Music News: Stars to join Ariana Grande for Manchester benefit concert on Sunday

by Jay Gabler

Balloons and floral tributes in St. Ann's Square, Manchester
Balloons and floral tributes in St. Ann's Square, Manchester (JON SUPER/AFP/Getty Images)

Ariana Grande has confirmed a date and lineup for a Manchester benefit concert, scheduled in the wake of the deadly terrorist attack on her May 22 performance there. The "One Love Manchester" concert will take place this coming Sunday, June 4, at a Manchester cricket ground, with ticket sales to benefit a Red Cross emergency fund.

In addition to Grande, the concert will feature stars including Coldplay, Pharrell Williams, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, and Usher. (MPR News)

Bon Iver vs. Delta

Justin Vernon of Bon Iver was not happy about being unexpectedly rebooked and delayed on a Delta flight. He directed an angry series of tweets at the airline, threatening to take his band's "500k of business a year elsewhere." While Vernon was busy on Twitter, he also got into it with a U.K. fan who was sorry about the cancellation of Bon Iver's European tour. "There was a reason pal," tweeted Vernon about the cancellation. "The reasons were PERSONAL. Trust me, you don't wanna know." (Spin)

No word yet on what airline Vernon will take to Los Angeles, where he's booked to play David Lynch’s second annual Festival of Disruption this October. Also on the bill: musicians including TV On The Radio, Moby, and Sharon Van Etten as well as non-musical guests like Sheryl Lee (a.k.a. Laura Palmer) and visual artist Ed Ruscha. (Pitchfork)

Roots picnic gear goes on sale

Even if you can't make it to the Roots’ annual picnic-themed music festival this weekend in Philadelphia, you can still take some official hip-hop flavor on your summer rambles. Band member Black Thought is partnering with the sneaker brand Clear Weather to release a line of signature kicks — and every pair comes with its own picnic basket. (Billboard)

Noel Gallagher has a big birthday bash

Noel Gallagher turned 50 on Monday, and he celebrated over the weekend with a star-studded party with an unusual theme: Narcos, the Netflix drug-war series. Yes, there were mariachis — and guests including Madonna, Bono, Damon Albarn, fashion designer (and Beatle daughter) Stella McCartney, and Hollywood power couple Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender. (Billboard)

More Bono on a bike

That's not the only two-wheeled vehicle Bono's been posing with: after U2 played a concert in Houston last week, they apparently stopped for a bite at a Whataburger restaurant, where band members posed for photos with local police officers. Best post-show garb award goes to Adam Clayton, who was wearing a blue kimono. (NME)

comments powered by Disqus