OHMYGOSSIP — Beyoncé has thanked fans for waiting to hear her album ‘Renaissance’ on its actual release date after it leaked online.
The ‘Break My Soul’ hitmaker’s fans took to social media just days before the record’s release at midnight Friday (29.07.22) to share that the album had appeared in their local record stores early and online.
And now the Grammy winner has addressed the leak and thanked her Beyhive for their “love and protection” and for “calling out” those sharing the 16 tracks prematurely without consent.
In a statement on Twitter, she said: “So, the album leaked, and you all actually waited until the proper release time so you all can enjoy it together.
“I’ve never seen anything like it. I can’t thank you all enough for your love and protection.
“I appreciate you for calling out anyone that was trying to sneak into the club early. It means the world to me. Thank you for your unwavering support. Thank you for being patient. We are going to take our time and enjoy the music. I will do continue to give my all and do my best to give you all joy.”
The ‘Love On Top’ singer declared her new album part of a “three-act project”.
Beyoncé, 40, has been working on the extensive collection over the last three years throughout the COVID-19 outbreak.
In a statement posted online marking the release of ‘Renaissance’, Beyoncé explained: “This three-act project was recorded over three years during the pandemic. A time to be still, but also a time I found to be the most creative. Creating this album allowed me a place to dream and to find escape during a scary time for the world.”
She included a special thanks to her three children, Blue Ivy, and twins Rumi and Sir, as well as her husband Jay Z and added of the record: “Creating this album allowed me a place to dream and to find escape during a scary time for the world.
“It allowed me to feel free and adventurous in a time when little else was moving. My intention was to create a safe place, a place without judgment. A place to be free of perfectionism and overthinking.”

Source: IconInsider.com

OHMYGOSSIP — BLACKPINK debuted their first new track in almost two years, ‘Ready For Love’, during the in-game concert ‘The Virtual’ on ‘PUBG MOBILE’.
The K-Pop girl group – comprising Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa and Rosé – performed their hits and had a special treat in store for fans as part of their second collaboration with the popular battle royale game.
The music video for ‘Ready For Love’ featured their virtual avatars and invited fans into their fantasy world.
Their label, YG Entertainment had announced in a press release: “It is pleased to hold an In-Game Concert as the second collaboration between the world’s best group BLACKPINK and PUBG MOBILE, the best mobile game in the battle royale genre. We also hope to increase the opportunity for artists and fans to interact closely beyond the borders and language barriers.”
‘The Virtual’ takes place on July 29 to 30.
BLACKPINK’s fans – who are nicknamed Blinks – are able to grab the custom suits made for the ‘Sour Candy’ quartet for the performance until August 31.
It was recently revealed that BLACKPINK are gearing up to drop new music and planning a world tour.
The foursome will release fresh tracks in August as they are in the “final stages of recording a new album” and intend to go on the “largest world tour in the history of a K-pop girl group.”
YG said: “A lot of BLACKPINK-esque music has been prepared over a long period of time. On top of new music and large-scale projects, BLACKPINK will also go on the largest world tour in the history of a K-pop girl group by the end of the year to expand their rapport with fans worldwide.”
The label went on to add their sophomore album will begin “a continuous large-scale project which will extend through the second half of the year,” suggesting that it won’t be the only thing they have up their sleeve for the rest of the year.
This comes after rumours circulated that their comeback could be “as early as June,” which was met with confirmation they were coming back soon.
‘PUBG MOBILE’s Version 2.1 Update is available now. Download for free on the App Store and Google Play Store.

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OHMYGOSSIP — Jack White “fantasises” about being able to pen autobiographical songs.
The 47-year-old musician admits he “could never” be “literal” about precise moments in his life or share songs about himself because that’s “too egotistical”.
In an interview with The Sun newspaper, Jack said: “I wish I could get to a point one day where I am referring to myself in a song. I actually fantasise about that.
“We see it so often now on social media. Someone will say, ‘I wrote this break-up song’ and perform it on TikTok or Instagram.
“I could never be that literal about an exact moment in my life. It’s too egotistical for me to feed off.
“Maybe one day I’ll tire of other concepts and get into that.”
Of his new album, ‘Entering Heaven Alive’, he added: “This record is me either exploring fictional characters or people who exist that I haven’t met.”
The former White Stripes star didn’t intend to release two albums in 2022, having already released ‘Fear Of The Dawn’ in April.
However, he found himself writing songs that were heavier and lighter and placed them into two playlists.
He explained: “I had no intention of doing two albums.
“I was just writing songs and they were coming out in different ways.
“I was putting the quieter songs in one playlist on my computer and the heavier songs in another, trying to see which went together and which made sense.”
The COVID-19 pandemic also afforded the ‘Icky Thump’ hitmaker the time to be prolific with his songwriting and he admits he put “pressure” on himself to make it exceptional.
He said: “For me, having that much time to work, I put pressure on myself to come up with something interesting.
“It’s like the movie ‘Titanic’ having a $300 million budget — it makes you think, ‘Well, it had better be good’.”
‘Entering Heaven Alive’ is out now.

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OHMYGOSSIP — The Lightning Seeds, David Baddiel and Chelcee Grimes are set to perform ‘Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home)’ in London to celebrate England’s appearance in Sunday’s (31.07.22) UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final.
The concert as part of The National Lottery’s Revive Live series in partnership with Music Venue Trust will celebrate the £50 million National Lottery Players have provided to women’s and girl’s football.
A rendition of the chart-topping football anthem will be performed by the Lightning Seeds, David and footballer-and-singer Chelcee, with “Lioness legends from the past” joining them on stage at Camden’s Electric Ballroom on Saturday (30.07.22).
The former Lionesses getting involved are Fara Williams, Rachel Yankey and Faye White.
‘Three Lions’ usually features comedians David and Frank Skinner, however, the latter will be “cheering on from the sidelines due to unforeseen circumstances”.
Frank said: “The Lionesses are playing some of the most exciting football I’ve ever seen from an England team. I’m gutted not to be there on Saturday but I know David, Lightning Seeds and Chelcee, with those Lionesses who’ve pulled on the shirt in the past, will deliver a unique performance that celebrates their run to the final.”
David commented: “It’s a great honour that Football’s Coming Home remains such a fan favourite twenty five years on and it feels fitting that we reflect the amazing achievements of the Lionesses with a unique performance of the anthem at this very special National Lottery gig. And very happy to be part of a one-off performance by the Lightning Seeds with a new double act – Baddiel and Grimes…”
Chelcee added: “This weekend is a dream come true – not only are the Lionesses in the final but I am getting to sing the legendary Three Lions anthem in their honour. I am passionate about women’s and girls’ football and every National Lottery player has helped propel the game to the point where England can win a major trophy. Sport really has the power to bring people together and grassroots clubs and organisations play such a vital role in giving young people the time and space to realise their full potential. I hope the excitement of this amazing tournament, and the success of the Lionesses, encourages more women to give it a go at their local club!”
The Lionesses will face Germany in the final at Wembley Stadium.
The performance will take place on Saturday 30 July at 2pm at Camden’s iconic Electric Ballroom. Entry will be via ticket only. Tickets are £5 and available from 10am on Friday at https://ticketmaster.co.uk/lionesses. National Lottery players will be able to buy two tickets for the price of one as a thank you for their support.

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OHMYGOSSIP — Orbital have shared the original track ‘Smiley’ on the ’30 Something’ boxset.
The iconic English electronic duo – comprising brothers Phil and Paul Hartnoll – reminisce about the 80s rave scene with a song named after the Smiley Face logo – which turned 50 this year and symbolises Acid House –
‘Smiley’ samples the ‘A Trip Round Acid House’ edition of ‘World In Action’, the ITV documentary which enlightened parents to what their kids were getting up to out clubbing at the weekend, with a 20-year-old Paul telling the tale of being beaten up by police at a house party in Sevenoaks, Kent.
Paul said: “We wanted to do something that represented where our heads are at now but wearing the clothes from back when we started.
“So to chronicle thirty years of Orbital you’ve got this track that chronicles the very start of dance music in Sevenoaks. It’s our origin story.”
Now 54, Paul admits the antics they got up to back then would never happen now because of social media.
He added: “And to make the very important point that, in civil rights terms, basically we all got beaten up by the police for having a party.
“Could never happen now, everyone would film it on their phones. Instant police brutality case.”
The accompanying animated music video features “sock puppets, high-end CGI, background stock footage, specially filmed elements, stop-motion and stills photography.”
Director of the promo, Luke Losey, commented: “There was a moment in the late 1980s that bridged the gap between free festivals and big raves.
“These events had a strong DIY ethos that was a kindred spirit to punk. We would go and put great big metal sculptures in the woods or perhaps an abandoned railway station, hang a few lights and power up a sound system. That handmade DIY feel of the time was something we wanted to imbue into the film from the start, but also the sense of unity that existed amongst us despite Thatcher’s authoritarian desire to sew division, divide and conquer, with her foot soldiers in blue and her red-tops with their morally dubious claim to offer a better version of Britain than the one we could clearly see unraveling before our eyes. Hindsight has given us the opportunity to rectify past misdeeds with the happy ending we didn’t get at the time. No unicorns were hurt in the making of this film.”
The boxset to mark their 30th anniversary boasts “reworks, remakes, remixes and re-imaginings of landmark Orbital tracks based on the duo’s unrivalled live show.”
Artists inspired by Orbital, including Joris Voorn, Dusky, Jon Tejada, Yotto, appear, and studio wizard David Holmes’ reworking of 90s techno classic ‘Belfast’.
’30 Something’ is available now as a double CD, quadruple LP boxset and digital formats.

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OHMYGOSSIP — Ronnie James Dio’s hologram show was an “experiment” and likely won’t be repeated.
The late seminal artist’s widow Wendy has insisted there are no plans for the hologram shows, which enabled fans of the heavy metal legend to see the star’s music performed with a digital likeness of the former Black Sabbath and Rainbow frontman, to return after they were met with a split reaction from fans and critics.
However, the music manager has another idea in the pipeline to bring Dio to audiences beyond the grave.
Speaking on ‘The Rockman Power Hour’, Wendy said: “It was an experiment that we did. It was 50/50 — some people hated it; some people loved it. It was something we did. I don’t wanna do it again. This time now I’m gonna do real Ronnie. I’ve got all this video footage from Rainbow and some [Black] Sabbath and Dio and even some Elf stuff, and I wanna put that together with a live band and take that out. ‘Cause I think that’ll be something that kids will really wanna see — stuff that they’ve never seen before as well.”
The hologram was created by the firm Eyellusion and made its debut at the Wacken Open Air festival in 2016.
However, it underwent some changes after the first shows of the 2017 ‘Dio Returns’ tour, before the tour resumed in 2019.
Dio band members Craig Goldy, Simon Wright, Scott Warren, Bjorn Englen performed alongside the hologram.
Meanwhile, Wendy recently claimed Dio penned his 1983 hit ‘Holy Diver’ for Black Sabbath originally.
The musician – who died from stomach cancer aged 67 in 2010 – replaced Ozzy Osbourne as frontman of the ‘Paranoid’ group after he was fired by his bandmates in 1979.
Dio appeared on three Sabbath studio albums, 1980’s ‘Heaven and Hell’, 1981’s ‘Mob Rules’ and 1992’s ‘Dehumanizer (1992).
He quit in 1982 to form Dio and took their drummer Vinny Appice with him. He later formed Heaven and Hell with Sabbath’s axe-slayer Tony Iommi.
And during an interview on ‘Full Metal Jackie’ to mark what would have been Dio’s 80th birthday (10.07.22), his wife Wendy revealed ‘Holy Diver’ and ‘Don’t Talk to Strangers’ were both written by Dio when he was still in Sabbath.
Both tracks appeared on Dio’s debut studio album ‘Holy Diver’.
She spilled: “Ronnie always did what he wanted to do. He never listened to what the record label wanted or anyone else. He always stuck to his guns in making the album. He hoped it would be successful. None of us realised how successful it was going to be. We really had been toying around with things and he had written Holy Diver and Don’t Talk to Strangers during the time he was in Black Sabbath, so they were supposed to be Sabbath songs.
“When he left Sabbath, we had a solo deal for him and he just put those songs [on the album] and got the band together, wrote more songs and it came out. Everyone was blown away about the reception that we got and how great the album was and how it’s stood [the test] of time. It’ll be 40 years next year.”

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OHMYGOSSIP — Robbie Williams has “never been truly happy” with the music he’s released.
The 48-year-old pop star might have written timeless classics such as ‘Angels’ and ‘Let Me Entertain You’, but he admits when he’s in the moment he doesn’t appreciate how good his work is.
In an interview with The Telegraph newspaper, he said: “I’ve never been truly happy with what I’ve made or done.
“Maybe I hadn’t appreciated what I’d done nearly enough as I did it.”
However, he admitted: “I feel as though I may have been closer to where I wanted to be than I previously thought.”
On September 9, Robbie will release the album ‘XXV’, a collection of orchestral reworkings of his greatest hits marking 25 years as a solo artist.
He said of the project: “It gives the songs drama and import – it fancies them up.”
The former Take That star recorded with the Dutch jazz and pop orchestra, Metropole Orkest, to celebrate a quarter of a century since the release of his debut solo album, 1997’s ‘Life Thru A Lens’.
In a press release, Robbie said: “I’m so excited to announce my new album ‘XXV’ which celebrates many of my favourite songs from the past 25 years. Each track has a special place in my heart so it was a real thrill to record them again with the Metropole Orkest. Can’t wait for you all to hear it.”
The career-spanning collection includes the hits ‘Candy’, ‘Angels’, ‘Millennium’ and ‘Let Me Entertain You’.
The ‘Rock DJ’ hitmaker posed naked on a statue for the album’s striking artwork, which is an interpretation of The Thinker by French sculptor Auguste Rodin, with just his arms and legs covering his manhood.
On posing in the nude for the eye-popping album cover, he quipped: “It’s amazing what they can do with computers now.
“The cover wasn’t my idea but, when it was put to me, I was well up for it.”
As well as the album, Robbie also has his Michael Gracey-helmed biopic ‘Better Man’ on the way.

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OHMYGOSSIP — Lil Nas X is tied with Jack Harlow and Kendrick Lamar for the most nominations at the 2022 ‘MTV Video Music Awards’.
The trio received seven nods, the network announced Tuesday. (26.07.22)
Nas and Harlow share many of their nominations – including ‘Video of the Year’ and ‘Best Collaboration’ – thanks to their work together on ‘INDUSTRY BABY’.
They will also be competing against each other in the ‘Artist of the Year’ category, along with Bad Bunny, Drake, Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles, and Lizzo.
Lamar’s nominations mark his first since 2018 and include ‘Best Hip-Hop’ for ‘N95’, ‘Video for Good’ for ‘The Heart Part 5’ and ‘Best Direction’ for ‘Family Ties.’
Styles and Doja Cat bagged six nominations each, while Drake, Sheeran, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Taylor Swift, and the Weekend each got five.
Madonna has made history as the only artist to be nominated in each decade since the award show began.
She was already the most awarded artist in the VMA’s history, with 20 wins, and thanks to ‘Madame X’ now boasts 69 career nominations.
This year’s VMAs will air Sunday, August 28, at 8pm on MTV, the CW, BET, BET Her, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV2, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Pop, TVLand, and VH1.
The full nominations are:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Doja Cat – ‘Woman’
Drake ft. Future Young Thug – ‘Way 2 Sexy’
Ed Sheeran – ‘Shivers’
Harry Styles – ‘As It Was’
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – ‘INDUSTRY BABY”
Olivia Rodrigo – ‘brutal’
Taylor Swift – ‘All Too Well’ (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Bad Bunny
Drake
Ed Sheeran
Harry Styles
Jack Harlow
Lil Nas X
Lizzo

SONG OF THE YEAR
Adele – ‘Easy On Me’
Billie Eilish – ‘Happier Than Ever’
Doja Cat – ‘Woman’
Elton John and Dua Lipa – ‘Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)’
Lizzo – ‘About Damn Time’
The Kid LAROI Justin Bieber – ‘STAY’

BEST NEW ARTIST
Baby Keem
Dove Cameron
GAYLE
Latto
Måneskin
SEVENTEEN

PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
September 2021 – Griff
October 2021 – Remi Wolf – ‘Sexy Villain’
November 2021 – Nessa Barrett – ‘i hope ur miserable until ur dead’
December 2021 – SEVENTEEN – ‘Rock With You’
January 2021 – Mae Muller – ‘Better Days’
February 2022 – GAYLE – ‘abcdefu’
March 2022 – Sheneesa – ‘R U That’
April 2022 – Omar Apollo – ‘Tamagotchi’
May 2022 – Wet Leg – ‘Chaise Longue’
June 2022 – Muni Long – ‘Baby Boo’
July 2022 – Doechii – ‘Persuasive’

BEST COLLABORATION
Drake ft Future and Young Thug – ‘Way 2 Sexy’
Elton John and Dua Lipa – ‘Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)’
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – ‘INDUSTRY BABY’
Megan Thee Stallion and Dua Lipa – ‘Sweetest Pie’
Post Malone and The Weeknd – ‘One Right Now’
ROSALÍA ft The Weeknd – ‘LA FAMA’
The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber – ‘STAY’

BEST POP
Billie Eilish – ‘Happier Than Ever’
Doja Cat – ‘Woman’
Ed Sheeran – ‘Shivers’
Harry Styles – ‘As It Was’
Lizzo – ‘About Damn Time’
Olivia Rodrigo – ‘traitor’

BEST HIP-HOP
Eminem and Snoop Dogg – ‘From The D 2 The LBC’
Future ft Drake, Tems – ‘WAIT FOR U’
Kendrick Lamar – ‘N95’
Latto – ‘Big Energy’
Nicki Minaj ft Lil Baby – ‘Do We Have A Problem?’
Pusha T – ‘Diet Coke’

BEST ROCK
Foo Fighters – ‘Love Dies Young’
Jack White – ‘Taking Me Back’
Muse – ‘Won’t Stand Down’
Red Hot Chili Peppers – ‘Black Summer’
Shinedown – ‘Planet Zero’
Three Days Grace – ‘So Called Life’

BEST ALTERNATIVE
Avril Lavigne ft blackbear – ‘Love It When You Hate Me’
Imagine Dragons x JID – ‘Enemy’
Machine Gun Kelly ft WILLOW – ‘emo girl’
Måneskin – ‘I WANNA BE YOUR SLAVE’
Panic! at the Disco – ‘Viva Las Vengeance’
Twenty One Pilots – ‘Saturday’
WILLOW, Avril Lavigne ft Travis Barker – ‘G R O W’

BEST LATIN
Anitta – ‘Envolver’
Bad Bunny – ‘Tití Me Preguntó’
Becky G X KAROL G – ‘MAMIII’
Daddy Yankee – ‘REMIX’
Farruko – ‘Pepas’
J Balvin and Skrillex – ‘In Da Getto’

BEST R B
Alicia Keys – ‘City of Gods (Part II)’
Chlöe – ‘Have Mercy’
H.E.R. – ‘For Anyone’
Normani ft Cardi B – ‘Wild Side’
Summer Walker, SZA and Cardi B – ‘No Love (Extended Version)’
The Weeknd – ‘Out Of Time’

BEST K-POP
BTS – ‘Yet To Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)’
ITZY – ‘LOCO’
LISA – ‘LALISA’
SEVENTEEN – ‘HOT’
Stray Kids – ‘MANIAC’
TWICE – ‘The Feels’

VIDEO FOR GOOD
Kendrick Lamar – ‘The Heart Part 5’
Latto – ‘P*ssy’
Lizzo – ‘About Damn Time’
Rina Sawayama – ‘This Hell’
Stromae – ‘Fils de joie’

BEST METAVERSE PERFORMANCE
BLACKPINK The Virtual | PUBG
BTS | Minecraft
Charli XCX | Roblox
Justin Bieber
Rift Tour ft. Ariana Grande | Fortnite
Twenty One Pilots Concert Experience | Roblox

BEST LONGFORM VIDEO
Billie Eilish – ‘Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles’
Foo Fighters – ‘Studio 666’
Kacey Musgraves – ‘star-crossed’
Madonna – ‘Madame X’
Olivia Rodrigo – ‘driving home 2 u’
Taylor Swift – ‘All Too Well’ (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar – ‘family ties’
Camila Cabello ft Ed Sheeran – ‘Bam Bam’
Harry Styles – ‘As It Was’
Kendrick Lamar – “N95”
Normani ft Cardi B – ‘Wild Side’
Taylor Swift – ‘All Too Well’ (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)

BEST DIRECTION
Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar – ‘family ties’
Billie Eilish – ‘Happier Than Ever’
Ed Sheeran – ‘Shivers’
Harry Styles – ‘As it Was’
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – ‘INDUSTRY BABY’
Taylor Swift – ‘All Too Well’ (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)

BEST ART DIRECTION
Adele – ‘Oh My God’
Doja Cat – ‘Get Into It (Yuh)’
Drake ft. Future Young Thug – ‘Way 2 Sexy’
Kacey Musgraves – ‘simple times’
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – ‘INDUSTRY BABY’
Megan Thee Stallion ft Dua Lipa – ‘Sweetest Pie’

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Billie Eilish – ‘Happier Than Ever’
Coldplay X BTS – ‘My Universe’
Kendrick Lamar – ‘The Heart Part 5’
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – ‘INDUSTRY BABY’
Megan Thee Stallion and Dua Lipa – ‘Sweetest Pie’
The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber – ‘STAY’

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
BTS – ‘Permission to Dance’
Doja Cat – ‘Woman’
FKA twigs ft The Weeknd – ‘Tears in the Club’
Harry Styles – ‘As it Was’
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – ‘INDUSTRY BABY’
Normani ft Cardi B – ‘Wild Side’

BEST EDITING
Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar – ‘family ties’
Doja Cat – ;Get Into It (Yuh)’
Olivia Rodrigo – ‘brutal’
ROSALÍA – ‘SAOKO’
Taylor Swift – ‘All Too Well’ (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)
The Weeknd – ‘Take My Breath’

Source: IconInsider.com

OHMYGOSSIP — Josh Barry, Victor Ray, and Zebede will be among the performers at Seven Dials presents Summer Sessions.
The former ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ hopeful, the social media sensation and the soul act will be joined in the heart of London’s West End on 30 July by the likes of Ganda Boys and Lisa Canny as part of a huge celebration of the season.
And that’s not all because away from the main stage on Mercer and Elham Streets, ticket holders can also enjoy tarot card reading, hair braiding, flower crown making, glitter and floral artists, a black cab photo booth, and even professional performances on Seven Dials’ first-ever skate ramp.
All seven streets will be pedestrianised on the day and the dial itself will be covered in AstroTurf so visitors can sit and enjoy the sun with a cocktail in hand.
Neal’s Yard will play host to a silent disco, while there will also be an ice cream tricycle, a wellness stage, and a charity tombola featuring great prizes from local businesses.
A number of local brands and retailers will be offering special discounts throughout the weekend too.
For updates on the Seven Dials Summer Sessions, as well as a complimentary ticket, which grants access to the discounts, tombolas, and entry to all events, visit https://www.sevendials.co.uk/whats-on/seven-dials-summer-sessions/ to sign up for updates.

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OHMYGOSSIP — Neil Young has pulled out of playing this year’s ‘Farm Aid’ event over his ongoing COVID fears.
The 76-year-old music legend announced the news in response to a fan letter on his Neil Young Archives site.
It read: “I am not ready for that yet. I don’t think it is safe in the pandemic. I miss it very much.”
The veteran musician co-founded the yearly benefit concert to support American farmers and didn’t play 2021’s event due to his concerns about the pandemic.
This year’s event takes place on September 24 in Raleigh, North Carolina, with the line-up including Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews Band, Margo Price and Sheryl Crow.
Young has not performed in public since 2019 and he said in December 2021 he would refuse to tour until COVID was “beat”.
He said: “I don’t care if I’m the only one who doesn’t do it.”
Young urged promoters to cancel “super-spreader” gigs, saying in a blog post: “The big promoters, if they had the awareness, could stop these shows. “Live Nation, AEG, and the other big promoters could shut this down if they could just forget about making money for a while.”
It comes after Neil Young and Crazy Horse shared a preview of their album ‘Toast’, originally recorded by them in 2001 before being shelved.
Young says it is “an album that stands on its own in (his) collection”.
He said the record’s melancholy nature was one reason it never initially left the studio, adding: “Unlike any other, ‘Toast’ was so sad that I couldn’t put it out. I just skipped it and went on to do another album in its place. I couldn’t handle it at that time. 2001.”
Young, married to actress Daryl Hannah, 61, also revealed it was “about a relationship”, saying: “There is a time in many relationships that go bad, a time long before the break up, where it dawns on one of the people, maybe both, that it’s over. This was that time.
“The sound is murky and dark, but not in a bad way.”

Source: IconInsider.com

OHMYGOSSIP — Sam Fender beamed that it’s “insane” he’s nominated for the Mercury Prize.
The ‘Hypersonic Missiles’ hitmaker’s much-lauded second studio album, ‘Seventeen Going Under’, is in contention for the prestigious music award this year, alongside the likes of Harry Styles’ ‘Harry’s House’ and Little Simz’ ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’.
And the 28-year-old Geordie is overwhelmed after his “very personal” record made the Albums of the Year shortlist.
He told BBC Radio 6 Music: “’Seventeen Going Under’ is a very personal and important record for me and the boys, and for it to be recognised is insane.
“A lot of my favourite records have won the Mercury Prize. Young Fathers – I found them because of their Mercury win, I was blown away by them.
“It is an absolute honour and I am chuffed. Fingers crossed and we’ll see what happens, but just to be nominated is an honour.”
Rapper Little Simz said: “I am feeling grateful; very, very blessed, this is my second time round now.
“When you’re an artist, a creative making art, you just do it because it’s a release. I had some things to say and this was my way of expressing it and it’s a blessing people have resonated with it.
“The list is so strong so to be amongst that is definitely an honour. I definitely will carry this energy throughout me today.”
LPs by Self Esteem, Joy Crookes, Fergus McCreadie, Gwenno, Jessie Buckley and Bernard Butler, Kojey Radical, Nova Twins, Wet Leg, and Yard Act also made the shortlist.
The judging panel – which includes musicians Anna Calvi, Jamie Cullum and Loyle Carner, and is chaired by Head of Music, 6 Music and Radio 2 Jeff Smith – commented: “Getting down to 12 albums this year was not easy, simply because there were so many remarkable ones to choose from. That serves as proof that British and Irish music thrives during unsettled periods in history, with the albums chosen covering everything from imaginative pop to pioneering rap to Cornish language folk-rock. We feel that these 12 amazing albums each have something to say artistically and socially, all in their own unique, enriching ways. Now comes the really hard part… choosing only one overall winner.”
The 2022 Awards Show will feature live performances from many of the shortlisted artists and the evening will culminate in the announcement of the overall winner of the 2022 Mercury Prize with FREE NOW ‘Album of the Year’. Tickets are available from www.eventimapollo.com.

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OHMYGOSSIP — The Weeknd will bring the ‘The Weeknd: After Hours’ to Universal Studios.
The ‘Blinding Lights’ hitmaker – real name Abel Tesfaye – will lend his creativity – including his signature red suit – to the amusement park’s yearly hotly anticipated Halloween Horror Nights event, a long-term dream of the musician.
The 32-year-old rapper told Entertainment Weekly: “I always wanted my own Halloween Horror Nights haunted house, as Halloween has always been significant to my music, so this is a total dream come to life. I feel like my music videos have served as a launching pad for a collaboration like this, and I cannot wait for people to experience this madness!”
The organisers of the event – which will open on 2 September at Universal Orlando Resort and 8 September at Universal Studios Hollywood with tickets are available now – love that the Weeknd is bringing the imagery of his latest album to the much-loved spooky celebration, calling it a “fever dream”.
Charles Gray, the senior show director said: “What came out of it was extracting the nightmares: What would it be like if we were inside his head while he’s creating this album?,” noting that the Grammy winner’s adoration for flicks such as ‘A Clockwork Orange’, ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’, and ‘Jacob’s Ladder’ runs through the visuals and a not a simple “retelling” of the 2020 LP.
He added: “It isn’t a retelling of the ‘After Hours’ album; it’s entering the nightmares that were the muse for his songs. “There’s a lot of surrealistic, horrific imagery as we [expanded upon scenarios] inspired by the videos.”
John Murdy, Halloween Horror Night’s executive producer said: “The first thing we do once we enter the house proper is go into a sequence called ‘Nightmare Extraction’, where you see The Weeknd, almost like in ‘Clockwork Orange’, where he’s strapped into a chair with a headset, and the headset is connected to all these different monitors. All this darkness going on inside his head creating this album is being sucked out, and you’re seeing these images flash subliminally, like the whole thing is about to explode.”
“All of that stuff that’s getting pulled out of his head, we’re going to have to face all of those things and dark places he went to in creating the album.”
The house – which will feature six of The Weeknd’s tracks; ‘After Hours’, ‘In Your Eyes’, ‘Blinding Lights’, ‘Save Your Tears’ (solo version) and ‘Too Late’ – will be split up in three section, which will be able to be explored after a immersion in his subsconous.

Source: IconInsider.com

OHMYGOSSIP — Ed Sheeran has become the first artist to reach 100 million followers on Spotify.
The 31-year-old megastar has reached another milestone in his pop career, becoming the most-followed musician on the streaming platform.
To celebrate, the flame-haired star posted a video of himself wearing a t-shirt from the streaming giant which read: “ASK ME ABOUT MY 100 MILLION SPOTIFY FOLLOWERS.”
The ‘Bad Habits’ hitmaker’s support act and Gingerbread Man Records signee Maisie Peters is seen congratulating her label boss and giving him a hug, while everyone else ignores his shirt as he wanders through the stadium.
She says: “Well done, Ed Sheeran.”
Ariana Grande is the second most-followed artist on Spotify with 81.64 million, followed by Billie Eilish (66.18 million), Drake (65.40 million) and Justin Bieber (63.49 million).
The Grammy winner made it to 50 million in March 2020, and he’s also the most-streamed artist with 81.20 million monthly listeners.
Last month, Ed was named the most-played artist of 2021 in the UK, and had the most-played single with ‘Bad Habits’.
The ‘2step’ hitmaker is the only artist in history to claim both titles in two different years.
In 2017, Ed achieved the same with his mega-hit ‘Shape of You’ from his LP ‘Divide’.
Ed has been the most-played artist in the UK for four years, however, in 2020, Dua Lipa interrupted his run by beating him to the title.
Fellow pop superstar Adele, 34, is the only other musician to claim the most-played artist and most-played song of the year in the same year.
The ‘Hello’ hitmaker was the most-played artist of the year for 2011, with ‘Rolling In The Deep’ nabbing the most-played single.
The data, compiled by the Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL), found David Guetta to be the second most-played artist of 2021.
Dua is third, followed by Little Mix, Coldplay, The Weeknd, Justin Bieber, Calvin Harris, Taylor Swift and Pink.
Tom Grennan, 27, claimed two spots on the most-played singles in the UK for 2021, with his Calvin Harris collaboration ‘By Your Side’ placing second, and ‘Little Bit Of Love’ third.
The Weeknd’s ‘Blinding Lights’, ‘Coldplay’s ‘Higher Power’, Rag’n’Bone Man’s ‘All You Ever Wanted’, ‘Heartbreak Anthem’ by Galantis, David Guetta and Little Mix, ‘Starstruck’ by Years and Years, ‘Midnight Sky’ by Miley Cyrus’ and Joel Corry, Raye and David Guetta’s ‘Bed’ complete the top 10.
David Guetta is the only other artist to have two songs in the top 10.

Source: IconInsider.com

OHMYGOSSIP — Dave Stewart says performing with Annie Lennox is “a rollercoaster”.
The Eurythmics star attributes this feeling to the “emotional connection” he shares with his 67-year-old ex-girlfriend and bandmate.
The 68-year-old musician told the Metro’s Sixty Second featurette: “It’s a rollercoaster because of the emotional connection between Annie and myself. People cry at some songs and it’s an exhausting emotional experience for Annie singing too. A lot of the songs we’ve written together are about us being together. So it’s not a straightforward concert going outwards to the audience – it’s like going inwards to us as well, as a duo or as a couple.”
Dave – who has two adult kids Sam and Django with his ex, Bananarama Siobhan Fahey, and two daughters Kaya and Indya with his current wife Anoushka Fisz – says their dynamic is “unusual” as its the reverse of other bands with ex lovers.
He said: “It’s unusual. Usually a couple are in a band together, the band gets successful and then they break up. Ours was the other way around – we were a couple and in a band but didn’t write any of the songs for it or while we were living together. Then we decided not to be together, formed Eurythmics and wrote about 140 songs about it.”
The Brit Award winner attributed to getting into music by being home alone listening to the radio after his dreams of playing for Sunderland AFC were shattered by a broken knee in the 60s.
“I wasn’t interested in music at all growing up – I just wanted to play football for Sunderland. It was only when I broke my knee when I was 14 and my mum left my dad and moved to London and my brother went to college. My dad was depressed and working, so I was in the house on my own. I started playing records. My dad played only Rodgers and Hammerstein but my brother had Bob Dylan’s first album and a blues album. I went into a hypnotic trance looking at the grey Sunderland sky listening to Robert Johnson’s ‘King of the Delta Blues Singers’. It was 1966 so The Beatles, The Kinks, The Who and The Rolling Stones exploded on the radio. I found my brother’s guitar hidden in the wardrobe and taught myself, playing ten hours a day, although it was all out of tune. Even though I’m still obsessed with football, from then on my brain switched to music.”

Source: IconInsider.com

OHMYGOSSIP — Kendrick Lamar, Beyonce and Harry Styles and others made the cut for President Barack Obama’s 2022 Summer Playlist.
‘Die Hard’, ‘Break My Soul’ and ‘Music For A Sushi Restaurant’ have all found themselves on regular rotation by the former commander-in-chief in his annual celebration of summer listening.
The 60-year-old politician wrote on Twitter: “Every year, I get excited to share my summer playlist because I learn about so many new artists from your replies. It’s an example of how music really can bring us all together.”
“Here’s what I’ve been listening to this summer,
He reached out to his followers, asking: “What songs would you add?”
Pop country superstar Kacey Musgraves’ ‘Keeping Looking Up’ and the new Mercury Prize nominated band ‘Wet Leg ‘Angelica’ also feature on the list, along with classic tracks such as Al Green’s ‘I Can’t Get Next To You’ , Fat Boy Slim’s dance anthem, ‘Praise You’ and Miles Davis’ ‘Blue in The Green’.
Songs by artists such as Prince, Burna Boy, Drake and Maggie Rogers also get the ex leader of the free world in the summer mood.
Barack also included ‘Dancing in the Dark’ with his pal Bruce Springsteen, who he collaborated with on a Spotify podcast, ‘Renegades: Born in the USA’ last year, where the pair discussed racial issues in America, prompting Barack to share his feelings the country failee have a “true reckoning” of their past.
The 75-year-old singer asked: “How do you hold the same country that sent man to the moon with being the same country of Jim Crow? You don’t make peace with that obviously, but how you sort of hold that being the same America?”
Barack replied: “I think that it is, partly, because we never went through a true reckoning – and so we just buried one huge part of our experience and our citizenry in our minds.”

Barack Obama’s Summer Playlist:
Beyoncé – ‘Break My Soul’
Tems – ‘Vibe Out’
Harry Styles – ‘Music for a Sushi Restaurant’
The Spinners – ‘Mighty Love’
Joe Cocker – ‘Feelin’ Alright’
Sampa the Great – ‘Energy’ [ft. Nadeem Din-Gabisi]
Rosalía – ‘Saoko’
Lil Yachty – ‘Split/Whole Time’
Prince – ‘Let’s Go Crazy’
Maggie Rogers – ‘That’s Where I Am’
Al Green – ‘I Can’t Get Next to You’
Dr. John – ‘More Than You Know’
Miles Davis – ‘Blue in Green’
Burna Boy – ‘Last Last’
Doechii -’Persuasive’
Hope Tala – ‘Cherries’ [ft. Aminé]
Aretha Franklin – ‘Save Me’
Lyle Lovett – ‘Nobody Knows Me’
Bad Bunny Bomba Estéreo -’Ojitos Lindos’
Koffee – ‘Pull Up’
Bruce Springsteen – ‘Dancing in the Dark’
Wet Leg – ‘Angelica’
Rakim – ‘When I B on Tha Mic’
Drake – Too Good’ [ft. Rihanna]
D’Angelo – ‘Spanish Joint’
Nina Simone – ‘Do I Move You? (Version II)’
Dave Brubeck – ‘Take Five’
Pheelz Bnxn – ‘Finesse’ [ft. Buju]
Amber Mark – ‘Bliss’
Jacob Banks – ‘Found’
Caamp – ‘Apple Tree Blues’
Otis Redding – ‘I’ve Been Loving You’
Wyclef Jean – Guantanamera’ [ft. Ms. Lauryn Hill]
Jack White – “I’m Shakin’”
Big John Hamilton – “I Just Want to Thank You”
Fatboy Slim – “Praise You”
Dijon – ‘Many Times’
The Foreign Exchange: ‘Better’ [ft. Shana Tucker and Eric Roberson]
Omar Apollo – ‘Tamagotchi’
Maren Morris – ‘The Furthest Thing’
The Internet – ‘Under Control’
Kendrick Lamar – ‘Die Hard’
Vince Staples Mustard – ‘Magic’
Kacey Musgraves – ‘Keep Looking Up’

Source: IconInsider.com

OHMYGOSSIP — Shawn Mendes has cancelled the rest of his ‘Wonder’ world tour.
The 23-year-old singer postponed some of the gigs earlier this month to focus on his mental health but has now confirmed on social media that the tour has been scrapped altogether as he prioritises his wellbeing.
In a heartfelt message to his fans, Shawn wrote: “As you guys know, I had to postpone the past few weeks of shows since I wasn’t totally prepared for the toll of being back on the road would take on me.
“I started this tour excited to finally get back to playing live after a long break due to the pandemic, but the reality is I was not at all ready for how difficult touring would be after this time away.
“After speaking more with my team and working with an incredible group of health professionals, it has become more clear that I need to take the time I’ve never taken personally, to ground myself and come back stronger.”
The ‘Stitches’ hitmaker continued: “I unfortunately have to cancel the rest of the tour dates in North America, and the UK/Europe.
“We were hopeful that I might be able to pick up with the rest of the dates after some much needed time off, but at this time I have to put my health as my first priority.”
Shawn assured his fans that he will still be making music and confessed that he felt heartbroken to let those who had tickets for the gigs down.
He said: “This doesn’t mean I won’t be making new music, and I can’t wait to see you on tour in the future. I know you all have been waiting so long to see these shows, and it breaks my heart to tell you this but I promise I will be back as soon as I’ve taken the right time to heal. I love you all and thank you all so much for supporting me and sticking by me on this journey.”

Source: IconInsider.com