LiveDaily News Break, May 1: R.E.M., New Kids on the Block, Mariah Carey and more
Today's edition features news and tour information about R.E.M. , Melissa Etheridge , Jonny Lang and New Kids on the Block . We'll also list off this week's Top 5 best-selling albums.
* * *
Alt-rock heroes R.E.M. have added a few more gigs to their North American tour in support of their new album, "Accelerate," which surfaced last month and made its debut at No. 2 on The Billboard 200 chart. The group's tour is set to kick off May 23 in Vancouver and then visit a host of amphitheaters across the US through late June.
* * *
Melissa Etheridge has pumped up her tour schedule significantly as the June 15 launch date for her 2008 summer roadtrip draws closer. The singer/songwriter has added dates all over the country as she gets ready to return to the road in support of last year's "The Awakening," which is her first new studio release since 2004.
* * *
Blues musician Jonny Lang plans to continue to backing his latest album, 2006's "Turn Around," during a massive spring and summer tour. Lang is scheduled to shove off with a show tomorrow night in Memphis, and his itinerary is packed tight through the end of August.
* * *
New Kids on the Block have announced the first round of dates for their international reunion tour. The group will give its first live performance in more than a dozen years May 16 on NBC's "Today" show, and will follow that up with appearances at radio festivals in East Rutherford, NJ, and Mansfield, MA. After that, the vocal group will take a break before launching a full-on North American tour in late September.
* * *
Pop diva Mariah Carey 's latest album, "E=MC2" moved about 182,000 copies during its second week in stores, enough to hold onto to the top spot on The Billboard 200 chart. Carey outsold Leona Lewis' "Spirit," which settles in at No. 2 for its second consecutive week. Meanwhile, the self-titled debut album from parody musical duo Flight of the Conchords enters the chart at No. 3, Ashlee Simpson's "Bittersweet World" debuts at No. 4, and Atmosphere's "When Life Gives You Lemons" enters the chart at No. 5.
- Artist Links:
Chris Brown, Rihanna, Kanye West, Alicia Keys lead AMAs [November 2008]
Mariah Carey, others tapped for Grammy nominee special [November 2008]
Featured Photos: Voodoo Music Experience Day 3, New Orleans LA - Oct. 26, 2008 [October 2008]
R.E.M. preps 25th anniversary edition of debut album [October 2008]
Live Review: New Kids on the Block in Glendale, AZ [October 2008]
Eagles land more 'Long Road' gigs
Willie Nelson's tour bus rolls into spring
The Watson Twins stoke 'Fire' on headlining trek
Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton dies at 60
Cheech & Chong reunion to stay lit through spring
Michael Franti & Spearhead in SF 2006
Bjork at the Coachella Festival 2007
Top 100 Best Photos of 2008
Lil Wayne in Oakland California 2008
Nas at the Hammerstein Ballroom NYC 2008
NOFX with Vans Warped Tour in SF 2006
"Q101 Twisted XV" in Chicago Illinois 2008
Disturbed at "Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival" 2008
Morrissey at SxSW in Austin Texas 2006
Oasis at Madison Square Garden in NYC 2008

