Author: Lars Brandle

The stars came out as the Rock Hall class of 2024 was unveiled to the world Sunday night (April 21) during ABC’s American Idol. Another star-in-the making, Julia Gagnon, used the special occasion to announce herself as a strong candidate for this year’s title. For a shot at the top 12, Gagnon, the college student […]

The Swift Sweep, the Taylor Takeover. Call it what you will, just expect Taylor Swift to dominate the U.K. charts with The Tortured Poets Department. When the Official U.K. Singles Chart is published Friday, April 26, Swift will add to her tally of 26 U.K. top 10 singles, and is forecast to nab a fourth […]

Following the experimental music journey that was 2020’s Gigaton, Pearl Jam returns to familiar, heavy turf on Dark Matter, the legendary Seattle rock band’s 12th studio album. Dropping at the stroke of midnight, Dark Matter (via Monkeywrench Records/Republic Records) spans 11 (mostly) burly numbers, including the previously-released midtempo cut “Wreckage” and the title track, which […]

Beyoncé ties-up Australia’s chart for a second week with Cowboy Carter (Columbia/Sony), while Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” makes its six weeks atop the national singles survey. The top debut on the latest ARIA Albums Chart belongs to U.S. rapper J.Cole, as his surprise-release mixtape Might Delete Later (Interscope/Universal) bows at No. 2. It’s the followup […]

Benson Boone’s beautiful year continued Wednesday (April 10), as the breakout artist performed his signature song on late-night TV. Sporting a smart suit, the Washington singer, songwriter and TikTok standout stopped by NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon for a rendition of “Beautiful Things.” Lifting from his LP Fireworks & Rollerblades (via Night Street […]

Two retired NFL athletes swapped one helmet for another as The Masked Singer tackled a double-elimination. Fox’s quirky singing competition celebrated Transformers night on Wednesday, April 10, but there was no party for the Love Bird and Koala. Goldfish sang “Baby Come Back” by Player; Starfish performed “21 Guns” by Green Day; Ugly Sweater hit […]

Matthew Lazarus-Hall, the Australia-born live entertainment veteran whose resume includes executive stints with Chugg Entertainment and AEG Presents, joins venue management giant ASM Global. Announced Wednesday (April 10), Lazarus-Hall joins the group as executive vice president, entertainment & content, with a focus on working with ASM’s growing portfolio of venues in Australia and the Asia […]

On a day when America looked up at the heavens, late night TV kept our eyes glued to the screens for an all-heart performance. Late Monday, April 8, Heart, the Rock Hall-inducted band, teamed up with Jimmy Fallon for a performance of Bonnie Tyler’s ‘80s hit “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” an amusing, hearty tribute […]

The Libertines are on target for the U.K. albums chart title, their first in 20 years. Based on midweek sales and streaming data tallied by the Official Charts Company, the critically adored indie-rock outfit takes the lead with All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade (via EMI), their fourth studio album. Spanning 11 tracks, the LP […]

American Idol loves a bit of drama. Hollywood is a drama factory. Match it up, and Sunday night’s Hollywood Week episode of Idol delivered so much of the stuff you could chew on it. Ziggy, the so-called Dutch pop prince, has gone full diva during this 22th season, sporting colorful, custom suits with matching candy-colored […]