The Current

Great Music Lives Here ®
Listener-Supported Music
Donate Now
The Current Music News

Music News: Bon Iver cancel Mexico concert vacation

Bon Iver at Rock the Garden 2017.
Bon Iver at Rock the Garden 2017.Emmet Kowler for MPR

by Jay Gabler

August 14, 2017

Bon Iver have canceled a Mexico getaway festival less than a month after it was announced. The event, called "Days Have No Numbers," was set to take place in January 2018 at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya in Mexico, with Bon Iver playing three shows as headliners of a lineup that also included 13 other acts including Poliça and Sylvan Esso.

"This event has been cancelled and full refunds are being issued automatically to all booked guests," reads a notice on the event's website. "Refunds will appear in 5-7 business days. We are very sorry for the inconvenience." The reason? "Unforeseen circumstances." (Brooklyn Vegan)

Chance plays free show in Chicago, with a nod from Obama

On Saturday, Chance the Rapper served as grand marshal of the Bud Billiken Parade in Chicago — and then played a surprise free concert, which featured a video message from former president Barack Obama.

"I wanted to just have the chance to say to all of you that the Bud Billiken Parade stands for so much of what our community is about," said Obama. "We want to make sure our kids are safe, we want to make sure that they are ready to go back to school. We want to make sure that we are nurturing and protecting and encouraging and loving the next generation of leaders all throughout the city of Chicago. So Chance, I'm grateful for everything that you've done on behalf of the young people back home."

The Bud Billiken Parade, considered the largest African-American parade in the nation, promotes youth education. (Rolling Stone)

Speaking of Chance, here's what he was tweeting about when he said SoundCloud had been saved: the streaming service has secured an investment of $169.5 million, averting a widely-feared shutdown.

"SoundCloud is the largest open audio platform in the world," said SoundCloud's new CEO Kerry Trainor. "Millions of creators choose these tools to share their work with the world — that will remain at the focus and center of the company." (Billboard)

Taylor Swift complaint dismissed

Judge William A. Martínez has dismissed a complaint filed against Taylor Swift by David Mueller, a former country radio host who Swift says groped her during a 2013 backstage visit. Mueller sued Swift for $3 million after he lost his job over the incident, and a jury trial is now ongoing.

Martínez has dismissed Mueller's charge that Swift acted improperly in reporting the incident. That doesn't necessarily mean Martínez agrees the alleged groping actually took place — it just means that he accepts Swift's good faith in reporting the assault, that she didn't set out without cause to get Martínez fired.

The trial will continue, as Mueller also filed complaints against Swift's mother and one of her managers. Swift has also filed a countersuit, which must be resolved. (New York Times)

Bruno Mars donates $1 million to Flint

During a Saturday concert in Auburn Hills, Michigan, Bruno Mars revealed that he has donated $1 million to help people affected by the water crisis in nearby Flint.

"I'm very thankful to the Michigan audience for joining me in supporting this cause," said Mars in a statement. "Ongoing challenges remain years later for Flint residents, and it's important that we don't forget our brothers and sisters affected by this disaster. As people, especially as Americans, we need to stand together to make sure something like this never happens in any community ever again." (Billboard)

Fiona Apple shares message of support for Sinead O'Connor

After Sinéad O'Connor shared an emotional video discussing her mental health struggles, Fiona Apple reciprocated with a video supporting the Irish singer-songwriter. "I want you to know that you are my hero," says Apple. "I just saw the video of you and I don't want you to feel like that. I don't want you to feel like that. You've given so much. And I wish I could be there. I wish I could be of some use to you. I'm your friend — that's all I want to say — and you're my hero." (Billboard)

Coldplay cover Prince

Coldplay came to U.S. Bank Stadium on Saturday night, and ended their song "The Scientist" with a bit of Prince’s "Raspberry Beret."