REM have no time for Donald Trump using their music
At the risk of adding to the media’s hysteria surrounding Trump’s presidential campaign, this story is too good to ignore. Trump walked out to REM’s It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine) at a rally on Wednesday – and the Georgia band weren’t at all happy. Frontman Michael Stipe not only called Trump’s bid in the US presidential race a “moronic charade of a campaign”, but stated that none of the candidates were to use REM’s music. In a short statement posted on Facebook, the band also reminded voters not to let all the razzle-dazzle distract them from the core issues at the heart of their country’s future.
@m_millsey pic.twitter.com/pgP3X9PZ6V
— Hakim (@hakimbriki) September 9, 2015
China blocked Bon Jovi’s scheduled gigs
The band must have been living on a prayer (sorry) if they thought they could play their set of gigs in China next week. Like Maroon 5, Oasis and Björk before them, Bon Jovi’s perceived sympathies towards the Dalai Lama may have contributed to the gig cancellations. In Bon Jovi’s case, the band reportedly played in front of a Dalai Lama backdrop in 2010. Whatever the reasons may be, fans in Shanghai and Beijing will have to swallow their disappointment.
Billie Hologram? Lady Day’s likeness is headed to New York
Remember how creepy the Tupac hologram was when it appeared onstage at Coachella festival in 2012? Prepare to be freaked out even further when a Billie Holiday hologram debuts at New York’s Apollo theatre this autumn. A likeness of the jazz and blues icon is set to feature as part of the theatre’s continuous daytime programming, possibly speaking on tours of the venue. Why the world needs this is beyond me, but remembering the incredible legacy Holiday left behind as a performer and singer is a good thing.
The Who cancelled gigs because Roger Daltrey is unwell
Easy, now – there were a couple of comments along the lines of, “He’s old!” under the first Guardian article about this unfortunate turn of events. Daltrey’s voice may sound as impressive as ever, but he’s been forced to derail the Who’s US tour on account of an “unspecified virus”. The band are due to reprise the tour on 24 September in Portland, Oregon, after cancelling four dates between 14 September and 21 September.
Ringo Starr debuted a photo collection in London
Star(r)s, they’re just like us: they too take photographs, then tuck them away and forget about them for years. In this case, the former Beatles drummer unveiled a collection of old photos at London’s National Portrait Gallery – and used the exhibition launch as an opportunity to implore Yoko Ono, Olivia Harrison and Paul McCartney to “dig out the negatives” from years past. Top points to Starr for, as ever, appearing to throw shade by implying he couldn’t just pick up the phone and speak to any of them directly rather than through the press.
An Aretha Franklin doc was banned from the Toronto film festival
Well, this is awkward. Anyone who owns gospel album Amazing Grace will already be familiar with Franklin’s seminal vocal performance. But the sessions featured on the album were also filmed by late director Sydney Pollack and are now at the centre of a legal wrangle. On the one hand, the film’s producers want to showcase the footage that languished for decades, when Pollack failed to sync the video and sound recordings first captured in 1972. On the other, Franklin maintains she wants no part in her likeness being used for profit – agreeing to the album was one thing, but Franklin doesn’t want the film to be released. It’s been banned so far from both Telluride and Toronto film festivals, but I get the feeling the battle’s not yet over.
Ice Cube brushed aside criticism of the NWA film
You may remember a recent controversy attached to NWA biopic Straight Outta Compton. Journalist Dee Barnes, who knew the rap group and interviewed them in the 90s, alleged that Dr Dre had not only physically assaulted her, but that his violence – and the group’s misogyny – had been airbrushed out of the film. In response, on Tuesday Cube told those critical of the box office hit to “do their own version of the NWA story”. Elsewhere this week, he also defended Iggy Azalea’s credibility as a rapper, saying she “makes dope songs”. In fairness to Cube, most of us are guilty of having listened to Fancy at some point last year, though Iggy’s 15 minutes of fame may soon be over.
Sam Smith is going to sing the next Bond theme
Warbling pop-soul singer Smith was finally confirmed to record the theme for forthcoming Bond film, Spectre. Smith first cyptically hinted at the new gig on Instagram on Sunday, before confirming the news on Tuesday with a followup post. He follows Adele to join the ranks of Tina Turner, Sheryl Crow (that one was a banger), Madonna and Shirley Bassey. “The name’s Smith. Sam Smith – and not the brewery, come on mate.”
The Faces reunited onstage for the first time in 39 years
Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood and Kenney Jones – the three surviving members of the Faces – played a one-off charity gig in Surrey last weekend. They rattled through a seven-song set in aid of a prostate cancer charity, and generally seemed in good spirits about the whole affair. No love lost about Simply Red’s Mick Hucknall briefly replacing Stewart in past live shows, then?
Damon Albarn thinks Adele’s new album is a little dull
As the anticipation builds around Adele’s long-delayed followup to 21, here’s Damon Albarn to quash expectations. The Blur frontman says he worked with Adele on five songs, which may or may not be used for the album, now set to be released in November. He told the Sun: “I heard the work she did with my friend Brian, aka Danger Mouse. It’s very middle of the road.” Perhaps there wasn’t enough elephant on it. But for anyone who needs a glimmer of hope, Ed Sheeran is on hand. He recently told Capital FM: “I haven’t heard it, but everyone I know who’ve worked on it is just like, ‘Dude … that record!’ Apparently it’s really good.” Whose opinion do you trust the most?
