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America’s Got Talent has returned to our screens, and the tears have already begun flowing.The auditions are always a mixed bag. To paraphrase Forrest Gump, you never know what you’re going to get. With the Mzansi Youth Choir’s debut performance on the season 18 opener, we got something special. The choir from South Africa was inspired by the story of the late Jane “Nightbirde” Marczewski, a talented singer who shone on the 2021 AGT stage, and blew away judges with her own audition. On that occasion, Marczewski scored a golden buzzer with an original song, “It’s OK.” Following that performance, the singer revealed that she had a 2% chance of survival from cancer that had spread to her lungs, spine and liver. The video garnered millions of views on YouTube and her performance warranted a standing ovation from all four judges.Nightbirde exited AGT weeks later to focus on her health. Her story ended in tragedy, when Marczewski passed away in 2022, aged just 31. She’s gone, but not forgotten. And on Tuesday night (March 30), Mzansi Youth Choir ensured her music would live on, and her legacy would continue, by covering “It’s OK”. Hailing from Soweto, a township of Johannesburg, the choir was formed 20 years ago as a safe space for youngsters to develop and grow.
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Following the TV performance, tears. On stage, at the judging table and in living rooms around the world.
“For anyone who doesn’t know, we lost a very very special person from our AGT family. Her name was Jane. Her nickname was Nightbirde, and she sang this song,” Heidi Klum recapped for the audience. “It was really beautiful. Thank you.”
“That was the perfect AGT audition, remarked Sofia Vergara.
Howie Mandel was moved by what he heard and saw: “I’ll always remember Nightbirde. And to see that it touched people on the other side of the globe, unbelievable. You deserve so much more than a yes. And to be here, you deserve a thank-you.”Judge Simon Cowell wore his emotions for the world to see. “This brought back so many memories for me,” he said, trembling and wiping tears from his face. “I know how much this would have meant to her. Right to the end she was so passionate about sharing her music…you’ve come back here with the most amazing tribute. It was perfect.”The singers wouldn’t be denied. They earned the Golden Buzzer, and with it, a slice of history. Passage through the competition was awarded by the audience, a moment never seen before in AGT.
Watch below.
Flume, Confidence Man, Julia Jacklin, Daniel Johns and Vance Joy are among the high-profile nominees for the 2023 AIR Awards, set for Aug. 3 in Adelaide, South Australia. The coveted independent album of the year will be contested by former Silverchair frontman Johns (for FutureNever), Jacklin (Pre Pleasure), King Stingray (King Stingray), Laura Jean (Amateurs), and Northlane (Obsidian).Also in the running for honors are Cub Sport, Genesis Owusu, The Jungle Giants, Ball Park Music, Pnau & Troye Sivan, and The Wiggles, organizers the Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR) announced Wednesday (March 31). In a change from tradition, AIR this year adds two new industry categories, independent marketing team of the year and independent publicity team of the year, while the main business category — best independent label — will be selected from a shortlist that features ABC Music, Chapter Music, Domestic La La, Liberation and UNFD.This year’s edition will be held at the Freemasons Hall in the city of churches, through a long-term alliance with the South Australian government.“It is fantastic to be hosting the awards here in Adelaide – Australia’s only UNESCO City of Music – and I congratulate all of the nominees,” comments state minister for arts Andrea Michaels member of parliament.“It’s a wonderful opportunity to recognise the work the independent music industry does in providing talented and emerging artists and music businesses with a platform to share their art with a wider audience.”
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The 17th annual AIR Awards will be bookended by the Indie-Con Australia conference, a gathering that focuses “on issues that are specifically relevant to the independent music sector,” organizers explain. Indie-Con is set for Aug. 2-4 at Mercury Cinema.See the full list of nominations here and below.
BEST INDEPENDENT BLUES AND ROOTS ALBUM OR EPBABY VELVET – Please Don’t Be In Love With Someone ElseDOPE LEMON – Rose Pink CadillacLITTLE QUIRKS – Call to UnknownsWILLIAM CRIGHTON – Water and DustZIGGY ALBERTS – Dancing In The Dark
BEST INDEPENDENT HIP HOP ALBUM OR EPALLDAY – Excuse MeDANTÉ KNOWS – Phase OneJESSWAR – LIFE’S SHORT, LIVE BIGKWEEN G – Sensible RebelYAWDOESITALL – LIFE I CHOSE
BEST INDEPENDENT COUNTRY ALBUM OR EPADAM BRAND – All or NothingANDY GOLLEDGE – Strength Of A QueenCASEY BARNES – Light It UpFREYA JOSEPHINE HOLLICK – The Real WorldLYN BOWTELL – Wiser
BEST INDEPENDENT JAZZ ALBUM OR EPBARNEY MCALL – Precious EnergyDONNY BENÉT – Le PianoJEREMY ROSE – Face to FaceMILDLIFE – Live From South Channel IslandSURPRISE CHEF – Education & Recreation
BEST INDEPENDENT CLASSICAL ALBUM OR EPENSEMBLE OFFSPRING – To Listen, To Sing – Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples ComposersMELBOURNE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA/BENJAMIN NORTHEY – Nigel Westlake: Blueback [Original Motion Picture Score]MIRUSIA – SongbirdTASMANIAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA – NightlightWILLIAM BARTON/VERONIQUE SERRET – Heartland
BEST INDEPENDENT CHILDREN’S ALBUM OR EPEMILY WURRAMARA – Ayarra Emeba (Calm Songs)EMMA MEMMA – Emma MemmaPLAY SCHOOL – Very Jazzy Street PartyTEENY TINY STEVIES – How to Be CreativeTHE WIGGLES – ReWiggled
BEST INDEPENDENT DANCE, ELECTRONICA OR CLUB SINGLECUB SPORT – Always Got The LoveFLUME – Say Nothing feat. MAY-ALIME CORDIALE, IDRIS ELBA, FATBOY SLIM – Holiday Fatboy Slim RemixMEMPHIS LK – CoffeePNAU & TROYE SIVAN – You Know What I Need
BEST INDEPENDENT PUNK ALBUM OR EPBODY TYPE – Everything Is Dangerous But Nothing’s SurprisingHARD-ONS – Yummy!PRESS CLUB – Endless MotionTEEN JESUS AND THE JEAN TEASERS – Pretty Good For A Girl BandTHESE NEW SOUTH WHALES – TNSW
BEST INDEPENDENT HEAVY ALBUM OR EPCLAMM – CareNORTHLANE – ObsidianPARKWAY DRIVE – Darker StillTHORNHILL – HeroineYOURS TRULY – is this what i look like?
BEST INDEPENDENT DANCE OR ELECTRONICA ALBUM OR EPCONFIDENCE MAN – TILTFLUME – PalacesNINAJIRACHI – Second NatureTELENOVA – Stained Glass Love (Telenoir Versions)THE JUNGLE GIANTS – Love Signs Remixed
BEST INDEPENDENT ROCK ALBUM OR EPBALL PARK MUSIC – Weirder & WeirderCAMP COPE – Running with the HurricaneKING STINGRAY – King StingrayOCEAN ALLEY – Low Altitude LivingSLOWLY SLOWLY – Daisy Chain
BEST INDEPENDENT SOUL/RNB ALBUM OR EPASHLI – Only OneBECKAH AMANI – AprilFELIVAND – TiesWANDERERS – WANDERERSWINSTON SURFSHIRT – Panna Cotta
BEST INDEPENDENT POP ALBUM OR EPBIG SCARY – Me and YouDANIEL JOHNS – FutureNeverJEM CASSAR-DALEY – I Don’t Know Who To CallTELENOVA – Stained Glass LoveVANCE JOY – In Our Own Sweet Time
BREAKTHROUGH INDEPENDENT ARTIST OF THE YEAR – PRESENTED BY PPCAANDY GOLLEDGEJEM CASSAR-DALEYKING STINGRAYTEEN JESUS AND THE JEAN TEASERSWANDERERS
INDEPENDENT SONG OF THE YEARCUB SPORT – Always Got The LoveGENESIS OWUSU – Get InspiredJEN CLOHER – Mana TakatāpuiJULIA JACKLIN – I Was NeonKING STINGRAY – Camp Dog
INDEPENDENT ALBUM OF THE YEARDANIEL JOHNS – FutureNeverJULIA JACKLIN – PRE PLEASUREKING STINGRAY – King StingrayLAURA JEAN – AmateursNORTHLANE – Obsidian
INDEPENDENT MARKETING TEAM OF THE YEARABC MUSIC, THE ORCHARD – The Wiggles, ReWiggledCHUGG MUSIC, THE ANNEX – Lime Cordiale, Cordi ElbaDOMESTIC LA LA – Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, Pretty Good For A Girl BandFUTURE CLASSIC – Flume, PalacesI OH YOU, MUSHROOM MARKETING – Confidence Man, TILT
INDEPENDENT PUBLICITY TEAM OF THE YEARGENNA ALEXOPOULOS – Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, Pretty Good For A Girl BandMUSHROOM PUBLICITY – Confidence Man, TILTPOSITIVE FEEDBACK – Lime Cordiale, Cordi ElbaRPM, THE COMMS DEPARTMENT – The Wiggles, ReWiggledTHINKING LOUD – Genesis Owusu, Get Inspired
BEST INDEPENDENT LABELABC MUSICCHAPTER MUSICDOMESTIC LA LALIBERATIONUNFD
BTS is back.
In celebration of their 10th anniversary, the K-pop superstars will drop “Take Two,” a new digital single, on June 9. The title of “Take Two” is a nod to BTS progressing into “their second chapter,” reads a statement from their reps at HYBE, and is said to be an “ode to their fans” — ARMY.Bandmate SUGA participated in the production of the new recording, with RM and j-hope contributing to the songwriting, the statement continues.
As previously reported, the South Korea-formed phenomenon will celebrate their milestone with BTS 10th Anniversary FESTA. The annual event coincides with the date of the group’s debut (June 13, 2013), and will roll out from today, culminating in a grand finale June 17 in Seoul.BTS FESTA at Yeouido, in the South Korean capital, will be open to the public.Formed around Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, BTS made its first Billboard chart appearance in 2013, when “No More Dreams” debuted at No. 14 on World Digital Song Sales (before climbing to No. 2 seven years later). Since then, the group has broken numerous records, including the most Hot 100 No. 1 debuts among groups and the most top 10 debuts among groups. All seven members have now scored solo hits on the Billboard Hot 100.With BTS having tallied six Hot 100 No. 1s, and Jimin notching his first with “Like Crazy,” BTS joined the Beatles and the Supremes as the only groups with at least six leaders and at least one member having led the list solo.The hits have dropped around the globe. In the U.K., BTS has bagged five top 10 appearances on the national albums survey, including two No. 1s. The septet has also hit the top 10 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart on four occasions.
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The late, great Tina Turner is about to make a major chart comeback. As U.K. fans mourn Turner’s death last Wednesday (May 24), aged 83, the legendary performer could land four titles in the national albums chart, led by The Platinum Collection. Turner’s career retrospective could crack the top 10 for the first time, reentering at No. 8 on the midweek chart, the Official Charts Company reports. The Platinum Collection originally peaked at No. 14 following its release in 2009.
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Close behind is Turner’s 1989 LP Foreign Affair, which features her hit “The Best.” Foreign Affair is set to reenter the Official Chart at No. 10.
Another hits compilation, 1994’s The Collected Recordings, is poised for a No. 12 return, while the U.S. superstar’s Private Dancer from 1984, one of the greatest comebacks of the 20th century, could vault to No. 31, having originally peaked at No. 2.
During her lifetime, Turner landed nine top 10 albums in the U.K., including two No. 1s (Foreign Affair and the soundtrack to What’s Love Got To Do With It).Lewis Capaldi blasted to No. 1 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart last Friday (May 26) with Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent, the fastest-selling album of 2023. Broken By Desire leads the midweek chart again, ahead of two former leaders, Taylor Swift’s Midnights (up 10-2), which benefits from the release of Midnights (The Til Dawn Edition); and Harry Styles’ Harry’s House (up 5-3), which lifts as he makes a victory lap of his homeland with his Love On Tour. Meanwhile, Mick Hucknall’s Simply Red could bag the highest new entry with Time, new at No. 4 on the Official Chart Update. If Time keeps ticking away, it’ll give the British act their 15th U.K. top 10. Also eyeing top 10 berths are singer-songwriter Arlo Parks’ sophomore album My Soft Machine, the followup to the U.K. indie star’s debut Mercury Prize-winning LP from 2021, Collapsed in Sunbeam. My Soft Machine is new at No. 5 on the chart blast.
Finally, veteran alternative pop act Sparks’ is set for a best chart position since 1974 with The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte. The U.S. act, which recently completed a tour of the U.K., is eying a No. 6 bow on the national chart.
All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Albums Chart is published Friday (June 2).
Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar are back with new music. On Tuesday (May 30), the “Family Ties” tandem delivered a VHS-style visual for their latest collaboration, “The Hillbillies,” which shows outtakes from their time on tour together and features a cameo from Tyler, the Creator. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, […]
There was no snow on the beach when Lana Del Rey played Brazil. There was, however, a problem with a missing vape.
Lana’s drama was shared with the audience at the MITA Festival, Saturday (May 27) in Rio De Janeiro, her first live performance in more than three years.
As the alternative pop artist and her band kicked into the song “Norman F—ing Rockwell,” she went off-piste with the audible comment: “And also if you see my vape on stage, can you find my vape on stage?”
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In a video capturing the moment, Del Rey can be heard chatting with someone up front.
“You did? Where, though? Oh, all the way in the pit?”
She wasn’t going there. “F— it,” she said, accepting defeat.
Del Rey has a habit of losing her vaping device. According to Page Six, she lost her little nicotine buddy during a Portland concert in 2019. In a scene not dissimilar to what played out in Rio, Del Rey paused proceedings to start the search. Cue frustrated swearing — “Where’s my f—ing vape?” — which culminated in Del Rey giving up and moving along with her set.
Forgetfulness aside, Del Rey has a lot to be happy about. Her belated release from 2012, “Say Yes To Heaven,” debuted in the U.K. top 10, and a new edit of “Snow On The Beach,” her collaboration with Taylor Swift, could propel the track into the top 10 when the Official U.K. Singles Chart is published Friday.
Billboard’s 2023 Women In Music Visionary dropped a ninth studio album in March, Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, peaking at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, and No. 1 in the U.K. and Australia.
During her set in Brazil, Del Rey delivered the live debut of numerous songs from her latest LP, including set opener “A&W,” “Candy Necklace,” “The Grants” and the title track. Check out some of her performances from the fest here.The MITA Festival reportedly marked Del Rey’s first full concert since November 2019. Since then, she’s appeared on such TV programs as The Late Show With Stephen Colbert and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and made an onstage appearance with Bleachers at High Water Festival in 2023.
Royal Blood’s set at a music festival in Scotland turned into a royal mess as the band blasted the crowd and walked off, with frontman Mike Kerr raising his middle fingers as a departing gift. The English rock duo performed late afternoon Sunday (May 28) at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2023 Dundee.As the band neared the end of their performance, Kerr gave the audience a serve for a perceived lack of enthusiasm.“Well, I guess I should introduce ourselves seeing as no one actually knows who we are,” the 32-year-old artist said in a video doing the rounds of social media. “We’re called Royal Blood and this is rock music. Who likes rock music? Nine people, brilliant,” he remarked, sarcastically.
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Introducing drummer Ben Thatcher, he added, “We’re having to clap ourselves because that was so pathetic. Well done, Ben.”
Kerr then stared down the side-of-stage camera and appeared to ask the operator: “Will you clap for us? You clap? You’re busy. Can you clap? Yes, even he’s clapping.” He turned to the audience, “What does that say about you?”
Then, Kerr let rip with an off-color chord as they walked off stage, his middle fingers held high to the audience.
Some fans have pointed out that Royal Blood was stuck in a tricky schedule, wedged between pop stars Niall Horan and Lewis Capaldi, whose sophomore album Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent is currently No. 1 in the U.K.
Other social media users have pointed out on that, yes, sometimes the crowd isn’t moved, and artists should roll with it.
The band’s fourth studio album, Back to the Water Below, is due out Sept. 8 through Warner Records.
A busy touring schedule through the U.K. and Europe should set up the release, including a performance at Glastonbury Festival, June 21-25, and a return to Scotland for TRNSMT Festival 2023, set for July 9 in Glasgow.
All three of their previous albums have gone to No. 1 on the Official U.K. Chart: Royal Blood (2014), How Did We Get So Dark (2017) and Typhoons (2021).
Watch Royal Blood’s unusual exit from stage at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend.
Beyonce has paid musical tribute to her late idol, Tina Turner.
The “Single Ladies” singer used the platform of her Renaissance tour of the U.K. to remember Turner, who passed away last Wednesday (May 24), aged 83.
Wearing an all-blue ensemble, with matching gloves, Beyonce performed a stripped-back cover of Ike & Tina Turner’s 1966 hit “River Deep – Mountain High,” originally produced by Phil Spector.
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On this occasion, Bey didn’t attempt to match Turner’s high-energy version, instead reimagining the song as a power ballad.
Beyonce’s gave her salute to the “Nutbush City Limits” star Monday night (May 29) at north London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the first of a five-night stand.
Next stop on the Renaissance World Tour: Barcelona’s Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on June 8.
Bey, like so many artists, was heartbroken when news of Turner’s death reached her.
“My beloved queen. I love you endlessly,” reads a message Beyoncé posted to her website. “I’m so grateful for your inspiration, and all the ways you have paved the way. You are strength and resilience. You are the epitome of power and passion. We are all so fortunate to have witnessed your kindness and beautiful spirit that will forever remain. Thank you for all you have done.”
Inspiration became collaboration, when the pair joined forces at the 50th annual Grammy Awards in 2008. On that occasion, the superstar artists performed “Proud Mary,” Ike & Tina Turner’s 1971 cover of the Creedence Clearwater Revival classic.
Three years before that, Beyoncé had performed the same song solo at the 2005 Kennedy Center Honors, in honor of Turner.
Bey spoke fondly of Turner when her tour paused last week at Paris’ Stade de France. “I just want to take a second and honor Tina Turner,” she told the crowd. “If you’re a fan of mine, you’re a fan of Tina Turner. I wouldn’t be on this stage without Tina Turner, so I want you guys to just scream, so she can feel your love. I feel so blessed that I was allowed to witness her brilliance.”
Watch fan-filmed footage of Bey’s musical tribute to Turner below.
Taylor Swift is all set for a top 10 takeover in the U.K.
Following the release last Friday (May 26) of Midnights (The Til Dawn Edition), three tracks from it are vying for top 10 berths.
Based on early sales and streaming data, “Karma” could vault 67-2, after the release of a new cut featuring Ice Spice. Further down the chart blast, fan favorite “Hits Different” could arrive at No. 8 and “Snow On The Beach,” featuring Lana Del Rey, could enter the top 10, thanks to a re-recording with additional vocals from the alternative-pop artist. “Snow” starts at No. 10 on the chart blast.
Rapper J Hus could snag the highest new entry on the Official U.K. Chart with “It’s Crazy.” It’s new at No. 6 on the chart blast, and, if it holds its spot, would become the Brit’s fourth U.K. top 10 appearance.
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Dua Lipa’s soundtrack from the forthcoming Barbie film, “Dance The Night,” is getting a lot of play time. It’s new at No. 16 on the chart blast, and should give Lipa her 23rd top 40 in the U.K. The Greta Gerwig-directed Barbie stars Margot Robbie as the titular Mattel doll, and is accompanied by a soundtrack, Barbie the Album, which was produced by Mark Ronson and includes songs by Lizzo, Nicki Minaj, Karol G, Khalid, Ice Spice, Charli XCX, HAIM, The Kid Laroi, Ava Max and more.
Meanwhile, Kylie Minogue’s Padamic is sweeping the country. The catchy electro-pop number “Padam Padam” is on the rise, and could crack the top 20 for the first time. It’s at No. 18 on the chart blast, after arriving at No. 26 on the chart proper last Friday, for the Australian pop veteran’s highest position on the survey since 2014’s “In The Blue” hit No. 12.
At the very top of the chart blast is, once again, “Miracle,” the throwback rave number by Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding. It’s charging to an eighth non-consecutive appearance at the summit, for what would equal Harris’ longest reign for a single.
All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Singles Chart is published Friday (June 2).
Shouse shuffles to an APRA AMCOS Billions Award for their “coming out of lockdown” anthem “Love Tonight.”
The Melbourne dance music duo is saluted for notching one billion streams of their song, an overnight sensation that was, in reality, five years in the making.
“Love Tonight” is the creation of Jack Madin and Ed Service, one a primary school teacher, the other an arts community manager, who were spotted performing the moody number in 2016 by OneLove head of A&R Ant Celestino. He documented the performance on video; in the cold light of day, Celestino knew it was a total banger.
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Soon after, the track was recorded with a choir of local Melbourne friends and released in 2017 on the OneLove imprint Hell Beach.
The story took another turn when, in early 2017, OneLove struck a partnership deal for global digital distribution and label services with Ingrooves Music Group, an arrangement that cleared a path for “Love Tonight.”
“It was like an unhealthy obsession,” Celestino told this reporter on stage at 2022 Indie-Con. “We never stopped. I just thought the record was so good.”
The eight-minute original cut was spun off into a string of new remixes and edits, the track was serviced to radio, DJs and tastemakers in 2021, an underground swell bubbled away in European clubs, and when the doors finally burst open after the pandemic — a global hit.
The single went top 10 in over 20 countries including Germany, France, Greece, Netherlands, and Belgium. “Love Tonight” reached No. 18 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, and No. 8 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs.
According to APRA AMCOS, “Love Tonight” is certified diamond in France, triple platinum in Australia, double platinum in Belgium and Portugal, Platinum in Germany, Italy, New Zealand and Greece, and gold in Denmark, Spain, the U.K. and the U.S.
“Hearing the voices of our makeshift Melbourne choir resonate across crowds around the world will never get old,” comments Madin and Service on receiving their circular trophy. “We’re thrilled and stunned that our little moment of collective joy here in our home has made an impact on so many. They always sing along. We hope that this song inspires people to sing and create music with friends, family and their community. Music is magic!”
The 1,000,000,000 List takes into account streaming numbers from major services Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube, and is given to APRA AMCOS songwriter members and their publishers in recognition of a song surpassing one billion streams.
It’s said to be the first award of its kind to recognize a songwriter’s achievement. Other recipients include Tones And I (for “Dance Monkey”), 5 Seconds of Summer (“Youngblood”), Vance Joy (“Riptide”), Gotye (“Somebody That I Used to Know”), VASSY (“Bad”), Harry Michael and Tyron Hapi for Masked Wolf’s “Astronaut in the Ocean.”
Read more on the “Love Tonight” story here.