Neil Young and Crazy Horse to play Liverpool show

February 28, 2014 20:13

The band cancelled a gig in the city in 2013 because of an injury

Neil Young will play Liverpool's Echo Arena on July 13 with his band Crazy Horse.

Last year's Liverpool date was cancelled after guitarist Frank 'Poncho' Sampedro injured himself, however a new show will now take place this summer, following Neil Young and Crazy Horse's huge outdoor show at London's Hyde Park on Saturday July 12. In London they'll be joined at Barclaycard British Summer Time by special guests The National, Tom Odell, Caitlin Rose, Phosphorescent and Flyte.

Meanwhile, Neil Young's next album will be released on the Third Man Records label owned by Jack White. Young has said that the record will be released in March and the record is described as: "An unheard collection of rediscovered songs from the past recorded on ancient electro mechanical technology captures and unleashes the essence of something that could have been gone forever…".

Young previously told Rolling Stone that recording the album was "one of the lowest-tech experiences I've ever had". A prospective tracklist of the album features Bob Dylan's 'Blowin' In The Wind', Tim Hardin's 'Reason To Believe', Gordon Lightfoot's 'Early Morning Rain' and Ivory Joe Hunter's 'Since I Met You Baby' as well as 'Needle Of Death', originally by the late Bert Jansch.

Neil Young is also set to release a brand new memoir this autumn. The book follows 2012's Waging Heavy Peace and will interweave stories about the artist's love of cars with recollections from his life. Publishers Blue Rider have called the book an "eclectic amalgam".

Neil Young and Crazy Horse will play

London Hyde Park (July 12)
Liverpool Echo Arena (13)

To check the availability of Neil Young tickets and get all the latest listings, go to NME.COM/TICKETS now, or call 0844 858 6765

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Kings of Leon go 'young and fun' for new album 'Mechanical Bull'

Rock band Kings of Leon pose on arrival at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 13, 2011.

Credit: Reuters/Danny Moloshok

By Piya Sinha-Roy

LOS ANGELES | Fri Aug 9, 2013 5:42am EDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Rock group Kings of Leon are getting less serious with age, as the band prepares to bring "young and fun" new music on Friday to their fans across the world in a quirky collaboration with comedian Fred Armisen.

Kings of Leon, formed by Followill brothers Caleb, Nathan, Jared and cousin Matthew, are marking a decade in the music industry since their debut album "Youth & Young Manhood" was released in 2003.

After a hiatus in 2012, Kings of Leon are back on the road to support their upcoming sixth studio album "Mechanical Bull," due out in September.

Matthew Followill, the band's guitarist, said the new album will see the rockers embracing a lighter sound, set by the lead single "Supersoaker." The new album also marks a milestone in the band members' own lives as they have all become family men in recent years, getting married and becoming parents.

"It ended up being a lot more young and fun-sounding than the other albums. We're not so serious this time," Followill told Reuters of "Mechanical Bull."

"We're still the same people, we just have kids and it was really awesome. It made us almost have more fun in life and not take things so seriously, we just had a little more fun with things."

Formed in Nashville, Tennessee, Kings of Leon have steadily risen into the spotlight over the last ten years, breaking into the mainstream music charts with 2008's "Only By The Night," which featured hit singles "Sex on Fire" and "Use Somebody."

The band have picked up Grammy awards for their now trademark fusion of Southern blues and roots rock music, and Followill said they were experimenting with taking their sound in new directions on "Mechanical Bull."

"We have one song ('Don't Matter') that's the hardest rocking song that we've ever done, and it's the fastest, so that's new for us. We also have some steel guitar on this album and we have some strings at the end of one song, a quartet," he said.

The band suffered setbacks in 2011 when it was forced to cancel its U.S. tour citing health concerns after lead singer Caleb Followill walked off stage during a concert in Dallas, saying he couldn't sing.

Matthew Followill said a hiatus had already been planned and was needed after a grueling tour schedule in "the hottest summer," and that the time off has brought the members closer together.

"It just put everything in perspective, and we actually wanted to get back out there and we were really excited to make a new album, and I think it shows that we were really excited to be in the studio and with each other, playing music," he said.

The band has teamed up with U.S. comedian Fred Armisen, best known for "Saturday Night Live" and comedy series "Portlandia," who will direct a live stream of Kings of Leon's American Express Unstaged performance at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire on Friday.

Kings of Leon worked with the funnyman on a series of short comedic videos featuring a band competition, in which Armisen judges which Followill is the best member in the band. The results are expected to be revealed on Friday, and viewers can watch the band perform live at www.amexunstaged.com.

(Reporting by Piya Sinha-Roy)

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Neil Young, Foo Fighters & Black Keys to Play Central Park

by Billboard Staff  |   August 07, 2012 2:00 EDT

Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Foo Fighters and The Black Keys will rock a free Central Park show on Sept. 29. Global Festival 2012 aims to celebrate strides made in eradicating extreme poverty around the world.

Joining the headliners on the Great Lawn will be Band of Horses and K'Naan.

While free, fans will have to "earn" tickets via an online platform called Global Citizen. Get details here.

"With at least 1.3 billion people living in extreme poverty on Earth today, there has never been a better time to become a Global Citizen and do whatever you can to make a difference for your fellow man," says Neil Young.

Foo Fighters echoed Young's commitment, saying, "We are very proud to be lending a hand to such a creative, important event and are looking forward to adding to the noise in the big park and helping the effort toward reducing the global shame of deep poverty."

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Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber highest paid young celebrities

Singer Justin Bieber (R) performs during the MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto June 17, 2012.

Credit: Reuters/Mike Cassese

NEW YORK | Thu Jul 12, 2012 4:19pm EDT

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Singer Taylor Swift edged out teen heart-throb Justin Bieber as the highest-earning celebrity under 30, taking in $57 million, as women dominated the top spots on a list released by Forbes.com on Thursday.

Bieber, who brought in an estimated $55 million, was the only male among the top five earners, who included Rihanna at No. 3 with $53 million, followed by Lady Gaga and Katy Perry.

"We are seeing a convergence of these talented women who know how to work the system," said Dorothy Pomerantz, the Los Angeles bureau chief for Forbes.

"The things they have in common, obviously they write great hits, are strong personalities. That really helps them from a publicity point of view. They connect with their fans," she added.

Kristen Stewart, who was the highest paid actress last year with an estimated $34.5 million in earnings, captured the No. 7 spot and was the only actress in the top 10.

Stewart, a lead player in the "The Twilight Saga" films, also had a hit with "Snow White and the Huntsman" and is considered one of Hollywood's up-and-coming stars.

Her co-star in the "Twilight" films and real-life boyfriend, Robert Pattinson, came in at No. 10 with earnings of $26.5 million.

"'Twilight' has done wonderful things for these kids' bank accounts," said Pomerantz, adding that they are now making $12 million per film in the franchise. "What will be telling is how they do post-'Twilight.'"

To compile the list Forbes analyzed album and concert sales, movies earnings, profit participation, advertising work and endorsements between May 2011 and May 2012. Managers, lawyers, agents and other insiders were also consulted.

The full list can be found at tinyurl.com/6sdbeoy.

(Reporting by Patricia Reaney; Editing by Christine Kearney and Steve Orlofsky)

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Watch President Obama Big-Up Young Jeezy at Correspondents' Dinner

by Jason Lipshutz, N.Y.  |   April 29, 2012 11:25 EDT

During his speech/comedy routine at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday night (Apr. 28), U.S. President and self-admitted rap fan Barack Obama joked about following his impromptu Al Green rendition in January with a take on everyone's favorite Snowman, Young Jeezy.

At the 14:30 mark, Obama starts to wrap up his speech by giving a "quick preview of the secret agenda you can expect" if he is re-elected in 2012. "In my first term, I sang Al Green," he says. "In my second term, I'm going with Young Jeezy."

Following the nervous laughter from his onlookers (some of whom are likely unfamiliar with Jeezy's brand of thug motivation), Obama followed the joke by saying, "Michelle said, 'Yeeeeah.' I sing that to her sometimes."

Obama & Al Green Tour? 'After Re-Election,' He Says

Soon after Obama made the joke, Jeezy posted on Twitter, "Shout out to @BarackObama... You know they love the snowman in the white house #Turntup." Jeezy, of course, is the author of the 2008 song "My President," which was released just prior to Obama's historic election win and contains the hook, "My president is black, my Lambo's blue/And I'll be goddamned if my rims ain't too."

Meanwhile, Obama already spent some time last week with another hip-hop crew -- "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" house band the Roots, who helped the President slow jam the news during an episode filmed in North Caroline. At this rate, expect President Obama's debut mixtape, "Y.O.L.O. (You Only Legislate Once)," to drop sometime in May.

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Michael Buble defeats Young Jeezy's "Hustlerz Ambition"

Singer Michael Buble performs during the Z100 Jingle Ball in New York December 10, 2010.

Credit: Reuters/Lucas Jackson

LOS ANGELES | Wed Dec 28, 2011 2:49pm EST

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Michael Buble continued his "Christmas" reign at the top of the Billboard 200 album chart on Wednesday for the fifth consecutive week, keeping Adele and rapper Young Jeezy from the No. 1 position.

Buble's "Christmas" sold 467,000 copies in the run-up to the holiday weekend according to Nielsen SoundScan figures, edging out Adele's "21," which stayed put at No. 2.

The Canadian jazz singer's holiday album crossed 2.43 million sales, beaten only by Adele, who crossed 5.68 million sales of her album in the U.S. last week.

Only one new album entered the top 10 this week, with rapper Young Jeezy's fourth studio album "TM 103: Hustlerz Ambition" at No. 3, beating out Justin Bieber's "Under the Mistletoe" at No. 4 and Drake's "Take Care" at No. 5.

"TM 103" is Young Jeezy's last album in his "Thug Motivation" trilogy series, which began with 2005's "Let's Go Get It: Thug Motivation 101," and "The Inspiration" in 2006.

Critics received the rapper's fourth album positively, with Los Angeles Times' Jeff Weiss giving it three out of four stars and calling it "almost refreshingly relevant,". Rolling Stone magazine's Jonah Weiner gave the album three and half stars out of five, praising the rapper's charisma, saying "he rhymes with a luxuriously unhurried bravado that's contagious.

LMFAO held onto the top spot on the Digital Songs chart with "Sexy and I Know It" gaining sales from the holiday weekend, while Katy Perry's "One That Got Away" jumped from No. 6 to No. 2, boosted by the release of a B.o.B remix of the single.

Rihanna's "We Found Love" featuring Calvin Harris clocked in at No. 3, Bruno Mars' "Twilight: Breaking Dawn" single "It Will Rain" held at No. 4 and Jay-Z and Kanye West's "Ni**as in Paris" rounded out the top five.

(Reporting by Piya Sinha-Roy; Editing by Jill Serjeant)

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Michael Buble defeats Young Jeezy's "Hustlerz Ambition" (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Michael Buble continued his "Christmas" reign at the top of the Billboard 200 album chart on Wednesday for the fifth consecutive week, keeping Adele and rapper Young Jeezy from the No. 1 position.

Buble's "Christmas" sold 467,000 copies in the run-up to the holiday weekend according to Nielsen SoundScan figures, edging out Adele's "21," which stayed put at No. 2.

The Canadian jazz singer's holiday album crossed 2.43 million sales, beaten only by Adele, who crossed 5.68 million sales of her album in the U.S. last week.

Only one new album entered the top 10 this week, with rapper Young Jeezy's fourth studio album "TM 103: Hustlerz Ambition" at No. 3, beating out Justin Bieber's "Under the Mistletoe" at No. 4 and Drake's "Take Care" at No. 5.

"TM 103" is Young Jeezy's last album in his "Thug Motivation" trilogy series, which began with 2005's "Let's Go Get It: Thug Motivation 101," and "The Inspiration" in 2006.

Critics received the rapper's fourth album positively, with Los Angeles Times' Jeff Weiss giving it three out of four stars and calling it "almost refreshingly relevant,". Rolling Stone magazine's Jonah Weiner gave the album three and half stars out of five, praising the rapper's charisma, saying "he rhymes with a luxuriously unhurried bravado that's contagious.

LMFAO held onto the top spot on the Digital Songs chart with "Sexy and I Know It" gaining sales from the holiday weekend, while Katy Perry's "One That Got Away" jumped from No. 6 to No. 2, boosted by the release of a B.o.B remix of the single.

Rihanna's "We Found Love" featuring Calvin Harris clocked in at No. 3, Bruno Mars' "Twilight: Breaking Dawn" single "It Will Rain" held at No. 4 and Jay-Z and Kanye West's "Ni**as in Paris" rounded out the top five.

(Reporting by Piya Sinha-Roy; Editing by Jill Serjeant)

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Neil Young launches film of storied benefit concerts

Canadian music legend Neil Young smiles while attending the Dreamforce event in San Francisco, California August 31, 2011.

Credit: Reuters/Robert Galbraith

By Ros Krasny

BOSTON | Wed Oct 19, 2011 6:25pm EDT

BOSTON (Reuters) - A concert DVD featuring Neil Young and a generation of music icons will launch this month with live screenings across the United States.

The movie and related CD collection showcases rare live, acoustic performances by many of music's biggest names, all of whom have played over the past 25 years at the annual Bridge School benefit concerts organized by Young and wife Pegi.

The more than two dozen artists range from Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney to David Bowie, Patti Smith and Metallica.

The film will screen for one night only, Oct 24, in 22 cities, coinciding with the CD and DVD release by Warner Bros. Records.

The charity concert is held annually at the outdoor Shoreline Ampitheater in Mountain View, California.

It supports The Bridge School, a facility for children with severe speech and physical impairments that specializes in alternative communication methods.

The Bridge School was founded in part by the Youngs, when they were unable to find a suitable learning environment for their son Ben, who has cerebral palsy, and by Jim Forderer, another parent of a special needs child.

The first benefit concert was held in October 1986, and has been held each year apart from 1987, the year the educational program was launched.

The event has become a pilgrimage for Young's fans, nicknamed Rusties, many of whom hold their own gatherings around the time of the shows.

Young, the Canadian rocker, is heavily involved in selecting the show's lineups, which usually comprise a mixture of music legends and emerging talent.

This year's concerts will be held Oct 22 and Oct 23. Apart from Young, performers will include rockers Foo Fighters, crooner Tony Bennett, British folk rock band Mumford & Sons, and Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder.

(Reporting by Ros Krasny; Editing by Jill Serjeant)

View the original article here

Neil Young launches film of storied benefit concerts (Reuters)

BOSTON (Reuters) – A concert DVD featuring Neil Young and a generation of music icons will launch this month with live screenings across the United States.

The movie and related CD collection showcases rare live, acoustic performances by many of music's biggest names, all of whom have played over the past 25 years at the annual Bridge School benefit concerts organized by Young and wife Pegi.

The more than two dozen artists range from Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney to David Bowie, Patti Smith and Metallica.

The film will screen for one night only, Oct 24, in 22 cities, coinciding with the CD and DVD release by Warner Bros. Records.

The charity concert is held annually at the outdoor Shoreline Ampitheater in Mountain View, California.

It supports The Bridge School, a facility for children with severe speech and physical impairments that specializes in alternative communication methods.

The Bridge School was founded in part by the Youngs, when they were unable to find a suitable learning environment for their son Ben, who has cerebral palsy, and by Jim Forderer, another parent of a special needs child.

The first benefit concert was held in October 1986, and has been held each year apart from 1987, the year the educational program was launched.

The event has become a pilgrimage for Young's fans, nicknamed Rusties, many of whom hold their own gatherings around the time of the shows.

Young, the Canadian rocker, is heavily involved in selecting the show's lineups, which usually comprise a mixture of music legends and emerging talent.

This year's concerts will be held Oct 22 and Oct 23. Apart from Young, performers will include rockers Foo Fighters, crooner Tony Bennett, British folk rock band Mumford & Sons, and Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder.

(Reporting by Ros Krasny; Editing by Jill Serjeant)

View the original article here

Chris Young retires hat, readies album and tour (Reuters)

NASHVILLE, Tenn (Reuters) – Chris Young is shedding his signature black cowboy hat so audiences can see the singer behind a string of country music hits.

"The biggest reason I decided to stop wearing it during my concerts is so people can see my face. I thought I'd try it for one show, and found that I enjoy going without it," the 26-year-old Grammy-nominated singer said.

"The response has been really positive."

Later this week, Young hits the road with headliner Jason Aldean, one of country's hottest young stars, for the "My Kinda Party Tour" that continues through October.

And on July 12 Young releases his third album, "Neon," that features the fastest-rising single of his career, "Tomorrow," which has been downloaded more than 500,000 times.

"I enjoy pushing myself vocally, and some of the new songs have me doing that," Young told Reuters in an interview.

"They are vocally powerful, and it's been fun to put them in a set. Of course we're doing the single ('Tomorrow'), along with 'You,' 'I Can Take It From There' and 'Save Water, Drink Beer.'"

The vocals on his new album were more challenging than on his previous efforts, Young said.

"I don't think we went in saying we were gonna make it the hardest album I've ever had to sing, but the way we wrote the songs and the songs that I picked made it that way."

Young wrote "Tomorrow" with Anthony Smith and Frank Myers, with the idea that "everyone has been in a relationship that you know is bad for you, but you stay anyway."

REPEAT FEAT

Young's previous album, "The Man I Want To Be," produced three No. 1 singles, including "Gettin' You Home," and he admitted feeling pressure to repeat the feat.

"I think there could have been a lot more pressure if this first single hadn't taken off," he said. "The success of the single is exciting and it feels like we are continuing the momentum from the last album."

Young described the opening track, "I Can Take It From There," as a transitional song from the previous album. "It is a sexy love song, and I just thought it was a cool way to start this record to let people know that even though there is some stuff that is different, we're not going off in a completely new direction."

"Neon" is one tune on the album that Young did not write, but that he chose as the title cut.

"It is cool and different, and it's real country. I love that I can do a song like 'She's Got This Thing About Her,' and then turn around and do this one with twin fiddles."

"This Thing About Her" is the final track on the album, which features soaring vocals but is stripped down musically.

"I actually had this song longer than anything we recorded," Chris said. "I wrote it with Kent Blazy and Cory Batten, who co-wrote 'Gettin' You Home' with me. We usually write on guitar, but that day Cory said, 'I think this would sound better on piano.' He went over to the piano and started playing and Kent and I started coming up with the lyrics."

Young said he looked forward to being the middle act on the tour, sandwiched between Thompson Square and Aldean. Previously he toured with Rascal Flatts and Alan Jackson.

"I think we'll work well with Jason. He is country rock and that's not necessarily who I am, but live we're all over the stage. We have a good time. I'm gonna love being out there, and hopefully we can get them riled up for Jason."

Young will promote his tour and album with appearances this month on ABC's "Good Morning America" and "The Jimmy Kimmel Show". The tour kicks off July 8 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

(Editing by Andrew Stern)

View the original article here

Review: Chris Young comes into his own on 'Neon' (AP)

Chris Young, "Neon" (RCA)

Since Chris Young won the TV talent show "Nashville Star" in 2006, a few characteristics have stood out: an expressive baritone voice; a tall, handsome stature; and a friendly, approachable personality.

What he lacked, at first, was an identifiable sound of his own. But with four consecutive No. 1 hits, including the recent "Tomorrow" from his new album "Neon," the emerging country star is staking out a distinctive style that takes full advantage of his talent and his personality.

At his core, Young is a romantic with a moral code. The Tennessee native has a sensitive way of bringing out what's important about what he cares about and who he is. This style shows not only in love ballads, but also in songs about family and his laid-back yet caring philosophy on life.

Even on a song about nightlife, like the traditional-country title cut, Young sounds like the guy in the bar to turn to when you need a friend. But what makes "Neon" his best album yet are the songs about relationships, from the sweet come-on of "Lost" to the sage "Old Love Feels New." Throughout, Young comes across as a guy whose heart is as strong as his libido.

CHECK OUT THIS TRACK: While the album's initial hit "Tomorrow" may end up as one his career-defining cuts, the tenderly lustful "I Can Take It From There" is just as strong. Set to a swaying rhythm, he convinces his date to spend the night in rather than out on the town — with passionate promises that are steamy without being coarse.

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Chris Young retires hat, readies album and tour

Country music artist Chris Young arrives at the 44th annual Country Music Association Awards in Nashville, Tennessee November 10, 2010.

Credit: Reuters/Tami Chappell

By Vernell Hackett

NASHVILLE, Tenn | Fri Jul 8, 2011 8:36am EDT

NASHVILLE, Tenn (Reuters) - Chris Young is shedding his signature black cowboy hat so audiences can see the singer behind a string of country music hits.

"The biggest reason I decided to stop wearing it during my concerts is so people can see my face. I thought I'd try it for one show, and found that I enjoy going without it," the 26-year-old Grammy-nominated singer said.

"The response has been really positive."

Later this week, Young hits the road with headliner Jason Aldean, one of country's hottest young stars, for the "My Kinda Party Tour" that continues through October.

And on July 12 Young releases his third album, "Neon," that features the fastest-rising single of his career, "Tomorrow," which has been downloaded more than 500,000 times.

"I enjoy pushing myself vocally, and some of the new songs have me doing that," Young told Reuters in an interview.

"They are vocally powerful, and it's been fun to put them in a set. Of course we're doing the single ('Tomorrow'), along with 'You,' 'I Can Take It From There' and 'Save Water, Drink Beer.'"

The vocals on his new album were more challenging than on his previous efforts, Young said.

"I don't think we went in saying we were gonna make it the hardest album I've ever had to sing, but the way we wrote the songs and the songs that I picked made it that way."

Young wrote "Tomorrow" with Anthony Smith and Frank Myers, with the idea that "everyone has been in a relationship that you know is bad for you, but you stay anyway."

REPEAT FEAT

Young's previous album, "The Man I Want To Be," produced three No. 1 singles, including "Gettin' You Home," and he admitted feeling pressure to repeat the feat.

"I think there could have been a lot more pressure if this first single hadn't taken off," he said. "The success of the single is exciting and it feels like we are continuing the momentum from the last album."

Young described the opening track, "I Can Take It From There," as a transitional song from the previous album. "It is a sexy love song, and I just thought it was a cool way to start this record to let people know that even though there is some stuff that is different, we're not going off in a completely new direction."

"Neon" is one tune on the album that Young did not write, but that he chose as the title cut.

"It is cool and different, and it's real country. I love that I can do a song like 'She's Got This Thing About Her,' and then turn around and do this one with twin fiddles."

"This Thing About Her" is the final track on the album, which features soaring vocals but is stripped down musically.

"I actually had this song longer than anything we recorded," Chris said. "I wrote it with Kent Blazy and Cory Batten, who co-wrote 'Gettin' You Home' with me. We usually write on guitar, but that day Cory said, 'I think this would sound better on piano.' He went over to the piano and started playing and Kent and I started coming up with the lyrics."

Young said he looked forward to being the middle act on the tour, sandwiched between Thompson Square and Aldean. Previously he toured with Rascal Flatts and Alan Jackson.

"I think we'll work well with Jason. He is country rock and that's not necessarily who I am, but live we're all over the stage. We have a good time. I'm gonna love being out there, and hopefully we can get them riled up for Jason."

Young will promote his tour and album with appearances this month on ABC's "Good Morning America" and "The Jimmy Kimmel Show". The tour kicks off July 8 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

(Editing by Andrew Stern)

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