Music
Page: 348
Earlier this year, Coldplay’s ongoing Music Of The Spheres tour was named as the largest-ever rock tour by Billboard Boxscore as it surpassed $1 billion in grosses. Now it’s about to expand even further as Coldplay have announced a show in Ahmedabad, India with that the band are calling their “biggest-ever” concert.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
The show will take place on Jan. 25, 2025 at the city’s Narendra Modi Stadium, which can host up to 132,000 attendees, and will feature a “mystery guest” to be announced soon. Tickets for the show will go on sale at 12 p.m. IST (India Standard Time) on Saturday (Nov. 16) here. The band previously announced three shows to take place at Mumbai’s D Y Patil Stadium in the same week.
Modi Stadium, which opened in 2020, typically hosts sporting events including cricket, as well as political events; it is named after the country’s Prime Minister, who has held the position since 2014.
Trending on Billboard
It will mark the latest show in Coldplay’s Music Of The Spheres tour which first began in 2022 and is set to run through 2025. The British group recently released their 10th studio album Moon Music, which simultaneously charted at No.1 on the Billboard 200 and the U.K’s Official Albums Chart, becoming the first British group to do so since 2016.
In recent weeks the band have been touring through Australia, and their 2024 dates will conclude on Saturday in Auckland, New Zealand. The dates will resume in Abu Dhabi on Jan. 9.
During a show at the Accor Stadium in Sydney over the weekend, the band briefly covered Travis Scott’s “Goosebumps” in their set, which frontman Chris Martin called “his favorite” song by the “Sicko Mode” rapper. Scott responded to the shout-out and cover saying that the band “totally got it”.
Elsewhere, Martin had a mishap in an earlier tour stop in Melbourne when he fell through a hole in the stage, though laughed off the matter.
Next year’s run of shows will include a string of summer dates in North America, and is currently set to conclude with a 10-night stand at London’s Wembley Stadium in August 2025.
A new version of Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” has been announced to celebrate the song’s 40th anniversary.
The charity single, first released in 1984, has become a festive staple over the years and the Band Aid Charitable Trust has raised over £140 million ($178 million) for causes such as poverty in Africa. The song was first written and organized by Bob Geldof and Ultravox’s Midge Ure following a BBC report into famine in Ethiopia, and became one of the best-selling singles of all-time in the U.K. and beyond.
Now the “Do They Know It’s Christmas? 2024 Ultimate Mix,” due out on Nov. 25, will combine voices from the four existing versions of the track. The song was re-recorded in 1989, 2004 and 2014 with new contemporary singers. A new music video directed by Oliver Murray — who worked on the visuals for The Beatles’ AI-assisted song “Now and Then” — will be released on the same date; watch the trailer below.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
The confirmed vocal takes will include: Sting, Boy George and George Michael from the 1984 version; Bananarama from 1989’s edition; Sugababes, Chris Martin and Robbie Williams from 2004’s re-record; Harry Styles, Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith from 2014’s version, among others. U2’s Bono – who has appeared on multiple versions of the single – will appear as a vocalist three times in the new version.
Trending on Billboard
The Band Aid house band fuses instrumental takes over the years from Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Thom Yorke, Paul Weller, Damon Albarn and more. The song has been produced by Trevor Horn, whose credits include The Buggles’ “Video Killed The Radio Star” and work by Spandau Ballet and the Pet Shop Boys.
Upon release, the single became the fastest-selling U.K. Single of all time, until it was toppled by Elton John’s “Candle In the Wind” in 1997. Every version of the song has hit No.1 on the Official Singles Chart in the U.K., while the song peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The success of the song spawned several events including Live Aid in 1985 which first took place at London’s Wembley Stadium and Philadelphia’s John F. Kennedy Stadium. The song and music video’s depiction of Africa, however, has drawn criticism over the years with Moky Makura, executive director of non-profit organization Africa No Filter writing in The Guardian that “[Live Aid’s] portrayal of Africa triggered the birth of a patronizing industry whose mission it was to ‘save Africa.’”
Duran Duran frontman Simon Le Bon was honored with an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for his contributions to music and charity at a ceremony held at Windsor Castle on Nov. 12.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
The award, presented by William, Prince of Wales, recognizes Le Bon’s lasting influence on music as well as his dedication to charitable causes.
Le Bon shared his excitement and gratitude for the award, calling it “incredible and totally unexpected.” Reflecting on the honor back in June, he stated, “It is fitting that the honour has been awarded not just for my role in music, but also for the work I’ve been fortunate to be involved with outside the band for some of the causes I believe in.”
Trending on Billboard
After receiving the prestigious accolade, Le Bon told the Press Association: “It’s the most immediate and essential aspect of our job, getting up and singing a song or making some music in front of a crowd.”
“I used to be a very nervous performer. I was terrified, and slowly I’ve been able to overcome that fear and I don’t get it anymore. I just walk out there and it feels natural to me.”
Beyond his musical achievements, Le Bon has been an active advocate for several organizations, including the Blue Marine Foundation, which focuses on ocean conservation, and the Tall Ships Youth Trust, providing seafaring opportunities to disadvantaged youth across the U.K. Le Bon’s love of sailing also led him to support the Air Ambulance Service.
Known for Billboard Hot 100 hits like “Hungry Like the Wolf,” “Rio,” and “Girls on Film,” Duran Duran’s journey spans the glam and grit of the 1980s New Romantic scene to present-day stardom.
Their career has seen them earn numerous accolades, including a Brit Award for Lifetime Achievement, two Ivor Novello Awards, two Grammys, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2022, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame finally inducted Duran Duran.
In 2023, the band’s Halloween-themed album Danse Macabre became a top 10 hit on the Top Album Sales chart and peaked at No. 4 on the U.K. charts, marking another high point for the band. This Halloween, they followed up with a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden in New York and released an extended edition of Danse Macabre, accompanied by the concert film Secret Oktober.
From the early ’80s through today, Duran Duran has amassed a legion of fans with hits like “The Reflex,” “A View to a Kill,” and ’90s staples “Ordinary World” and “Come Undone.”
Their presence in pop culture remains undeniable—William’s late mother, Princess Diana, famously adored the band and was able to meet them at Prince’s Trust concert in 1983 and again at the 1985 premiere of the James Bond movie A View to a Kill.
“She and I used to go to the same fitness club — Chelsea Harbour in London,” Simon Le Bon once told The Times of the late princess.
“One day I was on the running machine. I jumped off because one of my shoelaces had come undone, and she wolf-whistled at me across the room, and yelled, like a brickie, ‘Nice legs! I’d recognize that bum anywhere!’ I was quite taken aback, actually, and quietly got back on the machine with a red face.”
On the 10th anniversary of Diana’s death in 2007, Prince William and Prince Harry staged a memorial concert for her at Wembley Stadium, booking artists like Elton John, Kanye West, Lily Allen, Tom Jones, Bryan Ferry, Rod Stewart, Pharrell, and Duran Duran.
CKY’s Chad I Ginsberg is speaking out about the recent drama with Alien Ant Farm’s Dryden Mitchell that got the West Chester rockers booted off their joint U.K. tour.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Just hours before the tour kicked off at Margate’s Dreamland on Nov. 9, the Alien Ant Farm frontman announced CKY’s removal following an alleged altercation, accusing Ginsberg of “treating multiple crew members and opening band members like trash” and claiming that things culminated in Ginsberg allegedly punching him in the face.
Taking to social media on Nov. 9, Mitchell wrote, “Chad from CKY hasn’t figured out how to cohabitate with others after all these years.”
Trending on Billboard
“They will no longer be on the Alien Ant Farm Tour through the rest of the UK shows after Chad punched me in the face earlier today,” Mitchell added. “I’ve watched him treat multiple crew members and opening band members like trash through the Europe shows and cause general drama around our camp.”
Later in the statement, he explained, “Today we still had business things to square away and I told his manager what a problem Chad was being, verbally, as well as f–kin up the bus with all of his messes every day for other people to clean up… Well he punched me in the face and pretty much ran away like I imagine he’ll do for all of his future problems.”
“I would love these shows to continue and apologize to all the CKY fans for Chad’s behavior. We have zero hard feelings for Jess and Elvis in CKY and are gutted to see them go, but I will never knowingly put myself in volatile situations so this had to end.”
Mitchell concluded the lengthy post by claiming that if Ginsberg seeks therapy, “maybe in 25 years… we can shake hands.” CKY’s appearance on the U.K. tour has since been replaced by bands such as INME, Rat’s Nest, The Fear and The Nocturnal Affair.
Ginsberg initially responded to the allegations with a scathing message, urging fans to get their money back: “U.K. CKY fans get your money back!!! I had NO choice and GOOD reason for what happened. I will always defend myself. You know me much better than that!”
He added, “More info to come. Apologies to the fans.”
Now, Ginsberg has again taken to social media to elaborate on his side of the story, describing the incident as “self-defense.” In a series of Instagram stories, Ginsberg told fans, “Nothing wrong with defending yourself from a bad guy. If you are attacked or feel truly threatened, have no fear and stop the threat however you can.”
He continued: “I had to protect myself. It was a split second reaction to a very angry guy muttering then yelling #*%! at me from 10ft away charging at ME, into my personal space! Coming at me. He was attacking me! I felt a physical threat and had I not tried to avoid the attack, I would have been assaulted. For f—- sake.”
“I could say so much more. But situation sucks for all! I’d like to stop. Rather not get all into all. It’s no one’s biz. This is not news. as unfortunate as the situation is all together.”
Alien Ant Farm continues with the rest of the tour, while CKY fans hold out hope for future shows. Both bands are lined up to play at Download 2025, though it’s not yet known if they’ll perform on the same day.
Despite the alleged incident, the band’s Australian tour, which is currently scheduled to take place in February, is reportedly still set to go ahead, according to promoters.
“We are aware of the altercation between a member of Alien Ant Farm and a member of their support act, CKY,” promoters The Phoenix wrote in a statement on Nov. 10. “We have spoken at length with the representative of both artists this morning. “At this point it is best to let tempers cool and believe a solution/compromise can be found in the next few days that enables the shows (all of which are selling out rapidly) to proceed as planned.”
The Phoenix also responded to claims that the incident between Ginsberg and Mitchell would affect the Australian tour, noting, “We are working with both bands to calm things down and keep the tour intact. In the words of The Offspring, we may have to keep them separated…”
Just in time for the 47th anniversary of their sole album, handwritten lyrics for songs on the Sex Pistols’ Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols are up for auction.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Penned by frontman John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten), the lyrics are for the songs “Holidays in the Sun”, which opened the band’s 1977 debut, and “Submission”, which appeared as a standalone single with the record, and was included in later editions.
Though influential, Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols was not a chart success in the U.S, ultimately peaking at No. 106 on the Billboard 200 after 12 weeks on the chart.
Trending on Billboard
The lyrics are penned in green and black ballpoint pen on both sides of the 8 x 13 sheet, which feature the full lyrics to “Holidays in the Sun” (written as “Holiday in the Sun”) on one side, along with the opening line, “A cheap holiday in other peoples misery”, added in pencil. The other side features green ballpoint lyrics for “Submission”, though Lydon had not yet added the title at the time of writing.
The sheet is presented in “fine condition, with three folds and general light handling wear”, and features a signed letter of authenticity, and one from music journalist Jon Savage, from whose personal collection the lyrics are derived from.
The letter notes that the lyrics were “collected during the research of England’s Dreaming, now regarded as the classic book on Punk Rock and that period (1975-79) in British social and political life”, and that “it was most likely written when the Sex Pistols signed a publishing deal with Warner Brothers in autumn 1977 and is an original from the collection of Jamie Reid that came into my possession during 1980”.
The lyrics themselves have been on loan to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland since 1996, where it has been “prominently displayed in the Museum’s Punk exhibit”, and has also been show at London’s Hospital Exhibition in 2004, and at the ‘PUNK: Sex, Seditionaries & the Sex Pistols’ exhibition at Manchester’s Urbis building in 2005.
The auction is scheduled to close on Nov. 21, and though 14 bids at the time of writing have seen the price reach $30,800, it is estimated to exceed $80,000 by the time the hammer falls.
Roy Haynes, a pioneering jazz drummer who went on to become one of the most recorded percussionists in music history, has died at the age of 99.
As per the New York Times, Haynes’ daughter – Leslie Haynes-Gilmore – confirmed that the drummer passed away on Tuesday (Nov. 12) in Nassau County, N.Y. following a brief illness.
Born on Mar. 13, 1925, Haynes grew up in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, beginning his musical career in the early 1940s and becoming a full-time professional drummer in 1945. Throughout the decade, he worked with the likes of saxophonist Lester Young and performed as part of Charlie Parker’s quintet from 1949 to 1952.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Haynes was also offered a role in Duke Ellington’s band in 1952, ultimately turning it down due to a desire of being in smaller bands which allowed more room for musical expression.
Haynes’ recorded output is an impressive one, boasting appearances as a sideman for names as revered and acclaimed as Miles Davis, Sarah Vaughan, Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey, Ray Charles, Stan Getz, and countless others before the advent of the 1960s. Alongside this work as a sideman, his output as a bandleader was equally prolific, with his first record – Busman’s Holiday – arriving in 1954.
Trending on Billboard
Haynes received his first Grammy Award nomination in 1988 in the Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Group for his work with Chick Corea. Over the next 19 years, he would take home two awards from his eight nominations. In 2012, he was given a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys, with another Lifetime Achievement Award coming from the Jazz Foundation of America in 2019.
Haynes’ other awards included the the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French government in 1996, and honorary doctorares from both the Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory. In 2004, DownBeat magazine inducted him into their Hall of Fame, having being named in their readers and critics polls on 14 occasions.
More than two years after they announced their farewell tour, new wave veterans The B-52s are still going strong, announcing an additional run of dates for their ognoing Las Vegas residency.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Announced alongside the completion of their current residency, the group will return to The Venetian Resort in Vegas next year, performing five shows across Apr. 11, 12, 16, 18, and 19.
The B-52s initially announced shows at The Venetian back in 2022 when they revealed their ongoing farewell tour. That run of dates included three shows at the venue in October 2022, though additional shows were announced for May, and August and September 2023. Currently, the group will wrap up their latest residency on Wednesday (Nov. 13), having played another handful of shows in April.
Trending on Billboard
Formed in Athena, Georgia in 1976, The B-52s would release a total of seven albums between 1979 and 2008, including 1989’s Cosmic Thing which gave them their highest-charting release globally, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard 200. The record also spawned their most successful singles, “Love Shack” and “Roam”, which both reached No. 3 on the Hot 100 that year.
Known for their pioneering status in the new wave genre and unique aesthetic, the group’s lineup has revolved around the quartet of Fred Schneider, Katie Pierson, Keith Strickland, and Cindy Wilson since its inception, though founding guitarist Ricky Wilson died from an AIDS-related illness in 1985. Strickland, meanwhile, has not been part of the touring ensemble since 2013.
“No one likes to throw a party more than we do, but after almost a half-century on the road, it’s time for one last blowout with our friends and family … our fans,” said Schneider in a statement alongside the announcement of their farewell tour.
“Who knew what started as a way to have some fun and play music for our friends’ at house parties in Athens in 1977 would evolve into over 45 years of making music and touring the world,” added Pierson. “It’s been cosmic.”
Tori Kelly is scoring yet another goal as the end of 2024 approaches. The National Women’s Soccer League announced on Tuesday (Nov. 12) that the two-time Grammy Winner will perform on the Adobe Stage at this year’s fourth annual NWSL Fan Fest. The event will take place just before the 2024 NWSL National Championship in Kansas City on November […]
Mark Zuckerberg is potentially making music with T-Pain. The Facebook founder posted a photo of the two in the studio on his Instagram Story with the caption, “It’s happening guys.” T-Pain then reposted the same pic with “It is time…” and referred to the Meta boss as “Z.” The two have forged an unlikely relationship over […]
Cordae’s latest project, The Crossroads, marks what he might describe as the most refined version of himself as an artist. In an exclusive interview with Billboard News, Cordae deep-dives into why this album — which comes out on Friday — feels like his strongest work yet.
Cordae is clear on why now is the right time to drop this album. “I think it’s ready. I think I’m better than I’ve ever been as an artist,” he says.
He spent time focusing on his craft and drawing inspiration from life to make sure he was putting his best foot forward. “I feel like I needed that time to just live life, assess life,” he says. “This album in particular, I needed to get better.”
For Cordae, growth has been about everything from beat selection to songwriting. “I wanted to get better, like, as a songwriter, as a rapper. I wanted my verses to be better. I wanted my storytelling to be better. I wanted my beat selection and taste in beat selection to get better, and that requires work and time, so I feel like this is my best foot forward thus far.”
The album title, The Crossroads, speaks to a turning point that he felt he reached. “I felt like I was at a crossroads in my life,” he says, describing a period when every decision felt high-stakes. “It was like life or death. … If I go right, everything is gonna be perfect and yay, life is great, and if I go left, all life is horrible.” Over time, he’s learned that life is rarely shaped by a single choice. “I’ve kinda realized that one decision doesn’t hold that much weight. It’s a culmination of decisions.”
Cordae also reflects on his journey with J. Cole, a major influence. After rapping over J. Cole’s “1985” beat and calling it “Old N—as,” the track went viral when WorldStarHipHop labeled it as a response to J. Cole’s original. That music video caught Cole’s attention, eventually leading to their collaboration. “That’s what ended up getting me the beats and us locking in,” he says.
Cordae credits the recent Drake and Kendrick Lamar rivalry for energizing hip-hop’s competitive edge. “It was great for hip-hop,” he says. “The competitive nature is kind of the fundamentals of hip-hop, like, ‘Nah, I’m nicer than you, son.’” The rivalry, he adds, energized the culture. “It kind of just put a battery in everyone’s back, like, nah, we can just say how we feel — even if it’s like, ‘F— this guy.’”
Watch the full interview with Cordae in the video above.