-
Pitchfork Name Top 100 Tracks of 2014: Beyoncé, FKA Twigs and Michael Jackson Place, But Who Takes No. 1?
Few publications touch on as many genres as Pitchfork, which is probably why we trust their list of the Top 100 tracks of the year more than others. Keep an eye for Music Times own list of the Top 25 tracks of the year later this month but for now check out the full Pitchfork list here. Here's the Top 10 for those who don't want to waste time counting down from 100. -
'American Idol' Will Ditch Results Night Episode, Downgrade to One Weekly Episode during 2015 According to Ryan Seacrest
American Idol fans thought they would be dealing with a "huge" change in programming when it was announced earlier this year that longtime staff member Randy Jackson wouldn't be returning as a mentor, marking the first time he hans't appeared on the program. However Ryan Seacrest subtly dropped the real bombshell while being interviewed at the Z100 Jingle Ball on Friday night in New York: The show would be ditching its second "Results Night" program so that performers and viewers alike won't have to wait for another day to find out the winners (or more importantly, the losers). -
Spotify Demonstrates via Slipknot That Band-Sponsored "Takeovers" Result in Huge Listening Bumps (as Do New Albums)
Spotify has cleverly disguised its most recent self-promotion as an entry on its Insights blog, which track listening trends among members. The last entry notes how well Slipknot did as a result of its Halloween "takeover," or the band's curation of the popular "Rock Right Now" playlist. The metal band saw a distinct spike in listeners as a result...also-known-as Spotify wants you as a major label act to know that you'll reach so many new people if you host a takeover on their site (and garner them some attention in the meantime). The stats are hard to deny however. -
DIIV-isive Issues: Bassist Makes Racist/Homophobic/Misogynistic Comments on 4Chan, Band Debates Whether He'll Be Cut
Chalk in another victory for the demons of idiocy: DIIV is currently undergoing some issues related to many stupid—aka racist, homophobic and misogynist—statements made on social media by bassist Devin Ruben Perez. Although the musician has claimed that he was merely being stupid, versus being an actual racist/homophobe/misogynist, the New York-based alt band is reportedly weighing its options on whether or not to keep Perez within its lineup. -
Barack Obama and Family Enjoy Performances from Aloe Blacc, Rita Ora, Hunter Hayes and More at "Christmas in Washington" Concert
The hottest event in Washington D.C. last night was undoubtedly the Christmas in Washington concert, an annual event now in its 33rd year that brings big acts to perform and raise money for the Children's National Health System. Among the performers this year were Aloe Blacc, Rita Ora, Darius Rucker, Christina Perri and Hunter Hayes. Oh, and President Barack Obama brought his family to the event as well. -
Damon Albarn Postpones Monday Show at Sydney Opera House Amid Hostage Situation and Bomb Threats in Central Business District
A hostage situation in Sydney has had an impact on the entire culture of the Australian metropolis, as the Sydney Opera Hall has been forced to cancel all its shows, including that of Damon Albarn for Monday night. -
Seven Musical New Year's Events NOT Happening at Times Square: Pitbull, Lady Antebellum and Elton John Will Ring 2015 in with You
Surely some other options exist aside from "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve." Music Times has combed through the Facebook invites and funny pages to find some other opportunities for New Year's night. Finding someone to spend the evening with is all on you however. -
Simple Minds and The Meaning of 'Big Music': Jim Kerr on The New Album, His Dream Dual-Headlining Tour, and Respecting "Don't You (Forget About Me)"
Simple Minds has its mind on big music, instrumentally and otherwise. Vocalist Jim Kerr spoke to Music Times about the new album 'Big Music,' his ideal American tour, and giving the fans what they want. -
"You've Lost That Loving Feeling": 50 Years of The Righteous Brothers Classic and Five Covers, from Elvis to Hall & Oates
Fifty years ago on this date, The Righteous Brothers made one of its most important contributions to music culture (outside of the amazing band name "The Righteous Brothers"): The duo released its hit track "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'." As with any classic pop track released during the '60s, a number of huge names took their turns at covering the original hit. We'll leave it up to you whether any of those covers live up to the original...all we know is that none of the performers involved in the covers had better names then the men who originated the track. -
Hood Trillionaires: Emcees Such as Bun B and Childish Gambino Grapple with 12 Zeroes
The U.S. government itself "only" has a budget of $1.1 trillion. That hasn't stopped these rappers from thinking in the 12-zero range however. -
Back of The Billboards: 'The 25th of December' by Dave Koz and Friends
Society always celebrates the records that top the Billboard 200 album chart. Back of The Billboards is a Music Times weekly segment that looks at the opposite end: the new record that finished closest to the back of the Billboard 200 for the previous week. We hope to give a fighting chance to the bands you haven't heard of. This week we look at Christmas king Dave Koz and his new collection of smooth jazz standards. -
AC/DC Going Big on UK Tour with Shows in Glasgow, Dublin and Wembley Stadium; Is Glastonbury A Possibility?
AC/DC will be returning to the UK for the first time in five years and they don't plan on doing it in any small way. The hard rock heroes will play shows in Dublin, Glasgow and at London's go-to gig for massive concerts: Wembley Stadium. We can only imagine that all shows mentioned will feature cannons and the familiar array of showpieces from the band. -
Ed Sheeran and Pharrell Williams Big Winners at BBC Music Awards; One Direction, Coldplay and More Perform
Someone in the United States needs to talk to the BBC Music Awards on how to set up a music trophy show. The event, held Thursday night, featured the handing out of only four prizes, simplifying reporting and allowing viewers to avoid prizes that they don't have much interest in. Among the few winners, Ed Sheeran and Pharrell Williams received the most acclaim. -
Jack White Tops Vinyl Sales for 2014; Arctic Monkeys, Lana Del Rey, Beck and Black Keys Also Hit 12" Format Hard
Stop us if you've heard this one before (actually, don't): Vinyl sales are hot. The trend continued in the United States during 2014 as The Wall Street Journal reports that sales for the format were up 49 percent from 2013-a huge, huge increase-translating to roughly 8 million vinyl records sold during 2014. No one with an ear to the music industry will be surprised to know that Jack White, one of the format's biggest promoters, is at the top of individual vinyl sellers as his Lazaretto sold nearly 76,000 copies. -
New American Music Prize Aims to Bring Mercury Prize-Style Competition (and Cash Payout) to U.S. Musicians
Didn't find your favorite album of the year among the Grammy nominations last week? Never fear: If it's an American performer, they'll soon have the chance to take home a new award, The American Music Prize, which is even better in that it comes with a cash payout as well. Any album released between August 1 of 2014 and July 31st of 2015 will be considered.
View More
Festivals
Popular Now
-
Taylor Swift's Tour Logistics Revealed: $5M Budgeted for Private Jet, $85K Designated for Parking in France
-
Kerry King Wanted to Keep on Releasing New Slayer Music Until He Found Out His Band Mates Wanted to Retire
-
'The Voice's' Chance the Rapper Has No Chance: Coach Loses Entire Team on Mass Elimination Night
-
Taylor Swift Mom, Travis Kelce Dancing Together on a Sweet Mothers Day Moment at The Eras Tour Paris: 'This is Everything'
-
Athens, Ga.'s New Pro Hockey Team Is Named After a B-52s Song