Music

Newlyweds Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton are back to work. The two delighted fans on Thursday by throwing a free concert at an Oklahoma bar, which Shelton owns.

The couple, who wed July 3, took over the Ole Red in Tishomingo, Oklahoma to whip themselves back into singing shape.

“I’ve got some shows coming up soon so I’m gonna be rehearsing today around 4 CT at @OleRed’s The Doghouse,” Shelton tweeted out to his fans, keeping mum on the fact that he’d be bringing a plus one. “Come on out and get yourself a drink if you’re bored.”

The “Minimum Wage” crooner further enticed prospective patrons to show up by joking, “I repeat it’s only a rehearsal… It may not be good but at least it’s free!”

In the hours leading up to the free performance, the bar shared a video of a line full of smiling fans forming outside of their establishment.

Of course, the smiles on their faces grew even wider when Blake told them his bride would be joining him for the free show — marking their first public appearance since the two tied the knot.

The surprise joint-concert was well documented by attendees, with fan Danny Hilton sharing a video of Gwen belting out her No Doubt hit “Don’t Speak” as Blake backed her up on guitar. 

The two also performed their country duets “Happy Anywhere” and “Nobody But You.”

Shelton is set to kick off his Friends and Heroes Tour alongside Martina McBride, Tracy Byrd and Trace Adkins on August 18.  Their first stop is at Nebraska’s CHI Health Center Omaha convention center.

As for Stefani, she’s set to resume her Vegas residency at Zappos Theater in October.

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Get ready to Sob Rock with John Mayer.

The singer has announced North American dates for his Sob Rock Tour 2022, kicking off February 17 in Albany, NY and running through April 28 in Chicago, IL. The trek will feature stops at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, as well as two shows at The Forum in Inglewood, CA.

Tickets go on sale starting Friday, July 23, at 11 a.m. at JohnMayer.com.

John’s Sob Rock album, including its first single, “Last Train Home,” is out today. The ‘80s-inspired music video for another album track, “Shot in the Dark,” was also unveiled today.

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HAIM has released a new song called “Cherry Flavored Stomache Ache,” which is featured in the upcoming Netflix movie The Last Letter from Your Lover, which debuts on the streaming service on July 23.

The movie, based on the novel by JoJo Moyes, is about a journalist, played by Felicity Jones, who discovers a bunch of secret love letters from 1965 and begins researching what prompted them: An affair between the wife of a wealthy industrialist, played by Shailene Woodley, and the financial journalist who’s been assigned to write about her husband. 

HAIM got involved because the movie’s director, Augustine Frizzell, told the producers the band was her first choice to create a track for the film, because their music is “both modern and retro.”  The group wrote the song with Ariel Rechtshaid, with whom they collaborated on their most recent album, Women in Music Pt. III.

HAIM’s song plays in a scene in which Jones’ character takes a cab across London after a one-night stand. In a statement, the group says, “The scene we were making the song for was all about movement, so we felt like we needed a traveling beat, which spurred the initial idea. Augustine said she wanted something playful, so it was really a collaborative effort.”

HAIM will return to live performances September 17 with a headlining show at the Santa Barbara Bowl.

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Lil Durk was the victim of an attempted home invasion on Thursday, with TMZ reporting the “Backdoor” rapper exchanged gunfire with the suspects.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation told the outlet that Durk, 28, and his girlfriend, India Cox, were awakened around 5 a.m. by the armed intruders who were trying to break into their Braselton, Georgia, home.  The two were able to defend themselves.

Investigators say both Durk and Cox both had access to firearms at the time and fired at the intruders, with the confrontation escalating into a shootout.  Neither the two-time Grammy nominee nor his girlfriend were injured.

Police were unable to determine how many people attempted to break into Durk’s home and are investigating the incident as an alleged home invasion and aggravated assault.

TMZ says they attempted to speak with the rapper’s attorney, Nicole Moorman, who declined to comment on the matter.

Anyone with information pertaining to the incident is encouraged to contact the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

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Lzzy Hale has been named the first female Brand Ambassador of Gibson guitars.

The Halestorm frontwoman will create her own collection of acoustic and electric guitars across the Gibson, Epiphone and Kramer brands, including the Lzzy Hale Explorer, available in both Gibson and Epiphone models.

As part of her new role, Hale will also be part of Gibson Gives Artist Advisory Council, where she’ll help suggest charities that could benefit from Gibson’s support, such as non-profits that focus on youth education, wellness and musicians in general.

“I am beyond honored to be named a Gibson ambassador,” said Hale in a statement. “Ever since I was 16 years old, it was my dream to someday be a part of the Gibson circle. It’s an incredible feeling to know that this dream has become a reality.”

“Something magical ignites within me when I hold a Gibson guitar in my hands, the same guitars that my forefathers and foremothers of rock slung over their shoulders,” she adds. “With Gibson, I am the Rockstar I’m meant to be. It is a privilege to represent my genre, my gender, and the incredible power of music that unites us all, with my beautiful Gibson Family.” 

Lzzy and Halestorm are working on their fifth album; in the fall, they’ll tour with Evanescence.

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Demi Lovato revealed when and where they feel the “sexiest” — and it just so happens to be in the middle of a bubble bath.

Taking to Instagram on Thursday, the “Confident” singer shared a makeup-free selfie they took during a relaxing bath.

Lovato, who came out as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, explained in the caption, “I feel the sexiest in the bathtub w no makeup, no extensions, no lashes.. naked.”

“Just me in my purest form,” the Grammy nominee continued. “I don’t always feel comfortable in my skin/body so I’m beyond grateful that in these moments, when I’m most vulnerable I can feel beautiful & accept myself as is.”

Lovato, who is a vocal supporter of body and self-acceptance, was praised by their fans for the vulnerable yet empowering update.

While the singer’s 110 million followers called them “beautiful” and “inspiring,” others thanked Lovato for serving as a source of motivation to overcome their own insecurities.

Lovato has consistently documented their journey of self-acceptance.  After coming clean about their years-long battle with eating disorders and self-esteem issues, Lovato bared it all in their latest album Dancing with the Devil…The Art of Starting Over, their first full-length project since 2017.

 

 

 

 

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Backstreet Boys had some encouraging words for Britney Spears, who is currently embroiled in an intense legal battle over her long-standing and controversial conservatorship.

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, the boy band asserted that they are in Britney’s corner.

“Stay strong, support your ground, and we will pray for you,” said AJ McLean. “I hope she gets what she deserves, which is her freedom.”

Recently, McLean slammed Britney’s conservatorship, calling it “completely brutal” and “insane” during his appearance on Sirius XM’s Andy Cohen Live.  The singer also recalled the last time he saw Britney, saying their brief interaction “broke my heart.”

Bandmates Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson were present for the ET interview and nodded in agreement as McLean spoke against the conservatorship.

The Backstreet Boys join a growing number of celebrities and singers who have rallied in support of the pop star.

Most recently, Ariana Grande, Christina Aguilera and Madonna called for Britney’s freedom.

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Lorde gave her new song “Solar Power” its TV debut on Thursday night on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

But rather than performing it in the studio, or sending in a pre-recorded performance, Lorde reached for greater heights: She delivered the song from the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City, where Colbert’s show is based.

Wearing a two-piece midriff-baring yellow outfit, Lorde began the song standing by the roof’s parapet, before joining her band members, who were standing around the edge of a giant circle tiled with reflective round mirrors.

Lorde stood in the middle of a tiered platform tiled with the same mirrors as she sang. When she got to the line “Come on and let the bliss begin/blink three times when you feel it kickin’ in/That solar power!” she and the band were enveloped in soap bubbles, pumped towards them from four bubble machines, which viewers could see in a dramatic overhead shot.

Lorde’s new album, Solar Power, comes out August 20.

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