Concerts
Benson Boone’s Australian tour reached a memorable peak on Jan. 20 when the 22-year-old pop sensation embraced one of the country’s most infamous traditions: the shoey.
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During his sold-out performance at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion, Boone paused the show to drink water out of a cowboy boot, sending the crowd into a frenzy. For the unfamiliar, the shoey—a ritual involving drinking from a shoe—has become a hallmark of Australian concerts.
While typically involving beer and a fan’s shoe, Boone opted for a sanitized twist, using bottled water and a clean cowboy boot. In widely shared TikTok footage, Boone was seen pouring bottled water into a cowboy boot, pausing to ask the owner, “How much water do I put in it? Do you want me to put water in your shoe?”
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With the crowd cheering him on, he quipped, “Okay—when in Australia,” before raising the boot to his lips. After downing the water, Boone returned the boot, adding, “Not bad, not bad. You have very good hygiene, miss, thank you.”
Boone’s shoey also places him among a growing list of international stars who have embraced the peculiar tradition. Harry Styles kicked off his 2023 Australian tour by sipping from a sneaker, calling it “one of the most disgusting traditions” he’d encountered. Post Malone and Stormzy have also participated, much to the delight of their fans, while Kylie Minogue famously performed a shoey out of a high heel at the Brit Awards.
The moment came as part of Boone’s Fireworks and Rollerblades World Tour, which includes performances in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Auckland throughout January. The tour comes amid a remarkable year for Boone, whose single “Beautiful Things” dominated Billboard’s charts in 2024, spending seven weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 and eight weeks atop the Global Excl. U.S. chart.
The single earned Boone the Top Billboard Global 200 Song and Top Billboard Global Excl. U.S. Song accolades at the 2024 Billboard Music Awards.
“What’s up? Billboard, it’s Benson Boone. Thank you so much for this award. The most streamed song of 2024 is pretty ridiculous. This is the award right here. I cannot believe you guys,” Boone said in a virtual acceptance speech for his awards last month. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I’m sorry I could not be there in person. You caught me right in the middle of tour, but I love you guys more than you know, and I hope that you love the music that continues to come this year. So thank you so much. Enjoy the rest of the show. Peace.”
Chart-topping Japanese pop group BE:FIRST is finally expanding onto the global stage with their first-ever world tour.
Following the boy band’s eight No. 1 hits on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart, Billboard can exclusively reveal that BE:FIRST is embarking on a world tour this year titled -Who Is BE:FIRST?-. Launching on April 22 in Los Angeles, the trek will span 15 cities across North America, Europe and Asia to mark a major move in the J-pop stars’ international ascent.
Managed by Tokyo-based agency BMSG, the septet consisting of Sota, Shunto, Manato, Ryuhei, Junon, Ryoki and Leo debuted in 2021 after winning fans through the reality singing competition The First. BE:FIRST’s first-ever single, “Gifted.,” topped the Billboard Japan Hot 100, leading the band to millions of views on YouTube, and collaborations with fellow chart-toppers like English DJ and producer Jonas Blue and two singles with K-pop boy band ATEEZ. Through their three years together, and with a mix of feel-good pop, intense EDM, futuristic hip-hop and classic R&B, the seven-member group has carved a multifaceted musical identity that’s garnered millions of social-media followers and fans — or BESTY, as their fans are affectionately known.
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“We are excited to announce that BE:FIRST will be embarking on a world tour,” the guys tell Billboard exclusively. “As BE:FIRST, we’ve had very few opportunities to perform outside Japan so we’ve been eagerly looking forward to holding our first-ever world tour! We’re truly excited to see how international BESTY will react to our music and performances. In addition to sharing our music, we’re especially looking forward to the stage talk during our shows — talking about the local culture, sharing memories in the cities we visit and creating unforgettable moments together!”
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“BE:FIRST was founded with the goal of delivering world-class dance and vocals — a vision they have pursued since their audition process,” says legendary rapper-producer SKY-HI, the CEO of BMSG who also acts as BE:FIRST’s main producer.
“With the support we’ve received through their activities in Japan and the success achieved so far, BE:FIRST is now ready to embark on their first-ever world tour. As the producer of BE:FIRST, I am confident that their music, performance quality, and attitude align with global entertainment standards, and I deeply appreciate the high praise they have received so far. At the same time, we remain aware that we are still a young and emerging presence in the industry. Having sparked a sensation in Japan in 2021 and 2022, BE:FIRST is determined to recreate that excitement on the global stage, embarking on this journey as fresh newcomers. We deeply appreciate your continued support. At BMSG, we proudly represent Tokyo, Japan, and we see this as an opportunity to make the world a more exciting place. By showcasing the power of creativity, we will continue to uphold our ‘creative first’ philosophy. We hope you look forward to what’s to come.”
In addition to live concerts in new countries and continents, BE:FIRST has also lined up representation outside of Japan with Steel Wool Entertainment, the management and media agency whose clients have included Anderson .Paak, Hayley Kiyoko, Amber Liu and more.
“I flew into Osaka to see BE:FIRST and was blown away by their stage presence and knew that we had to work with them,” says Steelwool CEO and founder Kevin Morrow. “I can’t wait for the world to see what I saw on their upcoming tour.”
In the meantime, the BE:FIRST members want their fans to stay healthy and send BESTY-approved recommendations for their cities.
“Please take care of your health, and let’s enjoy the show to the fullest!” BE:FIRST adds. “And if you have recommendations for delicious local food or great places to visit in your area, let us know — we’d love to explore during our stay! We’re all so thrilled to meet you soon!”
Fans can look forward to different VIP packages available for the tour, as well as BE:FIRST’s upcoming single “Spacecraft,” set for release in February. The track follows the group’s recent Top 5 Billboard Japan Hot 100 hit “Sailing,” a collaboration with the popular animated manga series One Piece.
Read on for the full tour dates and on-sale ticket information across regions, as well as more tour information on BE:FIRST’s official site here.
-Who is BE:FIRST?- 2025 World Tour dates:
4/22/25 – Los Angeles, CA, USA – The NOVO4/23/25 – San Francisco, CA, USA – The Regency Ballroom5/15/25 – Taipei – Zepp New Taipei5/24/25 – Bangkok – Samyan Mitrtown Hall6/1/25 – London, United Kingdom – O2 Forum Kentish Town6/3/25 – Paris, France – Bataclan Theatre6/4/25 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Melkweg6/6/25 – Frankfurt, Germany – Batschkapp6/9/25 – New York, NY, USA – Webster Hall6/10/25 – Philadelphia, PA, USA – Keswick Theatre6/14/25 – Chicago, IL, USA – Copernicus Center6/17/25 – Honolulu, HI, USA – Hawaii Theatre6/28/25 – Hong Kong – TBD7/5/25 – Singapore – Capitol Theatre
Ticket On Sale Information:
North America:Artist Fan Club Presale: Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 1:00 a.m. PST – Thursday, Jan. 24 at 5 p.m. PSTGeneral Onsale: Friday, Jan. 24 at 10 AM local
Europe:Artist Fan Club Presale: Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 1 a.m. PST to Thursday, Jan. 24 at 5 p.m. PSTMastercard / LiveNation Presale: Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 10 a.m. local to Friday, Jan. 24 at10 a.m. localGeneral Onsale: Friday, Jan. 24th at 10 a.m. local
The Black Eyed Peas have canceled their upcoming Las Vegas residency scheduled for 2025. On Sunday (Jan. 19), the group announced via their Instagram Story that their planned shows at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino’s PH Live would no longer take place due to “current circumstances.” “To our dearest Peabodies,” the Black Eyed Peas wrote. […]
The euphoric and loving screams of the crowd made Fito Páez blush. The Argentine rocker admitted that the clamor for his free Saturday night (Jan. 18) show in Mexico City’s Zócalo made him feel “modesty.” Visibly moved, he thanked the 80,000 people who attended the Plaza de la Constitución, according to figures from the city government, but also those who followed the concert on social media and public television.
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“How beautiful it is to be here!” said Páez, who appeared on the imposing stage dressed in a fluorescent yellow sweater and a red cape that matched the show’s lighting design. “Please save energy because you will need it,” the musician from Rosario added before starting his first concert of 2025 with his iconic song “El Amor Después del Amor.”
The concert at the country’s main public square settled a pending debt with his Mexican fans, after postponing a presentation originally scheduled for September due to a domestic accident that resulted in five fractured ribs and forced him to suspend a series of shows in Mexico and Colombia.
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It was also the prelude to three shows that the legendary icon of rock en Español will perform this week in Mexican territory, with two dates at the National Auditorium on Tuesday and Wednesday (Jan. 21-22), and one more at the Auditorio Telmex in Guadalajara on Jan. 26 — all part of his Páez 403 tour, which celebrates 40 years of his first album, Del 63, and the 30th anniversary of Circo Beat.
The concert of the 61-year-old rocker, with which the Government of Mexico City inaugurated its free musical shows of 2025 at the Zócalo, was even mentioned at the presidential conference of last Friday (Jan. 17). “Fito Páez is Fito Páez!” said Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum in response to a reporter’s question about the singer-songwriter’s visit.
On the Plaza de la Constitución, or Zócalo, a huge Argentine flag was waved from the front rows, with many people of the South American country in attendance to see one of their most respected and beloved musicians, but also curious and old fans, and even new followers who met him through Netflix’s bio-series El Amor Después del Amor. “This is bursting, how beautiful!” Páez, who kept his dialogues short but seemed to enjoy the moment, told the audience.
Accompanied by a large band of musicians and his inseparable piano, he pleased the crowd with a repertoire of his most well-known songs, including “Yo Vengo a Ofrecer Mi Corazón,” “Cadáver Exquisito,” “Un Vestido y Un Amor,” “Tumbas de la Gloria” and “Naturaleza Sangre.” He also sang classics such as “Al Lado del Camino,” “Circo Beat,” “Brillante Sobre el Mic,” “Ciudad de Pobres Corazones,” “A Rodar Mi Vida” and “Dar es Dar,” which made the audience vibrate.
Previously, the Argentine group El Juguete Rabioso and the Mexican band Rey Pila served as opening bands.
“Ciao, my loves. What an unforgettable night! Health, money, and love for everyone. Thank you for this great honor, for having received us all the people of the city,” Páez said as a farewell. “Know that we appreciate this from the bottom of our hearts.”
With the energy of the audience still high, the rocker reciprocated the affection performing “Mariposa Technicolor” and “Dale Alegría,” which marked the end of his presentation.
Fito Páez’s show adds to the long list of concerts that national and international artists have offered at the capital’s Zócalo, including Paul McCartney, Roger Waters, Pixies, Caifanes, Rosalía, Interpol, Grupo Firme, Shakira, Juan Gabriel and Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, among many others.
Coldplay‘s never-ending Music of the Spheres tour has already set records as the best-selling and highest-grossing rock tour ever thanks to 10 million tickets sold and grosses over $1 billion to date during its three-year run. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news But next week, the “feelslikeimfallinginlove” […]
Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga and several more stars have joined the lineup for FireAid, an upcoming benefit concert at the Intuit Dome supporting victims of the ongoing wildfire crisis that has devastated the Los Angeles area. As reported Thursday (Jan. 16) by The Hollywood Reporter, the “Bad Guy” singer and Joker: Folie a Deux actress […]
Lil Wayne won’t be playing the Super Bowl halftime show at this year’s game in his hometown, but Weezy will be one of the headliners (with the Roots) of the 2025 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The iconic event that will host more than 5,000 acts on 14 stages from April 24-May 4 on the Fair Grounds Race Course announced this year’s lineup on Wednesday (Jan. 15), which will also feature headliners Pearl Jam, the Dave Matthews Band, Luke Combs, Lenny Kravitz and Kacey Musgraves.
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Other acts booked for this year’s predictably eclectic edition include: Santana, John Fogerty, Burna Boy, HAIM, Cage the Elephant, Laufey, Bryson Tiller, Harry Connick, Jr., Patti LaBelle, Trombone Shorty, My Morning Jacket, Gladys Knight, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Cheap Trick, Babyface, Diana Krall, Goose, The Revivalists, Big Freedia and many more.
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Louisiana residents have the chance to snag lower prices for weekend passes and single-day tickets now, with non-resident weekend passes and VIP packages already available already and single-day tickets slated to go on sale at a later date; fans need to set up an account with AXS.com to purchase tickets, with more information available here.
Among the other acts slated to take the stage this year are: Banda MS, Irma Thomas, Tank and the Bangas, Branford Marsalis, Kamasi Washington, The Wailers with Julian Marley, Ledisi Sings Nina, PJ Morton, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Maze Honoring Frankie Beverly, James Bay, Margo Price, Rickie Lee Jones, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Morris Day and the Time and others.
Check out the full lineup below.
A group of Los Angeles’ key promoters and venues are coming together to raise money in the wake of the fires that have devastated the city over the last eight days.
L.A. Gives Back: Fire Relief will happen Jan. 29 at The Bellwether in downtown Los Angeles. The show is being organized by IHEARTCOMIX, Brownies & Lemonade, Another Planet Entertainment (which owns The Bellwether) and Teragram.
The show — the lineup for which will be announced in the coming weeks — will raise money to support victims of the fire, along with first responders and animals. One hundred percent of the funds raised will go to charity.
The Jan. 29 show marks a special edition of L.A. Gives Back, which typically takes place during the holiday season to raise money for charitable causes in the city. Previous editions have featured artists including Zedd, Bonobo, Madeon, Flying Lotus, Tokimonsta, Boys Noize, A-Trak, JPEGMafia, Louis the Child, Tim Heidecker & Weyes Blood, Eric André and more. The event series has collectively raised over $250,000 for L.A.-based charities and initiatives.
This show is a new addition to a growing list of benefit shows to support victims and first responders of the wildfires, which have claimed at least 25 lives, killed countless animals and destroyed or damaged roughly 12,300 structures in the city since Jan. 7.
“There’s nothing the IHEARTCOMIX team and I care about more than our Los Angeles community — it’s what made us who we are,” IHEARTCOMIX founder Franki Chan says in a statement. “Over the past few days, it has been extremely painful to witness so many close friends, family members and colleagues lose their homes. Even more heartbreaking is knowing the road to recovery will be long. In moments like these, we believe it’s our duty to channel our best talents to support those in need. L.A. Gives Back has always been that vehicle for us, so we hope this event will make a meaningful contribution in providing some relief to our community.”
“The devastation Los Angeles has endured the past week from these wildfires made it clear we had to do something,” the organizers of electronic dance events company Brownies & Lemonade say in a joint statement. “L.A. Gives Back has been our longstanding event series focused on providing aid to our city and we’re so happy to bring it back for this crucial moment to provide wildfire relief for our city.”
“Los Angeles is home to a vibrant independent creative community,” adds Casey Lowdermilk of The Bellwether. “We’re proud to open our stage in support of our neighbors who lost everything in this disaster.”
LA Gives Back Fire Relief
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01/10/2025
From international superstars to that Oasis reunion, it’s set to be a busy year for music lovers.
01/10/2025
This summer’s Bonnaroo Festival will feature headline sets from Luke Combs, Tyler, the Creator, Olivia Rodrigo and Hozier. The June 12-15 mega fest on the ‘Roo Farm in Manchester, TN will also feature sets from John Summit, Dom Dolla, Avril Lavigne, Glass Animals, Vampire Weekend, Justice, Queens of the Stone Age and an “Insanely Fire 1970’s Pool Party” SuperJam curated by Remi Wolf.
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This year’s edition will also introduce the first-ever ‘Roo Residency, which will find prolific Australian rockers King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard playing three sets over three days. Also performing on the fest’s 10 stages over four days: Marcus King, Insane Clown Posse, Goose, The Red Clay Strays, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Megadeth, Wallows, Foster the People, Nelly, GloRilla, Mt. Joy, RL Grime, Beabadoobee, Tyla, MJ Lenderman, Modest Mouse, Raye, Royel Otis, Dispatch, Aly & AJ, Action Bronson, Role Model, Natasha Bedingfield and BossMan Dlow, among many others.
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Tickets for the festival will go on sale on Thursday (Jan. 9) beginning at 10 a.m. CT exclusively here, with guaranteed lowest-priced tickets available during the first hour of sales (10-11 a.m. CT). In addition, fans looking for a heightened experience can opt for GA+ tickets, with unlimited access to the Centeroo GA+ lounge, as well as VIP and Platinum options featuring close-in and on-field viewing areas and other perks; click here for more information on VIP and Platinum tickets.
Among the new elements added this year is the “Infinity Stage,” described as a “one-of-a-kind” venue created in partnership with Polygon Live that will feature “spatial sound, synchronized lights and an unprecedented three-dome, open-air design to create the world’s largest, most immersive 360-degree live music experience.”
Check out the full Bonnaroo 2025 lineup below.