Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ 2009 ode to New York City, “Empire State Of Mind,” is now a certified diamond single. The Recording Industry Association of America made the announcement on Wednesday (July 24) that “Empire State of Mind” had just reached 10-times platinum status, thereby reaching diamond certification. The collaborative Big Apple anthem becomes Jay’s second diamond certification, following Watch the Throne‘s “N—as in Paris,” while becoming Keys’ first ever diamond certified song. “Empire State of Mind” was the third single from Jay-Z’s The Blueprint 3 when it was released in October 2009, and it eventually spent five total weeks as No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Empire State of Mind” is the 148th song to become diamond certified, while Jay-Z becomes only the 26th artist to score multiple diamond hits in their career. (Billboard)

Music legends the Pointer Sisters and the Commodores have combined for a total of 20 No. 1 hits, and have sold over 100 million albums between the two groups. Beginning in July, the two beloved soul/R&B groups will share the stage when they launch a brief An Evening With Icons tour. The Pointer Sisters and the Commodores will pair up for a limited run of nine live shows together starting in Wantagh, New York on Thursday, July 25, before winding down on November 30 in Primm, Nevada. The Spinners and El DeBarge will split opening duties on the dates. “I think it’s a good package because of the music,” says William King, the Commodores’ sole remaining founding member. “I always like the female-male combinations. We did it back in the day, and it gives a variety to the people. They want to reminisce and enjoy the past. Let’s go out and have a blast.” (Billboard)

Katy Perry is accustomed to releasing chart-topping hits during her best-selling, 23-year career, amassing 9 No. 1 hits and 14 Top 10 singles over that span. But Perry’s massively hyped new single, “Woman’s World,” failed to achieve those same lofty heights of her previous successful singles, debuting with an unimpressive thud at No. 63 on this week’s Billboard Hot 100 chart, while coming in at No. 65 on the Global 200, and at No. 47 in the U.K. chart. Perry’s new song was also met with relative indifference on streaming services, coming in at No. 110 on Spotify’s U.S.-based chart and No. 58 on the Spotify global chart.

Perry’s fans were upset about Dr. Luke’s involvement on “Woman’s World,” following Kesha’s accusations of sexual misconduct against the producer. The Rosie the Riveter-themed music video for the song was also met with backlash by fans, who felt the clip was exploitative and tailored to the male gaze. (Variety)

Eminem has been presented with a Brit Billion Award by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). The distinction recognizes the rapper reaching seven billion U.K. streams, according to calculations by the Official Charts Company. The Brit Billion award was launched back in 2023, and to date 39 artists have been recognized for surpassing one billion U.K. career streams, including Green Day, the Rolling Stones and Billie Eilish. Eminem currently holds the U.K. record for most consecutive No. 1s on the Official Albums Chart, with 10 studio albums topping the list in succession, and his recent single, “Houdini,” just became the Detroit rapper’s 11th U.K. No. 1 song. Over 60 of Eminem’s songs have been BRIT Certified, with 15 of those certified as multi-platinum hits, and his top three streamed hits have amassed over 770 million U.K. streams on their own. (Variety)

Cher is finally planning on spilling all the tea in her upcoming two-part memoir. The first installment, titled simply, Cher: The Memoir, Part One, will be published on November 19 via Dey Street Books. Cher also revealed her striking book cover with an Instagram post. According to a press release, the memoir is broken up into two parts because, "It is a life too immense for only one book." The memoir is written with Cher’s “trademark honesty and humor,” and  "follows her extraordinary beginnings through childhood to meeting and marrying Sonny Bono — and reveals the highly complicated relationship that made them world-famous, but eventually drove them apart."

The memoir presents the music icon as "the daughter, the sister, the wife, the lover, the mother, and the superstar,” while revealing "how this diamond in the rough succeeded with no plan and little confidence to become the trailblazing superstar the world has been unable to ignore for more than half a century." (People)

Johnny Cash's granddaughter Grace June Cash is featured in a video for "Hello Out There" from the legendary musician's new album Songwriter.

"Hello out there/This is planet Earth/Calling Calling Calling Calling Calling," Cash sings before continuing, "Hello out there/our net worth is/Falling Falling Falling Falling Falling."

Songwriter is the 72nd studio album and fifth posthumously released studio album by Johnny Cash. It was released on June 28, 2024, through Mercury Nashville.

Produced by Johnny Cash, John Carter Cash, David R. Ferguson, Josh Matas, and Mike Daniel, the album contains eleven original songs by Cash.

The black and white video for "Hello Out There" was directed by Matt Paskert. It follows Grace on an adventure where she comes upon the Cash Cabin, Johnny's cabin in Hendersonville, Tennessee, where he wrote and recorded some of his final songs.

"Directing the video for 'Hello Out There' and the visuals for Johnny Cash's Songwriter album was an unexpected and profound honor," said Paskert. "What truly set this project apart for me was our commitment to honoring the Cash legacy. We had the privilege of filming entirely on the Cash family's property, starring Grace June Cash, who is a spitting image of her grandmother."

"The visuals are full of authenticity, showcasing many genuine Johnny Cash artifacts. from his personal Bible to original handwritten lyric sheets, and much much more," he added. "A heartfelt thank you to John Carter Cash, Ana Cristina Cash, Grace Cash and the entire Cash estate team for not only their trust, but also their involvement and support in bringing the Cash Songwriter legacy to life on screen."

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Deep Purple recently shared "Lazy Sod," the third song from their upcoming album =1.

"Lazy Sod" is now available for streaming and as instant gratification track with all digital download pre-orders for =1. Alongside the single release, the official music video is now live on Deep Purple's YouTube channel.

Asked about the song's inspiration, Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan said in a recent interview, "Recently, a young journalist asked me how many songs I had written in my life. I replied that the last time my assistant counted, twenty years ago, it was over 500. I felt quite accomplished until she pointed out Dolly Parton's 5,000 songs, calling me a lazy sod. I couldn't help but agree and wrote down the exchange in my notebook."

Touted as a Deep Purple classic, =1 is scheduled for release on July 19 via earMUSIC. It is available as limited CD+DVD (Digipak), CD (Jewelcase), 2LP Gatefold (black, 180g), limited Purple 2LP Gatefold (180g), limited Crystal Clear 2LP (180g) and limited Box Set (CD+DVD Digipak, 2LP black Gatefold, 3x exclusive 10" vinyl editions featuring live recordings from Deep Purple's 2022 tour, exclusive Collector's T-shirt, 2x exclusive guitar picks, 1x exclusive art print, 1x exclusive lanyard, and the chance to win a Golden Ticket giving access to every show on the Deep Purple '=1 MORE TIME' tour).

All LPs include a rich 12-page LP sized booklet.

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Country star Lainey Wilson recently joined rock icons The Rolling Stones on stage for a performance of "Dead Flowers."

Wilson has been opening for The Rolling Stones on the band's ongoing The Hackney Diamonds Tour.

During a show on Sunday, June 30, at Chicago's Soldier Field, Wilson not only opened the show but also joined the band for a rendition of "Dead Flowers," a song from The Stones' 1971 album Sticky Fingers.

"I got to hang out with rockstars of all rockstars last night. @mickjagger @officialkeef @ronniewood @therollingstones - you are legendary to say the least. What a treat, what an honor, what a night!! Wow," Wilson wrote on Instagram.

"Dead Flowers" was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and appears on their 1971 album Sticky Fingers as the fourth track of side two.

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A biopic on German rock icons Scorpions, titled Wind of Change, is in the works from ESX Entertainment.

According to Deadline, Ali Afshar's ESX Entertainment has signed on to develop and produce the musical biopic Wind of Change, which will tell the story of "three unlikely friends whose passion for rock n' roll fueled their rise from the ashes of post-World War II Germany to the global stardom in the 1980s as the multi-platinum rock band Scorpions."

"The Scorpions' music has penetrated our culture in a big way," Afshar tells Deadline. "There is an evocative quality to their sound that is unmatched in the genre, which is one of the reasons hits like 'Rock You Like a Hurricane' and 'Still Loving You' continue to get so much airplay and fill movie soundtracks, and their music continues to connect with a new generation of fans across the globe."

Production on Wind of Change is expected to begin in Europe later this year, with a planned 2025 release, which will also be the band's 60th anniversary.

The movie's title comes from the band's 1991 global hit single, which was released after the failed coup that would lead to the end of the Soviet Union.

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Paul McCartney has announced that he will return to Mexico for his 2024 Got Back Tour.

McCartney said that due to the phenomenal success of the Got Back tour in Mexico last year, additional shows have been scheduled in Monterrey and Mexico City as part of his 2024 run of shows.

McCartney and his band will visit Monterrey on November 8 and Mexico City on November 12 and 17, including a headline show at Corona Capital Festival.

McCartney has performed in Mexico City 11 times to date and this will mark his first visit to Monterrey.

"The shows at Foro Sol were a highlight of last year for me. What a magical time we all had. I can still hear your singing ringing in my ears! Mexican audiences are so special," said McCartney. "We always have a massive party together. I'm really looking forward to getting back and to rocking n' rolling with you all as well as my first ever visit to Monterrey."

Pre-sale and general sale timings:

Friday 8th November - Estadio BBVA, Monterrey, MexicoPaulMcCartney.com pre-sale: Monday 24 June 9AM CST / 4PM BSTGeneral sale: Friday 28 June 1PM CST / 8PM BST

Tuesday 12th November - Estadio GNP Seguros, Mexico City, MexicoPaulMcCartney.com pre-sale: Monday 24 June 9AM CST / 4PM BSTGeneral sale: Friday 28 June 1PM CST / 8PM BST

Sunday 17th November - Corona Capital Festival, Mexico City, MexicoGeneral sale: Tuesday 25 June 2PM CST / 9PM BST

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Legendary Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer Smokey Robinson and Grammy Award-winning platinum-selling singer and award-winning actress Fantasia are among the all-star line-up of performers for the 44th annual edition of PBS' "A Capitol Fourth."

The line-up for "A Capitol Fourth" also includes actor, singer and songwriter Darren Criss; Grammy and Emmy Nominated music legend and "Queen of Percussion" Sheila E.; neo-soul pop band Fitz & Noelle from Fitz and The Tantrums; composer and producer Chloe Flower; Sister Sledge, now featuring Sledgendary; Loren Allred; Britt Stewart; Shawn Johnson East; and The National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of conductor Jack Everly.

"A Capitol Fourth," broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on PBS, welcomes back iconic actor and television host Alfonso Ribeiro to host the Independence Day celebration with all-star musical and patriotic performances from pop, country, R&B, classical and Broadway artists.

The 248th U.S. birthday party will be capped off with a spectacular fireworks show over Capitol. America's longest-running live national July Fourth TV tradition will air on PBS and stream on YouTube and www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth on July 4 at 8 p.m. ET. It will be available as Video on Demand for a limited time, between July 4 and July 18.

Alfonso Ribeiro and Dancing With The Stars' Britt Stewart will kick off the celebration with a performance.

The National Symphony Orchestra will display a musical performance of John Williams' "Olympic Fanfare" paying tribute to Team USA, competing in the Paris Olympic Games.

The event will also feature a special performance by music legend Smokey Robinson in celebration of Motown's 65th anniversary, a Salute to American Heroes Past and Present, and a performance of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" by Chloe Flower.

A stirring rendition of the "1812 Overture" accompanied by live cannon fire by the United States Army Presidential Salute Battery kicks off a musical and fireworks finale.

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The Eagles have added four additional shows to their residency at Sphere in Las Vegas due to overwhelming demand.

With four new dates - November 1, 2, 8 & 9 - the residency will now run over six weekends from Friday (September 20th) through Saturday (November 9th), with the band offering fans the ultimate connection to its legendary catalog.

"The Sphere residency will offer fans the ultimate connection to the band's legendary catalog in an immersive experience that only Sphere can provide," the venue said in a release.

Vibee will serve as the Hotel & Experience Package partner for the Eagles Sphere residency. The packages include a two-night stay at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas - the only resort attached to Sphere - with guests receiving priority entry to Sphere.

The Eagles Sphere Las Vegas Residency Dates:

September 2024 - 20, 21, 27, 28October 2024 - 11, 12, 18, 19November 2024 - 1, 2, 8, 9

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The Elton John documentary Never Too Late will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The Toronto International Film Festival announced that Elton John: Never Too Late will make its debut alongside Marielle Heller's horror-comedy Nightbitch and Mike Flanagan's The Life of Chuck in September.

This year's TIFF is scheduled to be held during September 5-15.

Never Too Late is directed by John's husband David Furnish and R.J. Cutler.

According to IMDb, it will show "never-before-seen concert footage of him over the past 50 years, as well as hand-written journals and present-day footage of him and his family."

The documentary will focus on John's Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, which grossed $900 million.

The first tour to touch that mark, the four-year trek wrapped in July 2023.

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A 30-city North American tour, featuring a live musical performance of the classic musical fantasy film Labyrinth, will launch on September 24.

The beginning of the tour marks the birthday of Jim Henson, who directed the 1986 masterpiece.

The film stars David Bowie as Jareth, the Goblin King.

The tour, produced by Black Ink Presents, is titled Jim Henson's Labyrinth: In Concert.

An exciting fusion of film and live music onstage, each concert will feature a live band playing the songs and the score from the soundtrack, composed by Bowie and Trevor Jones, as the movie plays on screen.

"On stage we have a large a large HD screen and a seven-piece synth and rock band doing all of Trevor Jones' synth score and all of David's musical parts live," says Black Ink Presents CEO John Kinser. "It's like an '80s rock band, which is really awesome."

Jim Henson's Labyrinth: In Concert tour dates:

September 24 - Morgantown, WV @ Metropolitan TheatreSeptember 25 - Reading, PA @ Santander PACSeptember 26 - Glenside, PA @ Keswick TheatreSeptember 27 - York, PA @ Pullo CenterSeptember 28 - Concord, NH @ Capitol Center for the ArtsSeptember 29 - Mississauga, ON, Canada @ Living Arts CentreOctober 1 - Rutland, VT @ Paramount TheatreOctober 2 - Medford, MA @ Chevalier TheatreOctober 3 - Patchogue, NY @ Patchogue Theatre for the Performing ArtsOctober 5 - Munhall, PA @ Carnegie Music Hall of HomesteadOctober 7 - Cleveland, OH @ Agora TheatreOctober 8 - Louisville, KY @ Louisville PalaceOctober 9 - Columbus, OH @ KEMBA LiveOctober 10 - Lexington, KY @ Lexington Opera HouseOctober 11 - Indianapolis, IN @ Murat TheatreOctober 12 - Detroit, MI @ Masonic Cathedral TheatreOctober 13 - Milwaukee, WI @ Pabst TheaterOctober 14 - Cincinnati, OH @ Taft TheatreOctober 16 - Saint Paul, MN @ Fitzgerald TheaterOctober 17 - Waukegan, IL @ Genesee TheatreOctober 18 - Kansas City, MO @ Uptown TheaterOctober 19 - Omaha, NE @ Holland CenterOctober 21 - Dallas, TX @ Majestic TheaterOctober 22 - New Orleans, LA @ Orpheum TheaterOctober 23 - Atlanta, GA @ The EasternOctober 24 - Jacksonville, FL @ Florida TheatreOctober 25 - Orlando, FL @ Plaza LiveOctober 26 - Clearwater, FL @ Ruth Eckerd HallOctober 27 - Fort Lauderdale, FL @ The Parker

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Paul McCartney has announced 2024 U.K. and European dates on his Got Back Tour.

Earlier this month, McCartney had announced his first live shows of 2024, with the next leg of the Got Back tour launching in South America in October.

Fulfilling his promise to "get back," Paul will return to France, Spain and the U.K. on his Got Back tour in December.

During the tour, McCartney will play dozens of songs from his solo, Wings and Beatles catalogues.

This will mark the legendary Beatle's first European shows since his iconic Glastonbury headlining performance in 2022, and his first live performance in Paris in six years. The wait has been longer for Spaniards, where he last played eight years ago, in 2016 at Estadio Vincente Calderon.

McCartney launched his Got Back tour in 2022, completing 16 huge shows across the U.S. before performing his history-making set at Glastonbury in June 2022. In 2023, Paul performed 18 incredible shows as the Got Back tour rocked through Australia, Mexico and Brazil.

Pre-sale and general sale of tickets timings:

Wednesday 4th December - La Defense Arena, Paris, FranceThursday 5th December - La Defense Arena, Paris, FrancePaulMcCartney.com pre-sale: Tuesday 18 June 10am CETGeneral sale: Friday 21 June 10am CET

Monday 9th December - WiZink Center, Madrid, SpainTuesday 10th December - WiZink Center, Madrid, SpainPaulMcCartney.com pre-sale: Tuesday 18 June 10am CETGeneral sale: Friday 21 June 10am CET

Saturday 14th December - Co-op Live, Manchester, UKSunday 15th December - Co-op Live, Manchester, UKPaulMcCartney.com pre-sale: Wednesday 19 June 10am BSTGeneral sale: Friday 21 June 10am BST

Wednesday 18th December - The O2 Arena, London, UKThursday 19th December - The O2 Arena, London, UKPaulMcCartney.com pre-sale: Wednesday 19 June 10am BSTGeneral sale: Friday 21 June 10am BST

Visit the Got Back 2024 tour page for more information and ticket links.

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BST Hyde Park has revealed the full lineup for Stevie Nicks' headlining show on Friday, July 12.

The full lineup includes Baby Queen, Nina Nesbitt, Siobhan Winifred, CATTY, Talia Rae, Stevie Bill, and Nina Versyp.

They join previously announced special guests Brandi Carlile, Anna Calvi and Paris Paloma. Tickets are on sale now.

Baby Queen, real name Arabella Latham, released her debut studio album, Quarter Life Crisis, last November.

Meanwhile, Nesbitt is due to drop her new record Mountain Music in September. Looking ahead to opening for Nicks, she wrote on social media, "AHHHHH THIS IS HAPPENING! I'm so so excited to announce I'll be playing Hyde Park with @stevienicks. the best birthday present a girl could wish for. me and the girls manifested this one hard lol."

Also headlining BST Hyde Park this year are SZA (June 29) Kings Of Leon (June 30), Morgan Wallen (July 4), Andrea Bocelli (July 5), Robbie Williams (July 6), Shania Twain (July 7), Kylie Minogue (July 13) and Stray Kids (July 14).

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In the midst of leg one of their 2024 tour, Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks premiered the video for the song "Shine On," the first single from their forthcoming album True.

The video was filmed in New Jersey before the start of the tour and directed by Tom Flynn. The song has been performed nightly on the tour and has received universal positive response.

Additionally, the full album is available for preorder on all DSPs and streaming services, and at https://ffm.to/jonandersontrue

True was produced by Jon and Richie Castellano with the centerpiece being the 16-and-a-half-minute track "Once Upon a Dream."

The nine-song album is scheduled for release on August 23.

Jon and The Band Geeks remain on the road through September 27 with recently added shows in Beverly, Massachusetts; Montclair, New Jersey; and Staten Island, New York.

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The Eagles have announced a residency at Sphere in Las Vegas featuring eight shows over four exclusive weekends from Friday, September 20, through Saturday, October 19.

Presale registration is available now at https://eagles.com/pages/tour

The presale begins on June 18 at 10 AM PT at https://www.eagles.com.

Vibee Hotel & Experience Packages presale packages go on sale beginning June 14 at 10 AM PT.

The general on-sale will begin on June 21 at 10 AM PT.

Dead & Company were the last band to play at the 18,000-seat 160,000-square-foot venue; on May 16.

Eagles - Live In Concert at Sphere Dates:

Friday, September 20Saturday, September 21Friday, September 27Saturday, September 28Friday, October 11Saturday, October 12Friday, October 18Saturday, October 19

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Def Leppard recently released a new single, "Just Like 73," featuring Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello.

The song arrives on 7-inch vinyl on August 2 and will be available in a special color variant only through the band's D2C store and in black at all retailers.

"Just Like 73" marks the first collaboration between Def Leppard and Morello.

"It encapsulates a time that burned deep into our DNA. We wanted to celebrate that very important and glorious time," says Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliott.

"When I saw David Bowie on TV between 1972 and 1973, everything I thought I knew about music went from black and white to vivid technicolor," guitarist Phil Collen adds. "Our song 'Just Like 73' represents that awakening."

"I had a blast rocking a solo on "Just Like 73," says Morello. "I played 'Rock Of Ages' in my college cover band almost 40 years ago and here Def Leppard are still killing it in stadiums with a brand new tune that's one of their best."

An animated music video for Just Like 73 will be released on June 20 at 4 PM BST.

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Heavy metal titans Judas Priest have announced North American tour dates for this fall, with special guest Sabaton.

The 23-date leg will feature music from the band's latest album, Invincible Shield.

The tour kicks off on September 13th at Bell Centre in Montreal and makes stops in Milwaukee, Omaha, Spokane, Portland, Los Angeles, Phoenix and more before wrapping up with three shows in Texas on October 22, 24 and 26.

Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.

Judas Priest Invincible Sheild Fall 2024 Tour Dates:

Sept 13 - Montreal, QC @ Bell CentreSept 14 - Niagara Falls, ON @ Fallsview Casino ResortSept 17 - Sterling Heights, MI @ Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom HillSept 19 - Milwaukee, WI @ Miller High Life TheatreSept 21 - Cedar Rapids, IA @ Alliant Energy PowerHouseSept 22 - Sioux Falls, SD @ Denny Sanford Premier CenterSept 24 - Rochester, MN @ Mayo Civic Center ArenaSept 25 - Omaha, NE @ Baxter ArenaSept 27 - Rockford, IL @ BMO CenterSept 29 - Louisville, KY @ Louder Than Life - FestivalOct 1 - Independence, MO @ Cable Dahmer ArenaOct 3 - Billings, MT @ First Interstate Arena at MetraParkOct 5 - Idaho Falls, ID @ Mountain America CenterOct 6 - Spokane, WA @ Spokane ArenaOct 9 - Everett, WA @ Angel of the Winds ArenaOct 10 - Portland, OR @ Alaska Airlines' Theater of the CloudsOct 12 - Sacramento, CA @ After Shock FestivalOct 13 - Reno, NV @ Grand Sierra Resort and CasinoOct 15 - Los Angeles, CA @ YouTube TheaterOct 16 - Las Vegas, NV @ Bakkt Theater at Planet HollywoodOct 18 - Phoenix, AZ @ Arizona Financial TheatreOct 20 - Loveland, CO @ Blue ArenaOct 22 - Houston, TX @ Smart Financial Centre at Sugar LandOct 24 - Austin, TX @ Germania Insurance AmphitheaterOct 26 - Irving, TX @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory

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