Kanye West says he’s running for president in 2020
The debate stage could be a little more crowded as President Donald Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee for president Joe Biden may have to make room for musician Kanye West. The rapper posted a message on Twitter Saturday night saying he is joining the race. “We must now realize the...
Hyde Park’s Mia Z releases new album on Independence DayVideo
A sound connection started at
Honey Bear Mini Mart in Apollo. Owner Denise Frain introduced singer Mia “Mia Z” Zanotti and RJ Bertera, a member of the group Dead Man Switch, who owns Holiday House Studio nearby with band mate, Kyle Horrell. They’ve been in harmony ever since. “Denise told...
2 Chaplin films to be screened via Zoom with live music by Pittsburgh pianist Tom Roberts
It seems everyone could use a good laugh in the trying times of the pandemic — and thanks to Charlie Chaplin and a local musician, the laughs are on the way. The Rangos Giant Cinema and pianist Tom Roberts are putting on a night of live music and silent films...
The Clarks to play Sunday, kick off virtual Allegheny County Parks Summer Concert Series
It might not be that much-missed concert in the park, but Allegheny County Department of Parks kicks off its Summer Concert Series with The Clarks at 7 p.m. Sunday on Pittsburgh’s CW television station. “Although the pandemic is limiting our ability to gather in large groups, Allegheny County is honoring...
Code Orange to stream ‘stripped down’ Twitch show from Trafford theaterVideo
Code Orange is doing another show and your ticket is Twitch. The hardcore band announced Tuesday that Under the Skin would be livestreamed July 30 via itstheir Twitch channel. The event, which will be broadcast live from The Theatre Factory in Trafford, will see Code Orange deliver a “full band,...
Kanye West drops new song ‘Wash Us in the Blood’ featuring Travis ScottVideo
Kanye West is back with a new song. The new track, “Wash Us in the Blood,” from the rapper and fashion designer was released Tuesday morning. The single features an appearance from Travis Scott and was mixed by Dr. Dre. The song is also available to stream via Spotify and...
Despite pandemic, MTV VMAs to take place Aug. 30 in Brooklyn
NEW YORK (AP) — The 2020 MTV Video Music Awards will still go ahead despite the coronavirus pandemic. An MTV spokesperson confirmed to the Associated Press on Monday that the show will take place Aug. 30 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo made the...
Country stars steamed over Chase Rice’s concert with no social distancingVideo
Country music performer Chase Rice is facing criticism after a video surfaced from his weekend concert, featuring hundreds of fans packed together without masks. Rice and his band performed Saturday night at the Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary in Petros, Tenn. Other country music performers like Kelsea Ballerini, Mickey Guyton and...
T.I. to teach ‘Business of Trap Music’ at Clark Atlanta
Atlanta rapper T.I. will soon be adding educator to his resume. T.I will join hip-hop scholar Dr. Melva K. Williams at Clark Atlanta University this fall to teach the “Business of Trap Music,” news outlets reported. The course will focus on the origin, culture and business of trap music, according...
Beyoncé’s message, epic performances stand out at BET AwardsVideo
Beyoncé used her platform Sunday while accepting the BET humanitarian award to relay a direct appeal to viewers: Go vote. “Your voices are being heard and you’re proving to our ancestors that their struggles were not in vain,” said the superstar singer at the BET Awards, which celebrated its 20...
Rolling Stones threaten to sue Trump over using their songs
LONDON (AP) — The Rolling Stones are threatening President Donald Trump with legal action for using their songs at his rallies despite cease-and-desist directives. The Stones said in a statement Sunday that their legal team is working with music rights organization BMI to stop use of their material in Trump’s...
Sidewalk Prophets plan live, virtual Pittsburgh concertVideo
The contemporary Christian band Sidewalk Prophets is bringing its “The Things That Got Us Here” 2020 Virtual Tour to select U.S. cities, including Pittsburgh. Each show on the tour is live, so every performance will be different. The Pittsburgh show is scheduled for 7 p.m. July 24. Only one ticket...
Kanye West to bring Yeezy brand, but not sneakers, to Gap
Kanye West is bringing his Yeezy brand to Gap. The rap superstar will design adult and kids’ clothing that will be sold at Gap next year. Yeezy is best known for pricey sneakers that sell out online quickly. But Yeezy footwear, made with sneaker company Adidas, won’t be sold at...
Dixie Chicks drop ‘dixie’ from name, now known as The ChicksVideo
Grammy-winning country group The Dixie Chicks have dropped the word dixie from their name, now going by The Chicks. The band’s social media accounts and website were changed on Thursday to the refer to the new name for the band, which is made up of Martie Maguire, Natalie Maines and...
Neon Swing X-perience rocking out at Bella Terra Vineyards for 1st live show in months
Neon Swing X-perience will play live for the first time in four months on Friday at Bella Terra Vineyards near Hunker. Music is planned for 6-9 p.m. at the winery, 121 Sunny Lane. “This may be one of only a few, if not the only, public live performance we will...
Monroeville jazz fest canceled for first time in its 17 years
For the first time in its 17 years, the annual Monroeville Jazz Festival has been canceled. The event was originally scheduled for Aug. 15, and organizers from the Monroeville Foundation held out on canceling. The festival typically draws thousands from the region for a jazz-themed day at the municipality’s Tall...
Sammy Hagar would ‘get sick and even die’ to get back on tour
Sammy Hagar had some strong words about what he’d do to hit the road again. Rolling Stone polled 14 veteran artists on touring and life without concerts during the coronavirus pandemic, and the former Van Halen member was among them. When it came to playing shows again, Hagar was blunt....
Gabby Barrett to perform, answer fan questions on YouTube, FacebookVideo
Gabby Barrett is doing a streaming event tonight in honor of her new album. The Munhall native and “American Idol” finalist will do a live performance and fan Q&A on her YouTube channel and Facebook page. Fans can submit questions via her Instagram, Twitter and Facebook accounts. Her debut album...
Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra hosts series of online classes
The Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra’s Academy of Music announced a slate of one-hour online summer courses. Classes will include the academy’s annual exploration of the various periods of classical music, along with technique courses and a “Life in Music” series: • “Classical Chatters” explores the four basic periods of classical music...
Live Nation plans drive-in concert series in Tennessee, Missouri, IndianaVideo
Tour promoter Live Nation has announced its first-ever drive-in concerts series in the U.S. for July, months after the live music industry has been on lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. The entertainment company on Monday announced “Live from the Drive-In” — a set of nine shows to take place...
Tom Petty’s family tells Trump to stop using ‘I Won’t Back Down’ on campaign
The family of late singer Tom Petty has told President Donald Trump to not use the song “I Won’t Back Down” on his campaign. After Trump used the song Saturday night at a campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the members of Petty’s family posted a statement to Twitter. “Trump was...
Kurt Cobain ‘MTV Unplugged’ guitar sells for sky-high $6 million
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Grunge became gold Saturday as the guitar Kurt Cobain played on Nirvana’s 1993 “MTV Unplugged” performance months before his death sold for an eye-popping $6 million at auction. The 1959 Martin D-18E that Cobain played in the band’s rare acoustic performance and subsequent live album was...
Beyoncé drops surprise single ‘Black Parade’ on JuneteenthVideo
LOS ANGELES — Beyoncé did not let Juneteenth pass without dropping one of her signature surprises — a new single called “Black Parade.” “I’m going back to the South, I’m going back where my roots ain’t watered down,” Beyoncé sings, opening the track. At several points on Friday’s release, the...
Review: Munhall native Gabby Barrett shines on debut album ‘Goldmine’Video
As the big day drew closer Thursday afternoon, Gabby Barrett felt a “roller coaster of emotion.” It’s understandable, those twists and turns of excitement and nervousness, along the tracks of happiness. The Munhall native and “American Idol” finalist was hours away from the June 19 release of “Goldmine,” her first...
Billie Eilish gets 3-year restraining order against trespasser
A judge has extended to three years a restraining order taken out by Billie Eilish against a man who repeatedly appeared at her Los Angeles home. In a hearing, Superior Court Judge Dianna Gould-Saltman agreed to the extension of the May 11 order preventing 24-year-old Prenell Rousseau of Farmingville, N.Y.,...