Alternative Rock
Tears for Fears Perform “No Small Thing” on Kelly Clarkson: Watch
Earlier this year, Tears for Fears released The Tipping Point, their first studio album in 17 years. To help promote the project, they (virtually) swung by The Kelly Clarkson Show on Thursday, where they offered a live rendition of the new song “No Small Thing.” Watch a replay of the performance below. “No Small Thing” marked a musical departure for Tears for Fears, as Roland Orzabal croons over a folksy guitar instead of electronic drum beats and synthesizers. Still, in the pre-recorded performance, a rowdy backing band helps Orzabal and Curt Smith take off into a noisy climax, delivering a full, anthemic sound all the same. Back in February, Tears for Fears performed The Tipping Point single “Break the Man” and classic track “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” on the Late ...
Olivia Rodrigo Advocates for Gun Control, Covers “You Oughta Know” with Alanis Morissette: Watch
Throughout her “Sour World Tour,” pop phenom Olivia Rodrigo has paid homage to the women who came before her by both covering their songs and speaking up about issues like abortion rights. During her concert on Tuesday night in Los Angeles, the young superstar did both. In addition to recruiting Alanis Morissette for a cover of “You Oughta Know,” Rodrigo advocated for stricter gun control in the wake of the latest school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Rodrigo told the crowd at Greek Theatre that she was “devastated” by the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School that left 19 children and two teachers dead. “We should never have to worry about our safety or our lives in places that are dedicated to our learning and growing,” she said. “And I’m so heartbroken that this is the reality that we’re ...
Following Son’s Death, Nick Cave Says Fan Condolences Have Been “Great Source of Comfort”
Nick Cave’s son Jethro Lazenby died earlier this month at the age of 31. The venerable songwriter has asked for privacy as his family grapples with this unimaginable loss, but he did publish a letter on his website The Red Hand Files to thank fans for their condolences. He began as he often does, with a letter from a longtime listener. “Dear Nick,” Teresa from Uralla, Australia, wrote, “I have no question for you today. I just wanted to send my heartfelt condolences on the tragic loss of Jethro. All I can do is offer the collective love of all who read your letters. Much love to you and all your family.” Cave responded, “Dear Teresa, Thank you for your letter. Many others have written to me about Jethro, sending condolences and kind words. These letters are a great sour...
Conor Oberst Abruptly Leaves Bright Eyes Concert, Fans Fill-In with Karaoke: Watch
Bright Eyes’ show at the White Oak Music Hall in Houston on Sunday came to an abrupt conclusion after frontman Conor Oberst left the stage after playing two songs. The remaining band members then enlisted concertgoers to come on-stage to perform karaoke. According to an initial report by BrooklynVegan, the incident unfolded during the second song of the set, “Lover I Don’t Have to Love,” when the singer began to experience lyrical lapses and subsequently exited. Jezebel writer Caitlin Cruz was in attendance and live-tweeted the proceedings as the band scrambled to select volunteers and “tall boy-drinking men” from the audience to sing a few more songs before ending the show completely. During a break as the band prepared to launch into “Bowl of Oranges,” one of the impromptu singers could ...
Echo and the Bunnymen Announce 2022 North American Tour
Echo and the Bunnymen will celebrate their 40th anniversary by embarking on a North American tour in Summer 2022. Titled “Celebrating 40 Years of Magical Songs,” the trek kicks off on August 15th in Atlanta and includes stops in Austin, Los Angeles, Toronto, New York City, and Philadelphia. It will wrap in Washington, DC on September 17th. See the full itinerary below. Tickets are available now via Ticketmaster. Related Video “I can’t wait for this upcoming tour of America and Toronto. It will be a continuation of the UK tour we did in February/March of this year which was my favourite ever tour,” said frontman Ian McCulloch in a statement. “Some new magical ingredient had been added to the starlight and the moonbeams and the angels and the devils that live inside the songs.” Advertisement...
Noel Gallagher Got Headbutted, “Covered in Blood” Celebrating Manchester City Win
More than a few people would like to smash Noel Gallagher’s face in, including, as it turns out, some of his friends. During the thrilling final minutes of his beloved Manchester City F.C.’s victory on Sunday, which clinched the team’s fourth Premier League title in five years, the father of one of the players accidentally — but violently — headbutted Gallagher in the face, leaving him “on the floor covered in blood.” Man City entered the final five minutes down 0-2, before going on one of the greatest rallies in Premier League history to narrowly take the title. “As the third goal goes in, right, there is absolute bedlam,” Gallagher told talkSPORT. He added that he had been sitting near the family of the team’s defender Rúben Dias. “In the stadium where we sit, Rúben Dias’s fami...
Win Frank Turner’s Signed Soundwave Art and Tickets to the “50 States in 50 Days Tour”
This summer, Frank Turner is set to travel to every state in the union for his “50 States in 50 Days Tour.” In addition to his band, The Sleeping Souls, the British folk punk rocker will be joined by The Bronx and Pet Needs, plus special guests AJJ, Amigo the Devil, Avail, The Bouncing Souls, Face to Face, The Riverboat Gamblers… and possibly you. We’re giving away five (5) pairs of tickets to Frank Turner’s upcoming concerts — any of the upcoming concerts. If you’re one of the lucky winners, you’ll get to pick the show you attend (with a limit of one winner per market). Find a list of all the eligible dates at the bottom of this page. But that’s not all: In addition to the tickets, one grand prize winner will get a limited edition piece of soundwave art signed by Turner himself. Based on ...
Alex G Announces North American Tour, Shares New Song “Blessing”: Stream
Alex G is entering a wild new era with “Blessing,” a new single that sounds like little else in his recent discography. Wherever he’s headed musically, he’ll be taking this sound on the road in October and November with a newly-announced North American headlining tour. The formerly (Sandy) songwriter’s last proper album was 2019’s House of Sugar, though just a month ago he shared his moody soundtrack to the new movie We’re All Going to the World’s Fair. In comparison, “Blessing” is dripping with swagger; Alex G opens the track with a wall of distortion that gives way to marching drums and a strutting guitar riff. The lyrics are delivered in a call-and-response whisper, with Alex G beginning with the words, “Every day,” and waiting for the words “Every day” to be echoed back ...
Robert Fripp and Plastic-Wrapped Toyah Perform Radiohead’s “Creep”: Watch
King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp and his singer wife, Toyah Willcox, treat fans to a revealing rendition of Radiohead’s “Creep” for their latest “Sunday Lunch” performance. Toyah sports nothing but plastic food wrap and strategically placed photos of Fripp, as she sings the alt-rock classic. With a “Fripp’s a Creep” sign mounted on the kitchen cabinets behind them, the married couple take on Radiohead’s breakthrough hit with their usual frisky approach. Toyah leaves little the imagination as she sings the uncensored version of the song. In fact, the only censoring in the whole clip are those aforementioned pics of Fripp. So “f**kin’ special,” indeed! Fripp and Willcox have been entertaining fans nearly every Sunday for most of the pandemic with their ongoing series of cover songs. The p...
Japanese Breakfast Performs on SNL, Eats Hot Dogs on Fallon: Watch
In the most recent step towards Michelle Zauner’s impending world takeover, Japanese Breakfast served as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live’s season finale. The indie rock band performed “Be Sweet” and “Paprika” from their 2021 album Jubilee. Additionally, Zauner appeared in the episode’s closing sketch, joining departing cast members Kate McKinnon and Aidy Bryant for a singalong of Joni Mitchell’s “The Circle Game.” But SNL wasn’t the only late-night stop for Zauner this past week: On Friday, the polymath visited The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to discuss turning her bestselling memoir Crying in H Mart into a movie, going to her first Grammys, and — of course — the origin of her 2017 song, “Jimmy Fallon Big!” “It kind of feels like I’m having conversa...
R.I.P. Norman Dolph, Early Velvet Underground Producer Dead at 83
Norman Dolph, the music industry polymath best known for his early work with The Velvet Underground, has died. He was 83. In a statement issued Friday, Planetary Group confirmed that Dolph had died on May 11th in New Haven, Connecticut, after a battle with cancer. “Touring galleries with someone who knew most of the artists personally was a privilege few people are lucky enough to experience,” added Invisible Hands Music owner Charles Kennedy, a close friend of Dolph’s. “I will miss Norman greatly but his friendship and the wisdom he imparted along the way is an endless well that I will cherish forever.” Dolph was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on May 11th, 1939. After graduating from Yale with an electrical engineering degree in 1960, he moved to New York City, where he worked as a salesman at C...
R.I.P. Norman Dolph, Early Velvet Underground Producer Dead at 83
Norman Dolph, the music industry polymath best known for his early work with The Velvet Underground, has died. He was 83. In a statement issued Friday, Planetary Group confirmed that Dolph had died on May 11th in New Haven, Connecticut, after a battle with cancer. “Touring galleries with someone who knew most of the artists personally was a privilege few people are lucky enough to experience,” added Invisible Hands Music owner Charles Kennedy, a close friend of Dolph’s. “I will miss Norman greatly but his friendship and the wisdom he imparted along the way is an endless well that I will cherish forever.” Dolph was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on May 11th, 1939. After graduating from Yale with an electrical engineering degree in 1960, he moved to New York City, where he worked as a salesman at C...
