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23 Feb 2024

Pearl Jam Expands Australian Stadium Tour Following ‘Overwhelming Response’

More Australians will get the chance to see Pearl Jam’s swing Down Under later this year, their first in these parts for a decade.

Just 10 days after the rock legends announced a major global tour in support of their forthcoming studio album Dark Matter, Pearl Jam adds two stadium dates to their Australia lap.

As it stands, Eddie Vedder and Co. will play five dates across three Australian cities this November, starting Nov. 13 at Heritage Bank Stadium on the Gold Coast.

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Additional shows are locked in for Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium and Sydney’s Giants Stadium, following an “overwhelming response to last week’s announcement of the Dark Matter World Tour 2024,” reads a statement from Live Nation, which is producing the domestic run.

Those dates will mark Pearl Jam’s first in Australia for 10 years, and form part of an international jaunt that kicks off May 4 at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, B.C. for a round of north America shows.

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Vedder, Jeff Ament, Stone Gossard, Mike McCreedy and Matt Cameron will then head over to Europe for June and July, return to the States in late August, and bring matters to a halt in November with two shows in New Zealand and the five Australia concerts.

Pixies will serve as support for the dates in ANZ.

All of it is in support of Dark Matter, the Rock Hall-inducted group’s 12th studio LP, due out April 19. It’s the followup to 2020’s Gigaton, which peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart, and No. 3 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was described by some devotees as their most experimental album yet.

Produced by Andrew Watt, Dark Matter was “born in just three weeks,” according to a statement from reps, as the band mates wrote and recorded in a “burst of inspiration.” The “musicians faced one another in the same space and communicated sonically at the highest level,” the message continues.

The title track dropped earlier this month and is the musical equivalent of a boulder – heavy rock, no nonsense.

Dark Matter World Tour (Australia)
Nov.13 — Heritage Bank Stadium, Gold Coast
Nove.16 — Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Nov.18 — Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Nov. 21 — Giants Stadium, Sydney
Nov. 23 — Giants Stadium, Sydney

23 Feb 2024

Taylor Swift Sets Records, Sweeps Australia’s Charts

It’s a long, sweet southern summer for Taylor Swift, as the U.S. pop superstar dominates the Australian albums chart and her sleeper hit “Cruel Summer” climbs to No. 1 for the first time.

The newly-crowned IFPI Global Recording Artist, earning plaudits for a record fourth time, Swift now sweeps the ARIA Charts like no artist has before her.

For the third time in her career, Swift occupies the entire top 5 on the ARIA Albums charts, a feat no other artist has achieved even once (Michael Jackson came closest, when he posthumously nabbed the top 3 spots in 2009).

On the latest tally, published Friday, Feb. 23, Swift rules with Midnights, 1989 (Taylor’s Version), Lover, folklore (all via Universal), and reputation (Big Machine/Universal), respectively. Midnights becomes her longest-reigning No. 1 on the ARIA Chart, at 15 non-consecutive weeks.

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All told, TayTay bags seven of the top 10, breaking the record for most titles by one artist in the top 10, beating her old mark of six.

When Swift was confirmed by the IFPI Wednesday (Feb. 21) as the biggest-selling global recording artist of the 2023, the trade body pointed to the “phenomenon” by which her record-busting The Eras Tour increases engagement with her entire catalog on streaming platforms around the world.

Lover track “Cruel Summer” is the IFPI’s case study, a song “initially released in 2019 but which topped charts around the world four years later.”

It’s a good point, well made. Last week, Swift completing a three-night stand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and tonight enters the final straight of her The Eras Tour of Australia, produced by Frontier Touring, with the first of her four consecutive concerts at Sydney’s Accord Stadium.

Those dates at the MCG, totaled over 288,000 — the most tickets sold by one artist at the towering venue, according to Universal Music Australia.

Too much Taylor Swift isn’t enough for her Swifties, as “Cruel Summer” lifts 4-1 for its first stint at the top of the ARIA Singles Chart, her 11th leader. That places her in a tie with Madonna as the artist with the third most No. 1 singles in Australia, behind the Beatles (26) and Elvis Presley (14), respectively.

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It’s the seventh time Swift has notched the ARIA Chart double, extending her own record.

Also noteworthy on the latest ARIA Singles Chart is the trajectory of Beyonce’s country-leaning “Texas Hold ‘Em” (Columbia/Sony). A record-setter in the U.S., Bey’s new hit flies 38-3 for her 16th top 10 solo or duet appearance in Australia.

Also, Dua Lipa bows at No. 12 on the ARIA Chart with “Training Season” (Warner Records), lifted from the British pop artist’s forthcoming third album.

The top debut on the ARIA Albums Chart belongs Sydney indie duo Royel Otis, with Pratts & Pain (Ourness), new at No. 10. That’s a new career best for the pair, Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic, following the No. 43 peak for their 2023 EP Sofa Kings. Nominated for the Michael Gudinski breakthrough artist award at the 2023 ARIAs, Royel Otis are currently touring Australia in support of the new LP.

22 Feb 2024

Dolly Parton Congratulates Beyonce on Billboard Country Chart Record

Add Dolly Parton to the list of millions who’re keen to hear Beyoncé’s Renaissance Act II.

The country legend and Rock Hall-inductee is, it turns out, a fully-paid-up member of the BeyHive, and thrilled with Beyonce’s recent record-setting feats.

This week, Beyonce made her debut on Billboard’s streaming-, airplay- and sales-based Hot Country Songs chart (dated Feb. 24) with her first two entries on the survey: “Texas Hold ‘Em” at No. 1 and “16 Carriages” at No. 9.

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With “Texas Hold ‘Em,” she becomes the first Black woman, or female known to be biracial, to have topped the Hot Country Songs tally.

The records don’t end there. Beyoncé makes history as the first woman to have topped both Hot Country Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs since the lists began as all-encompassing genre song charts in October 1958.

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None of it has bypassed Dolly. “I’m a big fan of Beyonce and very excited that she’s done a country album,” writes Parton on social media. “So congratulations on your Billboard Hot Country number one single. Can’t wait to hear the full album!”

That album is Renaissance Act II, due out March 29.

Once it arrives, Act II will mark Bey’s eighth studio record. It’ll also vie to become her eighth straight No. 1 album on the Billboard 200, as all seven of her previous LPs have debuted atop the chart — from 2003’s Dangerously in Love to Renaissance, her most recent effort from 2022.

As previously reported, “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages” start at Nos. 2 and 38, respectively, on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. “Texas Hold ‘Em,” meanwhile, is projected to lead the Official U.K. Singles Chart, having topped the midweek survey. If “Texas Hold ‘Em” plays its cards right when the national chart is published late Friday (Feb. 23), Bey will bag a sixth U.K. solo No. 1 single.

Both cuts were released Feb. 11, as announced in a Verizon commercial that aired during CBS’ broadcast of Super Bowl LVIII, ahead of the new album release.

22 Feb 2024

7 Things You Didn’t See on TV at 2024 Premio Lo Nuestro

While Karol G was the big winner of the night; Don Omar, Ana Barbara, and Olga Tañon received special recognitions; and mainstream acts like Kane Brown and Machine Gun Kelly took center stage, Billboard was at the media center and magenta carpet capturing all the scoop you didn’t see on TV at the 2024 Premio Lo Nuestro. 

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Below, check out everything you missed from the awards ceremony on Thursday night (Feb. 22). 

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Exclusive Collaborations: At the magenta carpet, a few artists revealed to Billboard their next collaborations. Eden Muñoz, for example, spoke about an upcoming bop with Alejandro Sanz, while Michelle Maciel unveiled a heartfelt tune with Yahritza y Su Esencia, slated for April. 

Ana Barbara’s Dressing Room: A visit to Ana Barbara’s dressing room found the Mexican diva practicing her pluses ahead of her performance. The limber, athletic Ana Barbara, who was honored for her 30 year trajectory in music, boasted she could execute a full split today better than she ever could in her teens, when she studied ballet. “It’s all practice,” she said with a laugh. The Mexican star performed a six-minute-plus medley with several wardrobe changes.

Kane Brown’s Admiration for Carin Leon: After premiering their new single “The One” at the 2024 Premio Lo Nuestro, Carin León and Kane Brown headed to the media center, where they showed off their bromance. “He’s [like] me but in Latin form,” Brown said of León. “I am in his presence, and he’s the king for me right now. I’m honored to be part of his success. I’ve always been the outcast in country music and I feel that my song with Carin will open more doors. 

RBD Leaves Premios: After being in a great mood, talking to the press at the magenta carpet, RBD members Christopher Von Uckermann and Christian Chavez left the venue disappointed. In his Instagram stories, Uckermann explained that they were supposed to have seats at a table on the floor but were given the wrong tickets, which provoked them to leave the awards show and go to dinner instead. After the mishap, it was announced on X that RBD won an award for best pop group.

The Power Couple: As rising Argentine star Emilia prepped her makeup at her trailer backstage, boyfriend Duki hung out close by. “I’m here to provide moral support,” said the Argentine rapper, also a superstar. Emilia is rehearsing for her 10 sold-out arena Movistar shows in Buenos Aires in April and May and her upcoming Velez stadiums shows in October. 

Chayanne Announces Tour: After postponing his tour due to the pandemic, Chayanne unveiled at the media center that he is finally hitting the road. “The tour is beginning after five years,” he assures. “We’re kicking off in The United States on August 21 in California, and then going to Latin America and Europe in December. It’s a bit of work but we’re happy.”

Eslabon Armado’s Heartfelt Speech: In the media center, Eslabon Armado, who nabbed the Premio Lo Nuestro award for Mexican song of the year, dedicated their win to their mom who was watching the show from home. “I dedicate this to her because she’s an important part of us,” lead vocalist Pedro Tovar told the press. “People talk about Eslabon but don’t know what’s behind it. My parents are Mexican immigrants who battled for 10, 15 years to give us a future.” 

22 Feb 2024

Justin Timberlake Dives Into the Deep End With New Song ‘Drown’: Stream It Now

A month after launching the campaign for Everything I Thought It Was with lead single “Selfish,” Justin Timberlake has revealed a new taste of his forthcoming LP.

Co-written and co-produced by Louis Bell, Cirkut, Kenyon Dixon, Amy Allen and Timberlake himself, “Drown” finds the *NSYNC alum squarely at home on an atmospheric electro-pop&B instrumental. “Got caught up in the tide of all the tears you cried/ Yeah, you know I was blinded by my heart, sinking from the start/ Should’ve never followed you this far, now I’m in the deep end/ And you let me drown/ You didn’t even try to save me,” he croons on the chorus.

On Wednesday (Feb. 21), JT took to his Instagram page to share a reel of himself toiling in the studio with some collaborators while a snippet of “Drown,” his new single, plays in the background. “Drown 2/23,” read the caption. Timberlake first teased the song in a Feb. 19 Instagram post captioned: “Made it out to London, still recovering from this flu. But trying to power through. So excited for new music and everything coming this week… DROWN 2/23.”

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“Drown” serves as JT’s official follow-up to “Selfish,” which debuted at No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100, earning Timberlake his highest debut in six years on Billboard’s marquee singles chart. The lead single from Everything I Thought It Was also marked Timberlake’s 29th top 40 hit as a soloist.

In support of his new LP, Timberlake is set to embark on a headlining North American arena tour. Earlier this month, the “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” singer added 15 more dates to his already sprawling trek. The tour will kick off April 29 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, B.C., and visit major cities such as Las Vegas (May 10-11), New York (Jun. 25-26) and Atlanta (Nov. 16), before concluding Nov. 20 at KFC Yum Center in Louisville, Ky.

Stream “Drown” now:

22 Feb 2024

Linkin Park Announces ‘Papercuts’ Greatest Hits Album, Unveils Never-Before-Released Song ‘Friendly Fire’: Listen

Linkin Park have revealed the details of their first career-spanning greatest hits album: Papercuts (Singles Collection 2000-2023), a 20-song overview of the best-selling band’s two-decade-plus run, will be released on Apr. 12 through Warner Records, the group announced on Friday (Feb. 23).

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In addition, Linkin Park has released “Friendly Fire,” a never-before-heard track that was recorded during the sessions of the band’s final studio album, 2017’s One More Light. Like “Lost,” the previously unreleased track unveiled last year as part of the band’s Meteora 20th anniversary collection, “Friendly Fire” features a powerhouse vocal take from Chester Bennington, who passed away in 2017.

Guitarist Brad Delson says of “Friendly Fire,” “When we started looking for an unreleased track to include on our greatest hits collection, I was blown away by the power of the song, the power of the storytelling, the power of the vocal, the sonic landscape and I actually thought that it was closer than maybe we had realized at the time.”

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Papercuts features a wide swath of Linkin Park hits, from “In the End” to “Burn It Down” to the Jay-Z mash-up “Numb/Encore,” as well as “Lost,” which became the band’s latest top 40 Hot 100 hit upon its 2023 release and helped Meteora return to the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart. For completist fans, Papercuts will also include an official version of “QWERTY,” a sought-after rarity for more than a decade.

“In the making of each Linkin Park album, I want to love and believe in each individual song completely,” says Mike Shinoda. “I hope that if any one track is heard on its own in the world, it is something I can feel proud of, and something that takes root inside the listener and becomes part of the energy that connects us. 
 
“Curating the tracks for Papercuts was a joy,” Shinoda continues. “Each song in this collection is both a singular moment on our timeline and an evolving story that is as much ours as it is yours. From our first release ‘One Step Closer’ to the brand-new ‘Friendly Fire,’ this tracklist spans all our chapters so far. Thank you for being a part of our journey. We hope you enjoy Papercuts.”

Check out the Papercuts (Singles Collection 2000-2023) track list below:

1. Crawling
2. Faint
3. Numb/Encore
4. Papercut
5. Breaking The Habit
6. In The End
7. Bleed It Out
8. Somewhere I Belong
9. Waiting For The End
10. Castle Of Glass
11. One More Light
12. Burn It Down
13. What I’ve Done
14. QWERTY
15. One Step Closer
16. New Divide
17. Leave Out All The Rest
18. Lost
19. Numb
20. Friendly Fire

22 Feb 2024

Ana Bárbara Sparkles at Premio Lo Nuestro 2024, Accepts Lifetime Achievement Award: Full Speech

Ana Bárbara stunned in a majestic mariachi baby blue outfit that sparkled gloriously — with a proper charro hat — on Thursday (Feb. 22) for her performance at the 36th annual Premio Lo Nuestro.

Flanked by a mariachi ensemble equipped with trumpets, violins, and a guitarrón, the Mexican superstar sang her heart out, singing back-to-back hits such as “No Es Brujería,” “Lo Busqué” briefly joined by Carin León, “Loca,” and “Me Asusta Pero Me Gusta.”

Impressively, Bárbara changed about four times: a baby pink cowgirl sparkly outfit, a vintage yellow ensemble with fringes, and one piece that sported a bull on her chest with horns. The star worked the dance floor like no other, even doing the splits at one point, along with her troupe of dancers amid the occasional pyrotechnics.

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Following her energetic and visually stunning set, the regional Mexican music icon was awarded with the Premio La Trayectoria (Lifetime Achievement Award) by another legend in the genre, Pepe Aguilar, for her extraordinary trajectory and legacy.

Upon handing her the award, Aguilar said: “Ana, for three decades, you have carried high the traditions of our flag. Your voice became anthems and I am honored to say that you are part of my family…. For me it is an honor to present you with the award.”

Teary-eyed as the crowd chanted her name, Bárbara replied: “You left me speechless, a brother of life, thank you my Pepe. They are just as dear your family to me. In this blessed thank you for having us.”

She continued: “I remember the little girl fighting for her dreams until she became a woman, but above all a mother, the mother who has fought unreachably. Beautiful children for society, and that mother’s heart is the one who receives this blessed award of Premio Lo Nuestro. Thanks to the team, to my husband, to my Gero representing. Thank you for being here, this is for Mexican women, for Mexican music and Mexican women, may they continue to be bigger and stronger!

On Wednesday, Ana Bárbara shared insights with Billboard during rehearsals into her meticulous preparation for the anticipated performance. “We sat down as a team and asked ourselves what we wanted to share in terms of emotions, in terms of rhythm and songs,” she noted. “After thinking about it a lot, they chose one from each era that was written by different composers […] and came up with that cocktail of songs that will take us to different dimensions.”

Celebrating three decades of unparalleled influence in regional Mexican music and Latin pop, Bárbara’s journey is marked by hits a ton of hits that have earned her the title of La Reina Grupera (or the Queen of Grupero Music). Throughout her prolific career, that dates back since the mid ’90s, the San Luis Potosí native has not only captured hearts but also shaped the regional style, earning her a special place in Latin music history​.

22 Feb 2024

Olga Tañón Delivers Fiery Medley, Receives ‘Excelencia’ Award at Premio Lo Nuestro 2024

At the 36th edition of Premio Lo Nuestro, held at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Thursday (Feb. 22), Olga Tañón, affectionately known as “La Mujer de Fuego,” delivered a joyous, fiery medley that will be remembered as a highlight of the evening.

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Wearing a captain’s cap and a metallic getup, the merengue icon — known for her electrifying stage presence — took the audience on a journey with her biggest hits, including “Es Mentiroso,” “Mi Forma de Ser,” and “La Gran Fiesta.” She soon after changed to wear a sparkly red outfit, while her group of dancers wore leather chaps and inspired the audience to get up on their feet. Her performance not only showcased her unparalleled talent and energy, but also served as a vibrant celebration of her career.

Following her dynamic performance, Tañón was honored with the Premio Lo Nuestro a la Excelencia, an award that recognizes artists who have not only built an impeccable musical legacy, but have also served as pioneers in their genre.

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Her genre peer and fellow icon, Victor Manuelle, gave her the award. He said, “I am just as excited as you are right now. Speaking on behalf of all Latinos, but above all, in the name of our Island of Enchantment, for the great artist, great mother, and great friend … As they say, empowered, La mujer de fuego!”

Tañon responded: “I need my friend, my brother Victor Manuelle to be with me, because not only does it represent a wonderful award for me, but that you would give it to me. I consider you my friend, my brother, part of my flag and part of yours too.”

In her acceptance speech, she shared heartfelt words: “To everyone who has had to do with this, to my dad who always told me that the most beautiful word you can say in life is thank you. Thanks to everyone who started with me, to my work team, thank you, to my parents who are upstairs dancing merengue, who take good care of us. But above all thanks to my children that I leave them to continue working after 38 years of career. I love you guys. I know you are watching me. Thanks to my husband … And to all of us who have independent company, and we have to work a little bit more. And to you guys thank you very much for the trust. Puerto Rico!”

Olga Tañon is the artist with the most wins in the history of Premio Lo Nuestro.

22 Feb 2024

J. Cole Teases Next Album With Teaser Verse On Social Media

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Lil Baby & Friends Birthday Celebration

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J. Cole is coming!

It’s been three years since J. Cole blessed us with his last album, The Off Season, and it seems like the man is ready to get back into the game as last night he dropped a clip from a new song that had heads bopping and faces scrunching with approval. Over a menacing melody, Cole immediately sets the tone for the track by kicking off his verse saying “I said I was finished but I want another two summers/ Hall of famer hungrier than all the newcomers! Ni**as swear they compare, but the truth humbled…”

Bars!

While not much is known about his next album, The Fall Off, or when it might release, you can bet your bottom dollar that the culture will be tuning in whenever it drops because if this teaser is any indication of what Cole’s been cooking in the kitchen, we about to get served something special.

Only question is, will The Fall Off be J. Cole’s swan song? Some assume it will be but Jay-Z retired numerous times in his rap career only to return with new classics, so we wouldn’t bet the house on that assumption. But heads are expecting a new classic from J because as Cole said in his verse, “The Fall Off is like Hov droppin’ Reasonable Doubt last.”

Check out J. Cole’s verse below and let us know if you’re hype for The Fall Off in the comments section below.

22 Feb 2024

J Noa on Love for Kany García & Kenia OS, Upcoming New Music & More | Premio Lo Nuestro 2024

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