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You can tell everybody … that Sir Elton John was named Time magazine’s Icon of the Year in 2024.
In a new cover story for the publication — which will reveal its pick for Person of the Year on Thursday (Dec. 12) — John sat for an interview in which he looked back over his career, and considered his own legacy. “If people remember that we tried to change the world a little bit, we were kind, we tried to help people … And then, apart from that, there was the music,” he said.
Writer Belinda Luscombe makes a compelling argument for John earning the title. “The candle that is Elton John has been inextinguishable, no matter how strong the wind. His 57 U.S. top 40 hits were mostly released during his wild-child youth, but he found a second act in writing songs for animated Disney movies, for which he won two Oscars, and a third in writing songs for Broadway musicals, for which he won a Tony,” she writes. “There’s a whiff of fourth act about him as he moves into the mash-up phase of his career, lending his melodies — and some vocals — to a new generation of performers.”
Throughout his wide-ranging interview, John talked about myriad aspects of his life, including his faith, sobriety and relationship with his late mother. He also reflected on aspects of his job in the industry, including his distaste for performing in music videos. “Music videos should be made by good-looking people like Harry Styles. I’m not very good at looking at myself,” he explained “I don’t think you ever lose that body consciousness. I just think it stays with you forever.”
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The star also spoke about the recent news that Tammy Faye, the Broadway musical he wrote music for, closed less than a month after its Broadway debut. “It’s a shame for everyone who put so much work in it. But that’s what happens when you take a chance,” he said. “It’s a fairly political piece of work. And with that you have to press somebody’s buttons. The buttons we pressed … with the critics weren’t the right ones.”
Among the many people to speak on John’s behalf in the story were a number of modern pop performers whom John personally championed. Dua Lipa, who collaborated with John on his hit song “Cold Heart,” said that it never felt like John was courting her for a collaboration due to her star power. “It was because of our friendship,” she said. “Singing alongside one of my musical heroes was a no-brainer. His music has been able to soundtrack my life from the very beginning.”
Meanwhile, pop phenomenon Chappell Roan also shared her own anecdotes about meeting John, and she revealed the piece of advice he gave that changed her perspective. “The advice he gave me was that the songs will come,” she said. “He thought that he wouldn’t have the ideas, but they were absolutely there. He just had to let them come to him. So that’s a good reminder.”
See Time‘s cover featuring Icon of the Year Elton John below:
Elton John
TIME
With Taylor Swift‘s Eras Tour finally coming to a close over the weekend, Travis Kelce is one of countless people celebrating his girlfriend’s massive feat — but there’s one place he says he definitely won’t take her for a date night now that they have more free time.
On the latest episode of New Heights posted Wednesday (Dec. 11), the 35-year-old Kansas City Chiefs tight end commemorated the Dec. 8 finale of the 34-year-old pop star’s two-year global trek in Vancouver, B.C., by saying, “Shout out to Tay.”
“The unbelievable Eras Tour has come to an end,” he continued as his brother, retired Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, nodded. “Shout out to everybody that was a part of that show. Obviously, it’s her music, her tour and everything, but that was a full production, man. That thing was the best tour in the world because of a lot of people, but mostly because of Taylor.”
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When Jason asked how many shows Swift had in the books following the summation of her $2 billion tour — which kicked off in March 2023 — Travis replied, “149 or 152. I forget which one it was. Somewhere in there. A f–k ton is how I sum it up.”
The athlete’s first instinct was correct — Swift performed a total of 149 shows over the course of the Eras Tour‘s run. Throughout the multi-continent stretch, the “Anti-Hero” singer released two new “Taylor’s Version” re-records — Speak Now and 1989 — and dropped her 15-week Billboard 200-topper The Tortured Poets Department. At one point on the trek, Travis joined the superstar on stage for a surprise cameo, playing a small part in the “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” sequence.
The tour also brought the pop star closer to millions of fans, who came out in droves with friendship bracelets and homemade costumes — two of which the Kelce brothers reacted to on New Heights. While watching a video of two Vancouver concertgoers dressed up as them — complete with football jerseys and faux facial hair — Jason and Travis couldn’t help but crack up.
“I wonder if Tay saw them in the stands,” the latter said, laughing. “You can’t keep it together if you see that. There’s no way you’re in the middle of a song and you see them walking around …”
Elsewhere in the episode, the co-hosts answered questions from callers, one of whom asked them to name a first-date spot that would guarantee there’s “no way in hell you’re getting a second date.”
“Maybe don’t take her to the strip club,” the Grotesquerie actor replied. “Although some strip clubs do have really good wings I have heard. Don’t know anything about it.”
Watch New Heights below.
Sofronio Vasquez is the winner of season 26 of The Voice. The Team Bublé singer gave coach Michael Bublé a win in his first season on the show on Tuesday night (Dec. 10) when the 31-year-old singer from the Philippines emerged as voters’ favorite following electric performances of Sia’s “Unstoppable” and The Greatest Showman showstopper “A Million Dreams.”
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In addition to scoring a $100,000 payday and a record deal, Vasquez said the amazing mentorship provided by the “Spicy Margarita” singer was its own prize. “Your mentorship is a blessing to me, my family and to all the dreamers out there,” Vasquez told Bublé before the final results were read. In a rare double-down, Bublé was also the only coach to have two contestants make it into the top five, as well as boasting the top two finishers thanks to his other contestant, Shye, coming in as runner-up.
Bublé joins Kelly Clarkson, Niall Horan and John Legend as the fourth new coach to score a win in their first season on the show. In addition to beating out his teammate, Vasquez also bested Team Snoop’s Jeremy Beloate and Team Gwen’s Sydney Sterlace.
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“My Filipino brother, you are the hope of so many people… it has been such an unbelievable journey to be here with you,” Bublé told Vasquez — who moved to the U.S. in 2022 to chase his music dreams — before the singer was handed his hardware. According to an NBC bio, Sofronio grew up in the Philippines with no bed or indoor plumbing and “describes his upbringing as happy because music was always there to bring his family joy.” He loved singing for his late father, but thought a music career was out of reach, so he began to study dentistry, then decided to give music a chance while taking his dental boards.
After his father’s sudden death, Sofronio moved to the U.S. to pursue music full-time, landing gigs at the famed Apollo Theater and racking up nearly 10 million Facebook views for his cover of Dionne Warwick’s “That’s What Friends Are For.”
“I think if people understood the strength that you have and the fact that through all of this adversity, you walk out here on a night like tonight, when it probably matters more than anything has in your whole life career-wise,” Bublé added. “You walk out here in the moment and you take the brass ring and I’m just so happy for you.”
It was a joy ride for Vasquez, who got a four-chair turn at the beginning of the season from coaches Bublé, Reba McEntire, Gwen Stefani and Snoop Dogg for his take on Mary J. Blige’s version of Rose Royce’s 1976 disco ballad “I’m Goin’ Down.”
Along the way, Vasquez proved his versatility with covers of Elvis’ “If I Can Dream,” Jennifer Rush’s “The Power of Love,” Dusty Springfield’s “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me,” as well as a killer take on Roy Orbison’s “Crying” during the playoff rounds. He also teamed up with his coach during Tuesday night’s finale for a cover of soulful cover of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles’ “Who’s Loving You.”
After the confetti fell, Vasquez posted a picture on his Insta of himself with Bublé holding the trophy with the caption, “Dreams really do come true.”
The 27th season of The Voice will premiere on Feb. 3 with Bublé returning alongside Kelsea Ballerini, Legend and returning coach Adam Levine.
Check out video from Vasquez’s final night.
After a smash reunion tour last summer, Creed are getting back on the road in 2025 for a huge North American sequel. After a pop-in at the Stagecoach Festival on April 26, the 23-city tour will kick off on July 9 at Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY, and keep the Scott Stapp-led group in amphitheaters and arenas through an August 20 gig at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta.
The follow-up to the band’s 2024 Summer of ’99 tour will feature rotating support from the same acts who opened last summer’s edition: 3 Doors Down, Daughtry, Big Wreck and Mammoth WVH. A Live Nation presale for select dates will kick off on Thursday (Dec. 12) at 10 a.m. local time (code JOY), with a general onsale slated for Friday (Dec. 13) beginning at 10 a.m. local time here.
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According to a release announcing the new dates, the continuation of last year’s outing that had singer Stapp, guitarist Mark Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall and drummer Scott Phillips playing 60 sold-out shows and selling 800,000 tickets will also be preceded by the sold-out Summer of ’99 and Beyond Cruise (April 9-13) from Miami to Nassau.
“Thirty years in, it’s been a blessing to pick up right where we left off with longtime fans and to meet the next generation for the first time,” Stapp wrote in a statement about the follow-up to the band’s first tour in 12 years. “It’s been an incredible ride, and we aren’t done, so here’s to a ‘Summer’ that never ends. We’ll see you on the road.”
Check out the dates for Creed’s Summer of ’99 2025 North American tour below:
July 9 — Lexington, KY @ Rupp Arena – 3DD/MWVH
July 11 — Syracuse, NY @ Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview – 3DD/MWVH
July 12 |– Camden, NJ @ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion – 3DD
July 15 — Wantagh, NY @ Northwell at Jones Beach Theater – D/MWVH
July 16 — Scranton, PA @ The Pavilion at Montage Mountain – D/MWVH
July 20 — Columbus, OH @ Schottenstein Center – 3DD/MWVH
July 22 — Hartford, CT @ Xfinity Theatre – 3DD/MWVH
July 24 — Charleston, SC @ Credit One Stadium – 3DD/MWVH
July 26 — New Orleans, LA @ Smoothie King Center – 3DD/MWVH
July 27 — Memphis, TN @ FedExForum – 3DD/MWVH
July 29 — Wichita, KS @ INTRUST Bank Arena – D/MWVH
August 1 — Lincoln, NE @ Pinnacle Bank Arena – D/MWVH
August 2 — Ridgedale, MO @ Thunder Ridge Nature Arena – D/MWVH
August 4 — Albuquerque, NM @ Isleta Amphitheater – D/MWVH
August 6 — Chula Vista, CA @ North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre – D/MWVH
August 7 — Palm Desert, CA @ Acrisure Arena at Greater Palm Springs – 3DD/MWVH
August 9 — Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre – 3DD/MWVH
August 10 — Stateline, NV @ Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys – 3DD/MWVH (Not a Live Nation date)
August 13 — Ridgefield, WA @ RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater – 3DD/MWVH
August 14 — Auburn, WA @ White River Amphitheatre – 3DD/MWVH
August 16 — Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena – BW/MWVH
August 19 — Edmonton, AB @ Rogers Place – BW/MWVH
August 20 — Calgary, AB @ Scotiabank Saddledome – BW/MWVH
Previously Announced CREED Dates:
Dec. 28 — Durant, OK @ Choctaw Casino & Resort
Dec. 30 — Las Vegas, NV @ The Colosseum
Dec. 31 — Las Vegas, NV @ The Colosseum
April 9 – April 13 — Miami – Nassau | Summer of ’99 and Beyond Cruise
April 26 — Indio, CA @ Stagecoach Festival
3DD – 3 Doors Down / D – Daughtry / BW – Big Wreck / MWVH – Mammoth WVH
J. Cole is calling it a day on Dreamville. The “Huntin’ Wabbitz” MC announced on Tuesday (Dec. 10) that next year’s Dreamville Fest will be the fifth and final edition of the event. Writing on Instagram, Cole said that the April 5-6 show in Raleigh, North Carolina’ Dorothea Dix Park will be the event’s swan song.
“What a ride it’s been… We can’t thank y’all enough for all the memories we’ve shared,” Cole wrote on the Dreamville Insta feed. “From the very beginning, the idea behind the fest was creating a place where our fans, the Dreamville community, could spend time together, a place where they could see themselves reflected, a place to share in experiences. Let’s run it back one more time in April!”
At press time, the lineup for next year’s show had not yet been announced. Last year’s blowout featured headliners SZA, 50 Cent, Cole and Nicki Minaj, as well as appearances by Lil Yachty, Schoolboy Q, Sexyy Red, Jeremih, Earthgang, Teezo Touchdown, Rema, Jeezy, Monica, Rae Sremmurd, Key Glock, Hunxho and more.
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Presale tickets for the 2025 Dreamville are on sale now (text 68624 for access), followed by a general onsale if any tickets remain.
In a second post celebrating the festival’s half decade run, Cole wrote, “From the moment the idea of a festival took shape, we couldn’t help but wonder: were we in over our heads? Would people come to our home in Raleigh? What would that even look like? We took a leap of faith — breaking ground, making announcements, and even navigating reschedules due to the elements and a world that seemed to be falling apart. Through every challenge and milestone, our community stood by us.”
The note added, “Watching people from all over the world and all walks of life gather here each year has been one of the most fulfilling chapters of our journey. Whether it’s the day-one fans or the newcomers, each reunion has been unforgettable. As we approach our 5th and final year, we want to invite our alumni and new pledges to come together one last time—to break bread, share fellowship, and celebrate this thing of ours.”
In 2021, Sam Fender shared “Seventeen Going Under,” the title track to his then-upcoming second LP, a tale of youthful anger, regret, longing and of a British society in collapse. That was how he saw it from his upbringing in the Newcastle area, but it resonated with listeners on the isles and beyond, nearly notching […]
Mariah Carey literally got her flowers — as in a giant bouquet — on Monday night (Dec. 9) at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C. after it was revealed that her perennial holiday hit, “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” had hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 yet again. Explore Explore See latest […]
ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag), which acts as a key four-day showcase for emerging European music, has announced the lineup for its 2025 edition. You can see the expanded bill below.
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On Tuesday (Dec. 10), organizers shared the full lineup for next year’s festival, which features 19 newly added artists. Recent additions include Istanbul-Rotterdam pop artist Min Taka and Amsterdam trio Housepainters, plus Sudden Lights, an indie-rock band from Latvia.
Delegate passes, tickets and timetable information are now all available via the official ESNS website. Three-day passes start at €100 ($104.98), while individual day tickets can be found for €55 ($57.74).
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Taking place at venues across the city of Groningen, the Netherlands, between Jan. 15-18, the event will host 271 acts from 36 European countries, alongside its innovation and sustainability-focused industry conferences. The festival’s positioning in January allows it to act as a springboard for new music for the year.
Other previously announced acts include the Billboard 100-charting Jordan Adetunji, alongside other key U.K. emerging artists including Alessi Rose, Antony Szmierek, and Jacob Alon. Further European names include Slovenian rockers Astrid & The Scandals and viral Finnish singer-songwriter Joalin.
As part of its European Talent Exchange program, ESNS annually invites festival bookers and promoters from across the continent to witness a slew of new talent, and start amassing their lineups for the following summer. Since its inception in 2003, the initiative has helped 2292 artists to earn major festival bookings across the continent.
ESNS 2024 saw performances from the Mercury Prize-nominated CMAT, as well as Lynks, Clarissa Connelly, and Eddington Again. Previous iterations of the event have bore witness to early shows from global stars such as Dua Lipa and Fontaines D.C. to Sigrid.
Julien Baker and Torres debuted their new duet, “Sugar in the Tank,” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, giving audiences a first look at their country-inspired collaboration on Dec. 11.
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Backed by a full live band, the performance introduced audiences to the twanging, heartfelt track that explores the complexities of love and self-reflection.
The song’s lyrics capture an intimate snapshot of vulnerability, with Baker and Torres trading verses and harmonizing on the chorus: “Sitting outside with the engine running/ Just waiting on me to change/ So c’mon baby, put a little/ Sugar in the tank/ I love you all the way.” The poignant delivery was paired with Baker’s banjo and Torres’ guitar.
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The performance marks the latest step in the duo’s ongoing collaboration, which they previewed earlier this year during a Webster Hall performance in New York. The set included unreleased tracks that hinted at the country-inflected direction of their partnership.
On social media, they’ve continued to tease fans, recently sharing a snippet of what appears to be a Western-themed music video, captioning the clip, “Next week… we ride.”
The partnership aligns with several 2025 festival appearances, including stops at Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, High Water Music Festival in Charleston, and the Green River Festival.
This collaboration comes as both artists continue to explore new creative territories. Baker, a celebrated singer, songwriter, and guitarist, is renowned for her work as a solo artist and as a member of the indie supergroup boygenius, alongside Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus.
The group’s Grammy-winning debut album the record in 2023 solidified their place in modern music, with hits like “Not Strong Enough,” “Cool About It,” and “True Blue.” On her own, Baker has gained acclaim for tracks such as “Appointments,” “Faith Healer,” and the hauntingly beautiful “Turn Out the Lights.” Her latest solo release, a cover of Belle and Sebastian’s “Get Me Away From Here, I’m Dying,” continues to showcase her range and introspection.
The duo’s foray into country-tinged storytelling feels like an exciting evolution for both artists, marrying their lyrical prowess with a genre steeped in tradition. As fans eagerly await their next move, one thing is clear: Baker and Torres are proving that their combined talents are as boundless as the open road.
Watch their performance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon here.
‘Tis the season for new holiday hits! On the latest Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith are taking their annual sleigh ride through a half-dozen Christmas songs impacting the Billboard charts this year. For 2024, we’re taking a look at Jimmy Fallon and Jonas Brothers’ “Holiday”; Cher’s “DJ Play a Christmas Song” remix with […]
