International
Johnny Depp Seeks Defamation Trial Delay
The novel coronavirus pandemic has shifted release calendars and postponed productions in Hollywood and abroad — and the delay of the latest installment of the Fantastic Beasts franchise has created an “irreconcilable conflict” for Johnny Depp. Filming is now expected to extend into early 2021, overlapping with the trial in his defamation suit against Amber Heard. The actor in March 2019 sued his ex-wife for defamation over an op-ed she wrote for the Washington Post titled “I spoke up against sexual violence — and faced our culture’s wrath. That has to change.” Depp isn’t mentioned by name, but in Virginia (where he’s suing and the Post has its printing presses) plaintiffs can pursue claims for defamation by inference, implication or insinuation. O...
The Killers Rule Australia’s Albums Chart With ‘Imploding The Mirage’
The Killers are kings of the Australian albums chart as Imploding The Mirage (Island/Universal) debuts at No. 1, while Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion and BTS flex up on the national singles chart. With Mirage, the Las Vegas alternative rock outfit earn a third No. 1 on the ARIA chart and an eighth Top 10 album in Australia. It’s the followup to their 2017, chart-topping set Wonderful Wonderful. Mirage also blasts to No. 1 in the U.K. with 50,000 first-week chart sales. Aussie pop artist Troye Sivan returns with his In A Dream EP (via EMI), new at No. 3. The six-track set is Sivan’s first title to hit the ARIA Albums Chart since his sophomore album Bloom, which peaked at No. 3 in September 2018. Also new to the Top 10 this week is Cannot Buy My Soul: The Songs Of Kev Carmody (EMI),...
Pikotaro Collaborates With Pikachu on New Track ‘PIKA to PIKO’
J-pop viral sensation Pikotaro teamed up with a world-famous star on his latest track, called “PIKA to PIKO,” dropping Aug. 31. Featuring none other than Pikachu, the tune is meant to put a smile on the faces of kids and adults alike during these difficult times. Pikotaro — the alter ego of comedian and music producer Daimao Kosaka — explains that he reached out to Pikachu to see if they could collab on a song for kids who aren’t able to play outside as much as they’d like to, even during summer vacation, because of the coronavirus and extreme heat that Japan is currently undergoing. The “PPAP” artist says he had always been a fan of the iconic Pokémon because of their matching yellow hues, and wrote the song based on what he imagines Pikachu is saying. The track and video features Pikotar...
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s ‘WAP’ Takes Slim Lead In U.K. Chart Race
It’s early days, but the U.K. chart race is shaping as a classic. Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s “WAP” (Atlantic) is fast out the gate. The hip-hop track takes top spot on the Official Chart: First Look, which gauges the hottest hits following the weekend’s sales and streaming activity. Cardi and Megan won’t be popping the champagne corks just yet. Their tune is just 80 chart sales ahead of Joel Corry and MNEK’s “Head & Heart” (Asylum/Perfect Havoc), which has ruled the weekly chart for six cycles. “WAP” bowed at No. 4 earlier this month, logged two weeks at No. 2 but has never hit the summit. In other chart news, U.S. rapper and singer 24kGoldn is poised for his first U.K. Top 10 single with “Mood” (Black Butter) featuring Iann Dior. Powered by viral videos on TikTok, it’s up...
The 13 Best Things That Happened in Music This Week (August 28)
If you’re just waking up on this glorious Friday, you’re about to discover what much of Twitter already knows: Selena Gomez and Blackpink’s epic new collaboration “Ice Cream” has arrived. We know what we’ll be doing for the next few days: “Ice cream chillin’, chillin’, ice cream chillin’!” Plus, we’re heading into VMAs weekend, and you can brush up on your music video history ahead of the big night by checking out our list of the 100 greatest music video artists of all time. Take a look at all of that — and more of the week’s biggest music happenings — below. Taylor Swift’s Folklore ruled for a fourth week Swift’s latest set topped the Billboard 200 chart once again, with 101,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the week ending Aug. 20. Billboard’s...
Mike Noga, Solo Artist and Former Drummer With The Drones, Dies at 42
Mike Noga, the Australian singer, songwriter and former drummer with celebrated alternative rock outfit The Drones, has died at the age of 42. The sad news was announced on social media by Noga’s sister, Ali. “We are absolutely devastated to inform you of the passing of our beloved brother, son, uncle and dearest friend Mike,” the message reads. “We know how much he and his music meant to so many of you and there’s nothing we can say to make this hurt any less. We miss you and love you so much, Mike.” We are absolutely devastated to inform you of the passing of our beloved brother, son, uncle and dearest friend Mike. We… Posted by Ali Noga on Wednesday, August 26, 2020 The cause of death has not been revealed. Taking his spot behind the kit for the Drones, Noga...
Australia’s Falls Festival Will ‘Raincheck’ Due to COVID-19
The 2020/2021 edition of Australia’s Falls Festival has been shelved due to the pandemic. Falls Festival, one of Australia’s biggest annual touring fests, was meant to go ahead with multiple dates on either side of New Year’s, featuring an all-Australian lineup. Those plans, however, proved too optimistic. “Falls Festival will no longer be taking place this year,” reads a statement from Falls Festival producers Jess Ducrou and Paul Piticco. “In May, as the nation seemed to be moving into recovery mode, we were optimistic about forging ahead and supporting our local industry with an all Aussie edition of Falls Festival,” the message continues. “We were especially excited to reunite many live music fans, get industry crew back on the job, and contribute to the economies of the co...
Dirty Hit Launches In Australia
Dirty Hit, home to The 1975 and Wolf Alice, expands its global footprint with a new affiliate in Australia. Leading the Sydney office is Rachel Jones-Williams, who oversees label activities for the region as General Manager, Asia Pacific. Jones-Williams joins the independent music company from Sony Music Entertainment, where she most recently served as senior manager, national promotions & communications at Sony Music. Prior to that, she worked as national promotions manager at Caroline Australia, Universal Music’s label services business. Launching a new record label in a pandemic isn’t without its challenges. “It’s definitely a strange time,” Jones-Williams tells Billboard. “In a normal world we would be seeing a debut tour from Beabadoobee and The 1975 would have been returnin...
Kang Daniel Reflects on ‘Magenta’ Album, Teases New Projects & Collaborations
With his deep voice, boy-next-door looks and growing creative flair, Kang Daniel has elevated himself to a top-tier celebrity status that only a handful of artists can ever achieve—even after first finding fame as a key member of insanely popular boy band Wanna One who hit No. 3 on both Billboard‘s Social 50 chart and World Albums chart. After striking out solo and launching his own label last year, the phenomenon became one of the highest-earning and most significant male solo acts in K-pop. But despite a near-instant solo success with his debut Color on Me EP in 2019, the 23-year-old seems more level-headed than most artists of his stature. “I feel more pressure every time I release new music, but it feels good to feel pressure,” Kang tells Billboard. “Releasing a...
Biffy Clyro Oust Taylor Swift From U.K. Albums Chart Summit
Move over Taylor Swift, Biffy Clyro is the new boss of the U.K. albums chart. The Scottish rockers open at No. 1 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart with A Celebration Of Endings (Warner Records), for their third leader. The new LP blasts away with 26,000 chart sales, including 8,000 vinyl units, according to the OCC. A Celebration Of Endings is the trio’s ninth album, and their seventh Top 10. With its fast start, Celebration ends the three-week streak at No. 1 by Taylor Swift’s Folklore (EMI), which dips to No. 2. English indie-rock outfit Sea Girls enjoy a No. 3 start with their debut album Open Up Your Head (Polydor). Also new to the top tier of the chart this week is Manic Street Preacher James Dean Bradfield, whose Even In Exile (Montyray) bows at No. 6. It’...
‘Masked Singer Australia’ Production Halted Following COVID Outbreak
The Masked Singer Australia has entered into lockdown mode after several crew members were diagnosed with COVID-19. The production team, which numbers 180 and includes the masked celebrities, host Osher Gunsberg and its judging panel, are now in self-isolation. With just one episode to go in the current season, production is now immediately suspended, as “the health and safety of the community, and our staff and production partners is our number one priority,” explains a statement issued Sunday. The series is filmed in Melbourne, which currently holds the unwanted status as Australia’s coronavirus hotspot, and airs on the commercial Network 10. The show will go on. All episodes are in the can, with the exception of the grand final, which means fans can tune in on Monday an...
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s ‘WAP’ Hits No. 1 In Australia
Cardi B has her first No. 1 in the land Down Under as “WAP” (Atlantic/Warner), featuring Megan Thee Stallion, rises 2-1 on the ARIA Singles Chart, while Taylor Swift’s Folklore (Republic/Universal) enters a fourth consecutive week atop the national albums survey. “WAP” is just the third female-led hip-hop song to rule Australia’s singles chart, and the first in almost three decades, ARIA reports. The only others are Dimples D’s “Sucker DJ” (March 1991) and Salt-N-Pepa’s “Let’s Talk About Sex” (January 1992). With Cardi B’s Billboard Hot 100 leader now on top in Australia, Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo’s “Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)” (Columbia/Sony) slips to No. 2, while Drake has the week’s highest debut, as “Laugh Now Cry Later” (Republic/Universal) featuring Lil Durk starts at No...
