Theatrical metal band Raven Black will preview their upcoming third album, The Key, on The In-Between Tour this spring with In This Moment, Black Veil Brides and DED.
The nearly-two-month-long tour will begin March 24 in Orlando and will continue through May 16.
“We are incredibly excited to support In This Moment and Black Veil Brides along with DED on this tour, and share our new music with all of you,”says Raven. “We can’t wait to share our new album and feel there would be no better tour to present the Dark Metal Carnival.”
The Key, produced by Ulrich Wild (Static-X, White Zombie, Deftones), is scheduled for release this May via WurmGroup. Pre-orders for the album and an assortment of bundles are available via Raven Black’s webstore. A new video for the track “Hear Me Cry” will be available soon. VIP packages for The In-Between Tour are also available at the webstore.
Raven Black’sDark Metal Carnival story began when a voodoo doctor, The Doctor, happened upon a lost and scared little girl named Raven. Using his magic, The Doctor attempted turned the girl into a doll. The Doctor’s attempt, however, was interrupted by the terrified girl’s screams, leaving her in a half-human, half-doll state. As Raven lived in the dark world of the Doctor, she secretly learned his magic and conjured up a demon named Muppet, whom she trapped inside of her heart and made her eternal protector. Together, The Doctor and Muppet created another character, Stitches, to help search for souls to join the Dark Metal Carnival in the 13th hour.
Together, the quartet has created a soundtrack to the Dark Metal Carnival, releasing the 2016 EP Seven Sins and the 2018 album 13. The band has toured extensively, perfecting a creepy live show that unifies the visual and aural aspects of Raven Black.
Raven Black Tour Dates
3/24 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues
3/26 – Atlanta, GA –Tabernacle
3/27 – Birmingham, AL – Sloss Furnaces
3/28 – Cherokee, NC – Harrah’s Cherokee Events Center
3/30 – Richmond, VA – The National
3/31 – Silver Spring, MD – Fillmore
4/1 – New York, NY – Terminal 5
4/3 – Stroudsburg, PA – Sherman Theatre
4/4 – Cleveland, OH – The Agora Ballroom
4/5 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
4/7 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works
4/9 – Columbus, OH – Express Live!
4/10 – Detroit, MI – Fillmore
4/11 – Chicago, IL – Aragon Ballroom
4/13 – Louisville, KY – Palace Theatre
4/14 – Ft. Wayne, IN – The Clyde Theatre
4/15 – Grand Rapids, MI – 20 Monroe Live
4/17 – Minneapolis, MN – Myth Live
4/18 – Milwaukee, WI – Eagles Ballroom
4/19 – Columbia, MO – Blue Note (Outdoor Stage)
4/21 – Kansas City, MO – Arvest Bank Center at The Midland Theatre
4/23- Dallas, TX – Southside Ballroom
4/24 – Oklahoma City, OK – Criterion
4/25 – Lubbock, TX – Lonestar Events Center
4/27 – Phoenix, AZ – Comerica Theatre
4/28 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues
4/29 – Los Angeles, CA – The Novo
5/1 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues
5/2 – Reno, NV – Grand Theatre – Grand Sierra Resort
5/3 – San Francisco, CA – The Warfield
5/5 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
5/6 – Boise, ID – Revolution Center
5/7 – Portland, OR – Roseland Ballroom
5/8 – Kennewick, WA – Toyota Center: Retter & Company Theatre
Ska-punk luminaries Less than Jake have teamed up with influential SoCal punk rock band Lagwagon to bring you quite possibly the best punk tour of the year. Special guests include pop-punk quartet Masked Intruder and punk rock duo Plasma Canvas.
Lagwagon |
Photography: Ilkay Karakurt
The tour will kick off at The Rave in Milwaukee, WI on May 8th then head north into Canada then half way down the East Coast then aims for Nashville then moves toward the Southeast to conclude in Fort Lauderdale on May 29th. Presale begins on Friday, February 21st at 10am EST. Also, Less Than Jake recently wrapped up recording their new album which you can expect this summer via Pure Noise Records.
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To some, the name may bring you back to a movie soundtrack or a video game; others are transported to a sweaty day on the Vans Warped Tour. One thing that can not be argued is that if you have experienced Less Than Jake live, it is something that you will never forget.
With ten full length releases, numerous EPs, 7-inch singles and compilations, the band has quietly sold millions of records worldwide, with little support from radio and television outlets. They have been self-managed for the last seven years and have shown no signs of slowing down their breakneck touring schedule.
To quote an industry insider, “while their contemporaries’ crowds have diminished, Less Than Jake’s draw has seemingly gotten larger.” If asked how this was accomplished, the band members shrug and respond, “we never stopped touring or trying to be an active band.”
Continuing to play over 150 dates a year while also writing and recording new material has kept the band fresh in a time when “ska” has become something of a four letter word. The list of acts they have supported is staggering (Bon Jovi, Linkin Park, Snoop Dogg) while the list of bands that have supported them makes even the most hardened music industry veteran do a double take (Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Yellowcard). All the while the band has held firm to its punk rock roots and have managed to live through many musical trends simply by just being Less Than Jake.
With well over 300 releases on various labels under their belt, most would think their legacy is already intact, but the status quo has never interested Less Than Jake. They continue to write and perform new material and have no thoughts of letting up. With the energy and exuberance of a band half its age and the determination of savvy veterans, there is seemingly no end point to this enduring and entertaining band.
SEATTLE — Neptune Theatre was graced with the haunting vocals, jovial spirit, and authentic expressions of Bat for Lashes, granting an intimate and ethereal atmosphere to those in attendance. It had been a few years since she last journeyed from England to the United States, and as she stepped out to begin the concert, a hand from the cheering audience extended a bouquet of flowers to her. The beloved artist graciously accepted the gift with a warm smile, and she made her way to center stage. Donning a regal red lace-tiered gown, surrounded by seven electric lanterns, she shifted the tone in the auditorium as she stood still with her hands placed on the mic, raising her eyes toward the balcony, and began her performance with the synthy, notably 80s-influenced opening track of her latest album Lost Girls.
Bat for Lashes is the singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Natasha Khan, who was accompanied by the keys and angelic backup vocals of Laura Groves. With a uniquely low and breathy vocal tone in general, Khan’s impressively wide vocal range is noteworthy as she frequently traverses to the soprano end of her range.
At times Groves’ operatic high notes were quite a palatable complement as she harmonized with her partner on stage. Throughout the night, Khan would go on to alternate between singing while sitting at the keys and standing at the mic – twice gently playing a pink Stratocaster guitar.
This came across as a slightly dressed-down performance for the musician, who has been known to whimsically dance around the stage and pick up a variety of interesting instruments.
But this more reserved presence may have lent itself to more opportunities for Khan to be an impactful storyteller between songs, which was an enriching experience.
She explained that as she is also a filmmaker, she wrote her concept album The Bride as if she were writing a film. Preceding the song “Close Encounters”, she spoke about her reflections on those who tell abduction stories, and her take on those as a coping mechanism to deal with trauma. She said that, being a child of the 80s, she dealt with grief by imagining the mythology of aliens.
It is apparent that Khan’s music is deeply personal to her, and something that she took to as child to help her work through her trials as she dealt with painful situations such as racial abuse and the absence of her father. It was an inspiring example of the beauty of the way emotions can be channeled into creativity, and transformed into something that brings happiness and unity to oneself and others. Knowing all of this brings a new level of appreciation to the foreground as she joked about her bottle of water and said, “I’ve barely figured out how I can do this in front of this many people without a bottle of vodka.”
Anyone who appreciates feeling deeply will particularly find themselves resonating with this musician that at times feels otherworldly. Khan’s profound relationship with music and the environment around her was obvious as she spoke of the English countryside having seeped into her bones, and Kate Bush being part of her musical DNA. Before performing “This Woman’s Work”, she told the crowd that the song makes her very emotional — that she wouldn’t be who she is without Bush.
Afterward, following mention that it had been a long time since she’d been to the States, she said, “I’m so happy there’s people!” and closed the evening with an homage to Cindy Lauper as she covered “I Drove All Night”. Seattle made it clear that Bat for Lashes is unforgotten and adored, her distant travels were appreciated, and her artistry cherished and revered.
Los Angeles, CA — California’s own Hollywood Undead have released their much-anticipated sixth full-length studio album, New Empire, Vol. 1, today via Dove & Grenade Media / BMG. In support of the New Empire, Vol. 1, the band will be touring the US and Europe — a full touring itinerary can be found below.
New Empire, Vol. 1 – Official Track Listing
Time Bomb
Heart of a Champion
Already Dead
Empire
Killin It
Enemy
Upside Down
Second Chances
Nightmare
The record was produced by Matt Good (Sleeping With Sirens, Asking Alexandria) and features nine fiery, high-energy tracks that reveal the band growing up and embracing a heavier, hard-rock sound with this effort, not to mention sharpening their signature sound to knifepoint precision. Fans may also recognize guest vocals from Kellin Quinn (Sleeping With Sirens) on “Upside Down,” and Good Charlotte’s Benji Madden on “Second Chances.” The LP is available to stream and download on all digital service providers here.
“To be blunt, this album is our attempt at reimagining Hollywood Undead, not just a new sound for this release, but a new sound for the band altogether. Our goal from the outset was to make music that stands alone from our other albums, yet seamlessly fits with what we’ve made before. Building upon the old to create a new sound and a ‘New Empire’,” explains Johnny 3 Tears (vocals, bass guitar).
“This was a fresh canvas, and we approached [the album] as if it was the first time we sat in a room to write music together. After 15 years, that’s difficult to do, but it was our goal, nonetheless. For reinvention, you have to be honest with yourself and honest with the listeners. New Empire, Vol. 1 was our opportunity to disregard expectations and say, ‘F*ck everything we’ve done. Let’s pretend we’ve never made a record before and do something different,’” he adds.
Watch the visualizer for “Heart Of A Champion” from New Empire, Vol.1here:
U.S. Co-headliner with Bad Wolves Begins in May – Tickets on Sale Today
In support of New Empire, Vol. 1, Hollywood Undead will be teaming up with Bad Wolves for an extensive co-headline tour of the U.S. this spring. Bad Wolves will be touring in celebration of their sophomore LP, N.A.T.I.O.N, which produced the band’s current single, “Killing Me Slowly,” that recently hit the very top of the Active Rock radio charts, marking their fourth consecutive #1 song at the format. The slew of dates runs throughout May with stops in cities along the East Coast, Midwest, and Southern regions of the country. From Ashes To New and Fire From The Gods will provide direct support for select shows. The general public on-sale begins today, with tickets available for purchase on Hollywood Undead’s official website here. Hollywood Undead will also hit the festival circuit in the U.S. later this year, with performances confirmed at Epicenter (Charlotte, NC), Welcome To Rockville (Daytona, FL), Rocklahoma (Pryor, OK), Inkcarceration (Mansfield, OH), and Rock Fest (Cadott, WI).
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“We’re looking forward to this spring run with Bad Wolves. It’s been inspiring watching them evolve musically since the last tour, and we can’t wait to get back at it,” says Johnny 3 Tears.
European Tour Kicks off This Evening in London, Followed by 20+ Co-headline Shows with Papa Roach
Hollywood Undead will also embark on their massive European tour today, which includes 20+ co-headline dates with Papa Roach and a solo headline show in London, U.K. this evening.
Hollywood Undead 2020 Tour Dates
2/14 – London, U.K. @ O2 Forum Kentish Town
2/16 – Barcelona, Spain @ Razzmatazz *
2/17 – Madrid, Spain @ Sala Riviera *
2/20 – Milan, Italy @ Alcatraz *
2/21 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Halle 622 *
2/22 – Offenbach, Germany @ Shadhalle *
2/24 – Munich, Germany @ Zenith *
2/25 – Wien, Austria @ Gasometer *
2/28 – Thessaloniki, Greece @ Principal Club Theatre *
2/29 – Athens, Greece @ Piraeus Academy 117 *
3/2 – Sofia, Bulgaria @ Universiada Hall *
3/3 – Bucharest, Romania @ Arenele Romane *
3/4 – Budapest, Hungary @ Papp Laszlo Budapest Sportarena *
3/6 – Bratislava III, Slovakia @ Eurovia Arena *
3/7 – Poznan, Poland @ MTP2 *
3/9 – Berlin, Germany @ Verti Music Hall *
3/10 – Leipzig, Germany @ Haus Auensse *
3/11 – Hannover, Germany @ Swiss Life Hall *
3/13 – Paris, France @ Zenith Paris – La Villette *
3/14 – Tilburg, Netherlands @ 013 Poppodium *
3/16 – Dusseldorf, Germany @ Mitsubishi Electric Halle *
3/17 – Hamburg, Germany @ Barclaycard Arena *
3/18 – Copenhagen, Denmark @ VEGA *
5/3 – Charlotte, NC @ Epicenter Festival ^^
5/5 – Ft. Wayne, IN @ The Clyde Theatre ^
5/7 – Chattanooga, TN @ The Signal ^
5/8 – Huntsville, AL @ Mars Music Hall ^
5/9 – Daytona, FL @ Welcome To Rockville ^^
5/12 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave ^
5/13 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Monroe Live ^
5/15 – Kansas City, MO @ Grinders at Crossroads (KQRC Show) ^
5/17 – Denver, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre (KBPI’s Birthday Bash) # ^^
5/19 – Sioux Falls, ID @ The District ^
5/20 – Cedar Rapids, IA @ U.S. Cellular Center ^
5/22 – Pryor, OK @ Rocklahoma ^^
5/23 – Dallas, TX @ House of Blues ^
5/24 – Wichita, KS @ Cotillion ^
7/19 – Mansfield, OH @ Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival
7/16 – Cadott, WI @ Rock Fest
* w/ Papa Roach ^ w/ Bad Wolves ^^ w/o From Ashes To New and Fire From The Gods # w/ In This Moment and Black Veil Brides
Hollywood Undead is on the ascent in 2020, with more music to be released later this year and even more surprises for their fans in-store. Keep up with the band on their social platforms, and stay tuned for additional announcements to come.
PHOENIX — 20 years ago, Dashboard Confessional was started as a side project of Chris Carrabba, the lead singer and guitarist who also fronts Further Seems Forever. In those 20 years, Dashboard Confessional has been a soundtrack for many; the songs for triumph in the high moments, and the songs for the low moments to help them rise back up. The tour that brought Piebald and Dashboard Confessional to The Van Buren on this night was a celebration of these moments and memories that these fans had gathered to relive.
Piebald
First out onto the stage was Piebald. Much like recently reunited The Format – who, coincidentally enough, they opened for during the final tour as a band – Piebald went onto a hiatus after one final show in 2008, though they have played a handful of one-off shows since then. Frontman Travis Shettel, guitarist Aaron Stuart, bassist Andrew Bonner, and drummer Luke Garro released a Christmas album titled A Christmas (seven-inch) Adventure. It is a vinyl of three Christmas songs, an odd choice for a band that seems to pride itself in being quite odd, so perhaps it’s a perfect choice for them.
As the show started, it quickly became quite apparent how differently these guys do things. As the first song started, suddenly a head popped up over the crowd: Dana Bollen, who would play the role of hype man/tour manager/merch guy. Throughout the set, he would go from standing on the barricade, flailing his arms around to get the crowd pumped, up to the stage to play some excellent cowbell, succeeding to inspire the crowd to flail along with him when he returned to the barricade. It was a genius touch, and a memorable addition to their excellent show.
At home on stage, Shettel bantered, at one point hosting an impromptu Q&A session with a crowd that was enjoying their quirky performance. At one point someone yelled out, “You’re my favorite!” to which Shettel pointed at them and exclaimed, “You’re MY favorite! OUR favorite, actually!”
All of the songs they played were 12 years old, but yet felt so new. Piebald has managed to make their music sound timeless. Times have changed, and now the lyrics to the song “The Monkey Versus the Robot” have a much different and deeper meaning; one that anyone and everyone who works a 9-5 grind has felt at some point: “Work should not control our every minute, Eat to work, sleep to work, live to work, work.”
It is not unusual to attend a show and find yourself confronted with a band trying entirely too hard to relate to you and the crowd around you, forced dialog and ham-fisted lyrics. Piebald is none of these things. Rather, they are a quirky band that is at home playing songs that aged beautifully, with the rare ability to walk onto a stage in front of an audience who made up of many who may never had heard of them, and win them over in under 45 minutes.
As Piebald cleared the stage and the preparations were finished for Dashboard Confessional, the lights dimmed and “Sweetness” by Jimmy Eat World started playing. A casual observer would have assumed that the crowd was there for a Jimmy Eat World concert with the reaction the song generated. The crowd gleefully and loudly followed the lyrical instructions to “Sing it back,” demonstrating that there truly is never a bad time to play a Jimmy Eat World song.
Dashboard Confessional
To attend a Dashboard Confessional concert is to realize that your neighbor is probably going to spend a good deal of the show singing at the top of their lungs. That’s ok, because you likely will be doing the same at some point. This is the magic of Dashboard Confessional: Chris Carrabba is the rare songwriter who can encapsulate not just the words of the moments in life that we all have, he manages to paint a masterpiece with the music behind it.
Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World has a similar talent, and it could be argued that if everyone from this generation were to compile a soundtrack of their lives, it is likely they would have at least one song from these two bands on it. They have mastery of their lyrics and music, and we are an awestruck audience that has not fully realized how lucky we are.
To call what was experienced on this night a concert does not quite do it justice, as it was really a journey through space and time with each song. “Vindicated,” a song from the soundtrack of the 2004 movie Spider-man 2, took us into the past, though it doesn’t feel like that song can get its drivers license this year. Carrabba was a skillful guide through the trip, knowing exactly when to step back from the microphone to allow the crowd the opportunity to belt out their favorite lyrics – saying at one point they sang beautifully – and when to step in and to tell a story before the next stop in this fanciful tour.
Halfway through the set he traded his electric guitar for an acoustic and performed alone onstage. Carrabba is an extraordinarily talented guitar player, bringing quite a few guitars on tour and often switching up during the show, but his mastery shines the brightest when he plays acoustic. His vocals were also on full display, holding a note for a superhuman length of time, holding until the cheers finally drowned him out.
As the rest of the band rejoined Carrabba, he introduced them as Scott Schoenbeck on the bass, Armon Jay also on the guitar, Chris Kamrada on the drums, and Dane Poppin who alternated between the keyboard and guitar. The journey that Carrabba took the audience on would look drastically different without the band, which he introduced twice during the show.
The reluctant, final stops on this journey included a rendition of “Hands Down” that felt something akin to a religious experience, with almost every person in the venue singing out as loudly as they possibly could. It was a celebration of Dashboard Confessional – a celebration of two decades worth of music and meaning, of memories, and of the songs that seemed to know what we needed to hear when we didn’t know ourselves. It was also a sold-out crowd saying “Thank you” to Carrabba in a way that means the most to an artist: by knowing every single word of every single song and serenading him throughout the show. The tour ends on 3/28 in Nashville, TN at the Ryman Auditorium.
Two of the biggest bands in heavy metal – Megadeth and Lamb of God – will be joining forces on a co-headline tour across North America this year, presented by SiriusXM. And to add to the firepower of this already formidable tour, Trivium and In Flames are joining, making this the must-see heavy music package of the year. Tickets will go on general sale Friday, February 14 on LiveNation.com. (Tour dates below)
Megadeth
Megadeth, fueled by Dave Mustaine’s triumphant return to the stage following his diagnosis and recovery of throat cancer, will embark on their first North American tour since 2017.
Speaking on the epic announcement, Megadeth’s leader and frontman, Dave Mustaine says, “Hello me! I’m back again, better than ever and coming to a town near you with Lamb of God, Trivium and In Flames. If you want high octane metal madness this is the tour for you.”
Lamb of God
Lamb of God released their first new music in five years last week with the single “Checkmate.” The track is the first to be released from the band’s self-titled eighth studio album, due out May 8, which is one of the most anticipated and important metal records of the year. Commenting on their upcoming co-headline run, Mark Morton, lead guitarist of Lamb of God, adds, “The world has never needed heavy more than it does today and top to bottom, this tour delivers! Lamb of God has toured with and been friends with all of these bands for years, but for all of us to be on the same bill is something extra special. Come early and stay late. This is the metal tour of the year.”
Trivium’s Matt Heafy adds, “We are happy to be a part of the biggest real metal tour of the year. This tour is the main event and represents heavy metal and the culture that goes with it.“
With In Flames singer, Anders Fridén stating, “We were honored to be asked to join this package. We were actually supposed to take this summer off, but of course we couldn’t say no. After playing shows with all of these guys for years, 2020 is going to feel like a kick ass reunion. See you on the road, Jesterheads!”
Produced by Live Nation, this epic 55-city tour will stretch across summer and fall, kicking off June 12 in Bristow, VA, and hit every region of the U.S. before wrapping November 13 in Reno, NV. Multiple Canadian shows are scheduled as well. See full itinerary below.
Tickets and VIP packages for all four artists go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, February 14 at 10 a.m. local time here. Citi is the official presale credit card of the tour. As such, Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase presale tickets & VIP packages beginning Tuesday, February 11 at 10 a.m. local time until Thursday, February 13 at 10 p.m. local time through Citi Entertainment®. For complete presale details visit their website.
Megadeth and Lamb of God North American Tour Dates
Summer 2020
6/12 – Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live
6/13 – Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion
6/14 – Raleigh, NC @ Red Hat Amphitheater
6/16 – Virginia Beach, VA @ Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
6/17 – Wantagh, NY @ Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
6/18 – Camden, NJ @ BB&T Pavilion
6/20 – Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center
6/21 – Boston, MA @ Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion
6/23 – Syracuse, NY @ St. Joseph’s Heath Amphitheater at Lakeview
6/24 – Providence, RI @ Bold Point Lake Amphitheater
6/28 – Burgettstown, PA @ S&T Bank Music Park*
6/29 – Toronto, ON @ Budweiser Stage
7/1 – Detroit, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theater
7/2 – Mount Pleasant, MI @ Soaring Eagle Casino Amphitheatre
7/3 – Indianapolis, IN @ Ruoff Music Center
7/5 – Atlanta, GA @ Ameris Music Center
7/7 – Cincinnati, OH @ PNC Pavilion
7/8 – Cleveland, OH @Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica
7/10 – Chicago, IL @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – Chicago, IL
7/11 – St. Louis, MO @ Chicago, IL @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – St. Louis, MO*
7/12 – Nashville, TN @ Nashville Municipal Auditorium
7/14 – Rogers, AR @ Walmart AMP*
7/16 – Austin, TX @ Germania Insurance Amphitheater
7/17 – Houston, TX @ The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
7/18 – Irving, TX @The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory+
7/20 – Albuquerque, NM @ Isleta Amphitheater
7/21- Phoenix, AZ @ Isleta Amphitheater
7/23 – Irvine, CA @ FivePoint Amphitheatre
7/25 – Auburn, WA @ White River Amphitheatre
7/26 – Portland, OR @ Moda Center
7/29 – Salt Lake City, UT @ USANA Amphitheatre
7/30 – Pocatello, ID @ Portneuf Health Trust Amphitheatre
8/1 – Concord, CA @ Concord Pavilion
Fall 2020
10/2 – West Palm Beach, CA @ iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
10/6 – Birmingham, AL @ Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
10/7 – New Orleans, LA @ UNO Lakefront Arena
10/9 – Corpus Christi, TX @ American Bank Center Arena
10/11 – El Paso, TX @ Don Haskins Center
10/14 – Springfield, MO @ JOH Arena
10/16 – Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center
10/21 – Columbus, OH @ Schottenstein Center
10/23 – Huntington, WV @ Mountain Heath Arena
10/24 – Bethlehem, PA @ The Wind Creek Event Center
10/27 – Quebec City, QC @ Centre Videotron
10/28 – Laval, QC @ Place Bell
10/30 – St, Paul, MN @ Armory
10/3 – Green Bay, WI @ Resch Center*
11/2 – Omaha, NE @ Baxter Arena
11/3 – Sioux Falls, SD @ Denny Sanford PREMIER Center
11/5 – Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center
11/7 – Las Vegas, NV @ Mandalay Bay Events Center
11/10 – Spokane, WA @ Spokane Arena
11/11 – Nampa, ID @ Ford Idaho Center Arena
11/13 – Reno, NV @ Reno Events Center
*on sale starts 11 a.m. local time +on sale starts 12 noon local time
Tickets for this gargantuan tour package are bound to fly out when they go on sale on Friday, February 14. Grab yours before they’re all gone!
Atlantic recording artist Melanie Martinez has announced today’s release of a new song and an extensive leg of her world tour. “Copy Cat (Feat. Tierra Whack)” is available now at all DSPs and streaming services here. “Copy Cat” will be featured on her first project since 2019 album K-12, an EP entitled After School which is due for release this Spring. Tierra Whack is the first artist to be included as a feature on a Melanie Martinez track.
“I’m so thrilled to be releasing this song with the most magical artist and insanely gifted lyricist, Tierra Whack,” says Martinez. “This song was written years ago and from an empathetic perspective, even while in a very hurt place. We’re all told that imitation is flattery to ease the pain that the ego feels when other people get credited for our ideas and our work. But being human includes feeling a multitude of feelings, and naturally this song came about when expressing those very raw emotions. I hope this song can not only bring comfort to anyone experiencing that feeling but also remind them to empathize with people who are just doing what society has conditioned them to believe will make them successful.”
Martinez is “the sweetest, realest, most genuine person I’ve ever met,” says Tierra Whack. “After dropping ‘WHACK WORLD,’ she was one of the first people to reach out and immediately show love. So excited to share our new song together!”
Melanie Martinez
Photography: Brian Zuniga
Martinez has further announced plans for a major North American headline tour, produced by Live Nation – her biggest and most adventurous stage production thus far. (Tour dates below.)
Dates begin June 3rd at The Armory in Minneapolis, MN and then continue through late July. Highlights include Martinez’s appearance at Bunbury festival, and her eagerly anticipated debut performances at New York City’s legendary Radio City Music Hall (June 24th) and Los Angeles, CA’s historic Greek Theatre (July 17th). Martinez has partnered with PLUS1 for the “K-12 Tour” to support crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ youth through the Trevor Project for her US dates, and local organizations working to support and empower the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ communities for her Canadian dates. For more information about PLUS1, click here.
Fan presales begin today at 2PM (local) and tickets go on sale to the general public starting Thursday, February 13th at 10 am (local). To get tickets and see the full list of tour dates, click here. Citi is the official presale credit card of the K-12 Tour. Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase presale tickets for select shows beginning Tuesday, Feb 11 @ 10am local time until Wednesday, Feb 12 @ 10pm local time through Citi Entertainment®. For complete presale details visit Citi Entertainment.
Both “Copy Cat (Feat. Tierra Whack)” and the upcoming tour follow the phenomenal success of Martinez’s internationally acclaimed album and accompanying full-length film, K-12, available now at all music retailers and streaming services. Hailed by Forbes as “a perfect conceptual album in the streaming age,”K-12 entered the SoundScan/Billboard 200 at #3 upon its September 2019 release – the multi-talented pop phenomenon’s highest chart placement thus far. In addition, K-12 debuted at #1 on the “Alternative Albums,” “Soundtracks,” and “Vinyl Albums” charts, as well as #2 on “Pop Albums” and #3 on “Top Albums.” Internationally, K-12 made top 10 debuts in Canada, Australia, Ireland, Netherlands, UK, New Zealand, and Spain.
Produced by Michael Keenan with the exception of one song produced by Kinetics & One Love, K-12 marks Martinez’s long anticipated follow-up to her RIAA platinum certified, 2015 debut album, Cry Baby. The new album further serves as a soundtrack companion to an eerily enchanting musical film, written, directed, and starring Martinez. K-12 is streaming now at DSPs and Martinez’s official YouTube channel, where it has earned close to 43 million views to date. Praised by Billboard as “a visual dream world of the 24-year-old’s own making… a whimsical, highly dramatized version of school life, filled with pastels, magic, oversized hair bows and babydoll dresses,” the film is also available on iTunes, Amazon, Amazon Prime, Google Play, Fandango Now, Vudu US, Comcast Cable, Cox Cable, Microsoft Store US, and Stingray/Qello.
In addition to today’s premiere of “Copy Cat (Feat. Tierra Whack),” last week saw Martinez unfurl a series of compelling new videos for songs featured on K-12, including “Orange Juice,” “Detention,” “Teacher’s Pet,” “High School Sweethearts,” and “Recess,” all of which are written and directed by Martinez and streaming now via YouTube. K-12 also includes the previously released “Lunchbox Friends” and “Show & Tell” videos, which have contributed to driving Melanie’s YouTube channel to the precipice of 10 million followers.
Widely applauded for her remarkably creative live performances, Martinez further introduced K-12 to the world with a visually stunning presentation of the album’s “Strawberry Shortcake“ on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, streaming here.
Meanwhile, Martinez is currently traveling Europe on her epic “K-12 Tour,” with remaining dates set for Germany, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. From there, Martinez returns to the US for a series of already sold out “K-12 Tour” dates beginning March 17th at Anaheim, CA’s House of Blues and continuing through the month. Naaz will support on all European dates, and Sub Urban will open the March US dates. For complete details and additional information, visit here.
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Melanie Martinez World Tour 2020
FEBRUARY
10 Frankfurt, DE Jahrhunderthalle
12 Cologne, DE Palladium
13 Paris, FR Olympia Theatre
15 Tilburg, NL 013 Poppodium
17 London, UK O2 Academy Brixton
MARCH
17 Anaheim, CA House of Blues – Anaheim
19 Oakland, CA Fox Theatre
20 Las Vegas, NV Pearl Concert Theater
22 Denver, CO Paramount Theatre
23 Salt Lake City, UT The Union
25 Seattle, WA Paramount Ballroom
26 Garden City, ID The Revolution Center
NEW K-12 Tour Dates
JUNE
3 Minneapolis, MN The Armory
5-7 Cincinnati, OH Bunbury Music Festival *
6 Sterling Heights, MI Michigan Lottery Amphitheater at Freedom
Hill
7 Columbus, OH Express Live! **
9 Chicago, IL Huntington Bank Pavilion
10 St. Louis, MO Saint Louis Music Park
12 Cleveland, OH Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica
13 Toronto, ON RBC Echo Beach
14 Montreal, QC M. TELUS
16 Washington, DC The Anthem
17 Moon Twp, PA UPMC Events Center
19 Boston, MA Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion
20 Philadelphia, PA The Met
21 Asbury Park, NJ Stone Pony Summerstage
23 Wallingford, CT Oakdale Theater
24 New York, NY Radio City Music Hall
26 Raleigh, NC Red Hat Amphitheater
27 Charlotte, NC Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre
28 Nashville, TN Nashville Municipal Auditorium
30 Jacksonville, FL Daily’s Place
JULY
1 Miami, FL Bayfront Park Amphitheater
2 Tampa, FL Yuengling Center
7 Independence, MO Silverstein Eye Centers Arena
8 Rogers, AR Walmart AMP
9 Irving, TX The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
11 Sugar Land, TX Smart Financial Centre
12 Austin, TX ACL Live at The Moody Theater
14 Phoenix, AZ Arizona Federal Theatre
15 Fresno, CA Saroyan Theater
17 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre
18 San Diego, CA Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
21 Portland, OR Theater of the Clouds
22 Vancouver, BC Orpheum
23 Redmond, WA Marymoor Amphitheater **
25 Salt Lake City, UT Sandy City Amphitheater **
26 Denver, CO The Fillmore
* FESTIVAL APPEARANCE ** NOT PRODUCED BY LIVE NATION
Miss Janet Jackson kicks off her Black Diamond World Tour this summer to arenas across North America. The outing will feature an all-new production featuring new music from her highly anticipated, forthcoming album Black Diamond, set for release this year. Performing songs from her 12 multi-platinum albums including a special performance of Rhythm Nation 1814, which recently marked its 30th Anniversary. (Tour dates below)
Produced by Live Nation, the tour kicks off June 24th in Miami and will visit major cities across the U.S. and Canada including Atlanta, Philadelphia, Toronto, Dallas, and many more. The run will also feature shows at New York’s legendary Madison Square Garden and STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. European dates and the rest of the world soon to be announced.
Tickets go on sale to the general public starting Thursday, February 13th at LiveNation.com
Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson is one of the most influential entertainers of the modern era. Her music has won her five GRAMMY® Awards, two Emmy Nominations, a Golden Globe Award and a nomination for an Academy Award along with dozens of American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards and Billboard Music Awards. She has received accolades as an actress as well including the NAACP Best Supporting Actor award. Janet, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, is also a published author, dancer, businessperson, philanthropist, in addition to being one of the biggest-selling artists in popular music history. With sales of over 185 million records worldwide, Janet Jackson stands as one of the best-selling artists of all time with a string of hits that have left an indelible impression on pop culture. Her music and artistry opened doors through which other top artists have followed, many acknowledging her impact on their musical perceptions.
Black Diamond 2020 Tour Dates
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Miami, FL
American Airlines Arena
Friday, June 26, 2020
Orlando, FL
Amway Center
Saturday, June 27, 2020
Tampa, FL
Amalie Arena
Monday, June 29, 2020
Atlanta, GA
State Farm Arena
Wednesday, July 1, 2020
Nashville, TN
Bridgestone Arena
Friday, July 3, 2020
New Orleans, LA
Essence Festival*
Sunday, July 5, 2020
Greensboro, NC
Greensboro Coliseum Complex
Tuesday, July 7, 2020
Washington, DC
Capital One Arena
Thursday, July 9, 2020
Philadelphia, PA
Wells Fargo Center
Friday, July 10, 2020
Pittsburgh, PA
PPG Paints Arena
Sunday, July 12, 2020
Newark, NJ
Prudential Center
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
New York, NY
Madison Square Garden
Friday, July 17, 2020
Mashantucket, CT
The Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino*
Saturday, July 18, 2020
Boston, MA
TD Garden
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
Buffalo, NY
KeyBank Center
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
Toronto, ON
Scotiabank Arena
Friday, July 24, 2020
Detroit, MI
Little Caesars Arena
Saturday, July 25, 2020
Cincinnati, OH
Cincinnati Music Festival*
Monday, July 27, 2020
Chicago, IL
United Center
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Cleveland, OH
Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse
Friday, July 31, 2020
St Louis, MO
Enterprise Center
Saturday, August 1, 2020
Louisville, KY
KFC Yum! Center
Monday, August 3, 2020
Dallas, TX
American Airlines Center
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
Houston, TX
Toyota Center
Friday, August 7, 2020
San Antonio, TX
AT&T Center
Sunday, August 9, 2020
Phoenix, AZ
Gila River Arena
Monday, August 10, 2020
San Diego, CA
Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl San Diego State University
LOS ANGELES — Building off the success of her self-titled debut album, LÉON delivers a gorgeous new ballad in the way that only LÉON could. “In a Stranger’s Arms” is a soft pop, forlorn lullaby about the metamorphosis that happens after moving on from heartbreak and the willingness to take a risk and start over ‘in a stranger’s arms.’ The warm track is oddly comforting and glimmering with both melancholia yet hopefulness. Listen here.
New Album Expected Later This Year via Léon Recordings / BMG
The critically acclaimed Swedish artist also plans to release her sophomore full-length studio album later this year through LÉON Recordings, her imprint partnership with BMG.
“LÉON’s smoky vocals and soaring compositions cut right to the emotional core.” – TIME
“Instantly catchy” – Billboard
Since releasing her career debut single in 2015, LÉON has consistently delivered with every release, demonstrates her knack for crafting emotive, tender, and unforgettable pop songs. The songstress has amassed over 400 million total global streams and is a regular critic’s favorite in the press, racking up praise from the likes of Vogue, Glamour, In-Style, The Fader, and more. In addition to making her late-night television debut on The Late Late Show with James Corden, she has sold out many headline shows worldwide and performed at U.S. festival staples including Coachella, Bonnaroo, and Lollapalooza.
“LÉON is unstoppable” – Clash
According to LÉON, “Over the past few years, I’ve learned how to go with my gut and steer the wheel myself. If it doesn’t feel right to me, I don’t pursue it. In the end, I stand behind the music I make, and I’m in control.”
“An essential listen.” – W Magazine
In 2020, LÉON shows no signs of slowing down. Stay tuned as she continues to evolve and embarks on the next chapter in her career, with more surprises for her fans along the way.
“Like the other mononymous Swedish pop icon [Robyn], LÉON couples danceable beats and thoughtful lyrics.” – UPROXX
MARCH 24, 2020 UPDATE: With an abundance of concern for those that need to spend time with their loved ones over the coming weeks due to Covid-19, the band and label came to the difficult decision to postpone the album’s release. More Info Here
PHOENIX — Grey Daze, Chester Bennington’s pre-Linkin Park band, release Amends, the Phoenix-born band’s eagerly-awaited album featuring newly recorded music with re-mastered vocals from the group’s long out-of-print, and largely undiscovered, catalog, on April 10 via Loma Vista Recordings.
New Single & Music Video for “Sickness” Released
Accompanying the album announcement, Grey Daze have simultaneously released a second single from the 11-song collection, premiering “Sickness” today via Annie Mac’s BBC Radio 1 show (“Hottest Record”). A video for the track has also been released, with band founder and drummer, Sean Dowdell, explaining: “This is loosely based on a true story from when Chester was 15-years-old. He was being bullied at school and one day suffered a real beating. That was the day I assumed a role as protector and almost older brother figure to Chester that has lasted since, even after his passing.”
Amends is the origin story of one of modern rock’s most recognizable voices and also a full circle moment among friends. The album is the fulfillment of a planned Grey Daze reunion that Chester had announced prior to his untimely passing. The remaining band members – Dowdell (drums), Mace Beyers (bass) and Cristin Davis (guitar) – along with Talinda Bennington (Chester’s widow) and his parents, made it their mission to see the project through with assistance from Tom Whalley, the founder of Loma Vista Recordings and former Warner Bros. Records Chairman during Linkin Park’s tenure at the label.
Dowdell, Beyers and Davis selected the tracks from the band’s mid-90s, but largely unknown, catalog and re-recorded the music in 2019 to accompany Chester’s re-mastered vocals. Produced by Jay Baumgardner, several musicians leant their time and talent to the album, including Korn’s Brian “Head” Welch and James “Munky” Shaffer, Paige Hamilton (Helmet), Chris Traynor (Bush, Helmet, Orange 9MM), LP, Jasen Rauch (Breaking Benjamin) and Ryan Shuck (Orgy).
Earlier this week, Dowdell and Talinda Bennington spoke with Rolling Stone about the project, discussing how it came to fruition and the emotions of sharing this album with the world.
“He wanted to do Grey Daze again because the music was awesome, he loved it back then, and he was excited to be able to create,” Talinda shared in theRolling Stonepiece. “Doing it now that he had all this experience under his belt – he had accomplished so much and come so far since then – he was excited about it. I can hear him now. He’s like, ‘F**k yeah!’”
Dowdell appears on both KROQ (Los Angeles) and KUPD (Phoenix) this afternoon to discuss Amends and how meaningful this release is to both the circle of people who were intimately involved but also to the millions of fans who have been waiting to hear Chester’s voice once again.
“We started Grey Daze in 1993, the band ended up breaking up in 1998,” explains Dowdell in a recently released documentary. “Fast forward to 2015, Chester’s on the road and says, ‘I think we should put Grey Daze back together.’ Obviously, what happened, happened and Chester was tragically taken from us. Of course, as soon as he passed, it was like ‘oh my God, I lost my friend, my friend’s wife is now a widow and my friend’s kids are now fatherless.’ There were all of these emotions. About six or seven months later, I started some conversations and said I really want to finish this album. We’re not going to accept mediocrity, we’re going to do our friend proud, we’re going to make sure Chester is proud and we’re going to make sure this is something he would have been elated to put out.“
Amends is available in a variety of collectible formats with several iterations available exclusively via the band’s website. The CD comes as a 16-page case-bound book; a first pressing, ruby red vinyl variant exclusive to the band’s webstore; and a numbered deluxe edition featuring both a CD and LP, which includes the first ever disc tray designed for vinyl, as well as a 60-page book with never-before-seen photos and 180g red and white splattered vinyl. Digital and other standard versions of the album are available here.
Pre-orders include instant downloads of “What’s In The Eye” and “Sickness.” A CD single is also available today at independent record stores nationwide, featuring both new singles “What’s In The Eye” and “Sickness,” as well as a $3 off coupon for the full album.
Amends Track Listing
Sickness
Sometimes
What’s In The Eye
The Syndrome
In Time
Just Like Heroine
B12
Soul Song
Morei Sky
She Shines
Shouting Out
About Grey Daze
Grey Daze formed in 1992. The Phoenix-based band went on to independently release two albums: Wake Me (1994) and no sun today (1996). Grey Daze parted ways in 1998, with Chester serendipitously auditioning for the Los Angeles band Xero, who later became Linkin Park.
In 2017, Chester announced Grey Daze’s reunion, which would see the band re-working and re-recording a collection of songs they had started two decades earlier. The project was shelved in July 2017 but with the blessing of Chester’s widow, Talinda, and his family, Grey Daze regrouped and finished the album.
Amends represents an important yet unheard chapter – the origin story of one of modern rock’s most recognizable voices – and also a full circle moment along friends.
