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U2 To Perform Brand New Single Live

The BPI, the UK record labels’ body, today announced the exciting news that the mighty U2, one of the world’s biggest bands, will perform their brand new single ‘Get On Your Boots’ live at The BRIT Awards 2009 with MasterCard. This highly anticipated annual event takes place on Wednesday 18 February at London’s Earls Court.

This year’s BRIT Awards, the premiere event in the British music calendar, is shaping up to be one of the strongest yet, with U2 confirmed, Pet Shop Boys being honored with the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award and further intriguing live performances to be announced over the coming weeks. The show will be a spectacular night of great music, featuring and honouring the hottest music talent and thrilling the eleven thousand audience at Earls Court, as well as making it a must tune-in for the millions watching The BRITs live on ITV1.

Ged Doherty, Chairman of The BRITs Committee said, “We’re thrilled to be able to confirm that U2 have chosen The BRITs for their first global TV performance on their new album. Their addition to the line-up for this year’s show makes it possibly the best we have ever had. This cements The BRITs as one of the biggest TV events in the world.”

Formed in 1976, U2 consists of Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jnr. Over their three-decade career the band have sold over 140 million albums worldwide – with multiple gold, platinum and diamond certifications, and have amassed more awards than any other band. They have been awarded seven coveted BRIT Awards including five acclaimed Best International Group awards, Best Live Act and the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award in 2001.

With several chart topping albums under their belt, U2 will release their forthcoming album ‘No Line on the Horizon’ – tipped as their best to date – this spring and join the prestigious line up at The BRIT Awards 2009 with MasterCard ceremony at Earls Court, London on Wednesday 18 February.

Why Britney Spears Wasn’t Live

Britney Spears looked fabulous in a black winter coat with a ruffled collar for her pre-taped appearance at the Rockefeller Center for the New York Tree Light Ceremony last week. According to OK!, the 27-year old recovered singer was scheduled to perform but ended up just giving a taped message. A source said “She was originally supposed to perform live and then she wanted to pre-tape her performance instead. Then she didn’t want to do that. She keeps changing her mind and now she’s not performing at all but she is still supposed to pre-tape at 7 p.m.” I guess she wanted to reserve her energy to celebrate her birthday.

Buffalo Hates Avril

Buffalo Hates Avril

Much like the rest of the world, Buffalo, New York could care less about Avril Lavigne. Ticket sales for Avril’s current tour are so bad already and it gets worse by the day. Tickets for her upcoming show in Buffalo are selling so poorly that concert promoter Live Nation has had to cut down the prices drastically. You can now buy a whopping four tickets for just under $100 just to see Avril in her poorly reviewed show. I say just save your money and donate it to charity. But then again, with the way things are going, Avril can be considered charity already.

Rappers Delight

 

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Going to a concert is always a fun thing to do. It’s especially fun if artists have a little something planned too. Fans at the House of Blues in LA on Wednesday night got fun, more fun and even more fun.

Common was the one scheduled to take the stage but after a couple of songs, Kanye West came out to perform ‘Can’t Tell Me Nothing’ and ‘Good Life’. If that wasn’t enough for you, Busta Rhymes also busted out on the stage and performed too. Essentially, that’s 3 shows for the price of one – how lucky can you get?

Rihanna at Pre-Grammy Party

Rihanna at Pre-Grammy Party

Six-time Grammy nominee Rihanna arrived at the legendary Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Party which was held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday in Beverly Hills, California covered up head to toe in a patterned dress. I don’t know what is up with her lately but she’s wearing more fashion misses that could take away her crown for being a style queen.

But let’s talk beyond style. Rihanna will be singing a duet with 80s band The Time at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony which is scheduled for tonight, Sunday, in Los Angeles at the Staple Center and will air live on CBS.

Celine Dion Takes a Bow

Celine Dion Takes a Bow

Celine Dion was photographer with her 6 ½-year old son Rene as she waved goodbye during the final run of her Las Vegas show ‘A New Day’ at The Colosseum at the Caesars Palace on Saturday night.

Since the show opened in March 2003, nearly 3 million people have watched the 39-year old songstress perform 717 live shows. Gross ticket sales have totaled a cool $400 million. For those that missed the show, you can still catch it on the newly released five-hour double DVD ‘Celine Dion: A New Day – Live in Las Vegas’.

Celine will be kicking off the North American leg of her concert tour next month.

Mary J. Blige – Come To Me (Peace) Live On CNN – Video

Mary J. Blige performed on Thursday night at “CNN Heroes: All Star Tribute”. She sang “Come To Me (Peace)”, a new song from her upcoming studio album entitled “Growing Pains”

The Spice Girls Vanishing Act

The Spice Girls Vanishing Act

The Spice Girls, Seal, Heidi Klum and Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas all had performances at the Victoria’s Secret fashion show last month. But when the special aired on CBS Tuesday night, a performance was clearly missing.

The Spice Girls performed two songs at the show, their hit ‘Stop’ and their new single ‘Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)’. However, only their rendition of ‘Stop’ made it to the broadcast.

I think that’s unfair. Seal had more than one song that made it on the air. Although in comparison to any of the songs Seal performed, ‘Headlines’ was a big bore.

Pink Gets Sued

Pink Gets Sued

Pink released an album called ‘Missundazstood’ a couple of years back and now, it looks like there’s been a missundazstanding. A musician named Scratch has filed a lawsuit against the pop punk rocker for a featured performance on her hit CD.

In the lawsuit, Kyle ‘Scratch’ Jones claims that he is on Pink’s track ‘Respect’ but wasn’t paid for it. According to the suit, Scratch says he discussed payment with Pink but they never came to an agreement. He’s also claiming that his work was used on her DVD ‘Live in Europe’. He’s seeking $717,600 in damages.

A rep for Pink has released a statement regarding the matter saying “There’s nothing to say on this matter, as it is an unjustified lawsuit.”

Kylie aims high

Kylie aims high

After a long absence Kylie Minogue is struggling to regain her place on the celebrity podium. Not only is she planning a long and fantastic European tour the next year, but she will also appear on the stage of the honorific Nobel Prize concert to celebrate the winners of 2007. She will be performing for Nobel Prize winners: the climate chance panel of the United Nations and ex-vice president Al. Gore. The prize is offered to the combined parties for their united effort in trying to wake the world up and realize an inconvenient truth: the global warming that is threatening to destroy our planet and our race along with it.

Kylie will join on the stage various celebrity females like Annie Lennox and Alicia Keys. It seems like on December the 11th only women are worthy to honor the giving of a Nobel Prize, as all singers will be members of the beautiful sex.

Eminem Refuses To Tour Due To Daughter

Eminem

Eminem is refusing to embark on any future U.S tour in fear of upsetting his young daughter, according to rapper 50 Cent. The In Da Club hitmaker says his pal’s daughter Hailey, six, dislikes him being away from home – and Eminem is adamant fatherhood comes before his career. Now isn’t that such an inspirational thought from a cult singer and doesn’t it inspire the likes of David Beckham and Brad and all the other’s to give up a little on the hectic lifestyles to spend some time with their kids and if this speak doesn’t then I don’t know what will. Man come on after you have the millions in your bank account what is there that is stopping you from taking a early Christmas break and going on a vacation with the family. What are you all filthy rich dads waiting for, till when you retire at that time the kids would have left the nest and shall be free birds. This is the time to enjoy with the kids. Eminem has his priorities all right and this makes him my idol.

ALBUM REVIEW: Laura Critchley

ALBUM REVIEW: Laura Critchley

In addition to listening to this album in it’s entirity, I was also fortunate enough to hear Laura Critchley perform some of the songs live at the album launch last Wednesday. I did not envy the poor girl, having to perform to a room full of music industry people, but she pulled it off brilliantly before heading off to another gig in her home town of Liverpool. The album is a good mixture of upbeat songs and ballads with a pinch of rock and jazz/funk thrown in. Laura co-wrote all the songs on the album, and is obviously responsible for the great lyrics throughout. She opened her set with the second song on the album, “What Do We Do?”, which was also released as a single on 5 November. This is a break up ballad, which she does so well, as is “I’ll Be Ok” , which is the fourth track on the album. “Lullaby” was beautiful but happy while the title track is a very commercial love song which is coming out as a single in January. The rest of the album includes jazzier entries like “Shoulder To Lean On” and “Don’t Say” , rocky ones like “That Kind Of Love”, and “Superstar (Song For Karen) dedicated to Karen Carpenter. If you like good songs, well written and passionately sung, this album is a must for your collection. Furthermore, I can confirm that she is just as good live as she is on CD.

Eric Jerardi Band To Tour!

Eric Jerardi Band To Tour!

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Freeway – Free at Last

Freeway - Free at Last

Almost five years after releasing a near-classic rap debut, Freeway finally gets his second shot, and there’s some unsurprisingly frank talk about his surroundings not being identical. Since Philadelphia Freeway’s early 2003 release, there was the Damon Dash/Jay-Z Roc-A-Fella rift, so Free addresses that, despite it being old news. Free at Last has all the makings of a disappointment — a release destined to slide off everyone’s radar within a couple weeks of release. “Oh, yeah, Freeway eventually put out that second album… uh, Free Again, or something?”

The album is not the least bit deserving of that fate. Even with the amount of expectation-lowering context heavy on the mind, Free at Last sounds like a very strong follow-up. Apart from the 50 feature “Take It to the Top,” with a light and frilly production that is absolutely the worst fit for Free’s gruff and pop-unfriendly voice, there are no obvious points of weakness — unless, of course, Free’s lack of vocal versatility is something to gripe about. But his intelligible grunts and rasps are just as commanding and riveting as any other MC’s best mode. With a pilgrimage to Mecca also in his recent past, the dichotomy between his threat/boast-based rhymes and more introspective side is greater than it was on Philadelphia Freeway, and it isn’t at the expense of toughness — take, for instance, “I will squeeze and leave your spleen on the outside.” He is a sharper, more vivid lyricist, and it can also be sensed that he has done everything in his power to make up for all that lost time. And it must be said that his as-common-as-ever exultations of “Early!” — Practically a tic at this point — are more perplexing and amusing than ever

“Cover Your Eyes” Tour!

“Cover Your Eyes” Tour!

If you were looking for a truly impressive night out then you are going to want to see what you can do about getting yourself tickets to take in the “Cover Your Eyes” Tour which is sure to be a great night out whether you decide to attend with family or with friends. Featuring such acts as Kenotia and City Sleeps as well as Bedlight for Blue eyes, this tour promises to be an amazing night out that you are not going to want to miss so make sure you see what you can do about getting yourself tickets to catch these great bands and more in action.
Highlights of this tour include stops at such venues as Jaxx in West Springfield, Virginia on November 15, The Brewery in Raleigh, North Carolina on November 16, Soapbox in Wilmington, North Carolina on November 17, The 7 Venue in Douglasville, Georgia on November 18, The Pit in Jacksonville, Florida on November 19, Island Oasis in Winter Park, Florida on November 21, Dark Room in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on NOvember 24, Fat Daddy’s Sound Shack in Lewisville, Texas on November 25, White Rabbit in San Antonio, Texas on November 26 and The Blue Goat in Salina, Kansas on November 28 as well as The Foundry in Joplin, Missouri on November 29 and The Cellblock in Mesa, Arizona on December 4. There are also a slew of other performances that you know you aren’t going to want to miss out on!

City Sleeps

Kenotia

James Blunt is Touring

James Blunt

James Blunt, that English crooner, is touring and you had better believe that you are going to love having this chance to see him perform live onstage! Whether you want to attend his concert with your friends or your family in tow, you know there is nothing like seeing a great performer live while you are surrounded by your loved ones. Additionally, performers like James Blunt are wonderful to see in concert because concert-goers are surrounded by the performers’ other loyal fans which is always a wonderful experience to have.
Highlights of James Blunt’s tour include stops at such locales as Carling Academy Glasgow in Glasgow, United Kingdom on January 9, Edinburgh Corn Exchange in Edinburgh, United Kingdom on January 10, Carling APollo Manchester in Manchester, United Kingdom on January 11 and on January 12, International Centre in Bournemouth, United Kingdom on Janaury 17 adn Plymouth Pavilions in Plyamouth, United Kingdom on January 18 as well as the Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham, United Kingdom on January 19. Other highlights of Blunt’s extensive tour include gigs at the Hallenstadion Zurich in Zurich itself on March 9, Zenith Paris in Paris, France on March 10, Ahoy Rotterdam in Rotterdam, Netherlands on March 17, Hovet in Stockholm, Sweden on March 23 and Porsche Arena in Stuttgart, Germany on March 30 as well as Alcatraz in Milan, Italy on April 2 and a slew of other venues.
You know you don’t want to miss out on this chance to see such a talented performer do his thing live.

R. Kelly Tours!

R. Kelly Tours!

If you are a fan of R. Kelly, and let’s face it, he does have a wide array of fans located all throughout the world, then you are undoubtedly going to want to take this chance to see R. Kelly perform live as he tours all throughout the United States and beyond.

Highlights of this hip-hop performer’s tour includes stints at such locales as the Columbus Civic Center in Columbus, Georgia on November 14, Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia on November 15, The Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 21, Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York on November 23, American Airlines Center in New Orleans, Louisiana on November 30 and Sprint Center in Kansas City, MIssouri on December 7 as well as Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana on December 8 and FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee on December 9. OF course these dates are merely a handful of the slew that R. Kelly is embarking upon for this tour of the United States.

You know you aren’t going to want to miss out on the fun that these concerts will be sure to bring to life

Jay-Z – American Gangster

Jay-Z - American Gangster

When you’ve built up a back catalog of eight studio albums and walk the earth as one of the biggest, most high-profile artists of the ’90s and 2000s, you’re bound to get some mixed signals from those who pay attention to you.

While several tracks connected to specific scenes are also rooted in productions trading in the regal grit that made up so much ’70s soul, the album is not a straight narrative, broken up by tracks like the boom-clap of “Hello Brooklyn” (produced by Bigg D) and the glitzed-out pair of “I Know” (a half-icing Neptunes layer cake) and “Ignorant Shit” (where Just Blaze transforms the Isleys’ quiet storm staple “Between the Sheets” into a high-gloss anthem). And while Jay mentions American Gangster and protagonist Frank Lucas directly, and intersperses some tracks with dialogue, the connection does not overshadow the album. It’s not like he’s yelling “Shaft’s Big Score 2K7!” or “Leonard Part Six, Part Two!” It’s all as natural as Scarface riffing off Scarface.

And that might be the most common complaint about the album — it’s really just another case of Jay-Z being Jay-Z, albeit with different presentation. Unless you know each verse from Reasonable Doubt through Kingdom Come, it might sound like he’s dealing with no variation on well-worn themes, the exact same thoughts and emotions, that make up older tracks about his past as a drug dealer — the rise, the arrogance, the conflictedness, the fall, and all stages in-between. One could say that’s not really saying much, but regardless of context, this is a very good Jay-Z album. He is, for the most part, doing what he has done before: what he does best.

The Eagles Take the Long Road Out of Eden

The Eagles Take the Long Road Out of Eden

Just because it took them 13 years to deliver a studio sequel to their 1994 live album Hell Freezes Over, don’t say that it took the Eagles a long time to cash in on their reunion. They started cashing in almost immediately, driving up ticket prices into the stratosphere as they played gigs on a semi-regular basis well into the new millennium.

Fans were satisfied by the oldies and the band kept raking in the dough, so they could take their time making a new album. And did they ever take their time — the gap between 2007’s Long Road Out of Eden, their first album since 1979’s The Long Run, was nearly as long as that between their 1980 breakup and 1994 reunion. Far from indulging in a saturation campaign for this long-awaited record, the Eagles released the double-disc Long Road Out of Eden with surgical precision, indulging in few interviews and bypassing conventional retail outlets in favor of an exclusive release with Wal-Mart, who were not only the biggest retailer in America but where a good chunk of the band’s contemporary audience — equal parts aging classic rockers and country listeners — shopped

McCartney and Starr coming home for Year of Culture

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Former Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are coming home to celebrate Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture in 2008.

McCartney is headlining a concert at Anfield Stadium, home of Liverpool Football Club, while Starr is joining forces with Eurythmics member Dave Stewart for “Liverpool The Musical.”

“It’s going to be a great year,” McCartney promised in a statement on Thursday detailing plans for the northern English city’s cultural bonanza.

“I’m very proud of the city and I look forward to welcoming you all and showing you a good time,” McCartney said.

He is headlining next June’s concert which will be broadcast live to a worldwide audience. The full line-up is to be announced later.

The Liverpool musical was described as “Stravinsky meets Hip Hop” with an eclectic cast ranging from Ringo Starr to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.