Month: April 2024

Categories
Rock Daypop

Foreigner adds Fall 2024 ‘Farewell Tour’ dates

Foreigner performs at DTE Energy Music Theater on their Juke Box Heroes tour. Clarkston^ MI / USA – July 15^ 2018:

Foreigner has added ten dates this fall to its Farewell Tour. The latest leg of the tour kicks off September 23 in Charleston, West Virginia, with dates confirmed through October 9 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Loverboy will serve as support on select dates with Lita Ford playing both Minnesota stops.

Co-founding Foreigner guitarist Mick Jones said in a statement: “Many years ago, I wrote a song called ‘Feels Like the First Time,’ and today we are launching the next leg of our last worldwide tour. We will be presenting a show that I know will have the same enthusiasm as our very first appearances. The tour started last summer in America, and we hope to get to every place that we have played over the last several years. While I’m sure our fans will have mixed feelings about the end of the road for the band, I know our shows are going to delight audiences everywhere.”

Foreigner kicked-off their farewell tour last July, performing over 80 shows thus far.  The band is currently in Las Vegas for residency at The Venetian Theatre, with two more shows left this month: April 5 and 6. After the Vegas shows, the band resume their Farewell Tour on April 11 in Ivins, Utah. Foreigner will also hit the road with Styx and John Waite as part of the Renegades & Juke Box Heroes tour, beginning June 11 in Grand Rapids, Michigan through the end of August.

Tickets go on sale to the general public starting Friday, April 5, at 10 a.m. CT.  A complete list of Foreigner tour dates can be found at foreignerlive.com.

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Categories
Rock Daypop

Heart adds 30 dates to their Royal Flush North American Tour

Heart performs live at Van Andel Arena; MICHIGAN^ USA - July 12^ 2019

Heart has added 30 new dates for their 2024 Royal Flush Tour, which will keep them on the road until the end of the year. Ann and Nancy Wilson shared on X: “Get ready to rock with us all year long! We’ve added new dates to the Royal Flush Tour in 2024 💜⚡Tickets available at http://Heart-Music.com.”

The new dates comes after the duo shared previously announced tour plans, with shows running from April through September featuring Cheap Trick on select stops. Heart will launch the fall leg in Portland, OR on September 17, which will feature select dates with Bachman-Turner Overdrive ft. Randy Bachman, and Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening, before wrapping on Dec. 15, with a final date scheduled in Las Vegas.

Nancy Wilson said in a press release announcing the new dates: “I am incredibly proud of the show that we have crafted and am looking forward to reconnecting with even more fans. We can’t wait to share our music with everyone and celebrate the big electric energy of a completely live on-the-spot rock show.”

To see the full list of tour dates and ticket information, head to the band’s website.

Editorial credit: Tony Norkus / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Rolling Loud Miami announces move to December

Nicki Minaj arrives for ‘Barbie’ World Premiere on July 09^ 2023 in Los Angeles^ CA

Rolling Loud announced they are heading to Miami later this year, marking the tenth anniversary of the festival. Rolling Loud Miami will take place on December 13 to 15 at the Hard Rock Stadium; per UPROXX, while the lineup has yet to be announced, Nicki Minaj, Post Malone, Future, Metro Boomin, and more have recently performed at the event.

Rolling Loud’s Co-Founders Matt Zingler & Tariq Cherif shared in a statement: “It was incredible seeing the Rolling Loud community come together in Los Angeles for a truly unforgettable weekend of music. Rolling Loud has grown so much over the past ten years, and we are proud to have developed a place where passionate fans can experience all aspects of hip-hop culture. Now, with California in the books, we look forward to the biggest party of all: our ’10 Years of Rolling Loud’ anniversary show in Miami.”

Pre-sale passes will be available this Friday, April 5 at 10 a.m. ET, with fans able to register now. Tickets purchased during this pre-sale will also include an exclusive t-shirt. Information can be found on Rolling Loud Miami’s website.

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Normani to debut new single ‘1:59’ featuring Gunna on April 26

Normani at the 2019 Billboard Women In Music held at the Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood^ USA on December 12^ 2019.

After announcing her debut solo album “Dopamine” last month, Normani announced that the project’s first single, “1:59” featuring Gunna, will drop on April 26. Normani posted on X: “soo basically my first single 1:59 will be coming out 4/26 🖤”

Dopamine will be Normani’s first full solo album since her former group, Fifth Harmony, broke-up in 2018. Since splitting with Fifth Harmony, Normani has released various collabs and singles including “Dancing With a Stranger” alongside Sam Smith and “Love Lies” with Khalid. Her Cardi B duet “Wild Side” peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, and her 2019 solo single “Motivation” peaked at No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Normani said last month that Dopamine will be worth the wait. “I know what I’ve been through. For me, this upcoming album is not just about music coming out. It feels like a representation of everything I’ve gone through to get to this moment… I know I needed time, experiences, and space coming out of [Fifth Harmony] in order to become the version of myself I needed to be. Without [all of that], I would not be able to exist within the creative space that I am in now. I would not be able to make the type of music I’m making now.”

Editorial credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

Georgia judge rejects Trump’s bid to dismiss election interference case

former President Donald Trump speaks to several thousand supporters at a rally in Atlanta^ Georgia. 21 February 2016:

On Thursday, a Georgia judge upheld the criminal indictment against former President Donald Trump, rejecting Trump’s bid to overturn the 2020 state election interference case on the grounds they were protected under the First Amendment (per CNN.) Trump and 18 of his supporters pleaded not guilty in August 2023 to all charges alleging interference in the 2020 presidential election in Georgia; four of the co-defendants have since accepted plea deals in exchange for their willingness to testify against the other defendants.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee said in his 14-page ruling that their right to protest the results of the 2020 presidential election did not protect them from the charges that District Attorney Fani Willis’s office brought.  In his order denying the motion, McAfree argued that “even core political speech addressing matters of public concern is not impenetrable from prosecution if allegedly used to further criminal activity.” The judge wrote that “the Court finds these vital constitutional protections do not reach the actions and statements alleged by the State,” and their motions to dismiss are “therefore denied.”

Trump’s attorney Steve Sadow argued at a hearing held last week in Fulton County that the former president’s statements regarding the 2020 presidential election are “the zenith of protected speech” and that even false statements are protected under the First Amendment. However, McAfee determined the defendants had not presented “any authority that the speech and conduct alleged is protected political speech.”

In response to the ruling, Sadow in a statement wrote, “President Trump and other defendants respectfully disagree with Judge McAfee’s order and will continue to evaluate their options regarding the First Amendment challenges. It is significant that the court’s ruling made clear that defendants were not foreclosed from again raising their ‘as-applied challenges at the appropriate time after the establishment of a factual record …’”

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Categories
News Daypop

No Labels abandons plans for third-party ‘unity’ ticket in 2024 election

Logo symbol icon design for American (USA) Presidential 2024 election year.

As first reported by The Wall Street Journal, the centrist political group No Labels announced on Thursday that they will not run a third-party “unity” ticket against Donald Trump and Joe Biden in the 2024 presidential election.

In a statement, the group said they were unable to find a candidate that had a credible path to winning, “so the responsible course of action is for us to stand down. We will remain engaged over the next year during what is likely to be the most divisive presidential election of our lifetimes and will promote dialogue around major policy challenges and call out both sides when they speak and act in bad faith.”

No Labels said Thursday that “Americans remain more open to an independent presidential run and hungrier for unifying national leadership than ever before. Big ideas are not new for us. We have been working since 2010 to organize citizens across America and members of Congress through the Problem Solvers Caucus, which we created to push back on the extremes in our politics and push forward solutions to America’s biggest problems. That work is more important now than ever. Big ideas are not new for us …we have been working since 2010 to organize citizens across America and members of Congress through the Problem Solvers Caucus, which we created to push back on the extremes in our politics and push forward solutions to America’s biggest problems. That work is more important now than ever – for now, suffice it to say that this movement is not done, in fact, it is just beginning.”

Potential candidates previously considered for a No Labels ticket included Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, and Larry Hogan, former Republican governor of Maryland. Hogan ultimately decided to run for the U.S. Senate in Maryland. Before announcing its decision to abandon the plans for a third-party candidate, No Labels said it qualified on the ballot in 21 states, which is far more than independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., with only one state so far confirming him qualified for the ballot.

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Categories
Sports Daypop

Oakland A’s to play 3-years in West Sacramento in anticipation of Las Vegas move

Oakland Athletic logo^ MLB Team^ Major League Baseball^ American League West division^ with dark green background

The Oakland Athletics announced Thursday that they will move to West Sacramento, Calif., for the next three years before their permanent relocation to Las Vegas in 2028.  The A’s will play their 2025- 2027 campaigns at Sutter Health Park, sharing a home with the Sacramento River Cats, the San Francisco Giants’ Triple-A team. The move to West Sacramento means that this season will be the last the A’s play in Oakland, where the franchise began in 1968.

Sutter Health Park has 10,624 permanent seats with lawn seating that boosts capacity to roughly 14,000, and is located about 85 miles northeast of the Oakland Coliseum. Per ESPN, the agreement with Sacramento is a three-year lease for 2025 to 2027 with a team option for 2028 in case the planned ballpark on the Las Vegas Strip is not completed in time.  Athletics owner John Fisher said in a news release: “We explored several locations for a temporary home, including the Oakland Coliseum. Even with the long-standing relationship and good intentions on all sides in the negotiations with Oakland, the conditions to achieve an agreement seemed out of reach. We understand the disappointment this news brings to our fans, as this season marks our final one in Oakland. Throughout this season, we will honor and celebrate our time in Oakland, and will share additional details soon.”

The move to play at Sutter Health Park came after negotiations between the Athletics with local officials and the NBA’s Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé, who also owns the River Cats. Fisher said: “We extend our appreciation to the Kings and the City of West Sacramento, and look forward to making Sutter Health Park our home until our new ballpark opens in Las Vegas.” Ranadivé added in his own statement: “I’m thrilled to welcome the A’s to Sutter Health Park, where players and fans alike can enjoy a world-class baseball experience and create unforgettable memories. Today marks the next chapter of professional sports in Sacramento. The passion of our fans is second to none, and this is an incredible opportunity to showcase one of the most dynamic and vibrant markets in the country.”

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao shared in a press release: “Oakland offered a deal that was fair to the A’s and was fiscally responsible for our city. We wish the A’s the best and will continue our conversations with them on facilitating the sale of their share of the Coliseum site. The City of Oakland will now focus on advancing redevelopment efforts at the Coliseum.”

MLB team owners unanimously approved the Oakland Athletics plans to relocate to Las Vegas in November, and the franchise purchased 49 acres at Dean Martin Drive and Tropicana Avenue, near the Las Vegas Strip (the now-former home of the Tropicana Las Vegas) where the Athletics plan to construct a $1.5 billion stadium. The Tropicana closed for good on Tuesday.

Editorial credit: WhoopieWhoopie / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Sports Daypop

NY Knicks forward Julius Randle to have season-ending right shoulder surgery

Julius Randle at the Central Intelligence Los Angeles Premiere at the Village Theater on June 10^ 2016 in Westwood^ CA

The New York Knicks announced Thursday that forward Julius Randle will undergo season-ending right shoulder surgery (per ESPN.) Doctors had warned Randle that there was too much instability in his shoulder to allow him to play again this season without risking permanent damage; after surgery, they will re-evaluate him in five months.

The three-time NBA All-Star has been out of the Knicks’ lineup since Jan. 27 after dislocating his shoulder, spending the past two-plus months rehabbing in an attempt to avoid surgery and return for the playoffs. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Randle is expected to be ready for the start of the 2024-25 season, as surgery now will allow for the appropriate recovery time to return.

Randle had played in all of the Knicks’ 46 games before getting injured against the Miami Heat.The 29-year-old averaged 24 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5 assists per game before being forced out of play stemming from the injury. He had 19 consecutive games with 20 points or more at one point this season, the longest streak of his career.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

CMT announces additional performers, presenters for 2024 CMT Music Awards

Jason Aldean at the 2013 CMT Music Awards^ Bridgestone Arena^ Nashville^ TN 06-05-13

CMT announced additional presenters and performers to the lineup for the 2024 CMT Music Awards, hosted by Kelsea Ballerini and airing live from Austin, Texas’ Moody Center on Sunday, April 7th from 8-11 pm ET/PT on the CBS Television Network and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+. Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson and Megan Moroney lead the nominations with three nods apiece.

Jason Aldean and TikTok newcomer Dasha were addd to the list of performers, which includes Ballerini, Trisha Yearwood, Little Big Town with Sugarland, Megan Moroney, Parker McCollum with Brittney Spencer, NEEDTOBREATHE + Jordan Davis, Old Dominion, Bailey Zimmerman, Jelly Roll, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson, Cody Johnson, Sam Hunt and Trisha Yearwood, who will also receive the inaugural June Carter Cash Humanitarian Award.

Additional presenters amounted include Amber Riley, Billy Bob Thornton (‘Landman’), Carly Pearce, Cody Alan, Cody Johnson, Emily Osment (‘Young Sheldon’), Emma Roberts, Gayle King (‘CBS Mornings’), James Van Der Beek, Jane Seymour, Jelly Roll, Max Theriot (‘Fire Country’), Megan Moroney, Melissa Etheridge, Mickey Guyton, Minnie Driver, Montana Jordan (‘Young Sheldon’), Parmalee, and Paul Walter Hauser.

The ‘Top Six’ nominees for Video of the Year include: Ashley McBryde – “Light On In the Kitchen”; Cody Johnson – “The Painter”; HARDY – “Truck Bed”; Jelly Roll – “Need A Favor”; Kelsea Ballerini – “IF YOU GO DOWN (I’M GOIN’ DOWN TOO); Lainey Wilson “Watermelon Moonshine.” The Top Three nominees for “Video of the Year” will be announced Sunday morning, with voting set to continue through the live show, leading up to the reveal of the night’s biggest award.

Editorial credit: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Beyoncé drops ‘Texas Hold ‘Em (Pony Up Remix)’, unveils new website

Beyonce at the World premiere of 'The Lion King' held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood^ USA on July 9^ 2019.

Beyoncé has dropped a re-imagined new version of her chart-topping hit, titled “Texas Hold ‘Em (Pony Up Remix).” The remix comes just days after Beyoncé released her eighth studio album, Cowboy Carter. Spotify announced that the  27-track album was the music platform’s most-streamed album in a single day in 2024 so far, becoming the first country album to hold the title.

Beyoncé released “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages” in February, ahead of dropping Cowboy Carter. “Texas Hold ‘Em” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 as well as the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, making Beyoncé the first Black woman to top that chart. It also topped the Billboard Global 200 — making it the first time Beyoncé has reached no. 1 on that chart since it was launched in September 2020.

Queen Bey also launched a cryptic new website, beencountry.com, which fans suspect may be her way of teasing a forthcoming tour announcement. The homepage of the new website features throwback shots of Beyoncé as a child singing at the Texas Sweetheart Pageant, as well as a recent image of her in cowboy attire. On the site are images of a banjo and her slogan “This ain’t a country album. This is a ‘Beyoncé’ album.”

Take a listen to ‘Texas Hold ‘Em (Pony Up Remix)’– here.

Editorial credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com