Month: July 2021

John Mayer has announced a 2022 North American tour in support of his new album, Sob Rock, his first solo effort since 2017’s The Search for Everything.  Sob Rock is produced by Mayer and Don Was, and includes the single “Last Train Home” featuring Maren Morris.

Mayer’s 2022 tour kicks-off February 17th at the Times Union Center in Albany, New York, wrapping on April 28th at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Tickets for all shows will go on sale Friday, July 23rd at 11 a.m. local time via Mayer’s website.

Mayer also dropped the music video for the first track from Sob Rock, titled “Shot in the Dark”. You can take a look at the video on YouTube.

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Tuesday, July 20th marked four years since Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington passed away, and his widow, Talinda Bennington, shared a very touching message on social media in honor of her late husband.

Talinda wrote on social media: “You always had a way to make us all laugh. You always made everything better. And when you put this lettuce cup on your head to make us laugh because our food was taking forever, you made everything better once again. I’m so glad that the kids and I have vast amounts of pictures and videos to remember you by. We miss you every second of every day. You were the best person I have ever known. I see you in our babies every day.” She continued: “Lily is your mini me, with her looks and beautiful voice. Tyler has your wit, intellect, looks, and the same obsession for trying to figure out space and time. And Lila, she has your heart of gold. When they were newborns, you wrote your hopes and dreams for them. God must have seen what you wrote because they are truly everything you wished for them to be. I know you can see them. I would give anything to have you back so they could see you. But that’s why we have our entire life together on home videos. I’m glad I never stopped recording. Today we will watch some of them and remember how fucking amazing you were. I love you.”

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Mark Hoppus has shared some good news about his cancer battle. Hoppus revealed that the results of his cancer scans show his chemotherapy is working! In a short update on social media, Hoppus wrote: ​“Scans indicate that the chemo is working! I still have months of treatment ahead, but it’s the best possible news. I’m so grateful and confused and also sick from last week’s chemo. But the poison the doctors pump into me and the kind thoughts and wishes of people around me are destroying this cancer. Just gonna keep fighting…”

Just last week Hoppus had revealed he would be taking a ​“test that may very well determine if I live or die”, In a recent fan Q&A, Mark went into more detail about the ​“blood-related” cancer that he is battling: “My classification is diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma Stage 4‑A, which means, as I understand it, it’s entered four different parts of my body,” he explained. ​“I don’t know how exactly they determine the four-part of it, but it’s entered enough parts of my body that I’m Stage 4, which I think is the highest that it goes. So, I’m Stage 4‑A.” He also added that his mother previously beat the ​“exact same” type of cancer that he has, as well as breast cancer twice: “I’ve been able to talk with her and bond with her quite a bit,” Mark said. ​“Oddly enough, we have the exact same form of cancer that she had. And she beat it – twice for breast cancer and one for the same cancer that I have.”

A new singing competition show on FOX is coming. The network announced on Instagram that  Alter Ego — a.k.a. “the world’s first avatar singing competition series” — is slated to air this fall, featuring Grimes, Alanis Morissette, will.i.am., Nick Lachey, and Rosci Diaz as its judges.  Fox also shared a video clip about the upcoming show.

Alter Ego will use motion capture technology to transform its participants into their “dream avatars.” Rob Wade, Fox’s president of alternative entertainment and specials, said in a press release: “Alter Ego merges talent and technology to revolutionize the singing competition show in only a way Fox can do. We are so excited to bring the fantastic will.i.am, Alanis, Grimes, Nick and Rocsi together as they search for the next big singing star, allowing incredible vocalists a chance to realize their dreams and perform like never before.”

A premiere date has not been set for “Alter Ego,” but is expected to be revealed soon.

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Imagine Dragons dropped the music video for their latest single, “Wrecked” off the band’s forthcoming album, “Mercury – Act 1”. “Wrecked” is the third single from the album, following “Follow You” and “Cutthroat.”  You can watch the video for “Wrecked” – here.

“Wrecked” was inspired after Dan Reynolds tragically lost his his sister-in-law, Alisha Durtschi Reynolds, to cancer. He shared: “She was the brightest light. A beacon of joy and strength for everyone she met. Her sudden passing has shaken me in ways that I still am unable to express. I was with her and my brother when she passed, and it was the first time in my life that I had witnessed death in this way. It sealed into my mind the fragility of life and finality of this all. I’ve watched my brother face something that no one should have to. But I’ve also seen his faith bring him hope in a future with her. I can only hope for the same. This song was my way of dealing with it all, as music has always been my refuge. No longer being a man of fervent faith, I can only hope that she hears it somewhere in a place where she is healed and no longer in pain. This song is my wish for an eternity with those that I love.”

“Mercury – Act 1” was produced by Rick Rubin and is set to be released on September 3rd; you can pre-order the album: here.

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Metallica has announced more details of its 40th birthday celebration, and will mark this milestone by inviting registered members of Metallica‘s Fifth Member fan club to join them in their hometown of San Francisco for two live shows featuring two different set-lists on December 17 and 19 at Chase Center.

The 40th-anniversary shows at Chase Center will be the first time the band has played there since the September 2019 “S&M²” concerts. Tickets for the December 17 and 19 Chase Center shows will be available only to registered Fifth Members, who are invited to enter to win a reservation code that will guarantee them the opportunity to purchase tickets. Reservation winners will be chosen randomly and e-mailed additional information and directions to proceed with purchase. Winners will have the option to choose from two-day tickets to gain entry to both METALLICA shows at the Chase Center or single day tickets for the show on either December 17 or December 19. Travel packages that include both tickets and hotel accommodations will also be available at MetallicaTravel.com. All members will be limited to a maximum purchase of two show tickets or one hotel/ticket package (package options include either two or four tickets).

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