Music
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When Coldplay tours, the British rockers typically play to tens of thousands of fans per show – in fact, as of Aug. 2024, their Music of the Spheres World Tour became the biggest rock tour of all time, according to Billboard Boxscore.
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So when Chris Martin & Co. hit the stage at Brooklyn’s Music Hall of Williamsburg – a 650-person capacity venue — on Monday (Oct. 7) afternoon for a SiriusXM Presents show in support of new album Moon Music, the crowd was freaking out more than a little bit. Which might explain why one attendee, toward the end of the concert, shouted out a request for a nonexistent Coldplay song.
The saga began when Coldplay gave fan-favorite Music of the Spheres track “Coloratura” a rare performance, explaining that people online had been clamoring to hear it live. After that, fans began shouting out song titles, with one guy yelling, “Fix It.” Presumably, the man was thinking of the Billboard Hot 100 hit “Fix You” from 2005’s X&Y, but Chris Martin wasn’t letting him off that easy.
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“’Fix It’ is another song from another band, my brother,” Martin said, shaking his head before leading the band through “Yellow.” But after wrapping up their breakthrough hit (“Yellow” was their first Hot 100 entry back in 2001), Martin seemingly decided that perhaps “Fix It” should be a Coldplay song after all. Apologizing to the fan for getting a bit “cross” with him, Martin sat down at the piano and freestyled an impromptu tune on the spot, dedicating it to the dude.
“Here is a song called ‘Fix It,’ specifically just for that guy / It’s okay if you come to a concert to call out of the name of a song,” Martin sang, chuckling good-naturedly. “[But] I’d much prefer you don’t get the name of the song wrong / Oh, fix it, let’s fix it / It was broken a long time ago / Yes, fix it, a famous song called ‘Fix It’ / That before today even I didn’t know.”
One can only imagine what it was like to be that man in that moment. In less than 10 minutes, he mangled a Coldplay song title in front of the band, got gently mocked by Martin, received an onstage apology and then had a brand-new song dedicated to him – one that will probably never be performed again. Iconic.
That unscripted moment gives a good sense of the vibe throughout Coldplay’s underplay, which was broadcast on SiriusXM later that same day. Thanks to the intimate space and a respectful but enthusiastic audience, Martin seemed warm and congenial, pointing at specific people in the crowd and sticking his tongue out for fans’ cameras. He even joked about the band going the Taylor Swift route with its back catalog. “We released Parachutes (Taylor’s Version), it’s going to do very well,” he quipped while speaking about their new LP, Moon Music.
Of the new Moon Music tracks, the live highlights were undoubtedly “The Karate Kid,” a gorgeous piano ballad that saw its first-ever live performance during the SiriusXM show, and “Good Feelings,” which brought collaborator Ayra Starr onstage and saw The Weirdos — Coldplay’s puppet alien rock band — pop up on the venue’s balcony. Much like their recent Saturday Night Live performance, Coldplay brought of Elyanna & TINI for an emphatic “We Pray,” too.
As for the anthemic sing-alongs, “Viva La Vida” and “Sky Full of Stars” enjoyed wild responses from the crowd, while a live run-through of “God Put a Smile Upon Your Face” from 2002’s classic LP A Rush of Blood to the Head proved that Coldplay can still kick ass as rock n’ roll band.
Although the mood of the show was light, joyous and celebratory (confetti blasted the audience more than once), Martin did take a moment to acknowledge that the concert took place on the one-year anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel and the start of the ongoing Israel-Hamas War.
“Today, on October 7, we send peace to the Middle East,” Martin said prior to “Coloratura.” The juxtaposition was perhaps intentional, given the opening lyrics: “We fell in through the clouds / And everyone before us is there welcoming us now / It’s the end of death and doubt.”
Kelly Clarkson asked fans to meet her in “The Middle” on Monday (Oct. 7) as she took on Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey’s 2018 hit. Dressed in an aqua blue skirt suit set, the star belted the high-pitched hook flawlessly, adding her own theatrical flair. “Baby, why don’t you just meet me in the middle?/ […]
Halsey is quite literally the greatest impersonator. As the star gears up to release their album, The Great Impersonator, later this month, she took to Instagram to reveal that leading up to the drop, she’ll be “impersonating a different icon every day and teasing a snippet of the song they inspired.” The first icon is […]
Fashion designer Don C sat down with the Ghetto Runways podcast for an extensive two-part interview recently and spoke on how he met Ye and the late Virgil Abloh. He credited music executive John Monopoly with originally connecting everybody.
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“John put me on, put Ye on, and put Virgil on,” he said about Monopoly. “And John intentionally introduced me to Ye and Virgil… At 14, 15 years old, this man John Monopoly is like, ‘Man, I got a cousin, man, he into fashion, if he add some sh—t to what you doing Ye, you gonna be on another level.’”
He also spoke on the viral fashion photo of himself, Ye, Virgil, Fonzworth Bentley, Taz Arnold, and Chris Julian at Paris Fashion Week in 2009, and revealed they took the photo to make a statement for not being let into a venue. “Man, we were just trying to express ourselves. When I look at that picture now, we was lookin’ crazy,” he started. “We had the courage to do that, so I’m happy we did. It opened the doors for everybody.” He then said the picture was Ye’s idea. “Ye was a true visionary because he was intentional about it… He was saying like, ‘Man, we gotta get these pics, too, because it’s gonna be like moments in history.’”
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Adding, “We couldn’t get into fashion shows when we first started wanting to go to fashion shows. But being from Chicago, a guy from the nightlife community, you know how to parking lot pimp. You know how to clown at the door… I don’t know if you notice, but that street shot wasn’t at no fashion show. That was outside a fashion show. We was just making a movement because they wouldn’t let us in. And guess who let us in? Karl Lagerfeld.”
Don C reveals the infamous 2009 Paris Fashion Week photo was Kanye’s idea & was taken because they couldn’t get into any shows”That wasn’t in no fashion show. That was OUTSIDE a fashion show. We was just making a movement because they wouldn’t let us in” via Ghetto Runways pic.twitter.com/sssUM9tnqj— Andrew Barber (@fakeshoredrive) September 25, 2024
Don C also mentioned that he’s working with John Monopoly about properly telling his story, so that his friend can get his flowers.
You can watch the full interview here and here.
Annie Lennox is reflecting on the mass tragedies that have unfolded in the Middle East since Hamas launched its deadliest attack yet on Israel exactly one year ago.
Sharing a series of infographics via Instagram on Monday (Oct. 7), the politically outspoken musician took a moment to mourn all the casualties that have occurred over the past 12 months — from the 1,200-plus Israelis who lost their lives when Hamas descended on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, to the countless Palestinians (Associated Press estimates more than 41,000) who have died in Israel’s war efforts against the terrorist organization in the year since.
“This is a heavy day – one year after the events that were to create a ‘tipping point’ in this decades long situation of discord and brutality,” Lennox wrote. “I had always hoped things might change for the better.. but tragically – that is not the case. On Oct 7th 2024 we are looking at a potential ‘forever war’ situation, with the entire Middle Eastern region on the brink of being completely drawn into it.
“Today’s career politicians have no moral compass and the ‘never again’ understanding has evaporated in plain sight, with ‘human rights’ shredded into pieces,” she continued. “We humans are capable of tremendous achievements and indescribable atrocities.”
The Eurythmics frontwoman also encouraged followers to “reflect upon the sanctity of life..and the qualities of peace, compassion and empathy.”
“I am for ceasefire and peace,” she added in the comments. “That is ALL I call for. I deplore anti – Semitism as much as I deplore the killing, wounding and continuous displacement of children, women and innocent Palestinian civilians.
“And of COURSE I want to see the innocent hostages returned safely to their families,” Lennox concluded. “This tragically doesn’t seem to be a priority for [Israeli Prime Minister] Netanyahu and his government.”
As the “Sweet Dreams” artist pointed out, the violence in Gaza has been unrelenting since the Oct. 7 attacks. As Israelis gathered to pay tribute to the people they lost that day with memorial services Monday, AP reports that Hamas was simultaneously firing rockets at Israel alongside Hezbollah, an allied militant organization from Lebanon. Meanwhile, Israel is continuing to assail both Gaza and Lebanon as tensions mount with Iran, and Palestinians are facing rampant hunger and homelessness across the country.
Lennox is far from the first musician who has supported a ceasefire amid the crisis. Dua Lipa, Paramore, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Reneé Rapp, Hozier, Muna and more have also all called for an immediate end to the violence in Gaza, while Drake, Jennifer Lopez, Adam Lambert and several more stars signed an Artists4Ceasefire letter to President Joe Biden and the U.S. Congress in October 2023.
In a series of Instagram Story posts over the weekend, Foxy Brown attempted to debunk rumors that she and Jay-Z had a sexual relationship when she was underage.
Brown famously made her debut in 1995 on LL Cool J‘s posse cut “I Shot Ya” alongside Def Squad’s Keith Murray, the late Prodigy, Fat Joe and, of course, LL when she was just 19 years old. However, most remember her getting her start opposite Jay-Z on the 1996 hit single “Ain’t No N—a,” from his debut album Reasonable Doubt, and the two continued to feature on each other’s tracks, where she would often play Bonnie to his Clyde in terms of themes and subject matter.
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Brown initially posted and addressed a screenshot of a tweet alleging Jay made her sign an NDA, among other things, calling it “fake news.”
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“In icon business! Miss me wit that fake news,” Foxy wrote. “NDA? Ain’t a MF alive could stop my story. NDA on my sh– gon’ run 100 mill.”
She then posted a screenshot of a YouTube video saying she’s breaking her silence about Jay-Z and references one of her IG Stories where she tells someone, “My story will shock to your core! I don’t play victim. But I had to step away for a min, for my sanity, or I would’ve been dead,” in response to a fan giving her positive words about here resolve.
“Stop playin’ wit my name, dyin’ for a comment,” Brown said. “Can’t spin me with the sucker sh– to take Hov down. Betta ask bout’ the cloth I’m cut from.”
Unfortunately Foxy Brown had to take to Instagram and clear up those disgusting rumors about her and JAY-Z. This is about the 4th time she’s had to do so. pic.twitter.com/2EkeZMtAcY— 💎🍾 (@TheRocSupremacy) October 6, 2024
She then added: “Comprehension is a lost art” and “Y’all want me to be anti-Hov so bad. FOH. Post that.”
They want Foxy Brown to be Anti-HOV so bad. 😭😂😩 It’s never gonna happen, she is cut from a different cloth. 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/3gU4HizBsQ— Foxy Brown ☆ (@withslantedeyes) October 6, 2024
The rumors about their relationship started when Nas mentioned their alleged relationship on 2001’s diss song “Ether,” on which he rapped, “Foxy got you hot ’cause you kept your face in her p—/ What you think, you getting girls now ’cause of your looks?”
The rumors have ramped up on social media since Diddy was arrested.
Shakira unleashed Pies Descalzos 29 years ago, marking her third studio album following Magía (1991) and Peligro (1993). Since its release on Oct. 6, 1995, under Sony Music Colombia, the 13-track set co-written entirely by the Colombian artist and Luis Fernando Ochoa is a staple in Latin music thanks to its timeless songs such as “Estoy […]
The Flaming Lips are calling on fans for help after instrumentalist Steven Drozd’s daughter went missing. Both Drozd himself and frontman Wayne Coyne took to their social media pages on Monday (Oct. 7) to share a missing person poster of 16-year-old Charlotte “Bowie” Drozd, who has been missing since around 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. According […]
Nestled amid the stark beauty of the Sonoran Desert lies Arcosanti, an experimental urban utopia designed by visionary architect Paolo Soleri.
Located roughy an hour north of Phoenix, Ariz., the remote futuristic eco-city drew roughly 2,500 attendees to the long-awaited return of FORM. First launched in 2014, the three-day music event became immediately beloved for transcending the typical festival experience. As modern festivals continue to compete in a grueling live events industry fighting to stay relevant while competing to be credited for the best-synchronized drone show or which dance stage had more LED screens, FORM rebels against the status quo by cultivating the meaningful connection between musicians and fans. And when it comes time for the music, there are no VIP sections or even artist backstage tents — just musicians walking amongst fans, equally admiring the architectural marvel of the property. And when it’s time to perform, the small stone amphitheater sets the stage for a community of present-minded individuals to sharing a cohesive moment, no frills, just music.
After a five-year hiatus, the festival returned even stronger this past weekend (Oct. 4-6) with a genre-blending lineup of killer acts — including Jamie xx, St. Vincent, Bonobo, Skrillex, Thundercat, James Blake and more.
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Walking into Arcosanti is like stepping onto a movie set from a dystopian sci-fi flick. Brutalist concrete structures, bathed and baked in the Arizona sun, create a visually arresting contrast from the typical major music festival experience. But even after tickets for this year’s FORM sold out in less than 24 hours after the announcement of its return, the boutique festival never lost sight of the key elements that made it so beloved in the first place.
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Here are the top 10 takeaways from the weekend.
1. Stage Dive Into Sustainability
Arcosanti’s eco-conscious philosophy and commitment to sustainability permeated every aspect of the festival. Locally sourced food trucks like Tamale Shoppe and the Phoenix Culinary Collective offered up delicious and eco-friendly sustenance, while readily available water refill stations and a robust composting system minimized waste. The full event execution demonstrated a step in the right direction for the industry and was a tangible reminder that eco-consciousness and a great time can go hand-in-hand.
FORM Arcosanti 2024
Rocco Avallone
2. The Arcology Awakens
The festival stages weren’t just platforms for musical performances; the permanent structures are architectural marvels seamlessly integrated into the landscape and the festival fabric. The Amphitheater, which was topped by a parachute that allowed peeks of desert stars above, captured the intimate essence of St. Vincent, whose Saturday night set was a last minute addition to the lineup. She strummed away on her guitar, sharing moments of bliss with the mesmerized fans seated only a few feet away. Meanwhile, the grand archways of the Vaults stage pulsated with raw energy that enveloped fans in a vortex of bass-thumping sounds.
3. A Starry-Eyed Symphony
The Sonoran Desert transformed into a celestial canvas at night. With minimal light pollution in the remote area, the Phoenix Astronomical Society hosted evening stargazing sessions on the rooftop overlooking the main Amphitheater. On Saturday night, attendees were able to peek into a cosmic light show through high-resolution telescopes as Angel Olsen played in the background, for an experience that was pure magic. The experience was a poignant reminder of our place in the grand scheme of the universe, a feeling that resonated throughout the weekend, even when the music ended.
Beck
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4. Beck’s Back in the Desert
Beck, one of the festival’s late addition headliners, delivered a set dripping with nostalgia, tongue-in-cheek stage banter and sonic experimentation. From classics like “Loser” to cuts from his 2019 album Hyperspace, he masterfully navigated his performance, keeping the crowd energized and engaged. It was altogether a testament to his enduring influence and ability to capture the hearts of fans year after year.
5. Jamie xx’s Curated Chaos
Coming off the release of his latest album In Waves, Jamie xx took to the Vaults stage with a cigarette in one hand and beer in the other, clearly prepared to deliver. (Minutes before he went onstage, the British producer was seen still on his laptop, excitedly working on his set.) When the show started, the Grammy-nominated artist flexed his prowess, delivering a masterclass in weaving opposite genres into tunes that left the crowd pulsating with a sense of euphoria.
Overall, his performance was a testament to the beauty of FORM, in how it creates a sonic sanctuary for artists to comfortably experiment, an ambience that helped make it possible for Jamie to dance and smile onstage as he traversed bold transition, like going from trance mix of Ghetto 25’s “Don’t Stop” to a guitar-laden build-up to Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.”
6. Kim Gordon, Forever a Sonic Siren
Sonic Youth legend Kim Gordon brought a dose of raw energy to the Arcosanti Amphitheater. Backed by a killer band, she revisited iconic hits like Sonic Youth’s 1990 song “Kool Thing” and showcased newer material that pulsed with an undeniable urgency. Her voice, a potent mix of vulnerability and strength, resonated throughout a crowd illuminated with moody lighting, reminding us of her enduring influence.
7. Bonobo Unhinged
Bonobo, largely known for his downtempo electronic and ambient soundscapes, delivered a bass-thumping, chest-pounding Saturday night set that invigorated a perhaps unsuspecting audience. With thumping house and high-energy techno mixes, he turned up the temperature and set the audience ablaze, a difficult task in the desert heat, but one he pulled off with style.
James Blake
Rocco Avallone
8. James Blake, Bathed in Sunlight
The U.K. multi-hyphenate’s recent crusade against the live event and ticketing industry saw him filling up independent music venues and cathedrals across North America over the past months, making FORM an idea setting for his emotional sonic landscapes. His stripped-down Sunday afternoon set, which included “Retrograde,” “Say What You Will” and “Godspeed,” was full of intricate nuances and delicate compositions, creating a sing-along that allowed the whole crowd to let their inhibitions go.
9. Community & Self-Reliance
This year’s event was troubled by a record heatwave that brought temperatures up to 100 degrees for campers. (All FORM attendees stay in adjacent camping and glamping areas.) Rather than cover themselves in Crisco and lay on a desert rock to accept their fates, a sense of community and cooperation washed over attendees. The FORM community rallied by sharing umbrellas with strangers, making space for newfound friends to sit closely side by side in air-conditioned listening room activations and offering patience and understanding for the hospitality staff, who worked tirelessly to pass out cold drinks and water throughout the festival grounds.
10. Beyond the Music
FORM Arcosanti wasn’t just about the music, although of course it was definitely a major highlight. Workshops on sustainable living, art installations scattered throughout the arcology, a poolside dance party, ambient outdoor sound stages and hifi vinyl listening experiences offered loads to do beyond the music stages. It was, once again, a festival that encouraged a sense of exploration and childlike wonder. At its core, roaming directionless and absent of intent was sometimes the best way to discover the true beauty of FORM.
Davido will celebrate his 32nd birthday in style this year. The Lagos-raised star is returning to his hometown of Atlanta for a Davido & Friends birthday bash concert on Nov. 21 at State Farm Arena. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Tickets for the concert presented by […]