Blur's first New York show featuring the band's classic lineup since 2000 will be totally free, thanks to Converse. The tickets will go fast, though; if you want to throw your hat in the ring to see Blur at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on Friday night, you can RSVP here starting at 11:00 a.m. CT on Wednesday, April 29. (Pitchfork) Blur's The Magic Whip is The Current's album of the week; read Jim McGuinn's review.

A statement on Joni Mitchell's website denies a TMZ report that the music great is in an unresponsive coma. While it's true that Mitchell's longtime friend Leslie Morris has sought legal authority to make care decisions for Mitchell—who has no close family member to take that role—the hospitalized Mitchell "comprehends, she's alert, and she has her full senses." (Billboard)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V1p1dM3snQ

Courtney Love has been sued by the co-author of her own memoir. Anthony Bozza says he was hired by Love to help with her memoir Girl With the Most Cake, but says that he's only been paid half of the $200,000 he was promised despite delivering a completed manuscript. The book was originally scheduled to be published in 2012, but its publication has been delayed indefinitely due to what Bozza says is Love's unpredictable schedule. (SPIN)

Sting has been nominated for a Tony Award for his musical The Last Ship. The show is up for Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations, despite having been a box-office dud and closing after a shorter-than-hoped run even after Sting himself joined the cast in an effort to boost sales. (New York Times)

David Byrne has announced the lineup for this year's Meltdown festival, an annual multidisciplinary event in London that's curated by a different artist each year; this year Byrne is taking the lead. Among the artists chosen by Byrne are David Longstreth of the Dirty Projectors; Anna Calvi; composer John Luther Adams. Byrne himself will also perform, with theater artist Young Jean Lee. (Billboard)

Suzanne Crough has died suddenly at age 52, Billboard reports. Crough played Tracey, the youngest child in The Partridge Family.

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

Richard Thompson has announced a new album: Still, out June 23, will be produced by Jeff Tweedy. (Pitchfork) Thompson performed on a bill with Tweedy's band Wilco at St. Paul's Midway Stadium in 2013. Read Andrea Swensson's review.

Sam Smith has canceled an Australian tour to recover from a vocal hemorrhage. "The doctors have told me I need to fully rest until my vocal chords have healed," said Smith, "otherwise this could become a huge long-term issue. I am so sorry to all who have bought tickets, I truly am. This kills me." (Billboard)

Andrew W.K. didn't have much to say when he appeared on a talk show with Minnesota's Michele Bachmann, but he'll have to do plenty of chatting on his new radio show America W.K. The show will run on Glenn Beck's network TheBlaze, despite the fact that Andrew W.K.'s political views are well to the left of those held by Beck, a noted conservative. (Rolling Stone)

Nelly's 2004 collaboration with Tim McGraw, "Over and Over," was an early instance of alchemy between hip-hop and country. He also helped Florida Georgia Line make a hit out of a remix of their song "Cruise" in 2013. Now the Country Grammar rapper is planning to release his very own country EP. The EP, Heartland, is now in progress, says Nelly's manager. (Rolling Stone)

Ann Wilson of Heart has been in several relationships, but she never found a guy worth putting a ring on—until now. On Saturday, Wilson married Dean Wetter; both are 64. (People)

Kendrick Lamar took the mound on Monday in L.A. to throw out the first pitch at a game that ultimately saw the Dodgers prevail over the San Francisco Giants, 8-3. (Billboard)

Jack Ely, the lead singer of the Kingsmen, best known for 1960s hit "Louie Louie," has died aged 71. (BBC News)

TMI, NME: Noel Gallagher apparently likes to go commando when he takes the stage.