at least 1 of these 3 will be at Radio City in March

Billboard reports:

"The Secret Policeman's Ball is letting America in on the party: The British-based music and comedy festival is coming to New York in March.

Coldplay, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Mumford & Sons and Russell Brand are among the acts who have signed on for the event at Radio City Music Hall on March 4. The concert will benefit Amnesty International, as it has since it started back in 1976 with celebrities like John Cleese. Over the years, Bono, Sting and others have participated. This will mark the first time it's being held in New York City.

"For us, it's iconic and a very special thing, and has provided the opportunity to really celebrate the presence of freedom of expression and free speech, and how we can move people and how we can bring people together, and just how powerful that is," said Amnesty International spokesman Andy Hackman in an interview Tuesday. "

Reggie Watts is also on the bill. Tickets are on AmEx presale now. They go on general sale Monday at 10am, and range from like US $55.00 - US $505.00.

Coldplay also have shows coming up in NJ and other places.

"The Story Pirates, a national arts and literacy organization, will take the stage alongside special celebrity guests, including Jon Stewart (The Daily Show), Lou Reed, Ana Gasteyer (Saturday Night Live, Wicked), John Oliver (Community, The Daily Show), Mike Birbiglia (Sleepwalk With Me), Josh Gad (The Book of Mormon), and Kristen Schaal (Flight of the Conchords, Toy Story 3), to bring to life stories written by kids in the audience.

The Story Pirates sketch comedy musical shows are comprised of stories written by elementary schoolers and performed by professional actors and comedians. Enjoyed by all ages, the company is dedicated to showing kids that their words and ideas matter.

All funds raised at the After School Special will benefit the Story Pirates' arts and creative writing programs for low-income students. Story Pirates serves primarily low-income, culturally diverse elementary school students in over 100 schools in New York and around the country."

The Story Pirates benefit show takes place Friday, May 20th at Symphony Space and tickets are on sale.

Meanwhile catch Mike Birbiglia at his ongoing show My Girlfriend's Boyrfiend.

Did you get your Guided by Voices New Years Eve tickets? If so, you probably got this email from Ticketmater:

Attention ticket holder!

We just learned that fans must be 21 years or older to attend this event, valid photo ID required at the gate:

Guided by Voices
Irving Plaza
Friday, December 31 with doors opening at 8PM

If you're 21 years or older no worries, your original tickets are still good. If not, we'll gladly give you a refund. We'll refund your order, including fees (except UPS and InStore Pick Up, if applicable).

Need a refund? We'll refund your order, including fees (except UPS and InStore Pick Up, if applicable). Just hit reply to this email by December 1st by 5PM, include the last four digits of the credit card used for purchase, the order number, and the name on the account, and we'll take care of it for you! We'll refund your order immediately, but please note that it can take about 7 - 10 business days to post to your account.
Questions? Just hit reply and ask us or visit Ticketmaster.com!

Guided by Voices hit Fallon, Boston, Philly and Terminal 5 in NYC this Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Video of the band on the Jon Stewart show on 1995 (the same year live bootleg "For All Good Kids" was recorded), below...

Continue reading "Guided by Voices giving NYE show refunds to those under 21 "

Videos from last night's show, below...

Continue reading "Arcade Fire played The Daily Show (videos) "

UPDATE: Arcade Fire Daily Show videos are HERE.

Joanna Newsom on Kimmel last night

"Arcade Fire will appear on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart tonight [August 12th]. They'll perform "Ready to Start" from their new album The Suburbs which is currently the # 1 record in the country!

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart airs on Comedy Central at 11 PM EDT / 10 PM CST. Check your local listings for channel information and set your DVRs.

The Suburbs is available on CD, dbl-LP and digital download (with special digital artwork) in the Merge store."

Speaking of the Merge store, Arcade Fire weren't the only Merge band that just released an album. As pointed out before, Versus also have a new album and they'll be celebrating at the intimate Rock Shop tonight (8/12). Go see the show and set your DVR for the Arcade Fire segment. All Versus dates below.

Speaking of TV appearances and my favorite artists of 2004, Joanna Newsom was on Kimmel last night. Two videos from that appearance, below...

Continue reading "Joanna Newsom played Kimmel (videos), Arcade Fire playing Jon Stewart, Versus playing Rock Shop (and other dates)"

Laugh with the stars at Comedy Central's Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Concert for Autism Education on Saturday, October 2 at the Beacon Theatre.

Hosted by Jon Stewart, the evening will feature Lewis Black, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Ricky Gervais, Joel McHale, John Oliver, Chris Rock, Sarah Silverman, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog and too many more scheduled to appear!

Proceeds benefit autism education and family service programs across the country in support of the overabundance of autistic individuals that so desperately need quality services.

American Express® cardmembers can purchase advance tickets, Thursday, July 29 from 10AM - Sunday, August 1 at 10PM before they go on sale to the general public on Monday, August 2 at 9AM.

A great lineup for a great cause.

Much sooner: Tearing The Veil of Maya, the sometimes-weekly show that mostly happens at Union Hall is turning four and celebrating at Union Hall's sister venue The Bell House. The Four Year Anniversary Show will feature Eugene Mirman, Kristen Schaal, Leo Allen, AD Miles, Wyatt Cenac "and friends!" Maybe Michael Showalter will be there too? That's at the Bell House on August 1st and tickets are on sale (note: "This show will be mixed seated/standing - please come early for the best seats.")

And speaking of weekly comedy shows happening in bigger, near-by venues, The Cameo's "Big Terrific" is happening at Music Hall of Williamsburg on August 27th. Hosts Gabe Liedman, Jenny Slate (SNL) and Max Silvestri promise "Many Special Guests". Tickets are on sale.

Continue reading "comedians fighting autism @ Beacon Theatre, Tearing the Veil of Maya turning four, Big Terrific getting bigger"

Conan O'Brien & Vampire Weekend @ Radio City Music Hall (TomChau)

"Conan O'Brien brought The Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television Tour to Radio City Music Hall Tuesday night for the first of two performances. By far, the evening's highlight was the surprise appearance of Stephen Colbert, who came out onstage to rib O'Brien for leaving New York to do The Tonight Show in Hollywood...

...Their verbal tiff quickly escalated: "We're at Radio City, there's only one possible way to fight here," Colbert said with his face literally in O'Brien's face. "Anything that gets us to separate our noses and lips," O'Brien answered. "How about a good old-fashioned dance-off?" Colbert suggested. Cue "Pour Some Sugar on Me."

I would say Colbert was winning until he ruptured his hamstring. He was about to admit defeat when -- "Don't you dare, Stephen Colbert! Don't you dare! Don't you dare!" It was the voice of Jon Stewart booming from the back of the theater. (Even those of us in the last row of the second mezzanine who couldn't see him knew it immediately.) Stewart walked down an aisle to the stage -- wearing a red satin shirt, black pants, and a gold cummerbund -- as the audience exploded into a standing ovation. The fan reaction caught on the video says it best: "Holy f--ing s--!"... [EW]

Conan O'Brien was also joined by Vampire Weekend (good practice), Paul Rudd, and Bill Hadar at last night's show which was opened by Reggie Watts. Conan encouraged audience members to live tweet the show. Videos, including of the Colbert part, below...

Continue reading "Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, Vampire Weekend & other guests joined Conan O'Brien @ Radio City Music Hall (videos)"