Month: September 2021

Elton John announced on social media that he’s releasing his new, star-studded album, ‘The Lockdown Sessions,’ on October 22.

The album is a collection of collaborations recorded remotely during the 2020 lockdown, and will feature 16 songs with artists including Eddie Vedder, Stevie Nicks, Brandi Carlile, Charlie Puth, Dua Lipa, Gorillaz, Lil Nas X, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, Stevie Wonder and many more.

Sir Elton said in a press release: “The last thing I expected to do during lockdown was make an album. But, as the pandemic went on, one‐off projects kept cropping up. Some of the recording sessions had to be done remotely, via Zoom, which I’d obviously never done before. Some of the sessions were recorded under very stringent safety regulations: working with another artist, but separated by glass screens. But all the tracks I worked on were really interesting and diverse, stuff that was completely different to anything I’m known for, stuff that took me out of my comfort zone into completely new territory. And I realized there was something weirdly familiar about working like this. At the start of my career, in the late ‘60s, I worked as a session musician. Working with different artists during lockdown reminded me of that. I’d come full circle: I was a session musician again. And it was still a blast.”

To  pre-order the “The Lockdown Sessions”, head here.

Editorial credit: Tony Norkus / Shutterstock.com

Just days before the annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival was scheduled to kick-off in Tennessee, organizers have been forced to cancel the annual music festival due to unsafe conditions caused by Hurricane Ida.  Among those scheduled to perform were Foo Fighters, Meghan Thee Stallion, Lizzo, Tame Impala, Jason Isbell, Phoebe Bridgers and Tyler, the Creator.

In a message shared via social media, Bonnaroo organizers explained that much of the area became so waterlogged from rain that the grounds have been rendered unusable and unsafe: “We are absolutely heartbroken to announce that we must cancel Bonnaroo. While this weekend’s weather looks outstanding, currently Centeroo is waterlogged in many areas, the ground is incredibly saturated on our tollbooth paths, and the campgrounds are flooded to the point that we are unable to drive in or park vehicles safely.”

The organizers went on to say: “We have done everything in our power to try to keep the show moving forward, but Mother Nature has dealt us a tremendous amount of rain over the past 24 hours, and we have run out of options to try to make the event happen safely and in a way that lives up to the Bonnaroo experience. Please find ways to safely gather with your Bonnaroo community and continue to radiate positivity during this disappointing time. WE WILL SEE YOU ON THE FARM IN JUNE 2022! All tickets purchased through Front Gate Tickets will be refunded in as little as 30 days to the original method of payment.”

Bonnaroo had been dealing with other issues resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Just three weeks ago, the festival announced its COVID-19 restrictions, requiring all attendees to either have proof of vaccination or negative tests within 72 hours of first entering Centeroo, with all unvaccinated attendees asked to wear masks.

Kiss have postponed their next four tour dates after Gene Simmons tested positive for COVID-19. The news comes less than a week after Paul Stanley tested positive for COVID-19 also.

The postponed dates of Kiss’ North American ‘End Of The Road Retirement Tour’ are September 1st in Clarkston, MI at the DTE Energy Music Theatre; Sept 2nd in Dayton, OH at the Wright State University Nutter Center; Sept 4th in Tinley Park, IL at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre; Sept 5th in Milwaukee, WI at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater – Summerfest Grounds.

Kiss said in a statement: “KISS will postpone their next four tour dates. While Paul Stanley recently tweeted that he has recovered from COVID, Gene Simmons has now tested positive and is experiencing mild symptoms. The band and crew will remain at home and isolate for the next 10 days and doctors have indicated the tour should be able to resume on September 9 at FivePoint Amphitheatre in Irvine, CA. All previously purchased tickets will be honored for the new dates once announced. More information will be emailed to ticketholders directly.”

Editorial credit: Tony Norkus / Shutterstock.com