Music News Net

Men Without Hats Return With "Love in the Age of War"

2012-06-01T19:31:44-04:00

MUSIC NEWS - With 30 years gone by since Men Without Hats asked the world to dance (if they want to), this year the Montreal New Wave group will ask the question again with the release of their new album Love In The Age of War (out June 5th on iTunes and everywhere June 12th on Cobraside Records).

Produced by Dave “Rave” Ogilvie (Skinny Puppy, Marilyn Manson), Love In The Age of War features charismatic front man Ivan Dorschuk (voice & electronics), his brother Colin Doroschuk (vocals), as well as Lou Dawson (vocals & live keyboards), and James Love (guitars).

Love In The Age of War marks their first album release in albums ten years, featuring 10 original songs written by Ivan Doroschuk. In 2011, Men Without Hats soared back into the scene with their breakout performance at SXSW, followed by an extensive, well-received North American tour.

Since forming in the late 70's, the band released six studio albums and have had songs featured on hit TV series such as Glee, The Simpsons, Futurama and Family Guy. Their 1980's hit “The Safety Dance” reached Top 10 in the US, the UK and 25 other countries around the world. In 1983, they picked up a Grammy nomination for Best group.

Tracklisting for MEN WITHOUT HAT's Love In The Age of War

Devil Come Round

Head Above Water

Everybody Knows

The Girl With The Silicon Eye

This War (Intro)

This War

Your Beautiful Heart

Live And Learn

Close To The Sun

Love’s Epiphany

Love In The Age Of War

Bloc Party Annouces FOUR Album and Tour

2012-05-31T21:50:40-04:00

MUSIC NEWS - Bloc Party have revealed they will release their first new album in four years, entitled FOUR, on August 21 via Frenchkiss Records. The work was produced by Alex Newport (The Mars Volta, At The Drive-In, Polysics) and was recorded and mixed in New York City. It will mark the band’s first full-length since 2008's acclaimed Intimacy.

Along with this exciting news, the band have announced a string of European, USA and festival concert appearances following a two year absence from the live stage, which will give fans the first opportunity to hear new material from their forthcoming album, as well as classic tracks from the band’s ten year history. The overwhelming demand for the band has resulted in sold out shows across the globe.

Frontman Kele Okereke expands on FOUR and the year ahead HERE.

BLOC PARTY 2012 Tour Itinerary-

7/30/12 Honolulu, HI @ The Republik

8/3/12 Los Angeles, CA @ Hard Festival

8/4/12 Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza

8/5/12 Montreal, QC @ Osheaga Festival

8/7/12 New York, NY @ Terminal 5 *sold out*

8/8/12 New York, NY @ Terminal 5 *sold out*

8/9/12 New York, NY @ Terminal 5 *sold out*

8/11/12 Las Vegas, NV @ The Pool at The Cosmopolitan

8/12/12 San Francisco, CA @ Outside Lands

GOTYE Announces North American Tour Dates

2012-05-31T21:41:20-04:00

MUSIC NEWS - Gotye today announced his biggest North American tour ever, one that includes stops at the some of the nation's most iconic venues including Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver, LA’s The Greek and NYC’s Radio City Music Hall. He'll also appear at Bumbershoot and Austin City Limits; full tour itinerary, below!

Tickets go on-sale on June 8. But, fans who have “Liked” Gotye on Facebook or signed up for his mailing list by midnight EST on June 4 will get advance access to purchase tickets for all shows. Go to www.gotye.com for more info.

Special guests on the tour include acclaimed Australian singer/songwriter Missy Higgins, Brooklyn buzzband Chairlift and indie pop outfit Givers. South African born multi-instrumentalist Jonti will open most dates with cult hero Zammuto (ex-The Books) playing first at some shows. Kimbra, who's featured on Gotye's chart topping song "Somebody That I Used To Know", will make a one off appearance on the Dallas concert.

It was also announced today that Gotye will finally release his cult album Like Drawing Blood on CD and vinyl for the first time in the US through Fairfax/Universal Republic Records this July; it is available digitally now. Like Drawing Blood, originally released in Australia in 2006, is the album that first put Gotye on the map. In his homeland it was the ultimate indie 'word of mouth' project; eventually going platinum without ever making the top 40. It eventually earned Gotye the Australian equivalent of a Grammy and went on to top numerous critics polls in Europe before being named iTunes “Album of the Year” for 2007 in the UK. The album features his cult classic "Hearts A Mess" with its unforgettable video; watch below.

GOTYE 2012 North American Tour Itinerary-

Aug 22 Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks (w/Missy Higgins & Jonti)

Aug 24 Chicago, IL @ Charter One Pavilion (w/Missy Higgins & Jonti)

Aug 25 Milwaukee, WI @ The Riverside Theater (w/Missy Higgins & Jonti)

Aug 26 Minneapolis, MN @ US Bank Theater at Target Center (w/Missy Higgins & Jonti)

Aug 28 Edmonton, AB @ Shaw Conference Center (w/Chairlift & Jonti)

Aug 29 Calgary, AB @ Stampede, Corral (w/Chairlift & Jonti)

Aug 31 Burnaby, BC @ Deer Lake Park (w/Chairlift & Jonti)

Sept 1 Seattle, WA @ Bumbershoot Music and Arts Festival (w/Missy Higgins)

Sept 2 Troutdale, OR @ Edgefield Amphitheatre (w/Chairlift & Jonti)

Sept 4 Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre (w/Chairlift & Jonti)

Sept 6 Berkeley, CA @ Greek Theatre Berkeley (w/Chairlift & Jonti)

Sept 14 Kansas City, MO @ Berkley Riverfront Park (w/Chairlift & Zammuto)

Sept 16 Cleveland, OH @ Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica (w/Chairlift & Zammuto)

Sept 17 Columbus, OH @ The LC Pavilion (w/Chairlift & Zammuto)

Sept 18 Detroit, MI @ Fox Theatre (w/Chairlift & Zammuto)

Sept 20 Toronto, ON @ Molson Canadian Amphitheater (w/Chairlift & Zammuto)

Sept 21 Montreal, QC @ Jacques Cartier Pier (Old Port) (w/Chairlift & Zammuto)

Sept 22 Boston, MA @ Bank of America Pavilion (w/Missy Higgins & Jonti)

Sept 25 New York City, NY @ Radio City Music Hall (w/Missy Higgins & Jonti)

Sept 27 Brooklyn, NY @ Williamsburg Park (w/Givers & Zammuto)

Sept 29 Camden, NJ@ Susquehanna Bank Center (w/Missy Higgins & Jonti)

Sept 30 Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion (w/Missy Higgins & Jonti)

Oct 1 Raleigh, NC @ Raleigh Amphitheatre (w/Missy Higgins & Jonti)

Oct 3 Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium (w/Missy Higgins & Jonti)

Oct 4 Tuscaloosa, AL @ Tuscaloosa Amphitheater (w/Missy Higgins & Jonti)

Oct 5 Atlanta, GA @ Chastain Park Amphitheatre (w/Missy Higgins & Jonti)

Oct 7 Miami, FL @ Klipsch Amphitheatre at Bayfront Park (w/Givers & Jonti)

Oct 8 Lake Buena Vista, FL @ House of Blues (w/Givers & Jonti)

Oct 10 New Orleans, LA @ Lakefront Arena (w/Givers & Jonti)

Oct 11 Spring, TX @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (w/Givers & Jonti)

Oct 12 Grand Prairie, TX @ Verizon Theatre (w/Kimbra & Jonti)

Oct 13 Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits

Multi-platinum recording artist Gotye announces his biggest ever tour of North America today, including stops at the some of the nation's most iconic venues including Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver, LA’s The Greek and NYC’s Radio City Music Hall. He'll also appear at Bumbershoot and Austin City Limits; full list of dates below! Tickets go on-sale to the public on June 8. Fans who have “Liked” Gotye on Facebook or signed up for his mailing list by midnight EST on June 4 will get advance access to purchase tickets for all shows. Go to www.gotye.com for more details. Special guests on the tour include acclaimed Australian singer/songwriter Missy Higgins, Brooklyn buzzband Chairlift and indie pop outfit Givers. South African born multi-instrumentalist Jonti will open most dates with cult hero Zammuto (ex-The Books) playing first at some shows. Kimbra - who featured on Gotye's chart topping song "Somebody That I Used To Know" - will make a one off appearance on the Dallas date. It was also announced today that Gotye will finally release his cult album Like Drawing Blood on CD and vinyl for the first time in the US through Fairfax/Universal Republic Records this July; it is available digitally now. Like Drawing Blood, originally released in Australia in 2006, is the album that first put Gotye on the map. In his homeland it was the ultimate indie 'word of mouth' project; eventually going platinum without ever making the top 40. It eventually earned Gotye the Australian equivalent of a Grammy and went on to top numerous critics polls in Europe before being named iTunes “Album of the Year” for 2007 in the UK. The album features his cult classic "Hearts A Mess" with its unforgettable video; watch HERE. Next month, fans will get another bonus release from Gotye – ten remixes of the song that changed everything for him - “Somebody That I Used To Know” [Featuring Kimbra] - from his most recent album Making Mirrors (Fairfax/Universal Republic Records). The bundle, available June 8th via iTunes, will feature remixes by Tiesto, Adrock, 4FRNT, Gang Colours, M-Phazes, and many more; full track list below! There are over 1,000 unapproved remixes of this song scattered across the internet so this release collects most of Gotye's favorite versions in one place. “Somebody That I Used To Know” [Feat. Kimbra] has been #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the last seven weeks. It also recently reached #1 at Top 40 and #1 at Hot AC and thus sits on top at four radio formats - an historic accomplishment. The music video recently crossed the 200 million mark on YouTube, making it one of the most-viewed clips ever; watch HERE. Gotye’s most recent offering Making Mirrors has already sold nearly two millions copies globally. The recordings were created over the duration of more than two and a half years. To write and record its dozen intricate songs, Gotye moved from Melbourne to a barn on his parents’ remote land in Australia’s Mornington Peninsula. Making Mirrors, is pop at its most precise, but also electronic music at its most emotional. The record delves into dub, Detroit-era Motown soul, stadium-size politi-pop, synth-folk and world music on glorious, sprawling, huge-hearted songs. North American Tour Dates In Full: Aug 22 Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks (w/Missy Higgins & Jonti) Aug 24 Chicago, IL @ Charter One Pavilion (w/Missy Higgins & Jonti) Aug 25 Milwaukee, WI @ The Riverside Theater (w/Missy Higgins & Jonti) Aug 26 Minneapolis, MN @ US Bank Theater at Target Center (w/Missy Higgins & Jonti) Aug 28 Edmonton, AB @ Shaw Conference Center (w/Chairlift & Jonti) Aug 29 Calgary, AB @ Stampede, Corral (w/Chairlift & Jonti) Aug 31 Burnaby, BC @ Deer Lake Park (w/Chairlift & Jonti) Sept 1 Seattle, WA @ Bumbershoot Music and Arts Festival (w/Missy Higgins) Sept 2 Troutdale, OR @ Edgefield Amphitheatre (w/Chairlift & Jonti) Sept 4 Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre (w/Chairlift & Jonti) Sept 6 Berkeley, CA @ Greek Theatre Berkeley (w/Chairlift & Jonti) Sept 14 Kansas City, MO @ Berkley Riverfront Park (w/Chairlift & Zammuto) Sept 16 Cleveland, OH @ Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica (w/Chairlift & Zammuto) Sept 17 Columbus, OH @ The LC Pavilion (w/Chairlift & Zammuto) Sept 18 Detroit, MI @ Fox Theatre (w/Chairlift & Zammuto) Sept 20 Toronto, ON @ Molson Canadian Amphitheater (w/Chairlift & Zammuto) Sept 21 Montreal, QC @ Jacques Cartier Pier (Old Port) (w/Chairlift & Zammuto) Sept 22 Boston, MA @ Bank of America Pavilion (w/Missy Higgins & Jonti) Sept 25 New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall (w/Missy Higgins & Jonti) Sept 27 Brooklyn, NY @ Williamsburg Park (w/Givers & Zammuto) Sept 29 Camden, NJ@ Susquehanna Bank Center (w/Missy Higgins & Jonti) Sept 30 Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion (w/Missy Higgins & Jonti) Oct 1 Raleigh, NC @ Raleigh Amphitheatre (w/Missy Higgins & Jonti) Oct 3 Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium (w/Missy Higgins & Jonti) Oct 4 Tuscaloosa, AL @ Tuscaloosa Amphitheater (w/Missy Higgins & Jonti) Oct 5 Atlanta, GA @ Chastain Park Amphitheatre (w/Missy Higgins & Jonti) Oct 7 Miami, FL @ Klipsch Amphitheatre at Bayfront Park (w/Givers & Jonti) Oct 8 Lake Buena Vista, FL @ House of Blues (w/Givers & Jonti) Oct 10 New Orleans, LA @ Lakefront Arena (w/Givers & Jonti) Oct 11 Spring, TX @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (w/Givers & Jonti) Oct 12 Grand Prairie, TX @ Verizon Theatre (w/Kimbra & Jonti) Oct 13 Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits

Mumford & Sons Announce Summer USA "Stopover" Tour

2012-05-30T21:39:29-04:00

MUSIC NEWS - Mumford & Sons have announced news of a series of Gentlemen of the Road Stopovers in the United States this August. The Stopovers will combine the intimacy of a community celebration with the excitement of a world-class music festival.

Featuring local vendors and activities, each Stopover will begin with a concert at a unique site and end with a series of smaller events involving local businesses, venues, and, most importantly, local people. Mumford & Sons will headline the main event, alongside an eclectic and energetic roster of artists curated by the band themselves.

These one-day, outdoor events will take place in four carefully-selected and unique locations across America, including the Eastern Promenade in Portland, ME; downtown Bristol, VA/TN; Page Park in Dixon, IL; and the legendary Fairgrounds in Monterey, CA.

Tickets to the Stopovers will be $69, with no additional service fees or hidden charges. Each ticket will include a beautifully designed commemorative Gentlemen of the Road Stopover Passport, and an exclusive digital download compilation album featuring performances taken from various acts across the four shows.

Tickets for the Portland, Bristol, and Monterey Stopovers will go on sale Friday, June 1 at 10am local time. The Dixon Stopover will go on sale Saturday, June 9th at 10am CT. Tickets for all Stopovers will be available exclusively at gentlemenoftheroad.com. A very limited quantity of $59 early-bird tickets will be available for each site on a first-come, first-served basis.

Of the run, Mumford & Sons said: "The Gentlemen of the Road Stopover is based loosely upon our favorite festivals like Colorado's Telluride Bluegrass and Scotland's Loopallu Festivals. We want to stop off in towns where bands don't usually tour, and celebrate the local people, food and music.

We're keen to promote the town's local businesses, and we'll be using the local bars and venues for after-show parties, whilst working closely with the local people to get everyone involved in making these shows spectacular. There will be a host of our friends playing too, and the vibe falls somewhere between 'travelling Victorian circus' and 'Victorian travelling circus'. It should be a whole lot of fun."

Gentlemen of the Road Stopover Tour Itinerary-

August 4 - Gentlemen of the Road Stopover In Portland, ME (The Eastern Promenade) - Mumford & Sons + St. Vincent, Dawes, The Maccabees, Apache Relay, Simone Felice, Haim

August 11 - Gentlemen of the Road Stopover In Bristol, VA/TN (Off State Street in Downtown Bristol) - Mumford & Sons + Dawes, JEFF The Brotherhood, The Very Best, Justin Townes Earle, Apache Relay, Simone Felice, Haim

August 18 - Gentlemen of the Road Stopover In Dixon, IL (Page Park) - Mumford & Sons + Gogol Bordello, Dawes, Abigail Washburn, The Very Best, Apache Relay, Haim

August 25 - Gentlemen of the Road Stopover In Monterey, CA (Monterey County Fairgrounds) - Mumford & Sons + Gogol Bordello, The Very Best, Grouplove, Two Gallants, Apache Relay, Haim

More info @ Gentlemenoftheroad.com and mumfordandsons.com/

Mumford & Sons Announce Summer USA "Stopover" Tour

2012-05-30T21:39:24-04:00

Gentlemen of the Road Stopover Tour Itinerary-

August 4 - Gentlemen of the Road Stopover In Portland, ME (The Eastern Promenade) - Mumford & Sons + St. Vincent, Dawes, The Maccabees, Apache Relay, Simone Felice, Haim

August 18 - Gentlemen of the Road Stopover In Dixon, IL (Page Park) - Mumford & Sons + Gogol Bordello, Dawes, Abigail Washburn, The Very Best, Apache Relay, Haim

August 25 - Gentlemen of the Road Stopover In Monterey, CA (Monterey County Fairgrounds) - Mumford & Sons + Gogol Bordello, The Very Best, Grouplove, Two Gallants, Apache Relay, Haim

More info @ Gentlemenoftheroad.com and mumfordandsons.com/

Little Feat Readies ROOSTER RAG Release

2012-05-30T21:19:26-04:00

MUSIC NEWS- Certainly one of the hardest working bands in show biz, today’s Little Feat is a seven-member powerhouse that carries on the group’s tradition of deftly blending rock, R&B and blues to create a jammin’ blend of Americana that has earned accolades from critics, fellow musicians and fans alike for over four decades.

Their new album, Rooster Rag is out June 26 via Rounder Records and features 10 brand new original songs including four co-writes with Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter plus two blues classics, one from Mississippi John Hurt and one from Willie Dixon.

Fred Tackett contributes four songs that demonstrate some superb songwriting and singing. Paul Barrere drops a classic cover and a sizzling rocker written with the late Stephen Bruton. Sam Clayton brings it with a cover of Little Walter. New band member Gabe Ford keeps Feat’s funky rhythms going in a fashion that would have made Richie Hayward proud. And Kenny Gradney just keeps on providing a truly superb bottom end.

Recorded at long-time Bonnie Raitt guitarist Johnnie Lee Schell’s studio in Los Angeles, Rooster Rag includes visits from Fabulous Thunderbirds harp monster Kim Wilson, all-around string star Larry Campbell on violin, Aces Darrell Leonard on trumpet, Joe Sublet on saxophone, and additional vocals from Johnnie Lee himself.

All those other flavors add plenty, but in the end, the sound is unmistakably Little Feat. Paul Barrere reflected on it, “I’m really pleased with how it came out. Gabriel Ford steps up large – this is his first studio effort. What everybody added to everybody else’s songs is really remarkable. It was truly a collaboration and it shows – it’s a good old Little Feat album.”

Rooster Rag Tracklisting-

1. Church Fallin’ Down

2. One Breath at a Time

3. Candyman

4. Blues Keep Comin’

5. Mellow Down Easy

6. Rooster Rag

7. Salome

8. Just a Fever

9. Rag Top Down

10. Jamaica Will Break Your Heart

11. Tattoo Girl

12. Slippin’ and Slidin’

LITTLE FEAT Summer 2012 Tour Itinerary-

June

9 The Mount (Pocono Mountains Performing Arts Center) Tamiment, PA

July

14 Hideaway Park Winter Park, CO

21 Da Vinci Days Festival Corvallis, OR

26 Granada Theatre Dallas, TX

27 La Zona Rosa Austin, TX

28 Tipitina’s New Orleans, LA

30 Soul Kitchen Mobile, AL

31 Florida Theater Jacksonville, FL

August

1 Capitol Theater Clearwater, FL

3 Variety Playhouse Atlanta, GA

4 Cats Cradle Carrboro, NC

5 The Morehead Center Morehead City, NC

7 Bottle and Cork Dewey Beach, DE

8 Rams Head Live Baltimore, MD

10 Flying Monkey Performance Center Plymouth, NH

11 Indian Ranch Webster, MA

12 Blue Ocean Music Hall Salisbury, MA

14 Theatre at Westbury Westbury, NY

15 Ridgefield Playhouse Ridgefield, CT

17 Whitaker Center Harrisburg, PA

18 Folk Festival Philadelphia, PA

20 The Music Pier Ocean City, NJ

22 Beekman Beer Garden Beach Club New York City, NY

September

2 Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater Minneapolis, MN

3 Verizon Events Center Mankato, MN

5 Englert Theatre Iowa City, IA

6-7 Park West Chicago, IL

11 Cain's Ballroom Tulsa, OK

13 Bluebird Theatre Denver, CO

14 Telluride Blues and Brews Festival Telluride, CO

THE KILLERS Announce New Album Title, Battle Born

2012-05-28T20:14:06-04:00

MUSIC NEWS- The Killers have let it be known that their new studio album will be titled 'Battle Born'. The Las Vegas, NV rockers have been working the last year on the follow-up to their 2008 third album 'Day & Age' and are likely to release the new album this autumn.

Speaking recently to Rolling Stone, singer Brandon Flowers said that 'Battle Born' is both the name of the band's own studio and a nickname for their home state of Nevada. He said; "In a sense, all Americans are battle born. Our ancestors came here for something better."

Song titles confirmed for the record include 'Heart Of A Girl', 'Flesh And Bone', 'Runaways' and 'Carry Me Home'. Producers credited with working on the LP include Madonna collaborator Stuart Price, Steve Lillywhite, Damian Taylor and Brendan O'Brien. Describing the record, drummer Ronnie Vanucci said; "It's living up to its title. This is our difficult fourth record."

STEPDAD Joins Warped Tour

2012-05-27T15:56:36-04:00

MUSIC NEWS -Stepdad will be joining The Warped Tour this year and will be making the rounds across the USA. Their June 12 releasing, Wildlife Pop (out via Black Bell Records) is a pure pop LP that will have you feeling good with a first listen. Stepdad was forged in an unrelenting bath of summer heat on Chicago's south side in 2009 by songwriters/producers/college dropouts/solid bros Ryan McCarthy and ultramark on the foundation of their joint worship of Roland Orzabal and Brian Wilson. The new LP was produced by Chris Zane ( Passion Pit/Les Savy Fav/ Walkmen) and its insanely catchy!!

Their live show is incredible and will be sure to get you moving. Give a listen to their tune, Must Land Running, below-

Warped 2012 Tour Dates

05/19 - Lawrence University - Appleton, WI
06/16 - Utah State Fairpark - Salt Lake City, UT
06/17 - Sports Authority Field At Mile High - Denver, CO
06/20 - Luxor Festival Lot - Las Vegas, NV
06/21 - Orange County Great Park - Irvine, CA
06/22 - Pomona Fairplex - Pomona, CA
06/23 - AT&T Park Lot A - San Francisco, CA
06/24 - Ventura County Fair Grounds - Ventura, CA
06/27 - Cricket Wireless Ampitheatre - Chula Vista, CA
06/28 - Camelback Park - Glendale, AZ
06/29 - N.M.S.U Practice Field - Las Cruces, NM
06/30 - AT&T Center - San Antonio, TX
07/01 - Reliant Park - Houston, TX
07/03 - Gexa Energy Pavillion - Dallas, TX
07/07 - First Midwest Bank Ampitheatre - Tinley Park, IL
07/08 - Canterbury Park - Shakopee, MN
07/09 - Sandstone Ampitheater - Kansas City, KS
07/10 - Klipsch Music Center - Noblesville, IN
07/11 - Blossom Music Center - Cuyahoga Falls, OH
07/12 - First Niagara Pavillion - Burgettstown, PA
07/13 - PNC Bank Arts Center - Holmdel, NJ
07/14 - Parc Jean Drapeau - Montreal, CA
07/15 - Molson Canadian Ampitheatre - Toronto, ON
07/17 - Darien Lake Performing Arts Center - Darien, NY
07/18 - Toyota Pavillion - Scranton, PA
07/19 - Comcast Center - Mansfield, MA
07/20 - Susquehanna Bank Center - Camden NJ
07/21 - Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum - Uniondale, NY
07/22 - The Comcast Theater - Hartford, CT
07/24 - Merriweather Post Pavillion - Columbia, MD
07/25 - Farm Bureau Live - Virginia Beach, VA
07/26 - Aarons Ampitheatre at Lakewood - Atlanta, GA
07/27 - Central Florida Fairgrounds - Orlando, FL
07/28 - Cruzan Ampitheater - Wellington, FL
07/29 - Vinoy Park - St. Petersburg, FL
07/30 - Charlotte Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre - Charlotte, NC
07/31 - Riverbend Music Center - Cincinnati, OH

ELTON JOHN Wraps Up Vegas Million Dollar Piano Run Early Due to Illness

2012-05-25T07:32:27-04:00

MUSIC NEWS - Sir Elton John final three Vegas shows won’t go on as scheduled as he's under doctor's orders to rest ends his “Million Dollar Piano” Las Vegas residency early because of a serious respiratory infection.

A statement on the English singer-songwriter’s website says he came down with the infection on May 20 while performing in Las Vegas. His condition worsened during the week and he was hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on May 23. He underwent extensive tests and his physicians recommended John “not perform any concerts for approximately seven days with complete rest and antibiotic treatment to cure his respiratory infection and prevent any damage.”

The three canceled “Million Dollar Piano” shows were scheduled at The Colosseum At Caesars Palace May 24 and May 26 & 27. Ticket holders may exchange or refund their tickets at the original place of purchase.

“It feels strange not to be able to perform these ‘Million Dollar Piano’ concerts at The Colosseum,” Elton said in a statement. “I love performing this show and I will be thrilled when we return to The Colosseum in October to complete the 11 concerts soon to be scheduled. All I can say to the fans is sorry I can’t be with you. I hope to see you soon at this wonderful theatre at Caesars Palace.”

Elton’s next concert performance is booked at “Hessentag” in Wetzlar, Germany on June 1and will release a new album titled 'The Diving Board' this autumn.

PETER GABRIEL To Embark on 25th Anniversary "So" Tour

2012-05-22T19:29:07-04:00

MUSIC NEWS - Peter Gabriel has today announced his “Back To Front” tour, a fall series of concerts in North America that will feature a performance in its entirity of his classic 1986 album, “So.”

With the 25th anniversary of the album that includes “Red Rain,” “Sledgehammer,” “Big Time” and “In Your Eyes,” Gabriel will start the run in mid-September, accompanied by members of the original So touring band.

To coincide with the tour, So will be re-issued as a CD, a special edition 3-CD set and a super box deluxe set. More info to follow.

Peter Gabriel 2012 So Anniversary Tour Itinerary-

September

16 – Quebec City, Quebec, Quebec Colisee Pepsi
18 – Montreal, Quebec, Bell Centre
19 – Toronto, Ontario, Air Canada Centre
21 – Philadelphia, PA, Wells Fargo Center
23 – Wantagh, NY, Nikon At Jones Beach Theater
24 – Boston, MA, TD Garden
26 – Auburn Hills, MI, The Palace Of Auburn Hills
27 – Chicago, IL., United Center
30 – Morrison, Co, Red Rocks Amphitheatre
October

2 – San Jose, C, HP Pavilion At San Jose
5 – Las Vegas, NV, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
6 – Los Angeles, CA, Hollywood Bowl
9 – Santa Barbara, CA, Santa Barbara Bowl

We're told additional dates are to be announced.

ROGER HODGSON Adds Summer USA Tour Dates

2012-05-22T18:33:03-04:00

MUSIC NEWS -Roger Hodgson, the voice of Supertramp, recently wrapped up the first leg of his “Breakfast in America Tour” with sold out shows across the USA and South America. On June 6, Hodgson heads to Germany to kick off a summer run through Germany, Holland, Italy, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Spain, and Switzerland, before returning to perform in North America in August.

Fans the world over have been thrilled with Hodgson’s unforgettable songs such as “Breakfast in America,” “The Logical Song,” “Dreamer,” “Give a Little Bit,” “Take the Long Way Home,” and “It's Raining Again.”

Recognized as one of the most gifted composers and songwriters, Hodgson helped define a generation of progressive rock. Founding Supertramp in 1969, Hodgson’s tones and beautifully crafted lyrics helped the band sell in excess of 60 million albums, transforming them into a worldwide phenomenon.

Reflecting on his tour and DVD, Roger said recently; "I love performing these songs, which continue to resound for me as a performer and for the fans. My songs come from a very personal place inside me and they carry my beliefs and my dreams and my philosophy of life. I understand the deep connection that fans have with my songs that have been a part of so many peoples’ lives around the world."

ROGER HODGSON 2012 USA Summer Itinerary-

August 5 Deer Valley Resort, Park City, UT

August 9 Snoqualmie Casino, Snoqualmie, WA

August 10 Portland Zoo, Portland, OR

August 11 Cache Creek Casino, Brooks, CA

August 12 Saratoga Mountain Winery, Saratoga, CA

August 16 Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, Hampton Beach, NH

August 17 Twin River Casino, Lincoln, RI

August 18 Borgata Casino, Atlantic City, NJ

August 21 Artpark, Lewiston, NY

August 23 Ravinia Pavilion, Highland Park, IL

August 24 Blue Ash Town Square, OH

August 25 Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater, NY

September 16 Taste of Newport, Newport Beach, CA

September 18 Humphreys, San Diego, CA

Prog Rockers ASIA Plan New Release and World Tour

2012-05-21T22:45:17-04:00

MUSIC NEWS - Thirty years after its eponymous debut album, ASIA ascended to the top of the Billboard Top 100 chart, where it remained No.1 for nine consecutive weeks, the legendary British classic prog rock band returns with all original members, Geoff Downes, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer & John Wetton, a brand new studio album, a 30th Anniversary edition of their debut album, two DVDs, and a world tour.

ASIA will release their new studio album "XXX" (Triple X) on Frontiers Records on July 3rd. The new record was produced by Mike Paxman and may be their best album since the group's classic early 80s releases, and features original artwork by Roger Dean.

The first single taken from the highly anticipated new album is entitled "Face On The Bridge", released worldwide on May 14th. The video for the song can be seen below.

"We're very pleased with, and confident about XXX," says John Wetton. "It encapsulates, lyrically and instrumentally, the essence of ASIA today. However, it is the very same four people that gave you the original, iconic album 30 years ago. If you loved it then, you will love it now."

"We wanted to recapture the energy of the first album," adds ASIA's guitarist, Steve Howe. "ASIA has always been about great songs, and fantastic musicianship. I'm sure fans of the first album, will fall in love with XXX." In addition, ASIA has finished "Resonance", a DVD concert film of the group's 2010/2011 Omega World Tour that was captured live in Switzerland. It's due for a fall 2012 release.

To celebrate their 30th Anniversary, ASIA will release a collector's edition box set based on their legendary 1982 debut album. The special release will include two audio CDs (a re-mastered edition of the debut album, plus a CD of live rare tracks), an expansive historical booklet, a limited edition ASIA T-shirt, items from ASIA's 1982 tour, plus a DVD of the new band documentary: ASIA - 30 Years On. A newly commissioned painting by Roger Dean updates the symbolic dragon and pearl from 1982 to 2012.

ASIA 2012 North American Tour Itinerary-

Oct 17 - Red Bank, NJ, Count Basie
Oct 18 - Boston, MA, Wilbur Theater
Oct 19 - Westbury, NY, Westbury Theater
Oct 20 - Philadelphia, PA, Keswick
Oct 21 - Wilmington, DE, Opera House
Oct 23 - Verona, NY, Turning Stone Casino
Oct 25 - Ridgefield, CT, Ridgefield Playhouse
Oct 26 - Uncasville, CT, Mohegan Sun
Oct 27 - NYC, NY, Best Buy Theater
Oct 28 - York, PA, Strand Capital
Oct 30 - Annapolis, MD, Rams Head On Stage
Nov 01 - Royal Oak, MI, Royal Oak
Nov 02 - St. Charles, IL, Arcada Theatre
Nov 03 - Sloan, IA, Winnavegas Casino Showroom
Nov 08 - Santa Ynez, CA, Chumash Casino
Nov 09 - Agoura Hills, CA, Canyon Club
Nov 10 - Las Vegas, NV, Green Valley Casino
Nov 11 - San Juan Capistrano, CA, Coach House
Nov 13 - Scottsdale, AZ, Talking Stick Casino
Nov 16 - Dallas, TX, Granada Theater
Nov 17 - Austin, TX, One World Theatre (2 shows)
Nov 20 - Clearwater, FL , Capitol Theatre
Nov 21 - Orlando, FL, Fl Plaza Theatre
Nov 23 - Manistee, MI, Little River Casino Resort

More @ originalasia.com

Bee Gees' ROBIN GIBB Passes Away at 62

2012-05-20T23:57:23-04:00

MUSIC NEWS - Bee Gees' singer Robin Gibb has died at age 62 on Sunday after a lengthy battle with cancer, his family said. The announcement they said, was made with "great sadness". British-born Gibb's music career began when he started the Bee Gees with his brothers Barry and Maurice back in 1958, but it was their soundtrack album to the 1977 movie "Saturday Night Fever" that sealed their success. The album's signature sound; some called it "blue-eyed soul", still remains instantly recognizable over 40 years after its release.

The group is among the best-selling of all time with numerous hits that span six decades, including Stayin' Alive, How Deep Is Your Love, Massachusetts and Night Fever. Gibb's family said in a statement: "The family of Robin Gibb, of the Bee Gees, announce with great sadness that Robin passed away today following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery." "The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time."

The Gibb brothers were born in the Isle of Man but grew up in Manchester, later moving to Australia. The Bee Gees generated album sales of more than 200 million worldwide since their first music hits in the 1960s.

A statement from Sony Music on Twitter said: "Rest in peace, Robin Gibb. Thanks for the music."

He had battled ill health for several years and in 2010, Gibb cancelled a series of concerts after suffered from severe stomach pains while performing in Belgium. He eventually had emergency surgery for a blocked intestine. His twin brother and bandmate Maurice died in 2003 at age 53 following complications from a twisted intestine. Robin was forced to cancel a series of shows in Brazil in April 2011, after again suffering from abdominal pains. Later last year, he was diagnosed with cancer of the colon after having surgery on his bowel for an unrelated condition. He was later also diagnosed with cancer of the liver, and underwent chemotherapy and surgery. Last month the singer fell into a coma after contracting pneumonia but after 12 days he regained consciousness and his son Robin-John said his father was "completely compos mentis".

"He has beaten the odds... he really is something else," he said at the time. Gibb is survived by his second wife, Dwina, and four children, as well as his older brother, fellow Bee Gee Barry Gibb, and his sister Lesley Evans, who lives in Australia. Dwina, sons Spencer and Robin-John and daughter Melissa were at his bedside at the London Clinic when he passed away.

Our condolences to his family and close friends. Details on funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

Antony and the Johnsons Go Live with CUT THE WORLD Album

2012-05-19T18:35:40-04:00

MUSIC NEWS- Antony and the Johnsons announce CUT THE WORLD; a collection of live symphonic performances of songs from the band's four full length albums (SWANLIGHTS, THE CRYING LIGHT, I AM A BIRD NOW, S/T). and will be released August 7 on Secretly Canadian. Recorded in Copenhagen, DK with The Danish National Chamber Orchestra, CUT THE WORLD features arrangements by Nico Muhly, Rob Moose, Maxim Moston and Antony.

Additionally the title track "Cut The World" is featured here for the first time. It is one of Antony's new songs for The Life and Death of Marina Abramović directed by Robert Wilson and staring Antony, Marina Abramović and Willem Dafoe.

CUT THE WORLD was recorded live on September 2nd and 3rd, 2011 at the DK Concert Hall in Copenhagen, DK and represents Antony's continued meditation on light, nature & femininity. Antony discusses his ideas on the track "Future Feminism", a speech he made during one of the concerts. Addressing the affects of patriarchy on the global ecology, Antony explores the possibility of shifting towards feminine systems of governance in a gesture to restore our world.

Cut the World Track Listing:

Cut The World

Future Feminism

Cripple and the Starfish

You Are My Sister

Swanlights

Epilepsy Is Dancing

Another World

Kiss My Name

I Fell In Love With A Dead Boy

The Rapture

The Crying Light

Twilight