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Travis Kelce Stars in Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour | Billboard News

Taylor Swift surprises fans at her London stop in The Eras Tour by bringing out her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, for one of her sets during the show. Keep watching to see what he did!

Tetris Kelly:

Wake her up Trav, that was iconic. Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, Travis Kelce, has joined Tay onstage at her Eras Tour stop in London. Our favorite pop star has been slaying at her Eras Tour stop in the UK, even having Prince William and fam come out to the festivities. But no one was ready for the complete adorableness overload we’ve experienced when Killa Trav, who has been in the crowd at several shows on the tour, made it to the stage during “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart.” I can’t take it. Swifties have been absolutely losing it online with my favorite being one that predicted the future saying, “Travis is going to join her onstage at the end of the tour he knows all the choreo.” It’s been said before, but I’ll say it again. Wow couple goals!

The Influence of Tina Turner, Little Richard & More on Rock n’ Roll | Billboard News

Tina Turner, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Little Richard and various other Black artists paved the way in rock n’ roll before turning into a predominantly white genre in the ’80s. Keep watching to see how these artists influenced the art of rock n’ roll!

Tetris Kelly:
Most of the rock music you listen to today would not exist if not for Black innovators paving the way. During this Black Music Month, we’re taking a look back at some of the trailblazing artists that made rock n’ roll what it is.

Rock was born in the 1950s at a time when the United States was just as segregated as music genres. People look back to Elvis, whose sound was not a white sound, he was compared to African American R&B singers and covered countless African American musicians.

Little Richard has been described as the architect of rock n’ roll for his dynamic music and electrifying stage presence in the mid ’50s music scene. Ike and Tina Turner opened for The Rolling Stones in the late 1960s, which introduced their bold style of soul-infused rock.

And Sister Rosetta Tharpe has been credited as the godmother of rock n’ roll. A Black, queer woman in the ’40s, she forged her sound in an industry dominated by men, and she wielded a guitar on a level that rivaled them. But by the ’80s, rock n’ roll had now become white music, with most general knowledge of rock history not going back further than the ’70s.

Rumors are that it may be the third act and a genre Beyonce is looking to reclaim.

Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 Countdown for June 29, 2024 | Billboard News

It’s Sabrina Carpenter versus Morgan Wallen and Post Malone for the second time. Will Sabrina finally be able to take the No. 1 spot?

Tetris Kelly:
It’s round two of Sabrina versus Post and Morgan. Who’s on top? This is the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 for the week dated June 29.

Falling to 10 is Billie Eilish, while Teddy is up to nine. Benson is back in the top 10 at eight, and “Too Sweet” stays at seven. Kendrick holds on to No. 6, as does “Million Dollar Baby” at five. “Espresso” slips a spot to four, and Shaboozey is at his No. 3 peak, while Post Malone and Morgan fall to No. 2.

And her first ever Hot 100 No. 1 is Sabrina Carpenter with “Please Please Please.”

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Taylor Swift Reigns Over U.K. Chart With ‘Tortured Poets’

When Taylor Swift filled up Wembley Stadium for three consecutive shows over the weekend, she did so as the undisputed Queen of the national albums chart.

Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department (EMI) enters a seventh non-consecutive week at No. 1 on the Official Chart, published Friday, June 21, coinciding with the first of her eight scheduled concerts at London’s Wembley Stadium.

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Tortured Poets is Taylor’s 11th studio album, and her longest-running chart-topper in the U.K., the Official Charts Company reports, eclipsing 2022’s Midnights which sat at the top for five non-consecutive cycles.

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TayTay leads a podium of female solo artists. Coming in at No. 2 is Billie Eilish’s former leader Hit Me Hard and Soft (Interscope), up two places, while Charli XCX’s Brat (Atlantic) dips 2-3.

The top new debut on the latest tally belongs to British rock outfit Sea Girls, as Midnight Butterflies (Alt) flaps its wings at No. 5. That’s a third-consecutive top 5 appearance for the group, dating back to 2020’s Open Up Your Head (No. 3 peak) and 2022’s Homesick (No. 3).

Chappell Roan landed her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 earlier this year with the new single “Good Luck, Babe!” The Missouri-born pop artist is enjoying a breakthrough on the other side of the Atlantic, too, where her 2023 debut The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess (Island) lifts 15-9, for her first appearance in the U.K. top 10.

Paul McCartney & Wings’ live studio album One Hand Clapping (Capitol) bows at No. 10. The LP, recorded at London’s iconic Abbey Road Studios in August 1974, becomes McCartney and Co.’s first top 10 album since Back To The Egg peaked at No. 6 in 1979 — 45 years ago.

Finally, North Carolina country star Luke Combs bags his fourth top 40 LP with Fathers & Sons (Sony Music CG), his fifth studio album. It’s new at No. 14. Combs’ career tally includes U.K. top 10 spots for 2022’s Growin’ Up (No. 9) and 2023’s Gettin’ Old (No. 5).

Sabrina Carpenter Creates U.K. Chart History

Sabrina Carpenter has every reason to be please please pleased. The U.S. singer and actor lands a second No. 1 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart and, in the process, becomes the youngest female artist to concurrently hold the top 2 spots.

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On the latest chart, published Friday, June 21, Carpenter’s “Please Please Please” lifts 3-1, while her former leader “Espresso” (both via Island) holds at No. 2.

“Please Please Please” is the U.K.’s most-streamed song this week, accumulating 9.8 million combined streams, with “Espresso” pouring in 8.1 million plays.

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According to the Official Charts Company, Carpenter is, at 25 years, 1 month and 10 days, the youngest female solo artist to crack the 1-2. Ariana Grande previously set the mark when, in February 2019, she locked up the top 2 spots with “7 rings” and “break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored,” respectively, at age 25 years, 7 months and 20 days. Carpenter also ties-up the top 2 on Australia’s ARIA Chart.

Meanwhile, Luton, England singer-songwriter Myles Smith grabs a career-best with “Stargazing” (RCA), up 7-6.

As Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour cruises into the U.K., the U.S. pop music superstar’s music — predictably — climbs the U.K. charts. On the singles tally, former leader “Fortnight” featuring Post Malone is up 11-10, “Cruel Summer” lifts 17-14 and “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart” (all via EMI) improves 19-18.

The TayTay effect extends to Benson Boone, Swift’s support act at her Wembley Stadium dates. Boone enjoys gains for his singles “Slow It Down” up (18-15 via Warner Records) and former No. 1 “Beautiful Things” (up 21-19).

Finally, as the ball rolls on the UEFA European Football Championship, one evergreen hit makes its move: Baddiel, Skinner & Lightning Seeds’ 1996 anthem “Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home)” (via Epic). The chant-ready song is back in the top 40, at No. 32. “Three Lions” typically returns to the chart when England competes in major international tournaments. The single topped the chart for two separate one-week runs in 1996 to coincide with that year’s European Championship tournament, then a 1998 update for the World Cup reigned for three weeks. Powered by England’s run to the World Cup semi-finals, “Three Lions” returned to No. 1 in 2018.

Sabrina Carpenter Scores Second No. 1 In Australia

Forget the summer of Sabrina Carpenter. The U.S. pop star is also warming-up Australia’s chart through the southern winter.

Carpenter scores her second leader in less than two months as “Please Please Please” (Island/Universal) lifts 4-1 on the ARIA Singles Chart, for its first stint at the top.

Her first leader, the platinum-certified “Espresso,” holds at No. 2 on the Australian chart, published Friday, June 21, giving Carpenter a rare 1-2. “Espresso” topped the national tally for a week in May.

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Closing out the top 3 on the latest ARIA Chart is Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” (via Empire), one of three country tunes in the top 10, including Post Malone and Morgan Wallen’s “I Had Some Help” (unchanged at No. 6 via Universal) and Dasha’s “Austin” (up 14-10 via Warner Music).

Over on the ARIA Albums Chart, Billie Eilish logs a fourth week at No. 1 with Hit Me Hard And Soft (Interscope/Universal), ahead of Taylor Swift’s former leader The Tortured Poets Department (Universal), holding at No. 2.

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U.S. country star Luke Combs bags the top debut with Fathers & Sons (Columbia/Sony), his fifth studio album. It’s new at No. 3, extending Combs’ streak of top 10s to five – a career tally that includes a No. 1 for his 2019 record What You See Is What You Get. Album track “The Man He Sees in Me” is the top new cut on the ARIA Singles Chart, at No. 38.

Meanwhile, Fred Again bags a second top 10 on the ARIA Albums Chart with USB (Atlantic/Warner), new at No. 4. The English producer and artist made history in Australia earlier this year with a sold-out “pop up” arena tour.

Also, $uicideboy$ debut at No. 6 with New World Depression (Orchard), their fourth studio album. That’s a career best effort for the New Orleans rap duo.

Finally, Nick Cave collaborators Dirty Three bag a first top 50 album with Love Changes Everything (Remote Control/Inertia), new at No. 12, while homegrown indie band Hockey Dad bow at No. 15 with Rebuild Repeat (BMG/ADA), for their third top 20 album.

Snoop Dogg Crowns Kendrick Lamar as King | Billboard News

Snoop Dogg has officially crowned Kendrick Lamar as “King Of The West” after his ‘Pop Out’ show on Juneteenth. Keep watching for all the details!

Snoop Dogg:

KDot, you are the King of the West. That’s the kind of *** Kings do, we unite. 

Tetris Kelly:

After Kendrick Lamar’s ‘The Pop Out’ show in LA, Snoop is declaring him king as the humble rapper allegedly beefs up security ahead of a new music video.

Snoop Dogg:

Sending a big shout out to KDot and all the homies from the West that stood together unified ,organized in peace, love. That was beautiful. That was fun to watch.

Tetris Kelly:

Snoop called Kendrick King after we all witnessed Kendrick bring people of all sides together at the KIA Forum. But how united is everyone? TMZ is reporting that Kendrick is filming a new music video in Compton this weekend after his successful Juneteenth show, adding that KDot’s production company is paying the LA Sheriff’s Department to send deputies for extra security. We hope everything remains safe because we can’t wait for a new video.

Griff on How Taylor Swift Asked Her to Join The Eras Tour | Billboard News

Griff shares how Taylor Swift asked her to join The Eras Tour, what she admires about Taylor and more!

Griff:

It was around the time that she just announced Eras actually. Kendrick was performing in London, and I last-minute decided to go with my brothers. And we were sitting in this box. And I kind of looked to my left and I’m like, ‘That’s Taylor.’ And I didn’t really want to try and wave over, like just in case everyone would be like, ‘Usher away this crazy fan.’ So I just like went up the stairs to go to the toilet, and I thought I’d just try and wave and see if I could catch her eye. And then she like ran over and gave me a hug. And we chatted and then it was the first time she mentioned maybe me joining her on tour, which was crazy. 

Lyndsey Havens:

So has it set in then given how long ago that was that it’s actually now happening?

Griff:

It’s kind of crazy. I don’t know if it will feel real until I’m there. Yeah. And also, I haven’t watched any of The Eras Tour or all the films. I’ve really wanted to save it for this moment. So yeah.

Lyndsey Havens:

That’s so awesome. 

Griff:

Amazing, right?

Lyndsey Havens:

So the first time you see the show will be right after you perform, you think?

Griff:

I kind of want my set to just like be over and done with and I’m mainly just excited to sit down and watch the show, finally.

Keep watching to learn more!

Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Peso Pluma & More Drop New Music | Billboard News

Taylor Swift teams up with Gracie Abrams for “Us,” Ariana Grande brings on Brandy & Monica for a remix of “the boy is mine,” Post Malone collaborates with Blake Shelton, Peso Pluma drops his sophomore album ‘Éxodo’ and so much more! Keep watching to see who dropped new music today!

Tetris Kelly: 

A brand-new batch of collabs from Ariana, Post Malone, Charli XCX and Taylor Swift. With new albums from Gracie Abrams and Peso Pluma, this is your Friday Music Guide for Friday, June 21. “the boy is mine” just got more iconic after Ariana Grande grabbed R&B legends Monica and Brandy, who made the song title famous, and added them to the remix. And as if Post Malone isn’t already dominating the charts with his No. 1 single with Morgan Wallen, he now has Blake Shelton joining him on the track “Pour Me a Drink.” In a more expected pairing, Charli XCX has a new ‘Brat’ remix, adding Lorde to “Girl, So Confusing.” Peso Pluma is back with his sophomore project. The Latin King drops ‘Éxodo,’ a star-studded 24-track, two-disc project with features from Rich the Kid, Cardi B, Anitta and more. And we have another sophomore LP by way of Gracie Abrams ‘The Secret of Us.’ She’s fresh off a Hot 100 hit with “Close to You” and the Eras Tour, so we finally hear “Us ” featuring Taylor Swift. For even more new bops, head to billboard.com.

Splendour In The Grass Co-Founder Jessica Ducrou Departs From Secret Sounds

SYDNEY, Australia — Jessica Ducrou is exiting as co-CEO of Australia’s Secret Sounds Group, producer of Splendour in the Grass festival and a slew of live music brands.

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As co-founder of Splendour, Australia’s flagship mid-winter camping festival, Ducrou is the nation’s leading female concert and festival promoter.

With co-CEO Paul Piticco, Ducrou built Secret Sounds Group, one of the largest music group in the country, representing Splendour, Harvest Rock, Falls Festival, Secret Sounds Touring, Village Sounds booking agency, Secret Sounds Connect commercial rights and creative agency, North Byron Parklands, The Triffid live music venue in Brisbane and more.

In 2016, Live Nation acquired a controlling stake in Secret Sounds Group.

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Ducrou announced her departure on Friday morning, June 21, one month before the 2024 edition of Splendour in the Grass was meant to play out in Byron Bay, with a bill featuring Future, Kylie Minogue, Arcade Fire and many others.

That isn’t happening. Splendour, as previously reported, canceled this year’s event just days after tickets went on sale to the public, becoming the highest-profile casualty of a batch of brands that have decided to pause or close for good.

“So many memorable moments over the last almost decade with Secret Sounds, what a wild ride it’s been,” Ducrou comments in a statement. “I’m well due for an overseas summer holiday so it’s a good time to take a break before I embark on my next chapter.”

Established in 2001 and held each year in Byron Bay, a picturesque beach town on the most easterly tip of Australia, Splendour is a destination event.

The fest would become the hottest ticket in the coldest months.

In recent years, however, the show endured a particularly tough run, first with the pandemic, which saw the fest announced, then shelved several times. Then, in 2022, extreme weather conditions wrecked the first day of Splendour 2022, contributing to softer-than-usual ticket sales for the 2023 edition.

It was Ducrou who faced the media when the heavens opened, and on the occasions when Splendour was pushed back. In 2021, when the health crisis shut down festivals everywhere, Ducrou led a novel project that would turn Splendour into a virtual world, with more than 50 exclusive, in-game performances.

Ducrou will take time out with her children, travel, and, in the interim, will continue in her duties as chair of SoundNSW and deputy chair of the Australian Festivals Association.

“It has been an epic journey that has been truly inspiring, and an opportunity to collaborate with the best in the business,” she continues. “It would not have been as rewarding, possible or enjoyable if it weren’t for the people I have worked alongside of. Paul Piticco has been a great business partner for more than 30 years and we will no doubt continue our friendship well into the future. The Secret Sounds team, notably Elise Huntley and the festivals gang, are the absolute best, I will miss working with the awesome individuals who inspired me every single day. I wish all at Secret Sounds and Live Nation the very best success in their future endeavors.”