Music News
Music News
Queen have hinted they will return to Australia this year for their first tour since 1985.
The 'We Will Rock You' band, made up of original members Brian May and Roger Taylor, along with 'American Idol' runner-up Adam Lambert, who replaced the late Freddie Mercury, revealed they are preparing to head to a un-named location "for the first time in 30 years."
Promoters The Dainty Group posted a message announcing a "Royal" tour announcement will be made tomorrow (20.05.14) morning.
An earlier post on the group's Facebook wall also links to a countdown timer which will expire on Saturday, August 23, a week after Queen play two shows at the Super Sonic Festival in South Korea and Japan's Summer Sonic.
Queen haven't toured in Australia since April 1985 when Freddie still fronted the band, before his death in 1991 of bronchopneumonia brought on by AIDS.
Guitarist Brian previously spoke about the band heading out on their current 19-date tour in the US and having Adam on board as the lead vocalist.
He said: "We're here live and real and we have a great singer. They'll be a lot of newness about this. I think that's very exciting. It'll be loud and dangerous and all the things that people used to look for in us."
Queen hint at Australia tour
Queen have hinted they will return to Australia this year for their first tour since 1985.
The 'We Will Rock You' band, made up of original members Brian May and Roger Taylor, along with 'American Idol' runner-up Adam Lambert, who replaced the late Freddie Mercury, revealed they are preparing to head to a un-named location "for the first time in 30 years."
Promoters The Dainty Group posted a message announcing a "Royal" tour announcement will be made tomorrow (20.05.14) morning.
An earlier post on the group's Facebook wall also links to a countdown timer which will expire on Saturday, August 23, a week after Queen play two shows at the Super Sonic Festival in South Korea and Japan's Summer Sonic.
Queen haven't toured in Australia since April 1985 when Freddie still fronted the band, before his death in 1991 of bronchopneumonia brought on by AIDS.
Guitarist Brian previously spoke about the band heading out on their current 19-date tour in the US and having Adam on board as the lead vocalist.
He said: "We're here live and real and we have a great singer. They'll be a lot of newness about this. I think that's very exciting. It'll be loud and dangerous and all the things that people used to look for in us."
Music News
Miley Cyrus covered The Beatles' classic 'Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds' at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards last night (18.05.14).
The 'Wrecking Ball' singer, who appeared via video link, was first bleeped by ABC producers when she slipped up while thanking fans for her Top Streaming Song (Video) and Top Streaming Artist gongs.
The 21-year-old star said: "Thank you to everybody for making this sh*t possible," adding, "Oops sorry, forgot I was on ABC."
The singer, who was still in Britain as part of her Bangerz World Tour, then performed a cover of The Beatles' song for the Billboard audience with The Flaming Lips' vocalist Wayne Coyne.
Miley wore a sequin body suit emblazoned with a pair of jumbo lips for her acceptance video, before taking to the stage in a gold cape and pink face-paint, while Wayne donned a red one-piece and tinsel silver cape.
The performance aired live on ABC from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Miley turned to The Flaming Lips' music after she called off her engagement and her dog Floyd was killed by coyotes and she has since been in the studio with the band.
She said: "Floyd and I always listened to the Flaming Lips. So now when I listen to that music, I totally feel the presence of him still being there, you know?"
Miley Cyrus covers Beatles at Billboard Awards
Miley Cyrus covered The Beatles' classic 'Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds' at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards last night (18.05.14).
The 'Wrecking Ball' singer, who appeared via video link, was first bleeped by ABC producers when she slipped up while thanking fans for her Top Streaming Song (Video) and Top Streaming Artist gongs.
The 21-year-old star said: "Thank you to everybody for making this sh*t possible," adding, "Oops sorry, forgot I was on ABC."
The singer, who was still in Britain as part of her Bangerz World Tour, then performed a cover of The Beatles' song for the Billboard audience with The Flaming Lips' vocalist Wayne Coyne.
Miley wore a sequin body suit emblazoned with a pair of jumbo lips for her acceptance video, before taking to the stage in a gold cape and pink face-paint, while Wayne donned a red one-piece and tinsel silver cape.
The performance aired live on ABC from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Miley turned to The Flaming Lips' music after she called off her engagement and her dog Floyd was killed by coyotes and she has since been in the studio with the band.
She said: "Floyd and I always listened to the Flaming Lips. So now when I listen to that music, I totally feel the presence of him still being there, you know?"
Music News
Jennifer Lopez became the first female artist to be honoured with the Icon Award at the Billboard Music Awards last night (18.05.14).
The 'I Luh Ya Papi' singer took to the stage at the Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena to accept the gong after a video montage of A-list stars including Britney Spears, Ricky Martin, Pitbull and Taylor Swift shared their memories of her.
Rihanna also told Jennifer: "You continue to break down barriers and inspire girls."
J.Lo accepted the award from presenters Ricky and Iggy Azalea and said: "Oh my God! What the heck? Music has always been my first love."
She continued to thank God, her fans, family, friends and boyfriend Casper Smart, who was sitting in the audience with her mother Guadalupe and sister Lynda Lopez.
The star added: "All you little ones sitting on the living room floor, have faith, dream big, think big. And know that anything is possible, you never know where you might end up."
J.Lo performed twice during the night, with long-time collaborator Pitbull and Claudia Lette, to premiere the official anthem of this year's FIFA World Cup, 'We Are One (Ole Ola)', and her song 'First Love' from her new album 'A.K.A'.
Past winners of the Icon Award include Neil Diamond, Stevie Wonder and Prince.
Jennifer Lopez first female to win Icon Award
Jennifer Lopez became the first female artist to be honoured with the Icon Award at the Billboard Music Awards last night (18.05.14).
The 'I Luh Ya Papi' singer took to the stage at the Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena to accept the gong after a video montage of A-list stars including Britney Spears, Ricky Martin, Pitbull and Taylor Swift shared their memories of her.
Rihanna also told Jennifer: "You continue to break down barriers and inspire girls."
J.Lo accepted the award from presenters Ricky and Iggy Azalea and said: "Oh my God! What the heck? Music has always been my first love."
She continued to thank God, her fans, family, friends and boyfriend Casper Smart, who was sitting in the audience with her mother Guadalupe and sister Lynda Lopez.
The star added: "All you little ones sitting on the living room floor, have faith, dream big, think big. And know that anything is possible, you never know where you might end up."
J.Lo performed twice during the night, with long-time collaborator Pitbull and Claudia Lette, to premiere the official anthem of this year's FIFA World Cup, 'We Are One (Ole Ola)', and her song 'First Love' from her new album 'A.K.A'.
Past winners of the Icon Award include Neil Diamond, Stevie Wonder and Prince.
Music News
Justin Timberlake was the big winner at the Billboard Music Awards last night (18.05.14).
The 'Take Back The Night' hitmaker was awarded seven trophies, including Top Artist and Top Male Artist at the awards ceremony at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada after returning from a seven-year hiatus from the music industry last year with his album 'The 20/20 Experience'.
The 33-year-old star also took home the Top Billboard 200, Top Radio Songs Artist, Top R&B Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album and Top R&B Album awards, although he accepted them via a live video stream as he's currently on tour.
Speaking to viewers, he said: "I'm shocked. I'm stunned. I'm really surprised."
Meanwhile, 'Demons' rockers Imagine Dragons accepted five awards including Top Rock Artist and Top Rock Album, while Pharrell, Robin Thicke and T.I were each presented with four gongs for their summer 2013 hit 'Blurred Lines'.
Ludacris hosted the night, which saw performances from 'Icon Award' winner Jennifer Lopez - who took to the stage with Pitbull to premiere the official anthem of this year's FIFA World Cup 'We Are One (Ole Ola)' - as well as Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Iggy Azalea and even Michael Jackson, via a hologram.
2014 Billboard Music Award winners in full:
Top Artist
Justin Timberlake
Top New Artist
Lorde
Top Male Artist
Justin Timberlake
Top Female Artist
Katy Perry
Top Duo/Group
Imagine Dragons
Top Billboard 200 Artist
Justin Timberlake
Top Hot 100 Artist
Imagine Dragons
Top Digital Songs Artist
Katy Perry
Top Radio Songs Artist
Justin Timberlake
Top Touring Artist
Bon Jovi
Top Social Artist
Justin Bieber
Top Streaming Artist
Miley Cyrus
Top R&B Artist
Justin Timberlake
Top Rap Artist
Eminem
Top Country Artist
Luke Bryan
Top Rock Artist
Imagine Dragons
Top Latin Artist
Mark Anthony
Top Dance/Electronic Artist
Daft Punk
Top Christian Artist
Chris Tomlin
Top Billboard 200 Album
Justin Timberlake, 'The 20/20 Experience'
Top R&B Album
Justin Timberlake, 'The 20/20 Experience'
Top Rap Album
Eminem, 'The Marshall Mathers LP 2'
Top Country Album
Luke Bryan, 'Crash My Party'
Top Rock Album
Imagine Dragons, 'Night Vision
Top Latin Album
Marc Anthony, '3.0'
Top Dance/Electronic Album
Daft Punk, 'Random Access Memories'
Top Christian Album
Alan Jackson, 'Precious Memories: Volume II'
Top Hot 100 Song
Robin Thicke Featuring T.I & Pharrell, 'Blurred Lines'
Top Digital Song
Robin Thicke Featuring T.I & Pharrell, 'Blurred Lines'
Top Radio Song
Robin Thicke Featuring T.I & Pharrell, 'Blurred Lines'
Top Streaming Song (Audio)
Imagine Dragon, 'Radio Active'
Top Streaming Song (Video)
Miley Cyrus, 'Wrecking Ball'
Top R&B Song
Robin Thicke Featuring T.I & Pharrell, 'Blurred Lines'
Top Rap Song
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Featuring Ray Dalton, 'Can't Hold Us'
Top Country Song
Florida Georgia Line Featuring Nelly, 'Cruise'
Top Rock Song
Lorde, 'Royals'
Top Latin Song
Marc Anthony, 'Vivir Mi Vida'
Top Dance/Electronic Song
Avicii, 'Wake Me Up'
Top Christian Song
Matthew West, 'Hello, My Name Is'
Justin Timberlake wins big at Billboard Music Awards
Justin Timberlake was the big winner at the Billboard Music Awards last night (18.05.14).
The 'Take Back The Night' hitmaker was awarded seven trophies, including Top Artist and Top Male Artist at the awards ceremony at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada after returning from a seven-year hiatus from the music industry last year with his album 'The 20/20 Experience'.
The 33-year-old star also took home the Top Billboard 200, Top Radio Songs Artist, Top R&B Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album and Top R&B Album awards, although he accepted them via a live video stream as he's currently on tour.
Speaking to viewers, he said: "I'm shocked. I'm stunned. I'm really surprised."
Meanwhile, 'Demons' rockers Imagine Dragons accepted five awards including Top Rock Artist and Top Rock Album, while Pharrell, Robin Thicke and T.I were each presented with four gongs for their summer 2013 hit 'Blurred Lines'.
Ludacris hosted the night, which saw performances from 'Icon Award' winner Jennifer Lopez - who took to the stage with Pitbull to premiere the official anthem of this year's FIFA World Cup 'We Are One (Ole Ola)' - as well as Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Iggy Azalea and even Michael Jackson, via a hologram.
2014 Billboard Music Award winners in full:
Top Artist
Justin Timberlake
Top New Artist
Lorde
Top Male Artist
Justin Timberlake
Top Female Artist
Katy Perry
Top Duo/Group
Imagine Dragons
Top Billboard 200 Artist
Justin Timberlake
Top Hot 100 Artist
Imagine Dragons
Top Digital Songs Artist
Katy Perry
Top Radio Songs Artist
Justin Timberlake
Top Touring Artist
Bon Jovi
Top Social Artist
Justin Bieber
Top Streaming Artist
Miley Cyrus
Top R&B Artist
Justin Timberlake
Top Rap Artist
Eminem
Top Country Artist
Luke Bryan
Top Rock Artist
Imagine Dragons
Top Latin Artist
Mark Anthony
Top Dance/Electronic Artist
Daft Punk
Top Christian Artist
Chris Tomlin
Top Billboard 200 Album
Justin Timberlake, 'The 20/20 Experience'
Top R&B Album
Justin Timberlake, 'The 20/20 Experience'
Top Rap Album
Eminem, 'The Marshall Mathers LP 2'
Top Country Album
Luke Bryan, 'Crash My Party'
Top Rock Album
Imagine Dragons, 'Night Vision
Top Latin Album
Marc Anthony, '3.0'
Top Dance/Electronic Album
Daft Punk, 'Random Access Memories'
Top Christian Album
Alan Jackson, 'Precious Memories: Volume II'
Top Hot 100 Song
Robin Thicke Featuring T.I & Pharrell, 'Blurred Lines'
Top Digital Song
Robin Thicke Featuring T.I & Pharrell, 'Blurred Lines'
Top Radio Song
Robin Thicke Featuring T.I & Pharrell, 'Blurred Lines'
Top Streaming Song (Audio)
Imagine Dragon, 'Radio Active'
Top Streaming Song (Video)
Miley Cyrus, 'Wrecking Ball'
Top R&B Song
Robin Thicke Featuring T.I & Pharrell, 'Blurred Lines'
Top Rap Song
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Featuring Ray Dalton, 'Can't Hold Us'
Top Country Song
Florida Georgia Line Featuring Nelly, 'Cruise'
Top Rock Song
Lorde, 'Royals'
Top Latin Song
Marc Anthony, 'Vivir Mi Vida'
Top Dance/Electronic Song
Avicii, 'Wake Me Up'
Top Christian Song
Matthew West, 'Hello, My Name Is'
Music News
Rapper Sky Blu was once stripped "butt naked" while crowd-surfing at a gig.
The LMFAO star, who is now releasing a solo album 'The Party President', has had a number of awkward experiences at shows when he's decided to jump into the audience and admits one concert saw him stripped of all his clothes.
He told BANG Showbiz: "I crowd-surfed at a gig at a college and they stripped me butt naked. I had thin pants on, like Arabian pants. All I had was the elastic band left, they ripped everything off!"
He added: "I'm at another college [performing] and I'm raging, running around. There are 6,000 kids. I see all these dudes, it's better to go towards them, they will support you, you don't wanna jump on girls, so I jump in and I feel the overwhelming crotch grabbers, a**e-grabbing. I was like, 'What the hell?!' "
But the rapper laughed it off and still thrives at live shows, even once performing a high energy set to just one fan at a badly promoted concert.
He said: "For seven months we were doing sold-out shows and were winning. We go to this conference in Rotterdam, it's this huge stage and we went for a sound check and we're like, 'We're about to f**k this sh*t up', we couldn't hear anybody but thought they were being polite.
"We looked out and there was one girl reading a book on a bean bag. We [still] decided to do a full show, drinking, running around, jumping. She loved it."
The star, who performed as LMFAO with his uncle Redfoo, hasn't ruled out releasing another record as a duo in the future but is focusing on his solo career.
He said: "I have so much passion in what I do. I'm ridiculously driven. I will not only be a very strong independent artist, I'm gonna inspire a lot of people, like Macklemore, one of my biggest inspirations."
He added: "The Party President is a part of me. I feel like I'm campaigning. I have a duty to move that booty.
"My new album is completely different to LMFAO's music, I wrote 30 something songs in a month. They were pouring from my heart. I thought, 'I can do this'."
Sky Blu's record is released later this year and his new single 'Go On Girl' is available now.
Sky Blu: I was stripped naked at gig
Rapper Sky Blu was once stripped "butt naked" while crowd-surfing at a gig.
The LMFAO star, who is now releasing a solo album 'The Party President', has had a number of awkward experiences at shows when he's decided to jump into the audience and admits one concert saw him stripped of all his clothes.
He told BANG Showbiz: "I crowd-surfed at a gig at a college and they stripped me butt naked. I had thin pants on, like Arabian pants. All I had was the elastic band left, they ripped everything off!"
He added: "I'm at another college [performing] and I'm raging, running around. There are 6,000 kids. I see all these dudes, it's better to go towards them, they will support you, you don't wanna jump on girls, so I jump in and I feel the overwhelming crotch grabbers, a**e-grabbing. I was like, 'What the hell?!' "
But the rapper laughed it off and still thrives at live shows, even once performing a high energy set to just one fan at a badly promoted concert.
He said: "For seven months we were doing sold-out shows and were winning. We go to this conference in Rotterdam, it's this huge stage and we went for a sound check and we're like, 'We're about to f**k this sh*t up', we couldn't hear anybody but thought they were being polite.
"We looked out and there was one girl reading a book on a bean bag. We [still] decided to do a full show, drinking, running around, jumping. She loved it."
The star, who performed as LMFAO with his uncle Redfoo, hasn't ruled out releasing another record as a duo in the future but is focusing on his solo career.
He said: "I have so much passion in what I do. I'm ridiculously driven. I will not only be a very strong independent artist, I'm gonna inspire a lot of people, like Macklemore, one of my biggest inspirations."
He added: "The Party President is a part of me. I feel like I'm campaigning. I have a duty to move that booty.
"My new album is completely different to LMFAO's music, I wrote 30 something songs in a month. They were pouring from my heart. I thought, 'I can do this'."
Sky Blu's record is released later this year and his new single 'Go On Girl' is available now.
Music News
Lorde could handle it if her next album is "really small".
The 17-year-old singer insists the most important thing about her second record is that she enjoys the songs because she'll have to perform them so often, and she doesn't care what size venues she ends up playing in.
She said: "To be honest, if the next record I make is really cool and I like it, I can handle it being really big and I can handle it being small.
"I have to play it every two years so if I love it that's OK."
The 'Royals' hitmaker enjoys touring as she likes to "burrow" herself in local life - though she loves returning home afterwards.
She told Stylist magazine: "Basically, everywhere I go I just want to kind of burrow into the culture and become a local.
"Like, I just want to know everything. I'm having so much fun travelling. But when I get home, I'm glad to be there. I'm glad to have the beach close by and lots of green everywhere. Where I live is a very big part of me. The geography of it."
Lorde not worried about success
Lorde could handle it if her next album is "really small".
The 17-year-old singer insists the most important thing about her second record is that she enjoys the songs because she'll have to perform them so often, and she doesn't care what size venues she ends up playing in.
She said: "To be honest, if the next record I make is really cool and I like it, I can handle it being really big and I can handle it being small.
"I have to play it every two years so if I love it that's OK."
The 'Royals' hitmaker enjoys touring as she likes to "burrow" herself in local life - though she loves returning home afterwards.
She told Stylist magazine: "Basically, everywhere I go I just want to kind of burrow into the culture and become a local.
"Like, I just want to know everything. I'm having so much fun travelling. But when I get home, I'm glad to be there. I'm glad to have the beach close by and lots of green everywhere. Where I live is a very big part of me. The geography of it."
Music News
Courtney Love consulted Kanye West about fashion.
The Hole singer - who announced that she'd be launching her own clothing collection nearly six years ago, but only confirmed a licensing agreement in 2011 - has been getting tips from the rapper about footwear ideas.
She told Kerrang! magazine: "I haven't put out rock music for a while. I've started a fashion line. Actually, I was talking to Kanye West the other day about shoes, you know..."
Courtney - who has 21-year-old daughter Frances with late husband Kurt Cobain - recently admitted she is growing increasingly concerned about the implications of being a role model for young girls.
She explained: "I never used to think about being a role model for girls, but I do now. I have a 21-year-old daughter and I realise how our actions can create copycat desires. A lot of the time when I was younger I had this real attitude of, 'F**k you, you suck!' to everything, but these days I don't really need the bullsh*t of that stuff.
"I'm 49, maybe I should have learnt this stuff about 20 years ago, but at least I am now."
Courtney Love takes advice from Kanye
Courtney Love consulted Kanye West about fashion.
The Hole singer - who announced that she'd be launching her own clothing collection nearly six years ago, but only confirmed a licensing agreement in 2011 - has been getting tips from the rapper about footwear ideas.
She told Kerrang! magazine: "I haven't put out rock music for a while. I've started a fashion line. Actually, I was talking to Kanye West the other day about shoes, you know..."
Courtney - who has 21-year-old daughter Frances with late husband Kurt Cobain - recently admitted she is growing increasingly concerned about the implications of being a role model for young girls.
She explained: "I never used to think about being a role model for girls, but I do now. I have a 21-year-old daughter and I realise how our actions can create copycat desires. A lot of the time when I was younger I had this real attitude of, 'F**k you, you suck!' to everything, but these days I don't really need the bullsh*t of that stuff.
"I'm 49, maybe I should have learnt this stuff about 20 years ago, but at least I am now."
Music News
Brandon Flowers thinks Morrissey is like a modern-day Elvis Presley.
The Killers frontman has been a fan of The Smiths for many years and admires their "humour" as well as musicianship.
He said: "The Smiths had the biggest impact on me. I was living in a small town in Utah and kids my age were into Korn and Tool but I was on the other end of the spectrum.
"The Smiths did so much in such a short time. They balanced this sense of humour with seriousness. With Johnny Marr on guitar and Andy Rourke on bass you couldn't lose. And Morrissey's voice is the closest thing we had to Elvis."
The 'Human' singer loved visiting Morrissey's hometown of Manchester, North West England, several years after he first got into The Smiths and was constantly looking for references mentioned in their songs.
He told NME magazine: "Years later I went with Dave [Keuning, Killers guitarist] to the Salford Lads Club in Manchester and took pictures.
"We played a gig at Manchester Academy, and across the street is the same church which Morrissey sings about in 'Vicar in a Tutu'.
"Even driving by a cemetery I was thinking, 'Is that the cemetery he was talking about?' You can walk down the streets and almost hear the songs coming to life."
Brandon Flowers: Morrissey is like Elvis
Brandon Flowers thinks Morrissey is like a modern-day Elvis Presley.
The Killers frontman has been a fan of The Smiths for many years and admires their "humour" as well as musicianship.
He said: "The Smiths had the biggest impact on me. I was living in a small town in Utah and kids my age were into Korn and Tool but I was on the other end of the spectrum.
"The Smiths did so much in such a short time. They balanced this sense of humour with seriousness. With Johnny Marr on guitar and Andy Rourke on bass you couldn't lose. And Morrissey's voice is the closest thing we had to Elvis."
The 'Human' singer loved visiting Morrissey's hometown of Manchester, North West England, several years after he first got into The Smiths and was constantly looking for references mentioned in their songs.
He told NME magazine: "Years later I went with Dave [Keuning, Killers guitarist] to the Salford Lads Club in Manchester and took pictures.
"We played a gig at Manchester Academy, and across the street is the same church which Morrissey sings about in 'Vicar in a Tutu'.
"Even driving by a cemetery I was thinking, 'Is that the cemetery he was talking about?' You can walk down the streets and almost hear the songs coming to life."