Music
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Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce‘s romance has already taken the NFL by storm, so it was only a matter of time before it enchanted another major sports league. After the couple stepped out at Game 1 of the American League Championship Series in New York City Monday (Oct. 14), the official MLB TikTok account […]
One of the unspoken fun parts about being a pop star is people showing up to your shows with wacky signs. Typically, they go uncommented on by the artist, but when Justin Timberlake looked out into the crowd at his show at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Friday there was one placard he […]
Ben Wyatt: “Get this — I just asked the DJ what R.E.M. albums he has. He’s got Monster, but not Automatic for the People.”
Leslie Knope: “Wow.”
Ben: “I know. It’s like, ‘What is this, a mid-‘90s party?’ No, it’s an early-‘90s party.”
——————–
In a 2013 episode of NBC’s Parks and Recreation, Leslie and Ben attend an early-1990s fête, the domain of, as Ben correctly notes, R.E.M.’s 1992 LP Automatic for the People.
Had the DJ been more up on the timeline of R.E.M.’s discography — and Billboard chart history — he would have known that Monster made its mark on surveys in 1994-95. The set debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 dated Oct. 15, 1994, with 344,000 copies sold in the United States, according to Luminate. (No data available on how many sold in Pawnee, Ind.) The frame marks the band’s best since Luminate began tracking sales in 1991, outperforming by 57% the 218,000 that Automatic for the People moved in its first week in October 1992, when it opened at its No. 2 peak.
Monster became R.E.M.’s second of two Billboard 200 No. 1s, after Out of Time also led for two weeks, in May and June 1991.
“It’s obvious that this album was eagerly anticipated by R.E.M.’s fans,” then-Billboard associate director of charts/retail Geoff Mayfield wrote upon Monster’s chart bow. (In that pre-Halloween issue’s Chart Beat column, Fred Bronson titled his recap of the arrival “‘Monster’ Mash.”)
Billboard’s review of Monster in the Oct. 1, 1994, issue praised R.E.M.’s crunchier turn on the set: “After a glorious acoustic phase, band reverts to the power-pop sound it sported in the late ‘80s, now sharpened with an industrial edge. Monster will live up to its name at rock, pop, college and alternative formats, reaffirming the band’s place as one of the most compelling, and uncompromising, in America.”
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Monster yielded the two most recent of R.E.M.’s six No. 1s on the Alternative Airplay chart: “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” for two weeks beginning in September 1994 — as it became the first song to debut at the list’s summit– and “Bang and Blame” (three weeks that December). The former also hit No. 10 on Pop Airplay, while three more cuts from the set reached Alternative Airplay, in 1995: “Star 69” (No. 8), “Strange Currencies” (No. 14) and “Crush With Eyeliner” (No. 33).
Warner Records re-signed R.E.M. (which had joined the label for 1988’s Green) to a reported $80 million contract in August 1996. The deal signified just how high the band had risen since releasing its first single, the eventual classic “Radio Free Europe,” on indie Hib-Tone in 1981. (The group signed with I.R.S. in 1982.)
In 1997, drummer Bill Berry left R.E.M., which continued as a trio of lead singer Michael Stipe, bassist Mike Mills and guitarist Peter Buck. The group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2007 and upped its count to 10 Billboard 200 top 10s through its last LP of all-new music, Collapse Into Now, in 2011. That September, Stipe, Mills and Buck announced their amicable split on R.E.M.’s website.
On June 13, R.E.M. — including Berry — reunited to perform its highest-charting Billboard Hot 100 hit, “Losing My Religion,” which rose to No. 4 in 1991, at the Songwriters Hall of Fame annual celebration in New York, where the band was among 2024’s enshrinees.
“Writing songs and having a catalog of work that we’re all proud of that is out there for the rest of the world for all time is hands-down the most important aspect of what we did,” Stipe told the audience. “Second to that is that we managed to do so all those decades and remain friends. And not just friends, dear friends.” He added, “We are four people that very early on decided that we would own our own masters and we would split our royalties and songwriting credits equally. All for one and one for all.”
iHeartMedia has announced the lineup for the 2025 iHeartRadio ALTer EGO Presented by Capital One, set for Jan. 11 at the Kia Forum in L.A, and will feature performances from some of the biggest names in alternative rock.
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Among the star-studded bill includes Cage The Elephant, Fontaines D.C., Glass Animals, Incubus, St. Vincent, The Lumineers, The Head And The Heart and The Offspring, with a special solo performance from Damiano David of Måneskin.
Hosted by Woody from The Woody Show, the concert is set to be one of the most anticipated alternative rock events of the year.
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“For the 8th year in a row, every other option was exhausted, and with the announcement looming, a decision had to be made,” said Woody. “That’s when we were handed the keys and warned that we had better not screw this up. It’s an honor — one we fully intend to live up to. Here’s hoping Jan. 11 arrives before iHeart realizes their mistake!”
The event will broadcast live for fans on iHeartRadio Alternative and Rock stations across the country and on iHeartRadio.com.
Now in its eighth year, the iHeartRadio ALTer EGO event continues to grow, attracting top-tier alternative acts. The festival is part of iHeartMedia’s lineup of nationally recognized concert events, including the iHeartRadio Music Festival and Jingle Ball, with Capital One as a returning presenting partner.
“We are thrilled to present this incredible lineup of artists representing all genres of Alternative and Rock returning to one of the most iconic Rock venues Los Angeles has to offer, the Kia Forum,” said Lisa Worden, Program Director for ALT 98.7 and Senior Vice President of Rock and Alternative for iHeartMedia.
“It’s our 8th year doing this and each year it keeps getting better.”
Capital One cardholders will have exclusive early access to presale tickets starting on Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. PT, lasting through Oct. 24 or until supplies run out.
The presale tickets come with an option to add a Capital One Access Pass, allowing attendees to experience a private soundcheck performance by Cage The Elephant, along with complimentary food, drinks, and more. General ticket sales will begin on Oct. 25 at 12 p.m. PT through Ticketmaster.
Listeners will also have access to a limited number of tickets through ALT 98.7’s 24-hour VIP-Sale. Fans can register to become an ALT VIP to access tickets beginning Thursday, Oct. 24 at 10 a.m. PT through Friday, October 25 at 10 a.m.
For more information on presales and tickets, visit iHeartRadio.com.
Finalists were announced on Tuesday (Oct. 15) for the fourth Annual Anthem Awards, which celebrate purpose and mission-driven work. Finalists from the music, media and entertainment worlds include Jelly Roll, Foo Fighters, Valerie June, Lainey Wilson and others with “Power to the Patients”; Becky G with NPR’s “Tiny Desk Concerts’ ‘El Tiny’ Takeover”; Rare Beauty […]
Jon Bon Jovi announced his endorsement of Democrat Kamala Harris for President in a song on Friday, spotlighting the patriotic Forever album tune “The People’s House” featuring the War and Treaty in a post explaining his decision.
“The People’s House is a song that celebrates this beautiful place that we call home, from sea to shining sea. @thewarandtreaty,” Bon Jovi wrote. “The truth matters. And the truth is on election day I’ll be voting for @KamalaHarris and @TimWalz because I believe in the power of we, not of me. I’ve written a song reminding us that out of many, we are still one.”
Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff thanked the Jersey rocker in a Bon Jovi-quoting post on X, writing, “It’s my wife, and it’s now or never. Election’s coming in November. Thanks for supporting Kamala, @JonBonJovi!” alongside a pic of him posing with the band’s singer.
Bon Jovi has long been a supporter of the Democratic party, lining up behind President Joe Biden at the current commander in chief’s 2021 inauguration day “Celebrating America” concert, where he performed an acoustic take on the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun,” as well as a pre-election “I Will Vote” concert that also featured Jennifer Hudson, Ciara, Ne-Yo, Sara Bareilles, A$AP Ferg, P!nk, John Legend and others.
After replacing Biden following the President’s surprise decision to drop out of the race in July following a disastrous debate performance against three-time candidate former President Donald Trump, Harris has racked up a bumper crop of A-list endorsements. Among the chart-topping musicians lining up behind the Vice President and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz are: P!nk, Billie Eilish, Charli XCX, Beyoncé, Neil Young, Stevie Wonder, Megan Thee Stallion, Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift.
Twice impeached convicted felon Trump reacted with his typical disdain when Swift helped cap August’s Democratic National Convention by posting a full-throated endorsement of Harris, announcing on his Truth Social platform, “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT.”
Check out Bon Jovi’s post and Emhoff’s response below.
Charli XCX is not done bringing the Brat energy. The singer added another song to her new remix album, Brat and It’s Completely Different but Also Still Brat on Monday (Oct. 14), gifting fans with a raunchy, beat crazy collab with Kesha on “Spring Breakers.” “Ooh, these bitches we tied/ Art is not a competition/ […]
The latest U.K. Official Singles Chart update sees a thrilling showdown brewing between pop heavyweights Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX, as they battle it out for the top spot.
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Sabrina’s infectious hit “Taste” (Island) holds strong at No. 1 for its eighth week, maintaining its grip on the chart. But Charli’s “Sympathy Is a Knife” (Atlantic) coming in as hot as a brat summer, surging to No. 2 after a remix featuring Ariana Grande gave it a major boost. With only 1,000 chart units separating the two, the competition is fierce, and Charli is well-positioned for a possible takeover.
Not only is Charli challenging Sabrina at the top, but she’s also making noise further down the chart. Her track “365” re-enters the Top 40 at No. 22, following the release of the Shygirl remix.
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Gracie Abrams continues her rise as well, with “I Love You, I’m Sorry” (Interscope) poised to vault eight spots to claim No. 3, which would mar her first-ever U.K. Top 3 single. The song’s emotional depth and strong streaming performance have propelled her into new chart territory.
Also climbing is KSI with his collaboration “Thick of It” featuring Trippie Redd (Atlantic), which looks to break into the Top 10 at No. 8, while Teddy Swims could see a new peak at No. 9 with “The Door” (Atlantic), after slowly climbing for 26 weeks. The track’s soulful vibe has clearly resonated with audiences, giving Swims his first Top 10 hit.
In another notable debut, Sabrina Carpenter’s “Bed Chem” enters the Top 10 at No. 10, giving her a second hit in the upper echelon this week.
Meanwhile, Chappell Roan’s infectious track “Pink Pony Club” is on track to reach a new peak at No. 11 on the U.K. Singles Chart according to the latest blast, while Billie Eilish’s ethereal “Birds of a Feather” (Interscope) is expected to rise to No. 13, continuing her strong presence.
BLACKPINK’s JENNIE is making a mark with her latest solo single “Mantra” (Columbia), which is poised to enter the U.K. Top 20 at No. 18, potentially marking her first major solo chart breakthrough in the region.
As the week progresses, the question remains: Will Charli XCX finally knock Sabrina Carpenter from the top spot, or will Sabrina hold on for another week of chart glory?
Paul Heaton is on track to land his first solo No. 1 on the U.K. Official Albums Chart this week with The Mighty Several (EMI).
Known for his work with The Beautiful South and The Housemartins, Heaton has charted three No. 1 albums on the U.K. Official Albums Chart twice with former Beautiful South bandmate Jacqui Abbott, but never reached the top spot on his own—but all that could change come Friday.
With The Mighty Several making its debut, Heaton’s long-established fan base is giving the album strong momentum, positioning him for his first solo chart-topping album, according to the latest Chart blast.
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Standing in Heaton’s way, however, is none other than Charli XCX, who rockets up the charts this week with her remix album Brat, But Not Really Brat (Atlantic), moving from No. 16 to No. 2. The album, which features collaborations with Ariana Grande, The 1975, and Shygirl, is set to give Heaton some serious competition.
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With streaming numbers on the rise, Charli could challenge Heaton for the top spot as the week progresses.
Elsewhere in the chart, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short N’ Sweet (Universal) sits tight at No. 3, while James Blunt’s 2004 debut album Back to Bedlam (Atlantic) returns to the top 10 at No. 4, celebrating its 20th anniversary with a special reissue. Lady Gaga also makes a notable return to the top 10 with Harlequin (Polydor), which re-enters at No. 5 following the release of physical formats. This week’s chart shows Gaga’s continued power in both streaming and physical sales.
In the lower half of the top 10, Skinny Living’s Day By Day makes a strong debut at No. 9. The Wakefield indie-rock trio earns their first top 10 album. Meanwhile, The Highlights by The Weeknd (Republic/XO) climbs back into the top 10, moving from No. 14 to No. 10 after spending an incredible 193 weeks on the chart.
The Last Dinner Party’s debut Prelude To Ecstasy (Island) could re-enter the Top 40 this week thanks to its deluxe edition, currently sitting at No. 12. Meanwhile, Ben Howard’s I Forget Where We Were (another win for Island), originally released in 2014, is re-entering the chart at No. 19, celebrating its 10th anniversary.
New entries to the Top 40 include Jelly Roll’s Beautifully Broken (EMI) debuting at No. 22, Myles Kennedy’s The Art of Letting Go (Napalm) at No. 26, and The Offspring’s Supercharged (Concord) at No. 30, marking a strong week for rock and indie releases.
This week’s chart is packed with exciting moves and potential shakeups, particularly with Heaton and Charli XCX neck-and-neck for the top spot. Tune in to see if Heaton’s first solo No. 1 will be secured, or if Charli’s Brat remix will steal the crown.
The 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week is in full swing in Miami, where the 35th annual weeklong event is taking place from Oct. 14-18.The star-studded event kicked off Monday (Oct. 14) at The Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater with panels featuring Eden Muñoz, Feid, Kenia Os and Keityn, among many other Latin stars and industry leaders.
Stars like J Balvin, Peso Pluma, Eslabon Armado, Pepe Aguilar, Gloria Estefan, Thalia, Alejandro Sanz, Grupo Frontera and Young Miko are set to take the stage to speak in panels and/or Q&As this year. You can see the full schedule here.
Over the past 35 years, Latin Music Week has become the one, steady foundation of Latin music in this country, becoming the single most important — and biggest — gathering of Latin artists and industry executives in the world. Initially named Latin Music Seminar, sponsored by Billboard, the event traces back to 1990, where it kicked off as a one-day event in Miami featuring a two-artist showcase and awards show.
Throughout the years, it has taken place in Miami, Las Vegas and Puerto Rico, returning to Miami Beach for a fourth consecutive year in 2024, and has welcomed some of the biggest Latin acts including Celia Cruz, Selena, Ricky Martin, Chayanne, Jenni Rivera, Daddy Yankee, Karol G, Bad Bunny, and Romeo Santos. Latin Music Week coincides with the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards set to air at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 20, on Telemundo. It will simultaneously be available on Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app, and in Latin America and the Caribbean through Telemundo Internacional.
Below, the best photos from the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week (updating).
David Wild, Valentina, Bastian & Corina Smith
Image Credit: Gustavo Caballero
David Wild, Valentina, Bastian and Corina Smith during Billboard Latin Music Week Panels at the Fillmore Miami Beach on Oct. 14, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Dascha Polanco
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Dascha Polanco in the green room at Billboard Latin Music Week at the Fillmore Miami Beach on Oct. 14, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Nelson Albareda, Alex Gallardo, Leila Cobo & Alex Mizrahi
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Nelson Albareda, Alex Gallardo, Leila Cobo and Alex Mizrahi in the green room at Billboard Latin Music Week at the Fillmore Miami Beach on Oct. 14, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida.
La Joaqui & Kenia Os
Image Credit: Gustavo Caballero
La Joaqui and Kenia Os during Billboard Latin Music Week Panels at the Fillmore Miami Beach on Oct. 14, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida.
KEITYN
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
KEITYN in the green room at Billboard’s Latin Music Week at the Fillmore Miami Beach on Oct. 14, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Atella
Image Credit: Gustavo Caballero
Atella speaks onstage during Billboard Latin Music Week Panels held at The Fillmore Miami Beach on Oct. 14, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Kenia Os
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Kenia Os in the green room at Billboard Latin Music Week at the Fillmore Miami Beach on Oct. 14, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Feid
Image Credit: Gustavo Caballero
Feid during Billboard Latin Music Week Panels at the Fillmore Miami Beach on Oct. 14, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Eden Muñoz
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Eden Muñoz in the green room at Billboard’s Latin Music Week at the Fillmore Miami Beach on Oct. 14, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Erika Montes
Image Credit: Gustavo Caballero
Erika Montes during Billboard Latin Music Week Panels at the Fillmore Miami Beach on Oct. 14, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Nelson Albareda
Image Credit: Gustavo Caballero
Nelson Albareda during Billboard Latin Music Week Panels at the Fillmore Miami Beach on Oct. 14, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Raúl Alarcón
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Raúl Alarcón in the green room at Billboard Latin Music Week at the Fillmore Miami Beach on Oct. 14, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Alfredo Alonso
Image Credit: Gustavo Caballero
Alfredo Alonso speaks onstage during Billboard Latin Music Week Panels held at The Fillmore Miami Beach on Oct. 14, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Sergio George
Image Credit: Gustavo Caballero
Sergio George during Billboard Latin Music Week Panels at the Fillmore Miami Beach on Oct. 14, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Leila Cobo
Image Credit: Gustavo Caballero
Leila Cobo speaks onstage at the Billboard Latin Music Week held at The Fillmore Miami Beach on Oct. 14, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida.