Thanks to the friend of a friend who couldn’t make it at the last minute, I bagged myself a ticket to the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, where ELO, Yes, Joan Baez, Journey, Nile Rodgers, Tupac and Pearl Jam were being honoured. It’s basically like one big music history lesson inside a mini-concert/giant karaoke session, with a few thank you speeches peppered in between and some surprise guest appearances. In other words, a pretty good time, if a very long evening. Here then, some of my highlights: ELO opening with a tribute to the late Chuck Berry, the first person to be inducted into the RRHOF 32 years…
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Pearl Jam in Brooklyn
“Live from Brooklyn, it’s Saturday night!” joked Eddie Vedder three songs into the start of the second leg of Pearl Jam’s Brooklyn stop on the Lightning Bolt tour, riffing on the one of the most famous lines in TV. An ordinary Saturday night spent between friends – give or take 17 000 or so – and the band onstage, as they celebrated the release of their 10th studio album with a bunch of new songs to boot. If you’re someone like me who has never seen Pearl Jam play live before; someone who’s watched with envy as people shared their various concert experiences with the Seattle-born band over its 20-odd-year…
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Entertainment Express: Gravity, Fifth Estate, Doctor Who, Carol Burnett, Arcade Fire, Pearl Jam
Hello from Banksy’s playground, New York! * Gravity keeps holding on to its top spot at the North American box office, just as the film opened in other countries this past weekend, including South Africa. Captain Phillips stayed at number two, but the WikiLeaks movie, The Fifth Estate, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, became the year’s worst opener to date. * Doctor Who fans can watch the specially-shot trailer for the 50th anniversary adventure The Day of the Doctor, featuring all of the Doctor’s in his various incarnations. * Before Tina and Amy there was Carol. Trailblazing comedienne Carol Burnett has received America’s top comedy award at the Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts. * Arcade Fire…
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Entertainment Express: Pearl Jam, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, CMJ, Netflix, Eminem
After surviving an interview with Joaquin Phoenix yesterday, it’s a very warm hello from New York! * Today Pearl Jam release their 10th studio album, and with it, a reinvigorated tour schedule across North America. Late Night With Jimmy Fallon will help celebrate – next week, star musicians will perform songs from the band’s iconic catalogue. * Boring awards shows be gone! Amy Poehler and Tina Fey have agreed to host the Golden Globes for 2 years. * The College Music Journal, aka CMJ Music Marathon officially kicks off in NYC today – giving established and emerging artists the chance to grow their audience over the next few days, as musicians vie for…
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Entertainment Express: Pearl Jam, Grand Theft Auto V, Milan Fashion Week, Stephen King, Michael Jackson
* After a full-throttle first single, Pearl Jam finally release a second single from the band’s forthcoming Lightning Bolt album. In contrast, Sirens is a bittersweet love-song that we’ll happily take. * The newest version of Grand Theft Auto has smashed records, bringing in $800 million in the first 24 hours of its release. As for the game itself, it’s being called ‘the most immersive spectacle in interactive entertainment.’ * With London all wrapped up, eyes now turn to Milan Fashion Week and the show-stoppers expected to be unveiled there. Gucci and DSquared2 opened the Spring 2014 collections there. * Stephen King is preparing to release The Shining sequel, Doctor Sleep, this coming Tuesday, saying,…
