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Tate McRae doesn’t just score her first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200, as So Close to What soars in atop the tally dated March 8 — she also becomes the first Canadian woman to lead the list during the 2020s.
The Calgary, Alberta, native is the first woman to proudly fly the Canadian flag atop the Billboard 200 since Celine Dion debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated Nov. 30, 2019, with Courage. Dion boasts the most leaders on the chart among Canadian women, with five dating to her first in 1996.
McRae further makes her mark as the first woman from the province of Alberta to top the Billboard 200.
Alanis Morissette has earned three Billboard 200 No. 1s — and became the first Canadian woman to reign when her pop-culture juggernaut Jagged Little Pill rose to the top of the chart dated Oct. 7, 1995.
Fellow Canadian chanteuses Avril Lavigne and Shania Twain have also each notched multiple Billboard 200 No. 1s.
Shoutout to two revered Canadian women singer-songwriters who have both hit No. 2 highs on the Billboard 200: Joni Mitchell and Sarah McLachlan. Mitchell, from Fort Macleod, Alberta, sent Court and Spark and Miles of Aisles to the runner-up spot in 1974-75. McLachlan, from Halifax, Nova Scotia, took Surfacing and Afterglow in 1997 and 2003, respectively.
Plus, soft rock/country icon Anne Murray, from Springhill, Nova Scotia, has charted more than 30 titles on the Billboard 200, along with 18 top 10s on the Top Country Albums chart.
Meanwhile, McRae succeeds two Canadian men atop the Billboard 200, as $ome $exy $ongs 4 U by PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake dips to No. 2 in its second week. Canadian soloists rule back-to-back for the first time since October 2016, when Shawn Mendes’ Illuminate dethroned Drake’s Views. Adding to Canada’s legacy atop the Billboard 200, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U became Drake’s 14th No. 1 — tying him with Jay-Z and Taylor Swift for the most among soloists.
Below, celebrate the achievements of the Canadian women who have hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
Celine Dion
Nashville will host its first-ever professional rodeo this spring when the Music City Rodeo touches down at Bridgestone Arena fromMay 29-31. The partnership between Tim McGraw‘s Down Home entertainment group, Skydance Media and Humes Rodeo will feature McGraw, Jelly Roll and Reba McEntire headlining shows during Music City’s first Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) event.
“As a Nashville native, this felt like a chance to be a part of a history-making event for the city,” said Jelly Roll in a statement. “I have vivid memories when it was announced in Nashville that we were getting a hockey team with the Predators, or a football team with the Titans… and I watched Bridgestone Arena be built from the ground up. Headlining Music City Rodeo in my hometown as a part of the first rodeo brought to town feels like the same type of milestone.”
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Jelly also appears in a minute-long promo video for the Rodeo, jumping behind the bar at a nightclub and saying, “ain’t your usual stop, is it boys?” to a group of cowboys, as Reba says in voiceover, “right here in the heart of Broadway where honky tonk neon meets daredevil grit, rodeo and country music collide. “Three nights of guts, glory and history in the making,” McGraw adds over thrilling footage of the cowboys roping and riding.
According to a release, “each day will showcase 7 thrilling rodeo events from bull riding to barrel racing, team roping to broncs, featuring the world’s best cowboys and cowgirls going head-to-head for over $200,000.00 in prize money. Fans will enjoy the full pageantry of rodeo with additional family-friendly activities like mutton bustin’, clowns and Rodeo Queens, before culminating each night in a headlining arena concert.”
McEntire is slated to perform on opening night (May 29), followed by Jelly on the 30th and McGraw on the 31st.
McGraw, McEntire and Jelly Roll are serving as the founding members of MCR, with McGraw — who has played more than 20 historic rodeos across the country during his carer — saying in a statement, ““For eight decades, Nashville’s music stars have been the soundtrack to America’s iconic rodeos — country music and rodeo go hand in hand. So, it was time to bring the magic of the rodeo home to Nashville and I’m thrilled to be bringing it here.”
Tickets for MCR will go on sale on Friday (March 7) at 10 a.m. CT. A select amount of pre-sale tickets and VIP packages will be available starting Wednesday (March 5) at 10 a.m. CT here.
“It’s no secret that rodeo is in my blood, and I’m thrilled to be a part of starting a new Nashville tradition,” added McEntire. “Country music and rodeo coming together in Music City, what a perfect combination…I just knew I had to be part of it.”
MCR is partnering with Nashville’s Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt to benefit the patients and families it serves, with a portion of all event proceeds earmarked to support the hospital’s mission of providing world class pediatric healthcare and research.
“Having been involved in rodeo my entire life, both inside and outside the arena, there is no other city built better for rodeo than Nashville,” said Pat Humes of Humes Rodeo. “I knew it from the moment my boots first hit the ground here. You can feel it. The people here are genuine, kind, polite and they like to have fun. They act and live like cowboys. The city breathes country music. It’s woven into the fabric of life here. It’s the coolest thing I’ve ever experienced.”
Check out the promo video for the Music City Rodeo below.
Reunited thrash metal icons Slayer announced a run of 2025 shows in the North America and Europe on Tuesday (March 4), with the gigs representing the band’s first U.K. and Canadian concerts in six years. As previously announced, the group — bassist/singer Tom Araya, guitarist Kerry King, drummer Paul Bostaph and guitarist Gary Holt — will also make an appearance at Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath’s final show on July 5.
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The run of shows will kick off on July 3 when Slayer hit the 35,000-capacity Blackweir Fields in Cardiff, Wales, with a line-up featuring support acts Amon Amarth, Anthrax, Mastodon, Hatebreed and Neckbreakker.
Their next stop will be the Back to the Beginning show with Black Sabbath at Villa Park in the Osbourne-led group’s hometown of Birmingham, where Slayer will join a galaxy of stars saluting the pioneering metal band that will include: Metallica, Pantera, Gojira, Halestorm, Alice in Chains, Lamb of God, Anthrax, Mastodon and a supergroup featuring Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins), David Draiman (Disturbed), Duff McKagan & Slash (Guns ‘n Roses), Frank Bello (Anthrax), Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit), Jake E Lee, Jonathan Davis (Korn), KK Downing, Lzzy Hale (Halestorm), Mike Bordin (Faith No More), Rudy Sarzo, Sammy Hagar, Scott Ian (Anthrax), Sleep Token ii (Sleep Token), Papa V Perpetua (Ghost), Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine), Wolfgang Van Halen and Zakk Wylde.
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“I am a Sabbath fan, and doing this show is an honor,” said Araya in a statement. “I was hanging out with my brother and his friends during my junior year in high school, and we would play Sabbath all the time, so I am a big fan. Black Sabbath were the originators, people call them ’the godfathers of metal music.’ I think it’s going to be an amazing experience, from the beginning to the end. I’m really, really honored to be a part of this, it’s going to be great.”
King added, “I remember when we played with Black Sabbath at Ozzfest in 2004. It was when Rob Halford came back to Judas Priest and we were third on the bill. You couldn’t give me a better bill, I’ll never forget that. As it stands now, Slayer plays a handful of gigs a year. But that’s how important this Sabbath date is, and it’s great we will get to play a longer set for our fans in Cardiff and London on this visit too. Being on the Sabbath bill means the world to me, because these are my uber-heroes. And to know that their camp thinks enough of us to offer us a spot is flattering and humbling.”
Following the Sabbath celebration, Slayer will move on to the 45,000-capacity Finsbury Park in London with the same roster of support acts before moving on to the Quebec Festival d’été in Québec City, Quebec with Mastodon on July 11. The final announced stop will be a Sept. 18 gig at the Louder Than Life festival in Louisville, KY, where they will share the stage with Rob Zombie, Lamb of God, Down, The Story So Far, Cannibal Corpse, Cavalera, Neck Deep, Exodus and Atreyu, among others.
Green Day were forced to cancel the final Australian stop on their global Saviors stadium tour on Wednesday (March 5) due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred. As citizens hunkered down in anticipation of imminent landfall, the veteran punk band informed fans that the show at CBUS Super Stadium had been called off amid severe weather warnings for Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
“Hey Australia, unfortunately due to circumstances out of our control, tomorrow’s Gold Coast show has been cancelled,” they wrote on their Instagram Stories. “With Cyclone Alfred bringing some seriously nasty weather, it’s just not possible to go ahead safely. We know this is a huge disappointment, as we’re just as bummed as you are. Stay safe out there!”
In a series of statements, the venue first warned ticket holders on Monday that they were monitoring forecasts calling for “windy and rainy” conditions, encouraging fans to keep an eye on the weather in the coming days. The bad news arrived on Tuesday evening (Australian time), when the venue wrote on X, “CBS Super Stadium has been advised that the the Green Day Saviors concert has been cancelled, due to the extreme weather conditions forecast.”
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It continued, “We know how excited fans were for the concert and we share your disappointment. Concert organisers explored every opportunity to go ahead with the event, but the safety and travel certainty of concert goers, performers and staff cannot be ensured under current conditions.”
Promoter Live Nation also posted about the show’s cancellation, writing, “We understand the immense disappointment surrounding the cancellation of tomorrow’s Green Day show on the Gold Coast due to Cyclone Alfred. This decision was made in close consultation with local authorities and with Green Day, prioritising the safety of all involved.”
LN also explained why the show was called off instead of postponed. “Due to Green Day’s international touring schedule it will not be possible to reschedule the Gold Coast show to a later date,” LN added, with ticket holders promised a full refund. Green Day — who last visited Australia in 2017 on their Revolution Radio tour — are slated to play Lollapalooza India on Sunday (March 9).
Cyclone Alfred is expected to be the first extreme storm to impact the Queensland area in more than half a century, with expected wind speeds exceeding 80 m.p.h. and up to 17 inches of rainfall over the next three days.
You’d get nervous too if you were singing one of the most iconic movie songs of all time on the Oscars stage in front of a room packed with the most famous actors on the planet. So cut Doja Cat a break, will ya? That was the message from the rapper on Monday (March 3) […]
At once soft and hard, fiery and vulnerable, Lola Young’s precise, revelatory songs thrive in their multi-facetedness. The introspective but musically adventurous This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway – the south Londoner’s first full-length album, which dropped last June – served as an uncompromising portrait of inner turmoil, detailed with 808s and scratchy guitars that […]
Billboard U.K. will head to The Great Escape in Brighton, England, for its inaugural Billboard Live event May 14-17.
Mercury Prize winners English Teacher will headline the The Beach stage at the new music festival as part of the Billboard U.K. Live takeover. Additional names will be added to the stage’s bill in the coming weeks.
The takeover marks the inaugural Billboard U.K. Live event, and will precede the launch of the upcoming U.K. Power Players list and in-person event at SXSW London in June.
Speaking on the announcement, Mo Ghoneim, president of Billboard U.K., says, “The Great Escape has long been a launchpad for breakthrough artists, making it the perfect partner for Billboard U.K. Live’s debut. With Billboard Live, we’re creating immersive experiences that connect fans with the artists shaping the future of music. English Teacher are leading this new wave, and we’re excited to have them headline our stage as we bring Billboard U.K. Live to one of the U.K.’s most essential festivals.”
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English Teacher’s debut LP This Could Be Texas (Island) was the recipient of the 2024 Mercury Music prize, which recognises an outstanding album from the U.K. and Ireland. The judging panel — which includes Billboard U.K. staff writer Sophie Williams — said that the LP “stands out for its originality and character. A winning lyrical mix of surrealism and social observation, alongside a subtle way of wearing its musical innovations lightly, displays a fresh approach to the traditional guitar band format.”
Thomas Smith, editor of Billboard U.K., adds, “English Teacher are one of the U.K.’s most exciting young bands right now. Over the last few years they’ve developed their craft and live show, leading to a well-deserved victory at the Mercury Prize last year. They’re a testament to the talent and determination of the grassroots scene in the U.K. and an example of why we must fully back and support artists like them.”
The Great Escape festival is held on an annual basis every May in the seaside city of Brighton, and spotlights emerging and rising talent from the U.K. and Ireland as well international newcomers. Across four days, an array of artists perform live at the city’s vast network of independent venues. There’s also industry panels, networking opportunities and more in its extensive programme. Tickets are on sale now from the festival’s official website.
This year’s lineup will feature appearances by Pete Doherty, Rizzle Kicks, Jordan Adetunji, Chloe Slater and more. Previous performers at the festival include Adele, Charli XCX, Stormzy, Fontaines D.C., Sam Fender, Billie Eilish and more.
Stay tuned for further announcements related to the Billboard U.K. Live stage and The Great Escape.
English Teacher
Denmarc Creary
Jay Ammo, a 29-year-old singer from Clarksville, Tenn., earned the final four-chair turn of The Voice Season 27 after delivering an emotional performance of Ed Sheeran’s “The A Team.”
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The Blind Auditions wrapped up with Ammo securing interest from all four coaches—John Legend, Adam Levine, Kelsea Ballerini, and Michael Bublé—before ultimately choosing Team Legend.
John Legend was the first to turn for Ammo’s performance, praising his vocal tone and delivery. “What a lovely voice you have. It was floating through the room. I was almost thinking you were from Africa because I could hear an Afrobeat kind of vibe. Is that the music you listen to?”
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Ammo, originally from Georgetown, Guyana, revealed that Sheeran’s song resonated deeply with him due to his time serving in the U.S. military in Afghanistan. “Yes, my calm-down song was yours.”
Legend replied, “We have a strong connection musically. Let’s just remember the musical connection that we have, and I would love to coach you.”
Levine, who has landed the most four-chair turns this season, described Ammo’s performance as “ethereal.” “You are very special and magical and singular in that nobody else in this competition is doing that. It gives you this really unique window, which is what this is all about.”
Ballerini also made a strong case for Ammo to join her team, calling him a “creative force.” “You kept the integrity of that song, but you also kept just the right amount of you in it, and that’s artistry.”
The country star was surprised when Ammo revealed he had previously covered her song “Better Luck Next Time.” “Did you now? I didn’t expect that. Now I feel taller and more powerful.”
Bublé, the last to turn, acknowledged some early pitch issues but praised Ammo’s ability to recover. “The second those other chairs turned, your pitch issues subsided. You have a beautiful tone, and you tell a story really well.”
When it came time to make his decision, Ammo selected Team Legend. “Jay’s voice is so cool. He has this kind of lilt to his voice. I really think that Jay has got an interesting musical tableau that he’s working with. We’re going to have a lot of fun picking songs together.”
With the Blind Auditions now complete, The Voice Season 27 will move into the Battle Rounds, where Ammo will compete for a spot in the Knockouts.
Brand New have announced their first public performances in several years, marking the band’s official return to the stage.
The band, led by Jesse Lacey, had previously played a secret “Friends and Family” show in Nashville in December to benefit Make Life Skate Life. Now, fans will finally get the chance to see Brand New on stage again, in their first publicly ticketed concerts since 2017.
Though the band’s social media profiles have remained mostly inactive—with their last Instagram post dating back to October 2017—fans began sharing screenshots of emails they received on March 3, containing presale information for the newly announced concerts, as per LambGoat. The band’s official website also lists the dates and presale details, confirming their long-speculated return.
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The trio of shows will kick off March 26 in Dallas, Texas, before heading to Newport, Kentucky, on March 28, and wrapping up in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 29.
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Lacey, who previously addressed the sexual misconduct allegations against him, admitted in 2017 that he had caused “pain and harm to a number of people.”
The fallout led to Brand New canceling all remaining tour dates, and the band largely disappeared from public view.
During a solo performance at Eastside Bowl in Nashville on March 2, Lacey also publicly spoke for the first time about the passing of his stepson Miles, who died in 2021. The intimate set featured a mix of Brand New tracks and solo material, including a new song titled “Death.”
“I’m not gonna talk too much about this, but me and my wife Andrea lost our son three years ago. His name was Miles, and it was as hard as you can imagine,” he told the crowd. “Grief is a very hard thing to navigate, and I have found that for me, music lessens the poison of it.”
The moment was met with quiet support from the audience, as Lacey expressed gratitude to those who have helped carry the weight of his grief.
In the wake of their loss, Jesse and Andrea Lacey also founded Moms Skate Club, a charity dedicated to supporting mothers in the skateboarding community. Donations to the organization can be made here.
While no word has been given on whether new music is in the works, Brand New’s upcoming shows suggest that the band is testing the waters for a more significant return. With their influence still felt across the alternative and emo scenes, their live comeback is certain to be a major talking point in the months ahead.
Back in 2017, Brand New scored their first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200, displacing Kesha’s Rainbow. The group’s Science Fiction, their first new album in eight years.
Fans hoping for a future reunion announcement from Hall & Oates needn’t hold their breath, with Daryl Hall claiming such a possibility will never happen.
Hall made his recent comments in an interview with The Times, where he reflected on the “betrayal” he felt from longtime bandmate John Oates that soon led to a lawsuit which split the pair. When asked about whether the enduring pop-rock duo could ever reunite, Hall was concise in his response.
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“That ship has gone to the bottom of the ocean,” he explained. “I’ve had a lot of surprises in my life, disappointments, betrayals, so I’m kind of used to it.” Though he didn’t elaborate on the latter, he did allude to having “been involved with some pretty shady characters over the years.”
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The Hall & Oates dissolution first began back in November 2023 when the pair became embroiled in a legal dispute. Described by Oates as “a very boring business issue,” the crux of the issue began when Hall filed suit against his former partner over Oates’ attempt to sell his half of the duo’s joint venture Whole Oates Enterprises to Primary Wave Music without Hall’s consent.
Though Hall still isn’t able to speak to the specifics of their legal showdown, both men agreed in 2024 that their creative partnership was over.
“John and I did not have a creative relationship for decades; the last song I wrote with John was in 2000 and that was with somebody else,” Hall told Billboard in June 2024. “We toured and we toured and we toured, and it was very restrictive to me, and to John. The real truth of it all is John just said one day he didn’t want to do it anymore. I said ‘OK,’ but the problem is (Oates) didn’t make the parting and breakup easy, and that’s where the difficulties lay and still lay, and that’s all it is.
“I always say I’ve been a solo artist my whole life, I was just working with John, mostly.”
Having first formed in 1970, the Pennsylvania performers rose to fame throughout the ‘70s thanks to albums such as 1976’s Bigger Than Both of Us, which peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard 200, and spawned their first single to top the Hot 100, “Rich Girl.”
The duo reached their commercial zenith in the early ’80s, where albums such as Voices, Private Eyes, and H2O all went Platinum, with the latter giving them their highest album peak, hitting No. 3. Across two years, Hall & Oates would chart atop the Hot 100 four times thanks to “Kiss on My List,” “Private Eyes,” “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do),” and “Maneater.” They’d nab their final chart-topper with 1984’s “Out of Touch.”
Despite not splitting until 2024, Hall & Oates’ last studio album arrived 18 years earlier by way of Home for Christmas. Their last full album of original material was 2003’s Do It for Love.