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Madonna’s Super Bowl Halftime Performance Features Hits, M.I.A. Flipping The Bird, And ‘World Peace’

Travis Woods — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:25:06 +0000

In one of the more bizarre and ridiculous Super Bowl halftime shows in recent memory, Madonna’s performance on Sunday night featured the singer on a golden throne while wearing a golden headdress, surrounded by half-naked gladiators as she lip-synched her way through a batch of old hits and new songs. There was some controversy, there was some “edginess,” and there was some just plain weirdness.

After being carried out onto the field on a golden throne, Madge began performing (and by “performing,” I mean that she danced while silently moving her lips to a series of pre-recorded words) her 1990s hit “Vogue.” The stage then morphed into a boom box as the pop queen began performing “Music,” her hit from a decade ago, all before Madonna slipped into covers of LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” and “Sexy And I Know It” with the duo themselves, SkyBlu and RedFoo.

Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. then appeared to perform Madonna’s newest single, “Give Me All Your Luvin’,” at the climax of which, M.I.A. declared that “Imma say this one, yeah, I don’t give a s***” and flipped off the audience. Isn’t that edgy, you guys? She’s so gutsy and edgy! I mean, she gave the finger! Wow!

Following that silliness, Cee-Lo Green appeared for a duet of “Open Your Heart,” and then “Like a Prayer” was performed while the words “world peace” were spelled out on the field.

Maybe we’ll get lucky and they’ll just ask Springsteen to come back next year, huh?

What did you think of the halftime show?

Source: CBS News

Video: Kelly Clarkson Performs The National Anthem At The Super Bowl

Travis Woods — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:01:04 +0000

Last night, the bizarre ritual of loading a simple football game with world-stopping import and millions of dollars worth of advertising occurred, a little something we like to call the Super Bowl. The Giants won, Madonna rose from the grave and danced, M.I.A. flipped off the world and cursed, and the New England Patriots went home empty handed once again. And, before all that happened and went down, the ceremonies began, as they always do, with the National Anthem. Performed by former American Idol contestant Kelly Clarkson, and unlike the bloodcurdling recent version by Steven Tyler, this National Anthem went off without a hitch.

What did you think of that? Not bad, right?

Before the performance, Clarkson spoke to fans on WhoSay, stating that she had “just finished rehearsing the anthem in Indy … wow, I’m actually really nervous about singing at the Super Bowl ha!” She also stated that she would be keeping her fingers crossed: “Here’s hoping I nail it and don’t screw it up!”

If you’ll recall, last year featured a version of the National Anthem by Christina Aguilera that was an absolute train wreck.

After the performance, Clarkson wrote:

“Guess what ….I’ve never been more nervous in my life than singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl tonight ….wow that was almost not fun I was so nervous! Fun night overall though! Thank you everybody for all of the nice things you’re saying about my performance! I really appreciate it ”

So, for once, the National Anthem went off without a hitch and didn’t induce any cringes. Not bad.

What do you think of Clarkson’s performance?

Source: CBS News

Concert Picks: Saint Sea Hat, VHS or Beta, Young Unknowns…

Lindsey Darden — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:56:27 +0000

Long live the throwback, from the eighties to the sixties to the fifties and beyond. When done well and with a modern creativity scheme, venturing into the past proves to be a great source of inspiration for our minds as well as our feet. The five shows that follow invoke these properties, with head-bopping, hip-swaying results. If in need of a vacation, step into a musical time machine instead – and enjoy some modern indie styles as well. Check out our picks for the weekend below…

Tiny Fireflies | Friday, February 3 | 7:00 pm | All Ages | Free | Saki, Chicago, IL – Map | Tiny Fireflies have been busy bees since the first single/collaboration heard from them in 2010, titled “Don’t Wait Until I Fall Asleep”. Since then, they’ve released two EPs, started on their live venue circuit on a tour of the United Kingdom, and their latest release, Change, sold out earlier than likely anticipated. Sounds like a sound reception to us! The Chicago-based duo is dreamy in approach, and tough in matters that, well, should matter – enough criteria for the subtle movers and shakers of the music world to abide by to make an impression. Also, hello, free in-store! F0r more information, call (773) 486-3997.
Saint Sea Hat | Friday, February 3 | 8:30 pm | 21+ | $5 | Lot 1 Cafe, Los Angeles, CA – Map | If Saint Sea Hat told you the story behind their inception, it would involved a summer time road trip up and down the coast with come-and-go friends and many a jam session. This would explain the relaxed surf rock feel gotten from them, plus modern rock with retro flashbacks, plus old school rock n’ roll in its hey-day. Throwbacks with a contemporary feel can be difficult to achieve, but the right kind of band does so organically, effortlessly. We’re on the beach with guitars – where’s the van? With Helena, Las Brujas, Twin Owl – for more information, call (213) 481-8400.
Apollo Heights | Saturday, February 4 | 8:00 pm | 21+ | $5 in advance, $7 day of show | Spike Hill, Brooklyn, NY – Map | Apollo Heights had minimal beginnings but has since rounded out its initial identical twin brother side project (Danny and Daniel Chavis on drum machine and guitar) into a fleshed out ambient rock foursome, now consisting of Hayato Nakao and Kelsey Warren. With a vocal and experimental swagger alternately akin to David Bowie and My Bloody Valentine, the local-to-NY-based shoegaze band, ten years in the making, is diving headfirst into the next with a promising line-up. With Dead Leaf Echo, Her Vanished Grace, Washerwoman – Buy Tickets
VHS or Beta | Saturday, February 4 | 8:00 pm | All Ages | $12 | The Roxy, West Hollywood, CA – Map | A different kind of throwback with a modern twist, Louisville, Kentucky-based duo VHS or Beta inserts itself into the relative decade of its choice (largely the 80s) while staying firmly affixed in the 21st century with clever electronic layering and other effects. With Conquistador, The Frail SF – Buy Tickets
Young Unknowns | Sunday, February 5 | 8:30 pm | 21+ | $10 | Glasslands, Brooklyn, NY – Map | Currently based in Brooklyn, New York, by way of Oklahoma, Meredith Meyer’s style as a vocalist and songwriter is at once raw and polished with a vulnerable edge that doesn’t just drop off into shallow waters. Complex and personable, strategic and priding self as part of a band that plays without a drum machine (to each their own, no?), the Young Unknowns as a whole offers a strong sense of awareness, and a voice expressing that awareness despite the uncertainty that the world surrounding offers right back. See? Personable. With Noisycrane, Railbird, Jessie Kilgus & Radio Gold – Buy Tickets

Those are our picks and we’re sticking to ‘em. Who’s on your To See List this weekend?

Photo by Casey Lewis

January’s BeatCrave Fav Is Announced: The Kickback!

Travis Woods — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:36:48 +0000

Well, BeatCrave readers, the votes have been cast, the count is in, and the BeatCrave Fav Artist of January is The Kickback! Congrats! And thanks to all of those who participated and voted for your fav band!

If you haven’t had a chance to dig into The Kickback yet, check out their BeatCrave Fav feature from January. You’ll learn more about the band, their sound, their songs, and what’s coming up for them in the new year.

The other participants in the January BeatCrave Fav contest were the L.A.-based rock, funk, and hip-hop melting pot of Monroe, the multi-layered rock and pop of Castle Lights, the “evil pop” of Grey Valley Ghosts, the alt-rock stomp of Wolves, and the eclectic rock ‘n roll of The Good Rebels (who came in at a close second place!).

Each month, we here at BeatCrave feature a handful of bands that we can’t get enough of. At the end of the month, we then run a voting contest with readers, in which you cast your vote for which band you like the most. Stay tuned next week for the first of our BeatCrave Favs for February. Thanks for voting!

Who did you vote for?

Video: Lana Del Rey Impresses David Letterman

Laura Aguirre — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:38:08 +0000

Last night, Lana Del Rey redeemed herself on the Late Show. In an off-white mini-dress, the pouty singer impressed David Letterman so much that he invited her back the next day, and Monday. Paul Schaffer went as far as to call her performance “gorgeous.” Could it be true? Was Del Rey actually great live? Watch her performance below.

Lately Del Rey has been under fire for her awkward performance on “SNL.” Everyone from Brian Williams to Juliette Lewis have attacked Del Rey with negative comments about her debut TV performance.

Well, that was so two weeks ago folks. Del Rey definitely took note on what her critics were saying, and impressed the heck out of us, Letterman and his music director Schaffer. Thursday night, she took the stage at the legendary Ed Sullivan Theater and delivered a stellar and sultry performance of her breakout song “Video Games.”

Del Rey ditched the funny twirls and constant swinging that made her “SNL” performance so damn strange, and went for something simpler. She just groped her mic and sang it straight. She played with the vocals a bit, but still kept it together. At the end of her performance Schaffer told Letterman, “It don’t get no better, that was gorgeous.” And it was.

If you haven’t, check out her performance on Letterman below.

What did you think? Did she redeem herself?

Bruce Springsteen & E-Street Band To Perform At The 2012 Grammys

Travis Woods — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:28:33 +0000

Big news for fans of Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band—the Boss and company have announced that they will be performing at this year’s 54^th Annual Grammy Awards, which, by my calculations, makes this the first time in 54 years that the Grammys will actually be worth watching.

The announcement comes on the heels of news that Adele will also be performing at the awards ceremony, making it her first performance since undergoing vocal cord surgery. Other performs include the usual orgy of pop culture unpleasantness: Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Coldplay, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, and the Foo Fighters. Thankfully, Paul McCartney and Glen Campbell will also be on hand to perform, so a few slivers of dignity may remain by the end of the program.

Springsteen and his E-Streeters will also be touring the U.S this spring, with newly announced dates across the country. It was also recently announced that the band will be performing a concert at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, exclusively for lucky subscribers of SiriusXM radio. The show will air on the SiriusXM E Street Radio channel on March 9, three days after the release of Springsteen’s 17^th full-length record, Wrecking Ball.

What do you think of the Springsteen news?

Source: Billboard

‘Soul Train’ Creator, Don Cornelius, Dies At 75

Laura Aguirre — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:30:39 +0000

This is no death hoax folks, the creator of “Soul Train” has died. At around 4 a.m. this morning, Don Cornelius, apparently took his own life at the age of 75. He might’ve not been the father of soul, but Cornelius was an important figure in the music industry who helped pave the way for many artists we now regard as legends. It’s a sad day for soul. We’ve got the details on what happened below.

According to Bloomberg, officers responded to a report of a shooting near Cornelius’ Mulholland Drive home in Los Angeles. Reports say that the police found him dead with a gunshot wound to the head. It appears Cornelius took his own life.

Cornelius is best known for his famous long-running series “Soul Train,” which was on the air from 1971 until 2006. Many famous soul singers like Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, James Brown, Whitney Houston and even the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, appeared on the show during its early days. In 1987, Cornelius expanded the television show and created the Soul Train Music Awards, which still takes place annually.

Since the show’s inception in the early 70s, Cornelius hosted “Soul Train” until 1993. It was one of the longest-running syndicated shows in television history.

Cornelius will be remembered as a man who paved the way for singers, musicians and dancers. Many artists owe their careers to him because he was a pioneer and took chances. It’s a shame he’s gone.

Below is a video of Cornelius dancing the famous “Soul Train” line:

Let us know your reactions.

Adele Will Perform At The Grammy Awards

Laura Aguirre — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:30:48 +0000

The rumors are true: come February 12th, Adele will be making her return to the stage at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards. After spending many months recuperating from vocal-cord surgery, the soulful English songstress will grace our TV sets with her grandiose voice.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Adele issued a statement saying:

“I’m immensely proud to have been asked to perform at this year’s Grammy Awards. It’s an absolute honor to be included in such a night, and for it to be my first performance in months is very exciting and of course nerve-racking, but what a way to get back into it all.”

Adele also took to Twitter to express her excitement, saying she’d forgotten she was a singer. Despite her hiatus from the stage, Adele is still very much present in the music world. Her sophomore album “21″ has been No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for 17 weeks now.

As she mentioned, this is the perfect comeback for her. she’s up for six Grammy Awards including record of the year, song of the year, and best pop vocal album.

Also performing that night will be Coldplay, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, and Paul McCartney. It’s definitely going to be a big night for Adele, and we’ll be there, watching.

Are you excited to see Adele perform at the Grammy Awards?

Steve Jones and Nicole Scherzinger Axed From X Factor

Laura Aguirre — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:29:26 +0000

“The X Factor” is getting a makeover, from head to toe. U.K. TV personality Steve Jones won’t be returning as host for the second season of “The X Factor,” along with judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger. Jones confirmed the bad news via Twitter, telling fans what a ‘shame’ it is that he won’t be hosting the show again.

Yesterday evening, Jones announced on his Twitter page:

“I wont be hosting next seasons XFactor which is a shame but I cant complain as I’ve had a great time. Good luck to everyone on the show.”

But Jones shouldn’t feel too bad about getting axed from the talent show, because, he’s not alone. Cowell’s dear friend Abdul, who sat beside him for years and years on “American Idol“, also got cut, along with crybaby Scherzinger.

It seems that the only people who will be returning to the show are show creator Cowell and music producer L.A. Reid.

Cowell, like the gentleman that he is, issued a statement concerning the dismissal of his peers:

“We had a lot of fun making the show together, and importantly, we found some real talent and stars. You do develop friendships with the people you work with, and Paula, in particular, is a very close friend, and I expect to be working with her on another project in the near future. I’m sure all three are going to have massive success in what they do next, but not is the time to thank them all for everything they did last year.”

Now the big question is, who will be replacing this trio? And why did Cowell feel the need to redo his talent show after just one season?

Maybe Cowell’s expectations for the show were just too high. Maybe he thought that the “American Idol” viewers would switch over to “X Factor” just because he quit the show. Well, he was wrong. “American Idol” is still the highest viewed show on TV despite other similar shows like “The X Factor” and NBC’s “The Voice.”

During its first season, “X Factor” averaged 12.6 million viewers, a good number, but still way below “Idol.” There’s still no word on who will replace Jones, Scherzinger or Abdul, but we’ll be on the look out.

Why do you think Cowell is giving “X Factor” a makeover?

[other source(s): Deadline]

Reba McEntire’s Death Is A Hoax Folks

Laura Aguirre — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:04:30 +0000

Reba McEntire is the latest celebrity to fall victim to a death hoax that spread through the Internet on Monday. But do not worry, country fans, because The Queen of Country is alive. The whole thing was one big misunderstanding. Someone just forgot to read the fine print.

On Monday, the Global Associated News posted an article announcing of Reba’s death:

“Preliminary reports from Austrian Police officials indicate that the actress fell more than 100 feet to her death in a remote area of the Hahnenkamm mountains while on set.”

What someone forgot to read was the fine print at the bottom of the website’s page, where it clearly states that the whole story is “100% FAKE.” The tiny box also reads, “this is an entertainment website, and this is a totally fake article based on zero truth and is a complete work of fiction for entertainment purposes!”

It’s unfortunate that they have to pronounce someone dead to entertain the public, and gain attention. Still, fans believed the news and didn’t take it very well. Reba’s Facebook page and Twitter account are flooded with pleas, asking if the story is false. Still, no statement has been issued confirming she’s not dead, but then again, all we have to do is read the fine print.

Let’s just take this as another celebrity death hoax. It’s not the first, and certainly won’t be the last. Just last week, Cher was pronounced dead, and that too was a hoax.

Who will be pronounced dead next?

Madonna To Debut New Single During The Super Bowl, New Video On ‘American Idol’

Travis Woods — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:37:18 +0000

Because if there is one thing football fans tune into the Super Bowl for, it’s the chance to catch the live televised debut of a new Madonna single, rumor has it that Madge will be performing her soon-to-be-released new single, “Give Me All Your Luvin,’” during her set at the halftime show of the Super Bowl on February 5^th.

In addition to wedging the new single into a string of her older pop hits for a Super Bowl crowd that will surely be giant Madonna fans, the Material Girl (and by girl I mean 50 year old woman with an inexplicably British accent) will drop a preview of the video for “Give Me All Your Luvin” (which was co-written by Madonna, Martin Solveig, Nicki Minaj and M.I.A) on American Idol on February 2^nd, followed by a full video release on February 3^rd.

The video for “Give Me All Your Luvin,’” directed by Megaforce, “happens to be football and cheerleader themed,” so it should totally draw all of Madonna’s Super Bowl fans.

“Give Me All Your Luvin’” is the first single from Madonna’s upcoming album, MDNA. MDNA will be Madonna’s 12^th full-length release, and drops via Interscope on March 26^th.

What do you think of the Madonna news?

Source: Billboard

BeatCrave Fav of the Month Poll: Who Will You Pick?

Travis Woods — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:16:33 +0000

We selected five bands for January, and we need you to vote for your favorite BeatCrave Fav of the month! Beat Crave Favs are bands that we here at BC select because, well, they are our favorite new bands to come across our inboxes, iTunes folders, and CD players (remember those?). Cast your vote after the jump, and we’ll announce the winner on February 3!

Your choices include the L.A.-based rock, funk, and hip-hop melting pot of Monroe, the multi-layered rock and pop of Castle Lights, the “evil pop” of Grey Valley Ghosts, the visceral indie rock of The Kickback, the alt-rock stomp of Wolves, and the eclectic rock ‘n roll of The Good Rebels. We thrive on your feedback here at BeatCrave, so please vote on which band you loved the most below!

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

BeatCrave.com - Passionate About Music!

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