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Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Extends Groundbreaking Beatles Exhibition

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By popular demand, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has extended one of its most celebrated featured exhibits – The Beatles: Get Back to Let It Be – giving even more fans the opportunity to visit it throughout 2023. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is the only place in the world where fans experience one of the most iconic moments of the twentieth century as they step inside The Beatles’ January 1969 Let It Be rehearsals, studio sessions, and legendary Apple Corps rooftop concert, the band’s final live performance. Opened in March 2022, this featured exhibition is an immersive complement to Peter Jackson’s docuseries, “The Beatles: Get Back. 

Like Jackson’s “Get Back” docuseries, the exhibit shows how The Beatles composed and recorded many of their iconic songs from scratch. The exhibit’s three screening rooms feature an exclusive selection of video footage from each location from the docuseries: Twickenham, Apple Studios, and the Apple Corps rooftop. The footage from the recording sessions and conversations turns the clock back to 1969, showing the intimacy, joyousness, and humor as The Beatles write and record songs for Let It Be and some songs featured on Abbey Road and future solo albums.

Fans experience The Beatles’ creative journey through the exhibit’s original instruments, clothing, and handwritten lyrics used by The Beatles and seen in the film. 

“The Beatles have had a massive, global impact across generations. We have already welcomed a diverse mix of over half a million fans from around the world to experience this exhibit,” said Greg Harris, President & CEO, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. “We remain grateful for the support of Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, the estates of John Lennon and George Harrison, Apple Corps Ltd., and Peter Jackson for helping us tell this important story, and look forward to welcoming fans all year.”  

Fans can reserve tickets to visit the Museum and experience the exhibit in advance at rockhall.com.

To build on the excitement of this extended run, this summer fans can enjoy Beatles Fridays, exclusive screenings of The Beatles’ rooftop concert every weekend, interactive and educational programs, unique photo opportunities, live music, and other special events to be announced.

Parents, teachers, and guardians can explore The Beatles’ story via Rock Hall EDU, a free online education platform that has reached over 1.2 million students worldwide, and download an educational collection inspired by Let It Be. Visit rockhall.com to access the free resources. 

Fans will want to check out the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s online store and the museum shop for an expansive collection of Beatles apparel, accessories, multimedia, and more, including new apparel inspired by The Beatles, with fresh product arriving through the year. 

My Next Read: “World Within a Song: Music That Changed My Life and Life That Changed My Music” by Jeff Tweedy

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An exciting and heartening mix of memories, music, and inspiration from Wilco front man and New York Times bestselling author Jeff Tweedy, sharing fifty-plus songs that changed his life, the real-life experiences behind each one, as well as what he’s learned about how music and life intertwine and enhance each other

What makes us fall in love with a song? What makes us want to write our own songs? Do songs help? Do songs help us live better lives? And do the lives we live help us write better songs?

After two New York Times bestsellers that cemented and expanded his legacy as one of America’s best-loved performers and songwriters, Let’s Go (So We Can Get Back) and How To Write One Song, Jeff Tweedy is back with another disarming, beautiful, and inspirational book about why we listen to music, why we love songs, and how music can connect us to each other and to ourselves. Featuring fifty-plus songs that have both changed Jeff’s life and influenced his music—including songs by The Replacements, Mavis Staples, The Velvet Underground, Joni Mitchell, Otis Redding, Dolly Parton, and Billie Eilish—as well as thoughts on Jeff’s own songs and his “Rememories,” which have been such a hit on his popular Substack, Starship Casual, this book is a mix of the musical, the emotional, and the inspirational in the best possible way.

Swedish-Danish Pop Artist Frida Maria Creates “Magic” With New Single

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There is magic inside each and every one of us, and it’s our job to mold it into something great. That is the theme behind Swedish-Danish artist Frida Maria’s latest single, appropriately titled “Magic.”

In “Magic,” Frida explains the energy and possibility within each of our own realities. We have the power to shape our personal experiences, transforming the abstract feelings and visions in our minds into something we can touch, see, and live. This is what makes us all our own magicians.

“Everything I feel right now
It’s in my heart
Everything I see right now
It’s in my mind
Baby, can we be right now
Oh, let me, let me hold you in my arms
‘Cause everything I breathe right now
It’s life, oh, and it’s ours”

The idea for “Magic” originated in 2017 in the bathroom Frida shared with her ex at their place in New York City. Inspired by the power of manifestation, they wanted to make a song with purpose. Now six years, some re-recorded vocals, plenty of updated production, and tons of life experience later, “Magic” is finally a reality.

“We updated the feeling and mood of the song because life changed, experiences changed, and the magical intention changed,” Frida said. “The original essence of the song is the same as it was from the beginning, and the love I/we put into the song is something that will always be very close to my heart.”

A handful of helpers have been instrumental in the creation of “Magic.” Carlos Alejandro Calvet Aguilar composed the first piano structure, Dante Gastelum of Tricyclo Music put together all the other instrumental parts and produced the entire song, and a whole host of people were important to the making of the song’s music video, out on YouTube now.

Made at Panoram Studios in Mexico City, the video for “Magic” depicts a character, played by Frida, slowly progressing from a seemingly innocent woman dressed in white to a darker, shadowy figure covered in makeup that renders her unrecognizable from the start. This demonstrates the evolution our individual magic can take on our realities.

“We had a base plan on how we wanted to create a transformation between different characters and personalities, but we weren’t 100% sure what to shoot throughout the day and went with the flow and with how the character developed from sweet and virgin-looking to dark and fully emerged,” Frida said. “All the characters merge into one.”

As you watch the character shift through the video while Frida serenades you with melodies of magic, you can feel the power of your control over your own personhood.

“The magic is within you, and by showing all these characters, we wanted to convey that in an artistic sense, that you create your own reality, and everyone possesses the ability to play out their characters in their story,” Frida explained. “You have to accept all parts and sides of yourself. Dark and light. Don’t hide who you are. Accept them, learn from them, and emerge them into the entire human being that you are.”

“Magic” is available now.

Stars Align for Toronto Singer-Songwriter Meredith Moon With ‘Constellations’ Album

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True North Records announced the signing of Meredith Moon and the forthcoming release of her new album, Constellations, a blisteringly honest but astonishing body of work that easily puts her neatly in the footsteps of her father, Gordon Lightfoot. Constellations is set to be released March 31st, 2023.

For the past decade, Meredith Moon introduced herself simply as “a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter,” wowing audiences around the world with her clawhammer banjo and original songs. She didn’t mention that her father is Gordon Lightfoot; she first wanted to prove herself, on her own terms. Which she did: one gig at a time, hitchhiking around North America, riding the rails, making her own connections in DIY spaces and online forums. Now her second album, Constellations, has landed her a global record deal—and she’s ready for her closeup.

Constellations comprises 10 songs that showcase Meredith’s unique voice and captivating lyrics, wrapped in a raw neo-traditional folk sound, with traditional Appalachian step-rhythms and banjo.

But Meredith Moon isn’t someone living in the past. She’s a young woman. She taught herself to play banjo when she was 21 by watching YouTube videos. Then she hit the road playing solo alongside a folk-punk band, tapping into a DIY network that enabled her to book her own tours: across North America, Central America and western Europe, including Croatia and the Czech Republic — many places that don’t often see a young female singer-songwriter playing Appalachian-style banjo. Bars, art spaces, house shows — it didn’t matter to Moon: “I booked everything through the traveling punks and the old-time scene—which are honestly quite similar.”

She only performed publicly with her father for the first time in 2022, opening some Canadian dates for the songwriting legend. “He didn’t introduce me as his daughter. He completely understands and respects why I’d want that. He’d just say, ‘Give it up for Meredith Moon.’ That was really nice.”

So, take the man’s advice and put your hands together and give it up: follow Constellations until you find Meredith Moon. On her own merits.

Meredith Moon will be performing an album release concert in Toronto at the Rivoli on March 31, 2023.

Tracklisting
1. Starcrossed (2:10)
2. That Town (3:44)
3. Constellations (4:17)
4. Brokenwing Bird (4:12)
5. Your Cards (3:34)
6. Soldier’s Joy (2:46)
7. Lighthouse County (3:40)
8. Mark Twain (3:19)
9. Needlecase Medley (3:09)
10. Slow Moving Train (4:21)

CREEM Issue #003 Cover Art + Contents Revealed And Out March 15

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Today, the iconic and newly reborn CREEM announced the cover and contents for its third issue since the magazine’s audacious relaunch earlier last year. The cover features original artwork by L.A.-based graphic artist and musician Iphigenia (Foie Graphics). Her work explores power and perversion through a subversive and humorous lens, so in illustrating the Spring 2023 cover for CREEM, she naturally took aim at portions of the publication’s “yikes did we really say that?!?” seventies-era. She says, “With the cover I wanted to pull together a funny way of saying, ‘We’ve made a mistake’ with respect to some of the things done in the past.”

The new issue will span generations & genres, from features on Weyes Blood, Katy Kirby and Poison Ruïn to Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan, “How to party your way into signing Metallica,” the return of Botch, a CREEM history of Britpop, and Tom Waits.

Starting today, readers can preview a full article from the issue at CREEM.com around Peter Frampton and his final tour after being stricken with a rare degenerative muscular disease. CREEM was with the guitar legend for some of the final dates, and he sat for his first photoshoot with the magazine in more than 40 years.

Revised CREEM columns Stars Cars (Ty Segall), CREEM Dreem (Hurray for the Riff Raff), Eleganza (“Clowncore” music and fashion) and CREEM Comix will also return. Subscribers and those who sign up by February 15 will be mailed the Spring 2023 issue, also available to them on CREEM.com along with the entire magazine’s archive. New subscribers will also get a free Boy Howdy! t-shirt while supplies last.

One of the most unlikely and successful media relaunches, CREEM debuted its first magazine issue since 1989 in 2022, along with the CREEM Archive featuring every issue from the magazine’s original 20 year run. Vanity Fair revealed the first print cover for the new oversized subscription-only premium quarterly, featuring original art by the legendary Raymond Pettibon (responsible for Sonic Youth’s Goo album cover & others).

CREEM’s second revived issue featured a cover and apparel designed by visionary artist Jeremy Dean – best known for his “Wonders of Black Flag” tees mashing up Grateful Dead & Black Flag iconography, alongside working with The Rolling Stones, Circle Jerks, Ceremony & more. The new CREEM has featured fresh takes on classic stories from The Who, Terry Allen and a Creedence Clearwater Revival CIA scandal, championed up-and-coming artists like Special Interest and KeiyaA, as well as explored in-depth pieces from the last days with David Berman to billionaire CEOs like the Winklevoss twins “purchasing” rock-star status and beyond.

Depeche Mode’s “Ghosts Again” First Single & Video From Forthcoming Album Out Now

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Depeche Mode has confirmed the release date of its eagerly anticipated new album, Memento Mori, which will be released March 24 via Columbia Records.

Memento Mori’s arrival is heralded by today’s release of first single “Ghosts Again.” Having been stealthily previewed in Berlin in October at the Memento Mori launch event, “Ghosts Again” is nothing short of classic Depeche Mode: Evocative Dave Gahan lyrical imagery including “wasted feelings, broken meanings… a place to hide the tears we cry” and a hypnotic Martin Gore guitar figure atop an uplifting, optimistic groove. “Ghosts Again” is available now across digital platforms, and as an instant grat with pre-saves and pre-orders of Memento Mori – which is available for pre-order now on 2LP vinyl, CD, cassette, and digital.

“To me, ‘Ghosts Again’ just captures this perfect balance of melancholy and joy,” commented Gahan. Gore added, “It’s not often that we record a song that I just don’t get sick of listening to – I’m excited to be able to share it.”

“Ghosts Again” has been visually interpreted by longtime Depeche Mode collaborator and Memento Mori album cover and artwork designer Anton Corbijn. Corbijn’s sublime rendering of the song in stark yet rich monochrome tones can be seen below.

Memento Mori is Depeche Mode’s 15th studio album and its first as a two-piece lineup of Gahan and Gore, following co-founder Andrew “Fletch” Fletcher’s tragic passing in 2022. Produced by James Ford, with additional production work by Marta Salogni, Memento Mori’s gestation took place during the early stages of the Covid pandemic, resulting in themes inspired directly by that period. The album’s 12 tracks chart a vast expanse of moods and textures, from its ominous opening to its closing resolve—running the gamut from paranoia and obsession to catharsis and joy, and hitting myriad points between.

The complete track listing for Memento Mori is:
My Cosmos Is Mine
Wagging Tongue
Ghosts Again
Don’t Say You Love Me
My Favourite Stranger
Soul With Me
Caroline’s Monkey
Before We Drown
People Are Good
Always You
Never Let Me Go
Speak To Me

As previously announced, The Memento Mori Tour will coincide with the album’s release. The Live Nation-presented tour — Depeche Mode’’s first in over five years and 19th overall — kicks off March 23rd with a special, limited series of North American arena dates featuring stops at New York’s Madison Square Garden, Chicago’s United Center, Los Angeles’ Kia Forum and Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena, among others. The band will then begin their European stadium tour on May 16th, including dates at the Stade de France in Paris, Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, Milan’s San Siro Stadium, and London’s Twickenham Stadium. Due to popular demand, shows have been added in several markets — for further information, please go to depechemode.com. The full listing of dates, cities and venues is also below.

Having sold more than 100 million records and played to more than 35 million fans worldwide, Depeche Mode remains an ever-evolving and singularly influential musical force. An indelible inspiration to fans, critics and artists alike, Depeche Mode continues to forge ahead, with the Memento Mori album and tour representing the opening of the newest chapter of a peerless and ongoing legacy.

Memento Mori World Tour 2023

March 23 – Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center
March 25 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center
March 28 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum
March 30 – Las Vegas, NV – T-Mobile Arena
April 2 – San Antonio, TX – AT&T Center
April 5 – Chicago, IL – United Center
April 7 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
April 9 – Quebec City, QC – Videotron Centre
April 12 – Montreal, QC – Centre Bell
April 14 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
May 16 – Amsterdam, NL – Ziggo Dome
May 18 – Amsterdam, NL – Ziggo Dome
May 20 – Antwerp, BE – Sportpaleis Antwerpen
May 23 – Stockholm, SE – Friends Arena
May 26 – Leipzig, DE – Leipziger Festwiese
May 28 – Bratislava, SK – Národný Futbalový Štadión
May 31 – Lyon, FR – Groupama Stadium
June 2 – Barcelona, ES – Primavera Sound Festival
June 4 – Dusseldorf, DE – Merkur Spiel-Arena
June 6 – Dusseldorf, DE – Merkur Spiel-Arena
June 9 – Madrid, ES – Primavera Sound Festival
June 11 – Bern, CH – Stadion Wankdorf
June 14 – Dublin, IE – Malahide Castle
June 17 – London, UK – Twickenham Stadium
June 20 – Munich, DE – Olympiastadion
June 22 – Lille, FR – Stade Pierre Mauroy
June 24 – Paris, FR – Stade de France
June 27 – Copenhagen, DK – Parken
June 29 – Frankfurt, DE – Deutsche Bank Park
July 1 – Frankfurt, DE – Deutsche Bank Park
July 4 – Bordeaux, FR – Matmut Atlantique
July 7 – Berlin, DE – Olympiastadion
July 9 – Berlin, DE – Olympiastadion
July 12 – Rome, IT – Stadio Olympico
July 14 – Milan, IT – San Siro
July 16 – Bologna, IT – Stadio Renato Dall’Ara
July 21 – Klagenfurt, AT – Wörthersee Stadion
July 23 – Zagreb, HR – Arena Zagreb
July 26 – Bucharest, RO – Arena Națională
July 28 – Budapest, HU – Puskás Aréna
July 30 – Prague, CZ – Letňany Airport
August 2 – Warsaw, PL – PGE Narodowy
August 4 – Kraków, PL – Tauron Arena
August 6 – Tallinn, EE – Tallinna Lauluväljak
August 8 – Helsinki, FI – Kaisaniemen Puisto
August 11 – Oslo, NO – Telenor Arena

Duran Duran Announce 2023 North American ‘Future Past’ Arena Tour

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Duran Duran has announced a 26-date North American arena tour for 2023, with both Bastille and Nile Rodgers & CHIC joining them as special guests across the entire run. Produced by Live Nation, THE FUTURE PAST TOUR begins on May 28 in San Jose, CA and will make stops across Seattle, Portland, Salt Lake City, Austin, New Orleans, Dallas, Nashville, Atlanta, and Tampa before concluding the first leg in Florida on June 18. The tour will pick up again on August 24 in Sacramento, CA, with dates in Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C, Detroit, and Toronto amongst many more. Dates in NYC and LA will be announced soon.

Speaking about the upcoming dates, Simon Le Bon reveals, “It’s remarkable to me that as a band, we are still hitting new milestones, and introducing the sound of DD to new generations of music lovers. We are truly grateful that we get to do what we do on a daily basis, and that we still love our job as much as we did when we started out some four decades ago.”

2022 served as something of a landmark year for Duran Duran, having just been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, a career peak that followed a summer live season of epic proportions – headlining London’s Hyde Park in front of 60,000 people, performing at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace and closing the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in their home town of Birmingham, not to mention a headline tour across North America which included sold out shows at New York City’s Madison Square Garden and three nights at the Hollywood Bowl. The cinematic release of their new docu-concert film, ‘A Hollywood High’ followed, before the band capped off the year with a spectacular performance in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, counting fans down into 2023 in front of a live audience of over 1 million people on the streets of Manhattan. All this after the huge success of new studio album FUTURE PAST, hailed as Duran Duran at their best by critics and fans alike, four decades into their rich and storied career.

Enlisting the help of some of the most exciting names of the last 50 years, with ‘FUTURE PAST,’ Duran Duran have delivered another incredible genre-spanning piece of work that once again sets them apart from the pack. Working alongside DJ / producer Erol Alkan and pioneering Italian composer / producer Giorgio Moroder, who added his magic to create two instant future classics (‘BEAUTIFUL LIES,’ and ‘TONIGHT UNITED’), as well as some of the most unexpected and inspiring names in pop – including Swedish hitmaker, Tove Lo on ‘GIVE IT ALL UP,’ ‘Queen of Drill’ Ivorian Doll on ‘HAMMERHEAD’ and Japan’s CHAI on ‘MORE JOY!’. In addition, Blur’s Graham Coxon co-wrote and lends his guitar to several tracks on the record and David Bowie’s former pianist Mike Garson adds an exquisite sonic layer to album closer ‘FALLING’. The record, which was recorded across studios in London and LA over lockdown, also features long-time collaborator Mark Ronson who co-wrote and played on ‘WING,’ and was mixed by Mark ‘Spike’ Stent.

The deluxe edition of ‘FUTURE PAST (Complete Edition)’ is out now via BMG. The 2LP set includes all 15 tracks from FUTURE PAST plus Duran Duran’s cover of David Bowie’s “Five Years”. The first LP is red, the second is green.

2023 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES
05/27 – Bottlerock Festival – Napa Valley, CA*
05/28 – SAP Center – San Jose, CA
05/31 – Climate Pledge Arena – Seattle, WA
06/01 – Moda Center – Portland, OR
06/03 – Vivint Arena – Salt Lake City, UT
06/06 – Moody Center – Austin, TX
06/07 – Smoothie King Center – New Orleans, LA
06/09 – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – The Woodlands, TX
06/10 – American Airlines Center – Dallas, TX
06/13 – Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN
06/15 – State Farm Arena – Atlanta, GA
06/17 – Amalie Arena – Tampa, FL
06/18 – FLA Live Arena – Sunrise, FL
08/24 – Golden 1 Center – Sacramento, CA
08/26 – T-Mobile Arena – Las Vegas, NV
08/28 – Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO
08/29 – Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO
08/31 – Minnesota State Fair – St. Paul, MN*
09/01 – Huntington Bank Pavilion @ Northerly Island – Chicago, IL
09/03 – CMAC – Canandaigua, NY
09/06 – TD Garden – Boston, MA
09/07 – Wells Fargo Center – Philadelphia, PA
09/09 – PPG Paints Arena – Pittsburgh, PA
09/10 – Blossom Music Center – Cuyahoga Falls, OH
09/13 – Capital One Arena – Washington, DC
09/16 – Little Caesars Arena – Detroit, MI
09/19 – Scotiabank Arena – Toronto, ON
*Festival

Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation Helping Hands Concert & Auction Raises $3,000,000

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Metallica and its All Within My Hands foundation ended 2022 on a deafening high note, as its third Helping Hands Concert & Auction raised approximately $3,000,000—100% of which will go directly to All Within My Hands’ efforts supporting workforce education, the fight against hunger, disaster relief and other critical local services.

Taking place December 16, 2022 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, the Helping Hands benefit event was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and streamed live on Paramount+. Leaders from six non-profit organizations took the stage between sets from Greta Van Fleet, a guest appearance from St. Vincent, and the hosts of the evening, Metallica, who were introduced by none other than Robert Downey Jr.

“The funds raised from the Helping Hands Concert & Auction will have a lasting impact on All Within My Hands’ ability to grow our Metallica Scholars Initiative, combat hunger, and aid in response to natural disasters,” said Peter Delgrosso, Executive Director, All Within My Hands. “The Los Angeles event was the largest fundraiser in our history, and we profoundly appreciate the generosity of everyone involved. We could not have achieved these results otherwise.”

As part of the Helping Hands Concert & Auction, All Within My Hands honored several mission-aligned organizations and provided grants to each to donate additional resources, including: Baby2BabyFirst StarFeeding AmericaWorld Central KitchenmikeroweWorks Foundation, and The Skatepark Project.

Additionally, the first donations generated by 2021’s The Metallica Blacklist compilation have been made—totaling over $1,000,000.

Hailed upon its release as “easily the most ambitious release of its kind” (Pitchfork), The Metallica Blacklist marked the 30th anniversary of the band’s landmark self-titled fifth album a/k/a The Black Album with a staggering array of passion and talent: 50+ artists contributing unique interpretations of their favorite tracks from the album, spanning a vast range of genres, generations, cultures, continents and more. The Metallica Blacklist’s 53 tracks found singer/songwriters, country artists, electronic and hip hop artists sharing their love of these songs alongside punk rockers, indie darlings, icons of rock, metal, world music and many, many more…

All profits from The Metallica Blacklist are being divided evenly between All Within My Hands and charities chosen by the participating artists—including Happy Hippie Foundation (Miley Cyrus), Outlaw State of Kind (Chris Stapleton), RAINN (Phoebe Bridgers), Dhamma Mahavana (Weezer), Borne Cancer Fonden Denmark (Volbeat), St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (J Balvin), The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation For Autism (Jon Pardi), The Special Olympics (Cage The Elephant), Save The Children (Alessia Cara + The Warning, Ha*Ash), Camp Aranutiq (Ghost), and literally dozens more.

All Within My Hands is a 501(c)3 non-profit foundation formed in 2017 as a way for the entire Metallica family to give back to communities that have supported the band by supporting workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services. Metallica and All Within My Hands are committed to running an organization of the highest integrity where expenses are kept to a minimum and are paid for entirely by the band, the board, and friends who have worked with the band over many years and are excited to help in this mission. 100% of proceeds from The Metallica Blacklist and the Helping Hands shows and auctions go directly to help those in need, with Metallica covering all expenses.

Peter Gabriel Releases “The Court (Dark-Side Mix)”

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On Sunday, 5 February, Peter Gabriel releases the Dark-Side Mix of The Court, the second song from his forthcoming album i/o. The Sunday release coincides with this month’s full moon.

The track is accompanied by a cover image featuring the work of artist and sculptor Tim Shaw.

Written and produced by Peter Gabriel, The Court was recorded at Real World Studios in Wiltshire and The Beehive in London, and features contributions from Brian Eno alongside Tony Levin, David Rhodes and Manu Katché, as well as backing vocals from Peter’s daughter Melanie Gabriel. The orchestral arrangement is by John Metcalfe with Peter Gabriel and was recorded at British Grove Studios in London with a number of players who previously featured in the New Blood Orchestra.

‘I had this idea for ‘the court will rise’ chorus, so it became a free-form, impressionistic lyric that connected to justice, but there’s a sense of urgency there. A lot of life is a struggle between order and chaos and in some senses the justice or legal system is something that we impose to try and bring some element of order to the chaos. That’s often abused, it’s often unfair and discriminatory but at the same time it’s probably an essential part of a civilised society. But we do need to think sometimes about how that is actually realised and employed.’

The song is partly inspired by the work of NAMATI whose mission is to provide people around the world access to justice they may not otherwise be able to afford. “I recommend you check them out,” says Gabriel. “They do a brilliant job assembling teams around the world to help with different issues.”

Just like the previous song Panopticom, The Court will come with differing mix approaches from Tchad Blake (Dark-Side Mix), Mark ‘Spike’ Stent (Bright-Side Mix) and Hans-Martin Buff’s Atmos In-Side Mix.

“I quite like this idea of the multiple mix approach because for most artists it’s the process, not the product, that is most important. In some ways, I’m trying to open up the process a little more for those that are interested.”

Each new release of music comes with a specific piece of art and the cover for The Court depicts the ritual installation Lifting the Curse by Tim Shaw. The work was originally created to literally lift the curse the was issued to the Royal Academy and its members by the artists Gilbert & George, but is also addresses a wider gathering of dark forces with particular reference to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The ritual burning was Royal Academy member Shaw’s visceral and robust response to them both.

‘”Tim Shaw is a great artist whose work is powerful, political and shamanistic. He has often dealt with tough themes such as war and torture. He grew up in Belfast so experienced the fear and reality of seeing violence around him, which I am sure must have made a deep impression. 

This particular image has an unusual story attached, but I just responded to the photograph of this very strange figure that was being ritualistically burnt. The story behind it, I only discovered afterwards.”
 
“I don’t know why that particular image was chosen for this track,’ says Tim Shaw ‘but thinking about it, it could be that when you look at the figure perhaps it stands there to be accused, judged and in this case it’s burnt as a punishment process that takes place.”

As well as new music, Peter Gabriel will embark on a tour later this year. Dates in the UK and Europe are already on sale, with shows in North America to be announced soon.

i/o The Tour – Europe 2023

Thursday 18 May        Krakow, Poland                         TAURON Arena
Saturday 20 May         Verona, Italy                              Verona Arena
Sunday 21 May            Milan, Italy                                Mediolanum Arena
Tuesday 23 May          Paris, France                              AccorHotels Arena
Wednesday 24 May    Lille, France                               Stade Pierre-Mauroy
Friday 26 May              Berlin, Germany                       Waldbuehne
Sunday 28 May            Munich, Germany                    Koenigsplatz
Tuesday 30 May          Copenhagen, Denmark           Royal Arena
Wednesday 31 May    Stockholm, Sweden                 Avicii Arena
Friday 2 June                Bergen, Norway                        Koengen
Monday 5 June            Amsterdam, Netherlands       Ziggo Dome
Tuesday 6 June            Antwerp, Belgium                    Sportpaleis
Thursday 8 June          Zurich, Switzerland                  Hallenstadion
Saturday 10 June         Cologne, Germany                   Lanxess Arena
Monday 12 June          Hamburg, Germany                 Barclays Arena
Tuesday 13 June          Frankfurt, Germany                 Festhalle
Thursday 15 June        Bordeaux, France                     Arkea Arena
Saturday 17 June         Birmingham, UK                       Utilita Arena
Monday 19 June          London, UK                                The O2
Thursday 22 June        Glasgow, UK                              OVO Hydro
Friday 23 June              Manchester, UK                        AO Arena
Sunday 25 June           Dublin, Ireland                          3Arena

Songwriting And Life Advice From Kid Harpoon

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Songwriter and Producer, Kid Harpoon has worked on hits with artists like Harry Styles, Florence & the Machine and Maggie Rogers.

In this episode of #SongwriterSaturday with Noteable, we spoke with Kid Harpoon about collaboration, having a good work ethic and not chasing the money.