Music

18 Mar 2023

Kelsea Ballerini Stops Her Own Show to Ask About Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Opening Night

“Kelsea Ballerini is all of us,” fans commented on TikTok this weekend, when the country singer stopped her show to ask if anyone was keeping tabs on Taylor Swift‘s Eras Tour on Saturday night (March 17) — while Ballerini was in the middle of her own performance.

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“Can I just level with you for a minute?” Ballerini asked an Atlantic City, New Jersey, crowd. “Is anyone stalking The Eras Tour? Has it started?”

“I’m gonna stalk it after this,” she promised, “but I have one question. Is ‘Cruel Summer’ on the setlist?”

Fans of both artists — who must’ve had one eye on Ballerini’s stage and one eye on their phones, watching for live updates from Swift’s tour kickoff — delivered the good news: “Cruel Summer” is finally getting its time to shine on The Eras Tour. The Lover favorite had never before been publicly performed live by Swift, who last toured before the album was released. Swift debuted the song live at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

“Wow,” Ballerini said in celebration. “That’s my Super Bowl, I gotta be honest.”

Billboard‘s review of the show notes that “Cruel Summer” got “the full, stadium-show treatment, complete with a raised platform, backup dancers and Swift unveiling a diamond-encrusted one-piece with matching tall boots. For both the fans in attendance and Swift herself, the song seemed to represent an exhalation — this tour was finally happening, and this immaculate song, three-and-a-half years old at this point, was finally being performed.”

Watch Ballerini’s “Cruel Summer” check-in via TikTok.

18 Mar 2023

Billboard And Doritos® Took Flavor To ANOTHER LEVEL® With Concert and Pop Up in Austin, TX

Never ones to shy away from being bold, Doritos® presented Billboard’s THE STAGE this past Thursday, which included a riveting lineup of hip-hop talents delivering stellar performances at the Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park. While enjoying some of the hottest sounds in music today, attendees were also able to sample their favorite food leveled up with Doritos®️ Dips, available in Cool Ranch®️ Jalapeno and Spicy Nacho, and new Doritos® Sweet & Tangy BBQ flavored chips.

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Doritos at Billboard Presents The Stage at SXSW held at the Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park on March 16, 2023 in Austin, Texas.

Doritos®️ Presents The Stage at SXSW held at the Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park on March 16, 2023 in Austin, Texas.

Izzy Nuzzo for Billboard

Later that night, in a triangle-inspired takeover, Doritos®️ gave fans and SXSW® pass holders another chance to transform late night dining with an exclusive after hours food experience; Doritos®️ After Dark™ at Billboard House. Doritos®️ After Dark™ led fans into a new world of Doritos® after-hours eats with globally inspired bites including fan favorites like Doritos®️ Spicy Sweet Chili Chicken Bites and Austin exclusives, Doritos® BBQ Pulled Pork Nachos and Doritos® Flamin’ Hot® Limon Margarita Cheesecake. With plenty of culinary options to enjoy, fans explored the world of flavor and experienced a rare all vinyl DJ set and performance from DJ Pee .Wee (aka Anderson .Paak)! 

Anderson Paak. AKA DJ Pee Wee

Anderson Paak. AKA DJ Pee Wee

Brandon Todd

Relive the magic and ‘Taste The Night’ again with Doritos®️ and Billboard at SXSW® 2023 with all the pictures below and don’t forget to kick it with Doritos®️ and Doritos®️ Dips all year long.

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Doritos® Flamin’ Hot® Limon Margarita Cheesecake

Brandon Todd

18 Mar 2023

All the Surprise Songs Taylor Swift Has Performed on The Eras Tour (So Far)

Taylor Swift‘s Eras Tour set list features a surprise song, so far performed during a mini acoustic set, on each date of the the superstar’s 2023 trek.

Guitar in hand and making her way to the end of the stage’s catwalk at March 17’s Eras kickoff in Glendale, Arizona, Swift revealed her intentions for the acoustic portion of her long-awaited live show. She’ll perform a surprise song that will not be played again on this tour — probably.

“The plan, the goal, would be to play different songs every single night and never repeat one. Right? So that when you heard one on this tour, you would know it’s the only time that I was going to play it in the acoustic set, unless — caveat — unless I mess it up so badly,” she said with a small laugh, “that I have to do it over again in some other city. Send your best wishes towards me that I don’t do that.”

The Eras Tour is her first real tour in five years, and the first time the prolific songwriter is getting to perform selections from Lover, Folklore, Evermore and Midnights to sold-out stadium crowds.

Eras Tour night one introduced a career-spanning, whopping 44-song setlist with a runtime of more than three hours, with Swift playing anywhere from one to eight tracks from all 10 of her full-length studio albums. The show’s nightly secret song is sure to keep her fans on their tallest tiptoes, waiting to hear what gem will be unveiled at their concert.

Below, check out the list of all the surprise songs she’s brought to The Eras Tour, courtesy of social media live streams and post-concert clips uploaded by Swifties in attendance. Bookmark this page, as the list will updated regularly as the tour goes on.

18 Mar 2023

Clarence ‘Fuzzy’ Haskins, Parliament-Funkadelic Original Member, Dies at 81

Clarence “Fuzzy” Haskins, an original member of Parliament-Funkadelic, has died. He was 81.

P-Funk frontman/producer George Clinton announced the singer and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee’s death through social media on Friday (March 17). A cause of death was not provided.

“We are saddened to announce the passing of an original Parliament Funkadelic member Clarence Eugene ‘Fuzzy’ Haskins (born June 8, 1941-March 17th, 2023),” Clinton wrote on Instagram alongside photos of Haskins. He added in a Facebook post, “Give up the Fuzz, Fly on.”

Former Parliament-Funkadelic member Bootsy Collins also paid tribute to his former bandmate on Twitter.

“Prayer’s going out to Clarence ‘Fuzzys’ Haskins family & friends. We lost his frequency today 3-17- 23,” Collins wrote on Friday. “He was an original Parliament/Funkadelic inducted in the RHOF. We will miss u my friend, bandmate & Soul brother! Thx u for ur guidance in my pup year’s. Bootsy baby!!”

Born in 1941 in West Virginia, Haskins was a member of the Gel-Airs before joining group originally known as the Parliaments, first formed in the 1960s as a doo-wop quintet with Clinton, Calvin Simon, Grady Thomas and Ray Davis. The group that later became known as Parliament-Funkadelic.

Haskins is credited for his contributions to P-Funk tracks like “I Got a Thing” and “I Wanna Know If It’s Good to You,” according to a post about Haskins on Clinton’s website.

“He was a good drummer as well, as he proved on ‘Can You Get to That,’ which he also co-wrote,” Clinton’s site says. “Some of Fuzzy’s best vocals appeared on Funkadelic’s 1972 LP America Eats Its Young, most notably on ‘Ms Lucifers Love.’ But singing wasn’t the only thing that Fuzzy brought to P-Funk. He was known, during live P-Funk shows, to don skin-tight bodysuits and gyrate against the microphone pole as he whipped the crowd into a frenzy, especially when they performed ‘Standing on the Verge of Getting it On.’”

Haskins remained a full-time member of P-Funk through the late 1970s. He released his first solo album, A Whole Nother Thang, in 1976 through Westbound Records. The set featured collaborations with Bernie Worrell, Donald Austin and Collins. Haskins dropped his second solo album, Radio Active, in 1978.

Haskins briefly rejoined Parliament-Funkadelic for the group’s P-Funk Live Earth Tour in 1977 before leaving the group again for good. “By this time, he claimed he was through with singing all the ole dirty songs and began studying the Lord’s Word,” Clinton’s site says.

In 1981, Haskins joined former P-Funk members Simon, Davis and Thomas to release the Connections & Disconnections album under the Funkadelic name, which prompted a lawsuit by Clinton. In his later years, Haskins became a preacher and recorded gospel music.

Along with other members of Parliament-Funkadelic, Haskins was inducted by Prince into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.

“Funk is a force that tore the roof off the sucker that is modern music,” Prince said in their Rock Hall introduction.

Clinton and the other members of Parliament-Funkadelic received a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy in 2019.

18 Mar 2023

Here Are Some of the Best Fan Reactions to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Opening Night

Taylor Swift fans are celebrating the opening night of the pop superstar’s highly-anticipated Eras tour.

During the career-spanning concert at Glendale, Ariz.’s State Farm Stadium on Friday (March 17), Swift performed a whopping 44 songs from her 10 studio albums. The stadium trek marks Swift’s first proper tour in five years, thanks primarily to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Now THAT is how you put on a show, taylor swift you are insane,” one fan tweeted alongside a photo collage of Swift’s numerous outfit changes during the show.

The 3-hour-and-15-minute show found Swift traveling through each of her eras one by one, showcasing the four original studio albums — Lover, Folklore, Evermore and Midnights — she’s recorded since her 2018 Reputation tour. The singer also performed her beloved hits, including “You Belong With Me” and “Shake It Off.” Read Billboard‘s “13 Best Moments” from the tour’s opening night here.

Swifties took to social media before, during and after the Eras tour launch on Friday, sharing dazzling photos and majestic videos of the concert’s impressive production. “The aesthetics of #TSTheErasTour are INSANE,” a fan wrote on Twitter alongside snapshots of the spectacular set-pieces. Another Swiftie added, “That was the show that just kept giving oh my GOD.”

Some attendees even wondered if the experience was real or a figment of their imagination. “Good morning i think last night i was at a taylor swift concert, was i? #TSTheErasTour,” they tweeted.

The Eras tour continues on Saturday (March 18) with a second show in Glendale, Ariz., which has temporarily been renamed Swift City in honor of the artist’s arrival. Support on the trek features a rotating cast of opening acts, including Paramore, beabadoobee, Phoebe Bridgers, girl in red, Muna, Haim, Gayle, Gracie Abrams and Owenn.

See some of the best fan reactions to the opening night of Swift’s Eras tour below.

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18 Mar 2023

Rodolfo ‘Fito’ Olivares, Cumbia Artist, Dies at 75

Mexican singer and saxophonist Rodolfo “Fito” Olivares has died. He was 75 years old.

Olivares passed away at his home in Houston on Friday (March 17), according to his wife, Griselda Olivares, The Associated Press reports. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2022.

Born in Tamaulipas, Mexico in 1947, Olivares spent the last 50 years as a musician making back-to-back hits that soundtracked households from weddings to quinceañeras and multigenerational households in Latin America and the U.S.

He was best known for his saxophone-powered cumbia anthems such as “Juana La Cubana,” “El Colesterol,” “Aguita de Melón,” “Cumbia de la Cobra” and “La Gallina.” Olivares got his start in music as a teenager playing with and writing music for groups such as Duet Estrella, Tam and Tex. He later formed his own band called Fito Olivares y su Grupo La Pura Sabrosura in Houston in 1980.

With his band, he scored 10 entries on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart, including one top 10. “El Colesterol” peaked at No. 4 on the tally (dated Dec. 24, 1994). Fito Olivares y su Grupo also entered seven titles in the Top Latin Albums chart.

Mexican norteño singer Ramón Ayala took to social media to honor Olivares with a heartfelt post.

“It is with great lament that I am finding out about your passing, my dear colleague, but more than anything my friend The King of Cumbia. Thank you for your music, your dedication and professionalism onstage. La Pura Sabrosura as your unique rhythm with your saxophone, with which you’re now serenading God. From king to king, rest in peace my brother. Light to your soul and your eternal rest.”

In the comments, fans reacted to the news with comments such as “only good memories thanks to his music” and “childhood memories, in all parties and in all homes we’d listen to cumbia by Fito Olivares.”

See Ayala’s tribute below.

18 Mar 2023

Feid & Eladio Carrion Take Over Billboard’s The Stage at 2023 SXSW: Best Moments

One of Feid‘s first-ever performances in the U.S. was at a South by Southwest (SXSW) festival about five years ago. “I went to different bars, tents, and venues asking people to let us perform,” he previously told Billboard. “I played everywhere we could and now being part of Billboard’s stage is awesome and it’s beautiful.”

Fast forward to 2023, the Colombian singer-songwriter — alongside Puerto Rican trap star Eladio Carrión and Austin-based DJ Gabby Got It — now headlined “Billboard Presents THE STAGE at SXSW,” which took place Friday (March 17) at the Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park in Austin.

Billboard officially returned to South by Southwest with three nights of star-studded concerts. Electronic music titans Kx5 (Kaskade and deadmau5) will close the event on Saturday (March 18).

Check out the best moments from Feid & Carrión’s show below.

A Packed House: Rain or Shine

From chilly days to severe thunderstorms, the weather in Austin has been a bit wonky but in true Billboard fashion, the show must go on — and fans showed up no matter what. Doors opened at 7 p.m. local time but just hours before, a long line of eager fans wrapped around the Moody. In honor of Feid’s show, which just so happens to fall on St. Patrick’s Day, the majority of fans dressed in green (his signature color) and rocked the white Ferxxo sunnies. A lot of fans also brought homemade posters and their county’s flag. The Moody was at capacity with nearly 5,000 concert-goers in attendance and a couple more watching the show from a parking garage afar.

A Mini Reggaetón Carnival

As some fans made their way to the pit, others took advantage of the fun activations found in the outdoor venue. Think of a mini carnival with food, drinks, free candy, cute photo spots, and even a fun slide. Notably was Austin’s own Gabby Got It (real name: Gabriela Alma Lopez-Bucio), who kept the crowd entertained and on their feet with her reggatón-heavy DJ set including bangers from Wisin y Yandel, Karol G, and many more.

Eladio Brought the Heat to Austin

It was 50 degrees outside but Carrión made sure to turn up the heat with his 45-minute set that kicked off with “Flores en Anonimo” and continued with his trap hits “Sin Frenos,” “Tata” and “Kemba Walker,” to name a few. “Hace un frío cabron!” (it’s cold as f—), he expressed at one point but nonetheless, the Boricua act removed one of his shirts and continued to perform some of his most commercial bangers like “Mi Error,” “Me Gustas Natural” and “No Te Deseo el Mal.” Carrión then wrapped his SXSW performance with tracks “Ele Uve,” “North Carolina” and “Biza.”

Feid Fulfilled His SXSW Dream

Rocking his go-to outfit (shorts, sneakers, a sweater and glasses), Feid hopped on stage at 9:35 p.m. and kicked off his hour-long set with “Castigo,” followed by “Chimbita” and “Belixe.” He then greeted his faithful crowd and let them he was living a dream. “Austin, how are you, mor? This is a special night because five years ago we performed at SXSW and now we’re here,” he gushed. Joined by two DJs and an energetic guitarist on stage, the Colombian act performed hits such as “Mojando Asientos,” “Friki” and “Normal,” before gifting fans with a streak of bangers that went viral on TikTok: “Ultra-Solo,” “Yandel 150,” “Hey Mor,” “Chorrito Pa’ Las Animas” and “Feliz Cumpleaños, Ferxxo,” to name a few. Though he often hopped from one side of the stage to the other, there were a few times Feid would bust out with the social media dance challenges. “¡Que chimba esta noche!” he expressed, which translates to “what an amazing night!”

18 Mar 2023

Anuel & Yailin Welcome Their Baby & More Uplifting Moments in Latin Music (March 18)

From career milestones and new music releases to major announcements and more, Billboard editors highlight the latest news buzz in Latin music every week. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.

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Maná and Alejandro Fernández for a Good Cause

Alejandro Fernández and Maná have joined forces to support the victims of the recent flooding in Northern California’s Pajaro Valley. Partnering with Live Nation, the Mexican acts will be donating a portion of the proceeds from their forthcoming Bay Area shows to the Community Bridges organization.

“At the heart of Maná is the belief that our music can be a vehicle for social good,” said lead singer Fher Olvera in a press statement. “When we heard about the devastating storms and saw our people in Pajaro suffering, we knew we had to help.”

“My heart breaks thinking of the people of Pajaro who are displaced by these storms,” added Fernández. “I’m honored that my music and concerts can be a catalyst to bring comfort and aid to this hardworking Latino community.”

Maná will be performing on March 17 at the SAP Center and on March 18 at the Oakland Arena; Fernández will be performing at the SAP Center on Sept. 9.

For donations and more information, click here.

Alejandro Fernández and MANÁ

Alejandro Fernández and MANÁ

Caro de Luna

Karol G Takes Over La Isla del Encanto

Over the previous weekend, Karol G had three historic concerts at the Estadio Hiram Bithorn in Puerto Rico, where she not only performed songs from her historic Billboard No. 1 album Mañana Será Bonito, but she also had star-studded guests including Romeo Santos, Sean Paul, Feid, Mariah Angeliq, Justin Quiles, Eladio Carrión and many more. “I felt at home and both I and my country will always be grateful for that unconditional love!!!” the Colombian superstar expressed on Instagram.

… and So Will Romeo Santos

On the heels of being one of Karol’s surprise guests — where they performed “X Si Volvemos” and a couple of Aventura tracks together — Santos announced he, too, will have two concerts at the Puerto Rican stadium on May 20 and May 21. Marking the first time Santos will headline a concert at the Hiram Bithorn, the shows will take place prior to kicking off his four-day U.S. stadium trek with stops in Los Angeles (June 3), New York (June 9), Miami (June 16) and Houston (June 24). The tour is in support of Formula, Vol. 3, which peaked at No. 2 on Billboard‘s Top Latin Albums chart (dated Sept. 17).

For more information, visit www.PRTicket.com.

Romeo Santos

Romeo Santos

Courtesy Photo

A Fito Páez Series

Honoring a remarkable 30-year trajectory, Netflix unveiled this week the first look and release date of the Fito Páez biographical series El Amor Después Del Amor. Produced by Juan Pablo Kolodziej and Mariano Chihade of Mandarina Contenidos, the eight-episode series chronicles the Argentine rock star’s life, from his dramatic and humble beginning to his rise to fame in the 1980s, as well as his legacy in Latin American music.

El Amor Después Del Amor will arrive April 26 on Netflix. Watch the first trailer below and revisit some of his greatest hits that Billboard Español compiled for this 60th birthday (also this week on March 14) here.

Anuel & Yailin Are Parents

This week, Anuel AA and Yailin La Mas Viral welcomed their baby girl, Cattleya (named after orchids found in Latin America). In a sweet post that shows the Puerto Rican rapper and Dominican newcomer at the hospital holding their newborn, Yailin wrote: “From the moment you arrived, our lives were forever changed. You are a blessing, a gift from God who has filled us with love and hope.”

In February, Anuel revealed that he and his wife called it quits, but assured during an Instagram Live that no matter what, he was going to be responsible for his baby. “I’m going to take care of her, and she’s going to be mine,” he added. “She’s going to live like a queen because her dad is a king.”

18 Mar 2023

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour First Show: Here’s the Full Setlist

On Friday night (Mar. 17), Taylor Swift kicked off her Eras tour in eye-popping fashion at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.: not only did the pop superstar perform for 3 hours and 15 minutes, she spent that time playing songs from all 10 of her studio albums for a thrilling career retrospective.

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Going through each era one by one, Swift was able to showcase the four new albums that she recorded since her last tour five years ago, as well as perform beloved hits that she’s played hundreds of times, from “You Belong With Me” to “Shake It Off.” As a result, the setlist required 44 songs, with new projects like Folklore and Midnights getting deep dives in order to make up for lost time, and a special acoustic track tucked away near the end of the setlist.

Thinking about catching the Eras tour soon? Get prepared for what Taylor Swift might play by checking out the first night’s setlist in full, and read more about the best moments of the opener.

Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince
Cruel Summer
The Man
You Need To Calm Down
Lover
The Archer
Fearless
You Belong With Me
Love Story
‘Tis The Damn Season
Willow
Marjorie
Champagne Problems
Tolerate It
…Ready For It?
Delicate
Don’t Blame Me
Look What You Made Me Do
Enchanted
22
We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
I Knew You Were Trouble
All Too Well (10 Minute Version)
Invisible String
Betty
The Last Great American Dynasty
August
Illicit Affairs
My Tears Ricochet
Cardigan
Style
Blank Space
Shake It Off
Wildest Dreams
Bad Blood
Mirrorball (acoustic)
Tim McGraw
Lavender Haze
Anti-Hero
Midnight Rain
Vigilante Shit
Bejeweled
Mastermind
Karma

18 Mar 2023

The 13 Best Moments From Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Kickoff

At one point during the first show of her long-awaited, highly anticipated Eras tour on Friday night (Mar. 17), Taylor Swift described herself as “really overwhelmed, and trying to keep it together all night.” It’s easy to understand: this enormous stadium trek, one of pop’s hottest tickets in years, also happens to be Swift’s first proper tour in five years, thanks primarily to the pandemic. The pop superstar has released a whopping four original albums (plus two re-recorded ones) since last hitting the road, and on Friday night at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., she told the crowd that she had been dreaming about this day — the day that she could finally perform this wealth of new material — for a long time.

“Overwhelming” would also be an apt way to describe the sheer tonnage of the Eras tour: with segments dedicated to all 10 of Swift’s studio albums, the show entertained a sold-out, frequently screaming stadium audience for 3 hours and 15 minutes, as Swift tirelessly showcased her skill set and various artistic personas across a whopping 44 songs. The most dominant artist in popular music has used this live run to reflect on the various iterations of her career to date, and the achievement is often staggering, with costume changes, set-piece upheaval, vulnerable moments in a crowd of thousands and sing-alongs that will rival the scope of any tour this year.

The Eras tour is going to satisfy a lot of Swift diehards in the coming months, who will surely find their own favorite pockets of the set list. And while Swift fans should embrace the entire experience, the opening night provided some clear-cut highlights. Here are the 13 best moments from the Eras tour kickoff in Glendale on Friday night: