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27 Jul 2023

9 Cheap Ticket Sites for Music Lovers to See Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Jonas Brothers & More

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This year is jam-packed with tours and festivals around the world, from Eagles’ Long Goodbye tour to Lollapalooza 2023. No matter what kind of music lover you are, there are an endless amount of shows to attend. Unfortunately, purchasing tickets can be costly, and that doesn’t take into account the stress of getting a presale code (if applicable).

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That’s where resale ticket brands come in. Instead of purchasing overpriced tickets from scalpers, there are numerous resale ticket sites that’ll provide cheap concert tickets to your favorite artists or festivals.

To take the work out of researching where to find reliable resale tickets, we did the research and rounded up the best cheap ticket sites, so you can see your favorite artists live while avoiding the disapproving look from your wallet.

Keep reading to see where to score affordable tickets to concerts and festivals year-round.

Vivid Seats

$Starting at $22

Rather than wait in a virtual line, Vivid Seats gives you access to thousands of events from live sports, concerts and festivals. You search based on artist, team, venue and more, whether you’ve scored a travel deal or just want to stay local. When looking at tickets, some sales are verified with a checkmark to show they’re from what the site considers a “super seller” and the brand guarantees instant delivery to your smart device.

StubHub

$Starting at $28

StubHub is another popular choice that people go to for grabbing resale tickets at a more affordable price. The site allows you to search by artists, genre or even in alphabetic order to see all artists playing this year. It also uses a verified Fan Protect to help protect you from scammers.

TicketNetwork

$Starting at $39

TicketNetwork is a non-primary seller that aims to get tickets in your hands without having to worry about signing up for a presale. The brand does notify shoppers that some tickets may be sold at above face value, but it offers a place that helps minimize the risk of being scammed. You can also see a ranking of the most popular shows based on the genre of music.

Gametime

$Starting at $16

Looking for cheap last-minute tickets? Gametime has gained attention for providing last-minute verified tickets for a more budget-friendly cost. Whether you’re waiting for day-of tickets of are looking for something to do on a Friday night, this site will show you what’s going on near you as well as sort by some of the hottest events of the year.

Ticketsmarter

$Starting at $26

Ticketsmarter promises 100% guarantee when selling tickets and allow you to search based on music genre, venue and VIP packages. Tickets available are rated on a scale of “smartness” with the highest number being the best.

Ticket City

$Starting at $34

Since 1990, Ticket City has been providing people with a place to buy and sell tickets to some of the most sought out performances. The brand offers 100% guarantee on tickets bought through the site and if that’s not the case, then Ticket City will provide you with comparable or better tickets than you ordered, or you’ll be offered a refund or a credit.

viagogo

$Starting at $23

Viagogo is one of the largest reselling sites and provides a place where sellers can go to resell tickets above or below face value. For buyers, the brand uses security checks to ensure that transactions go smoothly and tickets being sold are legit.

Groupon

$Starting at $20

Groupon won’t just give you a discount on restaurants or a promo on a manicure, the site also offers deals on concerts, festivals and live performances in your area or places you plan on traveling to. You can narrow down your search by the type of performance or search for specific shows.

Seat Geek

$Starting at $25

Seat Geek categorizes everything based on trending shows, genre and what’s going on in your area. Once you click on your desired show, the brand breaks seat choice down by using a scale of 1-10 of how great a deal it is. You can also search for seats using the venue map to make sure you get exactly what you’re looking for.

For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best concert earplugs, venue-approved bags and portable chargers.

27 Jul 2023

How Gabito Ballesteros Went From a Mariachi Choir to a Viral Corridos Star

Gabito Ballesteros was only 10 years old when he unearthed his musical talent. He formed part of a children’s mariachi at a local church in his native Cumpas, Sonora, Mexico, where he learned how to play the guitar and discovered his singing capabilities. It was his own family members and the people from his small town that let him know he had a gift. 

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Further exploring his talents, a then 15-year-old Ballesteros — whose models to follow are Joan Sebastian, Remmy Valenzuela, and Julion Alvarez — created a Facebook account to post videos of himself performing. His first taste of virality came when he covered “Apagaré La Luz” by Los Hermanos Vega Jr., and the group reposted his video. 

“Nowadays, social media can open doors for you, and that’s what happened to me,” he tells Billboard. “But this was just a hobby for me. I couldn’t dedicate myself fully to music, because my parents wanted me to finish school first, and then I could dedicate myself to whatever I wanted.”

Just last year, Ballesteros finished his studies and entered the Música Mexicana realm. His first big supporter was Natanael Cano, whom he met years ago in Hermosillo, and who later invited him to collaborate on his “AMG” track with another then-newcomer: Peso Pluma. Ballesteros is also signed to Cano’s record label Los CT. 

“All the songs represent something, but ‘AMG’ was a very big springboard for us,” he elaborates. “It was the song that took us to another step. I am happy and excited — but with a very big commitment, because once you hit a song you already want to have another 10 hits. That’s where the pressure is felt, but it’s nice.” 

“AMG” marked Ballesteros first-ever Billboard chart entry, peaking at No. 6 on the Hot Latin Songs listing dated Feb. 25 and at No. 37 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 dated May 13. In total, the Mexican artist has four entries on Hot Latin Songs and two top 40 tracks on the Hot 100, including “Lady Gaga,” in collaboration with Peso Pluma and Junior H.  

Ballesteros has since been nothing but in-demand, recently even teaming up with artists outside of the genre, like Becky G on “La Nena” and Piso 21 on “Me Libere.” 

“I am proud to be living this moment,” he says. “Natanael opened the doors for us. At the time it was difficult for him, with all the criticism and bad comments, but he was able to do it — and today it’s our turn. I feel happy to be able to open a new path for the talents that come after me. Just as I have my idols, I would like to be that for the artists who come along the way.” 

Below, learn more about July’s Latin Artist on the Rise.

Name: Gabriel Ballesteros Abril

Age: 24

Recommended Song: “AMG,” Natanael Cano x Gabito Ballesteros x Peso Pluma

Major Accomplishment: “It’s all of them. Every step I take is an achievement for me. A year go, I had smaller goals, now I have bigger ones … but I feel that every one of my goals and achievements, since I began my career, has a lot of value.”

What’s Next?: “I have a tour with Natanael Cano that is about to start in Mexico. My first album is coming too, which hopefully we can release at the end of this year. Collaborations are coming that I can’t mention at the moment, but yes, many projects and surprises are coming. I work daily for all my fans.”

27 Jul 2023

NMIXX Share Their Best TMI Confessions, From Favorite Snacks to Recent Purchases

NMIXX had fans getting to know them a little better when they played TMI with Billboard this week.

The six-piece girl group gave their “too much information” confessions in a TikTok, starting off with Jiwoo, whose TMI was that she ate a sandwich earlier in the day.

A few more of the girls had food related confessions, with Haewon admitting that she had some watermelon juice instead of her usual iced americano and Sullyoon sharing that she ate a sweet potato.

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Kyujin, meanwhile, showed off her school girl style, while Bae revealed that she recently bought a Pat & Mat phone case and Lily admitted that she likes to sleep on the ground.

Earlier this year, NMIXX made Billboard‘s K-pop stars to watch list, as the girl group’s first EP, Expérgo, entered the Billboard 200 at No. 122 — even without a U.S. label partner. “Young, Dumb, Stupid” (which samples “Frère Jacques”) debuted at No. 1 on the Hot Trending Songs chart and “Love Me Like This,” a breakout hit for the group, earned them a No. 1 on South Korean music-chart program Show Champion.

Watch NMIXX’s TMI TikTok below.

27 Jul 2023

Which Musician Should be the Next Barbie? Vote!

It’s officially a Barbie summer, thanks to release of Greta Gerwig’s newest blockbuster starring Margot Robbie. The film, released in theaters on July 21, has received widespread praise and is backed by a star-studded soundtrack that is currently competing for the top spot on the Billboard 200 next week. In light of Dua Lipa‘s role in the film, Billboard wants to know — which musician do you think should play Barbie next?

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Lipa — in addition to contributing the Barbie soundtrack’s lead single, “Dance the Night” — added another credit to her growing film resume by starring as Mermaid Barbie. After things begin to go wrong for Stereotypical Barbie (Robbie), she heads to the beach to meet her friends. Lipa then spontaneously appears from the water, and greets Barbie alongside two other Mermaid Barbie replicas.

Nicki Minaj, who has associated herself with Barbie since the beginning of her career in rap music, is an immediate pick for who should play Barbie next. The hitmaker has donned a pink wig multiple times in homage to the doll and her Barbie persona, and has released two tracks, “Barbie Dreams” and “Barbie Tingz,” regarding her status as the industry’s head Barb.

Already known on social media as Diana, The People’s Princess, Ice Spice — Minaj’s protégé and two time collaborator — would likely be next in the running for a musician to play one of the iconic dolls. Ice and Minaj already made their mark on Barbie: The Album with their No. 7-charting single “Barbie World,” which included a sample of Aqua’s signature hit “Barbie Girl,” so a cameo spot in a Barbie property is not far of a stretch.

So which musician do you think should be the next to play Barbie in a movie? Vote in our poll below.

27 Jul 2023

Fuerza Regida & Banda MS’ ‘Mentira No Es’ Rules Regional Mexican Airplay Chart

Fuerza Regida and Banda MS’ second team-up takes over Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart as “Mentira No Es” jumps from No. 6 to No. 1 to lead the July 29-dated list. Previously, Banda MS enlisted Fuerza Regida for “Santo Patrón,” which dips 16-39 after reaching No. 13 in June.

“Mentira No Es” rules with 7.5 million audience impressions earned in the week ending July 20, according to Luminate. That’s a 38% gain from the week prior, an increase that secures the track the week’s Greatest Gainer honor.

As the collaboration advances to the top, Banda collects its 19th No. 1, and first since “Hay Que Hacer Dinero,” featuring Eden Muñoz, led for a week in July 2022.

Fuerza Regida, meanwhile, captures its second Regional Mexican Airplay No. 1, following the three-week command of “Bebe Dame,” with Grupo Frontera, this March-April.

As “Mentira No Es” grants Banda MS its 19th ruler, the Mazatlán group breaks from a tie with both Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizárraga and Intocable for the second-most No. 1s overall in the list’s history. Only Calibre 50, with 23 champs, claims more. Let’s look at the scoreboard.

Most Regional Mexican Airplay No. 1s:
23, Calibre 50
19, Banda MS de Sergio Lizarraga
18, Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizarraga
18, Intocable
17, La Arrolladora Banda el Limon de Rene Camacho
16, Conjunto Primavera
16, Los Tigres del Norte
15, Christian Nodal

Elsewhere, “Mentira No Es” vaults 18-6 for a new best on the overall Latin Airplay chart, also the week’s biggest gainer there. The song becomes Banda MS’ 24th top 10 and likewise first since “Hay Que Dinero,” which hit No. 6 last July. The new top 10 is Fuerza Regida’s second, after “Bebe Dame” led for a week in March.


https://youtube.com/watch?v=wwjqpCGXKVc&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent

27 Jul 2023

In Win For Radio Stations, AM For Every Vehicle Act Headed to Senate Floor

As of Thursday (July 27), the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation has officially transferred the AM For Every Vehicle Act to the Senate floor. The bill is eligible for a full Senate vote, though no date has yet been set.

The AM For Every Vehicle Act would mandate that AM radios be included in automobiles as a safety feature. Under the bill, the Department of Transportation would issue a rule requiring all new motor vehicles manufactured in the United States, imported to the United States or shipped in interstate commerce after the rule’s effective date, to have devices that can access AM broadcast stations or digital audio AM broadcast stations installed as standard equipment. AM broadcast stations are often used to deliver emergency alerts and news.

Prior to the effective date of the rule, manufacturers that do not include devices that can access AM broadcast stations as standard equipment must inform purchasers of this fact through clear and conspicuous labeling.

In the Senate, the AM for Every Vehicle Act is being led by Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Ted Cruz (R-TX). A House companion bill is led by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) as well as co-leads Reps. Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-7), Rob Menendez (NJ-8), Bruce Westerman (AR-4) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-3).

The legislation comes as Volkswagen, Audi, Volvo and more have taken AM radio from electric vehicles, while Ford revealed in April that “most new and updated 2024” models would discontinue the technology, before backtracking on the pledge. In total, eight of the world’s 20 top carmakers have removed the broadcast format from electric vehicles as streaming becomes the dominant source of listening in Bluetooth-equipped cars.

“No pressing issue may be bigger than the fate of radio in automotive dashboards,” radio consultant Fred Jacobs wrote in April, citing his Jacobs Media Group listener study which showed that 75% of new car buyers rank Bluetooth as “very important” compared to 71% for FM radio and just 32% for AM radio.

27 Jul 2023

Ethan Slater’s Estranged Wife Lilly Jay Breaks Silence on Ariana Grande

Ethan Slater and estranged wife Lilly Jay have filed for divorce on Wednesday (July 26), Billboard can confirm. The reason listed for the divorce is not currently clear.

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The musician also spoke out against the SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical star’s budding romance with his Wicked co-star Ariana Grande. “[Ariana’s] the story really. Not a girl’s girl,” Jay told Page Six. “My family is just collateral damage.”

Slater and Jay celebrated their four-year wedding anniversary in November 2022, and share a one-year-old son together. Both TMZ and People previously reported that he and Grande started dating after both of their previous relationships were over; the “Thank U, Next” singer reportedly called it quits with husband Dalton Gomez in January, though they have yet to announce their split.

“The story is her and Dalton,” Jay added to Page Six.

Grande plays Glinda opposite Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba in Jon M. Chu’s upcoming live-action film adaptation of the Broadway show Wicked, which will be split into two parts. In the film, Slater is playing Boq, a munchkin boy who, fittingly, has a crush on Glinda.

27 Jul 2023

Big Time Rush Shares a Behind-the-Scenes Look At Its Biggest Tour Yet | Billboard News

Big Time Rush gives Billboard a full behind-the-scenes look at the group’s biggest tour yet, the Can’t Get Enough tour. The boyband takes us through soundcheck, meet and greets, and more during its concert at Jones Beach Theater in New York.

Logan Henderson:
Billboard, are you ready? You ain’t ready?

Kendall Schmidt:
I brought my espresso machine from home.

James Maslow:
That’s a must.

Logan Henderson:
He handles the morning drinks. I handle the evening drinks with tequila.

James Maslow:
Casamigos Reposado on standby!

Logan Henderson:
Hey! We’re Big Time Rush, and welcome …

James Maslow:
And welcome to our tour stop.

So these were custom made for us.

Logan Henderson:
If you think they look like tablecloths, it’s because it is.

James Maslow:
They’re vintage, but hey, they’re lighter because it’s summertime — everybody’s got their own letters, and all their embroideries are specific to the tour.

Carlos PenaVega:
It was also made in Brooklyn.

Kendall Schmidt:
Made in Brooklyn by the way.

James Maslow:
Playing in Florida at the Kennedy Space Station.

James Maslow”
And Niagara Falls, so yeah, it’s pretty sweet.

James Maslow:
100% one-of-a-kind looks for opening.

Kendall Schmidt:
We’ve had more, like, stuff on stage before, but it’s definitely the biggest production that we’ve had. And it’s the most well-thought-out and we definitely really focused into making this the biggest show yet.

Logan Henderson:
Yeah, this is the most visually beautiful show that we put on. We’ve had lots of different iterations of our tours and everything like that, but this is probably the most beautiful to watch. So we’re playing music we’ve never played on tour before. Got a whole bunch of new music that we’re playing and been very lucky.

Watch the full video with Big Time Rush above!

27 Jul 2023

Billboard’s Top 5 Songs of the Summer of 2017 | Billboard News

Billboard looks back and counts down the top five songs that ruled the summer of 2017.

Rania Aniftos:
2017, the year a Spanish hit took over the airwaves thanks to a pop-star collaboration, and DJ Khaled dominated the top five. We’ll get to that later, but let’s start with the No. 5 song on the Hot 100 Songs of 2017.

“Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran.

In the first hit by our favorite DJ, (DJ) Khaled that is, the No. 4 spot belongs to “Wild Thoughts” featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller.

Back-to-back hits for DJ Khaled bringing us the No. 3 song with “I’m the One” featuring a host of talented stars including Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne.

Reaching the No. 2 spot in summer 2017 is our favorite modern-day funk-soul singer Bruno Mars with his hit “That’s What I Like.”

Justin Bieber was everywhere in 2017. Also making the list twice when he lent his vocals to the biggest song of the summer by Puerto Rican singers Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee. “Despacito” remained a hit for months — reigning king of summer 2017.

Come back next week as we dive into the biggest summer songs of 2018.

Watch the full video above!

27 Jul 2023

Lizzo Is Mind-Blown Over UFO Congressional Hearing Testimony on Existence of Aliens: ‘WTF’

The Internet was sent ablaze on Wednesday (July 26) when a former Air Force intelligence officer testified in Congress, claiming under oath that the U.S. government secretly operates a “multi-decade” reverse engineering program of recovered vessels, adding that they’ve allegedly gotten ahold of non-human “biologics” from crash sites.

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One person who was surprised by the news was Lizzo, who immediately took to Twitter to share her thoughts. “Aye.. I know there’s a lot of pop culture news and memes going on rn but…,” the “Good as Hell” singer wrote. “THE GOVERNMENT JUST STATED *UNDER OATH* THAT THEY ARE IN POSSESSION OF UFOs AND NON-HUMAN ALIEN BODIES YALL WTF.”

Retired Maj. David Grusch, who was formerly part of the Pentagon’s Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Task Force, said that while he hasn’t personally seen any non-human bodies, he is speaking based on the accounts of over 40 witnesses he interviewed while in the UAP task force. “My testimony is based on information I have been given by individuals with a longstanding track record of legitimacy and service to this country — many of whom also shared compelling evidence in the form of photography, official documentation, and classified oral testimony,” he said during the trial, according to NPR.

See Lizzo’s tweet below.