State Champ Radio Author: djfrosty
Page: 55
Trending on Billboard Warner Music Group reported a 23% decline in annual profit for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30 as the termination of BMG’s distribution agreement resulted in lower revenue, though higher publishing and recorded music revenues bolstered annual revenues. WMG’s net income for the 12 months ending Sept. 30 fell to $370 million […]
Trending on Billboard The first solo concert film from BTS‘ Jin, #RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR THE MOVIE, is slated to hit theater screens worldwide on Dec. 27 and 28. Trafalgar Releasing will roll the film out in a variety of formats, including 2D, SCREENX, 4DX and ULTRA 4DX, in approximately 1,800 theaters in 70 countries. According to a […]
Trending on Billboard AI is reshaping the music industry, and Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and producer Imogen Heap breaks down what this moment really means for creators. She joins host Kristin Robinson to unpack how she’s blended technology with artistry for two decades, the rise of generative AI and why it’s becoming harder to tell where […]
Trending on Billboard
It was a match made in heaven. Or, if you buy into the whole Prince of Darkness thing, hell.
During an appearance on step brother Jack Osbourne’s Trying Not to Die podcast this week, metal legend Ozzy Osbourne‘s eldest son, Louis Osbourne, sat down to have a familial chat about their late dad and one of the topics that came up was an obscure song that Osbourne tracked during the height of his early 1980s fame that also featured a just-about-to-be-famous Madonna.
The sons were talking about the bands that Ozzy loved and Jack noted that the metal godfather “really loved female vocalists,” adding that in the final years of his life wife/manager Sharon Osbourne really wanted Ozzy to do a duets albums with all-female singers. That prompted Louis to note that he has a rare 12″ vinyl at home that will blow Ozzy fans’ minds.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
“Was (Not Was) did a duet with Madonna and my dad,” he said of the truly bizarre song “Shake Your Head” from the Detroit duo’s 1983 album Born to Laugh at Tornadoes. When Jack interrupted to remind him that the song actually featured Ozzy and actress Kim Basinger, Louis corrected him and said it “was Madonna originally… It was written for Madonna and Was (Not Was) and it was when dad was poppin’ in the early ’80s and so was she, but then she kind of like really f–kin’ popped and then didn’t give approval on the record.”
Louis said after Madonna, or her team, allegedly blocked approvals, Basinger — then just at the beginning of a decade-long big screen hot streak — hopped on the song as her team were trying to “make her a pop star as well.” Louis said the track, a banger with a perfectly perfect early 1980s Madonna dance floor vibe overlaid with Ozzy’s yearning vocals (“You can’t feed the hungry/ Can’t talk Shakespeare to a monkey”) is “somewhere out there.”
Last month, Don Was told Rolling Stone that Madonna “did a great job” on the song, but it didn’t “sound like Was (Not Was) to me anymore,” so they brought in Ozzy to pseudo rap over the electro pop tune. “We realized about eight years later that we had Ozzy and Madonna on parallel tracks,” Was said. “So we gave it to a remixer… and he turned it into a Ozzy/Madonna duet.” The remix by Steve “Silk” Hurley ended up on the Now Dance ’92 compilation after Was accidentally on purpose sent him the original Madonna vocal track along with Ozzy’s, with Louis noting that the original, never-released version, went top 10 on the U.K. dance charts, topping out at No. 4 in 1992.
Watch the conversation below.
Trending on Billboard
If you managed to snag tickets to see Oasis on their triumphant Live ’25 tour this year, congratulations. If you didn’t and had your hopes raised last week when singer Liam Gallagher appeared to (once again) tease the possibility of additional shows next year, well, keep that bucket hat on the shelf for now because it sounds like it’s not at all a done deal.
As the group geared up for the launch of the final push of gigs in South America this weekend, Liam, as he does, hopped into the comments on an X user’s post last Wednesday (Nov. 12) after they asked if he was sad to see the tour end, saying “I’m not actually as I know things you don’t,” after earlier suggesting that his unexpected rapprochement with older brother songwriter Noel Gallagher was “only starting.”
Well, Liam was back in the comments on Wednesday (Nov. 19) when asked by a fan if anyone had “scolded you for saying ‘see u next year’?,” he replied, “there was a few tuts and raised eyebrows.” Another fan lamented that with just a few shows left they didn’t get to see a single gig and feared not surviving 2026 if there isn’t another tour next year. “WE NEED MORE,” they pleaded. Liam rubbished that anxiety talk and said, “stop being dramatic.”
Then, he threw yet another spanner in the works when asked to “just reply with one word is there gonna be a 2026 tour.” His answer, sorry to say, was “NO.” With the muddying of the water complete, another devastated superfan yelled, “ARE YOU F–KING SERIOUS,” to which Gallagher replied, “YES IM F–KING SERIOUS.”
It was all a bit soul-crushing, though Gallagher once again eased the door open a tiny crack in a lengthier response in which he said he will definitely be around next year, but, like, maybe not Oasis? “You will see me next year and the year after and so on just not sure yet if it’ll be with oasis we need to sit down and discuss these things,” he wrote. “If it was all up to me then you know we’d be touring till the day we die as it’s the best thing in the world but UNFORTUNATELY it’s not.”
If you simply cannot stand the suspense, get yourself down to São Paulo, Brazil’s MOrumBIS stadium on Saturday (Nov. 22) or Sunday (Nov. 23) for what sounds like the final shows by the reunited Britpop legends… for now, anyway.
See Gallagher’s comments below.
There was a few tuts and raised eyebrows— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) November 19, 2025
has anyone already scolded you for saying the ‘see u next year’ ? is that why you tell us this?— andy saw oasis (@liampurrs) November 19, 2025
Trending on Billboard End of The Road festival in Dorset, England announced the first list of acts on tap to celebrate its 20th anniversary edition in 2026 on Thursday (Nov. 20), with Pulp, CMAT and Mac DeMarco set to headline. The festival will take place at Lamar Tree Garden on Sep. 3-6 and feature a […]
Trending on Billboard
Sometimes it rains, sometimes it pours. For Cynthia Erivo, it’s pouring, in spectacular fashion.
The award-winning actress, singer, and producer is, of course, reprising her role as Elphaba in Wicked: For Good, the sequel to 2024 feature film Wicked, which raked in nearly $750 million at the worldwide box office, the best showing ever an adaptation for a Broadway musical.
That’s for starters. The Nigerian-British star penned the newly-published autobiography “Simply More,” she’s the cover star on Britain’s GQ, and her voice is still “missing in action,” the fallout from all the promo, the extensive singing and the airmiles put in for Wicked: For Good, which arrives Friday, Nov. 21 in theaters.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
Erivo stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday night (Nov. 19) for a quiet chat about her busy schedule.
For her work on stage and screen, Erivo has won a Tony, Emmy and this week she landed two Grammy Award nominations for Wicked: one for “Defying Gravity” (with Ariana Grande) in the best pop duo/group performance category, and another for “Be Okay” in the best arrangement, instrumental or a cappella category.
“I didn’t even know we could be nominated for that,” she told Fallon. “I didn’t know we could be eligible.”
Fallon also coaxed Erivo into ranking her favorite songs from Wicked, a project not far removed from being asked to choose your favorite kids, she remarked. And she discussed the origins of that meme (it’s a story of a lost hat, with a happy ending) and recreated it for the moment.
Universal‘s Wicked: For Good should provide a Thanksgiving feast, somewhere in the order of $120 million-plus domestically and upwards of $200 million worldwide, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
With those numbers, Jon M. Chu’s film would bank the best start for a Broadway musical adaptation ever. By trying to manage expectations, the studio has suggested anything around $115 million in North America would be huge result.
Watch Erivo’s late night interview below.
Trending on Billboard
Just when it seemed that Lily Allen’s West End Girl campaign couldn’t get any bigger, the singer has added a run of arena shows to her 2026 U.K. tour.
The new dates, which include a night at London’s 20,000-capacity O2 Arena, will join Allen’s previously announced shows, which take place in theaters across the country throughout March.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
The arena leg of the tour will kick off at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena on June 2. She’ll head to Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, Cardiff, Birmingham and London before traveling to Ireland for a night at Dublin’s 3Arena on June 30. It will mark the biggest headline tour of Allen’s career.
Tickets go on sale on Nov. 27 at 10 a.m. GMT. Fans can find further ticketing information on Allen’s website.
The show – Lily Allen Performs West End Girl – will see the British star perform her new album front to back. Released Oct. 24, the LP hit a peak of No. 2 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart, marking her highest placement on the list since 2014’s Sheezus. Prior to the arena gigs, Allen will also perform West End Girl for a headline slot at Mighty Hoopla festival in London’s Brockwell Park on May 30.
West End Girl has repeatedly hit the headlines in recent weeks. The album appears to tell the story of the dissolution of Allen’s marriage to Stranger Things actor David Harbour in chronological order, traversing the start of an open relationship, scenes of alleged infidelity and a subsequent breakdown of trust.
Speaking to British Vogue prior to its release, Allen likened the album to a work of autofiction. She told the publication that its lyrical content was inspired by her marriage, but “that’s not to say it’s all gospel.” Allen and Harbour tied the knot in Las Vegas in 2020 after meeting on dating app Raya the year prior.
West End Girl is Allen’s first album since 2018’s No Shame and her fifth full-length release overall. Allen’s debut LP, Alright, Still hit No. 2 on the U.K. charts in 2006, while its predecessor, It’s Not Me, It’s You (2009) reached the summit.
Allen will return to Saturday Night Live on Dec. 13, appearing on the show as a musical guest for the first time since 2007. Actor Josh O’Connor is set to make his debut as host that night.
Check out the updated list of Lily Allen Performs West End Girl tour dates below:
March 2: Glasgow, Scotland @ Royal Concert Hall
March 3: Liverpool, England @ Philharmonic Hall
March 5: Birmingham, England @ Birmingham Symphony Hall
March 7: Sheffield, England @ Sheffield City Hall
March 8: Newcastle, England @ Newcastle City Hall
March 10: Manchester, England @ Aviva Studios, The Hall
March 11: Manchester, England @ Aviva Studios, The Hall
March 14: Nottingham, England @ Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
March 15: Cambridge, England @ Corn Exchange
March 17: Bristol, England @ Bristol Beacon
March 18: Cardiff, Wales @ Cardiff New Theatre
March 20: London, England @ London Palladium
March 21: London, England @ London Palladium
May 30: London, England @ Mighty Hoopla Festival
June 16: Newcastle, England @ Utilita Arena (new date)
June 17: Glasgow, Scotland @ OVO Hydro (new date)
June 19: Manchester, England @ AO Arena (new date)
June 21: Leeds, England @ First Direct Arena (new date)
June 23: Nottingham, England @ Motorpoint Arena (new date)
June 24: Cardiff, Wales @ Utilita Arena (new date)
June 26: Birmingham, England @ BP Pulse Live (new date)
June 27: London, England @ The O2 (new date)
June 30: Dublin, Ireland @ 3Arena (new date)
Trending on Billboard
You Am I emerged at the right time, with the right look, sound, songs and attitude. At the 2025 ARIA Awards on Wednesday night, Nov. 19, the ‘90s indie rock legends were elevated into the ARIA Hall of Fame, recognition of all those special traits, and their lasting impact on the country’s music scene and beyond.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
Formed in the late ’80s, and led by frontman Tim Rogers alongside bandmates Andy Kent, David Lane and Rusty Hopkinson, You Am I owned their lane.
You Am I were hard to beat in the ‘90s, a time when young Australian music fans were connected like never before. Newly-committed fans might discover You Am I on Triple J, which had rolled out as a national network, or on its sister music video channel Rage. Or watch them perform Saturday morning on the ABC’s Recovery, or catch them in the flesh on stage at the traveling Big Day Out.
Along the way, the group has released 11 studio albums, most recently 2021’s The Lives of Others, which went to No. 2 on the ARIA Chart. And they’ve collected 10 ARIA Awards, not including the Hall of Fame honor.
Australia’s alternative rock community loved, and still love, You Am I. The proof was there in the induction video, which included glowing tributes from Silverchair’s Daniel Johns, Powderfinger’s Bernard Fanning, and the country’s prime minister Anthony Albanese, who remarked that “along the way, you’ve added to who we are.”
Each bandmate took turns at the mic, though it was Rogers’ address that will spring to mind in years to come. The singer and guitarist held back tears as he spoke of his own health ordeals, and how making music with the band had given him life.
“F*** I love rock ‘n’ roll,” he remarked.
The rockers wrapped up the 39th ARIA Awards with a two-song performance of “Heavy Heart” and “Berlin Chair.” You Am I were in fine form, having reunited this year for a major national tour to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Hi Fi Way, which arrived fully formed on Feb. 20, 1995.
Next year, to mark the 40th anniversary of the ARIAs, the trade body will create a standalone ceremony with a class of five inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Watch You Am I’s ARIA Hall of Fame performance below.
Trending on Billboard
SYDNEY, Australia — The 2025 ARIA Awards are in the books, and, for hundreds of guests at Hordern Pavilion and the various afterparties across Sydney, hangovers and urgent sleep.
Many in the room said the show was one of the best in recent memory, led by honest speeches, strong performances and worthy winners.
Related
Australia’s recorded music industry has enjoyed some wins of late, none greater than the federal government’s decision to shut-down any talk of a text and data mining (TDM) exemption in the nation’s Copyright Act, a “significant” win that was achieved through a unified lobbying effort. Via Big Music, if you will.
There have been losses, too. Wednesday night’s 39th annual ARIA Awards in Sydney, however, was a celebration of the good times.
Amyl and The Sniffers led the way, with four spiky trophies. Ninajirachi (three), Dom Dolla (two) and Kevin Parker (two) also had nights to remember.
At the top of the show, before the free-to-air broadcast went out on Network 10, ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd and chair Natalie Waller reflected on the struggles, the journey, and the wins in 2025.
See the speech in full below and read more on the 2025 ARIA Awards here.
Annabelle Herd: Hello and welcome to the 2025 ARIA Awards at the iconic Hordern Pavilion on beautiful Gadigal country! We might not be the most exciting duo you’ll see tonight, but we are definitely the most consistent.
It’s a privilege to celebrate on this land. We pay our respects to First Nations people, elders, leaders, and especially the incredible First Nations nominees, artists, and colleagues here tonight. Always was, always will be.
Natalie Waller: A huge congratulations and welcome to all the nominated artists — we hope you have a wonderful night.
A very warm welcome to NSW Arts and Music Minister John Graham; Federal Arts Minister Tony Burke; Minister for Disability Jenny McAllister; Shadow Attorney-General and Arts Minister Julian Leeser; Senator Sarah Hanson-Young; and Dr Sophie Scamps. Thank you all for always standing with our industry.
Welcome also to Destination NSW CEO Karen Jones, and to two amazing women who, like us, spend every waking hour thinking about how to lift Aussie music: Sound NSW’s Emily Collins and Music Australia’s Millie Millgate.
So what has ARIA been up to since we were last on this stage? Quite a lot.
AH: This year we launched ARIA Innovator, kicked off ARIA Collab with two world-leading producers working with Australian talent, delivered another Great Southern Nights in NSW, and modernized the ARIA Charts by removing singles and albums over two years old, changes already delivering incredible results for new Aussie music.
AH: And then there was the big one.
When big tech tried to strip us of our copyright for AI training, after they’d already stolen all the music, we said: yeah, nah.
They didn’t expect the response they got. As an industry we hit back with a loud, unified, sophisticated, artist-led campaign delivered with heart and serious impact.
NW: The entire creative sector moved as one. And the result? Australia became the first country in the world where government ruled out a text-and-data-mining exception for AI training.
AH: A critical step, but only half the battle. We still need to ensure it is artists and rightsholders who decide whether their music can be used for AI and on what terms. This isn’t just about payment — it’s about agency. AI is exciting, but the benefits and opportunities must reach everyone in the chain, not just the tech bros.
When we were in Canberra after the announcement, a political heavy hitter started introducing us not as reps from the Australian music industry but as “Big Music.” And honestly? They’re right.
We should be known as Big Music — and this year we proved why. Canberra knows it, and so does the public who backed Australian music and culture. Let’s keep going.
NW: Thank you to every artist who spoke up including Briggs, Paul Dempsey, Kate Ceberano, Missy Higgins, Peter Garrett and of course Jack River/Holly Rankin. Nothing is more powerful, with the public or with Canberra, than artists speaking from the heart.
AH: And thank you to all our political supporters including the PM, Attorney-General, Michelle Rowland, and those here tonight — we know you’re standing with us on this critical issue.
NW: On this special night I also want to acknowledge someone whose contribution to this industry is immeasurable. This year Lynne Small is leaving ARIA and PPCA for a well deserved retirement. For nearly three decades, Lynne’s knowledge, sharp mind, heart and dedication shaped everything we did. Lynne, from all of us: thank you.
AH: And I want to acknowledge Van Picken, who recently stepped down as Chair and CEO of Sony Music Australia. As an ARIA Board member, Van contributed to evolving the ARIAs into what they are tonight, and we wish her all the best in her next chapter.
NW: Now, back to tonight: Fifty-five percent of this year’s nominees are women. The indie scene is thriving. Hip-hop and R&B artists are finally getting their due. A new generation is reshaping what Australian music sounds and looks like.
Australian artists are streaming globally at record levels, selling out tours overseas, and appearing on festival lineups next to the world’s biggest names. The rebuild is working — brick by brick.
AH: And the momentum is real. Audiences are engaging not just with the music but the stories behind it.
Venues are packed again. Artists who’ve spent years grinding are breaking through here and internationally at the same time.
None of this happened by accident, it happened because people in this room showed up for each other and refused to accept that Australian music should be anything less than world-class.
NW: It’s been a huge year, we’re exhausted but we’re energized, because everything we’ve been building is working. The industry is unified. The music is undeniable. The audience is there.
And tonight is about celebrating what we’ve achieved — and recognizing that we’re just getting started.
NW: So let’s make it a night to remember. Dance and cheer loudly, support each other and remind everyone watching why Australian music matters.
AH: Before we kick off, I want to shout out our new presenting partner Spotify. Mikaela and the local team have seriously put everything and more into the 2025 ARIAs and the nominated artists and the engagement has already been incredible with public voting records absolutely smashed.
Thank you to Destination NSW, Paramount+ and Ten, and all our sponsors.
Huge love to our Exec Producer Craig Campbell and the Roving team, event producer Brendan Maher and the Second Sunday crew, and the whole ARIAs team — this is not an easy event to pull together but they do it with style! To the ARIA Board, Chart and Marketing Committee, performers, presenters, and everyone who poured everything into making tonight happen, thank you.
Most importantly, thank you to everyone in this room: artists, managers, label teams — special shout-out to the reps with ever-creative ways of asking me whether their artists have won — plus publicists, radio programmers, venue operators and crew. You’re all the reason Australian music is Big Music now.
NW: So raise your glasses — and let’s do this. To AusMusic!
