Taylor Swift is celebrating the impending launch of her Eras Tour with the release of new music.
27.02.2023 - 10:27 / nme.com
K-pop girl group aespa performed several brand-new tracks at their first-ever ‘SYNK: Hyper Line’ concerts over the weekend.On February 25 and 26, the four-member act held their first standalone concerts at the Jamsil Arena in Seoul, with the second day also streaming on Beyond LIVE to overseas audiences.During the shows, aespa gave live debuts to several unreleased tracks including ‘Salty and Sweet’, which they previewed via their YouTube channel prior to the concert. “‘Cause I am salty and sweet / Irresistible, a different type of treat,” they sing in the chorus.In addition to ‘Salty and Sweet’, the quartet also debuted six other unreleased group tracks, namely ‘Thirsty’, ’YOLO’, ’Don’t Blame’, ‘Hot Air Balloon’, ‘I’m Unhappy’ and another untitled song.Each member of aespa also unveiled their first-ever solo tracks: ‘Menagerie’ by Karina, ‘Wake Up’ by NingNing, and ‘2HOT4U’ by Giselle, while vocalist Winter sang an untitled ballad.
Fans speculate that the 10 new songs will be part of the group’s upcoming debut studio album in April.News of aespa’s next comeback was first revealed by SM Entertainment last week, as part of a new investor report. However, the exact release date, title and tracklist of the upcoming record have yet to be officially announced.The forthcoming release will arrive about nine months after aespa’s last comeback, which was their sophomore mini-album ‘Girls’.
Taylor Swift is celebrating the impending launch of her Eras Tour with the release of new music.
MAMAMOO are set to embark on their first-ever tour of the US as part of their wider ‘MY CON’ world tour.Today (March 15), the quartet officially announced that they would be going on their first North American tour, which will comprise shows in nine cities on both coasts, as well as southern and midwestern markets, over two months.MAMAMOO’s US tour will first kick off on May 16 in New York, before heading down the coast to Baltimore, Maryland and Atlanta, Georgia. The girl group will then head down south, with shows in Tennessee, Texas and Arizona.
Linkin Park have shared footage of Mike Shinoda unboxing the upcoming ‘Meteora’ 20th anniversary box set – which is set for release later this year.The five-minute video was shared to the band’s YouTube channel yesterday, and saw the founding member unwrapping the super deluxe edition for the first time.The limited-edition release will arrive on April 7 and was designed to commemorate 20 years since the release of the band’s iconic second album. As explained in the footage, the list of items included fills the entire back of the box, and consists of numerous previously unreleased rarities recorded from that era.Five LPs are included, including a copy of the ‘Meteora’ album, a debut release of the band performing in Texas, and previously unreleased footage from a 2003 show in Nottingham.
It’s not unusual for a city-wide music festival to program a concert in the local airport, it’s usually not a set you’d go out of your way to see. SXSW 2023, however, hosted a hot ticket at the baggage claim in the Austin Airport on Tuesday, with boygenius — Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker‘s band — performing an acoustic set.
TWICE recently took to the stage of popular daytime talk show The Kelly Clarkson Show to perform their latest English single ‘Moonlight Sunrise’.The K-pop girl group made a guest appearance on the March 14 episode of the talk show, hosted by original American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson, where they performed ‘Moonlight Sunrise’ live for just the second time ever, following the Billboard Women In Music Awards 2023.TWICE captivated the audience of The Kelly Clarkson Show with their sleek dance moves and pristine harmonies. Notably, a large portion of the audience members were seen holding on to the girl group’s Candy Bong lightstick. Elsewhere during their appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, TWICE member Tzuyu shared a funny moment with host Kelly Clarkson, who had a hard time pronouncing the Taiwanese singer’s name when trying to ask a question.Tzuyu later shared more about the meaning behind ‘Moonlight Sunrise’, saying that the song is about “wanting to know the other person’s heart, and they use the metaphor of ‘moonlight’ and ‘sunrise’ to parallel that fluttering heart feeling when you’re in love,” as interpreted by an on-stage translator.During the interview segment, the girl group also shared their favourite things to do when visiting America.
Hellbound star Yoo Ah-in could be called in by South Korean police for questioning as soon as next week.This is according to a statement by an official from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, per The Korea Times, who said that the police will summon Yoo for questioning after they “wrap up the analysis of materials seized from [the actor’s] home and hospital this week”.The South Korean actor’s run-in with the law started in February when he first tested positive for propofol. At the time, Yoo had taken a drug test as part of an investigation by the police into alleged non-medical use of the anaesthetic.The Korea Times noted that Yoo has since also allegedly tested positive for marijuana, cocaine and ketamine, following a test on his hair and urine samples that was carried out by South Korean’s National Forensic Service.The South Korean police recently raided two of Yoo’s homes to collect evidence, and have also looked into the actor’s medical records to determine frequency of his alleged drug usage.
TWICE took to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to perform new single ‘Set Me Free’ – check it out below:‘Set Me Free’ is the only song on ‘Ready To Be’ that has both Korean and English-language versions.TWICE’s appearance on Fallon saw the nine-piece band deliver slick choreography and glorious harmonies while the audience lost their minds.Check out the performance below:‘Ready To Be’ was released on Friday (March 10) and comes eight months after the release of TWICE’s last mini-album ‘Between 1&2’, which the group released after renewing their contracts with agency JYP Entertainment earlier in 2022.The launch of ‘Ready To Be’ was also marked by the release of a music video for ‘Set Me Free’.Following the release of ‘Ready To Be’, TWICE will debut their first-ever sub-unit comprising Japanese members Sana, Momo and Mina. Dubbed MISAMO, the trio will release their first original Japanese mini-album on July 26.Earlier this month, TWICE were named Billboard’s 2023 Women in Music Breakthrough act.
Nam Tae-hyun, lead singer of South Korean band South Club, has issues an apology following his DUI incident.Earlier this week, Nam was booked by Seoul police booked for drunk driving in the Gangnam District. The singer’s breathalyser test, taken soon after the incident, had reportedly shown his blood alcohol level at around 0.114 per cent.
WINNER, has been booked for drunk driving in Seoul.According to South Korean media outlet Korea JoongAng Daily, Nam had reportedly opened the door of his parked car as a taxi was passing by, hitting the vehicle and breaking its side mirror in the process.Thereafter, Nam then allegedly drove his car for around seven metres before being pulled over by the police for a breathalyzer test. The test reportedly showed that the singer’s blood alcohol level was around 0.114 per cent, which is a high enough level for his license to be revoked – typically 0.08 per cent or higher.Nam was later returned home by the police after his identity was confirmed as he was reportedly too intoxicated for an investigation to be done at the time.
Dua Lipa is wrapping up a new music session.
VIXX rapper Ravi has admitted to recent charges of attempting evading military service.In January, The Korea Times reported that the 30-year-old idol had been identified by prosecutors as a possible client of a broker known as Mr Gu, who was indicted for helping men receive exemptions from South Korea’s compulsory military service by falsifying health records.Gu reportedly promoted his services by sharing that a famous idol rapper had utilised their service, and consequently received a grade IV in his fitness and health evaluation, allowing him to serve in the social services department instead of becoming an active duty soldier.Back in October 2022, Ravi had announced his enlistment as a social service worker due to unspecified “health reasons”.Following the news reports, Ravi’s self-founded agency GROOVL1N released a statement that it was “closely examining the truth about the situation”, adding that the idol would cooperate fully in the investigation. At the time, neither the agency nor Ravi confirmed or denied the claims of his alleged attempt to evade service.According to Newsis, Ravi admitted to violating South Korea’s Military Service Act at the Seoul Southern District Court on March 6.
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund Public Investment Fund (PIF) has increased its stake in Japanese film and TV studio Toei Company, from 5% to 6.03%, according to a report by the Reuters financial news agency. The move comes shortly after Toei published a ten-year plan for international expansion. Toei includes film and TV production operations, the T-Joy cinema chain and Toei Animation. Last month, it said that it had beaten its film revenue record, thanks to the success of titles including “The First Slam Dunk,” “The Legend of Butterfly” and “One Piece Film Red.” The stake increase also follows PIF’s February announcement that it had increased its stake in Japanese games and console maker Nintendo to 8.26% and that (along with the Singapore state fund GIC) was a buyer of a $966 million bond issue from Korean entertainment-tech firm Kakao Corp.
SZA headlined New York’s Madison Square Garden on Saturday night (March 4) and was joined onstage by Phoebe Bridgers and Cardi B.SZA is mid-way through her North American arena tour in support of her new album ‘SOS’ and was joined by a couple of special guests at the first of her New York dates.Early in the set, SZA was joined onstage by Phoebe Bridgers to perform ‘Ghost In The Machine’ live for the first time. For the next song, SZA then brought out Cardi B for the live debut of their collab ‘I Do’ before Cardi performed part of her Glorilla team-up ‘Tomorrow 2’.Taking to social media, SZA called Bridgers “a king amongst ants” and said Cardi B was a “superstar.”“I can’t believe she came through for me.
SZA headlined New York’s Madison Square Gardens on Saturday night (March 4) and was joined onstage by Phoebe Bridgers and Cardi B.SZA is mid-way through her North American arena tour in support of her new album ‘SOS’ and was joined by a couple of special guests at the first of her New York dates.Early in the set, SZA was joined onstage by Phoebe Bridgers to perform ‘Ghost In The Machine’ live for the first time. For the next song, SZA then brought out Cardi B for the live debut of their collab ‘I Do’ before Cardi performed part of her Glorilla team-up ‘Tomorrow 2’.Taking to social media, SZA called Bridgers “a king amongst ants” and said Cardi B was a “superstar.”“I can’t believe she came through for me.
Jem Aswad Senior Music Editor If you’ve been to enough concerts, there’s a feeling you recognize when a new-ish artist’s career is about to blast off — when the audience isn’t just singing along with the hit but with nearly every song, half of them with hands over hearts, many dressed in the artist’s merch or artist-identifying outfits, and at least a few singing emphatically, with tears and/or mascara running. That feeling isn’t always accurate, but it was present at Billie Eilish concerts in 2019 and Lorde’s club shows in 2013 and even the Killers almost 20 years ago — and without setting the bar unfairly high, it was definitely in the air Chappell Roan’s packed concert at New York’s 1,500-capacity Webster Hall on Tuesday night.
Self Esteem began her sold out UK tour ‘I Tour This All The Time’ in Nottingham and Dublin at the weekend – watch her debut new songs and see the full setlist below.The gigs – which were recently updated and expanded due to demand – come in support of Rebecca Lucy Taylor’s Mercury Prize-nominated album ‘Prioritise Pleasure’ (2021) and mark her biggest headline gigs yet.In Nottingham at Rock City on Friday night (February 24), Self Esteem played new songs ‘Mother’ and ‘Love Second’ alongside highlights from ‘Prioritise Pleasure’ and debut album ‘Compliments Please’.It comes after the first two dates of the tour in Cambridge and Hull were postponed due to the singer coming down with norovirus. They will now be played on March 13 and 19 respectively.See Self Esteem’s full setlist from the Nottingham gig below, alongside footage of the new songs, below.I’ve never seen such rapture — in the work, on the stage, from every single person in the room.
SHINee leader Onew’s upcoming full-length album, ‘Circle’, have recently been released.According to a report by South Korean media outlet Herald Pop, Onew’s forthcoming record will feature ‘Rain on Me’, a ballad produced and arranged in collaboration with singer-songwriter Sam Kim. Rapper Giriboy, meanwhile, has production credits on B-side ‘Caramel’.온유, 첫 정규 앨범 ‘Circle’ 기리보이·샘김 작업 참여!재치 있는 재즈팝 ‘Caramel’, 서정적 발라드 ‘우중산책’ 수록!https://t.co/hBJ7lUVyT6 #ONEW #온유 #SHINee #샤이니 #Circle #ONEW_Circle #Caramel #우중산책 #RainOnMe #GIRIBOY #기리보이 #SamKim #샘김 pic.twitter.com/zowfslbMXH— SHINee (@SHINee) February 23, 2023A separate report by Newsen also revealed the title of two more B-sides to be featured on the record, ‘Anywhere’ and ‘Paradise’.
Days before the release of Black Country, New Road’s towering sophomore LP, Ants From Up There (42nd on our 50 best albums of 2022 list), lead singer Isaac Wood left the band abruptly, citing the onset of debilitating depression and anxiety that made it “difficult to play guitar and sing at the same time.” Instead of calling it quits — and without even taking much time to process the loss — the remaining six members of the group wrote an entirely new set of songs to perform on their ensuing world tour. Unreleased until now, eight of these tracks have been immortalized in a new concert film: Live at Bush Hall.
Brix Smith has posted three new songs from her forthcoming solo album ‘Valley Of The Dolls’.The post-punk icon, who was a member of The Fall and founder of The Extricated as well as The Adult Net, has also set a date for the album’s release: March 10 via Republic of Music.Smith’s band comprises My Bloody Valentine duo Deb George (bass) and Jen Marco (keyboards and guitar), along with Vas Antoniadou (drums) and Ros Cairney (guitar) from rising London duo Deux Furieuses.The tracks she has shared, which you can listen to below, include ‘Fast Net’, ‘Aphrodite’ and ‘California Smile’.Smith previously said of the album: “During lockdown I was put together by a manager to write. I wanted to stop doing The Extricated, I wanted to do something else, I didn’t know what.“I was put together as a songwriter with Youth. His manager said, ‘Youth is a Shaman and you’re a witch so you two are perfect together’.
Beck was the latest artist to perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live, recruiting Blake Mills and Pino Palladino for a rendition of ‘Thinking About You’.The artist released the new single earlier this month, after having performed for a few months beforehand (including his intimate performance at Lafayette in London last September). Mills also performs guitar and mandolin on the studio version of the song, alongside Justin Meldal-Johnsen (bass) and Roger Manning (keyboards).Have a look at the performance below:American fans will be able to see Beck perform live later this year, with the artist set to embark on a co-headline tour with Phoenix in August.