The Weeknd To Headline Lollapalooza music festival 2015

The Weeknd To Headline Lollapalooza music festival 2015

It was announced today that The Weeknd will headline this year’s Lollapalooza music festival joining the likes of Paul McCartney, Metallica and Florence + the Machine. The Grammy nominated artist will also be closing this year’s Coachella Valley Music Festival Saturday dates.

In addition to the major festival news, The Weeknd’s “Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey)” was officially the #1 Shazamed song in the world according to the music discovery app’s official charts having been Shazamed more than 2.3 million times. The single has been in the Top 5 on Shazam’s for over 4 weeks and claimed the top spot this week. In addition to this accomplishment, the single also recently achieved platinum status as certified by the RIAA. “Earned It” was the first song released from the chart-dominating and critically praised Fifty Shades of Grey Original Motion Picture Soundtrack—out now via Republic Records.

Purchase it HERE.

Since its release, “Earned It” quickly took on a life of its own and seduced millions around the globe along the way. It’s been a mainstay in the Top 5 of iTunes Overall Top Songs Chart and Spotify’s streaming chart and is now Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. With this The Weeknd grabs his second Hot 100 top 10 and first solo as "Love Me Harder," with Ariana Grande, reached No. 7 in November. The international story is also impressive with “Earned It” certified Platinum in Canada, Gold in Australia, New Zealand, Holland and Sweden and recently hitting the Top 5 on iTunes in 68 markets including 35 #1’s. In the UK it was in the Top 5 at the Official Singles Chart for three consecutive weeks and it has been holding the #1 spot on the Shazam chart for six consecutive weeks.

At radio, “Earned It” is also seeing success becoming the most added track at Top 40 and Urban. The video for the single is a theatrical event in its own right having been directed by Fifty Shades of Grey director Sam Taylor-Johnson and starring the film’s lead actress Dakota Johnson. Since its release less than two months ago it has amassed nearly 40 million views.

The Weeknd is currently readying his third full-length album for release later this year under the partnership between XO and Republic Records and is set to close out the Saturday night dates of the annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

The Weeknd also recently picked up two Juno Awards from his home country of Canada. He first grabbed the Award for RandB/Soul Recording of the Year for "Often", which he released last summer, and ended the night winning Artist of the Year. In addition to taking home two trophies, The Weeknd also graced the Juno stage by performing "Earned It".

Metallica To Celebrate Record Store Day With Release Of 'No Life 'Til Leather' Limited Edition Cassette

Metallica To Celebrate Record Store Day With Release Of 'No Life 'Til Leather' Limited Edition Cassette

In celebration of Record Store Day, on April 18th, Metallica will release No Life 'til Leather as a limited edition cassette. The seven tracks were recorded in 1982 in Tustin, CA by the band's original lineup of James Hetfield: lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Lars Ulrich: drums, Dave Mustaine: lead guitar, and Ron McGovney: bass. Straight from the archives, the original source material has been re-mastered to maximize the sound potential for 2015 without altering the original mixes. No Life 'til Leather will be available for purchase at your favorite local record store and on Metallica.Com. The collection has never been available commercially until now. See below for the complete tracklisting.

A note from Metallica:

This year we decided to celebrate Record Store Day with our friends at independent retail by taking a huge leap back in time to our humble beginnings with that little rectangle of plastic known as the "demo tape."  In 1982 we recorded seven songs that became our initial calling card known as No Life 'til Leather and it led us to our first record deal . . . the rest, as you some of you may know, is history!  We hope you enjoy this little walk down memory lane with us and that you will continue to join us in supporting independent record stores around the world. 

Look for expanded versions coming on CD, vinyl and a collector's set sometime this summer.

Tracklisting

Hit The Lights 

The Mechanix 

Motorbreath 

Seek and Destroy 

Metal Militia 

Jump In The Fire

Phantom Lord 

Record July 6, 1982 at Chateau East Studio, Tustin, CA 

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Reading and Leeds Festival 2015 announce Metallica as headliners

Reading and Leeds Festival 2015 announce Metallica as headliners

Reading and Leeds Festivals are excited to announce undisputed global superstars Metallica as the first headliners for 2015 in a UK Festival Exclusive performance. James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich and Rob Trujillo will take to the Main Stage next August Bank Holiday Weekend to provide a defining moment of the 2015 festival season.

Returning to the prestigious headline spot for a record fourth time in 2015, the band have a rich history at the Festivals, having first headlined Reading Festival 18 years ago. With a career spanning over three decades and more than 110 million records sold across the world, Metallica are undoubtedly one of the biggest and best live acts on the planet. Their critically acclaimed film ‘Some Kind of Monster’ will be re-released on December 15th, available for the first time digitally and on Blu-ray, and including ‘Metallica: This Monster Lives’, a brand new 25-minute feature following up on the last decade with the band.

Lars Ulrich from Metallica says:

“We are obviously beyond thrilled to be returning to headline the magnificent and mighty double shot at Reading and Leeds for the fourth time. We are practically the house band. Bring it!”

Festival boss Melvin Benn comments:

“I’m excited to be able to announce Metallica as the first headliner for Reading & Leeds 2015. Their amazing live show promises to be a favourite with rock, metal and genuine music fans at the UK's most important music festival, perfectly topping a bill of brilliant acts from across the genres. I’m looking forward to revealing the rest of the Festival line up, which will feature the absolute best of rock, indie, dance and hip hop and will only add to the amazing atmosphere that make Reading and Leeds so special.”

Following this year’s explosive secret set at Reading, Jamie T will make the trip to both Festival sites in 2015. Fresh from a hugely successful sold out UK tour and the release of third album ‘Carry On The Grudge’ this autumn, Jamie T is one of the hottest acts of the moment and an exciting addition to the Festival line-up.

Fresh from their highly anticipated fourth studio album, Californian post-hardcore favourites Pierce The Veil will be making their long-awaited Reading and Leeds debut in 2015.

Vic Fuentes from the band comments:

"We've been dying to do these Festivals ever since we started touring in the UK!  It's such an honour to be a part of something that people wait all year round to see.”

With his set this year proving to be one of the defining moments on the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage, drum ‘n’ bass maestro Wilkinson is no stranger to Reading and Leeds. Stepping up his live show yet another notch following his ‘Lazers Not Included’ tour, he will be returning to the Festival in 2015.

Headlining The Pit Stage, Refused have become one of the most influential heavy bands of a generation. The Swedish punk band’s now legendary album ‘The Shape Of Punk To Come’ fused noisy hardcore, post-punk, techno and jazz to create an entirely original sound. Since reforming for shows in 2012, the band have returned stronger than ever with a live set that shows the true scope of their musical legacy.

With two critically acclaimed albums released in the last two years, Run The Jewels are arguably the hottest hip-hop act on the planet. Making their Reading and Leeds debut next year, rap veterans Killer Mike and El-P’s performance will be essential Festival viewing.

Manchester Orchestra will make their third trip to Reading and Leeds in 2015. Following the release of fourth album ‘Cope’ and this year’s stripped down alternate version ‘Hope’, their appearances at the Festivals will be a summer highlight for indie-rock fans.

Second batch of tickets for Reading and Leeds 2015 are on sale now.

Weekend tickets £205.00 plus £8 booking fee + postage ● Early entry permits £20 ● Campervan permits £75.00 ● Lockers £16.00 ● Reading car parking £10.00 ● Weekend ticket prices include camping

Securing your ticket is even easier with the £50 instalment plan. To save a spot at Reading and Leeds 2015, simply put down £50 to bag your place, then the balance in monthly instalments. 

Tickets are strictly limited to a maximum of four per person/address/payment card for those booking by telephone or online.

http://www.seetickets.com/content/reading-leeds?src=randl2015PR21

Credit Card line: 0871 231 0821

Metallica announced as final Headliner for Glastonbury 2014

Glastonbury Festival have announced their third and final headliner for this year’s event, Metallica.

​After much speculation, the news was confirmed this evening (8 May), with the metal band joining the likes of Arcade Fire and Kasabian on the bill.

“They’re one of the biggest bands in the world,” organiser Michael Eavis said of the news. “And on my travels people are always asking me, ‘When are Metallica going to be playing Glastonbury?’ I was so keen to book them. They’ll be pleasing so many thousands of people.”

Responding to the evident surprise that came with the announcement, Eavis added: “We had Jay Z headlining [in 2008], and people were surprised with the Smiths in 1984. But that was the Smiths and look at them now! We put on all types of music. I’ll be there at the front of house right on the mixing desk, so I’m listening to them head on. I can’t wait for that moment.”

Glastonbury runs this year from 25-29 June.

Metallica, You Me At Six and Paramore join Kerrang! Award nominees

Metallica, You Me At Six and Paramore are among the nominees for this year's Kerrang! Awards.

Surrey rockers You Me At Six are up for five gongs for Best Single, Best Album, Best British Band, Best Live Band and Hottest Male, for guitarist Max Helyer, after their album 'Cavalier Youth' hit the number one spot.

Metallica, who are rumoured to be headlining this year's Glastonbury Festival, have been nominated for Best International Band and Best Film for 'Through The Never', while Paramore are up for Best Live Band and Best Event for Parahoy!

The acts join Fall Out Boy, 30 Seconds To Mars, Green Day and 5 Seconds of Summer in a number of categories.

Kerrang! Editor James McMahon said: ''This is the third Relentless Kerrang! Awards I've presided over now, and I don't think I've been quite this excited before.

''There are bands nominated I love, legends lined up that I respect, and the party itself will contain some unforgettable surprises.

''It's a testament to the strength and size of the rock scene right now that bands as diverse as 5 Seconds Of Summer and Behemoth, and Baby Godzilla and You Me At Six can galvanise a community to vote in their thousands.''

He added: ''Respect to Kerrang! readers for remaining the most loyal, passionate, cool-ass music fans on the planet. We hope our 2014 party does you justice.''

The event takes place on Thursday, June 12 at London's Troxy.

Driving Mrs Satan ACDC, Anthrax, Iron Maiden like you've never heard them before

Driving Mrs. Satan makes room for quiet into the history of heavy metal, borrowing lyrics and melodies from long haired 80s hard rock, conditioner-only-washing them into the whispered politeness of indie pop, and rinsing them with the passion of jazzy, sound centered, avant-pop.

Claudia’s unique voice is at once erotic and ethereal, transforming ferocious, macabre stories into joyful tales and cosy serenades through Ernesto’s carefully interweaved guitars and trembling vocals, and Giacomo’s beautifully crafted double bass structures.In the midst of a house change in a record-hot summer, Giacomo’s love for heavy metal re-emerged, and he began to re-envisage the songs that made him decide to become a musician in the first place. He found a perfect harmonic companion in Ernesto and they asked Claudia to lay down vocals on a song she never heard before in its original form, Helloween’s I want out: Driving Mrs. Satan was born.

The song was released online in April of 2012 together with other four: ACDC’s Hells Bells, Black Sabbath’s Never Say Die and Judas Priest’s Living After Midnight. After that, they prepared a full record and a live show to bring their music into people’s life and out of the studio.

Despite the band’s folk and world provenance, Driving Mrs. Satan have created one of 2012′s most interesting pop debuts. Indeed, their music feels like anything but hit covers –they managed to create a new, fresh and sophisticated dimension where the songs loose any weight and can be re-explored in their simplest shape. The gentle sound demands attention and anticipates possession.

www.drivingmrssatan.com

Lou Reed announces From VU to Lulu European Tour

Hot off the incredible reception of his collaborative album LULU with Metallica, Lou Reed will embark on a “FROM VU TO LULU” European tour during Summer 2012.

The tour will start in Luxembourg on Wednesday 6th June and will take in several festivals, including Switzerland’s Caribana Festival, France's Montereau Festival, Berlin’s Citadel Music Festival and Slovakia’s renowned Pohoda Festival.  Lou will also perform several concerts in France, Holland, Belgium, Denmark, and Germany.

The tour will feature a 5-piece band, including Lou Reed, Tony ‘Thunder’ Smith (drums), Rob Wasserman (bass), Kevin Hearn (keyboards), and Aram Bajakian (guitar).  Lou and band will perform material from Reed’s entire cannon of songs ranging from the Velvet Underground to his recent Metallica collaborative album LULU.

LOU REED – FROM VU TO LULU
EUROPEAN 2012 TOUR DATES

– Luxembourg – Rockhal (June 6)
– Nyon, Switzerland – Caribana Festival (June 8)
– France – Montereau Festival (June 9)
– Paris – Olympia (June 11)  
– Lille, France – L'Aeronef (June 12)  
– Amsterdam – Heineken Music Hall (June 14)
– Brussels – Ancienne Belgique (June 15)  
– Copenhagen – Falconer Salen (June 18)
– Berlin – Citadel Music Festival (June 20)  
– Mainz, Germany – Zollhafen/Nordmole (June 23)  
– Clermont Ferrand, France – Cooperative de Mai (June 25)
– Bordeaux, France – Fete le Vin (June 26)  
– Bonn, Germany – Kunst!Rasen (June 29)  
– Dresden – Filmnächte am Elbufer (June 30)
– Munich – Tollwood Festival, Olympic Park (July 1)  
– Trencin, Slovakia – Pohoda Festival (July 5)