Brandon Flowers Had to Defend America

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Gossip, Alternative, Pop, Rock,

Brandon Flowers often had to defend his home country of America because of President Bush.

The Las Vegas musician said people didn't like the fact he was from the States when George W. Bush became president in 2001, the year the band formed:

"Well, I feel the need sometimes to defend where I'm from. When we first came out as a band, Bush was president and there was a strong anti-American sentiment. I felt it as we were traveling the world, so it made me want to push back a little bit, because we have good people with big hearts. We've seen it shift and change since Obama became president but I was young and trying to understand it all."

And the "Mr Brightside" hitmaker said he still represents his native America but has fallen in love with Europe. "I have these two sides that are constantly fighting. There's that desire to represent where I'm from, that dusty American road pushing against the fantasy world and European music that I grew up with. Sometimes when they meet in one of our songs, like 'When You Were Young,' it's great," he continued.

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Kesha Banned from Malaysia Gig

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Concerts / Tours, Dance, Pop,

Kesha has been banned from performing in Malaysia.

The "Tik Tok" hitmaker was forced to cancel her concert Kuala Lumpur stadium tonight, after authorities threatened to imprison her because they decided her gig would harm cultural and religious sensitivities in the Muslim-majority country.

The 26-year-old singer admitted she was extremely disappointed by the decision. She tweeted, "I love my Malaysian animals so so much. xx I tried animals." She later added, "to be clear. I did NOT cancel. I was not allowed to play. and then I was going to play anyways and was threatened with imprisonment. [sic]"

The gig's organizer Livescape said it received a letter about the ban on Friday night, according to CTV News.

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Lady Gaga Turned Down $1 Million Concert

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Gossip, Performances, Pop,

Lady Gaga turned down $1 million to appear at the US Republican conference last year.

The "Bad Romance" singer was offered the huge sum to appear at the event in August 2012, and the party even promised $230,000 of the money would go to domestic violence shelter if she agreed to perform.

Other artists to say no to the event included country star Dolly Parton and rapper Pitbull, although they were offered lower fees.

The discoveries were made in a lawsuit filed by the Republican party's fundraising organization, American Action Network against Cater America LLC, who organized entertainment for the event. Gaga, 27, has previously been critical of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, and showed support for current president Barack Obama, when he was elected ahead of his opponent for the Democrat party in November last year.

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Lady Gaga Cancels Jakarta Show

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

Lady Gaga has cancelled her gig in Indonesia after receiving death threats.

The "Judas" singer was set to perform in Jakarta as part of the Asian leg of her Born This Way Ball tour but has now axed the show because hardline extremists complained her sexy clothes and dance routines would corrupt young people. Islamic Defenders Front called Gaga a "messenger of the devil" and vowed to turn out at the airport by the thousands if she tried to step off the plane.

"It's unfortunate. But with threats if the concert goes ahead, Lady Gaga's side is calling it off. This is not only about Lady Gaga's security, but extends to those who will be watching her," said Minola Sebayang, a lawyer for concert promoters Big Daddy.

Gaga is "devastated" by the decision to pull the plug on the show. "There is nothing Holy about hatred. We had to cancel the concert in Indonesia. I'm so very sorry to the fans & just as devastated as you if not more.(sic)" she wrote on her Twitter.

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Lady Gaga Vows to Perform in Jakarta

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Concerts / Tours, Dance, Pop,

Lady Gaga has vowed to perform "alone" if she has to in Jakarta.

The "Judas" hitmaker's Indonesian show - set to be the biggest in her Born This Way Ball tour's Asian leg - is in jeopardy after protests from hard line religious groups led police to refuse a license for it to go ahead, but she has not given up hope of staging a show in the nation.

"The Jakarta situation is 2-fold: Indonesian authorities demand I censor the show & religious extremist separately, are threatening violence. If the show does go on as scheduled, I will perform the BTWBall alone (sic)" she wrote on her Twitter.

Islamic groups have protested against Gaga's sexualized image, provocative dance moves and allegations she could undermine the country's moral fiber. However, fans who have tickets for the show at the 52,000-seat Gelora Bung Karno stadium on Sunday were given hope when a key religious group, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), said it was re-examining its opposition to the concert today after police said they would issue a license if Gaga can get backing from MUI and the Religious Affairs Ministry.

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Lady Gaga’s Indonesia Concert May be Canceled

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

Lady Gaga has been refused a permit to perform in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The "Born This Way" singer was due to perform the biggest show on the Asian leg of her Born This Way Ball in the city on June 3, but has been denied a work permit by local police after objections from Islamic groups.

Boy Rafli Amar, a spokesperson for Jakarta police said the permit had been denied after protests against the singer's sexualized image, provocative dance moves and allegations she could underline the country's moral fibre.

Promoter Big Daddy had already sold 52,000 tickets, with a further 2,000 being made available yesterday.

Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world with 240 million people, and groups including Muslim Defenders Team and Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) said they would not tolerate Gaga appearing in the country. The latter threatened to ask its 30,000 supporters to forcibly prevent Gaga stepping off the plane.

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Mix Tape: Stone Temple Pilots Postpone Dates, Wyclef Jean Drops From Race

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Artist News, Concerts / Tours, Gossip, Hip-Hop & Rap, Rock,

-Twelve dates on Stone Temple Pilot’s reunion tour have been postponed. It’s not known whether Scott Weiland’s strange behavior at recent Houston show has anything to do with the rescheduling.

-Wyclef Jean has officially taken his name out of the race for the presidency of Haiti. “This was not an easy conclusion to reach; but it is one that was thoughtfully made,” he stated.

-Singer Bret Michaels is scheduled to go back into surgery early next year. That is when he’ll have an “operable and treatable” hole his heart—something unrelated to his recent medical issues—repaired.

-Borat actor Sacha Baron Cohen has been tapped to play Freddie Mercury in an upcoming biopic about the band Queen. Filming should begin next year. Surviving band members—Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon—all support the project.

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