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26 Sep 2023

John Mulaney Sets 18-Stop U.S. Headlining Standup Comedy Tour for 2023: See the Dates

Fresh off the announcement of Big Mouth’s forthcoming seventh season — which is set to star Megan Thee Stallion — comedian, voice actor, and writer John Mulaney has revealed a slew of new 2023 tour dates.

John Mulaney In Concert — which features a brand new show from the award-winning star — kicks off on Nov. 2 at the Ulster Performing Arts Center in Kingston, N.Y., and will make stops across the U.S. in Savannah, Ga.; New Orleans, La.; Hollywood, Fla. and more before wrapping up in Phoenix, Ariz. at Arizona Financial Theatre on New Years Eve (Dec. 31).

The stand-up comedy tour will be a phone-free experience. Upon arrival, attendees will secure phones, smart watches and accessories in individual Yondr pouches that will be opened once the show concludes. The new solo shows come on the heels of previously announced shows alongside fellow comedians Pete Davidson and Jon Stewart. Those joint shows are set to run from Oct. 5 to Nov. 11, and tickets are currently on sale.

Fans can begin purchasing tickets for Mulaney’s new shows on Wednesday, Sept. 27 through an artist presale, with additional presales running throughout the week ahead of the general onsale — which will begin on Friday, Sept. 29 at 10 a.m. local time on the official Ticketmaster website.

Baby J, Mulaney’s latest standup special, debuted in April and earned him a pair of Emmy nominations: outstanding variety special (pre-recorded) and outstanding writing for a variety special. He has won two Emmys for his work on Saturday Night Live and John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City. In 2018, Kid Gorgeous at Radio City peaked at No. 2 on Comedy Albums, becoming Mulaney’s third of four consecutive top five entries on the chart. The set also became his first to enter Top Album Sales (No. 96).

Check out the new John Mulaney In Concert dates below:

  • Nov. 2 – Kingston, N.Y. – Ulster Performing Arts Center
  • Nov. 4 – Troy, N.Y. – Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
  • Nov. 11 – Toledo, Ohio – Stranahan Theater
  • Nov. 12 – Columbus, Ohio – Palace Theatre
  • Nov. 16 – Columbia, S.C. – Township Auditorium
  • Nov. 17 – Athens, Ga. – The Classic Center Theater
  • Nov. 18 – Macon, Ga. – Macon City Auditorium
  • Nov. 19 – Savannah, Ga. – Johnny Mercer Theatre
  • Nov. 30 – Hanover, Md. – The Hall at Live! Casino & Hotel
  • Dec. 1 – Reading, Penn. – Santander Arena
  • Dec. 2 – Norfolk, Va. – Chartway Arena
  • Dec. 3 – State College, Penn. – Bryce Jordan Center
  • Dec. 8 – Biloxi, Miss. – Mississippi Coast Coliseum
  • Dec. 9 – New Orleans, La. – Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts
  • Dec. 14 – Tampa, Fla. – Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
  • Dec. 15 – Hollywood, Fla. – Hard Rock Live
  • Dec. 21 – Rosemont, Ill. – Rosemont Theatre
  • Dec. 31 – Phoenix, Ariz. – Arizona Financial Theatre

26 Sep 2023

Bob Weir and Wolf Brothers Announce Capitol Theatre Residency

Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros featuring the Wolfpack are playing a five-night residency at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY Dec. 12, 13, 15, 16 & 17 as part of a recently announced year-end mini-tour with Wolf Bros. members Don Was, Jay Lane, Jeff Chimenti and Barry Sless.

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“Well OK, looks like we’re back at the Cap for five nights this time around in December; this is gonna be big fun,” Weir tells Billboard. “We’re gonna get a chance to get to most everything in the song book – and maybe see if a couple folks are willing to make the hr-or-so trip outta the city to join us.”

The five-show run marks the largest residency performance of 2023 for the Capitol Theatre, which is owned by Brookyln Bowl founder and Dayglo Presents CEO Peter Shapiro. The 2,000-cap venue has become the unofficial home for residency shows, especially within the jam band and Grateful Dead fan scene thanks to Shapiro’s deep musical roots — including his ownership of Relix Magazine — and the theaters central location. Port Chester is a 30-mile drive north of Manhattan, near the Connecticut state line about ten minutes from Greenwich.

“I tell the artists that more shows they play during their residency, the larger the geographic draw will be,” says Shapiro, who hosted residencies for Goose and Wilco in March and a three-night run for Disco Biscuits in May.

Shapiro, who has hosted more than 100 shows at the Cap for Grateful Dead bandmate Phil Lesh, including six in 2023, says key to the success of the theater is that artists play original sets each night of their residency since many fans who travel to attend a residency often buy tickets for multiple shows.

“The bands and crew like it because it gives them more downtime to rest and make adjustments to sound and production,” he tells Billboard. As a promoter, the model significantly reduces costs, especially for the middle shows on a three, four or five night run.

“Not having the load-in and load-out costs to deal with can make a huge difference,” Shapiro says. “And for the band, not having to rely on tour busses can mean significant savings, especially with the high costs of travel right now.

Weir’s manager Matt Busch tells Billboard Weir enjoys playing the Capitol Theatre because
“we know there’s a singular focus on the music to make this run of shows as unique and special as possible.”

Artist presale begins Thursday, Sept 28 at 10 a.m. ET, with local presale beginning at 12 p.m. Sign-up for early access to tickets here. General on sale begins Sept 29 at 10 a.m.

Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros featuring The Wolfpack are currently on their Fall 2023 tour and have joined Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Music Festival 2023 for a number of shows. The band will also be performing with the Stanford Symphony Orchestra at the Frost Amphitheatre in Stanford, Calif. on Oct. 29. Fans can also join the band for Playa Luna Presents Dead Ahead, an all-inclusive vacation experience in Riviera Cancún, Mexico on January 12-15, 2024 celebrating the Dead songbook featuring two nights of curated collaborations themed “Dead Ahead” as well as one night of Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros featuring The Wolfpack and more. More info on Dead Ahead can be found here.

26 Sep 2023

Hot 100 First-Timers: Paul Russell’s ‘Lil Boo Thang’ Gets Bigger With Debut

Four weeks ago, Paul Russell arrived on Billboard‘s charts for the first time, and now he achieves another distinction as he scores his first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 (dated Sept. 30).

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Russell’s breakthrough viral hit “Lil Boo Thang,” released Aug. 18 via Arista Records, debuts at No. 99 with 9.6 million radio airplay audience impressions (up 46%), 4 million U.S. streams (up 11%) and 4,000 downloads sold in the Sept. 15-21 tracking week, according to Luminate.

The feel-good song also rises 30-27 on Pop Airplay, 32-28 on Adult Pop Airplay and 33-28 on Rhythmic Airplay.

Likely sparking further gains, the track’s official music video premiered Friday (Sept. 22).

“Lil Boo Thang” interpolates the Emotions’ classic hit “Best of My Love,” which was written by Maurice White and Al McKay of Earth, Wind & Fire. The song spent five weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100 in 1977 and finished as Billboard’s No. 3 year-end Hot 100 song that year. White and McKay are both credited as writers on Russell’s song.

Russell, from Texas and now based in Los Angeles, first teased a snippet of “Lil Boo Thang” in a June 28 TikTok that has since garnered more than 10 million views and launched over 190,000 creations from fans who’ve paired it with other clips. He later repurposed the post on Instagram Reels, where it has generated another 10 million views and launched over a million creations. That virality helped Russell land a deal with Arista. (Activity on TikTok is not included in Billboard‘s charts except for the newly launched TikTok & Billboard Top 50.)

“First and foremost, ‘Lil Boo Thang’ is meant to be a good time,” Russell told Billboard ahead of the full track’s release. “When I wrote it, I was stressed out on a Thursday afternoon, so I just turned on some of the music that makes me happy and imagined that I was celebrating something. I think what makes the song special is the fact that so many of us are ready to just forget about whatever is happening around us and enjoy the good things in life — not just thinking back to good times in the past but creating new ones in the present day.”

Outside of “Lil Boo Thang,” Russell has released two LPs: Via Text with Ruslan in 2018, and Once in a Dry Season in 2019.

26 Sep 2023

Hot 100 First-Timers: Kenya Grace Arrives With Viral Hit ‘Strangers’

Two weeks after making her first-ever Billboard chart appearance, Kenya Grace achieves another first, as she debuts on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (dated Sept. 30) for the first time.

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The singer-songwriter, born in South African and raised in the U.K., debuts with her breakthrough hit “Strangers,” released Sept. 1 via Major Recordings/Warner Records. The song enters at No. 88 with 6.4 million U.S. streams (up 42%), 41,000 in early airplay audience and 1,000 downloads sold (up 12%) in the Sept. 15-21 tracking week, according to Luminate. It also holds at its No. 2 high on Hot Dance/Electronic Songs and vaults 21-4 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart and 35-12 on the Billboard Global 200.

TikTok has been a major factor in the song’s growing profile, as a portion of its audio has been used in more than 570,000 clips on the platform to date. One such video, on Grace’s profile, has logged more than 35 million views. (Activity on TikTok is not included in Billboard‘s charts except for the newly launched TikTok Billboard Top 50.)

The song has also been boosted by a new remix with Sam Shredder, released Sept. 22. In a Sept. 15 TikTok, Grace teased a new “slower and sadder” version of the song.

Elsewhere, the track earns Grace her first No. 1 among surveys in Billboard‘s international charts menu, as it rises to the top of the latest Austria Songs chart. On the Official UK Singles Chart, it jumps 12-3, and is challenging for the top spot on next week’s list. “Strangers” became her first Billboard No. 1 overall a week earlier when it topped Dance/Electronic Streaming Songs, where it reigns for a second week.

Grace has released five other songs: “Oranges”; “Someone Else” with 3STRANGE; and “Venus” with Homebodi (all in 2022); and “Afterparty Lover” and “Meteor” (this February and May, respectively).

26 Sep 2023

Golden Globes to Add 2 Categories for 2024 Awards, Including One Similar to a Category the Oscars Nixed

The Golden Globes announced two new categories on Tuesday (Sept. 26) recognizing cinematic and box office achievement in motion pictures, and best stand-up comedian on television. Winners will be announced live at the 81st Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.

The Golden Globe for cinematic and box office achievement will include nominees from among the year’s highest earning and/or most viewed films that have gained extensive global audience support and produced exceptional creative content. The award for best performance in stand-up comedy on television recognizes outstanding work by a comedic performer.

“We are proud to recognize the hard work and innovation that goes into making a film that is both a blockbuster and artistically exceptional,” said Helen Hoehne, Golden Globes president.

“The new cinematic and box office achievement award is more than just rewarding the year’s top earning and most viewed motion pictures,” said Tim Gray, Golden Globes executive vice president. “These films have typically not been recognized among industry awards, but they should be.”

The category is reminiscent of one the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences announced five years ago — outstanding achievement in popular film. Announced on Aug. 8, 2018, it was the first new category at the Oscars since best animated feature film in 2001. The category was not well-received by the media or by some Academy members, with many saying it appeared to be transparent attempt to pander to mainstream audiences in an effort to boost the ratings of the annual telecast.

Some worried that having a separate category for blockbusters could diminish those films’ chances of being nominated for best picture (even though the Academy had said they would still be eligible in that category). The name of the category was also criticized, with some arguing that using the word “popular” implied that films nominated in other categories were not popular or were not of interest to mainstream audiences.

The following month, the Academy announced that the award would not be presented at the 91st Academy Awards as planned. It would be postponed to “examine and seek additional input regarding the new category.” The Academy appears to have shelved the category.

The Golden Globes, of course, are not the Oscars, and what was widely seen as misstep for that show might not be seen in the same light here. Also, they are not using the word “popular” in the name of the new category.

The Golden Globes’ submission website for motion picture and television entries will open on Oct. 2. Nominations are set to be announced on Monday, Dec. 11.

Multi-Emmy Award-winning producing duo Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner of White Cherry Entertainment will serve as executive-producing showrunners for the 81st Golden Globe Awards, with Weiss also set to direct. Dick Clark Productions will plan, host and produce the annual show.

Here are more details on the two new Golden Globe categories.

Cinematic and Box Office Achievement

The cinematic and box office achievement award will recognize the year’s most acclaimed, highest-earning and/or most viewed films that have garnered extensive global audience support and attained cinematic excellence. A total of eight nominees will be named in this category.

Eligibility:

Motion pictures are eligible for the cinematic and box office achievement award if they achieve a box office receipt total/gross of $150 million, of which $100 million must come from the U.S. domestic box office, and/or obtain commensurate digital streaming viewership recognized by trusted industry sources.

Films that are released after Nov. 22 up until the end of the year may qualify based on projected box office performance and/or digital streaming views from trusted industry sources.

Cinematic and box office achievement contenders can also be considered for best motion picture in their respective categories, i.e., drama, comedy or musical, animated or non-English language if they meet the eligibility requirements for each of those awards.

Box office and streaming views will determine eligibility; once a film meets the box office-related qualifying criteria or streaming criteria, Golden Globes voters will determine the nominees and winner based on excellence.  ​

Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television

This new category, also known as best stand-up comedian on television, gives standups a dedicated award for an individual performance or as part of a comedy group/ensemble. A total of six nominees will be named in this category.

“The Golden Globes has a rich history of supporting and celebrating the work of comedians, and we’re thrilled to honor their brilliance alongside outstanding motion picture and television performances of the year,” said Hoehne.

Eligibility:

Traditional stand-up comedy performances of at least 30 minutes, other than roles in television series, limited series, anthology series or motion pictures made for television, are eligible for this award.

Television includes works released by broadcast, basic and premium cable, streaming, and pay-per-view cable. To be eligible for Golden Globe awards, television programs must be released on a recognized media platform (individual social media accounts do not qualify).

Only programs first aired (or made available for viewing on demand) in the U.S. during the qualifying calendar year are eligible.

Penske Media Corporation, Billboard‘s parent company, is a part-owner of dick clark productions and has a partnership with Eldridge.

26 Sep 2023

Charles Kelley of Lady A on Being Sober, His Sobriety Journey & More | Billboard News

Lady A stopped by the Billboard News, and Charles Kelley talked about his journey with sobriety and how he is feeling today.

Charles Kelley:
I’m getting close to 15 months. I never thought that I would actually enjoy it, you know?

Stephen Daw:
Of course.

Charles Kelley:
I kind of was like, “OK, I want to do this. I’m gonna do this for my family. I’m gonna do this for my band. I’m gonna do it for myself.” But I never really thought I would actually, you know, enjoy it like I have, and I think it’s the energy you get from, you know, not having crazy nights and all those different things. But just also for me, I think it’s, it’s kind of led me a lot closer to my spirituality. It’s led me to look at myself and what I want more. Like, what am I doing? What am I standing for? What do I want the next 20 years? And I think, you know, sometimes you have to kind of hit that little point of desperation in a way, I think, to find that and I’m just … I’m glad I hit it, you know, in my 40s and didn’t wait till later on in life.

Watch the interview above.

26 Sep 2023

Olivia Rodrigo Reveals Her 3 Favorite Songs on ‘Guts’

Olivia Rodrigo‘s second album Guts has officially been out in the world for about three weeks, meaning fans have had just enough time to decide which of the project’s 12 tracks are their favorites. But which ones are Rodrigo’s?

In a recent interview with Amazon Music, the 20-year-old pop star revealed her top three picks from her sophomore effort’s tracklist, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and saw all 12 of its songs ranked on the Hot 100. And even though lead single “Vampire” went to No. 1, it didn’t make Rodrigo’s cut — nor did “Bad Idea Right?” or “Get Him Back,” both of which have gotten the music video treatment.

“My three favorite songs off the album right now,” she began, emphasizing that the following are simply her favorites at the moment, “are ‘All-American Bitch,’ ‘Logical’ and ‘Love Is Embarrassing.’”

The singer-songwriter was also tasked with picking out three emojis to describe each of the tracks, which dropped alongside the rest of Guts on Sept. 8. For “All-American Bitch,” she chose a baseball emoji, a firework and a lipstick “because the song is kind of about being a girl and fitting into gender norms.”

For “Logical,” a vulnerable piano ballad about an unhealthy relationship, she selected three back-to-back crying face emojis. And for “Love Is Embarrassing,” a shocked face emoji, a sad face emoji and an engagement ring, the last symbolizing the song’s lyric “I’m planning out my wedding with some guy I’m never marrying.”

“All-American Bitch” also happens to feature Rodrigo’s favorite lyric on the album, which she revealed last week on the TODAY show. “I don’t know, the one that’s really jumping out me is — I love the line ‘I got class and integrity/ Just like a d–n Kennedy,” she said on NBC’s morning program.

Watch Olivia Rodrigo share her three favorite Guts songs below:

26 Sep 2023

Which Song Do You Want Usher to Perform Most During the 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show? Vote!

Next year’s Super Bowl performer has found its star in Usher, who is slated to take stage during the game’s Apple Music Halftime Show at Allegiant Stadium on Feb. 11, 2024.

Following the news of the announcement, the “Yeah!” singer appeared on CBS Mornings to discuss how his career has prepared him for the big game set. “Thirty years ago I made a commitment to offer my best, and here 30 years later, now it’s being rewarded with one of the most prestigious performances and stages anybody could ever play on,” he said, adding that performing on the Super Bowl stage “is a moment that I’ve waited my entire life for and I’m not coming to disappoint.”

Fans are already counting down to game day, with some users on social media trying to guess what songs — be it hits, deep cuts, slow jams or wild cards — Usher will perform during the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show.

Online discourse shows that Usher’s 2004 hit “Yeah!” is a popular choice for him to play during the halftime show. The track, Usher’s most successful song on the Billboard Hot 100 with 12 of its charting weeks at No. 1, provides the opportunity to bring out Lil Jon and Ludacris for a truly show-stopping finish.

In Billboard‘s dream setlist for Usher’s set, “OMG,” “DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love” (with Pitbull) and “Without You” (with David Guetta) get a medley treatment, while old favorites such as “U Remind Me” and “U Don’t Have to Call” have time to shine among slower jams including “Good Good” and “My Boo,” which could produce Summer Walker, 21 Savage and Alicia Keys cameos, respectively.

Which song do you want Usher to perform at the Super Bowl? Vote in our poll below!

26 Sep 2023

Live Nation to Drop Merch Fees, Pay $1,500 Stipend to All Club Acts

Live Nation, the world’s largest concert promoter, is launching an ambitious new program to improve the lives of touring musicians and cut down on the growing costs traveling artists facing criss-crossing the country.

Today, the concert giant has announced the launch of “On the Road Again,” a new program inspired by legendary singer/songwriter Willie Nelson to support developing artists and their road crews. The program — which has no expiration date and is expected to save artists tens of millions per year — tackles the growing costs of travel expenses and the ability of artists to make money through merch sales.

“Touring is important to artists so whatever we can do to help other artists, I think we should do it. This program will impact thousands of artists this year and help make touring a little bit easier,” said Nelson, who provided his famous hit song On the Road Again as the anthem for the program. 

Starting today, all acts playing Live Nation owned and operated clubs, from headliners to support acts will receive a $1,500 gas and travel cash stipend per show to all headliners and support acts, on top of nightly performance compensation. 

As part of the program, the company’s clubs will no longer charge merchandise selling fees, allowing artists to keep 100% of merch profits. Many artists rely on merch sales to generate cash for the band while they’re on the road. In January, Ineffable Music Group became the first company to wave merch fees for the companies 10+ venues and showrooms. The decision by Live Nation to waive these fees will likely lead to more cash in the hands of touring artists.

“Touring is a crucial part of an artist’s livelihood, and we understand travel costs take one of the biggest bites out of artists’ nightly profits,” a press release from Live Nation reads. “By helping with these core expenses, we aim to make it easier for artists on the road so they can keep performing to their fans in more cities across the country.”

The On the Road Again also includes financial bonuses to local promoters that help execute at shows as well as tour reps and venue crew members that have worked over 500 hours in 2023. On the Road Again also includes $5 million to Crew Nation, a fund created during the pandemic to support crew across the industry facing unforeseen hardship.

“Delivering for live artists is always our core mission,” said Michael Rapino, President and CEO of Live Nation in a statement to Billboard. “The live music industry is continuing to grow and as it does, we want to do everything we can to support artists at all levels on their touring journey especially the developing artists in clubs. Like Willie says, this is all about making it a little easier for thousands of artists to continue doing what they love: going out and playing for their fans.”

Conpany officials added that On the Road Again is “a true collaboration that draws on insights from Nelson’s years on the road as well as feedback from touring artists, their teams and venue operators to help support day to day life on tour. All benefits from On the Road Again are being provided directly from the venue’s existing earnings, with no increases to consumers.”

For more information on the program and a list of participating venues, visit roadagain.live

willie nelson

Courtesy Photo

26 Sep 2023

Spotify’s Newest Social Feature Is ‘Jam’ Session Playlists

Spotify likes its Collaborative and Blend playlist features so much that it decided to mash them together to make a new one.

Simply called Jam, the feature allows a premium user to launch a real-time, collaborative playlist session with a whole “squad” of friends (including free users), who are then invited to add songs, receive algorithm-based recommendations and of course listen to the jam session. The host has the most power, though, and can change the makeup of the group, re-order tracks and even remove a song. They can also choose to ease their iron grip on power and turn on “guest controls” so others can manage the playlist.

Jam is rolling out for all premium and free Spotify users globally starting today.

Spotify Jam

Spotify

Here’s how it works: a premium user sees a playlist or song and clicks the “Start a Jam” button (located in a couple places). If this is going down at a party, anyone on your WiFi will be prompted to join as soon as they open Spotify. There’s also a shareable QR code that friends can scan or a link you can send via text or social media. The Jam is then managed and played in real-time — ideally through bluetooth speakers connected to the host’s device. Since it’s a jam session and all.

“Get ready for a deeper way to connect through the artists, songs, and albums that unite you—and to discover some unexpected gems with those around you,” says Spotify.

How is Jam different from Collaborative Playlists and Blend? CP allowed users to create playlists of songs and podcasts with multiple people, but it basically lacked the “real-time” aspect. Blend had that listening session feel to it, but was just between two people. Smash them together and you have Jam.