Music

Jon Bon Jovi, KISS bassist/singer Gene Simmons, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, and Green Day are among the music stars taking part in a charity initiative celebrating Giving Tuesday.

The campaign, launched by Bandsintown in partnership and the charitable fundraising platform Fandiem, will offer special items and experiences from the participating artists to raise money for nonprofit organizations of their choosing. The more you donate, the more entries you’ll receive for the raffle.

Bon Jovi, Simmons and Grohl all have donated autographed, custom-designed electric guitars that will benefit Jamsz Konnections, a company that helps plan charitable events.

Pearl Jam and Green Day also have offered signed guitars, while all five Pearl Jam members have autographed a Fender Player Stratocaster that will raise money for the band’s Vitalogy Foundation, which supports environmental, homelessness and indigenous causes.

Green Day has donated a Fender Squier Strat that the band has autographed, and that also features the signatures of their fellow Hella Mega tour mates Fall Out Boy and Weezer. The sale of that instrument will benefit Reverb, a company that works to reduce the environmental footprint of touring artists, festivals and live music venues.

Other artists participating in the initiative include Matchbox Twenty‘s Rob Thomas, Evanescence‘s Amy Lee, Imagine Dragons, Jack Johnson, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, My Morning Jacket, Willie Nelson, and Taylor Swift.

For more info, visit Fandiem.com/GivingTuesday.

Giving Tuesday takes place today, November 30. It was conceived as a contrast to the commercialism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

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The family of 9-year-old Ezra Blount, who died as a result of the Astroworld Festival tragedy, will not accept Travis Scott‘s offer to pay for his funeral.

Blount passed away on November 14 after suffering severe injuries when he was trampled in a crowd surge at the November 5 concert at Houston’s NRG Park. He died after spending days in a medically induced coma.

Scott, who organized and headlined the event, offered to pay funeral costs for all 10 people who died as a result of the crowd surge.

“Your client’s offer is declined,” Blount family lawyer Bob Hilliard wrote to Scott’s attorney, Daniel Petrocelli, according to Insider.com. “I have no doubt Mr. Scott feels remorse. His journey ahead will be painful. He must face and hopefully see that he bears some of the responsibility for this tragedy.”

Petrocelli previously wrote to the Blount family, “Travis is devastated by the tragedy that occurred at the Astroworld Festival and grieves for the families whose loved ones died or were injured. Travis is committed to doing his part to help the families who have suffered and begin the long process of healing in the Houston community. Toward that end, Travis would like to pay for the funeral expenses for Mr. Blount’s son.”

Blount’s father, Treston Blount, has filed a $1 million lawsuit against Scott and the event’s organizers. As previously reported, numerous lawsuits have been filed, including a $2 billion lawsuit for damages and injuries on behalf of 282 victims.

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Instead of nursing a broken heart, Shawn Mendes jumped into the recording studio and kept himself busy.  The “Stitches” singer now appears poised to kick off his next music era and confirmed a new song is on the way.

Shawn, who recently parted ways with longtime girlfriend Camila Cabello, posted a mysterious message for his 65 million Instagram followers on Tuesday, telling them, “it’ll be okay, tomorrow.”  

He also shared a 12-second clip of a new song, presumably called “It’ll Be Okay,” and it sounds sonically different from what we heard on his lovestruck Wonder album.  Shawn’s voice is low and vulnerable in the snippet as he sings, “Are we gonna make it?/ Is this gonna hurt?”  The only instrument featured in the clip is an organ-like synth that slowly plays three descending notes.

This will be Shawn’s first post-breakup song and, based on what we heard in this clip, it’s a pretty safe bet that’s what he’ll be singing about.  

Shawn and Camila dated for about two years.  Prior to going their separate ways, Shawn confirmed in his Wonder documentary on Netflix that “every song I’ve ever wrote” was about the “Havana” singer.  “It’ll Be Okay” appears to continue the trend…at least for now.

Heartbreak anthems are currently ruling the Billboard Hot 100, with Adele‘s “Easy on Me” and Taylor Swift‘s “All Too Well” both going to number one, so Shawn picked a good time to unleash his tearjerker.  

Go stock up on those tissues and pints of ice cream, because you might be reaching for them when “It’ll Be Okay” drops Wednesday, December 1, at 7 p.m. ET.

 

 

 

 

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Britney Spears is not only celebrating her first Christmas in 13 years as a free woman, she says she’s also celebrating being able to finally make her own decisions concerning her health.

Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, Britney shared a cozy photo of a fireplace as well as her thoughts about what it means to be in control of her own life and free from her conservators.

“That beautiful … nice … and warm f****** fuzzy feeling when you’ve been waiting patiently for 13 years to be able to live your life however you choose and it’s finally here,” she wrote. “Lighting my candles sure is a joy folks.”

Britney then revealed that, along with the termination of her conservatorship, she believes she’s finally receiving the correct medical treatment.

“And you might be surprised cause my prayers are pretty damn powerful ESPECIALLY when you’re on the right medication just a month ago!!!!  D*** I can actually pray …. it feels so good to just BE HERE … thanks to no doctor or conservatorship people,” the singer remarked. “It’s good to BE HERE and be PRESENT !!!!”

Britney, who declined to speak further about her medical regimen, said she is also praying for some good news, saying cryptically, “In just 3 months there will be a shift for me.” 

Although she didn’t disclose what that “shift” might be, she promised to “pull a Snoop Dogg and say I thank ME for believing in ME” when it happens.

The “Toxic” singer previously alleged during her bombshell conservatorship statement in June that she was unable to advocate for her own medical decisions and was unable to choose her own doctors.  Her conservatorship was terminated earlier this month.

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Phoebe Bridgers has released a cover of the Tom Waits‘ “Day After Tomorrow” as part of her ongoing holiday song series.

While not explicitly a holiday tune — Waits released it in 2004 in protest of the Iraq War — “Day After Tomorrow” does speak to the yearning people feel to be close to their friends and family, which is certainly relatable during this time of year.

For her rendition, Bridgers is joined by a chorus featuring Mumford & Sons frontman Marcus Mumford and actor Kaitlyn Dever, among others.

You can download Bridgers’ “Day After Tomorrow” cover now via digital outlets. Proceeds will benefit the Local Integration and Family Empowerment Division of the International Institute of Los Angeles, which supports refugees, immigrants, and survivors of human trafficking.

Bridgers’ previous holiday covers include “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” Merle Haggard‘s “If We Make It Through December,” Simon & Garfunkel‘s “7 O’Clock News/Silent Night” alongside Fiona Apple and The National‘s Matt Berninger, and McCarthy Trenching‘s “Christmas Song” in collaboration with Jackson Browne. Those recordings were all collected on an EP released in November 2020.

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Marvel is moving from Iron Man to Iron Maiden.

The iconic comic book brand has announced a collaboration with the metal legends, featuring apparel and accessories that will bring together characters including Wolverine, Thanos, Venom and Deadpool with Maiden’s album artwork and Eddie mascot.

“Eddie has long stood shoulder to shoulder with the greatest super heroes and we’re also pretty proud of the Worlds we created for his many incarnations — from battlefields to Egyptian tombs to frozen icescapes or futuristic cities,” says Maiden manager Rod Smallwood. “Juxtaposing some of the most recognizable characters in pop art and comic book culture into planet Maiden has been an ambition of ours for years and working with Marvel and their unparalleled character-based IP is the perfect fit in this day and age.”

Smallwood adds, “To see such iconic characters alongside Eddie is something our fans have discussed for years and we think that the twist of placing Venom, Thanos, Thor or Deadpool in our Maiden worlds will excite fans of both cultures.”

You can check out the collection now via Iron Maiden’s web store.

Marvel is owned by Disney, the parent company of ABC News.

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There are many ways to celebrate the holidays, but there’s a specific activity Carly Pearce enjoys most.

“My favorite part about the holiday season is obviously getting to be with friends and family. But also that I can drink as much wine as I want to,” she quips to Access.

Carly’s answer should come as no surprise, as her single “Hide the Wine,” reached the top 20 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in 2017.

The hit singer already has a jump-start on the holiday spirit, as she and Gabby Barrett co-hosted and performed on the CMA Country Christmas special that aired on ABC last night. Lady A also performed their original song, “Christmas Through Your Eyes,” with Dave Haywood, sharing the punny way he enjoys the holiday season.

“I think my favorite part about the holidays is the food. It takes the cake,” he jokes. “Get it?”

“That’s so bad,” band mate Charles Kelley responds with a smile, while Hillary Scott chuckles.

Carrie Underwood, Jimmie Allen and Brett Eldredge were among the other artists who performed on CMA Country Christmas.

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The Weeknd and H.E.R. were honored Tuesday with special Apple Music Awards.

The Weeknd was awarded the coveted Global Artist of the Year, with Apple singling out the massive success of his double-platinum After Hours album. The service also highlighted the singer for creating one of the most-Shazamed moments of the year with his Super Bowl Halftime Show performance.

“I’m so grateful for this huge honor and want to thank Apple for all its support, not only for my work but also for great music by newer artists, where it matters so much for creators to be found and supported,” the “Blinding Lights” singer said in a statement. In addition to receiving the Apple Music Global Artist of the Year Award, the Weekend is up for three Grammy Awards, including Best Melodic Rap Performance for being featured with Lil Baby on Kanye West‘s “Hurricane.”

Apple Music also named H.E.R. Songwriter of the Year and lauded her Back of My Mind album, as well as her Oscar-winning anthem “Fight for You,” which she co-wrote, co-produced and co-composed for Judas and the Black Messiah. The 24-year-old singer said she is “honored and blessed” by the recognition because, “As a young Black and Filipino artist, and a woman who is on the stage giving my all, there’s no doubt that representation is important.” Last week, H.E.R. received eight Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year for Back of My Mind, and Song of the Year, for “Fight for You.”

Apple Music will celebrate its winners starting Tuesday, December 7 by streaming interviews and original content. The winners, who were selected based on their global influence, will be honored in a ceremony later next month.

 

 

 

 

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Olivia Rodrigo took home several major honors at the third annual Apple Music Awards.  The winners, who were selected based on their global influence, will be honored in a ceremony later next month.

Olivia snagged three trophies: Breakthrough Artist of the Year,  Album of the Year for SOUR, and Song of the Year, for “drivers license.”  The 18-year-old singer called the honor “truly surreal” and declared, “I did my first interview for ‘drivers license’ with Apple Music, and so much has happened since then.”

The Weeknd was awarded the coveted Global Artist of the Year, with Apple singling out the massive success of his After Hours album.  The service also highlighted the singer for creating one of the most-Shazamed moments of the year with his Super Bowl Halftime Show performance.  The Weeknd said he is “so grateful” for the recognition.

Apple Music also named H.E.R. Songwriter of the Year and lauded her Back of My Mind album, as well as her Oscar-winning anthem “Fight for You,” which she co-wrote, co-produced and co-composed for Judas and the Black Messiah.  H.E.R. said she is “honored and blessed” by the recognition because, “As a young Black and Filipino artist, and a woman who is on the stage giving my all, there’s no doubt that representation is important.”

Five international artists, hailing from Africa, France, Germany, Japan and Russia, were honored with Regional Artist of the Year awards for the impact they had on their home countries. Wizkid, who hails from Africa, is the artist behind the Grammy-nominated song “Essence.”

Apple Music will celebrate its winners starting Tuesday, December 7 by streaming interviews and original content.

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A Los Angeles home belonging to Marilyn Manson was searched by the LA County Sheriff’s Department, Rolling Stone reports.

A source from the LASD tells Rolling Stone, “What I can confirm is there was a search warrant that was served [Monday] morning. It’s confirmed it was [Manson’s] address, his location. It was a search warrant for his belongings.”

The warrant was executed amid allegations of physical, emotional and sexual abuse against the rocker, born Brian Warner, from multiple women, including his ex-fiancée Evan Rachel Wood, actor Esmé Bianco, model Ashley Morgan Smithline, and Warner’s former assistant, Ashley Walters.

Warner, who’s facing multiple lawsuits, has denied the allegations.

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