On June 28, Beyonce launched the North American leg of her “Mrs. Carter Show World Tour” in Los Angeles. Twenty-seven concerts are planned through August 5. In addition, the R&B superstar will appear at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans on July 7. According to Boxscore, Beyonce’s last tour in 2009-2010 was attended by nearly one million fans and grossed more than $85 million.
On June 29, the new Michael Jackson Cirque du Soleil show opened at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The cast features 63 performers and dancers. “This is our second project with the estate of Michael Jackson, which confirms how stimulating this creative partnership was meant to be," Daniel Lamarre, president and chief executive officer of Cirque du Soleil said in a statement. "Michael Jackson is an all-time phenomenal artist, both timeless and contemporary. As a creative challenge, this project is the ultimate. Through the use of cutting edge technology, we will produce a new Cirque du Soleil theatrical experience not only respectful of Michael’s legacy but also very distinctive from ‘Michael Jackson the Immortal World Tour.’”
Danielle Bradbery, 16, from Cypress, Texas was the Season 4 winner of One day after winning the competition, she was signed to Nashville’s Big Machine Records. Bradbery will begin recording her debut album this week. Her label mates at Big Machine include Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts and Tim McGraw. Bradbery was coached on the show by Country star Blake Shelton who said, “I think it’s the most important win we have had so far on because Danielle is the first winner on that had no professional experience in the past.” Bradbery also won the $100,000 grand prize. On this week’s Hot Country Songs chart, she enters at Number 22 with her cover of Jessica Andrews’ “Who I Am” and at Number 30 with her rendition of Tim McGraw’s “Please Remember Me.” Third place finalists The Swon Brothers also have two songs on the list. They come in at Number 16 with “Danny’s Song” and at Number 29 with “Turn the Page.” Pop singer Michelle Chamuel, 27, from Massachusetts was the second place finalist.
Classic hard rock group Black Sabbath earns its first Number One album on this week’s chart with . According to Nielsen SoundScan, the album sold 155,000 copies in the U.S. its opening week. is Black Sabbath’s first album with lead singer Ozzy Osbourne since 1978’s . The set also entered the U.K. albums chart at Number One, which marks Black Sabbath’s first chart-topper on that list since 1970. This week’s other Top 10 debuts on the chart include by Big Time Rush (Number 4), by Goo Goo Dolls (Number 8), the motion picture soundtrack to (Number 9) and by The Lonely Island” (Number 10).
The Rolling Stones are offering their entire catalog on iTunes. The band has its own area at the online store, iTunes.com/TheRollingStones. The albums are bundled in two sets, “The Complete Collection Box Set 1963-1971” and “The Complete Collection Box Set 1971-2013.” Also available on their site are an eBook, a Rolling Stones app, documentaries, singles and live releases.
“Jammin’ With Friends” by Bret Michaels
“VH1 Storytellers” by Alicia Keys
“Zero” by Hawthorne Heights
“Songversation” by India Arie
“Love In The Future” by John Legend
“”One True Vine” by Mavis Staples
“Natalie Cole en Espanol” by Natalie Cole
“Identity Picks” by Ryan Power
“Moonlander” by Pearl Jam’s guitarist Stone Gossard
was be held June 27-30 at Turtle Creek State Park in Manhattan, Kansas. The four-day festival featured appearances by Jason Aldean, Little Big Town, Trace Adkins, Pistol Annies, Scotty McCreery and many other Country stars. This marks the 18th consecutive year for the Country Stampede. In addition to concerts, the event offers food, shopping, interactive exhibits, a saloon and camping. Last year’s festival drew 165,000 Country fans.
The sold-out 2013 took place June 28-30. The annual event is held on a dairy farm near Pilton, Somerset in southwestern England. This year’s lineup included the Rolling Stones, Elvis Costello, The Lumineers, Alabama Shakes and Rufus Wainwright, among others. Approximately 135,000 music fans are expected to attend this year’s Glastonbury Festival.
Some of the biggest names in jazz, blues and world music are set to perform at this week’s 2013 . They include Aretha Franklin, George Benson, Wynton Marsalis, Dr. John and Wayne Shorter. Some 3,000 musicians from five continents will perform in 15 concert halls. In addition, the festival offers hundreds of free outdoor concerts. The 10-day Festival International de Jazz de Montreal runs from June 28 to July 7.