Music

If you follow Madonna on social media, you know that she’s been working hard for months on a concert film documenting her Madame X tour, which ran from September of 2019 to March of 2020.  But now, we finally know when we’ll be able to see it.

Madonna announced on Instagram that the movie will debut in October on the new Paramount+ streaming platform.  The announcement features a video of Madonna lip-syncing to the song “Killers Who Are Partying,” which appears on her 2019 Madame X album.

Madonna’s Madame X trek was unlike any of her previous tours: Instead of her usual stadium show, she created a much more intimate performance for theaters, and played multiple nights in major cities in the United States, England, France and Portugal. 

The show was praised by critics, though fans were upset by the fact that Madonna often took the stage up to two hours after the announced showtime, and also asked fans not to record or photograph the performance.

Several shows on the Madame X tour were canceled due to a recurring knee injury, and the entire trek was subsequently cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

 

 

 

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Since his new song is called “Motley Crew,” it makes sense that Post Malone would ask a member of legendary hair-metal band Mötley Crüe to join him in the video.

Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee stars in the video for the song, which premiered Friday. The clip, shot at California’s Auto Club Speedway, finds Posty hitting the racetrack with Lee, French Montana, Big Sean, SAINt JHN, Ty Dolla $ign, Tyga, Tyla Yaweh and NASCAR stars Bubba Wallace and Denny Hamlin. You can watch it streaming now on YouTube.

Prior to “Motley Crew,” Post actually released a song called “Tommy Lee,” with Tyla Yaweh. He also collaborated with Lee on a remix of the track.

“Motley Crew” is Posty’s first new original release of 2021, and the lead track from what’s described as a “companion project” to an upcoming documentary.

(Video contains uncensored profanity.)

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Earlier this year, Parmalee returned to the top of the country chart with “Just the Way,” their collaboration with Blanco Brown. Now, with that momentum behind them, the country group has announced a new album called For You.

The thirteen-song collection includes “Just the Way.” Leaning into the success they’ve had with collaborations thus far, the band also put two more duets on the album: “Greatest Hits,” with Fitz, and “Forget You” with Avery Anna. “Greatest Hits” is out today in celebration of the album announcement, as is another song, the romantic “Take My Name.”

The bulk of the For You track list was co-written by Parmalee frontman Matt Thomas, who says having a hand in so many of the songs made the album-making process more intimate.

“We feel most authentic and our best as a band when we feel like we’re having a conversation with the audience,” says Matt. “That’s what we really narrowed in on for this album and leaned into what makes Parmalee sound like Parmalee — it’s all based on our connection to the fans.”

He adds, “For You is an album for the fans — the ones who’ve supported us for years, and the new ones we’re getting to know every day.”

For You will be out July 30. It’s available to pre-add and pre-save now. 

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What do you get when Ed Sheeran teams up with BTS? An insanely catchy song and memorable video.

BTS is out with their new single, “Permission to Dance,” co-written by Ed, his frequent collaborators Steve Mac and Johnny McDaid, and Jenna Andrews, who co-wrote “Butter.”  It celebrates the joys of dancing your troubles away, with the group singing, “We don’t need to worry/’Cause when we fall, we know how to land
Don’t need to talk the talk, just walk the walk tonight/’Cause we don’t need permission to dance.”

In the first verse, the group sings, “When it all seems like it’s wrong/Just sing along to Elton John.”  It’s not clear who wrote that line, but it’s worth noting that Ed is friendly with Elton John, was once managed by Elton’s company, and mentioned Elton’s song “Tiny Dancer” in his own hit, “Castle on the Hill.”

As for the video, it features BTS performing in several different buildings in the middle of a desert, intercut with people dancing in different situations — in an office, a school, a diner.   They’re all wearing masks, but at the end of the video they all pull their masks off with a flourish and continue to dance.

The clip ends with a huge choreographed number as the guys, joined by dozens of dancers wearing white, all dance as the sky fills with balloons. There are also some outtakes at the end worth watching.

“Permission to Dance” is on BTS’ new Butter CD single.  It was released today, July 9, to mark the eight-year anniversary of the naming of their fan group, ARMY.  BTS has also put together a special playlist for the occasion, featuring a solo track by each member.

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A demo of a previously unreleased George Harrison song called “Cosmic Empire,” from the sessions for his landmark 1970 solo effort All Things Must Pass, has just been made available in advance of the upcoming deluxe reissue of the late Beatles legend’s classic album.

“Cosmic Empire” has been released digitally and via streaming services, and an animated lyric video for the track has premiered on Harrison’s YouTube channel. The clip features a kaleidoscopic montage of collages celebrating the natural and cosmic worlds, and including photos of Harrison and depictions of animals, plants, planets and much more.

The track was recorded on the second day of a prolific two-day session for All Things Must Pass, during which Harrison recorded demos of 30 songs. “Cosmic Empire” features George accompanying himself on acoustic guitar.

As previously reported, an expanded 50th anniversary edition of All Things Must Pass will be released August 6, and can be pre-ordered now.  It’s available in multiple formats and configurations, including a Super Deluxe eight-LP or five-CD/Blu-ray-audio set.  The Super Deluxe reissue features a new mix of the original 23-track album, the 30 aforementioned demos, and various outtakes and studio jams. Forty-two of the tracks are previously unreleased. The Blu-ray disc features three high-res versions of the album.

The collection comes with a 60-page scrapbook curated by Harrison’s widow, Olivia, that features rare images and memorabilia, handwritten lyrics, diary entries, studio notes and more. A replica of the original album poster also is included.

Released in November 1970, All Things Must Pass spent seven weeks at #1 on the Billboard 200. It features George’s chart-topping spiritual anthem “My Sweet Lord,” plus “Isn’t It a Pity,” “What Is Life,” “Wah-Wah” and many other memorable songs.

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Beck has collaborated with Natalie Bergman of the band Wild Belle on a new cover and remix.

The cover is a joint version on the 1975 track “You’ve Got a Woman,” originally recorded by the duo Lion, while the remix is a new spin on Bergman’s solo track “Paint the Rain.”

“It is slightly touching on almost grunge,” Bergman tells Billboard of the remix. “It’s very unusual because I don’t really have that much of a repertoire with that music, but that’s kind of where he came out of in some ways.”

You can download both tracks now via digital outlets.

Beck, meanwhile, just released a video for the Chloé Caillet remix of his song “Chemical,” in honor of his birthday Thursday.

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R. Kelly made his first appearance in a Brooklyn court on Thursday as his case moves ahead to trial.  The disgraced R&B singer faces numerous charges, including sex crimes, kidnapping and more.

According to Page Six, Kelly, birth name Robert Sylvester Kelly, appeared in person before a New York judge, who set his trial date for August 18.  The singer’s initial date was the 9th, but Judge Ann Donnelly allowed the extension in order for Kelly to review his case materials with his new legal team.  As previously reported, two of Kelly’s top lawyers withdrew from the case last month.

Also during the preliminary hearing, Kelly’s defense asked for him to be released on bail, a request that was denied by Judge Donnelly.

Kelly faces state and federal charges for sex trafficking, racketeering, coercion and other charges related to the alleged abuse and exploitation of six women over the course of 25 years.  He maintains his innocence and He could be sentenced up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Kelly also faces a separate indictment in Chicago for allegations regarding child pornography.  That particular trial is slated to start in September.

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Carly Pearce’s career accolades keep stacking up. Her current single, “Next Girl,” has officially earned RIAA Gold certification, signifying sales of over 500,000 units.

The song is climbing the charts, edging inside country radio’s top 20 as of the first week of July. Carly celebrated her newest accomplishment with a brand-new commemorative plaque, posing for a photo with Big Machine Label Group President Scott Borchetta and GM Clay Hunnicutt.

“I don’t know how to keep saying thank you enough for everything that is happening in my world, that I dreamt of since I was a little girl listening to country music with my grandparents!” the singer commented. “I’m so grateful for all of the fans coming along the journey with me and can’t wait to see you out on the road.”

Meanwhile, Carly’s also shared a live version of “Next Girl,” shining a light on her upbeat breakup anthem’s more introspective side.

Carly’s headed out on tour with Lady A at the end of this month, and she’ll get a chance to see fans at another upcoming big moment, too: On August 3, the singer will officially be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. Dolly Parton surprised Carly with an invite to join the Opry last month.

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We’ve got our first look at the Jonas Brothers’ upcoming NBC special Olympic Dreams Featuring Jonas Brothers, which pits Joe, Kevin and Nick against each other in various Olympic sports, including gymnastics, track and field and BMX racing.

In the trailer, we see the guys talking trash, with Joe telling Nick and Kevin, “I’m gonna destroy you both.”

The brothers will get help training for their sports from Olympians like medal-winning gymnasts Laurie Hernandez and Nastia Liukin, Olympic hurdler Sydney McLaughlin, track and field gold medalist Sanya Richards-Ross, and BMX silver medalist Alise Wiloughby.  Terry Crews and the NFL Network’s Rich Eisen will be the commentators.

“Competing in Olympic-level events, we’ve always dreamt of this. We’re doing everything we can in the short amount of time to become professional athletes,” says Joe.

“You’re going to see us in a way you’ve never seen us before,” Nick adds. “Even if you’re not a fan, you’re gonna see us in a way you’ve never seen us before. And if you’re really not a fan, like, you hate us, you’re gonna love this show because we make complete fools of ourselves!”

While taping the special, Nick Jonas cracked his rib during the BMX portion of the competition when he fell off the bike and hit the ground hard.

Olympic Dreams Featuring Jonas Brothers airs July 21 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.

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