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Since its 2022 debut at Barclays Center, MetaMoon Music Festival has built itself up as a New York City stalwart for Asian entertainment and talent worldwide with concerts, industry panels, block parties, and more. At the top of 2025, MetaMoon is officially going global with its first overseas iteration.
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Billboard can exclusively reveal that MetaMoon in Dubai will take place this February in the United Arab Emirates’ Al Wasl Plaza – Expo City Dubai. Singer-songwriter-actor Henry Lau and Korea’s viral singer-rapper Lee Young Ji will headline the inaugural UAE fest. The festival rounds out its lineup with rising Japanese-American singer-songwriter mikah, 2024’s Red Bull Dance Your Style champion MT Pop of Vietnam, and DJ and radio veteran Poon from New York. Rapper and comedian MC Jin, who participated in the 2022 and 2023 MetaMoon events, will host the event.
Lau was last year’s MetaMoon headliner, where the former Super Junior member not only delivered his mix of pop and classical music but sat down for a career-focused fireside chat with SiriusXM’s Michael Tam as part of The Summit, which MetaMoon launched in partnership with the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports and Entertainment. “I’m just excited to share what I’ve learned,” the Berklee College of Music graduate told Billboard ahead of the fest. “I’ve gotten to an age where there are a lot of aspiring musicians, and I hope that my experiences can help give them a good idea of what to expect and what they need to work on in certain aspects.”
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Live Nation Middle East is promoting and producing MetaMoon in Dubai.
“Live Nation Middle East is proud to partner with MetaMoon to bring this unique celebration of Asian pop culture to Dubai,” said James Craven, President of Live Nation Middle East. “The UAE is a vibrant and diverse region and this event is a perfect reflection of the incredible cultural exchange we aim to foster through music and entertainment. We are thrilled to debut such an exceptional lineup of talent, and we look forward to creating unforgettable memories for fans in the Middle East.”
After showcasing nearly two dozen different API stars, MetaMoon founder Grace Chen sees the overseas expansion as a considerable way to help spread Asian pop culture at large.
“Our partnership with Live Nation Middle East to bring MetaMoon to Dubai signifies our commitment to introducing Asian artists and pop culture to new fans while giving existing fans a chance to see their favorite artists live,” Chen said in a statement. “We are excited to be debuting an incredible lineup of Asian talent for their first appearances ever in the region and for what will be an entertaining evening for fans.”
Citing a growing Asian diaspora in the Middle East as well as increased interest in Asian pop culture in the region, MetaMoon in Dubai says it hopes to “bring a full fan experience to audiences in the Middle East in the coming years” in a press release.
Tickets for MetaMoon in Dubai go on sale Jan. 8, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Dubai time exclusively through LiveNation’s Middle East site and United Arab Emirates’ Ticketmaster site.
Coca-Cola’s Sips & Sounds Music Festival is making its way back to Austin, Texas, for its third year on March 7-8, 2025, at Auditorium Shores.
This year’s headliners include Grammy-nominated stars Halsey and Benson Boone, with a lineup featuring Khalid, AJR, Suki Waterhouse, Chelsea Cutler & Jeremy Zucker (performing as brent), Ashe, Nessa Barrett, Gus Dapperton, Paul Russell, and Claire Rosinkranz.
Halsey has been a Billboard chart mainstay since her debut. Her 2015 album Badlands reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200, and her 2020 single “Without Me” became her first solo No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her 2021 album If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power peaked at No. 2, and her most recent album, The Great Impersonator, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Rock & Alternative Albums and Top Alternative Albums charts and entered the Billboard 200 at No. 2, selling 93,000 equivalent album units in its first week.
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Benson Boone made his Billboard debut with “Ghost Town” (2021) on the Hot 100. His hit “In the Stars” (2022) reached No. 82 and charted globally, while his 2024 single “Beautiful Things” climbed to No. 2 on the Hot 100 and became the top song of 2024 on the Billboard Global 200.
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Since its launch in 2023, the Sips & Sounds Music Festival has become a highlight of Austin’s music calendar. Alongside an incredible lineup, festival-goers can explore immersive Coca-Cola activations, and sample food from local vendors on the lakefront setting at Auditorium Shores.
“We are thrilled to return to Austin, TX, in celebration of music and togetherness for the third iteration of our Sips & Sounds Music Festival,” said Derek Alexander, VP of Commercial & Digital at Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages. “Our exciting new lineup and on-site activations paired with a move to Auditorium Shores in the Spring will make for a memorable experience for fans of the brand and music lovers alike.”
Tickets are on sale now, with single-day and two-day general admission options available. Admission includes access to all performances, free water refill stations, and food concessions. Children under 2 are admitted free with a ticketed adult.
For more information and tickets, visit www.sipssoundsfest.com.
Close to two years on from their debut EP, BSS – one of the sub-units of South Korean outfit SEVENTEEN – have returned with their latest musical offering, sharing the three-track Teleparty.
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When SEVENTEEN first launched in 2015, the collective divided its 17-strong membership into the Hip-Hop Unit, Vocal Unit and Performance Unit. Three years later, in 2018, the first sub-unit was announced, with Seungkwan, DK and Hoshi coming together to form BSS.
Launching that same year with debut single “Just Do It”, the trio unveiled their debut EP in 2022, with Second Wind topping Korea’s Circle Album Chart upon its release. With lead single “Fighting” seeing BSS joining forces with breakout Korean hip-hop star Lee Youngji, it was a testament to the power of three as SEVENTEEN’s members divided and continued to conquer.
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While SEVENTEEN have been busy in the interim with more chart-topping singles, EPs, compilations, and reissues, so too have BSS, who announced their long-awaited return in December.
That comeback arrives by way of Teleparty, which releases Wednesday (Jan. 8). Taking its title from a portmanteau of “telepathy” and “party”, the EP is said to represent BSS’ “heart-to-heart party of connection through their telepathic empathy”, while also reminding listeners to slow down and take note of the ordinary – though precious – moments in everyday life.
In a trailer promoting the EP, the trio act as apparent “ambassadors of youth”, providing everyone from students, office workers, and elders the chance to reclaim their youthful behavior as they live in the moment. “Youth is, in fact, knowing how to enjoy life in the present,” they claim. “If you can’t do that, you’re not youthful, even if you’re young.”
The three-track release finds itself fronted by the swing and country-influenced lead single “CBZ (Prime Time)”, and accompanied by the new jack swing throwback “Happy Alone” and ’00s-era R&B cut “Love Song”, further showcasing the musical diversity of the trio.
The arrival of Teleparty is also being accompanied by a “special fan party” being held at Seoul’s CG Art Hall on Sunday (Jan. 12).
Listen to Teleparty in full below.
A decade into her music career, Sabrina Carpenter has seen a meteoric rise over the past year, culminating in her sixth album, Short n’ Sweet, her record-breaking success on the Billboard charts, and six Grammy nominations.
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Speaking to PEOPLE, the 25-year-old reflected on her path, saying, “I’ve always been true to myself and believed in my work since I was young. I’ve realized that it’s always been about the small baby steps that you take over time to get you to this point.”
Carpenter’s career began with her Disney Channel days, but her evolution into a pop music powerhouse was firmly established in 2024 with the release of Short n’ Sweet, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and became her first chart-topping album.
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The record, driven by infectious hits like “Espresso,” “Please Please Please,” and “Taste,” not only dominated the charts but solidified Carpenter’s place in pop music history.
In 2024, Carpenter became the first solo artist since The Beatles to place two simultaneous Top 3 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, with “Please Please Please” peaking at No. 1 and “Espresso” at No. 3.
She also made history as the first woman to have three songs simultaneously in the Hot 100 Top 10 for five consecutive weeks, surpassing Cardi B’s previous record. “Taste,” another standout single, debuted at No. 2, giving her an unprecedented streak of hits that propelled her into a new level of superstardom.
The success of Short n’ Sweet wasn’t just limited to the U.S. Both “Espresso” and “Please Please Please” topped the Billboard Global 200 chart, showcasing Carpenter’s global appeal. Reflecting on her whirlwind year, she told PEOPLE, “I don’t think I have fully reflected yet, as I’m also trying to be present in the moment. But I’m just happy to see my songs connect with so many people from all walks of life. That’s why I love to write songs.”
Following the release of Short n’ Sweet, Carpenter embarked on her first arena tour, which included unique fan experiences like T-Mobile’s “Sweet Spot” pop-ups. “These collaborations have felt super authentic to this album and tour and fan-friendly, which I’m grateful for,” she said. Carpenter praised her fans’ creativity during the tour, from their outfits to the hilarious signs they brought to shows. “Connecting with my fans each night has been the most memorable part,” she added.
The tour, which ran from September through November 2024, saw Carpenter performing to sold-out arenas across North America. She’s set to continue her global trek with a European leg starting in March, saying, “I can’t wait to see all of my fans in Europe. There are a couple of cities I haven’t been to in a really long time, so I’m excited to see which crowd is the loudest.”
Carpenter’s Best New Artist nod at the 2025 Grammys might seem unusual for someone with six albums and a decade-long career, but for the artist, it’s simply the recognition of a long-held dream.
“It’s such an honor,” she said, noting that being nominated had been a goal of hers since childhood. She is also up for major categories like Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best Pop Solo Performance.
Cher appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! this week to promote the first volume of her memoir, offering fans a glimpse into her life and her six-decade career.
During the candid conversation, she reflected on her partnership with Sonny Bono, shared the story behind her iconic driver’s license, and revealed unexpected anecdotes from her legendary journey.
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Reflecting on her relationship with Sonny, her former husband and musical partner who first rose to fame with her as the duo Sonny & Cher in the 1960s, Cher shared how their professional collaboration shaped their lives.
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“Doing the show kept us together because on the show we had so much fun,” she told Kimmel. “We were equal. That was… I mean, I loved it. We worked so well together, and it really kept us closer longer than I really wanted.” Starting with their breakthrough hit “I Got You Babe” in 1965, Sonny & Cher became one of the defining musical acts of their era.
Their humor and chemistry later transitioned seamlessly into television, making The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour a staple of 1970s entertainment, even as their personal relationship faced challenges.
Cher also spoke about a man who helped her leave Sonny, calling him a pivotal figure during that period. “He was very instrumental in helping me to leave Sonny,” she said. “He was a really good person… I mentioned his whole name [in the memoir], so I wonder how does he feel about it.”
In a lighter moment, Cher discussed the process of obtaining a driver’s license that features only her first name. “I don’t have a last name, so it just says Cher on my driver’s license,” she explained. “You have to prove that someone could know you, like the populace could know you by that name. It’s not easy.”
Kimmel later challenged Cher with a rapid-fire question segment, where she revealed more about her offbeat experiences. She admitted to trying jury duty but was dismissed for being “too distracting.” “The judge kicked me out after 10 minutes,” she said with a laugh.
She also confessed to playing a video game just a month ago but remained tight-lipped about the details. When asked about visiting Costco, she hesitated before replying, “I think once,” eliciting laughs from the audience.
The conversation turned to Cher’s friendship with former President Jimmy Carter, as she recounted their first dinner together on his first night in the White House. She revealed Carter’s passion for rock and roll, noting that Gregory and the Allman Brothers Band raised the initial funds for his campaign. “He called me one time and asked me to do something on the Johnny Carson show,” Cher said. “Johnny Carson did not like me, had me thrown out of a party… but I didn’t like him either, so it didn’t make any difference.”
Cher’s memoir, Part One, debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list and remained in the top spot for four non-consecutive weeks, cementing her impact not just in music and film, but in storytelling as well. Her influence on the Billboard charts is undeniable, with her groundbreaking hit “Believe” topping the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks in 1999 and earning her a Grammy for Best Dance Recording. “If I Could Turn Back Time,” another fan favorite, remains a defining anthem of the late 1980s.
As fans eagerly anticipate the second volume of her memoir, slated for November, Cher joked, “I haven’t even started it.”
At the end of the interview, Cher left the audience laughing as she told Kimmel, “You’re a lot nicer and funnier than I thought you would be.”
Having recently wrapped up a successful year with the release of his critically-acclaimed Chromakopia album in late October, Tyler, The Creator now has more praise coming his way, this time from proto-punk veteran Iggy Pop.
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77-year-old Pop took the time to heap praise upon Tyler on his Iggy Confidential radio show for BBC Radio 6 Music. In his raspy voice, Pop recalled how he and Tyler had previously worked together on an ad campaign for Gucci alongside A$AP Rocky.
“I’ve always liked Tyler,” Pop began. “I did a day’s work with him once, and he would do what it takes to get attention. He’s also a genuine all-around song, dance, writer talent — a genuine old-school talent with a new-school approach.”
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The pair’s previous collaboration came about in February 2020, with Gucci seeing them team up with A$AP Rocky to promote their menswear collection which served as an ode to the archetypical rockstar.
“Male elegance can be unpredictable and strange,” Gucci’s Creative Director Alessandro Michele told Forbes of the campaign’s idea. “The result is a group campaign with three men who I believe had fun too.
“There is always this image of eccentricity, because they are in fact eccentric themselves,” he continued. “A certain type of fun is also portrayed and the idea of how one’s obsession with appearances can create a kind of common ground that can become a sort of brotherhood. It was beautiful to see these three men together, seemingly different but very similar.”
Pop’s description of Tyler – “a genuine old-school talent with a new-school approach” – seems to be apt, with the younger musician recently seeing some of his biggest successes to date with the release of the soul, jazz, and hip-hop blending Chromakopia.
Tyler’s eighth album, it became his third consecutive record to top the Billboard 200, while opening track “St. Chroma” became his first to reach No. 1 on Billboard’s Streaming Songs chart.
Previously, his top-performing songs on Streaming Songs, which began in 2013, had been “Earfquake” and “Wusyaname” (the latter featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again and Ty Dolla $ign), both of which peaked at No. 3 in 2019 and 2021, respectively. Notably, this latest success was accompanied by the single “Noid” being found in the No. 2 position.
An Australian construction company has issued an apology following the demolition of a Sydney home that once housed future AC/DC members Angus and Malcolm Young.
The house, which had been located at 4 Burleigh Street in the Western Sydney suburb of Burwood, was reportedly razed in late 2024 following a sale in February 2023 for AUD $5.8 million.
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In 1963, the Young family moved to Australia from Scotland, first staying at the Villawood Migrant Hostel. It was here that a teenaged George Young met his future musical collaborator, Dutch migrant Harry Vanda.
Together, they would form The Easybeats in late 1964, with their signature song “Friday on My Mind” being regarded as one of Australia’s most enduring working class anthems. Released in 1966, the track would reach No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1967. The pair’s wildly-successful Vanda & Young partnership would also result in writing “Love is in The Air”, which reached No. 7 on the Hot 100 after being recorded by the unrelated John Paul Young in 1977.
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The Young family moved to the Burleigh Street address in 1965 after time spent at other houses in the suburb, with brothers Angus and Malcolm honing their musical talents while living there. In 1973, the pair would co-found AC/DC, who have since become one of Australia’s most successful rock exports of all time. George would also play in the group’s early lineups, eventually taking on production duties for their first records alongside Vanda.
The legacy and importance of the address to the Sydney community had been recognized numerous times over the years. In 2013, the house was listed on the National Trust Register of Historic Houses, and in 2024 the local Burwood Council commissioned a mural of Angus and Malcolm by artist Claire Foxton which is still visible on the side of 12 Burleigh Street.
News broke of the house’s demolition in late December, with outrage from both fans and the local community reaching the Burwood Council, who defended the demolition despite the presence of the address on the National Trust.
“As it is not heritage listed or protected under local or state legislation, and because The National Trust is a community-based, non-government organisation, with no statutory authority, the property does not have enforceable protections,” the Council stated.
“Burwood Council remains committed to finding new ways to celebrate the Young family and the area’s rich musical heritage.”
Per reports, the purchase and demolition of the house were initiated by local construction company Burwood Square Pty Ltd , who had also purchased the adjoining property with the intent of redeveloping the location into a AUD $28.75 million residential site
However, in a statement from Burwood Square general manager Leon Kmita (published via The Herald Sun), the company has shared their regret for the demolition, claiming they were unaware of the cultural importance held by the house.
“We regret that the previous long-term owner did not share this vital part of the property’s background with us,” Kmita said. “Learning about this connection after our plans were already underway has shocked us. We are genuinely sorry for this oversight.”
According to Kmita, the Burwood Square team are in the process of attempting to salvage materials so they can create a “special space” for fans of AC/DC to “gather to celebrate the band’s enduring legacy”.
“On behalf of the team at Burwood Square, I want to convey our heartfelt regret … we now recognise how deeply this location resonates with the AC/DC community and fans worldwide,” Kmita continued. “We feel a strong responsibility to honour AC/DC’s legacy and to make amends to all the fans who hold this band in such high regard.
“While we cannot change the past, we are dedicated to celebrating this significant part of their story,” he added. “To the global fanbase of AC/DC, please know that we hear you, appreciate your deep admiration for this legendary band, and are devoted to making this right.”
ROSÉ is fresh off the release of her solo debut album, Rosie, and she joined Kelly Clarkson on the latter’s daytime talk show to open up about how vulnerable she’s been getting on her solo music. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “Rosie is the name that my […]
Multi-faceted musician Billy Strings is bolstering his 2025 touring schedule with a slate of added headlining concerts throughout the spring and summer.
The nearly 20 newly-added dates begin April 3 with three concerts in St. Augustine, Fla. at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, with more shows set for states including Georgia, Michigan, Missouri and Illinois. The trek winds down with two shows at Lexington, Ky.’s Rupp Arena on June 20-21.
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Pre-sale for all of his April through June shows launch Jan. 8, and general on-sale begins Jan. 10. These shows follow several of Strings’s show which are slated for January, February and March, including six sold-out shows in Asheville, N.C. in February, and a trio of shows in Nashville, Tenn. in February and March.
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Beyond touring, Strings has issued a pair of collaborations in recent months, appearing on Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion album on the song “M-E-X-I-C-O,” and teaming with Zach Top on the Apple Music Sessions Nashville EP, where they revisited two of Top’s own songs, as well as a cover of Ricky Skaggs’s “Don’t Cheat in Our Hometown.”
In October, Strings’s album Highway Prayers became the first bluegrass album to reach No. 1 on Top Album Sales chart since 2002. Strings’s album Live: Vol. 1 is also up for best bluegrass album at the 2025 Grammy Awards, which return to Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, Feb. 2.
See the list of added shows for Strings’s 2025 Spring tour dates below:
April 3: St. Augustine, Fla. (St. Augustine Amphitheatre)April 4: St. Augustine, Fla. (St. Augustine Amphitheatre)April 5: St. Augustine, Fla. (St. Augustine Amphitheatre)April 9: Tampa, Fla. (Yuengling Center)April 11: Savannah, Ga. (Enmarket Arena)April 12: Savannah, Ga. (Enmarket Arena)April 15: Charlottesville, Va. (John Paul Jones Arena)April 17: Cary, N.C. (Koka Booth Amphitheatre)April 18: Cary, N.C. (Koka Booth Amphitheatre)April 19: Cary, N.C. (Koka Booth Amphitheatre)May 30: Grand Rapids, Mich. (Van Andel Arena)May 31: Grand Rapids, Mich. (Van Andel Arena)June 6: Rosemont, Ill. (Allstate Arena)June 7: Rosemont, Ill. (Allstate Arena)June 11: Kansas City, Mo. (T-Mobile Center)June 13: St. Louis (Chaifetz Arena)June 14: St. Louis (Chaifetz Arena)June 20: Lexington, Ky. (Rupp Arena)June 21: Lexington, Ky. (Rupp Arena)
G3’s viral anthem has taken over sports teams’ locker rooms, racked up millions of views and notched him a slot at Rolling Loud California.
