Month: March 2023

Jimin‘s debut solo album, Face, has topped this week’s new music poll.

Music fans voted in a poll published Friday (March 24) on Billboard, choosing the BTS member’s six-track project as their favorite new music release of the past week.

Face, which arrived on March 24 via HYBE LABELS, brought in 74% of the vote, beating out new music from Lana Del Rey (Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd), Ed Sheeran (“Eyes Closed”), Rosalía and Rauw Alejandro (RR), Luke Combs (Gettin’ Old), and others.

Face was preceded by pre-release single “Set Me Free, Pt.2” and its dance-heavy music video. The new album also contains “Like Crazy,” album opener “Face-Off,” and more. In addition to production from the likes of Pdogg, Ghstloop and Evan, Jimin’s BTS bandmate RM also has songwriting credits on three songs on the tracklist.

In an interview with Consequence previewing Face, Jimin admitted each of his bandmates have been anxious over going solo as they focused on individual projects, but “their results were absolutely great.” (Recent solo efforts have included J-Hope’s old-school hip-hop-leaning Jack in the Box, RM’s eclectic, collab-packed Indigo, and Jin’s single “The Astronaut,” which was co-written by Coldplay and released before he started his mandatory enlistment in the Korean military.)

Jimin himself was also nervous for his solo debut before its grand unveiling, explaining, “I don’t want to be an embarrassment to my members. I want to be a proud member of BTS” before hinting that the album will explore “how I overcame… If people understand the emotions I’m trying to express, I’ll consider the album a success.”

Trailing behind Jimin on the fan-voted poll was Del Rey’s ninth album, Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, with 21% of the vote. In the set, the songstress muses on sex, devotion, family and American decay, but this time with a series of guests — including Tommy Genesis, Jon Batiste and Bleachers — providing an assist. The set shows once again that Del Rey is trying to challenge herself in ways she previously hasn’t.

See the final results of this week’s new music release poll below.

Matt Cameron is clearing up rumors about joining the Foo Fighters for the rock band’s upcoming tour dates.

On Saturday (March 25), the Pearl Jam drummer shared a post on his Instagram Story, denying a recent report by U.K. tabloid The Sun that he’s replacing late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins when the group returns to the road in late spring.

“FYI the internet rumors are false, I haven’t joined the Foos,” Cameron wrote alongside a red heart emoji.

The Sun reported on March 16 that Cameron, a close friend of Hawkins, would join the Foo Fighters on their 2023 North American tour, which begins May 24 at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford, N.H. Citing a source, the report also indicated that Angels & Airwaves drummer Atom Willard would join the Dave Grohl-fronted band on various upcoming dates.

Cameron performed the Foo Fighters song “Low” alongside surviving band members during a September 2022 tribute concert in Los Angeles. Saturday (March 25) marked the one-year anniversary of Hawkins’ death at the age of 50. He passed away in a Bogotá, Colombia, hotel room as the Foos were gearing up to perform. The beloved drummer’s death was announced through a social media statement from the band’s accounts, with no immediate cause of death given.

In a New Year’s Eve social media post, the Foo Fighters announced plans to continue as a “different band going forward” following the death of Hawkins.

“Without Taylor, we never would have become the band that we were — and without Taylor, we know that we’re going to be a different band going forward,” the statement read. “We also know that you, the fans, meant as much to Taylor as he meant to you. And we know that when we see you again — and we will soon — he’ll be there in spirit with all of us every night.”

See Cameron post on his Instagram Story here.

Taylor Swift brought out special guest Marcus Mumford during the second night of her Eras Tour stop in Las Vegas on Saturday (March 25).

Despite telling fans during night one at Allegiant Stadium that “we don’t have guests at this show,” the pop superstar invited the Mumford & Sons frontman for her debut live performance of “Cowboy Like Me,” from Swift’s chart-topping 2020 album, Evermore.

“Las Vegas, Nevada, you are so lucky, because we do have a special guest with us tonight,” Swift told the sold-out crowd when introducing Mumford. “Would you sing ‘Cowboy Like Me’ with me?”

Watch a fan-captured video of the duo performing “Cowboy Like Me” here.

“Cowboy Like Me,” from the Swift’s ninth studio album, Evermore, peaked at No. 71 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 2020. The country-leaning track was recorded at Mumford’s Scarlet Pimpernel Studios in the U.K. The studio version of the song features backing vocals from Mumford.

Swift’s show on Saturday marked her first time playing “Cowboy Like Me” in concert, but Mumford regularly performed the tune during his solo show in 2022.

For the surprise song portion of Saturday’s concert, Swift delivered her 2008 Fearless track “White Horse,” marking the first time she has played the track live since 2018. On Friday (March 24), her mini acoustic set included her Lana Del Rey collaboration “Snow on the Beach,” from last year’s Midnights, and “Our Song,” from her 2006 self-titled debut.

Adele isn’t leaving Las Vegas just yet.

During her final Weekends With Adele residency show at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Saturday (March 25), the British songstress revealed that she’ll be returning to Sin City for additional performances this summer and through the fall.

The singer also noted that her upcoming shows will be documented for a concert film.

“Playing to 4,000 people for 34 nights is not enough, and I know that, so I am coming back,” Adele told the audience. “I’ll be back for a few weeks in June, and I’m going to film it and I’m going to release it to make sure that anyone who wants to see this show can see it.”

She added, “And then I’ll be back from the summer. Back in August until the end of fall.”

On Sunday morning (March 26), 34 new Weekends With Adele shows were officially announced. The extended residency run begins June 16 and continues through Nov. 4. See the full list of dates below.

Registration for presale tickets is currently available through Ticketmaster Verified Fan Registration, and will continue through April 2. The Verified Fan Presale beings on April 5.

See Adele’s new Weekends With Adele residency dates below.

June 16: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
June 17: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
June 23: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
June 24: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
June 30: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
July 1: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
Aug. 4: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
Aug. 5: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
Aug. 11: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
Aug. 12: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
Aug. 18: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
Aug. 19: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
Aug. 25: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
Aug. 26: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
Sept. 1: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
Sept. 2: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
Sept. 8: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
Sept 9: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
Sept. 15: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
Sept 16: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
Sept. 22: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
Sept. 23: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
Sept. 29: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
Sept. 30: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
Oct. 6: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
Oct. 7: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
Oct. 13: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
Oct. 14: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
Oct. 20: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
Oct. 21: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
Oct. 27: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
Oct. 28: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
Nov. 3: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
Nov. 4: Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)

See Adele’s announcement on Instagram below.

Jimin stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Friday (March 24) to promote his debut solo album, FACE.

To celebrate the new release, which dropped the same day through HYBE LABELS, the BTS member gave the U.S. solo debut performance of his ’80s-inspired song “Like Crazy.” Sporting a sparkly black jacket and white undershirt, the K-pop superstar showed off his impressive dance moves amid bright neon lights while surrounded by a group of dancers.

On Thursday night (March 23), Jimin sat down with Fallon to discuss a range of topics, including meeting President Joe Biden and keeping in touch with his BTS bandmates.

Though the band is on hiatus, a break to allow its seven members to fulfill South Korea’s mandatory military commitments, “we keep in touch,” Jimin explained, “with J-Hope, Suga, everyone.”

The artists also test out their solo material on one another. When a new song is “completed to some extent,” presumably including numbers from FACE, “that’s when we let one another listen to it,” he added.

Darting between Korean and English, Jimin discussed the “positive impact” of BTS meeting with president Joe Biden at the White House, and their talks with POTUS “about how more people should have keen interests in current issues.”

FACE was preceded by pre-release single “Set Me Free, Pt.2” and its dance-heavy music video. The six-song project also contains “Like Crazy,” album opener “Face-Off,” and more. In addition to production from the likes of Pdogg, Ghstloop and Evan, Jimin’s BTS bandmate RM also has songwriting credits on three songs on the tracklist.

Watch Jimin perform “Like Crazy” on the Tonight Show below.

Nicholas Lloyd Webber, the Grammy-nominated composer, record producer and eldest son of Andrew Lloyd Webber, died Saturday (March 25) in England after a protracted battle with gastric cancer and pneumonia. He was 43.

“His whole family is gathered together and we are all totally bereft,” the 75-year-old Webber said in a statement emailed by a representative. “Thank you for all your thoughts during this difficult time.”

Nicholas died at a hospital in the south-central English town of Basingstoke, his father said. Webber, the famed composer, missed the Broadway opening Thursday of his Bad Cinderella to be at his son’s side with other loved ones.

Nicholas is best known for his work on the BBC One’s Love, Lies and Records, which was based on the book The Little Prince. He also worked on his father’s 2021 Cinderella, earning a Grammy nod for best musical theater album.

Nicholas is Webber’s son with his first wife, Sarah Hugill, also the mother of his older sister, Imogen. The senior Webber has four other children.

With one of the most eclectic albums in reggaeton-pop, filled with ‘1980s and ‘1990s freestyle, house, and Miami bass, Rauw Alejandro delivered an electrifying performance at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Friday (March 24).

The concert, part of his Saturno World Tour, began with hype from the get-go. Earlier in the day, the Puerto Rican hitmaker dropped his joint EP, RR, with new fiance Rosalía. Friday’s show marked the first time fans would see another shade of the performer rock out jams from his experimental reggaeton-pop 2022 album, Saturno.

At 9:00 p.m. ET, a woman’s voice on the speakers queued the audience to prepare for take-off, and the arena began bumping ’90s golden era of dance music like “Pump Up the Jam” by Technotronic and “Rhythm Is a Passion” by SNAP! They also embraced old school reggaeton from legends like Wisin y Yandel’s “Rakatá” and Daddy Yankee’s “Machete,” including “P FNK R” by Bad Bunny — giving concert-goers a taste of the vibe of what was to come. 

Alejandro’s space odyssey opened up with none other than “Saturno,” the freestyle-driven party jam that instantly invigorated the scene with acrobatic dancers flipping across the stage. Then, from the center view, all lights focused on our dance-reggaeton voyager Alejandro, as he elevated slowly to meet his thousands of screaming fans surrounding the stage. 

Rocking a silver metallic trench coat and pants combo, with alien-like sunglasses that held over his head, the song transitioned to the hard-hitting “Punto 40,” where the superstar showcased moves for days, joining his dance crew with fancy footwork, bumpin’ and grinding and plenty of throwback styles. A bevy of attendees also set the intergalactic vibe, donning Matrix-like costumes, alien-antenna headbands, and some in full-blown extraterrestrial costumes. This was his eleventh gig which kicked off earlier this month in Tampa, Fla. 

Amid neon pink lights decorating the stage à la Black Mirror’s San Junipero, he proceeded to belt out the sweltering, R&B-laden “Nostálgico,” which usually features Rvssian and Chris Brown. He also performed his latest cut which originally features Dominican upstart Ángel Dior. The space cadent then introduced urbano singer/rapper Chris Palace to the stage to sing the upbeat “Gatas.” The rising star sported a colorful set of hair designed like flames, and the crowd welcomed him with a roar of excitement.

“It’s my time in New York City,” he exclaimed. Meanwhile, a gigantic screen hovered over the stage showing an array of retro-styled images like planets, palm trees, and binary numbers. 

Hip-hop dance crew Jabbawockeez, who never missed a beat, provided plenty of thrills and chills with their b-boy style moves that went perfectly with the throwback theme of the night. 

Although the performer just announced his engagement with the Spanish superstar, the former reggaeton lothario still flirted with the audience, as hordes of screaming females threw their thongs and bras towards him. He picked them up and swung them around to further arouse them. Never forget “Panties y Brasieres.” 

Alejandro spanned through numerous smash hits, including bangers “Te Felicito,” “Desesperados,” “Desenfocao’.” His global breakout “Todo de Ti” was remixed to a slower, more electronic-focused beat. But on “Dime Quien????” El Fókin Zorro continued to bring his insatiable vigor and howling vocals to the spotlight. The high-energy banger got every single person in attendance on their feet instantly, with a rhythm accentuated by analog synth-pop and thumping bass that harkened back to 1984’s Footloose. 

“Party” by Bad Bunny featuring Rauw also built for a triumphant moment, and the romantic and simmering “Museo” revealed one of the most beautiful choreography with statuesque poses — there was even a scene where the Puerto Rican and his backup dancers pulled off a seemingly impossible lean à la Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal.” 

The night came to an end by Alejandro teasing the arrival of another guest star, and while screaming fans shouted “Rosalía!” none other than Dominican dembow purveyor El Alfa arrived. The screams got louder to deafening as the two proceeded to sing the high-energy cut “Bésalo,” which was followed by El Alfa’s own mega hit “Los Aparatos.” 

“I don’t know if everyone knows but today I released an EP along with the love of my life,” he said and began to croon the words to “Beso,” taking turns with Rosalía’s which resonated from the speakers. Elated cheers filled the arena throughout the evening at Barclays.

With a wide-ranging mosaic of sounds that span across generations and sonic configurations, Rauw Alejandro is truly a musical omnivore who is unafraid to try something different, and that makes him one of the most exhilarating artists of modern Latin pop.