News

Rihanna: Chris Brown ‘Had No Soul In His Eyes’

2009-11-07T16:01:00Z

Rihanna on Friday described the horror she felt as her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown was biting and punching her during a violent argument in February, saying she saw “no soul in his eyes.”

“There was no person when I looked at him,” the 21-year-old singer recalled during the second installment of an interview airing on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” “He had no soul in his eyes. Just blank.”

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Brown was arrested Feb. 8, hours after he was accused of beating Rihanna after the two argued over another woman. He later pleaded guilty to felony assault.

In the interview, Rihanna, who is no longer with Brown, described him as “definitely my first big love.” She said their relationship was intense.

“The more in love we became, the more dangerous we became for each other – equally as dangerous,” she said. “It was a bit of an obsession almost.”

The attack occurred in Los Angeles’ Hancock Park neighborhood as Brown drove a rented sports car. She said it was triggered when she saw a text message on his phone from another woman and confronted him about it. She said he lied about it and “I wouldn’t drop it.”

A search warrant affidavit filed in the case stated that Brown hit, choked and bit Rihanna and tried at one point to push her from the car.

“It was ugly,” she said.

During the beating, the singer said she had no idea how it would end: “That’s all I kept thinking the whole time, ‘When is it going to stop? When is it going to stop?’“

Brown was sentenced to five years’ probation, six months of community labor and a year of domestic violence counseling after he pleaded guilty to felony assault.

In portions of the interview aired Thursday, Rihanna warned other women facing domestic violence to not let themselves become blinded by love. She also said she regretted going back to Brown, saying it sent the wrong message to her fans.

Brown, 20, has apologized to fans and has said he has repeatedly apologized to Rihanna for the attack.

Despite the beating, Rihanna said she still cares about Brown.

“I don’t hate him at all,” she said. “I actually love and care about him and I’m concerned about him doing well. I want him to do well – have a great career, have a great life, and grow up. Just take this as something that you had to go through to grow up and learn.”

Rihanna’s interview coincides with the debut of her new single, “Russian Roulette,” from her upcoming album, Rated R.

Those Wonderful, Marvelous, Wacky, Crazy, Madcap Jacksons

2009-11-07T01:01:00Z

Michael is gone but the family lives on. In today’s installment of the ever-continuing drama that is the Jackson Family, the brothers get their own reality show, Pop asks for an allowance and a Brit psychic tries to contact MJ in the Great Beyond.

If there’s one thing Michael Jackson’s untimely death reminded fans about, it’s how utterly unique and bizarre his family really is. Although Michael and Janet are the biggest stars to emerge from the family since father Joe wrangled his kids a recording contract back in the late ‘60s, other family members have pursued their own show biz dreams, sometimes with almost hilarious results. Like LaToya and that snake photo spread.

The latest project for the family is a reality show set to debut on A&E Dec. 13. “The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty” features brothers Jermaine, Jackie, Tito and Marlon as they prepare for a concert tour. According to press about the show, the series will also show how the brothers coped with Michael’s death.

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“This deeply intimate portrait will provide viewers with a raw and honest look inside a musical dynasty, A&E and Biography Channel VP Robert Sharenow said.

Of course, considering how much has been revealed about the family, it may be hard to wrap one’s head around the concept of a “raw and honest look” but at least the show will keep the brothers off the streets.

Meanwhile, Joe Jackson is apparently hoping for a little cash from his dear departed son.

According to court documents, the Jackson The Elder has asked for a stipend from son Michael’s estate. An attorney representing father Joe filed the papers in Los Angeles, saying there was no reason the 81-year-old patriarch of the Jackson brood should not seek an allowance.

MJ’s last will and testament specified money for his mother Katherine, his three children and numerous charities but didn’t mention anything for father Joe.

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But then, maybe Michael can authorize an allowance for his father when contacted by a psychic during a live televised séance.

The program, called “Michael Jackson: The Live Séance” airs on Brit TV Network Sky 1 tonight.

According to MTV, psychic Derek Acorah will attempt to contact Jackson while at a secret island familiar to the recently deceased megastar and in front of an audience composed of Jackson fans and friends.

“We have chosen genuine Michael Jackson fans and people who knew him throughout his life to take part in this event,” Sky 1 publicist Kristy Howell said. “Derek will also have a personal item from Michael Jackson, and will invite everyone to sit quietly and channel positive thoughts … he can’t force Michael to appear, but he will try inviting his spirit by creating a welcoming environment.”

And that concludes today’s update on the musical family that is Jackson. But like the weather in their hometown of Gary, Indiana, if you don’t like what the Jackson Family is doing today, just wait a while. Something’s sure to change.

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Click here for the complete MTV article about the séance.

Click here to read the complete Associated Press account about Joe Jackson asking for an allowance.

Click here for the Associated Press report about “The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty.”

Scheduled To Appear - 11/06

2009-11-07T00:04:00Z

If you’re looking for something to tickle your funny bone this weekend, check out king-sized comic (and future Hotstar) Gabriel Iglesias’ new stand-up special.

“I’m Not Fat … I’m Fluffy,” which was taped earlier this year at the Plaza Theatre in El Paso, Texas, will air Sunday night at 9 p.m. EST/PST on Comedy Central.

Iglesias told the audience he and the venue have “a lot of history.”

“I was here on my 21st birthday,” the comedian explained. “And that’s the last time I drank in El Paso! You guys don’t mess around.”

The one-hour special will also be released on DVD and as a digital download (from iTunes and Amazon Video on Demand) beginning Nov. 10.

Friday, November 6
Brad Wollack, Natasha Leggero, Ryan Stout – “Chelsea Lately” – rerun
Ricky Gervais, Brian Regan, Ralph Stanley – “Late Show with David Letterman”
Pixies – “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien”
Rosie O’Donnell – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”
Chickenfoot – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Regina Spektor – “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”
Peaches – “Last Call with Carson Daly”

Saturday, November 7
Elvis Costello, Band of Heathens – “Austin City Limits”
Taylor Swift – “Saturday Night Live”

Monday, November 9
Teena Marie – “The View”
George Lopez – “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”
Lang Lang – “The Tavis Smiley Show”
Josh Wolf, Greg Proops, Jen Kirkman – “Chelsea Lately”
David Gray – “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien”
Jamie Foxx, Toby Keith – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” – rerun
Yo La Tengo – “Last Call with Carson Daly” – rerun

More Artists For American Music Awards

2009-11-06T23:31:00Z

It’s starting to look as if Dick Clark has booked every artist and band on the planet to play the American Music Awards.

Today Dick Clark Productions announced Green Day, Rihanna, Shakira, Mary J. Blige and Keith Urban have been added to the lineup for the awards program taking place Nov. 22 at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live and airing on ABC. This is in addition to a talent list that stretches from here to the top of Kanye West’s ego and includes groups like the Black Eyed Peas and Daughtry and artists like Lady Gaga, Eminem, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez, Carrie Underwood and Adam Lambert.

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Who knows? Maybe the show will even find some time between performances to hand out an award or two.

This is also the third year AMA winners will be determined by online voting. Plus, this is the first year Dick Clark Productions streams the pre-show in all its red carpet glory. Premiere Entertainment provides the production know-how while Ustream powers the live stream to a series of video fan widgets found at LivePremieres.com.

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Click here, here or here to vote on this year’s AMA’s.

Click here for the video fan widgets.

Click here for the American Music Awards Web site.

Fuse Captures That Ol’ Voodoo Spirit

2009-11-06T22:01:00Z

You say you couldn’t make it to New Orleans for last weekend’s Voodoo Experience music festival? Then point your television to music cable channel Fuse tonight for “Fuse Fest: Voodoo 2009.”

Through the magic and wonder of cable television Fuse brings you all the sights and sounds of this year’s three-day Voodoo Experience. Thrill to Eminem, rock the house with Jane’s Addiction and feel the magnificent beat of the Meat Puppets.

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But wait, there’s more! Wolfmother, Flaming Lips and Lenny Kravitz are just a few of the acts caught live on stage so you can watch them on your television.

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It’s Voodoo in all its three-day glory delivered to your TV via Fuse – a video backstage pass putting you up close and personal with all the bands and artists that made this year’s festival a one-of-a-kind happening.

So whether you missed out on this year’s Voodoo Experience or you want to relive those festival moments, “Fuse Fest: Voodoo 2009” premieres tonight at 10 p.m. ET. For more information, eyeball the video below and then click here for Fuse.tv.

MTV Europe Music Award Winners

2009-11-06T21:01:00Z

After picking up the award for best video of the year for “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” at the U.S. version of the MTV Video Music Awards two months ago, Beyoncé won the same prize at last night’s MTV Europe Music Awards.

In addition to best video, Beyoncé also walked away with awards for best female act and best song for “Halo.”

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Katy Perry hosted the award show, which took place at the O2 World in Berlin. Perry, who also hosted the show last year, took the crowd back in time to 1930s Berlin with a dance routine inspired by the Liza Minnelli 1972 “Cabaret” film.

Eminem won best male act and Jay-Z was awarded best urban rap act.

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Tokio Hotel won best group and best alternative act went to Placebo. Green Day won the best rock award and Lady Gaga was crowned the best new act.

Turkish rap rock group maNga walked away with both the best Turkish act award and the prize for best European act.

Best push artist went to Pixie Lott and best world stage performance was awarded to Linkin Park.

Although Beyoncé was the biggest winner of the night, Kings of Leon didn’t pick up a single award after being nominated for five awards include best song, best live act, best group, best rock and best world stage performance.

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After performing a free concert in front of Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, U2 was celebrated as the best live act.

The Irish rockers performed a 30-minute set for the 10,000 fans in attendance, sharing hits including “One,” “Sunday Bloody Sunday” and “Beautiful Day.”

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The award show also featured performances by Beyoncé, Foo Fighters, Green Day, Jay-Z, Leona Lewis, Shakira and Tokio Hotel.

The winners were chosen by MTV viewers online, excluding the best video award, which is decided by MTV Europe. Last year fans cast more than 100 million votes, according to Reuters.

A one-hour version of the MTV Europe Music Awards will air on MTV U.S. channels, mtvU and MTV2 Nov. 15. MTV Tr3s will air a one-hour version of the show Nov. 21. The full show will air on Palladia Nov. 28.

For a full list of the regional award winners, click here for the MTV Europe Music Awards website.

Click here for the Reuters story.

UK Postpones LN-TM Decision

2009-11-06T20:01:00Z

The UK’s Competition Commission has postponed its decision on the Live Nation-Ticketmaster merger until Jan. 19.

Having published its provisional findings October 8, which cited “a substantial lessening of competition in the market for the primary retailing of tickets for live music events” as a reason to block the merger, the CC’s now saying it’s received a substantial number of responses to this and needs more time too consider them.

“The range of possible remedies is complex, and the group wishes to explore all the possible remedies with both the parties to the merger and third parties,” the CC said in a statement.

“As the proposed merger is being investigated by competition authorities in other geographic markets, the CC's guidance also requires the group to consult with relevant competition authorities in other jurisdictions to seek consistency and effectiveness in its approach to remedies.”

At press time it wasn’t possible to get comment from Live Nation’s London office, although Paul Latham – the company’s chief operating office in the U.K. – had earlier voiced the opinion that the CC may well need more time to consider the issue.

The CC’s announcement seems to hint at the difficulties of giving a UK ruling on whether two US-based companies could work as one in the UK, particularly as the American monopoly authority has yet to give its ruling on the deal.

“We believe the CC has done a thorough analysis of the situation and has released well grounded provisional findings,” said CTS Eventim legal and communications chief Rainer Appel, after his company’s UK market position was highlighted as one of the CC’s major concerns.

“We are absolutely confident that we will be able to meet all of our contractual obligations under our LN agreement in the UK and elsewhere,” was his response to questions about whether his company will be able to comply with the part of that deal that commits Eventim to begin selling LN tickets in the UK as of January 1.

Echo & The Bunnymen Cancel U.S. Tour

2009-11-06T19:01:00Z

Echo & The Bunnymen have canceled their November U.S. tour, placing the blame on that oh-so-loved government agency, the IRS.

The tour was set to kick off Nov. 15 at The Masquerade in Atlanta and conclude Nov. 25 at the Metro/Smart Bar in Chicago.

Additional shows included stops in Washington, D.C., New York, Boston, Uniontown, Pa., Glendside, Pa, and Fairfield, Conn.

In a post on the British post-punk group’s Web site, the Bunnymen write “It’s with the deepest regret that Echo & The Bunnymen have had to cancel their USA November tour. This is due to unreasonable demands been presented by the IRS for the band to enter the USA to tour. This is not a VISA issue as some websites have stated.”

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Ticketholders are advised to contact venues for refunds.

The band said they have plans to tour the states, from East to West Coast, in April 2010.

Echo and The Bunnymen last toured the U.S. last month, playing Oakland, Calif., Oct. 22 and Los Angeles Oct. 24.

On Saturday the band takes part in “Dubai Sound City” in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, along with Super Furry Animals, Alphabeat, Nitin Sawhney, The Parlotones, Dan Black and Post War Years.

In December the Bunnymen tour the U.K. Dec. 8-19 followed by a round of Australian and New Zealand dates late January through early February.

Click here for Echo and The Bunnymen’s website.

Elton John Health Update

2009-11-06T18:01:00Z

Elton John left the hospital yesterday and is ready to hit the road once more.

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The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame member was hospitalized for flu and an E. coli bacterial infection, causing him to postpone a few U.K. dates as well three co-headline concerts with Billy Joel in Seattle and Portland.

Spokesman Gary Farrow says 62-year-old John is at home and feeling fine. His next scheduled show is a co-headline concert with Joel scheduled for Nov. 14 at the Oracle Arena in Oakland.

Friday Fun: That’s The Ticket!

2009-11-06T17:01:00Z

What were the best seats you’ve ever purchased through normal channels?

Did you snagged front row, second row or other spectacular seats simply by logging into Ticketmaster or walking up to the box office window?

We’re not talking about buying through scalpers, third-party enablers or scooping up value-added ducats at premium prices – the ones that come with meet-and-greets, autographs and souvenirs.

Nor are we talking about fan club pre-sales, credit card deals or any other situation where you bought tickets ahead of the general public.

Instead, we’re talking about the luck of the draw – The public onsale when you happened to be in the right place at the right time.

What were the best seats you ever purchased? Did you buy the tickets online, at the box office or through a kiosk? Did the tickets just go on sale or had they been available for a while? We breathlessly await your answer in the comment thread below.

Calle 13 Wins 5 Latin Grammys in Las Vegas

2009-11-06T16:50:00Z

Puerto Rican duo Calle 13 won all five awards it was nominated for Thursday at the Latin Grammys in Las Vegas, including two of the top awards of the night and honors in both urban and alternative categories.

The awards show ran late because Mexico's "Divo of Juarez," Juan Gabriel, sang for 40 minutes straight while mariachis stomped on stage and the audience clapped and sang along.

Calle 13 won album of the year for its innovative collaborations and politically charged reggaeton. Left with little time to accept the golden gramophone for the top honor, lead singer Rene Perez, who raps as "Residente," dedicated the award to Argentine folk singer Mercedes Sosa, who died in October at age 74.

"May she rest in peace. An applause for Mercedes Sosa, please," he said.

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Later in the pressroom, Residente explained his admiration for the woman who helped found the "Nueva Cancion" movement, which merged folk traditions and leftist politics in the 1960s. "She is a voice who should never die, and young people should listen to her," he said. "In an era of dictatorship and difficult times, she wasn't afraid. That's why I dedicated it to her."

Residente and his half brother Eduardo Cabra, who goes by "Visitante," also won recording of the year for "No Hay Nadie Como Tu," their collaboration with Mexican rockers Cafe Tacuba, aka Cafe Tacvba. Their album Los de Atras Vienen Conmigo also won best album in the urban category, competing against other reggaeton acts.

During the ceremony, Calle 13 performed "La Perla," an ode to a seaside slum in San Juan, with salsa legend Ruben Blades, while dancers from Cirque du Soleil's "Mystere" leaped across the stage. "La Perla" won the award for best short-form video.

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The Latin Recording Academy also paid homage to Sosa with a brief video set to the gentle anthem "Gracias a la Vida."

"Mercedes Sosa represents courage and strength for those of us who continue to support her efforts" for social justice in Latin America, Blades said in his introduction.

Italian singer Laura Pausini, who won best female pop vocal album, performed "En Cambio No," to open the show, which was hosted by Mexican comedian Eugenio Derbez and Mexican singer and actress Lucero.

Showgirls added Sin City flavor to a hip-shaking salsa jam by Venezuelan Oscar D'Leon and Puerto Rican Gilberto Santa Rosa. They also lent their moves to Los Tucanes de Tijuana's "Se Fue Mi Amor," which won for best regional Mexican song.

Performance highlights also included Spanish singer Alejandro Sanz and Alicia Keys singing her "Looking for Paradise," Spanish folk rocker Natalia Jimenez of La Quinta Estacion belting out "Me Dueles," and Juan Gabriel's medley of hits with a mariachi band and folkloric dancers in colorful skirts.

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The "Divo of Juarez" was honored with the Latin Recording Academy's person of the year award the night before.

"For Mexico!" he said as he showed off his statuette.

He was scheduled to perform three of his hits, but when the band tried to wrap up his performance, Gabriel kept singing. He paraded through the theater while crowd members kissed and hugged him.

The audience laughed when he swung his wine glass in the air to the rhythm of "No Me Hagas Llorar," spilling its contents across the stage and all over his lace-covered jacket and pink vest.

Most of the 49 awards were handed out during a pre-show ceremony. The variety of categories befitted the diverse musical traditions of the Americas, including best albums in Christian, grupero and Brazilian sertaneja music.

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Members of the Latin Recording Academy voted for the winners of the 10th annual awards.

Kenny Rogers & Wynonna Christmas Dates

2009-11-06T16:01:00Z

Jim Carrey’s 3-D animated version of “A Christmas Carol” hits theatres today, Target stores are already covered in ornaments and snowflakes and Starbucks just rolled out its red cups. That’s right – the holidays are coming faster than you know it and so are annual Christmas tours for Kenny Rogers and Wynonna.

The 2009 edition of the Kenny Rogers Christmas & Hits Tour kicks off the day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, with a show at the Horseshoe Casino & Hotel/Riverdome in Bossier City, La., and wraps up Dec. 23 at the Capital One Bank Theatre at Westbury in Westbury, N.Y.

Additional shows include Mahaffey Theatre in Saint Petersburg, Fla. (Dec. 1), Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. (Dec. 5), Sandusky State Theatre in Sandusky, Ohio (Dec. 10), Fox Theatre in Detroit (Dec. 18) and Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, Mass. (Dec. 20).

The country singer-songwriter will be sharing traditional and original holiday songs in addition to classic favorites such as “The Gambler,” “Lady” and “Islands In The Stream.”

The tour features Rebecca Lynn Howard in addition to local choirs and children chosen to be part of the production in each city.

“I’ve always loved this season. I think because people in general, are truly different. Look around … they smile more, they’re more gracious, and generally seem happier,” Rogers said. “Have yourself a Merry, Merry Christmas and know that I wish for you, what I wish for myself – that you spend this and every holiday season with those you love the most.”

This year’s tour is sponsored by World Vision as the singer has teamed up with the Christian humanitarian organization to help children and families around the world in need.

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Wynonna’s Classic Christmas tour, named after her 2006 holiday album, begins Nov. 28 at Hershey Theatre in Hershey, Pa., and concludes with a two-night stand Dec. 19-20 at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Additional shows include MGM Grand At Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Conn. (Dec. 1), Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas (Dec. 4), Osage Million Dollar Elm Casino in Tulsa, Okla. (Dec. 6), Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City, Ind. (Dec. 12) and Pearl River Resort/Silver Star in Choctaw, Miss. (Dec. 18).

Wynonna will be joined on tour by the Palmetto State Quartet, which features Wynonna’s pop, Larry Strickland. Strickland was a former member of The Stamps, Elvis Presley’s background quartet.

Before kicking off the tour, Wynonna plans to participate in the 67th annual CSX Santa Train along with CSX, Food City and the Kingsport, Tenn., Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Santa Train’s volunteers, along with Wynonna and Santa Claus himself will make 14 stops in the mountains of Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee to deliverer 15 tons of toys to thousands of children along the route.

“I decided to ride the Santa Train this year because I want my children to experience as much as they can,” Wynonna said. “I also want to teach them about other people and what their life experiences are like.”

Click here for Kenny Rogers' Web site.

Click here for Wynonna's Web site.

Spring Brings Snow

2009-11-06T01:01:00Z

After a North American run earlier this year left fans and critics clamoring for more, Swedish indie-pop trio Miike Snow has announced a return trip in the spring.

The three-week club and theatre trek kicks off March 22 at Masquerade in Atlanta and winds across the U.S. and Canada before wrapping April 15 at San Francisco’s The Independent.

Although Miike Snow was born in Stockholm in 2007, the group is actually made up of New York City-based songwriter Andrew Wyatt and Swedes Christian Karlsson and Pontus Winnberg. The duo are probably best known to fans of the pop world as Bloodshy & Avant, the production wizards behind hits for Madonna, Kelis, Jennifer Lopez, Kylie Minogue and others, as well as Britney Spears’ smash “Toxic.”

The band’s eponymous debut has generated significant buzz since it’s release last May, with Filter praising the group’s “deliriously intuitive talent,” NPR calling the album “instantly accessible” and SF Weekly predicting, “This is going to get huge … This is a band that is already too big for its venues, and will likely only get bigger.”

See for yourself what all the fuss is about. Listen to tracks on Miike Snow's Myspace page or check out the video for “Animal,” the lead single from the album, which found its way onto the CW’s smash teen drama “Gossip Girl” this season.

Mae Gets Ripped Off In Philly

2009-11-06T00:51:00Z

Today wasn’t the best of days for rock trio Mae. After a two-night stand in Philadelphia, band members woke this morning to discover their van, trailer and equipment were stolen.

Despite the loss, the band says it will play the remaining dates of its headlining tour which also includes Deas Vail and Jenny Owen Youngs.

From Mae:

“This morning we woke up to find our van, trailer, all instruments, equipment and merchandise had been stolen from the hotel parking lot. This misfortune has fallen among many of our friends in the past and after touring for 8 years this sort of thing is bound to happen. We have four dates left on our tour and will play the shows with the help of our friends in Deas Vail and Jenny Owen Youngs. It’s in these moments that our fans lift us up and remind us why we do what we do. We thank you for the immediate outpouring of love and support.”

Mae, which features Dave Elkins (lead vocals/guitars), Jacob Marshall (drums) and Zach Gehring (guitar) has rented transportation for the last four dates of the band’s current tour – tonight in Cambridge at Middle East; NYC at The Fillmore at Irving Plaza Nov. 6; S. Hackensack at School of Rock Nov. 7 and Washington at Black Cat Nov. 8.

The band is currently accepting donations from fans. For more information, please click here for Mae’s Web site.

MTV Says No Wall Was Built In Berlin

2009-11-06T00:31:00Z

Earlier today numerous media outlets (including this Web site) reported Berliners were upset because a wall had been constructed in Berlin to prevent those without tickets from attending U2’s free mini concert at the city’s Brandenburg Gate. However, MTV says it ain’t so.

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U2 did perform today in Berlin as part of the MTV EMAs. However, MTV says that, while no wall was built, a “temporary security fence” was created.

From MTV Networks International:

“In reponse to erroneous reports circulating in the media about ‘MTV EMAs present U2 at the Brandenburg Gate.’

“The safety and well being of all attendees at any MTV produced event is of the highest priority. MTV worked closely with our local promoter DEAG, the Borough of Berlin and the Berlin Police department to create a comprehensive security plan for the event. To that end, MTV placed a temporary security fence around the site perimeter.

“Under no circumstances did MTV build a ‘wall’ of any kind in or around the U2 production site.

“We urge everyone to watch the event on MTV around the world from 21.00 CET tonight to see for themselves.”