concert
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Fans at Louis Tomlinson‘s show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Wednesday (June 21) were sent scrambling for cover when a freak hail storm struck during the former One Director singer’s solo show. According to Denver’s 9 News, seven people were transported to a local hospital for injuries and dozens more were treated at the scene […]
Less than 24 hours after Bebe Rexha was hit in the face by a fan’s tossed cell phone during a show, fellow pop star Ava Max was slapped by a man attending her show in Los Angeles on Tuesday night (June 20). In a fan video of the incident an unnamed man is seen appearing […]
When Erykah Badu announced her latest tour, Unfollow Me, the singer-songwriter shared what fans could expect. “You can expect us to become one living breathing organism. You’ll receive my sincerest, purest love. I love what I do and I love doing it for you.”
The Grammy-winning artist made good on that promise during her Los Angeles stopover at Crypto.com Arena Saturday evening (June 17).
Already hyped by a fun and memory-evoking opening set by yasiin bey, Badu kept fans on pins and needles as her drummer and percussionist fired up the crowd even further with energetic solo turns. Then, some 10 minutes later, the lady of the hour took the stage to loud cheers and shoutouts amid laser lights and lightning flashes across a giant video screen. But it was worth the wait.
Opening her show with the fitting, self-empowering “20 Feet Tall,” Badu — wearing a feathered floor-length coat and tall head wrap that she later doffed for a slinky black dress with front-facing slits underneath — took command of the stage for the next hour and 45 minutes. From there the evening became a giant sing-along with an ethereal and playful Badu leading her faithful choir, beginning with the classic “On & On” peppered with humorous adlibs like “People in the back … what the F you looking at?”
After segueing into “…& On,” the Grammy winner dished up a host of flavorful tracks from her deep-rooted catalog, including “Appletree,” “No Love,” “Me,” “Time’s a Wastin,” “Kiss Me on My Neck,” “A.D. 2000,” “Didn’t Cha Know” and closer “Window Seat.” In the latter song, Badu smoothly sidled into a snippet of “Whipped Cream” by Ari Lennox, of whom she noted, “I love you, Ari.” Also eliciting massive sing-alongs that resonated throughout the arena: “Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop),” “Otherside of the Game,” “Next Lifetime” and a very moving “Orange Moon.”
To an audience that ranged from ’60s- to 2000s -era fans, Badu declared of her game-changing 1997 debut album, Baduizm, “I wrote that for you ’90s babies,” as she recalled being pregnant with her first child while writing and recording the project. “So I’ve been waiting for you ’90s babies to grow up,” she said with a laugh.
The evening’s master class in neo-soul and hip-hop — in honor of the latter’s 50th anniversary this year — got off to a grand start with rap icon yasiin bey. The Brooklyn-born artist took the stage to heartwarming applause and shoutouts before delivering a strong 45-minute set. At times self-deprecating (at one point the rapper/singer-songwriter/actor referred to himself simply as “local talent” to audience laughter); at other moments twirling around onstage to his tracks with free abandon, bey referenced milestones in his long-running career as well with songs like “Auditorium,” “Casa Bey,” “Mathematics,” “Ms. Fat Booty” and “UMI Says.”
Adding an exclamation point to bey’s show was the surprise appearance of his former Black Star colleague and fellow Brooklynite Talib Kweli. The two hip-hop icons dove into a rollicking take on their 1998 gem “Respiration.”
Badu’s 25-city Unfollow Me tour with yasiin bey, produced by Outback Presents, launched in San Antonio on June 11 before making its fifth stop in Los Angeles. Upcoming shows include Sacramento (June 20), Seattle (June 23), Denver (June 26), Chicago (July 1), New York (July 8) and Atlanta (July 15) before wrapping in Badu’s hometown of Dallas (July 23).
Romeo Santos is wrapping up his four-date U.S. stadium stint that lunched on June 3 at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium. On Friday (June 16), the Latin star’s Formula Vol. 3 Tour paid a visit to Miami.
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A two-hour DJ set by Deejay Mad pumped up the LoanDepot Park (formerly known as Marlins Park) as devoted Romeistas filled up the venue at capacity. At 10:48 p.m., the lights dimmed and a video appeared across the large screens, displaying a phone call between Romeo and his son.
“Daddy has to work,” he said.
Then, wearing a black-and-white blazer, brown shades, and black pants, Santos arrived on stage to perform the opening track “El Pañuelo,” his collaboration with Rosalía. He then sang some of his earlier solo tunes, such as “La Diabla,” “Eres Mia,” “Cancioncitas de Amor” and “Odio.”
“I didn’t come here to talk. Where are all the Latinos this night?” he asked his nearly 40,000 fans.
The Dominican crooner then continued with songs such as “Inmortal,” “Promise,” “Bebo,” “Imitadora,” “Necio” and “Llévame Contigo,” to name a few, before assuring everyone that the “Romeistas are the best fans in the world.”
At 11:30 p.m., Santos left the stage and returned with a new fit — black leather pants and an open, cheetah-print shirt that flaunted his toned, bronzed chest. During this concert block, he delivered some of his popular urban-bachata collaborations such as “Volvi” (Bad Bunny), “X Si Volvemos” (Karol G), “El Farsante” (Ozuna) and “Noche de Sexo” (Wisin y Yandel).
To close off the reggaeton-heavy set, Santos brought out Anuel AA to perform their infectious feature “Ella Quiere Beber,” which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Latin Airplay chart in 2019.
The Puerto Rican trap artist also performed his songs “Sola” and “Mas Rica Que Ayer,” all while Santos jammed on stage with a drink in hand.
“Romeo, you’re my biggest idol and inspiration,” Anuel said to him before giving him a hug and rushing off stage.
At 12:15 a.m., Santos was still intact, and in fact, asked the audience: “Are you sleepy? Now is when the concert is beginning. Where are my Romeistas of more than a decade? The Aventureras?”
This time, sitting on a tall, silver throne, Santos began taking song petitions from the fans to sing in a capella. Some of the timeless Aventura hits he passionately belted were “Angelito,” “Enseñame a Olvidar” and “Hermanita.”
He then dropped a wave of bangers that further prove why he’s the King of Bachata, such as “El Malo,” “Todavia Me Amas,” “Los Infieles,” “Corazoncito,” “La Boda,” “Un Beso” and “Obsesión” — the song that put Aventura on the map in 2002 — before changing to a red leather outfit and closing the night at 1:00 a.m. with “Huellas” and “Propuesta Indecente.”
The Formula Vol. 3 stadium trek wraps on June 24 in Houston and will resume with more than 20 U.S. dates and cities in October and November. For more information, visit here.
As previously reported, Harry Styles came out on top on Billboard Boxscore’s 2023 midyear Top Tours chart. But it wasn’t an easy win. Across the six-month tracking period, the No. 1 spot flipped six times, coming down to a margin of less than $500,000, or 0.3%. Take a look below at how the midyear 2023 Top Tours ranking took shape, from Nov. 1, 2022, through April 30, 2023.
For the first day of November, Elton John led via his Nov. 1 show at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium, earning $7.8 million, according to figures reported to Billboard Boxscore. But, temporarily, he gave way to Coldplay, in the middle of a 10-show run at Buenos Aires’ Estadio Unico Ciudad de La Plata.
It took two Argentinian shows for Coldplay to take over. But before that epic run could end, Sir Elton was back on top, continuing his mammoth stadium run in North America, including three sold-out shows at Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium on Nov. 17 and 19-20.
John held the top spot into December, until being displaced by 2022’s overall champ, Bad Bunny. The Puerto Rican superstar wrapped World’s Hottest Tour, reaching a high of $67.9 million since the beginning of the ’23 tracking period. But just like that, Daddy Yankee, another Puerto Rican icon promoted by Cardenas Marketing Network, took over for the end of the calendar year, with $72.5 million.
Elton was back in January, playing shows in Oceania that not only gave him a third stint at No. 1, but cemented the Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour as the highest-grossing tour of all time.
But then came Harry. After many months, midyears and year-end rankings in the top five, Mr. Styles claimed the pole position, juiced up by shows in Australia and Asia in February and March. Ultimately, he earned $138.6 million between November and April.
And despite Elton’s last-minute run at the O2 Arena (and one show on April 27 at Munich’s Olympiahalle), Styles stayed strong. John inched towards the top but ultimately fell short by less than half of a percentage point.
While those men traded off on top, Ed Sheeran, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Dua Lipa, Kevin Hart, Luke Combs, SZA and many more came in as some of the top touring acts of the midyear tracking period. Check back later this year for a year-end update with some of the summer’s biggest stadium runs.
There are Ed Sheeran fans, and then there’s Chris Hemsworth. The Thor star proved that he’s a gold-star Sheerio over the weekend when he attended his third show on Ed’s Mathematic Tour over the weekend at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. “Saw Ed Sheeran for the 3rd time this year. Some say I’m a super […]
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Hip-Hop is about to be celebrated like never before in The Bronx. Run-DMC is set to perform their final show at Yankee Stadium.
As spotted on The Grio the culture is to come alive for one magic night in the heart of the Boogie Down Bronx. On Friday, August 11 the genre’s biggest names will come together for a legendary, celebratory concert – Hip Hop 50 Live at Yankee Stadium. The can’t-miss milestone event will feature Run DMC’s “Bottom of the Ninth…The Walk-Off” performance which is being billed as their last ever set as a group. Both MC’s expressed their enthusiasm at closing out their careers in legendary fashion. “I am honored to hit the stage in the Bronx, the birthplace of Hip Hop and celebrate all of my heroes,” said RUN. “Aug 11th is Hip Hop’s 50th birthday! So…’Up in the Bronx’ where it all started we will be celebrating this historic moment in history!” shared DMC.
Hip Hop 50 Live will also feature some other high profile artists including Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube and theme sets including “Queens Of Hip Hop” which will feature Eve, Lil Kim, Remy Ma and Trina. “Pillars of Hip-Hop” will feature Kool Herc & Cindy Campbell, Grandmaster Caz, Kurtis Blow, Melle Mel, Roxanne Shante, Scorpio and the Sugar Hill Gang, and the “Legendary DJ” set will have Clark Kent, Marley Marl, Mannie Fresh and Battlecat. Additional performers include: T.I., Fat Joe, Common, A$AP Ferg, EPMD, Ghostface Killah, Lupe Fiasco and Slick Rick.
Hip Hop 50 Live at Yankee Stadium is the latest announcement surrounding Mass Appeal’s Hip Hop 50 initiative – a massive cross-platform initiative that celebrates Hip Hop’s momentous anniversary in the most authentic and globally impactful way possible by acknowledging and recognizing Hip Hop as not only a genre but a movement that has impacted the worldwide community.
Tickets for Hip Hop 50 Live will become available beginning with presales on Thursday, June 8 at 10 a.m. EST until 10 p.m. EST before the general on sale on Friday, June 9 at 10 a.m. EST HERE.
Photo: Getty
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For the third and final night of Taylor Swift’s Chicago outing — which took over Soldier Field and the surrounding South Loop area — the superstar pulled out all the stops.
On her first night in the Windy City, Swift celebrated the start of Pride month by sharing a special, and urgent, message to the sold-out stadium. “I’m looking out tonight, I’m seeing so many incredible individuals who are living authentically and beautifully and this is a safe space for you,” Swift said “This is a celebratory space for you.”
“One of the things that makes me feel so prideful is getting to be with you, and watching you interact with each other, and being so loving, and so thoughtful, and so caring,” she continued, later adding, “I wish that every place was safe and beautiful for people in the LGBTQ community.”
For her second night, she welcomed country star Maren Morris to the stage for one of her surprise songs, the live debut of “You All Over Me,” a From The Vault track included on Fearless (Taylor’s Version). Following the long-awaited moment, Morris posted a black and white photo of the pair on Instagram, writing: “We finally got to play ‘You All Over Me’ and I won’t ever be shutting up about it. Love you Taylor Swift and love you always, Chicago.”
As for the third night (Sunday June 5), two opening acts the city had yet to see took to the stage: Gracie Abrams and MUNA (lead vocalist Katie Gavin, who is from the Chicago suburbs, noted the specialness of a hometown show). And while Swift’s set featured minor hiccups — from a mic malfunction to a surprise mid-set snack (the accidental swallowing of a bug) — Swift handled such moments with humor and grace, only making them that much more memorable. And proving that even a superstar like Swift, who can perform to tens of thousands of fans night after night, is also, somehow, still relatable.
Below are the seven best moments from her Chicago finale, of which Swift said: “When we have three in a row, there’s always a special reserve of energy we are saving for the third night… this is it.”
The Humorous Mishaps
Taylor Swift delivered a heartfelt speech in honor of Pride Month during her Eras Tour concert in Chicago on Friday (June 2).
Sitting in front of her piano at Soldier Field, the 33-year-old pop superstar gave a special shout-out to the “brilliant crowds of people who are living their authentic lives” and assured fans that her shows are a “space space” for the LGBTQ community.
“I’m looking out tonight, I’m seeing so many incredible individuals who are living authentically and beautifully and this is a safe space for you,” Swift said in the fan-captured video. “This is a celebratory space for you.”
She continued, “One of the things that makes me feel so prideful is getting to be with you, and watching you interact with each other, and being so loving, and so thoughtful, and so caring.”
The Grammy-winning artist also referenced her 2019 Lover track “You Need to Calm Down,” which features lyrics like “can you just not step on his gown?” and “cause shade never made anybody less gay.” The song peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2019.
“You guys are screaming those lyrics in such solidarity, in such support of one another, in such encouraging, beautiful, acceptance and peace and safety,” she said. “I wish that every place was safe and beautiful for people in the LGBTQ community.”
The Midnights singer then segued into recent legislation in the United States that targets members of the LGBTQ community.
“There have been so many harmful pieces of legislation that have put people in the LGBTQ and queer community at risk,” she said. “It’s painful for everyone, every ally, every loved one, every person of these communities, and that’s why I’m always posting, ‘This is when the midterms are, this is when these important key primaries are.’”
Swift added, “We can support as much as we want during Pride Month, but if we’re not doing our research on these elected officials — are they advocates? Are they allies? Are they protectors of equality? Do I want to vote for them?”
Swift was mostly silent on the subject of politics for her entire career up until late late 2018, when she endorsed Phil Bredesen, the Democratic candidate for Senate in her home state of Tennessee. Since then, she’s been outspoken about all that’s going on in the world. Click here for a full timeline of Swift’s political evolution.
Watch Swift’s heartfelt Pride Month speech in Chicago on Twitter below.
The Foo Fighters launched their first tour with new drummer Josh Freese on Wednesday night (May 24) at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion at Meadowbrook in Gilford, N.H. The bittersweet evening marked the band’s first tour in a quarter century without beloved late drummer Taylor Hawkins, who died last March while on tour with […]