The Chart Show: HALEY reaches No.1 with third charting single
by Mark Wheat
March 23, 2017
Strangely enough our No.1 and No.20 this week — artists divided by an ocean and a significant age difference — are both playing at the BBC's 6Music Festival in Glasgow this weekend. Following the fest, HALEY has a bunch more U.K. shows booked while Depeche Mode have a few more weeks off to prepare for a 63-date world tour beginning in Sweden, only nearing the Twin Cities on August 30, at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater in Tinley Park, IL.
Submit your Chart Show ballot this week for a chance to win tickets to the New Pornographers at First Avenue on April 18!
The Old 97's are the biggest upward movers this week. They've got a slightly smaller festival coming up, but it's their own: The Old 97's County Fair! Despite the name it happens April 8 in the heart of downtown Dallas, TX with Lucinda Williams, Mavis Staples, the Jayhawks and ... a Ferris wheel!
Spoon threw their own big party last week in downtown Austin, TX as part of SXSW to celebrate the release of Hot Thoughts, The Current's Album of the Week, reviewed by huge Spoon fan Mary Lucia.
Another strange coincidence this week involving the inductees to our Hall of Fame: It's the second induction for both Ryan Adams and Laura Marling. Ryan just sold out his second show at the Palace Theater in July and Laura plays First Avenue on May 5. She just played "a transcendent show" in her hometown of London.
Nikki Lane has been bubbling under the chart for the past month since her new Highway Queen album dropped. She's the highest new entry this week at No.9. She just stopped by The Current studios to perform live in-studio and to chat with big fan Bill DeVille!
alt-J are back! Their new album, titled Relaxer, is due June 6. The album artwork suggests that it is inspired by a nineties video game called LSD and in case you were wondering, "00110011 01110111 01110111" is binary code for "3WW."
Lorde is also back. Melodrama will release June 16. So far she's released two songs and performed them on Saturday Night Live, but this week she is teasing fans with what she says is "her favorite thing that I've ever done"!
The New Pornographers return after a three week hiatus! They'll be back at First Avenue on April 18. Lead singer A.C. Newman donned a t-shirt from The Current for their performance in Austin, TX, literally taken off the back of digital producer Jay Gabler after his interview with Jade!
The Magnetic Fields have been off the chart for four weeks, but bounce back to No.19. When they're in town at the Fitzgerald Theater April 22 and 23, I'll be hosting Stephin Merritt of the band in a conversation and Q&A.