Music
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Days before Super Bowl LIX, which will take over New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome on Sunday, Feb. 9, Bud Light will start the weekend right with an intimate show from a massive star. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news On Friday, Feb. 7, Post Malone will perform at […]
Jonathan Groff has endeared himself to huge audiences playing some of the most beloved (and different) roles in modern musical theater: breaking hearts as the original Melchior in Spring Awakening; cracking up as King George in Hamilton; and most recently turning in his most complex performance yet as Franklin Shepard in Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along, for which he won his first Tony award.
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Now, Groff is adding to that diverse resume of roles with perhaps the most unexpected of all. In the new musical Just in Time, he’ll play Bobby Darin, the iconic crooner known for his renditions of songs like “Beyond the Sea,” “Dream Lover” and “Mack the Knife.” Developed and directed by Alex Timbers, the show features Groff anchoring a cast of 16 in one of Broadway‘s most unique and intimate theaters, the Circle in the Square. Previews begin March 28, 2025 in advance of an April 23 opening — but you can hear Groff singing as Darin for the first time here, as Billboard premieres his recordings of “Beyond the Sea,” “Dream Lover” and “Just in Time.”
As Groff tells Billboard, his preparation process for the role began seven years ago, when he was researching the singer while putting together a concert of his music for the 92nd St. Y in New York. “We’ve been developing this musical about his life ever since then,” Groff says. “Bobby Darin was the consummate performer. And he was way ahead of his time. He had this chameleon ability to jump styles and genres way before it became popular for pop artists to do that. Having this opportunity to play him, I get to push myself to places I’ve never gone before as a singer or performer. My heart races just thinking about it.”
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Timbers — who won a Tony for his direction of Moulin Rouge! The Musical and has brought his vision to shows ranging from Here Lies Love to The Pee-wee Herman Show — calls Darin “a singular talent whose music lives on today,” but notes that “what was so memorable to the people who knew him was his connection with an audience.” With Just in Time, “We’re doing everything we can to try to transform our Broadway theater to evoke a 1960s club,” he tells Billboard, “and allow our audience to experience what it was like to be in a room, up close, with one of that generation’s most electric performers.”
Just in Time features a book by Tony-winner Warren Leight (Side Man) and Isaac Oliver (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel); music supervision and arrangements by Andrew Resnick (Parade); choreography by Shannon Lewis; and is based on an original concept by Ted Chapin. Along with Groff, the cast includes Joe Barbara (A Bronx Tale The Musical), Tony-winner Michele Pawk (Wicked), Lance Roberts (The Music Man), Caesar Samayoa (Come From Away), Christine Cornish (Kiss Me, Kate), Julia Grondin (Funny Girl), Valeria Yamin (Moulin Rouge!), John Treacy Egan (My Fair Lady), Tari Kelly (Mr. Saturday Night), Matthew Guy Magnusson, Khori Michelle Petinaud (Lempicka), and Larkin Reilly (Bad Cinderella).
The Goo Goo Dolls apologized to fans on Tuesday (Dec. 3) after announcing that they’ve been forced to cancel a planned run of headlining shows in South Africa after singer John Rzeznik was hospitalized with pneumonia. “We’re heartbroken to postpone our South Africa shows. This country means so much to us, and we were so […]
Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” is leading the way for No. 1 on the U.K.’s Official Singles Chart midweek update (Dec. 2), following the release of its 2024 Ultimate Mix.
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Released to mark Band Aid’s 40th anniversary, the new version was produced by Trevor Horn [Spandau Ballet, Pet Shop Boys] and features vocalists from the 1984 original, 2004’s Band Aid 20, and 2014’s Band Aid 30. All three versions have topped the charts in the U.K., as did 1989’s Band Aid II.
Over the past few decades, the charity single has raised over £140 million ($178 million) for the Band Aid Charitable Trust, which seeks to benefit causes such as poverty in Africa. It was written by Bob Geldof and Ultravox’s Midge Ure following a BBC report into famine in Ethiopia, and has since become one of the U.K.’s best-selling singles of all-time.
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All three previous incarnations of the song contribute to the Ultimate Mix, which features a wealth of artists including George Michael, Sting, Chris Martin, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, One Direction, Bono and Sinead O’Connor, among others.
The push for the top spot follows the release of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” on physical formats this past Friday (Nov. 29), with proceeds benefitting the Band Aid Charitable Trust. The CD and vinyl variants also feature the original, 20th and 30th anniversary editions and 1985’s Live Aid version from Wembley Stadium.
The song and music video’s depiction of Africa, however, has drawn criticism over the years.
Following his decision to turn down featuring on the 2014 version of Band Aid, earlier today (Dec. 3), British-Ghanian Afrobeats artist Fuse ODG further clarified his stance via The Guardian. “While the British public’s generosity in 1984 was genuine, and the aim of Band Aid was to address a specific humanitarian crisis, the way it depicted Africa did more long-term harm than good,” he wrote. “It inadvertently contributed to a broader identity crisis for Africans, portraying the entire continent as one monolithic, war-torn, starving place.” Ed Sheeran previously said that Band Aid were using his vocals without permission and that he otherwise would have declined to be involved again.
Elsewhere, Gracie Abrams’ “That’s So True” – which has remained at the summit for the past four weeks – stands at No.2, followed closely by ROSÉ and Bruno Mars’ “APT” at No. 3. “Defying Gravity” by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the emotional centerpiece of the recent Wicked soundtrack, comes in at No. 6.
A festive theme continues throughout the Top 10, with three more Yuletide hits heading towards the top of the chart. Wham!’s “Last Christmas” is on track for its first Top 5 appearance of 2024 at No. 5, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas” appears at No. 7, and Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” is currently at No. 9.
Portsmouth’s Victoria Festival has shared their massive festival lineup for 2025, with headliners including Queens of The Stone Age, Vampire Weekend and Kings of Leon. The festival will take place on the Southsea seafront on Aug 22-24, 2025 and will be the 13th edition of the event which began in 2011. Previous headliners include Mumford […]
BBC Radio 6 Music Festival will return next spring, having found a permanent home in Greater Manchester.
Scheduled to take place between March 26-29, 2025, the four-day event is set to bring a mix of live performances and DJ sets to venues across the region. The news was announced live on air this morning (Dec. 3) by broadcaster Nick Grimshaw, who is currently covering the 6 Music breakfast show while regular host Lauren Laverne is recovering following treatment for cancer. Laverne is due to return to the show in the new year.
Throughout the festival, the 6 Music team will be broadcasting live from MediaCity U.K. in Salford. Current presenters include Iggy Pop, Huw Stephens, Mary Anne Hobbs and former London night czar Amy Lamé.
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The 6 Music Festival is the station’s flagship event, and is aired across a number of BBC radio, television, and online channels. Since 2023, it has taken place in Greater Manchester, while previous iterations of the festival were hosted in different cities annually across the U.K. including Cardiff, London, Glasgow, Liverpool and Newcastle.
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In a press release, Samantha Moy, Head of BBC Radio 6 Music said: “We’re really proud that our festival brings listeners truly unique performances from the artists they love, alongside a celebration of the fantastic acts that are emerging from Greater Manchester – and 2025 will be no different. We’re so looking forward to bringing the whole station to Greater Manchester again and for four days of incredible live music.”
The line-up for the 2025 edition of the 6 Music Festival will be announced in February. The 2024 event saw performances from headliners Young Fathers, Gossip, and The Smile, while the likes of CMAT and Hak Baker also made appearances across the weekend.
In January 2014, the BBC launched the 6 Music Festival in Manchester with headliner Damon Albarn. In the years that have followed, the event has seen sets from world-renowned acts including Depeche Mode, Fontaines D.C., Father John Misty and Neneh Cherry.
Kendrick Lamar has done it again. The Grammy-winning rap visionary surprised fans with the release of GNX, which made a No. 1 debut on the ARIA Albums Chart.
This latest achievement cements Kendrick’s reputation as a chart titan in Australia, marking his third No. 1 album Down Under, following the critically acclaimed To Pimp a Butterfly (2015) and Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers (2022).
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The album’s arrival couldn’t have come with better timing—or sharper edges. Fresh off a public feud with Drake, Kendrick used GNX to double down on his artistry, showcasing a bold mix of sharp lyricism and genre-pushing production. Fans responded in droves, sending four tracks from the album—“Luther,” “Squabble Up,” “TV Off,” and “Wacced Out Murals”—straight into the top 20 of the ARIA Singles Chart, alongside six others breaking into the top 50.
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GNX also delivers a nostalgic nod to Lamar’s chart-topping history. His past hits like “Humble” and “All The Stars” have left a lasting impact in Australia, and GNX proves he’s still got the magic touch, blending vulnerability with the kind of braggadocio only K. Dot can pull off. And with his highly anticipated Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show performance just around the corner, the rap icon is only gaining momentum.
While Kendrick commands the spotlight, Rosé isn’t letting her reign slip away quietly on the ARIA Singles Chart, with her chart-topping collaboration with Bruno Mars, “APT.”, returning to No. 1 for a fourth non-consecutive week, while Rosé’s new single, ‘Number One Girl”, debuts at No. 61 this week. With her solo debut album, rosie, set to drop next week, fans are already bracing for another record-breaking chapter in her career.
Billie Eilish’s “Birds Of A Feather” climbed to No. 31, while Sabrina Carpenter saw multiple entries, including “Taste” at No. 4 and “Espresso” at No. 11.
Elsewhere on the ARIA Chart, Australian talent is making its mark. Sydney rockers RedHook broke into the top 20 with their sophomore effort “Mutation”, debuting at No. 15, while Alex the Astronaut’s “Rage and All Its Friends” landed at No. 19, marking a triumphant return to the charts.
My Chemical Romance have spoken out following the death of their former drummer, Bob Bryar, who died at the age of 44.
Bryar was found deceased in his Tennessee home on Nov. 26, with authorities confirming no foul play was suspected.
Sharing a post to Instagram, the band wrote, “It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Bob Bryar, our former bandmate and an important part of the history of My Chemical Romance. We send our deepest condolences to his friends and family at this time. May he rest in peace.”
Bryar joined My Chemical Romance in 2004, replacing founding drummer Matt Pelissier shortly after the release of the band’s sophomore album, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge. At the time, Bryar was working as a sound engineer for The Used when his path crossed with the New Jersey rockers. His arrival marked the beginning of a defining period for the band.
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Bryar became a cornerstone of My Chemical Romance’s evolution, contributing to their 2006 opus The Black Parade. Widely regarded as one of the most influential albums of the 2000s emo-punk movement, The Black Parade debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and included fan-favorite tracks like “Welcome to the Black Parade” and “Famous Last Words.”
He was also involved in the writing of the group’s 2010 release, Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, but left the band before its release.
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In addition to his work on The Black Parade, Bryar contributed to the songwriting process for My Chemical Romance’s 2013 compilation album Conventional Weapons, even after he left the band in 2010.
His departure was described at the time as a difficult but mutual decision. “This was a painful decision for all of us to make and was not taken lightly,” guitarist Frank Iero wrote in a statement. “We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”
After departing from My Chemical Romance, Bryar retired from music and became a real estate agent, according to TMZ. He also devoted much of his time to dog rescue charities and sanctuaries.
My Chemical Romance recently announced a series of 2025 stadium shows where they will perform The Black Parade in full. Bryar was not scheduled to appear at any of the performances. The 10-city tour will launch on July 11, 2025, in Seattle.
One year on from their final live appearance, New York rock outfit Kiss have celebrated the anniversary of their split with a new video recap of their last show.
The final performance – which took place on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 – saw the veteran group return to New York City’s Madison Square Garden for the final date of their protracted End of the Road farewell tour.
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“One year ago, today – December 2, 2023 – The last KISS Tour ever reached The End Of The Road with one final epic performance at Madison Square Garden in New York City!” the group wrote on social medoa. “Re-live the magic of that night with this awesome MSG concert recap.”
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Across 23 tracks, the band waved goodbye to their legions of fans with a fitting set full of their famous hits and live favorites – complete with their trademark stage spectacle. The concert was also streamed live via PPV.COM, and now Kiss have shared a new video capturing footage of the band before the 20,000-strong crowd.
Notably, Kiss’ final show was accompanied by the news that the group intend to live on as digital avatars after their split. The band made the surprise announcement at the end of the show, with vocalist/guitarist Paul Stanley telling fans “your love, your power, has made us immortal”.
“The new Kiss era stars now!” he added.
Kiss’ avatars were created by George Lucas’ Industrial Light & Magic, in partnership with Sweden’s Pophouse Entertainment Group, according to the Associated Press. The companies previously collaborated on the ABBA Voyage show in London, a virtual concert performed by the Swedish pop group.
“Kiss could have a concert in three cities in the same night across three different continents. That’s what you could do with this,” Pophouse CEO told the AP.
Though specifics were not made clear at the time, the band announced only weeks later that their digital appearances would kick off in Las Vegas 2027. ““It’s a must-see, go-to experience,” Stanley told Billboard’s Behind the Setlist podcast this year. “It’s beyond anything that anyone else has contemplated.”
“We’re creating something that’s not a concert,” he added. “The idea of a hologram — and it’s not a hologram, but that term seems to get thrown around a lot — but the idea a simulated concert is not what we want to do. Frankly, I would find that boring.”
The vocalist of Kentucky hardcore punk outfit Knocked Loose has responded to the viral criticism that arrived following the band’s appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
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Knocked Loose appeared on the late-night ABC program on Tuesday (Nov. 26), performing in support of their third album, You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To. Despite the record achieving considerable success by topping the Top Hard Rock Albums chart and peaking at No. 23 on the Billboard 200, the band’s debut on the program attracted noted attention from critics in the aftermath.
Given the band’s status as arguably the heaviest band to appear on Kimmel, publications such as The Mirror claimed that some fans took to social media to criticize their performance – which included the likes of the Poppy-featuring “Suffocate”.
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“You know I was trying to enjoy the program,” one viral comment read. “I was sitting on the couch with my son who is an ADOLESCENT waiting to see the musical guest because we like the nice music the show usually books.
“By the third or fourth ‘JUNT’ from the guitars my son was in tears. He doesn’t like scary things and quite frankly I think the Kimmel show and its staff should make a formal apology.”
Having attracted ridicule from the punk community and the band’s fanbase, vocalist Bryan Garris has now responded to the group’s appearance, reflecting on the enormity of the experience and how the group have evolved to such a point.
“For a long time now our goal has been to see how far we could squeeze this band into places where we don’t fit and I think this may be the biggest one. National television,” Garris wrote. “It feels like the ceiling gets higher for EVERYONE, every single day. We celebrate this together. Thank you so much.
“Walking down the hallway as we were escorted to stage Im looking to my left and right and seeing photos of all the celebrities that have been on the show over the years,” he added. “Presidents, actors, musicians etc. I leaned over to [Isaac Hale, guitarist] and said ‘this started in your garage”’ He grabbed onto me and squeezed as hard as he could. That’s a moment I’ll never forget.”
Closing out his post, Garris offered a quick quip to those who had responded negatively to the band’s performance, simply adding, “PS if it scared you, good.”
Speaking to Billboard earlier this year, Garris admitted that the group’s continual and unexpected rise isn’t something Knocked Loose are taking for granted. “Every time we headline,” he mused, “it’s like, Where can we take it now? What’s the next step?”