Music

31 Jul 2023

Jason Aldean’s ‘Try That in a Small Town’ Tops Hot 100, As Country Hits Rank at Nos. 1, 2 & 3 for First Time

Jason Aldean’s “Try That in a Small Town” rises to No. 1, from its No. 2 debut, on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart. The single, released in May, reigns amid buzz after CMT pulled its video, which premiered July 14, from rotation after three days, resulting in a surge of attention.

Meanwhile, with Aldean at No. 1, Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night” at No. 2 and Luke Combs’ “Fast Car” at No. 3, country hits take the Hot 100’s top three spots in a single week for the first time, dating to the Hot 100’s inception in August 1958.

Also in the Hot 100’s top 10, Travis Scott, Bad Bunny and The Weeknd’s “K-POP” debuts at No. 7 and Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice’s “Barbie World,” with Aqua, returns to the region at No. 8, following the premiere of the box office hit Barbie.

The Hot 100 blends all-genre U.S. streaming (official audio and official video), radio airplay and sales data, the lattermost metric reflecting purchases of physical singles and digital tracks from full-service digital music retailers; digital singles sales from direct-to-consumer (D2C) sites are excluded from chart calculations. All charts (dated Aug. 5, 2023) will update on Billboard.com Wednesday (Aug. 2). For all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram.

“Try That in a Small Town” is the 1,152nd No. 1 in the Hot 100’s history. Here’s a deeper look at its coronation.

Streams, airplay & sales: The song, released on Macon/Broken Bow, drew 30.7 million streams (up 165%) and 8.8 million radio airplay audience impressions (up 21%) and sold 175,000 (down 23%) July 21-27, according to Luminate.

The track tops the Digital Song Sales chart, where it’s Aldean’s second leader, for a second week and vaults 37-3 on Streaming Songs. While below the all-format Radio Songs tally, it holds at No. 25 (after reaching No. 24) in its 10th week on Country Airplay.

A week earlier, the song scored the largest digital sales week – 228,000 – for a country title (defined as by those that have hit Billboard’s Country Digital Song Sales chart) in over 10 years, since Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise,” featuring Nelly, sold 244,000, as reflected on charts dated July 6, 2013.

CMT decision sparks gains: On July 18, Billboard confirmed that CMT had pulled the official video for “Try That in a Small Town” after three days in rotation; the network declined to say why. Following CMT’s decision, Aldean posted a message to his Instagram Stories regarding the contrasting reactions that the song and video have faced.

The song’s video was released on July 14, featuring footage of an American flag burning, protesters in confrontation with police, looters breaking a display case and thieves robbing a convenience store; it has since been edited, cutting six seconds. The clip has prompted a firestorm of opinions about it and the song’s intent and messaging.

Aldean further addressed the polarized response during his Highway Desperado Tour stop July 21 at Cincinnati’s Riverbend Music Center. “It’s been a long week and I’ve seen a lot of stuff suggesting I’m this, suggesting I’m that,” he told the crowd. “I feel like everybody’s entitled to their opinion. You can think something all you want to; it doesn’t mean it’s true. What I am is a proud American. I’m proud to be from here … I love my country, I love my family, and I will do anything to protect that, I can tell you that right now.”

Aldean’s first Hot 100 No. 1: Aldean achieves his first Hot 100 No. 1, with his 40th entry on the chart. He first made the list dated Aug. 13, 2005, with “Hicktown”; he tallied one top 10 prior to his new leader, as “Dirt Road Anthem,” which, helped by its remix featuring Ludacris, hit No. 7 in July 2011.

Aldean’s 17-year, 11-month and three-week wait from his first Hot 100 visit to his first No. 1 marks the longest since Billy Ray Cyrus went 26 years and 11 months between the debut of “Achy Breaky Heart” in 1992 and the coronation of Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road,” featuring Cyrus, in 2019. Santana holds the record for the most sustained such suspense: two days shy of 30 years, between the group’s arrival with “Jingo” in 1969 and the reign of “Smooth,” featuring Rob Thomas, in 1999.

Broken Bow’s best: Broken Bow also boasts its first Hot 100 No. 1 with “Try That in a Small Town.” Dating to its formation in 1999, the label had previously hit the top 10 via Aldean’s “Dirt Road Anthem.”

Also No. 1 on Hot Country Songs: “Try That in a Small Town” concurrently rules Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, which uses the same methodology as the Hot 100, for a second week, a week after it became Aldean’s 10th No. 1. He first led with “Why” in May 2006 and had most recently reigned with “Burnin’ It Down” in 2014. His new leader is also his 37th top 10; he has peaked in the top 10 at least once each year dating to his first such hit, “Hicktown,” in 2005 – the longest active streak of annual top 10s on the chart.

Hot 100 & Hot Country Songs No. 1s: “Try That in a Small Town” marks only the 21st song to have topped both the Hot 100 and Hot Country Songs. With Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night” having begun its 14-week domination in March, 2023 is the first year with multiple shared Hot 100 and Hot Country Songs leaders since 1981.

Songs to Have Hit No. 1 on Both the Hot 100 & Hot Country Songs Charts:

  • “Try That in a Small Town,” Jason Aldean, 2023
  • “Last Night,” Morgan Wallen, 2023
  • “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version),” Taylor Swift, 2021
  • “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” Taylor Swift, 2012
  • “Amazed,” Lonestar, 1999-2000
  • “Islands in the Stream,” Kenny Rogers, duet with Dolly Parton, 1983
  • “I Love a Rainy Night,” Eddie Rabbitt, 1981
  • “9 to 5,” Dolly Parton, 1981
  • “Lady,” Kenny Rogers, 1980
  • “Southern Nights,” Glen Campbell, 1977
  • “Convoy,” C.W. McCall, 1975-76
  • “I’m Sorry,” John Denver, 1975
  • “Rhinestone Cowboy,” Glen Campbell, 1975
  • “Thank God I’m a Country Boy,” John Denver, 1975
  • “Before the Next Teardrop Falls,” Freddy Fender, 1975
  • “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song,” B.J. Thomas, 1975
  • “The Most Beautiful Girl,” Charlie Rich, 1973
  • “Honey,” Bobby Goldsboro, 1968
  • “Big Bad John,” Jimmy Dean, 1961
  • “El Paso,” Marty Robbins, 1959-60
  • “The Battle of New Orleans,” Johnny Horton, 1959

Of the 21 songs listed above, 12 were concentrated in 1973-83. Meanwhile, Glen Campbell, John Denver, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers and Taylor Swift are the only acts with two songs each that have crowned both the Hot 100 and Hot Country Songs.

Wallen’s “Last Night” rebounds 3-2 on the Hot 100 after 14 weeks at No. 1; it’s tied for the fifth-longest command in the chart’s history. It lands a ninth week atop Billboard’s Songs of the Summer chart, having ranked at No. 1 each week since the seasonal recap returned.

Luke Combs’ cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” rises 4-3 on the Hot 100, after three weeks at its No. 2 high.

Country hits at Nos. 1-2-3 on Hot 100 for first time: Notably, with “Try That in a Small Town” at No. 1, “Last Night” at No. 2 and “Fast Car” at No. 3, country hits (as defined by those that have hit Hot Country Songs) claim the Hot 100’s top three spots in a single week for the first time in the survey’s history, which hits 65 years as of this chart week, dating to the list’s Aug. 4, 1958, start. (Hot Country Songs adopted the Hot 100’s current multi-metric methodology in October 2012.)

As Billboard reported July 6, country music has surged this year: consumption for the genre in the United States was up 20.3% year-over-year in the first 26 weeks of 2023, according to Luminate. (Comparatively, country grew by 2.5% over the same period in 2022.)

Gunna’s “Fukumean” rises 6-4 for a new Hot 100 high – and ties his best career rank, after “Drip Too Hard,” with Lil Baby, hit No. 4 in October 2018. “Fukumean” tops both the multi-metric Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts for a third week each.

Rema and Selena Gomez’s “Calm Down” holds at No. 5 on the Hot 100, after reaching No. 3, as it logs a sixth week atop Radio Songs (90.7 million, down 2%). It tops Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs for a 48th week, the longest reign since the chart began.

Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” climbs 8-6 for a new Hot 100 high. As previously reported, it becomes her record-breaking 12th leader on the Pop Airplay chart.

Travis Scott, Bad Bunny and The Weeknd’s “K-POP” launches at No. 7 on the Hot 100, with 19.4 million streams, 10.6 million in airplay audience and 35,000 sold in its first week. (It was available as a vinyl single for $10 and on CD for $3.50; consumers could download its original, explicit, instrumental, sped-up and “Chopped & Screwed” versions for 69 cents each.) It concurrently opens at Nos. 3 and 6 on Digital Song Sales and Streaming Songs, respectively.

Scott adds his 12th Hot 100 top 10, Bad Bunny, his 11th, and The Weeknd, his 17th. The song is from Scott’s album Utopia, released Friday (July 28).

Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice’s “Barbie World,” with Aqua, returns to the Hot 100’s top 10, roaring 27-8 with an 87% gain to 23.2 million streams, as it charges 13-4 on Streaming Songs. It also bounds 27-8 on Digital Song Sales (6,000, up 167%) and debuts at No. 46 on Radio Songs (13.6 million, up 51%). The song is from the soundtrack to the movie Barbie, which, along with its soundtrack, featuring the collab, arrived July 21. The track debuted at its No. 7 Hot 100 high on the July 8-dated chart.

Jung Kook’s “Seven,” featuring Latto, falls to No. 9 on the Hot 100, a week after it debuted at No. 1, marking each act’s first leader, and Olivia Rodrigo’s “Vampire” dips 7-10, three weeks after it arrived as her third No. 1.

Again, for all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram and all charts (dated Aug. 5), including the Hot 100 in its entirety, will refresh on Billboard.com Wednesday (Aug. 2).

Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings. Luminate reviews and authenticates data. In partnership with Billboard, data deemed suspicious or unverifiable is removed, using established criteria, before final chart calculations are made and published.

31 Jul 2023

Billie Eillish’s ‘Bad Guy’ Receives RIAA Diamond Certification: ‘Forever & Ever Grateful to This Silly Little Song’

Billie Eilish and Finneas officially have a diamond certified single under their belts. On Monday (July 31), the “What Was I Made For?”‘ singer took to Instagram to express her excitement of her 2019 smash hit, “Bad Guy,” receiving the Recording Industry Association of America’s highest honor.

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“Bad Guy went diamond………………………. HUUUUUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH??????????” she captioned a photo of herself in the all yellow outfit from the track’s music video. “Forever and ever grateful for this silly little song man. love you guys so much its stupid @finneas.”

Finneas, her brother who produced the single, reposted Eilish’s post to his Instagram Stories and added, “This is f—ing crazy actually.” Established in 1999, RIAA diamond certifications are awarded to singles or album that have solf a minimum of 10,000,000 units in its lifetime.

“Bad Guy” stands as Eilish’s most successful single to date — the track hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August of 2019 and spent a total of 49 weeks on the chart. Released as the fifth single from the 21-year-old’s debut album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, the track helped the LP peak at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. By 2020, Eilish swept the Grammy Awards’ Big Four categories — record and song of the year for “Bad Guy,” album of the year for When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? and best new artist.

Revisit the music video for Eilish’s “Bad Guy” above, and see her post celebrating the achievement below.

31 Jul 2023

5 Best Moments From Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium

Queen Bey’s world tour graced the massive venue for two nights.

Beyoncé

Beyoncé performs onstage during the “RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR” at MetLife Stadium on July 29, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood

Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour rolled into East Rutherford, N.J.’s MetLife Stadium over the weekend (July 29-30), bringing tens of thousands of fans from New York, New Jersey and beyond (license plates from Texas and Florida were spotted in the parking lot) to one of the biggest stadiums in America. After a career-best tour leg in Europe, which netted her $154.4 million, according to Billboard Boxscore, Bey is back – and MetLife attendees are sleeping real good at night knowing they caught a knockout set from an artist in the midst of a creative peak.

Her Billboard 200-topping, Grammy-winning album Renaissance (featuring her latest No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, “Break My Soul”) is a gift to diva-house aficionados and her longtime queer fanbase, which was out in full force over the weekend. While Renaissance naturally took up the lion’s share of the generous 30-plus song setlist, she played a wide-range of tracks from The Lion King: The Gift to B’Day to 4, as well as several covers.

The ever-shifting set design was a visual feast, boasting everything from a giant translucent horse to a bed that suggested Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus to robot arms swinging around while holding rave fans. At one point, she rode atop a giant silver vehicle that looked suited for the lunar surface while a Pan-African flag flashed on the screen behind her; during another standout moment, Bey and her troupe of dancers strutted around the circular b-stage while she rapped her “Break My Soul (Queens Remix”) homage to living and late musical legends.

Below, here are five amazing moments from the Sunday (July 30) show at MetLife.  

31 Jul 2023

Karol G Unveils Release Date for New Album ‘Mañana Sera Bonito (Bichota Season)’

Karol G surprised fans on Monday (July 31) when she announced the release date of an upcoming album called Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season).

In a nearly 30-second teaser, the Colombian artist is seen drawing the album cover with grains of pink and black sand as she sensually models her long pastel pink hair and black, two-piece bikini. “Bichota Season,” says a high-pitched voice at the ending of the clip that’s backed by strong hip-hop beats.

In the caption on Instagram, Karol G shared: “…this tour would not be the same without the end of this story.” Bichota Season drops August 11 and can already be pre-saved here.

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The set will also be released on the launch of the “Provenza” singer’s Mañana Será Bonito stadium tour, kicking off at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The 15-date trek, presented by Live Nation, will also visit Pasadena, Miami, Houston and Dallas and before wrapping up Sept. 28 at the Gillette Stadium in Boston.

The announcement also comes on the heels of Karol’s latest single “S91,” an emotional and ultra-personal, EDM-trap fusion—produced by Ovy on the Drums—that was inspired by the popular Psalm 91 Bible verse and is about overcoming adversity.

It was at the ending of its music video, directed by Pedro Artola and produced by WeOwnTheCity, where Karol is seen running away from a group of people backed by a pack of wolves trying to bring her down that she revealed “Bichota Season” was coming soon.

“S91” debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and is a separate song from Karol’s history-making Mañana Será Bonito. The 17-songs set, home to collaborations with Romeo Santos, Quevedo, Sech, Carla Morrison, and more, became the first all Spanish-language LP by a female artist to top the Billboard 200 albums chart.

See the official announcement of “Bichota Season” below:

31 Jul 2023

In 1991, MTV Gave Pee-Wee Herman a Perfect Comeback Moment at the Video Music Awards

In 1991, the MTV Video Music Awards exhibited both showmanship and class when they allowed Paul Reubens to begin his comeback on their stage. Reubens, who died on Sunday (July 30) at age 70, made the most of the opportunity.

Reubens, creator of the beloved Pee-wee Herman character, had been arrested in Sarasota, Fla. in July 1991 for masturbating in an adult theater. Even years before the Internet and TMZ, this was very big news – not important, to be sure, but deeply embarrassing and career-imperiling, especially for someone who had a big following among kids.

Such artists as Cyndi Lauper and Big Top Pee-wee director Randal Kleiser spoke out in Reubens’ support, but far more celebs were quiet, while comics and late-night talk show hosts, including Arsenio Hall, who hosted the VMAs for the fourth year in a row, had a field day at Reubens’ expense.

The MTV Video Music Awards, then at the peak of their influence, came to Reubens’ support. At the top of the Sept. 5, 1991 show, the announcer said “MTV is proud to introduce someone who has been a friend for a long time.” Reubens, in his Pee-wee costume, then walked on stage to a very warm response from the audience, which stood and chanted his name.

Reubens had a great line ready: “Heard any good jokes lately?,” followed by “So funny I forgot to laugh.” Reubens, who had probably spent the previous six weeks wondering if he still had a career, seemed genuinely moved by the audience response and said, “Thank you very much. That really means a lot to me,” before suggesting that he had something to say.

“I just one have thing that I’d like to say to all of you out there and to everyone in the nation – and that is, Welcome to the 1991 MTV Video Music Awards.”

MTV had created a perfect television moment – it wasn’t overdone or overwritten. MTV had made a statement, but the network also trusted the audience to get the statement without beating them over the head with it.

With the 2023 Video Music Awards set for Sept. 12, the network can only hope that they handle unforeseen developments with as much class and grace as the producers did that year. (Joel Gallen produced the 1991 show. Doug Herzog, Judy McGrath and Gregory Sills were executive producers.)

R.E.M. were the big winners on the 1991 show, with six awards, including video of the year for “Losing My Religion.” That top award was presented by George Michael and Cindy Crawford. Michael would experience his own embarrassing arrest for lewdness in April 1998. Again, MTV helped right the ship by airing his laugh-it-off video “Outside,” which was released six months later.

31 Jul 2023

Kylie Jenner & Travis Scott’s Daughter Stormi Makes Her Musical Debut on ‘Utopia’

Stormi baby is following in her dad’s footsteps!

The five-year-old daughter of Travis Scott and Kylie Jenner makes an adorable appearance on the rapper’s freshly released album, Utopia, as her sweet voice is heard on the track “Thank God.” When Scott shouts out Stormi in the lyric, “Storm’s a minor, but you know she’s livin’ major,” she replies, “That’s right, Daddy.” 

Scott and Jenner share two children together: Stormi and one-year-old son Aire. Rumors began circulating that the couple had split over the holidays following unconfirmed reports that Scott had cheated on Jenner. The duo have dated on and off since 2017, briefly splitting in 2019 before reconciling a year later.

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The Kylie Cosmetics founder has since been romantically linked to actor Timothée Chalamet. Scott seemed to have made a reference to the new relationship on his song, “Meltdown,” when he raps, “Chocolate AP and chocolate the Vs got the Willy Wonka factory/ Burn an athlete like it’s calories/ find another flame hot as me, b—-.”

The Willy Wonka line is seemingly in reference to Chalamet’s lead role in the upcoming film, Wonka. Jenner and Chalamet have not publicly confirmed their relationship.

Listen to Stormi’s cameo on “Thank God” below.

31 Jul 2023

10 Cool New Pop Songs to Get You Through the Week: Tori Kelly, Cafuné, Yeek & More

Looking for some motivation to help power you through the start of another work week? We feel you, and with some stellar new pop tunes, we’ve got you covered.

These 10 tracks from artists including Tori Kelly, Cafuné, LE SSERAFIM, Yeek and more will get you energized to take on the week. Pop any of these gems into your personal playlists — or scroll to the end of the post for a custom playlist of all 10.

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Yeek, “$$$$” 

With sparse 808s and a “cash flow” vocal loop at the top of the song (not to mention the title), “$$$$” seems like it’s gonna be a midtempo hip-hop song — until Yeek’s moody, velvety voice transports it to Weeknd-adjacent territory, fit for late-night cruising down empty streets. Befitting the genre-liberated musician, “$$$$” closes out with a dynamic drum break, which nicely sets up the bedroom alt-rock vibes of the single’s B-side “ETA2” feat. Paris Texas. – JOE LYNCH

Ethan Tasch, “Shell”

Ethan Tasch began his career as an indie-folk artist in 2020, most notably releasing breakout single “Room.” Now, as he prepares for the release of his debut album this month, the artist’s latest offers a sneak peek into the project. On the midtempo “Shell,” Tasch sings of being a shell of himself over a twangy guitar and steadying beat — capturing what it feels like to chug along the best one can, even on the not-so-great-days. – LYNDSEY HAVENS

Tori Kelly, “cut”

Tori Kelly has returned after four years with a captivating EP that makes clear she’s at her most self-assured. “Cut” is a prime example, as the singer’s powerful vocals glide over a beat that fuses ’90s R&B production with a sped-up and shimmering dance-inspired chorus. Not convinced? Take her word for it: “I’m the only one you know who take control,” she asserts. – L.H.

Madeline Kenney, “Reality Mind”

Some of the most effervescent pop moments of 2023 are tucked in the crevices of Madeline Kenney’s just-released album A New Reality Mind, and on “Reality Mind,” the synths are something to behold: as Kenney processes her personal evolution, her voice is surrounded by laser-beam riffs and a lovely pile-up of keys, giving the impression that the singer-songwriter is floating in space as she repeats the titular phrase. – JASON LIPSHUTZ

Nicotine Dolls, “How Do You Love Me”

Looking for a track to scratch the epic alt-rock itch that bands like Snow Patrol used to regularly reach? Look no further than “How Do You Love Me,” a winning new belt-along from NYC group Nicotine Dolls, whose lead singer Sam Cieri wowed on America’s Got Talent last summer and now injects this song with palpable drama and soulful personality. – J. Lipshutz

Cafuné, “Demise”

Cafuné wrote new single “Demise” “about feeling mentally stuck in that internal dialogue of being unkind to yourself; trapped in decision paralysis, silencing yourself for fear of being misunderstood,” according to a press release. Ironic, considering how effortless every aspect of “Demise” sounds: as a preview of the New York duo’s upcoming EP Love Songs for the End, the single radiates strummy pop confidence, particularly in the way the vocal hooks careen off each other. – J. Lipshutz

Moss Kena, “Open Water”

When it comes to buoyant indie-pop, Moss Kena simply doesn’t miss: new single “Open Water” elevates the formula that the singer-songwriter showcased on past tracks “Primadonna” and “Light It Up,” pushing forward with natural metaphors, vocal somersaults and subtle, synth-led production. With a new EP due in September, Kena is continuing to demonstrate his gifts as a pop savant. – J. Lipshutz

Snakehips feat. Muni Long, “My Body // Your Body”

Sweaty and sumptuous, “My Body // Your Body” — released as a new single on the deluxe edition of British production duo Snakehips’ latest album, Never Worry — not only finds the dance veterans in top form, but allows recent R&B breakout star Muni Long depart her “Hrs and Hrs” tempo for a vocally captivating night at the club. It’s still technically July — plenty of time still left in the summer to add this to your favorite warm-weather playlist. – J. Lipshutz

Meernaa, “So Far So Good”

Fans of idiosyncratic, relatively chilled-out indie-pop a la Aldous Harding, Westerman and Nilüfer Yanya should embrace “So Far So Good,” the quietly effective new track from Oakland native Carly Bond, better known as Meernaa. The elegant instrumentation supplements the delectable hooks without overwhelming the song’s catchiest moments, resulting in a handful of blissful refrains that beg to have their details pored over. – J. Lipshutz

LE SSERAFIM, “Eve, Psyche & the Bluebeard’s Wife (Rina Sawayama Remix)”

LE SSERAFIM’s latest K-pop banger, “Eve, Psyche & the Bluebeard’s Wife,” trades its synth driven instrumentation for something grittier, darker and more becoming of Rina Sawayama’s eclectic style. The “STFU” singer hops on the remix of the track — a perfect complement to the voices of members Sakura, Kim Chae-won, Huh Yun-jin, Kazuha, and Hong Eun-chae — and delivers her verse in a calm and collected manner, coolly boasting about women in history who have been movers and shakers, and suggesting women in the present have just as much fun. “We’re flawless and we’re fearless, deserve to have some fun/ Take the back seat, you know I like that,” she sings. – STARR BOWENBANK

31 Jul 2023

Bob Geldof Says Last Texts From Sinead O’Connor Were Full of ‘Despair and Sorrow’ & ‘Ecstatically Happy’

Bob Geldof shared during a recent show that he had been in contact with longtime friend and labelmate Sinéad O’Connor just weeks before her death, according to Ireland’s The Independent. The Boomtown Rats frontman dedicated the band’s performance at Cavan Calling in Ireland on Saturday (July 29) to the late artist, and shared some details with the crowd about one of his and O’Connor’s final conversations.

“Many, many times Sinead was full of a terrible loneliness and a terrible despair,” he told the crowd, according to The Independent. “She was a very good friend of mine … We were talking right up to a couple of weeks ago.”

He continued, “Some of the texts were laden with desperation and despair and sorrow, and some were ecstatically happy. And she was like that.”

According to the publication, Geldof then went on to discuss O’Connor’s infamous performance of “Nobody Compares 2 U” on Saturday Night Live in 1992, during she condemned the Catholic Church, saying that she was inspired by him doing something similar. “She tore up the picture of the Pope because she saw me tearing up a picture of John Travolta on Top Of The Pops. It was a little more extreme than tearing up f–king disco — tearing up the Vatican is a whole other thing but more correct actually, I should’ve done it.”

O’Connor died July 26. Her family confirmed the news in a statement to BBC, which read, “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.”

31 Jul 2023

Lance Bass, Jack White & More Mourn Paul Reubens & His ‘Genius Character’ Pee-Wee Herman

The entertainment world mourned the loss of an irreplaceable talent on Sunday (July 30), when it was announced that Paul Reubens, the comic actor behind the beloved Pee-wee Herman character, died at age 70.

The sad news was posted to the star’s Facebook and Instagram pages, revealing that Reubens was battling cancer for years. “Last night we said farewell to Paul Reubens, an iconic American actor, comedian, writer and producer whose beloved character Pee-wee Herman delighted generations of children and adults with his positivity, whimsy and belief in the importance of kindness,” read the message. “Paul bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit. A gifted and prolific talent, he will forever live in the comedy pantheon and in our hearts as a treasured friend and man of remarkable character and generosity of spirit.”

The announcement asked that fans who wish to honor his memory donate to Stand Up to Cancer and organizations that are involved in dementia and Alzheimer’s care, research and support.

Reuben’s Pee-wee appeared throughout the 1980s in his Saturday morning children’s show Pee-wee’s Playhouse, and later made waves in feature films like Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985) and Big Top Pee-wee (1988).

Since the news of his death broke, celebrities and peers have been posting tributes in celebration of the legendary comedic actor. Read on for heartfelt tributes from Lance Bass, Tegan & Sara and more.

“The great Paul Reubens has moved on to a better place. Creator of the genius character Pee Wee Herman, and an actor and comedian of incredible talent, Paul was a good friend to me and reached out any time he felt I was in need. A generous soul who never forgot a birthday or christmas card for those he loved. He had incredible taste in music and was very funny in everyday life. I first got to witness his gift while filming a video for the Raconteurs together, and we became friends instantly. I was just thinking about you last night Paul, peace be with you.” – Jack White on Instagram.

“I got a Pee Wee Herman doll for Christmas when I was seven. My mom let me open it on Christmas Eve. I worked myself into a frenzy over the doll and later threw up in bed (on the doll). My personality between 7-9 was all Pee Wee. RIP Paul. Thanks for the laughs and inspiration. – Tegan & Sara on Twitter.

“’Au revoir Pee Wee! OVWA’! 1952-2023,” – Lance Bass on Instagram.

“Man. Of my 80s teen years, I’ve prolly seen maybe 2 other films slightly more than I seen #PeeWeesBigAdventure ——I mean on #ThatSite I’ve used ‘…& knitting & knitting….’ umpteenth times to emphasize a never ending story. I mean man. This dude was one of the most beautiful coolest dudes EVER man. There is a certain amount of us that thought we were in an exclusive club because this mofo would never let Christmas or a birthday go by without acknowledging it. And his music tales and concerts he went to all those stories. Even our (@qls) friendship with #AleeWillis got sparked off with him when it was Paul who told me who authored the lyrics to Earth Wind & Fire’s ‘September’——-he told me how influential her personal design taste helped inform the house design of Pee Wee’s Playhouse (we visited before she passed and it’s pop culture heaven). Paul was one in a million. Always made you feel like no matter what you did it was important (he gave NOTES on the Elvis Costello lp lol!!!)——this dude was one of the kindest amazing humans ever. I’m really sad about this. I’m also expecting to hear kind blowing stories of his generosity & his humor from all of his friends. Thank you Paul (@PeeWeeHerman) some of my best jokes were authored by you when I was a kid. Rest In Power Paul!” – Questlove on Instagram.

“No tweet can capture the magic, generosity, artistry, and devout silliness of Paul Reubens. Everyone I know received countless nonsensical memes from Paul on their birthday, and I mean EVERYONE. His surreal comedy and unrelenting kindness were a gift to us all. Damn, this hurts.” – Conan O’Brien on Twitter.

“Pee Wee got his wish to fly. Thanks Paul Reubens for the brilliant off the wall comedy. Our boy Pee Wee…” – Steven Martin on Twitter.

31 Jul 2023

The 1975’s Matty Healy Posts Cryptic Comment After Muse Reportedly Change Setlist in Malaysia

Less than two weeks after the Good Vibes Festival was canceled by Malaysian authorities following The 1975 singer Matty Healy’s same-sex onstage kiss with a bandmate, the band’s envelope-pushing singer seemed to have thoughts on another rock group’s actions in the country with notoriously strict anti-LGBTQ laws.

According to NME, Healy weighed in on Muse‘s reported decision to swap a track out of their set during a show at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday (July 29) in order to avoid angering local authorities. In a since-vanished Instagram Story, Healy first reportedly posted a screenshot of Muse’s pre-order message that preached “Join the Resistance,” underlining the last two words in red while writing the word “sick” above them; Muse’s 2009 album was called The Resistance.

He then reposted a story about Muse spiking a song – reportedly dumping “We Are Fucking Fucked” from their 2022 Will of the People album in favor of 2009’s “Resistance” — based on an interview with one of the promoters behind Muse’s Asian tour, Hello Universe’s Adam Ashraf. Healy added the phrase “…oh” above that headline. Rojak Daily reported that Hello Universe was assured that “the [Muse] show will go on and as long as the band (Muse) behaves appropriately, everything should be smooth.”

Ashraf also reportedly said Muse’s management reached out to his company after the 1975 incident to ensure that Muse’s set would comply with Malaysia’s guidelines. “They called us shortly after the incident went global,” Ashraf said of the reported reaction to Healy speaking out against the country’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights in an onstage rant, followed by the lengthy kiss with bandmate Ross MacDonald. The 1975’s set ended a half hour early and Healy said his group had been banned from the country; The 1975 later cancelled the rest of their Asian tour.

A spokesperson for Muse had not returned a request for comment at press time on Healy’s post or the reported song swap.

The outspoken Healy’s pre-kiss speech launched a broadside against a country he said is repressing its LGBTQ+ citizens, and eventually led to the cancellation of the remainder of the festival. It may also lead to festival organizer Future Sound Asia considering legal action against The 1975 due to the heavy losses reportedly caused by the cancellation.

The song Muse reportedly spiked contains the lyrics, “We’re at death’s door/ Another world war/ Wildfires and earthquakes I foresaw/ A life in crisis, a deadly virus/ Tsunamis of hate are gonna drown us/ Ah, we are f—ing f–ed/ Ah, we are f—ing f—ed.” It was unclear at press time why that song would have run afoul of Malaysian authorities’ taste. Section 14 of the Malaysian penal code provides for a fine for anyone using “indecent, threatening, abusive or insulting words… [with] intent to provoke a breach of the peace.”