Anoushka Shankar

Anoushka Shankar

Photo: Raajessh Kashyap/Hindustan Times/Getty Images

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Music Festivals 2018: Big Ears Experimental Fest Favors Jazz

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The 2018 edition of the Knoxville, Tenn., experimental music festival leans toward avant-garde jazz
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Nov 1, 2017 - 2:51 pm

Love experimental music? Well get ready, because the 2018 edition of the Big Ears festival will be here before we know it.

Hosted in Knoxville, Tenn., the experimental music festival has announced their lineup for the weekend long celebration, which will take place March 22–25, 2018. As Rolling Stone reports, for the seventh consecutive year, the line-up relies heavily on avant-garde jazz.

This includes artists such as Medeski Martin & Wood, pianists Jason Moran and Craig Taborn, drummer Milford Graves, saxophonist Evan Parker, a performance of Alice Coltrane's "ecstatic music," Nels Cline with the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra, sax quartet Rova, trumpeter Peter Evans, violinist Jenny Scheinman, and many more.

GRAMMY nominee Anoushka Shankar will perform her work Land Of Gold, which discusses immigration. The classical music ensemble Bang On A Can will serve as the artist in residence at the festival. In addition, musicians at the intersection of experimental music and alternative rock and electronic undergrounds will perform, including Diamanda Galás, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Lightning Bolt, Kid Koala, Four Tet, Jaga Jazzist, Laural Halo, and Jenny Hval.

As if that isn't enough, Big Ears 2018 will feature "Appalachian Homecoming," curated by Anna Roberts-Gevalt of roots duo Anna & Elizabeth, which will celebrate the music of the American South with Béla Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Abigail Washburn, and the Black Twig Pickers, on deck to perform.

Tickets for the festival will go on sale Nov. 3 via Big Ears' website.

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Ricky Martin

Ricky Martin

Photo: Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images

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Ricky Martin Extends All In Las Vegas Residency

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The GRAMMY winner has announced he will extend his stay in the city an additional 12 dates in 2018
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Dec 20, 2017 - 2:30 pm

Ricky Martin is "Livin' La Vida Loca" in Las Vegas since he announced an additional 12 dates to his residency there, adding dates between March 15, 2018, and June 3.

The GRAMMY winner has been performing his All In residency since April at Park Theater at Monte Carlo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Martin's show features 21 of his biggest hits, including crowd-pleasers such as "Livin' La Vida Loca," "Shake Your Bon Bon," "Cup Of Life," "La Bomba," and "Vente Pa' Ca."

This announcement follows a Sept. 4 documentary on VH1 titled "Ricky Martin: Behind The Vegas Residency," which gave viewers all the behind-the-scenes scoop on the singer/songwriter's sold-out residency so far.

Tickets for All In's new dates go on sale Dec. 22 via Ticketmaster. Don't forget to grab yours!

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John Legend

John Legend

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John Legend To Star In Live Version Of "Jesus Christ Superstar"

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The GRAMMY winner will play the lead character alongside Alice Cooper in the role of King Herod
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Dec 19, 2017 - 11:31 am

Who better to play the lead role of Jesus Christ in a live version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Jesus Christ Superstar" than John Legend?

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The news was announced on Dec. 19 on the "Today" show that Legend will step into the rock opera's title role. He joins previously announced shock rocker Alice Cooper, who will play the role of King Herod.

The live broadcast is directed by British theater director David Leveaux and will air on NBC on Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018, in front of a live audience at the Marcy Armory in Brooklyn N.Y.'s Williamsburg neighborhood.

The production, "Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert!," is based on Webber's popular stage musical, which chronicles the final week of Jesus' life. The musical's soundtrack album earned three GRAMMY nominations for the composer for 1971 and 1972, including two Album Of The Year nods.

"I'm thrilled to join the cast of this production of 'Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert!' It's such a powerful, meaningful musical and I'm humbled to be part of this performance," Legend said, according to Billboard. "We've already formed an incredible team, and, as we finish casting, I'm certain we will put together some of the greatest talents around to do this work justice."

Watch John Legend's Rooftop Performance On "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"

Chance The Rapper

Chance The Rapper

Photo: Rick Kern/WireImage.com

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Chance The Rapper Teases Deluxe Version Of 'Merry Christmas Lil' Mamma'

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The GRAMMY winner is back with Jeremih to spread a little holiday cheer
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Dec 18, 2017 - 12:31 pm

Get ready to "Jingle Bells all the way" with Chance The Rapper and Jeremih's deluxe reissue of their Christmas mixtape, Merry Christmas Lil' Mama.

Released for free last year via SoundCloud, Chance's holiday-themed mixtape featured tunes such as "All The Way," "Joy" and "I'm Your Santa" with fellow Chicagoan Jeremih.

The duo announced via Instagram in a faux infomercial they would be reprising their instant classic holiday album for 2017, this time with "a gang of new altxmas bangerz," such as "Big Kid Again" and "Down With Dat," featuring drumming contributions from Common and "Master Of None" actress Lena Waithe.

You can get your fill of Chicago mixtape Christmas goodness when the project drops later this week.

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Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey

Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

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Mariah Carey, 98 Degrees Bring Holiday Cheer To Adult Contemporary Chart

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Holiday music takes over 'Billboard' chart as a beacon of the season
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Dec 1, 2017 - 11:02 am

'Tis the season, and even Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart is getting in the holiday spirit. Billboard reports they usually see a yearly spike in holiday-themed tunes on their AC chart following Thanksgiving, and this year is no different.

Seal's "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow" entered the chart at No. 18, closely followed by Gwen Stefani's "You Make It Feel Like Christmas" at No. 19. Tenor Russell Watson's "Do You Hear What I Hear" appeared at the No. 21 position, while Five For Fighting's "Christmas Where You Are," featuring Jim Brickman, landed at No. 24.

The band 98 Degrees' "Season of Love" came in at No. 25, marking their first Adult Contemporary chart hit since 2001. And of course, holiday music mainstay Mariah Carey lands on the chart at No. 28 with "The Star," followed by violinist Lindsey Stirling's "Christmas C'mon," featuring Becky G, hit No. 29.

These seven holiday classics join the four seasonal songs already on the charts, which have moved up in their ranking. These include Sia's "Santa's Coming For Us" (No. 6), Kelly Clarkson's "Christmas Eve" (No.10), Josh Groban's cover of John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" (No. 12),and actress Jane Lynch's "A Swingin' Little Christmas," featuring Kate Flannery and Tim Davis ( No. 16).

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