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The top 10 songs and albums on the iTunes Store

Associated Press — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:12:37 -0400

iTunes' Official Music Charts for the week ending June 17, 2013

Top Songs:

1. "Blurred Lines (feat. T.I. & Pharrell)," Robin Thicke

2. "Radioactive," Imagine Dragons

3. "Get Lucky (feat. Pharrell Williams)," Daft Punk

4. "Can't Hold Us (feat. Ray Dalton)," Ryan Lewis, Macklemore

5. "Here's To Never Growing Up," Avril Lavigne

6. Boys 'Round Here (feat. Pistol Annies & Friends)," Blake Shelton

7. "Cruise (Remix) (feat. Nelly)," Florida Georgia Line

Spotify's Top 10 most viral tracks

Associated Press — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:56:41 -0400

The following list represents the most viral tracks on Spotify, based on the number of people who shared it divided by the number who listened to it, from Monday, June 10, to Sunday, June 16, via Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter and Spotify.

UNITED STATES

1. Grouplove, "Ways to Go" (Canvasback/Atlantic Records)

2. The Civil Wars, "The One That Got Away" (Sensibility Recordings/Columbia Records)

3. Pink Floyd, "Wish You Were Here-2011-Remaster" (EMI Catalogue)

4. Lorde, "Royals" (Universal Music NZ Ltd.)

Spotify's Top 10 most streamed tracks

Associated Press — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:41:16 -0400

The following list represents the top streamed tracks on Spotify from Monday, June 10, to Sunday, June 16:

UNITED STATES

1. Robin Thicke, "Blurred Lines" (Star Trak LLC)

2. Imagine Dragons, "Radioactive" (KIDinaKORNER/Interscope Records)

3. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton, "Can't Hold Us" (Macklemore)

4. Daft Punk, "Get Lucky-Radio Edit" (Columbia Records)

5. Daft Punk, "Get Lucky" (Columbia Records)

6. Justin Timberlake, "Mirrors" (RCA Records)

7. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Wanz, "Thrift Shop" (Macklemore)

Songs of Summer playlist

Jed Gottlieb — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 05:00:00 -0400

It's nice to see Donna Summer’s legacy is alive and funky. The candidates for Song of the Summer mine '70s and '80s dance pop — good stuff to dig into for sunshine season jams.

Naturally there's a country(ish) song and indie jam competing, but the smart money is on music that winks at disco and Reagan-ear synthpop. With summer officially starting in three days, place your bet on one of these seven anthems:

The Zambonis bring puck rock  to Cup-crazed Hub

Jed Gottlieb — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400

It’s hard being a hockey band during the playoffs: So many shows to play, so many games to watch.

The Zambonis know this better than anyone because they’re “the world’s only hockey band.”

The Connecticut-based sextet plays only hockey-themed songs — a nice hat trick is “Lost My Teeth,” “Hockey Mom” and “To Bleed Black and Gold.” They also only gig a couple of dozen times a year — mostly during the playoffs.

Bruno Mars, Daft Punk, more battle for  season’s hottest song

Jed Gottlieb — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400

It’s nice to see Donna Summer’s legacy is alive and funky. The candidates for Song of the Summer mine ’70s and ’80s dance pop — good stuff to dig into for sunshine season jams.

Naturally there’s a country(ish) song and indie jam competing, but the smart money is on music that winks at disco and Reagan-era synthpop. With summer officially starting Friday, it’s time to place your bet on one of these seven anthems.

La Scala presents Wagner's Ring cycle this week

Associated Press — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:41:10 -0400

MILAN — Daniel Barenboim is conducting the first week-long presentation of Wagner's Ring cycle at La Scala since 1938.

"Der Ring des Nibelungen," which begins with "Das Rheingold" on Monday, is part of the opera house's yearlong celebration of the bicentennial of the births of composers Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner.

The operas feature Rene Pape, Michael Volle, Simon O'Neill, Waltraud Meier, Ian Storey, Marina Poplavskaya and Ekaterina Gubanova .

Jack Johnson pulls off the switch at Bonnaroo

Associated Press — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 01:38:58 -0400

MANCHESTER, Tenn. — Nicely done, Jack Johnson.

Johnson and his band overcame tough odds and thorny logistics to headline the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival on Saturday night, replacing late cancellation Mumford & Sons. The group overcame short notice and thorny logistics to produce a set filled with good humor, mellow vibes and a ton of hits.

Paul McCartney carries the weight at Bonnaroo

Associated Press — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 12:52:50 -0400

MANCHESTER, Tennessee — Even a former Beatle needs a moment standing on the main stage at Bonnaroo.

A few songs into his transcendent first set at the massive Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, Paul McCartney wrapped his arms around his signature Hofner bass and surveyed a crowd of 80,000 adoring fans.

"Hey, listen, I'm going to take a moment just to drink all this in for myself," McCartney said.

Johnson steps in for Mumford and Sons at Bonnaroo

Associated Press — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 16:07:01 -0400

MANCHESTER, Tenn. — It's Jack Johnson to the rescue at Bonnaroo.

Johnson has agreed to take the Saturday night headlining slot at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival after Mumford & Sons were forced to cancel due to bassist Ted Dwane's illness.

Festival officials announced the move Friday morning. The "Upside Down" singer last headlined at Bonnaroo in 2008.

Bassist Kim Deal leaves the Pixies

Associated Press — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:08:57 -0400

NEW YORK — Kim Deal is no longer part of the Pixies.

The band announced Friday on its Facebook page that the 52-year-old bassist has decided to leave the Boston-based group.

The remaining members said in a statement they are "very proud" to have worked with Deal. Black Francis, Joey Santiago and David Lovering also said they will always consider her a member of the group.

OldBravo and Mellow Jack -- mic swap at Redstar Union

Jed Gottlieb — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:45:00 -0400

I don't want to oversell this show so I'll simply say this: Thursday's Mellow Bravo/OldJack mashup at Redstar will be the greatest concert you'll ever see!!!!

Maybe I'm biased because I set the whole thing up, but OldJack's Dan Nicklin and Mellow Bravo's Keith Pierce will blow minds when they switch places for sets of good ole' rock 'n' roll. If you haven't seen either band, you must.

Crows frontman Adam Duritz flies with locals

Jed Gottlieb — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Adam Duritz hasn’t had a normal life in 20 years.

Since the Counting Crows broke with the mega-hit “August and Everything After” in 1993, Duritz has been worshiped, mocked and linked (often falsely) to everyone from Jennifer Aniston to Courteney Cox. (Where is the love for Lisa Kudrow?)

Recently, Duritz — who leads the Crows at the Bank of America Pavilion on Tuesday — reclaimed a slice of his old life. He started hanging out with struggling artists again.

Mumford & Sons cancels Bonnaroo performance

Associated Press — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 20:33:19 -0400

MANCHESTER, Tenn. — Mumford & Sons has canceled its headlining performance at Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Tennessee.

The decision comes after bassist Ted Dwane received treatment this week for a blood clot on his brain.

The band made the announcement on its Facebook page.

The band postponed three shows earlier this week after the blood clot was discovered, but hoped to play Bonnaroo on Saturday night.

There is no word on what act will replace Mumford & Sons in the headlining slot in front of 80,000 fans.

Tunisia rapper gets 2 years prison for police song

Associated Press — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:30:43 -0400

TUNIS, Tunisia — A Tunisian court convicted on Thursday a rap artist for insulting police with a song calling them dogs and sentenced him to two years in prison, his lawyer said.

The verdict comes as Tunisia's justice system is under increasing scrutiny after a series of controversial decisions, including sentencing women's rights activists to four months in prison for demonstrating topless while releasing suspects in last year's attack on the U.S. Embassy.

BSO plans $30M in upgrades at Tanglewood

Associated Press — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:18:12 -0400

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The managing director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra says the organization is solidifying its long-term commitment to its summer home at Tanglewood by accelerating plans to invest $30 million in building and grounds upgrades.

Mark Volpe told the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday that the upgrades over the next seven to eight years are meant to maintain and build Tanglewood's position as "the pre-eminent summer festival in the United States."

GIVEAWAY: Beatles get as raunchy as the Stones

Jed Gottlieb — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:00:00 -0400

I'm going Beatles after Stones for the giveaway. I know it's a cliche, but I have a good prize for Fab Four fans: "100 Things Beatles Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die."

Last Best Show: The Postal Service at the Pavilion

Bill Brotherton — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 06:30:00 -0400

Ten years ago, Ben Gibbard, frontman of indie rock icons Death Cab For Cutie, and his buddy/producer Jimmy Tamborello decided to write songs together. Each would record his part and mail it back to the other via the U.S. Postal Service. Tamborello even got Jenny Lewis, who lived in his apartment building and who would go on to front the band Rilo Kiley, to add backing vocals.

Rolling Stones: Some things never get old

Jed Gottlieb — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 02:14:00 -0400

Enough griping about the Rolling Stones being too old.

There are legit complaints with The 50 and Counting Tour, last night and tomorrow at the TD Garden. They charge too much for tickets (rock ‘n’ roll should never cost $500). They recruit lame guests like Katy Perry, Carrie Underwood and — for shame — Taylor Swift.

But after yesterday’s packed Garden bash, I don’t buy the too-old tag.

Boston fest Outside the Box announces lineup

Jed Gottlieb — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 10:00:00 -0400

The inaugural Outside The Box festival has announced its complete lineup: the fest is nine days of music and arts on Boston Common and City Hall Plaza (July 13-21).

For a free event the talent is pretty absurd: Buffalo Tom, The Lemonheads, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Los Lonely Boys, Los Lobos and dozens of great local bands.

Get out your calendar, here's the complete lineup:

SATURDAY JULY 13TH

· Boston Children’s Chorus – 12pm (Boston Common)