Renowned music producer Veridiz, also known as Rafael Toledo, has ingeniously crafted vibrant 8-bit synth covers of iconic Pink Floyd albums, such as The Dark Side of the Moon, The Wall, Echoes, and The Final Cut. Not stopping there, he bestowed the same Chiptune treatment upon “Shine on You Crazy Diamond” from Wish You Were Here, paying homage to DOOM in a brilliant tribute.
Craig David Announces “7 Days Commitment Tour”
Legendary British singer / songwriter Craig David announces his “7 Days Commitment Tour”—his first North American tour with a live band innearly two decades. The tour is produced by Live Nation and named after Craig’s iconic chart-topping single “7 Days,” and his new single “Commitment,” being released next month. The highly anticipated 7-city tour begins in San Francisco on May 6th at the Masonic and will hit Atlanta, New York (Sold Out), Toronto (Sold Out), Chicago, and Philadelphia, before wrapping at Warner Theatre in Washington D.C. on May 16. Fans can also catch Craig and the band performing a special festival set at Lovers & Friends in Las Vegas.
With 26 UK Top 40 Singles, ten UK Top 40 Albums, two UK Number 1 Albums, over five billion streams, and multi platinum status in over 20 countries, Craig has solidified his status as a global icon. His impressive accolades include 14 Brit Award nominations, two Grammy nominations, six MOBO awards, three Ivor Novellos for his exceptional songwriting, and most recently, an MBE for his invaluable contributions to the music industry. Throughout his illustrious career, Craig has performed on some of the world’s grandest stages, including a landmark show at the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, the MOBO Awards, and on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage.
This spring, North American audiences will have the opportunity to experience Craig’s dynamic live show as he performs his greatest hits from a back catalog that includes “7 Days,” “Re-Rewind,” and “Fill Me In,” as well as his new #1 single on the Capital FM Official Big Top 40 Chart “Abracadabra.” “Abracadabra” features singer-songwriter and ex-Love Island star Wes Nelson. The infectious energy of the new collaboration recently took center stage on Love Island All Stars, where Craig and Wes delivered a captivating performance, seamlessly blending their live charisma with the sun-kissed, R&B-infused vibes of Ibiza. In a special throwback moment, Craig treated the Love Islanders to a nostalgic rendition of his garage anthem with Artful Dodger, “Re-Rewind.”
Alongside his new music, Craig recently released his first book What’s Your Vibe?: Tuning into your best life. The memoir takes readers on a journey of connecting, disconnecting and reconnecting, weaving together stories of his life and music – starting with his early days in Southampton working with The Artful Dodger, to his overnight chart-topping success, through to the present day, and everything in between.
As one of the UK’s most cherished artists, Craig continues to captivate audiences worldwide with his distinctive British sound, forging a path uniquely his own.
23 years since the critically acclaimed album, ‘Born To Do It’ changed his life, Craig has since catapulted back into the charts and into the nation’s hearts with a string of chart hits and a Number 1 album marking the beginning of his triumphant return Craig has since leapt from strength to strength on our airwaves and has been unavoidable on our TV screens and on the live circuit ever since. Craig has racked up an astounding 26 UK top 40 singles, Ten UK top 40 albums, amassed over 5 billion streams worldwide and has achieved multi-platinum status in more than 20 countries around the world in his career. With two UK Number 1 albums under his belt, he has also received multiple BRIT Award and Grammy nominations, 6 x MOBO Awards, as well as becoming a 3x Ivor Novello Award winner.
7 Days Commitment Tour Dates:
Sat May 04 – Las Vegas, NV – Lovers & Friends Festival (SOLD OUT)
Mon May 06 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic
Wed May 08 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle
Fri May 10 – New York, NY – Palladium Times Square (SOLD OUT)
Sat May 11 – Toronto, ON – HISTORY (SOLD OUT)
Mon May 13 – Chicago, IL – The Chicago Theatre
Wed May 15 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore Philadelphia
Thu May 16 – Washington, DC – Warner Theatre
The Tragically Hip Announces Astonishing Book and Record Boxed Set, “This Is Our Life”
Here, finally, is the ultimate record of The Tragically Hip, their official anthology published as a Deluxe hand-crafted book and record boxed set, limited to only 1,000 numbered and signed copies. It’s available now through Genesis Publications.
The definitive account of their incredible journey, This Is Our Life is told in The Hip’s own words. Alongside their commentary, a wealth of photography spans the decades, offering a visual chronicle of The Hip’s evolution, on and off the stage. Adding an extraordinary layer to the narrative, the band has opened their archives for the first time, revealing a trove of rare and previously unpublished material.
As a mark of authenticity and approval, each numbered copy in this historic edition is individually hand-signed by Rob Baker, Johnny Fay, Paul Langlois and Gord Sinclair.
•••••••••••••••
THE ARCHIVE
THIS IS OUR LIFE
A wealth of photography spans the decades, offering a visual chronicle of The Tragically Hip’s evolution, on and off the stage. Adding an extraordinary layer to the narrative, the band has opened their archives for the first time, revealing a trove of rare and previously unpublished material.
From the most iconic shots taken of the band to unseen rarities and outtakes, This Is Our Life features more than 300 pages of photographs many drawn from the group’s personal collections. Captured on stage, on the road, and in the recording studio, the making of all The Hip’s albums are covered extensively.
‘Gord was particularly good at picking up and telling little Canadian stories. He was almost obsessed with getting to the bottom of certain stories. And if he could find a way to get them into a song, he was certainly going to try.’ – PAUL LANGLOIS
This selection of photographs is accompanied by an immense collection of ephemera sourced from the band’s archives, published here for the first time. Including Gord Downie’s handwritten lyrics, rare posters, tickets and tour passes, instruments, album artwork, clothing and much more, This Is Our Life affords the most highly intimate experience the band have ever allowed.
‘I could hear the influence of all of us in every song that we were doing. It was a really organic, cooperative approach to writing.’ – GORD SINCLAIR
••••••••••
THE MANUSCRIPT
THIS IS OUR LIFE
Meticulously curated, This Is Our Life draws from hundreds of hours of interviews, not only with the band but also with fellow musicians, producers, and the dedicated crew that helped shape their story.
This Is Our Life begins in Kingston, Ontario, where all five band members attended the same high school. From here the group retrace their steps: from the intimate settings of college bars and downtown dives to the pinnacle of success, culminating in the incredible, bittersweet 2016 concert held in their hometown, broadcast live in Canada for an estimated audience of 11.7 million people.
‘It’s hard to say why the country embraced us the way it did. We just came at it with as honest an approach as we could. We never tried to jam it down anyone’s throat. You either liked us or you didn’t.’ – JOHNNY FAY
Allowing readers a first-hand account of their musical odyssey, driven by the poetic genius of lead singer Gord Downie, the band offers an unprecedented insight into their creative process as they reflect on iconic live shows and the dynamics that defined their enduring bond. Told in an original manuscript of over 130,000 words and filled with highs and lows, The Hip’s incredible, prismatic story is unlike any other.
‘I got to live the dream I’d been pursuing since I was ten years old. I made a life out of writing music and playing songs with my best friends in the world.’ – ROB BAKER
THE AUTHORS
THIS IS OUR LIFE
Critically acclaimed for almost four decades, The Tragically Hip have been at the heart of the Canadian musical zeitgeist, evoking an emotional connection between their music and their fans that remains unrivalled.
A five-piece group of friends who grew up in Kingston, Ontario – Rob Baker (guitar), Gord Downie (vocals, guitar), Johnny Fay (drums), Paul Langlois (guitar), and Gord Sinclair (bass) – The Hip have achieved both mass popularity as well as peer recognition. They have sold more than 10 million albums in Canada and received 17 Juno Awards, including the Humanitarian Award in 2021 for artists or industry leaders whose humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada and beyond.
Their studio catalogue includes their self-titled debut album The Tragically Hip (1987), Up To Here (1989), Road Apples (1991), Fully Completely (1992), Day For Night (1994), Trouble At The Henhouse (1996), Phantom Power (1998), Music @ Work (2000), In Violet Light (2002), In Between Evolution (2004), World Container (2006), We Are The Same (2009), Now For Plan A (2012), Man Machine Poem (2016) and Saskadelphia (2021).
••••••••••••••
THE DELUXE EDITION
SOCAN Achieves Half-Billion Dollar Revenue Milestone
Today, SOCAN announces, for the first time in its history, that total annual revenue will exceed half a billion dollars collected in 2023. Similarly, distributions to music creators and publishers grew impressively to a record-high $442-million.
SOCAN revenue grew to an estimated $523-million in 2023, an 8% increase over 2022. The nearly $40-million growth is attributed mainly to increased revenue from digital and international sources, and continued return-to-normal activity bolstering General Licensing and Concerts.
Revenue from music uses that took place in Canada rose 8% to a high of $404-million. The increase is led by revenue from digital sources totalling $188-million, a 13% year-over-year increase, and General Licensing and Concerts increasing 28% to $48-million.
Revenue from music uses in international territories increased 9% to $120-million, a testament to the incredible talent and success of Canadian music creators on the global stage.
SOCAN distributions hit historic highs totalling an estimated $442-million in 2023, 22% higher than 2022.
2023 distributions include royalties paid to music creators and publishers derived from data matched to revenue received in 2022 and beginning of 2023.
SOCAN members benefited from significant increases in international distributions from $95-million to $102-million, an 8% increase, and Concert distributions from $6-million to $17-million, an over 200% increase, with return-to-normal activities.
In a year marked by record-breaking revenue and distributions, SOCAN recognizes this is not the experience of all Canadian music creators and publishers, and acknowledges that many SOCAN members are facing challenges with participating in royalties from digital sources.
“We take great pride in serving our songwriter, composer and music publisher members, and as we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the enactment of the Copyright Act of Canada, our dedication to legislative advocacy is stronger than ever,” said Jennifer Brown, SOCAN CEO. “We must work to level the playing field and SOCAN is wholly committed to creating the environment for a more promising and prosperous future for all of our members.”
SOCAN continues to invest in its member-first strategic plan initiated over two years ago, focusing on advocacy efforts, providing more member education and craft development opportunities, and prioritizing member experiences and outcomes. In 2023, SOCAN made the important decision to partner with Spanish Point Technologies to optimize the operational experience for members. The large-scale implementation and data migration is expected to be delivered in 2025.
As a result, the non-profit organization is experiencing improved member satisfaction and royalty outcomes while maintaining an expense-to-revenue ratio of 12%.
SOCAN’s annual report and final financial statements, including a complete overview of 2023 activities, will be available in advance of the SOCAN Annual and General meeting, scheduled for June 19, 2024, in Montreal.
SOCAN is a rights management organization that connects more than four million music creators worldwide, and more than a quarter-million businesses and individuals in Canada. More than 185,000 songwriters, composers, and music publishers are its direct members, and more than 100,000 organizations are Licensed To Play music across Canada. With a concerted use of progressive technology and unique data, SOCAN is dedicated to upholding the fundamental truths that music has value and music creators and publishers deserve fair compensation for their work. For more information: www.socan.com.
Twenty One Pilots Announce Massive Global Headline Tour
GRAMMY Award winning duo Twenty One Pilots have announced details of their massive global headline The Clancy World Tour and shared “Next Semester,” a new song from their highly anticipated forthcoming album, Clancy, which will be released May 17th via Fueled By Ramen. Watch the Andrew Donoho directed music video for “Next Semester” HERE.
Twenty One Pilots will celebrate the release of Clancy with The Clancy World Tour, their biggest headline tour ever set to get underway August 15th at Denver, CO’s Ball Arena. Produced by Live Nation, the tour will traverse North America through the fall followed by dates in New Zealand, Australia, Europe and the United Kingdom [see tour itinerary below]. Fans can participate in an official artist presale for tickets beginning April 2nd (US/CA) and April 3rd (UK/EU/AU/NZ) with all remaining tickets available during the general on sale at 10:00 AM local time on Friday, April 5th. For tickets and complete details for Twenty One Pilots’ The Clancy World Tour visit www.twentyonepilots.com/tour.
Last month, Twenty One Pilots returned with news of Clancy and released the album’s lead single “Overcompensate” alongside an accompanying official music video directed by Reel Bear Media. The track, which has rocketed up the Alternative Radio chart currently sitting Top 5, made a massive impact upon launch as it welcomed listeners back to the band’s immersive world of ‘Trench.’
Clancy is currently available for pre-order in a variety of physical formats including: two limited-edition deluxe box sets, four vinyl variants with additional retailer exclusives, an exclusive CD + Journal Book and a Cassette + Photocard Wallet, and much more. For the full suite of Clancy pre-order offerings, visit Twenty One Pilots’ official store.
Having amassed over 33 billion streams worldwide and over 3 million tickets sold across global headline tours, the Columbus, OH based duo of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun have established themselves as one of the most successful bands of the 21st century and redefined the sound of a generation. Co-produced by Joseph and Paul Meany, Clancy marks the final chapter in an ambitious multi-album narrativefirst introduced in the band’s 2015 multi-Platinum breakthrough, Blurryface. Furthermore, Clancy’s forthcoming release on May 17th coincides with the 9th anniversary of Blurryface, which was released exactly nine years prior to the day.
Twenty One Pilots extended the ambitious concept laid out in Blurryface with their 2018 Platinum-certified album TRENCH. Featuring the multi-Platinum and Platinum singles “Chlorine,” “My Blood” and the GRAMMY Award-nominated “Jumpsuit,” the album graced spots on “Best of” year-end lists by Billboard, KERRANG!, Alternative Press, and Rock Sound—who placed it at #1.
The duo’s 2021 RIAA Gold certified epic Scaled And Icy debuted at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Top “Rock Albums” and “Alternative Albums” charts while landing at No. 3 on the “Billboard 200,” marking the biggest opening week for a rock album in 2021. The record is highlighted by the #1 Alternative Radio hits “The Outside,” “Saturday,” and “Shy Away,” the latter of which ascended to #1 at the format in just three weeks, placing the duo in an elite group of acts with multiple songs to rise to #1 at the format in three weeks or less including: U2, R.E.M., The Cure, Linkin Park, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Foo Fighters.
Twenty One Pilots: The Clancy World Tour
August 15, 2024 Denver, CO Ball Arena
August 18, 2024 Salt Lake City, UT Delta Center
August 21, 2024 Portland, OR Moda Center
August 22, 2024 Seattle, WA Climate Pledge Arena
August 24, 2024 Oakland, CA Oakland Arena
August 25, 2024 Sacramento, CA Golden 1 Center
August 27, 2024 Los Angeles, CA Intuit Dome
August 28, 2024 Los Angeles, CA Intuit Dome
August 30, 2024 Phoenix, AZ Footprint Center
August 31, 2024 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand Garden Arena
September 3, 2024 Austin, TX Moody Center
September 4, 2024 Houston, TX Toyota Center
September 6, 2024 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
September 10, 2024 Duluth, GA Gas South Arena
September 11, 2024 Orlando, FL Kia Center
September 13, 2024 Raleigh, NC PNC Arena
September 14, 2024 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center
September 15, 2024 Baltimore, MD CFG Bank Arena
September 17, 2024 Newark, NJ Prudential Center
September 18, 2024 Brooklyn, NY Barclays Center
September 20, 2024 Boston, MA TD Garden
September 25, 2024 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
September 27, 2024 Toronto, ON Scotiabank Arena
September 28, 2024 Cleveland, OH Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse
September 29, 2024 Detroit, MI Little Caesars Arena
October 1, 2024 Chicago, IL United Center
October 2, 2024 Chicago, IL United Center
October 4, 2024 Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena
October 5, 2024 Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena
October 8, 2024 Indianapolis, IN Gainbridge Fieldhouse
October 9, 2024 Nashville, TN
The Hold Steady Announce “Stay Positive” Children’s Book
The Hold Steady are releasing a children’s book: Stay Positive: A Children’s Picture Book is out October 1 via Akashic Books, and features illustrations by David “El Dee” Espinosa. Stay Positive is a charming children’s picture book based on The Hold Steady song of the same name. The title track of the band’s fourth album (released in 2008), “Stay Positive” is a call to arms to stand strong and persevere during trying times. The song remains a fan favorite and a staple of The Hold Steady’s live shows.
The book follows the path of an adorable armadillo who discovers along the way how music can pull together a disparate cast of characters. It’s also a lesson in tenacity and maintaining a positive attitude when encountering adverse situations. The story ends up in a unified celebration that mirrors the joy of a Hold Steady performance.
Singer Craig Finn explains, “‘Stay Positive’ has a line that says, ‘The kids at the shows will have kids of their own,’ and it’s true: each year more Hold Steady fans become parents or grandparents. So I’m thrilled that we’re offering the children’s book version of ‘Stay Positive,’ which brings THS joy to the whole family.”
Justin Moore And Randy Houser Announce Co-Headlining ‘Country Round Here Tonight Tour’
Multi Platinum-selling country artists Randy Houser and Justin Moore announce their co-headlining ‘Country Round Here Tonight Tour,’ playing 12 shows across the South, Northeast and Midwest later this year.
Multi-Platinum hitmaker Justin Moore has built a loyal following over the past decade with his traditional country sound and captivating live shows. His deeply personal current single “This Is My Dirt” is currently climbing at Country Radio, and the Arkansas-native just notched his 12th No. 1 with “You, Me, and Whiskey,” a smoldering duet with Priscilla Block. Over his 10+ year career, Moore’s No. 1 hits have included “Point at You,” “Lettin’ The Night Roll” “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away,” “Small Town USA” and “Till My Last Day,” as well as Platinum-certified albums and singles. The Valory Music Co. recording artist has earned multiple ACM, ACA, People’s Choice, and ACC Awards nominations, as well as an ACM Award win. In addition to multiple festivals, headline shows and select direct-support dates, Moore has also been busy hosting his Justin Moore Podcast sponsored by Bobcat with tour manager JR, interviewing guests such as Oscar award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey; Country stars Tracy Lawrence, Jon Pardi, Brantley Gilbert; wrestling champion Diamond Dallas Page and ESPN’s Marty Smith. He also recently took on a new role as co-host on 103.7 The Buzz’s morning drive-time sports talk show, “Morning Mayhem,” where he spends his weekday mornings dishing out his never-ending sports knowledge on-air.
With an inimitable voice The New York Times describes as “wholly different, thicker and more throbbing, a caldron bubbling over,” Randy Houser racked up three consecutive No. 1 hits and more than four million in singles sales to date with his Stoney Creek Records album How Country Feels. He topped the charts with the title track, “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” and “Goodnight Kiss” (also his first No. 1 as a songwriter) and earned critical acclaim for his powerful delivery of the Top 5 smash and CMA Song of the Year-nominated “Like A Cowboy.” Houser added a fourth No. 1 to his catalogue with “We Went” from his 2016 album, Fired Up. Houser’s sixth studio album Note To Self is available now via Magnolia Music Group and features 10 tracks all co-written by the Mississippi native. Lead single and title track “Note To Self” marked his “powerful return” following 2019’s critically-acclaimed album Magnolia, with MusicRow boasting the Mississippi native “remains one of country music’s very finest vocalists.” His latest single “Cancel” is available now.
‘Country Round Here Tonight’ Tour Dates:
Thurs., Sept. 5 | Skyla Credit Union Amp | Charlotte, NC
Fri., Sept. 6 | Red Hat Amphitheater | Raleigh, NC
Sat., Sept. 7 | Atrium Health Amphitheater | Macon, GA
Thurs., Sept. 26 | Toyota Oakdale Theatre | Wallingford, CT
Fri., Sept. 27 | The Stone Pony | Asbury Park, NJ
Sat., Sept. 28 | The Met Presented by Highmark | Philadelphia, PA
Thurs., Oct. 3 | Walmart AMP | Rogers, AR
Sat., Oct. 5 | 713 Music Hall | Houston, TX
Sun., Oct. 6 | The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory | Irving, TX
Thurs., Oct. 10 | Toledo Zoo Amphitheater | Toledo, OH
Sat., Oct. 12 | Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre | St. Louis, MO
Justin Moore Tour Dates:
Sat., Mar. 9 | Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort | Mount Pleasant, MI
Fri., Mar. 15 | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Indianapolis, IN^
Sat., Mar. 16 | Legacy Arena at the BJCC | Birmingham, AL^
Fri., Mar. 22 | DCU Center | Worcester, MA^
Sat., Mar. 23 | CFG Bank Arena | Baltimore, MD^
Fri., Apr. 12 | Rupp Arena | Lexington, KY^
Sat., Apr. 13 | FedEx Forum | Memphis, TN^
Thurs., Apr. 25 | ExtraMile Arena | Boise, ID^
Fri., Apr. 26 | Spokane Arena | Spokane, WA^
Sat., Apr. 27 | Tacoma Dome | Tacoma, WA^
Fri., May 17 | Iowa Events Center | Des Moines, IA^
Sat., May 18 | FargoDome | Fargo, ND^
Fri., May 24 | The Sound Amphitheater | Gautier, MS
Sat., Jun. 1 | Backcountry Fest | Gardnerville, NV
Fri., Jun. 7 | The Rave / Eagles Club | Milwaukee, WI
Sat., Jun. 22 | Country Drive Golf Course | Ashland, NE
Thurs., Jul. 11 | Bottle & Cork | Dewey Beach, DE
Fri., Jul. 12 | Bottle & Cork | Dewey Beach, DE
Sat., Jul. 13 | No Offseason Sports | Russellton, PA
Sat., Jul. 27 | Jackson County Fairgrounds | Maquoketa, IA
Sat., Aug. 3 | Blue Gate Performing Arts Center | Shipshewana, IN
Sat., Aug. 24 | Concert In The Corn | Mason, WI
Thurs., Sept. 5 | Skyla Credit Union Amp | Charlotte, NC+
Fri., Sept. 6 | Red Hat Amphitheater | Raleigh, NC+
Sat., Sept. 7 | Atrium Health Amphitheater | Macon, GA+
Sat., Sept. 14 | Petersen Park | McHenry, IL
Thurs., Sept. 26 | Toyota Oakdale Theatre | Wallingford, CT+
Fri., Sept. 27 | The Stone Pony | Asbury Park, NJ+
Sat., Sept. 28 | The Met Presented by Highmark | Philadelphia, PA+
Thurs., Oct. 3 | Walmart AMP | Rogers, AR+
Sat., Oct. 5 | 713 Music Hall | Houston, TX+
Sun., Oct. 6 | The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory | Irving, TX+
Thurs., Oct. 10 | Toledo Zoo Amphitheater | Toledo, OH+
Sat., Oct. 12 | Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre | St. Louis, MO+
^with Cody Johnson
+with Randy Houser
Randy Houser Tour Dates:
Thurs., Mar. 21 | Peppermill Concert Hall | West Wendover, NV
Sat., Mar. 23 | Inn of the Mountain Gods | Mescalero, NM
Sat., Apr. 13 | Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino | Santa Fe, NM
Sun., Apr. 14 | Country Thunder | Florence, AZ
Sat., May 25 | Concert For A Cause at Tringali Barn | St. Augustine, FL
Fri., May 31 | Hollywood Casino Event Center | Charles Town, WV
Sat., Jun. 1 | Veterans Band Aid Music Festival | Virginia Beach, VA
Sat., Jun. 22 | Rock the Country | Mobile, AL
Fri., Jun. 28 | Country Stampede | Bonner Springs, KS
Sat., Jul. 6 | Rivers ‘n’ Roots Music Festival | Paris, ON, CA
Sat., Jul. 13 | Sauk County Fair | Baraboo, WI
Thurs., Jul. 18 | Country Thunder Wisconsin | Twin Lakes, WI
Thurs., Jul. 25 | Night in the Country | Yerington, NV
Fri., Jul. 26 | Britt Music & Arts Festival | Jacksonville, OR
Thurs., Aug. 1 | Country Line Country Fest | Prairie du Chien, WI
Weds., Aug. 14 | Berrien County Youth Fair | Berrien Springs, MI
Thurs., Aug. 22 | YQM Country Fest | Dieppe, NB
Thurs., Sept. 5 | Skyla Credit Union Amp | Charlotte, NC^
Fri., Sept. 6 | Red Hat Amphitheater | Raleigh, NC^
Sat., Sept. 7 | Atrium Health Amphitheater | Macon, GA^
Thurs., Sept. 26 | Toyota Oakdale Theatre | Wallingford, CT^
Fri., Sept. 27 | The Stone Pony | Asbury Park, NJ^
Sat., Sept. 28 | The Met Presented by Highmark | Philadelphia, PA^
Thurs., Oct. 3 | Walmart AMP | Rogers, AR^
Sat., Oct. 5 | 713 Music Hall | Houston, TX^
Sun., Oct. 6 | The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory | Irving, TX^
Thurs., Oct. 10 | Toledo Zoo Amphitheater | Toledo, OH^
Sat., Oct. 12 | Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre | St. Louis, MO^
^with Justin Moore
Barbie The Movie: In Concert Announces North American Summer Tour Led By Macy Schmidt And The Barbie Land Sinfonietta
Live Nation and Mattel today announced Barbie The Movie: In Concert™, a live-to-film concert experience produced by Overture Global Entertainment that will bring Warner Bros. Pictures’ feature film Barbie—Mattel Film’s first theatrical production—to life with live music from The Barbie Land Sinfonietta, a special presentation from Orchestrator and Executive Producer Macy Schmidt’s all-women and majority women-of-color orchestra.
Kicking off July 2nd and traveling to 37 cities including the previously announced July 27 date at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, fans across North America will have the opportunity to be transported to Barbie Land this summer and experience Barbie like never before. The record-smashing film will be projected onto a giant LED screen above The Barbie Land Sinfonietta as they perform the film’s award-winning score. Fans of all ages can celebrate the music of 2023’s highest-grossing film in a one-of-a-kind immersive experience, with the tour also featuring specialty limited-edition merchandise, photo opportunities, and more.
The Barbie Land Sinfonietta is conducted by Tony Award winning producer Macy Schmidt. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Schmidt recently became the first woman of color orchestrator in Broadway history.
“We can’t wait for fans of all ages to join us in this immersive experience, celebrating the biggest movie of 2023 and bringing the magic of Barbie to life like never before.” said Josh Silverman, Chief Franchise Officer at Mattel. “The incredible talents of Macy Schmidt and The Barbie Land Sinfonietta guarantee an unparalleled and unforgettable adventure.”
“Music lends so much heart and excitement to the Barbie film; between the stunning and clever orchestral score and the upbeat iconic pop soundtrack, music is carrying us through the story,” said Macy Schmidt. “On top of getting to experience the film unlike ever before, Barbie The Movie: In Concert audiences will have the privilege of watching some of the world’s best musicians come together and do what they do best. Throughout this entire process, I’ve been so inspired by Mattel’s genuine commitment to everything this film stands for. I am particularly excited to be partnering with Mattel as I have long been inspired by Barbie’s purpose statement: ‘to inspire the limitless potential in every girl.’ It couldn’t be more aligned to have an all-women orchestra performing this film, bringing its message to life onstage.’”
Furthering the mission, Barbie The Movie: In Concert will include a touring road crew consisting of a veteran lineup of all-women technical and production professionals. For tour dates and more, please visit http://barbiethemovieinconcert.com.
The full-length feature film Barbie received more than 450 industry nominations and 120 wins, including eight Academy Award nominations. Music from Barbie was nominated for 11 GRAMMY Awards®, with three wins secured in key categories including Song of the Year and Best Song Written for Visual Media (Billie Eilish O’Connell and Finneas O’Connell, What Was I Made For?), and Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media.
Barbie was released worldwide on July 21, 2023, by Warner Bros. Pictures. The highest grossing film of 2023 and the highest grossing in Warner Bros. history, Barbie is directed by Greta Gerwig from a screenplay written by Gerwig & Noah Baumbach. It is Mattel Films’ first theatrical production. Warner Bros. Pictures Presents a Heyday Films Production, a LuckyChap Entertainment Production, an NB/GG Pictures Production, a Mattel Films Production, Barbie. The film is distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Barbie: The Movie In Concert Dates:
Date City Venue
July 2, 2024 Tampa, FL MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
July 3, 2024 Alpharetta, GA Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
July 5, 2024 Raleigh, NC Coastal Credit Union Music Park
July 6, 2024 Camden, NJ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
July 7, 2024 Bristow, VA Jiffy Lube Live
July 8, 2024 Virginia Beach, VA Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
July 9, 2024 Charlotte, NC PNC Music Pavilion
July 10, 2024 Burgettstown, PA The Pavilion at Star Lake
July 12, 2024 Milwaukee, WI American Family Insurance Amphitheatre
July 13, 2024 St. Louis, MO Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
July 14, 2024 Noblesville, IN Ruoff Music Center
July 15, 2024 Kansas City, MO Starlight Theater
July 17, 2024 Denver, CO Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
July 18, 2024 Salt Lake City, UT Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre
July 20, 2024 Ridgefield, WA RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater
July 21, 2024 Auburn, WA White River Amphitheatre
July 25, 2024 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre
July 26, 2024 Wheatland, CA Toyota Amphitheater
July 27, 2024 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl
July 28, 2024 Chula Vista, CA North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
July 30, 2024 Phoenix, AZ Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
July 31, 2024 Albuquerque, NM Isleta Amphitheater
August 2, 2024 Houston, TX The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
August 3, 2024 Dallas, TX Dos Equis Pavilion
August 4, 2024 Rogers, AR Walmart AMP
August 6, 2024 Birmingham, AL Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
August 7, 2024 Nashville, TN Ascend Amphitheater
August 8, 2024 Tinley Park, IL Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
August 9, 2024 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center
August 10, 2024 Clarkston, MI Pine Knob Music Theatre
August 11, 2024 Toronto, ON Budweiser Stage
August 12, 2024 Cuyahoga Falls, OH Blossom Music Center
August 14, 2024 Darien Lake, NY Darien Lake Amphitheater
August 15, 2024 Hartford, CT The XFINITY Theatre
August 16, 2024 Mansfield, MA Xfinity Center
August 17, 2024 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
August 18, 2024 Wantagh, NY Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
My Next Read: “The Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic”
“They’re not going to catch us,” Dan Aykroyd, as Elwood Blues, tells his brother Jake, played by John Belushi. “We’re on a mission from God.” So opens the musical action comedy The Blues Brothers, which hit theaters on June 20, 1980. Their scripted mission was to save a local Chicago orphanage. But Aykroyd, who conceived and wrote much of the film, had a greater mission: to honor the then-seemingly forgotten tradition of rhythm and blues, some of whose greatest artists—Aretha Franklin, James Brown, John Lee Hooker, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles—made the film as unforgettable as its wild car chases. Much delayed and vastly over budget, beset by mercurial and oft drugged-out stars, The Blues Brothers opened to outraged reviews. However, in the 44 years since, it has been acknowledged a classic: it has been inducted into the National Film Registry for its cultural significance, even declared a “Catholic classic” by the Church itself, and re-aired thousands of times on television to huge worldwide audiences. It is, undeniably, one of the most significant films of the twentieth century.
The story behind any classic is rich; the saga behind The Blues Brothers, as Daniel de Visé reveals, is epic, encompassing the colorful childhoods of Belushi and Aykroyd; the comedic revolution sparked by Harvard’s Lampoon and Chicago’s Second City; the birth and anecdote-rich, drug-filled early years of Saturday Night Live, where the Blues Brothers were born as an act amidst turmoil and rivalry; and, of course, the indelible behind-the-scenes narrative of how the film was made, scene by memorable scene. Based on original research and dozens of interviews probing the memories of principals from director John Landis and producer Bob Weiss to Aykroyd himself, The Blues Brothers illuminates an American masterpiece while vividly portraying the creative geniuses behind modern comedy.