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Slowdive scores its first top 10 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart (dated Sept. 16) as the band’s new album Everything Is Alive debuts at No. 3. The set launches with 12,000 copies sold in the U.S. in the week ending Sept. 7, according to Luminate. It’s the best sales week yet for the British group, and its second chart entry, having previously topped out at No. 22 with its self-titled release 2017.
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Also in the top 10 of the new Top Album Sales chart, the late Jimmy Buffett’s 1985 best-of album Songs You Know by Heart: Jimmy Buffett’s Greatest Hit(s) re-enters the list at No. 1 – its first week atop the 32-year-old tally. Plus, YouTuber and Twitch streamer Dream sees his debut effort To Whoever Wants to Hear launch at No. 8.
Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart ranks the top-selling albums of the week based only on traditional album sales. The chart’s history dates back to May 25, 1991, the first week Billboard began tabulating charts with electronically monitored piece count information from SoundScan, now Luminate. Pure album sales were the sole measurement utilized by the Billboard 200 albums chart through the list dated Dec. 6, 2014, after which that chart switched to a methodology that blends album sales with track equivalent album units and streaming equivalent album units. For all chart news, follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram.
Songs You Know by Heart sold 15,000 copies in the U.S. in the week ending Sept. 7 (up from about 200 copies in the previous week), following Buffett’s death on Sept. 1. It’s the best sales week for the album in 24 years, since the chart date of July 3, 1999, when it sold 17,000 copies.
Travis Scott’s chart-topping Utopia holds at No. 2 on Top Album Sales with 12,000 sold (down 58%), while NewJeans’ former leader 2nd EP ‘Get Up’ is a non-mover at No. 4 with 11,000 (down 19%) and Taylor Swift’s former No. 1 Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) rises 6-5 with 10,000 (down 23%). NCT Dream’s ISTJ: The 3rd Album climbs one spot to No. 6 (8,000; down 37%) while Swift’s chart-topping Midnights bumps 9-7 (nearly 8,000; down 24%).
YouTuber and Twitch streamer Dream starts at No. 8 with his first album release, To Whoever Wants to Hear, with nearly 7,000 copies sold. J-Hope’s Jack in the Box slips 8-9 (6,000; down 49%) and Stray Kids’ 5-Star: The 3rd Album rises 15-10 (6,000; down 17%).
In the week ending Sept. 7, there were 1.630 million albums sold in the U.S. (down 2.2% compared to the previous week). Of that sum, physical albums (CDs, vinyl LPs, cassettes, etc.) comprised 1.287 million (down 3.4%) and digital albums comprised 342,000 (up 2.6%).
There were 543,000 CD albums sold in the week ending Sept. 7 (down 1.5% week-over-week) and 734,000 vinyl albums sold (down 5.1%). Year-to-date CD album sales stand at 23.826 million (up 1.5% compared to the same time frame a year ago) and year-to-date vinyl album sales total 31.881 million (up 20.1%).
Overall year-to-date album sales total 68.831 million (up 6.7% compared to the same year-to-date time frame a year ago). Year-to-date physical album sales stand at 56.075 million (up 11.3%) and digital album sales total 12.756 million (down 9.9%).
23 PR (or Twnty Three) expands its presence in the United States with the appointment of James Rainis as head of U.S. public relations, Billboard can exclusively reveal.
The independent comms and artist management firm recruits Rainis from Shore Fire Media, where he worked on campaigns for the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Bon Iver, Ghostface Killah, Oneohtrix Point Never, and PJ Morton, over a nine-year stint.
Founded in 2014 by Melody Forghani, 23 PR is based in Sydney, Australia and represents a diverse roster of talent, including RAYE, Little Simz, Obongjayar, KAYTRAMINÉ, Caroline Polachek, Skepta, and Joji.
In 2019, Amanda Perlstein, formerly of Stones Throw, Partisan, Shore Fire, and Big Hassle, launched 23 PR U.S. With Perlstein at the helm, the American arm secured relationships with Logic1000, CLIP, Baird, Luna Li, Haviah Mighty, and others, and works in tandem with HQ to offer tailored U.S.-only, Australia-only, and, when required, joint campaigns.
“Melody and Amanda have built a formidable press operation both in Australia and the U.S. while always honoring the vision and goals of the musicians they represent,” comments Rainis in a statement. “I’m thrilled to join the team and to expand 23’s U.S. operations, all while working with a diverse roster of artists on the bleeding edge of music today.”
Adds Perlstein: “Melody and I are thrilled to welcome James to our U.S. team. We can’t wait to see where he takes the company next with his keen eye for spotting talent early, extensive knowledge of music, and a commitment to developing an inclusive company culture.”
Since the U.S. division opened for business, the indie firm has brought acts like Kucka, Maple Glider, altopalo, Sunset Rollercoaster, MAY-A to the “global stage,” reps say.
A statement from the company reads, “Our love of music is at the center of every campaign through the promotion and protection of artists and their stories.”
The guys of *NSYNC are dropping a new track, 21 years after their last release, Drake & SZA are teaming up, and Sia’s new track “Gimme Love” is the first single off her upcoming album ‘Reasonable Woman.’ Madonna thanked Pepsi for airing a canned 1989 ad during the 2023 MTV VMAs. We are taking a […]
During an interview with The Shade Room earlier this week, Ciara showed fans what co-parenting looks like with her ex-beau Future. Instead of providing a direct answer, the “Goodies” singer chuckled when asked the question. The 15-second giggle caused The Shade Room host Thembi Mawema to join Ciara in laughter as they hurried over to […]
On Wednesday night (Sept. 13), Drake teased an upcoming collaboration with SZA on his Instagram. The cover art is a throwback photo of Halle Berry drenched in green slime at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards 2012. Drake tagged SZA in the post, and the “Shirt” singer returned the favor and shared the image on her Instagram feed as well. […]
Country music is hot right now, and Drake Milligan looks like a guy who’s making a real fist of it.
On Wednesday night (Sept. 13), the season 17 alum made his return to the America’s Got Talent stage, stared down the barrel of the camera and delivered a performance of “I Got A Problem,” an original song.
Wearing a white denim jacket with a red bandana, and wielding an acoustic guitar, Milligan’s performance was confident, polished. Slick even. He appeared right at home under the bright lights, a year on from his AGT podium finish.
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Hailing from Fort Worth, Texas, Milligan has quite the story to tell. He cut his showbiz teeth as an Elvis impersonator and enjoyed a deep run in the 2022 season, finishing third and placing top among all singers.
He followed his AGT stint the release of a 14-song collection, Dallas/Fort Worth, which features Milligan’s writer’s credit on every track. Billboard described the LP as “a steady mix of laid-back, ‘90s Strait inspired come-ons including ‘Save It For a Sunny Day’ and ‘Hating Everything She Tries On,’ the barroom burner ‘Tippin’ Point’ and ‘Long Haul,’ which finds Milligan incorporating an Elvis-esque vocal swagger.”
Earlier this year, Milligan and several members of his band were injured when his touring van crashed into a concrete median in the Lone Star State.
Based on his latest AGT appearance, Milligan has made a resounding recovery. The audience loved it, so too the did the four judges. At the end of the performance, everyone in the room was on their feet.
“Amazing, amazing, amazing, amazing,” was Simon Cowell’s initial response. Milligan is on the way to becoming a superstar, the Brit reckons. “That was amazing.” Cowell was adamant that AGT addicts haven’t seen the last of the crooner. Milligan, he hinted, might even find a spot in one of the upcoming all-star AGT spin-off series.
For the record, America’s votes were tallied, season 18 contestants Anna DeGuzman and Chibi Unity were saved. They progress through to the semis, alongside previously announced competitors Adrian Stoica & Hurricane, Lavender Darcangelo, Ahren Belisle, Murmuration, Mzansi Youth Choir and Putri Ariani.
Watch Milligan’s performance below.
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MELBOURNE, Australia — Concert promotion great Paul Dainty is appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), one of the country’s highest honors, recognizing an individual having made a significant impact in society.
Dainty was saluted during a ceremony Wednesday (Sept. 13) at Melbourne’s Government House.
The U.K.-born live music veteran was feted for his “distinguished service to the community” — specifically, his efforts in organizing the 2020 Fire Fight all-star concert in Sydney, which raised more than A$10 million for bushfire relief efforts.
Dainty has forged an impressive career in his adopted homeland, producing tours and concerts with the world’s leading rock and pop artists, and selling more than 50 million tickets along the way.
The Melbourne-based executive established the Dainty Group/Dainty Corporation in the early 1970s, and got on a roll early on.
First-up tours included the Bee Gees, Diana Ross, Cat Stevens and the Jackson Five. Dainty produced the Rolling Stones’ tour of 1973, a visit that would set up the success that followed.
It was Dainty who produced ABBA’s 1977 tour of Australia, a visit that remains the stuff of legend. Through the friendships made on that trek, ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus entrusted Dainty to tour Mamma Mia! 25 years later. Dainty has the option to produce the hugely-popular ABBA: Voyage in Australia. “We’re looking at it closely,” he tells Billboard. “It’s probably one of the most exciting entertainment events I’ve ever seen.”
Dainty has also produced tours for the likes of Paul McCartney, U2, Guns N’ Roses, Eminem, David Bowie, George Michael, Prince and Britney Spears, and in recent years has expanded the business into international markets, including tours for Eminem and Lionel Richie in South Africa and South East Asia, and pan-Asian dates for Michael Buble.
Today, he’s president and CEO of TEG Dainty, which, since 2016, has been a part of the TEG Group of Companies. The following year, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
Rogers: The Musical will see its cast recording album hit digital retailers and streaming services on Friday, Sept. 15 from Walt Disney Records, Billboard can exclusively reveal.
The 12-track set is the companion album to the stage show of the same name, which played for two months this past summer at Disney California Adventure Park’s Hyperion Theater in Anaheim, Calif. (See below for the tracklist to the album as well as a preview of the set’s “What You Missed.”)
The mini-musical – from the creative teams at Disney and Marvel – brings to life an abridged version of the life of the first Avenger, Captain America (aka Steve Rogers), alongside singing-and-dancing Avengers (including Nick Fury!). The one-act show – which boasts a range of musical styles – premiered June 30 for a limited run at the nearly 2,000-seat theme park venue, and closed on Aug. 31. No further presentations of the stage show have been announced.
The musical grew out of a sequence in an episode of the Disney+ series Hawkeye in 2021. In the episode, the title character (an Avenger himself) attends a showing of Rogers: The Musical, and the song “Save the City” is performed by characters playing Avengers. Both the musical and “Save the City” became fan favorites, with the latter generating over 1 million on-demand official streams in the U.S., according to Luminate.
Presently, the Rogers: The Musical cast album will only be commercially available as a digital download album and via streaming services. There’s no word on if it will be released in any physical formats, such as CD, vinyl or cassette.
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Following the premiere of Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion, the show’s composer, conductor and arranger Christopher Lennertz said, “[It] was really important to all of us … to give everyone — both musical theater fans and superhero fans — something they would love about the music. And the fact that we get to span 70 years and do everything from ‘40s-style big band jazz to a singer/songwriter style pop tune and obviously the Nick Fury patter song meets ‘Uptown Funk’ — it’s the idea of giving everyone something that they can grab onto and really feel like it’s part of their story too.”
Rogers: The Musical Tracklist:Title, Artist“U.S. Opening Night,” Bella Hicks, Krystle Rose’ Simmons, Alex Karukas, Matthew P. Selby, Rogers: The Musical – Cast“I Want You,” Josey Montana McCoy“Star-Spangled Man,” Bella Hicks, Krystle Rose’ Simmons, Rogers: The Musical – Cast“Just One Dance (Preprise 1),” Luke Monday, Rachel Wirtz“Star-Spangled Man (Reprise)/Just One Dance (Preprise 2),” Luke Monday, Rachel Wirtz“What You Missed,” Jay Donnell, Bella Hicks, Krystle Rose’ Simmons, Luke Monday“Save the City,” Bella Hicks, Andrew Hubert, Luke Monday, Alex Karukas, Rogers: The Musical – Cast“Save the City (Playoff),” Luke Monday, Rogers: The Musical – Cast“End of the Line,” Luke Monday, Josey Montana McCoy“Just One Dance,” Rachel Wirtz, Luke Monday“Rogers: The Musical Finale/Save the City (Reprise),” Luke Monday, Rachel Wirtz, Josey Montana McCoy, Jay Donnell, Andrew Huber, Bella Hicks, Krystle Rose’ Simmons, Alex Karukas“Rogers: The Musical (Playoff),” Christopher Lennertz, Alex Karukas
Some of the awards at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, which were presented on Tuesday (Sept. 12) at Prudential Center in Newark. N.J., were entirely predictable. Taylor Swift’s sweep, including video of the year, song of the year, album of the year and artist of the year, was hardly a surprise, given the year […]
Great songs have a life of their own. Consider “I Will Always Love You.” Dolly Parton’s original is the stuff of legend. Whitney Houston’s cover for the all-conquering The Bodyguard soundtrack, iconic.
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Now, there’s the Roland Abante’s heart-wrenching rendition for America’s Got Talent.
Abante, a fisherman from the Philippines, left nothing to chance as he belted out the classic ballad, hitting an array of high notes, with force, control and enough feel to touch everyone in the room.
A standing ovation awaited.
“Look at everyone here. They’re going crazy for you,” remarked Sofia Vergara. “People love you.” This qualifier performance she said, was a “good job tonight, you’re amazing.”
Did Simon Cowell like it? No, not exactly. “Somehow, I loved it,” he remarked. The acerbic Brit recounted how, during his emotional audition, Abante was “singing your life out on stage there. That’s what makes this competition exciting. People who come from all over the world to fulfill their dreams.” America, he remarks, “loves you.”
Fellow judge Howie Mandel remarked, “the perfect song, the perfect voice, it was spectacular. When he sang I will always love you, you just made everyone in the world love you. This was memorable. I believe this was the performance of a final.”
Heidi Klum loved the performance too, remarking that if there was access to a golden buzzer to push him through to the final, she’d hit it.
Sadly, there isn’t. Just two performers from this round go through. Now it’s America’s turn to vote.
Following his audition earlier in season 18, Abante, speaking through an interpreter, explained that he caught fish in the morning, and was a courier and ride-share driver through the rest of the working day. The extent of his stage activity back home is singing karaoke. Judging by his performances on the AGT stage, that lifestyle could be about to change.
Watch the performance below.
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