Avicii Plots First-Ever North American Arena Tour Headlined By An Electronic Artist

Posted 3/23/12 11:54 am EST by in dance, tour, Tour Dates


Avicii

By Zachary Swickey

Swedish electronic dance DJ/producer Avicii has just revealed plans for a monumental North American tour that will be going down in May and June. Being dubbed the “Le7els Tour,” the outing is being touted by promoters as the very first all-arena North American tour by an electronic artist. (Has Daft Punk seriously never?)

The jaunt includes over a dozen dates, kicking off May 17 in Houston at the Reliant Arena, and includes big stops in cities like Tampa, Buffalo, and Boston.

“Goldenvoice is excited to be working with Avicii on his North American tour," Paul Tollett, of tour sponsor Goldenvoice, said about the hookup. "We can’t wait for his Coachella performance, from what we’ve seen and heard it’s going to be a highlight.”

In addition to his performances at Coachella (April 15 and 22), Avicci is scheduled to appear at New York’s iteration of the Electric Daisy Carnival festival at Met Life Stadium on May 19.

Avicii seems to be taking the DJ world by storm at the mere age of 22. His ridiculously catchy David Guetta collab “Sunshine” was nominated for a Best Dance Recording Grammy and this Saturday he’ll be headlining the biggest digital music festival in the United States: Miami’s Ultra Music Festival.

Tickets for the "Le7els" tour will go on sale Monday, March 26, at 12pm CDT on Ticketmaster. Ticket will cost you anywhere from $27 to $47.

Check out Avicii's tour dates below. Read More...

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Jack White Shuts Down Possibility of White Stripes Reunion

Posted 3/22/12 4:08 pm EST by in Music


Jack White

With the release of his much anticipated solo debut Blunderbluss just around the corner, Jack White is out and about talking up his album and, sadly, squashing the hearts of fans of the band that made him famous.

Talking to NME, White shot down rumors that The White Stripes would reunite … ever. "I would probably say absolutely not. Absolutely no chance. I couldn't see any reason to ever do that," White told the music mag. "I'm not the kind of person that would retire from baseball and come out of retirement the next year. I mean, if we went to all the trouble of telling people we're done, we meant it, you know?"

He continued, "If we were forced to change our mind about that, I can only imagine the reason being if we went bankrupt or really needed the cash, which would be a really sad thing. I would probably be issuing an apology along with the announcement of the show dates."

White has been hitting the pavement hard in support of Blunderbuss. The indie rocker hit the stage at "Saturday Night Live" to perform the album's lead single, "Love Interruption," as well as a super cool album track, "Sixteen Saltines" – which has a definite Stripes feel, so soak it up (below). Read More...

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No Halt To 'X Factor' Panelists Rumors

Posted 3/22/12 3:02 pm EST by in Television, the x factor


One Direction

By Elizabeth Lancaster

No exhaling yet for fans of "The X Factor"! In an interview yesterday with "Access Hollywood," Simon Cowell broke it down for everyone and explained who he is currently supporting musically, and who he CLEARLY is not.

Clearly supporting: One Direction. "We’ve been missing this kind of pop boom for a while and I think this is going to be the beginning of a wave," he said of One Direction's incredible success. He admires their "solid fan base" and ended the conversation proclaiming, "They’re smart boys."

(Don't forget, One Direction was discovered on the U.K. version of "The X Factor." Find out everything you need to know about the latest boy band sensation in our primer – One Direction: A Guide To The Biggest Boy Band Around)

So if Simon likes One Direction, who is he not so interested in? Well, in response to inquiries about Darren Criss being asked to host "X Factor," Simon said, "I don’t know who he is." When he was altered to the fact that Criss is a breakout from "Glee," he asked, "Is he the one in the wheelchair? I like him."

So who will be on the panel? That remains as up in the air as ever.

"At the moment, all the concentration is on the judging panel. I’ve got to be honest with you, as usual Billy, this is all gonna happen at the last minute. I can feel it," Cowell told "Access Hollywood." "There’s so much going on at the moment over there with the show. It’s a lot of work to put in and there’s a new component to the show which is exciting and I’m not going to talk about it yet ‘cause I don’t want to tell the others what I’m doing. So there’s just a lot going on. So I think in terms of order, we’ve got to land the judges, and then, I think you’ve gotta work out the hosts, based on who the judges are gonna be to make sure you get the right chemistry.”

So the search continues. Who would you like to see join "The X Factor"? Let us know in the comments below.

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'30 Rock' Ready To Tackle Live TV … Again

Posted 3/22/12 1:13 pm EST by in Television


Tina Fey

By Zachary Swickey

Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey's critically acclaimed sitcom “30 Rock” is tackling the tricky task of doing another live episode of the hit comedy show next month. Baldwin made the big reveal during his segment on “Extra” yesterday (March 21), which NBC has since confirmed.

This will be the second episode to get the live treatment. The first time around, in October 2010, the cast performed the show live twice – once for the east coast and once for the west coast.

For ratings challenged '30 Rock,' it's an experiment worth repeating: The 2010 live episode remains one of the show's most watching, pulling in 6.7 million viewers for a 3.1 rating in the 18-49 demographic. Considering this season has only been getting 4 million people to tune in regularly, the second live episode, airing on April 26, will hopefully give the program the boost it needs for its current sixth season.

Of course, most the cast of “30 Rock” are already pros at the live-taping game. Stars Tina Fey and Tracy Morgan made names for themselves on “Saturday Night Live,” and Baldwin has hosted "SNL" 16 times, so he’s no schlep either. Additionally, show star Jane Krakowski is a Broadway vet, having won a Tony for her performance in the musical "Nine."

The last time “30 Rock” undertook a live taping, a slew of stars made guest appearances on the episode, including Jon Hamm, Matt Damon, “SNL” cast member Bill Hader and “Seinfeld” star Julia Louis Dreyfus, who played Fey’s character, Liz Lemon, for flashback sequences. Read More...

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New deadmau5 Track Featuring My Chemical Romance Frontman Lands Online

Posted 3/22/12 12:17 pm EST by in collaborations, dance, My-Chemical-Romance


Deadmau5

By Zachary Swickey

DJ sensation deadmau5 recently took to his tumblr to rant against the rising frequency of musical collaborations. Despite this, a new deadmau5 track that features vocals by My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way has surfaced online.

The catchy new tune with a chugging digital bassline has just hit the Internet this morning under the name “Professional Griefers.” It has yet to be determined who is responsible for the track leaking online, as neither Way or deadmau5 have personally confirmed the track or even mentioned it. Although, a spokesperson for Way told NME that it is indeed his unmistakable voice on the song.

Strangely, this new tune appears the same week as deadmau5’s lengthy post rallying against musical collaborations that he labels as a “fad” of the big name music acts – especially given the rising popularity of the EDM scene.

“So, I've had a revelation these past couple of days, and I really feel the need to draw attention to the results here. There's a perfectly valid reason why I don't usually enjoy the idea of a 'collaboration' … although you can rest assure whatever collaborations I have done in the past were the results of stuff I'm totally into, like Flipside, the Foo’s, Cyprus Hill, etc.

All too often, there’s an influx of 'big names' that would get thrown around the label from time to time and of course, they fly off the table and out the f**kin' door faster than they hit my desk. eg. do you want to do a track with big name X, remix huge pop act y, etc etc.”

He then bluntly concluded, “No. I f**king don’t. I really REALLY don’t.”

Lest fans or non-fans begin thinking deadmau5 is just being difficult, he summarizes his thoughts more succinctly at the end of his post, writing, “The moral of the story is here, is that this is what songwriting should be about. Music is meant to provoke feeling and thought. So if we were to go by popular music, we should all be thinking how sexy we are and we know it, or how our hands should be constantly up in the air… or maybe we should drop that bass because it's too f**king heavy to lift or whatever the f**king problem with bass is these days.”

Listen to deadmau5's collab with Way after the jump. Read More...

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Laidback Luke Brings Out The Heroes At LIV For 'Super You And Me' Party

Posted 3/22/12 8:45 am EST by in dance, parties


By Sam Hendrick

Kicking off Winter Music Conference 2012 in unique style, EDM enthusiasts ventured to LIV last night for Laidback Luke's superhero-themed "Super You and Me" party. You may be familiar with Luke’s long-running franchise that’s based on the idea of “saving civilization from mediocrity through music.” At the parties, club patrons are encouraged to dress as their favorite super hero, although last night some seemed to have dug deep into the Halloween archives for any random costume they could conjure up. Even bunnies, angels and demons bounced around to some highly energetic sets from Oliver Twizt, Zedd, Madeon and Luke, who headlined the show.

Zedd, sporting a superman costume, roused the crowd early in his set with his recent remix of Skrillex’s banger "Breaking a Sweat." The young German talent kept true to his signature style of filthy bass riffs throughout, including his originals “Shave It” and “Shotgun.” He also worked in a new mix of “Slam the Door” alongside Skrillex’s “Cinema,” appropriately titled "Don’t Slam the Cinema."

Immediately after Madeon took the stage, the mood shifted slightly in the room, but certainly not for the worse. It’s hard to put your finger on it, but young Maddy has a certain vibe that not only captures your attention but also makes you just want him to win. Watching his set is kind of like rooting for your little brother, only he has the ability to command the attention of everyone in the room and throw a damn fine party at that. The better half of his set was very true to many other electro-pop French producers, saving the heavier tracks to pass the torch to Luke. As perhaps a literal statement of goodbye, he closed with his rendition of “Take Me Out” by Franz Ferdinand.

After only a few seconds and a few words from his hype man, Laidback Luke took to the tables dressed in an orange soccer uniform and a green masquerade mask (what?!). No stranger to the scene, Luke rounded out the night strong with remixes of Sato Goldschlag’s "Mr. Mister" and Swedish House Mafia’s "Miami 2 Ibiza" as well as his hit single “Speak Up” feat. Wynter Gordon.

Whether dressed in costume or not, attendees will surely remember this high energy showcase as one of the best in the archives of "Super You and Me" history.

Did you show up in costume last night? Tell us about it and be sure to follow all of the action in Miami at MTV News.

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Madonna Plans To Address Anti-Gay Russian Law During St. Petersburg Concert

Posted 3/21/12 3:01 pm EST by in Activism, Gay Rights, Madonna


Madonna

People have been buzzing over whether Madonna, a long-time LGBT rights ally (understatement?) and activist, would address the passage of a new law in St. Petersburg, Russia, that forbids the "promotion of homosexuality" by making discussion of the topic illegal in almost all instances and regardless of the context during her planned concert there in August. In an editorial, the New York Times encouraged Madonna to cancel the show entirely.

Well, she's not changing her concert plans, but she also doesn't plan to back down from the controversial legislation either.

"I will come to St. Petersburg to speak up for the gay community and to give strength and inspiration to anyone who is or feels oppressed," Madonna said in an email statement to Bloomberg. "I'm a freedom fighter."

The new rule, which is aimed at protecting minors from "the false perception that traditional and nontraditional relationships are socially equal," was signed into law on March 7 by St. Petersburg Governor Georgy Poltavchenko. Gay news blog Towleroad reports the law is far-reaching and essentially prohibits "participation in/organization of pride parades and gay rights protests, as well as the maintenance of a gay website, the donning of a gay pride pin, the sporting of a gay pride bumper sticker" and much more. The site also calls the legislation a "foggy, subjective law that can only be enforced selectively," meaning that without any explicit guidelines as to what constitutes "propaganda," law enforcement officials in socially conservative St. Petersburg essentially have free reign to bully LGBT citizens and allies under the broad umbrella of protecting the public from things they don't need to hear – you know, like how being gay is perfectly normal and how all people should be treated with equal respect.

The law has, understandably, drawn a great deal of criticism. "I don’t run away from adversity," Madonna told Bloomberg. "I will speak during my show about this ridiculous atrocity." Read More...

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Are The Jonas Brothers Getting A Reality Show?

Posted 3/21/12 1:56 pm EST by in Jonas Brothers, Music, Television


Jonesing to tune in to the escapades of the Jonas Brothers week after week? Well, rumor has it the three brothers are in talks to get their own E! reality show. So, your dreams just might come true.

The New York Post reports that Nick, Joe and Kevin would be filmed for the network and it would include their lives in New York. The show would also include appearances from Kevin’s wife, Danielle.

The show would follow the guys as they embark on the next step of their career (collectively and individually) and there certainly are steps happening. The trio is hard at work on their new album and Nick is also starring in "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying" on Broadway. All three guys live in the NYC area.

(Want a preview of what could be? Check out Kevin and Danielle giving MTV News a tour of his dressing room below!)

Read More...

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Young The Giant Channel R. Kelly With 'Ignition' Cover

Posted 3/21/12 12:58 pm EST by in Covers, Music


By Zachary Swickey

Cali rockers Young the Giant are still riding high on the wave of success of their self-titled debut album, and took some time out from their busy schedule to make a stop at the AV Club to perform a wicked cover of R. Kelly’s 2003 monster jam, “Ignition (Remix).”

Draped in hefty rented fur coats, the band clearly went all out with their ode to the R&B crooning master. The band was given the choice of a few songs to cover but ultimately went with “Ignition (Remix)” over Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way,” because they wanted to go with something “different.”

When asked if their choice was out of reverence or irony, frontman Sameer Gadhia responded, “There is a bit of irony actually, but we’re trying to be somewhat serious."

Their mellow rendition really isn’t too shabby either. It’s pretty interesting to see Gadhia sing a song laden in cheesy lyrics with such great bravado. Check it out below:


Young The Giant covers “Ignition (Remix)”

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Grouplove Hit the Arcade With MTV Newser On First Date

Posted 3/21/12 11:40 am EST by in First Date, Music


By Rya Backer

I first heard of Grouplove in 2004. Sort of.

Let me explain. Upon matriculating at an unnamed New England Liberal Arts College (no need to endorse a school I transferred out of, right?), I befriended an incredibly funny, genial and sunny LA boy named Andrew and his equally fun friend, Ryan, who would pop in from their shared hometown for the odd visit. Andrew also left said school to pursue his love of music at an artists' colony his brother founded in Crete with Ryan, and we all but lost touch upon our separation.

So! Imagine my surprise last year when a mutual friend of ours informed me that he was seeing Andrew’s band that evening at Manhattan’s hallowed Bowery Ballroom. They were called Grouplove, and it also consisted of Ryan and new friends they met during their Aegean getaway. I immediately got myself a ticket and loved what I saw. Grouplove weren’t just bandmates: the four guys and a girl were genuine friends, and it was evident in each cheerful song they played and each track’s enthusiastic delivery.

Such joy isn’t limited to the stage, either. Upon arriving at Dave and Busters for our First Date, the band could not have been more excited to play some arcade games. They’d been on the road for what seemed like forever and were ready to take to some skee ball and moving basketball hoops instead of their instruments and rote questions about who their musical inspirations are.

If one didn’t know any better, the group could’ve been mistaken for a regular group of friends. Which is, in fact, exactly what they are.

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