Month: September 2023

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Smash Mouth’s History on Billboard’s Charts: ‘Walkin’ on the Sun,’ ‘All Star’ & More

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As alternative went mainstream in the 1990s, Smash Mouth contributed some of the biggest songs of the decade, and continued to chart hit singles into the 2000s.

As previously reported, Steve Harwell, the band’s former lead singer, died Monday (Sept. 4), a representative for the band confirmed to Billboard. Harwell, who performed as lead vocalist for the group until announcing his retirement in 2021, passed away at his home in Boise, Idaho, after being in hospice care. He was 56.

“Steve Harwell was a true American original,” reads a statement provided by Smash Mouth manager Robert Hayes. “A larger than life character who shot up into the sky like a Roman candle. Steve should be remembered for his unwavering focus and impassioned determination to reach the heights of pop stardom. And the fact that he achieved this near-impossible goal with very limited musical experience makes his accomplishments all the more remarkable.”

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Steve Harwell, Former Smash Mouth Singer, Dies at 56

Harwell shared the news that he was leaving Smash Mouth due to his health issues in October 2021. In a statement he wrote, “Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of being a rock star performing in front of sold-out arenas and have been so fortunate to live out that dream. To my bandmates, it’s been an honor performing with you all these years and I can’t think of anyone else I would have rather gone on this wild journey with.”

Below, browse a recap of Smash Mouth’s history on five key Billboard charts, starting with the group’s breakthrough with “Walkin’ on the Sun” in 1997 and continuing with such fellow enduring hits as “All Star” in 1999 and its cover of The Monkees’ Neil Diamond-penned “I’m a Believer” in 2001.

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Rema, Burna Boy Top 2023 Headies Awards: Full Winners List

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Rema and Burna Boy each received three awards at the 2023 Headies Awards. The show, which celebrates Pan-African and Afrobeats talent, was held on Sunday (Sept. 3) at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center in Atlanta.

Rema won best male artist, digital artiste of the year and African artiste of the year. In addition, Selena Gomez, who teamed with Rema on the global hit “Calm Down,” won international artiste of the year, while Director K, who directed the music video for the “Calm Down” remix, won best music video.

Related

The VMAs Add an Afrobeats Category, Following the Lead of the AMAs & Grammys

Burna Boy took Afrobeats single of the year and song of the year, both for “Last Last” as well as best R&B single for “For My Hand,” featuring Ed Sheeran.

Three artists won two awards each — Odumodublvck, Asake, Victony & Tempoe.

The eligibility period for the awards was January 2022 to March 2023.

Actor and host Terrence J. Nigerian and actress Osas Ighodaro hosted the show, which was streamed live on YouTube (U.S.) and HipTV (Africa) Network.

Bayanni, Khaid, Guchi, Bloody Civilian, Odumodublvck and Eltee Skhillz competed for rookie of the year. The winner, Odumodublvck, will receive not only glory, but also also a solar-powered, two-bedroom, fully furnished house.

Sean “Love” Combs was previously announced as the recipient of the international artiste recognition award. He was not present at the show, but organizers say his plaque will be delivered.

The Headies Awards, originally called the Hip Hop World Awards, were established in 2006 by the Hip Hop World Magazine of Nigeria to recognize outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry.

This marked the show’s second year at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. It was held in Lagos or Nigeria every year from 2006 to 2021 (except 2017 and 2020, when there was no ceremony).

In the past year, three major, all-genre music awards shows have introduced Afrobeats or African music categories. The American Music Awards were the first major music awards show to add such a category. They added favorite Afrobeats artist at the show that aired Nov. 20, 2022. Wizkid was the inaugural winner, beating Burna Boy, CKay, Fireboy DML and Tems.

The MTV Video Music Awards added a new category this year — best Afrobeats. The front-runner is Rema & Gomez’s “Calm Down,” which is nominated in two other categories, best song and best collaboration.

The Grammys added a similar category, best African music performance, this year (for the awards that will be presented on Feb. 4, 2024). Grammy nominations will be announced on Nov. 10.

Here is the full list of winners for the 2023 Headies Awards. For more details, visit theheadies.com.

­Hall of Fame

WINNER: Youssou N’dour

Special Recognition

WINNER: Sound Sultan

International Artiste Recognition Award

WINNER: Sean “Love” Combs

International Artist of the Year

Drake

Future

WINNER: Selena Gomez

Don Toliver

Ed Sheeran

Album of the Year

Love, Damini – Burna Boy

WINNER: Mr Money With the Vibe – Asake

Rave And Roses – Rema

Boy Alone – Omah Lay

Outlaw – Victony

Timeless – Davido

Song of the Year

“Calm Down” – Rema

WINNER: “Last Last” – Burna Boy

“Ku Lo Sa” – Oxlade

“Buga” – Kizz Daniel & Tekno

“Finesse” – Pheelz Ft. Bnxn

“Sungba Remix” – Asake Ft. Burna Boy

Best Female Artiste

Tems

Simi

WINNER: Ayra Starr

Tiwa Savage

Best Male Artiste

Asake

WINNER: Rema

Kizz Daniel

Ruger

Omah Lay

Burna Boy

Rookie of the Year

Bayanni

Khaid

Guchi

Bloody Civilian

WINNER: Odumodublvck

Eltee Skhillz

Best Recording of the Year

“Alone” – Burna Boy

WINNER: “Soweto” – Victony & Tempoe

“I’m A Mess” – Omah Lay

“Ku Lo Sa” – Oxlade

“Stand Strong” – Davido Ft. Sunday Service Choir

“No Woman, No Cry” – Tems

Producer of the Year

Magicsticks – “Sungba Remix” (Asake)

P.Prime, Tmxo & Pheelz – “Electricty” (Pheelz Ft Davido)

Andre Vibez & London – “Calm Down” (Rema)

Tempoe – “Soweto” (Victony & Tempoe)

Kel-P – “Kpe Paso” (Wande Coal & Olamide)

WINNER: Rexxie – “Abracadabra” (Rexxie, Naira Marley, Skiibii & Wizkid)

Songwriter of the Year

WINNER: Simi Kosoko, Godsfavour Chidozie, Kosoko Adekunle, Marcel Akunwata – “Loyal” (Simi)

Stanley Didia, Adebajo Adebanjo – “I’m A Mess” (Omah Lay)

Tems, Ludwig Goransson, Robyn Rihanna Fenty, Ryan Coogler – “Lift Me Up” (Rihanna)

Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, Austin Jnr Iornongu Iwar, Peace Oredope, Ludwig Goransson – “Alone” (Burna Boy)

Daniel Benson “In My Mind” (Bnxn)

Fuayefika Maxwell – Earth Song (Wizard Chan)

Best R&B Single

WINNER: “For My Hand” – Burna Boy Ft. Ed Sheeran

“Mmadu” – Ckay

“Just 4 U” – Dami Oniru

“Red Wine” – Preye

“Hard To Find” – Chike – Ft. Flavour

“Loyal” – Simi Ft. Fave

Best Rap Single

“Hustle” – Reminisce

“Big Energy” – Ladipoe

“Back In Uni” – Blaqbonez

“Bando Diaries” – Psychoyp

WINNER: “Declan Rice” – Odumodublvck

“My Bro” – Jeriq Ft. Phyno

Best Alternative Song

WINNER: “Earth Song” – Wizard Chan

“Final Champion” – Cruel Santino

“The Traveller” – Basketmouth Ft The Cavemen

“In A Loop” – Boj Ft Moliy & Mellissa

“Game Changer” (Dike) – Flavour

“Tinko Tinko” – Obongjayar

Best Vocal Performance (Female)

Niniola – “Memories”

Simi –  “Loyal”

WINNER: Waje – “In Between“

Liya – “Adua Remix”

Preye – “Red Wine”

Dami Oniru – “Just 4 U”

Best Vocal Performance (Male)

Oxlade – “Ku Lo Sa”

Ric Hassani – “My Only Baby”

Magixx – “Love Don’t Cost A Dime”

Chike – “Spell Remix”

Praiz – “Reckless”

WINNER: Wande Coal – “Kpe Paso”

Best Music Video

Blaqbonez & Perliks – “Back In Uni” (Blaqbonez)

Tg Omori – “Pbuy” (Asake)

Director Pink– “Spell Remix” (Chike & Oxlade)

Tg Omori – “Bandana” (Fireboy & Asake)

Director K – “Common Person” (Burna Boy)

WINNER: Director K – “Calm Down” (Rema)

Best Collaboration

Asake Ft. Burna Boy – “Sungba Remix”

Bnxn Ft. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez – “Gwagwalada”

Pheelz Ft. Bnxn – “Finesse”

WINNER: Spyro Ft. Tiwa Savage – “Who’s Your Guy Remix”

Pheelz Ft. Davido – “Electricity”

Wande Coal Ft. Olamide – “Kpe Paso”

Best Street-Hop Artiste

Rexxie Ft. Naira Marley & Skiibii – “Abracadabra”

WINNER: Seyi Vibez – “Chance (Na Ham)”

Asake – “Joha”

Zlatan Ft. Young Jonn – “Astalavista”

Poco Lee & Hotkid – “Otilo”

Mohbad – “Peace”

Afrobeats Single of the Year

WINNER: “Last Last” – Burna Boy

“Rush” – Ayra Starr

“Buga” – Kizz Daniel & Tekno

“Finesse” – Pheelz Ft Bnxn

“Who’s Your Guy?” – Spyro

“Asiwaju” – Ruger

Headies’ Viewers’ Choice

Ruger – “Asiwaju”

WINNER: Victony & Tempoe – “Soweto”

Fireboy Dml & Asake – “Bandana”

Ayra Star – “Rush”

Asake – “Terminator”

Mavins – “Overloading (Overdose)”

Crayon – “Ijo (Laba Laba)”

Oxlade – “Ku Lo Sa”

Kizz Daniel & Tekno – “Buga”

Pheelz & Davido – “Electricity”

Best West African Artiste of the Year

­Gyakie (Ghana)

WINNER: Black Sherif (Ghana)

The Therapist (Liberia)

Camidoh (Ghana)

Best East African Artiste of the Year

Zuchu

WINNER: Diamond Platinumz

Rayvanny

Eddy Kenzo

Hewan Gebreworld

Best North African Artiste of the Year

Marwa Loud – Morocco

Wegz – Egypt

WINNER: El Grande Toto – Morocco

Soolking – Algeria

Best Southern African Artiste of the Year

Aka (South Africa)

Nasty C – South Africa

Costa Titch – South Africa

Uncle Waffles – South Africa

WINNER: Focalistic – South Africa

Dj Tarico – Mozambique

Best Central African Artiste of the Year

Fally Ipupa – Democratic Republic of Congo

Gaz Mawete – Democratic Republic of Congo

Matias Damasio – Angola

Emma’a – Gabon

WINNER: Libianca – Cameroon

Best R&B Album

Home – Johnny Drille

WINNER: The Brother’s Keeper – Chike

Reckless – Praiz

Waje 2.0 – Waje

Matter of Time – Dami Oniru

To Be Honest (Tbh) – Simi

Best Alternative Album

Horoscopes – Basketmouth

WINNER: Gbagada Express – BOJ

Some Nights I Dream of Doors – Obongjayar

Subaru Boys: Final Heaven – Cruel Santino

Heart of the Heavenly Undeniable – Somadina

Native World – Native Sound System

Best Rap Album

Fly Talk Only – Payper Corleone

Palmwine Music Vol 3 – Show Dem Camp

WINNER: Young Preacher – Blaqbonez

Ypszn3 – Psychoyp

Teslim: The Energy Still Lives in Me – Vector

Billion Dollar Dream – Jeriq

Next Rated

Young Jonn

Seyi Vibez

WINNER: Asake

Victony

Spyro

African Artiste of the Year

WINNER: Rema (Nigeria)

Burna Boy (Nigeria)

Marwa Loud (Morocco)

Black Sherif (Ghana)

Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)

Lyricist on the Roll

Ladipoe – “Clowns”

Vector – “Clowns”

WINNER: Payper Corleone – “Fly Talk Only”

Alpha Ojini – “Vigilante Bop”

A-Q – “Family First”

Tec (Sdc) – “Live Life”

Best Inspirational Single

“Stand Strong” – Davido Ft Sunday Service Choir

“Jireh (My Provider)” – Limoblaze, Lecrae & Happi Music

“This Year” – Victor Thompson & Ehis ‘D’ Greatest

WINNER: “Eze Ebube” – Neon Adejo

“Tobechukwu” – Nathaniel Bassey And Mercy Chinwo

“I Get Backing” – Victoria Orenze

Digital Artiste of the Year

Burna Boy

Ayra Starr

WINNER: Rema

Omah Lay

Kizz Daniel

Asake

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Parents’ Input Sought in Search for School Superintendent in Ozark

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The search is on for a new school superintendent in Ozark following Dr. Chris Bauman’s retirement back in the spring.

The school board has named Dr. Lori Wilson as the interim superintendent for this school year.

Board President Sarah Adams Orr says the district is giving parents a chance to voice their opinions on what experience and qualities they’d like to see in a new superintendent.

The district says it has a whole semester to do the search and take its time to find the right person to lead Ozark schools.

This article is provided by Ozarks News – 93.3 KWTO
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Two Dead and One in Custody Following Motorcycle Crash in Joplin

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Two people are dead and a man from Oklahoma is in custody after a crash involving three motorcycles over the holiday weekend in Joplin.

The Joplin Police Department says an officer tried to pull over two motorcycles Saturday night on Main near 15th Street.

The bikes were travelling at speeds of 80 miles per hour in a 30 mile per hour zone.

They sped away from officers on Main, running red lights.

Moments later, 911 got a call that multiple motorcycles were involved in a wreck.

Two of the three riders died, including a victim who was pulling out of a convenience store parking lot when he was hit.

The third, who’s 18 years old, was not hurt and was arrested for second degree murder.

He has not been formally charged.

This article is provided by Ozarks News – 93.3 KWTO
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Scattered Showers and Storms Return to the Ozarks

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We have the potential for isolated strong to severe thunderstorms for this Labor Day, with the best chances Monday afternoon and into the early evening, primarily along and east of Highway 65.

The National Weather Service says in addition to lightning and heavy downpours, isolated wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour and hail up to the size of quarters are possible.

Tuesday’s severe weather chances should be confined to south central Missouri, generally east of a line from West Plains to Houston.

We’ll keep you up to date with any watches and warnings on 93-3 and A-M 560 KWTO.

This article is provided by Ozarks News – 93.3 KWTO
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The Weeknd’s Australia Stadium Tour Expands Due to ‘Unprecedented Demand’

The Weeknd upscales his four-city tour of Australia and New Zealand following “unprecedented demand” for tickets.

Last month, the Canadian R&B star announced four shows in total, visiting each of Australia’s big three east coast cities — Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane — and including a single date in Auckland, NZ.

On Monday (Sept. 4), that itinerary ballooned to 10 shows across those four sites.

Produced by Live Nation, the Weeknd’s After Hours Til Dawn Tour will now include three concerts at Sydney’s Accor Stadium (the first two are sellouts) and Melbourne’s Marvel Arena, with two for Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium. As previously reported, special guests on all dates are Mike Dean and Chxrry22.

On completion of the Australia run, he’ll head to New Zealand where he’ll now play two December dates at Auckland’s Eden Park.

Since the Aug. 22 tour announcement, appetite for the Weeknd’s music has doubled across streaming music platforms, sending a string of his recordings up the ARIA Charts. According to the charts compiler ARIA, The Highlights this week holds at No. 3; former leaders Starboy lifts 18-4, After Hours is up 27-17, Dawn FM climbs 65-25 and Beauty Behind The Madness bounces 93-38 (all via Universal).

Ticketing giants Ticketek and Ticketmaster have reported impressive traffic on their respective platforms. Ticketmaster queue for the Melbourne dates was at 122,000 when the first presale started, reps say. When the first allocation was exhausted, more than 100,000 Melbourne fans remained in the queue.

On the other side of the ditch, Ticketmaster NZ reports the highest number of unique users and page views for any announce this year, including 165,000 users, 647,000 page views. Also, presale demand from both Vodafone Australia and One NZ customers was unprecedented in their history.

Though impressive, the Weeknd’s 10-date stadium jaunt across both markets is dwarfed by Ed Sheeran’s Divide tour of 2018, during which he played 18 stadium concerts across Australia and New Zealand, selling more than a one million tickets, a new record, and beating AC/DC’s old mark for stadium dates on a single tour (14).

The Weeknd’s ‘After Hours Til Dawn Tour 2023’ Australia and New Zealand:
Nov. 20 — Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Nov. 21 — Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Nov. 24 — Accor Stadium, Sydney (*sold out)
Nov. 25 — Accor Stadium, Sydney (*sold out)
Nov. 27 — Accor Stadium, Sydney
Dec. 1 — Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Dec. 2 — Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Dec. 4 — Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Dec. 7 – Eden Park, Auckland
Dec. 8 — Eden Park, Auckland

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Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Vampire’ Flies to No. 1 In U.K.

Olivia Rodrigo’s “Vampire” (via Geffen) hasn’t lost any of its bite. The U.S. pop phenomenon’s GUTS-era hit finds new wings as it lifts 3-1 on the latest U.K. chart, published Friday, Sept. 1.

That’s the first stint at the summit for “Vampire,” which previously peaked out at No. 2. And it gets there in its ninth week on the tally.

With its latest flight, “Vampire” gives Rodrigo a trio of U.K. No. 1s, following “drivers license” and “good 4 u,” which both summited in 2021.

Rodrigo is now the female solo artist with the most U.K. No. 1 singles this decade, the Official Charts Company reports.

Since bursting onto the scene with her debut album SOUR and its singles, Rodrigo has set a handful of U.K. chart records. When SOUR and “Good 4 U reached No. 1 in the same week in May 2021, she became the youngest solo artist in history to nab the chart double, at 18 years and 3 months.

SOUR also set a U.K. benchmark for the most first-week streams for a debut album. The following month, in June 2021, Rodrigo became the first female solo artist to claim three simultaneous U.K. top 5 singles with “Good 4 U,” “Déjà vu” and “Traitor.”

“Vampire” bumps Doja Cat’s “Paint The Town Red” (Ministry of Sound), which had led at the midweek stage and finishes the chart cycle up 4-2, for a new peak position.

It’s another “Girl Powered” Official U.K. Singles Chart, as solo female artists dominate positions 1-5.

The top debut on the survey this week belongs to Miley Cyrus, whose ballad “Used To Be Young” (Columbia) bows at No. 12 for the U.S. pop star’s 23rd top 40.

Also making its mark for the first time is “Cheat On Me,” taken from Afrobeats star Burna Boy’s U.K. No. 1 album I Told Them… “Cheat On Me” (Atlantic) is new at No. 19, with another album cut, “City Boys” opening its account at No. 31. The Nigeria-born artist now boasts 12 U.K. top 40 singles.

Finally, Selena Gomez grabs her 20th U.K. top 40 appearance with “Single Soon” (Interscope), a new entry at No. 21.

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Burna Boy Makes U.K. Chart History With ‘I Told Them…’

Burna Boy bags his first U.K. chart crown – and a piece of history – with his latest album I Told Them…(via Atlantic).

The Nigeria-born artist (real name: Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu) blasts to the top of the latest Official U.K. Albums Chart, published Sept. 1, becoming the first international Afrobeats artist to secure the title.

The leader at the midweek stage, Burna Boy’s seventh and latest LP goes one better than 2022’s Love, Damini, which peaked at No. 2.

“Burna Boy has transformed into a global superstar and this No. 1 album reflects his growth over the last few years,” comments Austin Daboh, vice president of Atlantic Records U.K. in a statement. “The success of this album is the combination of world class music, a coherent strategy based in culture, and unmatched passion, energy and commitment from his wider team and Atlantic Records.”

It’s not his first taste of the high life. Burna Boy scaled the U.K. singles chart summit with 2019’s “Own It,” a collaboration with Stormzy and Ed Sheeran. The records keep tumbling. Earlier this summer, he became the first African artist to headline a stadium concert in the U.K., when he played his Love, Damini tour date at a packed-out 60,000 capacity London Stadium, and he has a Grammy Award to his name, for 2020’s Twice as Tall (best global music album).

Meanwhile, Claire Richards steps on up to a solo career best with her second studio album Euphoria (Edsel), new at No. 2. The Steps star now has two solo top 10s, with 2019’s My Wildest Dreams peaking at No. 9. As a member of Steps, Richards has an addition 11 top 10 albums, including four leaders: 1999’s Steptacular, 2001’s Gold: The Greatest Hits, 2011’s The Ultimate Collection and 2022’s Platinum Collection.

London rapper Digga D (real name: Rhys Herbert) scores a third U.K. top 10 with Back to Square One (Black Money Records). Digga D snagged his first and only No. 1 in 2022 with the Noughty By Nature mixtape.

U.S. alternative-pop artist Ashnikko makes her debut U.K. top 10 appearance with Weedkiller (Parlophone), new at No. 7, ahead of Alice Cooper’s 22nd solo studio album Road (Ear Music), which starts at No. 8. That’s the sixth top 10 LP as a solo artist for the veteran shock-rock artist.

Finally, U.S. country artist Zach Bryan’s enjoys his first U.K. top 40 spot with his self-titled fourth studio album. Zach Bryan (via Warner Records) is new at No. 22.

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Burning Man 2023: Attendees Still Stranded in Rain and Mud, One Death Reported

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The rain persisted Sunday (Sept. 3) at Burning Man, leaving the event’s roughly 73,000 attendees still confined to the site.

Rain came down hard in Black Rock City, located in the remote Black Rock Desert of northern Nevada, on Sunday around noon and then again around 6 p.m., making it still unclear when attendees will be able to leave. This rain has continued to leave the event at a relative standstill, as it has turned the site’s ground into thick mud that’s nontraversable by car and bike. Authorities issued a no driving order when the rain began on Friday.

Complicating matters, more than 300 cars and RVs are currently stuck at the event’s gate after having attempted to leave. Some have been stuck in the mud on the road for a few hours, and some for roughly two days.

A volunteer at Burning Man’s official information booth said that tow trucks are not currently coming to the site, and that when the gate does open, priority will be given to those who did not attempt to leave, given the no driving order that was issued.

One death was reported at Burning Man late Saturday.

According to CNN, the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office said it is investigating “a death which occurred during this rain event.” Authorities did not name the person, but noted, “The family has been notified.” On Sunday, the Sheriff’s Office said that the individual was found on the playa and lifesaving procedures to revive them were not successful.

On Sunday, a White House official said President Biden has been briefed on the situation at Burning Man. Administration officials were in contact with state and local officials, the New York Times reports.

Related

Burning Man Gates Close, Thousands Told to Shelter in Place Due to Heavy Rain…

Officials are still planning to burn the event’s namesake man structure at 9 p.m. on Monday, with another large-scale art piece to be burned later in the evening and the event’s temple structure to be burned at an as-yet-determined time on Tuesday.

In the city, talk is rising of Burners concerned about getting back to their lives in the outside world. Discussions about how to tend to children, pets and plants has been overheard. “I need to leave!” one woman at the information booth stated. “I’m supposed to go on vacation in Greece this week.”

The event’s airport remains closed. The Burner Bus shuttles to Reno and San Francisco, which transported roughly 20,000 people into the event, are postponed until further notice. Once shuttle service resumes, riders will be organized by departure time, with priority given to those whose departure time has passed.

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8 Best Moments From Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour in Los Angeles

Beyoncé hit all the right notes as her highly-anticipated Renaissance World Tour made its landing in Los Angeles for two unforgettable nights: on Friday, Sept. 1 and Saturday, Sept. 2.

Fans bedazzled in silver, chrome, diamonds, sparkles and rhinestones, turning the entire SoFi Stadium scene into a living, breathing fashion runway. The fashion game was next-level, and everyone was strutting their stuff even before the main event.

Stepping into SoFi Stadium was like stepping into Beyoncé’s own dazzling world – a silver wonderland with festival vibes galore. Official merch was up for grabs, and the lines snaked around like a maze, a testament to the sheer excitement in the air.

More than just a concert, this was a firsthand VIP pass into Beyoncé’s universe, where music, fashion and artistry blended seamlessly into a mesmerizing, three-hour extravaganza.

Here are the best moments from Beyoncé’s Sept. 1 and Sept. 2 shows at L.A.’s SoFi Stadium.