Janelle Monáe Scraps Australian Tour Due to Illness

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Concerts / Tours, R&B / Soul,

Janelle Monae is "devastated" she has had to cancel her Australian tour due to illness.

The "Electric Lady" singer, who was set to perform a number of dates on her Australian and New Zealand leg of her Golden Electric Tour, had been advised by doctors to scrap the gigs and rest.

According to Billboard, a statement issued by promoters, Live Nation Australasia, said, "It has been confirmed that the remainder of the Golden Electric tour has been canceled and there will be no rescheduled performances. Ms. Monae is devastated at not being able to perform for her fans and has vowed to return to our shores in the not-too-distant future. Ticket holders will be contacted by the relevant ticketing outlet to advise of the process for obtaining a refund."

On Saturday, Janelle canceled her Melbourne show after support act Kimbra's opening performance, even though her band was already set up. The singer then canceled Monday night's show in Sydney and has now pulled the plug on the remaining dates.

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Selena Gomez Cancels Australian Tour

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Artist News, Concerts / Tours, Gossip, Pop,

Australian fans will be disappointed to hear that Selena Gomez has put the brakes on her tour to Down Under next year.

The 21 year-old singer/actress has been touring the States and Europe this year and has decided to take a break to recuperate from her gruelling work schedule. "My fans are so important to me and I would never want to disappoint them. But it has become clear to me and those close to me that after many years of putting my work first, I need to spend some time on myself in order to be the best person I can be," the former Disney star said in a statement.

Gomez's rep confirmed the news, and a source close to the singer assured fans that she's not heading for a breakdown anytime soon: "Selena is fine, she's in a great space. She's looking forward to spending the holidays with her family."

With having finished 55 concerts in six months, the insider added that "she's just ready to be normal and at home with her family. She's been working nonstop since she was 15 and wants to take a minute to herself."

Read More | People

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Travis Barker Apologizes for Flying Fear

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Concerts / Tours, Rock,

Travis Barker can't get past his horrific plane crash.

The Blink-182 drummer has apologized to fans for missing the band's upcoming Australian tour, that kicks off in Sydney on Wednesday and admitted he is still haunted by the crash in 2008, in which four people died, and hasn't been able to board a plane since.

In a heartfelt message on his Facebook page on Saturday night, the rocker said, "I'm sorry to announce I won't be joining Blink-182 on this Australian tour. I still haven't gotten over the horrific events that took place the last time I flew when my plane crashed and 4 people were killed, two being my best friends. I gave the band my blessing to take another drummer if they still wanted to do the tour without me. I hope to come to Australia again some day perhaps by ship if need be. Unfortunately, there wasn't a boat that worked with the schedule this time around. Once again I'm sorry to all the fans."

The 37-year-old rocker suffered second and third degree burns in the crash, in which he and his good friend DJ AM - who died of an accidental overdose less than a year later - were the only survivors.

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Mix Tape: Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah, Jay-Z and U2

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Artist News, Collaborations, Concerts / Tours, Gossip, Christian & Gospel, Country, Hip-Hop & Rap, R&B / Soul, Rock,

-Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah are teaming up for a new musical project. The two will star in Joyful Noise, a movie about a church choir they want to save.

-Interesting tweets aren’t the only things Kanye West has to offer these days. West has announced that he’ll be “dropping 1 new song every weekend until Xmas.” The track could be a Kanye tune or a “new Jay song etc.” He’s calling the event “good Fridays.”

-Speaking of Jay-Z, the rapper will be joining U2 for stops in Australia and New Zealand. Tickets for the five dates - Auckland, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Perth - will go on sale starting September 3. That leg of the tour begins November 25.

-Singer Faith Evans was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department over the weekend for suspicion of DUI. Notorious B.I.G.‘s widow, who had her car impounded, is prepping to release an album in October.

Gallery: Mix Tape: Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah, Jay-Z and U2

John Mayer Comes to Britney Spears’ Defense

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Concerts / Tours, Gossip, Pop,

John Mayer has defended Britney Spears for lip-synching in Australia.

The “Gravity” singer - who is also in Australia promoting his latest album - blasted fans who had called for a refund after the “Womanizer” star’s show in Perth after she sparked outrage by not singing live for her whole performance.

“If you’re shocked that Britney was lip-synching at her concert and want your money back, life may continue to be hard for you,” Mayer wrote on Twitter.

Britney, 27, was said to have hid in her hotel room on Saturday following her performance on Friday night. “Britney is aware of all this and she’s extremely upset by it,” a rep for the star said.

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Britney Spears’ Lip-Synching Stirs Controversy in Australia

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Artist News, Concerts / Tours, Gossip, Pop,

Even though Britney Spears isn’t exactly known for her live vocal talents, someone wants to make sure those Down Under know what they’re paying for.

Australia’s Minister for Fair Trading for New South Wales is tossing around the idea of including a disclaimer of sorts in concert-related materials. “It is Britney’s ‘prerogative’ to lip-sync, and it is my job to make sure consumers know what they are paying for up front,” Virginia Judge said in a statement.

Judge doesn’t necessarily believe Britney’s upcoming performance will be a disappointment, she just wants fans entering with their eyes wide open. “Personally I would rather see a live set from a local artist,” the government employee said, “but I am sure Britney’s fans will be treated to a spectacular show.”

Read More | People

Gallery: Britney Spears’ Lip-Synching Stirs Controversy in Australia

Rihanna faints during Australia concert

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Collaborations, Concerts / Tours, Performances, Videos, R&B / Soul,

It seems that all the leather and chains in the world won’t help you when your body is telling you that something’s wrong, as Rihanna found out during a recent performance in Australia. She was performing her hit Umbrella with Chris Brown, when she stumbled to the side of the stage and fainted. Chris tried to cover, continuing to sing his part, but you know he had to have felt quite a bit of concern over his fallen Boo. Towards the end of the video, you hear someone yelling for paramedics. Scary. Rihanna’s rep issued the following statement, basically saying that she is perfectly fine:

“It was very hot at the venue, so after Rihanna’s set was over, she went off stage to sit down, catch her breath and have some water. She is perfectly healthy and will be at her show tomorrow.”

Gallery: Rihanna faints during Australia concert