Adele to Perform for Michelle Obama

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Performances, Rumors, Pop, R&B / Soul,

Adele is set to perform at Michelle Obama's birthday next year.

The "Skyfall" singer - who won Best Original Song at the Academy Awards last month - will reportedly join a string of other entertainers including Beyonce to help celebrate the US First Lady's 50th birthday bash at the White House in Washington DC on January 17, 2014.

"America's First Lady will be holding a huge celebrity-packed party for her birthday at the White House next year and, as she adores Adele and Beyonce, she has asked them both to sing. Adele has graciously accepted and waived her usual fee for the high-profile private performance. She will sing a selection of her most-loved hits for the First Lady and her friends. The Obamas will pay Adele's expenses as it's a private party, not a State one," a source said.

The 24-year-old British singer wowed the audience with a paired down performance of "Skyfall" at the Oscars last month, her first live performance since giving birth last October. She was previously said to have celebrated her prestigious win by presenting her five-month old son Angelo with his very own mock statue of an Academy Award from a souvenir shop.

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Coldplay Close Paralympic Games

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Collaborations, Concerts / Tours, Performances, Alternative, Hip-Hop & Rap, Pop, Rock,

Coldplay closed the Paralympic Games last night. The "Paradise" group performed a 15 song set at the closing ceremony of the games at the Olympic Stadium in London.

The group took to the stage with "Us Against the World" before launching into one of their most recognizable anthems, "Yellow." Later in the set the band - Chris Martin, Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland and Will Champion - were joined by Rihanna for their single "Princess of China." After her first guest spot they performed "Strawberry Swing" with The British Paraorchestra, before Rihanna returned for a rendition of her single "We Found Love."

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Jay-Z for Paralympics Closing Ceremony

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Collaborations, Performances, Alternative, Hip-Hop & Rap, Rock,

Jay-Z will perform at the Paralympics Closing Ceremony.

The rapper is set to join Coldplay and his protege Rihanna at the event in London on Sunday after the British band's frontman Chris Martin approached him. "Jay-Z and Chris Martin are close friends so he helped to get the rapper on board. They are putting together a spectacular set list - one likely to include a duet. It's going to be one hell of a show and fans of both artists will be trying to get tickets. The Paralympics has exceeded all expectation and, like the rest of the world, Jay-Z has been blown away by their bravery and athleticism. This will be a concert like no other and a fantastic end to what has been the most successful Paralympics ever," a source said.

Speaking previously about the event, Chris said the band were "honored" to have been chosen. "Being asked to play at the closing celebrations for the Paralympic athletes in London is such a great honor for us. Kim Gavin and Misty Buckley are working hard to put on a spectacular Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony for the athletes and spectators in the stadium, and everyone watching around the world, and we are so happy to be involved," Chris explained.

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Spice Girls Reunite at London Closing Ceremony

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Performances, Reunions, Alternative, Covers, Pop, Rock,

The Spice Girls reunited to perform at the Closing Ceremony of the London Olympics tonight.

The 90s girl band - made up of Victoria Beckham, Geri Halliwell, Mel B, Emma Bunton and Mel C - arrived individually on the top of five London taxis while belting out their hits "Wannabe" and "Spice Up Your Life" in the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, east London.

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Slash Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Awards, Industry News, Rock,

Slash has been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The former Guns N' Roses guitarist attended a ceremony outside the Hard Rock Cafe in Los Angeles on Tuesday for the unveiling of the 2,473rd star where he was feted by friends including Charlie Sheen, music producer Robert Evans and radio host Jim Ladd.

"I've been a part of the Hollywood fabric for a long time and to actually be appreciated by the city of Hollywood is a huge, huge honour. And so I want to thank everybody for this; it's unbelievable. This is a really special acknowledgement ... it's the coolest thing you could ever get. I'm such a part of this scenery. I went to school here, and started playing guitar here, literally 100 yards down the street ... I got a very technicolor education up here."

Charlie made a heartfelt speech in honor of his friend but also used the opportunity to take a swipe at Slash's former Guns N' Roses bandmate Axl Rose. "It's quite fitting, I think, that Slash is getting a star on the very street that Axl Rose will one day be sleeping on. This man here, through his music and through his person, through his compassion, has changed the way that I look at the world forever. That can only happen through true artistry," he joked.

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Black Sabbath Announce Homecoming Gig

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Performances, Reunions, Upcoming Releases, Rock,

Black Sabbath will play a one-off UK homecoming gig in Birmingham next month. The "Paranoid" rockers will perform at the O2 Academy in the city - home to singer Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward - on May 19 in preparation for their headline performance at this year's Download Festival in Leicestershire over the weekend of June 8-10.

The performance is expected to be the group's first since they reformed with their original line-up last year, and they are likely to play new material from their forthcoming ninth studio album - which will be their first since 1978's Never Say Die - at the concert.

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