October 17, 2018 10:23PM PT Each of the group’s seven members signs on for an additional seven years. K-Pop boyband BTS has extended its contract with South Korea’s Big Hit Entertainment, it was announced on Thursday, Oct. 18. The group’s members — RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook – each signs on for an
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October 17, 2018 4:58PM PT Fender has released a new study that shows women comprise 50% of new guitar players in the United States and the United Kingdom. The guitar manufacturer consulted with Daniel Levitin, a neuroscientist and musician, for the study, which found that half of “all beginner and aspirational players” are women. Fender’s
Emerging from of a jewel-toned haze, 25-year-old Swedish pop star Tove Styrke took the stage Monday night at The Belasco in Los Angeles for the 10th stop on her North American tour. Out in support of her latest album, “Sway,” the singer boasts a strong presence on stage, honed from opening slots on tours by mega-stars Lorde
How did a comedian and a rapper take over the Empire State Building earlier this week? Turns out, if you’re Jimmy Kimmel and Eminem, it’s not such a tough sell. Eminem performed his song “Venom” (from the titular tenpole) at the top of the Empire State Building on Monday’s broadcast of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” which is
In the latest episode of iHeartRadio’s podcast “Inside the Studio,” released Monday, guest Paul McCartney opened up about topics both present and past with host Joe Levy. He likes to take occasional walks in public by himself, he noted. “I walk down streets. They’re for walking down,” he said. “‘People say, ‘Oh no. You’ve got to have acres
The supporting team for Hollywood’s power players help their bosses while navigating their own careers. Variety selects 2018’s 10 Assistants to Watch Eni Akintade, seated second from leftAssistant to Rich Klubeck, motion picture literary and talent partner, UTAThe Tufts grad won a spot in the UTA Agent Trainee Program in 2016 and worked for Jonathan
The South by Southwest Music Festival has announced the initial list of Showcasing Artists invited to perform at the 2019 event. The SXSW Music Festival’s 33rd annual event takes place Monday, March 11 – Sunday, March 17, 2019 in Austin, Texas. The SXSW Music Festival programmers create a unique experience featuring artists from multiple genres.
Joe Jonas may be engaged to “Game of Thrones” star Sophie Turner, but that doesn’t mean the JoBro will be popping up in the final season of the HBO fantasy drama. “I would have done it in a heartbeat, but unfortunately, it’s not going to happen,” Jonas told Variety on Tuesday night at the Fendi
Each year Variety’s New Leaders feature profiles the most prominent up-and-comers in the entertainment business. To determine this year’s worthies, Variety looked across disciplines, from television, digital, music and film, to law and finance, as well as content creators. They were proposed by their bosses and peers who have worked with them and seen their
Puddles Pity Party is heading to Las Vegas for his first artist residency at Caesars Palace. The sad clown entertainer, who rose to prominence competing on the 12th season of “America’s Got Talent,” will headline at Cleopatra’s Barge beginning January 17, 2019 for a run that extends through February 9. “I’m honored that Caesars asked
When you think of the public face of women in country, you think of Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris or any of the other artists who’ll be spotlighted on the “CMT Artists of the Year” telecast Wednesday night. But if you live and work in Nashville, the first name that might instinctively spring to
R&B icon Maxwell has dropped a new song and video, “Shame,” his third of the year and a preview from his forthcoming album, “NIGHT” (previously titled “BlackSummer’sNIGHT”), the completion of a trilogy that began with 2009’s “BLACKsummers’Night” and continued with 2016’s “BlackSUMMERS’night.” The song, a return to his familiar sultry R&B after the darker earlier
October 17, 2018 3:06AM PT Janet Jackson is set to receive this year’s Global Icon Award at MTV’s European Music Awards. Jackson will collect the honor at the ceremony Nov. 4 in Bilbao, Spain, where she will also perform a medley of her greatest hits, including recent hit “Made for Now.” “Janet is without question
“Self-fulfilling prophecy” was the refrain heard throughout a panel discussion titled “Breaking Down the Barrier: A Conversation About Women in Country Music,” held at Nashville’s Cambria Hotel on Tuesday to address the shockingly low levels of representation in a genre that once seemed far more female-friendly. Moderated by Variety features editor Chris Willman and hosted in partnership with
Large consumer brands with larger-than-life founders, including Virgin and Apple, often carry the burden of proper succession once their founders are no longer in the picture. Entrepreneur Richard Branson’s children, Holly and Sam, have had a frequent media presence recently so it’s not hard to imagine that their father would have been thoughtful about succession
The Hollywood Music in Media Awards, recognizing music in film, TV, video games, commercials, and trailers, today announced nominees for its 2018 edition. Among the nominates films are Bradley Cooper’s directorial debut “A Star Is Born,” “Black Panther,” “BlacKkKlansman,” “Quincy,” and more. The ceremony will feature presentations, performances, and a special achievement award. Past honorees include
Once you’ve amassed a $5 billion fortune across a wide range of industries — and have your own private island — you might choose to take a rest. But for Richard Branson, the idea doesn’t have a strong appeal. He doesn’t mind risking his own safety to push the limits of the possible. “I have
October 16, 2018 9:55AM PT The Orchard has named Tim Pithouse Global Head of Artist & Label Services effective November 1, the Sony-owned company announced today. According to the announcement, Pithouse will be responsible for expanding the company’s Artist & Label Services capabilities around the world. Based in New York, he will establish a presence for his
Stagecoach, the California music festival known as Coachella’s country cousin, is still seven months off, but Goldenvoice likes to get the word out a lot sooner than they do for the indie-rock gathering that immediately precedes it. The promoter puts passes for the April 2019 gathering on sale Friday and is giving attendees plenty of
Perry Farrell has signed an exclusive worldwide record deal with BMG to release his forthcoming solo album “Kind Heaven,” which is described as a “musical scene-setter for his immersive entertainment destination Kind Heaven,” which is set to open at the Linq Promenade in Las Vegas next year. Slated for release in 2019, Kind Heaven marks the first solo album release from the former Jane’s Addiction and Porno For Pyros frontman
October 16, 2018 7:03AM PT Stargate — Tor Hermansen and Mikkel Eriksen, the Norwegian hitmakers behind such hits as Rihanna’s “Diamonds,” Katy Perry’s “Firework” and Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable” — have sold their catalog to the Entertainment IP Fund of Los Angeles-based investment firm Shamrock Capital, according to multiple media reports. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
October 16, 2018 6:19AM PT One night last week many New Yorkers wondered why helicopters were surrounding the Empire State Building and the iconic landmark’s famous lights were “freaking out” — and they got their answer last night: Eminem performed a stinging version of “Venom” from inside and atop the building Monday night on “Jimmy
The coal miner’s daughter will be serenaded by some spiritual daughters and also a son on CMT’s “Artists of the Year” program Wednesday night. The network has announced that the evening’s all-star tribute to Loretta Lynn, who’ll be receiving the Artist of a Lifetime reward, will feature Sheryl Crow, Martina McBride and Dierks Bentley. In
October 15, 2018 4:05PM PT The set is the singer’s first since 2014. Mariah Carey today announced the title and release date of her upcoming 15th studio album. It’s called “Caution” and will drop Nov. 16, according to a Twitter post from the singer earlier today. It follows and presumably will include the two singles she’s
October 15, 2018 4:05PM PT New article says the album is likely to arrive later this year with little to no prior notice. Solange’s follow-up to her Grammy-winning 2016 album “A Seat at the Table” will be released within the next few weeks, according to an extremely enthusiastic profile of the singer in the The
In advance of the forthcoming documentary on Coldplay, “A Head Full of Dreams” — which arrives in theaters Nov. 14 and on Amazon Prime Video two days later — the woman who was among the first to discover the band has co-authored a book. “Life in Technicolor: A Celebration of Coldplay” by Debs Wild, the
October 15, 2018 10:26AM PT Rapper Yella Beezy was shot three times early Sunday while driving on a highway near Dallas, according to the Dallas Morning News. He has been hospitalized and is expected to recover, according to CBS Dallas affiliate 11/21 DFW. The 26-year-old MC, whose real name is Deandre Conway, was fired upon
October 15, 2018 9:47AM PT Public conversation with Charlamagna Tha God was scheduled for Wednesday at New York’s Town Hall. Amid the countless headlines about Kanye West in recent months, one that may have been overlooked is that he was scheduled to give a TimesTalk on mental health with his friend and past interviewer Charlamagne
Last week, veteran British singer-songwriter Paul Weller looked back on his 40-plus-year career with a pair of elaborate shows at London’s Royal Festival Hall that found him accompanied by an orchestra and horns as well as his usual band, and performing a set that included most of his latest album “True Meanings” as well as
October 15, 2018 6:55AM PT Eesean Bolden has been promoted to Senior Vice President of A&R at Warner Bros. Records, the company’s co-chairman & CEO Aaron Bay-Schuck announced today. The move is the first major staff announcement since Bay-Schuck officially took the helm at the label on Oct. 1. Bolden, who has served as VP of A&R at the label