Music

05 Aug 2024

6 Must-Hear New Country Songs: Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert, Orville Peck, Allison Russell & More

This week’s batch of new songs features a double-shot of hitmakers with Lainey Wilson teaming with Miranda Lambert for a new collaboration. Elsewhere, Orville Peck joins forces with Allison Russell on a song from Peck’s new album, while Alex Lambert and Gavin Adcock also offer new tunes.

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Check out all these and more in Billboard’s roundup of the best country songs of the week below:

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Lainey Wilson feat. Miranda Lambert, “Good Horses”

Two of country music’s most illustrious women artists team up for a double-shot of star power, as Wilson’s Louisiana drawl blends wondrously with Lambert’s Texas twang. On this laid-back song, they use the metaphor of a wild horse to acknowledge the wanderlust and draw of freedom and adventure amidst the need for the comforts of home, while offering a tender reminder to those they leave behind that “good horses always come home.” Sonically, this honeyed, hazy song lilts along with the grace, highlighting that not every star-powered song needs a high-voltage vocal performance — sometimes the gentle arc of direct, heartfelt words are made all the stronger for the gentleness.

Orville Peck & Allison Russell, “Chemical Sunset”

On Orville Peck’s new album Stampede, he teams with Americana music luminary Allison Russell on this stomping, theatrical pairing. Their voices are tremendous, with Russell’s voice sultry and fluttering, and delicately cracking in just the right places with Peck’s vocal rendering a cavernous, steady foil, fusing to convey song’s brooding message of living life with desire and abandon, even as the world burns around them. “Chemical Sunset” marks an illustrious standout on this project.

Alex Lambert, “She Ain’t Texas”

Texan Lambert issues a bluesy country ballad that evokes trading the draw of home in the pursuit of ambition — in his case, leaving his home in Fort Worth, Texas to move to Nashville. His voice is at once rugged, wistful, soulful, and instantly commanding. Lambert wrote “She Ain’t Texas” with Jordan Lawhead, with production from Drew Allsbrook, Stefan Lit and Dylan Chambers. Lambert may be forlorn over the Lone Star State, but this track makes his Tennessee prospects favorable.

Kameron Marlowe & Marcus King, “High Hopes”

This song from Marlowe’s 2024 album Keepin’ the Lights On gets a bluesy reimagining, thanks to singer-songwriter-guitarist King. The song is a tightrope of mourning and longing as he moves through disappointment to the first glimmers of hope. On its surface, it’s a curious pairing between the mainstream country singer Marlowe and Americana stalwart King, but their voices blend mightily, while King’s guitar prowess gives the song a darker, moodier patina.

Chase Matthew with Fernando & Sorocaba, “Cold Blooded”

“Casa Branca” hitmakers Fernando & Sorocaba team with country hitmaker Chase Matthew on their latest outing. Brazilian, EDM rhythms and country constructions weave together, turning heartache into a technicolor dancefloor anthem in this tale of a guy whose trying to earn the affections of someone whose “love is on lockdown,” as he toggles between hope and the knowledge that he’ll never break through her icy heart. Fernando & Sorocaba are set to release the upcoming project NASH, featuring more collabs with country artists including Dustin Lynch, LOCASH and more.

Gavin Adcock, “Run Your Mouth”

Georgia native and high school sports star-turned-singer Adcock broke through with the angsty ballad “A Cigarette,” but his new song conveys the embedded musical influence of Southern rock, as he growls and seethes his way through this moody, musical warning shot to someone who. “If you live like this, make sure that you don’t miss/ Your opportunity when you gotta go.” Adcock just released his album Actin’ Up Again, via Thrivin Here Records under exclusive license to Warner Music Nashville.

05 Aug 2024

Bon Iver to Join Kamala Harris During Wisconsin Rally for Special Performance

Less than a week after she passed the delegate threshold needed to become the Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris is kicking off a battleground state tour alongside her yet-to-be-announced running mate — and she’s bringing along Bon Iver for the ride.

Billboard can exclusively report that, Bon Iver will join Harris and her running mate in Eau Claire, Wisc. — where the two-time Grammy-winning band was founded — for a special performance on Wednesday (Aug. 7). Their appearance at Harris’ rally follows years of commitment to uplifting their hometown. In addition to regularly debuting new music at the Eaux Claires Music Festival (which lead singer Justin Vernon co-founded and co-curated with The National‘s Aaron Dessner), they participated in a non-partisan effort in 2022 called For Wisconsin, an initiative to encourage people to engage in the political process. Two years prior, the band teamed up with Noise for Now to promote a Roe v. Wade-themed pro-choice T-shirt; 100% of the proceeds went to Planned Parenthood.

Harris is no stranger to Wisconsin either. She visited Milwaukee for her first campaign stop after announcing her candidacy for president this year, and this appearance will serve as her 10th visit to Wisconsin since being sworn in — and her sixth in 2024 alone. Harris’ battleground state tour will hit seven cities in five days (Philadelphia; Eau Claire, Wisc.; Detroit; Durham, N.C.; Savannah, Ga.; Phoenix; and Las Vegas).

After embracing the aesthetic of Charli XCX‘s Brat and soundtracking its TikToks with Chappell Roan songs, music has quickly become a cornerstone of the Harris campaign. In addition to using Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar‘s Grammy-nominated “Freedom” as its official song, the Harris campaign also tapped Megan Thee Stallion and Quavo to speak and perform at an Atlanta rally on July 30.

On the Billboard 200, Bon Iver has landed six entries, including two stints in the top ten: 2011’s Bon Iver (No. 2) and 2016’s 22, A Million (No. 2). Over on the Billboard Hot 100, the band has logged five career entries, including its appearances on Ye’s (formerly Kanye West) “Monster” (No. 18) and Taylor Swift‘s “Exile” (No. 6).

05 Aug 2024

Fans Think Taylor Swift Subtly Clapped Back at Ye’s ‘Vultures 2’ Dig During Eras Show

In the eyes of Swifties, nothing is ever an accident. That’s why some fans are convinced that Taylor Swift subtly shaded Ye — formerly known as Kanye West — at her latest Eras Tour show following the rapper’s reference to her on his new album with Ty Dolla $ign, Vultures 2, which dropped hours before her performance in Warsaw Saturday (Aug. 3).  

On the track “Lifestyle (Demo),” Lil Wayne name-checks the 14-time Grammy winner and her boyfriend — Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce — on his guest verse. “I twist my Taylor spliffs tight at the end like Travis Kelce,” he quips. 

Though Ye himself doesn’t mention Swift, his choice to include a nod to her on his second joint LP with Ty Dolla $ign is noteworthy considering the “Donda” artist’s past feud with the pop star. That’s why the “Anti-Hero” musician’s wardrobe choice on her first Eras show after the track’s release turned some heads, with Swift sporting a T-shirt during the Red set reading, “I Bet You Think About Me.” 

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“She’s so funny for wearing the I bet you think about me shirt after Ka*ye name dropped her and Travis in his song an actual comedian,” one person tweeted.  

Though Swift has worn the shirt at past shows, a few fans think her choice to sport it at this particular performance at the PGE Narodowy was intentional. “saw the k*nye thing a little bit ago and I knew she was gonna wear it lmao,” the same Swiftie tweeted, to which another fan replied, “it makes so much sense now.” 

Swift’s tumultuous relationship with Ye is one of the most storied music industry feuds of the past decade-plus. It all started when he interrupted her acceptance speech at the 2009 VMAs to declare that Beyoncé deserved the best female video honors more, after which they eventually patched things over — that is, until he bragged that the incident launched Swift’s career on his 2016 track “Famous.”  

When Swift slammed Ye for the song, he claimed that he got the “Karma” singer’s blessing on a phone call before its release, which she denied. After that, his then-wife Kim Kardashian posted an edited recording of their conversation to portray Swift as a liar, something the latter spoke about as recently as last year. 

“You have a fully manufactured frame job, in an illegally recorded phone call, which Kim Kardashian edited and then put out to say to everyone that I was a liar,” she told TIME in her Person of the Year cover story in December. “That took me down psychologically to a place I’ve never been before. I moved to a foreign country. I didn’t leave a rental house for a year. I was afraid to get on phone calls. I pushed away most people in my life because I didn’t trust anyone anymore. I went down really, really hard.” 

05 Aug 2024

Carly Pearce Sets World Tour: See the Dates

Carly Pearce is headed out on a tour that will see the country star on her largest international outing yet.  

Pearce, who is booked by CAA, will start in Windsor, Ontario, on Oct. 3 and wind through North America, Europe and the U.K. before returning to the U.S. to end the tour in Nashville on May 16 more than 40 dates later. Openers on the Conundrum Wines-sponsored tour will be Karley Scott Collins, Matt Lange, Wade Bowen and Carter Faith on selected dates.

Pearce will hit a number of markets in Europe that she has never played before, including Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, Munich and the U.K.’s Bristol and Birmingham. Additionally, a number of dates that have already gone on sale are upgrading because of ticket demand. Pearce has added a second night at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire after the first night sold out, while her shows in  both Glasgow and Belfast have been moved to bigger venues to accommodate demand.

Carly Pearce

Carly Pearce

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“Fans in the U.K. and Europe have always been such big supporters of artists, not just the songs on the radio,” Pearce tells Billboard. “They have a deep appreciation for songwriting and the true special moments that make me ‘me.’ I’m excited to see my fan growth and can’t wait to have what I know will be an unforgettable tour.”

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Pearce will be playing all her hits, as well as dipping into her fourth full-length album, hummingbird, which came out earlier this summer. “I’m just so excited to bring this album to life,” she says. “These songs have been such a big part of my healing process and they deserve to be celebrated.”

The album’s latest single, “Truck on Fire,” debuted at No. 55 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart dated Aug. 10. The album’s first single, the moving ballad “We Don’t Fight Anymore,” featuring Chris Stapleton, reached No. 9 on Country Airplay, making it her fifth top 10 hit, including her three No. 1s: “Every Little Thing,” “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” featuring Lee Brice, and “Never Wanted to Be That Girl,” featuring Ashley McBryde.

Tickets for the  North American dates go on sale Aug. 6 through the Official Carly Pearce Fan Club presale, with general tickets available starting Aug. 9. 

05 Aug 2024

Snoop Dogg Had to Drop a Dressage Freestyle For Martha Stewart While Watching a Horse Named Gin & Juice

In case you’ve missed it so far, Snoop Dogg is absolutely living his best Olympic life right now. The Long Beach legend has been taking in as many events as possible in Paris over the past week in his gig as a special correspondent for NBC and this weekend was no exception. After carrying the torch in the lead-up to the Games’ opening last week, Snoop has also checked the USA gymnastics team, popped into the Louvre for a private tour, tried his hand at fencing and hopped into a pool with Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps.

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But over the weekend the D-O-G-G did something even he probably never thought he would during his summer working vacation: he got up close and personal with some horses, even though he’s super afraid of them. Snoop was seemingly able to overcome his equinophobia thanks to old pal Martha Stewart.

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The domestic doyenne and horse lover helped Snoop get suited and paddock booted for the occasion in white jodhpurs, a dark blue riding jacket with tails — monogrammed with a giant gold S, of course — and a black riding helmet. After feeding the horses some carrots and showing them his fancy footwork, the dynamic duo set up shop in the broadcast booth at the Palace of Versailles, where the equestrian events have been taking place.

In a sequel to his 2021 viral video in which he lost his mind about a hose “crip walking” while watching dressage with comedian Kevin Hart, Snoop once again gave the ancient sport some modern flair in his commentary alongside Stewart. It helped that one of the horses he was watching was named “Gin & Juice,” seemingly in honor of Snoop’s 1994 song of the same name from his debut Doggystyle album.

“AYYYY!” Snoop bellowed when he caught wind of the horse’s name when Polish rider Sandra Sysojeva came sauntering out and the track played in the background. “Okay, we got an LBC horse in the house!” Snoop added excitedly as he freestyled some lyrics about his new horse homie. “From the front to the back/ There’s so much drama, and party, it’s hard being an H-O-R-S-E,” Snoop rapped as Stewart attempted to point out some of the skills on display and Snoop showed her his version of “that side walk.”

Back in the studio, Snoop told NBC Olympics anchor Mike Tirico that dressage is now one of his new favorite sports. “I didn’t realize that I love the chemistry of the driver [rider] and the horse… I call them the ‘driver’ because they actually drive the horse,” Snoop said. “And I fed the horses and I’m really scared of horses!”

Check out Snoop in his dressage best below.

05 Aug 2024

Nancy Wilson, Lita Ford & Sheila E. Set for 3rd Annual Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp

The third annual Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp for women only will take place Dec. 5-8 in Los Angeles and feature such rock legends as  Nancy Wilson (Heart), Lita Ford (The Runaways), Sheila E. (Prince), Nita Strauss (Alice Cooper) and Rhonda Smith (Jeff Beck). 

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“Rock Fantasy Camp for women is a meaningful gathering of women together. As a military brat I never felt constrained by my gender,” Wilson tells Billboard. “Encouraging women to wield their power outside confining gender expectations is always a happy task for me.”

The capacity for the camp is around 80 campers divided into up to 14 bands. Each band is assigned a counselor who mentors them throughout the four days and helps prepare the musicians for the closing concert where they play with the rock headliners at the Viper Room on the Sunset Strip. The counselors themselves are a constellation of heavy hitters, including Roxy Petrucci (Vixen), Eva Gardner (P!nk), Jennie Vee (Eagles of Death Metal), Julia Lage (Vixen), Jennifer Oberle (Sarah McLachlan) and Britt Lightning (Vixen), who also serves as the event’s musical director. 

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Rock & Roll Fantasy Camp

Rock & Roll Fantasy Camp

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The camp is open to musicians of all levels, who are evaluated beforehand to make sure they are placed in the appropriate band and each participant is sent a song list to start rehearsing. The four days are filled with rehearsals, masterclasses, Q&As and jam sessions.

This year’s event will also include a panel of top women music executives, presented by Billboard, which serves as the Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp’s media sponsor. 

“The Women’s Rock Camps have been some of the most supportive and uplifting camps I have seen in my 28 years of producing the Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp,” says producer David Fishof. “The way these women are able to bond and be completely open about topics without judgment allows everyone to leave with so much joy and increased confidence. After observing it, I realized it would be a disservice to not continue producing annual Women’s Rock Camps.”

Lightning adds, “The campers gain friends for life and more importantly establish a network of females that share the same passion from all over the world. The sense of community is overwhelming and inspires not only the campers but the talent as well and allows dreams to be realized in music and beyond.”

Fishof has run the Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp for more than 25 years, and participating rock stars have included Roger Daltrey, Steven Tyler, Alice Cooper, Joe Tyler, Slash, Paul Stanley and Sammy Hagar. 

For more information, go here. 

05 Aug 2024

Charli XCX Taps Into Big Brat Energy at All-Star 32nd Birthday Party With Billie Eilish and Lorde

Charli XCX‘s big Brat summer marches on. The singer whose album title attitude and color scheme have been eagerly adopted by Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign — and plenty of others — celebrated her 32nd birthday in style on Saturday night (August 3) in Los Angeles.

According to reports, Charli’s A-list crew for the night included Twisters star Glen Powell, as well as Anya Taylor-Joy, Rosalía, Addison Rae, the Haim sisters, Sabrina Carpenter, Gracie Abrams, Rachel Sennott, Tove Lo, Finneas, Lukas Gage, Scout and Tallulah Willis and Nelly Furtado, among many others. But it was drop-bys from some of her musical collaborators that got Brat nation worked up.

According to fan-shot video of the night out, Charli and Lorde hopped up on couches to dance and sing along to the remix of Charli’s Brat anthem “Girl, so confusing,” with Charli clearly living it up in shades, tiny black shorts and a white shirt with a strategic cut out in front to show off her black bra. Lorde, also dressed in black and white, danced like everyone was looking, shouting the lyrics alongside Charli as the two danced hip-to-hip and hugged it out.

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Billie Eilish also dropped by the party in Silverlake to dance and sing along to the pair’s just-released “Guess” remix, with Billie rocking an oversized baseball jersey, lime green bandana and red-tinged shades for the party, where one of the gifts included a beautifully Brat-propriate bouquet of Calla Lilies mixed with cigarettes from Rosalía.

Charli’s U.S. Brat tour is slated to kick off on Sept. 14 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

Watch fan video of the party below.

05 Aug 2024

Jimin Gets a Surprise Visit From Sofia Carson in ‘Rebirth/Slow Dance’ Live Video

BTS‘ Jimin dropped a live video for a pair of songs from his MUSE solo album on Sunday (August 4), including a version of “Slow Dance” featuring a guest appearance from that track’s feature singer, Sofia Carson. In the first half of the six-plus minute clip, Jimin rides his falsetto to the top of a building, where he performs the midtempto MUSE track “Rebirth” with his live band with the city stretching out on the horizon behind them.

Wearing a black jacket with geometric patterns on the sleeves, Jimin croons the lyrics about being “special just for you” during the golden hour, with a slight orange haze hanging in the air. The scene then switches to night, as the “Slow Dance” title fills the screen in a string light font, announcing Carson’s arrival.

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As the band leans into the song’s slinky groove and the city’s lights burn in the distance, Jimin croons the ballad and Carson slowly comes into view as she climbs onto the roof in black shorts, a matching jacket and tuxedo-style shirt. The two singers then face-off mid-screen and trade vocals as one of Jimin’s band members busts out a soprano sax solo and the two vocalists walk slow circles around each other.

“Thanks to the band for playing with us today,” Jimin says in Korean as the tune winds down, adding in English, “thanks for slow dancing with me Sofia.” The “Applause” singer responds, “I loved slow dancing with you, Jimin” as the pair take their bows and thank each other. The video ends with a pan to the sky and the message “Special thanks to Jimin’s muse, ARMY.”

Jimin dropped the seven-track MUSE last month, marking the K-pop star’s second solo album. The effort was preceded by the pre-release track “Smeraldo Garden Marching Band” (featuring Loco) and “Closer Than This,” which dropped in December.

Watch Jimin’s “Rebirth/Slow Dance” video below.

05 Aug 2024

The Kid Laroi Sets ‘The First Time’ Arena Tour of Australia

The Kid Laroi’s re-routed tour of Australia will visit arenas across the country this November.

Announced Monday (Aug. 5), Laroi will embark on a seven-city, eight-date tour starting Monday, Nov. 11 at Gold Coast Home Of The Arts, before moving on to Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart and wrapping up Nov. 29 and 30 at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena.

Migos founding member Quavo and controversial west Sydney drill unit OneFour will join the singer and rapper on the trek, produced by TEG Live.

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The rescheduled jaunt replaces an earlier, trans-Tasman stadium visit that was penciled in for February 2024, but was subsequently shelved.

“I’M COMING BACK HOMEE & BRINGING SOME FRIENDS WITH ME,” he writes on social media. “Thank you for being so patient with me & I’m sorry that this took so long. I love you guys beyond words & I promise we’re gonna make this special!!!!!!”

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Raised in inner-city Sydney, now based in Los Angeles, the singer, songwriter and rapper last played arenas in Australia in May and June 2022, for his End of the World Tour, produced by Handsome Tours and TEG Live.

The First Time Australia Tour will support Laroi’s debut full-length LP of the same name, which dropped Nov. 10 through Columbia/Sony Music, and opened at No. 3 on the national ARIA Chart. Album track “Girls” last week nabbed a piece of history, by being recognized with the very first Australian Chart #1 Award, celebrating homegrown successful on the Australian charts.

General public tickets will go on sale from Aug. 8 at 1pm local time via ticketek.com.au.

As a teen, the Gadigal-born artist with Kamilaroi roots smashed records on the elevator to the top. His debut mixtape F*ck Love from 2020 went to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 a full year after its release. Aged 17 at the time Laroi (born Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard) was the first solo male Australian to hit No. 1 since Keith Urban’s Fuse in 2013.

When F*ck Love (Savage) ruled over the ARIA Albums Chart in February, 2021, the Kid was anointed as the youngest Australian solo artist to do so, at 17 years, 5 months and 22 days.

Along the way, he’s accumulated a collection of awards includes ARIAs and NIMAs, several Billboard Music Awards and a Grammy Award nomination for best newcomer.

The Kid Laroi’s “The First Time Australian Tour 2024“
Nov. 11 — Gold Coast Home Of The Arts, Qld
Nov. 14 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Qld
Nov. 16 — Sydney Commbank Stadium, NSW
Nov. 20 — Perth Rac Arena, WA
Nov. 24 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre, SA
Nov. 27 — Hobart Mystate Bank Arena, Tas
Nov. 29 + 30 — Melbourne Rod Laver Arena, Vic

*Supported By Quavo And OneFour

05 Aug 2024

Charli XCX’s ‘Guess’ Is the BRAT Summer Anthem Aiming for Top Spot on U.K. Singles Chart

Charli XCX is making serious headway in the U.K. chart race with her latest single, “Guess“.

With a viral remix featuring none other than Billie Eilish, Charli is ready to nab her first solo No. 1 hit in the U.K. It’s been a while since she reigned at the top—back in 2012, she soared to No. 1 as part of Icona Pop’s infectious banger, “I Love It“. Now, it looks like it’s finally Charli’s time to shine on her own.

Charli’s chart domination doesn’t stop there.

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Her track “Apple” is also expected to crash into the Top 10 for the very first time, according to an early update published by the Official Charts Company. Currently at No. 10, the summer anthem is proving to be an unstoppable force. Meanwhile, “360” is climbing higher, reaching a new midweek peak at No. 11.

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It’s safe to say Charli is on fire, and there’s no extinguishing BRAT summer.

In other chart news, Jordan Adetunji’s track “Kehlani” is set to hit a new high, rising to No. 13.

The boost comes thanks to a fresh remix featuring the actual Kehlani, adding some extra flair to the already popular track.

Not to be outdone, Adam Port, Stryv & KeineMusik are shaking up the dance scene with their hit “Move”, which is expected to leap three places to No. 15, marking a fresh peak for this dancefloor sensation.

And for a touch of nostalgia, get ready for *NSYNC to make a surprise comeback. Their classic hit “Bye Bye Bye” is set to re-enter the U.K. Top 20 at No. 16, marking the first time the song has been this high in the charts in a whopping 24 years. Originally peaking at No. 3 back in 2000, this resurgence is all thanks to the ongoing buzz around Deadpool & Wolverine.

As we await the final results this Friday, all eyes are on Charli XCX. Will she secure her first solo No. 1, or will the competition be too fierce?

One thing’s for sure—this week’s U.K. charts are shaping up to be an exciting ride for music fans everywhere, so stay tuned.