an upcoming album — tentatively titled Dance in Your Darkest Moments — in a May 2024 interview, saying, “Over the past year and a half, I’ve been in the studio. I have a project that is the most personal and powerful music project I’ve ever done. The idea of the music is, ‘Dance in your darkest moments.’” In July, Smith signed to Slang Music Group, home to Big Sean, Mira Black, Niki Lynette, Savvy & Mandy and Syleena Johnson.
After BABYMONSTER spent 2024 solidifying their position as one the year’s standout K-pop rookie acts, the girl group is looking to extend their reach with fans worldwide during their first-ever world tour that the septet is preparing with a dynamic production to distinguish itself from other K-pop acts and showcase what truly makes them unique.
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Hot off the group’s Billboard 200 debut with their first full-length [Drip] splashed onto the charts in November, the stars tease a “vibrant setlist” featuring never-before-performed tracks from the LP alongside individual solo stages by members RUKA, PHARITA, ASA, AHYEON, RAMI, RORA, and CHIQUITA. Accompanied by a live band, the tour will rock major arenas like Los Angeles’ Kia Forum and the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, to help cement their reputation as rising live-performance powerhouses. So far, BABYMONSTER has already wowed live audiences with standout appearances at K-pop award shows (a highlight of the year for RORA) and as special guests during dates of 2NE1‘s highly anticipated reunion tour across Asia (which “felt like a dream,” according to youngest member CHIQUITA).
Billboard caught up with the monster rookies to learn about the creative process behind their tour, the group’s favorite moments and tracks from last year, and New Year’s greetings and messages for their loyal fans — adorably known as MONSTIEZ.
Congratulations on announcing your first-ever world tour! What does it mean to you as a group that your first U.S. shows will be at iconic arenas like the Kia Forum and Prudential Center?
RUKA: We are honored and thrilled to be able to hold our first U.S. shows at such iconic arenas. We promise to deliver amazing, unforgettable performances that you’ll cherish for a lifetime, so please look forward to them!
The name is really fun, how did you decide on the name for your world tour? Is there a message you wanted to convey?
RAMI: was chosen with the idea of our first meeting with our fans in mind and the very first greeting we will share when we meet in person. We would like to extend a heartfelt first greeting through our music and performances. First meetings are always so exciting, which is why we are especially looking forward to the upcoming shows! This tour will be a chance for us to share our story with all of you and create special, unforgettable moments that will be cherished for years to come.
CHIQUITA: For the first time ever, we’re unveiling performances from our first full-length album, [DRIP], including solo stages and a vibrant setlist. We can’t wait to showcase not only the unique charms of our seven members but also the incredible synergy we share together.
The tour begins in Seoul in late January. What songs are you looking forward to performing for the most? And what should U.S. fans expect from your shows?
PHARITA: I’m so excited to perform songs we’ve never shared with our fans before! However, the song I always enjoy performing the most on stage is “BATTER UP (Remix)!”
ASA: Our U.S. fans will get to experience our vibrant performances and high-energy stages. We hope to create special moments with music and performances that showcase our unique style. Additionally, we look forward to connecting more closely with MONSTIEZ and sharing unforgettable moments together!
BABYMONSTER gained a lot of attention for the live “band” performances of your songs like “SHEESH” and “FOREVER.” I hope that means you’ll be touring with a live band in the U.S.?
AHYEON: We believe that a live band is the best way to capture the energy and atmosphere of the moment, so we’ve decided to perform every song with one! The rearrangements in each track will bring a fresh, new vibe while adding elements we hope you’ll find exciting and enjoyable.
Beyond the concerts, what are you looking forward to doing or experiencing in the LA or NY areas?
RAMI: I want to stroll, shop, and enjoy delicious food at my leisure while soaking up the sun on the streets of LA. In NY, I definitely want to visit Times Square!
Taking a step back, 2024 has been a monumental year for the group; what stands out as most memorable?
RORA: It’s definitely hard to choose just one, as there have been so many memorable moments! However, the most unforgettable moment for me was performing at the year-end annual music festival. It is both the most recent and the most memorable. It was my first time performing on such a big stage, and everything — from the newly arranged songs and choreography, to the stage and outfits — was perfect, making it such a fun performance.
One of my personal highlights was seeing BABYMONSTER perform as guests on 2NE1’s comeback concerts. What was your experience alongside such icons?
CHIQUITA: It was such an honor and felt like a dream to perform on stage at the 2NE1 concerts — seniors I’ve admired since I was young! Watching their amazing performances inspired me to improve and strive to do even better on our own stages in the future.
BABYMONSTER won several new-artist awards this year and was named K-Pop Rookie of the Month at Billboard. What do these titles mean to you and what more would you like to show moving forward?
RUKA: As we’ve been given the “Monster Rookie” title, we’ll continue to work hard, strive to show our growth, and always present new and different sides of ourselves.
The start of the year is often a time for goal setting. What dreams do you have for 2025, whether as a group or as individuals?
PHARITA: 2024 was filled with amazing opportunities and achievements. I’m so proud of all our members and I hope we continue to grow and stay healthy throughout our 2025 tour.
ASA: As a group, we hope to connect with more fans and share our music and performances with a wider audience on stages around the world. We also aim to continue challenging ourselves with new music styles and to showcase our growth. In 2025, we’ll work even harder to ensure we can share amazing moments together.
Billboard always shares its staff picks for the best songs of the year. What were each of your favorite songs from 2024?
RUKA: “Die With a Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
PHARITA: “Good Graces” by Sabrina Carpenter
ASA: “POWER” by G-DRAGON
AHYEON: “Soft Spot” by keshi
RAMI: It would have to be “toxic till the end” by ROSÉ! It’s one of the songs I listen to every single day because I love the melody and style so much!
RORA: “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” by Billie Eilish
CHIQUITA: “BILLIONAIRE” by BABYMONSTER
Any other messages you’d like to share with international fans and Billboard readers?
AHYEON: I hope everyone stays healthy and happy in the new year. We’ll work hard to make sure 2025 is a year where we can take another step forward and show even better versions of ourselves. Thank you, and wishing you all a happy new year.
RORA: First of all, kudos to everyone for all the hard work and dedication you’ve shown throughout 2024 — you’ve all been amazing! 2024 has been especially meaningful for BABYMONSTER, as it marked the beginning of our journey. We’ve worked incredibly hard, given it our all, and gained so many valuable experiences. I’m truly grateful to everyone who has supported us, and as the years go by, we promise to become stronger and even more incredible artists. Last but not least, we’d like to express our deepest gratitude to all the Billboard readers who love and support BABYMONSTER. Thank you so much!