Month: December 2022

Categories
Rock Daypop

Watch Metallica perform acoustic cover of Thin Lizzy’s ‘Borderline’

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Metallica is sharing an acoustic cover version of Thin Lizzy’s “Borderline” live for the first time, which took place December 16 at the band’s annual benefit concert in support of their All Within My Hands Foundation.

The “Helping Hands Concert & Auction” was held at Los Angeles’s Microsoft Theater, and included the band’s debut live performance of the band’s latest single, “Lux Æterna,” the first song from Metallica’s forthcoming album 72 Seasons. The concert also featured the band covering UFO’s “It’s Killing Me,” and an appearance by special guest St. Vincent on “Nothing Else Matters.”

To pre-order 72 Seasons, head here.
Take a look at the acoustic performance of “Borderline” – here.

Watch: Metallica Performs Acoustic Cover of Thin Lizzy’s “Borderline”

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Categories
Pop Daypop

The Weeknd teases new video for his song, ‘Is There Someone Else’

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The Weeknd released his fifth studio album, Dawn FM, in January, and now he is teasing an upcoming video for the song “Is There Someone Else”.  When a fan asked how he felt after a year that saw the album go to #1 on the Billboard sales chart, The Weeknd tweeted back, saying “i feel istheresomeoneelsemusicvideo-ish.”

A video for the song “Is There Someone Else” would be the sixth from Dawn FM.  The lead single “Take My Breath,” and the rest of the singles — “Out of Time,” “Sacrifice,” “Gasoline” and “How Do I Make You Love Me” all have previously released videos.

No further announcement has been made about a video release or who might star in or direct it. In the past, Tesfaye has worked most frequently with directors Cliqua, who recently did the “Out of Time” video, Anton Tammi (“In Your Eyes”), and Grant Singer (“Try Me”).

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Categories
Pop Daypop

Taylor Swift sets radio songs chart record with ‘Anti-Hero’

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Taylor Swift’s “Anti-Hero” became the No.1 song across US radio stations, making Swift the first artist to have landed on the top of Billboard’s Radio Songs chart in the 2000s, 10s, and 20s. Swift earned her seventh Radio Songs chart-topper, tying Maroon 5, Katy Perry, and Usher for the fourth-most No.1s dating to the chart’s beginning in December 1990.

In just eight weeks, Midnights achieved over six million album equivalent units worldwide, three million in the U.S. alone, and became the only artist ever to have five albums with over one million units during release week. Midnights moved almost 1.6 million during its debut week and is the first album to sell over one million physical albums since 2015. Swift also broke streaming, physical and vinyl album sales milestones around the world as Midnights became the fastest-selling album of her career, and became the first artist in history to capture the entire Top 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart.

Universal Music Group Chairman & CEO, Sir Lucian Grainge said, “Taylor is a multidimensional creative force whose achievements place her among the most accomplished artists in the history of music, and we are thrilled and honored to partner with her across so many aspects of her career.” Republic Records Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Monte Lipman said, “Taylor’s achievements over the past year have been absolutely spectacular! With more than two dozen historic milestones set by Midnights, it’s nearly unimaginable for any artist to sell more than six million albums in less than eight weeks during any era of our business. These accomplishments further exemplify Taylor’s prowess as the consummate artist and storyteller defining a generation.”

Taylor Swift Breaks Radio Songs Chart Record with “Anti-Hero”

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Categories
News Daypop

U.S. to require negative Covid test for travelers arriving from China

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The Biden administration announced on Wednesday that travelers from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau will need to submit a pre-departure negative COVID-19 test before entering the United States, starting on Jan. 5. The new policy comes amid a surge in Covid cases in China and fears that a new, concerning variant could emerge. China is reporting more than 250 million positive cases in the first 20 days of December.

Under the new rule, travelers older than 2 must submit a negative COVID-19 test taken within two days of departing for the United States. Nationality and vaccination status will not have any bearing on whether a test must be provided. The policy also applies to travelers who have connecting flights in China. Passengers who tested positive 10 days before their flight can provide documented proof of recovery instead of a negative test.

The CDC warned that new variants of the COVID-19 virus are likely to emerge and go unidentified for longer due to China’s reduced testing and case reporting, saying in a press release: “Pre-departure testing and the requirement to show a negative test result has been shown to decrease the number of infected passengers boarding airplanes, and it will help to slow the spread of the virus as we work to identify and understand any potential new variants that may emerge.” 

The U.S. State Department issued a level-three travel advisory for China on Dec. 23, urging travelers to reconsider plans to visit the country “due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, and COVID-19-related restrictions.”

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Categories
News Daypop

Ringleader of plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer sentenced to 19 1/2 years in prison

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47-year-old Barry Croft Jr., who was convicted of playing a key role in the plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, was sentenced to 19 1/2 years in prison Wednesday. Croft and co-defendant Adam Fox, 39, were convicted in August of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and to use a weapon of mass destruction to attack Whitmer, who drew the hatred of far-right groups for her efforts to curb the spread of Covid in 2020. Fox was sentenced to 192 months (16 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker, and Croft was sentenced to 235 months in a Grand Rapids.

Jonker stopped short of issuing a life sentence sought by prosecutors, but the judge largely agreed with the government’s stance that Croft fueled the plot with dangerous rhetoric. Jonker said: “I do think of Mr. Croft as the more seriously culpable … more so than even Mr. Fox … I think he was the person who gave Mr. Fox something to grab on to,” calling Croft the “idea guy” who egged on co-conspirators with “wrong” and “twisted” ideology.

A jury in April failed to arrive at verdicts against Fox and Croft, forcing a judge to declare a mistrial before a second trial proved decisive. Gov. Whitmer, who won re-election last month, was the focal point of far-right rage in 2020 when she imposed various lockdowns aimed at curbing the spread of Covid. A representative for Whitmer on Wednesday said the governor had no comment beyond a statement she made when the Croft and Fox were convicted, insisting that plots “against public officials and threats to the FBI are a disturbing extension of radicalized domestic terrorism that festers in our nation, threatening the very foundation of our republic.”

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Categories
Sports Daypop

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker to miss at least four weeks

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The Phoenix Suns confirmed on Wednesday that All-Star guard Devin Booker will miss at least four weeks with a left groin strain. The Suns said that Booker will be reevaluated after the four weeks.

The 26-year-old Booker has missed six of the past nine games because of hamstring and groin ailments. He returned for the team’s Christmas Day matchup against the Denver Nuggets, but only played four minutes before having to leave the game. He returned to Phoenix for further evaluation while the team continued its six-game road trip.

Booker is averaging a career-high 27.1 points per game and already topped 50 points twice this season. The Suns currently have a 20-15 record and are in fifth place in the Western Conference.

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Categories
Sports Daypop

Las Vegas Raiders to start Jarrett Stidham in place of QB Derek Carr against 49ers

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The Las Vegas Raiders coach Josh McDaniels announced Wednesday that they are benching Derek Carr, the team’s starting quarterback since 2014, for Jarrett Stidham, who was acquired in an offseason trade from the New England Patriots. Stidham will start against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium, with undrafted rookie free agent Chase Garbers as the backup. A 2019 fourth-round pick, Stidham will be making his first career start. He is 8-for-13 for 72 yards in three games this season. McDaniels said of the move: “None of us is happy with where we’re at, but we think it’s an opportunity to evaluate a younger player who hasn’t had much time to play. Derek was great. He understands the scenario that we’re in and the situation and is very supportive of the two young guys. He’ll do anything he can to help them.”

Carr has struggled in his first season under the Raiders’ new regime with head coach McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler. Carr has an NFL-high and career-high-tying 14 interceptions, and his passer rating of 86.3 is his lowest since his rookie season. Carr had signed a three-year, $121.5 million contract extension in the spring. His $32.9 million salary for next year and $7.5 million of his 2024 salary would be fully guaranteed should he be injured. Sources say that the Raiders made this move in part to maintain Carr’s health and keep their options open this offseason, including for a potential trade. The sources did note that the option for Carr to return in 2023 is still on the table.

The Raiders have also placed defensive end Chandler Jones and linebacker Denzel Perryman, who suffered left elbow and left shoulder injuries, respectively, against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday.

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Categories
Country Daypop

Lainey Wilson releases two new songs on Spotify

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Lainey Wilson has dropped two new Spotify singles — a reimagining of her original song “Middle Finger,” and a cover of Rick Derringer’s “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo.”

Said Wilson on Instagram: “It was awesome to have my band join me in Jay’s studio for the first time to record these Spotify Singles. We reimagined my song “Middle Finger” and put our own spin on Rick Derringer’s “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo” – the band’s go-to pre-show anthem. Check ‘em out on @spotify now! #bellbottomcountry #countrywithaflare”

Wilson added: “I got to bring my whole band into the studio for the first time for these Spotify singles. ‘Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo’ is the song my band gets pumped up to before every show, so we were really excited to get in the studio with Jay Joyce and put our own flare on it. The song just feels so good. Same with ‘Middle Finger’ – it’s an anthem we can all sing along to and feel a little better. That song has been a fan-favorite since it came out on my EP in 2018, and I’m excited for it to have another chance as a refreshed, rerecorded Spotify Single.”

Wilson released her critically acclaimed album Bell Bottom Country and made her acting debut in the season five of Paramount Network’s hit series Yellowstone in a role created specifically for her by creator Taylor Sheridan.  In January 2023, Wilson will embark on her first headlining tour, the Country With A Flare Tour. 

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Kacey Musgraves helps raise $100,000 for therapy dog for children’s hospital

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Kacey Musgraves and her boyfriend Cole Schafer have helped to raise money so the Monroe Carrell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt can add a second therapy dog at the facility. Last year, the pair created the Teddy Bear Ball to raise money (and teddy bear) for the patients at Monroe Carrell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, and this year hosted the 2022 Teddy Bear Ball at The American Legion in Nashville.

Musgraves wrote on Instagram: “This year, our goal was to raise enough funds to help get @vumcchildren a second therapy / rehabilitation facility dog that will walk the floors and do visits, boosting morale and calming families and kiddos before they’re wheeled into surgery. Any animal lover can attest to the multitudes of healing they can bring someone in need.” The couple had donated 300 teddy bears to the hospital in addition to raising more than $100,000 for another therapy dog for the hospital.

Kacey Musgraves Hosts Teddy Bear Ball to Raise Funds for Local Children’s Hospital Support Dog

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Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Whoopi Goldberg apologizes for controversial comments on Holocaust

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Whoopi Goldberg has issued an apology after receiving backlash for her remarks about the Holocaust, after she seemingly doubled down in an interview with the The Sunday Times of London on comments she made earlier this year.  In the Sunday Times interview, Goldberg dished on cancel culture and more before reiterating the controversial comments she made earlier this year on The View, when she declared the Holocaust was “not about race,” but about “white supremacy” and “man’s inhumanity to man.”  As a result of those remarks, ABC News President Kin Godwin announced in a statement that Goldberg would be suspended from The View for two weeks.

In response to the Sunday Times interview, Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said in a statement that Goldberg’s comments “are deeply offensive and incredibly disappointing, especially given that this is not the first time she had made remarks like this. In a moment when antisemitic incidents have surged across the U.S., she should realize that making such ignorant statements can have real consequences.” Greenblatt also issued a statement following Goldberg’s initial comments about the Holocaust: “[Whoopi’s remarks] are deeply offensive and incredibly disappointing, especially given that this is not the first time she had made remarks like this. In a moment when antisemitic incidents have surged across the U.S., she should realize that making such ignorant statements can have real consequences.”

Goldberg has since apologized in a statement to Variety: “Recently while doing press in London, I was asked about my comments from earlier this year. I tried to convey to the reporter what I had said and why, and attempted to recount that time. It was never my intention to appear as if I was doubling down on hurtful comments, especially after talking with and hearing people like rabbis and old and new friends weighing in. I’m still learning a lot and believe me, I heard everything everyone said to me. I believe that the Holocaust was about race, and I am still as sorry now as I was then that I upset, hurt and angered people. My sincere apologies again, especially to everyone who thought this was a fresh rehash of the subject. I promise it was not. In this time of rising antisemitism, I want to be very clear when I say that I always stood with the Jewish people and always will. My support for them has not wavered and never will.”

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