Music News

03 Mar 2023

Guns N’ Roses, Elton John, Lizzo, Arctic Monkeys to Headline 2023 Glastonbury Festival

The roster of headliners for this summer’s Glastonbury Festival is absurdly packed, with Arctic Monkeys, Guns N’ Roses, Elton John and Lizzo slated to take the Pyramid Stage. And, in a bittersweet child ‘o mine twist, while Axl and the rest of the Gunners will be performing for the mud-caked masses at Worthy Farm for the first time, it will also mark John’s first, and last, time at Glasto, as the pop icon’s slot will come as he winds down his Farewell Yellow Brick road tour this summer.

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“It gives me enormous pleasure to let you know that the one and only Elton John will be making his first ever Glastonbury appearance, headlining the Pyramid Stage on the Sunday night next year,” co-organizer Emily Eavis revealed in a December note. “This will be the final U.K. show of Elton’s last ever tour, so we will be closing the Festival and marking this huge moment in both of our histories with the mother of all send offs. We are so very happy to finally bring the Rocket Man to Worthy Farm.”

According to the Guardian, John’s Sunday festival-closing set will be immediately preceded by a performance from Lil Nas X, as Lana Del Rey and Wizkid headline on the Other Stage. Other acts making their Glasto debuts this year include “Supermodel” rockers Måneskin and country trio The Chicks.

The lineup also includes: Lewis Capaldi, The War on Drugs, Chvches, Alt-J, Blondie, Carly Rae Jepsen, Central Cee, Christine and the Queens, Fatboy Slim, Hot Chip, Joey Bada$$, Kelis, Maggie Rogers, Manic Street Preachers, Rina Sawayama, Phoenix, Royal Blood, Slowthai, Sparks, Sudan Archives, Thundercat and Weyes Blood, among many others.

After Eavis promised in 2019 that her goal was to ensure as close to a 50/50 gender split as possible, NME reported that 53% of the 54 names on the initial lineup are male this year. And while the majority of the headliners are male, Eavis told the Guardian that GNR were booked after a previously confirmed female headliner pulled out after she “changed her touring plans”; Eavis declined to say who the artist is, but added that she hoped they would headline sometime in the next five years. She also noted that Lizzo will serve as the opening acts for Guns, noting that “she could totally headline” in the future.

In addition, Eavis said as part of the ongoing effort to diversify the bill that 46% of the 54 names on the list are non-white or feature non-white members.

Check out the full announced lineup below.

02 Mar 2023

Big Time Rush Sing Miley Cyrus, Adele & More in ‘Song Association’ Challenge

Big Time Rush are the latest stars to take part in Elle’s popular song association challenge, and teased a new album before earning a perfect score.

With 10 seconds to think of and sing a lyric featuring a key word, BTR started off strong by associating the word “gold” to Kanye West’s “Gold Digger,” before James Maslow had the group erupting in laughter with a surprise high note.

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The four-man group breezed through Maroon 5’s “Sunday Morning” for the word “Sunday,” Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” for “flower,” Daughtry’s “Home” for “home”, Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” for “deep,” Niall Horan’s “Slow Hands” for “hands,” Hilary Duff’s “Come Clean” for “rain” and many more, all while joking around and sharing sweet stories about their musical growth along the way.

Big Time Rush even sang a few of their own songs, including “Til I Forget About You,” “Stuck,” “Paralyzed” and their new single, “Not Giving You Up.”

“Let’s just say that single has siblings,” Maslow said of the new track, before Carlos PenaVega asked if the “siblings live in a house together,” insinuating that a full album is on the way.

“Yeah, we might even call that house Can’t Get Enough,” Maslow replied, to which Kendall Schmidt quipped, “Maybe. We still need to discuss that, James.”

Logan Henderson then chimed in, noting that he’s “had more fun writing this music than the previous albums. It’s a lot more fun and freeing.”

Big Time Rush’s final “Song Association” score was a flawless 15 out of 15, tying with Olivia Rodrigo for the perfect score. Watch the whole clip below.

02 Mar 2023

Here’s How Jack Black Ended Up Playing Truth or Dare With Madonna

Madonna made headlines back in January when she announced her upcoming Celebration Tour with a racy, star-studded video in which the Queen of Pop plays a raunchy game of Truth or Dare with a group of celebrities.

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One of the stars in attendance was Jack Black, who revealed how it all went down as a guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show on Thursday (Mar. 2). Black was on the popular daytime talk show dressed as his upcoming The Super Mario Bros. Movie character Bowser, alongside his cast mates Keegan-Michael Key, Charlie Day and Chris Pratt. Clarkson showed a photo onscreen, in which Black, Madge and Lil Wayne are recreating a photo from Madonna’s 1992 Sex book.

“My wife and I were invited over to a dinner,” the School of Rock star recalled. “We thought we were going to have a nice, little, quiet dinner. At the end of the dinner, it was announced that Madonna was going to play Truth or Dare and we’re going to film it. So, anyone who wants to join, no pressure.”

Black noted that he wasn’t going to partake until his wife Tanya Haden insisted. “A lot went down and I had permission, OK?” the actor joked. “You can’t say no to Madonna!”

Watch the full interview below.

02 Mar 2023

Gwyneth Paltrow Wishes ‘Sweetest Father & Friend’ Chris Martin a Happy Birthday

What conscious uncoupling? Gwyneth Paltrow took to social media Thursday (March 2) to ring in ex-husband Chris Martin‘s 46th birthday.

“Happy birthday to the sweetest father and friend,” the Oscar winner wrote on Instagram alongside a casual smiling selfie with the Coldplay frontman, ending the note with “We love you, cajm.” (The acronym likely stands for the singer’s full name, Christopher Anthony John Martin.)

The couple — who famously coined the phrase “conscious uncoupling” upon announcing their split in 2014 — shared kids Apple and Moses. Paltrow has since remarried Brad Falchuk, whom she worked with on the set of Glee, and Martin has been in a relationship with Dakota Johnson since 2017.

Late last month, the “My Universe” singer was named a co-chair for Global Citizen’s upcoming NOW Summit — an additional responsibility on top of his current role curating the nonprofit’s annual festival in Central Park. Along with fellow co-chair Hugh Jackman and an array of leaders across politics, philanthropy and business, Martin will be “focused on turning ideas into impact and driving urgent action to end extreme poverty” during the April 27-28 event.

Ahead of his birthday, the pop-rocker and his bandmates also returned to Saturday Night Live in February, marking their seventh time performing on the long-running sketch series. As musical guests, they performed “The Astronaut,” their collaboration with BTS member Jin, and were later joined by Jacob Collier and the Jason Max Ferdinand Singers on a choral version of “Fix You.”

Check out Paltrow’s sweet birthday wishes for Martin below.

02 Mar 2023

Mike Bahia & Greeicy Open Up About Touring Life With Their Baby on ‘Amantes U.S. Tour’

Eight years ago, Mike Bahía and Greeicy did their first joint concert in Colombia with a very theatrical concept — storytelling, acting, singing, dancing and more — rather than doing just another concert. Since, the two Colombian artists, who have shined in their individual careers, have made the rounds all over Latin America with their very successful “Amantes Tour.” 

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Now, for the first time, they are touring the U.S. in key theater venues with their 10-month-old baby, Kai. 

“After the first show we did in 2015, we realized that it’s a show for the family,” Greeicy tells Billboard. “We saw children, we saw the grandmother, the cousin, the parents, and today that Kai is part of our lives it makes more sense because it’s aimed at the family represented by a family. I feel that with the years, ‘Amantes Tour’ gains more strength.” 

Presented by Loud and Live, the U.S. trek kicked off Feb. 23 at the Colden Auditorium in New York and wraps March 3 at Houston’s Arena Theatre. Hitting the road has been possible thanks to the couple’s beloved family, who travels with them to take care of their baby backstage. 

“If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be able to leave for three days, my peace of mind wouldn’t be good if it wasn’t for our family,” the singer and actress adds. “I feel we are privileged because we have a son who adapts to our lifestyle and we have people who support us and help us. I love the job of being a mom but I also love all of this. I think that during my pregnancy I did more things than I have ever done in my life and it’s very nice because I feel that as the years go by, we are going to look back at all the memories with Kai.” 

Greeicy & Mike Bahia

Greeicy & Mike Bahía

Manuel Lenis es / Andrea Ramírez

In the midst of their touring life, Greeicy and Bahía released a new collaborative effort called “Mi Pecadito” (my little sin). The playful bachata narrates the story of two people who like each other but have other commitments — think a sequel to their 2017 hit “Amantes.” 

“The musical exploration has continued,” says Bahía, whose recent solo single happens to be a salsa track. “I feel that we have given a lot of priority to the songs more than the rhythms but we feel comfortable making tropical music. When I listen to it, it makes me want to dance and that’s why we explore these rhythms with more confidence.” 

“The musical exploration has continued,” says Bahía, whose recent solo single happens to be a salsa track. “I feel that we have given a lot of priority to the songs more than the rhythms but we feel comfortable making tropical music. When I listen to it, it makes me want to dance and that’s why we explore these rhythms with more confidence.”

Following their U.S. tour, the family-of-three plans to move to Miami, Fla., and leave behind their countryside lifestyle in Medellín, for the time being. 

“I feel that this city is going to do us very well,” explains Bahía. “In addition to that it will do Kai very well. Kai will begin to acquire the [English] language. We’re going to live near the sea and let our careers grow and explore other things we haven’t done before. Back in Colombia, we reached our comfort zone. We could continue there or challenge ourselves to meet new goals.”

02 Mar 2023

Christina Aguilera Slams the ‘Old-School Behavior’ of Shaming Women for Aging

Christina Aguilera is speaking out against those who criticize women on their looks as they get older.

“It’s a lot of stigma, a lot of old-school behavior and ideals that women have to look a certain way and that it’s shameful to get older,” Christina told Allure in a new interview shared on Thursday (Mar. 2). “No matter what you do, you’re going to have people that hate on you.”

The 42-year-old pop star added that she has experience with cosmetic injectables, noting that she supports getting a “little help,” though she didn’t clarify what type of treatments she has had done. “I’ve always been a pretty open book about embracing my body, my looks,” she explained. “I think to each their own, and I think we [should] all do what’s right for us, so I don’t believe in judgment where that’s concerned whatsoever.”

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She added, “For me, it’s about bringing that realness to the stage and my daily life while still doing what I can to feel and look my best.”

“It’s so important to give space and love for both sides of you,” she shared. “You want to feel hot when you go out to dinner and get yourself all glammed up. That’s a really fun thing to play with.”

Aguilera continued, “But at the same time, I think it’s important that that isn’t the only definition of beauty for you, that you can just run a bubble bath and put some salts in and feel sexy and great in your body no matter what you’re working with.”

Read the full interview here.

02 Mar 2023

Here’s Why Charli XCX Totally Missed Harry Styles’ Shout-Out to Her at the Brit Awards

Charli XCX has a confession to make. When Harry Styles thanked her and her contemporaries during his artist of the year acceptance speech at last month’s Brit Awards, she was nowhere to be found — and now she’s revealing why.

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The “Crash” singer appeared on the Thursday (March 2) episode of The Project and shared that her appearance at the Brits was meant to be spicy from the start. “I was just gonna go and cause trouble because I feel like if they’re not going to take female artists seriously, then why should I take them seriously? So I just went to stir the pot, basically,” she recalled on the program.

Ahead of the awards show on Feb. 11, Charli went viral for calling the awards show out for a lack of female representation in the artist of the year category. “I’ve heard a lot of chat about the fact there weren’t enough females in album cycle and that’s why no one was nominated. But I was in album cycle and I had a [U.K.] No. 1 album [with Crash],” she told a reporter on the red carpet.

When Styles accepted the artist of the year award, he used his speech to highlight the women left out of the category. “I’m really, really grateful for this and I’m very aware of my privilege up here tonight,” the “As It Was” singer said during his acceptance. “So this award is for Rina [Sawayama], Charli [XCX], Florence [Welch], Mabel and Becky [Hill].”

According to Charli, she was not mentally present for Styles’ show of admiration during his acceptance speech. “I have such a confession — I was actually under the table at that point…with my friends, we just had too many bottles of champagne and we were doing bad things, so I actually missed that,” she told The Project. “And then Rina, who Harry also mentioned in that speech, was kicking me: ‘Get up, get up! Harry Styles is saying your name!’ and then I was like, ‘Oh that’s so lovely,’ but I missed it. That’s very sweet of him. It’s cool of him to use his platform to acknowledge my point.”

Up next for Charli is a new two-album contract, though she has yet to share what record label she has signed to. Watch Charli talk about her time at the BRITs in the video above.

02 Mar 2023

TikTok Helps Mariah Carey ‘Wrap’ Up a New Hit on Hot R&B Songs Chart

A Mariah Carey track more than a decade old makes its debut on Billboard’s Hot R&B Songs chart, as “It’s a Wrap” arrives at No. 24 on the list dated March 4. The track, first released in 2009, earns its debut after the song became the latest viral hit on TikTok, leading to increased streams and sales. (Activity directly on the TikTok platform does not currently count toward the Billboard charts.)

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“Wrap” earned 3.6 million official U.S. streams in the week ending Feb. 23, according to Luminate, a 4% jump from the week prior. The tune also sold 1,000 downloads in the same period, though a 60% drop from the week before. One week ago, the cut entered the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales chart at No. 22.

With “Wrap,” Carey achieves her 12th visit to the Hot R&B Songs chart, which launched in 2012, well into the superstar’s recording career. On the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, which encompasses Carey’s entire career, she claims 60 appearances since her 1990 debut, including 10 No. 1 hits.

“Wrap” first appeared on Carey’s 2009 album, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, and surfaced again in a remix form with Mary J. Blige on the deluxe edition of Carey’s 2014 set, Me…I Am Mariah: The Elusive Chanteuse, though it was never released as a single. The song generated attention earlier this year on TikTok, particularly through a sped-up version, that became a common soundtrack on many users’ posts on the social media app. Carey herself has joined the trend, posting a clip of herself and Kim Kardashian, and their daughters, North and Monroe, lip-syncing to the track.

Carey’s newest success is the latest example of an older song finding a new audience and streaming gains thanks to TikTok. It has plenty of company on the Hot R&B Songs chart: The Weeknd’s 2016 track “Die for You” sits at No. 3 on the current ranking, Chris Brown’s 2019 track “Under the Influence,” ranks at No. 5, after peaking at No. 2 last November, and Miguel’s “Sure Thing,” a 2011 release is at No. 6. Due to the viral streaming support and fan engagement, “Die for You” and “Sure Thing” were re-promoted to radio stations as official singles, while “Influence” was sent out for the first time. Plus, Justine Skye’s 2014 single “Collide,” featuring Ty Dolla $ign, in its own revival on the app, debuted at No. 25 two weeks ago on Hot R&B Songs thanks to its social traction.

The wealth extends to other genres too. Songs outside the R&B realm also enjoying a TikTok-fueled rise include Lady Gaga’s 2011 pop cut “Bloody Mary,” at No. 47 on this week’s all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart and rock band Arctic Monkeys’ “505” from their 2007 album, Favourite Worst Nightmare, which climbs one spot to No. 14 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart after having reached a No. 12 best last month.

02 Mar 2023

Ticketmaster Cancels Suga’s Verified Fan Presale & General Ticket Onsale: ARMY Reacts

Just hours the ARMY Member presale for SUGA’s heavily anticipated Agust D tour began on Wednesday (Mar. 1), Ticketmaster took to Twitter to announce that it has canceled the rest of the sales rounds.

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“Due to extremely high demand during today’s ARMY MEMBER Presale, there will not be a General Verified Fan Presale or General Onsale,” the ticket company posted.

Ticketmaster previously warned fans that the demand exceeded the number of available tickets, and that all tickets would be released during the first round of presale. “If all tickets are purchased during the ARMY MEMBER Presale, there will not be any additional sales,” Ticketmaster tweeted.

However, members of the ARMY quickly pointed out that there are still available tickets under the “Official Platinum” category with inflated prices. “stop with the platinum tickets. i still see them on there 5 hours later, popping in then greying out then appearing again. release them at the fixed prices,” one fan tweeted. 

This is hardly the first time Ticketmaster has faced scrutiny amid chaotic ticket sales for performers including Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing in January to analyze the ticketing industry following the messy handling of Swift’s The Eras Tour ticket sale by Ticketmaster.

SUGA announced dates for the tour, named after his Agust D mixtape, on Valentine’s Day. The tour, which is his first as a solo performer, kicks off April 26 at the Belmont Park, New York. The jaunt will stop in New Jersey, Illinois and California before heading overseas for two nights in Seoul, Korea in addition to Jakarta, Bangkok and Singapore.

02 Mar 2023

Selena Gomez Goes on Fishing Trip With Little Sister Gracie: ‘Texas Girl at Heart’

Selena Gomez took a break from her usual glitz and glamour to get back to her Texas roots — and took a special someone along for the journey. On Thursday (March 2), the “Lose You to Love Me” singer hopped on Instagram to share photos of a recent fishing trip she took with her 9-year-old sister, Gracie Eliiott Teefy, her youngest sibling whom she shares through mother Mandy Teefey and stepfather Brian Teefey.

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Gomez gave fans a look into her and Gracie’s time fishing through a carousel post. The first two images featured the Rare Beauty founder and Gracie posing with the fish they caught on the lake, while the third captured the scenery of the lake and the fourth, a sweet, smiling photo of Gracie giving the camera a thumbs-up.

The singer-actress also shared a video in the carousel of Gracie asking, “Wait, who are you texting [the video] to?” to which Gomez hastily replied “No one!” The 30-year-old captioned the post, “Texas girl at heart. Cali girl for fun and NY gal for the real. Grateful, thankful and blessed lady!”

Gracie has recently become more of a fixture in Gomez’s public presence. In January, Gracie served as her big sister’s plus-one to the 2023 Golden Globe Awards. That same month, the Only Murders in the Building actress shared photos of her celebrating Nicola Peltz Beckham’s birthday with a dinner on Jan. 8, in which Teefey was in attendance. And on Jan. 6, Gomez shared on Instagram that the she and Gracie had a girls’ date together, even wearing matching black outfits.

See Gomez’s new Instagram post below.

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