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Steve Hackett Celebrates Over 50 Years Of Music With His New Conceptual Studio Album ‘The Circus And The Nightwhale’

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Legendary rock guitarist Steve Hackett will release his new studio album ‘The Circus And The Nightwhale’ on February 16th 2024, via InsideOut Music. A rite-of-passage concept album with a young character called Travla at the centre of it, ‘The Circus And The Nightwhale’s’ 13 tracks have an autobiographical angle for the musician who says about his 30th solo release: “I love this album. It says the things I’ve been wanting to say for a very long time.”

‘The Circus And The Nightwhale’ is Steve’s first new music in over two years. It follows the beautiful acoustic LP ‘Under A Mediterranean Sky’ from January 2021 – which rose to No 2 in the UK Classical chart – and, in September of that year, his metallic masterpiece Surrender Of Silence, which hit the UK Top 40. His 2023 live album, ‘Foxtrot At Fifty + Hackett Highlights: Live in Brighton’, reached No 2 in the Rock & Metal Chart. Steve’s new LP promises ballads, blues, blistering progressive rock… and healthy measures of theatre and fantasia.

Recorded between tours in 2022 and 2023 at Siren studio in the UK – with guest parts beamed in from Sweden, Austria, the US, Azerbaijan and Denmark, the line-up for ‘The Circus And The Nightwhale’ includes some familiar faces alongside Steve on electric and acoustic guitars, 12-string, mandolin, harmonica, percussion, bass and vocals. Roger King (keyboards, programming and orchestral arrangements), Rob Townsend (sax), Jonas Reingold (bass), Nad Sylvan (vocals), Craig Blundell (drums) and Amanda Lehmann on vocals. Nick D’Virgilio and Hugo Degenhardt return as guests on the drumstool, engineer extraordinaire Benedict Fenner appears on keyboards and Malik Mansurov is back with the tar. Finally, Steve’s brother John Hackett is present once more on flute.

The new album will be available to pre-order from the December 1st, 2023 on several different formats, including a Limited CD+Blu-ray mediabook (including 5.1 Surround Sound & 24bit high resolution stereo mixes), Standard CD Jewelcase, Gatefold 180g Vinyl LP & as Digital Album. All feature the stunning cover painting by Denise Marsh.

The full tracklisting is as follows:
1. People Of The Smoke
2. These Passing Clouds
3. Taking You Down
4. Found And Lost
5. Enter The Ring
6. Get Me Out!
7. Ghost Moon and Living Love
8. Circo Inferno
9. Breakout
10. All At Sea
11. Into The Nightwhale
12. Wherever You Are
13. White Dove

Summing up ‘The Circus And The Nightwhale’, Steve says: “It’s a lovely journey that starts dirty, scratchy and smoky and becomes heavenly and divine. How can you resist it?”

Steve is currently on tour in North America, continuing his ‘Foxtrot At Fifty + Hackett Highlights’ run. Next year he will tour the world extensively, including a brand new UK tour under the name ‘Genesis Greats, Lamb Highlights & Solo’ (that will see him return to the legendary Royal Albert Hall), as well as a return to the US for additional ‘Foxtrot At Fifty’ shows from March 1st through April 13th. For the full list of dates, head to: http://hackettsongs.com/tour.html

Gordon Lightfoot Tribute Concert Set For 2024 At Massey Hall

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Today marks what would have been the 85th birthday of Canadian music icon Gordon Lightfoot. To honour his music and legacy, Massey Hall, in collaboration with the Lightfoot Estate, proudly announces Celebrating Gordon Lightfoot on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at Massey Hall.

The evening, led by two extraordinary house bands, Blue Rodeo and the members of Gordon Lightfoot’s longtime band, The  Lightfoot Band (Rick Haynes, Barry Keane, Mike Heffernan and Carter Lancaster), will feature performances by Allison Russell, Aysanabee, Burton Cummings, Caroline Wiles & Bob Doidge, Meredith Moon, Sylvia Tyson, The Good Brothers, Tom Cochrane, William Prince with more to be announced.

Proceeds from Celebrating Gordon Lightfoot, as requested by the Gordon Lightfoot Estate, will support Massey Hall, a charitable not-for-profit, including the Revitalization of the Hall, its music appreciation, education, community outreach and artist development initiatives.

Fittingly, Celebrating Gordon Lightfoot takes place in what Mr. Lightfoot often referred to as his second home—having sung on its stage more than 170 times – more than any other artist in the Hall’s 130-year history. Gordon Lightfoot was the last artist to perform before Massey Hall closed for renovations in 2018 and the first to appear after the re-opening in 2021. Following his death on May 1, 2023, Massey Hall opened its doors to allow fans to offer condolences and lovingly remember the legendary artist. This event will enable fans, family, and friends to recognize and pay tribute to the incredible music he gifted the world.

The Canadian Folk Music Awards Announces 2024 Nominees

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The Canadian Folk Music Awards celebrates its 19th edition, with a roster of nominations that celebrates the breadth and depth of Canadian folk music in all its forms. This year’s nominees span the country from coast to coast to coast. A new record of submissions, we are happy to announce a total of 110 nominees spanning over 20 categories — celebrating the diversity and talent of artists and musicians across Canada.

Created in 2005, the Canadian Folk Music Awards celebrate the breadth and depth of folk music in Canada. Established as a non-profit, the mission of the CFMAs is to celebrate and promote Canadian folk music in all its forms. Join our mailing list, follow the CFMAs on X @folkawards, Instagram @CandianFolkMusicAwards and on Facebook @prixfolkawards.

Julian Taylor, Kaeley Jade, Steve Dawson, The East Pointers, and William Prince lead the CFMAs, each honoured with 3 nominations; while Barbra Lica, Big Little Lions, The Bombadils, Dave Gunning, Don Ross, Jill Barber, Jackson Hollow, Kyle McKearney, La Déferlance, Mary Beth Carty, Mia Kelly, Moonfruits, Queen Kong, So Long Seven, Terra Spencer, Vinta, and Whitehorse are all honoured with two nominations each.

Established by Canada’s vibrant and internationally-recognized folk music community, CFMA nominees are chosen for each category through a two-stage jury process. More than 100 jurors, located across Canada, representing all provinces, territories and in both official languages, help determine the official recipients in each category. “Every year, the CFMA Nominee Announcement is an important moment for Canada’s folk music community to take note of the outstanding work done over the past year and celebrate the outstanding talent our country has to offer” explains CFMA president Graham Lindsey. “We are proud of the diversity of the nominated recordings, and it is a true testament to what our country’s musicians have to offer”.

The CFMA 2024 Awards Weekend takes place April 4th to the 7th, 2024, in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. The weekend will capture the true heart of our folk community, while celebrating the nominees and the category recipients.

The 2024 Canadian Folk Music Award Nominees are :

Young Performer(s) of the Year / Jeune artiste(s) de l’année:
• Abigale (Different Roads)
• Fiddelium (Lit Up)
• Mélodie LeBlanc, Charlotte LeBlanc & Rosalie LeBlanc (Perdrais-je mon temps…(Would I be losing my time…) – La famille LeBlanc)
• Mia Kelly (Garden Through the War)
• Paige Penney (Game Changer)
• The Trilogy (Irish Millie)
New/Emerging Artist(s) of the Year / Artiste(s) de la relève de l’année:
• La Déferlance (Le feu aux poudres)
• Kaeley Jade (Turpentine)
• Mia Kelly (Garden Through the War)
• Moonfruits (Salt)
• Steven Taetz (Late Bloom)
• Youngtree & The Blooms (Youngtree and The Blooms)
Contemporary Album of the Year / Album contemporain de l’année:
• Colder Streams (The Sadies)
• Homemaker (Jill Barber)
• House of Dreams (The East Pointers)
• Kingmaker (Tami Neilson)
• Love Songs For the Long Game (NQ Arbuckle)
• Old News (Terra Spencer & Ben Caplan)
• Stand in the Joy (William Prince)
• TumbleWeedyWorld (Lynn Miles)
Contemporary Singer of the Year / Chanteur contemporain de l’année:
• Joe Nolan (Lost Verses – Joe Nolan)
• Julian Taylor (Beyond The Reservoir – Julian Taylor)
• Kaeley Jade (Turpentine – Kaeley Jade)
• Suzie Vinnick (Fall Back Home – Suzie Vinnick)
• Terra Spencer (Old News – Terra Spencer & Ben Caplan)
Global Roots Album of the Year / Album traditions du monde de l’année:
• Bamako (Sophie Lukacs)
• Refugee in the Sea (Tarek Ghriri)
• Ritual (Roberto López)
• Taraf Syriana (Taraf Syriana)
• Ubuntu (Empress Nyiringango)
Traditional Singer of the Year / Chanteur traditionnel de l’année:
• François-Félix Roy (Peines perdues – François-Félix Roy)
• Hannah Shira Naiman (The Wheels Won’t Go – Hannah Shira Naiman)
• La Yeni (Yarrow Under the Moon – La Yeni)
• Mary Beth Carty (Crossing the Causeway – Mary Beth Carty)
• Tianna Lefebvre (Roses – Jackson Hollow)
Traditional Album of the Year/ Album traditionnel de l’année:
• A Celtic Celebration (The Bookends with the Stratford Symphony Orchestra)
• All It Brings (Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira)
• Constellations (Meredith Moon)
• Crossing the Causeway (Mary Beth Carty)
• Le feu aux poudres (La Déferlance)
French Songwriter(s) of the Year / Auteur-compositeur(s) francophone de l’année:
• Aleksi Campagne, Michelle Campagne (For The Giving / Sans rien donner – Aleksi Campagne)
• Catherine-Audrey Lachapelle, Léandre Joly-Pelletier (Là-bas – Veranda)
• Catherine Durand (La maison orpheline – Catherine Durand)
• Éric Dion, André Lavergne (La nouvelle saison – Dans l’Shed)
• Marie-Ève Laure (Reviens – Marie-Ève Laure)
English Songwriter(s) of the Year / Auteur compositeur(s) anglophone de l’année:
• Jacob Brodovsky (I Love You and I’m Sorry – Jacob Brodovsky)
• Luke Doucet, Melissa McClelland (I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying – Whitehorse)
• Tim Chaisson, Koady Chaisson, Jake Charron, Colin MacDonald, Carleton Stone (House of Dreams – The East Pointers)
• Dave Gunning (The Same Storm – Dave Gunning)
• Noah Derksen (Sanctity of Silence – Noah Derksen)
• Noah Zacharin (Points of Light – Noah Zacharin)
Indigenous Songwriter(s) of the Year / Auteur compositeur(s) autochtone de l’année:
• Cynthia Hamar (Joint & Marrow – Cynthia Hamar)
• Kaeley Jade Wiebe (Turpentine – Kaeley Jade)
• Geneviève Toupin (Maison vent – Willows)
• Kyle McKearney (A Traveler’s Lament – Kyle McKearney)
• Qattuu (Midnight Sun – Qattuu)
Instrumental Composer of the Year / Compositeur(s) ou compositrice(s) de l’année:
• Dario Montanino (Rio Lyon – Dario Montanino)
• Don Ross (Water – Don Ross)
• Lorie Wolf (Fray – Queen Kong)
• Nathan Smith, Emilyn Stam, John David Williams, Alan Mackie (Beacons – Vinta)
• Steve Dawson (Phantom Threshold – Steve Dawson & The Telescope 3)
Children’s Album of the Year / Album jeunesse de l’année
• Going Back: Remembered and Remixed Family Folk Songs (Ginalina)
• Here Comes the Train (Mr Ben)
• Minor Third (The Relative Minors)
• Primary (Darrelle London)
• Welcome to the Flea Circus (The Swinging Belles)
Instrumental Group of the Year / Groupe instrumental de l’année:
• Archetype Trad (Explorer)
• Medusa (Medusa)
• Queen Kong (Fray)
• So Long Seven (only elephants know her name)
• Vinta (Beacons)
Ensemble of the Year / Groupe de l’année:
• The Bombadils (Dear Friend)
• The East Pointers (House of Dreams)
• Genticorum (Au coeur de l’aube)
• Jackson Hollow (Roses)
• Whitehorse (I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying)
Vocal Group of the Year / Groupe vocal de l’année:
• Basset (In the Clay)
• Big Little Lions (AMPM)
• Musique à bouches (Il est grand temps)
• The Bombadils (Dear Friend)
• Twin Flames (Twin Flames Unplugged Live)
Oliver Schroer Pushing the Boundaries Award / Prix Innovation musicale Oliver Schroer:
• A Traveler’s Lament (Kyle McKearney)
• Codex XXI (De Lònga)
• only elephants know her name (So Long Seven)
• Universal Echoes (Kuné)
• Weyn Allah (Al Qahwa)
Producer(s) of the Year / Réalisateur(s) de l’année:
• Drew Jurecka, Dan Rosenberg (Silent Tears: The Last Yiddish Tango – Payadora Tango Ensemble)
• Jeremy Ledbetter (Seré Libre – Eliana Cuevas with the Angel Falls Orchestra)
• Jill Barber, Erik P. H. Nielsen (Homemaker – Jill Barber)
• Kaitlin Milroy, Alex Millaire, Charles Fairfield, Olivier Fairfield (Salt – Moonfruits)
• Steve Dawson (Eyes Closed, Dreaming – Steve Dawson)
Instrumental Solo Artist of the Year / Instrumentiste solo de l’année:
• Aaron Collis (Before Daylight in the Morning – Aaron Collis)
• Don Ross (Water – Don Ross)
• Joy Lapps (Girl In The Yard – Joy Lapps)
• Paul Pike (Echoes Of Our Ancestors – Paul Pike)
• Steve Dawson (Phantom Threshold – Steve Dawson & The Telescope 3)
• Troy McLaggan (Wood, Steel & Bones – Troy McLaggan)
Solo Artist of the Year / Artiste solo de l’année:
• Barbra Lica (Imposter Syndrome)
• Dave Gunning (The Same Storm)
• Julian Taylor (Beyond The Reservoir)
• Julie Title (After the Sun)
• William Prince (Stand in the Joy)
Single of the Year / Monoplage de l’année:
• Delaney’s Dad (Moira & Claire)
• Have You Seen My Sister? (Aruna and the Sirens + guests)
• In 40 Years (Barbra Lica)
• Light Under The Door (Zaac Pick)
• Seeds (Julian Taylor)
• Tell Me I’m Not Dreaming (The Bombadils)
• When You Miss Someone (William Prince)
• Worth The Time (Big Little Lions)

STYX To Return To The Venetian Resort Las Vegas January 26 – February 3, 2024

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Legendary and multi-Platinum rockers Styx will be taking the Las Vegas stage once again for an unforgettable five-night engagement at The Venetian Theatre inside The Venetian Resort Las Vegas. The shows will be held on January 26, 27 and 31 and February 2 and 3, 2024. All shows are scheduled to begin at 8:30 p.m.

Tickets start at $45, plus applicable fees, and will go on sale to the general public Friday, Oct. 6, at 10 a.m. PT. Tickets will be available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com, VenetianLasVegas.com, any box office at The Venetian Resort, or by calling 702.414.9000 or 866.641.7469.

Styx fan club members will have access to a pre-sale beginning Tuesday, Oct. 3, at 10 a.m. PT. The Venetian Resort Grazie® Rewards members, as well as Live Nation and Ticketmaster customers, will receive access to a pre-sale beginning Wednesday, Oct. 4, at 10 a.m. PT. All pre-sales will end Thursday, Oct. 5, at 10 p.m. PT. 

The six men comprising Styx have committed to rocking the Paradise together with audiences far and wide by entering their second decade of averaging over 100 shows a year, and each one of them is committed to making the next show better than the last. Styx draws from over four decades of barnburning chart hits, joyous singalongs, and hard-driving deep cuts. Like a symphony that builds to a satisfying crescendo, a Styx set covers a wide range of stylistic cornerstones. From the progressively sweeping splendor that is “The Grand Illusion” to the hunker-down fortitude of all that is the “Blue Collar Man,” from the majestic spiritual love for a special “Lady” to the seething indictment of preening, primping pageantry for pageantry’s sake of “Miss America,” from an individual yearning for true connection as a “Man in the Wilderness” to a soul-deep quest to achieve what’s at the heart of one’s personal vision in “Crystal Ball,” from the regal reach-for-the-stars bravado of “Come Sail Away” to the grainy all-in gallop of that rugged “Renegade” who had it made, the band draws on an unlimited cache of ways to immerse one’s mind and body in their signature sound.

A new era of hope, survival, and prosperity comes calling with the release of CRASH OF THE CROWN, STYX’s new studio album, which was written pre-pandemic and recorded during the trying times of the pandemic. The legendary and multi-Platinum rockers–James “JY” Young (lead vocals, guitars), Tommy Shaw (lead vocals, guitars), Chuck Panozzo (bass, vocals), Todd Sucherman (drums, percussion), Lawrence Gowan (lead vocals, keyboards), Ricky Phillips (bass, guitar, vocals), and Will Evankovich (guitars/mandolin) — released their 17th album June 18, 2021 on the band’s label, Alpha Dog 2T/UMe, which is available as clear vinyl, black vinyl, CD, and on digital platforms.

STYX’s holy mission for cutting CRASH OF THE CROWN was crystal-clear to its co-creator from the get-go. “Absolutely no obstacles were going to get in the way of how we approached creating this album,” singer/guitarist Tommy Shaw concludes about the herculean recording efforts of his fellow COTC makers. “And everything came out exactly the way we wanted to hear it.”

CRASH OF THE CROWN is the follow-up to STYX’s 16th studio album, THE MISSION (their first in 14 years at the time, which critics called “a masterpiece”) which was released June 16, 2017 on the band’s label, Alpha Dog 2T/UMe. The highly anticipated two-disc reissue of THE MISSION was released on July 27, 2018 via Alpha Dog 2T/UMe, which includes a CD of the original album, as well as a Blu-ray of the album mixed in 5.1 surround sound accompanied by stunning visualizations for each of the album’s 14 songs based on the album artwork. It originally debuted on various Billboard charts, including: #6 Top Rock Albums, #11 Physical Albums, #11 Vinyl Albums, #13 Current Albums, #14 Billboard Top Albums, #16 Retail, #17 Mass Merch/Non-Traditional, #29 Digital Albums, and #45 Billboard 200 (includes catalog and streaming).

James Corden Joins SiriusXM To Launch Exclusive New Show ‘This Life Of Mine With James Corden’

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SiriusXM today announced a new agreement with actor, writer, producer and presenter James Corden, which brings the iconic host into audio for the first time with the launch of his new show, This Life of Mine with James Corden. The show will be available exclusively for SiriusXM subscribers in-car and on the SiriusXM app.

This Life of Mine with James Cordenwhich is expected to premiere in early 2024, will feature in-depth conversations with the world’s biggest stars, discussing the people, places, moments, and memories that made them who they are today. From favorite music and movies to books and advice, the show will seek to tell the untold stories of some of the most well-known public figures.

Throughout his career, Corden has regularly been at the vanguard of the entertainment industry. He has won 12 Emmy Awards as a host, writer, producer, and actor. He is a Tony Award-winner, multiple BAFTA Award-winner, in addition to a Golden Globe Award nominee. During Corden’s eight-year run as host of The Late Late Show, the series was nominated for 27 Emmys and was a pioneer in the digital space boasting five of the ten most watched late-night clips currently available online including Carpool Karaoke with Adele, One Direction, Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars and Sia. Most recently, Corden starred in Jez Butterworth’s television series Mammals opposite Sally Hawkins.

Details on This Life of Mine will be included in SiriusXM’s Next Generation Industry & Press Preview event on November 8, in which the company will be debuting the new SiriusXM streaming app launching later this year, upcoming in-car innovations, new programming, branding, and more. Please register at nextgenlivestream.siriusxm.com for access.

“I am thrilled to be joining SiriusXM,” said James Corden. “Scott and the whole team have made me feel so welcome as I start this new chapter. It’s a dream to have a space to engage in deep conversations with the people whose work and talent I greatly admire.

“James Corden is an incredible talent who is always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible,” said Scott Greenstein, SiriusXM’s President and Chief Content Officer. “With a career that spans acting on stage and screen, developing and launching hit series such as Carpool Karaoke, and of course his iconic eight-year run as a late night host, James has been a trailblazer in the entertainment business. We’re so honored to welcome him to the SiriusXM family as he begins this next phase of his illustrious career and makes his mark in audio.”

Eligible customers can get their first three months of SiriusXM streaming for free. Click here to sign up and experience all that SiriusXM has to offer. See Offer Details.

James Corden is an Emmy Award winning host, writer, producer, and actor; a Tony Award winning and Golden Globe nominated actor; and a multiple BAFTA Award winner.

Corden recently starred in and executive-produced Jez Butterworth’s television series, MAMMALS opposite Sally Hawkins. The series, which was hailed as “absolutely sensational” by the Sunday Times Magazine, premiered in 2022 and is available globally on Amazon Prime.

Earlier this year, Corden wrapped his eight-year run as host of THE LATE LATE SHOW, which premiered on CBS in March 2015. The show garnered Corden four Emmy Award wins and an additional twenty-three Emmy Award nominations. In 2019, Corden was the most Emmy nominated performer/producer/writer, totaling seven nominations that year. Additionally, THE LATE LATE SHOW won two Critics Choice Awards and received two nominations for “Best Talk Show,” and was nominated for both the Writers Guild and Producers Guild Awards.  THE LATE LATE SHOW also set records in the digital space, boasting five of the ten most watched late-night clips currently available online – including Carpool Karaoke with Adele, One Direction, Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, and Sia.

Corden is the co-creator and executive producer of CARPOOL KARAOKE: THE SERIES for Apple TV+. The series won five consecutive Emmy Awards and is currently nominated for 2023. The series also won three Producers Guild Awards, a Critics’ Choice Real TV Award and was nominated for a Writers Guild Award. Additionally, he served as executive producer of DROP THE MIC which aired on TBS.

THE 70th ANNUAL TONY AWARDS, hosted by Corden in 2016, drew 8.7 million viewers, the highest viewership in 15 years and garnered him an Emmy Award and additional nomination for writing. In 2019, he returned to host THE 73rd ANNUAL TONY AWARDS and was Emmy nominated for “Outstanding Variety Special (Live).” Additionally, Corden hosted the 59th and 60th ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS and received an Emmy nomination in 2018.  Corden also won two Emmy Awards for the Snapshot series, JAMES CORDEN’S NEXT JAMES CORDEN and he received an Emmy nomination for hosting THE WORLD’S BEST.

On stage, Corden starred in the acclaimed, ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS for which he won the 2012 Tony Award for “Best Leading Actor in a Play.” He first performed the play at The National Theatre in London prior to making its debut on Broadway. Previously, Corden starred as “Timms” in THE HISTORY BOYS on Broadway and in the 2016 feature film adaptation – all directed by Nicholas Hytner.

In film, Corden starred in Ryan Murphy’s THE PROM, opposite Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman and received a 2021 Golden Globe nomination for “Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.” The film was nominated for the 2021 Golden Globe for “Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy” and the 2021 GLAAD Media Award for “Outstanding Film – Wide Release.” Corden’s other feature credits include: Rob Marshall’s Golden Globe nominated, INTO THE WOODS opposite Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt; Gary Ross’ OCEANS 8 alongside Cate Blanchett, Sandra Bullock, Anne Hathaway, Rihanna, and Awkafina; Ben Falcone’s SUPERINTELLIGENCE opposite Melissa McCarthy; John Carney’s BEGIN AGAIN with Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo; CINDERELLA (which he co-wrote and produced); THE THREE MUSKETEERS; GULLIVER’S TRAVELS; HOW TO LOSE FRIENDS AND ALIENATE PEOPLE with Jeff Bridges; and lent his voice to PETER RABBIT, PETER RABBIT 2, TROLLS, TROLLS WORLD TOUR and SMALLFOOT.

Well known for starring as ‘Smithy’ in the critically acclaimed BBC comedy series GAVIN AND STACEY, which he co-created and co-wrote with Ruth Jones, Corden, he won the BAFTA Television Award for “Best Male Comedy Performance,” the British Comedy Award for “Best Male Comedy Performer” and the series received the British Comedy Award for “Best TV Comedy” as well as the National Television Award for “Most Popular Comedy Programme.” In 2019, Corden co-wrote and starred in the GAVIN & STACEY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL which premiered on Christmas Day and was watched by 11.6 million people, breaking the show’s own viewership records, making it the highest watched holiday special in over a decade, and garnering him the 2020 BAFTA TV Award for “Must See Moment.”

In the UK, Corden hosted the BAFTA Award winning UK sports-themed comedy game show, A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN.  Additionally, he starred in, produced, and wrote the BAFTA nominated comedy thriller THE WRONG MANS for the BBC and was awarded the Royal Television Society Award for “Comedy Writer of the Year.” Other notable roles in the UK include FAT FRIENDS (garnering him a nomination for the 2000 Royal Television Society Award for “Network Newcomer On Screen”); and a recurring role in the popular BBC science fiction series DOCTOR WHO as ‘Craig Owens’, the Doctor’s roommate.

Corden served as host for the Brit Awards, the biggest event in the British music industry, from 2010 to 2014. Over the course of his career, Corden has been awarded the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Award for “Comedy Writer of the Year;” the South Bank Show Award for Comedy; the TRIC Award for “Best Comedy;” the National Television Award for “Best Comedy;” and the 2015 BAFTA Britannia Award for “British Artist of the Year.”

Corden was awarded with an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for services to drama at Buckingham Palace in 2015.

Global Citizen And Pglang Announce ‘Move Afrika,’ A Long-term Vision To Pioneer A World Class Music Touring Circuit Across The African Continent

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International advocacy organization Global Citizen and creative imprint, pgLang today announced ‘Move Afrika: A Global Citizen Experience‘, a new long-term, large-scale effort to pioneer a first-of-its-kind international music touring circuit throughout the continent of Africa. Move Afrika’s first major music event, Move Afrika: Rwanda, will take place on December 6, 2023 at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda. Grammy Award, Pulitzer Prize winning artist and co-founder of pgLang, Kendrick Lamar will headline the event, and pgLang will serve as the Curator of Move Afrika for the next five years, from 2023 until 2028.

Move Afrika is Global Citizen’s latest effort to address the world’s inequities by creating job and entrepreneurship opportunities for the continent’s emerging generations through an annual series of world-class live events. Showcasing the best of Africa to the world, these events will drive transformative investments within local communities, engage local artists, vendors, agencies and crews, and provide opportunities for on-the-job skill development and training. Producing a world-class experience for fans and artists alike, Move Afrika will set a new gold-standard for entertainment touring events, increasing demand from international and regional artists to tour in the region and building local capacity within host cities across the continent.

In partnership with the Rwanda Development Board, Kigali, Rwanda will host Move Afrika every year for the next five years. Each year, additional countries will be added to the tour schedule, which aims to expand to five countries by 2025.

Move Afrika: Rwanda, taking place on Wednesday, December 6 at Kigali’s BK Arena, will be headlined by Kendrick Lamar, with more regional artists to be announced. The event will feature a citizen-led advocacy campaign calling for urgent action and bold commitments from world leaders on major issues across the continent. Key issues include: the need for increased funding for health, with a specific emphasis on women and girls; addressing the climate crisis and its impact on food security; tackling the lack of access to economic opportunities for future generations; and encouraging civic participation. To take action on these issues, text +250 790 008 555 on WhatsApp.

Information on how to get tickets can be found at moveafrika.org.

Move Afrika builds on Global Citizen’s previous campaigns and events across the continent that include: Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100, which brought Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Ed Sheeran, Usher, Eddie Vedder and Chris Martin of Coldplay to Johannesburg, South Africa in 2018; Global Citizen Live: Lagos that featured Davido, Femi Kuti, and Tiwa Savage at Fela Kuti’s New Afrika Shrine in 2021; and Global Citizen Festival: Accra, which brought Usher, SZA, Stormzy, and TEMS to the iconic Black Star Square in 2022.

Africa is driving culture and creativity globally, but the Continent has been left out of the global music touring circuit for too long. By moving from one-off events to the sustained commitment of an annual tour, Move Afrika will drive transformative investments across Africa through the pioneering of a world-class touring circuit. Move Afrika will pave the way for many more artists to tour the Continent, while generating new economic opportunities within the entertainment industry for Africa’s booming youth generation. We are incredibly excited to bring this vision to life with pgLang and Kendrick Lamar, and are grateful for our partnership with the Rwanda Development Board, who shares our belief in this vision,” said Hugh Evans, Co-Founder and CEO, Global Citizen.

“Our goal with Move Afrika is to inspire local youth and artists to unlock their creativity. We hope to curate an immersive experience that empowers various communities and cultures across Africa and around the world for a lifetime,” said pgLang.

“We are delighted to host Global Citizen and to provide a platform for Move Afrika. This is a unique collaboration that aims to showcase the best of African creative talent to the world, through curated memorable entertainment experiences that address development priorities of our continent. Creating employment and income generating initiatives of the private sector, with a spotlight on the youth, is Rwanda Development Board’s core mandate. Together with Global Citizen and Move Afrika, we will position Rwanda as an entertainment hub for all African countries to benefit from the global creative industry,” said Francis Gatare, Chief Executive Officer, Rwanda Development Board.

“I am honored and humbled to play a meaningful role that supports new age global efforts to deal with health inequity, challenge poverty, and empower women and girls. The neglect of these predicaments, including global warming, have a detrimental effect on the prospects of the citizens of Africa and this situation cannot be allowed to continue unabated. I am happy that the Global Citizen movement has reignited the debate about these critical matters and that it is continuing to keep Africa top of mind by having Move Afrika: Rwanda. Across the entire African continent there is huge excitement for driving economic development, tourism and world class entertainment. We look forward to announcing additional cities for 2024 and 2025 in the coming months,” said Tshepo Mahloele, Africa Patron, Global Citizen.

Since its inception in Australia in 2008, Global Citizen has grown to become the world’s leading advocacy organization and one of the largest, most visible platforms uniting people around the world to call on world leaders to end extreme poverty, defend the planet and address the inequity of women and girls. The organization has taken its action-based live music events and campaigns from New York City to India, the United KingdomFranceGermanyNigeriaSouth AfricaAustraliaGhana, and Canada. Over the past 10 years, $43.6 billion in commitments announced on Global Citizen platforms has been deployed, impacting nearly 1.3 billion lives.

Music Production Software Market is to grow by USD 3.33 billion from 2022 – 2027

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The “Music Production Software Market by Type (Editing, Mixing, and Recording), End-user (Professionals and Non-professionals), and Geography (North AmericaEurope, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa) – Forecast and Analysis 2023-2027″ report has been added to Technavio’s offering. With ISO 9001:2015 certification, Technavio has proudly partnered with more than 100 Fortune 500 companies for over 16 years. The potential growth difference for the music production software market between 2022 and 2027 is USD 3.33  billion. The rising number of musicians and artists is notably driving the market growth. 

The global market for music production software has grown at a fast pace, with the increasing number of musicians and artists in the world. Musicians are also organizing music events through concert promoters or live event organizers to grab the attention of fans. However, musicians and artists are largely adopting music production software to improve the quality of their music. Prominent companies on the market are releasing new and improved versions of music production software with a view to exploiting such a trend.

The requirement of skillset to use music production software is a significant challenge hindering the market growth.  The primary use of music production software is in the field of musicians, artists, and recording companies. Music production is an intricate and time-consuming process, and therefore, the software plays a vital role in creating music in digital form. Nevertheless, most music producers don’t have sufficient skills in operating or using music production software.

The music production software market is segmented by type (Editing, Mixing, and Recording), end-user (Professionals and Non-professionals), and geography (North AmericaEurope, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa).

  • The market share growth by the editing segment will be significant during the forecast period. Music production software integrates several filters such as bandpass filters, equalization (EQ) filters, and high shelf filters to clean the audio by removing noise. Also, it incorporates a non-linear editing (NLE) system for editing audio and video content.
  • North America is estimated to account for 36% of the global market growth during the forecast period.

The karaoke market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.65% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 344.98 million.

The electronic musical instruments market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.13% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 551.01 million.

Fender Honors Bruno Mars With Artist Signature Stratocaster Guitar

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Fender Musical Instruments Corporation today announces the launch of the Bruno Mars Stratocaster, a limited-edition celebration of the chart-topping artist, multi-instrumentalist, performer, songwriter and producer Bruno Mars. The Bruno Mars Stratocaster guitar pays tribute to his trailblazing career, dazzling showmanship, and mastery of genre through the power of guitar. Bruno Mars’ catalog is defined by air tight songwriting, stunning musicianship and a fearlessness in the face of genre and at the foundation of this iconic body of work is a fundamental appreciation of versatile musicality. The Bruno Mars Signature Stratocaster has classic appeal with highly optimized features that keep the modern player in mind. Mars envisioned an instrument with class that could still appeal to the most technically driven shredders—and this signature guitar is just that.

Fourteen-time GRAMMY Award winner and thirty-time GRAMMY Award nominee Bruno Mars is a celebrated singer, songwriter, producer, and musician who has sold over 200 million singles worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time. The 17x Multi-Platinum has earned an astonishing eight No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Hot 100. In 2015, Bruno dominated music charts with the hit single “Uptown Funk,” which took home three GRAMMY Awards, including Record of the Year. In 2022, Mars and Anderson .Paak his Silk Sonic counterpart, took home four GRAMMY awards including Record Of The Year (“Leave The Door Open”), Song Of The Year (“Leave The Door Open”), Best R&B Performance (“Leave The Door Open”), and Best R&B Song (“Leave The Door Open”). Additionally, Mars became the first male and third act overall to have at least three top 5 Hot 100 hits from each of his first three albums, following only Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. Honorably, Mars is one of the few artists to have written and produced all of his No. 1 hits and has had a No. 1 song on the Hot 100 from each of his first three studio albums.

About creating the guitar, Mars said “I don’t think of myself as a guitar player. I’m more of a frustrated songwriter. Every song is like a puzzle you have to solve, and a good guitar can bring something out of you that can help take you to the finish line. That’s what I wanted from this guitar.” He added, “It was also important to have a workhorse that I could depend on for performing live and writing in the studio, whether it be rhythm or lead.”

 

The Bruno Mars Signature Stratocaster is meticulously crafted with songwriters and performers in mind. It’s a guitar that empowers artists to unleash their creativity and self-expression. Featuring the newest addition to Fender’s vibrant library of colorways, the all new Mars Mocha Heirloom™ nitrocellulose lacquer finish, and Heirloom™ Aged Gold Hardware, gives this signature Strat a worn-in feel straight out of the case. An accurate recreation of Mars’ beloved 1969 Stratocaster neck shape, the Bruno Mars Signature Stratocaster features sleek, vintage elements, designed to be both played and admired. The 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo and Deluxe Locking Tuners provide enhanced tuning stability with modern convenience and the worn-in, Heirloom™ finish as well as the subtle leopard print accents, are nods to two of Mars’ guitar playing heroes—Jimi Hendrix and Prince. Finally, the model comes loaded with a set of custom-voiced Bruno Mars pickups that will allow players to emulate Mars’ buoyant tone and singing leads. With this Stratocaster design and sound, guitarists everywhere have access to unlock endless creativity that helped turn Mars the artist, producer and songwriter he is today.

“We wanted to fashion a guitar that shows Fender’s respect for the artists marking today’s musical hall of fame, as well as displays Bruno Mars’s supernova qualities,” said Justin Norvell, EVP of Product at FMIC. “Bruno has been a tried and true Fender player since the early days of his career and we’re thrilled to include his signature among our roster. Between the all-new finish to the custom-voiced pickups, we’re confident this will be one of our largest signature launches to date.”

In true tradition, Fender’s Artist Signature Series honors iconic musicians through product progression and storytelling, creating instruments inspired by the unique specifications of the world’s greatest guitarists and bassists. Crafted from resonant ash, this guitar features sculpted American Ultra body contours for unmatched comfort and seamless access to high notes, watch Artur Menezes the Limited Edition Bruno Mars Stratocaster for a test drive.

Bruno Mars Stratocaster Guitar ($2,999.99 USD, £3,149.00 GBP, €3,599.00EUR, $5,199.00 AUD, ¥431,200 JPY) Get ready to channel your inner 24K Magic with the irresistibly elegant Bruno Mars Stratocaster. The Bruno Mars Stratocaster is crafted from resonant ash with sculpted American Ultra body contours for superior comfort and unparalleled access to the upper registers of the fingerboard. The Mars Mocha Heirloom™ nitrocellulose lacquer finish creates a gracefully aged aesthetic while allowing for maximum resonance and pure tone. The 9.5″–12″ compound-radius maple fingerboard and stainless-steel frets provide a silky, polished feel for smooth bending and effortless playability. The custom Bruno Mars Stratocaster pickups are fine-tuned to achieve Bruno’s favorite tones for classic Strat sparkle and singing lead sounds. The 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo and Deluxe Locking Tuners provide enhanced tuning stability with modern convenience, while a full complement of Heirloom™ Aged Gold Hardware gives this high-performance guitar the broken-in look and feel of a well-used, treasured instrument. Also included are a custom leopard print strap and an extra 3-ply mint green pickguard. A guitar as bold and electrifying as the man himself, the Bruno Mars Stratocaster is a must-have for players seeking classic Strat sparkle with a silky twist.

Since 1946, Fender has revolutionized music and culture as one of the world’s leading musical instrument manufacturers, marketers and distributors. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) – whose portfolio of owned and licensed brands includes Fender, Squier, Gretsch guitars, Jackson, EVH, Charvel, Bigsby and PreSonus – follows a player-centric approach to crafting the highest-quality instruments and digital experiences across genres. Since 2015, Fender’s digital arm has introduced a new ecosystem of products and interactive experiences to accompany players at every stage of their musical journey. This includes innovative apps and learning platforms designed to complement Fender guitars, amplifiers, effects pedals, accessories and pro-audio gear, and inspire players through an immersive musical experience. FMIC is dedicated to unlocking the power of musical expression for all players, from beginners to history-making legends. In 2021, Fender celebrated 75 years of giving artists “wings to fly,” carrying on the vision of its founder, Leo Fender, and connecting players through a shared love of music.

The Billboard Music Awards Channel Plays Nonstop Music from 2023’s Chart-Toppers

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Celebrate this year’s Billboard chart-toppers and 2023 Billboard Music Awards finalists on the Billboard Music Awards Channel! Listen on the SiriusXM app from November 8–21 and on channel 11 November 17–20.

Artists include Taylor Swift, Drake, Morgan Wallen, SZA, Foo Fighters, Miley Cyrus, Bad Bunny, Doja Cat, Jung Kook, Lainey Wilson, and more.

A reimagined 2023 Billboard Music Awards will bring fans up close and personal with their favorite artists on November 19. Delivering a fresh award show concept that will entertain with hours of music and exclusive content, including winner celebrations, behind-the-scenes moments, and performances created by the world’s biggest chart-topping artists. Winners are determined by year-end performance metrics on the Billboard charts, the ultimate authority of fan engagement with music.

Watch exclusive content — including winner celebrations, behind-the-scenes moments, and performance created by the world’s biggest chart-topping artists — November 19 at BBMAS.watch and on the BBMAs and Billboard social channels.

My Next Book: “Black Country Music: Listening for Revolutions” By Francesca T. Royster

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After a century of racist whitewashing, country music is finally reckoning with its relationship to Black people. In this timely work-the first book on Black country music by a Black writer-Francesca Royster uncovers the Black performers and fans, including herself, who are exploring the pleasures and possibilities of the genre.

Informed by queer theory and Black feminist scholarship, Royster’s book elucidates the roots of the current moment found in records like Tina Turner’s first solo album, Tina Turns the Country On! She reckons with Black “bros” Charley Pride and Darius Rucker, then chases ghosts into the future with Valerie June. Indeed, it is the imagination of Royster and her artists that make this music so exciting for a genre that has long been obsessed with the past. The futures conjured by June and others can be melancholy, and are not free of racism, but by centering Black folk Royster begins to understand what her daughter hears in the banjo music of Our Native Daughters and the trap beat of Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road.” A Black person claiming country music may still feel a bit like a queer person coming out, but, collectively, Black artists and fans are changing what country music looks and sounds like-and who gets to love it.