Grammy award-winning artist AKON announced The Superfan Tour, where he’ll be playing all of the fan favorites from the past 20 years, from “Right Now (Na Na Na)” to “Soul Survivor.” Produced by Live Nation, the 15-city tour kicks off on Thursday, November 2 in Atlanta at Tabernacle, making stops across North America in Nashville, Boston, New York, Toronto and more before wrapping up on Sunday, December 10 in Dallas at the House of Blues.
Akon, the Grammy Award-winning Senegalese-American luminary, stands as a multi-platinum recording artist, singer, producer, entrepreneur, actor, humanitarian extraordinaire, and a pioneering figure in the African music movement. Renowned for his genre-blurring sound encompassing R&B/Hip-Hop, EDM/Dance, and Pop, Akon boasts a global presence with over 35 million albums sold, five Grammy nominations, 45 Billboard Hot 100 chart-toppers, and over 300 guest appearances alongside icons like Michael Jackson, David Guetta, Gwen Stefani, Lil’ Wayne, and Eminem.
His accolades shine, including an American Music Award for “Favorite R&B Male Artist,” three World Music Awards for “Best Selling African Artist,” “Best Selling Internet Artist,” and “Best Selling R&B Male Artist,” and a Billboard Music Award for “Artist of the Year.” Akon’s legacy is etched in history with a Guinness World Record as the #1 selling artist for master ringtones and the unique feat of commanding the top two spots on the Billboard Hot 100 simultaneously.
His star-studded journey includes a spot in Forbes’ Celebrity 100 list and an invitation from Pepsi to create the FIFA World Cup anthem, “Oh Africa.” Akon’s influence extends as the founder of Konlive, Konvict Kulture, and KONVICT Music, labels and management companies that catapulted artists like T-Pain and Lady Gaga to stardom.
Beyond his musical prowess, Akon is a cultural icon whose philanthropic endeavors shine through projects like “Akon Lighting Africa,” providing solar-powered electricity to 14 African nations and impacting millions of lives. His vision extends to Akon City, a groundbreaking metropolis in Senegal rooted in innovation, education, entertainment, sustainability, and, most importantly, hope.
AKON SUPERFAN TOUR DATES:
Thu Nov 02 — Atlanta, GA — Tabernacle
Fri Nov 03 — Nashville, TN — Marathon Music Works
Sun Nov 05 — Philadelphia, PA — The Fillmore
Tue Nov 07 — Silver Spring, MD — The Fillmore
Sun Nov 12 — Boston, MA — House of Blues
Mon Nov 13 — New York, NY — Irving Plaza
Wed Nov 15 — Toronto, ON — REBEL
Thu Nov 16 — Detroit, MI — The Fillmore
Fri Nov 17 — Chicago, IL — Radius Chicago
Sun Nov 19 — Minneapolis, MN — The Fillmore
Wed Nov 29 — San Francisco, CA — The Masonic
Thu Nov 30 — Los Angeles, CA — Hollywood Palladium
Sun Dec 03 — Phoenix, AZ — The Van Buren
Thu Dec 07 — Houston, TX — Bayou Music Center
Sun Dec 10 — Dallas, TX — House of Blues
SiriusXM announced that the third season of Let’s Go! – the show hosted by 7-time Super Bowl Champion quarterback Tom Brady, former All-Pro wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and Hall of Fame Emmy Award-winning broadcaster Jim Gray – will debut on Monday, September 4, and air weekly throughout the 2023 NFL season.
Brady, who announced his retirement from a legendary on-field career following the 2022 NFL season, and Fitzgerald, a NFL Man of the Year and one of the greatest receivers to ever play the game, share their thoughts on the latest news around the league and beyond the field. Gray, who has known and interviewed both players since they came into the league, leads the conversations every week.
New episodes will debut every Monday at 6 pm ET/3 pm PT on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio (channel 82) and replay at 6:30 pm ET/3:30 pm PT on SiriusXM NFL Radio (channel 88). Let’s Go! will be available on all major podcast platforms, with additional bonus content from Tom, Larry and Jim available only on the SiriusXM App.
The first two seasons of Let’s Go! have also featured appearances by an extraordinary list of guests – including Oprah Winfrey, Snoop Dogg, Bill Belichick, Tracy Morgan, Adam Sandler, Patrick Mahomes, Andrea Bocelli, Aaron Judge, Peyton Manning, Kevin Durant, Andy Reid and many more.
Today – on her 83rd birthday – after a decade lay-off from recording on her own, Sylvia Tyson announces the release on November 3rd, 2023 of her most powerful, and most incisive recording to date, “At The End Of The Day,” on Stony Plain Records – and shares that this will be her final album. You can pre-order it here.
“It was time,” says the beloved Canadian artist, renowned for her independence, intelligence, and songwriting prowess. “It is kind of a gathering of all of the things that I wanted to record, but never got around to. I just felt that it was time to record. I really feel that this may be the best album that I have ever done.”
With her final studio album, the aptly titled recording combines an intensely personal artistry with a broader vision of a public figure at peace with her ordered life as a songwriter, and as an artist. For a woman who has lived a public life for decades, Tyson is the most private of household names.
“It’s the good times I remember at the end of the day,” sings Tyson on the new album, a collection of songs that look back across a life well-lived, while offering advice for those just starting out on their own unique journeys.
Tyson’s impact on popular culture has been immeasurable. A pillar of the Greenwich Village folk scene from the late ’50s through the ’60’s as half of the groundbreaking Ian & Sylvia, the duo headlined NYC’s Carnegie Hall and topped the Billboard charts, all while championing Village contemporaries Bob Dylan and Gordon Lightfoot by being the first popular artists to record their songs. Moreover, Tyson’s own song “You Were On My Mind” and Ian’s “Four Strong Winds” became standards that were covered by dozens of popular artists. Throughout the sixties and early seventies, Ian & Sylvia produced thirteen popular albums and toured extensively in North America and Europe, sharing their manager, Albert Grossman, with such luminaries as Bob Dylan, Peter Paul and Mary, The Band, and Janis Joplin. The duo were equally influential in the country genre with their band Great Speckled Bird.
On At The End of The Day, Tyson sings of memories, family histories, and lost loves, while also offering pragmatic how-to’s on handling love and tough times. It mixes the good with the bad, the bitter with the sweet, all topped off with healthy sprinkle of realism, as evidenced on the introspective, waltzing opener “Sweet Agony”:
Come to me, sweet agony
I am ready to fall in love again
If I can have that ecstasy
I’ll take my chances with the pain
The album takes us from warm kitchens to post-war Berlin to rain-slicked streets to bluesy cabarets to lush gardens. It’s a record Tyson could only write now, after a lifetime of honing her craft and studying human nature as a revered songwriter, broadcaster, and author.
“At The End Of The Day” was produced by long-time friend Danny Greenspoon, and recorded at the Canterbury Music Company Studios in Toronto, and mixed at The Audio Truck in Toronto. Backing was provided by Davide DiRenzo (drums), Charles James (bass), Jason Fowler (guitar), John Sheard (piano), Drew Jurecka (violin, mandolin); and Denis Keldie, and Mark Lalama (both on accordion, and B3 organ).
Among Tyson’s circle of co-writers for the album are the late Shirley Eikhard, Joan Besen, Cindy Church, and Chris Whiteley. All long-time friends.
Throughout her career, Tyson has composed numerous enduring songs. Her repertoire includes: “You Were On My Mind” – a cover by the California pop quintet We Five reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965, “River Road”, recorded by Crystal Gayle in 1980, “Yesterday’s Dreams”, recorded by Nana Mouskouri. Ian & Sylvia classics she wrote include “Woman’s World,” “Sleep on My Shoulder,” “Love Is a Fire,” “Same Old Thing,” “Denim Blue Eyes,” “Pepere’s Mill,” and “I Walk These Rails,” songs that have touched and inspired fans, songwriters, and musicians the world over.
Although she enjoyed performing, Tyson admits the romance of the road is gone for her. “I’m not looking for things to do,” she says laughing. “I can’t work at the same kind of intensity as I used to.”
In recognition of her trailblazing solo career, Tyson has been honored with a bevy of prestigious awards. She was made a member of the Order of Canada in 1994. In 2003, Tyson was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. In 2019, Tyson was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Tyson has continued to have a long and successful solo career. She’s recorded 10 albums, written more than 200 songs, and has for the last 20 years also recorded and performed with three other well-known Canadian female singer-songwriters in a group called Quartette. She’s also had a long and distinguished radio and television career, both in music and in documentaries, and inspired a dazzling array of contemporary recording artists, some of whom shared their thoughts about Sylvia and her new album:
There is the sunlight
there is the heartbreak
there is the voice that I’ve known
since the beginning
the night lifts and dawn comes again in the voice of Sylvia
the thread is not broken-
Just what I needed
the poetry from my youth
into this new day
As old as years as light as dawn
As new as inspiration
She is here again to staunch my tears
And it was all worth it
For me a new beginning
The new songs
the wise heart
sheer Bliss
Thank God for Sylvia Tyson
– Judy Collins
Ian and Sylvia were a big influence on me in the early days of my career. I’m happy to see that Sylvia is still making meaningful music. And I’d like to add that I was knocked out by “I Never Got Over You,” “Leaves in the Storm,” and “Not Quite Rain.” Love those lines from “Leaves”: “We were too old to be innocent, too young to be wise.”
– Linda Ronstadt
Sylvia Tyson’s “At the end Of The Day” is a fine collection of some of the most truthful and touching songs I’ve heard.
– Daniel Lanois
Sylvia and Ian were major influences on early Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in the ’60’s, as their music was always pristine, perfect, and telling of some happy or sad occasion. It was always something ‘worth listening to’ and had to be in your collection, when trying to learn what music was supposed to be. Sylvia’s new album carries that same importance of the earlier albums … and maybe even more so, since it is purported to be her final recording. It is up to her standards, statements, sadness, some happy… give it a listen and put it in your library. The playing is excellent by all, and smooth production that you would expect with such an icon.
– John McEuen of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Sylvia’s new record comes in the door like an old friend, no need for introduction. The soothing voice, the intimate stories and beautiful instrumentation all contribute to a memorable afternoon. She doesn’t disappoint on a single track right down to the final instrumental. Bravo Sylvia.
– Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo
“Sylvia Tyson is one of the first people I ever saw sing Folk music on International Television. But not just any Folk music. She was singing Canadian Folk music about things that were Canadian. Made me feel like I could do the same.”
– Alan Doyle
At The End Of The Day Track Listing:
1 Sweet Agony
2 I Never Got Over You
3 Leaves In The Storm
4 Not Quite Rain
5 Now Tell Me That You’ve Got The Blues
6 Long Chain Of Love
7 Generous Heart
8 Cynical Little Love Song
9 No Crowd No Show
10 Angels In Troubled Times
11 At The End Of The Day
12 Janet’s Garden
Legendary guitarist and songwriter Randy Bachman is thrilled to announce the resurrection of his iconic 70s rock band Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO). Original BTO bassist and lead vocalist C. F. “Fred” Turner is on track to start helping Randy put it all together as soon as he can.
Also joining Randy and Fred in BTO will be Randy’s son, Tal, along with touring musicians Marc, Brent, and Mick.
Randy, Fred, and Tal are already writing and recording new songs and planning tours around the world. A BTO concert movie (filmed in 1976) is slated for release 2024, as is a double live album recorded that same year at Tokyo’s Budokan Arena. Also on offer will be a wide range of vintage-style BTO merchandise: not just T-shirts, but belt buckles, leather bags, watches, gears, lighters, and more.
The audiobooks marketis estimated to grow by USD 10.91 billion from 2022 to 2027, growing at a CAGR of 25.32%. The audiobook market is fragmented owing to the presence of many global and regional companies. A few prominent companies that offer audiobooks market are Alphabet Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Apple Inc., Barnes and Noble Booksellers Inc., Bonnier, BookLender.com, DOWNPOUR, KUKU FM, Libro.fm SPC., Midwest Tape LLC, Open Culture LLC., Pubmark Inc., RBmedia, Scribd Inc., Spotify Technology SA, Storynory Ltd., Storytel AB, W.F. Howes Ltd., Rakuten Group Inc., and LMBPN Publishings.
North America is estimated to contribute 35% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. The US and Canada contribute largely to the growth of the audiobook market in the region. Additionally, some institutions are adopting bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies in the US, allowing students to gain digital skills while reducing the amount of money institutions spend. Furthermore, the region is home to major companies such as Apple, Downpour, Barnes and Noble Booksellers, Amazon, Alphabet, Rbmedia, and Scribd. Regionally based e-book companies, such as Amazon, are working to provide e-book readers with the ability to play audiobooks. For example, the US version of the Kindle Paperwhite may also support audiobooks. Hence, these factors are expected to drive market growth in the region during the forecast period.
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey is taking its signature urban art and Hip Hop program, Art, Beats + Lyrics, into new frontiers — including outer space — with The Verse, the brand’s first immersive virtual reality experience. The Afrofuturism-inspired world showcases the works of celebrated Black and diverse artists and creators while exploring the intersection of Hip Hop and innovation. The state-of-the-art experience will provide visitors with a range of interactive attractions, including an exclusive virtual performance by the critically acclaimed fusion band Phony Ppl. The virtual concert is one of the first to use markerless motion capture through AI technology. The Verse can be accessed through any connected device (mobile, tablet, desktop or VR headset) through www.SeeTheVerse.com.
Building on the legacy of Jack Honey’s Art, Beats + Lyrics, a touring art and music program launched in 2004 by Cult Creative that is dedicated to supporting visionary artists, The Verse offers Hip Hop fans a cutting-edge online destination to celebrate — and experience — the best in urban art and culture from anywhere in the world. The curated art exhibition, which spans two levels and four gallery spaces, will feature a collection of more than 80 artistic creations from over 30 artists. Featured artists include legendary photographer and cultural archivist Polo Silk, Atlanta-based Tanzanian-Nigerian visual artist Marryam Moma, and contemporary realist painter Tim Okamura.
Additional features of The Verse include:
Exclusive fan meet-and-greet and virtual fireside chat with Phony Ppl (September 28)
Virtual panel on Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary and its tech-led future organized by HipHopForChange (October)
An homage to 1520 Sedgwick Ave in the Bronx, the birthplace of Hip Hop
A space elevator that skyrockets visitors from Earth to outer space
A nightlife-inspired Honey Lounge for guests to network and socialize
Flying through zero-gravity tubes
Brooklyn-based band Phony Ppl has been tapped as The Verse‘s inaugural musician in residence and will make their virtual concert debut in The Verse‘s Honey Club. Known for their unique blend of soul, jazz, Hip Hop, R&B, reggae, and rock, the quintet’s performance will transport visitors to the surface of the moon and reimagine the band as larger-than-life characters. The exclusive VR concert boasts one of the world’s first applications of an AI-powered markerless motion capture technology to produce an immersive music experience.
“As we continue to celebrate the Golden Anniversary of Hip Hop this year, we also want to look forward towards the future; In our reach digitally, abroad to other countries and shining more light (binding or connecting) the creative community — and that’s what The Verse is all about,” said Jabari Graham, Founder and Co-Producer of Cult Creative. “Art, Beats + Lyrics is proud to work with Jack Honey to take our amazing partnership to the next level and offer fans virtual experiences that would be impossible to execute in real life. This new platform allows us to showcase digitally-native artists and their work in immersive and mind-bending new ways.”
“By honoring Hip Hop culture, The Verse serves as a reminder of the transformative power of art and music, instilling hope and inspiring positive change within the community and beyond. This virtual art gallery and music experience will showcase Jack Honey’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation while remaining true to our core values of upholding authenticity and passion,” said Keenan Harris, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Brand Director. “As a leader in the spirits industry, Jack Daniel’s continues to pave the way for experiences that transcend traditional boundaries, delighting our consumers with unique and memorable moments.”
“We are thrilled to present this revolutionary experience to our audience,” said Phony Ppl, who embark on an international tour this October. “By fusing the worlds of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, music and technology, we are bringing an unparalleled platform for our fans to connect, celebrate and experience our first-ever virtual concert!”
Thedisc jockey (DJ) consoles market is expected to grow by USD 138.43 million from 2022 to 2027, progressing at a CAGR of 4.32% as per the latest Technavio market research report. The report has been segmented by product (DJ controllers, DJ mixers, media players, turntables, and others), distribution channel (offline and online), and geography (Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa). The growing engagement in music-related activities is a key factor driving market growth. People’s participation in leisure activities is increasing every year, largely due to changing lifestyles and increasing pressures in the labor market. People desire to participate in anti-stress activities and thus participate in activities related to music, sports, camping, and others. Furthermore, playing electronic musical instruments has become one of the most popular recreational activities worldwide. People of all ages participate in music-related leisure activities. For example, they play guitar, piano, or keyboard. Hence, these factors are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. Discover insights on market size before buying the full report- Download the sample report
This market research report segments the disc jockey (DJ) consoles market by product (DJ controllers, DJ mixers, media players, turntables, and others), distribution channel (offline and online), and geography (Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa).
The DJ controllers segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. Revenue from this segment relies on advances in DJ console design and functionality. The increase in demand for advanced electronic musical instruments has played an important role in the demand and technological evolution of DJ controllers. In addition, DJs have also gradually moved from traditional controllers and mixers to electronic ones due to the emergence of trap music, electronic dance music, and mashups. Hence, these factors are expected to drive segment growth during the forecast period.
Europe is going to have lucrative growth during the forecast period. About 33% of the market’s overall growth is expected to originate from Europe.
The growing demand for customized electronic musical instruments is a major trend in the market.
The guitar market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.75% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 1,950.56 million. This guitar market report extensively covers market segmentation by type (acoustic and electric), distribution channel (offline and online), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa). One of the key factors driving the global guitar market growth is the growing popularity of music-related leisure activities.
The music synthesizers market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.85% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 265.44 million. This music synthesizers market report extensively covers market segmentation by type (digital synthesizers and analog synthesizers), distribution channel (offline and online), and geography (North America, APAC, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America). The growing popularity of hybrid synthesizers is notably driving the market growth.
IMAX today announced that the special IMAX Live 40th anniversary screening of Jonathan Demme’sStop Making Sense at the Toronto International Film Festival is now the highest grossing IMAX Live event of all time. The groundbreaking Talking Heads concert film earned $640,839 and sold out 25 screens across 165 IMAX locations in North America and the BFI IMAX in London.
The world premiere screening was held on Monday, September 11 at Cineplex’s Scotiabank IMAX Theatre in Toronto. It was followed by a Q&A live-streamed from TIFF and moderated by filmmaker Spike Lee with all four original band members in attendance: David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz, and Jerry Harrison.
“The unforgettable Stop Making Sense looks and sounds even more incredible in IMAX, and we’re excited to share this event with TIFF and our audiences everywhere,” said Rich Gelfond, CEO of IMAX. “This further establishes our ability to deliver unique live and music experiences with extraordinary quality, and we look forward to a great run ahead with our partners at A24.”
A24’s recently acquired, groundbreaking Talking Heads concert film, for which A24 has done a complete 4K restoration, will have a full theatrical run following the special premiere event, releasing exclusively in IMAX on September 22 and in theaters everywhere on September 29.
This highly anticipated special event transported audiences into the heart of music history, immersing them in the electrifying performance of the Talking Heads’ legendary 1984 concert film. Directed by the visionary Jonathan Demme and produced by Gary Goetzman (The Silence of the Lambs, Mamma Mia!, Band of Brothers), Stop Making Sense has left an indelible mark on the world of music and cinema, and its timeless allure continues to captivate new generations.
Grenco Science, the leader in advanced technology cannabis vaporization, announces today a brand partnership with the Grateful Dead, one of the most popular, enduring and influential bands in American history. The two pioneers in music and cannabis will collaborate on Grenco Sciences’ global line of G Pen advanced technology vaporizers and Stündenglass Gravity Infusers.
This is the first time the Grateful Dead will officially introduce vaporizers and glass in the cannabis space, combining the band’s iconic imagery with Grenco Science’s transformative design and technology. Together they will introduce co-branded product offerings featuring iconography from the Grateful Dead archives launching in stores and online at gpen.com/GratefulDead and stundenglass.com/GratefulDead in Fall 2023.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to finally bring this dream collaboration to fruition with the Grateful Dead. For over 10 years, we’ve been working towards this moment and it’s a true honor to create products for their devoted fans. The Grateful Dead’s music has transcended generations and has touched so many lives, including mine. I first discovered the band at the age of 16 and now, as a father, I can enjoy their music with my own family. My favorite mornings are the ones where we blast Dead and dance around the kitchen. This collaboration is a huge accomplishment for our team and me personally. We were beyond excited to create innovative products that stay true to the essence of the Grateful Dead and their incredible legacy,” says Chris Folkerts, CEO Grenco Science.
Culture has been a part of Grenco Science’s DNA since its inception in 2012. Its deep roots with artists and musicians have added unrivaled artistry to both the G Pen and Stündenglass lines, demonstrating the company’s dedication to elevating the cannabis experience through the arts.
This historic partnership will present sought-after collaborations to the market, increasing the brand diversity of the popular G Pen and Stündenglass lines with the unparalleled artwork of the Grateful Dead amassed over 30 years of revolutionary music.
