Melanie Martinez Among Headlining Acts for This Year’s Lollapalooza Festival in Chicago

Melanie Martinez is headed to the Windy City

The 28-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American singer and former The Voice contestant will be among the headlining acts at this summer’s Lollapalooza festival in Chicago.

Melanie MartinezMartinez is among a roster of headlining acts for the August 1-4 music event that includes SZATyler, The Creator, blink-182The Killers, Future X Metro Boomin, Hozier, Stray Kids and Skrillex.  

Among the 170 acts that will perform on eight stages includes Deftones, Tate McRae, Laufey with the Chicago Philharmonic, Reneé Rapp, Lizzy McAlpine, Zedd, Fisher, Zeds Dead, Dominic Fike, Labrinth, Pierce the Veil, Victoria Monét, Sexyy Red, Teddy Swims, Faye Webster, Benson Boone, Jungle, Two Door Cinema Club, Killer Mike, Ive, Vince Staples, Kesha, Galantis, Kevin Abstract, Ethel Cain, Chappell Roan, Megan Mornoey, Teezo Touchdown and many more.

Fans can sign up now for the 2024 presale, which will kick off on Thursday (March 21) from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm ET; the presale is the only way to guarantee the lowest price on 4-day general admission, GA+, VIP and Platinum tickets. Ticket prices will increase at 1:00 pm ET when the public onsale begins; click here for ticketing information. One-day tickets and the lineup-by-day rundown will be available at a later date.

Last summer’s event featured headlining sets from Billie Eilish, Lana Del Rey, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kendrick Lamar, Odesza, Karol G, TOMORROW X TOGETHER and The 1975.

The four-day extravaganza that sets up in Grant Park in downtown Chicago draws more than 400,000 fans to the massive party near Lake Michigan.

Miguel Appears in Sony’s “For the Music” Campaign

Miguel is reaching new heights…

The 37-year-old half-Mexican American R&B singer scales a massive skyscraper and breaks through the building’s glass window in the visual for Sony’s “For the Music” campaign.

Miguel

The Grammy winner came up with the concept. 

“There were a few things that myself and my creative advisor, Franc Fernandez, have been tossing around in general in order to build out some of the storytelling, and this one just felt like it could be a fun opportunity to not only push myself but to also push the brand [and] how far Sony’s willing to go for artists,” Miguel explains to Billboard. “That was pretty much the way we came up with [the concept]. It didn’t take much time because we had already had it in the bank of ideas.”

Directed by Liam McRae, the one-minute visual symbolizes the multiplatinum-selling singer’s next era in music and Sony’s commitment to supporting artists like Miguel in breaking through “creative barriers” and connecting directly with their fans.  “I think across the board that’s been the intention,” Miguel said. “To hopefully give my fans new ways to appreciate my music and creativity and this is one of them. It was exciting to be able to do this. Not too many people can say they scaled a building!”

Miguel will be the first artist “For the Music” will support with brand campaigns for Sony’s WF-1000XM5 headphones and X-Series wireless speakers.

Sony’s new platform aims to foster various collaborations with artists, including creating specialty content, activations and memorable experiences for music fans and allowing artists’ input on Sony products and tools such as 360 Reality Audio and 360 Virtual Mixing Environment to improve content creation and listening experiences on headphones, wireless speakers and other products.

Fans will hear a new track from Miguel’s upcoming album in the Sony visual. “The song is called ‘Number 9.’ It’s about completion and new beginnings,” he explained. “It’s my intention to push beyond creative bounds and discover new places to go as a musician and an artist. Sony was intent on honoring artists’ creative vision and the song is about ending the old, starting new, and the cylindrical nature of change. I think all of that comes to a head in this very short visual. It’s powerful. It sets the tone for what’s to come, I’m excited for people to see it.”

“I’ve never done commercials for anyone, but this felt like such an authentic collaboration. We were on the same page about really pushing the boundaries about what’s expected of both our brands and what they represent. It’s exciting to be the first one to be able to express themselves through this medium with a partner as supportive of a vision as they were. It was really dope.”

As part of the collaboration, Sony and Miguel will partner on various giveaways, VIP experiences and sweepstakes, including a chance for five lucky fans to receive a VIP invite to his upcoming album and “For the Music” campaign release party in Los Angeles.

Visit forthemusic.electronics.sony.com to enter for a chance to win an invite.

“Sony’s audio team has long supported artists because at its core, Sony represents passion for music, for listeners and creators,” added Jordy Freed, Sony’s head of brand and business development and partner marketing and strategy. “This passion drives our existing products and services, as well as newly launched products, from our consumer WF-1000XM5 headphones to professional studio headphones such as the MDR-MV1 to sound technologies such as 360 Virtual Mixing Environment and 360 Reality Audio. These exciting new activities mark the perfect time to formalize our continued support for creators, celebrate artistry, and create a tangible platform to empower their visions and reach music fans wide.”

Sony has partnered with other Sony Music artists in the past including SZA, Khalid and Tate McRae. Miguel’s collaboration comes ahead of his forthcoming album.

“I think the biggest, most relatable way of describing the overall tone [of the album] is that I took a snapshot of my life and realized that it was about the violent and beautiful nature of change. The most exciting thing about that is it gives me the opportunity to have really intimate and vulnerable moments that I don’t think I’ve ever been able to have with my fans.”

“This album is maximalism. It’s intimate, dynamic, manic at times, but it’s all very, very much the fringe of my creativity and I’m excited to even push beyond that. I think it marks the beginning of a very prolific era in my career and my expression.”

Bad Bunny to Co-Headline Jay-Z’s 2022 Made In America Music Festival

Bad Bunny is ready to Made out…

The 28-year-old Puerto Rican superstar is set to co-headline Jay-Z’s 2022 Made In America music festival.

Bad Bunny

On September 3-4, Bad Bunny and co-headliner Tyler, the Creator will take the stages at Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway, along with a number of acts across genres including Jazmine Sullivan, Burna Boy, Snoh Aalegra, Lil Uzi Vert, Kodak Black, Pusha T, Lil Tjay, Tate Mcrae, Toro Y Moi, Babyface Ray, Key Glock, Larry June, Rels B, Victoria Monét and Ryan Castro. 

Prioritizing the multicultural musical surge happening stateside, the festival also enlisted some of the biggest international acts, including Nigeria native Burna, Dominican rapper Chimbala, and Mexican band Fuerza Regida, in addition to a plethora of local fan favorites.

Bad Bunny is coming off of the blockbuster success of his fifth studio album, Un Verano Sin Ti, which debuted atop the Billboard 200 chart, and at the time marked the year’s biggest week for any album: 274,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the week ending May 12, according to Luminate.

Tickets are available now, and include both days of performances.

General admission tickets are $150, while a VIP pass is going for $750. According to the festival’s website, COVID-related health measures — including proof of negative COVID-19 test result, full COVID-19 vaccination or masks — may be required, however no set decision has been announced yet.

This year’s iteration of the two-day music festival marks its 10-year anniversary, since its debut with founder Jay-Z as the headliner, alongside rock band Pearl Jam. On top of bringing superstar and up-and-coming musicians alike to Philly, Made In America also generated over $150 million in economic impact for the city since its inception in 2012. On Labor Day weekend, the festival will highlight groups including Black Voters Matter, HeadCount, ACCT Philly Animal Welfare and United in Community.

Farruko Earns First No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs Chart with “Pepas”

Farruko is celebrating a dancetastic first…

The 30-year-old Puerto Rican singer and songwriter has completed a flight to his first No. 1 on Billboard‘s multi-metric Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart (dated August 21) with “Pepas.”

Farruko

The song hits the top with 9.7 million U.S. streams, up 33%; 7.2 million radio airplay audience impressions, up 11%; and 2,500 downloads sold, up 25%, in the tracking week ending August 12, according to MRC Data.

“Pepas” leads the Dance/Electronic Streaming Songs chart for a third frame and Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales for the first time, also marking Farruko’s first leader on both lists.

The track by Farruko improves 6-3 on the Hot Latin Songs list. Helping spark its gains, its official video premiered August 6.

“Pepas” is the fourth song to hit No. 1 on Hot Dance/Electronic Songs this year, following Surf Mesa‘s “ily,” featuring Emilee (Jan. 2-Feb. 6; six weeks); Travis Scott and HVME‘s “Goosebumps” (Feb. 13-June 19, 19 weeks); and Regard, Troye Sivan and Tate McRae‘s “You” (June 26-August 14, eight weeks).

 

Previously, Farruko charted on Hot Dance/Electronic Songs with “On My Way,” with Alan Walker and Sabrina Carpenter (No. 8, 2019), and “Aire,” with Steve Aoki (No. 36, this July).

Demi Lovato to Take Part in iHeartMedia & P&G’s “Can’t Cancel Pride” Virtual Benefit Concert

Demi Lovato is celebrating Pride in a big way…

The 28-year-old half-Mexican American singer/actor will be taking part in iHeartMedia and P&G’s second annual “Can’t Cancel Pride,” a virtual benefit concert featuring some of the biggest LGBTQ names in music appearing to offer special performances, while also raising funds for nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping LGBTQ people around the world.

Demi Lovato

Hosted by Elvis Duran and Bebe Rexha, the event will take place on June 4, and will feature appearances and performances from Lovato, Lil Nas X, Troye Sivan, Rexha, Brothers Osborne, Busy Phillips, Hayley Kiyoko, Jennifer Hudson, JoJo Siwa, Marshmello, MJ Rodriguez, Nina West, P!nk, Ricky Martin, Regard and Tate McRae.

Along with putting on a good show, iHeartMedia and P&G are also partnering with Greater Cincinatti Foundation to help distribute the funds raised from the event to six organizations supporting the LGBTQ community in 2021, including GLAAD, SAGE, The Trevor Project, the National Black Justice Coalition, CenterLink, and OutRight Action International.

“As the country is returning back to normal and we are slowly starting to gather again, LGBTQ+ communities around the world are still feeling the devastating effects of COVID-19,”  iHeartMedia’s chief  marketing officer Gayle Troberman said in a statement. “We look forward to once again celebrating the incredible voices and allies of the LGBTQ+ community with an amazing night of music that will honor Pride and the communities’ fight for equal rights, all while benefiting six remarkable nonprofits that make an everyday positive impact.”

“Can’t Cancel Pride” will take place on June 4th at 9:00 p.m. ET on iHeartRadio’s TikTok, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram TV pages, PrideRadio.com and Revry, while also being broadcast on iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide and on the iHeartRadio App.

Learn more about the upcoming event here.