Pulse Music

On Thursday (1-26) Taylor Swift posted the words "Meet me at midnight," encouraging fans to stay up late to be the first to watch her new video for "Lavender Haze."

Adding to the excitement of the video, this is one of the few songs she's ever explicitly confirmed is about her longtime boyfriend, Joe Alwyn.

About the song title, she said, "I happened upon the phrase Lavender Haze when I was watching Mad Men, and I looked it up because I thought it sounded cool." She explained that it was a common phrase used in the '50s where "they would just describe being in love, like, you were in the lavender haze."

This marks the third video released from her tenth studio album, Midnights.

TL;DR:

• On Thursday (1-26) Taylor Swift posted the words "Meet me at midnight," encouraging fans to stay up late to be the first to watch her new video for "Lavender Haze."
• This one of the few songs she's ever explicitly confirmed is about her longtime boyfriend, Joe Alwyn.
• This marks the third video released from her tenth studio album, Midnights.

Niall Horan of One Direction has announced that he'll release a new single next month that he co-wrote, called "Heaven." This will be his first new solo material in almost three years.

Horan teased "Heaven" on TikTok, where he has amassed over 100 million views since last October. In the days leading up to the official announcement, fans around the globe began receiving boxes containing a candle, lyrics from the chorus, and the QR code that led to Horan's website.

The official release date is February 17, just weeks before he becomes the new coach on NBC's The Voice.

TL;DR:

• Niall Horan of One Direction will release a new single on February 17 called "Heaven."
• This will be his first new solo material in almost three years.
• In March, he becomes the new coach on NBC's The Voice.

The 1975 and Lewis Capaldi played a joke on the band's audience when Capaldi made a surprise appearance at this week's show. Fans first saw him on the jumbo screen as he came through the backstage door. They started screaming when the name Harry Styles popped up on screen and got even louder when they saw it was actually Capaldi. He once again caught the audience off-guard by performing a cover of Taylor Swift's "Love Story."

Coldplay has been announced as musical guest for the February 4^th episode of Saturday Night Live. Look for promos to run throughout the week, as this will mark the band's seventh appearance. The show will be hosted by Pedro Pascal who stars in The Last of Us on HBO.

Doja Cat made an appearance arriving at the Jean Paul Gaultier show during Haute Couture Fashion Week in Paris this week. She was also in the front row as Valentino unveiled its Haute Couture collection. Doja was seated alongside other stars such as Anne Hathaway, Sam Smith, and Dove Cameron.

Fall Out Boy debuted two new singles to a small audience in their hometown of Chicago this week. After playing stadiums around the world, they chose the stage at the legendary Metro, with a capacity of just over 1,000, to give their first live public debut of "Love From the Other Side" and, "Heartbreak Feels So Good."

They performed as a trio in the absence of guitarist Joe Trohman, who last week announced that he was taking a mental health break. Patrick Stump pulled double-duty on lead vocals and electric guitar. To help fill in the gap, longtime guitar tech Ben Young, played six-string near the stage wings on a few songs.

Both songs they debuted are from their upcoming eighth studio album, So Much (For) Stardust , to be released on March 24.

TL;DR:

• Fall Out Boy debuted two new songs to a small audience in their hometown of Chicago at the legendary Metro.
• It was their first live public debut of "Love From the Other Side" and, "Heartbreak Feels So Good."

Machine Gun Kelly's biopic, Good Mourning has been nominated for seven Razzies for the Golden Raspberry Awards. Though this may sound positive, it's quite the opposite. The award show's goal is to honor the year's worst movies.

Good Mourning is nominated for Worst Picture, Worst Screenplay, and two nominations for Worst Supporting Actor. Those nods going to Mod Sun and Pete Davidson. The movie is also up for Worst Actor, Worst Director, and Worst Onscreen Combo.

The only film that had more nominations than MGK was the Marilyn Monroe biopic called Blonde.

TL;DR:

• Machine Gun Kelly's biopic, Good Mourning has been nominated for seven Razzies for the Golden Raspberry Awards.
• The award show's goal is to honor the year's worst movies.
• The only film that had more nominations than MGK was the Marilyn Monroe biopic called Blonde.

Fortnite is launching The Kid Laroi interactive experience, where fans attending a jam-packed concert can join him on an island for the Afterparty and listen to new music.

About the game, Laroi posted, "My Fortnite Island Experience is launching with my new single, ‘Love Again,' and some other surprises!"

The immersive experience features a custom-built quest across the cyber city Laroitown and will be available for a limited time through April 27th.

The Kid Laroi's Wild Dreams will be available starting this Friday, January 27.

TL;DR:

• Fortnite is launching The Kid Laroi interactive experience.
• The Kid Laroi's Wild Dreams will be available starting this Friday, January 27.

SZA posted online to Miley Cyrus and congratulated her on her recent chart success. She followed it with a big surprise to her fans, she wrote that she was excited "to work together." It isn't clear if by "work together," SZA meant a collaboration on Miley's new album, which is due in March, or maybe something else. Miley's new single "Flowers" just debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In a new Instagram photo, Lizzo shared yet another new hairdo. The 34-year-old is now sporting a shoulder-length bob haircut with flipped-out edges. She posed in cat-eye sunglasses and showed off her streaks of platinum blonde and bangs. Last month, Lizzo had a mullet cut, which she raved was her new obsession.

Guinness Book of World Records announced that Blackpink's Lisa has three new entries for last year's accomplishments. First, she became the very first solo K-pop winner at the MTV Europe Music Awards. Second, she was technically nominated twice in the same category, thanks to Blackpink's own nod. And third, she set the new high water mark on Instagram with a massive 86.3 million followers.

Pharrell Williams visited Élysée Palace to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron for a discussion about internet safety and human rights.

Macron tweeted a picture of them from a palace room that showed a reflection of a giant chandelier in the window behind them. He posted that Pharrell is "very involved in the issues of the harmful effects of the internet and smart phones on young people" and asked other artists to "speak out". He also thanked Pharrell for his commitment.

Pharrell retweeted the image and added a prayer hands emoji.

On Wednesday evening (1-25) Pharrell attended the Yellow Pieces gala, a musical charity event that raises funds for the Hospital Foundation. The charity is chaired by the country's First Lady, Brigitte Macron.

TL;DR:

Beck is headed out on the road this year with Phoenix for the Summer Odyssey Tour. It launches at Seattle's Climate Pledge Arena on August 1^st and includes a show at the Forum in Los Angeles. 20 shows are scheduled across the country.

General public tickets will go on sale Friday, January 27^th.

TL;DR:

• Beck and Phoenix have announced the Summer Odyssey Tour.
• Tickets will go on sale Friday, January 27^th.

Live Nation's President and CFO Joe Berchtold apologized to Taylor Swift and her fans for the Eras Tour ticketing debacle during a Senate Judiciary Committee held in a hearing on January 24th.

In her opening statement, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) said, "As million of Taylor Swift fans found out last fall there are few consequences for failing to deliver the services."

She added, "To have a strong capitalist system, you have to have competition You can't have too much consolidation — something that, unfortunately for this country, as an ode to Taylor Swift, I will say, we know ‘all too well.'"

In November 2022, Ticketmaster repeatedly crashed during the Eras Tour presale when 14 million people hit up the site when it was only supposed to be open to 1.5 million verified Swifties.

Berchol blamed scalpers and commented, "We apologize to the fans. We apologize to Ms. Swift. We need to do better and we will do better."

During the hearing, Klobuchar wasn't the only senator who quoted Swift's lyrics when addressing the CFO.

As documented by Mother Jones, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said. "May I suggest, respectfully, that Ticketmaster look in the mirror and say, ‘I'm the problem. It's me,'" he added, citing lyrics to Swift's 2022 hit, "Anti-Hero."

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) also chimed in with a quote from Midnights, saying, "Karma's a relaxing thought, Aren't you envious that for you it's not."

Justin Bieber has sold his entire song catalog to Hipgnosis Song Management for just over $200 million.

Sources tell Billboard the sale is the biggest for any artist of the "Peaches" singer's generation.

The acquisition covers all 290 titles in Bieber's catalog, including his most recent album Justice, as well as his artist royalties from his master recordings and neighboring rights.

Kanye West recently had a few words for paparazzi as they were filming him and his new wife Bianca Censori. When a paparazzi approached him, asking how his honeymoon went with Censori, Kanye said, "Just stop!… Bro, just stop…" He told the pap that their actions were "antagonistic." He explained, "You don't even know. You guys just jump up on people like this…"

He continued, "The first time I ever took medication — was because I got mad at paparazzi… the same one that shot Britney Spears… There has to be some kind of balance, some type of conversation."

Ye added, "I can't live in California — and in my life — like I'm some sort of caged animal to be judged and photographed…"

Rihanna has earned her first Oscar nomination for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever original song "Lift Me Up." The song has been nominated for Best Original Song. It was writted by Nigerian singer Tems, Oscar winner Ludwig Göransson, and ‘Wakanda Forever' director Ryan Coogler -- who are all nominated for the award alongside Rihanna.

Tems revealed in a statement, "After speaking with Ryan and hearing his direction for the film and the song, I wanted to write something that portrays a warm embrace from all the people that I've lost in my life. I tried to imagine what it would feel like if I could sing to them now and express how much I miss them… Rihanna has been an inspiration to me so hearing her convey this song is a great honor."

The song serves as a tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman who played King T'Challa in the original "Black Panther."

Boseman died in 2020 at the age of 43 after a four-year battle with colon cancer.

Panic! At The Disco will part ways once they complete the European leg of their world tour.

Brendon Urie announced on Instagram Tuesday (January 24th) that he will be taking time to focus on his family because he is about to become a father.

The band's front man wrote, "Sarah and I are expecting a baby very soon! The prospect of being a father and getting to watch my wife become a mother is both humbling and exciting. I look forward to this next adventure.

"That said, I am going to bring this chapter of my life to an end and put my focus and energy on my family, and with that Panic! At The Disco will be no more."

He continued, "Whether you've been here since the beginning or are just finding us, it has been a pleasure to not only share the stage with so many talented people but also share our time with you. I am looking forward to seeing everyone in Europe and the UK for one last run together."

The band will wrap the European leg of their Viva Las Vengance Tour in Manchester, UK on March 10th.

MILEY CYRUS' FLOWERS DEBUTS AT NO. 1: "Flowers" has become Miley Cyrus's first single to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 during her 17-year career. The singer thanked fans in her Instagram Story Tuesday (January 24th), writing, "THANKFUL THAT FLOWERS IS NUMBER 1 AROUND THE WORLD. THIS SONG IS DEDICATED TO MY FANS & THE STEADFAST SELF LOVE I WISH FOR EACH OF YOU." The new single is from her forthcoming record Endless Summer Vacation, due March 10th.

MADONNA PUTS BIOPIC ON HOLD: Madonna's self-directed biopic has been put on hold so that she can focus on her upcoming Celebration Tour. Reps for The Material Girl told Billboard that she's still planning on making the film at some point. The project, initially announced in 2020, was rumored to star Inventing Anna's Julia Garner.

Coldplay is adding a West Coast run of shows to their North American leg of the Music of the Spheres World Tour.

The band will bring their stadium show to Seattle, Vancouver, San Diego and Los Angeles in September. Support will be provided by H.E.R. and 070 Shake.

Tickets go on sale Friday (January 27th).

Sam Smith needs you to know that they're not Adele in drag.

The "Unholy" singer dropped by The Drew Barrymore Show Monday (January 23rd) where the host asked about one of the craziest rumors they've ever heard about themselves.

The pop star answered, "Everyone seems to think that I'm Adele…drag. Cause we've never been seen in the same room together. And if you slow down her voice, it sounds maybe a bit like mine. So people think that we're the same person, and I'm just in drag right now."

Beyonce is being criticized for her $35 million performance in Dubai amid anti LGBTQ policies in the United Arab Emirates. The music icon performed at the unofficial opening of Atlantis the Royal. Reports say that in the Middle Eastern country a person who identifies as LGBTQ+ can face legal troubles for their sexual orientation.

According to The Jasmine Brand, Bev Jackson, the co-founder of the British advocacy group LGB Alliance said that Beyonce's show "casts a shadow over her support for lesbians and gay people."

On Sunday (Jan. 22) Bev Jackson said, "Beyonce is a huge icon for many gay people. LGB Alliance is deeply therefore disappointed that Beyonce has agreed to give a lucrative concert in Dubai, where same-sex sex acts are a criminal offense, potentially punishable by death."

Reports say that Kanye West bought his daughter North West out on a dinner date with his new wife Bianca Censori. As previously reported, Ye married the 27-year-old Yeezy architect earlier this month.

Although it is being reported that Ye and Censori may not be officially married, Ye was spotted wearing what appeared to be a wedding band.

MITCH WINEHOUSE SUPPORTS 'BACK TO BLACK' CASTING: Mitch Winehouse supports the casting of Marisa Abela in the forthcoming Amy Winehouse biopic, Back To Black. Even thought several Twitter users have critiqued her casting, Mitch told TMZ that there's "too much emphasis on looks" and added that she is a "great choice for the role."

HARRY STYLES SPOTTED WITH EVENT PLANNER SOFIA KRUNIC: Is Harry Styles moving on, two months after his split from Olivia Wilde? Images published by the Daily Mail on Monday (January 23rd) show the "Watermelon Sugar" singer embracing event planner Sofia Krunic outside of London's Chiltern Firehouse on Friday (January 20th).

LADY GAGA, RIHANNA AND TAYLOR SWIFT NOMINATED FOR GUILD OF MUSIC SUPERVISORS AWARDS: Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Taylor Swift are among the artists recognized in the best song category for the 13th annual Guild of Music Supervisors Awards. The singers are nominated for their contributions to Top Gun: Maverick, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Where The Crawdads Sing, respectively. The event recognizes the craft of music supervision in film, television, games advertising and trailers.

Black Eyed Peas are suing the makers of pooping unicorn toys for ripping off their song, "My Humps."

Reuters reports that BMG is suing MGA, the makers of Poopsie Slime Surprise, because one of the dolls plays a song called "My Poops" before it excretes "sparkling slime." The song can also be found in a music video used to promote the toys.

BMG claims that Poopsie Slime Surprise has made MGA tens of millions of dollars and that the company ignored cease-and-desist warnings. They are asking for a steaming $10 million in damages.

Despite reports that Drew Taggart and Selena Gomez are dating, the "Rare" singer denies having a boyfriend.

According to Entertainment Tonight, Gomez wrote in a quickly-deleted Instagram Story Thursday (January 19th), "I LIKE BEING ALONE TOO MUCH. #iamsingle."

Two days later, TMZ spotted the pair walking hand and hand as they exited an Italian restaurant in New York City.

Madonna thanked fans on Instagram Sunday (January 22nd) for supporting her Celebration Tour.

The Material Girl said, "I don't take any of this for granted. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. And I'm so grateful for all of your support."

Billboard reports that 98% of tickets to the career-spanning tour sold out on Friday (January 20th) despite additional dates being added to meet demand. Of the 51 shows that went on sale, 35 were completely sold out by 5 p.m. EST.