What’s on the radar this week? Janet Jackson announces new tour dates, Beyonce announces a ridiculous boxset, and Bullet For My Valentine are back with a live album. All this and more On the Radar.
Janet Jackson announces new North American tour dates; hopefully won’t cancel again
Janet Jackson had her share of ups and downs last year. On one hand, she had her first baby with ex-husband Wissam Al Mana, on the other, she repeatedly postponed tour dates and pissed off a lot of people. She promised fans she’d be back and it looks like she’s keeping her word. Jackson posted a video announcing new North American tour dates for this fall and winter.
Dates kick off September 7 in Lafayette, LA and wrap up December 17 in Atlanta, GA. Previously known as the Unbreakable tour, it will now be known as the State of the World tour. Miss Jackson will play Chicago October 26 at the Allstate Arena. Tickets for previous postponed shows will be honored at the new dates. If you didn’t get tickets yet, they are now on sale.
While this is great news for State fans, those in the UK aren’t so lucky. Postponed UK dates still need to be rescheduled. Seeing as she’s dedicating the rest of the year to touring, chances are UK dates aren’t that far behind.
Bullet For My Valentine announce new live album
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScLtUBCg2bw
Welsh metal band Bullet For My Valentine aren’t quite ready for a new album. To keep fans busy, they’re gearing up to release their new live CD/DVD Live at the Brixton: Chapter Two on July 28. Filmed over two nights last year, December 9-10 at London’s O2 arena, the show captures the band playing their debut album, The Poison, in its entirety to celebrate its tenth anniversary. The show also includes the band playing fan favorites and notable singles.
The release will be available on a variety of formats, including, CD, DVD, Blu-ray, and triple vinyl box set. The downside? Each night is sold separately on CD. Nights one and two get their own double album. Is there are DVD/CD combo? Nope. So if you want the full experience of hearing BFMV live on the go and watching them in your own home, be prepared to spend a lot of cash. Pre-orders can be found here.
Last year, the band released the standalone single “Don’t Need You,” which received a limited Record Store Day release this year. Their latest album is 2015’s Venom.
Beyonce’s Lemonade coming to vinyl along with a ridiculously expensive box set
It seems Beyonce wants to prove fans will buy anything. Last week, the singer announced her award-winning album, Lemonade, is being reissued as a $300 boxset. So what’s in it? The made-to-order collection titled, How to Make Lemonade, features the album on lemon colored vinyl along with a 600-page coffee table book filled with never before seen pictures from making the album. This marks the first vinyl pressing of the album and will ship in the summer. Luckily, for those of you who don’t have that kind of cash, the vinyl will be released separately $29.98.
Having the album on vinyl is a must for audiophiles, but why the pricey boxset? What purpose does that serve? There’s nothing wrong with having various editions of albums that come with goodies. But when you start asking for three-figures it makes you raise an eyebrow. It just comes off as greedy and arrogant. In Beyonce’s case, a hefty coffee table book doesn’t justify the price.
This seems like a new trend for record labels to make more money since Gorillaz offered a $350 super deluxe version of their new album, Humanz. Chances are most fans can’t afford this, especially if they dropped a similar amount for concert tickets to see these artists live. It’s also unfair for fans who feel they need everything their favorite artists produces. For artists who want to connect with fans and make sure they’re able to access music, these hefty box sets aren’t doing them any favors.
Upcoming Shows
Iconic alt-rock band Jesus and the Mary Chain are back with their first new album in 19 years! Be sure to catch their show at the Riviera Theatre on May 10. They’re bringing The Cobbs along with them for the ride. Tickets are still available, so get yours before they’re gone.
Wanna see three kick ass metal bands in one night? Head over to the Aragon Ballroom on May 13 to catch Mastodon with Eagles of Death Metal and Russian Circles. Get tickets here.
UK songstress Laura Marling is coming to Chicago as part of her latest tour. Catch her show at the Metro on May 7. Check here for tickets.
In support of his latest self-titled album, multi-instrumentalist Ty Segall is headed to the city for a show at the Metro on May 13. Find tickets here.
Chicago Artist Spotlight: Twin Peaks
Local indie rock favorites Twin Peaks are steadily on the rise. Ever since their 2013 debut, Sunken, they’re one of indie rock’s favorite acts. They’ve built up a dedicated fanbase over the years that continues to grow. Their latest album, Down in Heaven, dropped last year, so it’ll be a while until we hear new music.
Luckily, the band released their first ever live album, Urbs in Horto, back in March to hold us over. Last Friday, the LP came out on vinyl for those who still like their music on physical formats. Make sure to hit up your favorite record store and pick up a copy.
Twin Peaks will spend most of the year on the road. Initial tour dates kicked off in April and continue through mid-September. The band will return to the city to play this year’s Taste of Chicago. Catch them Friday, July 7. Tickets are on sale now.