“Fortunately, these band members and crew don’t have severe symptoms and are following the CDC guidelines. We hope that they’ll be back with us in a few weeks. Unfortunately, though, they can’t come to the theatre and they can’t help us make this show. So rather than us cancelling our shows, we’re looking at this as a kind of opportunity to, well, honour our commitment to the audiences who are coming in the coming weeks and creating something special.”

LIFE DURING CHRISTMASTIME: David Byrne offers American Utopia fans a surprise with all-new set list including some beloved old favorites.THIS WEEK ONLY. DAVID BYRNE'S AMERICAN UTOPIA: UNCHAINED. TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW. https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/David-Byrne-and-the-AMERICAN-UTOPIA-Band-Will-Return-With-Unchained-Performances-20211227

Posted by David Byrne's American Utopia on Broadway on Monday, December 27, 2021

Byrne spun a positive light on the show being short-staffed, calling it “our opportunity to make lemonade from COVID lemons”. “You could call this ‘unplugged’, you could call this ‘unchained’ if you like,” he said. “It will be something unlike anything we’ve done before. It’s not quite the show but it’s gonna be something special.”

He continued to say that he didn’t think the adapted production would happen again beyond this next few weeks. The new, temporary version of the show will feature Talking Heads songs, Byrne’s solo material and tracks from American Utopia.

“We’re having a great time learning this stuff and a lot of fun doing it,” he added. “It’s gonna be amazing. I’m excited about it. I think it shows that we can adapt and persevere.”

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American Utopia is held at Broadway’s St. James Theatre. Tickets are on sale now for shows until the end of April 2022.

Last month, Byrne brought American Utopia to The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, performing the Talking Heads song ‘I Zimbra’ on the programme. He also sat down with Colbert for a chat and ended up teaching the host some of his distinctive dance moves.

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“I was interested in communicating with people who were on the outside,” Reed is heard saying over old black-and-white footage of the frontman. Watch it below now.

When the film was first announced last year, it was promised that it would bring fans “a treasure trove of never-before-seen performances and a rich collection of recordings, Warhol films, and other experimental art”.

Haynes has previously directed films including 1998’s Velvet Goldmine and 2007’s I’m Not There.

In a three-star review of Hayne’s Velvet Underground documentary, which premiered at Cannes in July, NME said: “This is a film more about celebration than interrogation, and Warhol’s vast collection of beautifully shot art movies of the band and associates informs a visual style and quality that’s difficult to maintain in an archive documentary.

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“Some might think sanitising the story of the band that first found the beauty in hard reality an unforgivable act of revisionism, but Haynes isn’t interested in the dirt, the drugs or the decline towards ignominy, because it’s the beauty of this world that appeals to him, not the ugliness.”

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Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker provided backing vocals on the track, which you can watch fan-shot footage of below.

The two bands’ tour will continue tonight in Philadelphia. See the full remaining dates below:

August 2021

22 – Philadelphia, TD Pavilion at the Mann
24 – Boston, Leader Bank Pavilion
25 – Portland, ME, Thompson’s Point
26 – Lewiston, Artpark Outdoor Amphitheater
28 – Chicago, Millennium Park Pritzker Pavilion

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In June, Sleater-Kinney released a new EP of one-take studio recordings called ‘Live At The Hallowed Halls’. The four-track record was recorded during a livestream event to promote the band’s recent album ‘Path Of Wellness’.

In a three-star review of that album, NME said: “Often, it feels more on-the-nose than a well-aimed splatter of paint […] The record also suffers from over-saturation at times. The title track mostly sounds like the cast of the percussive musical STOMP trying to run for the last train after a chaotic night out on the piss. When the cacophonous cowbells subside for a second, there’s groove buried within, and then the rumbling dustbins return – it feels messy and unfocused.”

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The intellectual property sold includes Prince’s name and likeness, royalties from his masters, and publishing rights, as well as his renowned Paisley Park studios, as per Rolling Stone.

Prince’s oldest three siblings – Sharon, Norrine, and John Nelson – said they have no plans to sell their stakes in the rights to the singer’s estate.

“We’ll never sell out. We know the prize,” Sharon told the Star Tribune, adding that Tyka Nelson and Omarr Baker “didn’t have the patience to wait.” Baker did not return the Star Tribune‘s request for comment after selling his entire inheritance on June 30.
“There’s not much anyone can do about family members who sell out for the dollar. That’s their right,” said New York lawyer L. Londell McMillan, who represents Prince’s three oldest siblings.

Prince performing in 1985. CREDIT: Michael Montfort/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Prince Rogers Nelson died of an accidental fentanyl overdose in 2016. Due to the absence of a will, and being he had no legal partner or children, sorting out his estate has been a complicated affair.

Once some outstanding tax issues with the IRS and state of Minnesota have been resolved, the estate – which now includes Primary Wave – plan on doing “things the way Prince did”.

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“No matter what, we are going to fight to preserve the legacy of Prince,” McMillan told The Wall Street Journal. “We would like to bring the purple back and actually do things the way Prince did.”

“All future decisions of the Prince Estate will be determined and need the approval and direction of our group, family, and friends of Prince who actually worked with him,” McMillan added. “We will work with Primary Wave and any other party that holds interest in the estate.”

NME has reached out to the Prince Estate for comment.

Meanwhile, Prince’s ‘lost’ ‘Welcome 2 America’ album was finally released on Friday (July 30).

Recorded in 2010, the album was due to be released the following year alongside the legend’s US tour of the same name, which went ahead even without the album.

After sitting in a vault for a decade, ‘Welcome 2 America’ is now available to listen to via Legacy Recordings.

In a four-star review, NME‘s Andrew Trendell said said ‘Welcome 2 America’ is “an album that speaks to today’s problems and demands to be heard. It’s better to have it now than never. His name was Prince and he was funky, and it seems he has so much more to tell us.”

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“We don’t have a permit to make a long show,” frontman Paul Stanley said at the end of the show. “So this is a little short. It’s like a sampling before you get your big meal in August.”

In August, the band will head out on their COVID-delayed farewell tour. The hard rock titans kicked off their final tour in January 2019, but were forced to put it on hold last year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. When the tour resumes, the band have teased that they’ve booked a gig in “the coldest place on earth”.

Ahead of that tour, four-hour film Biography: KISStory is set to air on the A&E network in June over two nights, and has the support of the members of KISS, with Paul Stanley calling it “really terrific”. Featured artists in the film are set to include Dave Grohl and Tom Morello.

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The new project is separate to the band’s upcoming biopic Shout It Out Loud, which looks likely to air on Netflix.

A description of Biography: KISStory reads: “After 50 years of rocking and rolling all night and partying every day, the #1 Gold Record selling band of all time, KISS, shares their story of success before finally smashing their last guitar and extinguishing the fire-breathing demon.”

In yet another forthcoming project, KISS will appear in a new comic book, Phantom Obsession, which has been written by Ian Edginton and is available this August.

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“Foo Fighters, a band I’ve long admired, just held a concert for the jabbed only,” tweeted one fan, confusing the show’s date. “That’s every album & playlist with them on, consigned to the bin.”

Right Said Fred, who have previously attended anti-lockdown protests and whose frontman Richard Fairbrass has branded the vaccine a ‘scam’, replied to the user saying: “Music is meant to build bridges, not destroy them.”

Music is meant to build bridges, not destroy them.

— Right Said Fred (@TheFreds) June 10, 2021

Libertarian comedian Josh Denny said he will “Never buy another ticket to a Foo Fighters Concert. Not all people that choose to NOT vaccinate are conspiracy theorists. Some people, very close to me, have autoimmune conditions that make the vaccine a high risk proposition.”

He added: “‘Vaccine mandatory’ is 2021’s ‘whites only.’”

I’ll never buy another ticket to a @foofighters concert.

Not all people that choose to NOT vaccinate are conspiracy theorists. Some people, very close to me, have autoimmune conditions that make the vaccine a high risk proposition.

“Vaccine mandatory” is 2021’s “whites only.” https://t.co/LDuwzw140V

— Josh Denny (@JoshDenny) June 9, 2021

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“Being such a huge fan since seeing you open for The Stones back in the 90s to hear this sadly has changed all that,” said another fan in response to the band on Twitter.

How come you are not advising your fans that this show is ONLY for fully vaccinated people. I can not even begin to express how disappointing this was to hear. Being such a huge fan since seeing you open for The Stones back in the 90s to hear this sadly has changed all that 🙁

— KSidisin (@SidisinK) June 9, 2021

“Never thought the Foo Fighters would support suppression, segregation, and discrimination,” said another.

Never thought the Foo Fighters would support suppression, segregation, and discrimination.
It's strange times.

— NPK (@NamepleaseK) June 9, 2021

Many others, however, have expressed their support for the show’s vaccination policy, which is in keeping with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s recent announcement that all shows at 100 per cent capacity must have a fully vaccinated audience.

“A big thumbs up to my favorite band for doing this,” said one user. “I genuinely don’t see a problem with this, and double bonus points for pissing off the anti-vax morons,” said another.

@foofighters will be playing a full capacity concert at MSG on June 20th and attendees must be fully vaccinated. I'm totally on board with requiring vacations, a big thumbs up to my favorite band for doing this.

— Shawn W (@BiscuitsDad30) June 9, 2021

Foo fighters holding a concert for the vaccinated is my favourite

— Dan Moore (@DeeGeeEmm) June 10, 2021

Foo Fighters have said they’re going to play a gig but only for those who have been vaccinated. I genuinely don’t see a problem with this, and double bonus points for pissing off the anti-vax morons.

— Steve McHugh (@StevejMchugh) June 10, 2021

Children under the age of 16 who are unable to take a vaccine can show proof of a negative COVID test instead.

Foo Fighters will follow the New York gig with a run of shows across the US this summer. Their return to live gigs comes after the coronavirus pandemic derailed their extensive plans to celebrate their 25th anniversary in 2020.

The Foos had been set to head on a tour that would see them revisit stops from their first US tour, which was held in 1995, but those dates were shelved last August.

The band have, however, played a number of fundraisers and livestreams throughout the last year, including their recent appearance at Vax Live: The Concert To Reunite The World which raised £214million to support worldwide vaccination efforts.

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“Maya Wiley is the most grateful, gracious, and kind-hearted bad-ass I’ve ever witnessed,” frontman Julian Casablancas said in a statement. “The more I know her, the more I know that she is absolutely the best choice to be NYC’s next mayor.

“This feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity to help elevate an incredible person to a position of power where they can protect the public — instead of the usual — managing their exploitation…”

He continued: “She is the only leading candidate without a PAC (political action committee), so it’s a privilege to use art to support a non-corporate candidate fighting against difficult odds. She is a benevolent warrior; at City Hall she got the cop who killed Eric Garner fired. We need to elect trustworthy people so when hard decisions need to be made behind closed doors, we know the people of NYC will be protected and in the best hands possible.”

Fans wanting to attend the event will need to provide a negative coronavirus test in order to gain entry. Tickets go on sale from 12pm EST tomorrow (June 9) – get them here.

New York City mayoral candidate Maya Wiley. CREDIT: Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images

“I cannot even begin to describe my excitement for this concert,” Wiley said. “I am so thankful to The Strokes for their support for my campaign and my vision for this city and for their commitment to making this event happen safely and successfully.

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“This concert — the first full-capacity show in over a year — is proof that New York City is on the road to recovery and I’m thrilled to be kicking off this important and joyful milestone for our city. I’m so thankful to Julian and the band for their commitment to ensuring a better future for our city and cannot wait for Saturday night.”

As well as the New York band, Wiley has been endorsed by the likes of actors Chris Evans and Gabrielle Union.

The New York mayoral elections take place on June 22.

Prior to May’s virtual gig, the band last performed at a political event when they headlined a rally for Bernie Sanders in February 2020. Casablancas has also interviewed Yang, the frontrunner in the 2021 NYC mayoral race, as part of his S.O.S. — Earth Is A Mess series.

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“In hindsight, I realised that the ‘Masseduction’ [album] and tour was so incredibly strict, whether it was the outfits I was wearing that literally constricted me, to the show being tight and the music being angular and rigid. When I wrapped that, I was like ‘oh, I just want things that are fluid and wiggly and I want this music to look like a Cassavetes film’.”

She added: “I wanted it to be warm tones and not really distorted, to tell these stories of flawed people being flawed and doing the best they can. Which is kind of what my life is.”

Official ad reveals that DADDY’S HOME is coming May 14th! from AnnieClark

Asked what she had been listening to when she was writing ‘Daddy’s Home’, Clark replied: “I went back to these records that I probably listened to more in my life than at any other time, music made in New York from 1971-76, typically post-flower child, kick the hippie idealism out of it, America’s in a recession but pre-disco, the sort of gritty, raw, wiggly nihilistic part of that.

“It’s not a glamorous time, there’s a lot of dirt under the fingernails. It was really about feel and vibe but with song and stories.”

The musician also explained the idea behind the album, although did not confirm its reported title. “So the nuts and bolts of it is like, my dad got out of prison in 2019,” she said. “He’d been in for 10 years. My first song for it was a story about when I used to go visit him and I would sign crumpled-up Target receipts somebody had left in the visitation room. And, of course, it’s incredibly sad, but it’s also incredibly absurd so the whole family has found a way to laugh about it.”

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Posters featuring Clark in a red suit and blonde bob started appearing on the street earlier this week, advertising the new record. “Warm Wurlitzers and wit, glistening guitars and grit, with sleaze and style for days,” the poster read. “Taking you from uptown to downtown with the artist who makes you expect the unexpected.”

‘Daddy’s Home’ will be Clark’s first studio album in four years, following on from ‘Masseduction’. The 2017 record was given a four-star review from NME upon its release, which described it as “another gift from fame’s fickle filly, a clutch of tales about power, lust and spectacle”.

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Fans will also have their temperature checked upon entering a venue and will be required to wear face coverings while in attendance.

As part of the move, the city will host concerts for the first time in a year as part of the New York Arts Revival programme announced in January.

More than 300 pop-up gigs will take place between 20 February and 6 September at venues including the Apollo Theater, Harlem Stage, La Mama, and Alice Busch Opera Theatre.

The governor says the gigs will be staged at flexible venues with no fixed seating so event formats can be reconfigured to allow adequate social distancing.

Dr Anthony Fauci. Credit: Patrick Semansky-Pool/Getty Images

Indoor arenas must also observe enhanced air filtration, ventilation and purification standards, as well as socially distanced seating configurations.

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The guidelines for reopening will be based on the testing pilot programme conducted by the NFL team Buffalo Bills at the weekend, in which 6,700 fans who presented negative tests, and agreed to contact tracing, attended the game socially distanced.

“While we continue to fight Covid on multiple fronts, we must also get this economy reopened intelligently and in a balanced way,” said governor Cuomo.

“Live sports and entertainment have long been engrained in the fabric of New York and the inability to hold events has only added to the isolation we have all felt at the hands of this virus.”

It comes after Dr Anthony Fauci, the United States’ Chief Medical Advisor, recently said he expects full-capacity live shows to return to the United States this autumn.

No traditional gigs have taken place in the country since late March 2020, when the first wave of the coronavirus hit.

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Watch the video for ‘Spicy’ below now.

 

In a four-star review, NME said of ‘King’s Disease’: “The album is stuffed with this kind of lyrical proficiency, which demands high levels of dissection. ‘King’s Disease’ is an acutely perceptive and culturally relevant body of work that finds its author willing to try out new ideas. There’s a genuine conversation to be had about whether it’s the best rap album of the year so far.”

Meanwhile, the rapper recently revealed that he “got too high” to complete a planned collaboration with The Notorious B.I.G. The pair were due to team up on one or two tracks in the early ‘90s.

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Appearing on The Breakfast Club in August, Nas explained why the songs had never materialised. “I was in the studio and Big was rolling up some of that chocolate from Brooklyn – and he didn’t warn me,” he said.

He continued: “It was just – I was zonked out, yo. There’s pictures of that session out there.” Asked why he hadn’t gone back to the studio the next day, he said he was “still high”.

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[Intro]
Yeah, wow
They not ready for my new shit
Yeah

[Verse 1]
I want my baby to have your eyes
I’m going against my own advice
Should I do New York? I can’t decide
Fashion week is more your thing than mine
I can’t even lie, I’d rather stay inside
I can’t do suit and tie
Can’t be in a room with you and stand on different sides
One thing at a time
I have to learn to hide
One thing at a time
Emotions running high
I wish you felt alright

[Pre-Chorus]
Just hitting my line
All the time, all the time, all oooo–
You stay on my mind
All the time, all the time (oooo)

[Chorus]
It takes some finesse
I seen you finesse
He can’t know finesse
You stay on my mind

[Verse 2]
You and your sister
Too hot to handle
Things would get cancelled
I would make time for you
Commitment
Going the distance
I’m new to all of this

[Chorus]
It takes some finesse
I seen you finesse
He can’t know finesse
You stay on my mind

[Outro]
You stay on my mind (stay)
Stay on my mind
Baby you stay on
Baby you stay on
Baby you stay on
You stay on
Baby you stay
On my mind, stay on my mind
On my mind, stay on my mind
You st–
On my mind, stay on my mind