“Blinding” stats: The Weeknd’s song is first to reach 4 billion streams on Spotify

January 12, 2024 by WDNY Radio

The Weeknd‘s hit “Blinding Lights” has set many records, including being the first song to spend an entire year in the top 10, but now, it has hit an especially impressive milestone.

The track, from the artist’s 2020 album After Hours, has become the first song in Spotify history to hit 4 billion streams. He’s also the #1 artist on the streaming service, with 113 million monthly listeners. Last year, he became the first artist on Spotify to hit 100 million monthly listeners.

In a statement, the singer said, “I’ll never stop being humbled by anything I create making its way to millions of people let alone billions! I’m so thankful this song makes people feel a way that they keep going back to listen.”

Last year, the artist, born Abel Tesfaye, said, “It’s getting to a place and a time where I’m getting ready to close the Weeknd chapter. I’ll still make music, maybe as Abel, maybe as The Weeknd. But I still want to kill The Weeknd. And I will. Eventually.”

However, his next project will likely be another Weeknd album. In a recent social media post, he put up the cover art for his last two releases, After Hours and Dawn FM, followed by a photo of a question mark. The caption reads “3.”

(A previous version of this story published on 1/12/24 erroneously stated that The Weeknd had 113 monthly listeners on Spotify. The correct statement is “113 million monthly listeners.” The text above has been updated accordingly.)

Code Orange tour canceled; guitarist battling “serious health issues”

January 12, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Code Orange has canceled their upcoming tour.

In a statement posted to Facebook, the group writes that guitarist Dominic Landolina has been affected by “serious health issues” that “have led to his inability to play, perform and live comfortably.”

“While he gritted through our fall performances, his issues were exasperated by them,” the statement reads. Code Orange adds that they “wanted to give [Landolina] proper time to heal before making a group decision,” and that they were “very hopeful” he would be OK in time for their headlining tour launching in February.

“Ultimately its [sic] been determined that he is unable to play guitar at this time,” Code Orange says. “We take this decision very seriously, and this is the last way we intended to start this era.”

Refunds will be available at point of purchase.

Code Orange’s tour was scheduled in support of their new album, The Above, which dropped in September and includes the Billy Corgan collaboration “Take Shape.” The band’s website still lists several festivals for the spring, including Sick New World, Welcome to Rockville and Sonic Temple.

Travis Barker to perform at 75th Emmys

January 12, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Travis Barker is headed to the Emmys stage.

The blink-182 drummer will be performing during the ceremony, taking place Monday, January 15. Barker is set to join host Anthony Anderson for what a press release calls a “showstopping open.”

You can watch the Emmys live at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

Barker, by the way, is no stranger to awards shows, having previously performed during the 2022 Oscars.

After the Emmys, Barker will return to the road with blink-182 for a world tour, which comes to the U.S. in June.

The Who’s Roger Daltrey on getting old: “I’m ready to go at any time”

January 12, 2024 by WDNY Radio

The Who infamously sang, “I hope I die before I get old” in their hit “My Generation,” which frontman Roger Daltrey seems to have some thoughts on now that he’s about to turn 80 in March.

Daltrey, who recently announced he was retiring as curator of the annual Teenage Cancer Trust charity shows, talked to the U.K. Times at a cancer ward, where he discussed the concept of getting older.

“Actually, being around these young people today I do ask myself, ‘What the f*** am I still doing here?’” he says. “I’m in the way. All us old farts, we really are just in the way of the young now, aren’t we?”

Daltrey blames his generation for the problems with the U.K.’s National Health Service, noting, “It’s partly because all these old farts like me are in the way, isn’t it? Let’s just die! Get me and my lot out the way.”

While some may fear dying, Daltrey seems to have come to terms with it.

“My dreams came true so, listen, I’m ready to go at any time,” he says. “My family are all great and all taken care of. You’ve got to be realistic.” He adds, “You can’t live your life forever. Like I said, people my age, we’re in the way. There are no guitar strings to be changed on this old instrument.”

The Who is set to play two Teenage Cancer Trust shows on March 18 and 20 at London’s Royal Albert Hall, and that just may be it for the band.

Asked about The Who’s future, Daltrey replies, “I can’t answer that…We [he and Townshend] need to sit down and have a meeting, but at the moment I’m happy saying that part of my life is over.”

HARDY’s not about to “QUIT!!”

January 12, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Courtesy of Big Loud Records / Big Loud Rock

Candid and personal storytelling takes center stage in HARDY‘s new track, “QUIT!!”

Out now, the autobiographical number finds HARDY recollecting his early days, being told to throw in the towel and rising above the naysayers.

“Somebody wrote ‘Quit’ on a napkin/ I took it out of my tip jar, laughing/ Like damn, what an a******, man/ I’m just a flat-broke boy with a guitar asking/ For anybody to pay attention/ It’s not like anybody paid admission/ I was just wishin’ somebody would listen/ Give me a shot, and I ain’t talkin’ ’bout Canadian Mist then,” HARDY sings in spoken word fashion in the opening verse.

Throughout the song, HARDY chronicles his journey from playing for tips to being a hit singer/songwriter playing arenas.

“Thank you for inspiring me to be great,” says HARDY. “I guess sometimes holding a grudge is a good thing.”

This summer, HARDY will hit the road on his newly announced Quit!! tour. The 15-date trek kicks off May 30 in Rogers, Arkansas, before wrapping July 27 in Tinley Park, Illinois. Kip Moore, Travis Denning, Ella Langley, and Stephen Wilson Jr. will open on select dates.

Tickets go on sale Friday, January 19, at 10 a.m. local time at hardyofficial.com. Select fan presales begin Tuesday, January 16.

Queen revisits “cult gem” I Was Born To Love You” in this week’s ‘Queen the Greatest Live’

January 12, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Queen‘s shows are known for including a set list filled with well known hits, but sometimes they get a chance to delve deeper into their catalog. That’s the subject of this week’s episode of their YouTube series, Queen the Greatest Live.

In the latest clip, they take a look at a Queen + Adam Lambert appearance at Japan’s Summer Sonic Festival 2014, where they broke out the album track “I Was Born To Love You,” which is described as a “cult gem” for Japanese audiences.

The tune, which was first released on Freddie Mercury’s 1985 solo album, Mr. Bad Guy, and then reworked for Queen’s posthumous 1995 album, Made In Heaven, was particularly popular in Japan. In 1996, it was used in a commercial for Kirin beer, and in 2004, it was used as the opening theme song for a TV drama series Pride, about a successful ice hockey team.

“I had an obsession with the song, and had the idea to make a new version, simulating how it would have sounded if we had been able to play it live with Freddie on stage,” Brian May shares. “So the Queen version was put together as a ‘virtual’ live track, using Freddie’s spectacular vocal as the central thread.”

He adds, “Little did we know that years later we’d have the opportunity with Adam to finally bring this arrangement to life on a real stage.”

Queen + Adam Lambert will have a chance to perform the song again for Japanese audiences. Their Rhapsody Tour will hit Japan starting February 4 in Nagoya. A complete list of dates can be found at queenonline.com.

Jonas Brothers to play Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, add dates to world tour

January 12, 2024 by WDNY Radio

It ain’t their first rodeo — literally.

Jonas Brothers will make a return to the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo for the first time in more than a decade. And while that may sound like they’re playing in a cattle pen, the annual event is massive and features a star-studded concert series. In addition to JoBros, the lineup includes everyone from Jelly Roll to for KING & COUNTRY to 50 Cent to Nickelback.

The group will perform on Friday, March 15, with tickets going on sale January 18 at 2 p.m. via rodeohouston.com.

Meanwhile, JoBros have added a bunch of new dates to their world tour — including shows in Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and the Philippines — and are also celebrating their People’s Choice nomination for Group/Duo of the Year. Their competition includes rockers Paramore, country duo Dan + Shay and K-pop artists Stray Kids and Tomorrow X Together.

On their Instagram Story, they wrote, “Let’s get it! thank you @peopleschoice and to the fans for nominating us alongside these other incredible groups. None of this would be possible without your support.”

Chris Young pines for old flame in “Right Now”

January 12, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Chris Young‘s putting aside his pride to reunite with his ex-lover in “Right Now.”

Young penned the new track with Chris DeStefano and Josh Hoge, which chronicles a desolate Young’s desire to rekindle a past romantic relationship.

“We can’t bring ourselves to burn a bridge/ We might have to walk back across/ When it’s late and we’re lonely, don’t wanna move on/ And our pride is the only cost/ ‘Cause that fire’s still burnin’/ And I don’t think you wanna let it go out/ So if you won’t say it, girl, I’ll say it/ “What are you doin’ right now?” Young sings in the chorus.

“Right Now” is the latest preview of Young’s new album, Young Love & Saturday Nights. Due out March 22, the follow-up to 2021’s Famous Friends also includes its title track, which serves as Young’s current single.

Young’s headlining Young Love & Saturday Nights Tour kicks off April 25 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Tickets are available now at chrisyoungcountry.com.

Asking Alexandria releases ’Dark Void’ EP ahead of Blue Monday

January 12, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Asking Alexandria has released a new EP themed around their song “Dark Void.”

The set arrives ahead of Blue Monday, the so-called “most depressing day of the year,” which falls on January 15.

“Unfortunately, it’s that time of the year again where a lot of us, including myself, are facing depression, anxiety, and loneliness,” says bassist Sam Bettley. “I can’t stress enough how much music has helped me through these dark times.”

“Our song ‘Dark Void’ gives an insight into how crippling these feelings can be,” he adds. “So put it on, turn it up, and let it be a reminder that you aren’t alone and together we can make it through!”

The Dark Void EP is available now via digital outlets. It includes the original song, which appears on Asking Alexandria’s latest album, Where Do We Go from Here?, as well as a new radio edit, remix and stripped-down version. You’ll also find another Where Do We Go from Here? track, “Nothing Left.”

Asking Alexandria will launch a U.S. tour in continued support of Where Do We Go from Here? in April.

Gwen Stefani to perform at Super Bowl TikTok Tailgate

January 12, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Gwen Stefani will be tailgating at Super Bowl 58.

She’s set to perform live during The Super Bowl LVIII TikTok Tailgate event, which you’ll be able to access via @NFL on TikTok. Portions of Gwen’s performance will also air during the CBS Super Bowl pregame show.

The Super Bowl takes place February 11 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, a place where Gwen has spent a lot of time: Her Just a Girl residency ran at Sin City’s Zappos Theater from 2018 to 2021.

“We all know how massive of an event Super Bowl is, and I am so honored I get to be a part of it and perform at the Super Bowl TikTok Tailgate. Can’t wait to see you all in Vegas!” says Gwen, who has over three million followers on TikTok.

In addition to Gwen, the tailgate event will include TikTok creators and “NFL special guests.”

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