Music News

11 Sep 2023

Oliver Anthony, Papa Roach Play Unplugged Parking Lot Sets After Blue Ridge Rock Festival Canceled Due to Extreme Weather

After severe weather resulted in the cancellation of the final two days of the Blue Ridge Rock Festival at the VIR Raceway in Alton, VA, some of the bands on the bill tried to make good with disappointed fans by playing acoustic sets. Among the acts taking to a makeshift stage on Saturday were Papa Roach, Shinedown and viral country star Oliver Anthony Music.

The event was originally scheduled to take place from Thursday (Sept. 7) through Sunday (Sept. 10), but due to high winds, rain and dangerous weather, multiple days were impacted, including the first night, when lightning, heavy rain, hail and strong winds forced the evacuation of the Raceway and the cancellation of that night’s sets, according to Loudwire. The weather reportedly moved in during Coheed and Cambria’s set just before 7 p.m.; Five Finger Death Punch, Staind, Evanescence and Rise Against sets were also called off due to the weather.

WDBJ reported that storms on Thursday caused severe damage to campground roads and attendees’ tents, after extreme heat earlier in the week impacting staff members felled by heat stroke; the station reported that the hot weather was so intense that even security search dogs needed IVs.

An emergency alert from the festival warned fans: “SEVERE WEATHER APPROACHING: Please exit immediately and seek shelter in your campsite, vehicle or our shuttle buses.” While the music was back on by Friday — including a surprise set from “Rich Men North of Richmond” singer Anthony, as well as performances from headliners Slipknot and Danzig — Saturday and Sunday’s lineups were wiped out when organizers called off the rest of event due to expected bad weather.

“With heavy hearts, due to this weekend’s continued severe weather, we must announce the cancellation of the final days of Blue Ridge Rock Festival,” organizers said in a statement. “Your safety and well-being are our foremost concerns. We understand the disappointment this brings, and we share immensely in your sadness. Please know that this decision was made with the utmost consideration for everyone involved and our focus now is on supporting those of you still on-site.”

Organizers said they are working to provide refund details for attendees and said information will be available early this week. “This has been an agonizing turn of events for what was to be such a special weekend,” the statement continued. “There will be more much that we unveil over the next few days. Rest assured, we will take care of you despite these difficult circumstances. 

The call-off of Sunday’s lineup meant Limp Bizkit, Pantera, Lamb of God, Babymetal, Pierce the Veil, Chevelle and others never got a chance to play. Unrelated, Rammstein singer Till Lindemann’s solo set was canceled due to a reported illness. A statement about the final day’s cancellation noted that heavy storm activity was expected, including high winds and rain, with the festival asking campers to check out by 2 p.m. and those whose vehicles were stuck or disabled offered rides to safety.

A number of acts tried to make it up to drenched fans, with video showing Papa Roach doing an acoustic version of “Scars” as fans sing along, Shinedown singing “Second Chance” (with Anthony singing backing vocals) and Anthony strumming his trusty acoustic for a run through his Billboard No. 1 hit “Rich Men North or Richmond.”

Watch the surprise acoustic set and see the full event statement below.

10 Sep 2023

Who Is Anonymouse? Pop Star Is Revealed on ‘The Masked Singer’ Season 10 Kick-Off

The Masked Singer returned, and it all started with a mouse. Anonymouse, that is. The mystery singing competition show aired a special kick-off episode Sunday night (Sept. 10) ahead of season 10’s official premiere on Sept. 27.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

The highlight of The Masked Singer kick-off: special mystery guest Anonymouse, dressed as a rock star rodent and serving killer vocals on a cover of “What About Love?” — which Heart had a Top 10 hit with on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985.

The confident Anonymouse, wearing a cute red dress, a leather jacket and a bow tied around her ears, commanded the stage and blew away the panelists with her rendition of the song.

After her performance, Anonymouse was introduced: She said she started working at a young age and had her big break as a singer, but “struggled with demons on the inside.” Images of Nick Jonas and the state of Texas were shown. When asked to give everyone a “clue to nibble on,” she replied, “Well, just like Michelle Obama, Oprah and Angelina Jolie, I’m on one special list: Time‘s 100.”

Another hint? “This is a literal, concrete clue,” Anonymouse said. “My acting career has cemented me as one talented mouse.”

The removal of Anonymouse’s mask revealed (spoiler alert!) … former Disney star and current pop icon Demi Lovato, flashing a wide grin as everyone in the room shrieked and cheered her on. “This has been so much fun,” she said.

Watch Lovato, aka Anonymouse, perform “What About Love?” and get unmasked in the video clips below.


https://youtube.com/watch?v=jl7pjcTaj64&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent





10 Sep 2023

Maxwell and SiR Fire Up Fans at the Hollywood Bowl

Artists Kelly Rowland and Goapele, actors Tichina Arnold, Keith Robinson and Tasha Smith and talk show personality Tavis Smiley were among the celebs spotted enjoying a double dose of generational soul at Maxwell’s Hollywood Bowl: Fireworks Finale concert Saturday evening (Sept. 9). The sold-out show, featuring opening act SiR, was the second in Maxwell’s three-night stint at the Bowl.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Wearing a red suit with a double-breasted jacket adorned with sparkling jewels on one shoulder down to its sleeve, and an ear-to-ear smile, Maxwell told the audience, “Thank you for selling out this night, it’s nuts! I’m getting a little less nervous up here. The alcohol is kicking in. But thank you for 27 years.”

Starting the proceedings with one of his signature gems, “Sumthin’ Sumthin’” — accented by a sexy two-step that had the ladies screaming — Maxwell continued to smoothly transport the audience back down a memory lane of hits and fan faves. The setlist included “Dancewitme,” “Fortunate,” “Off,” “Fistful of Tears,” “Lake by the Ocean,” a searing cover of the 1977 Heatwave hit “Always and Forever,” encore closer “Whenever Wherever Whatever” and “Stop the World.” The latter was accented by a churchy organ solo and a cheeky ad-lib, “I’ma tear that ass up tonight,” that sparked cheers and applause.

But three songs in particular garnered rapturous sing-alongs — and further underscored Maxwell’s still-supple tenor and hypnotizing falsetto: “Bad Habits,” “Pretty Wings” and his 1996 hallmark “Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder).” Referencing the string of “oohs” in the latter song’s intro (“What do you know about the ‘oohs’?”), the Grammy winner soon had the audience matching him “ooh” for “ooh” before shifting into full sing-along mode. At one point, just before a dazzling display of fireworks erupted above the Bowl’s shell, an emotional Maxwell said, “This song is as old as some of you in the house tonight.” 

Maxwell’s simpatico opening act was SiR. Strolling onstage to enthusiastic yells, the Inglewood, Calif., native kept the audience engaged from start to finish with his soulful tenor that carries a pleasing hint of roughness. Sharing relatable stories about love and life, SiR (who possesses sinuous dance moves of his own) kicked off with “John Redcorn” and then followed with selections from a catalog that includes three studio albums, the most recent being 2019’s Chasing Summer. Among the other crowd-pleasers: “Nothing Even Matters,” “Ooh Nah Nah,” his latest single “Satisfaction,” “Hair Down” and “D’Evils.” Assisting on background vocals: SiR’s mother, Jackie Gouche-Farris, whom he introduced and thanked onstage, and whose backup credits include Michael Jackson and Anita Baker.

Maxwell wraps his three-night Hollywood Bowl run Sunday night (Sept. 10) with opening act Raveena. The series commenced on Friday (Sept. 8) with Pink Sweat$. Maxwell’s upcoming performance slate includes a four-night stand (Oct. 11-14) at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

10 Sep 2023

Charlie Robison, Country Singer-Songwriter, Dies in Texas at 59

Charlie Robison, the Texas singer-songwriter whose rootsy anthems made the country charts until he was forced to retire after complications from a medical procedure left him unable to sing, died on Sunday. He was 59.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Robison died at a hospital in San Antonio after suffering cardiac arrest and other complications, according to a family representative.

Robison launched his music career in the late 1980s, playing in local Austin bands like Two Hoots and a Holler before forming his own Millionaire Playboys. In 1996, he released his solo debut, Bandera, named for the Texas Hill Country town where his family has had a ranch for generations.

When he was approached by Sony in 1998, Robison signed with its Lucky Dog imprint, which was devoted to rawer country. His 2001 album Step Right Up, which peaked at No. 27 on the Top Country Albums chart, produced the top 40 country song “I Want You Bad.” The single reached No. 35 on the Hot Country Songs chart.

In 2018, Robison announced that he had permanently lost the ability to sing following a surgical procedure on his throat. “Therefore, with a very heavy heart I am officially retiring from the stage and studio,” he wrote on Facebook.

Robison served as a judge for one year on USA Network’s Nashville Star, a reality TV show in which contestants lived together while competing for a country music recording contract.

He is survived by his wife, Kristen Robison, and four children and stepchildren. He had three children with his first wife, Emily Strayer, a founding member of the superstar country band The Chicks. They divorced in 2008.

Memorial services are pending.

10 Sep 2023

Fans Choose V’s ‘Layover’ as This Week’s Favorite New Music

V‘s Layover tops this week’s new music poll.

Music fans voted in a poll published Friday (Sept. 8) on Billboard, choosing the BTS member’s new solo collection as their favorite music release of the past week.

ARMY showed up: Layover brought in an impressive 96% of the vote. It beat out new music from Olivia Rodrigo, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, The Rolling Stones and more.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

The K-pop star’s six-track album includes the songs “Rainy Days,” “Blue,” “Love Me Again,” “Slow Dancing,” “For Us” and a piano version of “Slow Dancing.”

BIGHIT suggests playing tracks in order from Nos. 1-5, noting that “Slow Dancing” is the focus number of the collection, describing it in a press release as a “1970s romantic soul style track [that] exudes a laid-back and free-spirited feeling.”

Trailing behind Layover on the poll is Rodrigo’s Guts album and Cardi and Megan’s “Bongos” collab.

See the final results of this week’s poll below.

10 Sep 2023

Lil Nas X Documentary Premiere Delayed by Bomb Threat at Toronto International Film Festival

The premiere of the documentary Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero was delayed after a bomb threat was called in at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The Saturday night (Sept. 9) premiere of the film at Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall was delayed by about 20 minutes while authorities verified that the threat wasn’t credible. Lil Nas X was kept off the red carpet during that time.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Judy Lung, vice president of public affairs and communications for TIFF, said in a statement that Toronto police investigated the vicinity of the red carpet ahead of the screening.

“Our standard security measures remained in place during this time and the screening commenced with a slight delay,” Lung said. “To our knowledge, this was a general threat and not directed at the film or the artist.”

Long Live Montero, directed by Carlos López Estrada and Zac Manuel, documents the pop superstar’s eight-month tour beginning in September 2022 for his full-length debut album Montero. The film also deals with Lil Nas X “navigating identity, family, expectations and acceptance, all while reflecting on his place within the legacy of Black, queer performers,” according to a press release about the project.

10 Sep 2023

Elon Musk and Grimes Secretly Welcome Third Child, New Biography Claims

Elon Musk and Grimes have secretly welcomed a third child together, a new biography about the Tesla CEO claims.

Musk’s upcoming biography Elon Musk, penned by Walter Isaacson, reveals that the former couple have a new son named Techno Mechanicus, according to a review published by The New York Times on Saturday (Sept. 9). The baby has reportedly been given the nickname “Tau.”

It was unclear at press time if the Space X founder and X (formerly Twitter) CEO’s biography — which is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday (Sept. 12) — contains additional details surrounding the child’s birth, including his age and where he was born.

Musk, 52, and Grimes, 35, co-parent two other children together: son X AE A-XII (“X”), 3, and daughter Exa Dark Sideræl (“Y”), 1. “X” arrived in May 2020, and “Y” was born via surrogate in December 2021.

The estranged couple ended their three-year relationship in September 2021.

“We are semi-separated but still love each other, see each other frequently and are on great terms,” Musk told Page Six at the time. “It’s mostly that my work at SpaceX and Tesla requires me to be primarily in Texas or traveling overseas, and her work is primarily in L.A. She’s staying with me now and Baby X is in the adjacent room.”

In addition to his three kids with Grimes, Musk has six other children with with ex-wife Justine Wilson.

10 Sep 2023

Jimmy Buffett’s 1985 ‘Greatest Hit(s)’ Album Reaches Billboard 200 Top 10 for First Time

The late Jimmy Buffett, who died on Sept. 1, returns to the top five of the Billboard 200 albums chart as his best-of collection Songs You Know by Heart: Jimmy Buffett’s Greatest Hit(s) re-enters the Sept. 16-dated list at No. 4. It marks the album’s highest rank ever — and first week in the top 10, or even top 40, dating to its release in 1985 — and Buffett’s 13th top 10-charting album.

The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week in the U.S. based on multi-metric consumption as measured in equivalent album units, compiled by Luminate. Units comprise album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album. The new Sept. 16, 2023-dated chart will be posted in full on Billboard‘s website on Sept. 12. For all chart news, follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram.

In the tracking week ending Sept. 7, Songs You Know by Heart earned 52,000 equivalent album units (up 2,122%) following the singer-songwriter’s death on Sept. 1 at age 76. It marks the 13th top 10-charting album for Billboard’s most famous alumnus. Buffett was a Nashville-based reporter for Billboard in 1969-70, before the release of his first album.

Of Songs You Know by Heart’s 52,000 equivalent album units earned in the week ending Sept. 7, SEA units comprise 30,000 (up 1,377%, equaling 40.22 million on-demand official streams of the set’s 13 songs), album sales comprise 15,500 (up 6,826% — making it the top-selling album of the week) and TEA units comprise 6,500 (up 8,813%).

Songs You Know by Heart contains Buffett’s only Billboard Hot 100 top 10-charting hit song, “Margaritaville,” which reached No. 8 in 1977. It also houses the top 40-charting tunes “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Come Monday” and “Fins.”

Songs You Know by Heart joins Buffett’s dozen previous top 10s on the Billboard 200: Life On the Flip Side (No. 2 in 2020), Songs From St. Somewhere (No. 4, 2013), Encores (No. 7, 2010), Take the Weather With You (No. 4, 2006), License to Chill (No. 1, 2004), Meet Me in Margaritaville: Jimmy Buffett The Ultimate Collection (No. 9, 2003), Far Side of the World (No. 5, 2002), Beach House On the Moon (No. 8, 1999), Banana Wind (No. 4, 1996), Barometer Soup (No. 6, 1995), Fruitcakes (No. 5, 1994) and Son of a Son of a Sailor (No. 10, 1978).

Though Songs You Know by Heart had a low-profile chart placing in 1985 — peaking at No. 100 on the Billboard 200 and spending 35 weeks on the list until this week’s return — the set was a sturdy seller through the decades. In 1989, the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), recognizing 1 million units shipped of the album to retailers in the U.S. And since Luminate started electronically tracking music sales in 1991, the album has earned 8.26 million equivalent album units — of which 7.14 million are in traditional album sales. Thus, if one combines the RIAA certification and the Luminate-era activity, Billboard estimates that through the lifetime of the album in the U.S., it has earned 9.26 million equivalent album units, of which 8.14 million are in pure album sales.

The Billboard 200 may soon welcome another debut from Buffett. Shortly after his passing, it was announced that his final studio album, Equal Strain on All Parts, is due Nov. 3. The album features a notable lineup of collaborators, including Emmylou Harris, Lennie Gallant, Angelique Kidjo, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Paul McCartney.

10 Sep 2023

Zach Bryan Spends Second Week Atop Billboard 200 With Self-Titled Album

Zach Bryan’s self-titled album spends a second week atop Billboard 200 chart (dated Sept. 16), as the set earned 115,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in the week ending Sept. 7 (down 42%) according to Luminate.

Also in the top 10 of the latest Billboard 200 chart, the late Jimmy Buffett — who died on Sept. 1 — returns to the top five as his best-of collection Songs You Know by Heart: Jimmy Buffett’s Greatest Hit(s) re-enters the list at No. 4. It marks the album’s highest rank ever — and first week in the top 10, or even top 40, dating to its release in 1985 — and Buffett’s 13th top 10-charting album.

The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week in the U.S. based on multi-metric consumption as measured in equivalent album units, compiled by Luminate. Units comprise album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album. The new Sept. 16, 2023-dated chart will be posted in full on Billboard‘s website on Sept. 12. For all chart news, follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram.

Of Zach Bryan’s 115,000 equivalent album units earned in the week ending Sept. 7, SEA units comprise 111,000 (down 77%, equaling 144.08 million on-demand official streams of the set’s 16 songs), album sales comprise 3,000 (down 50%), and TEA units comprise 1,000 (down 36%).

Bryan’s genre-blending album is categorized as country, Americana/folk and rock on Billboard’s charts. It is the first rock effort to spend its first two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in seven years — since the Suicide Squad soundtrack logged its first two weeks at No. 1 (Aug. 27-Sept. 3, 2016 charts). It’s the first Americana/folk project to spend its first two weeks at No. 1 since Chris Stapleton’s Traveller also ruled in its first two frames in 2015 (Nov. 21 and 28). Country, Americana/folk and rock albums are defined as those that are eligible for, or have charted on, Billboard’s Top Country Albums, Americana/Folk Albums and Top Rock Albums charts, respectively.

A pair of former No. 1s trails Bryan, as Morgan Wallen’s One Thing at a Time climbs 3-2 (84,000 equivalent album units; up 1%) and Travis Scott’s Utopia dips 2-3 (72,000; down 21%).

The late Buffett’s first best-of compilation, the 1985 release Songs You Know by Heart: Jimmy Buffett’s Greatest Hit(s), re-enters the Billboard 200 at a new peak of No. 4. The album initially peaked at No. 100 the year of its release.

In the tracking week ending Sept. 7, Songs You Know by Heart earned 52,000 equivalent album units (up 2,122%) following the singer-songwriter’s death on Sept. 1 at age 76. It marks the 13th top 10-charting album for Billboard’s most famous alumnus. Buffett was a Nashville-based reporter for Billboard in 1969-70, before the release of his first album.

Songs You Know by Heart contains Buffett’s only Billboard Hot 100 top 10-charting hit, “Margaritaville,” which reached No. 8 in 1977. It also houses the top 40-charting tunes “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Come Monday” and “Fins.”

Like Bryan’s latest album, Buffett’s Songs You Know by Heart is also categorized as a country, Americana/folk and rock album. In turn, with Wallen’s own country set One Thing at a Time at No. 2, there are three country albums in the top four on the Billboard 200 for the first time in over a decade. The feat last happened when the entire top three were country efforts on the Nov. 20, 2010-dated list, with Swift’s Speak Now, Jason Aldean’s My Kinda Party and Sugarland’s The Incredible Machine at Nos. 1-3, respectively.

Taylor Swift’s chart-topping Midnights falls 4-5 on the new Billboard 200 (45,000 equivalent album units; down 8%), SZA’s former leader SOS descends 5-6 (nearly 45,000; down 7%), the Barbie soundtrack drops 6-7 (42,000; down 11%), Peso Pluma’s Génesis slips 7-8 (42,000; down 3%), Swift’s former No. 1 Lover falls 8-9 (41,000; down 3%), and Wallen’s chart-topping Dangerous: The Double Album is a non-mover at No. 10 (nearly 41,000; up 1%).

Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings. Luminate reviews and authenticates data. In partnership with Billboard, data deemed suspicious or unverifiable is removed, using established criteria, before final chart calculations are made and published.

10 Sep 2023

Ed Sheeran Postpones Las Vegas Concert at Last Minute: ‘There’s Been Some Challenges’

Ed Sheeran postponed his concert at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium at the last minute on Saturday (Sept. 9), leaving thousands of fans waiting outside in the uncomfortable heat.

The British pop star took to social media at around 5:30 p.m. PT to break the news to concert-goers, many of whom traveled from other cities to attend the show and were lined up outside the venue.

“I can’t believe I’m typing this but there’s been some challenges encountered during the load in of our vegas show,” Sheeran wrote on Instagram. “It’s impossible to go forward with the show. I’m so sorry. I know everyone has travelled in for this and I wish I could change it. The gig will be postponed to Saturday October 28th and all purchased tickets will be valid for that date. I’m so, so sorry x.”

With temperatures reaching over 90 degrees, some fans required medical treatment for heat-related issues, the Clark County Fire Department reportedly told Las Vegas’ 8 News Now. One fan was even taken to a local hospital.

“We were just worried about safety and communication,” a ticket-buyer told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “Us having to be the ones who had to carry the people to medics, having to tell people it was canceled, it was unacceptable.”

Allegiant Stadium crew members told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that 65,000 tickets were sold to Sheeran’s show, which would’ve made it the biggest concert ever at the facility. The singer-songwriter’s complex stage setup — which includes 360-degree video screens and multiple sound towers — ultimately led to “production issues” that forced the postponement, the Review-Journal reports.

Allegiant Stadium officially cited “technical issues” as the reason for delaying the show, a rep for the venue told TMZ. Despite the problems, Sheeran reportedly stayed back for about an hour to sign autographs for fans who made it inside the stadium.

Sheeran is gearing up for the release of his upcoming album, Autumn Variations, which drops Sept. 29 through his Gingerbread Man Records. The set arrives one week after the North American leg of the his Mathematics World Tour wraps at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on Sept. 23.

Autumn Variations is Sheeran’s second album this year, following Subtract, which debuted and peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 albums in May. The album also launched at No. 1 on the Top Album Sales chart, with Sheeran’s largest sales week since 2017.

See Sheeran’s post about the Las Vegas postponement on Instagram below.