Shame announce US tour and ‘Born In Luton Remixes’ EP

Taking place throughout February and March 2022, the tour includes performances in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Atlanta and Nashville.

You can see the full schedule below.

We’re also unleashing some hot remixes of Born of Luton, first of which by Maximum Security NYC (Austin from Parquet Courts). Available on all streaming sites now.

BiL Remix EP drops this Friday 23rd July, includes work from:
-Pelada
-DJ Dairy (Black Midi)
-PVA
-Glows

— shame (@shamebanduk) July 20, 2021

Shame have also announced that they’re “unleashing some hot remixes” of their ‘Drunk Tank Pink’ track ‘Born In Luton’ in the form of an EP, ‘Born In Luton Remixes’. The five-track collection arrives on Friday (July 23).

The first rework was released today courtesy of Maximum Security (aka Austin Brown of Parquet Courts) – listen below.

“They’re gonna have to reopen the Hacienda for this one,” said Brown. “Inspired by Ron Hardy’s Chicago Music Box and Belgian New Beat, this is one for the promo bin to all your fav DJs for their online radio streams and 2am playlist slots on CDJs worldwide for covid-free club summer.”

Shame, meanwhile, are due to embark on a UK headline tour this November. They’ll also perform at next month’s Green Man Festival, which announced last week that it would be going ahead as planned.

In a five-star review of ‘Drunk Tank Pink’, NME wrote: “This is massive leap on from ‘Songs Of Praise’ – ‘Drunk Tank Pink’ is more ambitious and more accomplished than its predecessor, showcasing a band brimming both with ideas and the confidence to pull them off.”

Related Topics
Indie
Shame

Clairo announces “no bullshit” US tour with Arlo Parks

“Every show will have a person/resource to go to if there’s harassment in the crowd,” she wrote, adding that a “no bullshit” policy would be in place. Further details are expected closer to the tour.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Claire Cottrill (@clairo)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Arlo Parks (@arlo.parks)

Meanwhile, Parks said she was “so excited” to head out on the road with Cottrill. “Her work fills my belly with butterflies – kindness and sensitivity weaves through her work like a golden thread – thank you for allowing me to share this stage with you,” she said.

It comes after Clairo recently told NME that she wouldn’t tour unless protocols were in place to protect her fans. “If I can’t provide this [security] on tour, then I won’t tour – that’s my mentality at the moment,” she said.

“I really do feel in my heart of hearts that there’s going to be a wave of tours that are really stamped as the ‘safe tour’ and provide all this. Touring is one of the only things that hasn’t changed much. Granted, a lot of things need to change in the industry, but this is definitely one of them.”

Cottrill explained that there would “most definitely” be someone who isn’t affiliated with any of the venues she plays on future tours to serve as a “point of contact for any misconduct that goes on within the crowd”.

Arlo Parks, who will join Clairo at the US dates alongside Widowspeak, performed a cover of Cottrill’s single ‘Bags’ back in January. She previously recorded a version of the song on YouTube while isolating at her home last year.

Related Topics
Arlo Parks
Clairo
Indie

John Mayer shares video for new song ‘Shot In The Dark’ and announces US tour dates

Much like the video for his last single, ‘Last Train Home’, Mayer turns up the nostalgia, playfully poking fun at music videos from the ’80s. Sporting the same black leather jacket as in his previous video, the clip sees Mayer perform under moody blue lighting and express melodramatic pouts while posing next to low-rent, stained glass windows.

You can watch the video for ‘Shot In The Dark’ below:

In addition to the new track, Mayer has also announced a North American tour in support of ‘Sob Rock’ which kicks off next year.

Beginning in Albany on February 17 and ending in Chicago on April 28, the tour will include stops at New York City’s Madison Square Garden (February 20), and two nights at the Forum in Inglewood, California (March 13 & March 15), among others. You can see a full list of dates below.

General tickets go on sale starting Friday (July 23) at 11:00am local time and will be available here, while fans can sign up to access pre-sale tickets now via Seated.

‘SOB ROCK’ NORTH AMERICAN TOUR 2022 DATES:

FEBRUARY 2022
17 – Albany, NY – Times Union Center
18 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
20 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
23 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena
25 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena
27 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena

MARCH 2022
1 – Belmont Park, NY – UBS Arena
4 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
11 – Las Vegas, NV – Grand Garden Arena
13 – Los Angeles, CA – Forum
15 – Los Angeles, CA – Forum
18 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center
22 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
25 – Salt Lake City, UT – Vivint Arena
27 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena

APRIL 2022
2 – Sunrise, FL – BB&T Center
5 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena
8 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
11 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
13 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
20 – Austin, TX – Moody Center
23 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
24 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
28 – Chicago, IL – United Center

Mayer celebrated the release of ‘Sob Rock’ with a virtual performance on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, where he and his band delivered the acoustic ballad ‘Shouldn’t Matter But It Does’ and ‘Last Train Home’.

You can watch the performances below:

Meanwhile, Mayer has sent Rosé of K-pop girl group BLACKPINK a pink electric guitar as thanks for covering one of his songs.

On July 16, the Korean-Australian singer took to Instagram to share a few images of her brand-new guitar, which was accompanied by a hand-written note from Mayer. “Rosé! I should be thanking YOU! (so thank you.),” wrote Mayer.

The guitar comes after Rosé’s recent cover of Mayer’s 2006 song ‘Slow Dancing In A Burning Room’ on a South Korean variety show. “Life is complete,” captioned the BLACKPINK vocalist, tagging him in the post.

The Grammy award-winning musician had sent Rosé the PRS Silver Sky electric guitar in its newest colour, Roxy Pink. He previously featured the guitar in the music video for ‘Last Train Home’. The Silver Sky model, which was designed in collaboration with Mayer, retails at around $2,000.

Related Topics
John Mayer
Rock

Harry Styles announces postponed US tour dates: “I could not be more excited”

“I could not be more excited for these shows,” Styles wrote on Twitter. “As always, the well-being of my fans, band, and crew, is my top priority.”

He continued: “Safety guidelines will be available on the respective venue websites to ensure we can all be together as safely as possible. Please notice that some dates have changed, and new shows have been added.”

Safety guidelines will be available on the respective venue websites to ensure we can all be together as safely as possible. Please notice that some dates have changed, and new shows have been added.

— Harry Styles. (@Harry_Styles) July 14, 2021

Having postponed his UK and European tour dates “indefinitely” back in December, the singer told fans today that he “can’t wait to see you again, but for obvious reasons it is just not possible at this time”.

“I will be sharing more news soon about shows across the globe and new music. I love you all so much. I’m excited and I can’t wait to see you. H,” Styles’ post concluded.

You can see that tweet below:

To everyone in the UK and across the world, I can’t wait to see you again, but for obvious reasons it is just not possible at this time. I will be sharing more news soon about shows across the globe and new music. I love you all so much. I’m excited and I can’t wait to see you. H

— Harry Styles. (@Harry_Styles) July 14, 2021

As announced for the original dates, Jenny Lewis will fulfil her planned special guest appearances at the ‘Love On Tour’ US concerts in September.

Back in May, Harry Styles picked up the Best British Single award for the ‘Fine Line’ single ‘Watermelon Sugar’ at the BRIT Awards 2021. He said during his acceptance speech that “moments like this make me more incredibly grateful to get to do this”.

Related Topics
Harry Styles
Pop

Kelly Lee Owens announces 2021 US tour

Tickets – which you can get here – go on sale at 1pm EDT on Friday (June 11) the same day Owens releases her new Inner Song Remix Series EP.

The EP features songs from her 2020 album Inner Song reworked by the likes of Breaka, Loraine James, Eikka, Shorter Roza, Yazzus, and Coby Sey. Listen to the Breaka, Joraine James and Elkka remixes below.

<a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://a-z-l-y-r-i-c-s.musicmir.net/goto/https://kellyleeowens.bandcamp.com/album/inner-song-remix-series" >Inner Song Remix Series by Kelly Lee Owens</a>

Full list of Kelly Lee Owens US tour dates:

SEPTEMBER 2021
8 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg
10 – Chicago, IL – Pitchfork Music Festival
11 – Philadelphia, PA – Making Time
13 – Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair
14 – Washington, DC – Union Stage
16 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line
17 – Denver, CO – Globe Hall
18 – Seattle, WA – Nuemos
19 – Portland, OR – Holocene
22 – Oakland, CA – Starline
25 – Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room

OCTOBER 2021
22-23 – Miami, FL – III Points Festival

In a five-star review of Owens’ Inner Songs, NME wrote: “By allowing her songs to breathe, leaving space for contemplation, ‘Inner Song’ is a perfectly-arranged album where each track has a part to play: an emotive-yet-euphoric collection that’s made for late-night reflection, Kelly Lee Owens has made one of the most beautiful records of the year.”

Meanwhile, Kelly Lee Owens was among the names who recently announced that SSD Concerts will no longer be promoting upcoming shows for them following allegations of employee mistreatment.

Related Topics
Indie
Kelly Lee Owens

Olivia Rodrigo tops US album chart with 2021’s biggest first-week figures

It is also the first debut album by a female artist to go straight to the top of the charts since Cardi B’s major label debut ‘Invasion Of Privacy’ in 2016.

Olivia Rodrigo attends The BRIT Awards 2021 at The O2 Arena on May 11, 2021 in London, England. Credit: JMEnternational/JMEnternational for BRIT Awards/Getty Images.

Before Rodrigo’s record was released, Taylor Swift held the title for biggest first-week album figures this year with ‘Fearless (Taylor’s Version)’. That album clocked up 291,000 units in April.

The 18-year-old musician’s Billboard 200 success follows her becoming the youngest solo artist ever to land a UK Number One double. ‘Sour’ topped the Official UK Albums Chart, while Rodrigo’s latest single ‘Good 4 U’ also claimed its second week at the peak of the Official UK Singles Chart.

An act hasn’t pulled off the feat with their debut album since 2015, when Sam Smith reached Number One with ‘In The Lonely Hour’ and their single ‘Lay Me Down’.

In a four-star review of ‘Sour’, NME said: “For the most part, Rodrigo has passed the bar she set on [‘Drivers License’], sharing with us an almost-masterpiece that’s equal parts confident, cool and exhilaratingly real. This is no flash-in-the-pan artist, but one we’ll be living with for years to come.”

Related Topics
Olivia Rodrigo
Pop

US promoter is charging unvaccinated fans $1,000 for ticket to upcoming punk show

“We’re just trying to do a show safely,” Williams told WFTS. “And they should go out and get vaccinated to protect themselves and their families and their community.”

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently declared that those living in Florida have the right to get vaccinated or not and “no business or government entity will be able to deny you services based on your decision.”

With that said, knowing he couldn’t force anyone who wasn’t vaccinated not to attend the show, Williams came up with the idea for the unique ticket pricing instead.

Speaking to ABC News, he added: “I also wanted it to be a vaccine drive to get the fence-sitters off the fence. I wanted to get the kids that want to go to shows to go out and get their shots.”

So far there has been no takers for the $1,000 tickets, but Williams has said that if anyone does buy one they will “be treated like everyone else”.

While the response to his ticket policy has been “overwhelmingly positive” for the most part, Williams did mention that he’s received a number of spam calls from anti-vaxxers. “To care about people being safe is very bad apparently,” he added.

Ray Carlisle of Teenage Bottlerocket, one of the bands on the line-up, is on board with the policy, telling WFTS: “We’re all vaccinated. We encourage everyone to get vaccinated so we can see you in the pit.”

Local punk fan Brittney Wigen said: “I understand what they’re doing. I think it’s very nice of them, but it’s just not fair…I think it’s terrible because not everyone can get the vaccine. I can’t because I had COVID too recently.”

You can pick up $18 or $1,000 tickets to the show here.

Related Topics
Coronavirus
Punk

US branch of Independent Venue Week announces 2021 edition

#IVWTalks incorporates ‘Get Schooled’ on Thursday July 15, a full day dedicated to students interested in a career in live music.

San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall, one of the US venues taking part in Independent Venue Week CREDIT: Steve Jennings/Getty Images

The event is officially partnered with the National Independent Venue Association, whose formation was sparked by Independent Week’s early editions.

“Getting ready for this year’s event feels particularly meaningful,” said Cecilie Nielsen, Director of Special Projects at Marauder, the firm that runs US Independent Venue Week.

“For the past 14 months, independent venues and promoters have collectively fought for their very survival and this feels like the turning point that we’ve all been working for. We were happy and proud to grow Independent Venue Week last year—to even have it, under the circumstances. This year, we hope and believe that fans will return with a renewed appreciation for these uniquely important spaces.”

Independent Venue Week began as a UK initiative in 2014, with the inaugural US edition launching in 2018.

The UK’s most recent edition of Independent Venue Week took place online in January, with 110 venues from across the UK taking part. To mark the occasion, ambassadors Arlo Parks, Gruff Rhys, Amy Macdonald and Jordan Adetunji spoke to NME about how their early live shows.

Kevin Morby and Hamilton Leithauser announce joint US tour: “Let’s dance, laugh, cry and sing!”

“This is the first song of Kevin’s I’d ever heard – I originally discovered it because it was produced by our mutual friend the late, great Richard Swift, and I’ve always really liked it, and I wanted to do it proper justice,” Leithauser wrote as a message in his video.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kevin Morby (@kevinmorby)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hamilton Leithauser (@hamiltonleithauser)

After fans speculated over what the mutual appreciation of each other’s work could mean, it later transpired that Morby and Leithauser will embark on a US co-headline tour this October/November.

Kicking off at The National in Richmond, Virginia on October 14, the ‘Fall Mixer’ stint will also see the pair make stop-offs in Nashville, Austin, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and other cities.

You can see the full list of dates below and find ticket details here.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hamilton Leithauser (@hamiltonleithauser)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kevin Morby (@kevinmorby)

According to Leithauser, each night of the tour “will be its own party” and serve as “a social occasion as much as a rock n roll show”. The two musicians will share a band at the gigs, where they will perform “new songs, old songs, other people’s songs”.

Kevin Morby recently shared ‘Dumcane’, an outtake from his 2016 album ‘Singing Saw’ to mark its fifth anniversary.

Ted Nugent claims systemic racism has been “fixed” in the US

“It’s not a threat. White supremacists haven’t burned down Seattle or Portland. They didn’t burn down Kenosha. They didn’t burn down Minneapolis.”

Nugent went on to claim Black Lives Matter, Antifa and Democrat supporters were instead responsible, adding: “Those were so-called Black Lives Matter terrorists and Antifa and Democrat supporters who hate America, hate God, hate family, hate freedom, hate the Constitution, hate the Bill Of Rights, hate hard-working Americans.

“They are the terrorists. Black Lives Matter, Antifa – those are the terrorists. They burn down cities and destroy things. There are no white supremacists doing that. There might be a couple of dirt bag white supremacists out there, but they’re virtually inconsequential. It’s bullshit.”

Nugent also complained about former US president Donald Trump‘s ban being upheld by Facebook yesterday (May 5) and said: “Be careful of the propaganda ministry and the censorship of Big Tech, who literally censors the president of the United States.

“Not this goofball [Joe Biden] in the White House now, but Donald Trump. And they suppress Shemane and I because we stand up for God, family, country, Constitution, Bill Of Rights, the Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule, the Declaration Of Independence, life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, and law and order.”

His comments come just weeks after Nugent responded to previous allegations of racism, denying the claims and calling himself “the anti-racist”.

He has previously attracted severe criticism over his alleged racist views over the years.

In 2014, he called then-president Barack Obama a “subhuman mongrel” before apologising for the comment, while in a 1990 interview with the Detroit Free Press, he spoke of apartheid in South Africa, saying: “Apartheid isn’t that cut-and-dry. All men are not created equal.”

Earlier this year, Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello faced criticism based upon his friendship with Nugent.

Meanwhile, it was recently revealed that Nugent tested positive for coronavirus last month one week after performing maskless at an event in Florida.

The Flaming Lips announce UK and Ireland tour dates for 2022

The dates, which you can see in full below, follow the Oklahoma shows The Flaming Lips performed during the coronavirus pandemic, in which both the band and audience stood in protective bubbles for the concert’s duration.

JUST ANNOUNCED: The Flaming Lips 'American Head American Tour 2021-22'!

Tickets for all shows go on sale this Friday, May 7th, 10am local time. https://t.co/FSRauJ58Kj for ticket links and more info. pic.twitter.com/2czAGTW9dO

— The Flaming Lips (@theflaminglips) May 3, 2021

The band has also announced the first ever vinyl release of ‘The Soft Bulletin Companion’, a promo record of rarities that accompanied their 1999 album ‘The Soft Bulletin’. Pressed onto a silver double-LP, it will be released exclusively on Record Store Day June 12, with a wider release slated for later in the year.

See the band’s full list of tour dates, including those in North America, below:

UK DATES

MAY, 2022

25 – Leeds, Stylus
26 – Liverpool, Invisible Wind Factory
30 – Aylesbury, Waterside Theatre

JUNE. 2022

01 – Bexhill, De la Warr Pavilion
02 – London, O2 Forum Kentish Town

JULY 2022

22 – Galway, Galway Int’l Arts Fest

You can purchase tickets for the UK dates here.

NORTH AMERICA DATES

AUGUST, 2021

20 – Ogden, UT – Ogden Amphitheatre
21 – Las Vegas, NV – Psycho Las Vegas

NOVEMBER, 2021

07 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore
08 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel
09 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel
11 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage A&E
12 – Syracuse, NY – Crouse Hinds Theater
13 – Albany, NY – Palace Theater
15 – Boston, MA – House of Blues
16 – Washington, D.C. – The Anthem
18 – Montreal, Quebec – MTELUS
20 – Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak Music Theater

MARCH, 2022

27 – San Antonio, TX – The Aztec Theatre
28 – Houston, TX – House of Blues
29 – New Orleans, LA – The Fillmore
31 – Miami Beach, FL – The Fillmore

APRIL, 2022

01 – Orlando, FL – Hard Rock Live
02 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy
04 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
05 – Cincinnati, OH – ICON Music Center
06 – Chicago, IL – Riviera Theatre
08 – Saint Paul, MN – Palace Theatre
09 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee
25 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom
28 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory
29 – Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom
30 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory

MAY, 2022

02 – Vancouver, British Columbia – Commodore Ballroom
03 – Vancouver, British Columbia – Commodore Ballroom
04 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo
06 – San Francisco, CA – Warfield Theatre
07 – San Francisco, CA – Warfield Theatre
09 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern

Tickets for the US dates go on sale on May 7 – get them here.

Meanwhile, Flaming Lips, Courtney Marie Andrews, Low, Weyes Blood and Richard Thompson are among the names to have contributed bespoke covers to a new album celebrating the life and work of Bob Dylan.

Related Topics
Rock
The Flaming Lips

Frank Zappa’s final US concert set for live album release

The singer was recently celebrated in Alex Winters’ rock documentary Zappa. In a four-star review, NME wrote: “A complex character, during Zappa’s runtime Frank is conversely called cruel, a workaholic, passionate, talented and solipsistic, but above all it’s his passion for experimentation that stands out.

“Frank had no interest in making something popular, but rather something that would push the boundaries of what modern music was expected to be.”

‘Zappa ’88’ was produced by Ahmet Zappa alongside Joe Travers. Listen to ‘I Ain’t Got No Heart (Live at Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY 3/25/88)’ below.

The record is due for release June 18 via Zappa Records/UMe – fans can pre-order ‘Zappa ’88: The Last U.S. Show’ here.

See the expansive 2CD/digital tracklist below, also set for release on 4LP vinyl.

Disc 1
01. ‘”We Are Doing Voter Registration Here”‘
02. ‘The Black Page (New Age Version)’
03. ‘I Ain’t Got No Heart’
04. ‘Love Of My Life’
05. ‘Inca Roads’
06. ‘Sharleena’
07. ‘Who Needs The Peace Corps?’
08. ‘I Left My Heart In San Francisco’
09. ‘Dickie’s Such An Asshole’
10. ‘When The Lie’s So Big’
11. ‘Jesus Thinks You’re A Jerk’
12. ‘Sofa #1’
13. ‘One Man, One Vote’
14. ‘Happy Birthday, Chad!’
15. ‘Packard Goose Pt. 1’
16. ‘Royal March From “L’Histoire Du Soldat”’
17. ‘Theme From The Bartok Piano Concerto #3’
18. ‘Packard Goose Pt. II’
19. ‘The Torture Never Stops Pt. I’
20. ‘Theme From “Bonanza”’

Disc 2
01. ‘Lonesome Cowboy Burt’
02. ‘The Torture Never Stops Pt. II’
03. ‘City Of Tiny Lites’
04. ‘Pound For A Brown’
05. ‘The Beatles Medley’
06. ‘Peaches En Regalia’
07. ‘Stairway To Heaven’
08. ‘I Am The Walrus’
09. ‘Whipping Post’
10. ‘Bolero’
11. ‘America The Beautiful’

Related Topics
Frank Zappa
Rock

Madonna calls for gun control in the US to be treated like “the new vaccination”

More than 60 US venues to be retrofitted for livestreaming

Consequence Of Sound reports that venues that are part of the early rollout include both The Fillmore in both San Francisco and Philadelphia, Chicago and New Orleans’ House of Blues, the Bay Area’s Shoreline Amphitheater and Washington’s The Gorge.

The 10-show launch series will see performances by Freddie Gibbs, Young Thug, Young M.A, Breland, JP Saxe, LANY, Waterparks, Lucky Daye, Eyedress, and Chase Atlantic.

Virtual tickets are priced at $15 and are available to buy via The Wiltern’s website.

See the 2021 Wiltern livestreamed gig schedule below:

MAY
07 – Breland
14 – JP Saxe
21 – Young Thug
28 – LANY

JUNE
04 – Waterparks
11 – Lucky Daye
18 – Young M.A.
25 – Eyedress

JULY
02 – Freddie Gibbs
09 – Chase Atlantic

Joel Madden said of the partnership with Live Nation: “Amongst artists, it’s often said that the one side of our careers that truly belongs to us is touring. To help an entirely new touring vertical become readily available to artists is such a huge win for our community and we couldn’t be happier. It’s the exact type of thing that shows what our partnership with Live Nation can really mean for artists.

“Now, with the flip of a switch, every artist playing in these venues can make their show a global event. We’ve already seen how livestream shows drive engagement across every other area of an artist’s business and the added ticket revenue will allow them to re-invest in their art and make what they’re offering their fans even better. It’s a real dream come true for us at Veeps and our mission to help empower artists in their careers.”

Read NME‘s deep-dive into the rise of virtual gigs during the coronavirus crisis here.

Joe Biden hopes to make all US adults eligible for vaccine by May 1

The severity of restrictions on live performances is currently detemined by individual state. Texas and Mississippi, for example, caused controversy this month after lifting their mask mandates and increasing the capacity of all buildings to 100 per cent. Nevertheless, Biden’s move will have major impact on gigs across the country.

Tonight, I am announcing that I will direct all states, tribes, and territories to make all adult Americans eligible for the vaccine no later than May 1. pic.twitter.com/FEIDCFLORb

— President Biden (@POTUS) March 12, 2021

His comments follow claims from the CEO of LiveNation last week that large-scale US concerts will resume this summer.

Michael Rapino said that “a clear outline to a 75 per cent to 100 per cent” capacity for outdoor US events in 2021 was looking likely to be green-lit.

In the UK, meanwhile, the government have announced a proposed roadmap out of the current coronavirus lockdown, revealing that gigs and festivals could return without social distancing measures by June 21 at the earliest.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 100 million vaccinations have been administered in the US to date. More than 23 million doses have now been given to people in the UK.

Related Topics
Coronavirus
Joe Biden
Politics

Watch Lady Gaga sing the US national anthem during Joe Biden’s inauguration

Following Gaga’s rendition of ‘The Star Spangled Banner’, Jennifer Lopez performed a passionate medley of ‘This Land Is Your Land’ and ‘America The Beautiful’ ahead of Biden being sworn in.

The singer also declared “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all” in Spanish during her performance.

You can watch Lopez’s performance blow.

WATCH: Jennifer Lopez performs "This Land is Your Land" and "America the Beautiful," at the inauguration.https://t.co/WegAJRvMdn pic.twitter.com/GACVPK4t94

— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 20, 2021

Gaga supported the Biden campaign ahead of November’s presidential election, appearing at a special drive-in event for Biden in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she gave a speech and performed ‘Shallow’ and ‘Yoü and I’.

In a message which she shared on her social media channels yesterday (January 19), Gaga expressed her desire for today’s inauguration ceremony to mark “a day of peace for all Americans”.

“A day for love, not hatred. A day for acceptance not fear. A day for dreaming of our future joy as a country. A dream that is non-violent, a dream that provides safety for our souls. Love, from the Capitol.”

Later tonight, a TV special, Celebrating America, will air in the US featuring the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters and Demi Lovato.

Related Topics
Joe Biden

Dr Anthony Fauci says live shows should return to the US this autumn

Revealing that between 70% and 85% of the US population would need to vaccinated for venues to re-open, Fauci said (via the New York Times): “If everything goes right, this is will occur some time in the fall of 2021, so that by the time we get to the early to mid-fall, you can have people feeling safe performing on stage, as well as people in the audience.”

Credit: Ollie Millington/Redferns

He added: “I think you can then start getting back to almost full capacity of seating,” before referencing tests done in Germany recently, where a study into the transmission of coronavirus at indoor concerts concluded the environment poses a “low to very low” risk to attendees of contracting the disease.

“What the performing arts needs to do is to do a little bit more of what the Germans are doing,” Fauci said, before telling music fans: “We’ll be back in the theatres – performers will be performing, audiences will be enjoying it. It will happen.”

Last month, the president of Live Nation, Joe Berchtold, said that he felt “very good” about the prospect of traditional live music returning this summer, while Barcelona festival Primavera Sound hailed a successful trial to study the idea of holding gigs without social distancing.

It was also recently revealed that legendary London venue The 100 Club will pilot a new ventilation system in January that aims to wipe out 99.99 per cent of dangerous airborne pathogens, such as the coronavirus, within buildings.

Developed by a British team of engineers, scientists, medical experts and entrepreneurs, the PRS (Pathogen Reduction System) has been designed to fit into a building’s existing ventilation system.

Related Topics
Coronavirus

Barack Obama hails Raphael Warnock’s election victory as Georgia’s next US senator

Two Senate seats were up for grabs in special run-offs, with overall control of the chamber for the next two years within the Democrats’ reach if they manage to win both elections and split the Senate 50-50.

Incoming Vice President Kamala Harris would then have the casting vote in the Senate, enabling President-elect Joe Biden to push through his agenda when he enters the White House on January 20.

Posting on Facebook, Obama wrote: “I want to congratulate Reverend Raphael Warnock on his election as Georgia’s next U.S. Senator – and while we’re still waiting on final results in the other runoff, it’s clear that last night’s showing, alongside President-Elect Biden’s November victory in Georgia, is a testament to the power of the tireless and often unheralded work of grassroots organising and the resilient, visionary leadership of Stacey Abrams.

My friend John Lewis is surely smiling down on his beloved Georgia this morning, as people across the state carried…

Posted by Barack Obama on Wednesday, January 6, 2021

“Georgia’s first Black senator will make the chamber more reflective of our country as a whole and open the door for a Congress that can forego gridlock for gridlock’s sake to focus instead on the many crises facing our nation – pandemic relief for struggling families, voting rights, protecting our planet, and more.”

He also pointed out that the democratic process has been “greatly tested” during Donald Trump‘s presidency over the last four years.

“In recent years, our institutions, our democracy, and truth itself have been greatly tested by those who’ve chosen to prioritise personal gain or political ambition over our democratic principles. And even a good election will not eliminate those threats.

“Yet we should also remember that in two weeks, we will inaugurate a new president. He will have a chance to work with a new Senate and House on the business of the American people.”

It comes as the United States Capitol has been placed under lockdown as thousands of Donald Trump supporters have been clashing with police.

The president’s supporters stormed Capitol Hill today (January 6) to protest the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory in Congress, which resulted in the complex being locked down and nearby office buildings having to be evacuated.

Related Topics
Barack Obama

Dave Grohl hails the passing of $15 billion Save Our Stages Act in the US

In a statement issued on the Foo Fighters social media pages, Grohl wrote: “A huge, heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported the Save Our Stages Act, which passed yesterday as a part of the economic stimulus bill.

Thank You. #SaveOurStages @nivassoc pic.twitter.com/kD95iUmanw

— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) December 28, 2020

“The preservation of America’s smaller, independent venues is not only crucial to the millions of concert goers whose lives are bettered by experiencing their favourite artists in the flesh, but to the future of music itself, as it gives the next generation of young musicians a place to cut their teeth, hone their craft, and grow into the voices of tomorrow.

“The absence of live music this year has left us all longing for that communal feeling of connection, one that is best felt when joined in a song. The Save Our Stages Act brings us one step closer to sharing that feeling again, one that I hope we can all experience again very soon. Everyday we’re one step closer. See you there, Dave.”

Senators Amy Klobuchar and John Cornyn introduced the Save Our Stages Act in July, earmarking $10 billion (£7.8billion) for venue owners, promoters and industry professionals to put toward rent, utilities, mortgages, PPE and other costs. An additional $5 billion was later added for cultural institutions such as museums and cinemas.

In October, the Foo Fighters performed a set for the #SaveOurStages (#SOS) campaign, from LA’s iconic The Troubadour venue.

In August, the band also brought back the original designs of two of their 1995 tour t-shirts to help benefit the initiative. Proceeds from the sales of the shirts went towards #SaveOurVenues (from UK sales) and #SaveOurStages (from US sales).

Related Topics
Coronavirus
Rock

Kid Cudi breaks US chart record with 37-second long ‘Beautiful Trip’

The previous holder of the record was Japanese comedian Piko-Taro’s 45-second song ‘PPAP (Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen)’. Before that, the slightly longer ‘Little Boxes’ by The Womenfolk held the title. That track clocked in at 62 seconds and went on to become the theme song for the TV show Weeds.

‘Man On The Moon III: The Chosen’, meanwhile, is at Number Two on the Billboard 200 chart, one place behind Taylor Swift’s ‘Evermore’.

In a four-star review, NME said of the album: “[It’s] a cinematic masterstroke that electrifies the senses at every turn. Kid Cudi gives us every part of himself, laying out his insecurities and inner demons in the hope that it might help someone else, his words etched into a vivid backdrop of intoxicating melodies and palatial riffs. No one does mood music quite like Cudi.”

Last week (December 16), Cudi shared a short film for the track ‘Heaven On Earth’, which followed on from the visuals for ‘She Knows This’. The video for that song saw the rapper crashing his car from a great height following a high-speed police chase.

Related Topics
Rap

Rodney P admits to assaulting two women

An ex-girlfriend spoke anonymously to the publication about her experiences with Edwards, saying that he had become violent towards her after they had broken up and he found out she was seeing someone else.

The woman said he had read her diary and then “back-handed me in the mouth”, giving her a split lip. He then went and locked himself in the bathroom with her diary and, when he came out, “dragged me in by the neck, pinned me up against the wall and wanted to know real intimate details”.

Rodney P CREDIT: Alamy Stock Photo

“He wanted to hear the worst possible case scenario,” she said. “Every time I answered he was just lifting me up by my throat. I thought that was it. I thought this is going to be a lights out moment.” She added that, although he was not physically violent to her again, he psychologically abused her for a year afterwards, causing an impact on her mental health.

Edwards said he “could not comment on the impact my actions may have had on her mental health”, but apologised to his former partner. “I’d like to repeat now I am still deeply sorry that I ever hurt her,” he said.

Other women have also claimed the rapper abused them in statements that have been shared on social media over the last few months. In a tweet confirming he had been dropped, Edwards’ former label Tru Thoughts said they understood those claims “have been denied”.

pic.twitter.com/Io9k9NSZ8y

— Tru Thoughts (@tru_thoughts) November 16, 2020

“We take domestic abuse very seriously and we do not condone abusive behaviour in any way,” the statement continued. “All allegations should be investigated in the appropriate manner. Our work with Rodney P is currently suspended. We understand Rodney P will be making a full statement soon.”

Support group Dope Black Dads have also severed ties with the star, while the BBC have said they were unaware of the “serious incidents” before hiring him to work at 1Xtra. Edwards DJed on the station between 2002 and 2008. The BBC added: “There are currently no plans to work with him in the future.”

For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.

Related Topics
Rap

Fever 333 share new track written and recorded in 24 hours after US election

Fans can hear the full version by texting “ONCEAGAIN” to 81787. Check out the clip and full details below.

24 HOUR JAM IS COMPLETE

Text “ONCEAGAIN” to 81787 to receive "Once Again" which was written and recorded in 24 hours following the US election results.#FEVER333 #WRONGGENERATION #THERESAFEVERCOMING pic.twitter.com/1WOzlxCbaO

— FEVER 333 (@fever333) November 10, 2020

Speaking to NME upon the release of the Blondie-sampling ‘Supremecy’ over the summer, singer Butler opened up on the importance of music during pivotal social and political times.

“It’s the most perfect thing to accompany a movement aside from action and from actually doing the damn thing you’re talking about,” he explained in the interview. “I believe art precipitates all renaissance movements. Every romantic, intellectual, political and artistic renaissance and all real paradigm shifts, art was the catalyst.

“Art is one of the most integral and important tools in moments like this where people start to become synergistic and find themselves sharing a large collective consciousness. Art is often the mouthpiece for those movements, as well as the emotional inspiration. It’s an outlet too. We need somewhere to offload these feelings.”

Last month, Fever 333 took on a six-date, ticketed live-streamed tour called Worldwide D333monstrations For The Wrong Generation. The band performed from an immersive LED-walled room to fans across a number of continents, taking in London, LA, Sydney, New York, Moscow and Chicago.

Related Topics
Rock

Watch Jimmy Fallon perform reworked ‘Friday I’m In Love’ to celebrate US election results

Fallon ended the show with his take on ‘Friday I’m In Love’, featuring some carefully reworded lyrics: “Monday, I had no clue / Thought on Tuesday it’d be through / Wednesday, Thursday, still no news / But it’s Friday, I think it’s done.” Watch the full segment below.

It was a busy weekend for TV hosts and comedians as Dave Chappelle hosted the first episode of Saturday Night Live following confirmation of Joe Biden’s victory, which also included a number of barbs directed at Trump.

Chappelle, who also hosted the post-election episode of the show in 2016, called Trump a “racist, hilarious son of a bitch” in his opening monologue last night (November 7).

“How about some bleach? Some bleach directly in our body,” Chappelle joked, in reference to Trump’s previous suggestion that the cleaning product could be used to treat coronavirus.

“Oh boy, the Secret Service is going to have to childproof the White House now. ‘Mr. President, don’t touch that stove, it’s hot. Turn those scissors around, Mr. President, if you’re going to run around the house.’”

Related Topics
Indie
Jimmy Fallon

Watch New Yorkers singing John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ after US election results

The footage was then retweeted by Lennon’s official Twitter account, along with the hashtag: “#IMAGINE”.

#IMAGINE. https://t.co/OUMG7esgW0

— John Lennon (@johnlennon) November 7, 2020

Washington Square Park right now #NYC #PresidentBiden 🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/m20dG2MpbQ

— Kat Sosnick (@KatSosnick) November 7, 2020

Meanwhile, in the Fort Greene district of Brooklyn, director Spike Lee has led celebrations after Biden’s win. Lee was captured drinking and spraying champagne over a crowd as celebrations began.

Stars of the entertainment world have begun to react to the news of Biden’s victory online. “You just gave the world one of the greatest acts of kindness and bravery humanity has ever seen,” tweeted Lady Gaga.

“Nothing but love for our new Commander in Chief and the 1ST female VP elected to the White House.”

Others to share their joy at the result include Billie Eilish, who shared a video message on Instagram. “Thank you for caring about the climate, about women’s rights, about social justice, about fucking surviving right now,” she wrote.

John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ also became an unofficial anthem in the global struggle against the coronavirus earlier this year. In March, Gal Gadot led an all-star list of celebrities in sharing a widely ridiculed cover of the song that aimed to raise morale in fans locked down across the world.

Related Topics
Donald Trump
Joe Biden

Arcade Fire share new playlist for “dancing to” in celebration of US election results

“This is what we are dancing to today!” they wrote on Twitter. “The election is just a first step in the change that needs to come, but for today we can smile.”

This is what we are dancing to today! The election is just a first step in the change that needs to come, but for today we can smile.https://t.co/cakkAPYJG4

— Arcade Fire (@arcadefire) November 7, 2020

The playlist, titled ‘Return Of The Jedi’, features Nina Simone’s cover of Bob Dylan’s ‘The Times They Are A-Changin’’, Bob Marley & The Wailers’ ‘Get Up, Stand Up’, and Martha Reeves & The Vandellas’ ‘Dancing In The Street’. Listen to it below now.

The group previously shared a playlist on election day itself in conjunction with the #JoyToThePolls initiative. That compilation included songs from the likes of Harry Nilsson, Ella Fitzgerald, and Art Garfunkel.

On election night, Arcade Fire made a special appearance on an election TV special hosted by Stephen Colbert. During the show, they gave the live debut of a brand new song called ‘Generation A’.

Colbert introduced the song saying it was “inspired by the current climate of the country, with a hopeful message to the youths”. On the track, frontman Win Butler sang: “They say, ‘Wait a little longer and the times are gonna change’ […] I don’t think they understand that I am not a patient man”.

Related Topics
Donald Trump
Indie
Joe Biden

Lady Gaga shares emotional message as Joe Biden wins US election: “This is so good for the world”

“I’m so happy. Thank you so much to every American for participating in this election. Thank you so much for all the people who worked to move this country for change. I am so excited, congratulations to Joe.”

She added: “We really really are so happy and we have a wonderful President now. I hope you are all celebrating. I hope all the women know that there is a really exciting moment and change.

“I hope that peoples’ voices who have been oppressed, I hope you know that your voices were heard. I am just, I am honestly kind of speechless… this is a very very special day.”

"Obrigada a todos os americanos neste país por participarem da eleição, muito obrigada a todas as pessoas que trabalharam duramente para guiar esse país à mudança e estou muito animada… Parabéns ao Joe. Eu amo vocês demais" – Lady Gaga via Instagram Live pic.twitter.com/tO3lmcAD7w

— RDT Lady Gaga 🚨 (@RDTLadyGaga) November 7, 2020

Speaking of Donald Trump’s four-year Presidency, Gaga added: “This is a day where a lot of people who have felt we were living in a state of terror and aggression all the time… that it’s over.

“You can feel warm now. I don’t know what I am on my phone talking to you. I just love the world so much and this is so good for the world. I feel like the world just got a big hug from God.

“Go home and hug your families and hug yourself, may we all stitch ourselves back together.

“Be safe and be peaceful. There is no need to gloat in anyone’s face that Joe won or be unkind. This is a time for healing and love .. the people have spoken.”

The singer also pleaded with Donald Trump to concede the Presidency on Twitter. “please concede,” she wrote. “I know you can see how America has suffered during this election and fought over the presidency for 4 years.

“Please do your part in a peaceful transition of power so our transition can be peaceful too.”

. @realDonaldTrump please concede. I know you can see how America has suffered during this election and fought over the presidency for 4 years. Please do your part in a peaceful transition of power so our transition can be peaceful too. #Election2020

— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) November 7, 2020

Lady Gaga also shared her congratulations to Joe Biden in a tweet posted after the former Vice President’s victory was announced earlier this afternoon.

“You just gave the world one of the greatest acts of kindness and bravery humanity has ever seen,” she wrote in a message directed to Biden, his running mate Kamala Harris and “the American people”.

“Nothing but love for our new Commander in Chief and the 1ST female VP elected to the White House,” she added. Gaga performed at a Biden rally in Pennsylvania earlier this week.

“You saved 2020”: Entertainment world reacts to Joe Biden’s US election victory

The Rolling Stones’ frontman Mick Jagger said he was “so looking forward to coming back to an America free of harsh words and name-calling and be amongst people who I know have common ground and harmony”. “It’s a challenge but it can be done!” he added on Twitter.

I’m so looking forward to coming back to an America free of harsh words and name calling and be amongst people who I know have common ground and harmony. It’s a challenge but it can be done!

— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) November 7, 2020

“It was so close, and it’s because of you guys fucking pushing through that we won this shit!” Billie Eilish wrote in a video posted to Instagram. “Thank you for caring about the climate, about women’s rights, about social justice, about fucking surviving right now.”

View this post on Instagram

BIDEEENNNNNNNNN BITCHES😭😭😭😭😭

A post shared by BILLIE EILISH (@billieeilish) on Nov 7, 2020 at 10:12am PST

“You just gave the world one of the greatest acts of kindness and bravery humanity has ever seen,” Lady Gaga wrote in a tweet directed to Biden, his running mate Kamala Harris and “the American people”.

“Nothing but love for our new Commander in Chief and the 1ST female VP elected to the White House,” she added. Gaga performed at a Biden rally in Pennsylvania earlier this week.

. @JoeBiden @KamalaHarris and the American people, you just gave the world one of the greatest acts of kindness and bravery humanity has ever seen. ❤️ 🙌🙌 nothing but love for our new Commander in Chief and the 1ST female VP elected to the White House. Also, way to go PA 😭❤️ pic.twitter.com/uXiMTWs6Hk

— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) November 7, 2020

Cardi B also shared her congratulations, writing: “I knew it !!!! I’m so happy ! Great way to start my day !!Congrats BIDENXKamala!”

The ‘WAP’ star also shared a lengthy video message from bed. Watch that below.

View this post on Instagram

I knew it !!!! I’m so happy ! Great way to start my day !!Congrats BIDENXKamala!

A post shared by Cardi B (@iamcardib) on Nov 7, 2020 at 10:30am PST

Beyoncé also joined those giving congratulations to Biden and Harris, sharing a photo of the pair with the caption: “Congratulations to President-elect Joe Biden & Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Beyoncé (@beyonce) on Nov 7, 2020 at 11:13am PST

2016 Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton wrote: “The voters have spoken, and they have chosen Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to be our next president and vice president.

“It’s a history-making ticket, a repudiation of Trump, and a new page for America. Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen. Onward, together.”

“You saved 2020,” Glass Animals added. “so proud of you, america. well done sleepy joe,” while The Cure’s Robert Smith tweeted a link to a video of actor Michael Rapaport celebrating Biden’s win. “It’s over, fucko!” he shouts.

so proud of you, america 💜💜💜
you saved 2020.
well done sleepy joe
🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸

— Glass Animals (@GlassAnimals) November 7, 2020

https://t.co/hADMUP1lZK

— ROBERT SMITH (@RobertSmith) November 7, 2020

Yungblud shared a video of himself dancing in the street and ripping his shirt off, captioning the post: “HE FUCKIN DID IT! WE FUCKIN DID IT! if you fight with your voice and your words, with passion and truth. we will always win. i love you all ! A GOOD DAY.”

View this post on Instagram

HE FUCKIN DID IT! WE FUCKIN DID IT! if you fight with your voice and your words , with passion and truth. we will always win. i love you all ! A GOOD DAY 🖤 #bidenharris2020

A post shared by YUNGBLUD (@yungblud) on Nov 7, 2020 at 8:31am PST

Ariana Grande, meanwhile, shared a photo of Biden and Harris on her Instagram page, with a series of exclamation marks.

View this post on Instagram

!!!!!!!!!

A post shared by Ariana Grande (@arianagrande) on Nov 7, 2020 at 9:05am PST

Elsewhere, the likes of Thom Yorke, Slowthai, Stephen King, Reese Witherspoon and more also shared their joy at the result. Blur‘s Graham Coxon directed his praise to Harris, writing: “I am massively pleased for @KamalaHarris – makes it so much even more better!!”

I am massively pleased for @KamalaHarris – makes it so much even more better!! 🎉

— graham coxon (@grahamcoxon) November 7, 2020

BYE BYE DONALD!

— TYRON (@slowthai) November 7, 2020

View this post on Instagram

It’s time to hold the people in charge accountable. It’s time for them to listen. And it’s time for actual change in our policies and practices.

A post shared by Lizzo (@lizzobeeating) on Nov 7, 2020 at 8:51am PST

Thanks to all who took the PJVotes pledge and voted this historic election year. Deep gratitude to our many partners including these Pennsylvania changemakers @PeopleFor @MakeTheRoadPA and @LCVoters who worked tirelessly to help their neighbors vote.

— Pearl Jam (@PearlJam) November 7, 2020

Our work is never done. Hope you will join us, stay engaged now and always. #PJVotes

— Pearl Jam (@PearlJam) November 7, 2020

a message to little girls everywhere, they can grow up to be whatever they want to be. thank you Madam Vice President @KamalaHarris and President @JoeBiden 💙💙💙 https://t.co/3oaxoDbqH5

— Margo Price (@MissMargoPrice) November 7, 2020

Hey, Melania… pic.twitter.com/MI3rxUVylK

— Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) November 7, 2020

Finally someone that will face adversity and not find it an opportunity to divide.

— Joey Santiago (@JoeySantiago) November 7, 2020

View this post on Instagram

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷

A post shared by Wayne Coyne (@waynecoyne5) on Nov 7, 2020 at 10:32am PST

Covfefe this morning tasting different

— James Blake (@jamesblake) November 7, 2020

View this post on Instagram

Today is a monumental day. No matter what side you are on, let's take a moment to recognize how far women have come in this country. Thinking about all those who shattered glass ceilings and paved the way for a woman to * finally * be Vice President of the United States makes me so emotional. Sojourner Truth. Harriet Tubman. Shirley Chisholm. Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Kamala Harris. I salute them all. And to the young girls of our nation… DREAM BIG. Anything is possible. 🇺🇸

A post shared by Reese Witherspoon (@reesewitherspoon) on Nov 7, 2020 at 8:51am PST

excuse me while I …. pic.twitter.com/kZQvsxix7k

— Thom Yorke (@thomyorke) November 7, 2020

Congratulations Joe and Kamala! pic.twitter.com/OCyFTfrEB7

— Lana Del Rey (@LanaDelRey) November 7, 2020

A Celebration Of Endings 🇺🇸

— Biffy Clyro (@BiffyClyro) November 7, 2020

💙💙💙 pic.twitter.com/vz0wWY3zMS

— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) November 7, 2020

BEGIN THE BEGIN!!https://t.co/h6SkVcwJnk

— R.E.M. HQ (@remhq) November 7, 2020

To anyone who follows me or anyone else who has been talking about this election for months on end. who paid attention, saw the good that could be achieved, went out, cast a vote, encouraged a friend to vote, voted differently than your republican parents. You did this. You won.

— FINNEAS (@finneas) November 7, 2020

There’s more work than ever to be done, but a moment of pause and relief is warranted here for so many Americans who deserve it after so much fear. It’s nice to see a celebration after all these years.

— h (@halsey) November 7, 2020

First Black Women let’s goo!!!! pic.twitter.com/Z0iJLrb9aY

— OFFSET (@OffsetYRN) November 7, 2020

AJ Tracey and Franz Ferdinand‘s Alex Kapranos, meanwhile, toasted the result while turning their attention to the UK government.

“BORIS GOTTA GO NEXT,” the rapper wrote, while Kapranos added: “I particularly love how this fucks up the plans of Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and all the other Brexit cunts.”

BORIS GOTTA GO NEXT ! ✊🏽🥳 https://t.co/NNe1Q0bIqa

— aj (@ajtracey) November 7, 2020

I particularly love how this fucks up the plans of @BorisJohnson, @michaelgove and all the other Brexit cunts.

— Αλεξ Καπράνος (@alkapranos) November 7, 2020

Since election night, Donald Trump has continued to voice his unsubstantiated claims of election fraud, accusing the Democrats of voting “shenanigans” during a White House press conference yesterday.

Speaking last night, Trump alleged that he would be “easily winning” if only the “legal votes” were counted from Tuesday’s election. “If you count the legal votes, I easily win,” he claimed. “If you count the illegal votes they can try to steal the election from us.”

Related Topics
Donald Trump
Joe Biden

Arcade Fire provide soundtrack for US election day – listen to their playlist

Arcade Fire’s playlist, which you can listen to below, features 11 tracks including Richard Hawley‘s protest song ‘Tonight The Streets Are Ours’ to Art Garfunkel‘s ‘Waters Of March’.

The movement, headed by the nonpartisan Election Defenders, aims to bring “joy to the polls and make voting a celebration”.

Other playlists have been made for the initiative by Green Day‘s Billie Joe Armstrong, The Roots‘ Questlove, and Hamilton playwright Lin Manuel Miranda.

Arcade Fire’s Win Butler and Régine Chassagne CREDIT: Erika Goldring/Getty Images

Nelini Stamp, campaign director at Election Defenders, said in a statement: “We’re thrilled to announce these playlists from so many wonderful partners, people and communities in every corner of the country.

“We are calling on all voters to make their own playlists to deliver a clear, joyful message that we will protect our democracy from this pandemic and from voter suppression wherever it shows up.”

US citizens are heading to the polls today (November 3) to elect the 46th president of the United States. The incumbent Donald Trump has trailed his Democratic challenger Joe Biden in a recent set of polling predictions.

Musicians have been engaging with the election. Lady Gaga performed at Joe Biden‘s final campaign rally in Pennsylvania last night (November 2), while Tracy Chapman made a rare TV appearance in which she changed the lyrics of her hit, ‘Talkin’ ‘Bout a Revolution’ to: “Talkin’ ’bout a revolution/ Go vote“.

Meanwhile, Kanye West, who is facing an uphill battle in his bid to become POTUS, revealed he is voting for the first time – for himself.

Related Topics
Indie

Watch fans explain why they’re voting for Kanye West in US presidential election

Another said: “I will be voting for Kanye West this year because America needs a leader who will actually listen to the kids.” Others in the clip mentioned that “America needs a strong leader with ideas,” that West is “going to help people [and] cares about families,” and his “faith-based” Christian campaign was appealing.

To prove that each person was real, their names and the states they reside in were also included in each of their “I support Kanye West” messages.

Elsewhere, as reported earlier today (October 22), West is currently polling at 2 per cent ahead of US election on November 3.

National GE:
Biden 48% (+10)
Trump 38%
West 2%
Jorgensen 2%
Hawkins 1%@Reuters/@Ipsos, RV, 10/13-15https://t.co/CrYRaqh1Us

— Political Polls (@Politics_Polls) October 18, 2020

The rapper is fighting an uphill battle with his presidential campaign.

His name is currently set to appear on the ballot in only 11 of the 50 US states. Of these 11, only one, Minnesota, was considered a swing state at the 2016 election.

Related Topics
Rap

Watch Matt Berninger play ‘Serpentine Prison’ songs live on US television

See the three performances below.

Giving ‘Serpentine Prison’ a four-star review, NME wrote: “Sure, it rests in a lot of the sonic territory of The National, and this isn’t the departure that his peppy indie-pop side-project EL VY represents, but what we do have is an intimate and generous offering from one of 21st Century rock’s most prominent voices.

“If you’re one of those weirdos who doesn’t put their records in alphabetical artist order, then ‘Serpentine Prison’ should be filed next to Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds‘ ‘The Boatman’s Call’ and Leonard Cohen‘s ‘You Want It Darker’ as a lesson in stately, direct and personal songwriting prowess.”

Alongside the release of the new album, Berninger took NME through a track-by-track guide to his debut solo album. Watch the video in full below.

In a new interview with NME about the album, Berninger spoke of his love for Taylor Swift’s recent album ‘Folklore’, recorded alongside his National bandmate Aaron Dessner.

“‘Folklore’ is my favourite Taylor Swift record! Of course it is,” he said. “I love the music and she does things melodically that I’ve never done. She just knows how to throw a melody and words together in such an infectious way.

“Combining Aaron’s deep blue sea music with her hooks is just incredible. That record is like a rollercoaster that’s not too fast and not too scary – but a great ride.”

Related Topics
Indie

Tag: US