“I play a little guitar, write a few tunes, make a few movies, but none of that’s really me.  The real me is something else.”

George Harrison may have been one of the most famous men in the world - but he loathed super stardom.  

Here are 10 things you may not have known about the former Beatle:

1.  He actually came to the United States and played a show before the famous arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport on February 7th, 1964.  On September 28, 1963, he sat in with the "Four Vests" for a show at the VFW Hall in Eldorado, Illinois

2.  He was the first Beatle to release a solo album.  Released on November 1, 1968 - Wonderwall Music was a first solo album from any of the Beatles, as well as the first LP issued by their new label, Apple Records.

3.  He invented the mega rock star benefit concert - After learning about the plight of Bangladeshi refugees he recruited friends Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Badfinger, and Leon Russell, and together they played two sold-out benefit shows at Madison Square Garden on August 1, 1971

4.  The song "CRACKERBOX PALACE" is about his mansion.  Modest as he was - he did live in a 120 room mansion on a 66 acre estate. 

5.  He invited the Hells Angels to stay at the Beatles’ London offices.  After meeting members of the gang in San Francisco - he told them "Oh, if you ever come to England, look us up,’ or something,” and a couple months later - they took him up on the offer - staying at Apple Records headquarters on their way to "straighten out Czechoslovakia"

6.  He loved hanging out with Bob Dylan.  Although all of the fab four were Dylan fans - Harrison would spend weeks with him at his NY home.  The two eventually made music together as bandmates in The Traveling Wilburys. 

7.  Speaking of The Traveling Wilburys - he actually named the group.  Wilbury was a slang term Harrison used for 'We’ll bury ’em in the mix” - a descriptor for removing minor mistakes and imperfections during recordings.  When the record label asked the supergroup for a name - Harrison suggested the Trembling Wilburys.  But the collective decided The Traveling Wilburys was better.  

8.  Sticking with The Traveling Wilburys - George was not exactly the quiet Beatle.  Despite having this nickname - fellow Wilbury Tom Petty once said "He never shut up.  He was the best hang you could imagine."

9.  He once pranked Phil Collins for not being credited on All Things Must Pass.  Collins sat in on the recording sessions - playing  the conga drums - which are barely audible of  the final mix.  As an apology - Harrison sent Collins a version of the song that he claimed featured his lost drumming.  Collins later told EW:

“I got a tape from George of the song that I played with the congas quite loud.  I thought, Oh, my god, this sounds terrible. In fact, it was a Harrison joke. He’d recorded [percussionist] Ray Cooper. [He said,] ‘Play bad, I’m going to record it and send it to Phil.’ I couldn’t believe that a Beatle had actually spent that much time on a practical joke for me.”

10.  He once performed his song "The Pirate Song" on TV in full pirate attire.  He made a cameo as Pirate Bob on the 1975 Christmas special of Idle’s Rutland Weekend Television series

Thanksgiving is over ...  Black Friday is here  - so we thing it is now appropriate to listen to holiday music ... and one of the holiday albums we are most excited about is the soundtrack to Kacey Musgraves' Holiday Special - available now on Amazon Prime

Kacey is joined by some amazing guests for the album - including  Lana Del Rey (for “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”), Fred Armisen (for a comedic version of Silent night) Camila Cabello (for “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree”), Leon Bridges, Troye Sivan, James Corden, and Zooey Deschanel. 

Speaking of Zooey Deschanel  - you can register to win tickets to the She and Him Christmas Party at The Anthem HERE

Take a listen to some of our favorite tracks below or keep scrolling to stream the whole album:

I'll Be Home For Christmas 

Rockin Around the Christmas Tree

(Not So) Silent Night

Glittery - Live on the Tonight Show

For a long time - Beck was a self proclaimed Scientologist.  In a in a June 2005 interview with the Irish Sunday Tribune, he said: 

“Yeah, I’m a Scientologist ... My father has been a Scientologist for about 35 years, so I grew up in and around it and stuff.”

He was was also married to famed Scientologist Marissa Ribisi (but the two filed for divorce earlier this year .. which may have prompted Beck to say the following in a recent profile with The Sydney Morning Herald:

I think there’s a misconception that I am a Scientologist. I’m not a Scientologist. I don’t have any connection or affiliation with it. My father has been a Scientologist for a long time, but I’ve pretty much just focused on my music and my work for most of my life, and tended to do my own thing … I think it’s just something people ran with.

Well ... these words haven't been taken lightly by another 'former' Scientologist and always outspoken,Leah Remini. In an interview with The Underground Bunker (a blog critical of the sect) called his denial a "Pussy move" and yes - you can quote he on that! 

You can’t be married to a Scientology family such as the Ribisi family and not be fully on board. Beck was there every day doing courses and auditing. He was very much a Scientologist. To say that he was more focused on his thing and the press just ran with it is a pussy move. This is his way of not publicly stating that he was very much in and now he’s not. It’s very clever of him to use these words. It allows him to evade publicly denouncing Scientology. It’s his way to get around being attacked as we all have.

Also speaking out against Beck's words - former Senior Executive of the Church of Scientology International, Mike Rinder - telling the same blog: 

Beck took the chicken’s way out. To say, “I’ve never really been a Scientologist” is an “acceptable truth.” There is no doubt he was a Scientologist. But it’s a way of avoiding questions like “Why did you leave?” His father is still doing seminars at the Hollywood Celebrity Centre trying to attract new members.

 With the question of Beck’s religious affiliation has preoccupied the music press for years - can we all agree with his sentiments that he would rather focus on his songwriting rather than his religion ? 

There has been a lot of positive Beck news this week - he released his 14th studio album Hyperspace, he dropped some dope Prince inspired tracks from his Paisley Park Studios visit, and revealed he's not a scientologist. 

But unfortunately  - the 49 year old musical pioneer revealed some devisating news as well.  He believes that the majority of his music has been destroyed in the fire that ravaged Universal Studios lot.  This is the same fire that destroyed copies of music recorded by Al Green, Elton John, Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails, Tom Petty, R.E.M., Tupac Shakur, The Eagles, and Patti LaBelle.

Beck says he suspects the damage is far worse than initially reported -

“I have a feeling that my management is not telling me because they can’t bear to break the news.”

 

In an interview   with the The Sydney Morning Herald - Beck revealed that the 14 albums he has released only represent 10% of his musical output with the other 90% lost in the fire 

Albums thought to be lost in the fire:

• an entire “album like Sea Change”

“There are completely different versions of songs and then there’s probably another 10 to 20 songs that aren’t on the record that [were] in progress ... things that I thought I would finish later. It wasn’t that they were bad songs, they just didn’t fit the mood of the album.”

• a double solo album full of Hank Williams songs

 “I wanted to celebrate that influence in my music and explore it, and I don’t have a copy of that; it’s on a master tape, so that’s probably gone,”

• A country album recorded in Nashville in just two days before the fire 

• And an alubm of more straightforward indie rock songs  

“I went and tried to make an indie-rock album, so there’s an album that sounds like a Pavement, Sebadoh kind of thing,”

via GIPHY

The Who - are currently promoting their first new record in 13 years - simply titled WHO (hear the cut  “All This Music Must Fade” below)

As part of the promo - Pete Townshend sat down interview with Rolling Stone - in which he had some choice words about the late Keith Moon and John Entwistle
 

Over the years, Townshend has lamented the long-gone Moon, and after Entwistle’s death, Townshend said, “Without him, I wouldn’t be here…. When I did look over and he wasn’t there, I wanted to die.”

 

Today, he’s feeling less charitable. The Who’s current shows feature two video screens full of vintage shots of mad, mad Moon and Entwistle in his bemused and haunting solitude. I asked Townshend if he ever got nostalgic looking up at the pictures of his fallen bandmates. He snorted like an old horse.

 

“It’s not going to make Who fans very happy, but thank God they’re gone.”

 

Because?

 

“Because they were fucking difficult to play with. They never, ever managed to create bands for themselves. I think my musical discipline, my musical efficiency as a rhythm player, held the band together.”

 

Townshend took on his bass player first. “John’s bass sound was like a Messiaen organ,” he says, waving his angular limbs. “Every note, every harmonic in the sky. When he passed away and I did the first few shows without him, with Pino [Palladino] on bass, he was playing without all that stuff…. I said, ‘Wow, I have a job.’ ”

 

He was not finished. Moon is an easier target; he once passed out during a 1970s show in San Francisco, forcing the band to pull a drummer out of the crowd. “With Keith, my job was keeping time, because he didn’t do that,” says Townshend. “So when he passed away, it was like, ‘Oh, I don’t have to keep time anymore.’”

Here's a link to the full interview

 As for the new music from The Who - here is 'All This Music Must Fade' from WHO due December 6 via Polydor 

The Who - All This Music Must Fade (New Song)

Fresh off her two Grammy nominations for “History Repeats” (Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song) - (former?) Alabama Shakes singer Brittany Howard has hit the TV circuit - starting with last night's amazing performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live - complete with some ad-libbing over some mesmerizing guitar noodling

You can also catch Howard on The Daily Show With Trevor Noah on Wednesday, December 4th and The Today Show on Thursday, December 5th.

Brittany Howard - History Repeats

To visualize “Sonali” - a track from his latest album Free - Iggy Pop has enlisted the  famed director (?) Mac DeMarco. 

The video output is just as bizarre as you'd expect from the two - featuring a well dressed lizard man driving a fur-covered convertible on his way to see his lizard girlfriend.  

Iggy Pop - SONALI (Officially Unofficial Video)

Mac DeMarco fans will recognize the lizard cast - as a nod to the video for his own song Nobody 

MAC DEMARCO - NOBODY

Singer song writer SOAK (and the latest artist to play a WRNR Pop Up Show) is no stranger to covers.  She has released covers of the 1975’s “Love It If We Made It” and Sleater-Kinney’s “Modern Girl" this year - plus in the past , the Derry Girl has released her versions of songs by Chvrches, St. Vincent, and Led Zeppelin.

The latest song Bridie Monds-Watson has covered though might be our favorite - applying her breathy vocals and clean strummed guitar to The National’s “Bloodbuzz Ohio (hear it below).

According to SOAK:

There’s something so special about the imagery the National manages to create within their music and I often catch myself imagining each song as its own movie trailer. I love the manic world this song creates.  

Soak - Bloodbuzz Ohio

SOAK - Digital Witness (St Vincent cover)

SOAK - THE MOTHER WE SHARE (CHVRCHES COVER)

17 years after joining forces, legendary Canadian roots rockers The Band decided to call it quits ...  with a lavish farewell show at San Francisco's Winterland Ballroom - on Nov. 25, 1976. The show was filmed by Martin Scorsese, and is considered one of greatest concert films and soundtracks of all time.  To this day - musicians still gather to recreate the original show featured Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, Ringo Starr, Muddy Waters, Dr. John, Paul Butterfield, Ronnie Wood and more.  

The show went until 2am -  with the Holland-Dozier-Holland classic, “Don’t Do It (Baby, Don’t You Do It)” being the last song the classic lineup would ever play live.

Check out some raw video highlights from the show below 

The Band - Coyote (with Joni Mitchell) - 11/25/1976 - Winterland (Official)

The Band - Four Strong Winds (with Neil Young) - 11/25/1976 - Winterland (Official)

The Band - Baby Let Me Follow You Down - 11/25/1976 - Winterland (Official)

Brooklyn duo Matt (Johnson, keyboards) and Kim (Schifino, drums) aka Matt and Kim are no strangers to wild shows ... from festival main stages to warehouse floors - there is always one constant at the duos shows:  100% FUN

Click here to see the NSFW full gallery of photos 

And Saturday night in Baltimore was no different, when they brought their GRAND 10 year anniversary tour to Rams Head Live.

 Click here to see the NSFW full gallery of photos 

The show included a DIY balloon drop, inflatable dolls crowd surfing, multiple bras thrown on stage - and a whole lot more we can't get into ... 

Click here to see the NSFW full gallery of photos 

Check out some fan captured footage from the show :

While we have been digging the musical output of Beck's Paisley Park Sessions (including an amazing Prince medley) - some other Prince news has emerged - footage of the first-ever performance of his iconic song ‘Purple Rain’ 

The footage is from sometime around 1983 and was shot at the famed Minneapolis venue - First Avenue.  

Check it out - 

Lana Del Rey is busy on the road promoting her new (Grammy nominated) album Norman Fucking Rockwell  ... and has been joined on stage with some special guests at her shows. 

Last week (11/19)  - at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium - LDR was joined by Hamilton Leithauser, Nikki Lane, Lukas Nelson, and Lissie.  

The duet with Leithauser stole the show - with the two covering Bob Dylan‘s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright”.  

Check out the video below - and don't miss Bob Dylan when he comes to The Anthem on December 8 

 

 

 

 

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Lana Del Rey and Hamilton Leithauser singing Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” at Nashville Municipal Auditorium. ???? . . . . #nashvillemunicipalauditorium #lanadelrey #hamiltonleithauser #nashville #musiccity #bobdylancover #dontthinktwiceitsalright #thenormanfuckingrockwelltour

A post shared by Milly ???????????? (@meowandforever) on Nov 19, 2019 at 9:37pm PST

 

 

 

 

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Lana and special guests Lucas Nelson and Nikki Lane ???? . . . . #nashvillemunicipalauditorium #lanadelrey #nashville #musiccity #lucasnelson #nikkilane #thenormanfuckingrockwelltour

A post shared by Milly ???????????? (@meowandforever) on Nov 19, 2019 at 9:48pm PST

Coldplay - who recently announced they won’t tour again until they can make concerts 'actively beneficial’ for environment - debuted their newly released double LP Everyday Life with two performances  in Amman, Jordan– one taking place at sunrise, and another at sunset.

 

 

 

 

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#ColdplayJordan, watch live tomorrow on @YouTube at 4am GMT and 2pm GMT. #EverydayLife

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The shows were staged atop the capital’s aged citadel and each set mirrored the 2 halves of the album.  On the track “Arabesque”, they were joined by Stromae, Femi Kuti, and a pack of sparkling horns. During the sunset performance opened they performed the album's lead single “Orphans” with a jumping choir. 

Since the band has no plans on touring soon - this may be the best chance to see the songs from the new album live:

Coldplay: Everyday Life Live in Jordan - Sunrise Performance

Sunrise Setlist:
Sunrise
Church
Trouble in Town
BrokEn
Daddy
WOTW/POTP
Arabesque
When I Need a Friend

Coldplay: Everyday Life Live in Jordan - Sunset Performance

Sunset Setlist:
Guns
Orphans
Eko
Cry Cry Cry
Old Friends
??? ???
Champion of the World
Everyday L

U2 have teamed up with Indian musician A. R. Rahman and released a new song called “Ahimsa.”  The title comes from a doctrine commonly translated as “do no harm” and a respect for all living things. 

The song is the band's first new material since 2017’s Songs Of Experience, and it comes less than a month before from their first-ever show in India - Dec. 15 in Mumbai. 

The band is currently still on their global  Joshua Tree Tour.  

On the track, guitarist Edge had this to say:

“It has been an absolute joy to work with A.R. on this track.  A superstar and a talent both towering and generous, we are especially excited to visit his homeland in just a few weeks.

On their first ever show in India: 

"India has been on our bucket list for a very long time, the principles of ahimsa or non-violence have served as an important pillar of what our band stands for since we first came together to play music.  We can’t wait to experience the culture of India first hand, a place that brings together the modern and the ancient all at once." 

 

???????????? pic.twitter.com/bm2nFH6n1K

— A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) November 21, 2019

Big things are happening in the world of Sir Paul McCartney.

Earlier this week it was announced that he would headline the 2020 Glastonbury Festival (one of the largest music festivals in the world).  At  77 years old - McCartney will become the oldest musician to headline the festival - which takes place June 24th-28th, 2020

This morning - the Beatles Bassist released two new tracks -   “Home Tonight” and “In a Hurry” (listen below). 

The songs we recorded during the sessions for his 2018 release Egypt Station and will be released next week, on November 29, the songs will be released together as double A-side 7" picture disc single for Record Store Day’s Black Friday. 

Paul McCartney - Home Tonight (Audio)

Paul McCartney - In A Hurry (Audio)

What a week for Maggie Rogers - the  25-year-old Easton, MD native.

Wednesday she got the news that she had been nominated for the Best New Artist Grammy. 

And Thursday she unveiled a new single, “Love You for a Long Time.” Listen below: 

The song tells the tale of falling in love -   

I saw your face and I knew it was a sign,

And I still think about that moment all of the time.

And in the morning when I’m waking up

I swear that you’re the first thing that I’m thinking of

I feel it in my body

Know it in my mind

Oh I, I’m gonna love you for a long time.

We think we're gonna love this song (and Maggie) for a long time

For more on Maggie - check out our Podcast with her HERE

David Byrne's American Utopia tour was so fantastic (did you catch it locally at The Anthem or Merriweather?) - that the Talking Head decided to take it to Broadway.

The show - running at the Hudson Theater in NYC - was recently extended through February 16th.  And Byrne was recently the featured guest on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.  He (biked on stage) and discussed transforming the musical performance into a stage show and even taught Jimmy one of the dances from the show

But the most magical moment was when Byrne and his Broadway cast performed “Road to Nowhere” off 1985’s Little Creatures - complete with troupe members marching off stage and to Fallon’s desk and the show's house band - The Roots - joining in the performance 

The 2020 Grammy Awards are a few months away - but today (11/20) on CBS This Morning - Alicia Keys - who will host 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26th - announced the nominees for some of the big Grammy categories.

Album Of The Year:
Bon Iver – i,i
Lana Del Rey – Norman Fucking Rockwell
Billie Eilish – When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go
Ariana Grande – thank u, next
H.E.R. – I Used To Know Her
Lil Nas X – 7
Lizzo – Cuz I Love You
Vampire Weekend – Father Of The Bride

Record Of The Year, the award for the year’s best single:
Bon Iver – “Hey Ma”
Billie Eilish – “Bad Guy”
Ariana Grande – “7 rings”
H.E.R. – “Hard Place”
Khalid – “Talk”
Lil Nas X – “Old Town Road” (Feat. Billy Ray Cyrus)
Lizzo – “Truth Hurts”
Post Malone & Swae Lee – “Sunflower”

Song Of The Year, a songwriting award:
Lady Gaga – “Always Remember Us This Way”
Billie Eilish – “Bad Guy”
Tanya Tucker – “Bring My Flowers Now”
H.E.R. – “Hard Place”
Taylor Swift – “Lover”
Lana Del Rey – “Norman Fucking Rockwell”
Lewis Capaldi – “Someone You Love”
Lizzo – “Truth Hurts”

Best New Artist:
Black Pumas
Billie Eilish
Lil Nas X
Lizzo
Maggie Rogers
Rosalía
Tank And The Bangas
Yola

We told you earlier that Beck and his band mates had made a pilgrimage to Prince's Paisley Park Studios and laid down some tracks - including Prince-a-fied versions of Where It's At and Up All Night.   

But he also laid down a solid 5 minute medley of Prince songs, including Raspberry Beret, When Doves Cry, Kiss, and 1999.  

Lucky for us - the cameras were rolling and we now have video of the medley: 

Beck - The Paisley Experience (Amazon Original)

You can hear BECK let loose and get funky on the whole session below: 

Legendary glam rock band had big plans for the end of 2019 - with a tour set for parts of Australia and New Zealand.  But unfortunately - the tour was canceled because singer-guitarist Paul Stanley’s battle with the flu.  

But since bassist-singer Gene Simmons, guitarist Tommy Thayer, and drummer Eric Singerhree had already gotten their Visas in order (and their flu shots) - they decided to make the trek to the land down under ...and play a single show ... on a boat ...  for an audience of great white sharks.  Seriously - you can't make this up ¯_(?)_/¯

There were 8 paying members of the KISS Army on  the boat and a handful of other boats in the area to hear the shark's show.  But alas- apparently no Great Whites got the memo - not even Jack Russell - despite the fact that sharks apparently “love the low-frequency sounds of rock and roll”.

Ok ... it wasn't all a gag - the show was to benefit the Australian Marine Conservation Society: 

 

“Welcome to ‘Shark Rock City,’ where KISS will perform a live set off the southern coast of Australia to entice sharks, who love the low-frequency sounds of rock and roll.

 

This once-in-a-lifetime ocean concert takes place on November 18, 2019, in Port Lincoln, where you’ll board a boat at 6:30 AM and cruise along the coastline looking for birds, dolphins, and other wildlife. For the main event, you’ll head out to the deep waters of the Indian Ocean — one of the biggest feeding grounds for great whites.

 

As KISS rocks out above water, you’ll also get to see what’s down under it. Watch from a glass bottom boat as the music attracts the legendary band’s biggest (underwater) fans. KISS has played plenty of wild shows in the past, but this one will top them all.”

Back in 2003 - Disney struck gold (again) - not only with the film Frozen (it grossed $1.276 billion at the box office) but also with the soundtrack - with songs like Let It Go being engrained into parent's brains everywhere ... 

With the upcoming release of Frozen 2, Disney has taken a different approach  to the soundtrack - the album will feature some of the songs sung by characters as they appear in the film and again as covers by contemporary artists.  

Panic! At the Disco have covered “Into the Unknown,” Kacey Musgraves gets spacey with “All Is Found,” and Weezer tackle “Lost In The Woods.” The soundtrack is out now -  ahead of the movie’s release on 11/22.  

You can hear the three covers below: 

Kacey Musgraves - All Is Found (From "Frozen 2"/Lyric Video)

Weezer - Lost in the Woods (From "Frozen 2"/Lyric Video)

Panic! At The Disco - Into the Unknown (From "Frozen 2"/Lyric Video)

Last night (November 18), the Raconteurs Help Us Stranger tour brought them to Mexico City  ... where apparently Julian Casablancas of the Strokes was hanging out ... and Jack White and co. decided to bring him on stage to help them cover  "The Modern Age" (from the Strokes debut 2001 debut  album Is This It) ... the version is a little more Racontuers than Strokes - but it works! 

 

 

 

 

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#theraconteurs #juliancasablancas #brendanbenson #jackwhite #jacklawrence #patrickkeeler #deanfertita #thestrokes #thevoidz #themodernage #plazacondeza #mexicocity 11.18.19 photographs by @davidjamesswanson Go to www.theraconteurs.com for more images and to purchase photos as Digital Negative Prints processed by hand in Nashville at Third Man Photo Studio. Photos are converted into negatives and printed in black and white on silver gelatin paper using traditional photographic printing processes in the darkroom at Third Man Records headquarters and download higher resolution.

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Not sure how this fan snuck his phone into the show - but we're happy they did so you can watch the footage below : 

Julian Casablancas and the Raconteurs playing The Modern Age in Mexico City 2019

its not the first time Julian and Jack have shared a stage - back in 2002 - they produced one of the best rock ‘n’ roll moments when they performed New York City Cops together in NYC 

Emmy-, Grammy- and Golden Globe-nominated actress, singer, and songwriter, Mandy Moore has announced her first concert tour in more than a decade.  

The tour kicks off on March 20, 2020 in Pittsburgh and comes to DC's Warner Theater on March 26.  

Mandy will be backed on the road by her husband and collaborator band - Dawes 

On her return to music, Moore said:

“It’s been over a decade since I’ve hit the road but I am thrilled to put together an intimate, elevated evening of new and old tunes, performed with a superb group of musicians...I want the show to have threads of what the writing and recording process was like with this band, almost like you’ve been invited in our living room for an inside glimpse. It just feels good to be sharing this side of me again in its purest form, a real side of me I have been itching to put back into the universe.”

Her first single “When I Wasn’t Watching” is a classic piece of California pop centered on her captivating vocals that critics say "sways with Stevie Nicks energy"

Tickets for the tour go on sale Friday, Nov. 22 at 10 a.m. local time, with artist presale beginning Nov. 20 - using the promo code MOOREMUSIC

Mandy Mooore Tour Dates:

3/20/2020 - Benedum Center - Pittsburgh, PA

3/21/2020 - Music Box at the Borgata - Atlantic City, NJ

3/22/2020 - Orpheum Theatre - Boston, MA

3/24/2020 - Beacon Theatre - New York, NY

3/26/2020 - Warner Theatre - Washington, DC

3/27/2020 - Count Basie Theatre - Red Bank, NJ

3/30/2020 - Durham Performing Arts Center - Durham, NC

3/31/2020 - North Charleston Performing Arts Center Charleston, SC

4/1/2020  - Knight Theatre - Charlotte, NC

4/3/2020 - Woodruff Arts Center - Atlanta, GA

4/4/2020 - Lyric Theatre - Birmingham, AL

4/5/2020 - Ryman Auditorium - Nashville, TN

4/7/2020 - Florida Theatre - Jacksonville, FL

4/8/2020 - Bob Carr Theater - Orlando, FL

4/9/2020 - Straz Center - Tampa, FL

4/17/2020 - Pabst Theatre - Milwaukee, WI

4/18/2020 - Chicago Theatre - Chicago, IL

4/19/2020 - State Theatre - Minneapolis, MN

4/21/2020 - Uptown Theatre - Kansas City, MO

4/23/2020 - Majestic Theatre - Dallas, TX

4/24/2020 - Cullen Performing Arts Center - Houston, TX

4/25/2020 - ACL Live at the Moody Theater - Austin, TX

4/27/2020 - Orpheum Theatre - Phoenix, AZ

5/1/2020 - Crest Theatre - Sacramento, CA

5/2/2020 - Warfield Theatre - San Francisco, CA

5/5/2020 - Roseland Theater - Portland, OR

5/6/2020 - Paramount Theatre - Seattle, WA

5/8/2020 - Eccles Theater - Salt Lake City, UT

5/9/2020 - Gothic Theatre, Denver, CO 

Jeff Goldblum's new album 'I Shouldn't Be Telling You This' has some great feature on it - like Fiona Apple, Anna Calvi, Inara George, and Sharon Van Etten.

Goldblum invited Sharon Van Etten to join him onstage to perform their classy jazz collaboration, Let’s Face the Music and Dance, on Jimmy Kimmel Live.  Check it out below.

No word on a Goldblum tour - but Sharon Van Etten will kick her spring 2020 tour off in Baltimore at Rams Head Live on April 17 

Sharon Van Etten Tour Dates

Dec. 18 – Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre
Dec. 19 – Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre
Jan. 18 – Wed. Jan. 22 – Quintana Roo, MX @ Wilco’s Sky Blue Sky Festival
April 17 – Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live
April 18 – Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel
April 19 – North Charleston, SC @ High Water Festival
April 20 – Saxapahaw, NC @ Haw River Ballroom
April 22 – Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
April 24 – New Orleans, LA @ Civic Theatre
April 26 – Austin, TX @ Stubb’s
April 28 – Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse

2020 concert tour dates are pouring in - and count The Doobie Brothers amoung them ... but for a twist - they will be reuniting with Michael McDonald for the first time in 25 years - to celebrate the band's 50th anniversary.

The 30 date tour runs from June to October with Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald, Pat Simmons and John McFee stopping locally at Jiffy Lube Live on June 24. 

singer-guitarist Tom Johnston said in a statement:

“We’re truly excited about our 50th Anniversary Tour, as it’s a celebration of the band’s entire history...,We’ll be performing songs from our full catalog, as well as new music.”

Tickets for the tour go on sale December 6th 

The Doobie Brothers will unite with former frontman Michael McDonald for a 2020 North American tour celebrating the band's 50th anniversary https://t.co/jw6ausJDLC pic.twitter.com/s9m2ZXBERD

— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) November 19, 2019

The Doobie Brothers with Michael McDonald 2020 Tour Dates:

06/09 – West Palm Beach, FL @ Coral Sky Amphitheatre
06/10 – Tampa, FL @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
06/14 – Alpharetta, GA @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre (Formerly Verizon Amphitheatre)
06/17 – Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena
06/19 – Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion
06/20 – Raleigh, NC @ Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
06/23 – Virginia Beach, VA @ Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
06/24– Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live
06/26 – Allentown, PA @ PPL Center
06/27 – Camden, NJ @ BB&T Pavilion
06/29 – Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center
06/30 – Wantagh, NY @ Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
07/02 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
07/03 – Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center
07/19 – Toronto, ON @ Budweiser Stage
07/22 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH @ Blossom Music Center
07/26 – Saratoga Springs, NY @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center
07/30 – Noblesville, IN @ Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center
08/02 – Clarkston, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
08/04 – Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center
08/08 – Tinley Park, IL @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
08/14 – St. Louis, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
08/30 – Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center
09/02 – Salt Lake City, UT @ USANA Amphitheatre
09/05 – Seattle, WA @ White River Amphitheatre
09/12 – Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre
09/18 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Forum
10/03 – Phoenix, AZ @ Ak-Chin Pavilion
10/09 – Irving, TX @ Toyota Music Factory
10/10 – Houston, TX @ The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

It's November - so naturally its time to start talking about Christmas 2020 music festivals! 

Bonaroo tickets are going on sale soon and Coachella tickets are already sold out ... but no word on who the acts are yet.  

But in UK festival news - the headliner of Glastonbury 2020 has been announced and it's Sir Paul McCartney! 

At  77 years old - McCartney will also become the oldest musician to headline the festival - which takes place June 24th-28th, 2020

McCartney teased the announcement with a clever tweet featuring images of Philip Glass, Emma Stone, and Chuck Berry (Glass-Stone-Bury… get it?): 

pic.twitter.com/ATdjMoiehi

— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) November 18, 2019

The announcement has fans asking Sir Paul to be joined by Ringo Starr, Sean Lennon, and Dhani Harrison for a Beatles reunion of sorts 

And you'll be joined by @DhaniHarrison @JulianLennon and @ringostarrmusic? The 50th anniversary of Glastonbury is where this should happen @emilyeavis???? #Glastonbury2020 @thebeatles pic.twitter.com/tUh5rtYZs6

— Nic Sheppard (@nicsheppard) November 18, 2019

Bruce Springsteen surprised the 400 attendees of a private benefit for Boston University at the New Jersey night club The Stone Pony by playing a 2 hour set.  He was backed by by Bobby Bandiera’s band, with E-Street Band drummer joining them midway through the show for “Rosalita,” “Tenth Avenue Freeze Out,” and “Born to Run” (see full set list and some fan-shot videos below)

Springsteen’s son went Boston University and, as Variety points out - Brucs has played similar benefits at The Stone Pony in the past

 

 

 

 

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Sometimes the night is more than perfect... will be grateful for this for a very long time #brucespringsteen #moreamazingeveryshow #whereitallstarted #stonepony

A post shared by Veronica Bloom (@bloommom4) on Nov 17, 2019 at 3:54am PST

 

 

 

 

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Thunder Road sing along ???? for you Bruce lovers out there.

A post shared by April (@4aprilk) on Nov 17, 2019 at 8:42am PST

 

 

 

 

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Bruce still got it going at 70! Wish I could share all of it!????????

A post shared by April (@4aprilk) on Nov 17, 2019 at 8:38am PST

 

 

 

 

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According to famed Springsteen historian Stan Goldstein (@stannergg) Bruce #Springsteen played a 22-song, two-hour set at a private benefit for Boston College at the Stone Pony tonight. Bruce was backed up by Bobby Bandiera's band and Max Weinberg played about half the show on drums. Show began at 7:40 p.m. Set list, per Stan: 1. 634-5789; 2. Seven Nights to Rock; 3. Darlington County; 4. Spirit in the Night; 5. Growin' Up; 6. Because The Night; 7. Two Hearts; 8. Cadillac Ranch 9. Rendezvous; 10. Boy In New York City; 11. From Small Things 12. I'm On Fire; 13. Waiting on A Sunny Day; 14. Talk to Me; 15. Fourth of July Asbury Park (Sandy) 16. Tenth Avenue Freeze-out; 17. Dancing in the Dark; 18. Born to Run; 19. Rosalita; 20. Detroit Medley; 21. Twist & Shout; 22. Thunder Road (solo acoustic). #brucespringsteen Photo by @donnaalberico. All info courtesy @stannergg.

A post shared by Blogness On The Edge Of Town (@blogness_brucespringsteen) on Nov 16, 2019 at 7:49pm PST

SETLIST: Bruce Springsteen @ Stone Pony 11/16/2019 

634-5789
Seven Nights to Rock
Darlington County
Spirit in the Night
Growin’ Up
Because The Night
Two Hearts
Cadillac Ranch
Rendezvous
Layonne Holmes “Boy From New York City;
From Small Things (Bobby Bandiera on lead vocals);
I’m On Fire
Waiting on A Sunny Day
Talk to Me;
Fourth of July Asbury Park (Sandy)
Tenth Avenue Freeze-out
Dancing in the Dark
Born to Run
Rosalita
Detroit Medley
Twist & Shout
Thunder Road (solo acoustic).
 

Modest Mouse - who are busy on the road supporting The Black Keys on the Let it Rock tour - have share their third new song of  called “Ice Cream Party.” 

Modest Mouse - Ice Cream Party (Audio)

According to the song's lyrics - lead singer  Isaac Brock claims “There’s an ice cream party at my house, please come over.”

The song's flavor is very Modest Mousey - with notes of previous songs like  Fire It Up, The Cold Part, and Gravity Rides Everything 

We assume that he will be serving the official Modest Mouse ice cream flavor released earlier this month by Portland ice cream shop Ruby Jewel.  The band posted a location map link to Reddit to the shop earlier to tease with the song's release 

In anticipation of the release of Dolly Parton's Netflix series, Heartstrings (debuting 11/22) - Parton wants to hear your version of the classic "Jolene" as a part of the #JoleneChallenge. 

Only one more week until "Heartstrings" is here ?? Share your best version of "Jolene" now using the hashtag #JoleneChallenge and watch "Heartstrings" November 22 on Netflix! pic.twitter.com/h0Ym8ZZwBW

— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) November 16, 2019

Fans are encouraged to share their creative renditions of "Jolene" on social media using #JoleneChallenge. 

No word on whether or not Jack and Meg White will submit a post for this challenge ... 

But some of the submissions are pretty great: 

Biggest Dollay Parton Fan there is! #JoleneChallenge pic.twitter.com/4QeZzb2EIW

— Kayce Jones (@KayceJones90) November 17, 2019

Missing my baby sister! #JoleneChallenge We created this mash up a few years back. pic.twitter.com/0Ah09syyJG

— april (@aaguilera31) November 18, 2019

#JoleneChallenge ?@DollyParton? ?@juliannehough? my little dolly! ???? pic.twitter.com/FGhnwbP30Z

— hay????hay (@yelyah_77) November 18, 2019

3rd grade field trip to Dollywood! #JoleneChallenge @mes_bulldogs @AMcCartha pic.twitter.com/O8mknJ4SPo

— Melanie Hamilton (@melaniemh6) November 16, 2019

We knew the day was coming ... but it is finally here: the food and entertainment chain Chuck E. Cheese has officially  gotten rid of the iconic animatronic band at all of their locations.  

via GIPHY

The band originally  called  "The Pizza Players" when they  they debuted in 1977, the band eventually changed their name to "Munch's Make-Believe Band". 

The band was given notice of their termination in 2017.  The news struck a cord with one Josh Tillman, aka Father John Misty - who left a lengthy memorial to the band on his social media: 

“Having been a professional musician for a few years now, I can appreciate firsthand not only the strain of trying to sustain a flow of creativity for so long but the rigorous, pretty unexotic feat of physical endurance just getting through a few hundred shows a year, plus all the travel.  

 

When I consider that this motherf–ker was playing up to 5 sets a night all over the country simultaneously [I] am reminded that, yes, it can be done, and that just by getting on that stage every night and leaving everything up there, I am part of [a] lineage, of a collective imagination that spans the generations. How he maintained that smile on his face, playing so consistently and with such little flash (even though I’m sure some nights he just wanted to stretch out and make it all about himself) is beyond me. Don’t forget: this man’s middle name was literally ‘Entertainment.' 

 

“He didn’t write much, outside of his seminal ‘Happy Birthday’ but neither did Frank f–king Sinatra. Like Sinatra, Chuck wasn’t ‘the best.’ But he had a style, and style cannot be taught; something we tend to forget in this era of manufactured pop stars. Max Martin would’ve had nothing to do with Cheese. He was a little thick around the waste, and certainly refused to change with protean fads in the culture.”

Refurbished Chuck E. Cheese locations will include dance floors - where Chuck  will dance with customers every hour, and plenty of video games :( 

Little by little we're learning about The Killers new album - Imploding the Mirage.  The band has announced that their 6th album is due out in spring 2020.  

Lead singer Brandon Flowers told NME:

“We’ve been in Utah doing it.  That’s where I fell in love with music for the first time; so it’s interesting to be there again and hear some of that music with the geography matching the sensation. Some of that stuff is starting to resurface and a lot of that had to do with synthesizer music. It’s always been part of our DNA but it’s definitely creeping up.”

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by The Killers (@thekillers) on Oct 8, 2019 at 5:00pm PDT

The band has previously released the song "Land of the Free" which we assume will be on the record 

The Killers 2019-2020 Tour Dates:

11/21 – Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum
11/22 – Tampa, FL @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre  
11/23 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Riptide Festival
05/28 – Falkirk, UK @ The Falkirk Stadium 
05/30 – Manchester, UK @ Emirates Old Trafford 
06/11 – Norwich, UK @ Carrow Road Stadium 
06/03 – Southampton, UK @ St Mary’s Stadium 
06/06 – London, UK @ Emirates Stadium 
06/09 – Bristol, UK @ Ashton Gate Stadium 
06/11 – Coventry, UK @ Ricoh Stadium 
06/13 – Middlesbrough, UK @ Riverside Stadium 
06/16 – Dublin, IE @ Malahide Castle 

“I can jam to Nirvana In Bloom all day! I LOVE NIRVANA,” Those are the words of 9 year old drummer Nandi Bushell who uploaded a video of herself playing Nirvana’s hit “In Bloom” - and absolutely nails every drum note - along with some of the lyrics (and you gotta love those silly faces she makes  ) 

This isn't her first brush with fame - her Instagram videos have led to her hanging out with Questlove, Lenny Kravitz - and even a spot in some advertisments.  

Rock on Nandi ... Rock on ... 

I can jam to Nirvana In Bloom all day! I LOVE NIRVANA ?? Nirvana are in my top 5 bands so far. I just found out Dave also played with @jackblack in @tenaciousd, @foofighters and @queensofthestoneage!!!! The film school of rock is the best film in the world. #nirvana #nirvanafans pic.twitter.com/GDatURnw61

— Nandi Bushell (@Nandi_Bushell) November 11, 2019

Here's something we've known for a long time - but it seems like TIME Magazine is just catching up with us ... by naming (Easton, MD native) Maggie Rogers to their first ever "100 Next" list.

The list includes honorees  that "are rising stars who are shaping the future of their field."

This highlights Rogers unique, genre-bending sound that is transforming what a pop star in the 21st century can be.

Rogers,  performed "Light On," and "Alaska" - songs from her first major-label album "Heard It In A Past Life," last night (11/14) at a ceremony  in front of peers and other honorees  Event.  

C'mon TIME - get with it - Maggie's star is already shining!  :) 

Watch Maggie Rogers' Performance At The TIME 100 Next Event | TIME 100 NEXT

Jade Bird has become the latest victim of a sexist pig's heckling at a concert (you might recall Maggie Rogers confronted a fan who requested she remove her top) 

At a recent concert in Brighton, Jade Bird was asked by an audience member if she was taking requests  ... to which she responded "No I'm not doing requests,"  She then announced the next song she would perform was  'What Am I Here For'

The jerk responded   - "To do the washing up' 

The singer and the crowd were not impressed - and his fellow audience members booed him as he left the show at Jade's request

Jade took to social media after the show, remarking:

 "It's so important we keep raising girls up, it's so important feminism isn't a marketing ploy or brand but a support structure to strengthen those who are put in these situations, which often privately are more dangerous. I was told straight after the show that countless other girls had received sexual explicit remarks at their own shows. It's disgusting."

Here is the full tweet: 

The singers fans clearly have her back - based on the incredible response: 

He’s probably not use to women who talk you see? The only women he gets interact with, probably come with a foot pump and puncture repair kit.

— Simon Walker (@Simon_No10) November 13, 2019

As a fellow man - that is so horrible to read. He does not speak for all men. Just those who have no brain cells between them. Unfortunately they are still around in 2019. Just keep on going Jade with your tremendous talent!

— What do you mean it's not in the computer? (@slurryinahurry) November 13, 2019

As a dad to Daughters, I thank you for doing what you do @JadeBirdMusic. You, and others like you, are great role models for my girls. Now, it looks like society needs to sort out some role models for these "musguided"** young men. (**most polite way to describe them). #poweron

— Andy Social ???????????????????????? (@traveling_max) November 13, 2019

It was my first time in Brighton for a gig (came just for you) & I didn’t hear what he said but I was so impressed with how you dealt with him. A night of great music & a great crowd except for one man. Rock on!

— LNM (@A1LNM) November 14, 2019

People put up a lot of crazy things for sale on Craigslist - but this one has to be one of our favorites ... a sweet 'Vintage Air Guitar' ... yes - an air guitar - otherwise known as air.  lol 

Apparently the 'guitar has quite a history -  the seller's uncle  acquired the ax at  a Thin Lizzy concert in the 1970s and is a real “chick magnet.”

Here's the full post:

Reluctantly parting with this awesome vintage air guitar. My uncle saw some dude in the audience playing this at a Thin Lizzie concert back in the 70s. Long story short, my uncle ended up trading the dude a lid of Acapulco gold for it and then gave it to me about 20 years ago. I’ve taken it to more concerts than I can remember and always get great comments about it. It’s definitely a chick magnet, especially if you’re working the has-been tour circuit (Rick Springfield, Bon Jovi, Kansas, Cheap Trick, whatever). The only reason I’m selling is to fund my lifelong dream of an overseas snipe hunt. Otherwise I’d never let this one go. No lowball offers or scams please..

Kind of shocked he didn't include an air guitar stand: 

Air guitaring is a highly competitive sport - so no doubt he received his asking bid 

While much of the non country music world was shocked that Nine Inch Nail Trent Reznor took home a Country Music Award (he had a production credit on “Old Town Road”), it was Kacey Musgraves and Willie Nelson who stole the show with a very special performance.

The old and new guard of country music joined forces for a cover of The Muppets classic “Rainbow Connection”.

We think @KaceyMusgraves and @WillieNelson have THE rainbow connection! #CMAawards pic.twitter.com/l4Lxqxdw0H

— 9Gem (@9Gem) November 14, 2019

Both Nelson and Musgraves have connections to the track - Nelson covered the song on his 2001 album of the same name.  And as Good Morning America points out with this adorable throwback video- Musgraves has been  covering the track since she was just nine years old.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by K A C E Y M U S G R A V E S (@spaceykacey) on Nov 11, 2019 at 6:27am PST

Cold War Kids celebrated the announcement that they will be headlining the 2019 WRNR Snowball with an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert ... 

Ok - maybe that's not why they appeared on the show- but they will be performing at the Ottobar with Illiterate Light on December 13 for the 2019 WRNR Snowball ... 

And for a taste of what you might see at the SNOWBALL - here they are performing Complainer off their new album "New Age Norms 1," the first in a planned trilogy of new albums - at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York 

Cold War Kids Perform "Complainer"

Rumors swirled over the weekend about the Robinson brothers mending fences and reuniting for a tour - their first in 6 years - to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their debut album - Shake Your Money Maker. 

Well - the rumors were true - and the Black Crowes announced a massive 46-date 2020 tour - including a July 11 date at Jiffy Lube Live.  

The band launched the tour with an intimate show Monday night at New York City's Bowery Ballroom.  The band was tight in their the 60-minute set - showcasing the band's soulful lyrics, amazing  guitar skills, and the glue of only a solid rhythm section can provide to hold it all together 

The band played 11 tracks (see videos below) 

The Black Crowes, Bowery Ballroom, New York, 11/11/19
1. “Twice as Hard”
2. “Jealous Again”
3. “Sister Luck”
4. “Could I’ve Been So Blind”
5. “Seeing Things”
6. “Hard to Handle”
7. “Thick n’ Thin”
8. “She Talks to Angels”
9. “Struttin’ Blues”
10. “Stare It Cold”
11. “It’s Only Rock n’ Roll”

The Black Crowes Play ‘She Talks to Angels’
 

The Black Crowes Play ‘It’s Only Rock n’ Roll’

The Black Crowes Play 'Jealous Again’

The Black Crowes Play ‘Twice as Hard’

Of all the wild antics Dave Grohl has done on stage over the years (chugging beers, faking injuries, chugging more beers) he still was deemed worthy of making an appearance on the childdren's show - Sesame Street (how does that make you feel Red Hot Chili Peppers?)

The lead Foo recorded the segment last year and it has  finally gone public.  In his appearance, Grohl joins Elmo and Big Bird for “Here We Go Song,” a tune about how many people there are around the country who could be your friend if only you got the chance to meet them.  

Beck recently visited Prince’s legendary Paisley Park Studios and left with an EP full of music clearly inspired by the Purple One. 

The Amazon exclusive EP includes two Beck tracks - Where It's At and Up All Night - with both tracks being given a little Prince-esque funk to them - and a medley of Prince hits.

You'll need to be an Amazon music subscriber to hear the full tracks- but you can get a sampling for free below - 

There have been a lot of memorable moments on TV Game Shows in history - but Monday's Final Jeopardy may take the cake.  

Contestant Dhruv Gaur was stumped on the answer - so he wrote an answer that stole the hearts of everyone watching by simply writing "We  you, Alex,” 

Show host Alex Trebek announced in March that he had been diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

The answer had Trebek a little choked up, responding "That’s very kind, thank you,” before moving on 

Alex Trebek getting choked up during Final Jeopardy today messed me all the way up. #Jeopardy #WeLoveYouAlex pic.twitter.com/QJVP4hJpGV

— sabreena (@aneerbas) November 12, 2019

In case you were wondering - The Final Jeopardy answer was, "In the title of a groundbreaking 1890 exposé of poverty in New York City slums, these 3 words follow 'How the.'" The correct response was, "What is 'other half lives?'"

????????????
Couldn't have said it better ourselves, Dhruv! #WeLoveYouAlex pic.twitter.com/JPpXjF2ifZ

— Jeopardy! (@Jeopardy) November 12, 2019

A repair of an old synthesizer turned into a long strange trip for Eliot Curtis, the Broadcast Operations Manager for San Francisco's KPIX Television.  

Curtis decided to repair a vintage Buchla Model 100 modular synthesizer that had been sitting in storage at Cal State University East Bay since the 1960s.  

When he got the unit home and opened up - he noticed  “a crust or a crystaline residue on it.”  He attempted to remove the residue with his fingers and soon started feeling a tingling sensation ... and for the next 9 hours - was high on LSD.  This was confirmed by testing on the residue (LSD can stay potent for decades if stored in the right conditions)

So why would there be LSD on this keyboard?

Rumors are that musicians in the 60s - when this model was used - would dip their instruments in LSD then - wet their finger, touch the device, and then lick their finger to get a little bit of mind-expanding inspiration.

Also - the instruments inventor - Don Buchla, has a connection to LSD - he was part of the 60's psychedelic scene and his equipment was purchased by LSD advocate Ken Kesey.  Additionally, he was a friend of Grateful Dead sound engineer Owsley Stanley, who was an infamous manufacturer of an extremely pure strain of LSD.

Vampire Weekend were the latest musical guests on the music special Austin City Limits.  

The band played a 10 song set (that you can stream below) offering songs from their latest release - Father of the Bride - and several songs from their older albums.  Keep scrolling to hear our latest podcast - featuring Nicole's conversation with lead singer Ezra Koenig 

Setlist:

Sympathy
White Sky
Bambina
2021
My Mistake
New Dorp New York
This Life
Harmony Hall
A-Punk
Jerusalem, New York, Berlin

2020 will mark the 30th anniversary of The Black Crowes debut album - Shake Your Money Maker.  And to honor the occasion - the band will reunite and tour - playing the album in its entirety along with a second set of music comprising of the rest of the band's greatest hits 

The band had teased a reunion with some social media posts

But billboards spotted in New York have revealed the band will play July 17th at New Jersey’s PNC Bank Arts Center and July 18 in  New York at Jones Beach Theater.  No other dates have been confirmed yet

The Black Crowes anuncian sus dos primeras fechas en julio de 2020 en New York y New Jersey para tocar entero "Shake Your Money Maker"https://t.co/ajQRhVPWyw @theblackcrowes @LiveNationES pic.twitter.com/gJGI31H7y9

— Dirty Rock Magazine (@Dirty_Rock) November 9, 2019

The tour will mark the first time the band has played together in six years.

Over the past 50 years - Sesame Street has aired thousands of episodes with numerous musical guests. 

Some notable appearances include, REM doing even more kid friendly version of Shiny Happy People, complete with a a Muppet-ized version of The B-52’s Kate Pierson.

I wonder if more parents enjoyed Elvis Costello and Elmo more than the toddlers 

Dave Matthews expressed his feelings to Grover - while showing off his Banjo skills ... 

But there is one band who never got the chance to play at 123 Sesame Street:  

The Red Hot Chili Peppers 

In 1994, lead singer Anthony Kiedis told Rolling Stone: 

“Did I tell you we’re going on Sesame Street? I’ve seen Dizzy Gillespie on Sesame Street, and a number of musicians have appeared in sketches. They play music, and the kids gather around, and it’s always a really cool thing. For a long time, we’ve wanted to play Sesame Street, and they weren’t too sure about it. But they finally said yes. So as soon as we finish this record, we’re gonna do a spot on Sesame Street. That could be the pinnacle of our career… I think it just took ’em a while to realize that we have an understanding with kids and that kids dig what we do.”

Unfortunately - the band was never allowed to make the appearance.  According to Carolyn Miller - a Children's Television Workshop publicist - the show deemed the band "would not be appropriate" for the show.  

In 2010 - a Sesame Street writer revealed that it was (ironically) a Rolling Stone photo that lead to the band's not being suited for the Sesame Street audience:

“I remember years ago, when the Red Hot Chili Peppers were on the cover of Rolling Stone [in the nude] and they wanted to do the show, and the executive producer at the time said no, but that’s the only thing in my memory where we said, ‘No, that’s inappropriate,’”

Don't feed the Animals. Playin the Baked Potato tonite. pic.twitter.com/2yNkffvMzD

— Chad Smith (@RHCPchad) July 18, 2014

Besides Kiedis - drummer - and muppet enthusiast - Chad Smith was disappointed: 

"Yeah, we really wanted to be on Sesame Street, so bad, because it was such a great, great show. And you know, we have kids, we love kids...We thought it would be so fun. And they were like, ‘Um, no, you guys are a little too racy for us.  We were like, ‘No, come on! We don’t do that anymore! We’ll be good!’ But that was it. They ran it up the totem pole, and the totem pole came back down.” 

Sadly - despite the band's love for the show - and show star Elmo listing the RHCP as his favorite band - this fan-made video of Kermit the Frog and Animal singing Under the Bride is probably as close as we'll get to the collab 

Irish singer songwriter SOAK was in Annapolis for a few hours on Thursday (11/7) .. so we asked her to stop by FADO for an impromtu Pop Up Show.  

The Derry native felt a little at home after learning Fado's owner is from the same small town they are from :) 

The quick solo performance was capped off with her latest single - Knock Me Off My Feet.  Hope to see you soon SOAK  

SOAK - Knock Me Off My Feet (WRNR Pop Up Show)

You can see more pictures from the performance HERE

Billie Eilish and her collaborator / brother FINNEAS were in Nashville for a surprise show at Third Man Records’ Blue Room  last night (11/6).  The two played 11 acoustic songs at the secret, invite-only event, according to The Tennessean. 

 

 

 

 

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Thank you @billieeilish and @finneas for the amazing intimate show in the Blue Room tonight. Fans, this was recorded direct-to-acetate and will be available on LP via #ThirdManRecords retail locations only (Nashville and Detroit) next month. Stay tuned... #billieeilish

A post shared by Third Man Records (@thirdmanrecords) on Nov 7, 2019 at 4:28am PST

AND the show was recorded for part of the Live at Third Man series.  But you'll have to travel to label’s retail locations in Nashville and Detroit to get a copy beginning next month. 

View this post on Instagram

Born Rotten

A post shared by FINNEAS (@finneas) on Nov 6, 2019 at 8:24pm PST

A california teacher has harnessed the powerful positivity of LIZZO to create an anthem of greatness her second grade students.

Pittsburgh Unified School District teacher DorothyHoney Mallari took Lizzo's "Truth Hurts" and rewrote the lyrics and is telling her students Let's be great, 'cause I know we are great!

The video has gone viral - with Lizzo herself responding - 

Ur right.. this IS the best thing I’ve watched today ???? https://t.co/4LBbVz8gxn

— Feelin Good As Hell (@lizzo) November 6, 2019

A company called Data Is Beautiful has compiled data and created a visualizer that shows the best selling music albums and artists from 1969 - 2019.  

According to the creator - 

Timeline history of most popular music artists from 1969 to 2019 ranked by yearly certified record sales. Numbers are worldwide and adjusted to twelve months trailing average.

 

Recent years data includes digital singles sales as reported by online music retailers and streaming services. This data aggregates multiple sources and can serve as popularity indicator across different medias such as album sales, radio broadcasting, digital copies sales and online streaming frequency.

Now sit back and get lost in the ... data 

In between shows at DC's 930 Club and Lincoln Theatre - The New Pornographers made time to come visit us in Annapolis for a Private Artist Showcase at Rams Head OnStage. 

We've been trying to get the Canadian troupe in for a showcase for a long time - so this was a very special Showcase.  

The New Pornographers - Falling Down The Stairs Of Your Smile (WRNR Private Artist Showcase)

The band played songs from their entire catalog - and even an impromtu encore :) 

The New Pornographers - Whiteout Conditions (WRNR Private Artist Showcase)

The 2019 Private Artist Showcase Series is sponsored by AP Mathews Heating & Air Conditioning and Old Fox Books 

Country stare like Dolly Parton, John Denver, Loretta Lynn, and Johnny Cash have all had Christmas specials ... and now - 2019's country pop darling Kacey Musgraves is getting her own! 

The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show will debut on Amazon Prime on November 29

The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show Teaser | Prime Video

 Musgraves has lined up a pretty great group of guests for the special: Lana Del Rey, Leon Bridges, Zooey Deschanel, Fred Armisen, Dan Levy ( from Schitt’s Creek) Kendall Jenner, Troye Sivan, James Corden, Camila Cabello, and the Radio City Rockettes

Musgraves said of the special: 

What started as the small seed of an idea one night over a year ago has turned into something I’m so proud of. Some truly brilliant comedic and musical guests are featured in the show — as well as my own Grandma. My vision was to bring my old Christmas album to life visually and create a modern and fashionable, fresh take on a classic format. It’s a nostalgic, Wes Anderson-inspired reimagining of the holidays. It’s heartfelt, funny, and most of all, real. I can’t wait to finally share.

Back in the 'dark ages' - everyone didn't have a computer in their pocket that could order them food, get directions, send money to people - oh - and make phone calls 

With a whole generation of people growing up having never known life without a smart phone - Ellen challenged a 17-year-old to use three items that have become pretty much obsolete - maps, phone books, and rotary phones - and the results are hilarious! 

It was a week of big news for fans of Tame Impala. 

First - the band announced that a 12 track album, The Slow Rush, will be out on Valentine's Day 2020. 

Then - they gave us a taste of what they have been working on when not on tour ... 

 

 

 

 

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About @tame__impala’s light show last night at @theanthemdc ???????????? #tameimpala #lights #light #lightshow #laser #theanthem

A post shared by WRNR (@103wrnr) on Aug 25, 2019 at 1:09pm PDT

...In the form of the first song from the album - the track, called “It Might Be Time, has an interesting chorus -  “It might be time to face it/ You’re not as cool as you used to be" 

Tame Impala - It Might Be Time (Audio)

Parker also took to Instagram - sharing some insights on the track

Hey everyone sorry i’ve been a bit quiet for the last 4 billion years and sorry it’s all been a bit weird this year, there are all sorts of excuses i could serve you but it basically all comes down to me hating the idea of giving you anything that isn’t the best my entire heart and soul and brain can give. But i’m so fucking relieved the day has finally come that i can give you a date, I guess you are too… And i’m so excited for touring next year and beyond with a new show and new album of songs and yes we’ll come to peru and yes we’ll come to brazil and wherever you live in the world because that’s all i want to do for the rest of my life. I’ll be waiting anxiously with you until feb 14 2020, in the meantime enjoy this quirky new song about your own inner paranoid thoughts telling you you’ve lost your mojo, and whose drum sound took me about 1 of those 4 billion years. love you all

Finally - the group annouced some 2020 shows .. but you might have to call your travel agent to get to them - 

03-09 San Diego, CA - Pechanga Arena #
03-10 Los Angeles, CA - The Forum #
03-13 San Francisco, CA - Chase Center #
03-19 Mexico City, MX - Foro Sol # $

# w/ Clairo

$ w/ MGMT

Rage Against the Machine have annouced they will be reuniting in 2020.  The band announced it in an Instagram post - see below - and it was confirmed (ironically?) in Forbes Magazine - who were told by Wayne Kamemoto, a longtime associate of the band just said, "The band's social media is accurate."

The dates include shows in El Paso, Las Cruces, and Phoenix, as well as two shows on the weekends of Coachella 2020 and the post was also shared by guitarist Tom Morello (with a little different message to fans) ... It is the band's ONLY Instagram post.  

 

 

 

 

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... El Paso, TX March 26, 2020 Las Cruces, NM March 28, 2020 Phoenix, AZ March 30, 2020 Indio, CA April 10, 2020 Indio, CA April 17, 2020 ???? Susana Hidalgo

A post shared by Rage Against The Machine (@rageagainstthemachine) on Oct 31, 2019 at 9:07pm PDT

 

 

 

 

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Chile is not messing around. USA NEXT? (Repost @war_within_a_breath)

A post shared by Tom Morello (@tommorello) on Oct 27, 2019 at 1:20pm PDT

Rolling Stone has an amazing new feature called Musicians on Musicians -  in which two artists interview each other.  Previous episodes have had Billie Eilish with Green Day's Billie Joe Armstong, St Vincent and Kirk Hamett, and Lenny Kravitz with HER. In the latest installment - Rolling Stone had two drummers turned front men - Dave Grohl and Ringo Starr sit down together ... in a bath tub of course .. to discuss their craft, dealing with losing bandmates, and finding a new career after their original bands. 

The two have a bit of history - Grohl spoke at the release of Starr’s first photography book and Starr took photos for the Foo Fighters 2014 album Sonic Highways.  Grohl also admits that the first musical instrument he taught himself to play was guitar - using a Beatles chord book.  

The two also got extremely candid in opening up to each other about the loss of their close friends and musical collaborators John Lennon and Kurt Cobain. 

When  Starr was asked what he thought of Nirvana, he responded 

“Absolutely great, and the man himself [Cobain] had so much emotion. That’s what I loved. I’m an emotional guy. No one can doubt Nirvana, ever.  And who knew he’d end up where he ended up. I don’t think anyone who listened to music with any courage could doubt him, ’cause he was courageous.I don’t know the end story, and it’s not about him, and we lose a lot of people in our business early … This is the famous 27-year syndrome. A lot of them went by 27, like it’s that number—what, had they got it all in by then? Or maybe that’s just the way God planned it; I don’t know"

Grohl discussed his dealings with Cobain's passing: 

“Well, I realized when Kurt died that there’s no right or wrong way to grieve. It takes funny turns. You’ll be numb. You’ll remember the good things, then you’ll turn and remember some dark times. I stayed away from music for a while. I wouldn’t even turn on the radio. And then I eventually realized that music was the one thing that actually made me feel better. And music was gonna help me through that. So I started writing songs and recording them by myself.”

Starr recalled Lennon's death: 

“I well up every time I think [about it]—he’s talking about me. He says [imitates Lennon], ‘Hey, Ringo, this’d be great for you.’ And I can’t help myself.  I’m emotional now thinking of him 40 years ago talking about me on his tape and thinking of me. The four of us were great friends with a couple of side issues. And it was far out. So anyway, I didn’t know how to act. And then I got back to L.A., and I grieved, and then of course you always go through the grief." 

Starr goes on to explain that the song “Grow Old With Me” from his new album, What’s My Name, was one of the last songs Lennon wrote before his death

Dave Grohl sat down with his hero and friend Ringo Starr for our Musicians on Musicians issue. The two went deep on their craft, losing John Lennon and Kurt Cobain, and finding life after their legendary bands https://t.co/8nDmIrP7Bx pic.twitter.com/DxLS8Rj4sr

— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) October 30, 2019

Check out the whole interview HERE