Month: July 2023

Categories
Pop Daypop

Janet Jackson, Megan Thee Stallion and Kendrick Lamar headlining ONE MusicFest 2023

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ONE MusicFest announced the lineup for the 2023 two-day event, set to take place in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park on Oct 28-29th.   The Fest tweeted: “This is not a drill! 🚨 #OMF2023 featuring Kendrick Lamar, Janet Jackson, Megan Thee Stallion, Brent Faiyaz, 50 Years of Hip Hop and an once in a lifetime lineup are coming on Oct 28+29th 🔥 secure your tickets NOW before they’re GONE at 👉🏾 onemusicfest.com 👈🏾”

Janet Jackson, Kendrick Lamar, Megan Thee Stallion, and Brent Faiyaz will headline the 2023 festival, with additional performances from the likes of Coco Jones, El DeBarge, Durand Bernarr, Bryson Tiller, Jozzy, Jadakiss, and “surprise special guests” taking the stage. ONE MusicFest will also celebrate Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary with a specially curated stage featuring rap legends such as Nelly, KRS-One, Big Daddy Kane, Trina, Too $hort, and Lady Of Rage.

ONE MusicFest Founder, James “J” Carter, shared in a statement: “We are beyond excited about the 14th annual ONE Musicfest. To have the opportunity to host Kendrick Lamar, Janet Jackson, Megan Thee Stallion, Brent Faiyaz, and other iconic artists in the middle of Piedmont Park is a dream come true, especially on the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop. It doesn’t get any better than this. It will be a premium experience for the artists, the attendees, and our partners. We look forward to our new home in Piedmont Park and delivering an elevated experience to our many fans.”

Tickets for the festival are currently on-sale. General admission begins at $169, with 2-day platinum packages starting at $995. Head to www.onemusicfest.frontgatetickets.com for more information.

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Categories
Rock Daypop

Corey Taylor releases the single ‘Post Traumatic Blues’

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Corey Taylor has dropped his latest single “Post Traumatic Blues” from his upcoming album, CMF2, set for release September 15th. CMF2 will serve as the follow-up to Taylor’s debut solo album, CMFT, which arrived in 2020.

Taylor shared in a press release: “‘Post Traumatic Blues’ is my attempt to describe for people what it’s like to deal with PTSD. Sometimes it’s so hard for people to understand the ups and downs, the severity of the cold and numbness, that I wanted to try and build a bridge lyrically between the ones living with the disease and the ones who are trying to help them.”

“Post Traumatic Blues” follows the lead single from CMF2, “Beyond,” which was released in May. In support of the new album, Taylor will embark on a U.S. tour, kicking-off August 25th in Denver and ending at an October 7th appearance at the Aftershock Festival in Sacramento, California.

Take a listen to “Post Traumatic Blues” – here.

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Categories
Rock Daypop

Bret Michaels, Stone Temple Pilots among RokIsland Fest 2024 headliners

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The organizers of RokIsland Fest have announced the 2024 lineup, featuring Bret Michaels, Stone Temple Pilots, Tom Keifer, Mr. Big, Buckcherry, Night Ranger and many more. The fest is set to take place Wednesday, January 17th through Saturday, January 20th at the Truman Waterfront Park Amphitheater in Key West, FL.

Friday night will feature a continuation of Bret Michaels’ 2023 Parti Gras Tour with Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider, Foreigner’s Lou Gramm, Jefferson Starship and Trixter.  Says RokIsland Fest co-founder Kyle Carter: “RokIsland Fest’s continued priority is for attendees to have access to preeminent, unforgettable live music performances. This year is no exception. Friday night will include an all-hits mashup, curated by the one and only Bret Michaels. It will be billed as Parti Gras, a multi-hour journey featuring Bret himself, Dee Snider, Lou Gramm and Jefferson Starship. For a festival that’s already about experiences, this show is another dimension and an ‘experience within the experience’ and we think fans will have a sore voice after this one.”

Tickets are on sale now; head to www.rokislandfest.com for more information.

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Categories
Pop Daypop

Jung Kook of BTS releases solo track ‘Seven’ ft. Latto

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BTS’s Jung Kook has released the track “Seven” featuring Latto, marking his official solo debut. The highly-anticipated single was written and produced by Grammy-winning producers and songwriters Andrew Watt and Cirkut, with CEO of Hybe America, Scooter Braun, also taking part in the production of the single.

The official music video for “Seven”, directed by Bradley Bell and Pablo Jones-Soler, features Korean actress Han So-hee, in addition to the K-pop superstar and Latto. Jung Kook shared: “I deliberated on how more people could enjoy ‘Seven.’ This is my first time working on the [UK garage] genre, and the production process was very fresh and new. I also learned a lot from recording ‘Seven.’”

Jung Kook made his official American TV debut on Friday, performing “Seven” on Good Morning America’s 2023 Summer Concert Series in New York.

Take a look at the video for “Seven” – here.
To stream “Seven”, head here.

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Categories
News Daypop

Fire kills nearly all animals at Florida wildlife center

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Officials said that an early-morning fire on Thursday killed nearly all the animals at a wildlife center in Madeira Beach, near St. Petersburg on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputies say the blaze was reported around 2 a.m. Thursday and impacted both the Alligator and Wildlife Discovery Center and Beach Bites & Burgers. Fire Chief Clint Belk of the Madeira Beach Fire Department said crews were forced to shift to a “defensive operation” due to deteriorating conditions, and the blaze was under control in about 45 minutes. Belk said: “We keep oxygen masks on the fire truck for dogs and cats, but this is just such a rare occasion. They’re all exotic animals.”  An investigation is underway to determine the cause.

A post on the wildlife center’s Facebook page said: “We suffered from a tragic fire last night. Nearly all of the animals are gone. We are devastated.” Sonny Flynn, who owns the center, told local Tampa Bay station WTSP that all of the mammals inside the building died and many of the reptiles were injured. Small mammals, lizards, amphibians, turtles and tortoises, fresh and saltwater marine life, and alligators were among the 250 animals at the center. Flynn said about 95% of the animals at the center were “pet surrenders because people didn’t know how to take care of them, or they weren’t able to take care of them,” adding, “they didn’t deserve this. This is my whole life They all have names, they all have personality, I come in every morning and talk to them like Dr. Dolittle.”

According to its website, the Alligator and Wildlife Discovery Center was founded in 2011, and has changed its focus to education and conservation: “Our immediate goal is the provision of humane, professional care for pet surrenders and orphaned native wildlife that cannot be safely returned to the wild.”

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Categories
Sports Daypop

Rory McIlroy ‘would rather retire’ than play for LIV Golf

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Rory McIlroy is not interested at all in being a part of LIV Golf.  When asked Thursday after the first round of the Genesis Scottish Open about the disclosure that came out as part of a Senate hearing in Washington, D.C. on the matter, McIlroy first covered his eyes with his hands. Said McIlroy: “If LIV Golf was the last place to play golf on earth, I would retire. That’s how I feel about it.’’ He later added that he’d play the major championships “but I’d be pretty comfortable.’’

McIlroy is a member of the PGA Tour Policy Board and a leading spokesman among the players for more than a year as it attempted to push back against the LIV Golf threat. McIlroy said that even if he were to be offered one of the franchises, as was proposed by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia as part of its negotiations with the PGA Tour, he would decline.

McIlroy said he has grown tired of talking about the topic since the disclosure of a “framework agreement’’ reached between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and PIF on June 6.  He declined a pre-tournament interview in advance of the U.S. Open and refused questions on the topic there; he also was absent from the interview area at the Renaissance Club, but after an opening-round 64 at the Renaissance Club, McIlroy faced questions.

McIlroy said he saw only portions of the PGA Tour’s hearing before a Senate subcommittee: “As long as I get to play golf, I’m happy. Quite a bit of apathy towards everything at the minute. There wasn’t’ a lot of new information in there for me. There was going to be some new information for other people. As I said, I’ve almost been too close the last year and a bit. So nice to be able to try to distance myself a bit.’’

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Categories
Sports Daypop

NY Jets and DT Quinnen Williams agree to four-year, $96M extension

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On Thursday, the New York Jets and All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams agreed to a four-year, $96 million contract extension, keeping Williams with New York through the 2027 season.

Williams’ deal reportedly includes $66 million guaranteed and is the largest second NFL contract in NFL history for a defensive tackle. Williams, who will average $24 million per year on the new deal, is now the second-highest paid defensive tackle in the league behind only Aaron Donald, who is making $31.7 million per year.

Williams has developed into one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL since the Jets drafted him No. 3 overall in the 2019 NFL draft, after an illustrious college football career at Alabama. Williams had a breakout season in New York last year, registering a career-high 12 sacks and a career-best 12 tackles for loss. He also tied a career-high with 55 tackles. He earned first-team All-Pro honors and was invited to his first Pro Bowl in 2022.  In his four-year NFL career, Williams has totaled 191 total tackles, 33 tackles for loss, 27.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.

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Categories
Country Daypop

Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Dave Matthews lead Farm Aid 2023

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The annual music and food festival Farm Aid announced it will return to Noblesville, Ind.’s Ruoff Music Center on Sept. 23. Farm Aid’s mission is to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America. Farm Aid 2023 will feature artists including Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Dave Matthews (with Tim Reynolds), Margo Price, Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros featuring The Wolfpack, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Lukas Nelson, Allison Russell, The String Cheese Incident, and Particle Kid.

For more than 35 years, Farm Aid artists and board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews and Margo Price host the annual festival to raise funds to support Farm Aid’s work with family farmers and to inspire people to choose family farm food. Farm Aid has raised more than $70 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms.

Farm Aid President and Founder Willie Nelson said in a statement: “Family farmers have the solutions to some of our toughest challenges. As we face a changing climate, farmers in Indiana, across the Midwest and all over the country are farming in ways that create more resilient farms to build healthy soils and protect our water.”

Adds Farm Aid co-founder John Mellencamp: “We are honored and excited to bring the Farm Aid experience back to Indiana. My home state holds deep meaning for me and for the generations of family farmers who have dedicated their lives to caring for the Earth and bringing us good food.”

Tickets will go on sale to the public on Saturday, July 15th at 10 am ET via Ticketmaster.

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Categories
Country Daypop

Morgan Wade shares the video for ’80’s Movie’

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Morgan Wade has released the video for her latest single, “80’s Movie,” one of the tracks off her eagerly-awaited sophomore album Psychopath, out 8/25 via Sony Music Nashville. The 13-track Psychopath LP includes contributions from A-list songwriters, studio musicians and Wade’s longtime producer, Sadler Vaden.

80’s Movie was written by Wade and frequent collaborator Vaden, and she spoke with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe about the track: “If you want to feel instantly happy, you can watch a feel-good movie from the 80’s and it’ll cheer you right up. That nostalgic, joyful sentiment is what we were channeling when writing this song and I think we got there. ‘80’s movie’ is fun, melodic and light-hearted and I am so excited it’s finally here.”

Wade has been on the road in 2023 with her headlining No Signs of Slowing Down Tour, and made a notable appearance at Stagecoach Festival. She also appears on Diplo’s new album Thomas Wesley: Chapter 2 – Swamp Savant, will join Turnpike Troubadours and Eric Church for select tour dates throughout summer and fall, and will be making appearances at Lollapalooza, Railbird, and Austin City Limits before heading back to Europe for a fall headline run.

Take a look at Morgan’s video for ’80’s Movie’ – here.

Morgan Wade – “80’s Movie”

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Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Actors to strike after SAG-AFTRA negotiations for new contract with studios collapse

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Members of the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) union are going on strike, after they were unable to reach a deal with producers and studios. Members of SAG-AFTRA will join up with more than 11,000 already striking Writers Guild of America (WGA), with the strike to start at midnight, July 14.

The failed negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers means film and television productions will immediately come to a halt, essentially shutting down Hollywood; the tandem strike of SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America marks the first of its kind in Hollywood since 1960.

The actors union had already granted one extension to its contract, which was originally set to expire July 1, and said it would not concede another. Hollywood performers were looking to improve wages, working conditions and health and pension benefits, as well as create guardrails for the use of artificial intelligence in future television and film productions. Additionally, the union is seeking more transparency from streaming services about viewership so that residual payments can be made equitable to that seen on linear TV.

Fran Drescher, president of the union, said during a press conference Thursday: “We are the victims here. We are being victimized by a very greedy entity. I am shocked by the way the people that we have been in business with are treating us. It is disgusting. Shame on them … You cannot change the business model as much as it has changed and not expect the contact to change, too.”

The WGA has been on strike since May, and is also seeking higher compensation and residuals, particularly when it comes to streaming shows. The WGA also shares similar concerns over the use of artificial intelligence when it comes to script writing.

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