1054: Unknown column 'topic_id' in 'where clause'SoundSpike News

Provided courtesy of:
http://www.soundspike.com/

SoundSpike: concert updates and news

Radiohead turns over soundboard tapes for free DIY concert film

2010-09-03T03:54:01-08:00 - "Radiohead [ tickets ] Live in Praha" -- a fan-created DVD concert film recorded by a group of 50 fans wielding inexpensive video cameras during the band's Aug. 23, 2009 performance in Prague -- is now streaming on YouTube and available for free download.

The Czech fans who undertook the project expertly edited the footage into a compelling document -- a feat that reportedly impressed the band, which in turn allowed the filmmakers to use the soundboard recordings from the show. ...continued
More news: Radiohead

V V Brown steps up to headline club gigs

2010-09-03T03:52:10-08:00 - R&B singer V V Brown [ tickets ], who has opened shows for Maroon 5, Kris Allen and Owl City, has added a handful of headlining dates in the fall.

Brown will hit six cities between Oct. 21 and 28 as she continues to push her debut album, "Travelling Like the Light." Her current single "Shark in the Water" was recently featured in the promotional campaign for the Nickelodeon show "Degrassi." The cast of "Degrassi" joined Brown to create a new video for the song that appeared in the show's finale on Aug. 26. ...continued
More news: V V Brown
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Santana extends Vegas residency, visits Europe behind "Guitar Heaven"

2010-09-03T03:49:20-08:00 - Nearly two months after asking his drummer, Cindy Blackman, to marry him during a Chicago concert, Santana [ tickets ] has decided to follow up a forthcoming European run with another round of Las Vegas performances that extend into 2011.

Nearly two months after asking his drummer, Cindy Blackman, to marry him during a Chicago concert, Santana has decided to follow up a forthcoming European run with another round of Las Vegas performances that extend into 2011. ...continued
More news: Santana
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Green Day talks up possible live album

2010-09-03T03:41:03-08:00 - As Green Day [ tickets ] winds down the final stretch of their North American tour, the band appears to be readying a live album featuring highlights of the trek.

Word of the project initially surfaced in an August 24th tweet on the band's official Twitter account, saying, "We've been recording our live shows since the beginning of tour. Possible Live album coming. A ton of songs! We're in texas!" ...continued
More news: Green Day

"American Idol" to wrap up auditions in L.A. - "Idol" Notes

2010-09-02T21:40:00-08:00 - The final stop on the "American Idol" audition tour will be in the Los Angeles area on Sept. 22.

Auditions for the 10th season of the Fox-TV singing competition will be held at the Forum in Inglewood, CA. Men and women between the ages of 15 and 28 years old as of July 17, 2010, are eligible to try out, though some restrictions apply. ...continued
More news: American Idol

In Pictures: Megadeth in Daly City, CA

2010-09-02T16:05:02-08:00 - Megadeth [ tickets ]'s 12th studio album, "Endgame," debuted last September at No. 9 on the Billboard 200, and reportedly has since sold more than 500,000 copies worldwide.

This was not lost on the folks behind Guitar Hero, who will feature the track "This Day We Fight!" in their new video game "Warriors of Rock." The game, which also features Megadeth leader Dave Mustaine's exclusive new composition "Sudden Death," is set to hit stores Sept. 28. ...continued
More news: Megadeth

Mary J. Blige hits the road with Jazmine Sullivan

2010-09-02T15:33:07-08:00 - Mary J. Blige [ tickets ] will join up with R&B songstress Jazmine Sullivan [ tickets ] for a major market outing this fall before heading overseas for a handful of dates.

Following a couple of one-off performances, including an appearance Monday (9/6) at Seattle's Bumbershoot Festival, Blige will kick off the official trek Oct. 2 in Atlanta. Venues for the 12-date trek are still being nailed down, though the itinerary does show a two-night stand Oct. 11-12 in New York City before finishing up Oct. 23 in Oakland, CA. ...continued
More news: Miguel, El DeBarge, Jazmine Sullivan, Mary J. Blige
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Bon Jovi, Brad Paisley booked for free Gulf Coast shows

2010-09-02T14:38:58-08:00 - Bon Jovi [ tickets ] and Brad Paisley [ tickets ] -- following in the footsteps of Jimmy Buffett [ tickets ] -- are set to play free concerts in Gulf Shores, AL, that city officials hope will draw tourists back to the region as it recovers from the recent oil spill.

Bon Jovi's gig is set for Oct. 15, and Paisley will play two days later, according to local officials. ...continued
More news: Bon Jovi, Brad Paisley, Jimmy Buffett

Rapper T.I. and his wife arrested in L.A. - Pop Notes

2010-09-02T14:07:06-08:00 - Rapper T.I. [ tickets ] and his wife Tameka "Tiny" Cottle were arrested Wednesday night (9/1) after police said they found "a controlled substance" during a traffic stop in Los Angeles County.

According to reports out of Los Angeles, sheriff's deputies claimed they smelled marijuana after pulling over T.I.'s vehicle for allegedly making an illegal U-Turn. ...continued
More news: T.I.

Guns N' Roses walk off in Ireland, Axl tweets about Reading, Leeds problems

2010-09-02T11:35:02-08:00 - Axl Rose responded via Twitter to reports that Guns N' Roses [ tickets ] were at fault for delays at the Reading and Leeds festivals, but that didn't assuage fans in Ireland who greeted the band with boos and thrown bottles when they once again took the stage late for a show.

Rose walked off stage at the O2 in Dublin on Wednesday (9/1) after fans expressed their displeasure that GNR was starting an hour late. Twenty minutes in, Rose stopped the show in the middle of "Welcome to the Jungle" and said: "Here's the deal: One more bottle and we go home," according to the BBC. ...continued
More news: Guns N' Roses
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Concert: Herbie Hancock in Los Angeles

2010-09-02T10:13:22-08:00 - Spirit. It's a crucial element in any show that attempts to be as broad-ranging as the 70th birthday celebration the Hollywood Bowl threw for Herbie Hancock [ tickets ] on Wednesday night (9/1).

All the right guests were on hand -- musicians he had worked with for four decades and the folks who appear on his latest album -- and the material was equally expansive and inclusive, covering nearly every phase of his career from the early 1960s to today. Spirit, which was abundantly evident, was the key. ...continued
More news: Herbie Hancock

Brad Paisley takes on more "H20" for fall

2010-09-02T03:41:41-08:00 - Brad Paisley [ tickets ] has revealed the second leg of dates for his "H20 World Tour," which now runs through the November release of his greatest hits collection, "Hits Alive."

The award-winning country singer returns to the road Sept. 9 with a show in Spokane, WA. The 21-city outing canvases the West Coast, parts of Canada and a few major markets in the eastern portion of the US before wrapping up Nov. 20 in Tulsa, OK. The full itinerary is shown at right. ...continued
More news: Brad Paisley
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Cake plans fall trek in anticipation of forthcoming album

2010-09-02T03:35:09-08:00 - California-based alt-rockers Cake [ tickets ] will visit a handful of North American cities this fall as they continue to work out the distribution aspect of a newly finished -- though still-untitled -- studio set.

The band will kick off the three-week tour with a Sept. 10 stop in Quebec City and a Sept. 11 show in Montreal, after which the group will return to the US for another eight concerts. The itinerary, which is shown at right, also includes a New Year's Eve (12/31) performance in Austin, TX. ...continued
More news: Cake
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Dirty Projectors tour behind expanded "Bitte Ocra"

2010-09-02T03:32:52-08:00 - Having already toured in support of their critically acclaimed 2009 release "Bitte Orca," Dirty Projectors [ tickets ] will now hit the road in support of an expanded version of that album, which will be released Sept. 28.

The band's North American run starts Sept. 7 in Washington, DC, with dates through the end of the month; they have two shows in October. ...continued
More news: Dirty Projectors
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Lady Gaga to join Yoko's Plastic Ono Band in Los Angeles - Crowd Control blog

2010-09-01T14:40:08-08:00 - Yoko Ono [ tickets ]'s upcoming Plastic Ono Band [ tickets ] concert in Los Angeles will feature guest performers Lady Gaga [ tickets ], Iggy Pop [ tickets ], Perry Farrell [ tickets ], and Sonic Youth [ tickets ]'s Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon, among others.

The shows are set for Oct. 1 and Oct. 2 at L.A.'s Orpheum Theater. Nels Cline, Iggy Pop and Mike Watt [ tickets ] will appear Oct. 1 only, and Gaga, Gordon and Moore will appear only at the Oct. 2 performance. ...continued
More news: Plastic Ono Band, Lady Gaga, Yoko Ono, Iggy Pop, Sonic Youth, Perry Farrell, RZA, Sean Lennon, Harper Simon, Mike Watt

Cee Lo Green's vulgar viral hit gets an official video

2010-09-01T14:13:03-08:00 - Cee Lo Green [ tickets ]'s lo-tech viral video for his single "Fuck You" has garnered close to 4.2 million YouTube views since its release on Aug. 19. Today, he released the "official" music video for the track.

The initial YouTube video is a simple, Karaoke-style text rendering of the song's lyrics. The new version follows Cee Lo through various stages of life as he's spurned by the female of his desires, "The Heartbreaker." ...continued
More news: Cee Lo Green

In Pictures: Iggy & the Stooges in Boston

2010-09-01T14:05:45-08:00 - Just 18 months after the sudden death of bandmate and friend Ron Asheton, Iggy & the Stooges [ tickets ] seem to have hit a new stride.

In May of '09, Iggy Pop [ tickets ] spoke with NPR's Terry Gross about Asheton's passing as well as the return of one of the group's original members, guitarist James Williamson. "Although 'the Stooges' died with Ron Asheton, there is still 'Iggy & the Stooges,'" Pop said. Seven months later, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced that the Stooges would be inducted to their Class of 2010. ...continued
More news: Iggy Pop, Iggy & the Stooges

Neil Young delivers new Daniel Lanois-produced album

2010-09-01T12:46:24-08:00 - A new Neil Young [ tickets ] album titled "Le Noise" is set for release on Sept. 28, Reprise Records announced Wednesday (9/1).

Famed producer Daniel Lanois (U2, Peter Gabriel) collaborated with Young on the forthcoming set, marking the first time the two have recorded together. ...continued
More news: Neil Young

Katy Perry logs her first No. 1 album

2010-09-01T11:39:57-08:00 - With the nation's No. 1 single already secured, Katy Perry [ tickets ] shoots straight to the top of the album-sales chart this week. Perry's "Teenage Dream" sold 192,000 copies during the week that ended Aug. 29, enough for her first No. 1 album, according to data compiled by Nielsen SoundScan.

The album's title track is also No. 1 this week, selling 259,000 digital copies. Perry previously visited the top of the singles chart -- for five weeks -- with "California Gurls." ...continued
More news: Justin Bieber, Eminem, Ray Lamontagne, Kem, The Devil Wears Prada, Randy Rogers Band, Little Big Town, Usher, Fantasia, Katy Perry

Miranda Lambert piles up more CMA Awards nominations

2010-09-01T11:31:46-08:00 - Miranda Lambert [ tickets ], who learned she was vying for five CMA Awards [ tickets ] yesterday, got word of four additional nominations this morning when nominees in the remaining CMA categories were revealed on ABC-TV's "Good Morning America."

Lambert's nine nominations are the most for a female artist in the CMA Awards' 43-year history. ...continued
More news: Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, CMA Awards

John Lennon's 70th birthday box sets detailed

2010-09-01T10:38:17-08:00 - The tracklists for the forthcoming John Lennon box sets were announced Wednesday by EMI Music as the label prepares to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the former Beatle's birth on Oct. 9.

Besides remastered versions of Lennon's albums -- on CD and digital downloads -- EMI will release a "stripped down" version of "Double Fantasy," a 15-track hit compilation, a CD/DVD package of hits, a four-CD box set and an 11-CD set of all his solo work. ...continued
More news: John Lennon

The seven best on-screen moments from "Soul Train"

2010-09-01T08:55:34-08:00 - Everything associated with "Soul Train" in the 1970s -- outrageous fashions, hot-dog dance steps, Afro Sheen commercials and lip synching -- is on display in the three-DVD set "The Best of Soul Train" that Time Life released yesterday (8/31).

The bulk of the material comes from "Soul Train's" golden era -- 1971-1979 -- featuring more than 50 performances, far too many of which are lip synched. Stage outfits can be horrifying, especially the gut-revealing multi-colored track suits worn by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes. (Fortunately the idea of cutting fabric to reveal men's nipples did not catch on). ...continued
More news: Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, Sly & the Family Stone, Bill Withers, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Barry White, The Jackson 5

Liz Phair takes "Funstyle" to the West Coast

2010-09-01T08:49:59-08:00 - Liz Phair [ tickets ] will venture to major markets throughout the western portion of North America this fall in support of her first album in five years, "Funstyle."

The alt-rock singer/songwriter will first dive into three consecutive nights (10/1-10/3) at Las Vegas' Pearl Concert Theater before stopping by clubs in six more cities. The two-week excursion finishes up Oct. 15 in Vancouver. The full schedule is at right. ...continued
More news: Liz Phair
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

OK Go pounds pavement behind "Sky"

2010-09-01T08:48:38-08:00 - Chicago power-pop outfit OK Go [ tickets ] has unleashed a string of North American performances behind the band's January release, "Of the Blue Colour of the Sky."

The rock quartet -- known for it's creative viral videos, most notably for "Here it Goes Again" and "This Too Shall Pass" -- will kick off the expansive run with an Oct. 3 appearance at Pomona, CA's Los Angeles County Fair. The tour's itinerary, which is shown at right, spans about five weeks and concludes Nov. 9 in Santa Barbara. ...continued
More news: OK Go
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Nick Cave's Grinderman revs up for album, tour

2010-08-31T17:25:05-08:00 - Grinderman [ tickets ] -- Nick Cave's relatively new band with Warren Ellis, Martyn Casey and Jim Sclavunos -- will start a three-week tour on Nov. 13 at the House of Blues in Cambridge, MA.

The band will be supporting "Grinderman 2," which Anti- will release on Sept. 14. An iTunes LP has been assembled as well, which will contain the album, the bonus track "Fire Boy," remixes from Andrew Weatherall and Factory Floor and "Super Heathen Child," a collaboration with Robert Fripp, as well as a digital booklet and lyrics. The iTunes LP also includes the "Heathen Child" video and seven video trailers. ...continued
More news: Grinderman
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Rave promoter sues Los Angeles over cancellation

2010-08-31T16:46:43-08:00 - A concert canceled by the city of Los Angeles has led a promoter to file a lawsuit seeking more than $1 million from the city, the Los Angeles Times reported in its Tuesday (8/31) edition.

Insomniac Inc., a dance promoter based in Los Angeles, scheduled an Oct. 30 concert featuring Tiesto at the Los Angeles Convention Center that the city canceled in the wake of Insomniac's Electric Daisy Carnival at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum, where a teenager died. ...continued
More news: Electric Daisy Carnival, Tiesto

Arcade Fire teams with Google for interactive video

2010-08-31T16:37:56-08:00 - A unique new interactive film created by Chris Milk (Gnarls Barkley) -- along with Google developers -- for the Arcade Fire [ tickets ] track "We Used to Wait" uses Google Maps to incorporate visuals from the user's hometown to create unique music videos.

The video, which is optimized for the Google Chrome web browser, is perhaps the first major HTML5-powered music video. Dubbed "The Wilderness Downtown," available at this link, the video "takes you down memory lane through the streets you grew up in," Aaron Koblin with Google Creative Lab wrote in a blog post. ...continued
More news: Arcade Fire
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Miranda Lambert the early leader in CMA nominations

2010-08-31T14:48:03-08:00 - Miranda Lambert [ tickets ] has earned five nominations for the 33th Annual CMA awards, which thus far tops the field.

Nominees were revealed in seven CMA categories today, and nominees in five additional categories will be announced tomorrow morning on ABC-TV's "Good Morning America." ...continued
More news: Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, CMA Awards

In Pictures: Rascal Flatts in Tinley Park, IL

2010-08-31T14:42:27-08:00 - Award-winning country outfit Rascal Flatts [ tickets ] is making the rounds ahead of "Nothing Like This," the band's first album for Big Machine Records -- home of the genre's brightest young star, Taylor Swift [ tickets ].

Rascal Flatts had a great run with their old label, the now-shuttered Lyric Street Records, with 27 singles cracking Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart and 10 No. 1 hits. Their big breakout hit came in 2006 with "Life is a Highway," which was on the soundtrack for the Pixar film "Cars." This week fans can catch the guys in the state of New York: Thursday (9/2) at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, and Friday (9/3) at the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center in Darien Center. ...continued
More news: Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift

Kings of Leon cancel two Pennsylvania gigs

2010-08-31T09:52:54-08:00 - Citing a "scheduling conflict," Kings of Leon [ tickets ] have canceled two shows that had been scheduled for next week in Pennsylvania.

The canceled gigs, which were to also feature the Black Keys and the Whigs, were to have taken place Sept. 7 at the Pittsburgh area's First Niagara Pavilion and Sept. 8 at Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey. ...continued
More news: Kings of Leon
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Adam Lambert gives Freddie Mercury props - "Idol" Notes

2010-08-31T09:18:51-08:00 - In celebration of what would have been Freddie Mercury's 64th birthday on Sunday (9/5), "American Idol" finalist Adam Lambert [ tickets ] honored the singer's memory by saying Mercury's musicianship is missing in the industry these days.

"We don't have a lot of men on stage doing flamboyant or theatrical," Lambert told NPR. "We have a lot of female pop stars doing it, but where's the classic pop-rock showman?" ...continued
More news: Adam Lambert

Shonen Knife tours the U.S. behind English-language reissues

2010-08-31T09:08:01-08:00 - English versions of Japenese pop-punk band Shonen Knife [ tickets ]'s latest album, "Free Time," and their debut set, "fun! fun! fun!," will be released prior to a month-long stateside tour that begins Sept. 8.

"Free Time," on Good Charamel Records, and a vinyl edition of "fun! fun! fun!" will be released Tuesday (8/31). ...continued
More news: Shonen Knife
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Q&A: Jenny Lewis and Johnathan Rice, aka Jenny and Johnny

2010-08-31T09:04:46-08:00 - On first listen, there's a noticeable difference between Jenny Lewis [ tickets ] and Johnathan Rice [ tickets ]'s boy-girl band and others exploring similar territory this year: The Jenny and Johnny [ tickets ] sound is based on the intermingling of their voices rather than one pronounced as the lead with the other holding down the background.

"We wanted to connect as a new character," Rice explained a few days before today's release of "I'm Having Fun Now" on Warner Bros. "It's one voice with two perspectives." ...continued
More news: Johnathan Rice, Jenny Lewis, Jenny and Johnny
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Chris Isaak continues push behind new live effort

2010-08-31T09:02:12-08:00 - Chris Isaak [ tickets ] has mapped a fall tour of casinos, theaters and clubs as he continues to support his recently released live set, "Chris Isaak Live at the Fillmore."

Isaak, who spent part of the summer on the tour trail, gets started again Sept. 18 in Greeley, CO, followed by 14 shows spread across the nation. The road trip currently wraps with a Dec. 10 performance in Indianapolis. The full schedule is shown at right. ...continued
More news: Chris Isaak
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Elton John at the judges' table? - "Idol" Notes

2010-08-30T22:12:36-08:00 - There's plenty of talk swirling about who is going to replace Ellen DeGeneres and Simon Cowell as judges on "American Idol." But if "AI" producer Nigel Lythgoe has his way, Elton John [ tickets ] would be sitting behind a red Coca-Cola cup, according to the New York Times.

Lythgoe reportedly told the media while walking the red carpet at the Emmys on Sunday (8/29) that he's "still very supportive of Elton John. [But] I don't believe negotiations have gone well." ...continued
More news: Elton John

Fantasia's back in action - "Idol" Notes

2010-08-30T22:07:44-08:00 - Former "American Idol" champ Fantasia [ tickets ] Barrino bounced back from a suicide attempt to perform an impromptu concert in Las Vegas over the weekend, reports People Magazine. She crooned four songs -- including Prince's "Purple Rain" and Rufus and Chaka Khan's "Tell Me Something Good" -- and shed a little light on her dark days.

"I was in the hospital but now I bounce back," she said, according to the magazine. "Don't ever let your haters stop you. Don't ever let them stop your destiny." ...continued
More news: Fantasia

In Pictures: Sunset Strip Music Festival in West Hollywood, CA

2010-08-30T16:41:04-08:00 - The 3rd Annual Sunset Strip Music Festival [ tickets ] wrapped up on Saturday (8/28). The West Hollywood extravaganza featured outdoor stages on a blocked-off portion of Sunset Boulevard outside such famous venues as The Viper Room, Whisky a Go-Go and The Roxy Theatre.

Headliners included The Smashing Pumpkins [ tickets ], Common, Kid Cudi [ tickets ] and Slash [ tickets ], who was joined by special guest Fergie [ tickets ]. Venues such as the Key Club offered up more bands until 1:00 Sunday morning. ...continued
More news: Fergie, Big B, Travis McCoy, Steel Panther, The Smashing Pumpkins, Neon Trees, Semi Precious Weapons, Slash, Kid Cudi, Sunset Strip Music Festival

Vampire Weekend cancels Seattle-area show - Crowd Control blog

2010-08-30T16:23:53-08:00 - Vampire Weekend [ tickets ]'s fans turned out for the band's scheduled Sunday night (8/29) performance at Marymoor Park amphitheater in Redmond, WA, but the band canceled the show at the last minute.

The band explained what happened in a statement posted today (8/30) on its website:

"We are incredibly sorry about our last minute cancellation last night in Redmond -- the decision wasn't taken lightly. Ezra had some vocal issues earlier in the day, but felt like he was improving however, while he was warming up just moments prior to our set time he lost his voice completely and was unable to perform. He was then taken to the ER and diagnosed with inflamed vocal cords and the doctor ordered him to not perform for 48 hours. Even so, we still wanted to perform but by that point it was clear that any performance we could give would have been essentially instrumental and nowhere close to what we or the audience was expecting. ...continued
More news: Vampire Weekend
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

John Lennon's toilet fetches $14,740 at auction - Pop Notes

2010-08-30T15:33:11-08:00 - A toilet that served John Lennon at his Tittenhurst Park home in Berkshire, England, from 1969 through 1971 was sold at auction in Liverpool Saturday (8/28) for 9,500 pounds, or $14,740.

According to the auction catalog, Lennon had the porcelain toilet replaced, and told builder John Hancock to "put some flowers in it or something." Hancock reportedly stored the commode in his shed until his recent death. ...continued
More news: John Lennon

Slash files for divorce - Pop Notes

2010-08-30T15:10:09-08:00 - Former Guns N' Roses [ tickets ] guitarist Slash [ tickets ] is seeking a divorce from his wife of nine years, Perla Ferrar.

Slash reportedly filed legal documents in Los Angeles Superior Court today (8/30), listing the date of separation as July 15 and citing irreconcilable differences. The couple have two boys, ages 6 and 8, according to TMZ. ...continued
More news: Guns N' Roses, Slash

Elton John, Leon Russell to roll out "The Union" in New York

2010-08-30T14:39:09-08:00 - A few weeks ago, it was looking as if Elton John and Leon Russell would play their first gig in support of their forthcoming album "The Union" in Los Angeles. Now it looks like New York will get the honor.

The longtime friends and iconic pianists are now set to play an Oct. 19 show at New York's Beacon Theatre -- the same day the new album hits stores. The duo previously announced a Nov. 3 gig at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. ...continued
More news: Elton John & Leon Russell
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Built to Spill heads out on club tour

2010-08-30T10:29:51-08:00 - Indie-rock veterans Built to Spill [ tickets ], who have been playing large venues of late while opening for Kings of Leon [ tickets ], have kicked off a lengthy fall trek through intimate clubs.

BTS launched the headlining outing -- in support of the recent release "There is No Enemy" -- last week in Omaha, NE, and shows are currently set through mid-November. ...continued
More news: Built to Spill, Kings of Leon
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Justin Bieber reschedules New York show due to illness

2010-08-30T09:25:34-08:00 - Young pop star Justin Bieber [ tickets ] called off his planned concert at the New York State Fair in Syracuse on Sunday (8/29), citing illness. The show has been rescheduled for Wednesday (9/1).

Bieber performed in Providence, RI, on Friday (8/27), but evidently was a bit under the weather at that time. "[G]reat night in Providence ... little scare that we might not do the show but we rocked out...," he wrote after that gig on Twitter. ...continued
More news: Justin Bieber
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Indigo Girls share "Brilliant Dream" on fall theater run

2010-08-30T02:22:20-08:00 - Indigo Girls [ tickets ] have plotted a fall course in support of their recently released double-disc live album, "Staring Down the Brilliant Dream," which surfaced earlier this summer.

The folk duo of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers will begin the U.S. journey with a Sept. 24 show in Sautee-Nacoochee, GA, followed by theater stops and festival appearances spread along the East and West coasts. The pair will perform for a total of 21 concerts, wrapping up Nov. 6 in Blackburg, VA, after which Ray will take to the stage for a handful of solo gigs along the eastern seaboard. The full schedule is outlined at right. ...continued
More news: Indigo Girls
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

New releases, Aug. 31: Leonard Cohen, Disturbed, Heart, Richard Thompson

2010-08-30T02:19:14-08:00 - Long before he dreamed up "Hallelujah" or lived a Zen lifestyle, Leonard Cohen [ tickets ] was a cult figure known for detailing the loves and lives of tortured souls. He did little touring, as folkies such as Judy Collins and Tom Rush were the central keepers of the flame prior to the arrival of Jennifer Warnes and Jeff Buckley.

In 1972, British filmmaker Tony Palmer followed Cohen on a European trek and created "Bird on a Wire," which consists of contains 17 performances, the recital of four poems and tour footage. It will make its debut on DVD on Aug. 31. ...continued
More news: Leonard Cohen, Heart, Richard Thompson, Goo Goo Dolls, Jenny & Johnny, Lyfe Jennings

Album: Ryan Bingham and the Dead Horses, "Junky Star" (Lost Highway)

2010-08-30T02:14:01-08:00 - Ryan Bingham [ tickets ]'s name recognition skyrocketed when he won the best song Oscar for his work on "Crazy Heart" with producer T Bone Burnett, with whom he is reunited on "Junky Star." Bingham's first two records were made with former Black Crowe Marc Ford at the helm and their sonic sprawl -- amps-to-11 rockers, campfire tales and everything in between -- positioned the singer/guitarist as multi-faceted but not necessarily focused.

Burnett allows Bingham to retain his wide-ranging scope while controlling the wilder elements. The two Texans look to their brethren for direction -- there's a lot of Steve Earle in the vocals and James McMurtry in the lyrics, an openness in the overall sound. The dozen songs on "Junky Star" are rooted in the blues, either in the finger-picked or slide guitar: "Direction of the Wind" runs through the same blues filters Bob Dylan uses; "Lay My Head on the Rail" is Bingham's homesick blues; and in the midst of ominous percussion sounds on "Hard Worn Trail," gentle Delta blues are used as a musical contrast to the song's doom-and-gloom tone. ...continued
More news: Ryan Bingham

Goo Goo Dolls deliver more perks "For the Rest of Us"

2010-08-27T15:52:09-08:00 - Goo Goo Dolls [ tickets ] have added more dates and a live Sirius XM satellite radio performance to their in-progress road trip ahead of their long-awaited new album, "Something For The Rest of Us," which surfaces next week.

The New York-based alt-rockers continue the excursion with a Sunday (8/29) performance at Los Angeles' Greek Theatre, followed by an Aug. 31 concert at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, to be broadcast live on Sirius XM station The Coffee House. The band will perform songs from the new set, which hits retailers that day, as well as their chart-topping hits, according to a press release. The show can be heard 6 p.m. ET and 3:00 p.m. PT on Sirius channel 30 and XM channel 51. ...continued
More news: Goo Goo Dolls
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

In Pictures: Chicago in Tulalip, WA

2010-08-27T15:18:24-08:00 - After more than 40 years and various incarnations, the classic-rock band Chicago [ tickets ] seems to have found a second wind.

Founding member Robert Lamm (vocals/keyboards) spoke at the Chicago True Advocates Fan Club Convention in April, crediting rest and lifestyle improvements for the band's new-found vitality, and announced that he and his cohorts are going back into the studio with producer Phil Ramone. Two specific projects are on the table -- a Christmas album and a new Chicago studio set. ...continued
More news: Chicago

Sufjan Stevens to follow surprise EP with new album

2010-08-27T14:50:11-08:00 - Two weeks ago, Sufjan Stevens [ tickets ] surprised fans with word of a major new tour, and last week he dropped a new EP. Now comes word that the singer/songwriter/composer will release a new album, titled "The Age of Adz," on Oct. 12.

One track from the new album, titled "I Walked," is now available as a free download via bandcamp.com. ...continued
More news: Sufjan Stevens
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Q&A: Ed Kowalczyk on breaking from Live, his new band and working with Chris Daughtry

2010-08-27T13:01:41-08:00 - With his band Live, singer Ed Kowalczyk [ tickets ] built an impressive resume that included eight full-length albums that sold a total of 20 million copies, an international fan base and multiple world tours. Yet when he left the band two years ago, it wasn't such a difficult decision.

"I ended up, about two years ago, coming to an end-of-a-chapter moment in my life, feeling uninspired doing the same thing over and over again," Kowalczyk told SoundSpike via telephone from his Ventura County, CA, home. "I thought I would shake it up. I started to think about a solo career. Get new partners, new band, go to Austin for the first time to make a record. I got really excited and started to write some great music. I've just really been riding that wave of excitement and new energy. I made a great record in Austin, Texas, late last year. And put out the record out [July 6]." ...continued
More news: Ed Kowalczyk
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Jay-Z, New York Yankees unveil co-branded merchandise

2010-08-27T09:34:24-08:00 - Capitalizing on the upcoming Jay-Z [ tickets ] and Eminem [ tickets ] co-headlining shows at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, the New York Yankees and Jay-Z have created limited-edition co-branded Yankees/Jay-Z merchandise.

The merchandise will be sold exclusively at Yankee Stadium beginning Monday (8/30) through the Sept. 13-14 Jay-Z/Eminem dates. ...continued
More news: Jay-Z, Eminem
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Eagles fill out fall traipse before heading Down Under

2010-08-27T04:43:06-08:00 - The Eagles [ tickets ] have expanded their forthcoming fall run, adding another eight stops to the tour, which centers around their Oct. 10 headlining gig at the Austin City Limits Festival.

The rock icons are slated to kick off the excursion with an Oct. 1 show in Reno, NV, followed by another four gigs before taking the stage Oct. 10 for closing duties of the ninth annual Austin City Limits Festival. Seven additional performances round out the American tour, which wraps up Oct. 24 in Des Moines, IA. ...continued
More news: Eagles
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Lyfe Jennings plans outing behind fourth and "final" album

2010-08-27T04:40:14-08:00 - R&B/soul singer Lyfe Jennings [ tickets ] will headline clubs in major markets throughout the nation this fall in support of his brand-new and allegedly final album, "I Still Believe."

The performer will kick off the month-long trek with a Sept. 11 stop in New Orleans, followed by another 16 shows spread across the continent. The road trip concludes with an Oct. 13 appearance in Atlanta. The full schedule is shown at right. ...continued
More news: Lyfe Jennings
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Experience Hendrix Tour back for a new round of 2010 shows

2010-08-27T04:37:28-08:00 - For the first time in its history, the Experience Hendrix tour will make its way across the U.S. twice in one year and also hit cities in Canada.

Having already made a run in March, the Jimi Hendrix tribute shows featuring numerous guitar-playing all-stars will resume touring on Oct. 26 in Pittsburgh, PA. The tour will play 19 markets over the course of three weeks ...continued
More news: Experience Hendrix Tour
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

In Pictures: No Depression Festival in Redmond, WA

2010-08-26T18:11:27-08:00 - Last Saturday (8/21) marked the 2nd Annual No Depression Festival [ tickets ] at Marymoor Park in Redmond, WA. The event featured music from headliners The Swell Season [ tickets ] and Lucinda Williams [ tickets ], along with sets by Chuck Prophet [ tickets ] and Alejandro Escovedo [ tickets ], among others.

No Depression began as a magazine dedicated to alt-country and roots music in 1995. The magazine had a small, loyal following, but it went the way of much of the print media and moved exclusively to publishing online in 2008. ...continued
More news: No Depression Festival, Alejandro Escovedo, The Cave Singers, Chuck Prophet, Lucinda Williams, The Swell Season

Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood return to host 2010 CMA Awards

2010-08-26T15:53:23-08:00 - Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood are set to co-host the CMA Awards [ tickets ] for the third time, the Country Music Association announced today.

"The CMAs are different from any other awards night," Paisley said in a statement. "You're looking at a roomful of people who love each other. And any new viewer will be pleasantly surprised at what they relate to on the awards and what they like that they had no idea they would like. For that reason alone, this is the most important night of the year for country music." ...continued
More news: CMA Awards

Cee Lo Green's viral hit gets official release

2010-08-26T12:41:36-08:00 - Cee Lo Green [ tickets ]'s new, not-safe-for-work single, which was nearing 2.8 million views on YouTube less than a week after it surfaced, is now available for purchase via Green's official website, and will be sold through all digital retailers beginning Friday (8/27).

The song, a catchy and humorous Motown throwback titled "Fuck You," bluntly covers the well-traveled pop-music topic of unrequited love. The viral YouTube video is a simple, Karaoke-style text rendering of the song's lyrics: "I guess he's an Xbox, and I'm more Atari," he sings in a high, timelessly soulful voice. ...continued
More news: Cee Lo Green

Expanded Bruce Springsteen "Darkness" reissue packs in extras

2010-08-26T12:21:38-08:00 - Columbia Records' expanded edition of Bruce Springsteen [ tickets ]'s "Darkness on the Edge of Town" will include six hours of film and more than two hours of audio on three CDs and three DVDs. It will be released Nov. 16, along with a two-CD set of previously unreleased songs titled "The Promise."

Besides the digitally remastered version of the album, the box set will include 21 previously unreleased songs, studio and concert footage, an 80-page notebook, and the documentary, also titled "The Promise." The documentary will debut at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 14 and be aired Oct. 7 on HBO. ...continued
More news: Bruce Springsteen

Concert: Norah Jones, Corinne Bailey Rae in Los Angeles

2010-08-26T10:18:58-08:00 - The middle third of Norah Jones [ tickets ]' set at the Greek Theater Wednesday (8/25) provided a radiant glimpse of her current state of mind. In a six-song block, she ventured from "Chasing Pirates," the most popular track on her recent album "The Fall," to songs by Neil Young, Willie Nelson and Hank Williams.

The sixth song in the string was "Back to Manhattan," a moment of romantic resignation on "The Fall," a solemn soliloquy in concert. In retrospect, it became a mood killer. (More on that later). ...continued
More news: Norah Jones
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Aaron Neville ready to roll out solo tour, album, holiday trek

2010-08-26T04:19:48-08:00 - Aaron Neville [ tickets ] will embark on a solo tour in September, release new album in October and spend the end of the year ringing in holiday cheer with a 17-show Christmas revue.

Neville' next album, "I Know I've Been Changed," was produced by Joe Henry, the producer who has guided efforts from veteran performers such as Mose Allison, Solomon Burke, Bettye LaVette and Ramblin Jack Elliott. It will be released on Oct. 26 on Neville's own label, Tell It Records. ...continued
More news: Aaron Neville
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Q&A: Steve Berlin of Los Lobos on a "Kiko" film, the Grateful Dead and starting an album with no songs

2010-08-26T04:16:48-08:00 - Los Lobos [ tickets ] is close to striking a deal with their former label Hollywood Records to get a film of the band performing their landmark album "Kiko" released.

Made five years ago when Los Lobos did a short tour playing "Kiko" in full, the documentary includes a performance of the album along with interviews of band members, album producer Mitchell Froom and engineer Tchad Blake. The concert was shot at 4th & B in San Diego. ...continued
More news: Los Lobos
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

The Posies, Brendan Benson team for fall tour

2010-08-26T04:12:55-08:00 - Indie-rock veterans the Posies, who are about to release their first album of new material in five years, and Detroit alt-rocker Brendan Benson -- best known for his work with the Raconteurs -- are set to launch a co-headlining tour Nov. 5 in Milwaukee.

Posies founders Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow will also join Benson's set, contributing bass, guitar, keyboards and backing vocals. ...continued
More news: The Posies
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

In Pictures: Rock The Bells in Mountain View, CA

2010-08-25T17:22:38-08:00 - The West Coast leg of Guerilla Union's 7th Annual Rock the Bells [ tickets ] Festival wrapped Sunday (8/22) in Mountain View, CA. Next stop: Governor's Island in New York City this Saturday (8/28), followed by the Washington, DC-area's Merriweather Post Pavilion on Sunday (8/29).

This year the hip-hop festival introduced a new twist; headlining artists are performing their classic albums in their entirety. Wu-Tang Clan [ tickets ] tackles "Enter the Wu-Tang," Snoop Dogg [ tickets ] plays "Doggystyle," A Tribe Called Quest [ tickets ] revisits "Midnight Marauders" and Rakim [ tickets ] delivers "Paid in Full." Other artists filling the bill include Brother Ali [ tickets ], Street Sweeper Social Club [ tickets ], Murs [ tickets ], DJ Premier [ tickets ] and special guest Lauryn Hill [ tickets ]. ...continued
More news: Snoop Dogg, A Tribe Called Quest, Brother Ali, Wu-Tang Clan, Rakim, Lauryn Hill, Murs, DJ Premier, Street Sweeper Social Club, Rock the Bells

Swell Season urges counseling for fans who witnessed concert death

2010-08-25T15:17:26-08:00 - The members of The Swell Season say they have attended grief counseling after a man took a fatal jump onto the stage during a recent performance, and are encouraging fans who were at the show to do the same. The band reportedly has even picked up the bill for some group-counseling sessions.

Michael Edwards Pickels, of San Jose, CA, jumped to his death from the roof of Saratoga, CA's Mountain Winery amphitheater last week, crashing to the stage near Swell Season frontman Glen Hansard. ...continued
More news: The Swell Season

Lifehouse sets out behind "Smoke & Mirrors"

2010-08-25T14:26:52-08:00 - Lifehouse [ tickets ] will get behind the band's spring release, "Smoke & Mirrors," with a fall outing that crisscrosses the nation and hits a handful of international destinations.

The Los Angeles-based rockers will kick off the run Saturday (8/28) with a performance in Grand Island, NE. Several fair appearances are on the books for the first part of September, followed by a two weeks' worth of European shows, including a three-night stand at London's O2 Shepard's Bush Empire. The band will return to the States and hit the stage at another 25 venues before wrapping up the trek Nov. 24 in Portland, OR. The full schedule, including international dates, is shown at right. ...continued
More news: Lifehouse
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Eminem again leads album chart, but classic rockers show some muscle

2010-08-25T11:56:07-08:00 - Veteran performers stormed the U.S. album-sales chart this week, though none posed much of a threat to Eminem [ tickets ]'s "Recovery," the only album to sell more than 100,000 copies in the week that ended Aug. 22.

Kem [ tickets ]'s "Intimacy," Ray LaMontagne's "God Willin' and the Creek Don't Rise," Iron Maiden [ tickets ]'s "Final Frontier" and Trace Adkins [ tickets ]' "Cowboy's Back in Town" took slots two through five. "Intimacy" sold 74,000, LaMontagne did 64,000 and Iron Maiden sold about 1,000 fewer. Adkins cowboyed up 50,000. The sales results are tallied by Nielsen SoundScan. ...continued
More news: Brian Wilson, Iron Maiden, Kem, Ray Lamontagne, Trace Adkins, David Gray, John Mellencamp, Tom Petty, Roger Waters, Eminem

Papa Roach, Skillet plan U.S. "Annihilation"

2010-08-25T10:41:16-08:00 - Papa Roach [ tickets ] will mix headlining gigs and festival appearances into their "Monsters of Annihilation" tour alongside Skillet [ tickets ] this fall.

Following a two-week solo excursion that begins Sept. 10 in Nashville, Papa Roach will join forces with Skillet beginning with an Oct. 1 performance in Myrtle Beach, SC. The 10-date co-headlining jaunt, which wraps up Oct. 20 in Oklahoma City, is interspersed with Papa Roach-only shows at radio-sponsored festivals throughout the eastern U.S. Papa Roach's full schedule, including an end-of-the-year European leg, is listed at right. ...continued
More news: Papa Roach, Skillet
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Seven rock 'n' roll tell-alls from Keith Richards to Vince Neil

2010-08-25T08:29:36-08:00 - A year ago, the "just published" rock 'n' roll memoirs shelf was looking a bit thin. Don Felder's falling out with the Eagles and the separate tales of decadence in Aerosmith from Joey Kramer and Steven Tyler were the new arrivals, while Nikki Sixx's chronicles of heroin addiction were a year old and still a top seller.

That changed nine months ago with Ozzy Osbourne sharing his story. It was followed by a litany of hair bands, girl singers and weathered rock stars telling their side of an oft-told saga. Disenfranchised youth finds like-minded souls in a band. They do drugs and get a few hit records, then do more drugs. Everything comes easy and they stop believing in "the power of rock 'n' roll." The drug use rises, the desire to live dips. The world caves in. They muddle about and through music or a soulmate to rediscover a passion for living and prepare for the next chapter in their life. Every once in awhile -- Tommy James, Rosanne Cash and Patti Smith, to cite recent examples -- the stories are different. ...continued
More news: Eagles, Jack Bruce, Steven Adler, Dave Mustaine, Kristin Hersh, Vince Neil, Paul McCartney, Keith Richards, SoundSpike 7, Aerosmith

Jose Gonzalez-led Junip planning U.S. tour

2010-08-25T08:24:57-08:00 - Swedish musician Jose Gonzalez [ tickets ] and his band Junip [ tickets ] will tour the U.S. beginning on Nov. 1. Tour dates are still being firmed up for the act, which will release its debut album, "Fields," on Sept. 14.

Gonzalez, who has recorded with Zero 7 and released his own solo records, formed Junip int he 1990s with drummer Elias Araya and organ and moog player Tobias Winterkorn, ...continued
More news: Junip, Jose Gonzalez
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Atreyu takes hard-rock "Congregation" to dozens of clubs

2010-08-25T08:20:27-08:00 - California metalcore outfit Atreyu [ tickets ] will take on the "Congregation of the Damned Tour" this fall, bringing along a handful of support acts for the Monster Energy Drink-sponsored run.

The quintet, which just completed a run with the Mayhem Festival, will get started with an Oct. 20 performance in Anaheim, CA, followed by another 30 gigs spread across the continent. Six Canadian shows are also on the books, including concerts in Calgary (10/27), Toronto (11/2) and Montreal (11/3). Following the tour's Nov. 27 wrap-up in Los Angeles, the band will head across the pond for five European arena shows. The full schedule is shown at right. ...continued
More news: Atreyu, Bless the Fall, Chiodos
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Album: Pacifika, "Supermagique" (Six Degrees)

2010-08-24T16:40:36-08:00 - Hailing from Vancouver, the trio Pacifika [ tickets ] expands their horizon beyond a downtempo dream-date soundtrack. The three performers tap their ethnic backgrounds -- Spanish island culture mostly -- to create an alluring blend of folk styles and electronic effects. "Supermagique" is a perfect cocktail-hour disc.

While they have gone more dancefloor than spa in places -- especially in the pump of the barrio bassline in "Chocolat," a brazen attempt to secure a hit with a appeal to fans of NPR and J-Lo -- they are at their most convincing in the slower material. ...continued
More news: Pacifika

Pearl Jam celebrates 20 years at Bridge School Benefit

2010-08-24T16:31:13-08:00 - Grunge mainstays Pearl Jam [ tickets ] are coming up on the 20th anniversary of their first gig, but don't look for them to mark the occasion with a lot of fanfare.

Instead, the group plans play what's become a semi-regular slot: Neil Young [ tickets ]'s annual Bridge School Benefit [ tickets ] concert, set for Oct. 23-24 at Mountain View, CA's Shoreline Amphitheater. ...continued
More news: Bridge School Benefit, Pearl Jam, Neil Young

In Pictures: John Mayer in Mountain View, CA

2010-08-24T14:00:56-08:00 - Since John Mayer [ tickets ] kicked off his "Battle Studies World Tour" last November, he's had plenty of notable opening acts -- Michael Franti & Spearhead, Orianthi, Train, Avett Brothers and Owl City among them. Now he can add his own name to the list.

During his show on Sunday (8/22) at the Hollywood Bowl, Mayer served as his own supporting act. The Los Angeles Times reported that he joked with the audience, saying, "I'm John Mayer opening for John Mayer. Are you ready for John Mayer after this?" ...continued
More news: John Mayer

Q&A: Bill Frisell on "Beautiful Dreamers," Vic Chesnutt and naming instrumentals

2010-08-24T12:25:43-08:00 - The list of immediately identifiable guitarists working in mostly instrumental music rarely grows. Pat Metheny, Leo Kottke, John Fahey and Ralph Towner have been on the list since the 1970s, and right about 1991 Bill Frisell [ tickets ] joined them at the top. In '91 and '92, Frisell released "Where in the World?" and "Have a Little Faith," two albums that catapulted him as distinctive and personal, yet experimental and accessible.

Then he went on an astonishing streak: 21 albums in 19 years as a leader. He played straight-ahead jazz with legendary musicians such as Paul Motian, Ron Carter and Dave Holland; played the silent film music of Buster Keaton; created music that worked as a soundtrack of the American West; and, in one of his first spectacular achievements, encapsulated the concept of "Nashville" in 11 originals and three covers. ...continued
More news: Bill Frisell
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Phish plots fall tour, ticket buyers get free concert downloads

2010-08-24T11:39:40-08:00 - Phish [ tickets ] has confirmed an eight-city fall tour that will follow the popular jam band's appearance at the sold-out Austin City Limits festival in Austin, TX.

The fall outing gets underway Oct. 10 with a three-night stand in Broomfield, CO, and ends with another three-night stand, Oct. 29-31, in Atlantic City, NJ. ...continued
More news: Phish
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

New Bob Dylan "Bootleg Series" due, along with mono box set

2010-08-24T11:34:18-08:00 - "The Bootleg Series Volume 9 - The Witmark Demos," the latest collection of previously unreleased Bob Dylan [ tickets ] recordings, will be in stores on Oct. 19 -- the same date that Columbia Records plans to release a box set containing mono versions of Dylan's first eight albums.

According to Columbia, "The Witmark Demos" contains 47 Dylan songs recorded in 1962 for his first publisher, Leeds Music, and between 1962 and 1964 for his second publisher, M. Witmark & Sons. He sings and accompanies himself on guitar, harmonica and occasionally piano. All of the songs on the album were written before Dylan's 24th birthday. The tracklisting is below. ...continued
More news: Bob Dylan
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Miranda Lambert takes "Revolution" on CMT-sponsored run

2010-08-24T00:31:37-08:00 - Country songstress Miranda Lambert [ tickets ] will fill the role of headlining act for this year's "CMT On Tour " as she continues to support last fall's "Revolution."

The singer, who is currently wrapping up a summer run, will perform a two-night set in Switzerland Sept. 10-11 before kicking off the North American leg Sept. 29 in New York City. Lambert is scheduled to appear at fairgrounds and arenas throughout the East and South before the tour's Dec. 8 conclusion in Rio Rancho, NM. The full itinerary is shown at right. ...continued
More news: Miranda Lambert

Joanna Newsom tours ahead of Carnegie Hall gig

2010-08-24T00:28:30-08:00 - Joanna Newsom [ tickets ] has booked a string of November dates across the Southwest and the Southeast on up to New York, where she'll play the previously announced performance at Carnegie Hall.

Between now and November tour, the harpist/singer is playing shows in the U.K., France, Switzerland, Italy and Israel. ...continued
More news: Joanna Newsom
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

In Pictures: New England Country Music Festival, Foxboro, MA

2010-08-23T16:03:14-08:00 - The 7th Annual New England Country Music Festival [ tickets ] sold out Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA, on Saturday (8/21). Despite cool temperatures, the turnout was reported to be 51,000 people.

The event was headlined by 12-time Academy of Country Music Award winner Brad Paisley [ tickets ], who shared the bill with Jason Aldean [ tickets ], Darius Rucker [ tickets ] and Sara Evans [ tickets ], to name a few. Tailgating was permitted in the parking lot prior to the show, so the party began early for some fans with coolers and barbecue grills. Local police and stadium security were on the lookout for underage drinkers and they found more than a few -- according to The Sun Chronicle, about 200 people were taken into custody for public intoxication. ...continued
More news: Jason Aldean, Easton Corbin, Sara Evans, Darius Rucker, New England Country Music Festival, Brad Paisley

Q&A: Nancy Wilson of Heart

2010-08-23T15:29:25-08:00 - With a new generation being introduced to Heart [ tickets ] annually thanks to the inevitable performance of "Alone" by "American Idol" contestants, the Wilson sisters are enjoying their popularity.

While packing theaters and amphitheaters around the U.S., Heart is now introducing fans to new music courtesy of "Red Velvet Car," a collection of songs due out Aug. 31. It is the band's first new studio album in six years. ...continued
More news: Heart
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Umphrey's McGee to move inside as the weather cools

2010-08-23T13:53:15-08:00 - Summer means outdoors, fall is spent indoors, according to Umphrey's McGee [ tickets ], which will kick off a theater tour on Sept. 23 and wrap up things with their annual Halloween Monster Mash-Up in St. Louis on Oct. 30 and 31.

Umphrey's McGee played Bonnaroo, Summerfest, Gathering of the Vibes and All Good this summer, and they still have three festivals to go: the North Coast Music Festival in Chicago on Sept. 4; Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in San Francisco on Oct. 3; and Bear Creek Music & Art Fest in Live Oak, FL, on Nov. 11 and 12. ...continued
More news: Umphrey's McGee
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Hanson to "Shout it Out" through November

2010-08-23T13:33:16-08:00 - Pop-rockers Hanson [ tickets ] have added a third leg to their North American "Shout It Out" tour, beginning Nov. 1 in Dallas, TX. They are finishing a tour of the South and Midwest, play in the West in September and have just added the Southeast and East Coast for the November trek.

Hanson's fifth album "Shout It Out," released on their own 3CG Records, features the trio's current single "Thinking 'Bout Somethin'." ...continued
More news: Hanson
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Concert: Rufus Wainwright in Los Angeles

2010-08-23T10:44:42-08:00 - Jeff Buckley discovered Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," deflated the original's production and created a sparse anthem. Rufus Wainwright [ tickets ] recorded it for "Shrek" and, like James Taylor taking on Carole King's "You've Got a Friend," he may well find himself having to sing someone else's song for the rest of his career.

It was the only song requested from the audience at Wainwright's show at the Greek Theater (8/20). The word "hallelujah" emerged from the silence between songs in his song cycle "All Days Are Nights: Songs For Lulu" and he ignored it; the second time was a more deliberate shout early in the second half of the night. He referred to the request as being "so L.A." ...continued
More news: Rufus Wainwright
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

New Releases, Aug. 24: Katy Perry, Little Big Town, Conan O'Brien, JJ Grey, more

2010-08-23T09:20:20-08:00 - Katy Perry [ tickets ] is no longer kissing girls. Her "Teenage Dream," which will be released Tuesday (8/24), is all about riding in a convertible with a buff guy, pulling over to a roadside motel and having steamy sex, quite possibly for the first time.

A motel? When you're a teen? Can't kids come up with something unique in their dreams -- where's the imagination here? Sort of like the music itself: Catchy beat, fantasy that attracts the guys and gals in equal measure and regardless of the lyrical content, everybody is dancing to it at all sorts of events. And since every knows Katy Perry has a new album out -- the song "Teenage Dream" has been storming up the recently unveiled Ultimate Chart that tracks all online activity, illegal and legal -- let's look at who might be flying under the rock 'n' roll radar with Tuesday's releases. ...continued
More news: Katy Perry, BARB, Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters, JJ Grey & Mofro, Conan O'Brien, Little Big Town

Blondie gets behind "Panic of Girls"

2010-08-23T09:12:11-08:00 - By all accounts, Blondie [ tickets ]'s tour is going well. And that's a good sign for the legendary band, as the members of the act have dedicated the next two years to promoting their forthcoming album, "Panic of Girls."

"Everybody does other things," drummer Clem Burke said during an interview with SoundSpike. "But Blondie's the home base for us. We've all kind of dedicated the next 18 months to two years to doing Blondie, to let people know about the record and just kind of be playing every year." ...continued
More news: Blondie
Tour dates for this story available at SoundSpike.com

Wyclef Jean deemed ineligible for Haitian presidency, appeal planned

2010-08-23T09:10:26-08:00 - Haitian elections officials announced Friday night (8/20) that hip-hop star Wyclef Jean [ tickets ] is ineligible to run for president of the Caribbean nation, but Jean plans to fight the ruling.

Haiti's electoral council gave no explanation for the decision. However, Jean said in a statement that he was rejected because he has not lived in Haiti for the five consecutive years before the Nov. 28 elections, as required by election law. Jean was born in Haiti, but has lived in the U.S. since he was a child. He often travels to his homeland, however, and he retains Haitian citizenship. ...continued
More news: Wyclef Jean