Jay-Z w/ orchesta, Alicia Keys & Nas @ Carnegie Hall - 2/6

Fans of disposable income -- earning it, spending it, rapping about it, listening to someone rap about it -- had much to cheer about during this concert, the highest-profile hip-hop show ever at Carnegie Hall.

And there was also the matter of the income disposal, or in this case, donation: this concert was the first of a pair (the second is Tuesday night) benefitting the United Way of New York City and the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation, the charity founded by Jay-Z and whose president and chief executive is his mother, Gloria Carter. Most tickets cost several hundred dollars; on the resale market, some were listed for more than $1,000. [NY Times]

Last night's show was the first of two. It happens again tonight (2/7). Yesterday the shows weren't sold out, but now it says "Limited Availability" for tonight's show at Carnegie Hall's site.

Some video clips and a pictures of the set list from last night (2/6), below...

Continue reading "Jay-Z played Carnegie Hall (does again tonight) -- setlist/video"

As previously mentioned, Jay-Z will help publicize the opening of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn by playing there. The Daily News wrote this morning that eight shows are planned:

The superstar, who owns a small piece of the soon-to-be renamed Brooklyn Nets, will perform at eight concerts to celebrate the grand opening of the arena - where all-access passes are going for up to $15,400 a season.

Jay-Z likely will be joined by his wife, Beyoncé - who by then will have given birth to the couple's first child - at one of the shows, and will bring on a series of other performers, sources said.

"The VMAs unite us as a people, a shitty, shitty people. #VMAs" - Dave Hill

Tyler's mom & Wavves @ the Video Music Awards (via Hipster Runoff)

Bon Iver (Justin Vernon) has posted his thoughts on last night's VMAs. This is what he said:

"there are great moments in awards shows. bruno mars sounded really good doing 'valerie' for amy winehouse. i don't think anyone is bummed that adele is killing everything. her voice was real and focused when i went thru and watched highlights from tonight. kanye and jay z are always murdering. beyonce is pregnant. yes this is awesome as shit, culturally speaking. but can i just ask, the reader, us, we ... as non-rhetorically as possible: don't we seem dumb? didn't MTV lose the fight against themselves? Didn't Rock'n'Roll STOP? Why are the lights so bright? isn't our talent as artists enough? Why do we try SO hard? Does a moonman mean what it did back then? Should we feel pumped when we get one? Should our mom's cry? I am not even thinking about it that hard. I will close my eyes in 90 seconds and have total peace... But, seriously. Why are we waving around so much? Why do we NEED this shit so bad? Why don't we just have MUSIC? DO music? soul? I don't know. I don't mean to criticize. Anyone. Actually. Except for MTV. You might have had a very large opportunity to be stabilize your self as a global presence of culture and art about 15 years ago and you fucked the dog. Sorry. Im with my girls on this one. Its becoming increasingly clear as I think about it more and more, that the dollars, if they ARE apart of why you are doing something... they are apart of why you are doing something. that's fucked to me. that's the absence of spirit, glue, fabric of what makes us a person. it distracts us from what we could be doing: WORK. on EARTH. Better say this: Forget what I say. If you even read this, you'll probably say to yourself, who is this ass saying shit? It doesn't matter what i say. it doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. But this one last thought: What would Bill Hicks say?"
- JV

Continue reading "Bon Iver's Justin Vernon discusses the MTV VMAs (where Odd Future won, Tyler's mom got excited, etc)"

Foo Fighters, who just headlined the final night of Lollapalooza, and who previously scheduled two dates in NJ, will return to NYC to play Madison Square Garden on November 13 with Social Distortion and The Joy Formidable. Internet Presale (password: ROCK) starts today (8/10) at 10 AM and general sale starts Friday at 10 AM. Rock on.

Tickets go on AmEx presale today at 10 AM for the Smokers Club Tour.

Underground rapper Wax plays Mercury Lounge on September 21. Tickets go on AmEx presale today (8/10) at noon.

Tickets go on sale today at noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm for the four Beyonce shows at Roseland Ballroom.

The Kooks just announed a tour that includes two NYC shows: Webster Hall on November 16 and 17. Internet Presale starts today at 10 AM (password might be "electric"), AmEx presale starts at noon, and general sale starts Friday at noon. All dates are listed below.

Fang Island play Glasslands on October 5. Tickets are on sale.

Tickets go on AmEx presale today at noon for the Austra shows at Bowery Ballroom and MHOW. At the MHOW show they open for James Blake.

Tickets go on AmEx presale today at noon for the Nurses and Dominant Legs Mercury Lounge show. Tickets are on sale now for the Glasslands show.

Tickets go on AmEx presale today at noon for the SBTRKT shows at Bowery Ballroom and MHOW.

TIckets go on AmEx presale today at noon for The Rapture's Webster Hall show.

Tickets are on sale now for the Pictureplane show at Cameo Gallery.

Tickets are still on sale for Chelsea Wolfe at Saint Vitus.

Tickets are still on sale for Ted Leo at The Rock Shop.

Tickets for Cat Power's second Webster Hall show go on sale Friday at noon.

Feist tickets go on sale Monday (as written in the previous post, though sorry if the title made you think it was this past Monday which I thought it was at first despite the correct date written in the post).

Win a pair of tickets to tonight's Band of Horses/J Mascis show on our Facebook.

Kooks dates below...

Continue reading "Foo Fighters @ MSG, James Blake, Kooks, SBTRKT, Beyonce, Austra, Fang Island & other tickets & presales"

by Andrew Sacher

Jay-Z & Kanye West aka The Throne's collaborative album Watch The Throne became available via iTunes this week (8/8) and will be out physically on Friday (8/12) via Def Jam.

Although Kanye produced most of the album, they also brought an impressive cast of outside producers incuding Q-Tip, 88-Keys, The Neptunes, The RZA, and Swizz Beatz. Kanye and his collaborators create a wide range of sounds touching on everything from classic soul to dubstep-infused electronica. The guest vocal spots are especially grabbing too. Jay-Z and Kanye, who have been two of the biggest names in hip hop for at least the last decade, bring in newcomer Frank Ocean of Odd Future on two of the tracks. Jay's wife, Beyonce, who also has Frank Ocean and Kanye on her new album, sings the chorus to "Lift Off." The album samples the vocals of legendary singers Otis Redding and Curtis Mayfield, and also features guest vocals by Mr. Hudson of Kanye's G.O.O.D. Music. You can stream "Otis" at Jay-Z's Life + Times website and listen to "H.A.M" below.

Justin Vernon also wrote a hook for "That's My Bitch" and according to the album's liner notes, he also sings the part. Elly Jackson of La Roux sings the song's chorus and Q-Tip handled some production duties. Check the song out on grooveshark. Justin comes in at 1:45.

Speaking of Justin Vernon, he and his 9-piece version of Bon Iver played their first of two NYC shows with The Rosebuds at United Palace Theatre last night (8/9). They also play Prospect Park tonight (8/10). Both shows are/were sold out. More on last night in a bit.

Speaking of Beyonce, she just announced 4 NYC shows. Tickets go on sale today (8/10).

Jay-Z & Kanye have two upcoming sold out shows at Izod Center and other dates too.

'Watch the Throne' tracklist and video below...

Continue reading "Jay-Z & Kanye West released 'Watch the Throne' (Justin Vernon, Frank Ocean, La Roux, Beyonce & more included)"

Beyonce is presenting '4 Intimate Nights with Beyonce' at Roseland Ballroom on August 14, 16, 18, and 19 in support of her recently released LP 4. She'll be performing the album in full each night. Tickets go on sale Wednesday (8/10) at 1 PM for the 8/14 show, 2 PM for the 8/16 show, 3 PM for the 8/18 show, and 4 PM for the 8/19 show. Pre-sale tickets will be available for Citi members Wednesday (8/10) at noon through the Citi Private Pass Program. She has no other shows scheduled at the moment and has only made limited appearances (like Glastonbury) since the album came out.

Beyonce played "Best Thing I Never Had" on Fallon with The Roots last month. Check out that performance and the music video for the track, below...

Continue reading "Beyonce performing new album '4' in full @ 4 NYC shows"

Bill Callahan @ MHOW in 2009 (more by Ryan Muir)

today in NYC
* Whiplash @ UCB
* comedy @ Ace Hotel
* 40twenty @ Barbes
* Spanglish Fly @ Barbes
* Swingadelic @ Maxwell's
* Yes, Styx @ Jones Beach
* Tony Scherr @ Living Room
* Aaron Neville @ City Winery
* Maze w/ Frankie Beverly @ Wingate Field
* Tombs, Primitive Weapons @ Saint Vitus
* Nels Cline with The Les Paul Trio @ The Iridium
* Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen @ LIttlefield
* Bill Callahan, Ed Askew @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
* Karl Berger's Stone Workshop Orchestra @ The Stone
* Washed Out, Grimes, Blood Orange @ Bowery Ballroom
* Dear Lions, Elliott & The Ghost, Josh Flagg @ The Rock Shop
* Jojo Mayer's Nerve, Matt Lowell, Jeremy Benson @ Mercury Lounge
* Derek Piotr, Ggghst, Jared Saltiel, Hannis Brown, NAR @ The Delancey
* Luff, Amour Abscur, Infinity Hotel, Christopher Paul Stelling @ Union Hall
* Ice Cream, Animal Tropical, Jason Anthony Harris, Jon Mizrachi @ Cake Shop
* Two Tears, Des Roar, The Outta Controllers, The Peacekillers @ Knitting Factory
* Lucky Dragons, W-H-I-T-E, Sweatshirt, Alex Barnett, Brett Naucke @ Death By Audio
* MC extraordinaire(s), J-Live, Camp Lo, The Artifacts, Clear Soul Forces, Chris Faust, LA (The 7th Annual Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival) @ Brooklyn Bowl

Tonight's Tombs show is FREE.

Twin Shadow are playing a private event on the roof of Soho House tonight.

Bill Callahan and Ed Askew play Music Hall of Williamsburg tonight and Bowery Ballroom tomorrow. Both shows are sold out.

Washed Out plays Bowery Ballroom tonight with Grimes and Blood Orange. Also sold out.

Today is Free Slurpee Day at 7/11. Today's date is also 7/11.

The show at Union Hall tonight is a benefit:

"On Memorial Day weekend, our friend Ryan Mitchell-Morrison was brutally attacked and left without the sight in his right eye, among other injuries. After a month of hospital time and doctors visits and months of recovery to come, he is left with many overwhelming expenses. We need your help!
Thanks to the generosity of Brooklyn bands, artists, businesses, and friends, we are able to throw this amazing benefit!"

Shabazz Palaces performed live in KEXP's studio. Watch the full performance below..

Beyonce has a video for "Best Thing I Never Had." Check it out below.

Peter Murphy performed at Amoeba Records. Video from that below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Monday?"

Cro-Mags @ Chaos in Tejas (more by Tim Griffin)

today in NYC
* Soulstorm @ The Stone
* Midsummer Night Swing
* The Feelies @ Maxwell's
* Chia's Dance Party @ Barbes
* Canada Day @ Joe's Pub
* 4th Street Niteowls @ Barbes
* Rooftop Films w/ Hospitality
* Thousands, The Twees @ Mercury Lounge
* The So So Glos, Night Manager @ The Suffolk
* Memory Tapes, New Moods @ Mercury Lounge
* Janka Nabay, Little Shalimar @ The Rock Shop
* Nobunny, TV Ghost, Shellshag @ Knitting Factory
* Michael Attias's Clinamen Orchestra @ The Stone
* Lower Dens, Dirty Beaches @ South Street Seaport
* The Thermals, Big Troubles, EULA @ The Bell House
* The Barrens, Buenos Diaz, Only Son @ Cameo Gallery
* Pinche Gringo, The Jigglers, Madam Robot @ The Gutter
* The El Pasos, Minetta Creek Bluegrass @ Sycamore
* Hussle Club, The Dangerous Boys Club, Bootblacks @ Coco 66
* Blind Melon, The Nico Blues @ Hiro Ballroom at the Maritime Hotel
* Savoya, Mountain Cult, Indian Rebound, Strange Rivals @ Cake Shop
* Cheater Slicks, The Unholy Two, LiveFastDie, Organs @ Union Pool
* Soft Black, Lost Boy?, The Everybody Knows, Porches, Krill @ Silent Barn
* Steel Pulse, Natural Expression Rhythm Band @ Prospect Park Bandshell
* Ceremony, Veins, Give, Zero Progress, Hounds of Hate @ 538 Johnson Ave
* Dinowalrus, Total Slacker, Soft Black, Life Size Maps @ Monster Island Basement
* Body Language, Celestial Shore, Aislyn, D. Gookin, Kids & Explosions @ Glasslands
* Beauty Feast, Sam Buck Rosen, New Beings (members of Delicate Steve) @ Zebulon
* You Bred Raptors?, Cinema, Cinema, 3D Mystery, thatwasthen, Blue Bird @ Fontana's
* American Sun, Twitchers, Easter Vomit, The Beets, Clap, Fagettes @ Shea Stadium
* Amanda Lepore, Cherie Lily, DJ Andrew WK, Jonte Moaning, Kayvon Zand & more @ Santos Party House
* Cro-Mags, Wisdom in Chains, Death Threat, Razorblade Handgrenade @ Bowery Ballroom
* Puro Instinct, Selebrities, Slowdance, Care Bears On Fire, Yvette @ Pianos
Rejectionist Front, ROMA, Pretty Blonde, Mister Gio, Jason Yudoff & The New Hotness, La Sara @ Highline Ballroom
* Badfish (Sublime Tribute), Tragedy: All Metal Tribute to the Bee Gees, Yellow Dubmarine: Recreating the music of the Beatles reggae style @ Brooklyn Bowl

Check out This Week in Indie.

See what's happening on the Fourth of July.

Beyonce played Central Park early this morning.

Beyonce celebrated the start of the Fourth of July Weekend with a divalicious performance on 'Good Morning America' for the news program's weekly Summer Concert Series. We didn't think anyone could come close to Lady Gaga's show-stopping, Memorial Day Weekend performance, but Beyonce's performance was right up there with the Mother Monster's.

Bey took the stage at around 8:15 with her wild mane of curls that's she's been pumping lately and a lemon yellow, crocheted mini accessorized with statement earrings and rings. She was greeted by thousands of screams that caused her to take a pause before she started dancing her a- off to 'Run the World (Girls).' Who needs coffee when you've got a wake up cup of Beyonce and her percussive single to jar you from a sound sleep?

The stage was decked out in a black-and-white diamond pattern that looked like something out of 'Alice in Wonderland,' but even the busy backdrop couldn't compete with Beyonce or her laser-focus. Much like her Glastonbury performance and her record release show on London, the Queen B smiled ear-to-ear throughout her whole performance; performing is obviously her favorite thing in the world. She ended the song with a salute.

During the interview segment with Robin Roberts, Bey proclaimed, "I feel so so good," acknowledging the super fans who were there for 24 hours. She talk about stepping off the stage and into the audience, saying, "I learned how to appreciate what I worked hard for. It's hard to see when you are moving so fast." She talked about the musical gumbo that is '4,' saying she wanted to bring bridges and chords back to the radio and to not make radio songs. She also beamed about her upcoming role in the remake of 'A Star Is Born,' which will be directed by Clint Eastwood. Lastly, she declared that her message is always one of female empowerment, saying, "I want to write and sing songs that we as women want to hear. Sometimes it's hard to realize how amazing we are." [PopCrush]

if you missed New Moods opening for Sean Bones last night, catch them this evening with Memory Tapes.

Jennifer Walshe and Nick Hallett @ Issue Project Room is cancelled.

KEXP posted four videos from Steve Earle's visit to their studio. Check those out below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Friday?"

by Andrew Sacher

Florence on GMA @ Rumsey Playfield (juleskills)

Since Good Morning America concerts now happen at Rumsey Playfield aka Central Park Summerstage (full schedule below), Florence & the Machine actually played the outdoor NYC venue twice on Friday (6/24). She played a short set early in the morning for Good Morning America and then a proper Summerstage show later that night with Twin Shadow and Bubbles. At the night show Florence opened the track "Blinding" by singing the intro to Lady Gaga's "Judas" (Lady Gaga notoriously played the first 2011 Good Morning America show on May 27th). Check out a video of that and some others from both Florence shows below.

Twin Shadow's next NYC show is at Webster Hall with Diamond Rings.

what is that over her shoulders???

Beyonce, whose new album 4 was released today (6/28), who also just headlined Glastonbury (with help from Tricky), and who plays the NBC NYC fireworks show, plays Good Morning America at Rumsey Playfield on July 1.

Beyonce's new album seems to be what everyone has been talking about, especially since it leaked back on June 7th. Even Beyonce addressed the leak on June 8th:

My music was leaked and while this is not how I wanted to present my new songs, I appreciate the positive response from my fans. When I record music I always think about my fans singing every note and dancing to every beat. I make music to make people happy and I appreciate that everyone has been so anxious to hear my new songs.

Apparently some of her LGBT fans are disappointed too (and are not dancing to every beat). According to Sandra Rose, after the album leaked, the actual release date was pushed back in part because of criticism from her gay fans. This has not been confirmed, but she wrote:

Beyoncé and her management team are worried about the lack of gay support for her more mature, ballad-heavy CD. "They're taking the album off the [release list] and retooling it," said my source [a confidential informant at the record label, who begged to remain anonymous]. "They're going to add 2 more songs with a club beat to send the gays to the dance floor."

The gay-marriage-legalization-downplaying New York Post, who earlier posted a story about Columbia expecting the Beyonce record to flop, don't like it either. The Daily News's Jim Farber on the other hand likes it (The Daily News also differed from the NY Post by actually doing cover stories on the legalization of gay marriage).

Speaking of Jim Farber, his other big Daily News article today was about "girly men" music ("everyone from [Bon Iver to] Sufjan Stevens to Devendra Banhart to Antony and the Johnsons to Iron and Wine to Grizzly Bear to the National to Fleet Foxes to Vampire Weekend"). He adds, "Snaking back a bit farther, you could also throw into this high-brow/low-virility crew Bright Eyes, the Decemberists and Death Cab for Cutie."

(so just to recap for a second: Gay people don't like the new Beyonce album. The NY Post doesn't like gay people, but does like Beyonce. The Daily News, despite a bit of homophobia, likes gay people and Beyonce.).

I think the Beyonce album's pretty good, except for the severely out-of-place lead single "Run The World (Girls)," which unfortunately is the only track with an official video so far (watch below). Most of the album's non-singles are the ones that demand repeated listens. Its highest points are hit when she belts out Etta Jamesian choruses like that of "Start Over," the earworminess of "Countdown," and the fact that its the first album since her debut to feature a member of Outkast (how bout that new Outkast album?). You can decide for yourself by streaming it. Buy a copy on Amazon.

The upcoming Good Morning America lineup also includes Mary J Blige on September 2, and Debbie Gibson & Tiffany, who are going on tour, on July 29. The full list of mainstream acts (like Beyonce and now Florence) that are playing the popular TV show's series is below.

Florence & Beyonce videos and stuff below too...

Continue reading "Florence & the Machine played Rumsey Playfield twice, Beyonce (whose new album is out) playing there too & stuff"

"Paul Simon, Lee Scratch Perry and Jimmy Cliff play blinding sets at Glastonbury Saga stage. All over 70 Tony Benn oldest at 95 !" - James Osborn

"Best thing musically I saw at Glastonbury was probably SBTRKT on the Friday night ...quality stuff." - Joshua Saunders

Glastonbury 2011 (via Glastonbury.fm)

Glastonbury Festival took place in Worthy Farm in Pilton, England this past weekend. Tons of artists from all different backgrounds played the festival. The festival featured guest appearances, secret sets, and other interesting occurrences. Here are a few of the highlights.

Headliner Beyonce played a hits-heavy set with some pretty interesting cover song choices (King of Leon's "Sex on Fire," Etta James' "At Last"). But more even more interestingly, Tricky joined her on stage for a pretty inexplicable guest appearance on "Baby Boy." The trip-hop pioneer took a mic and uttered some sparse vocals as Beyonce and her backup singers belted the song. Video of the performance is below.

Speaking of things related to Massive Attack and Glastonbury, UK DJ Nick Warren, who would regularly DJ for Massive Attack in the '90s, said "My Highlight of Glastonbury Festival was James Blake live." James's set included the track "CMYK" off the 2010 EP of the same name in addition to tracks off his 2011 self-titled album. Some might say James's set was even explosive:

James Blake at Glastonbury

Festival attendees who were not part of the 75,000 watching Beyonce may have ended up at The Streets' set which took place at the same time. The show was apparently one of the Mike Skinner's last, who recently announced a breakup. Unfortunately, The Streets recently cancelled a trip NYC, but maybe they'll reschedule before saying their final goodbye. Video of The Streets' Glastonbury performance below.

This year's secret shows included UK Glastonbury vets Pulp and Radiohead.

It was Pulp's fourth Glastonbury appearance but their first for nine years and as they came on stage, frontman Jarvis Cocker told the crowd: 'We couldn't think of anything to get you so we brought the sunshine.'
After their set, which included some of their biggest hits including Disco 2000 and Common People, he added: 'Thanks Glastonbury, obviously it's been a very important place for us. When we played in '95 things took off for us and we went in a strange orbit around the earth, and now we're back home in one piece.' [Daily Mail]

Radiohead brought Portishead drummer Clive Deamer as a guest to play with Philip Selway. Their setlist was almost entirely made up of The King of Limbs and In Rainbows tracks, and recent non-album material, except for Amnesiac's "I Might Be Wrong." They also surprised fans of their earlier work by playing "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" as an encore. Video of "The Daily Mail" and "Bloom" and setlist below.

Cee Lo, unlike at Coachella, showed up on time for his set, which included a mix of his own material and Gnarls Barkley stuff. He also covered Black Sabbath twice. Big Boi got lost in London, but also ended up showing on time for his set. Like Cee Lo, he still embraces past projects and included a good amount of Outkast material. Big Boi-collaborator Janelle Monae played the festival too. Video of her performance of "Tightrope" below. Catch her and Cee Lo (but not Big Boi) for free at Afro-Punk in August.

Battles brought Matias Aguayo on stage to sing "Ice Cream," the song he recorded lead vocals for on their recently released Gloss Drop. Video below.

British folk/jazz legends Pentangle, who reunited in 2008 but have not been very busy since then, played the festival. Their lineup includes Bert Jansch who is currently a Drag City-recording artist and released The Black Swan on the label in 2006, over 30 years after Pentangle originally broke up. Lauren Laverne of BBC 6 interviewed the band. They talked about the resurgence of folk music and how Bert is a fan of Fleet Foxes (who also played Glastonbury). Video of the interview below.

SBTRKT at Glastonbury 2011 via facebook

SBTRKT, who visits NYC for the first time in July, played a live set (pictured above). His Young Turks labelmate Jamie xx (of The xx) played a set too. Jamie's "Far Nearer" single is on sale now. Pressings are limited. Check out a soundcloud stream of the track below.

Another UK post-dubstepper Jamie Woon played the festival. 3AM writes, "During my bum breaks, I caught Jamie Woon's set and it was fantastic. I've heard a lot about this chap, but haven't listened to his stuff before. Sitting in the middle of a field with a pounding head and cider was the perfect way to be introduced to Jamie's chilled but strong, powerful tunes."

Speaking of dubstep crossover, UK singer Katy B brought her dubstep-leaning pop to Glastonbury as well. She plays a private show in NYC tonight (6/27). It will be her first.

Little Dragon wowed the crowd, according to VH1 anyway:

For the UK at least, this performance of their new song "Ritual Union" is a real coming-out party for the band, who absolutely deserve to be heard on a much wider scale. It's really difficult to make smooth music work in the middle of the day at a big outdoor festival, but Little Dragon pulls it off in style.

UK anti-folkie Emmy the Great covered The Pixies' classic "Where Is My Mind" with help from Tim Wheeler of the punky brit-poppers Ash. Full setlist below.

On a more negative note,

A senior member of David Cameron's Tory constituency has been found dead in a portable toilet at the Glastonbury festival.

Christopher Shale, the chairman of West Oxfordshire Conservative Association, suffered a heart attack, sources believe.

His body was found in a portable toilet in the backstage area, where many celebrities and performers stay.

A story in the Mail on Sunday contained leaked sections of a strategy document Shale had drafted for David Cameron, in which he said the party can be perceived as "crass" and "always on the take".

Avon and Somerset police confirmed that the body of a man in his mid-50s had been found in the backstage area. A woman was seen being comforted by officers.

His body was found at 8.45am. An area between the Pyramid stage and the Other stage has been cordoned off. [Guardian]

Videos, soundcloud streams, setlists, and other stuff below...

Continue reading "Glastonbury 2011 happened (highlights, video, setlists, Tricky, SBTRKT, Radiohead, Pulp, Beyonce, Janelle Monae & more)"

fireworks (more by Chris La Putt)

The 35th Annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks returns to the West Side to delight New Yorkers and the nation with an awe-inspiring display of patriotic firepower. This year's extravaganza, "Gift of Freedom," will feature more than 40,000 fireworks expertly synchronized to a dynamic 25-minute score that includes a mix of American standards and the hottest pop favorites!

Not in New York? Check out our entertainment
special on NBC, July 4th at 9 pm EST.

"The Fireworks can be viewed from any area with an unobstructed view of the sky above the Hudson River. For the best views, head to 12th Avenue below 59th Street at the following access points along 11th Avenue." Note that: The Westside Highway will be closed from 22nd Street to 59th Street beginning at 4:00 pm. You can also watch from NJ. I wouldn't recommend trying to see them from Brooklyn, though it may be possible if you get up high enough somewhere. One option for watching the fireworks is aboard a Rocks Off ship.

Unfortunately there will NOT be a free concert in Battery Park this year, not that last year's was anything special (for people over 5 years old anyway). There will not be a free show on Governors Island this year either. Last year they had a free She & Him show and a Rosanne Cash show too. This year the beach on Governors will be occupied by a not-free Pacha-presented dance party (part of the four-day Dance.Here.Now. Festival).

4th of July NYC show options are pretty slim in general this year, though Shea Stadium is hosting Summerjam III with Extreme Animals, Sightings, Liturgy, PC Worship, Hubble, La Otracina, Fuckton, In Buenos Aires, Dubknowdub, Black Ribbons, Future Shuttle, and more. Zebulon, Brooklyn Bowl and Barbes are all also open that day.

July 4th is a Monday though, and it's a Monday you probably have off of work (like Bowery Presents does -- all their clubs are closed that day). That means you can stay up late Sunday, July 3rd which is when Panda Bear plays Music Hall of Williamsburg, Tinsel Teeth are at Death By Audio, The Hairs play a free afternoon show at the South Street Seaport Fulton Market, Jaga Jazzist play Le Poisson Rouge, and the Feelies play their third of three Maxwell's shows.

What else?

DOWNLOAD: Sleigh Bells - "Tell Em" Diplo Remix (MP3)

Sleigh Bells in Philly (more by Chris Gersbeck)

The first 300 kids lined up down the street got in. An aside: the only "Skins"-like moment of the night were the high schoolers behind me doing coke while their girlfriends peed on the sidewalk an hour and a half into the two hour freezing cold wait.

If you got in you'd find yourself awash in day-glo, smoke machines and a strange party that was equal parts rave and small town carnival. There was a rave themed moon-bounce and blacklight-face-paint... neat... Think "dance party themed" Bar Mitzvah with a real big budget.

The cast of the show was there too, they'd come down from an upper level, no drinks in hand, answering the pressing question of the night--whether or not the underage cast would be seen partying. Perhaps they left their drinks upstairs.

The entertainment was decent, including Klever, Drop The Lime, and Kill The Noise. The DJs played throughout the night, hunched over laptops, cranking out house and dubstep. A break in the rave came around 12 when Sleigh Bells came on-stage to play possibly the loudest set the human ear can handle. -[Gawker]

If you were left out in the cold (literally) at the Skins launch party, don't fret. After Sleigh Bells return from a stint in Europe at the tail end of February, the duo will hit the US with CSS for a string of tour dates in early May that will include dates at Webster Hall on May 11th and Music Hall of Williamsburg on May 12th. Tickets for both shows (Webster Hall, MHoW) go on AMEX presale on 1/26 at noon and regular sale 48 hours later. Neon Indian will open the dates that CSS won't, and Mr. Dream is on board for a string of dates including Webster Hall (with CSS).

A recent update to Diplo's Mad Decent blog revealed quite a bit about what Derek Miller of Sleigh Bells (ex-Poison The Well) and Diplo have been up to:

"Derek from sleigh bellz and me have matching florida tattoos and we both are from shitty parts of broward county // & their last album was one of the sickest of '10 .. its soo sick, its gave me a stomach ache .. half lyrnyrd skinnard half bangladesh half man half alligator.. . me and derek and alexis are bros and sis for life. in fact i like sleigh bells so much .. me and switch was in studio in nyc tryin to make tracks with derek and beyonce last week after we played her team their album .. dunno if we gonna manage to finish but was good times." - Diplo

Continue reading "Sleigh Bells (who you probably didn't see at the Skins party) touring w/ CSS & then Neon Indian (2011 dates)"

by BBG

"Yankee Stadium was #EPIC last night. Performances by JayZ,Drake,Kanye West,Eminem,G-Unit,Dr.Dre,Nicki Minaj,B.O.B & Eminem all on one stage!" -ThisIsChi_JEG

"Apparently a Coldplay concert broke out in the middle of Jay-Z's Yankee Stadium set last night. Can safely say no one saw that coming." -BarthDoesThings

"I've been trying to find a word to explain the Jay-Z/Eminem Yankee Stadium show.. I got it.. WOW!!!!!" -DJCK_BROOKLYN

Jay-Z & Chris Martin on stage @ Yankee Stadium

Jay-Z and Eminem tore down Yankee Stadium last night (9/13), the first of TWO shows that the pair of MCs will play in the Bronx. And there were guests... Kanye was present. Chris Martin of Coldplay dropped in. Beyonce had her say. Dr Dre was there. 50 Cent too. Not to mention Drake, Nicky Minaj, D12, B.O.B, Swizz Beatz, Lloyd Banks, and many others.

"The concert lasted well past midnight, and a few thousand in the crowd started to make their way to the exits while Jay-Z was still rapping to beat the after-concert rush. But most stayed behind, sensing what Jay-Z told them. ''This is historic: They ain't never gonna be another night like tonight.''

Well, maybe one more night -- the pair has another show at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday." [NY Times]

The madness continues tonight (9/14) at Yankee Stadium. A bunch of videos and both setlists (with guests listed) from last night, below...

Continue reading "Jay-Z & Eminem & lots of special guests played Yankee Stadium (night 1 videos & setlists)"

photos by Andrew St. Clair

Raekwon shows potential groupies his current relationship status

What kind of oldies concert draws a huge audience in its 20s? Rock the Bells, the daylong hip-hop festival that came to Governors Island on Saturday. This year's Rock the Bells borrowed an idea from the indie-rock festival All Tomorrow's Parties, booking groups to perform watershed albums in their entirety.

Two headliners, Snoop Dogg and Wu-Tang Clan, largely complied with the assignment. Snoop Dogg brought along most of the guests from his 1993 album, "Doggystyle," made back when he was Snoop Doggy Dogg. The others - A Tribe Called Quest, KRS-One, Rakim and Slick Rick - went "veering off," as Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest put it, to play additional hits (which no one minded) or to plug more recent projects.

And then there was the wild card: Lauryn Hill, the singer and rapper formerly of the Fugees, appearing half an hour late. She hasn't released a studio album since "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" in 1998, and she has recorded and toured only sporadically since then while raising five children. "I miss you," she told the crowd repeatedly. Partway through the set she pulled guests out of the V.I.P. section and onstage: Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, John Legend. They missed her too.
-[New York Times]

Continue reading "Rock the Bells @ Governors Island - pics (part 2) (Wu-Tang, Street Sweeper Social Club, Yelawolf, Slick Rick & more) "

photos by Rachel Carr

Devo

"An aggregate 225,000 people bought tickets to see a [Coachella] roster headlined by Jay-Z, Muse and Gorillaz during the April 16-18 event at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio.

The previous attendance record was set in 2007, when the headliners included a reunited Rage Against the Machine. Final figures are still being tallied, but AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips said the gross will exceed $20 million.

Phillips said the future looked bleak for AEG Live's nascent All Points West festival, which took place in 2008 and 2009 across the Hudson River from lower Manhattan at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, N.J.

"We're probably going to kill it," said Phillips. "As beautiful as (the site) is, it's very hard to get New Yorkers to cross that river. All Points West is an experiment that just didn't work." [Reuters]

Continue reading "more photos from Coachella, more confirmation that All Points West is not happening"

photos by Rachel Carr, words by Daiana Feuer

Jay-Z, Beyonce & Johnny Rotten

This year, the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival reveals that tattoos are more ubiquitous among social scenes than ever before. A walking museum of quotes and legendary faces from Jesus to Michael Jackson decorates the backs, shoulders, calves and fingers of people fashionably reliving their favorite historical decades at this heat-stroke inducing music marathon.

I thought Wale didn't show up, but later found out that he showed up late. Baroness demonstrated the art of rocking out at least three to five times before each song reached a satisfied climax. Metal can be a real turn on, especially surrounded by sweaty good-looking people. Deer Tick performed an R+B version of "Ashamed" followed by John McCauley caressing his nipples. LA band Iglu and Hartly had enthusiasm, but is this Mickey Avalon without the drugs and prostitutes? Which leaves what? Sleigh Bells began with a booty melting bass line palpable from the VIP section across the field, soon overtaken by hipster hop metal pop for people that like beaches and children. The Avett Brothers made an exciting second Coachella appearance on the Outdoor Stage. Two years ago, the band played Sunday gospel time, all manners and simplicity, but the Bros returned with a full band, and a few thousand people singing every word, stomping to the banjo, and hugging during the sweet parts. The banjo will take over America. Just wait. Country music is infiltrating avant-garde and above ground indie worlds alike.

Standing midway between the big stages, just a few feet from yet another girl with the words "Have u seen my friend Molly?" scrawled on her back, the Avett Brothers' heart-wrenching "January Wedding" got a reggaeton remix from Calle 13 booming on the Main Stage. This Puerto Rican dancefloor marvel used a tea kettle for a mic effect, and taught the audience to say "No me jodas las pelotas" against negativity ("Don't fuck my balls"). Speaking of balls, Yeasayer's crowd went absolutely nuts screaming, but the guys barely seemed aware, transported as they were to some space station cloud. The harmonies rocked like angelic aliens-but, smile, guys. Hockey demonstrated a genuine interest in moving indie rock standards forward, especially attracting the PG-13 festival contingency. M. ward raspy singing "Roll Over Beethoven" during She & Him's set delivered tingly shivers, but Zooey Deschanel's approach to "I Put A Spell On You" did not crumble souls. Her jazzy voice and bouncy energy otherwise made for a good time that elicited repetitive shouts of "I Love You!" from the first row.

Gil Scott-Heron

Music should be at least marginally weird or infinitely classic, but Tom Morello's band, Street Sweeper Social Club, brings nothing new to either category and so seems a waste of great musicians. Get weird or the future will never arrive. That being said, the musicians Coachella digs up from history often present the most exciting moments. Rock steady ska pioneers The Specials sent a crispy, warm message to Rudy that every witness appreciated immensely, but it was outrageous that barely any photographers showed up for Gil Scott-Heron's smooth, soulful set [editor's note: ours did!]. The man is partly responsible for getting Martin Luther King, Jr. a holiday, godfathered hip hop, and that doesn't merit attention? A large crowd attended his every word, but the photos won't show it. Later on, James Murphy screamed Gil Scott-Heron's name during "Losing My Edge" as if it were the name of God. Glad he gets it. LCD Soundsystem's first single in 2002, "Losing My Edge" is a historical document worth preserving for the ages, an essence that speaks to what Coachella seems bent on capturing and rewriting every year. Echo & The Bunnymen rode the high-hat zealously-as many have copied since-giving chapped lips sugar kisses. Public Image, Ltd., could not take Jay-Z's audience away from him nor unglue Fever Ray fans from Karin Dreijer Andersson's encompassing fog spell, but I'll be damned if PiL wasn't the best show all day. John Lydon's hair stood on edge and he rolled his rrrr's heroically. His gang of old men put the good junk in post-punk.

As this first 12 hour music summary comes to a close, a few acts remain worth giving a hoot about. Grizzly Bear's hypnotic power hardly needs mentioning and Vampire Weekend knows you love "Horchata." New cool La Roux magnetizes with a disco flavor that Anita Ward might approve. As hoped, Little Dragon's gentle fire breathing soul pop fronted by Yukimi's sexy voice and adorable stage presence comes in as Friday's second favorite. The music's weird enough, bent on discovering surprises. One-woman band Imogen Heap, as well, is the queen of surprises. She moves around her instruments, looping this and dubbing that as if casually mixing a magic potion or prepping a sandwich. Jay-Z's "On To The Next One" is an appropriate theme song for the attention span needed to get your money's worth at Coachella. And then Beyonce came out. We all bowed down before her short shorts.

Them Crooked Vultures, Passion Pit, Dillinger Escape Plan, Yo Gabba Gabba, and The Whitest Boy Alive also played sets on Friday. The Cribs were among those who could not. Coachella continues for a second day today/Saturday (Record Store Day). More pictures and videos and stuff from the first day, below...

Continue reading "Coachella 2010 - Day One in pics, video & review "

Say Yeah Yeah!
Posted on: Thursday, April 15th, 2010

Wow...we [Hypnitic Brass Ensemble] missed our flight to Ireland, some quick thinking got us on a flight to Kerry! We stayed and practiced in Dolans on Monday and then hit the radio and colleges on Tuesday Afternoon. The last two shows in Limerick were aiiight, but fuck, for a Tuesday, this even blew us away, thanks to Joe & his team in Limerick, we really love it here, it just keeps getting better and better.
We should have bought a house here, cause we have more fans and friends here than anywhere in the world...

...Looking forward to Galway & Cork and praying the volcanic ash does not prevent us from getting to Coachella for the Gorillaz show..peace

That obviously isn't stopping the California festival from continuing. There are more than enough artists to go around, and Frank Turner and RX Bandits just kicked off the second day. You can see the full schedule HERE, and start streaming today's performances around 7PM EST.

Video of Beyonce performing with Jay-Z, and Public Image Ltd performing Death Disco, during their respective Day One headlining sets last night, below...

Continue reading "Coachella Day Two kicks off, though Talvin Singh & Hypnotic Brass Ensemble have cancelled now too"

by Ryan Barkan

Tracy Morgan & Stevie Wonder (picture via Hipster Runoff)

Super Bowl XLIV (44) took place Sunday night in Florida between the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints. The Saints semi-upset the Colts to win the big game for the first time in the franchise's history. This post is a special edition of the long lost "Week In Music Licensing" post and as such, that's the last you will hear about the game. Grizzly Bear, Arcade Fire, many videos and more below...

Continue reading "music & commercials of Super Bowl XLIV (Grizzly Bear, Arcade Fire, The Who, Mini Kiss, The Heavy & more) "

Eclectic rocker Neil Young, who has made no secret of his disdain for the Grammys, finally won a coveted trophy on Sunday for the first time in a career spanning almost 50 years.

Fittingly, the Canadian singer/songwriter was honored for a long-delayed boxed set collecting more than 120 tracks from his early days.

"Neil Young Archives Vol. 1 (1963-1972)" won the Grammy for best art direction on a boxed or special limited-edition package. Young, 64, shared the award with fellow art directors Gary Burden and Jenice Heo.

"Thanks a lot, everybody," Young said as he accepted his statuette.

He also competed for best solo rock vocal Grammy but lost to Bruce Springsteen, whose career total rose to 20.

On Friday he was honored by the music industry at its annual MusiCares charity fundraiser in recognition of his annual concerts for the Bridge School for disabled children.

The 10-disc "Archives" boxed set has been in the works for years, with Young frequently delaying its release so that technology could catch up with his vision. It boasts studio and live tracks, demos, outtakes and other rarities, as well as videos and the first digital release of his directing debut, "Journey Through the Past."

Fans have the choice of three configurations: CD, DVD and Blu-ray -- the most expensive at more than $200. [Reuters]

Continue reading "full list of 2010 Grammy Award Winners (Phoenix, Stephen Colbert, Kings of Leon, David Byrne, Leonard Cohen & more) "

by Bill Pearis

DOWNLOAD: Zoos of Berlin - Electrical Way (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Computer Perfection - Able Archer (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Christmas Party with Computer Perfection & Friends (Zip)

Zoos of Berlin @ Market Hotel in September

Detroit's Zoos of Berlin are coming back to NYC for two shows this month: they'll play December 18 at Matchless and December 19 at Cake Shop. They were great when they played Market Hotel back in September. Here's what I wrote on Soundbites:

Zoos of Berlin are from Detroit and are fronted by Trevor Naud who also spent time (maybe still does) in the notoriously unprolific but occasionally awesome Pas/Cal. Unlike that band's sunshine pop, Zoos of Berlin are more buttoned up and immaculate, like a high society tea... but one that desperately wants to be disco-fest. Naud and turtleneck-wearing bassist Daniel Clark keep it regal, but drummer Colin Dupuis and, especially, keyboardist Will Yates are there to party. The result is like a weird mix of Cardinal and Steely Dan, a combination that is perfected on "Electrical Way" which has Yates laying down a super-funky Clavinet part over most of the song, with a breakdown which is straight out of "Peg." And it just sounds awesome, such good musicianship overcoming the deficiencies of Market Hotel's PA, where they played a few weeks ago.

Computer Perfection

While we're on the subject of Pas/Cal offshoots, I would be remiss to not mention Computer Perfection, the fairly new band that features most of Pas/Cal (minus main man Casimir) and who released their debut album last month which fans of their old band will probably like too. I caught them at CMJ and thought they were quite good, despite playing in a room smaller than my bedroom. I will admit being swayed by their spot-on cover of The Flowerpot Men's "Beat City" from the Ferris Bueller's Day Off soundtrack, which was enough to help them lug stuff to their van after the show and buy a copy of their CD. They're not touring right now, but keep an eye out.

Computer Perfection released a Christmas record last year that came out so late it almost missed the holiday, but you can still download it -- for free -- from their website. It's like fruitcake, it's just as good a year later. It also features contributions from Chicago's 1900s, Computer Perfection member LTD, and more. It;s worth the disc space of downloading alone for Aunt Beru & The Juicers' "Santa Brings It" which melds "Here Comes Santa Clause" onto Beyonce's "Single Ladies" which is sure to be a hit at any holiday office party. Grab the Zip file above. Cover art below.

Video from Zoos of Berlin's show at Market Hotel in September, plus upcoming tour dates , after the jump.

Continue reading "a free Christmas album by Computer Perfection & friends, Zoos of Berlin dates, MP3s, videos, Pas/Cal & more"

yeah let's all ignore the VMA's...just keep pretending u wouldn't totally go if u could - Anon 12:32

The MTV VMAs were last night. Matt & Kim won the award for Breakthrough Video with their naked-in-Times Square video. Kanye West made a scene. Videos of Kanye (who joins Jay-Z and Rhianna on the new Leno show's debut tonight) (and who played with the same two people at MSG on Friday night), Beyonce, Lady Gaga and more below...

Continue reading "waking up from ATP... Matt & Kim won a VMA"

photos by Bao Nguyen, words by Andrew Frisicano

It would be hard to describe the final Jelly NYC Pool Party, and the entire series this summer, as anything less than a success.

Like the week before with Girl Talk, the park reached capacity, meaning whoever was left in line, which I'm told wound down to Wythe Ave and back, had to listen from the street. Which might not have been so bad - the echoing sound from the show reached as far as McCarren Park, which made sense, because Grizzly Bear was loud and their sound, already loaded with reverb, was made to travel.

Beach House's set, which followed Vega's, seemed similar to Grizzly Bear in some ways - dreamy, washed out vocals and lethargic drums - but with a sound of their own. Grizzly Bear on stage simply sounded great. The band benefits from an echoey space that gives component parts time to fill out propery. The opener "Southern Point" broke into an ocean of sound that set the tone for the rest of the set. Later, Beach House's Victoria Legrand joined the group for her part on "Two Weeks," and throughout, both guitarists played with distortion that pushed the usually restrained GB (at least on record) over the edge. A great concise set, with a bit of jamming toward the end, and no encore (sadly, cause they earned it). With sunset behind them (in a non-blinding way) it was a great way to end the series (but hopefully, not the summer yet).

Grizzly Bear has lots of other tour dates coming up (but none in NYC). (And speaking of collaborations, Michael McDonald (Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan) sings lead on the b-side version of the band's "While You Wait for the Others" single - out on 7-inch and iTunes)

More pictures and the GB setlist are below...

Continue reading "Grizzly Bear, Beach House, Vega, Schumer & friends @ the last 2009 JellyNYC Pool Party (Williamsburg) - pics & setlist"

photo by Tim Griffin

The story of the day, Sunday, August 30th, would have been that, after an opening set by Beach House (who played after Vega) followed by a brief introduction by Senator Chuck Schumer, Grizzly Bear closed out the 2009 Pool Party season at the Williamsburg Waterfront with a beautiful 1+ hour set in front of the Manhattan skyline on a perfect Brooklyn day. Instead, Solange Knowles and her sister Beyonce who brought her husband Jay-Z decided to show up and watch Grizzly Bear from the soundboard. And that become the real topic of conversation for twitterers, texters, and the throngs of people walking toward Bedford around 7:30pm when the concert was over.

According to Schumer, he's going to fight to bring free concerts back to the same park next year. The status of that is currently unknown. It's possible JellyNYC may need to look for a new location for the free shows again. Maybe they should bring concerts back to McCarren Pool, or do they really think they're turning that space back into a swimming pool anytime soon?

More pictures and a full review of Sunday is coming soon HERE. In the meantime, check out some videos from the GB/BH/JZ show, and a few more pictures, below...

Continue reading "Grizzly Bear, Jay-Z & Beyonce @ the Williamsburg Waterfront Pool Party - a few pics & videos "

The Beets @ Woodsist/CT Fest 7/4 (more by Tim Griffin)

tonight in NYC
* DANCE
* Rev. Vince Anderson @ Union Pool
* Monday Night Burlesque @ Public Assembly
* Jemina Pearl @ Mercury Lounge
* Ambulance Ltd., Savoir Adore @ Union Hall
* Les Paul Trio w/ Bucky Pizzarelli @ Iridium
* Brendan Benson, Sean Bones @ Bowery Ballroom
* Benevento/Russo Duo, Jeff Bujak @ Highline Ballroom
* Whiplash w/ David Cross, Ted Alexandro @ UCB Theatre
* Brave Combo, Corn Mo & The .357 Lover @ The Bell House
* Yolanda Adams, Israel Houghton & The New Breed @ Wingate Field
* Bad Blood, Stupid Party, Special Noise, Angels Of America @ Don Pedro
* Precious Metal w/ Liturgy, Lightning Swords of Death, Bastard Sapling, Agrath @ Lit
* Falling Down w/ Ali Wong, Todd Barry, Dave Hill, Hannibal Buress @ Bruar Falls
* Small Beast w/ Paul Wallfisch, Bliss Blood, Curtis Eller, Larry Bang Bang @ Delancey
* The Virgins, The Beets, Dinowalrus, Teengirl Fantasy, Animal Collective (DJ), JDH & Dave P (DJ) @ Santos

Free outdoor music tonight includes a show with Yolanda Adams, Israel Houghton & The New Breed at Wingate Field.

The Virgins, The Beets, Dinowalrus and Teengirl Fantasy play a benefit for Cinema Nolita at Santos with Animal Collective and FIXED's JDH & Dave P DJing.

Ambulance Ltd. and Savoir Adore, who play the Mercury Lounge tomorrow, gig at Union Hall tonight. Those shows and more are part of an early edition of This Week In Indie.

Rev. Vince Anderson continues his weekly residency at Union Pool.

Brendan Benson kicks off his new-album-supporting tour at the Bowery Ballroom with Sean Bones.

The Highline Pianos series opens with sets from Benevento/Russo Duo and Jeff Bujak.

Les Paul Trio honors its recently-passed leader by playing with guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli at the Iridium.

Monthly comedy showcase Falling Down has a show at Bruar Falls with Ali Wong, Todd Barry, Dave Hill, Hannibal Buress and more. UCB's Whiplash hosts David Cross, Aparna Nancherla and Ted Alexandro.

Hercules and Love Affair played two NYC over the weekend. Antony and The Johnsons put out a video for their cover of Beyonce's "Crazy In Love," posted below.

"Fresh Air," the first single off Brother Ali's forthcoming Rhymesayers LP Us, is posted below.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Monday?"

"I am plainly shocked that the record has been number one in Europe this week, and I want to pause and thank all the people around the world that made that happen, and who have supported me with so much heart over the last few years, and come to my shows, and collected up all the press from around the world on the justonestar website, and wished me well, and shared some time with me at live shows. Thank you for urging me forward through a glorious dream, the likes of which is more your creation than mine. Antony x"

Antony & the Johnsons @ Keswick Theater in PA (Michael Alan Goldberg / SPIN)

"Antony & the Johnsons' "The Crying Light" (Rough Trade) makes a dramatic debut at No. 1 on Billboard's European Top 100 Albums chart, as Katy Perry's "Hot N Cold" (Virgin/EMI) scores a fourth week atop Eurochart Hot 100 Singles.

"The Crying Light," easily the highest charting of the U.S.-based act's three albums, makes a series of eye-catching debuts across the region. It's in at No. 2 in Spain and Sweden, No. 3 in Denmark, No. 4 in France, Holland and Norway, No. 9 in Italy and No. 18 in the United Kingdom, the latter with sales of 10,000 units. It also climbs 2-1 in the Belgian region of Flanders.

"Light" is the follow-up to 2005's "I Am A Bird Now," which won the U.K.'s Mercury Music Prize for the group led by New Yorker Antony Hegarty. It qualified for the prize because Hegarty was born in the U.K." [Billboard - January 29, 2009]

Continue reading "Antony played Letterman (video), plays NYC tonight & Friday"