March 19, 2024

On the Radar: Lollapalooza lineup, RIP Chuck Berry, Gorillaz + More

Murdoc, 2-D, Damon Albarn

So what’s hot in music this week? Lollapalooza’s lineup, the Gorillaz drop new music, saying goodbye to Chuck Berry and more. Check it all out on this week’s On the Radar.

Lollapalooza drops 2017 lineup

Lollapalooza 2017 Line Up. Chicago, IL

The day is finally here! The Lollapalooza lineup is here and is it ever glorious. This year’s festival boasts hometown favorites and heavy hitters. Headliners include Muse, Lorde, Arcade Fire, The Killers, and Chicago’s own Chance the Rapper. This will be his first time headlining the event. Also filling the headlining spot are The xx, Blink-182, DJ Snake and Justice. If those headliners weren’t awesome enough, the rest of the lineup is looking pretty sweet as well. Included on the bill are Cage the Elephant, up and coming rockers The Hunna, Wiz Khalifa, Ryan Adams, Alt-J, Big Sean, Spoon, Charli XCX, Car Seat Headrest, Rae Sremmurd, Tegan and Sara, and lots more.

The festival, which expanded to four days last year, takes place from August 3 – 6 at Chicago’s Grant Park. Four-day tickets for the festival sold out shortly after they went on sale. You can still catch some one-day tickets and other packages currently on sale. You better hurry, though. With a lineup this awesome, tickets are sure to be moving fast.

Goodbye, Chuck Berry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVT65M4mRnM

Last week, we lost legendary rocker, Chuck Berry. He was 90. Berry died of natural causes on March 18 at his Wentzville, MO home near St. Louis. Berry is often named one of the innovators of rock n roll of the 50s. He was one of the first to blend R&B elements with rock music to bring it to the masses. While he has a list of hit songs to his name, some of his greatest include “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Rock and Roll Music,” and “Johnny B. Goode.” Along with being a fantastic guitar player, he was also a showman inventing one of his most recognized moves the “duck walk.”

Berry has influenced a number of musicians over the years, like Rod Stewart, Bob Seger, and even The Beatles. Without his innovative style and guitar playing, rock and roll wouldn’t be the same. He’s forever an icon who will never be forgotten and will surely be missed. Fans will be happy to know Berry was working on a new album before his death. Chuck comes out June 16. It marks his album of new material in 38 years.

Watch Green Day honor the late great Chuck Berry with their cover of “Johnny B. Goode” here.

Record Store Day 2017 official releases announced

April means the start of nicer weather (hopefully) and new vinyl to get your hands on. Record Store Day is next month on April 22nd and this year, the event celebrates its 10th anniversary. As always there’s a whole bunch of exclusive new releases to look forward to. This year’s offerings includes records from Prince, David Bowie, Teagan and Sara, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Alice in Chains, Jane’s Addiction, and more.

Some highlights from the list include The Cure’s Greatest Hits and Acoustic Hits both available on picture discs, Bullet For My Valentine’s single “Don’t Need You” 7” on beautiful red vinyl, Madonna’s Dance Remixes album available for the first time in the US, and a massive Ramones boxset dubbed ’76-’79 Singles Box. You can guess the hottest items this year will be the David Bowie and Prince releases. Several Prince singles, including “Sign O’ the Times,” “Batdance,” and “Little Red Corvette” will be available on 7” vinyl. The 3 LP Bowie set Cracked Actor and the vinyl boxset BOWPROMO will both be available.

Check out the complete RSD list here. Make sure to contact your favorite record store and let them know what you’re interested in. It may help them order more stock to ensure you get what you want.

Gorillaz (finally!) announce their new album Humanz

Ever since Jamie Hewlett and Damon Albarn dropped hints of new Gorillaz music last year, fans have been waiting on edge for more news. The band’s new single, “Hallelujah Money” didn’t help matters as there was still nothing about the new LP. Now, the long wait is finally over. The Gorillaz are officially back with their newly announced album, Humnaz. And the best part? You won’t even have to wait that long. The band’s new LP drops April 28. As if we weren’t excited enough, Albarn premiered four new songs over at BBC’s Radio 1: “Ascension” featuring Vince Staples, “We Got the Power” featuring Savages’ Jenny Beth,“Saturnz Barz” featuring Popcaan and “Andromeda” featuring DRAM.

Humanz is the Gorillaz first new album is six years and is already a highly anticipated release for 2017. Judging from the previously released track “Hallelujah Money,” this is going to be a good one.

After the initial announcement, the band released both the tracklisting and album artwork, which you can check out here. You can also head over the band’s Instagram page to check out some new artwork for each of the band members. Is it April yet?

Chicago Artist Spotlight: Bunny

Bunny doesn’t have as much buzz as other Chicago artists, but they’re a band to keep your eye on. Forming in 2016, they’re turning heads with their sleepy rock single “Promises.” The music is kind of dreamy with a hint a light punk rock, while frontwoman Jessica Viscius’ vocals sound cool yet biting. Think of the riot grrl movement joining forces with shoegaze. Check out the song for yourself above.

The band is still hard at work on their debut album, which will hopefully drop this year. For now, you can pick up “Promises” at their Bandcamp page. Bunny is Viscius, Shane Prewitt, Tim Makowki, and Alexa Viscius.