Music

Maroon 5 Set New 2024 ‘M5LV’ Las Vegas Residency Dates at Park MGM

Maroon 5 are headed back to Las Vegas for a new run of shows in their M5LV The Residency at the Dolby Live at Park MGM theater. On Tuesday morning (Dec. 5), the group announced 16 new dates for 2024 in May, June, September and October at the intimate 5,200-capacity venue.

A statement announcing the continuation of the multi-platinum group’s 2023 residency gigs, promised that, “Every aspect of the show’s immersive design caters to the Dolby Live theater, from the panoramic, multi-layered video box to the Dolby Atmos sound design ensuring every seat in the room experiences the band’s performance in an intimate way only possible in a Las Vegas residency. Rich sound and high-intensity visuals surround and envelope fans as the band serves hit after hit in a show that perfectly encapsulates Maroon 5 and their biggest moments from the past 20 years.”

Tickets for the show produced by Baz Halpin and directed by Parker Genoway will go on sale on Saturday (Dec. 9) at 1 p.m. ET. A Cite AAdvantage presale will kick off on Wednesday (Dec. 6) at 1 p.m. ET through Citi Entertainment here. A fan pre-sale will also kick off on Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET; MGM Rewards members, SiriusXM, Live Nation and Ticketmaster customers will get access to a pre-sale beginning Thursday (Dec. 7) at 1 p.m. ET, with all pre-sales slated to end on Friday (Dec. 8) at 10 p.m. PT; click here for information on all the pre-sales.

Check out the 2024 dates for the M5LV shows below:

May 17, 18, 22, 25, 26, 29, 31

June 1 

September 27, 28

October 2, 4, 5, 9, 11, 12

Cher Joins Z100 Jingle Ball Lineup in NYC

Cher is joining the Jingle Ball party! The legendary singer is joining the lineup for the iHeartRadio Z100 Jingle Ball at Madison Square Garden on Friday (Dec. 8).

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Cher will join previously announced performers Olivia Rodrigo, SZA, OneRepublic, Sabrina Carpenter, Jelly Roll, Big Time Rush, Doechii, Pentatonix, David Kushner and Melanie Martinez.

The “Believe” singer released her first holiday album, fittingly titled Christmas, back in October. The 13-song set, which debuted atop Billboard’s Top Holiday Albums chart, has a blend of classic tunes and newly written tracks with a star-studded lineup of guests including Michael Bublé, Cyndi Lauper, Darlene Love, Tyga and Stevie Wonder.

“I had no intention of doing a Christmas album,” Cher previously told Billboard of her decision to get into the festive spirit musically. “But [Warner Records] said, ‘Why don’t you do a Christmas album, Cher?’ and I said if I can do my version I’ll do it, and they were very pleasant.”

“They’re not ‘Christmas Christmas’ songs, OK, they’re just great songs,” she added. “And I never say that because I almost never like what I do. But I mean people love it and I’m happy. I’m so particular, but I love the songs and everyone who hears them loves them.”

One of the album’s tracks, “DJ Play a Christmas Song,” hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary radio airplay chart (dated Dec. 9), marking her first AC No. 1 since “If I Could Turn Back Time,” which led for a week in September 1989. She ends the longest break between No. 1s in the chart’s 62-year history: 34 years, two months and one week. 

‘Money Can Buy You Class’ After All, Luann de Lesseps Sings With Help From a ‘RHONY’ Pal in New Uber Eats Ad

To some people, living elegantly just comes naturally. For those who have to work a little harder for it, Countess Luann de Lesseps is here to make it easier. The original Real Housewives of New York City star and cabaret entertainer is the latest Bravolebrity to team up with Uber to remix one of her own hits, reworking “Money Can’t Buy You Class” just in time for the holiday gifting season.

The “Money Can Buy You Class” remix and its music video arrived Tuesday (Dec. 5). While the original insisted that no, all the cash in the world wouldn’t buy you any elegance, 13 years later, the countess’ new take points out that you can purchase a little bit of it after all.

“Showing up to a holiday party with nothing much to offer?/ You think you’re enough, but honey, you’re not,” sings the star, who’s in a stunning silver Jovani jumpsuit worthy of Beyonce’s Renaissance show. “Running late? Busy month?/ That’s no excuse/ Keep it classy with a last-minute gift from Uber Eats.”

Need some ideas? The star has some suggestions of what you can get via Uber Eats. “Scented candle? That’s cool!/ Empty-handed? Uncool!/ Place an order that makes them say ‘Oh la la,’” she continues before jumping into the reworked chorus. “Money can buy you class/ It can now!”

Her remix of “Money Can’t Buy You Class” is the second Bravo collab with Uber. Vanderpump RulesScheana Shay updated her song “Good As Gold” for the ride and delivery service in May. That commercial also featured fellow Sur-vers Ariana Madix and Lala Kent, but Shay’s video isn’t the only one with star power. De Lesseps’ “Money Can Buy You Class” features not only fellow RHONY star and good friend Sonja Morgan (who pops up with a well-timed shrug to throw a little shade at a Brooklyn housewife), but a few Easter eggs for fans as well. (Peep the “Be Cool” license plate on the black Rolls Royce!)

“Sonja and I always have a GREAT time!” de Lesseps tells Billboard, noting that she “jumped” on the chance to work with Uber on remixing her song. “When I started discussing the remake and music video with Uber, we knew we wanted her to make a cameo. And I’m so glad she was able to join us. We had a blast on set, as we always do when she pops into my [touring show] Countess Cabaret!”

As for those Easter eggs? The countess credits the ride-share company. “The Uber team had a few really creative ideas and we worked together to sort of sprinkle them throughout — within the song lyrics as well as on set!” de Lesseps shares. “I of course had to wear Jovani, and my favorite Easter egg is the ‘Chateau C’est La Vie’ sign within the decor, an ode to one of my favorite songs.”

The star — whose Countess Cabaret show hits Alberta, Canada, on Dec. 15-16 — also wants to help make shopping easier and more fun during this busy time of year by sharing some classy, countess-approved ideas. “We pulled together lists of some of my favorite holiday gifts that you can find directly in the Uber Eats app,” she says, “including ‘Gifts for Real Housewives,’ ‘Gifts for Cabaret Queens,’ ‘Gifts for Ultimate Girls Trips’ and more.”

But what would she give someone who has everything, such as Andy Cohen, who helped develop the wildly successful Housewives franchise and hosts all the juicy tell-alls? “I’d send him a bottle of champagne that he can enjoy with Anderson Cooper during New Year’s Eve,” says de Lesseps, who competed as Hibiscus on the most recent season of The Masked Singer. (Cohen and Cooper — who host CNN’s popular new year’s countdown program — did not drink during the most recent special due to the network’s new ban on on-air drinking.)

As for what she’d have Uber deliver to former RHONY castmate Bethenny Frankel? “A bag of coal,” de Lesseps quips. “She’s already got the gift of gab.”

With this second remix of “Money Can’t Buy You Class” (she previously worked with VPR‘s James Kennedy on a dance-club-ready version), the star is aiming high for potential new collaborators in the future. “I’d kill to work with Stevie Nicks. I’m a big fan and love all of her music” de Lesseps tells Billboard. “Manifesting that for 2024!”

Until that collab happens, check out Luann de Lesseps “Money Can Buy You Class” remix with Uber Eats below:



BTS’ Jimin, V, Jung Kook and RM Set to Begin South Korean Military Service

BTS‘ RM, V, Jimin and Jung Kook are all gearing up to begin their mandatory South Korean military service. The group’s agency, BIGHIT Music, announced on Tuesday (Dec. 5) that the four men will enlist and being their stint in the nation’s army, following on the heels of fellow members Jin, J-Hope and Suga, who are already enlisted.

“Thank you to the fans who always love BTS. We would like to provide follow-up information regarding the military enlistment of RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook,” BIGHIT said in a statement on Weverse. “RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook are enlisting as active-duty soldiers in the Army to fulfill their military service obligations,” it continued. “RM and V are scheduled to enlist according to their own procedures, and Jimin and Jungkook are scheduled to enlist together, so there will be no separate official event on the day of their entry into the recruit training center.”

At press time no additional information was available on the exact date of enlistment for the men.

As in the past, the agency noted that the new recruit training camp entrance ceremony is typically attended by the soldiers and their families, asking that members of fan group ARMY refrain from visiting the site during the ceremony to prevent overcrowding and avoid unsafe conditions. “We ask that you only give a warm send-off and encouragement to RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook with your heart,” it read.

BTS announced in June 2022 that the group was taking time apart to allow each man time to focus on solo ventures as their enlistment period approached; South Korean law requires all able-bodied men between 18-28 to serve a two-year military stint.

Military service requirements have hung over the members of the group since they launched nearly a decade ago, with eldest member Jin the first to begin his stint. While the country allows for some elite athletes and classical musicians to avoid the mandatory military stint, there is currently no similar exemption for pop artists. 

Brenda Lee Talks ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ Finally Topping Hot 100 & ‘Home Alone’ Pushing It ‘Over That Hill’

On Monday (Dec. 4), Brenda Lee made history when her classic holiday chestnut, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” topped the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time — 65 years after the song’s release.

Lee, whose indomitable spirit and powerful voice, even as a child, earned her the nickname “Little Miss Dynamite,” recorded “Rockin’” when she was just 13. Now, at age 78, she’s watching as the song, promoted by major label UMG Nashville, has reached the pinnacle of Billboard’s all-genre chart. In the process, the song has become only the third holiday song to reach No. 1 ever on the Hot 100.

“I like that God has given me that favor that I can stand aside and look and know that it wasn’t just me; that it’s a conglomerate of a lot of people that made the song what it is,” Lee tells Billboard, seated in the downtown offices of label UMG Nashville, just after UMG Nashville chair/CEO Cindy Mabe revealed the news of the song’s new peak.

“I’m happy for everybody here that’s worked so hard to make this happen because in today’s world, everything moves so fast and furious. But I’m telling you this: My label has come to bat,” Lee said.

Produced by Owen Bradley, “Rockin’” was initially released in 1958, though the song’s initial chart impact was modest. Lee earned her first two No. 1 Hot 100 hits in 1960, with “I’m Sorry” and “I Want to Be Wanted.” Bolstered by those successes, “Rockin’” reached an original peak of No. 14 in December 1960. Between December 2019 and last year, the song would spend nine weeks at No. 2 on the Hot 100, behind only Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”

Lee recorded “Rockin’” in the heart of Nashville’s Music Row, at Bradley’s Quonset Hut, her mature-beyond-her-years voice paired with the song’s rockabilly holiday feel, creating what would become her signature song.

“The producer cut the air way down in the studio,” Lee recalled. “He had a big Christmas tree and everyone was there — the Anita Kerr Singers and the A-team [of revered Nashville studio musicians], as we called them. It was like a little touch of magic kind of sprinkled in, and it turned out to be magic. It really did.”

Johnny Marks, the songwriter behind other holiday classics including “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” also wrote “Rockin’,” with Lee in mind for the song.

“He was such a gentle soul,” Lee recalls of the late songwriter, who died in 1985. “He was Jewish and didn’t even believe in Christmas, and all that would come out of him was Christmas music. He told me he was laying on the beach in New York and I guess he took a nap or something and when he woke up, he saw the pine trees were kind of swaying. I said, ‘You got pine trees on the beach in New York?’ He said, ‘Yeah and I thought the pine trees are rocking and he went home and came up with ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.’

“I talked to him almost every week, and he was so funny. His first line would be, ‘Brenda, just thought I’d call. There’s not a lot of us old-timers left,’ and I’d think, how old does he think I am?” she said with a giggle. “But he was so precious and so sweet, and just a good guy.”

In 1990, “Rockin’” became a favorite holiday song for a new generation when it was featured in the Macaulay Culkin film Home Alone.

“That’s the catalyst that pushed it over that hill, as we’ll call it. It’s just been a blessing,” says Lee, who noted she watched the holiday mainstay a few nights ago.

Lee marked the 65th anniversary of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by filming the song’s first official video, featuring cameos from Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood. The festive clip features Lee lip-synching to her teenage recording of the song, alongside footage of her and Yearwood baking holiday cookies and chatting with Tucker as everyone gathered around a table to enjoy a holiday feast.

“My buds are in there,” Lee says. “We had a ball making it. We filmed it at the producer’s house, and nothing was choreographed, really. We just had fun. They were just precious to do that for me, and I think folks will love it.”

Like Lee, Tucker was herself a star by her teens, and Lee met Yearwood when she was first getting started in the industry in the 1990s.

“They both are just real,” Lee says of Tucker and Yearwood. “They’ve never lost their sense of joy, gratitude and of excitement for what they’re doing. And they help — you call ‘em and they’ll say, ‘Sure, when you want me there?’ Now, there’s probably some moments they’ve got on film that you’ll never see,” she laughs, “but we had a good time. It seemed like it just went like that. We were there for hours filming, but because we’re friends and all, it didn’t seem like a long time.”

As for her own favorite holiday hits — other than her own? “I love to hear ‘White Christmas’ and love to hear Bing Crosby sing. I also love Burl Ives’ ‘A Holly Jolly Christmas,’” Lee says.



Tom Petty’s ‘Love Is a Long Road’ Soundtracks ‘Grand Theft Auto VI’ Trailer

Grand Theft Auto VI is finally on its way.

After an online leak, Rockstar Games released the first trailer for its long-awaited sixth installment of the GTA franchise on Monday (Dec. 4), with Tom Petty’s 1989 track “Love Is a Long Road” soundtracking the adventure. The song, from his album Full Moon Fever, peaked at No. 7 on Billboard‘s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart that year.

The minute-and-a-half trailer introduces to protagonists Lucia and Jason and their Bonnie and Clyde-style love story in the game’s classic city of the Miami-inspired Vice City. Lucia marks the franchise’s first female protagonist, as she maneuvers beaches and bayous as scenes flash of people racing cars along highways, riding speedboats and racing dirt bikes in traffic.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Grand Theft Auto VI is set to release in 2025, 12 years after its predecessor, which achieved the second-best selling video game after Microsoft’s Minecraft. GTA5, which was released in 2013, has sold more than 190 million copies worldwide and generated more than $7.7 billion in revenue.

Watch the trailer below.



Buddy Guy, Ann Wilson & Billy Gibbons to Join Jim Irsay Band for Free Los Angeles Concert

Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Buddy Guy, Heart’s Ann Wilson and ZZ Top‘s Billy Gibbons will join the Jim Irsay Band for a free concert benefiting charity on Jan. 11 at Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Over the years, Irsay — the billionaire owner of the Indianapolis Colts — has built up one of the most impressive collections of iconic rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia, which will also be on display. Among his more high-profile purchases in recent years are Ringo Starr’s first Ludwig drum set in 2015, Prince’s Yellow Cloud electric guitar in 2016, and Kurt Cobain’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” guitar last year for $5 million. Three weeks ago, Irsay added Eric Clapton’s “The Fool” 1964 Gilbson guitar, which he purchased during a November auction for $1.27 million.

Guy, Wilson and Gilbbons, as well as REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin and J. Geils Band’s Peter Wolf, will play with Irsay’s band, which features some of the rock world’s top musicians, including drummer Kenny Aronoff (Paul McCartney, John Mellencamp), guitarist Mike Wanchic (Mellencamp), bassist Mike Mills (R.E.M.) and guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd.

Though the event is free, space is limited and fans must register in advance at jimirsaycollection.com. Additionally, when they register, attendees are encouraged to donate to Kicking the Stigma, an initiative launched by the Colts and the Irsay family, to raise awareness about mental health.

Irsay has held similar concerts previously, including playing a Colts Kickoff Concert in September at Lucas Oil Stadium to herald the start of the Colts’ season. Performers at past shows have included Mellencamp, John Fogerty, Stephen Stills, Vince Gill, Robert Randolph and Natalie Merchant.

Taylor Swift’s ‘You’re Losing Me (From the Vault)’ Debuts on Hot 100

After only two days of tracking, Taylor Swift’s “You’re Losing Me (From the Vault)” debuts at No. 46 on the latest Dec. 9-dated Billboard Hot 100.

The song tallied 8.7 million U.S. streams and 19,000 downloads sold in its first two days. The sales sum helps the song debut at No. 1 on the Digital Song Sales chart, becoming her record-extending 28th leader.

The song earns Swift her 322nd career entry on the Hot 100, the second-most of all time after Drake (327). The track is also Swift’s 54th entry on the chart in 2023 alone, extending her record for the most ever in a calendar year among solo artists. The only act with more in a calendar year is the Glee Cast, which tallied 80 entries in 2010.

Swift released “You’re Losing Me (From the Vault)” on streaming services on Wednesday, Nov. 29, as a thank-you to fans after Spotify named her its most-streamed artist on the platform of 2023. “Um ok this is unreal??,” she wrote on Instagram. “I just wanted to say to anyone who listened to my music this year, anywhere in the world, thank you. Getting named Spotify’s Global Top Artist in 2023 is truly the best birthday/holiday gift you could’ve given me. We’ve seriously had THE MOST fun this year out there on tour and now this. Are you serious. So I was trying to think of a way to thank you, and a lot of you have been asking me to put “You’re Losing Me (From the Vault)” on streaming… so here you go! You can finally listen EVERYWHERE now [kiss emoji].”

“You’re Losing Me (From the Vault)” appears on Midnights (The Late Night Edition), a special edition of the album that was first released to fans who attended the Eras Tour concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. A digital download of the song was then later released on Swift’s webstore for 24 hours.

Paris Hilton Wishes Britney Spears Happy Birthday: ‘Keep Shining Sis’

Britney Spears turned 42 years old on Saturday (Dec. 2), and her longtime pal Paris Hilton took to Instagram to wish the pop princess a happy birthday.

“Happy Birthday @BritneySpears ? So many fun memories together?‍♀️ Love you so much? Sending you lots of love on your special day,” Hilton captioned a series of photos of the duo spending time together and having fun in the early 2000s. “Keep shining sis.”

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

See the post here.

In Spears’ recently released memoir, The Woman in Me, the “Piece of Me” singer shouted out the DJ, writing, “one of the people who was kindest to me when I really needed kindness was Paris Hilton.” In response, Hilton told Kelly Clarkson on the latter’s talk show: “I was crying when I read that, that really touched me. She’s just so strong, I love her so much and I’m just so proud of her for speaking her truth and writing this whole book. That quote meant a lot me when I read it.”

Hilton has always been supportive of Spears, attending her wedding to now-ex-husband Sam Asghari in 2021 — and declining an invitation to DJ at President Joe Biden’s Summit of Americas dinner at the Getty Villa in Los Angeles for the event. Upon the release of Spears’ “Hold Me Closer” duet with Elton John, Hilton showered her friend with support on TikTok. “Yaaass Britney [sparkle emoji] the queen is back!” Hilton wrote on a video of herself dancing along to the track all over her pink Bentley.

Academy of Country Music Announces Rule Changes, Key Dates for 2024 ACM Awards

The Academy of Country Music announced rule changes in several categories on Monday (Dec. 4) that it hopes will allow it to bring back its award for new duo or group of the year — which it hasn’t presented since 2018.

“ACM new duo or group of the year is an illustrious category that has seen the likes of Brooks & Dunn and The Chicks win early in their careers, as well as both reigning ACM duo of the year Brothers Osborne and reigning ACM group of the year Old Dominion,” said Tommy Moore, ACM vice president of artist and industry relations, governance and board administration. “The category hasn’t been awarded in recent years, and we’re hopeful these changes in category rules and minimum qualifying entrant levels will allow us to bring back this award, a fan favorite, as well as celebrate additional deserving emerging artists in the critical early years of their career.”

The category was presented every year from 1989 to 2002, but has been presented sporadically since then. In 2009, separate awards were presented for groups (Gloriana) and duos (Joey + Rory), but the award hasn’t been presented at all nine times since 2003.

“The 59th ACM Awards cycle brings changes to awards categories that will allow more artists, groups, and duos the chance to qualify and be recognized with an ACM Award, which will benefit emerging artists and help put a spotlight on the future of the genre,” said Daniel Miller, chair of the ACM awards, voting, and membership committee. “I’d like to thank the awards committee members, board members, and board officers for their thoughtful contributions in expanding eligibility to reflect our evolving industry and the realities for new artists on their path to success.”

The ACM also announced the submissions and ballot timeline for professional membership voting for the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards, coming in May 2024.

The 59th Academy of Country Music Awards, produced by dick clark productions, will stream exclusively on Prime Video for a global audience for a third straight year, live from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, as part of the ACM Awards’ recently-announced renewed partnership with Amazon.

The 58th ACM Awards garnered more than 7.7 million viewers on Prime Video, plus additional viewership across Amazon Music, the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, and Amazon Live, making the show hosted by Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks one of the most-watched awards shows of the year.

The ACM board of directors approved changes to the Academy’s new female artist of the year, new male artist of the year, and new duo or group of the year, extending charting for those categories to open eligibility to more artists. The ACM board of directors also adopted criteria to require a minimum of three eligible submissions to award a category.

New Eligible Submission Minimum

A minimum of three eligible submissions are required to award the category.  In the instance there are not three eligible submissions within a category, a professional panel may vote to allow additional considerations to meet the required minimum.

Extended Charting for New Artist Categories

This applies tonew female artist, new male artist, new group/duo categories. Presented to an individual artist, group or duo who gains initial fame or significantly greater recognition during the promotion of a debut or sophomore album within the eligibility period.

The artist must have released a single that reached the top 50 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs or the Mediabase Country charts. Any albums self-released through an independent label the artist owns and operates may not be counted as a debut or sophomore album, unless it produces a top 50 single reported by Billboard’s Hot Country Songs or Mediabase Country charts.  The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the Board. The winner shall be determined by a vote of the ACM professional membership.

Any artist who served or is currently serving as a lead member of a duo or group is not eligible for individual category recognition. Additionally, any artist who has gained initial fame as a solo artist or as part of a duo or group in another genre is not eligible in these categories.

An artist may be a nominee two times in a three-year period. Once an artist releases the lead single from a third studio album, they will no longer be eligible in this category.  If an artist is a winner in the new female artist /new male artist/new duo or group (or any respective previously named) category their first year on a ballot, they will not be eligible in any new artist categories again.  Any artist who has previously won the award for entertainer, female artist, male artist, duo or group of the year (or any respective previously named category) is ineligible for a new artist nomination.

Submission Window

Submissions for the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards will open at 11 a.m. CT / 9 a.m. PT on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. The Academy will accept entries through Friday, Jan. 26, 2024 at 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT. A full voting timeline is below.

The eligibility period for submissions for the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards is Jan. 1, 2023 through Dec. 31, 2023.

Key Dates

Key dates for Academy professional members for the 2023 ACM Awards cycle are as follows:

Submissions Period Opens: Jan. 8, 2024

Submissions Period Closes: Jan. 26, 2024

First Round Voting, Main Awards: Feb. 26, 2024 – March 4, 2024

Second Round Voting, Main Awards: March 18, 2024 – March 25, 2024

Final Round Voting, Main Awards: April 15, 2024 – April 22, 2024

Key dates for Academy professional members for the 2023 ACM Radio Awards cycle are as follows:

Submissions Period Opens: Jan. 8, 2024

Submissions Period Closes: Jan. 26, 2024

First Round Voting, Radio Awards: Feb. 26, 2024 – March 11, 2024

Final Round Voting, Radio Awards: March 18, 2024 – Apr. 1, 2024