Month: January 2024

The UK’s leading immersive specialist ‘Layered Reality’ will launch an Elvis Presley avatar show called Elvis Evolution in Central London in November 2024, with multiple cities across the world to follow.

In a statement announcing the special event, Layered Reality promises that the mind-blowing “concert finale” featuring the King of Rock will feature a “jaw-dropping” performance and a “personal invite to the After Party.” The statement read: “the show peaks with a concert experience that will recreate the seismic impact of seeing Elvis live for a whole new generation of fans, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. A life sized digital Elvis will share his most iconic songs and moves for the very first time on a UK stage.”

The show promises to use Layered Reality’s patented blend of “technology, augmented reality, theatre, projection and multi-sensory effects” to reproduce the late rock icon for his first-ever shows outside of North America nearly half a century after Presley’s 1977 death. The statement continues: “Elvis fans can look forward to a memory-making experience like no other. Through AI and groundbreaking tech you’ll be able to witness iconic Elvis performances as if you were really there, and celebrate defining moments in Elvis Presley’s extraordinary life and career. After the show, the central London venue will also host an After Party at its ELVIS-themed restaurant and bar with live music, DJs and performances.”

Tickets are set to go on sale sometime this year, with additional cities including Las Vegas, Berlin, and Tokyo with further details to be unveiled. Check out a preview of the immersive Elvis Evolution AI hologram show – here.

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Sinéad O’Connor’s official cause of death has been revealed. The Southwark Coroners Court confirmed on Tuesday, January 9, that O’Connor died of natural causes, noting in a statement, “The coroner has therefore ceased their involvement in her death.”

O’Connor’s family previously said in a statement in July: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.”

O’Connor was found “unresponsive” at a home in London. The following day, a statement shared on the Coroner Court’s website noted that “the death of Sinéad O’Connor in Lambeth was notified to the Coroner” and “no medical cause of death was given. The Coroner therefore directed an autopsy to be conducted. The results of this may not [be available] for several weeks. The decision whether an inquest will be needed will be decided when these results are known and submissions have been heard from the family.” A Scotland Yard spokesperson previously shared that O’Connor’s death was “not being treated as suspicious.”

O’Connor was best known for her rendition of Prince’s hit song “Nothing Compares 2 U,” which earned her nominations for Record of the Year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Grammy Award for Best Music Video, Short Form at the 1990 Grammys. Shortly before her death, O’Connor announced that she had moved back to London and was working on a new album that she planned to release in 2024.

Editorial credit: Matteo Chinellato / Shutterstock.com

The Smashing Pumpkins are turning to social media in their search for a new guitarist. The Billy Corgan-led band put out an open call to the public for guitarists to submit applications.

The band’s open call on social media states: “The Smashing Pumpkins are in search of an additional guitarist. The application process is open to anyone who might be interested. Applicants may submit a resume and related materials to: SPGuitar@redlightmanagement.com”

The Smashing Pumpkins are seeking a new second guitarist to perform alongside Corgan after the October 2023 exit of longtime Pumpkins guitarist Jeff Schroeder. Last year, the band commented on Schroeder’s departure in a joint band statement, saying, “We thank Jeff for his ceaseless dedication to the band and our great fans. Words can not express our gratitude and appreciation for the friend he is, and being there for SP in the good times and the tough times, too.”

Schroeder joined the Smashing Pumpkins in 2007 after Corgan and Chamberlin reunited to record Zeitgeist. He has played on each studio album they’ve released since, and he was the only official member of the band credited on 2014’s Monuments to an Elegy apart from Corgan. Schroeder explained of his departure:“The amount of incredible memories created over the last 16 years with the band are almost too numerous to quantify. Although it was a very difficult decision to make, I’ve decided to leave the band to make some space to explore a slightly different path.”

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Bring Me The Horizon are kicking-off the new year with a brand new single titled Kool-Aid, serving as the band’s first music following the departure of keyboardist/percussionist Jordan Fish at the end of 2023.

Kool-Aid is the sixth single BMTH has released in advance of their long-awaited album Post Human: NeX GEn – the follow-up to 2020’s Post Human: Survival Mode.  POST HUMAN: NeX GEn was scheduled for release in September 2023, but is now due out sometime in 2024.

Take a listen to ‘Kool-Aid’- here.

Bring Me the Horizon unleash brutal new single “Kool-Aid”

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Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor has canceled his upcoming North American solo tour, issuing a statement that he needs to prioritize his physical and mental health.

Taylor wrote on his social media pages: “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the cancellation of my upcoming North American tour. For the past several months my mental and physical health have been breaking down, and I reached a place that was unhealthy for my family and I. I know this decision will come as a shock to some and may be regarded as unpopular by others but after taking a hard look at where I am and where I was going, I need to pull myself back and be home with my family for the time being. Those of you who bought tickets and VIP packages for this upcoming run will get a full refund. I send my love to the fans, my band, my family & friends, and everyone who’s helped me get here thus far. I promise i’m doing everything I can to be as healthy as I can be. Until then, my apologies to everyone we would have seen on the tour and hopefully we’ll see you again down the line.”

Taylor recently released his second solo album, CMF2; he was scheduled to tour the U.S. and Canada with support from Des Rocs and Jigsaw Youth throughout February and March 2024.

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