Music News Net

LILITH FAIR 2010 North American Tour Wraps Up

MUSIC NEWS -  The North American LILITH FAIR ’10 tour recently came to a close, and the sometimes troubled 23-city run, described by the Chicago Tribune as an “admirably diverse musical smorgasbord that included folk, contemporary soul and hard rock” ended on a high note.   Having proven that “after a 10-year absence, it's still a viable tour…,” (THR), LILITH ’10 also honored their ongoing commitment to fundraising with more than $500,000 donated to local and national organizations throughout the USA and Canada.  Plans are in the works to bring LILITH to other countries beginning with a “Taste of Lilith” run in Australia, this October.

Co founder and headliner Sarah McLachlan said of the tour; “I have a moral and social responsibility as a human being to give back what I can,”. McLachlan, along with music biz entrepreneurTerry McBride, Marty Diamond and Dan Fraser organized the shows.

THE WEEPIES Back With New "Be My Thrill" and Tour News

MUSIC NEWS  - Following a rapturous response at Lilith Fair, indie pop/rockers,  The Weepies have confirmed an extensive full-band USA tour.  It'll be their first in over four years and has them out supporting the forthcoming album 'Be My Thrill' (releasing August 31 on Nettwerk Records).

Give a listen to the first single off the new album, "I Was Made For Sunny Days" and some other new tunes @ bit.ly/Weepies_Soundcloud.

Lilith Fair Loses Another Headliner, CARLY SIMON Out Due to Injury

MUSIC NEWS- Lilith Fair 2010 loses another headliner due to injury!  Carly Simon broke her foot recently and is forced to cancel her appearances (Boston, July 30; NYC Area [Garden State Arts Centre, Holmdel, NJ],  July 31; and Hartford, Aug 1). Organizers of the festival reported to MNN, "Last week, Simon suffered an injury by seriously fracturing and breaking her foot, which will prevent her from performing at these shows. Everyone on the Lilith tour wishes Simon a speedy recovery."

Ms Simon is not the first performer to back out of participating in the tour, both Norah Jones and Kelly Clarkson  both backed out of Lilith. Norah Jones 's manager reported that she will be unable to perform at her scheduled appearances in Florida, Alabama, and Texas. Kelly Clarkson said of her decision to back out, "With the news of canceled Lilith dates and my current progress in the studio, we've made the decision not to tour this summer. I'm going to miss seeing y'all, but I hope that when you hear what we've been working on, you'll be as excited as I am. I've been working with some amazing people and am stoked about this next album."

The Lilith Fair 2010 began June 27, 2010, and will run through August 3, 2010. Top performer still set to attend include Martina McBride, Sugarland, Mary J. Blige, Sara Bareilles, Sarah McLachlan, Selena Gomez and Sheryl Crow.

MICHAEL JACKSON Collectibles Announced for Autumn Release

 MUSIC NEWS- While you're at Comic Con in San Diego next week (july 21 - 25) check out the Diamond Comics booth for a look at the new Michael Jackson Collectibles.  Playmates Toys signed a deal earlier  this year with the Universal Music owned global music merchandising company, Bravado, to create the figures on the most successful entertainer of all time, Michael Jackson.

Said Bravado CEO, Tom Bennett of the deal; "We are delighted to expand our successful line of Michael Jackson collectible memorabilia by working with Playmates Toys,". "This new line truly celebrates Michael's unmistakable style and irreplaceable talent. Bringing in Playmates as a licensee only further cements Michael's retail visibility and helps commemorate and preserve the legacy that is Michael Jackson."  With deals like this one, Bravado looks to expand beyond their core t-shirt and wearables business . 

JONAS BROTHERS and DEMI LOVATO Join the 2010 US Open Kids' Day

MUSIC NEWS - The USTA announced today that pop superstars Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato will appear alongside tennis world's # 1 Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Kim Clijsters and Novak Djokovic at the 15th Annual Arthur Ashe Kids' Day on Saturday, August 28 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, NY.  The all day family event runs from 9:30am - 4 pm and will be hosted by Adrienne Bailon and Quddus, the show will feature special celebrity guests including Nick Cannon.

RUNNER RUNNER; Cure Cover, TV,Tour & Contest News

MUSIC NEWS - Rising pop/rock band from Huntington Beach, CA,  Runner Runner makes its network TV debut on Tuesday, July 20 when they guest on ABC-TV's "Jimmy Kimmel Live"  (12:05AM/11:05PM CT).  Runner Runner; Ryan Ogren/vocals, Nick Bailey/guitar, Peter Munters/guitar and vocals, Jon Berry/bass, and James Ulrich/drums, will perform their single "So Obvious" as well as the tune "Paper Cuts."  Both songs are from the band's self-titled debut album (out September 28 via  EMI Music/Capitol/C.E. Music/MRV).

Runner Runner will kick off a huge summer tour with Secondhand Serenade and White Tie Affair on July 17, itinerary below.

Squeeze Mark Their Return With New Album and Tour

MUSIC NEWS- UK new wave post-punk pop legends Squeeze  kick off the first leg of their USA Tour on July 9 with another top act of the same rock/pop time frame, USA's own Cheap Trick.  The two bands will be appearing in NYC on Tuesday, July 13 at Radio City Music Hall.  On given the current NYC weather of nearly 100 degrees, an indoor air conditioned Radio City makes for a great location! See full tour itinerary, below.

Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook formed the early roots of Squeeze, as teenagers on the South London Scene in the 1970s.  At the band's heyday, the pair were dubbed ‘The New Lennon and McCartney”.  How tough must have that been to deal with?   Along with Elvis Costello and Nick Lowe, Squeeze was one of the UK New Wave scene’s USA success stories, having delivered a strong string of UK and USA hit singles and quality albums.  On August 3, Squeeze will release Spot the Difference (out via Anchor and Hope Records), an album of all their classic hits re-recorded in a way so  faithful to the originals that they challenge you to “spot the difference.”

JONAS BROTHERS Revise Tour Itinerary, Delay Start But Add Latin America & Europe

MUSIC NEWS - The Jonas Brothers announced a new world tour itinerary with some USA changes and inclusion of shows in both Latin America and Europe; as well as second shows in major USA markets.  The tour, which spans three continents, will feature special guest star (and Hollywood Records label mate), Demi Lovato, and will combine a spectacular production with performances of both artists' biggest hits.

The tour will also feature music from the Disney Channel Original Movie, "Camp Rock," and its much anticipated sequel as well as the new Disney Channel series, JONAS L.A.  The tour, the Jonas Brothers Live In Concert will now launch in Chicago, IL on August 7 at First Midwest Amphitheatre.

KELLI SCARR, of Moby Fame, Releases Her PIECE Album

MUSIC NEWS- After traveling the globe as Moby's female vocalist, Kelli Scarr now has her own album out,  "Piece" (via Silence breaks on July 27) and has annouced tour plans.

The Brooklyn, NY singer has an incredible voice and live it's simply breathtaking. With a varied music background, that took her from CA to Boston, then Brooklyn, Kelli was noticed by Moby, and after striking up a friendship, Kelli and Moby were soon working on music together with Kelli singing the title track of Moby’s haunting and introspective 2009 release, “Wait for Me” (Mute). Kelli also joined Moby’s touring band for a world tour to support the critically acclaimed album.  In additon to singing and playing keyboards as part of  Moby’s band, Kelli was also the opening act, playing her own music in supporting slots for Moby and winning over crowds around the world.

BRIAN WILSON Tackles Gershwin Classic Tunes on New Album

MUSIC NEWS- Two legendary musical minds, separated by 70 years will join together on a new album.  The pioneering musical genius of Brian Wilson, co-founder of the Beach Boys, has teamed up with George Gershwin, on Wilson's, Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin (out via Disney Pearl on August 17- special vinyl out on August 24). The release will feature timeless classics like "Rhapsody in Blue," "I've Got Rhythm" and "Summertime" and will make history with "The Like in I Love You" and "Nothing But Love," two new songs Wilson developed from never-before-published music by Gershwin.

Wilson recently said, "Along with Irving Berlin, Gershwin basically invented the popular song, but he did something more. He had a gift for melody that nobody has ever equaled, yet his music is timeless and always accessible. This is the most spiritual project I've ever worked on."

MODERN ENGLISH Re-Unite for Tour on Their 31st Anniversary

MUSIC NEWS- Brit post-punk pop ensemble, Modern English, most notably known for their hit song "I Melt With You," will mark their 31st anniversary with a reunion of their original lineup for a North American tour (full tour itinerary below). Original founding members Robbie Grey (vocals) Mick Conroy (bass), Gary McDowell (guitar) and Stephen Walker (keyboards) are back for the first time since the mid-80s performing live music together, along with a second guitarist, Steve Walker. Coinciding with the announcement is the release of Soundtrack (out via Darla Records), Modern English's first new album since 1996's Everything is Mad. 

You surely know their 1982 smash hit, I Melt With You” (which was heard in the 1983 film Valley Girl), and hopefully recall Modern English and their other 1980s hits such as “Hands Across the Sea,” “Someone's Calling" and “Ink and Paper.” But as Grey, who has been Modern English's frontman since 1979, points out, the tour will not be simply an exercise in 1980s nostalgia; it will be a celebration of the present as well as the past. Modern English will be playing songs from Soundtrack including their infectious new single It's OK,” and favorites from their entire catalogue including classic albums like Mesh & Lace, After the Snow and Ricochet Days.

A Rocket to the Moon's "Like We Used To" (acoustic) Video

MUSIC NEWS - Check out the brand new A Rocket to the Moon (ARTTM) acoustic live performance video (below) for "Like We Used To."  The song is the Massachusett's based pop-punk band's new single off their full-length debut album On Your Side. (out now on Atlantic Records) and was filmed on campus at University of Illinois Urbana.

 

CROWDED HOUSE, New Intriguer Album and Tour

MUSIC NEWS - After a 14 year wait CROWDED HOUSE gave us the 2007 release, Time On Earth, and now word comes that a new album, and tour is ready for 2010. The New Zealand dream-pop-rockers deliver Intriguer on July 13th, 2010 via Concord Music Group's Fantasy Records.  The internationally acclaimed group also begins a North American tour in support of the new album.  The run starts Monday, July 12th and on the 12th they're also releasing 2-disc Intriguer Deluxe Edition, that features a bonus live DVD.

Produced by Jim Scott (Wilco), Intriguer again brings together singer/guitarist and chief songwriter Neil Finn with original Crowded House bassist Nick Seymour and keyboardist/guitarist Mark Hart, who'd
been with the band from 1989 until its last days. Also on board is drummer Matt Sherrod, the relative newcomer to the family, having joined the band for the making of the aforementioned Time On
Earth.  Recorded at Roundhead Studios in Auckland, New Zealand, in the spring and summer of 2009, the album includes songs that "have been worked over on the road and transformed a few times, some all the way back to square one," says Finn. "It's a good place to return to from time to time." 

LIAM GALLAGHER to Develope BEATLES Film

MUSIC NEWS - The former Oasis lead singer LIAM GALLAGHER has said he's adapting Richard DiLello's book about The Beatles into a feature film. Called, "The Longest Cocktail Party" the tome focuses on the fab four's record company, Apple, between the years 1968 and 1970, says BBC reported.

Gallagher's film company, In 1 Productions, will produce, along with Independent Revolution Films. While in Oasis, Liam and his brother Noel Gallagher both stated their admiration for The Beatles on many occastions and even recorded covers of "I Am The Walrus" and "Within You Without You."

Oasis split up last year after a long standing feud between the two brothers.

The Bye-Bye GO-GOs Tour - Now Cancelled

MUSIC NEWS - With 30 years as an all-female rock-pop band, The Go-Gos have had a great run.  And now, the female quintet have announced plans wrap up their career with a summer 2010 "Happily Ever After: The Farewell Tour."  The group, singer Belinda Carlisle, guitarist Jane Wiedlin, guitarist/keyboardist Charlotte Caffey, bassist Kathy Valentine and drummer Gina Schock, will start up their final run with two Lilith Tour appearances; in Chula Vista, CA on July 7 and the following day in Phoenix, AZ, with other headlining concert dates thru July 27 before calling it quits in Austin, TX (full itinerary below).

Tickets for some shows are available now, with remaining concerts going on sale later this month.  The Go-Go's are still promoting the release of, "The Go-Go's Live in Central Park," a DVD that they shot during their tour supporting "God Bless the Go-Go's."  God Bless... was released back in 2001, their first album of new material in 17 years.