Posts tagged: Coachella

In less than a day, Megan Thee Stallion will return to the music industry with her highly-anticipated new single. Titled “Bongos,” the track sees her reuniting with fellow rapper Cardi B in a play to score another big hit. How the tune performs commercially is yet to be seen, but this song in particular likely means a lot to Stallion.

“Bongos” marks Stallion’s first single release since wrapping the drama surrounding her assault by musician Tory Lanez. The singer and rapper was convicted of shooting Stallion in the foot following a party in the Hollywood Hills in 2020. In 2022, he was found guilty of the violent crime, and in August of this year, he was officially sentenced to a decade in prison.

Stallion has been through a lot during this entire process. In addition to being shot, she was forced to testify against Lanez and endure a deluge of online hate from fans of the now-sentenced musician. During the trial, Stallion was emotional during her time on the stand, saying, “I don’t wanna be on this Earth,” and, “I wish he woulda shot and killed me if I knew I would go through this torture.”

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Since the trial, Stallion has remained relatively quiet when it comes to new music. In an interview with InStyle, the rapper said that “Fans can expect new music when I’m in a better place. Right now, I’m focused on healing.” She added that “The music and entertainment industry can be a grind, so it’s important to take time off and avoid burning out.”

With “Bongos,” Stallion is testing the waters to see how the public will react to new music. Her name has been in the media lately much more because of this trial instead of because of her art. Will the masses rush to support the Grammy winner and her latest drop in even larger numbers than before, following the tribulations she’s been through? Or, will the opposite be true, and will she face an unfair uphill battle to rid herself of this trauma?

How “Bongos” performs depends on a number of factors, but all the attention she’s received, both negative and positive, will surely play a role in the tune’s ascent up the charts.

When Cardi and Stallion first worked together several years ago, their joint tune “WAP” was a massive success. The tune debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100, bringing both artists back to the summit on the most competitive songs chart in America. Whether “Bongos” will repeat that success, or come even close, will be seen in the coming weeks, but this track surely means a lot to Stallion especially, as it is her first step back into doing what she loves following a grueling and trying time in her life.

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At first glance, it looks like any other Stagecoach Country Music Festival lineup, topped by previous fest headliners and genre staples Eric Church, and Miranda Lambert, with the addition of first-time Stagecoach headliner, but current top-selling country superstar, Morgan Wallen.

But upon closer inspection, the official poster for the 16th annual event, which takes over the Empire Polo Club in Indio on April 26-28 following two weekends of its sister Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, there are some larger-print names that aren’t traditionally associated with country music.

ALSO SEE: Stagecoach 2024 lineup: Eric Church, Miranda Lambert and Morgan Wallen top festival

Rapper and singer Post Malone is sandwiched in between Lambert and 90-year-old country legend Willie Nelson on the poster for Saturday. Canadian rock band Nickelback is headlining the Late Night in Palomino after-party on Friday and rapper Wiz Khalifa will close out the entire event on the Palomino Stage with a Sunday after-party.

While those are the names that immediately stand out and had some country traditionalists scratching their heads on social media or flat out declaring “not my country music!” when the lineup was announced earlier this week, they actually do make sense. Tickets to the festival go on sale starting at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 15 at stagecoachfestival.com.

Before diving into that, there are several others that may seem like wildcards including Hawthorne’s own surf-pop group The Beach Boys, regional Mexican music star Carín León, soul singer Leon Bridges, rapper turned country music phenomenon Jelly Roll and EDM artist and producer Diplo.

Diplo, whose real name is Thomas Wesley, has released a pair of country albums and has collaborated with acts like Elle King, who returns to Stagecoach on Friday, Thomas Rhett, Cam, Orville Peck and Zac Brown Band. He’s been a part of Stagecoach for several years now and works directly with festival talent buyer Stacy Vee at Goldenvoice to curate and perform during the popular Late Night in Palomino after-party concerts.

He’s now in charge of the lineup over in the Honky Tonk, too, which earlier this year brought big-name EDM acts like Girl Talk and Dillion Francis. As odd as those seemed at the time, it worked. The Honky Tonk was absolutely packed and at times overflowing with fans throughout the three-day event.

While there are some gathering their pitchforks because Nelson isn’t a headliner in 2024, look, he’s 90. He probably doesn’t even want to headline. And there are still a lot of true country legends to be enjoyed here.

Fall is here, the seasonal cool-down that truly provides excitement and an abundance of opportunities for live music fans to see their favorite performers. This fall is no exception.

In fact, this year is likely the most abundant fall music season since before the pandemic, with artists from every genre imaginable and every generation making a tour stop in the city. Unlike the summer music season, which often focuses on major stadium and arena touring acts, the fall season allows local, emerging and larger acts to mingle on our bigger and smaller stages.

CHAI: Don’t let their charming name and pink aesthetics fool you. Japanese band CHAI is a formidable group making genre-bending new classics. Blending elements of experimental pop, dance and punk, the musicians of CHAI have set themselves apart by not being afraid to carve out a brand of music that pushes against — rather than conforms to — expectations. On their newest self-titled record, released this month, CHAI has incorporated more elements of funk, post-punk and mutant disco on tracks like “NEO KAWAII, K?” and “PARA PARA” proving this four-piece is never afraid to surprise and delight listeners. 8 p.m. Oct. 2 at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St.; tickets $25-$270 (ages 17+) at ticketweb.com

Slowdive: In 2017, Slowdive effortlessly returned to the music scene after a 22-year hiatus with a self-titled record featuring updated touches to their signature ambient, dream-pop sound. Now, after another long break, the band has released their latest record, “everything is alive.” Experimental and shimmery, this album packs a lush and enigmatic punch. Don’t take their latest releases and live shows for granted. Who knows when this influential band will be back in town? 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine Ave.; tickets $67-$223 at ticketmaster.com

Jessie Ware: Pre-pandemic, British vocalist Jessie Ware was more known for her slow, sometimes somber-sounding but always romance-fueled ballads. Of course, longtime fans knew this downtempo sound was not the total embodiment of her musical background. But very rarely did Ware step outside of those boundaries. Thankfully, the pandemic saw Ware dramatically shift into sights and sounds more reminiscent of her underground and dance-oriented origins. The one-two punch of her masterful albums, “What’s Your Pleasure?” and “That! Feels Good!,” proves Ware has much more up her sleeves. In the case of her latest album, that means house, disco and lots of upbeat sounds to keep audiences moving. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at Vic Theater, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave.; $122-$394; ticketmaster.com

Yeule: Although Singaporean singer-songwriter and producer Nat Ćmiel, who performs as Yeule, has released numerous solo albums, it was her 2022 release, “Glitch Princess,” that proved to be her breakthrough. While her music is often classified as pop, Yeule traverses numerous underground aesthetics and sounds, including seapunk and witch house. At its core, Yeule’s sound is raw, melodic and futuristic, despite its sometimes-abrasive outer essence. This month, she released her latest album, “softscars,” which features the artist’s light and gentle vocals paired more heavily with alternative and indie rock instrumentation. 8 p.m. Oct. 10 at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St.; tickets $26-$31 (ages 18+) at metrochicago.com

Reneé Rapp and Alexander 23: Actress and Broadway star Reneé Rapp took a risk by leaving her successful Max television show, “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” to embark on a solo career. But her efforts were not futile. Rapp had already proved her songwriting chops with the release of her debut EP, “Everything to Everyone,” which featured a number of tracks that went viral on TikTok. And then there’s that whole thing about being the star of the Broadway show “Mean Girls: The Musical” as a teenager. Powerhouse vocals and charismatic showmanship peppered with a signature Gen Z attitude have made Rapp successful at an early age, and it is those same attributes that have made her debut album, “Snow Angel,” a success. Catch her here in all of her pop glory. Deerfield native Alexander 23, who has done production work for some of Rapp’s music, opens. 8 p.m. Oct. 11 at Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave.; tickets $89 (17+) at livenation.com

Raphael Saadiq and Tony! Toni! Toné!: The music world post-pandemic has been a perfect time for beloved acts of the distant and near-past to reunite. Tony! Toni! Toné! is no exception. The popular ‘90s R&B and new jack swing group is set to embark on its first tour in more than 25 years. The event also marks the 30th anniversary of their third album, “Sons of Soul,” which featured crossover hits like “Anniversary” and “(Lay Your Head On My) Pillow.” Band member Raphael Saadiq — a formidable performer and producer in his own right — will also hit the stage both for his own works (from his solo career and his collaborations with groups like Lucy Pearl) and as a part of Tony! Toni! Toné!. Longtime fans should not miss this seemingly once-in-a-lifetime experience. 8 p.m. Oct. 12 at The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; tickets $63-$250 at ticketmaster.com

Victoria Monét: After more than a decade of success in the background crafting songs for other artists like Fifth Harmony and, most notably, Ariana Grande, Victoria Monét is ready to step out of the shadows. Her emergence as a dynamic solo artist of her own began in 2020 with the release of her masterpiece EP, titled “Jaguar.” Blending elements of groove-heavy contemporary R&B with effervescent pop, Monet proved the most interesting artists are always willing to craft something that pushes against the mainstream sounds of the day. On her debut solo album, “Jaguar II,” Monét continues to experiment, this time adding elements of ‘70s funk and soul (including a collaboration with the beloved Earth, Wind and Fire) with her sharp songwriting and eclectic orchestral arrangements. A triple threat — she sings, writes and dances better than nearly any other artist — Monét is sure to reach new superstar heights this year. 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at House of Blues Chicago, 329 N. Dearborn St.; tickets $110 (17+) at livenation.com

Liz Phair: Musically, Liz Phair has gone through a couple of sonic iterations. Her most famous and influential, surrounding the release of her debut album, “Exile in Guyville,” will be celebrated as part of her latest tour, appropriately titled the “Guyville Tour.” As part of this cross-country series of shows, Phair will perform her masterpiece album debut in its entirety as well as additional fan favorites. A truly cross-generational and underrated icon, witnessing Phair in such a unique live show setting should make for a special concert experience. 8 p.m. Nov. 18 at The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; tickets $69.50 at ticketmaster.com

Ms. Lauryn Hill and the Fugees: You are not wrong to feel weary about a Lauryn Hill concert. Past live shows have shown how Hill is not the most reliable performer, particularly when it comes to taking the stage at a reasonable hour. However, this critic saw Hill earlier this year at the Ravinia Festival and was effectively blown away by both her showmanship and the effortless construction of her live show. With a robust and lively band accompanying her, Hill breezed through her iconic debut album, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” and dazzled audiences. Hill will likely continue to delight concertgoers with this latest series of shows in celebration of her debut album’s 25th anniversary. The Fugees, Hill’s original rap group that introduced the star to the world through hits like “Ready or Not” and “Killing Me Softly” will also play during this sure-to-be memorable show. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28, United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; tickets $55.50-$1,515.50 at ticketmaster.com

Doja Cat/Ice Spice: In another world, Doja Cat and Ice Spice would have musically aligned this year in the same vein of infectious, radio-friendly, pop-rap music. But as of late, Doja Cat has stepped out of the norm, both musically and visually. It’s been something of a public struggle for Doja Cat, who has actively antagonized fans who first clamored for the singer off the success of singles like “Kiss Me More” and “Woman” from her last studio album. But fans who have been listening to her music since before she crossed over to the mainstream and racked up Grammy Awards will still find much to enjoy in her latest singles, which focus more on kinetic flow than keen melodies. Ice Spice, a rising star making light and rhythmically kitschy rap music with collaborators like Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift, opens. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; tickets $105-$1,750 at ticketmaster.com

Britt Julious is a freelance critic.

Justin Bieber recently had a memorable get-together with his friend and protege, The Kid Laroi, marking a reunion two years after their successful collaboration on the chart-topping single, “Stay.”

The two talented musicians were spotted hanging out at a popular Dave & Buster’s sports bar and restaurant in the Los Angeles region on a Thursday.

Photographs captured Bieber and Laroi, whose real name is Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard, engaged in a friendly conversation as they exited the establishment.

For their casual outing, the 29-year-old “Baby” sensation opted for a relaxed look, sporting black shorts paired with a dark blue hoodie over a white T-shirt and white Nike sneakers. Bieber also wore a black baseball cap over his neatly groomed short light brown hair.

On the other hand, the Australian singer-songwriter Laroi donned baggy blue jeans, a black T-shirt, and black Converse sneakers during their afternoon hangout.

Bieber and Laroi’s bond has grown stronger over the past few years, starting when the global pop superstar reached out to express his admiration for Laroi’s music.

Their connection began when Laroi released his song “Go,” featuring the late rapper Juice WRLD. Justin initiated a meeting, and this collaboration eventually led to the creation of the track “Unstable,” which became a part of Justin’s album “Justice.”

Reflecting on this collaboration, Laroi expressed his astonishment, saying, “That definitely shocked me. I was like, ‘Oh, s**t, this is crazy,’ because I looked up to him when I was little, so, yeah, that was crazy.”

Their creative synergy continued, resulting in the hit single “Stay,” released in 2021. The song reached the number one spot in multiple countries, including Laroi’s home country of Australia, Justin’s native Canada, and the United States, among others. Impressively, “Stay” remained on top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart for seven non-consecutive weeks.

Laroi has acknowledged Bieber’s significant role in bringing him to the forefront of the music industry, particularly after he had toured with Juice WRLD from 2018 to 2019.

Notably, during a performance at the renowned Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, the rapper paid tribute to Bieber back in April.

After teasing fans all week on its social pages, concert promoters Goldenvoice revealed the lineup for its 2024 Stagecoach Country Music Festival.

For its 16th year, the three-day fest will be headlined by Eric Church, Miranda Lambert and Morgan Wallen.

Stagecoach will return to the Empire Polo Club in Indio on April 26-28, 2024 following back-to-back weekends of its sister Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

ALSO SEE: Stagecoach 2023: Our 50 best photos from the country music festival 

Though the event had an advance sale back in July, remaining passes will be available starting at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 15 at stagecoachfestival.com. Three-day general admission passes are $429-$549; three-day general admission Rhinestone Saloon passes are $799; Corral Reserved seating is $949-$1,999; Corral Standing Pit passes are $1,599; VIP packages are $1,499-$2,999. Various shuttle packages, RV and tent camping options are also available on the official Stagecoach website.

Friday will be topped by Church, who will be joined by rapidly rising rapper-rocker Jelly Roll, Elle King, Dwight Yoakam, Carin León, Paul Cauthen, Hailey Whitters and more. Lambert’s Saturday turn will also include Post Malone, Willie Nelson & Family, Leon Bridges, Ernest, Charley Crockett, Luke Grimes, Maddie & Tae, Trampled by Turtles and more. Wallen, who just played a sold out show to more than 70,000 fans at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood earlier this year, will close the event on Sunday with Hardy, Bailey Zimmerman, The Beach Boys, Megan Moroney, Clint Black, Nate Smith, Pam Tillis and more.

Once again, EDM superstar Diplo will take over Late Night in Palomino for after-party performances, which will be led by rock band Nickelback on Friday, a DJ set from Diplo on Saturday and rapper Wiz Khalifa on Sunday. Diplo will also curate the talent inside the expanded Honky Tonk Dance Hall, which this year included wildly popular sets by Girl Talk and Dillon Francis.

Restaurateur and TV personality Guy Fieri will be back with his Stagecoach Smokehouse, too. There will be new chefs, pit bosses and barbecue vendors as well as cooking demos with special guests and more. For a third year, Compton Cowboys will also be bringing in their horses and showing off the skills they’ve learned at Richland Farms in Compton.

2023 has been a relatively quiet year for Blackpink in terms of new music. The South Korean girl group dedicated much of late 2022 to promoting a new album and releasing several singles, so it comes as no surprise that the following months were less eventful for them. Now, Blackpink makes their triumphant return to the music world with their new single, “The Girls,” which has quickly become another charting hit for the quartet.

In late August, Blackpink unveiled their new single, “The Girls.” Released on August 25, just as the summer was winding down, the song immediately gained traction among fans, who eagerly streamed and purchased the track. As a result, “The Girls” sends the group back on the prestigious Billboard charts once again.

“The Girls” debuts at No. 45 on this week’s edition of the Digital Song Sales chart. While it may not be one of the group’s biggest hits to date, considering that they have previously secured five top 10 spots hits on the list, its presence is undoubtedly a welcomed return. This latest accomplishment marks Blackpink’s tenth appearance on the Digital Song Sales chart.

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Simultaneously, “The Girls” has also made its debut on both of Billboard’s weekly rankings of the most-consumed songs worldwide. The song’s highest entry was on the Billboard Global Excl. US chart, which evaluates the most-listened-to songs across the globe, excluding the United States. On this particular chart, “The Girls” arrives at No. 42, narrowly missing out on becoming yet another top 40 smash for the group.

On the similar Billboard Global 200 chart, which compiles a list of the most popular songs globally, using both sales and streaming data (and including America), “The Girls” starts off at a slightly lower position, entering the chart at No. 69.

“The Girls” was originally written and recorded for Blackpink’s mobile game, the simply-titled Blackpink: The Game. The track was initially exclusively available on the app for several days before being made accessible for purchase and streaming by fans worldwide. Songwriter Ryan Tedder once hinted at the possibility of the song being sent to radio, which suggests that these chart positions may only be the beginning for this new hip-hop-leaning track.

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With the increasing prices of concert tickets and the rising demand, attending live music events of popular artists may not always be feasible. Fortunately, streaming services like Netflix offer an extensive collection of music documentaries and concert films featuring top artists such as Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, Blackpink, and more. Other streaming platforms also provide access to leading musicians like Olivia Rodrigo, Miley Cyrus, The Weeknd, P!nk, Billie Eilish, Shakira, and others.

However, Netflix stands ahead with an array of options catering to all music enthusiasts, including full concert specials and backstage recordings that capture the essence of their lives. This makes it possible for viewers to experience the thrill and excitement of live performances from the comfort of their homes.

Best music documentaries and concert films on Netflix

Included below are seven top-tier music documentaries and concert films available on Netflix. Our list commences with the ultimate Taylor Swift double feature.

Taylor Swift’s Reputation Stadium Tour and Miss Americana

From May to November 2018, Taylor Swift set out on her Reputation Stadium Tour to promote her 2017 album, Reputation. The concert was recorded in Arlington, Texas, and later aired on Netflix on December 31, 2018, as a two-hour and five-minute concert special. During the show, she performed many of her most popular songs, including “Look What You Made Me Do,” “Delicate,” “Gorgeous,” and “Getaway Car,” along with other tracks from the album.

During the month of January in the year 2020, Swift entered into a partnership with Netflix to produce and distribute her documentary titled Miss Americana. The documentary was directed by Lana Wilson and delved into Swift’s life and career during a challenging period, ultimately leading to the release of her album, Reputation. The film follows Swift through her stadium tour and the creation of her album, Lover, while also exploring the artist’s personal thoughts on topics such as politics, celebrity, sexual assault trial, and eating disorders.

Ariana Grande: Excuse Me, I Love You

Netflix’s concert film/documentary Excuse Me, I Love You was released on Dec. 21, 2020, showcasing Ariana Grande’s Sweetener World Tour and featuring her latest hit songs such as “No Tears Left to Cry,” “God Is a Woman,” “Breathin,” “Thank U, Next,” “7 Rings,” and “Break Up with Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored.” The concert special provides an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the tour and includes performances of some of the Grammy winner’s most popular songs.

Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé

The 2018 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival witnessed a groundbreaking performance by the iconic artist Beyoncé, which was captured in her film Homecoming, released on Netflix in April 2019. This concert film highlights the artist’s self-titled album, Lemonade, and her other eras, as well as covers. The production value of the film was impressive, and it garnered critical acclaim, winning the Grammy for Best Music Film. Homecoming is a must-watch and must-listen for music enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.

Shawn Mendes: In Wonder and Live in Concert

In 2018, Shawn Mendes released a self-titled album followed by a 2019 tour consisting of over 100 shows across various countries, which established him as a prominent pop-rock artist. In 2020, Netflix premiered Shawn Mendes: In Wonder, a documentary that delves into his ascent to stardom, touring lifestyle, anxiety struggles, and the making of his album Wonder. The same year, Netflix aired a full concert special filmed in Mendes’ hometown of Toronto, featuring a collaborative performance with Camila Cabello.

Lady Gaga: Five Foot Two

Lady Gaga’s 2016 album, Joanne, and her performance at the 2017 Super Bowl halftime show were followed by the release of the documentary Gaga: Five Foot Two on Netflix. The title of the documentary refers to the height of the Academy Award-winning singer-songwriter and actress. Throughout the film, fans of Gaga are given an unfiltered look at a year of her life and career as she creates Joanne, prepares for her halftime show, and faces the challenges of chronic pain.

Blackpink: Light Up the Sky

Blackpink, one of the most popular and highly sought-after K-pop groups globally, recounts their arduous journey to fame and worldwide crossover success in the Netflix documentary, Blackpink: Light Up the Sky. The film serves as an excellent primer for the girl group, renowned for chart-toppers such as “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du,” “Kill This Love,” “How You Like That,” “Ice Cream,” and “Pink Vemon.” Without a doubt, Light Up the Sky ranks as Netflix’s top music documentaries.

Lewis Capaldi: How I’m Feeling Now

The music documentary Lewis Capaldi: How I’m Feeling Now was released by Netflix in April 2023. The documentary revolves around the Scottish singer-songwriter who gained immense popularity with his global hit singles “Somebody You Loved” and “Before You Go”. The documentary offers an intimate look into Capaldi’s burgeoning career and its impact on his life, as he navigates his Tourette’s diagnosis and insecurities in the public eye. The documentary is a touching and motivational portrayal of Capaldi’s journey.

More music documentaries and concert films on Netflix

For music enthusiasts, Netflix offers a plethora of options beyond the aforementioned documentaries and concert films. Notably, the platform boasts a collection of titles featuring some of the most prominent music icons like Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Lopez, and Barbra Streisand. To explore further, take a look at the list of recommended music documentaries available on Netflix below.

• Springsteen on Broadway
• Justin Timberlake + The Tennessee Kids
• Keith Richards: Under the Influence
• jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy
• Travis Scott: Look Mom I Can Fly
• Ben Platt: Live from Radio City Music Hall
• Wham!
• Sam Smith: Love Goes Live from Abbey Road Studios
• Dolly Parton: A Musicares Tribute
• Jennifer Lopez: Halftime
• Barbra: The Music, The Magic, The Memories
• Travelin’ Band: Creedence Clearwater Revival at the Royal Albert Hall
• Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese

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