The show must go on. With Broadway attendance picking up, and with more theater-goers expected to come as COVID-19 vaccine mandates for patrons are relaxed at the end of April, The Broadway League is resuming its reporting of shows’ ticket sales.
Charlotte St. Martin, president The Broadway League, announced the change Thursday. She said in a statement, “With the optimism that comes as spring approaches and as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic recedes, 16 new Broadway productions are preparing to open in March and April and audiences from across the country and around the world are returning to New York.”
Martin continued, “As we move forward into this more ‘normal’ time, Broadway sales figures will be reported on a weekly basis beginning March 22, 2022.”
Even as recently as January of this year, with the surge of omicron cases, Broadway’s bottom line had been devastated because of the pandemic. Nine shows closed — some temporarily, like To Kill a Mockingbird, others permanently, like Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations — as attendance plummeted.
Arcade Fire fans: prepare to get struck by “Lightning.”
Earlier this week, the indie rockers announced the release of “Lightning I, II,” their first official new music in five years. As it turns out, “The Lighting I, II” is actually two different songs: “The Lightning I” and “The Lightning II.”
Both “The Lightning” songs are available now via digital outlets, and are combined for a single video streaming now on YouTube.
But that’s not all: “The Lighting I” and “The Lightning II” will appear on the just-announced new Arcade Fire album, titled WE. The follow-up to 2017’s Everything Now will arrive on May 6.
Here’s the WE track list:
“Age of Anxiety”
“Age of Anxiety II (Rabbit Hole)”
“Prelude”
“End of the Empire I-III”
“End of the Empire IV (Sagittarius A*)”
“The Lightning I”
“The Lighting II”
“Unconditional I (Lookout Kid)”
“Unconditional II (Race and Religion)”
“WE”
Pearl Jam has been recording new music with producer Andrew Watt, and, so far, the results have been “killer.”
That’s according to guitarist Stone Gossard, who tells SPIN that the grunge icons have “recorded a little bit” with Watt.
“We’ve got some things going already, and they’re killer,” Gossard says. “We’re psyched. Andrew is a total character. Really, like immediately, we were writing quickly. Spontaneously. Bring in a riff. Let’s knock it out.”
The guitarist adds, “[Drummer] Matt Cameron is playing his a** off. We didn’t bring any gear down. We were just doing some recording in Andrew’s basement in Beverly Hills, basically. So far, so good.”
Watt was primarily known for producing pop music, having worked with artists including Post Malone and Justin Bieber before linking up with Ozzy Osbourne for the metal legend’s 2020 solo album, Ordinary Man. He then produced PJ frontman Eddie Vedder‘s solo effort Earthling, and played in his live backing band.
“He’s known for some of his pop hits, which I personally love, but he really is a great musician and he knows the band well enough to know when we’re hitting something,” Gossard says of Watt. “His perspective has been great. I hope we continue with that process. It’s been fruitful, everything that we’ve done so far. We’ll see how long it takes to finish it off.”
Earlier this week, Pearl Jam confirmed the details of their North American tour, which will finally kick off in May after a two-year delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They’ll be supporting their latest album, Gigaton, which dropped in 2020.
The Kid LAROI is taking his time with his sophomore album and is letting fans know they need to be patient.
Speaking to Sony as part of their Set the Stage concert series, the “Stay” singer responded to fan questions about the album’s release date with “I don’t know. I still got to finish it. It’s not done!”
The Kid LAROI also shared the strangest thing that’s happened while he was recording music. “I was working with Post [Malone] and we tattooed each other,” said LAROI, though he didn’t share details about the song the two were recording together. He did say he plans to release it “hopefully on my own,” then again dodged a release date question and followed up with, “We have one for his [album] too. I don’t know if I was supposed to say that, though.”
Speaking about his rise to fame, LAROI said, “It’s been really cool. It definitely wasn’t overnight, but it does feel really quick.” He also insisted he’s not “thinking about it too much,” because other artists who became “enamored by it” began taking themselves too seriously.
“You just got to keep it moving onto the next thing,” LAROI stated, saying that’s what allows him to stay “100 percent” connected to his music.
When another fan asked how he chose his stage name, LAROI agreed “It’s a sick name,” but did not elaborate.
He was also asked what Australia smells like, which he says is “fresher than LA.”
LAROI also performed his smash-hit single, “STAY.”
Mickey Guyton has joined the bill for the 2022 MusiCares Person of the Year tribute event, which will honor famed singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell this year.
Others in the lineup include Brandi Carlile, who often covers Mitchell favorites like “Blue” and “A Case of You” during her live shows. Americana singer Allison Russell will also perform, alongside other acts that span genres and generations.
Cyndi Lauper and Chaka Khan are two of the bill’s most legendary names, and Leon Bridges, Herbie Hancock, St. Vincent, Jon Batiste, Pentatonix, Billy Porter, Black Pumas, Sara Bareilles, Lauren Daigle and more round out the star-studded evening.
In addition to their performances, Brandi and Jon are contributing to the event as Artistic Directors. That kind of artist participation is a first for the annual tribute.
The MusiCares Person of the Year show will take place April 1 in Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Conference Center. In addition to an evening of music, the event will feature a reception, dinner and silent auction to benefit MusiCares.
Dolly Parton is still in the running to join the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, despite the fact that she asked the organization earlier this week to remove her from consideration.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation issued a statement Thursday acknowledging Dolly’s request, but saying they’ll move forward with her as a nominee.
“From its inception, Rock and Roll has had deep roots in Rhythm & Blues and Country music. It is not defined by any one genre, rather a sound that moves youth culture,” the statement reads, in part. “Dolly Parton’s music impacted a generation of young fans and influenced countless artists that followed.”
The note concludes, “We are in awe of Dolly’s brilliant talent and pioneering spirit and are proud to have nominated her for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”
In Dolly’s message, which she posted on her social media sites on Monday, she wrote, “Even though I am extremely flattered and grateful to be nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I don’t feel that I have earned that right. I really do not want votes to be split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out.”
Along with Parton, 16 other nominees have been named for possible inclusion in the Class of 2022 to join the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Incidentally, Dolly currently sits in fourth place in the Rock Hall’s online fan vote for favorite nominee, which only accounts for a small percentage of the overall official inductee vote.
(NEW YORK) — Russian forces are continuing their attempted push through Ukraine from multiple directions, while Ukrainians, led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are putting up “stiff resistance,” according to U.S. officials.
The attack began Feb. 24, when Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a “special military operation.”
Russian forces moving from neighboring Belarus toward Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, have advanced closer to the city center in recent days despite the resistance. Heavy shelling and missile attacks, many on civilian buildings, continue in Kyiv, as well as major cities like Kharkiv and Mariupol. Russia also bombed western cities for the first time this week, targeting Lviv and a military base near the Poland border.
Russia has been met by sanctions from the United States, Canada and countries throughout Europe, targeting the Russian economy as well as Putin himself.
Here’s how the news is developing. All times Eastern:
Mar 17, 1:55 pm
US citizen killed in Chernihiv, Ukraine
A U.S. citizen was killed Thursday in Chernihiv in northern Ukraine, a State Department official confirmed to ABC News, after Chernihiv regional police reported an American was killed by Russian shelling.
The State Department official did not provide more details.
-ABC News’ Conor Finnegan
Mar 17, 1:46 pm
Hundreds of bulletproof vests meant for Ukraine stolen in NYC
About 400 bulletproof vests that were set to be sent to aid Ukraine were stolen from the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America’s headquarters in Manhattan’s East Village, according to the New York City Police Department.
No arrests have been made in the burglary, which took place early Wednesday, police said.
-ABC News’ Derricke Dennis
Mar 17, 12:35 pm
Biden calls Putin’s actions ‘inhumane’ in talk with Irish Taoiseach
During a virtual bilat with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Thursday, President Joe Biden said the world is “united” as Russia’s invasion in Ukraine continues.
“We have to be united and we certainly are,” Biden said. “But Putin’s brutality and what he’s doing, and his troops are doing in Ukraine, is just inhumane.”
The Taoiseach told Biden, “I share with you our horror at the barbaric attack on the civilians,” and said Biden’s leadership through this has been “firm,” “determined” and “strong.”
Biden commended Ireland for taking in Ukrainian refugees, saying it “speaks so loudly about your principles.”
-ABC News’ Justin Ryan Gomez
Mar 17, 8:49 am
Biden to speak with Chinese President Xi on Friday
President Joe Biden will speak to Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday about “Russia’s war against Ukraine,” among other topics, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement.
It’s the first time the two will speak since Russia’s invasion began and it follows National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s seven-hour face-to-face meeting in Rome with his Chinese counterpart earlier this week.
The U.S. has been ramping up its warnings to China over concerns that it could assist Moscow with military equipment and other aid.
Mar 17, 6:59 am
Russia ‘stalled on all fronts,’ UK military says
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has “largely stalled on all fronts,” the UK Ministry of Defence said on Thursday.
“Russian forces have made minimal progress on land, sea or are in recent days and they continue to suffer heavy losses,” the Ministry said in an update posted to Twitter.
The Ukrainian resistance “remains staunch and well-coordinated,” the update said.
“The vast majority of Ukrainian territory, including all major cities, remain in Ukrainian hands,” the Ministry said.
Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 17 March 2022
Mar 16, 9:00 pm
Theater sheltering civilians hit by Russian airstrikes, Ukrainian official says
A Ukrainian official claimed Wednesday that Russian airstrikes destroyed a theater in the besieged city of Mariupol where civilians were taking shelter.
The number of victims from the bombing of the Donetsk Regional Theatre of Drama “is impossible to count,” Pavlo Kyrylenko, head of the Donetsk Region administration, said in a Facebook post.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during an address tonight that hundreds of people were hiding in the theater and that the death toll is still unknown.
“Russia is killing civilians!” Kyrylenko said, adding that it is also “impossible to determine” the number of victims in Mariupol since the start of the invasion.
The city has been burying its dead in a mass grave on the outskirts of Mariupol as it endures heavy shelling.
Chris Rock took to the podium during the National Board of Review honors in New York City Tuesday evening, and his surprise appearance might have some wishing he was back as host of this year’s Academy Awards.
Rock poked fun at Licorice Pizza, Paul Thomas Anderson‘s award-winning coming of age film, according to USA Today.
“I’m here for Paul Thomas Anderson,” Rock reportedly said, “a person who has never cast me…Nothing!” joked the 57-year-old stand-up. “Not even to wash his car!”
Rock admitted, however, that Licorice Pizza was “probably the best movie I saw this year,” but allowed, “I only saw about four movies,” before adding, “It’s a good thing I’m not hosting the Oscars this year, like, ‘I hope you saw this [stuff], because I didn’t'”
Of the film, in which Cooper Hoffman‘s high school-aged character ends up in a relationship with an older Alana Haim, Rock riffed, the leading man is, “not obviously handsome enough to get Alana, and that’s kind of the (plot) of the movie.”
He added of Hoffman’s character, “He works really hard. And she learns that money and hard work do for men what women think plastic surgery does for them.”
Rock also took a shot at Licorice Pizza‘s Sean Penn for reportedly filming a documentary in Ukraine amid the battles there. “I know he has something to do with this war. I know he’s mixed up in it,” Rock said. “Sean Penn is getting waterboarded as we speak.”
Jabs notwithstanding, Licorice Pizza won National Board of Review’s Best Film Prize at the ceremony, and has been nominated for three Oscars, including Best Picture, at this year’s 94th Annual Academy Awards, which air live on ABC on March 27.
(ATLANTA) — Experts fear that COVID-19 cases in the United States will rise in the next few weeks as the new BA.2 variant continues to spread.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows BA.2, which is a subvariant of omicron, has been tripling in prevalence every two weeks.
As of the week ending March 11, BA.2 makes up 23.1% of all COVID cases in the U.S. compared to 7.1% of all cases the week ending Feb. 26, according to the CDC.
Although the original omicron variant still makes up the majority of America’s COVID infections, its prevalence has dropped over the same period, from 74.5% to 66.1%.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, said given the growing prevalence of BA.2, he expects cases will increase within the next month.
“I would expect that we might see an uptick in cases here in the United States because, only a week or so ago, the CDC came out with their modification of the metrics for what would be recommended for masking indoors, and much of the country right now is in that zone, where masking indoors is not required,” Fauci told ABC affiliate KGTV Wednesday.
Fauci added that he believes BA.2 will become the dominant variant in the country, surpassing the original omicron variant.
He noted several European countries — such as Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom — have reported a spike in COVID-19 over the last couple of weeks.
In the U.K., 93,943 cases were recorded Wednesday, according to Johns Hopkins University, more than double the 45,303 recorded two weeks earlier.
“It has a transmission advantage over BA.1,” Fauci said. “Namely, it is more likely to transmit, which is the reason why we’re seeing the uptick in cases in the UK and in the European countries, that have pulled back a bit on their mitigation.”
Last month, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced any remaining COVID-19 measures in England would be dropped so the country could move into a new phase of the pandemic, which he described as “living with COVID.”
Several European countries followed suit, as did the U.S., which eased masking guidance for 70% of the country, including for schools.
Fauci said he is encouraged that BA.2 does not appear to cause more severe disease, but warned if the U.S. experiences another COVID wave, Americans must be willing to readopt mitigation measures.
“We have to be careful that if we do see a surge as a result of that, that we’re flexible enough to reinstitute the kinds of interventions that could be necessary to stop an additional surge,” he said. “I hope that doesn’t happen. But we’ll just have to wait and see.”
ABC News’ Arielle Mitropoulos contributed to this report.
Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood‘s Radiohead side project The Smile has released a new song called “Skrting on the Surface.”
The track is actually a reworking of a Radiohead rarity, which the band had performed live a handful of times in 2012. You can listen to The Smile’s “Skrting on the Surface” now via digital outlets.
“Skrting on the Surface” is the third song from The Smile, following “The Smoke” and “You Will Never Work in Television Again.”
The Smile, which also features drummer Tom Skinner of the band Sons of Kemet, will embark on a European tour this May.
