It seems as though Eric Clapton might have had a change of heart over playing shows that require proof of vaccination to enter.
As Rolling Stone notes, on Saturday, Clapton performed at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, which is following city regulations requiring all attendees 12 and over, plus staff, to show proof that they’ve been vaccinated, or provide the results of a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of the event. All attendees must also be masked when they’re not eating or drinking.
In July, after the U.K. announced that vaccine passes would be required to attend concerts, Clapton announced, “I wish to say that I will not perform on any stage where there is a discriminated audience present. Unless there is provision made for all people to attend, I reserve the right to cancel the show.”
Over the past year, Clapton has made headlines for his anti-lockdown stance — even releasing a song about it called “This Has Gotta Stop.” He’s also complained about what he called the “disastrous” side effects he suffered after getting the vaccine.
Rolling Stone speculates that Clapton may have realized that adhering to his promise would essentially require him to cancel numerous planned tour dates. The publication points out that the venue for his next show, in Nashville, TN, also requires fans to show proof of vaccine or a negative test in order to attend.
Night is once again entering the Billboard 200 top 10, courtesy of Metallica.
The metal legends’ 1991 self-titled record, aka The Black Album, finds itself at number nine on the chart following its 30th anniversary reissue earlier this month. According to Billboard, The Black Album last visited the Billboard 200 top 10 more than 29 years ago, back in August 1992.
While it took The Black Album nearly three decades to return to the top 10, its been a near constant fixture on the Billboard 200 since is release. With its new position this week, The Black Album has now spent a total of 625 weeks on the chart, or a little over 12 years. Only three other albums have charted longer: Pink Floyd‘s The Dark Side of the Moon, Bob Marley and the Wailers‘ Legend and Journey‘s Greatest Hits.
Along with the Black Album reissue, Metallica also released The Metallica Blacklist, a 53-track compilation featuring covers of every song off the original record by artists including Weezer, Ghost, Royal Blood, Cage the Elephant, Corey Taylor, St. Vincent, Volbeat and Phoebe Bridgers, among many others.
BTS delivered a speech and a performance at the 76th United Nations General Assembly Monday.
The K-pop group addressed the U.N. as youth representatives during the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals Moment. Ahead of their speech, BTS posed a question on social media to young people across the world, asking, “What were the past 2 years like for you, and what’s your world like today?” They then presented some of those answers in their speech, touching on climate change, the pandemic and more.
BTS rejected the notion of calling today’s youth “COVID’s lost generation,” saying, “We think that instead of the ‘lost generation,’ a more appropriate name would be the ‘welcome generation.’ Because instead of fearing change, this generation says, ‘Welcome!’ and keeps forging ahead.”
They ended their speech with a hopeful message, saying, “We believe that every choice we make is the beginning of change. We hope that in this nascent new world we can all say to each other, ‘Welcome!’”
To accompany their address, BTS shared a pre-recorded performance of “Permission to Dance,” filmed inside the General Assembly Hall.
In early 2020, Foreigner played a series of dates at in Las Vegas at The Venetian Theatre inside The Venetian Resort Las Vegas. It was supposed to be the first part of a two-part residency, but of course, those later shows never happened due to the pandemic. Well, the band’s now making up for lost time.
Starting March 25, 2022, Foreigner will take over the venue with their show The Best of Foreigner 4 Live, celebrating the 40th anniversary of their biggest-selling album, 1981’s 4.
Eight shows in all are going on sale: March 25, 26 and 30, and April 1, 2, 6, 8 and 9. The general on-sale date is Friday, September 24 at 10 a.m. PT via Ticketmaster and VenetianLasVegas.com, or by calling 866-641-7469. Foreigner fan club members and members of various loyalty programs will have access to pre-sales starting tomorrow at 10 a.m. PT.
The band’s Vegas shows in 2020 featured all the hits from 4, including “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” “Juke Box Hero” and “Urgent,” as well as some deep cuts like “Night Life” and “Girl on the Moon.” Most of the band’s other hits — from “Cold as Ice” to “I Want to Know What Love Is” — were also on the set list.
Machine Gun Kelly‘s Riot Fest set has indeed started a riot, though probably not in the way he intended.
The “Bloody Valentine” rocker took a moment during his performance at the Chicago festival to share his thoughts on Slipknot, who were playing at the same time as him on a different stage.
“Hey, you wanna know what I’m really happy that I’m not doing?” Kelly asks the crowd in fan-shot footage posted to Twitter. “Being 50 years old, wearing a f***ing weird mask on a f***ing stage.”
During another point in the show, Kelly said, “Turn the lights up. Let me see who chose to be here instead of with all the old weird dudes with masks,” according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Metal fans on Twitter naturally came to the Knot’s defense, often referencing how Kelly seemingly switched from rap to rock after getting into a feud with Eminem.
“He started unnecessary aggro with Eminem and had to change genres,” tweeted one commenter. “I look forward to his new jazz album after Corey [Taylor] destroys him.”
As for what inspired MGK’s Slipknot diss in the first place, it might be response to Taylor’s comments earlier this year in which he said he doesn’t like “artists who failed in one genre and decided to go rock.”
While Taylor didn’t mention Kelly by name, he did add, “I think he knows who he is.”
After making a cameo in Lil Nas X’s video for “That’s What I Want,”Pose star Billy Porter told Extra he’ll always be there to support the singer.
“I met him a few years ago… His transformation has really moved me,” Porter said on the Emmys red carpet Sunday night. “Because at that time when I met him those years ago, he wasn’t trying to be a role model.”
Porter added that he’s since watched Lil Nas X come into his own not only as an artist, but as an activist as well.
“To see him understand the necessity, to see him understand the purpose and the calling simply because of the time we are in, he is the one to move the needle forward, he is what my generation fought for,” the actor said. “For him to be doing exactly what he is doing as a Black queer man in this world, in this business, yes, always, I will be there to support my babies. He is my baby, he is one of my descendants.”
Lil Nas X released his album Montero on Friday. In “That’s What I Want,” he sings about longing for a loving relationship. The video features Lil Nas walking down the aisle in a wedding dress. He’s met by Porter at the altar, who hands him a guitar.
The efforts of some Van Halen fans to memorialize the late Eddie Van Halen in the band’s hometown of Pasadena, CA have succeeded.
Julie A. Gutierrez, assistant city manager of Pasadena, wrote in her weekly newsletter that a memorial plaque honoring the late guitarist has been approved for installation outside the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, where Van Halen played some of their earliest gigs.
She noted that since Eddie’s death, Pasadena has received several “requests and suggestions” to memorialize him via naming a street, alley or other monument in his honor. The plaque has gotten the city’s official endorsement, Gutierrez explained, and money raised by Pasadena 4 Van Halen, a GoFundMe started by fans, will fund the effort. The plaque should be ready for installation some time around October 6, the anniversary of Eddie’s passing.
Pasadena 4 Van Halen’s GoFundMe had an initial goal of $3,000, but has since raised nearly $7,000 as of Monday morning. The group is continuing to campaign for a new park in Pasadena to be named in honor of the guitarist. Voting on the name of the park is underway now and continues through September 24.
Volbeat and Ghost have announced a U.S. co-headlining tour for 2022.
The joint outing is set to kick off January 25 in Reno, Nevada, and will travel all across the country before wrapping up back West March 3 in Anaheim, California.
Along with the Danish rockers and the Swedish metallers, the bill will also include self-described “satanic doo-wop” group Twin Temple.
“We are so incredibly excited to get back to these cities with a Volbeat headline show, but getting to do it alongside a headline show from our ghoulish friends in Ghost AND bringing the incomparable Twin Temple with us?” Volbeat says. “How soon will it be January already!? Start getting ready, the thunder and lightning is coming to your town in 2022.”
Tickets go on sale this Friday, September 24, at 10 a.m. local time. For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit Volbeat.dk or Ghost-Official.com.
Volbeat released a pair of singles over the summer, “Wait a Minute My Girl” and “Dagen Før,” marking their first new music to follow the 2019’s Rewind, Replay, Rebound album. Ghost, meanwhile, has been working on a new record to follow 2018’s Prequelle.
L-R: Porter, Rodriguez — Cliff Lipson/CBS 2021 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
While Sunday night’s Emmys had some surprises for nominees and fans, it wasn’t a surprise that the stars wouldn’t squander the rare red carpet spotlight for the non-Zoom event, showcasing everything from showstopping couture looks to jaw-dropping “wow” moments.
Here’s a round-up of some of the more memorable looks:
Anya Taylor-Joy saw The Queen’s Gambit rack up 11 awards, a high score matched by The Crown, and to boot, her dress was a checkmate: she wore an extraordinary canary yellow Christian Dior Haute Couture gown with a long train.
black-ish and grown-ish star, and Emmys presenter, Yara Shahidi was gorgeous in a green Christian Dior dress styled by Jason Bolden. Her black-ish mom, nominee Tracee Ellis Ross, shined in a sparkling red ensemble from Valentino’s Fall/Winter 2021 Couture collection.
Catherine Zeta-Jones, whose husband, Michael Douglas, went home empty-handed for The Kominsky Method, wowed in a magnificent maroon strapless gown by Cristina Ottaviano.
Billy Porter‘s ensemble was from Ashi; it featured raven-winged, ruffled sleeve details. His stylist Ty Hunter, complimented the look with dazzling jewels from Lorraine Schwartz.
Emmy-nominated I May Destroy You creator and actress Michaela Coel was styled by Zerina Akers, and lit up the red carpet in a custom Christopher John Rogers yellow neon-toned look.
Seth Rogen, actor and executive producer of The Boys, saw the series leave without any trophies, but as a presenter, he turned heads in an bright orange tuxedo jacket and brown trousers.
Dan Levy already has a mantle full of Emmys from last year’s big winner, Schitt’s Creek, so as a presenter he was free to stun with a vibrant monochromatic blue-suited look from Valentino‘s Fall/Winter 2021 Couture collection.
Aidy Bryant didn’t win any Emmys last night for her Hulu show Shrill, but showcased a stylish floral printed green dress custom-designed by Simone Rocha styled by Rebecca Grice.
As host, Cedric the Entertainer had several costume changes, and set the stage for some of the night’s leading men rocking bright suits: His red carpet look was turquoise, with a wide angled blue stripe.
Kaley Cuoco didn’t win any trophies for The Flight Attendant, but won praise for her custom yellow Vera Wang gown featuring beautiful ruching.
The Handmaid’s Tale star Samira Wiley chose a statement Genny suit, complimented with a black satin tie, and and half-shaved hairstyle with an updo.
Previous Tony, Emmy, and Grammy winner Cynthia Erivo wore a dramatic white custom Louis Vuitton gown that included a vibrant blue and green feathered train.
Elizabeth Olsen saw her series WandaVision, one of the most-nominated shows of the night, leave empty-handed, but won acclaim for her cream-toned gown designed by her actress-turned designer sisters Mary-Kate and Ashley.
Jason Sudeikis took home the Outstanding Actor award in the comedy category for his big winner, Ted Lasso, and also scored with critics for his single-button blue velvet suit by Tom Ford.
Angela Bassett wore an alluring black Greta Constantine gown that featured a pop of pink detailing throughout.
Kerry Washington was a presenter for the evening, and her look was a show-stopper: Celebrity stylist Law Roach dressed Washington in a custom Etro gown featuring a stylish corset.
This Is Us nominee Mandy Moore didn’t win, but won praise for her candy apple red gown straight from Carolina Herrera‘s Spring/Summer 2022 ready-to-wear collection.
Pose nominee and presenter MJ Rodriguez rocked a vintage Atelier Versace look accented with a high slit.
Sarah Paulson wasn’t nominated this year, but the previous winner did the presenter podium and the carpet proud with a ravishing red Carolina Herrera look styled by Karla Welch.
Lindsey Buckingham is continuing to snipe at Stevie Nicks via the media, even after Nicks issued a rare rebuttal of his version of the events that led to him being fired from Fleetwood Mac.
In a recent interview with The Los Angeles Times, Buckingham claimed that Nicks demanded he be fired, and that Mick Fleetwood and Christine McVie went along with it for financial reasons. Nicks in turn told the newspaper that Buckingham’s comments were “factually inaccurate.” But in a new interview with the Times of London, Buckingham is still blaming Nicks for his exit from the band.
“There were a number of years where I wasn’t over her,” says the guitarist. “It is possible that she has never been completely over me either.”
He explains that he and Nicks have never “had time to heal or move on” from their breakup, adding, “We both had to compartmentalize our feelings. That is not a healthy thing to do because those little compartments can remain sealed up for years, until things start seeping out when you don’t realize.”
Buckingham also suggests that the fact that he’s a married dad and Stevie is single has something to do with it.
“It’s hard for me to know what her mentality is towards me, but I know what mine is to her because I’ve been married for 21 years and I have three children and it’s the best thing that ever happened to me,” he muses.
Buckingham further suggests that Stevie has “lost touch” with the creative part of herself. And while Buckingham has been in touch with Fleetwood and McVie recently, his rejoining the band “would be down to Stevie having that epiphany herself,” he says.
“And hey, stranger things have happened,” he adds. “This is Fleetwood Mac. Anything is possible.”
