Month: December 2022

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Rock Daypop

U2 drummer Larry Mullen Jr. unlikely to tour in 2023 due to surgery

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U2 drummer Larry Mullen Jr. said in a recent interview with The Washington Post that if the band tours next year, he will have to sit out the trek, due to plans to undergo surgery. The band was interviewed for a profile piece tied to the group’s acceptance of a lifetime achievement award at the Kennedy Center Honors this weekend.

Mullen is paraphrased in the interview, and not directly quoted (it is reportedly Mullen’s first interview in seven years,). However, Washington Post staffer Geoff Edgers explains, “he [Larry] is blunt.  If the band plays live in 2023, “it will probably be without him, as he needs surgery to continue playing.”

U2 has been busy with two albums in the works: The first is an album of all-new originals, Songs of Ascent, described as “nearly finished”. The second album is the heavily-rumored Surrender, said to feature 40 “stripped-down” versions of U2 songs written about in Bono’s new memoir of the same name. Neither album has been given a release date.

U2 hasn’t toured since 2019, but Bono has stayed busy He’s most recently been doing a limited number of solo tour dates to promote his book, Surrender, from which he recites passages and sings snippets of relevant songs. The US leg of his limited-run tour has wrapped up, and the singer is currently on its European leg.

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Rock Daypop

Red Hot Chili Peppers release B-Side “The Shape I’m Takin’”

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Red Hot Chili Peppers have released their b-side “The Shape I’m Takin’” on streaming. That song was initially released as a bonus track exclusive to the Japanese edition of the group’s latest album,“Return Of The Dream Canteen“.

That double album as well as its predecessor, “Unlimited Love,” topped the Billboard 200 this year. Following this spring’s Unlimited Love, the band similarly released the Japanese bonus track “Nerve Flip” as a digital single.

Take a listen to The Shape I’m Takin’ – here.

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Pop Daypop

Jack Harlow announces 2023 Las Vegas Residency

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Jack Harlow will be hitting the stage in 2023 for a Las Vegas Residency. Resorts World’s Zouk Nightclub announced Harlow will perform a series of shows during his 2023 residency, which is set to take place on select dates next year between March 18 and May 27.  Ronn Nicolli, vice president of Zouk Group Las Vegas, said in a statement: “Jack Harlow has continued to dominate the charts and we are thrilled to have him within the Zouk Group family as we head into 2023. We’ve curated an unparalleled roster of headlining talent and we look forward to continuing to provide an epic experience for guests.”

Harlow previously performed at the nightclub back in September, and said in a press release: “I had a great time performing at Zouk in 2022. The energy was electric and I’m looking forward to returning to Vegas to headline in 2023. See y’all there!”

Harlow has been on the road this fall with his Come Home The Kids Miss You tour with City Girls, and was just nominated for three Grammys. For tickets to the Las Vegas Residency, head to ZoukGroupLV.com/JackHarlow

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Pop Daypop

The Weeknd teases music release for ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’

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The Weeknd – born Abel Tesfaye – shared a teaser clip touting the arrival of new material on social media.

On Sunday morning, the Canadian singer uploaded a short clip where a choir can be heard, supported by a booming drum beat (reminiscent of the previous film’s score by James Horner). The visual culminates with the flashing of the ‘Avatar’ movie logo, while the caption attached reads “12.16.22” (the date the new film arrives in North American theaters).

Avatar’s official account retweeted the post and uploaded a clip of the account following The Weeknd on Twitter. Jon Landau, the film’s producer then posted a clip of the two together with the caption: “As the Na’vi [the fictional language of the film] say, ‘Zola’u nìprrte’ soaiane Avatar’… Welcome to the Avatar family.”

It remains unclear what the extent of the Weeknd’s involvement will be in the film or the soundtrack.

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Pop Daypop

Elton John confirmed as headliner for 2023 Glastonbury Festival

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Elton John has been confirmed as the first headliner for 2023 Glastonbury Festival, who will perform on the Pyramid Stage on Sunday, June 25, 2023.  Glastonbury organizers tweeted: “We are incredibly excited to announce that the one and only @EltonOfficial will headline the Pyramid Stage on Sunday night at Glastonbury 2023, for what will be the final UK show of his last ever tour.”

Glastonbury co-organizer Emily Eavis added: “It gives me enormous pleasure to let you know that the one and only Elton John will be making his first ever Glastonbury appearance, headlining the Pyramid Stage on the Sunday night next year. This will be the final UK show of Elton’s last ever tour, so we will be closing the Festival and marking this huge moment in both of our histories with the mother of all send-offs. We are so very happy to finally bring the Rocket Man to Worthy Farm!”

John posted on social media that he “couldn’t be more excited” to be headlining “the greatest festival in the world” next summer: “Every week I speak to new artists on my radio show and Glastonbury is often cited as a pivotal moment in launching their careers – the festival’s genuine, enthusiastic support for the best emerging talent is something I’ve long admired.  Thank you for having me Emily Eavis for my final UK show – it’s going to be emotional.”

No other acts have yet been confirmed for the 2023 Glastonbury Festival, taking place between June 21-25, 2023. Arctic Monkeys and Harry Styles are the rumored remaining two headliners; however, the official announcement of performers is expected to be revealed in March.

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Pop Daypop

BTS’ RM shares video for ‘Wild Flower’ off debut solo album

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BTS’ RM has released his debut solo album Indigo and shared the video for its lead single “Wild Flower.” Indigo is the follow-up to RM’s two mixtapes – 2015’s RM and 2018’s mono – and is the third solo project to be released by a member of the K-pop group this year.

According to a press release, Indigo is a “record of [RM’s] twenties and a candid introduction of who RM truly is. Each track portrays RM’s outspoken opinions, prevailing thoughts, reminiscence of the past and instant feelings.”  The album features collaborations with artists from across the globe, including neo-soul icon Erykah Badu, Anderson .Paak, Mahalia, Korean R&B singer Paul Blanco, iconic Korean singer and actor parkjiyoon, Epik High’s Tablo, and more.

You can check out the video for Wild Flower – here.
Buy or stream Indigo – here.

RM drops ethereal music video for new single, ‘Wild Flower’

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News Daypop

Supreme Court set to review legality of Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan

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According to a SCOTUSblog report, the U.S. Supreme Court will review the legality of the Biden administration’s student debt relief plan during an oral argument in February. Biden’s student debt forgiveness plan would cancel up to $20,000 in federal student loan debt for eligible student borrowers, however, the plan has since been brought to a standstill due to several lower court rulings. The Supreme Court report comes almost two weeks after the Department of Education extended the student loan payment moratorium from its Dec. 31 expiration date to June 2023.

The Biden administration unveiled the federal student loan debt program in August, stating it would cancel up to $10,000 in student loan debt for anyone making less than $125,000 or for households making less than $250,000 a year. Pell Grant recipients, who receive aid based on financial need, would get an additional $10,000 in debt relief. It expected around $32 billion in federal student debt to be canceled for more than 1.6 million Americans during through administration’s student loan forgiveness actions.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a statement: “We’re extending the payment pause because it would be deeply unfair to ask borrowers to pay a debt that they wouldn’t have to pay, were it not for the baseless lawsuits brought by Republican officials and special interests.”  The Department of Education wrote in a statement that the pause will extend 60 days after the Biden administration is allowed to implement its student loan forgiveness plan or legal challenges are resolved. Officials said the 60-day period will give the Supreme Court an opportunity to resolve the case during its current term. If the Department of Education can’t proceed with its policy and the legal challenges are still in play by June 30, 2023, student loan payments will resume 60 days after that date.

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News Daypop

Trump special master overturned by appeals court in Mar-a-Lago document review

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A panel of judges on the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday to overturn the appointment of a special master tasked with reviewing thousands of documents seized by the FBI from former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate this summer. The ruling by the three-judge panel goes into effect in seven days, absent intervention by the full circuit court or the Supreme Court.

The judges found: “The law is clear. We cannot write a rule that allows any subject of a search warrant to block government investigations after the execution of the warrant. Nor can we write a rule that allows only former presidents to do so.”  The order eliminates a major obstacle in federal authorities ongoing criminal investigation into whether Trump illegally retained highly classified records after leaving the presidency and obstructed efforts by the government to recover them. Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

The appellate judges repeatedly expressed concern that the appointment of third-party judge Raymond Dearie by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon in Florida lacked any clear precedent. Cannon had empowered Dearie, as special master, to evaluate the approximately 13,000 materials taken from Trump’s club, including roughly 100 documents with classification markings. Dearie was supposed to analyze if any of the documents that were taken raised privilege concerns, either executive privilege or attorney-client privilege.

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Sports Daypop

Arrest order issued in Florida for ex-NFL star Antonio Brown

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An arrest order has been issued for former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Brown is wanted for a misdemeanor battery charge related to an alleged domestic incident Monday afternoon in south Tampa involving the mother of Brown’s children. According to a Tampa Police Department spokesperson, police attempted to enforce the warrant at Brown’s south Tampa home on Thursday.

According to Tampa police, the former Steelers and Buccaneers star and a woman were involved in a verbal altercation that turned physical, with Brown allegedly throwing a shoe at the woman and trying to evict her from the home. Tampa police consequently sought a risk protection order Tuesday against Brown, but that request was rejected by Florida circuit court judge Denise A. Pomponio. Police alleged in the protection order request that Brown has access to two guns, including a handgun he carries.

This is just the latest in a string of legal troubles for the 34-year-old Brown. He pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery in June 2020 in Broward County, Fla., and received two years’ probation as a result. He also was required to undergo a psychological evaluation and take an anger management course.  He was released by the Patriots in 2019 after just one game with the team in light of allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment and intimidation, and served an eight-game suspension as a free agent in ’20. He signed with the Buccaneers after serving his ’20 suspension, winning a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay in February ’21. The following season, he left the team in the middle of the regular-season finale, and was released from the Bucs.

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Sports Daypop

Boston Celtics and center Al Horford agree to 2-year, $20M contract extension

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The Boston Celtics and veteran center Al Horford agreed to a two-year, $20 million contract extension. Horford was due to become a free agent after the 2022-23 NBA season. Horford’s agency Glushon Sports Management said on Twitter and Instagram that Horford’s new deal will start in 2023-24 and run through the 2023-25 season. He will make $26.5 million this season.

Horford averaged 13.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game over his first 968 career appearances. He earned five All-Star selections and was an All-NBA selection in 2010-11. The 6’9″ center has averaged 10.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game in 18 starts so far this season. Last season, the 36-year-old Hereford averaged 10.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 69 starts- his first season with the Celtics. The 16-year veteran joined the Celtics in a 2021 trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Celtics (18-4) will host the Miami Heat (10-12) at 7:30 p.m. EST Friday in Boston.

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