Category: 5. Entertainment

  • Megadeth to end four-decade run with final album, farewell tour – San Francisco Chronicle

    1. Megadeth to end four-decade run with final album, farewell tour  San Francisco Chronicle
    2. Megadeth Announce Final Album and Farewell Tour  Variety
    3. Who Is Dave Mustaine? Megadeth Founder, Metal Icon, Cancer Survivor, Married For 34 Years, Dad Of 2  BollywoodShaadis
    4. Legendary Metal Band Launches Mysterious Countdown  parade.com
    5. Megadeth announce retirement  The Business Standard

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  • How AI is changing the music business

    How AI is changing the music business

    The world’s largest music streaming service now lets users to monetize music in which they don’t play or sing a single note. How is AI shaping how we make and profit from music?

    Guests

    Rick Beato, musician, engineer, and YouTuber.

    Amanda Hoover, senior correspondent with Business Insider.

    Also Featured

    Jonathan Wyner, professor of music production and engineering at Berklee College of Music.

    This program aired on August 15, 2025.

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  • Louis Naidorf, Designer of Hollywood’s Capitol Records Building, Dies at 96

    Louis Naidorf, Designer of Hollywood’s Capitol Records Building, Dies at 96

    Los Angeles architect and educator Louis Naidorf has died at the age of 96, just shy of his 97th birthday on August 15. The Los Angeles Times first reported news of his passing, as confirmed by a close friend.

    Naidorf, an L.A. native, helped to shape the skylines of several American cities with projects like the revolving restaurant–topped Reunion Tower and adjacent Hyatt Regency hotel in Dallas; the Humble Exxon Building in Houston, which was briefly the tallest building west of the Mississippi in the early 1960s; and Phoenix’s 40-story Chase Tower (née the Valley Bank Center), which, more than 50 years after its completion, remains the tallest building in Arizona.

    But it was one of Naidorf’s earliest contributions during his long career with prolific midcentury L.A. firm Welton Becket and Associates (successor firm Ellerbe Becket was folded into AECOM following its 2009 acquisition) for which he remains best known: Hollywood’s landmark Capitol Records Building.

    capitol records building

    The Capitol Records Building in Hollywood. Photo by Downtowngal, Wikimedia Commons

    Although relatively squat at 13 stories, the high-rise gained attention as the world’s first round office building when it was completed in 1956. (It briefly appeared in the September 1955 issue of RECORD ahead of its opening.) Resembling a stack of records on a turntable and topped by a 90-foot aluminum spindle pointing skyward (its beacon blinks out H-O-L-L-Y-W-O-O-D in morse code), Naidorf designed an early concept for the circular building while still in graduate school at the University of California, Berkeley as part of his master’s thesis. Just three years later while with Welton Becket, the 24-year-old architect was tasked with designing an office building for an anonymous client in Hollywood. That client ending up being Capitol Records, which selected Naidorf’s radical round tower. As the Times details, the building’s passing semblance to a stack of records is purely coincidental as young Naidorf was unaware of who he was designing the building for.  “If it makes people happy to think that, so be it,” the Times recounts Naidorf as saying about the myth that the building was specifically designed for the major record label. Calling the Capitol Records Building “an instantly recognizable icon of modern architecture,” the Los Angeles Conservancy writes: “Its unique shape primarily sought unabashed cost-efficiency, with the reduced area of the exterior walls saving on both construction and air-conditioning.”

    Located near the intersection of Hollywood and Vine, the tower was added to the U.S National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) just last year and was designated as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 2006. It is still home to the West Coast offices for Capitol Records, which is today owned by the Universal Music Group. Capitol Studios, a legendary recording studio, is also located in the building.

    reunion tower, dallas

    The Reunion Tower and Hyatt Regency in downtown Dallas. Photo by Milestone 2, Wikimedia Commons

    Naidorf went on to lead numerous major commissions with Welton Becket, including the original Beverly Hilton, completed in 1955 and currently undergoing a dramatic, Norman Foster–led transformation alongside an adjacent property; 1958’s Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, which is also listed on the NRHP; and the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena at Exposition Park, which was completed in 1959 and demolished in 2016 to make room for Gensler’s soccer-specific BMO Stadium. He also designed a desert residence for former President Gerald Ford and first lady Betty Ford in Rancho Mirage, just outside of Palm Springs. AIA California bestowed Naidorf with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009.

    LA Memorial Arena

    The now-demolished Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. Photo by Pelladon, Wikimedia Commons

    In addition to his work with Welton Becket, where he eventually rose up the ranks to serve as vice president, director of research, and director of design, Naidorf was a passionate educator, teaching at a number of California schools, including SCI-Arc and Cal Poly Pomona  He was chair, and later dean, of the School of Architecture and Design at Woodbury University in Burbank from 1990 until 2000. In a social media post, the school paid tribute to the to the “creative giant,” who was “always guided by his belief that architecture should bring joy to people and communities.”

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  • Shock as ‘powerhouse’ Scottish comedian dies

    Shock as ‘powerhouse’ Scottish comedian dies

    Tributes have been paid following the death of Gary Little, who has been described as one of “Scotland’s finest comedians”.

    Mr Little, who was in his 60s, rose to prominence in the early 2000s, gaining recognition as a finalist in a stand-up competition hosted by The Stand comedy club.

    He went on to perform regularly at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe.

    The Glee Club in Glasgow, where the comedian was due to perform on Friday, confirmed his death on social media.

    It said: “Gary wasn’t just one of Scotland’s finest comedians, he was a true original.

    “He had a huge heart, a razor sharp sense of humour, and a knack for making you feel like you’d known him forever.

    “He could make an entire room feel like they were sitting with an old friend. He played our opening weekend, and was a permanent fixture at the venue ever since.”

    Originally from Springburn in the north of Glasgow, Gary’s material often drew from personal experience—including his time in prison.

    In the early 90s he spent time in jail on a drug dealing charge.

    Then in 2007, he was briefly jailed for stealing books at a warehouse where he worked as a forklift truck driver, netting £100,000 from selling them on eBay.

    His stand-up shows tackled themes of mental health and addiction.

    In 2024, he created a four-part stand-up series for BBC Radio 4 called Gary Little: At Large which explored life “before, behind and beyond bars”.

    He had been due to tour with fellow comedian Raymond Mears later this year.

    A number of Scottish comedians have taken to social media to pay tribute to Mr Little.

    Jo Caulfield said: “Gary Little was a great comic and an amazing person to spend time with.

    “I will truly miss not seeing you backstage and never hearing that big mischievous laugh.”

    Another Glaswegian comedian, Darren Connell said: “Scottish comedy lost a legend today — heart-breaking news. Gary was an absolute powerhouse.

    “He hosted my first ever gig when I was 18 years old, and after a shocker of a set, he took me aside and told me to keep my head down, work hard, and not let it get to me.”

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  • Sabrina Carpenter Plays ‘Man’s Best Friend’ Early for Lucky Fans

    Sabrina Carpenter Plays ‘Man’s Best Friend’ Early for Lucky Fans

    Sabrina Carpenter is loosening her leash on Man’s Best Friend ahead of its release date, with the pop star playing the album for a group of lucky fans who got to hear it before the rest of the world at an exclusive event on Wednesday (Aug. 13).

    In an Instagram post shared the following day, Carpenter announced, “Last night was the first playdate for Man’s Best Friend!”

    “I asked 26 of my beautiful LA fans to meet at a private location and then get on a bus to come meet me at the studio where i got to play the whole album for them,” she continued. “they were gracious enough to let me take their phones so they were totally present and respectful and amazing and it was genuinely one of my favorite nights in such a long time!”

    The Grammy winner also shared a few pictures from the event, including a group photo of herself and the fans smiling at the camera as well as a snap of everyone dancing to the unreleased music. “The excitement i get to play this album top to bottom is really like no other record I’ve made,” Carpenter added in her caption.

    The so-called playdate comes just two weeks ahead of the release of Man’s Best Friend, which will follow last year’s Billboard 200-topping Short n’ Sweet. Featuring 12 songs — including No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit “Manchild” — Carpenter’s seventh studio album drops Aug. 29.

    But that’s not the only new music the Girl Meets World alum has in the works. As revealed by Taylor Swift on Wednesday (Aug. 13), the former Eras tourmates will be teaming up for a duet on the title track of Swift’s upcoming album, The Life of a Showgirl. Reacting to the announcement on Instagram Stories, Carpenter wrote, “i know someone who’s freaking out and it’s me.”

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  • It's Like Drake and Kendrick for Sad Girls: The Lana Del Rey and Ethel Cain Feud Explained – L'OFFICIEL USA

    It's Like Drake and Kendrick for Sad Girls: The Lana Del Rey and Ethel Cain Feud Explained – L'OFFICIEL USA

    1. It’s Like Drake and Kendrick for Sad Girls: The Lana Del Rey and Ethel Cain Feud Explained  L’OFFICIEL USA
    2. Lana Del Rey launches aggressive opening salvo in Ethel Cain beef  yahoo.com
    3. Are Lana Del Rey and Ethel Cain Beefing? Here’s a Breakdown of the Drama So Far  Cosmopolitan
    4. Lana Del Ray Vs. Ethel Cain—The Feud, Explained  Forbes

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  • FEMco To Present Conversation With Diane Warren, Megan Moroney

    FEMco To Present Conversation With Diane Warren, Megan Moroney

    Reigning CMA new artist of the year Megan Moroney and songwriting icon Diane Warren will take the stage in Nashville when FEMco launches its first interview-based series, starting Sept. 2 at Anzie Blue with “Nashville Welcomes Diane Warren: In Conversation with Megan Moroney.”

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    FEMco’s Leslie Fram will moderate the discussion, with the event marking the first time Warren and Moroney have appeared together on the same stage.

    “Nashville Welcomes Diane Warren: In Conversation with Megan Moroney” will begin at 6 p.m. on Sept. 2, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting local animal rescue organizations through Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation. Middle Tennessee State University’s College of Media & Entertainment (led by the college’s dean Beverly Keel) is sponsoring the one-hour, ticketed event.

    “Having Diane Warren, one of the greatest songwriters of our time, pour her heart into Nashville’s vibrant music community is nothing short of inspiring,” Fram said in a statement. “Her legacy of crafting timeless hits elevates our city’s reputation as a hub for the world’s best songwriters. We’re thrilled to see her shine a spotlight on rising star Megan Moroney, whose raw talent and authentic storytelling embody the spirit of country music.”

    Moroney earned a 4x multi-platinum hit with her breakthrough hit “Tennessee Orange,” and saw her album Am I Okay? debut in the top 10 on the all-genre Billboard 200. She was named new artist of the year at the CMA Awards and earned the rulebreaker award at Billboard’s Women in Music. Her latest release, “6 Months Later,” rose into the top 10 on the Hot Country Songs chart.

    Warren was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001, and is known for writing enduring hits including “Un-break My Heart,” “Because You Loved Me,” and “If I Could Turn Back Time.” With 16 Academy Awards nominations, a Grammy win and 15 Grammy nominations, Warren has had her songs featured in more than 150 films. She has written for artists including Beyoncé, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Jennifer Hudson and more. Warren is the sole owner of her publishing company Realsongs.

    Fram, a former CMT senior vice president, launched FEMco (Fram Entertainment and Music) earlier this year, with the mission of continuing Fram’s work in elevating artists’ voices. The consulting collective focuses on career development, talent services and connection in Nashville’s entertainment industry, while creating opportunities for female artists to expand their visibility and impact. The company recently launched a FEMcountry series of singer-songwriter showcases to highlight women country artists. The showcases have highlighted the musical talents of artists including Ashland Craft, Callista Clark, Denitia, Moriah, Abbey Cone, Caylee Hammack, Angie K and Brittney Spencer.

    Anzie Blue, a 250-capacity live music venue in Nashville’s Hillsboro Village, is co-owned by Marcie Allen and Derek Van Mol.

    “FEMco’s dedication to uplifting Nashville’s ever-expanding pool of talent is truly exciting! The landscape of musical genres and diversity in Nashville is bigger than ever,” Fram said. “We’re committed to amplifying Nashville’s ever-growing talent base, championing incredible creators and ensuring the future of music in our city shines brighter than ever!”

    Tickets are available at anzieblue.com.

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  • Everything you need to know about BLACKPINK’s shows at London’s Wembley Stadium

    Everything you need to know about BLACKPINK’s shows at London’s Wembley Stadium


    From merch to setlists, here is everything you need to know about BLACKPINK’s concerts at London’s Wembley Stadium.



    BLACKPINK are the first ever K-pop girl group to perform at London’s Wembley Stadium


    BLACKPINK is in your area, London.

    BLACKPINK are making their return to the UK and will be performing at London’s Wembley Stadium on the 15th and 16th of August for their DEADLINE World Tour.

    Whether you’re a die-hard BLINK or a casual listener, here’s everything every concert-goer should know about the monumental tour dates.

    1. BLACKPINK are the first K-pop girl group to headline Wembley Stadium

    BLACKPINK’S upcoming London shows are huge milestones in their career and the K-pop genre as they are the first-ever K-pop girl group to perform at Wembley Stadium.

    The only other K-pop act to have performed at the esteemed stadium, which has a capacity of 90,000 people, was BTS in 2019. The Dynamite hitmakers famously sold out their show in 90 minutes.

    2. An official BLACKPINK merchandise tour has opened in London for fans to enjoy

    From August 13-17, fans will be able to purchase BLACKPINK tour merchandise at Kentish Town’s O2 Forum. The shop will be open from 10am – 8pm (subject to change) and some exciting goods on sale include jerseys with the iconic BLACKPINK branding and lightsticks to amplify the K-pop concert experience.

    Exclusive official collectible items are also up for grabs. For every £80 spent at the pop-up store, fans will be able to receive one random BLACKPINK photocard.

    3. The hit-packed setlist

    The group’s concert setlist has mainly stayed consistent since the DEADLINE World Tour began on July 5 at Goyang Stadium in South Korea.

    With the setlist being split up into six different acts, expect to hear their massive hits like How You Like That, DDU-DU DDU-DU, and Pink Venom.

    They’ll also be performing their newest Diplo-produced comeback single, JUMP, which they famously released at the opening night of their tour.

    To find out more about the best K-pop comebacks of 2025 so far, click to read the official Contact Music list here.

    4. The girls will perform their solo tracks

    Fans will be happy to hear that, in addition to group songs, the girls will also be performing their solo work. 

    JENNIE, ROSÉ, LISA and JISOO will have their own individual performances with fan favourites like APT. and Handlebars, which made Contact Music’s list of the best K-pop B-sides released this year.

    Aside from making history as a K-pop girl group, the members have recently been in the headlines for being one of the main inspirations behind HUNTR/X of Netflix’s hit film KPop Demon Hunters. To find out more about the music from the animated film, click here.

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  • Parcels On Why Its New Album Sounds Like ‘Eating Mangoes On The Beach’

    Parcels On Why Its New Album Sounds Like ‘Eating Mangoes On The Beach’

    Recorded across Germany, Mexico and Parcels’ native Australia, the band’s upcoming third album, LOVED, plays like a soundtrack to eating mangoes in the sunshine — which is, as vocalist-guitarist Jules Crommelin says, exactly what the group did while making it.

    It’s a lifestyle the five-man band knows well, having grown up together in the surf town of Byron Bay. After moving to Berlin in 2015 and making indie pop that reflected the darkness and cool of the city’s atmosphere, the act wanted to “come back to where we started, when we were just making music, having fun and not thinking about it,” Crommelin says.

    Out Sept. 12 on Because Music, LOVED follows a spring/summer tour that included Coachella, Primavera Sound and Glastonbury (a performance Crommelin calls “one of the highlights of my life”). Following the album’s release, Parcels will head out for a 12-city North American trek of arenas and amphitheaters — the act’s biggest in the territory to date.

    Crommelin shares the inspirations on LOVED, from John Lennon to that mangoes and sunshine vibe.

    2010s-Era Katy Perry

    A nostalgic thing for us is Katy Perry and her earlier Max Martin productions. Songs like “Teenage Dream” and “California Gurls” would often come on in the shuttle taking us to a gig, so it’s like our party music. There’s inspiration with the synths and the feeling. It was such a great era of music; there was a ridiculousness that’s less present now. We were trying to channel that ridiculousness on this album. Our last record [2021’s Day/Night] was very conceptual, very deep, very internal and very of the time during COVID. This time we’re like, “F–k it. Let’s just have fun.”

    Tortoise

    This band is an inspiration that goes deep for me on this record. I saw them in a really small venue in Los Angeles, and I was just so transcended by it. I call it “transcendental jazz.” It was one of the most amazing concerts I’ve ever seen. It also sparked an old memory because I grew up listening to Tortoise on the soundtrack to this old surf movie Sprout, which I watched basically every day. [The energy of] Tortoise is ­definitely in the record, especially on the last track, where we channeled that energy of experimenting and improvising in the studio.

    Plastic Ono Band

    [Keyboardist-guitarist] Pat [Hetherington] and I got really into John Lennon’s early records with Phil Spector. It’s the Wall of Sound, but dry. Plastic Ono Band [from 1970] is basic; you just hear drums, bass, guitar, piano and vocals, so it’s the raw song that shines through in the recording. There’s an element of that in how we approached our arrangement, because it was just the five of us in a room playing live, and that was it.

    Mazunte, Mexico

    Pat, Noah [Hill, the band’s bassist] and I went there for a writing camp. It’s where we wrote the lyrics of “Leaveyourlove.” We surfed every day and were in paradise eating mangoes on the beach. It’s how we grew up in Byron Bay, and this was like trying to come back to that. If there’s a concept for this album, it’s trying to return to where we started — being in sunny places, being light and having fun.

    This story appears in the Aug. 16, 2025, issue of Billboard.

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  • Anti-social incidents down and ‘no spiking’ at Boardmasters

    Anti-social incidents down and ‘no spiking’ at Boardmasters

    Anti-social behaviour was “significantly” down at the Boardmasters music festival this year and there were no confirmed spiking incidents, according to organisers.

    Boardmasters said police had confirmed drug-related medical incidents were also down with no festival-goers hospitalised across the five-day event.

    The festival said it was “encouraging” that sexual assaults were down but “even one incident is too many”.

    Boardmasters CEO Andrew Topham said the figures proved organisers and welfare partners were “making a real difference” and were “committed to creating a space where everyone, of all ages, can enjoy the festival safely”.

    A spokesperson said there were 14 suspected spiking incidents this year compared to 55 in 2024 but nobody had tested positive to having drugs in their system over the past two years.

    They said 1.79% of Boardmasters’ 58,000 attendees were seen by its on-site medical centres, compared to 2.65% last year.

    The figures come after a difficult year for organisers in 2025 with a series of incidents, including a crowd surge.

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