Pop Music

From the New York Post: Monster Energy is in its own “Private Idaho.” Fred Schneider, lead singer of The B-52’s, and a small Florida coffee company find themselves between a rock lobster and a hard place after the makers of the sugary energy drink accused them of infringing their “Monster” trademark. Monster believes its brand is as good as legal …

The BBC reports: A judge in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires, has banned nightclubs from opening until they have set up proper health and safety systems. Two weeks ago five young people died and a further five were sent to hospital after taking the drug ecstasy at an electronic music event. The judge said city authorities should train up inspectors …

Rolling Stone reports: For Neon Trees’ Tyler Glenn, his solo debut is as political as it is personal. Two years after the singer came out to Rolling Stone and declared himself equally proud of being both gay and a practicing Mormon, his song “Trash” and its accompanying video clearly denounce the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ restrictive, conservative …

From the Atlantic: Beyoncé is selling t-shirts and phone cases that say “BOYCOTT BEYONCÉ” at her current tour, which kicked off last night in Miami. The slogan’s swiped from calls by some law-enforcement organizations to shun her after her “Formation” video and Super Bowl performance. Now, for $45, you can confuse all who encounter you as to whether you’re a …

Billboard reports: The just-announced My2K Tour — featuring a roster of pop stars most famous for their contributions to the charts in a decade when MTV’s TRL ruled the music business — is sure to be a hot ticket for nostalgia-loving audiences. Just not anyone in North Carolina. Originally scheduled for 35 dates, My2K will now stop in only 33 …

Legendary gay rocker Bob Mould appeared on Colbert last night to perform a track from his just-released 12th studio album, Patch The Sky. Watch below. Mould plays Webster Hall in Manhattan on Friday night.

GLAAD has their statement: After much thought and deliberation, Nick and I have decided to cancel our shows in Raleigh and Charlotte. One of our goals for the Honda Civic Tour: Future Now has always been to create an atmosphere where every single attendee feels equal, included, and accepted for who they are. North Carolina’s discriminatory HB2 law is extremely …

Forbes recaps: Bruce Springsteen paid tribute to Prince, who died Thursday, in concert tonight at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Springsteen, who closes out the sold out U.S. leg of his “The River” tour Monday night at Barclays, opened the show bathed in purple light with a sad, sweet version of Prince classic “Purple Rain.” Nils Lofgren, one of the few …

The autopsy on Prince has been completed but the results may not be publicly known for weeks. Via press release: “As part of a complete exam, relevant information regarding Mr. Nelson’s medical and family history will be gathered. Anything which could be relevant to the investigation will be taken into consideration. Midwest Medical Examiners Office will not release information until …

CNN reports: For the Eagles’ Joe Walsh, the show must not go on. The musician pulled out of a concert scheduled for July 18 in Cleveland, Ohio, after he said he learned of the show’s ties to the Republican National Convention. “It was my understanding that I was playing a concert which was a nonpartisan event to benefit the families …

As JMG reader Danimal puts it, Jennifer Hudson took the audience to church. What’s On Stage recaps: Cynthia Erivo and Jennifer Hudson led an onstage tribute at The Color Purple on Broadway last night, following the news that pop legend Prince had passed away at the age of 57. In a video shared on the show’s official Facebook account Hudson …

NBC News reports: The tributes for music icon Prince poured in from across the world on the day of his death, but one went viral swiftly on Thursday night. The cast of Hamilton sang and danced to Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy” on stage following their Thursday night performance. The hottest Broadway musical in the world has much of its success …

Former Go-Go’s lead singer Belinda Carlisle today published an open letter to Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant and it’s really something: Governor Bryant, I am scheduled to perform in your great state this Saturday, however given the very recent anti-LGBTQ attacks that your administration has leveled against some of your own citizens I very nearly cancelled my appearance. After discussion with …

Rolling Stone reports: Hours after Pearl Jam announced they were canceling their Raleigh, North Carolina concert to protest the state’s controversial “bathroom bill,” Eddie Vedder delivered a powerful speech in front of Pearl Jam’s Hampton, Virginia crowd Monday explaining the decision. “We thought we could take the money and give it to them and still play the show, but the …

From the band’s website: It is with deep consideration and much regret that we must cancel the Raleigh show in North Carolina on April 20th. This will be upsetting to those who have tickets and you can be assured that we are equally frustrated by the situation. The HB2 law that was recently passed is a despicable piece of legislation …

THREE shows cancelled. From the band’s Facebook page: While the enjoyment of our fans is our central concern, and we have been looking forward to celebrating forty years of history performing for our listeners in North Carolina with spectacular live shows this spring, human rights are more important. It is with deep regret, that I must announce the cancellation of …

Fulfilling their promise, last night Duran Duran interrupted their sold-out concert at Charlotte’s PNC Pavilion to denounce North Carolina’s HB2. Standing before a giant electronic rainbow flag, lead singer Simon Le Bon drew roars from the audience when he expressed support for LGBT rights and then boos when he mentioned that HB2 makes it legal to fire someone for being …

For several days New York City’s music sites have been consumed with explosive allegations of child molestation against hip-hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa, whose 1982 global smash Planet Rock virtually created the electro and freestyle genres that dominated airwaves in the 80s and continues to influence much of current dance music. From today’s New York Daily News: Afrika Bambaataa was not …

On Thursday night Bruce Springsteen played Detroit, where he warned his audience that anti-LGBT laws are also in the works in Michigan: Just days after he scrapped a show in North Carolina as a protest against a new anti-LGBT state law, which restricts the public bathrooms transgenders can use, The Boss showed he was still upset about the controversy onstage …

From Duran Duran’s website: With respect to the current storm which is howling through this State, we considered cancelling our show on Saturday, but decided to go ahead, both for the sake of our fans and to support those in North Carolina who feel as strongly as we do about this issue. We see this as an opportunity to make …