Month: April 2024

Categories
Pop Daypop

SZA and The Killers to headline inaugural ‘Sudden Little Thrills Music Festival’

SZA at Ziggo Dome Amsterdam^ The Netherlands. 1 June 2023

SZA and The Killers are set to headline the inaugural edition of Sudden Little Thrills Music Festival, a new two-day music festival taking place September 7-8 at Hazelwood Green in Pittsburgh, PA. The fest. posted on its socials: “Your 2024 Lineup has dropped 🤘 Sign up now for a presale passcode at http://suddenlittlethrillsfestival.com to guarantee access to 2-Day GA Tickets at the lowest price.❤️‍🔥”

The star-studded lineup also features Melanie Martinez, Wiz Khalifa, St. Vincent, Omar Apollo, Fletcher, Yung Gravy, hometown hero Girl Talk, and many more performing over two days across three stages.

For the full list of available tickets and amenities, visit SuddenLittleThrillsFestival.com. Children 8 and under are free with a ticketed adult.

Editorial credit: Ben Houdijk / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Rock Daypop

The Smashing Pumpkins name Kiki Wong as new touring guitarist

Kiki Wong at the Saban Theatre; Los Angeles^ CA - Sept 22^ 2022

The Smashing Pumpkins have officially named Kiki Wong, a Los Angeles-based musician who plays for the band Vigil of War, as their new touring guitarist. Wong replaces guitarist Jeff Schroeder, who joined the Smashing Pumpkins in 2006 and left the band in October 2023.

The band posted on their socials: “The news you have been waiting for has finally arrived! SP is excited to officially welcome highly-skilled veteran guitarist Kiki Wong. Kiki joins the band’s touring lineup of Billy Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlin, and James Iha, along with mainstays Jack Bates and Katie Cole. Please join us in welcoming Kiki to the SP family. We will be sharing more in the coming weeks but in the meantime see more of Kiki here: @kikiwongo (IG, TikTok)”

Earlier this year, the Pumpkins put out an open casting call for a new guitarist to audition for the group, writing, “The application process is open to anyone who might be interested.”  The band later said it received over 10,000 submissions and had eight people working full-time to review each one. Frontman Billy Corgan thanked all of the musicians who auditioned for the role, and shared in a statement: “It wasn’t an easy decision with how much great guitar playing we were lucky enough to hear and see over the past few months. I was a fan of Kiki’s before she submitted her name to be considered — and it’s great that someone of her acumen will be part of our touring family. I can’t wait to hit the road with Kiki as part of our mad circus. It’s definitely an exciting moment for The Smashing Pumpkins to be busy with touring in 2024. We’ll see you all this summer!”

Wong wrote: “Well, cat’s out of the bag! I am officially the new guitarist for the @smashingpumpkins 🙏❤ I am beyond honored and excited to be a part of this new journey with such an incredible and legendary group of musicians. It’s going to be a wild ride! So stay tuned! 🤘🏼🎃 .. I never thought little ole 15-year-old me playing metal guitar in my bedroom would amount to this moment. It goes to show hard work and perseverance truly pays off if you’re willing to push through the tough stuff, so never lose hope out there. It’s been an absolute wild ride, but I am beyond honored and humbled to be chosen to perform alongside some of rock’s greatest and most influential musicians of all time. I am so grateful for this opportunity and can’t wait to share the stage with The legendary Smashing Pumpkins!”

Editorial credit: Ovidiu Hrubaru / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Rock Daypop

Imagine Dragons announce new album ‘LOOM’, North American Tour

Imagine Dragons at the 2022 American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre. LOS ANGELES^ CA. November 20^ 2022

Imagine Dragons have announced that they will be releasing their new studio album, “LOOM”, featuring their recently released single “Eyes Closed,” on June 28th – and revealed they will be hitting the road to support the new LP.

The band debuted the lead single “Eyes Closed” along with a music video earlier this month, with frontman Dan Reynolds sharing: “After taking some time off the road and spending time catching up with family and loved ones, I finally have felt the desire to go back to the sonic places that originally brought me the most joy, but with a new outlook and mentality. The world looks much different after being a band for more than a decade. But some things will always remain the same. It’s finding that right balance of nostalgia and freshness that brings me the most joy in the studio. We had a lot of fun making this one and hope you enjoy it too.”

Billed as their ‘biggest North American headline tour’ to date, the trek is set to kick off on July 30th in Camden, NJ at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, before concluding on October 22nd at Los Angeles’ iconic Hollywood Bowl.

Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Imagine Dragons announce new album ‘LOOM’, North American Tour

Imagine Dragons at the 2022 American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre. LOS ANGELES^ CA. November 20^ 2022

Imagine Dragons have announced that they will be releasing their new studio album, “LOOM”, featuring their recently released single “Eyes Closed,” on June 28th – and revealed they will be hitting the road to support the new LP.

The band debuted the lead single “Eyes Closed” along with a music video earlier this month, with frontman Dan Reynolds sharing: “After taking some time off the road and spending time catching up with family and loved ones, I finally have felt the desire to go back to the sonic places that originally brought me the most joy, but with a new outlook and mentality. The world looks much different after being a band for more than a decade. But some things will always remain the same. It’s finding that right balance of nostalgia and freshness that brings me the most joy in the studio. We had a lot of fun making this one and hope you enjoy it too.”

Billed as their ‘biggest North American headline tour’ to date, the trek is set to kick off on July 30th in Camden, NJ at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, before concluding on October 22nd at Los Angeles’ iconic Hollywood Bowl.

Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Sports Daypop

NBA Playoffs: Magic, 76ers, Nuggets all win their Game 3 matchups

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The Orlando Magic beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-83 on Thursday in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series- marking Cleveland’s worst playoff loss in franchise history.

The Magic’s Paolo Banchero had 31 points and 14 rebounds, while Jalen Suggs added 24 points and Franz Wagner finished with 16 points and eight assists to bring Orlando their first win of the series thus far. The Cavs now lead the series 2-1, with Game 4 scheduled to take place on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. in Orlando.

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The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the NY Knicks on Thursday night in their Game 3 matchup with a score of 125-114. The 76ers Joel Embiid scored an incredible 50 points, with 8 rebounds and 4 assists, while Tyrese Maxey had 25 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals to help Philly earn their first win of the series thus far, with the Knicks holding onto a 2-1 series lead.

Game 4 will take place on Sunday in Philly at the Wells Fargo Center at 1:00 PM EST.

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The LA Lakers lost to the Denver Nuggets 112-105 in Game 3 of their first-round series at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday, to take a 3-0 series lead.

Aaron Gordon had a playoff career-high 29 points and 15 rebounds, with Nikola Jokic adding 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists, and Jamal Murray scoring 22 points.

The Lakers will attempt to avoid elimination when they face the Nuggets in Game 4 on Saturday night in LA.

Editorial credit: Black Morion / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

High schooler arrested in shooting death of fellow student on Texas school campus

police patrol car with blue flashing light on the roof of the police car.

Police have arrested a 17-year-old in the shooting death of a high school student on the campus of an Arlington, Texas, high school.

Arlington Police Chief Al Jones said 18-year-old Etavion Barnes was found unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds on Wednesday afternoon outside portable buildings on the campus of Bowie High School. According to police, detectives still are working to determine a motive but said it appeared the two knew each other. Authorities have not yet recovered a weapon in the killing, and no other injuries were reported.

The suspect, identified as Julian Howard according to Arlington Jail records, was charged with murder, with police saying it appears that Barnes was targeted. Police Chief Jones said the shooting was reported about 2:50 p.m., shortly before classes were scheduled to be dismissed, and the school was placed on lockdown for about two hours before students were allowed to leave, adding: “we’re still early on in our investigation, our detectives are working to determine a motive.”

A press release from the Arlington PD read: “We, as a community, cannot tolerate this kind of violence. Not in our neighborhoods and not in our schools. Violence is never the right answer. We will continue to work in lock step with our partners at Arlington ISD to ensure our schools are safe spaces where students can learn.”

Editorial credit: DarSzach / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Sports Daypop

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Panthers and Hurricanes earn wins, take 3-0 series leads

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The Florida Panthers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning to take a 3-0 series lead, after winning their Game 3 matchup at Amalie Arena with a score of 5-3.  The Panthers’ Steven Stamkos scored two goals, with Andrei Vasilevskiy stopping 47 shots to help bring Florida the win.

The Panthers will try to complete the sweep when they face-off against the Lightning for Game 4 on Saturday night in Tampa, Florida.

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The Carolina Hurricanes took a 3-0 series lead against the New York Islanders in Game 3 on Thursday with a 3-2 win at UBS Arena.

Brent Burns and Dmitry Orlov scored in the first period to give the Hurricanes an early lead, while Sebastian Aho also scored, and Andrei Svechnikov had two assists. Goalie Frederik Andersen stopped 29 shots to help seal the Canes victory.

The Hurricanes will look to sweep the Islanders when they meet in Game 4 on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET in New York.

Editorial credit: kovop / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Take a listen to Jason Aldean and John Morgan’s ‘Friends Like That’

Jason Aldean performs onstage at NBC's 'Today Show' at Rockefeller Plaza July 31^ 2015 in New York City.

John Morgan has enlisted Jason Aldean for a new version of his fan-favorite track, “Friends Like That.” The song racked up over 28 million on-demand streams, and was originally featured on his recently released debut EP, Remember Us?

Morgan said of his friend and mentor, Aldean:  “To have Jason Aldean as a mentor over the past few years, he went from being someone I was a fan of to someone I call a friend, so it’s extra special to have him on one of my songs. Having a song on the radio is what you always dream about when you pursue this career. I grew up on country radio and to know that another kid might grow up with me on the radio and want to pursue a music career too is a really cool thought.”

Aldean adds: “I’ve been in town here in Nashville for 25 years, and John Morgan is one of the most talented guys I’ve ever come across in all aspects – as a singer, as a songwriter and as a performer. It’s a really cool thing for me as an artist to sign another artist, so jumping on this song that’s also jumpstarting his career along with going to radio, I’m excited for what’s to come from John Morgan and glad he’s one of ours and on our team.”

Take a look at the video for ‘Friends Like That’ – here.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Parker McCollum earns fourth No. 1 on Country Airplay charts with ‘Burn It Down’

Man play acoustic guitar at outdoor concert with a microphone stand in the front^ musical concept.

Parker McCollum earned his fourth straight #1 hit at country radio with “Burn It Down,” taking the top spot on both the Mediabase chart and Billboard Country Airplay charts. ‘Burn It Down’ follows Parker’s previous #1 hits including “Pretty Heart,” “To Be Loved By You,” and most recently, “Handle On You”.

Per Billboard, ‘Burn It Down’, written by McCollum, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, and Liz Rose, is the sophomore single from McCollum’s LP, Never Enough, which hit the Top 20 on the Top Country Albums charts last May.

Parker announced just announced 13 additional tour stops on his current headlining Burn It Down Tour, taking him to the West Coast and more. McCollum will also play stadiums dates with Morgan Wallen on Wallen’s One Night at a Time World Tour.

Editorial credit: Day Of Victory Studio / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

New York Appeals Court overturns Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape and sexual assault convictions

Harvey Weinstein arrives for arraignment on rape and criminal charges at State Supreme Court; New York^ NY - June 5^ 2018

The New York State Court of Appeals has overturned Harvey Weinstein‘s rape conviction from 2020, making the 4-3 decision on Thursday, April 25 on the basis that the judge on the trial prejudiced Weinstein with “egregious” improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.

According to the Associated Press, the decision also stated: “We conclude that the trial court erroneously admitted testimony of uncharged, alleged prior sexual acts against persons other than the complainants of the underlying crimes. The remedy for these egregious errors is a new trial,” and also noted that testimony “served no material non-propensity purpose” and “portrayed defendant in a highly prejudicial light.”  The court claimed that there was “an abuse of judicial discretion to permit untested allegations of nothing more than bad behavior that destroys a defendant’s character but sheds no light on their credibility as related to the criminal charges lodged against them.”

Weinstein was charged after being accused of forcibly performing oral sex on a woman in 2006 and raping another women in 2013; he was found guilty in February 2020 of criminal sexual act in the first degree and rape in the third degree in a New York City courtroom, and was subsequently sentenced to 23 years in prison.

PEOPLE reports that it is unclear at this time if Weinstein, 72, will face another trial in connection with these charges. The former Hollywood mogul will be transferred to the custody of prison authorities in California and will remain imprisoned, stemming from his Los Angeles conviction in 2022 on other rape charges, where he was sentenced to 16 years in prison. (Weinstein was acquitted in Los Angeles on charges involving one of the women who testified in New York.).

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com