Music

The Wanted, the British boy band best known for their 2011 hit “Glad You Came,” are launching a comeback.

A greatest-hits album from the quintet, marking the 10th anniversary of their formation, is due out November 12. It’ll feature the first new music from the group since they split in 2014.

The Wanted also will perform together for the first time in seven years on September 20, at a London charity concert called Inside My Head.  It will raise money for Stand Up to Cancer, as group member Tom Parker has been very publicly battling an inoperable brain tumor.

In a comical video announcing the reunion, all five members of the group — Tom, Max George, Nathan Sykes, Jay McGuinness and Siva Kaneswaran — randomly meet up in a hospital waiting room, where they collectively decide to get back together.  As all the group members complain about minor medical problems — a broken arm, an injured ankle, a torn-up finger — Tom looks at the camera incredulously.

“We have been talking on and off for a few years about getting back together for the anniversary,” Jay says in a statement, according to OfficialCharts.com. “This is all about having fun with our mates. No pressure, just FUN.”

 

 

 

 

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Coldplay is headlining the opening concert at Seattle’s new Climate Pledge Arena.

The show, which will mark Chris Martin and company’s first arena performance in nearly five years, takes place October 22. Tickets go on sale next Wednesday, September 15, at 10 a.m. PT.

For those unable to attend, the concert will stream live via Amazon Music.

The Climate Pledge Arena, which will also be the home of the new Seattle Kraken NHL expansion team, is described as the “first net zero carbon certified arena in the world operating on 100% renewable energy.” Coldpaly is a fitting opener, then, since Martin previously stated that he didn’t want to tour until the process could be made carbon neutral.

Meanwhile, Coldplay is gearing up to release a new album called Music of the Spheres on October 15. It includes the lead single “Higher Power.”

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Loretta Lynn’s upcoming Hometown Rising benefit show, raising money for those impacted by the devastating floods that hit Middle Tennessee last month, just got a lot more star power. Reba McEntire, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Brittney Spencer and BRELAND have been added to the show. 

The newly-announced artists will join Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Luke Bryan and Luke Combs for one star-studded night. The event will be held at the Grand Ole Opry on Monday, September 13. All of the proceeds will go to the United Way of Humphreys County, TN.

 “It’s so heartwarming to see everyone in our hometown to step up to help those in need,” Loretta says. “I’m honored that some of my best friends in Nashville have been so eager to help, too, and I can’t wait to watch the great show they put on. I hope you’ll tune in with me!”

Loretta Lynn’s Hometown Rising will stream live on Circle Network, as well as on Circle All Access’ Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages.

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Luke Bryan was beaming with pride when he walked his niece, Jordan Cheshire, down the aisle at her wedding, filling the empty spot left behind by his late brother-in-law, who passed away in 2014.

Taking to Instagram recently, the wedding planner shared the magical moment of the country crooner escorting Jordan, 26, and rubbing her hand as they glided down the aisle.  Bryan, 45, even took a moment to adjust his niece’s veil, so she looked perfect before walking up to Clint Eudy, her future husband, at the altar.

The couple married at the Troubadour Golf and Field Club in Tennessee.

“So many hard working hands over many months, and 20 days on-site led to THIS magical moment,” planner Emily Clarke Events wrote in the caption. “This is why we do what we do!”

In their Instagram stories, the planner also revealed that Luke also danced with his niece to Phil Collins‘ “You’ll Be in My Heart” and consoled her during the emotional tribute.

Bryan and his wife Caroline helped raise Jordan and her two brothers after both their parents passed away.  His sister, Kelly, unexpectedly passed away in 2007 and his brother-in-law, Ben Lee Cheshire, died of unknown causes in 2014 at age 46.

Jordan was 19 when her father died.  Her brothers, Kris and Til were 16 and 12, respectively.

The American Idol judge previously opened up to People about staying strong for his niece and nephews, telling the outlet in July, “I’ve had so many tragedies in my life…Maybe [my brother] Chris and Kelly and Lee have moved some puzzle pieces around to make my life so fortunate. When I say my prayers at night, I have to say, ‘Thank y’all for looking after us down here.'”

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The pandemic proved to be a time of introspection for Andy Grammer, and now he’s released a super-upbeat single inspired by what he learned about himself during that time.

The song is called “Damn It Feels Good to Be Me,” about which Andy explains, “The pandemic forced me to spend nearly two years stripped of the identity I had worked hard to create for myself in the world. I had the gift of time to re-examine a lot and realized that sometimes, in an effort to fit in with culture, I am tempted to turn myself down for the fear of not being accepted.”

“So, I wrote ‘Damn It Feels Good To Be Me’ as a reminder to myself to follow the beat of my own drum,” he adds. “I want this song to be for those who have come to that point in their life where they’re just FINALLY enjoying the freedom of self-acceptance.”

“I’m no good at being you/Ain’t got nothing left to prove/man, I’m finally free/damn it feels good to be me,” Andy sings in the song.

“Damn It Feels Good to Be Me” is the first official single from Andy’s upcoming fifth album, which will be out in early 2022. He previously released the song “Lease on Life,” inspired by the arrival of his and his wife’s second daughter, Izzy, during the pandemic last year.

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Twenty One Pilots has announced a virtual concert with Roblox, the massively popular online game platform.

The show is set to premiere next Friday, September 17, at 7 p.m. ET. Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun will perform five-song “dynamic” set list, meaning the tracks will be chosen by fans in real-time.

Those watching will also have access to “metaverse-spanning pre-concert quests involving some of Roblox’s most popular experiences that also feature custom portals that will transport users into the pre-concert venue,” which we assume makes sense to people who play Roblox.

“Twenty One Pilots is a band that has spent their entire career figuring out how to reach the most people possible,” says Mark Eshleman, the “Stressed Out” duo’s longtime creative director.

“From selling out the small room and moving to the big venue next door, to now launching a virtual experience with Roblox for millions of users, the goal has always been the same,” Eshleman continues. “The Roblox team has made an effort every step of the way to honor the band’s fans, its lore, and history to make sure this experience aligns with what people can expect from a show.”

For more info, visit Roblox.com/twentyonepilots.

Twenty One Pilots released their new album, Scaled and Icy, in May, featuring the singles “Shy Away” and “Saturday.” They’ll perform “Saturday” this Sunday at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards.

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Foo Fighters have announced an intimate, surprise show in Washington, D.C.

Dave Grohl and company will play the 1,200 capacity 9:30 Club tomorrow, September 9, in celebration of the legendary venue’s re-opening week. Tickets went on sale Wednesday morning and sold out immediately.

The Foos were scheduled to play a much bigger D.C.-area show last summer at FedExField to celebrate the band’s 25th anniversary on July 4. However, that concert, along with the rest of their 2020 plans, was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, Foo Fighters have been touring in celebration of their 26th anniversary. Following the D.C. date, the tour will continue September 15 in Syracuse, New York.

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Jimmie Allen is joining the 30th season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars! The news was announced on Good Morning America from one of Jimmie’s favorite places: Disneyland.

“It feels great,” Jimmie gushed. “I proposed to my wife at Disney. We had our baby reveal at Disney. I’ve gone like 70 times since 2012. It’s pretty bad. But there’s worst things to be addicted to. So why not give all my money to the Mouse?”

Jimmie has spoken to several former DWTS competitors, including some of his friends in the country music community.

“I talked to Chuck Wicks, he did it,” Jimmie says. “Lauren Alaina. I actually talked to AJ [McLean]. Rashad Jennings, Bobby Bones. I know Nelly did it last season. They said it’s gonna be difficult, but it’s fun, and they’re not lying. These rehearsals … I never ballroom danced a day in my life. It’s rough.”

Other cast members include JoJo Siwa, Sunisa Lee, Brian Austin Green, Amanda Kloots, Olivia Jade and more.

Season 30 of Dancing with the Stars will premiere on Monday, September 20, at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC.

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