Lady Gaga, The Killers, Coldplay to cover Elton John for new tribute albums

 

Elton John may be saying farewell to his own yellow brick road with a massive final world tour, but don’t think that’s the only thing the iconic performer is giving fans before his final curtain call. On Thursday (March 15), it was announced that John will be releasing a huge 26-track double disc featuring covers of some of his iconic tunes. The records, which have been titled Revamp and Restoration, will feature artists from the pop, rock, and country genres of music putting their own spin on some of John and longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin’s biggest hits.

Revamp will feature a collection of predominately pop and rock artists covering some of John’s hits such “Tiny Dancer” (Florence + the Machine), “Candle in the Wind” (Ed Sheeran), “Your Song” (Lady Gaga), “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” (The Killers), and many more.

In a press statement, John reveals that he created a list of artists that he wanted to commission to work on the Revamp side of the double disc.

“On Revamp, I wrote out a wish list of people that I would love and asked them and to my surprise, most of them said yes, and we have quite an astonishing eclectic crew.”

As for Restoration, the second album, John explains that it was all about Taupin and what he wanted.

“God, we have so many great artists doing our songs, it’s quite incredible. Restoration was Bernie [Taupin]’s project and he’s a huge country fan. He came up with an astonishing list of country performers, both new and legendary.”

Unlike Revamp, Restoration will feature all country music artists. The record will bring together some of the newer faces of country alongside some classic country musicians. Current stars like Little Big Town, Marren Morris, Miranda Lambert, and Kacey Musgraves will join the likes of Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and Rosanne Cash on the record.

For many of the artists featured on the records, this will not be their first time working with John and Taupin. Back in January, musicians including Sam Smith, Miley Cyrus, Alessia Cara, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, and Lady Gaga took part in CBS’ special Elton John: I’m Still Standing – A Grammy Salute. The show was put together by the Recording Academy to honor both John and Taupin for their contribution to the music world.

Revamp and Restoration currently has a tentative release date of April 6.

The covers album comes a few months after John announced his final massive outing for his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. The multi-year, 300-show excursion will kick off this fall after he wraps up his Las Vegas residency.

For now, the complete tracklisting for both Revamp and Restoration can be seen below.

Revamp Tracklisting:
1. “Bennie and the Jets” – Elton John, P!nk, Logic
2. “We All Fall in Love Sometimes” – Coldplay
3. “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues” – Alessia Cara
4. “Candle in the Wind” – Ed Sheeran
5. “Tiny Dancer” – Florence + The Machine
6. “Someone Saved My Life Tonight” – Mumford & Sons
7. “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word” – Mary J. Blige
8. “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” – Q Tip feat. Demi Lovato
9. “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” – The Killers
10. “Daniel” – Sam Smith
11. “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me” – Miley Cyrus
12. “Your Song” – Lady Gaga
13. “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” – Queens of the Stone Age

Restoration Tracklisting:
1. “Rocket Man” – Little Big Town
2. “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” – Maren Morris
3. “Sacrifice” – Don Henley and Vince Gill
4. “Take Me to the Pilot” – Brothers Osborne
5. “My Father’s Gun” – Miranda Lambert
6. “I Want Love” – Chris Stapleton
7. “Honky Cat” – Lee Ann Womack
8. “Roy Rogers” – Kacey Musgraves
9. “Please” – Rhonda Vincent and Dolly Parton
10. “The Bitch is Back” – Miley Cyrus
11. “Sad Songs (Say So Much)” – Dierks Bentley
12. “This Train Don’t Stop” – Rosanne Cash and Emmylou Harris
13. “Border Song” – Willie Nelson

Watch The Killers’ powerful video for ‘Rut’

With their massive “Wonderful, Wonderful” currently in effect and handful of music festivals already confirmed for the summer, The Killers have given fans another surprise. On Wednesday (Jan. 10), the Las Vegas-founded band unleashed the music video for their latest single, “Rut.” The over four-and-a-half-minute clip begins with the word “RUT” on the screen but shifts after displaying for a couple of seconds.

The word is soon replaced by shots of a blinking electronic clock, a set of mountains during the sunrise, and what appears to be a hole in a concrete wall. The viewer is then introduced to the two protagonists in the clip; a little girl and a woman who the viewer can assume are the same person. As the video progresses, the viewer watches as the little girl goes through some major events in her life which would probably resulted in the adult having her own issues.

During an interview with SPIN, frontman Brandon Flowers revealed that the song was inspired by his wife, Tana Mundkowsky. In the chat, Flowers revealed that Mundkowsky experiences PTSD due to a traumatizing childhood which could explain why the band decided to go this route for the music video for the song.

“I, of course, okay’ed it with her, but that ended up being a big part of this record,” Flowers explains. “And so the song is from my wife’s point of view, and it’s from her perspective. And it’s about resilience. So, she’s singing to me. It’s almost like this submission, it’s her accepting like, ‘I’m facing this thing.'”

Watch the music video for “Rut” above.

“Rut” joins previous singles “The Man” and “Run for Cover” on the Killers’ recently released record, Wonderful, Wonderful. The album, the group’s much-anticipated follow-up to 2012’s Battle Born, was met with a lot of favorable reviews from music critics. Showing the band’s resilience and the dedication of their fans, Wonderful, Wonderful  debuted at the number one spot on Billboard’s 200 chart, making it the band’s first album to reach the number one spot in the United States.

Eminem, The Killers, Muse to headline Bonnaroo 2018

Eminem, The Killers, and Muse are just some of the artists who will make their way down to Tennessee in early June for the 2018 incarnation of the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. On Tuesday (Jan. 9), festival organizers unleashed the lengthy lineup for the music festival’s seventeenth annual event.

For Eminem, Bonnaroo joins a long list of summertime music festivals the rapper will headline. As of now, the “Lose Yourself” musician will perform at California’s Coachella, Boston Calling, and New York’s Governors Ball. Like Eminem, The Killers will headline this year’s Boston Calling as well as Napa Valley’s BottleRock. As for Muse, the English band will also headline BottleRock alongside the Killers.

In addition to Eminem, the Killers, and Muse, acts like Future, Bassnectar, Paramore, Kaskade, Sturgill Simpson, Bon Iver, Khalid, Dua Lipa, Chromeo, Alt-J, Sheryl Crow, The Revivalist, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Manchester Orchestra, LANY, Sir Sly, and many more will appear at the four-day music festival. As revealed on the official flyer, Bon Iver will perform “two unique sets” during the event. Even though no additional information was given about that, fans should probably expect something cool from the Wisconsin-based band who have been quiet since the release of 2016’s 22, A Million.

Bonnaroo is set to take place during the weekend of June 7 – 10 at the Great Stage Park (aka the Farm) in Manchester, Tennessee. General ticket sale as well as VIP packages will go on sale beginning this Friday, Jan. 12, at 10 a.m. EST. For more information about Bonnaroo, head on over to the event’s website here.

The Killers, Jack White, Eminem to headline Boston Calling 2018

The Killers, Jack White, and Eminem are just some of the big names that will make their way to Boston in May for the ninth annual Boston Calling Festival. On Thursday (Jan. 4), Boston Calling joined Coachella and the Governors Ball by unveiling their lineup for the 2018 edition of the music festival. Joining the aforementioned musicians on the lineup will be Queens of the Stone Age, Paramore, Tyler, The Creator, Khalid, Portugal. The Man, Fleet Foxes, St. Vincent, The Decemberists, Manchester Orchestra, The Menzingers, Citizen, and more.

Also on the bill will be “feminist protest punk rock” band Pussy Riot. The Russian group’s appearance at Boston Calling will mark their second-ever performance at a United States music festival. Back in December, the group made their U.S. debut when they performed at Houston’s Day for Night Festival. As with the previous years, The National’s Aaron Dessner will once again curate the event.

In addition to long list of musical acts, festival organizers also announced a slew of non-music-centric events. Comedians like Jenny Slate, Cameron Esposito, Max Silvestri, Tony Hinchliffe, and others will appear at the weekend-long event while podcasts such as
Pod Save America and Lovett or Leave It will tape live at the festival.

During last year’s event, Natalie Portman was supposed to launch a film festival, but this year, it looks like the Academy Award winner will return with “a series of special programming” even though no specific details were given about what that special programming would be.

Currently, early bird tickets are available on Boston Calling’s website here. Once all the early bird tickets sell out, the ticket prices will increase to its normal prices.

Boston Calling will take place during the weekend of May 25 – 27 at its relatively new home at the Harvard Athletic Complex. Last year, the music festival moved from its longtime home of City Hall Plaza in Boston to the Harvard Athletic Complex in Allston, Massachusetts.

Green Day, Stevie Wonder, The Killers to headline the Global Citizen Festival

Green Day, the Killers, and Stevie Wonder are just some of the big names set to invade New York City later this year for the 2017 Global Citizen Festival. On Tuesday (Aug. 1), the annual, good-cause music festival announced a diverse lineup for the 2017 incarnation of the musical event. Pharrell Williams, Big Sean, Andra Day, the Lumineers, Alessia Cara, and the Chainsmokers will also be featured on the lengthy bill. According to a press release from the music festival, more special guests will be announced over the upcoming weeks.

The goal of the Global Citizen organization is to ask their followers, referred to as Global Citizens, to hold their leaders accountable for major world issues. Prior to the big concert event, Global Citizen will be campaigning to create major changes in the areas of education, food security, healthcare, gender equality, and sanitation. In addition to that, the group also aims to end poverty, take on climate change, and fight all kinds of inequalities by 2030.

“We’re grateful to be a part of this year’s Global Citizen Festival,” begins Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong in a statement. “American aid programs make a significant difference in the betterment of lives at home and around the world, and we should all want these programs to become stronger, not weaker. We all play a part in seeing this mission through and it starts with calling on all our leaders.”

“In this crucial time, there is nothing more exciting to me than having the honor of giving my gift of song, words and motivation to the Global Citizen Festival,” said two-time performer Stevie Wonder. “When we commit ourselves to life issues, we are showing love of the Most High. I was, I am and will always be, a citizen connected to the spirit of everyone on this planet moving forward. Let’s go!”

“We can’t wait to get back to our hometown of New York City and play for 60,000 people who have done amazing things to change the world,” begins the Chainsmokers’ statement. “We are so thankful to our fans for getting online and taking action to support less fortunate people around the world. We’ll see you on Sept. 23!”

The 2017 Global Citizen Festival will take place on Sept. 23 at New York’s Central Park. According to the music festival’s website, they are expecting approximately 60,000 Global Citizens to attend the musical event. Like the past years, tickets for the show will be distributed via a lottery system. Fans can get involved and informed on how to become a Global Citizen by checking out the music festival’s website here.

Listen to The Killers’ new funky song ‘The Man’

Less than a week after word spread that The Killers would be releasing a brand new song very soon and giving a teaser of it, the four-piece has finally unveiled the full version of the new track. On Wednesday (June 14), the LAs Vegas-based band unveiled the audio of their first new song in five years, Christmas songs excluded, “The Man.” Frontman Brandon Flowers headed over the Annie Mac’s BBC Radio 1 show to premiered the song as the “Hottest Record.” During the interview that followed the upbeat tune, Flowers revealed that the new album, which has been confirmed to be titled Wonderful Wonderful, was produced by Jacknife Lee and Stuart Price, who Flowers has worked with in the past.

“We mostly did it with Jacknife and then we did one song that I wrote with Stuart. But it was great, it’s always nice to bring fresh blood in and Jacknife, we have never worked with before and he’s so  creative right now and he is so energetic and sometime, you need that.”

When asked by the DJ about how the new tune sounds, Flowers said the following: “Sonically, it’s pretty funky. Funkier than anything we’ve ever done before and I do hear things that remind me of quintessential Killers things and that starts with Mark’s [Stoermer] bass line, our bass player, has a prominent feature on this song and this is what he’s really great at.” To listen to the complete interview, head on over here.

Though an official release date has not been given for Wonderful Wonderful, the new album will be the group’s fifth studio album. Wonderful Wonderful is the Killers’ follow-up to 2012’s Battle Born. Last year, they released a compilation of their previously released Christmas song and named it Don’t Waste Your Wishes.

Reports: The Killers to release new album in the fall

Update:

Surprise! Listen to a snippet of “The Man” now:

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It’s been five years since The Killers released their last studio album, so could things change this upcoming fall? On Friday (June 9), a report surfaced that fans could be a seeing a brand new album from the Las Vegas band as soon as late September. Early Friday morning, rumors began to circulate about the release time frame when Fox Sports Australia’s Fox Footy revealed that the band would be one of the headliners at this year’s Australian Football League’s grand final.

While the AFL has refused to verify its entertainment booking for the major event, Fox Footy says it was confirmed by “music industry sources.” In addition to their first show in Australia since Big Day Out in 2013, the group will also reportedly release their new album ten days before the headlining gig.

The AFL’s showcase event is set to take place on Saturday, Sept. 30 which means the still-unconfirmed new album will be released on Wednesday, Sept. 20. As it has been pointed out by several publications, new albums are typically released on Fridays, not Wednesdays (it used to be Tuesdays, but that changed in 2015).

While everything at this point is just hearsay, there may be further evidence of the band releasing a new song as soon as next week. In the same report, Fox Footy also claims that the band will release a new song titled “The Man” on Thursday, June 15. Last week, the band posted an image of frontman Brandon Flowers wearing a leather jacket with “THE MAN” sprawled across the back. Then, on Thursday (June 8), the band posted a link to a mailing list sign up on Twitter with the accompanying message, “Hear new music from The Killers before anyone else.”

The Killers’ last studio album was 2012’s Battle Born. Last year, they collected all their past Christmas singles and released them as Don’t Waste Your Wishes.

The Killers release their annual Christmas song, announce holiday album

Once Halloween passes, it almost feel like the holidays are out to get you. If the turkey dinners and holiday decorations at every store aren’t enough to let you know that “the most wonderful time of the year” is right around the corner, then the news that The Killers’ new holiday song being released might. On Friday (Nov. 18), the Las Vegas-founded band unleashed their latest holiday song, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” For the past decade, the band has released holiday songs to get fans, and casual listeners, excited for the holidays with his year being no different.

While the fans got to enjoy the new-ish music from the band, proceeds from all the tracks were donated to (RED) to help them and their mission to combat AIDs. One thing that is a little different from every other year is the band’s decision to gather all of the holiday singles and release a Christmas compilation. The album, which is titled Don’t Waste Your Wishes, will included previously released holiday singles, “Don’t Shoot Me Santa,” “Boots,” “Joel the Lump of Coal,” and others. All proceeds from the sale of the Christmas compilation will also be donated to (RED).

As if giving back to charity wasn’t enough, frontman Brandon Flowers revealed that he learned the true meaning of the holidays from his fourth grade teach, Mr. Hansen, who is featured on the 2016 holiday single. Pre-orders for Don’t Waste Your Wishes are currently available on the band’s website and on iTunes. At the moment, only the digital version is available, but come Dec. 9, physical copies of the album will be available.

Check out the complete track listing for Don’t Waste Your Wishes below.

DON’T WASTE YOUR WISHES TRACK LISTING:

1.”A Great Big Sled” feat. Toni Halliday
2. “Don’t Shoot Me Santa” feat. Ryan Pardey
3. “Joseph, Better You than Me” feat. Elton John & Neil Tennant
4. “¡Happy Birthday Guadalupe!” feat. Wild Light and Mariachi El Bronx
5. “Boots”
6. “The Cowboys’ Christmas Ball”
7. “Feel It in My Bones” feat. Ryan Pardey
8. “Christmas in L.A.” feat. Dawes
9. “Joel the Lump of Coal” feat. Jimmy Kimmel
10. “Dirt Sledding” feat. Ryan Pardey & Richard Dreyfuss
11. “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” feat. Ned Humphrey Hansen

The Killers to celebrate ‘Sam’s Town’ ten-year anniversary

The Killers’ sophomore effort, Sam’s Town, is turning ten this year, and in honor of its momentous occasion, the group has revealed some big plans to celebrate. On Monday (Aug.1 ), the Las Vegas-based band announced that they will be reissuing Sam’s Town on vinyl this fall. The vinyl reissue will feature two tracks not on the original release; a demo of “Peace of Mind” and “Read My Mind (Pet Shop Boys Stars Are Blazing Mix).” The band will release a limit amount of copies (5,016 to be exact) which will include a coffee table-style booklet.

In addition to the reissue of the album, the band has also announced a two-day “Decennial Extravaganza” which will take place at Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall in Las Vegas on Friday, Sept. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 1. The weekend will include performances by The Killers on Friday and Saturday night as well as a tour of iconic Killers-related locations in Las Vegas.

Tickets for The Killers’ fan club will go on sale beginning this Wednesday, Aug. 3 at 10 a.m. PST. General tickets will then go on sale beginning Friday, Aug. 5 at 10 a.m. PST. All profits from the event will go to support local Las Vegas charities for the homeless as well as addiction recovery.

Back in May, the four-piece announced that longtime bassist Mark Stoermer would no longer join the group on tour. Since all the celebration is set to take place in Las Vegas, there’s a huge possibility that the bassist will be present for both festive days.

The Killers bassist to take a break from touring

The Killers’ summer plans may include a handful of summer music festivals, but don’t expect to see the full lineup at all those dates. On Tuesday (May 24), the band released a statement announcing that longtime bassist Mark Stoermer would no longer be joining the group on tour. While at first it sounds like Stoermer had left the Las Vegas four-piece, the group has reassured fans that it’s not a departure, but more of a hiatus.

In the press release the group sent exclusively to Alternative Nation, they explain that Stoermer is still very much involved with the band’s still-in-the-works fifth studio album. In addition to that they tease that fans shouldn’t be “surprised if you see him on stage from time to time.” Read the band’s statement below.

“Mark has decided to take a break from The Killers touring—but don’t be surprised if you see him on stage from time to time. Everyone supports Mark’s decision to take a break to pursue other educational goals and releasing a solo album. The four of us continue to work on our fifth studio album together, and we’re all excited about the new songs we’re writing. More to come…”

A few publications like NME and GigWise are speculating that American singer-songwriter Jake Blanton may replace Stoermer on tour. Blanton previously filled in for the bassist back in 2013 when Stoermer was unable to play the shows in the far east.