Jay-Z @ Barclay's Center, 10/4/2012 (via @brooklynvegan Instagram)

Jay-Z, who kicked the eight-night run off back on 9/28, played his sixth show at the new Barclays Center last night (10/4, which we Instagrammed a bit, like the one above) and he'll play there again tonight (10/5) and Saturday (10/6). If you couldn't get tickets (or don't live near NYC) you can stream Jay-Z's final show (10/6) live via his new YouTube Channel at 9:30 PM EDT.

Continue reading "Jay-Z streaming Saturday's Barclays Center show from new YouTube "

Jay-Z at Barclays Center - 9/29/12 (via Alyonka Larionov)

Jay-Z kicked off his first of eight sold-out shows at Brooklyn's new Barclays Center on Friday (9/28) and has since played his second (9/29) and third (9/30) nights over the weekend. Though Jay said there would be no guests at these shows, he's still been sneaking a few in. As mentioned, Big Daddy Kane was there on night one. Memphis Bleek showed up on Saturday to join him on "Can't Knock the Hustle," "Money Ain't A Thang," "La La La," "Excuse Me Miss," and "You Me, Him & Her." (No guests on night three though.) The setlist was otherwise pretty similar to night one, including a large span of material; everything from Cruel Summer standout "Clique," to his earliest cuts like "Dead Presidents" and huge hits like "Dirt Off Your Shoulder," "99 Problems," "H to the Izzo," "Hard Knock Life," and more.

The run continues tonight (10/1). Videos from Saturday's show are below.

Continue reading "Jay-Z played nights 2 & 3 at Barclays Center (videos)"

Jay-Z, trying to prove that Brooklyn is far from finished, just finished his first of eight sold out shows at the brand new Barclays Center (that, concerts aside, he has a huge economic stake in).

The first night at the new home of the Nets was mostly just Jay. He kept the special guests to a minimum apart from an encore appearance by Big Daddy Kane and a video tribute to Notorious B.I.G. earlier on. Check out the actual printed setlist from the Friday show, below...

Continue reading "Jay-Z opened the Barclays Center (night 1 setlist) "

this is the picture people are saying is hologram Biggie (via highacez)

Despite what is quickly spreading FAST across the internet, thanks in part to some tweets by Russell Simmons (that lead to a page on his site GlobalGrind that say it was a hologram), it does not appear that there was an actual hologram of Biggie tonight. Just some high tech video.

Hologram Tupac is still the only hologram until we hear otherwise (the show is still underway as we type this) UPDATE: show over. No hologram. Check out the setlist.

The real Big Daddy Kane, however, in the flesh, was a guest at the show

Stay tuned for more later, though you can hear Jay perform a new (Nets themed?) verse, before 99 Problems, at the show, below...

Continue reading "Jay-Z brings out hologram Biggie Smalls @ Barclays Center?"

via @jakerocksoff

We already posted lots of posts today. Here's some more, and some reminders too...

With the opening of the Barclays Center (follow @BrooklynVegan on Twitter for some scenes from the chaos), both New York and Time Out ponder the changing landscape of Brooklyn in this week's issues.

Speaking of the new venue, Lady Gaga's MSG (2/22) & Barclays Center (3/6) shows sold out today, so she added one more at each venue. The new dates are 2/23 @ MSG and 3/7 @ Barclays. Both go on sale Friday, October 5th at 10am.

Other NYC shows that went on sale today include JEFF the Brotherhood, Field Report, Diamond Rings, Anais Mitchell, Kelly Hogan, Callers and Petty Fest.

And regarding that Staten Island politician talking shit about her, Lady Gaga thanked him.

As mentioned, Soundgarden is releasing a new album, their first in 15 years, on 11/13. Now you can hear the first song which is streaming at the bottom of this post.

In other bands who were good in the '90s Barclays Center news and, Smashing Pumpkins warmed up for their arena tour with an intimate, two-and-a-half-hour show at Stubb's in Austin last night. The tour hits the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Halloween.

Listen to the title track from Bad Brains' forthcoming new album.

Apple knows its maps app sucks.

Trevor Dunn, who is currently on tour as a member of Melvins Lite, took to his tour diary to comment on Green Day frontman BIlie Joe Armstrong's recent freakout: "That guy's main problem is that he doesn't realize that he is Justin Bieber."

Do you love the blown-out, pixelated artork on MIA albums? You may want to buy here coffee table book then.

On a somewhat similar publishing tip, Diplo "and photographer Shane McCauley are launching the zine series Blow Your Head. Each volume will explore a different country and musical genre.

Tour diaries are hot these days. (Have you read ours with Kelly Pratt whose touring with David Byrne and St. Vincent)? Diamond Rings and Stars writing about their adventures on the road for The Huffington Post. Those adventures included a show at Webster Hall this week.

Winter is coming for everyone, it seems. Neko Case tweeted today: "Dude. I'm just gonna admit to being balls-deep in Game of Thrones on CD."

While on the subject of rock star confessions, a recent quote from Pete Townshend: "What I remember of the size of Mick Jagger's penis - I remember it as being huge and extremely tasty."

If you need more, maybe you'd like to read some Phil Collins erotic fan fiction?

Speaking of St. Vincent, today is Annie Clark's 30th birthday. Happy Birthday, Annie! We always liked this picture of her, by Chris La Putt, from her days as a member of the Polyphonic Spree:

Catch St Vincent and David Byrne in Williamsburg Park on Saturday. How was their second Beacon show? Check out pictures from the first (also by Chris La Putt).

It's also Les Claypool of Primus' birthday, who turn 49. Catch Primus on tour this fall.

Not that surprising, but awesome -Austin just became the first Texas city to endorse marriage equality.

Austin music venue Scoot Inn, a popular place to be during SXSW, has a new owner.

Kreayshawn's new album flopped.

Mumford & Sons' new album probably won't.

more stuff below...

Continue reading "ALSO: new Soundgarden & Bad Brains songs; MIA art book; Diplo's new zine; Phil Collins erotic fan fiction; Apple maps & more"

The Illuminator, whose mission is "to smash the myths of the information industry and shine a light on the urgent issues of our time", and whose projections have been seen everywhere from the Russian Consulate in Manhattan ("Free Pussy Riot") to Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn "99% Occupy", lit up the rusty facade of the new Barclays Center the other night, as you can see in the pictures above and at the website of Develop Don't Destroy.

Protests continue tonight outside the venue as Jay-Z takes the stage inside (Talib Kweli spins the afterparty).

Talib Kweli w/ Idle Warship at Culture Shock 2012 (more by Kellyann Petry)

As mentioned in What's Going on Friday?, there's an afterparty for tonight's Jay-Z Barclays show (9/28, his first of eight) happening at Free Candy (905 Atlantic Ave) with Jay-Z's DJ, Young Guru as well as a set from Talib Kweli (who's spinning with Questlove and Q-Tip at The Cap earlier in the evening). Talib hits the decks at midnight and tickets are $10.

For Jay-Z's shows on Saturday (9/29) and Sunday (9/30) there will be afterparties at Littlefield featuring not only Young Guru but also Jay-Z's backing band, The Roc Boyz. Promoters are promising "special guests" which could mean all sorts of things, but no names have been announced. Doors are at 10:30 PM with the party kicking in in at 11 and tickets ($10 advance, $15 day of) are still available.

Flyers for both afterparties are below.

Continue reading "Talib Kweli, Young Guru, The Roc Boyz and "special guests" will be at Jay-Z afterparties this weekend in Brooklyn"

Battle for Brooklyn poster

While the opening of Barclays Center was a happy moment for some, for others... not so much. In fact, the trials and tribulations of one man who fought the development is the subject of a film:

BATTLE FOR BROOKLYN follows the story of reluctant activist Daniel Goldstein as he struggles to save his home and community from being demolished to make way for a professional basketball arena and the densest real estate development in U.S. history. Along the way, he falls in love, gets married and starts a family while living in a vacated building located at the heart of the project site. Over the course of seven years, Daniel spearheads the movement against the development plan as he and the community fight tenaciously in the courts, the streets, and the media to stop the abuse of eminent domain and reveal the corruption at the heart of the plan.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 (arena opening day)
11AM: Press conference @ Barclays Center, in front of the Pacific Bears Community Garden, opposite the arena, at triangle tip where Flatbush and Pacific meet (details to follow).

12PM - 4PM: Popup actions all around the Barclays Center

5PM: Virtual rally--tweet #BarclaysCenter and @AYCrimeScene for housing and jobs now.

6PM: OWSGuitarmy's Teach-in in Response to Jay-Z Comments

8PM: Free outdoor screening of Battle For Brooklyn (battleforbrooklyn.com)
@ Dean Playground Ball Field, just half a block from the arena
(Dean St. between 6th Ave. and Carlton Ave. MAP)

Continue reading "'Battle for Brooklyn' documentary screens this week to coincide with Barclays Center opening / protests"

photos by Sachyn Mital

"Every team has a grand plan, and we're moving slowly, step by step, because it's easy to make a strong team, but it's very difficult to make a championship team. So we are on the right way and I'm expecting our championship within three years now," Prokhorov told reporters Friday morning after participating in a ribbon-cutting with partner Bruce Ratner and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, marking the ceremonial opening of the $1 billion Barclays Center in downtown Brooklyn.

Mikhail Prokhorov has a grand plan for the Nets, who open their new arena in their first season in Brooklyn Nov. 1 against the rival Knicks. "I'm really thirsting for the first of November," he said.

When Prokhorov bought the team in 2010, he said the Nets would capture the NBA title within five years, meaning his plan remains on schedule. -[ESPN]

The first step towards familiarity is getting the public acquainted with the space, a feat that Barclays Center attempted when they opened their doors to the press on Friday (9/21). With protesters outside, Mayor Bloomberg and Brooklyn Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov welcomed in photographers, including Sachyn Mital whose pictures continue below...

Continue reading "A look inside the new Barclays Center (pics)"

53%ers

We already posted lots of posts today. Here's some more, and some reminders too...

Jay-Z & Beyonce raised a cool $4M for Barack Obama at their benefit last night ("Beyonce could not be a better role model for my girls," Obama said,). Go on and brush your shoulders off, Jigga.

If you bought a ticket to that fundraiser, may we interest you in a live entertainment company?

Meanwhile, the President was on The Late Show with David Letterman last night, chatting about the Mitt Romney "47%" video and other things. Watch it below.

In other money news, Amanda Palmer is now going to pay those previously-volunteer musicians and her new LP debuted at #10 on Billboard.

If you were wondering the #1 album is, it's Dave Matthews Band's Away from the World which beat out Bob Dylan. The xx's Coexist came in at #5, not too bad!

Check out what David Byrne & St. Vincent played last night in Chicago.

Look at pictures from our Jon Spencer Blues Explosion record release party that was last night.

Hope to see you at our Rafiq Batia record release party that Anti-Pop Consortium is also playing.

Check out an excellent profile piece on the legendary Neil Young that appeared in the NY Times Magazine.

Sinead O'Connor wrote to Russian president Vladmir Putin, demanding Pussy Riot's release. Is that helping or hurting?

Deftones are back with "Leathers", the new song from their upcoming Koi No Yokan due on 11/13. Check out that song below in a video stream and/or down load your copy at their site.

more stuff below...

Continue reading "Also: Jay-Z raises serious $$$ for Obama, Yo Gabba Gabba, Deftones, 'Ice Ice Baby' analyzed, Wilco, Neil Young & more"

As the NY Post says:

Jay-Z and wife Beyoncé will host a fund-raiser for President Obama at the "Watch the Throne" rapper's 40/40 Club on Sept. 18. We hear the event will be intimate and capped at 100 guests who will shell out $40,000 per ticket to dine with the commander-in-chief and hip-hop royal. Earlier the same day, Obama is scheduled to attend a reception where families can pose for a photo with him for a $12,500 contribution. A rep for Jay-Z's West 25th Street club had no comment. We're told the campaign stop will be Obama's last in New York before the election. But does this mean the president will miss Jay's concerts at Brooklyn's new Barclays Center at the end of September?

In related news, Kanye's G.O.O.D. Music album 'Cruel Summer' is out next week.

by Andrew Sacher

After much delay, rumors proved true and false, and some uncertain info, Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music compilation album, Cruel Summer, is fully confirmed and will be out this Tuesday (9/18). Many of its tracks -- "Clique," "Mercy," "New God Flow," "Cold" (previously titled "Theraflu"), and his guest-filled remix of Chief Keef's "I Don't Like" -- have been floating around the internet for some time now. You can stream all of those and snippets of every album track below.

Though Kanye only actually raps on about half the album, his presence is felt throughout and Cruel Summer succeeds at playing from start to finish with an album flow, despite it technically being a compilation. It opens as huge as you expect any Kanye related release to open, addressing the album not just to his fans, friends or family, but of course, "To The World." The track brings together beat master Hudson Mohawke (who's been having a great year as one half of TNGHT) with R. Kelly and Ye. It immediately follows with the album's strongest track, "Clique," which features one of the best Jay-Z verses in recent years and a towering beat from Hit-Boy, who is also behind Cruel Summer tracks "Cold," "Higher," and of course you may know him as the guy behind "Niggas In Paris."

After it continues colossally with previously released singles "Mercy" and "New God Flow," we get the first track on the album without Kanye's voice, "The Morning." However, there's no lack of all-star rappers on the track. We get killer verses from vets Pusha T, Common, and Raekwon, and if guys like Kid Cudi and 2 Chainz are your thing, well they're there too. Cudi, though not the strongest of Kanye associates, does have a shining moment on the album though. Over a clattering beat in "Creepers," he delivers a solo vocal performance making for a rare standout personal moment from not-Kanye in the midst of Ye's encapsulating ego. That's followed by "Bliss," which sees the return of Hudson Mohawke to the boards and is the album's sole track with all singing, no rapping. A distinct contrast to the hanging out and freestyling feel of the closing "I Don't Like" remix.

Streams and tracklist are below.

Continue reading "Kanye's G.O.O.D. Music album 'Cruel Summer' is out next week (tracklist, streams & more on the album)"

Russell Simmons writes:

As a person who cares deeply about Occupy Wall Street, I have to honor their year-long effort and educate my long-time friend, Jay-Z. This weekend, he was interviewed by the New York Times where he discusses OWS, where he was quoted as saying "I'm not going to a park and picnic, I have no idea what to do, I don't know what the fight is about. What do we want, do you know?" If he understood it and endorsed the movement, it would make a big difference to poor people. As the same man that said he would pay more taxes if it helped educate more children and create affordable healthcare, Jay-Z's words matter. He was honest enough to say that he didn't understand it. A lot of Americans don't. He was also honest enough to recognize that there are some in the 1 percent who "deceiving" and "robbing," so I know in his heart he gets it. I know he is a compassionate person who cares about the poor, so I'm certain if I had two more minutes with him, I could change his mind.

I went to Zuccotti Park, the home-base of the Occupy Wall Street movement, almost everyday for months. I listened to the young people talk about their 99 problems. The 99 percent. Healthcare reform. Prison industrial complex. The war machine. Bad schools. Lack of access to affordable higher education. Genetically modified food. Gay rights. Immigration reform. Crumbling housing projects. Climate change. Everyday, there was a new protester with a new sign, fighting for the rights of the under-served. There was never an official agenda or media-friendly talking points. Zuccotti Park and the Occupy camps that sprung up around the country were places for any and every person to come and share ideas about how to better perfect our union. Our democracy.

I would agree that for many it was hard to understand the purpose of the movement if you did not attend any of the General Assemblies, or march hand-in-hand with the millions of protesters around the country. The months during the height of the beginning of the movement were unlike anything we had seen before in our nation. A protest led by no one, but always led by leaders. Organized through social media, yet no organization at the forefront. This was a true people's campaign.

If we look back at the accomplishments thus far of Occupy Wall Street, there are many. For one, the national conversation that preceded September 17th, 2011 was dominated by a manufactured political fight in Washington to raise the debt ceiling and avoid a credit default. Within the first weeks of OWS, the conversation had been changed to the real issue that is eroding America; economic inequality, a topic that hasn't been discussed for decades. Within the first few months of OWS, the conversation evolved into an examination of how Wall Street's money has destroyed our political system and took control of our democracy. The prison industrial complex, lower taxes for the rich, the outsourcing of jobs, Wall Street running rampant, poisonous foods for our children, even some wars and almost everything that disempowers the poor, is a result of money passing from lobbyists and corporations to our politicians. And that is what Occupy Wall Street is fighting against. It is a sad state that the politicians work for the people who pay them, not for the people who elect them. That is not democracy.

If you look at the current Presidential election, Money Mitt Romney and his buddies are spending 12 times that of President Obama in special interest money and/or Super PACs. Money Mitt is clearly being manipulated by big corporations and folks who can write $10 million checks. The man changes his position every three days. When the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Citizen's United, our democracy sign was placed on the front lawn with big red letters: FOR SALE! I am encouraged by President Obama's support of using a Constitutional Amendment as an option to return our democracy back to the people. This will be his legacy issue. I am sure of that. And without the pressure of Occupy Wall Street, this conversation might never have happened.

So, Jay, here's the deal. You're rich and I'm rich. But, today it's close to impossible to be you or me and get out of Marcy Projects or Hollis, Queens without changing our government to have our politicians work for the people who elect them and not the special interests and corporations that pay them. Because we know that these special interests are nothing special at all. In fact, they spend millions of dollars destroying the fabric of the black community and make billions of dollars in return. For example, the prison lobby paid politicians to create a so-called "War On Drugs" that resulted in a prison economy that disproportionately locks up black and brown people, including many of your friends and mine. They took drug-infected, diseased people, locked them up, educated them in criminal behavior and dumped them back into our community, thus producing a jail culture for our streets. There are more black people under correctional control (prison, jail, parole, probation) today, than were enslaved in 1850, a decade before the Civil War. This is just one issue that has been bought and sold. If we have to occupy Wall Street or occupy All Streets to change the course of direction of this nation, then we must. We must take our democracy off the market and let the world know that it is no longer for sale! Mic check!

Your Friend,

~Russell Simmons

Jay-Z 'Made in America' (more by Dana (distortion) Yavin)

Occupy Guitarmy posted the following to their site:

The Occupy Guitarmy, a subset of the OWS Music Working group, offers a response to Jay-Z, who today said in the NY Times said in the Daily News that OWS’s actions are “un-American.”

"I think all those things need to really declare themselves a bit more clearly because when you just say that 'the 1 percent is that,' that's not true," he said.

"Yeah, the 1 percent that's robbing people, and deceiving people, these fixed mortgages and all these things, and then taking their home away from them, that's criminal, that's bad.

"Not being an entrepreneur. This is free enterprise. This is what America is built on."

Jay-Z “supported” Occupy earlier in its first, highly media-friendly moments through his entrepreneurial selling of “Occupy All Streets” t-shirts, although he refused to donate any of the profits of his sales to support the activists and received wide-spread negative publicity for his crass appropriation of the movement’s language.

Now Jay is rolling with even more powerful and popular friends, namely the LIBOR-scandal leading bankers at Barclays, who put their name on the controversial Brooklyn arena where Jay’s basketball team will play and where he will play eight nights to inaugurate the venue.

Jay asked in the article: “"I don't know what the fight is about. What do we want? Do you know?"

We have spent one year on the streets organizing for exactly the things Jay rapped about in his early days, ending urban poverty, ending Stop & Frisk and police use of lethal force, of returning dignity and hope to the everyday people of New York City. These are simple civil rights issues we know Jay-Z must support, and we would love to help open his heart and mind to the work Occupy has helped do in his own former communities.

On SEPTEMBER 28th we will arrive at his sold-out Barclays concert to lovingly show Jay-Z what we want and how he can help: by encouraging his fans to take action for social justice in their communities, schools, workplaces, and homes.

Join us September 28 at Barclays at 6pm for an Occupy Wall Street teach-in and musical performance. Let’s be a sincere answer to Jay’s question. In turn we will ask on of him, one Florence Reece wrote in the 1930s and still matters now, “Which Side Are You On?”

If your community organization / musical group / education group would like to join us, please email music at nycga dot net.

UPDATE: Here’s a tweet response from OWS supporter Russell Simmons

Russell SimmonsVerified ?@UncleRUSH

J. @occupywallstreet is not a blanket indictment of the rich its an indictment of a system that let’s the rich bribe R government, luv u

We last heard about Guitarmy on May Day when Tom Morello, Dan Deacon, and others hooked up with them for a NYC march.

On a related note, Tom Morello and Eddie Vedder recently joined Bruce Springsteen on stage in Chicago. Eddie Vedder also recently played with Jay-Z.

UPDATE: Russell Simmons also has way more to say about this.

photos by Dana (distortion) Yavin

Run DMC / Pearl Jam / Drake at Made in America Fest 9/3/2012

A Run DMC reunion was one of the many highlights of the second day of the Jay-Z presented Made in America Festival which happened in Philadelphia over Labor Day Weekend. Monday's show also featured Pearl Jam, Drake, X, The Hives and others. Jay-Z joined Pearl Jam during their set for a performance of "99 Problems".

Pictures from day 1 are HERE and more pics from day 2 are below (along with Run DMC's setlist).

Continue reading "Made in America Fest: day 2 in pics (Run DMC, Pearl Jam, X, Santigold, Drake, The Hives, Jill Scott and more)"

photos by Dana (distortion) Yavin

Jay-Z & Kanye / Passion Pit / D'Angelo at Made in America 9/2/2012

Closing out the first day of Made in America was rap legend and festival organizer Jay-Z's behemoth set. "Allow me to re-introduce myself," Jay rapped as he entered the stage, a screaming crowd of thousands joining him in every word and making clear that no introductions were necessary. Breaking the day's tradition of rappers surrounded by hype men, Jay-Z struck a dramatic pose alone on stage.

His set's first surprise was a video from President Obama, who voiced his support of Made in America's patriotic vision and urged concertgoers to register to vote, a call to action greeted with cheers.

Backed by a live band and celebrating his recent NBA partnership by sporting a Brooklyn Nets hat, Jay-Z flew through a sampler of his most beloved hits, from early hit Izzo (H.O.V.A.) to crowd favorite Big Pimpin. He gave plenty of love to his new material as well, performing an ode to his hometown of New York City with a euphoric rendition of Empire State of Mind and leading the crowd in singing Run This Town, before playing the hard-driving On to the Next One...

...Jay-Z's turn at Made In America wasn't complete without a few high-profile guests. As the show neared its end, Kanye West and his G.O.O.D. Music posse stormed the stage. West, joined by Pusha T, Big Sean, 2 Chainz and Common, showcased new tracks Mercy and New God Flow with his crew before splitting off to perform several songs solo. With the crowd in near pandemonium, Jay and Ye closed the night with collaboration N----- in Paris.- [USA Today]

Continue reading "Made in America Fest: day 1 in pics (Jay-Z, Dirty Projectors, D'Angelo, Janelle Monae, Passion Pit and more)"

Gary Clark Jr. at Coachella 2012 (more by David Andrako)

As mentioned, Philly's Made In America Festival goes down this weekend (9/1 - 9/2) on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Since we last spoke, the lineup was expanded and now includes Drake (who was rumored but not on the initial lineup announcement), Jill Scott, Chris Cornell, The Hives, and Run DMC, who are all playing the second day (9/2), in addition to blues guitarist Gary Clark Jr., who will be on the only performer on the bill playing both days, and others. Day 1 (9/1) will be headlined by festival head Jay-Z, and also includes Skrillex, Passion Pit, D'Angelo, Dirty Projectors, Janelle Monae, and others, and day 2 (9/2) will be headlined by Pearl Jam and also includes Odd Future, X, Santigold, and others. Tickets for the festival are still available.

If you're going to the fest, Philly is only about a two hour drive from NYC and this FAQ should help you find your way over (for directions use the address of Ben Franklin Parkway at Eakins Oval in Philadelphia or the Philadelphia Museum of Art). Once you're there, that FAQ will also help you find your way around, parking tips, and more. There will be a free filtered water service at the festival site, but you can't bring glowsticks (sorry Skrillex fans).

A #MadeInAmerica video for Gary Clark Jr. and the lineup for the festival are below.

Continue reading "Jay-Z's Made In America Festival is this weekend; Gary Clark Jr. playing both nights (full lineup, directions & more)"

Artist rendering of Cushman & Wakefield Theater

R&B crooner and frequent Real Time with Bill Maher guest John Legend, whose 2010 album, Wake Up!, was a collaboration with The Roots and who we recently spotted checking out Frank Ocean at Terminal 5, will be the first artist to play the Cushman & Wakefield Theater, an "intimate theater" within the Barclays Center complex, on October 29. Intimate compared to Barclays Arena at least, the theater seats 3500 - 6000 people. Tickets to John Legend's show go on sale Friday (8/17) at noon.

That show is with UK singer Lianne La Havas, who made BBC's 'Sound of 2012' list and opened for Bon Iver in Chicago (and other dates) in 2011. She also plays her own NYC show on September 11 at Bowery Ballroom (tickets).

The Cushman & Wakefield Theater show is of many dates on John Legend's upcoming fall tour, which also hits the NYC area on October 25 at Wellmont Theatre with Stacy Barthe. Tickets for that show go on sale Friday (8/17) at noon. Tickets for the shows will also be available through Tickets-for-Charity, which will donate $1 from each ticket sold to The Show Me Campaign.

John will be using his fall tour to preview cuts from his new Kanye West-produced album, Love in the Future, which is out in the near future, actual release date TBD. You can watch a short video of John announcing the tour and talking about the album at the bottom of this post.

Meanwhile, the Barclays Center opens on September 28 with eight shows by venue director Jay-Z.

A list of all John Legend tour dates and that video are below.

Continue reading "Cushman & Wakefield Theater opening at Barclays Center; John Legend playing first show there (and other dates) "

Jay-Z @ All Points West 2009 (more by Tim Griffin)

Not very surprising, but...

JAY Z has added three more shows at Barclays Center on Monday, October 1st, Friday, October 5th and Saturday, 6th. The three shows will be held in addition to the five concerts on September 28, 29, and 30, and October 3 and 4.

All eight shows, produced by Live Nation, will go on sale to the general public tomorrow, Friday, July 13 at 10 a.m (EST). Tickets for the shows will be available through Ticketmaster by visiting www.barclayscenter.com or www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

As announced in previous press releases, more than 7,000 tickets for each show will be priced at under $30.

American Express® Cardmembers will have access to purchase tickets tomorrow for the additional three concerts at www.Ticketmaster.com beginning at 8am (EST).

So far today, we've posted news about Jay-Z cohort Kanye West, and about D'Angelo, who is playing Jay-Z's Made In America Fest -- and now we've got some updates on Jay himself. As mentioned, Jay will be playing multiple shows at the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn, where he is a director and where The Nets (who he partially owns) will be playing. One of those dates was already announced (September 28), and now two more have been revealed: September 29 and 30. Tickets for all three shows at the Brooklyn arena go on sale Friday (7/13) at 10 AM, but first an AmEx presale on July 11 from 10:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m. "More than 7,000 tickets per show will be priced at under $30."

"JAY Z is Brooklyn and is the definitive artist to open Barclays Center," said Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark. "We are thrilled that such an iconic world-class entertainer, not to mention a Brooklynite, will take the borough's biggest stage on three consecutive nights for what will surely be a historic experience for all fans."

Continue reading "Jay-Z announces more Barclays Center shows & ticket info"

Kanye at ACL 2011 (more by Tim Griffin)

Kanye West will be coming to Atlantic City next month for shows at Revel Ovation Hall on July 6 and 7. Tickets for those shows go on sale Friday (6/22) at 10 AM with an AmEx presale starting Wednesday (6/20) at 10 AM. They're his only North American dates announced at the moment.

In related news, Kanye's G.O.O.D. Music group is putting out a compilation album this year which is set to feature Pusha T, Frank Ocean, Jay Electronica, 2 Chainz, Big Sean, and more. They recently dropped a video for the track "Mercy," with Kanye, Pusha T, Big Sean, and 2 Chainz. You can watch that below. G.O.O.D. Music are set to make their debut television performance on the BET Awards on July 1.

Meanwhile, Kanye has been on tour in Europe with Jay-Z and Rap Radar reports that last night (6/18) in Paris they broke their record of amount of times playing "Niggas in Paris" at one show, performing the song a dozen times. (Is anyone else besides Kanye vying for this record?) You can check out a video of this below.

A list of all dates and videos below...

Continue reading "Kanye West playing 2 Atlantic City shows, broke record of times having played "Niggas in Paris" in one show"

Jay-Z, who already owns a portion of the Brooklyn Nets, has now also been named a director at Brooklyn's Barclays Center, where the Nets will be playing and he will also be performing. NY Post reports:

As one of seven directors, the rapper and music mogul will attend board meetings and help direct arena senior staff on daily operations, Barclays Center officials confirmed today.

He's already helped the Nets design the team's Brooklyn logos and its yet-to-be-released jerseys. And he was especially hands-on in designing 11 luxury arena suites called "The Vault."

For the suites -- which run $550,000 each -- Jay-Z's fingerprints are everywhere. He even helped choose the high-end forks, napkins and champagne that will be served.

All Journey dates are listed below...

Continue reading "Jay-Z named director of Barclays Center (where Journey is playing w/ Pat Benatar)"

Coldplay at All Points West 2009 (more by Tim Griffin)

Swedish duo Icona Pop will be heading to North America this month, where they'll play Glasslands on June 22 (tickets). Before they play that show, they'll DJ a VIbrations party one day earlier, 6/21 at Hudson Terrace Roof Deck with DJ sets by Cassian, Sean Glass, and guests. The party is free til midnight with RSVP.

In related news, Charli XCX (who wrote Icona Pop's song "I Love It") has a new EP out today called You're the One. You've already heard "Nuclear Seasons" and the Balam Acab remix of that song. Now you can listen to the EP's title track as well, which is streaming below. The EP also includes a Blood Orange remix of that song.

Charli is one of the many artists opening for Coldplay (who will never work with Justin Bieber) on their upcoming tour, including the Chicago date with Marina and the Diamonds. Other openers on the tour include Robyn (who opens their Texas shows), Frank Ocean (who recently announced his own tour), Wolf Gang (who has nothing to do with any group Frank Ocean is part of), Temper Trap, The Pierces, and Emeli Sande.

Emeli was in NYC last week to play Bowery Ballroom and MHOW with Selah Sue (if you went, how were those shows?) and she'll be opening the East Rutherford, NJ shows at Izod Center on August 3 and 4 with Marina and the Diamonds. Tickets for those shows are available. If you're going to the Coldplay shows, be careful with the "Xylobands" that are being given out at the concerts. Fans are reporting that these bands, "which create a dramatic effect at Coldplay gigs," have been randomly reactivating after the shows and causing traumas such as waking fans up in the middle of the night. "It is believed the only way to stop the glowing is to jam a pencil clip into the band." Maybe they should call them jam bands.

As mentioned, Marina and the Diamonds will return to the NYC area after that for two headling shows at Webster Hall (8/16 & 8/18) with MS MR. The 8/16 show is sold out but tickets for the 8/18 show are still available. MS MR will play NYC even sooner than that at Santos Party House on June 27.

Speaking of Coldplay openers, Rita Ora just recently opened a few dates for the band and she's in NYC tonight for a free show at Gramercy Theater. RSVP is closed but you maybe don't wanna go anyway? Beyonce and Jay-Z on the other hand, might already have plans to be there. They went to support her at Coldplay's show in Manchester on Sunday (6/10) and were then spotted headbanging during Coldplay's set. A video of said headbanging is below.

That video, the Charli XCX stream, and a list of all Coldplay dates below...

Continue reading "Charli XCX (whose EP is out), Frank Ocean, Robyn & more opening on Coldplay tour; Icona Pop DJing in NYC"

I Break Horses at Terminal 5 earlier this month (more by BBG)

today in NYC
* YG, Pure @ SOB's
* Adron @ Zebulon
* Big Terrific @ Cameo
* Dawn of Midi @ Roulette
* David Yazbek @ Joe's Pub
* Our Hit Parade @ Joe's Pub
* Amy X Neuburg @ The Stone
* Tinklepotty/D-Bakl @ The Stone
* Selah Sue @ The Bowery Electric
* Ra Ra Riot (DJ set) @ Living Room
* Susan Alcorn @ Issue Project Room
* The Mandingo Ambassadors @ Barbes
* Since, I'm In You, Desert Stars @ Union Pool
* Al Kooper, Jimmy Vivino @ Highline Ballroom
* Ballou/Robinson/Ilgenfritz/Schuller @ Barbes
* I Break Horses, Field Mouse @ Mercury Lounge
* Kent Odessa, Pegasus Warning @ Cameo Gallery
* Mecca Bodega, Old Monk, Young Gung @ Cake Shop
* Busdriver, Lakutis, Tron and DVD @ Santos Party House
* Parlovr, Mainland, We Run, The Drowners @ Glasslands
* Great Lake Swimmers, Cold Specks @ Bowery Ballroom
* The Orion Experience, Damon Daunno @ Mercury Lounge
* Sweet Georgia Brown: A Tribute to Etta James @ BB King's
* Vintage Trouble, Neal Carlson @ The Studio at Webster Hall
* Judah Friedlander, They Might Be Giants, David Rees @ UCB
* Midnight Spin, Tingsek, Shane Gamble @ The Bowery Electric
* Foster The People, The Kooks @ Central Park Rumsey Playfield
* River City Extension, The Drowning Men, Ben Henderson @ Maxwell's
* Magmana, Ram's Head Lady Slipper, Strange Shapes @ The Rock Shop
* The City Streets, The Ballroom Jacks, Galapagos Now @ Knitting Factory
* Henry Cole & Afrobeat Collective, Gilad Hekselman Quartet @ 92YTribeca
* Algernon Cadwallader, Living Room, Spook Houses @ Big Snow Buffalo Lodge
* The Coathangers, Hunters, The Numerators, Desert Sharks @ Death By Audio
* Galactic, Corey Clover, Corey Henry, The New Orleans Suspects @ Brooklyn Bowl
* The Crystal Ark, Avan Lava, Kim Ann Foxman, DJ Sean B @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
* Missing Documents, Juan Wauters (of The Beets), Pale Lights, Honey Dos @ Shea Stadium
* These Animals, Coastgaard, The Can't Tells, Baby Teardrops, Fairweather Friends @ Pianos

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Kanye West and Jay-Z have a new video for the Frank Ocean-featuring Watch the Throne opening track, "No Church in the Wild." Check it out below.

You can also check out the new video for M83's "Reunion" which continues the story of the creepy kids from the "Midnight City" video. It's below as well.

And one more: the trippy video for PS I Love You's "Princess Towers" can also be watched below.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Wednesday?"

The following items are NOT ALLOWED
• Weapons of any kind
• Fireworks or explosives
• Illegal or Illicit substances of any kind
• Outside food & drink (except your factory sealed water)
• Pets (except service animals)
• Flyers, handbills, posters, stickers (no solicitation allowed)
• Chairs
• Glass containers
• Skateboards, motorized vehicles or Scooters
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