Duran Duran Launch World Tour at SXSW Festival

John Taylor

by Cindy Robinson

When Duran Duran gets it right, they really get it right. The band kicked off their world tour at Stubb’s BBQ in Austin, TX last night to a crowd that left singing the band’s praises as part of the SXSW Music Festival.

The 80’s megastars have just begun to saturate the music market with their 13th album, All You Need Is Now, which is available now as a 9 track EP via iTunes with the deluxe CD package coming to a store near you on March 22nd. You can also pre-order the deluxe version from Amazon now, with delivery expected the day of release. 

Produced by Mark Ronson, their latest album takes the listener on a synthesizer infused journey down memory lane with Nick Rhodes to the height of 80’s pop music while the grooves of drummer Roger Taylor and bassist John Taylor keep us dancing in modern times. Singer Simon Le Bon, who has often been criticized in the media for his quirky voice, sounds smooth &  melodic, demonstrating his vocal skills and a voice that has stood the test of time.

As a producer Ronson carefully guarded the bands existing, unique sound while moving them forward into new territory at the same time. He doesn’t try to make a band sound like his own records.

Duran Duran will hit Los Angeles next week for a round of appearances on American TV shows the Ellen DeGeneres Show, Late Night with Jay Leno and Jimmy Kimmel Live!

The band will also play a one-off concert in Los Angeles to kick off the 2nd season of the American Express Unstaged Concert Series which will be directed by critically acclaimed director David Lynch and broadcast live online courtesy of YouTube and Vevo.

All You Need Is Now

Duran Duran have proved their staying power with tickets to a handful of North American warm-up concerts selling out in mere minutes as the band criss-crosses the USA in preparation for their slot at the upcoming always sold out Coachella Music & Arts Festival in Indio, CA April 15-17, 2011. The massive music festival which annually draws approximately 90, 000 visitors to the California desert will also offer a live webcast of music acts throughout the weekend.

They will then head home to the UK & Europe for concerts in May and June, and a tour of Australia in December with more worldwide dates to be announced as they become available via Duran Duran’s website. You can also check in with Duran Duran’s Roger Taylor, John Taylor and Simon Le Bon on Facebook and Twitter as they check in from their daily lives, from rehearsals and on the road.

Singer Joe Jonas and Twilight’s Ashley Greene split

Joe Jonas

Reps for the Jonas Brothers singer and the Twilight star confirm that Joe Jonas and Ashley Greene have broken up after nearly a year of dating.

News of the affectionate, globetrotting couples split comes as a surprise to most especially after Joe spoke affectionately of Ashley in a recent interview for Details magazine.

Jonas has previously been linked to hot young stars like Demi Lovato and Taylor Swift.

He is currently in the studio in New York City working on his first solo album with a tour expected later this year.

Ashley Greene is currently filming the 4th installment of the Twilight series, Breaking Dawn, in Vancouver, B.C.

Greene has reportedly been seen out in New York City with Kings of Leon bassist Jared Followill.

My Chemical Romance to Auction Tickets for Japan Earthquake Relief

My Chemical Romance

by Cindy Robinson

New Jersey’s Starland Ballroom has teamed up with the American Red Cross and a host of rock’s most popular bands currently on tour to auction off concert tickets and meet & greets with artists like Coheed & Cambria, All Time Low, Three Days Grace and New Jersey’s own My Chemical Romance.

Most of these shows sold out  months ago so it’s a great opportunity for fans to grab a pair of tickets to see their favorite band with 100% of the auction proceeds going to the Red Cross effort to support the people in Japan after the dual disasters of the massive earthquake and tsunami have brought the country to its knees.

The auctions went live today, St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th (hey, don’t forget to pinch your co-workers who didn’t wear green!) and they run for a week until March 24th, 2011. Auction details from the Starland Ballroom state, “Each auction will run from 3pm EST Thursday, March 17th until 3pm EST Thursday, March 24th. Each auction will start at $100, with increments of $10. Please forward any questions to info@starlandballroom.com.”

American Red Cross

Go to Starland Ballroom Auction for Japan and click on the red “bid” button below the picture of your favorite band. Killjoys, make some noise for Japan! Let’s see some great numbers on these auctions for New Jersey’s hometown boys. This will be their first concert performance in their home state in support of the bands latest release Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys.

 

Fairfax Vying for Coveted Summerfest Slot

image courtesy of Fairfax

Los Angeles based Indie/Alt Rock duo Fairfax, consisting of California native Heavynn Gates (vocals) and Georgia born Blake English (guitar) blend strong, soulful vocals and riveting guitar riffs, on their latest single Battle. The band met while writing songs for R&B artist Brandy, and shared a common background in dance music and hip-hop.

Fairfax are among the top five finalists in Taylor Guitars Test Drive Electric contest for emerging artists (also sponsored by Elixir Strings and SonicBids.com). Nearly 1,000 acts entered, and after a preliminary round of voting, a panel of artist relations professionals narrowed it down to five finalists:  singer-songwriter Tyler Shea, and bands Crash Coordinates, Evaline, Fairfax, and Shot Heard Around the World. 

The final round of the contest is under way with voting open through March 31, 2011. Fairfax’s entry into the contest, the video for their latest single, Battle, is up for viewing & voting now on the Test Drive Electric contest site. Don’t forget to vote daily for your favorite artist.

The winner of the contest wins a slot in the World’s Largest Music Festival Summerfest taking place June 29 – July 3 and July 5 – 10, 2011 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin featuring everyone from Toby Keith, arena rockers Def Leppard, the Black Keys, Florence + the Machine to Cage the Elephant, everyone’s darling Katy Perry and Sugarland.

 The band will release their yet-to-be titled sophomore EP in 2011. The single, Battle, is available now as a FREE download. Don’t forget to visit Fairfax on Facebook to enter their drawing to win a FREE iPod shuffle!

George Michael covers New Order for Comic Relief

courtesy of http://www.georgemichael.com/

Singer George Michael has covered New Order’s True Faith for Comic Relief. The singer will donate all proceeds from the sale of the single to Comic Relief which supports local communities in the UK and across the globe assisting young people who are battling mental health & substance abuse issues, sexual exploitation, and domestic violence. They also help our elders, support refugees from war-torn countries and support sports for change.

George Michael is offering a preview of the single, now available for listening on his website . The haunting rendition of this classic dance song will be available for purchase via iTunes on March 13th with a physical CD package available March 14th.

A new album tentatively titled, Fatherhood is expected this year and the singer will announce a world tour soon.

Please connect with George via his website http://www.georgemichael.com/ on his Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/georgemichael or via Twitter http://twitter.com/georgemichael to watch for more information on his new album and world tour.