"In a rare interview, multi-platinum, 10-time Grammy Award-winning artist and icon JAY-Z will speak with Charlie Rose, executive editor and anchor of the Charlie Rose Show, before a live audience in the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Auditorium at the Brooklyn Museum on Thursday, November 18, at 7 p.m. The conversation, which will be taped to air nationwide at a later date on the Charlie Rose program, will focus on JAY-Z's book DECODED, to be published on November 16 by Spiegel & Grau, a Random House imprint. DECODED recounts JAY-Z's life from his childhood in Brooklyn's Marcy housing projects to becoming a world-famous performer and songwriter, entrepreneur, and philanthropist."

Homeboy Sandman @ the 2009 Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest (more by BBG)

Tickets go on sale at noon for the "JAY-Z in conversation with Cornel West and Paul Holdengräber" event taking place Monday, November 15th at 7:00 p.m. in the Celeste Bartos Forum, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building (NYPL). The ticket also includes a copy of the established rapper's new book Decoded.

Meanwhile, up and comking rapper Homeboy Sandman, as previously mentioned, plays a show with the unpredictable Das Racist at Southpaw in Brooklyn tonight (11/5).

Southpaw flyer and Homeboy Sandman's new video for "The Carpenter", below...

Continue reading "Jay-Z NYPL tix on sale, Homeboy Sandman tonight. "

by BBG

GZA at ATP (more by Abbey Braden)

I already ran through some of the upcoming hip hop shows, many of them for CMJ (Ghostface, Audible Treats, Blacksmith & Duck Down included). Here are some more.

GZA will headline the Frankradio x Babygrande x iHipHop Distribution CMJ Showcase at Le Poisson Rouge alongside appearances from DJ Premier, Tabi Bonney, Trademark da Skydiver, Marz Lovejoy , Polyester the Saint, Lavish, Rocky Business, Christian Rich and as well as DJ Jasmine Solano. The show, which goes down Thursday 10/21 kicks off at 11PM and tickets are on sale (or use your CMJ badge).

Meanwhile, DJ Premier recently released a classic freestyle from the Stretch & Bobbito Show which features 10 minutes of Big L and Jay-Z. If you are a fan of either, it's a must (stream/DL it below). Listen closely though, as you can hear Jay-Z scheming to steal the line "all I got for chicks is hard dick & bubblegum" for his song "A Million & One Questions" (which came out two years after this freestyle).

Speaking of the late/great Big L, Return of the Devil's Son is the posthumous MC's new album which will feature "21 unreleased songs" and see release on 11/23 via Distrolord/SMC Recordings. Check out a reworking of the Big L classic "Danger Zone" called "Zone of Danger" stream/downloadable below courtesy RCRD LBL. Full tracklisting is below too.

And last but certainly not least, Knitting Factory will host the return of Leaders Of The New School on 12/23 with Son of Bazerk (who recently came back at Central Park), and DJ sets from Johnny Juice (Public Enemy) and J-Zone. Tickets are on sale. For the unaware, LONS was Busta Rhymes' first project before going solo with the monster hit "Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check". LONS also is featured in the A Tribe Called Quest classic "Scenario".

UPDATE: grandgood reports that: "ccording to DJ Johnny Juice, Busta Rhymes is not part of this show. Only Dinco D, Charlie Brown and Cut Monitor Milo will be performing along with Son Of Bazerk. Still sounds like a dope show."

Those Big L tracks, the LP tracklisting and a bunch of videos are below. Big L, Rest in Peace!

Continue reading "GZA's CMJ show, new Big L, Leaders Of The New School back together & other upcoming hip hop dates & stuff"

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)"

Highlights of the Fall 2010 season of "LIVE from the NYPL" include:

Keith Richards
Life
Friday, October 29 at 7:00PM
Celeste Bartos Forum

and:

Jay-Z
Decoded
Monday, November 15 at 7:00PM
Celeste Bartos Forum

Jay-Z plays Yankee Stadium tonight (9/13) and tomorrow (9/14).

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) "

"the blueprint for greatness" (Marianne O'Leary)

"Shares of Madison Square Garden Inc, which owns the New York Knicks, dropped nearly 4 percent early on Friday, the day after superstar LeBron James spurned the basketball team to sign with the Miami Heat.

James announced on Thursday evening that he would join the Heat in his quest to win a National Basketball Association title, leaving his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers. However, the Knicks had cleared salary-cap space on its roster in the hopes of attracting James, who has twice won the most valuable player award." [Reuters]

and yeah, Jay-Z didn't get Lebron either.

"Just hours after presale tickets for Eminem and Jay-Z's "Home And Home" tour went on sale today (June 24), another show has been added in Detroit at Comerica Park on Friday, September 2 and in New York at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, September 14. Tickets go on sale to the public tomorrow, Friday, June 25, 2010" [Billboard]

Continue reading "Jay-Z & Eminem add 2nd shows in NYC & Detroit "

Tickets for the September 13th Jay-Z/Eminem show at the new Yankee Stadium go on presales @ 10am. I say "presales" because the list of them is rocawear, roc4life, jay-z, venue, live nation, radio, and Yankees.com registered users. PASSWORD = NYYJAYZ for one of the presales, and also try "tickets" for the Live Nation presale.

here are two pictures...

(via)

(via)

After the city denied Jay-Z and Eminem from performing on the marquee of the Ed Sullivan Theater, they just moved their Letterman taping to the roof of the building. The above pictures were taken earlier this evening, Monday, June 21st. The mini-concert will air on Letterman on Friday night.

And as I type this, Red Bull is hosting an event in Bowery Ballroom named "Red Bull Emsee: The Road to 8 Mile". Not surprisingly (based on that event name, their promise of "Special Guest Performances", and Eminem's location earlier today), Eminem is rumored to be making an appearance (after midnight). Maybe Jay-Z will stop by too?

UPDATE: Eminem did in fact play Bowery Ballroom. a picture below.

Tickets to Eminem and Jay-Z's upcoming show at Yankee Stadium go on sale soon.

Continue reading "Jay-Z & Eminem played the Ed Sullivan Theatre roof (instead), Eminem playing Bowery Ballroom tonight (update: he played)"

Mayor Bloomberg was in no Empire State of Mind yesterday.

Jay-Z had planned to put on a surprise performance atop the marquee of the Ed Sullivan Theater Monday but the Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting put the kibosh on it yesterday.

Like Paul McCartney last year, the Brooklyn-born rap superstar had planned to use his appearance on the "Late Show with David Letterman" to give a show in the middle of rush-hour Midtown.

"There was discussion of a concert, and ultimately it was decided there would be no permit," said Julianne Cho, spokeswoman for the film office.

The mini-concert was axed abruptly after weeks of planning and negotiations, sources said.

The decision came on the heels ofa free performance by rapper Drake at the South Street Seaport that was canceled Tuesday after 10,000 people -- triple what was expected -- grew unruly when the entertainer kept them waiting for 90 minutes.

Six people suffered minor injuries. Two people were arrested.

Sources told The Post that a permit for Jay-Z's performance would have been granted only if organizers could keep the show secret, but word of the show leaked out yesterday.

"Many permits are granted on the condition that the event is not made public beforehand for capacity and security reasons," Cho said. "This event was made public." [NY Post] (via)

That said, I wouldn't exactly start caling this the end of free shows in the city. Jay-Z for free in midtown doesn't really seem like it was ever a great idea, Drake show or not.

Speaking of free shows, JG Thirlwell leads an orchestra in Prospect Park tonight (6/18). Morning Benders, Freelance Whales & Wild Nothing play Governors Island on Saturday.

And in related news, tickets to see Jay-Z play Yankee Stadium go on sale in a week.

Jay-Z @ Bonnaroo 2010 (ladymelisande)

Tickets for the JAY-Z and Eminem concert on September 13 at Yankee Stadium will go on sale on June 25 at 10:00 a.m. online at Ticketmaster, phone at (800) 745-3000, via Ticketmaster TTY at (800) 943-4327 and at select area Ticketmaster outlets.

It will be the second of a home-and-home series of shows for New York City-native JAY-Z and Detroit-area-native Eminem, as the pair will also perform at Detroit's Comerica Park on September 2.

Jay-Z was one of the headliners of Bonnaroo over the weekend. NPR isn't streaming his set, but they do have Nas & Damian Marley, and you can watch some high quality Jay-Z Bonnaroo videos below...

Continue reading "Jay-Z played Bonnaroo, Yankee Stadium tix on sale 6/25"

Questlove @ the Roots Picnic 2009 (more by Tim Griffin)

tonight in NYC
* Whiplash @ UCB
* Mike Birbiglia @ UCB
* John Waters @ NYPL
* Owl Drugs @ Cake Shop
* It is It comedy @ Pianos
* Jim Campilongo @ The Living Room
* Active Child, Blair @ Mercury Lounge
* La Roux, Atarah Valentine @ Terminal 5
* Erykah Badu, Janelle Monae @ Roseland Ballroom
* The Brand New Heavies @ Highline Ballroom
* Yeah Right, Huntronik, Thomas Beddoe @ Pianos
* Reverend Vince Anderson & His Love Choir @ Union Pool
* Air Waves, The Young Sinclairs, Easter Vomit @ Death By Audio
* Anamanaguchi, Home Video, Blast Off! @ Knitting Factory Brooklyn
* Camera Obscura, The Love Language @ Manhattan Center Grand Ballroom
* Softspot, Haunted Ghost, Fractal Farm, Unsolved Mysteries @ Glasslands
* Fela! Original Cast Recording Release Party w/ cast member, Questlove (DJ) @ Brooklyn Bowl

It's Internet Week.

John Waters is speaking at the library.

Camera Obscura played Sunday afternoon at the Brooklyn Flea. This evening they headline Grand Ballroom in Manhattan.

Little Women and their saxophones played 538 Johnson Apt 202 on June 4th. Video below...

As Jay-Z pointed out, there's a Fela! party tonight at Brooklyn Bowl. It's free, and Questlove is performing (djing) at it after he's done opening for Janelle Monae and Erykah Badu at Roseland. Flyer is re-posted below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Monday?"

Jay-Z @ Coachella (more by Rachel Carr)

Jay-Z and Eminem appeared at last night's Yankees game in Detroit (we destroyed them) to announce co-headlining NYC & Detroit shows. They'll be in Comerica Park on September 2nd and Yankee Stadium on September 13th. The show will be the first concert in the new Yankees stadium. Ticket info TBA. A video of the pair on ESPN announcing the shows, and one from the first time Jay-Z performed at the stadium, is below...

Continue reading "Jay-Z & Eminem playing Yankees Stadium & Comerica Park"

Betty White killed it all-episode long Saturday night, with one major highlight of course being the death metal tribute to the Golden Girls. Check it out, if you haven't already, below...

Continue reading "Thank You For Being a Friend"

by Andrew Frisicano

Freddy's last night... (pexy)

"Today is a sad day for a lot of people who live close to Flatbush Ave. Fort Greene, Park Slope and further. In fact for a lot of Brooklyn. It is sad because Freddy's is closing. It's closing because greedy, glutinous rich people think they know what's best for this neighborhood & are erecting some god awful monstrosity that is going to turn this Neighborhood in to a Manhattan-esque commercial nightmare.

The Barclay's Arena.

Freddy's is the bar where so many people have partied in Brooklyn. Some have had too much to drink, have danced way too long and accidentally torn muscles. Some even made out with people because their beer goggles were on super tight. But that's what happens when you're with friends creating memories that last a lifetime. To be honest, the fight to keep Freddy's isn't all about these memories. It's about the rights of the people to live in their homes, drink in their bars, and love their neighborhood.

Unfortunately, we lost the fight to big business and millions of dollars. The organizers say a giant arena is supposed to give back to the city. Some people say that Ratner is a huge philanthropist and that the arena is intended to revitalize the community. I'm going to put my money on the memories to revitalize rather than basketball scores.

We're going to miss you Freddy's. You always knew how to make us feel like old friends." [pexy]

Freddy's Bar & Backroom, the Prospect Heights bar forced out by the Atlantic Yards project, had its final nights on Friday and Saturday. Friday was supposed to be the last hurrah, but the bar was open for business on Saturday too...

Freddy's packed Bar - Saturday, May 1, 2010 (by Tracy Collins)

The decidedly upbeat crowd, crammed into Freddy's to celebrate, commiserate, and pay their respects. They treated to ridiculousness that only happens at Freddy's. Speeches by bartenders professing love for each other and fake marriage proposals, a constant stream of women dancing on the bar, a fire dancer that twirled flaming torches and the frequent "DON-ALD! DON-ALD!" chants, cheering Manager Donald O'Finn, that interrupted its dance friendly music selection were just a few of the highlights.

The patrons, who poured in from all parts of Brooklyn and the rest of the City, spanned every age, neighborhood, and ethnicity danced the night away and purposefully ignored the smoking ban, lighting up cigarettes all night long. The ridiculously hot backroom was somehow even hotter as the sweaty band and patrons rocked. [NY Drinker]

More pictures from Saturday, like the one above, can be seen at Tracy Collins' Flickr. One more, with the full entertainer list from Saturday night (including Alex Battles and a skimpily dressed Anna Copa Cabana), is below.

Freddy's had planned to move to a new location on Union St and 4th Avenue (about 10 blocks into Park Slope), but NYDrinker (the site quoted above) says that playn has fallen through. Admittedly I did get nervous when I read the bar owner's recent (and still posted), and apparently premature, letter that said, "Currently we are negotiating a new location near Union Street and 4th Avenue. We'll be open as soon as time and paperwork allows, hopefully in about 2 or 3 months."

Some videos of the bar's last night (music, dancing, open flames) are also below...

Continue reading "Freddy's Bar & Backroom stayed open one extra night (RIP)"

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"

After a hectic day of updating the constantly updating Bonnaroo lineup page, the entire thing has been announced. Gwar, Norah Jones, and the rest of the lineup below...

Continue reading "the complete 2010 Bonnaroo lineup (Stevie Wonder, The Melvins, Kings of Leon, Isis, Local Natives & many more) "

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) "

Wow...Public Image Ltd, The Specials, Grizzly Bear, Passion Pit, Echo and the Bunnymen, Grace Jones, Fever Ray, Devo, Hot Chip, Phoenix, Orbital, Spoon, Sly and the Family Stone, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Sunny Day Real Estate, Yo La Tengo, Mew, Camera Obscura, Gil Scott-Heron, The xx, John Waters, Dillinger Escape Plan, Deer Tick, Gary Numan... Full Coachella 2010 lineup below....

Continue reading "2010 Coachella line up announced (Faith No More, Pavement, Muse, Gorillaz, Thom Yorke, Jay-Z, LCD Soundystem, ???)"

Julian Casablancas @ Downtown Palace Theater in L.A. (more by Darren Kim)

CNN: What was your reaction when NME called "Is This It" the album of the decade?

Casablancas: Unbelievable. I hadn't thought about it, but it's really weird. I like it, though.

CNN: What stood out for you in this life-changing decade?

Casablancas: Probably that: having people or magazines say that your album is the best of the decade. That's not something I ever thought in my wildest dreams.

What about the band with NME's album of the decade?

Julian Casablancas, the front man of the Strokes, told Billboard that the group would headline the Isle of Wight festival in Britain on June 12, alongside Jay-Z; the performance will probably be followed by other summer concert appearances in Europe and North America. "When we meet with the band and talk and play music, it's just a different level of ease and comfort," Mr. Casablancas told Billboard. "Everyone's more easygoing and everyone feels more confident and just trusts each other a little bit." [NY Times]

One of the bonus tracks on Julian's Phrazes For The Young is a cover of the SNL song "I Wish It Was Christmas Today" (it's also a limited 7"). Both versions of the track (videos) and all tour dates (he has a string of Europe/UK shows this December) are below...

Continue reading "Julian Casablancas playing T5 in NYC (and covered SNL holiday song), Strokes playing Isle of Wight (and top NME albums of the decade list)"

In the midst of his first college tour, promoting his latest #1 album The Blueprint 3 and his recently released video game sensation "DJ Hero: Renegade Edition," the unstoppable JAY-Z confirms North American tour dates for 2010's BP3 tour. The Live Nation-produced tour will come to the NY area for two dates - March 6 at Izod Center and March 12 at Nassau Coliseum. JAY-Z will be joined by Grammy-nominated rapper Young Jeezy who will open all dates on the tour.

Tickets for the Izod Center performance are $139.50, $99.50, $69.50 and $39.50. Tickets for the Nassau Coliseum performance are $129, $99, $69 and $39. Both shows go on sale to the public Saturday, November 21 at 10am.

The Nassau Coliseum date is new since my last post. Jay also canceled all four 2009 dates that were listed in that post. He cited "unforeseen scheduling conflicts." All dates below...

Continue reading "Jay-Z cancels some dates, adds others (Nassau Coliseum) "