"M.I.A. will end up paying any fines imposed on NBC as a result of her finger wag during the Super Bowl halftime show ... sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ.

Our sources say ... the NFL has indemnified NBC ... because the NFL is responsible for the halftime content.

But the NFL was smart, given the history of performers who wanted to do something shocking to get attention during the biggest TV event of the year. So we're told ... M.I.A. signed a contract with the NFL for the halftime performance, and in that contract M.I.A. agreed to indemnify the NFL for any money it might be forced to pay if the FCC comes down on the Peacock Network." [TMZ]

cheerleader M.I.A., as seen in the new Madonna video

As M.I.A.'s Universal Records labelmate Lana Del Rey knows now too, a shitstorm of bad press and reviews can be a painful sting. M.I.A. went from much-loved to much-hated almost overnight after the release of her last album. And like L.D.R., a lot of the negativity towards M.I.A. focused on her being fake and rich. Who knew what the future would hold for the northern Sri Lankan South London rebel activist rapper.

Things have been quiet on the M.I.A. front for a year, but then came "new" song "Bad Girls" which "premiered" on Pitchfork last week along with the tag "Best New Track" (a title that was also awarded to "Video Games" in 2011), followed by a new video for the song which has already racked up over 3 million views on YouTube in less than three days. Why did I put "new" in quotes? Well, because Pitchfork actually gave the same song "Best New Track" when it first appeared on Vicki Leekx, a mixtape M.I.A. released at the end of 2010, though the 2010/2011 version was not exactly the same song. It has been reworked a bit, and is now "complete". Watch and listen below.

Meanwhile, M.I.A.' Universal Records labelmate Madonna went ahead and announced a new album called MDNA which features a couple of guest singers, or more specifically: Nicki Minaj, and yep, M.I.A. Madonna also packaged this I'll-show-Lady-Gaga-who's-boss-return with a spot as Superbowl Halftime performer which came with the news that Madonna would be bringing along some friends (yep, Niki Minaj and M.I.A) (and maybe LMFAO and Cee-Lo). We'll find out exactly what goes down with that today.

UPDATE: Cee-Lo & LMFAO were in fact there, and this happened:

M.I.A. flips the world the bird on the Superbowl

Watch the new Madonna video for "Give Me All Your Luvin'" (Feat. M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj), which has over 6 million views in three days (and has football players in it too), with the new M.I.A. video too, below...

Continue reading "the return of MIA ('new' song, video, Madonna, the Superbowl)"

photos by Diana Wong

Great Lake Swimmers @ the U.S. Open

"Serena Williams failed to put a storybook finish on her injury comeback and instead decided on Sunday to once again turn center court at the U.S. Open into a vulgar outlet for her frustrations.

Williams, whose outburst in the U.S. Open semi-final two years ago cost her the match, is praised for her power-hitting and fighting qualities on the court but has also come to be reviled for a lack of self control toward officials.

Her latest incident, which came during a 6-2 6-3 loss to Australian Sam Stosur in the final, featured repeated outbursts toward a chair umpire who reversed a point against her for shouting "Come On!" while the ball was in play.

"If you ever see me walking down the hall, look the other way because you're out of control. You're out of control. You're a hater and unattractive inside, the 29-year-old told the chair umpire during a changeover. "Code violation for this? I expressed myself, we're in America last time I checked. Don't look at me. Don't look my way."" [Reuters]

Continue reading "Great Lake Swimmers, Ava Luna, Serena Williams & others played the U.S. Open (pics) "

by Ryan Barkan

Super Bowl XLV (45): Dallas Cowboys vs...oh wait....The Green Bay Packers vs the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dallas' brand new, state of the art, big ass stadium. The Packers won, bringing the Lombardi Trophy back to small town America and less sales back to Wiz Khalifa. I wonder if Jerry Jones was faking all of those smiles? Enough of the sports talk. This feature is the return of the long lost "Week In Music Licensing" post.

The real winner tonight - Detroit. A town that has been down on its luck, due for something inspiring to happen. Well here you go. Laura R. Charron tweeted that "#Detroit area agrees that #Chrysler200 had THE BEST commercial." Decide for yourself:

Continue reading "music & commercials of Super Bowl XLV (Eminem, Jon Spencer, Ozzy, Bieber, Bowie, RAC, Kenny G & 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.

Wilco show @ Keyspan Park (more by Eric Townsend)

"Municipal Credit Union (MCU) and the Brooklyn Cyclones today announced a new name for the team's Coney Island ballpark MCU Park. In addition to the naming rights, MCU and the Cyclones entered into a comprehensive 11-year marketing partnership that launches the Cyclones' 10th season in Brooklyn." [PR Newswire]

Bruce Springsteen @ last Giants Stadium concert (more by Tim Griffin)

"The demolition of Giants Stadium in New Jersey started this morning. A crane with a claw gingerly took a bite out of a pedestrian ramp this morning in east Rutherford. The new stadium is already in place, with more than 82,000 seats and 222 luxury suites. Giants Stadium stood for 34 years, hosting football, soccer, concerts, and other events. The new stadium will be the third largest in the NFL, and a concert by Bon Jovi will officially open it in May." [NBC]

Waterloo Park on Sunday (more)

The Who will perform at Superbowl XLIV, marking the British band's first performance in North America since 2008.

According to a report on SI.com, the Sports Illustrated website, the veteran band will take the stage during the halftime show of the 2010 National Football League championship game, scheduled for February 7 in Miami.

The NFL has yet to officially confirm the report, saying, "When we have something to announce, we'll announce it."

During a recent stop on his "Use It or Lose It" solo tour, frontman Roger Daltrey told Billboard.com that he and bandmate/composer Pete Townshend were working on new material for the Who's followup to 2006's "Endless Wire."[Reuters/Billboard]

rainy Yankees Stadium (Kevin H.)

The lyrics to Jay'z "Empire State of Mind" are sometimes as raw as New York, but it looks like the rapper will clean up that language when he performs his city anthem at the World Series.

A source close to the rapper who requested anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak on the matter says Jay-Z won't utter curses or other raw language included in his hit, which has been blasted by the New York Yankees during their playoff run.

Jay-Z and fellow New Yorker Alicia Keys were due to perform "Empire" before Game 1 between the Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium. But because of rainy weather, their performance will now be on Thursday. It's not clear if Game 1 will be postponed. [AP]

On the World Series, which he'll be kicking off on Wednesday with a performance of "Empire State of Mind":

Jay-Z: I actually predicted the Yankees in six with the Angels, so I think I'm like Jigga the Greek. I'm gonna say, Phillies are a bit tougher than the Angels. I'm gonna take Yankees in seven. Dramatic A-Rod walk-off at the end of the game redeeming him for all the time the papers and the media vilified him. Is that specific enough?"

Continue reading "World Series kicks off Wed., Jay-Z predicts Yankees take it in 7, singing 'Empire State of Mind'w/ Alicia Keys"

The Boss had promised "the last 12 minutes of a three-hour show," and he delivered, starting at fever pitch and turning up the power from there. He did not really need the searchlights and the fireworks with his stalwart New Jersey troops behind him, but the extra power of 70,000 voices singing along did not hurt.

10th Avenue Freeze Out was almost a low-key opener, but once Springteen had strapped in his trademark Telecaster for Born To Run, the momentum was unstoppable. Working On A Dream, the title track of the new CD, was a nod to his stated reason for finally agreeing to do the show - "We've got a new album out" as he admitted last week - but a gospel choir and a stadium full of fans waving flashlights made it feel like an instant anthem anyway.

It was already a hard act for the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers' second half to follow, but the big question remained - what would be the finale? Surely not Born In The USA, an anti-war song despite its apparently patriotic chorus? No, it was Glory Days, an absolute stormer even if its message is downbeat, not that anyone in the stadium or onstage seemed to care. Glory Days, yeah they'll pass you by - was that directed at Kurt Warner of the Cardinals or Ben Roethlisberger of the Steelers? [Times Online]

Tickets also go on sale Monday morning for Flight of the Conchords shows.

Tickets went on sale Sunday for the Paul Simon shows at Beacon Theater.

Video of the Superbowl halftime show, the guy almost dropping the guitar, and Bruce sliding into the camera included, below...

Continue reading "Bruce Springsteen - Superbowl Halftime video & 2009 tour tickets (on sale Monday morning)"

by Black Bubblegum

getting a kiss from Busta (more by Eric M. Townsend)

Busta Rhymes is playing a very-recently announced surprise show TONIGHT (10/29) at the Knitting Factory with Pacific Division. Tickets are FREE, like they were for Q-Tip at the same venue, if you RSVP by texting BUSTA or PACDIV to 66937. "Space is VERY limited, so arrive early... no guaranteed admission".

And, Q-Tip is busy tonight too. You can catch him crooning the crowd at Madison Square Garden, but it's not a concert...

The New York Knicks will be joined by pop-culture icon, Q-Tip, for the season opener at Madison Square Garden, where the Grammy award-winning artist will unveil his remix of the classic Knicks anthem, "Go NY Go."On Wednesday, October 29th, Q-Tip will perform the new hip-hop version of the song pregame, accompanied by the Knicks City Dancers. Knicks fans will have the first opportunity to hear "Go NY Go," which will also become available on nyknicks.com following the game.

Busta Rhymes previewed his new single "Arab Money" at Q-Tip's surprise show at the Knitting Factory. Check out the video for that below....

Continue reading "Busta Rhymes for free, Q-Tip w/ The Knicks, tonight in NYC"

The Yankees have scratched plans to host one final farewell to the stadium, disappointing New Yorkers who were counting on a last visit to the House that Ruth Built.

The team had promised a final salute in November, which fans speculated would be a star-studded goodbye to the doomed stadium.

"The Yankees were considering having a charitable event at Yankee Stadium," team spokesman Howard Rubenstein told amNewYork, reading from a prepared statement. "However, the Yankees realize that the final event at Yankee Stadium should be a baseball game, which in fact took place on Sept. 21, 2008."...

...No firm plans had been made for the stadium's goodbye, no tickets sold and no acts booked, but there was plenty of speculation. Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel and Jay-Z were all rumored to be among possible performers. [AM NY]

Join us for CHANGE ROCKS
at The Hammerstein Ballroom featuring Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen & Friends

Purchase your ticket using the form below [this link].
Tickets must be purchased by October 14th.

Thursday, October 16 @ 8:30 PM

For more information, please contact
ny-finance@barackobama.com or call 212-763-4850

Bruce Springsteen is also playing the Superbowl Halfime show in 2009 and is rumored to be playing the final show at Yankees Stadium which is rumored to be November 9th. Billy Joel played the final show at Shea Stadium which hosted its final baseball game this past weekend - just a short while after the Yankees played their last game in their old home.

Video of a "Drunk, Sleeping Fan Victimized by Beer Cups at Shea Stadium", below...

Continue reading "Bruce Springsteen & Billy Joel playing a NYC show for Barack Obama +++ a belated RIP for Shea Stadium"

Phil Collins told Playboy in 1986, "I've always liked the idea of Springsteen - everyman's music for every-man, you know; it captures the imagina-tion of the workingman. Chuck Berry did the same thing. I don't know that much about Springsteen's older songs, but I like what he stands for. Born in the U.S.A. is just fantastic. It has great atmosphere and it's a great song."

Bruce Springsteen & E Street Band @ Giants Stadium (more by Eric Townsend)

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND will perform in the BRIDGESTONE SUPER BOWL XLIII HALFTIME SHOW on NBC Sports at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Sunday, February 1, the NFL announced today.

The Super Bowl halftime show is annually the most-watched musical performance. More than 148 million viewers in the U.S. watched last year's show. The Super Bowl and halftime show will be broadcast worldwide in more than 230 countries and territories.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band join an esteemed list of recent halftime acts that includes the Rolling Stones, U2, Paul McCartney, Prince and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. [The Boss]

Continue reading "Bruce Springsteen to play 2009 Superbowl halftime show"

Old stadium, new stadium

The Yankees confirmed that Sunday's game will not be the final event at Yankee Stadium. It was reported earlier this week that a Nov. 9 ceremony and concert will be held to celebrate the stadium, though the club has not confirmed that date or accompanying details. [MLB.com]

There's a rumor that the Yankees are/were trying to get Bruce Springsteen and/or Paul McCartney to play the final show.

VOA News says, "The stadium has also hosted three Popes - Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict XVI - all said mass there. Former South African president Nelson Mandela led a rally there, and there have been numerous music concerts there including by U2, Billy Joel and Pink Floyd."

Wilco @ Lollapalooza 2008 (more by Zach Dilgard)

Jeff admits to being a Cardinals fan while wearing a Cubs uniform...

Continue reading "Wilco perform 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame' & an interview @ Wrigley Field in Chicago (video)"

Anthony Kiedis in a Justice T-Shirt w/ Diddy at a Lakers game

today in NYC
* CITYSOL
* Waterfalls
* FREE STUFF
* DANCE STUFF
* Twee as F*ck @ Cake Shop
* Patton Oswalt @ Carolines
* Liz Phair @ Hiro Ballroom
* Delta Spirit @ Mercury Lounge
* Stars Like Fleas at Union Hall
* Peter Murphy @ Gramercy Theatre
* Grails & Nadja @ Knitting Factory
* The Juan Maclean and Moby DJing @ Santos
* Luke Temple & Jones Street Boys @ Housing Works
* Devo, Tom Tom Club & Dan Deacon @ McCarren Pool
* Carolina Chocolate Drops & Dixie Hummingbirds @ Prospect Park
* Thievery Corporation, Bebel Gilberto, Federico Aubele & Seu Jorge @ Summerstage

Toadies at Bowery Ballroom?

Kanye West hates hippies?

Justice producing the next Red Hot Chili Peppers album?

Sia and JD Samson of Le Tigre getting all hot and heavy on the dance floor? Madonna getting divorced?

Gay Pride week.

What else?

DOWNLOAD: The Baseball Project - Past Time (MP3)

The Baseball Project (photo by Vivian Johnson)

What happens when two great songwriters decide to focus their talents upon their favorite sport? You get the highly entertaining debut disc from The Baseball Project, Volume One: Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails. The album is the brainchild of Steve Wynn (Dream Syndicate, Steve Wynn and the Miracle 3) and Scott McCaughey (Young Fresh Fellows, Minus 5, and R.E.M). The two musicians were longtime fans of each other's work throughout the 80s but never met until the early 90s. Wynn recalls, "I honestly think the first time we met was side-by-side at the urinals at the Offramp in Seattle when I played there in 1992." He adds, "Scott didn't try to shake my hand."

Continue reading "The Baseball Project = Steve Wynn & Scott McCaughey - album stream & Letterman video (starring Peter Buck)"

Iron Maiden kicking a ball after blowing the speakers

The sound suddenly and unexpectedly went off during Iron Maiden's set at their sold out show in NYC last night (June 15, 2008). One second there was really loud heavy metal blasting out to 20,000 headbanging fans at Madison Square Garden. The next second it got really quiet from the stage and then stayed that way for about 10 minutes. With music out of the question and technicians scrambling around the stage, the band entertained us by showing off their (and their mummy's) skills at football (they're from the UK)....

Continue reading "Iron Maiden played soccer (and rocked) @ MSG (video) "

....today, we're proud to announce the April 7 beta launch of Pitchfork.tv, the first-ever music video channel dedicated to documenting independent music as it happens. As a visual extension of the music coverage Pitchfork has provided for more than a decade, and a means of updating and advancing the music television format, the online channel will bring you closer to the artists you love, through original mini-documentaries, secret rooftop and basement sessions, full concerts, exclusive interviews, and the most carefully curated selection of music videos online.... [Pitchfork]

Continue reading "Billy Joel adds 2nd final show at Shea Stadium"

Billy Joel will be the last artist to play at New York's Shea Stadium with a July 16 concert billed as "The Last Play at Shea, From the Beatles to Billy." The show comes in the midst of the New York Mets' final season at Shea; the team moves into its new home at Citi Field in 2009....The Joel show, promoted by Live Nation in association with Mitch Slater, goes on sale Feb. 16......"The Last Play at Shea," which comes the day after the Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium, makes Joel the only artist to ever have played both Yankee Stadium (two nights in 1991) and Shea Stadium [Billboard]

Continue reading "Billy Joel will play the last show @ Shea Stadium"

The Daily Swarm points out that Fox Sports' unapproved use of the Arcade Fire song is perfectly legal. Video of the clip in question below....

Continue reading "1972 Copyright Act's delineation of ephemeral use"

Arcade Fire have accused a TV network of using their music in an advertisement without permission. The band claims their song "No Cars Go" was used in a commercial for the NFL, which was aired on FOX TV during the Super Bowl half-time show on Sunday.

Advertising time during the Super Bowl half-time show costs around $100,000 per second. [Starpulse]

The announcement that Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers would play halftime at today's Super Bowl XLII thrilled fans of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group but was greeted with grumbling in some quarters.

After three years of halftime shows dominated by long-in-the-tooth acts - Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones and Prince - some fans were hoping for an artist like Beyoncé, the Foo Fighters or Carrie Underwood to inject new energy.

But the National Football League has played it safe since Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" four years ago, and rock acts don't come much more dependable than the Grammy-winning Petty, 57, and his Florida-spawned band. [The Arizona Republic]

Continue reading "The Superbowl & other Tom Petty Tour Dates"