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Lollapalooza glided to a close on Sunday night (Aug. 6) on the wings of two very different California vibes. While the Red Hot Chili Peppers helped shut down the T-Mobile stage at the South end of the mud bog previously known as Grant Park, Lana Del Rey did the honors about a mile up the road on the Bud Light stage, drawing a huge crowd of superfans who’d been waiting all day for their beloved queen of disaster.
Del Rey brought a bit of old Hollywood glamour to what was an otherwise not-at-all glamorous, soggy, cloudy day — the second one of the four-day weekend in Chicago — one that reduced so many cute outfits and carefully curated looks to muddy messes as fans tromped through giant puddles.
In the wind-up to her commanding, mesmerizing 90-minute set, the day featured some fun lead-ins, including Afrojack getting the crowd absolutely mental with a taste of the remix of LDR’s “Summertime Sadness” on the Perry’s EDM stage. Just moments earlier, Joey Bada$$ made his fans equally bonkers by inviting hometown hero Chance the Rapper out for a surprise cameo run through Chance’s “No Problem and the live debut of their collab “Highs & the Lows.”
In another tip to Chi-town hip-hop royalty, both A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Lil Yachty shouted out late Chicago MC Juice WRLD during their sets, with the latter wowing the far-as-the-eye-could-see crowd with a rocking performance that leaned hard into the indie guitar vibes of his Let’s Start Here album.
An hour before LDR cast her soothing spell, Rina Sawayama lit up the Bud Light stage with a decidedly more high-energy vibe, literally cracking a whip during “XS” as she playfully teased her back-up dancers with a variety of S&M gear while rocking a red latex bondage outfit. And in a kind of foreshadowing of LDR’s headlining set, Rina took time out during her show to get her hair done on stage, change shoes and have a sip of Bud Light — she was, after all, on the Bud Light stage. She also slipped in a quip to the audience that seemed to allude to the beer brand’s Dylan Mulvaney flap, reminding them that “trans rights is not just for pride month.”
All of that, however, was just a simple appetizer for the tens of thousands who camped out to see Lana, who took the stage dressed as the world’s loneliest bride, complete with a white wedding mini-dress with a colossal train. While her set was low on the pyrotechnics that marked some of the other headliners over the weekend — from Karol G’s history-making appearance, to the 1975’s cheeky, antics-filled show, Billie Eilish’s eye-popping spectacle and Kendrick Lamar’s intense, stripped-down set — what it lacked in flames it more than made up for in smoldering elegance.
Check out the six best moments from LDR’s set below.
Wedding Bell Blues
Ne-Yo has issued an apology for the comments he recently made regarding transgender kids.
“After much reflection, I’d like to express my deepest apologies to anyone that I may have hurt with my comments on parenting and gender identity,” the singer wrote on Twitter/X Sunday night (Aug. 6). “I’ve always been an advocate for love and inclusivity in the LGBTQI+ community, so I understand how my comments could’ve been interpreted as insensitive and offensive.”
Ne-Yo continued: “Gender identity is nuanced and I can honestly admit that I plan to better educate myself on the topic, so I can approach future conversations with more empathy.”
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“At the end of the day,” he said, “I lead with love and support everyone’s freedom of expression and pursuit of happiness.”
On Saturday, a video of an interview with Gloria Velez for VladTV — in which Ne-Yo and Velez questioned parents who support their children identifying as a different gender than the sex they were assigned at birth — was uploaded to YouTube.
“I just personally come from an era where a man was a man and a woman was a woman,” said Ne-Yo in the interview clip. “And there was two genders, and that’s just how I rocked. You could identify as a goldfish if you feel like, I don’t care. That ain’t my business. It becomes my business when you try to make me play the game with you. I’m not gonna call you a goldfish. But if you wanna be a goldfish, you go be a goldfish. We live in a weird time, man. We do.”
During their conversation he said, “I feel like parents have almost forgotten what the role of a parent is. If your little boy comes to you and says, ‘Daddy, I want to be a girl.’ And you just let him rock with that? He’s 5 … If you let this 5-year-old boy decide to eat candy all day, he’s gonna do that. When did it become a good idea to let a 5-year-old, let a 6-year-old, let a 12-year-old make a life-changing decision for themself? When did that happen? I don’t understand.”
“He can’t drive a car yet, but he can decide his sex?” asked Ne-Yo, who is a father of seven children.
The American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychological Association all agree that gender-affirming care is not dangerous for trans youth, and in most cases, it’s highly beneficial and life-saving.
Later on Saturday Ne-Yo expanded on his thoughts in the comments section of an Instagram post, writing, “1st and foremost, I CONDEMN NO ONE. Who am I to condemn anybody? Your life, your kids, your choice. I was asked a question and I answered it. My opinion is mine. I’m not asking anybody to agree with me nor am I telling you what you can and cannot do with your children. I stated my opinion on a matter and that’s that. Why should I care if my opinion upsets you when you don’t care if yours upsets anyone? Opinions aren’t special. We all have one. People voice them regularly whether they’re asked or not. I was actually asked mine. Agreeing to disagree is not a declaration of war. Y’all do whatever the hell y’all want to. But my feelings on the matter are mine. Same way yours are yours. Meanwhile, I love everybody. Don’t agree with some of y’all’s ideals….but love you no less.”
See his latest statement below.
Beyoncé concertgoers ready for the Renaissance World Tour at FedEx Field Sunday night (Aug. 6) were told to shelter in place ahead of showtime due to lightning in the area. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Concert organizers at the D.C.-local stadium, located nearby in Maryland, instructed fans […]
Taylor Swift included Lover standout “Death by a Thousand Cuts” during her surprise songs set at SoFi Stadium Saturday night (Aug. 5). Arguably, no one appreciated Swift’s pick more than director/writer Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, who happened to be at this Eras Tour date in Los Angeles. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See […]
LE SSERAFIM‘s “Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s Wife” featuring Demi Lovato has topped this week’s new music poll.
Music fans voted in a poll published Friday (Aug. 4) on Billboard, choosing the collaboration between the K-pop group and pop singer as their favorite new music release of the past week.
“Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s Wife” brought in nearly 46% of the vote, beating out new music by Doja Cat (“Paint the Town Red”), Halle (“Angel”), Usher featuring 21 Savage and Summer Walker (“Good Good”), Grupo Frontera (El Comienzo), and others.
The K-pop group — comprising members Sakura, Kim Chae-won, Huh Yun-jin, Kazuha and Hong Eun-chae — released an English version of the song on Friday (Aug. 4), with the addition of a sultry verse by Lovato. The remix follows the group’s Rina Sawayama collab for the track the week prior.
“I see it written on your face, yeah/ I know you want a little taste, yeah/ You know I’ll put you in your place/ You’re crawling on the floor/ Begging me for more, ooh/ I’m sicker than the flu/ Come put me in the mood/ My body touching you, do you like that?/ Ooh, just watch the way I move,” Lovato belts on the rock-tinged tune.
“Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s Wife” is the second single from LE SSERAFIM’s first studio album, Unforgiven. The song peaked at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Trending Songs chart dated June 3, while the album it’s on peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200.
Lovato, meanwhile, is prepping to release an entire album featuring rocked-out versions of some of her biggest hits. REVAMPED is slated for release on Sept. 15 and it will feature the reimagined guitar-heavy versions of “Sorry,” as well as the previously released “Heart Attack (Rock Version)” and “Cool For the Summer (Rock Version).”
Trailing behind “Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s Wife” on the poll is Doja Cat’s latest release “Paint the Town Red,” which brought in 26% of the vote.
Led by a sample of Dionne Warwick’s classic “Walk on By” to leverage the chorus, Doja knows exactly what her naysayers think of her, and taunts them with their own comments on a bouncy chorus.
“Mm, she the devil/ She a bad lil’ b—-, she a rebel/ She put her foot to the pedal/ It’ll take a whole lot for me to settle,” she sings.
The track is the second look fans have received of her upcoming fourth album after single “Attention.”
See the final results of this week’s new music release poll below.
On the one-year anniversary of their wedding, Rita Ora and Taika Waititi have finally revealed details about their romantic, private ceremony — including what everyone got wrong about it. Sharing photos and memories of the big day to Vogue, the couple confessed to being amused by all the false reports speculating on when and where […]
Billboard’s Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guide to this Friday’s most essential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond.
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This week, Doja Cat leaves you on red, Halle make a heavenly solo debut, and Demi Lovato links up with LE SSERAFIM for uptempo fun. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Doja Cat, “Paint the Town Red”
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One could reasonably expect for Doja Cat to snap back at faux supporters trying to constrict her to one sound or style; a bit more surprising is Doja Cat delivering a belated tribute to recently passed musician Burt Bacharach. Yet she does both on crackling new single “Paint the Town Red,” which utilizes the Dionne Warwick classic “Walk On By” as a foundation for the audacious multi-hyphenate superstar to declare, “Yeah, bitch, I said what I said.” While stans will pore over every line and innuendo, the entirety of “Paint the Town Red” sounds more dynamic than Dojo’s previous single, “Attention”: she’s naturally in the pocket during the rap verses, and the extended hook is a pop-rap triumph, brimming with self-assured skill.
Halle, “Angel”
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Unlike most debut singles, “Angel” arrives after its creator, Halle Bailey, has already made a significant impact on popular culture — first as one-half of the acclaimed R&B duo Chloe x Halle with her equally talented sister, and then as a rising star in Hollywood, leading the live-action The Little Mermaid and coming soon in The Color Purple remake. “Angel” could have been a quick check-in for hungry music fans, but Halle infuses the rhythmic, piano-led track with vulnerability and heart, sharing her insecurities while declaring that she will ultimately fly above the sentiments trying to weigh her down.
LE SSERAFIM feat. Demi Lovato, “Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s Wife”
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Demi Lovato continues a particularly adventurous streak by hopping on a new remix to K-pop group LE SSERAFIM’s viral B-side “Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s Wife,” leaping into the boundaries of the megawatt song and proceeding to nudge them just a little bit farther outward. The track was already a thumping, quick-moving flirtation, and Lovato’s voice provides another powerful siren cry: “I see it written on your face, yeah / I know you want a little taste, yeah,” Lovato sings with a world of confidence.
Grupo Frontera, El Comienzo
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The story of Mexican music’s global breakthrough in 2023 cannot be told without Grupo Frontera, the Texas group who fully transitioned from releasing viral covers to scoring their own smashes this year. Debut album El Comienzo acknowledges the songs and co-stars that helped the collective conquer the charts — “No Se Va” and their Bad Bunny team-up “un x100to” are the first two songs on the track list, after all — yet Grupo Frontera have plenty of new tricks up their sleeves on the project, as they bring new collaborators into their universe and shine on their own with tracks like the emotionally heightened “Cansado De Sufrir” and the airy, charming “Me Gustas.”
Usher feat. 21 Savage & Summer Walker, “Good Good”
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Modern R&B is rife with euphoric love songs and devastated heartbreak songs; less common are the post-breakup anthems in which both sides are pleased with the split and can newly coexist as friends. “Good Good” finds Usher exploring that rare terrain while sounding especially spry: maybe it’s the fresh subject matter, or maybe the presence of 2020s A-listers 21 Savage and Summer Walker have pushed the veteran to step his game up, but regardless of the reason, Usher is downright reinvigorated on these vocal runs and sumptuous hooks.
Editor’s Pick: ††† (Crosses), “Invisible Hand”
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Nine years after Deftones leader Chino Moreno and producer/multi-instrumentalist Shaun Lopez released Crosses, the debut album of their project †††, we’re finally getting a proper follow-up — Goodnight, God Bless, I Love U, Delete. will be released Oct. 13 and feature guest spots from Robert Smith and El-P. Their official return as a duo is cause for excitement in the hard rock world, and lead single “Invisible Hand” is only going to heighten expectations for the rest of the album: the track locks in on a blindingly bright electro-rock groove before jerking the listener in different directions, and Moreno’s voice, driving and emotive as ever, serves as a guide to each pivot.
At long last, Taylor Swift has arrived in Los Angeles for the final stop of her U.S. tour — or so fans thought.
Earlier on Thursday, August 3 — hours before the superstar would take the stage at SoFi Stadium — she announced a second leg of North American dates for 2024. The new dates include stops in Miami, New Orleans, Indianapolis and Toronto. “Turns out it’s NOT the end of an era,” Swift wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).
And as she made perfectly clear on the first of her six-night run in L.A., slowing down is simply not in the cards. Neither is performing the same show night after night, as evidenced by the addition of two surprise songs to each set list, which Swift says is a fun way to challenge herself to dig deep into her extensive catalog — while also keeping fans on their toes, creating a sort of “gotta catch ’em all” energy.
But on Thursday, there was an even greater buzz radiating throughout the packed stadium as 70,000 fans poured in, many of whom were eagerly discussing rumors that Selena Gomez may make an appearance or that the next Taylor’s Version could be announced on this very night.
That’s the thing about the Eras Tour: it’s safe to expect the unexpected.
As it turns out, neither rumor was true. And yet, Swift’s opening night was nothing short of magical and filled with firsts, like having never performed at SoFi before or selecting a surprise song that she has never played live. And thankfully, it was all captured by a cameraman following her every move on stage, filming for something, as Swift managed to kick her power and poise into an even higher gear.
The night also included stellar opening sets from Gracie Abrams, who will join Swift on her 2024 dates, and HAIM. Of the sister trio, Swift said: “Not only are these three individuals my besties, but they’re my favorite band,” also noting it was a hometown show for the rockers.
“We have a lot to catch up on, musically speaking,” Swift said later on. “I haven’t toured in five years before the Eras Tour; This is the last city on the U.S. leg and we knew we wanted to end someplace special.”
And that is was. Below are the best moments from Swift’s opening night in L.A.
HAIM’s Not-So-Surprise Guest Appearance
It’s here! Just hours after announcing the collaboration, LE SSERAFIM unveiled the English version of its single “Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s Wife” featuring Demi Lovato on Friday (Aug. 4). Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “I see it written on your face, yeah/ I know you want a little […]
LE SSERAFIM is adding another collaboration to its list. The K-pop group — which consists of members Sakura, Kim Chae-won, Huh Yun-jin, Kazuha and Hong Eun-chae — is releasing an English version of its single “Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s Wife” featuring Demi Lovato, the group announced on Thursday (Aug. 3). The news was revealed […]