New Order tour dates, single competition

photo by Nick Wilson

New Order has announced full details for the latest single to be taken from 2015's Music Complete. “Singularity” will feature exclusive remixes alongside an extended rework, listen to the extended mix HERE.

Alongside the new single, there is also news of an exclusive competition for fans to contribute to the Singularity website. Over the past few months, artists and other innovators who have been impacted by the band’s output have been contributing to the website gallery SINGULARITY: THE INFLUENCE OF NEW ORDER in the form of essays, artwork, cover versions, playlists and more.

The site is now open for more contributions: fans the world over are invited to create something that shows how the band has influenced their life. All creative formats are welcome. The top 5 most interesting contributions received will be featured on the SINGULARITY website permanently.

Artists already featured on SINGULARITY include Hot Chip, Alison Goldfrapp, John Grant, Interpol, La Roux, Trentemøller, Will Broome, Algiers, Irvine Welsh, Robert Smith from The Cure and Factory Floor. Log onto SINGULARITY here. Anyone wishing to enter should email a contribution to neworder@mute.com before the closing date on March 11.

New Order also returns to the live circuit once again, having completed dates in 2015. There are US live dates along with a string of European festival performances. More shows to be announced in the coming weeks.

US LIVE DATES
 

March 10 – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall (on sale 2/13)
March 12 – Philadelphia, PA – Tower Theater
March 16 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre
March 19 – Los Angeles, CA – Shrine Auditorium
March 21 – Las Vegas, NV – The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan
March 23 – Miami, FL – Fillmore Miami Beach

FESTIVAL DATES
 

June 18 – Spain - Sonar
June 30 - Belgium - Werchter Festival
July 2 - Denmark - Roskilde Festival
July 7 – Spain - Bilbao BBK Live
July 9 - UK - Manchester Castlefield Bowl
August 12 - Norway - Oya Festival

New Order is Bernard Sumner, Gillian Gilbert, Stephen Morris, Tom Chapman and Phil Cunningham.

Johnny Marr news

Legendary guitarist Johnny Marr has announced a string of U.S. West Coast tour dates.

Marr says, "It's time to take my new thing back to California”. 

Tickets are on sale now.

Johnny Marr released his debut live solo album ‘Adrenalin Baby’ in the U.S. last December. ‘Adrenalin Baby’ documents his energetic live performances over the past three years across a double album.

‘Adrenalin Baby’ was recorded primarily at his Brixton Academy and Manchester Apollo shows during Johnny’s ‘Playland’ tour in support of his Top 10 solo albums ‘The Messenger’ and ‘Playland’. In addition to material from his solo albums, ‘Adrenalin Baby’ also features takes on The Smiths’ classics ‘The Headmaster Ritual,” “Bigmouth Strikes Again,” “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out” and “How Soon Is Now?.”

The collection is completed by Electronic’s “Getting Away With It” and Johnny’s interpretation of “I Fought The Law.”

“I wanted to capture the atmosphere and feeling of the last couple of tours,” says Johnny. “It’s been a special time and the album is a document for fans who were there, and for people who haven't seen me and might want to check out what the shows are about. I like live records when they're a good listen, It¹s turned out really well.”

It is available on digital, limited edition and numbered pink double-vinyl (with a poster) and CD formats. 

Johnny Marr followed the release of ‘Playland’ with a major UK headline tour which included his largest London solo headline show to date at the O2 Academy Brixton and a homecoming show at the O2 Apollo Manchester.

In addition to the dates with The Who and Noel Gallagher, he also played a Teenage Cancer Trust benefit show as guest to Paul Weller. His recent single “Candidate” was named Record of the Week at XFM, and he also released his interpretation of Depeche Mode’s 1993 classic “I Feel You” to mark Record Store Day.

Johnny Marr was also featured on the film soundtrack to Peter Sollett’s film ‘Freeheld’ starring Julianne Moore, Ellen Page and Steve Carell. The soundtrack, written with Hans Zimmer, and film were released in October 2015.

Track listing for ‘Adrenalin Baby’:

1. Playland
2. The Right Thing Right
3. Easy Money
4. 25 Hours
5. New Town Velocity
6. The Headmaster Ritual
7. The Messenger
8. Back In The Box
9. Generate! Generate!
10. Bigmouth Strikes Again
11. Boys Get Straight
12. Candidate
13. Getting Away With It
14. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
15. Dynamo
16 I Fought The Law
17. How Soon Is Now?

U.S. tour dates:

2/28 Ace of Spades; Sacramento, CA
2/29 The Independent; San Francisco, CA
3/1 Strummers, Fresno, CA
3/4 Glass House, Pomona, CA
3/5 El Rey, Los Angeles, CA
3/6 Belly Up, Solana Beach, CA  

Grammy Museum Mississippi opens in March

Grammy Museum Mississippi will officially open its doors to the public on Saturday, March 5 in Cleveland, Miss. The grand opening will be celebrated with a slate of activities from March 3–6 and will mark the first GRAMMY Museum to be built outside of Los Angeles.

"After more than six years of building the Grammy Museum's solid foundation in Los Angeles, The Recording Academy is excited to be part of the development of a new Museum site in Mississippi," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy and Chair of the Board of the Grammy Museum.

"With its proximity to our membership communities in Memphis, Nashville and New Orleans, we're looking forward to expanding the reach of the Museum's mission and programs into one of the most musically vibrant regions in America."

Grand opening festivities will kick off with an evening event hosted by The Recording Academy Memphis Chapter on Thursday, March 3, and culminates in an official ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Portnow, Grammy Museum Mississippi Executive Director Emily Havens, Grammy Museum at L.A. LIVE Executive Director Bob Santelli, Delta State University President William N. LaForge, Cleveland, Miss. Mayor Billy Nowell, and Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, and others, on Saturday, March 5. Additional information on grand opening events will be available soon.

"Our Museum will welcome visitors from all over the world to explore all genres of music and truly experience Mississippi's deep music history," said Havens. "In addition, we will provide educational opportunities for thousands of students annually."

Built and operated by the Cleveland Music Foundation — a non-profit organization developed in 2011 — the 28,000-square-foot Grammy Museum Mississippi will be housed on the campus of Delta State University, home of the Delta Music Institute — Mississippi's sole accredited music industry studies program.

Similar to its sister Museum — the Grammy Museum at L.A. LIVE — Grammy Museum Mississippi will be dedicated to exploring the past, present and future of music, and the cultural context from which it emerges, while casting a focused spotlight on the deep musical roots of Mississippi. The Museum will feature a dynamic combination of public events, educational programming, engaging multimedia presentations, and interactive permanent and traveling exhibits, including a Mississippi-centric display that will introduce visitors to the impact of Mississippi's songwriters, producers and musicians on the traditional and modern music landscape.

As previously announced, the Mississippi Museum's debut special exhibit will be Ladies and Gentlemen…The Beatles! Curated by the Grammy Museum at L.A. LIVE and Fab Four Exhibits, Ladies and Gentlemen…The Beatles! provides fresh new insight into how and why The Beatles impacted America in the 1960s — and beyond.

"Music is much more than a form of entertainment for Mississippians — it's a part of our history and legacy," said Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant. "We're thrilled to have a museum dedicated to our part in shaping the nation's music history."

For more information on about GRAMMY Museum Mississippi, visit www.grammymuseumms.org. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @GRAMMYMuseumMS on Twitter and Instagram, and like "GRAMMY Museum Mississippi" on Facebook.

Lady A's Charles Kelley sets tour for new album

Grammy winner and current nominee Charles Kelley prepares his first-ever solo album THE DRIVER (Capitol Records Nashville) this Friday (2/5) with scheduled appearances on Good Morning America (2/3 on ABC), Watch What Happens Live (2/4 on Bravo) and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2/5 on CBS).

Kelley also announced THE DRIVER TOUR will see a spring run of dates with special guest Josh Kelley launching April 9 in Washington, D.C. Beginning Friday at www.CharlesKelley.com, fans will receive a download of the new album with every ticket transaction.

“This album was all about just making something I could be really proud of,” said Kelley. “So, to hear some of the early feedback that people are into the handful of songs that we’ve shared so far really confirms that taking this creative risk was worth it. It’s going to be great to get back out on the road now that we’ve got a full album of new songs to work with, and to have my brother out there with me is going to make it even cooler."
 
Tour dates:

4/09 Washington, DC @ The Fillmore
4/11 Boston, MA @ House of Blues
4/13 Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
4/14 Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
4/15 St Louis @ The Pageant
4/23 Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues
4/24 San Jose, CA @ Club Rodeo
4/26 LA, CA @ Troubadour
5/01 Houston, TX @ House of Blues
5/03 Nashville, TN @ 3rd And Lindsley
5/06 Athens, GA @ Georgia Theater

Citi cardmembers presale begins Wednesday, Feb 3 at 10am local. For complete presale details visit www.citiprivatepass.com.

Stepping outside of Lady Antebellum, Kelley’s “The Driver” received a GRAMMY nomination for "Best Country Duo/Group Performance" ahead of the album’s release.

Produced by Paul Worley, the album also features appearances from Miranda Lambert, Stevie Nicks, Dierks Bentley and Eric Paslay while Kelley explores new territory with a raw sound that pushes his vocals into a lower, grittier key. In addition to his success as part of seven-time GRAMMY award-winning trio Lady Antebellum, Kelley has also penned No. one hits recorded by Luke Bryan and Darius Rucker.

For more information on new music and the upcoming tour, visit www.charleskelley.com

Barenaked Ladies to hit the road with Howard Jones, OMD; new live album due

Barenaked Ladies are once again taking their live shows to audiences nationwide this summer announcing Last Summer on Earth 2016 featuring special guests OMD and Howard Jones.

 

The tour begins in June 3 in Minneapolis. Pre-sale tickets are available on Feb. 3 at 10am local time, followed by a public sale on Feb. 5 at 10am local time. VIP meet and greet packages will be available at every tour date and every ticket purchased will come with a digital copy of the forthcoming live album BNL Rocks Red Rocks plus an instant download of “Odds Are (live)”. 

 

LAST SUMMER ON EARTH 2016 with OMD and Howard Jones

6.03 Minneapolis, MN – The Cabooze
6.04 Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre
6.05 Denver, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre
6.08 Dayton, OH - Rose Music Center at The Heights
6.09 Chicago, IL – Ravinia Pavilion **
6.10 Detroit, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
6.11 Cleveland, OH - Jacob’s Pavilion at Nautica
6.13 New York, NY – SummerStage in in Central Park
6.14 Lewiston, NY – Artpark **
6.15 Vienna, VA - Wolf Trap Center for Performing Arts
6.17 Bethel, NY - Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
6.18 Philadelphia, PA – The Mann Center for the Performing Arts
6.19 Boston, MA - Blue Hills Bank Pavilion
6.20 Pittsburg, PA - Stage AE
6.24 Portland, ME - Maine State Pier
6.25 Wallingford, CT – The Oakdale Theatre
6.26 Baltimore, MD - Pier Six Pavilion *
6.28 Atlanta, GA - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park
6.29 Charlotte, NC – Uptown Amphitheatre at the Music Factory
7.01 Charleston, SC - Volvo Cars Stadium
7.02 St Augustine, FL - St Augustine Amphitheatre
7.03 Raleigh, NC - Red Hat Amphitheatre
7.05 Nashville, TN - Ascend Amphitheatre
7.06 Cincinnati, OH - PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center
7.08 Indianapolis, IN – Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River St Park
7.12 Boise, ID - Hawk’s Memorial Stadium
7.15 Missoula, MT - Big Sky Brewing Company
7.16 Seattle, WA - Marymoor Amphitheatre
7.17 Portland, OR - Edgefield
7.19 Saratoga, CA - Mountain Winery **
7.20 San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
7.22 Las Vegas - Downtown Las Vegas Events Center
7.23 Sacramento, CA - Thunder Valley Casino Amphitheatre
7.24 Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre *
 

* indicates pre-sale Feb 10, public on-sale Feb 12
** indicates tickets on sale at a later date, check website for details

Last Summer on Earth 2016 coincides with the band’s upcoming album BNL Rocks Red Rocks, a live recording from the June 10, 2015 show at Red Rocks Amphitheater during last year’s LSOE tour.

 

BNL Rocks Red Rocks features some of the multi-platinum band’s biggest hits “One Week,” “Pinch Me, “Brian Wilson,” “If I Had $1,000,000” plus songs from their last two records including “Odds Are” (from Grinning Streak) which hit #2 at iTunes, and the most recent single “Duct Tape Heart” from their latest album Silverball.

 

Barenaked Ladies accompany Colin Hay to perform his #1 hit “Who Can It Be Now”, joined on stage by Blaise Garza of Violent Femmes to cover the famed saxophone solo. 

BNL Rocks Red Rocks will be available on May 20th.

Track listing: 

1. Get Back Up
2. The Old Apartment
3. Odds Are
4. Gonna Walk
5. Brian Wilson
6. Who Can It Be Now
7. Falling For The First Time
8. Passcode
9. Light Up My Room
10. Duct Tape Heart
11. Pinch Me
12. Big Bang Theory Theme
13. One Week
14. If I Had $1,000,000
15. Drawing 

16. Rock and Roll 

 

Electronic music pioneer Howard Jones has been a constant presence on the international touring scene for the past three decades, playing both intimate solo shows and dates with his full high-tech band set-up.

 

His most recent offering is ENGAGE, an entirely fan-funded visually-stunning multi-media project. It is Howard Jones' most ambitious work to date, incorporating specially-commissioned visuals with music and an interactive live show.

 

ENGAGE is inspired by such diverse musical genres as electronica, contemporary classical and pop, fusing this audio mélange with other visual and literary arts such as ballet, modern dance and philosophy. ENGAGE was performed in London, Los Angeles and New York and is available now as a DVD/CD package.

So. California's Huck Finn Jubilee 2016 lineup announced

Producers of the Huck Finn Jubilee Bluegrass Music Festival, the Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau, have announced headlining bluegrass names for the 3-day event.

Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park in Ontario, Calif. will be the site for this annual event  June 10 thru 12, 2016 when thousands of bluegrass fans arrive to experience a family friendly festival that celebrates traditional Bluegrass music, education, activities, and the evolution of bluegrass music. 

 

The line-up* of entertainment, featuring an array of musicians spanning across local, regional, and national Grammy nominated and award-winning bands, includes:

 

Friday, June 10: David Grisman Bluegrass Experience,  Peter Rowan Band, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Balsam Range, The Special Consensus, and The Mountain Faith Band.  An ‘80’s Retro Late Night Party featuring Love Canon will conclude the first day. 

 

Saturday, June 11: Soggy Bottom Boys, Leftover Salmon, The Cleverlys, Dan Tyminski Band, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Della Mae, The Boxcars, and The Church Sisters.  The Late night square dance will feature the Hogslop String Band.

 

Sunday, June 12: Punch Brothers, The Infamous  Stringdusters, Elephant Revival, Mountain Heart, Dailey & Vincent, Sweetwater String Band, and Flatt Lonesome.

 

Additional artists will be announced prior to the event.  In addition to the musical performances several workshops will be available to attend.  Guests are invited to bring their own instruments for these workshops and of course impromptu jams amongst festival attendees is encouraged. 

 

Tickets go on sale March 1 at 10am with several options to satisfy all attendees with prices starting at $45.00.  Options to purchase VIP tickets, 3 day passes or reservations for hotels, camping or RV sites are available on line as well at www.huckfinn.com.

Huck Finn Jubilee is produced by The Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau , the official destination marketing organization to promote the cities of Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga California to visitors nationally and internationally. 

 

*line-up of entertainment is subject to change

About HUCK FINN JUBILEE Bluegrass Music Festival

Huck Finn Jubilee Bluegrass Music Festival is a 3-day music festival, held on the second weekend of June annually, celebrating Bluegrass - America’s genuine roots music. Founded in 1975 by the Tucker Family, the Huck Finn Jubilee Bluegrass Music Festival continues to evolve and has become a premier 3-day showcase of traditional Bluegrass and Jam grass music.

This family-friendly event is a community of music-driven campgrounds with endless pickin’ parties, music workshops and instrumental roots education for all ages, outdoor recreation and Tom Sawyer Island dedicated to all day kid’s activities.

 

Huck Finn Jubilee Bluegrass Music Festival, produced by the Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau (a non-profit 501c 3), supports the cross-pollination and belief in the evolution of this music while honoring its rich history. This unique festival showcases an array of musicians spanning across local, regional, and national Grammy nominated and award-winning bands alike.

Huck Finn Jubilee is committed to presenting exceptional headlining musicians as well as emerging artists dedicated to creating sounds for the future while preserving the deeply imbedded roots of Bluegrass.  Bluegrass music tells a story and narrative of the lives of the everyday American people.

For more information visit www.huckfinn.com

Dustin Lynch concert review: Anaheim, Calif.

photo by Drew A. Kelley

Dustin Lynch had performed for more than an hour when he invited a female fan onstage to help with some karaoke.

Normally such a move would kill any momentum. But it didn’t happen Friday night at House of Blues – the first of three sold out concerts at the Downtown Disney venue. As the gal spun a wheel of artist suggestions, the segment really excited the crowd. Especially when, as luck would have it, the first result was Orange County’s own Lit.

Then Lynch and his tight four-piece band (alongside openers Chris Lane and Tyler Rich) did spirited bits of the alt-rockers’ “My Own Worst Enemy,” Kenny Chesney’s “When the Sun Goes Down” and Beastie Boys’ “Fight for Your Right (To Party).” They grabbed red Solo cups and did an alcohol shot together too.

A blazing “To the Sky” - the first of nine selections from Lynch’s solid 2014 sophomore effort “Where It’s At” - kicked off the 90-minute set. The album has spawned a pair of Billboard Country Airplay chart toppers and a top 30 single.

The 30-year-old Tennessee native previously toured with Keith Urban, helped make Stagecoach ’14 memorable, headlined Shipkicker Fest in Long Beach and spent much of last year on the road with Luke Bryan. Soon, he’ll rejoin that tour and return to Stagecoach on May 1. 

In Anaheim, the ladies shrieked loudly and often at the hunky vocalist – especially during “Halo,” a rocking “After Party” and current hit “Mind Reader.”

Displaying his 1990s country music influences, Lynch’s “flashback Friday time” comprised a fun medley of Joe Diffie, Diamond Rio and Brooks and Dunn tunes.

Elsewhere, concert highlights included the old school country innuendo of “She Cranks My Tractor,” “Wild in Your Smile” (containing a quick nod to Ozzy Osbourne) and affecting ballad “Hurricane” (expertly merging into Garth Brooks’ haunting “The Thunder Rolls,” complete with rain effects).

“This allowed me to travel to California for the first time and I’ll never forget it,” said Lynch about initial platinum-selling hit “Cowboys and Angels.” Co-writer Tim Nichols was watching. So with Lynch’s urging, the crowd sang the end of the riveting ballad for him. The band following with a fresh loping reggae groove on the singer’s next biggest hit, “Where It’s At.” There was even a quick bit of crowd surfing from the headliner on an inflated raft adorned with Christmas lights. They encored with another No. 1 song, the raucous “Hell of a Night.” The latter title definitely summed up Lynch’s O.C. show. 

Earlier in the evening, Lane turned in a mighty impressive 45-minute set revolving around his new “Fix” EP. It was produced by Joey Moi, who has also produced Lane’s former tour mates Florida Georgia Line. 

Starting with minor 2014 hit “Broken Windshield View,” the lanky singer was a total live wire and rarely stood still onstage. Backed by a hard rocking band that could easily be mistaken for metal musicians, Lane did two left-field, yet enthusiastic medleys. The first encompassed Journey, KISS, Bruno Mars and The Outfield (!); the other tackled Backstreet Boys, The Weeknd and ‘NSYNC with verve.

Lane easily nailed the rapid-fire pop culture lyrical references (Darth Vader, Michael Jackson) on the percolating “Cool.” 

Good time party tune “Saturday Night” went down well, as did the breezy “Her Own Kind of Beautiful.” Lane’s falsetto and soulful side came across equally strong during “For Her” and current top 30 charter “Fix.”

The Sacramento raised (and onetime Huntington Beach resident) Rich did an appealing solo acoustic half hour performance. Highlights included the emotional ballad “Radio,” a fine take on George Strait’s “Check Yes or No” and “California Grown."

A version of my review originally appeared at ocregister.com