Over the past few days, three members of BTS have tested positive for COVID-19, Variety reports.
Suga tested positive on Friday, while RM and Jin tested positive on Saturday. According to Variety, all three were fully vaccinated, and hadn’t had contact with each other or the rest of the group, their management company announced. Their symptoms are mild or non-existent.
All three members were tested upon returning to South Korea after personal travel. Suga tested positive the day after returning to South Korea on Thursday. RM self-quarantined after returning on Friday and tested positive on Saturday night.
Jin, who’d returned to South Korea on December 6, had tested negative twice, but after developing mild symptoms on Saturday, he was tested again and came up positive.
BTS are currently on a break after a very busy few months. After the break, they have a tour planned for March in South Korea, and also plan to work on a new album.
Joe Walsh has extended the availability of the online stream of his recent fifth annual VetsAid benefit concert — dubbed “The Basement Show” — from December 25 through New Year’s Day.
The ticketed event, which premiered on December 18, is available now at Veeps.com, with all proceeds going to organizations that provide veterans services.
“I’d like to give a big thank you to everyone who has streamed our 5th Annual VetsAid show!” Walsh says. “With many holiday plans being altered, adjusted or canceled due to the pandemic, many fans have asked us to extend the viewing period so their families can enjoy the show over the holidays, so let’s keep the party going and raise money for our veterans!”
Walsh will also be taking part in a special “watch along” event on December 27 — he’ll be in the Veeps.com chat room starting at 8 p.m. ET that day.
As previously reported, this year’s VetsAid event was streamed live from the longtime Eagles guitarist’s basement studio and featured Joe performing with a backing group that included Tom Petty keyboardist Benmont Tench and three legendary session musicians: guitarist Waddy Wachtel, bassist Lee Sklar and drummer Russ Kunkel. Special guests included Walsh’s brother-in-law, Ringo Starr.
Unaired footage from the four previous VetsAid events was included in this year’s presentation, as well as recently shot footage of Walsh’s visit to the US VETS facility in Long Beach, California. During his visit, Joe treated veterans to a performance of his hit “Life’s Been Good.”
The VetsAid show also featured a tour of Walsh’s studio and part of his personal guitar collection, as well as a Q&A session during which he answered fan-submitted questions.
The Basement Show has been EXTENDED through 12/31 and is STREAMING NOW WORLDWIDE. Every $ goes to vets services. 5 hours of rock and roll for you to watch as many times as you like. If you’ve already signed up, your pass is now good through 12/31! Tickets: https://t.co/aBv7XIMLnTpic.twitter.com/SEMa1VwVsl
Metallica‘s Lars Ulrich is reflecting on the band’s recent pair of 40th anniversary concerts in San Francisco.
In an Instagram post, the drummer writes that he’s been “overf***inwhelmed” by the response to the shows, and shares his gratitude to all of the ‘Tallica’s metal-loving fans.
“Metallica is not me or you. Metallica is all of us,” Ulrich writes. “It’s a state of mind that we all share, it’s a destination we all seek out, it’s an element that keeps us alive, it’s our common purpose.”
“You keep this real,” he adds. “You keep us inspired and alive. It is because of you this thing exists.”
Ulrich goes on to marvel that Metallica has lasted so long.
“Who would’ve f***ing thought that this, whatever this is, could live and breathe this long, could still connect people, could still be somewhat relevant and still exist forty years later??!!” Ulrich asks.
“Thank you to each and every one of you for making it happen,” he continues. “Thank you to each and every one of you for believing in the possibility of music. Thank you to each and every one of you for being Metallica.”
Metallica’s 40th anniversary shows took place December 17 and 19, and were streamed live online. Rebroadcasts of the streams will air via the Coda Collection channel on Amazon Prime Video starting December 24 at noon ET.
AXS TV will bid farewell to 2021 and welcome 2022 with a special three-day block of programming that features a variety of concert films, including network premieres showcasing live performances by KISS, Def Leppard and Stevie Nicks.
KISS Rocks Vegas and Def Leppard: Hits Vegas were filmed, respectively, in 2014 at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and in 2019 at Planet Hollywood’s Zappos Theater.
Then on Saturday, New Year’s Day, Nicks’ 2020 concert film 24 Karat Gold will get its AXS TV premiere at 8 p.m. ET. The movie features performance footage from shows Stevie played in Indiana and Pittsburgh in 2017, during her 24 Karat Gold tour.
Other concert films being aired on AXS TV from December 31 to January 2 will feature performances by Fleetwood Mac, Chicago, Cyndi Lauper, Heart, Tom Petty, Peter Frampton, Bad Company, The Who and Van Morrison.
As the New Year’s programming block winds down, AXS TV will premiere a new episode of The Top Ten Revealed at 8 p.m. ET focusing debut albums released in 1982, followed by a new episode of the Rock Legends docuseries at 8:30 p.m. ET that looks at post-punk acts.
Here’s AXS TV’s full New Year’s weekend schedule:
12/31/21
8 p.m. ET — KISS Rocks Vegas*
9:30 p.m. ET — Def Leppard: Hits Vegas*
1 a.m. ET — KISS Rocks Vegas
2:30 a.m. ET — Kid Rock
1/1/22
10 a.m. ET — Fleetwood Mac: The Dance
12:30 p.m. ET — Def Leppard: Hits Vegas
4 p.m. ET — Chicago
5 p.m. ET — Cyndi Lauper
6 p.m. ET — Heart: Part One
7 p.m. ET — Heart: Part Two
8 p.m. ET — Stevie Nicks: 24 Karat Gold
11:15 p.m. ET — Tom Petty
2 a.m. ET — Peter Frampton
1/2/22
10:30 a.m. — Stevie Nicks: 24 Karat Gold
2 p.m. ET — Bad Company
3:30 p.m. ET — The Who: Tommy – Live at the Royal Albert Hall
5 p.m. ET — Van Morrison: Live at the San Francisco Jazz Center
7 p.m. ET — The Top Ten Revealed: ’80s Ladies
7:30 p.m. ET — The Top Ten Revealed: Debut Albums of 1981
8 p.m. ET — The Top Ten Revealed: Debut Albums of 1982*
8:30 p.m. ET — Rock Legends: Post-Punk*
Nas has a surprise Christmas gift for his fans, a new album dropping Thursday evening at midnight.
The “Street Dreams” rapper revealed Thursday afternoon that he’s releasing a new album titled Magic featuring a collabo with A$AP Rocky and DJ Premier. After Nas executive-produced his two previous albums, King’s Disease and King’s Disease II, with Hit-Boy, the duo is working together again.
“3rd time in MAGIC,” Nas commented on Instagram as he posted a promo video that’s accompanied by Stevie Wonder‘s song “If It’s Magic,” from Wonder’s iconic 1976 Songs in the Key of Life album.
This year, Nas won his first Grammy, a Best Rap Album award for King’s Disease, after 13 previous nominations. The Belly star may win two years in a row, as King’s Disease II also has received a Best Rap Album nod. In addition, the 48-year-old rapper is up for Best Rap Song for “Bath Salts” with Jay-Z, from the late DMX‘s posthumous album, Exodus.
While individual streaming sites, like Spotify and Pandora, released their year-end lists about the artists who enjoyed the most attention this year on their platforms, it begs to question: who were the most-streamed artists across all platforms?
Varietyreports the honor goes to Olivia Rodrigo, BTS and Doja Cat, according to new data from the Digital Media Association. DMS compiled data from Amazon, Apple Music, Pandora, Spotify and YouTube Music to compile its list of the most listened-to songs and artists.
Doja Cat’s “Kiss Me More” collab with SZA was the top song on Amazon Music, with Walker Hayes‘ “Fancy Like” in second, followed by Drake‘s “Way 2 Sexy” collab with Future and Young Thug. On Apple Music, BTS’ “Dynamite” blew up, while Olivia’s “drivers license” parked itself in second place. Ariana Grande claimed third on the list with her hit, “positions.”
Meanwhile, Cardi B‘s “Up” anthem eclipsed the competition on Pandora, but Silk Sonic‘s “Leave the Door Open” and Adele‘s “Easy On Me” nip at her heels in second and third places, respectively.
Olivia ruled Spotify’s top songs and albums chart, while Latin artist Bad Bunny was the service’s top artist.
And, lastly, YouTube music says this year’s top music video is Pooh Sheisty‘s “Back in Blood” with Lil Durk. In second is The Weeknd‘s “Save Your Tears,” while Lil Nas X claims third place with “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name.)”
DIMA CEO Garrett Levin said streaming took off during the pandemic because artists harnessed the services to “connect with fans.” He adds that, while many familiar names jumped to the top of numerous lists, 2021 really was the year for Latin music as music lovers were introduced to that burgeoning genre of music.
Latto cried tears of joy Tuesday after receiving two Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous-style gifts for her 23rd birthday.
The “Big Energy” rapper was in disbelief as she unwrapped a Richard Mille watch at an Atlanta nightclub, and then walked outside for a fireworks display, which illuminated her brand-new Lamborghini.
Born Alyssa Stephens, this year Latto was nominated for Best New Artist and Best Female Hip Hop Artist at the BET Awards. Last week, her Win Some Give Some Foundation hosted the first “Latto 4 the Ladies & Babies Christmas party” at the Virginia Grey Recreation Center in the A-T-L. Families received a variety of presents, including gift cards and toys.
“Monster Energy Outbreak Tour has backed a lot of big artists at the beginning stages of their careers, so I’m super excited to work together,” Latto said in a statement. “It’s been a tough year for a lot of people, so I’m looking forward to letting loose and having some fun.”
Latto will perform 24 shows before the tour wraps April 23 in Atlanta. Tour cities include Memphis, Chicago, Detroit, Boston, Philadelphia, Charlotte, and more.
Former Minnesota police officer Kim Potter has been found guilty of first-degree and second-degree manslaughter in the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Daunte Wright.
Judge Regina Chu read the verdict in court Thursday afternoon. Potter had pleaded not guilty.
The maximum sentence for first-degree manslaughter is 15 years and a $30,000 fine, and for second-degree manslaughter, it’s 10 years and a $20,000 fine.
In a statement, the Wright family’s legal team said the family is “relieved.” They called for reform and change in America’s policing systems.
“From the unnecessary and overreaching tragic traffic stop to the shooting that took his life, that day will remain a traumatic one for this family and yet another example for America of why we desperately need change in policing, training and protocols,” the statement read. “If we are ever going to restore the confidence of Black and marginalized Americans in law enforcement, we need to have accountability and a commitment to listening and to creating meaningful change.”
Potter, alongside other Brooklyn Center officers, pulled Wright over in April 2021 for having expired registration tags and an air freshener hanging from his rear view mirror. When officers discovered he had an outstanding warrant for a gross misdemeanor weapons charge, they tried to arrest him, according to police testimony at the trial.
He resisted and was attempting to re-enter his vehicle when Potter shot him. He then drove away, crashing shortly after, police testified.
Potter’s defense team has maintained that Wright’s death was an accident throughout the trial. They said Potter mistakenly grabbed her gun instead of her stun gun, but that she was within her rights to use deadly force because Wright may have hurt another officer.
Prosecutors said the 26-year veteran should not have reached for her stun gun in the first place. They assert that she was reckless and negligent in her actions.
Potter testified in her own defense, sobbing on the witness stand as she recalled the events of the April 11 shooting.
“I’m sorry,” Potter said. “I didn’t want to hurt anybody.”
Jason Aldean’s used to performing in sold-out stadiums, but he recently got a front-row seat at an intimate house show for a very special up-and-coming artist: His two-year-old daughter, Navy.
The singer’s wife, Brittany, posted the adorable video clip to social media this week, showing Navy treating her off-camera parents to her own spirited rendition of “Jingle Bells.” Both Jason and Brittany show their appreciation with cheers and applause at the end of the performance.
Navy is the couple’s youngest child, along with older brother Memphis. Jason also has two teenaged daughters from a previous marriage.
The younger kids have made appearances on tour with Jason recently — and four-year-old Memphishas even come out onstage to say hi to the crowd — but Jason recently joked that Navy’s still pretty “oblivious” to what her famous dad does for a living.
Still, when she posted the video, Brittany noted the family resemblance, writing “Sings like her daddy” in the caption of the post.
Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy, the current band led by Emerson, Lake & Palmer drummer Carl Palmer, has announced plans to launch a second leg of its tour commemorating the legendary British prog-rock group’s 50th anniversary in 2022.
The U.S. trek will get underway with a January 27 show in Jacksonville, Florida, and is mapped out through a February 12-13 engagement at New York City’s famed jazz club The Iridium.
The first three dates of the tour — the Jacksonville gig, and shows on January 29 in Clearwater, Florida, and January 30 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida — are rescheduled concerts from 2021 that also will feature The Alan Parsons Live Project.
The new shows follow ELP Legacy’s 2021 tour leg, which took place in last month.
“Our Fall 2021 tour was first time since the pandemic hit that we were able to be together and perform,” says Palmer. “The response was remarkable and proved to us that live music was in great demand once again. The band and myself cannot wait to get out there once again for the Winter tour.”
The trek features ELP Legacy performing some of Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s most popular material along with a multimedia presentation that includes original artistic film clips and archival career-spanning footage of the famed trio. The band features Palmer joined by Paul Bielatowicz [bee-ell’-uh-TOE-vitch] on guitar and vocals, and Simon Fitzpatrick on bass and Chapman stick.
More U.S. dates are expected to be added to the 2022 trek. The band also will be touring the U.K. in April and mainland Europe in May and June.
Visit CarlPalmer.com to check out ELP Legacy’s full list of upcoming tour dates.
