Hello everyone, summer is here and that means summer concerts, big festivals and loads of music! Check out these new releases by; Muse, Brandon Flowers, Snoop Dogg, Zedd, Steve Aoki, Hot Chip, Alesso, Major Laser, Florence & The Machine, Nate Ruess and more.
In music news, American Idol announces that they plan to hang it up after their final 15th-year season. With the success of The Voice, the original reality singing competition has gone downhill year after year and has decided to end its era in 2016. Good news for Queen fans, the long-awaited biopic is underway as it’s finally confirmed that Sacha Baron Cohen will, in fact, play Freddie Mercury. Originally Cohen had backed out in 2013, citing creative differences with existing band members but signed back on this year. Freddie Mercury was one of the biggest and most flamboyant singers to come out of the UK and it makes sense that Cohen, who is also British and resembles Freddie, got the part.
In event news, Rock In Rio USA had a great 1st year with over the top production, an amazing new Vegas strip festival site dubbed “The City Of Rock” and standout performances by No Doubt, Linkin Park, Gary Clark Jr., Sepultura, Bruno Mars, Empire Of The Sun and arguably the best set came from Mexico’s biggest rock band Mana. In other event news, one of the summer’s most exciting campout festivals Electric Forest sold out in record time and features Skrillex, Bassnectar, String Cheese Incident, Kaskade and many others over four days in Rothbury Michigan.
I hope you enjoy this issue of MusicBeatz, share it with your friends & remember to stay inspired & breathe some music into your soul daily!
MY TOP 10 SONGS & VIDEOS RIGHT NOW:
1. Walk The Moon
“Shut Up And Dance” – Music Video
This Cincinnati-based indie rock band dropped this track last year, but it just started to light up the World with over 22M youtube plays. It’s a fun, 80’s throwback dance tune that could have easily been written by Ric Ocasek of The Cars.
2. Zach Brown Band featuring Chris Cornell
“Heavy Is The Head”
Wow, whoever paired up this collaboration is either a musical genius or just a lunatic, either way you’ve never heard Zach Brown rock like this! Chris Cornell is hand’s down is the best voice in rock and brings the heat. Classic!
3. Aro
“Raining Gold” – Music Video
Ozzy’s oldest sibling steps out after passing on the family reality show and shows that she’s got her dads singing chops. It’s a mid-tempo dark electronic ride with beautiful vocals that sound like a fusion of Lana Del Rey and Portishead. The video is wicked!
4. Mumford & Sons
“Wolf”
The folk rockers continue with their new all electric style and pick up the pace with this adrenaline pumping single that is sure to light up summer festivals everywhere. Their sound may have changed, but you can hear signature Mumford & Sons all the way.
5. Tame Impala
“Cause I’m A Man” – Music Video
If Jamiroquai and The Bee Gees had a baby this 1st single off Tame Impala’s upcoming new album, “Currents” would be it. The Australian psych rockers frontman Kevin Parker sings in a sweet falsetto over a dreamy beat about the weaknesses of being a man.
6. Florence + The Machine
“Ship To Wreck” – Music Video
Florence Welch is the queen of melodrama and her lyrics always strike a dark nerve, which continues on this new single, off The Machines new album. Her giant vocals just glide over an awesome orchestral pop track.
7. Yelawolf featuring Eminem
“Best Friend” – Music Video
Alabama rapper Yelawolf drops his 2nd album on Shady Records and teams up with label head Eminem. Yela raps about God as his best friend and can actually sing, but Slim Shady steals the show spitting a smoking hot verse that is one of his best to date.
8. Metric
“The Shade”
Heavy Synths and signature vocals from lead singer Emily Haines make up the chemistry of this fiery new comeback by this Canadian rock band and gives us a sneak peak of what’s to come on their upcoming album due to be released sometime this year.
9. Royksopp featuring Jamie Irrepressible
“I Had This Thing” – Music Video
This Norwegian Electronic Music duo has such a distinct sound and this track featured on their new album, “The Inevitable End”, pulses with a driving synth beat and lush vocals by Jamie Irrepressible. The video is an artsy fusion of emotions.
10. Years & Years
“Shine” – Music Video
UK electro-pop newcomers Years & Years continue their streak with another glittery dance track that should see them gaining lots of plays. Lead singer Olly Alexander really brings the melody and lyrics to life and this one should have fans singing along all summer.
TOP EVENT PICKS:
Firefly Music Festival – June 18, 19, 20 & 21 – Dover Speedway – Dover, Delaware
Electric Daisy Carnival – June 19, 20 & 21 – Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Las Vegas
Purity Ring – June 20 – Fox Theatre – Oakland
Vans Warped Tour – June 20 – Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View, California
Electric Forest – June 25, 26, 27 & 28 – Double JJ Resort – Rothbury, Michigan
Ed Sheeran – June 26 – Greek Theatre – Berkeley
Adrian Lux – June 27 – Ruby Skye – San Francisco
Tomorrowland – July 24, 25 & 26 – Recreation Park – Boom Town, Belgium
Outsidelands Music Festival – August 7, 9 & 9th – Golden Gate Park – San Francisco
SBP Music Quote of the Month
“Good music is timeless.” – Sason Bishope Parry