A new study by the Scottish SPCA and the University of Glasgow finds that dogs love reggae — and soft rock. “Researchers played a variety of music to dogs at a rehoming centre in Dumbarton and assessed physiological and behavioural changes,” reports the BBC. While dogs, like humans, proved to have varying individual tastes — and while all types of music tested had a soothing effect — overall the canine subjects responded most positively to reggae and soft rock. (BBC and The Current)
Pressing Matters in Jamaica – a film about the island’s forgotten record industry
Late last year, The Vinyl Factory accompanied Vivien Goldman on a trip to Jamaica to track down the remaining vestiges of the island’s failing record industry.
Queen and Adam Lambert Announce North American Tour
Back by popular demand, Queen + Adam Lambert will rock North America this summer with a highly-anticipated 25-city arena tour kicking off June 23 in Phoenix, Arizona at Gila River Arena, followed shortly after with a special Los Angeles Hollywood Bowl performance, June 26.
After wildly successful and sold out tours throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, Latin and North America, Brian May, Roger Taylor + Adam Lambert will debut a brand new show specially designed and created for this outing, bringing fans all their favorite Queen hits, like “Another One Bites the Dust,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You,” “We Are The Champions”. The high-energy concert will bring their history alive in all its passion and glory, with stops in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia and more, before wrapping on August 5 in Houston, TX at the Toyota Center. The tour is presented by Live Nation.
Tickets will go on sale beginning Friday, February 3 at 10AM local time through the Live Nation mobile app and at Livenation.com. Members of both Queen and Adam Lambert’s Fan Clubs will be able to purchase tickets before the general public beginning Tuesday, January 31 at 10AM, and American Express Card Members can purchase tickets before the general public beginning Tuesday, January 31 at Noon and ending on Thursday, February 2 at 10PM. Exclusive VIP Package offers available at VIPNation.com
Since their first meeting on the final of American Idol in May 2009, Queen + Adam Lambert’s magical combination has been recognized worldwide with sold out shows in every part of the world.
TOUR DATES
Friday, June 23, 2017 Phoenix, AZ Gila River Arena
Saturday, June 24, 2017 Las Vegas, NV T-Mobile Arena
Monday, June 26, 2017 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl
Thursday, June 29, 2017 San Jose, CA SAP Center
Saturday, July 1, 2017 Seattle, WA Key Arena
Sunday, July 2, 2017 Vancouver, BC Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena
Tuesday, July 4, 2017 Edmonton, AB Rogers Place
Thursday, July 6, 2017 Denver, CO Pepsi Center Arena
Saturday, July 8, 2017 Omaha, NE CenturyLink Center
Sunday, July 9, 2017 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center
Thursday, July 13, 2017 Chicago, IL United Center
Friday, July 14, 2017 St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center
Monday, July 17, 2017 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
Tuesday, July 18, 2017 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
Thursday, July 20, 2017 Detroit, MI The Palace of Auburn Hills
Friday, July 21, 2017 Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena
Sunday, July 23, 2017 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
Tuesday, July 25, 2017 Boston, MA TD Garden
Wednesday, July 26, 2017 Newark, NJ Prudential Center
Friday, July 28, 2017 New York, NY Barclays Center
Sunday, July 30, 2017 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center
Monday, July 31, 2017 Washington D.C. Verizon Center
Wednesday, August 2, 2017 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena
Friday, August 4, 2017 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
Saturday, August 5, 2017 Houston, TX Toyota Center
2016 saw Queen + Lambert perform fifteen shows across Europe headlining major festivals such as Portugal’s Rock in Rio Lisbon where they played to 74,000 people, the UK’s Isle of Wight Festival, by far one of Britain’s most prestigious and successful music festivals with a heritage of such headliners as Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney, as well as sold out arena shows, such AS Barcelona’s Palau Sant Jordi Olympic arena.
Queen + Adam Lambert revved up again in the fall of 2016 to take on a series of sold out dates across Asia which saw Queen perform for the first time and introduce Adam Lambert to some new audiences in Hong Kong, Bangkok, Shanghai, and Singapore including three nights at the famous Tokyo Budokan theatre where Queen first appeared in 1975 and induced fan mayhem. Similar scenes greeted them on this return.
In 2015 Queen + Adam Lambert had 26 sold-out concerts in 10 countries throughout the UK and Europe taking their critically acclaimed show to France, Austria, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Poland, Estonia, Romania and Bulgaria.
In March 2014 Queen + Adam Lambert embarked on their first North American Summer tour. Not only did all 24 dates sell out almost overnight but at the end Queen + Adam Lambert were awarded Band of the Year at the 10th annual Classic Rock Roll of Honor awards and were also voted Best Live Band of the Year in Ultimate Classic Rock’s reader’s poll.
Queen + Adam Lambert topped off 2014 by performing to an audience of over 12 million TV viewers when they performed live for UK BBC Television’s New Year’s Eve spectacular Queen + Adam Lambert Rock Big Ben. In the subsequent 24 hours ‘Adam Lambert’ was the top of the trending searches on Google in the UK with more than 500,000 searches for his name.
Following that very first performance together of “We Are The Champions” in 2009, Queen and Adam Lambert teamed up again in 2011 at the MTV European Music Awards for an electrifying eight-minute finale, and in the summer of 2012 they performed their first live concerts with appearances across Europe including playing live before half a million people in Kiev, AS THEIR FIRST SHOW!
That Time Husker Du Covered Mary Tyler Moore’s Theme Song, “Love Is All Around”
When Husker Du released “Makes No Sense At All” from their 1985 album Flip Your Wig, it was a curious choice not just because it was the only single from the album. The flip side track “Love Is All Around” was the theme song to The Mary Tyler Moore Show. RIP to Mary Tyler Mooore, and to another piece of my childhood.
Southern Folklife Collection partners with Yep Roc Records to release rare music recordings from its vast archives
Music lovers will soon be able to own rare audio history, thanks to a partnership between the Southern Folklife Collection (SFC) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Yep Roc Records, based in Hillsborough.
The SFC, part of the Wilson Special Collections Library, will create digital masters of rare archival recordings from its collections, which Yep Roc Records will produce, package and distribute.
The Southern Folklife Collection is one of the nation’s foremost archival resources for the study of American folk music and popular culture. SFC holdings extensively document all forms of southern musical and oral traditions across the entire spectrum of individual and community expressive arts, as well as mainstream media production. Centered around the John Edwards Memorial Collection, the SFC is especially rich in materials documenting the emergence of old-time, country-western, hillbilly, bluegrass, blues, folk, gospel, rock and roll, Cajun and zydeco musics.
“Music lovers and researchers have long come to Chapel Hill to hear the unique recordings that are in the Southern Folklife Collection. Through this partnership, we are able to bring historic roots music to audiences around the world,” said Steve Weiss, director of the SFC.
The inaugural release— Dolly Parton’s first single, “Puppy Love”—is a 45-RPM with a B-side of “Girl Left Alone.” The limited edition run will be available exclusively in participating stores on April 22, Record Store Day. Subsequent releases will be available on compact disc, vinyl and from digital providers.
“Like a first love, a first record for a singer will always be remembered above all others,” said Parton. “Hopefully I’ve improved since I recorded ‘Puppy Love,’ so don’t laugh…just enjoy.”
The first three releases from the SFC/Yep Roc partnership include:
Dolly Parton: “Puppy Love” and “Girl Left Alone” (April 22)
Dolly Parton recorded “Puppy Love” for Goldband Records in 1959, when she was just 13. This edition is re-mastered from the original mono master tape. Packaging will include reproductions of the original Goldband record labels, housed in a picture sleeve featuring an early promotional photograph of Parton.
“Swampland Jewels” (Sept. 22)
A compilation of classic Cajun music from Goldband Records,“Swampland Jewels” features recordings by Jo-El Sonnier, Boozoo Chavis, Iry LeJune Jr. and Cleveland Crochet. Packaging features the original album art of a bikini-clad girl riding a giant crawfish, and includes the booklet “From the Bayou,” a history of Goldband Records by music writer Mike Leadbitter and Goldband Records founder Eddie Shuler.
Doc Watson: “Live at the Club 47” (Date TBA)
A newly discovered performance by Doc Watson, “Live at the Club 47” was recorded in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1963. This recording features unreleased songs from Watson’s early repertoire.
“This is an amazing opportunity for Yep Roc to work with Steve Weiss and the Southern Folklife Collection to help bring some incredible music to a worldwide audience of music fans,” said Glenn Dicker, co-owner and A&R for Yep Roc Records. “Walking through the vast archives for the first time to see, touch and, of course, hear what kinds of treasures are in the collection was a mind-blowing experience. Steve is doing a terrific job curating the collection and we’re honored to be part of the team.”
More information on the Southern Folklife Collection is available here. For purchase and online ordering details, visit www.yeproc.com.
Submit now for the BreakOut West Festival, and Western Canadian Music Awards, taking place Sept 13-17 in Edmonton, AB
Submissions are now open for the BreakOut West Festival and Western Canadian Music Awards, taking place from September 13-17, 2017 in Edmonton, Alberta. For assistance related to eligibility, submission requirements, timelines, payments and more please refer to the Guidelines and Category Information. The dubmissions deadline is March 13, 2017, and go here to apply.
Artists Wanted To Perform At “North – A Canada 150 Pan-Territorial Celebration”
As part of North: A Pan-Territorial Celebration and in conjunction with partners in Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, Music Yukon is producing From the North, a travelling show that will bring together artists, Inuit and Dene athletes, and performers from each territory to spotlight northern culture and diversity as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Canadian confederation. It will tour to Whitehorse, Yellowknife, Iqaluit, Montreal and Vancouver over approximately three weeks from mid-October to mid-November 2017.
As part of this project, we will host afternoon sessions in public venues and outreach activities at schools in each city on the tour. These sessions are intended to be interactive and suitable for the whole family. They will be inviting and engage the senses through hands-on art making and cultural demonstrations.
Currently, we are seeking submissions from visual and multimedia artists from all three territories who wish to be involved. From the North is committed to showcasing and celebrating the diversity of Northern Canada, including First Nations, Inuit, francophone, anglophone, and others. Please note that because of space and financial constraints only one visual artist from each territory and one multimedia artist from the North (for a total of four people) can accompany the tour. We will also accept standalone video, multimedia or installation artworks that will travel with the show without artists. See Question 9.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: Before applying be sure that you meet the following qualifications:
- You are an artist currently practicing in Yukon, Northwest Territories, or Nunavut.
- You are able/available to travel with the show from mid-October to mid-November 2017. (We will accept standalone multimedia or installation artworks that will travel with the show without their artists. See Question 9.)
- Your supplies can be easily transported (lightweight and compact) and quickly set up at different locations.
- You enjoy interacting with people and demonstrating your artwork.
- Your artwork has an interactive component, where visitors can have a hands-on experience.
We are also looking for one artist to work on a public art project that could be put together on site in each city visited and left there as a legacy piece.
DEADLINE: Please send in your submission by February 11, 2017 at 5 pm PST. Go here to apply.
UK’s Royal Mail Paying Tribute To David Bowie With Special Stamps
The UK’s Royal Mail just revealed the next instalment in their Music Giants Special Stamp series: a tribute to David Bowie, one of the most influential music and cultural figures of all time.
This Special issue will be released on 14 March 2017.
Alongside the Special Stamps, First Day Covers and Presentation Pack, this exciting issue will feature several limited edition David Bowie souvenirs, some of which have an edition limit of just 950. Get them here.
Matt Andersen announces solo UK and European tour
Matt Andersen has been enthralling audiences with his one¬-of-¬a-¬kind performance in North America, Europe and Australia for years. We are pleased to announce that he will return to the UK and Europe for an intimate solo tour showcasing songs from his stunning new album Honest Man.
Produced in New York with Commissioner Gordon (Joss Stone, Amy Winehouse, KRS¬One), Honest Man follows up the JUNO Award nominated Weightless and sees the songwriter pushing himself into new territory.
With over 10 million views on YouTube, two European Blues Awards, and winning Best Solo Performer at the Memphis Blues Challenge, it appears that the entire world is now discovering Matt Andersen. A powerhouse performer with a giant soul-filled voice and commanding stage presence, Matt has built a formidable following the old fashioned way – touring worldwide and letting the converted audiences and Andersen devotees spread his reputation through word of mouth.
MATT ANDERSEN – 2017 UK TOUR
The Grand Social, Dublin Thursday 18 May 2017
Fochabers Institute, Fochabers Village, Scotland Friday 19 May 2017
Tooth & Claw, Inverness Saturday 20 May 2017
The Tunnels, Aberdeen Sunday 21 May 2017
Mash House, Edinburgh Monday 22 May 2017
Night & Day, Manchester Wednesday 24 May 2017
The Borderline, London Thursday 25 May 2017
Nickelback Signs Worldwide Record Deal With BMG
BMG has announced it has signed a worldwide recording agreement with chart-topping, multi-platinum rock band Nickelback. Currently in the studio, the band are working on material for their new full-length album to be released via BMG and are planning a major announcement slated for February 1. BMG is distributed worldwide by ADA, a division of the Warner Music Group.
Since forming in Alberta, Canada in 1995, globally celebrated, Grammy-nominated rock band Nickelback have cemented themselves as one of the most commercially viable and important acts of the past two decades. Nickelback’s success includes worldwide sales of more than 50 million units, solidifying their status as the “eleventh best-selling music act” and second best-selling foreign act in the U.S. of the 21st century—behind only The Beatles.
BMG US President, Repertoire and Marketing, Zach Katz, said, “We are thrilled to welcome the legendary Nickelback to BMG. For us, the opportunity to work side by side with a band of their caliber, with an exceptional body of work reaching the highest levels of global success, truly speaks for itself. We are excited to let the world experience their extraordinary new music soon.”
Nickelback adds, “We are honored to partner with the global BMG team and look forward to releasing new music for our fans. Sharing our vision and passion with such a dedicated team while being surrounded by some of the greatest music artists of all time is very humbling and we couldn’t be more excited.”
Nickelback’s inescapable and irresistible smash ‘How You Remind Me’ was named Billboard’s ‘Top Rock Song of the Decade’ and was No. 4 on the Top 10 songs of the 2000s list. Amongst all of these accolades, they’ve also been named Billboard’s “Top Rock Group of the Decade.” Along the way, they have received a staggering nine Grammy Award nominations, three American Music Awards, a World Music Award, a People’s Choice Award, 12 JUNO Awards, seven MuchMusic Video Awards and have been inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame (2007). With more than 23 chart-topping singles and fans spanning the globe, Nickelback boast twelve consecutive sold-out international tours, playing to more than eight million fans. Nickelback are Chad Kroeger (Lead Vocals, Guitars), Ryan Peake (Guitars, Backing Vocals), Mike Kroeger (Bass) and Daniel Adair (Drums, Backing Vocals).