
Coldplay Delivers Surprise Performance Of “A Sky Full of Stars” During Chris Martin-Curated FIFA World Cup Halftime Show
At the FIFA Club World Cup Final between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday (July 13), Coldplay made a surprise appearance during the halftime show, which also featured performances by J Balvin, Tems, Doja Cat, and Emmanuel Kelly. The 15-minute set, presented by Global Citizen and curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, opened with J Balvin's "Mi Gente," followed by Tems performing "Love Me JeJe," and Balvin returning for "Reggaeton." Doja Cat performed "Woman" before Coldplay closed the show, with Chris Martin and Emmanuel Kelly duetting "A Sky Full of Stars." The performance aimed to raise $100 million for global education access, and took place on an innovative stage setup in the upper level of the stadium. “By building our platform high in the stands, we ensured that the newly installed natural grass remains untouched while delivering an unforgettable show that is designed to be time-efficient and visually stunning,” said Hugh Evans, CEO of Global Citizen. (Rolling Stone)
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Matt Cameron Confirms He’s “Still An Active Musician” After Leaving Pearl Jam, While Soundgarden Explain Absence From ‘Back To The Beginning’ Concert
Last week, Matt Cameron shocked the music world by announcing his departure from Pearl Jam after 27 years. While the reason for his exit remains unknown, Cameron posted a since-expired Instagram Story over the weekend where he thanked fans and reassured them that he isn’t going anywhere. “Thank you for the kind words of support,” he wrote, “and for the record, I’m still an active musician.” Cameron’s other former band, Soundgarden, also took to Instagram on Saturday (July 12) to explain why they didn’t take part in Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath’s final concert earlier this month, despite being on the initial bill. “We are very grateful to Tony, Ozzy, Geezer and Bill, as well as Sharon Osbourne and music director Tom Morello for the honor and invitation to Soundgarden to perform at the Back to the Beginning festival,” the band wrote. “We are super bummed and regret that we were unable to coordinate the schedules of our individual and collective projects to attend and contribute to the festival.” The surviving members of Soundgarden have another opportunity to reunite when they get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on November 8. (Rolling Stone)
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Nikki Sixx Reveals That “Health Issues” Prevented Mötley Crüe From Taking Part In Ozzy Osbourne Farewell Show
In a series of social media posts on Friday (July 11), Nikki Sixx revealed that health issues prevented Mötley Crüe from participating in Ozzy Osbourne's farewell show earlier this month. When a Twitter user asked him, “Motley Crue wasn't invited to perform at Black Sabbath's farewell? Would you have liked to have been there?,” the bassist responded, “We have been having health issues within the band…” Sixx later elaborated in his own post: “As some of you know I take my health extremely serious. I work HARD and I'm not interested in dying from work and BS STRESS. I have a wonderful wife, 5 golden children and a beautiful granddaughter. Do you think any part of my past indulgences is worth destroying the beautiful life I built? Never.” While Sixx didn’t share any specific ailments within the Crüe, they previously postponed their Las Vegas residency due to singer Vince Neil's vocal ailment, which will now kick-off in September. (Rolling Stone)
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Les Paul Guitar Stolen From The Rolling Stones Over Fifty Years Ago Found At New York’s Metropolitan Museum Of Art
A Les Paul guitar stolen from The Rolling Stones in the '70s has been found in a collection of 500 guitars acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The 1959 sunburst Gibson Les Paul Standard, previously owned by Mick Taylor and famously played by Keith Richards during the Stones’ historic Ed Sullivan Show appearance in 1964, had long been considered lost after being stolen during the recording sessions for 1972’s Exile on Main St. Taylor's business manager, Marlies Damming, confirmed the guitar's identity, noting its unique "flaming" body pattern. “There are numerous photos of Mick Taylor playing this Les Paul, as it was his main guitar until it disappeared,” said Dramming. “The interesting thing about these vintage Les Pauls is that they are renowned for their flaming, which is unique, like a fingerprint.” The Met recently announced a significant gift of instruments from the golden age of American guitarmaking, including guitars that once belonged to music legends like Roy Rogers and Mississippi John Hurt, among others. (Consequence of Sound)
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Evanescence’s “Afterlife” Reaches No. 1 On Rock & Alternative Airplay Chart
Evanescence's "Afterlife" has hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Rock & Alternative Airplay chart, following a two-week reign on Mainstream Rock Airplay. This marks the band's first time at the top of that chart, with the song accumulating 4.6 million audience impressions. “Afterlife” currently sits at No. 3 on the latest Mainstream Rock Airplay chart, while it rises to No. 20 on the Alternative Airplay tally, making it Evanescence’s first Top 20 entry since "What You Want," which reached No. 14. The song has also performed well on the Hot Hard Rock Songs chart, currently sitting at No. 7 after peaking at No. 4 back in April, and has garnered 858,000 official U.S. streams. The track is featured in the new Netflix anime series, Devil May Cry, which lead singer Amy Lee praised: “I absolutely love the show, art and story. Right from the first scene of the show, I knew it was going to be good.” (Billboard)
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Oasis Reclaim U.K. No. 1 Following Reunion Tour Streaming Boost
Oasis has stormed back to reclaim the No. 1 spot on the U.K. Official Albums Chart with their 2010 singles compilation, Time Flies… 1994-2009. This chart resurgence is due to the Britpop legends highly-anticipated reunion tour, which launched on July 4 in Cardiff, Wales. Oasis saw a 93% increase in streams since their first comeback show, with the group now in the midst of a five-night stand at Heaton Park in their hometown of Manchester. In addition to Time Flies topping the charts, the group’s iconic 1995 sophomore release, (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?, reaches No. 2 this week, while their 1994 debut album, Definitely Maybe, comes in at No. 4. When Oasis’ reunion tour was first announced in August 2024, Definitely Maybe surged to No. 1, giving the band their first chart-topper in 14 years. Oasis’ Live ‘25 reunion tour continues with additional dates in the U.K. and Ireland, before heading to North America in August. (Billboard)
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Billy Joel Reveals That “Music Saved My Life” In Trailer For ‘And So It Goes’ Documentary
The HBO documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes, is set to premiere in two parts, airing on the network and streaming service on July 18 and 25. The first trailer for the rock doc was shared on Friday (July 11), and it features appearances from Paul McCartney, P!nk, and Bruce Springsteen, among others. In the trailer, the 76-year-old Joel reflects on his long musical journey, detailing how his classical music roots, his unsettled family life, and high-profile relationships – like dating supermodel Christie Brinkley – all influenced his songwriting. McCartney says in the clip, “When I first heard Billy Joel, it was like, wait a minute. ‘Who’s this?'” While Springsteen admits, “Billy’s melodies are better than mine,” and P!nk praises Joel by saying “he cares about the human experience” and “he wrote songs that mattered.” And So It Goes is directed by Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin, and premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in June. Joel was unable to attend the event due to his recent brain disorder diagnosis. (Rolling Stone)
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Deftones Announce First New Album In Five Years, ‘Private Music,’ Share Lead Single, “My Mind Is A Mountain”
On Thursday (July 10), Deftones announced their first new album in five years, Private Music, which is set to be released on August 22 via Reprise and Warner Records. The California alt-metal titans also shared the project’s lead single, "My Mind Is a Mountain." The 11-track album was co-produced by band members Chino Moreno, Stephen Carpenter, Abe Cunningham, and Frank Delgado, along with frequent collaborator Nick Raskulinecz, in recording sessions that took place in Malibu and Joshua Tree, California, as well as Nashville. Raskulinecz previously worked with the group on 2010’s Diamond Eyes and 2012’s Koi No Yokan. Deftones will celebrate the album release with a show in Vancouver on August 22, before hitting cities such as Minneapolis, Buffalo, Toronto, and Denver, with Phantogram and Idles joining them for select shows. Private Music is a follow-up to their Grammy-nominated 2020 album, Ohms. (Rolling Stone)
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Electric Light Orchestra Cancels Final Concert at London’s Hyde Park Due To Jeff Lynne’s ‘Systemic Infection’
London’s BST Hyde Park summer concert series was forced to cancel its final show scheduled for Sunday (July 13), after Jeff Lynne’s ELO pulled out due to Lynne’s health issues. The organizers announced on July 12 that the 77-year-old musician would not be able to perform as planned, writing in a statement: “Jeff Lynne is heartbroken to report that he will not be able to perform at tomorrow’s BST Hyde Park show. Jeff has been battling a systemic infection and is currently in the care of a team of doctors who have advised him that performing is simply not possible at this time.” The entire Sunday program was ultimately cancelled, which was to include opening sets by the Doobie Brothers, Steve Winwood, and Dhani Harrison, with full refunds offered to ticket holders. The Hyde Park show was scheduled to be the final live performance by Jeff Lynne’s ELO, following their successful Over and Out farewell tour in North America. The group also canceled their Manchester show on July 10 at the last minute, with audience members already filling the venue. (Billboard)
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Tupac, Lenny Kravitz, Bad Bunny, And Elvis Make ‘Hottest Men Of All Time’ List
On Wednesday (July 9), Harper’s Bazaar published their list of the 50 “Hottest Men Of All Time,” which includes Tupac Shakur at No. 2, Lenny Kravitz at No. 3, Bad Bunny at No. 8, and Elvis Presley at No. 17. Other musicians like Maluma, Zayn Malik, and A$AP Rocky also made the list, along with actors such as Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Keanu Reeves. The No. 1 spot was claimed by actor James Dean, with his fellow Old Hollywood stars Paul Newman and Marlon Brando also making the list. According to the tally, Bad Bunny reached his “peak” hotness level in March when he showed off his abs in his steamy Calvin Klein ads, while Pac’s hottest moment was during his shirtless appearance in the “Hit ‘Em Up” music video, and Elvis’ hotness peak occurred every time he did his notorious “Jailhouse Rock” dance moves. (Billboard)
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Yusuf/Cat Stevens Set To Release Greatest Hits Compilation Ahead Of Upcoming Memoir And Book Tour
This fall, Yusuf/Cat Stevens will release his memoir, Cat on the Road to Findout, alongside a subsequent North American book tour. In anticipation of those events, the 76-year-od music legend has just announced the upcoming release of a greatest hits compilation titled, On the Road to Findout: Greatest Hits, which is due out September 5. The collection spans six decades of the singer-songwriter's career, featuring tracks from his 1967 debut album, Matthew & Son, straight through to his 2023 release, King of a Land. The compilation will be available in various formats, with a single CD and 2-LP set, as well as deluxe expanded editions on 2 CDs and 4 LPs. “Thank you, one and all. It’s really humbling to think about how many souls have been traversing this journey with me,” he said in a statement. Yusuf will begin his book tour – where he will also perform a selection of his songs – in the U.K. in September, followed by North American dates kicking off on October 2. (Rolling Stone)
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Richard Ashcroft Responds To Viral Fan Who Shazamed “Bitter Sweet Symphony” During Opening Set For Oasis Reunion
Former Verve singer Richard Ashcroft has responded graciously to viral footage of a fan Shazam-ing "Bitter Sweet Symphony" during his opening set for Oasis' reunion tour kick-off in Cardiff, Wales, on July 4. The clip, which was humorously captioned, “Did They Just Shazam The National Anthem 😩,” has attracted nearly 640,000 likes on TikTok. In a subsequent Instagram post, Ashrcroft kindly addressed the viral sensation, writing: “Thanks to everyone who came down and gave such beautiful support for my set. If you don’t know it Shazam it, all new fans welcome!” Oasis are set to bring their Live ‘25 reunion tour to their hometown of Manchester over the weekend, with Ashcroft set to open for them during a five-night stand scheduled at Heaton Park on July 11, 12, 16, 19, and 20. (Billboard)
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Ozzy Osbourne Reveals That His New Memoir, ‘Last Rites,’ Will Be Published This Fall
On Thursday (July 10), Ozzy Osbourne announced the upcoming release of his memoir, Last Rites, which is set to be published on October 7 by Hachette Book Group. The book promises to present a raw account of “the shocking, bitterly hilarious, never-before-told story of Osbourne’s descent into hell.” The book will also include behind-the-scenes details of Ozzy’s final concert and the Black Sabbath reunion, as well as his recent health struggles. The memoir will also delve into Osbourne's “turbulent marriage to wife Sharon, his encounters with fellow hellraisers including Slash, Bon Scott, John Bonham and Keith Moon, (and) the harrowing final moments he spent with Motorhead’s Lemmy Kilmister.” Ozzy is quoted as saying in the book, “Look, if it ends tomorrow, I can’t complain. I’ve been all around the world. Seen a lot of things. I’ve done good… and I’ve done bad. But right now, I’m not ready to go anywhere.” (Variety)
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Jack White Gifted First Cell Phone By His Wife For 50th Birthday, Gets Serenaded By John C. Reilly At Tigers Game
On Wednesday (July 9), Jack White celebrated his milestone 50th birthday by finally joining the ranks of smartphone users, after his wife, Olivia Jean, gifted the rock legend his very first cell phone. White shared his tentative foray into the 21st century with a series of humorous photos on Instagram, where he is shown looking quizzically at the device. "Well y'all it's either all over for me now or just the beginning. I am now the reluctant owner of a cellular telephone for the first time in my life!” White captioned his post, while teasing, “Can't wait to talk to you all soon. My phone number is the square root of all of our combined social interaction times Pi."
As part of his birthday festivities, White attended the Detroit Tigers game with Olivia Jean and his mother, Teresa Gillis. On hand to throw out the ceremonial first pitch was White’s friend, actor and musician John C. Reilly, who surprised the rock star by leading the entire stadium in singing “Happy Birthday." White appeared shocked and slightly embarrassed by the gesture, with Reilly later telling the Tigers broadcast team that White had no idea that he would be at the game, let alone throwing out the first pitch. (Rolling Stone)
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Paul McCartney Announces Got Back 2025 North American Tour
On Thursday (July 10), Paul McCartney announced the dates and details of his Got Back 2025 North American Tour, which marks the Beatles legend’s first full tour of the continent since 2022. Following three sold-out surprise club shows at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City earlier this year, McCartney will now embark on a 19-date tour of stadiums and arenas throughout the U.S. and Canada. The jaunt kicks off on September 29 in Palm Desert, California, before visiting major music markets including Las Vegas, Denver, Minneapolis, New Orleans, Atlanta, Nashville, and Montreal, before finishing with a two-night stand in Chicago on November 24-25. Ticket presale starts on Tuesday (July 15), with general on-sale beginning on Friday (July 18). McCartney first launched his Got Back Tour in 2022 with 16 sold-out shows across the U.S. before making a historic headlining appearance at Glastonbury Festival that summer, eventually taking the tour to Australia, Mexico, Brazil, South America, the U.K., and Europe. (Rolling Stone)
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New David Bowie Boxed Set, ‘I Can’t Give Everything Away,’ Compiles Music From His Last Decades
A new box set titled, I Can't Give Everything Away [2002-2016], collects the music from David Bowie's poignant final years. The comprehensive release will be issued in 13-CD and 18-LP boxed sets, along with standard digital download/streaming options. The set showcases key albums like Heathens (2002), Reality (2003), The Next Day (2013), and the iconic ★ (BLACKSTAR) (2016), each reflecting a distinct phase in Bowie's late-career collaboration with producer Tony Visconti. Other inclusions are A Reality Tour live recording, the No Plan EP, which features original songs from the Off-Broadway play Lazarus, a 2002 live recording from the Montreaux Jazz Festival, and the exclusive Re:Call 6 compilation of never-before-released tracks. The collection is complemented by a hardcover book featuring previously unseen notes, drawings and handwritten lyrics from Bowie, along with exclusive photos from the era, memorabilia, and album insights from Visconti and design notes from Jonathan Barnbrook. (Consequence of Sound)
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Goo Goo Dolls Set To Headline 2025 Carousel Ball Honoring Neil Diamond
The Goo Goo Dolls are set to headline the Children’s Diabetes Foundation’s 39th Annual Carousel Ball on October 11 at the Hyatt Regency Denver. Music legend Neil Diamond will also be honored with the Inspirational Lifetime Achievement Award during the event, with proceeds from the benefit going towards the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes in Colorado. “We’re excited to take the stage at The Carousel Ball and support an amazing cause,” Goo Goo Dolls’ John Rzeznik and Robby Takac said in a statement. “The progress the Children’s Diabetes Foundation has made in diabetes research and patient care has brought new hope to countless families and we’re honored to be a part of their special night.” Chairman Dana Davis added: “Goo Goo Dolls’ music has touched so many lives, contributed a string of staples to the American songbook, and indelibly impacted popular music for three-plus decades. We couldn’t think of a better collaborator to help us ring in nearly 50 years of impact.” (Variety)
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Black Sabbath And Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘Back To The Beginning’ Farewell Concert Raised Nearly $200 Million for Charity
The "Back to the Beginning" concert in Birmingham, England on Saturday (July 5), which featured Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's final performances, generated nearly $200 million for charity. The proceeds will be split between Cure Parkinson’s (Ozzy has been diagnosed with the disease), Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice. Tom Morello, the show’s musical director, announced on Instagram on Tuesday (July 8) that the event – which attracted over 5 million paid livestream viewers in addition to a sold-out in-person crowd of 44,000 – raised “more than $190 million [which] will be donated to houses and hospitals for children.” “We set out to not just create the greatest day in the history of heavy metal,” Morello adds. “It was over a year of hard work but it was a labor of love. We raised a ton of money for a great cause and so many great musicians & bands & fans all over the world paid tribute to the ALL TIME greats.” All participating artists performed for free, ensuring that all proceeds from the event will go directly to charity. (Consequence of Sound)
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Oasis Announce ‘Complete Studio Album Collection’ Boxed Set To Coincide With Reunion Tour
In celebration of their recent reunion tour kick-off in Cardiff, Wales, Oasis just announced the upcoming release of a career-spanning, limited-edition boxed set titled, Oasis: Complete Studio Album Collection, which is due out August 22. The collection is available in both 8-CD and 14-LP editions – along with limited-edition Amazon exclusive gold vinyl and gold CD box sets – which will feature all of the band’s studio albums, from their iconic 1994 debut, Definitely Maybe, through their (for now) studio swansong, 2008’s Dig Out Your Soul, as well as their 1998 B-sides compilation, The Masterplan. Additionally, Oasis recently announced a 30th-anniversary edition of their multi-platinum sophomore album, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, set for release on October 3 via Big Brothers Recordings. The 2-CD and 3-LP sets will feature remastered tracks and new unplugged versions of classic tunes. Oasis’ Live '25 reunion tour will hit their hometown of Manchester for five nights at Heaton Park on July 11, 12, 16, 19, and 20. (Billboard)
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Paul McCartney Teases ‘Got Back 2025 Tour’
On Wednesday (July 9), Paul McCartney hinted at a potential upcoming tour with a post on his Instagram Stories. The 83-year-old Beatles legend shared a photo of two guitar picks, one reading, "Paul McCartney," and the other, "Got Back in 2025," along with a signup link. When you click the link, it takes you to a page that reads, “Sign up to receive information on tour dates, pre-sales and much more…” The red, white, and blue color scheme of the picks suggest that a U.S. tour is a distinct possibility, while “Got Back” likely refers to his last tour of the same name, which launched in the U.S. between April and June of 2022, eventually heading worldwide, before concluding in December 2024 in London. U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis and Live Nation are promising the announcement of “one of the biggest shows in Minnesota history” on Thursday morning (July 10), with the distinct possibility that McCartney might be performing there as part of his upcoming U.S. tour. (Rolling Stone)
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