Sam Ryder champions increased access to live music
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27 minutes ago
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Bad Bunny's Puerto Rico Takeover
Few entertainers have redefined the boundaries of language and sound quite like Bad Bunny, whose rise from SoundCloud obscurity to global icon status has made him a genre-shattering force. Even fans who don't speak a word of Spanish find themselves captivated by his poetic lyricism and hypnotic melodies -- proof that emotion and rhythm can transcend any linguistic barrier. Now, as he returns to his native Puerto Rico for an extended residency, it feels like a full-circle moment for an artist who has never stopped waving the flag for his island -- whether on international stages or in the verses that put his homeland on the map. When Benito announced a 30-show residency in January at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot, we immediately knew it would signify a monumental shift for the industry and a financial boon for the Caribbean archipelago. There was a curious anticipation for what we could expect, but obvious certainty that it would be a thoughtfully curated production packed with certain motifs only understandable by residents who resonate with Bad Bunny's frustration about growing gentrification in Puerto Rico and other political realities. The first organized residency done by any artist in Puerto Rico, it's no surprise people wanted to see for themselves why Bad Bunny is so deeply in love with his homeland. Within four hours of tickets going on sale for the "No Me Quiero Ir De Aquí" residency, they were already sold out for the 18,500-seat venue. The first nine shows were reserved just for Puerto Rican residents, another example of how Bad Bunny prioritizes a community that never doubted his potential from the early days. From there, hospitality officials jumped into action to pull off an extraordinary experience for visitors. Ahead of the three-month residency's start, it was already estimated that it would significantly stimulate the island's economy by at least $181 million and generate well over 35,000 hotel night bookings. Tourism jobs, which typically sit at around 100,000 on the island of 3.2 million people, could see a temporary spike of about 3%. In total, about 600,000 people are expected to visit Puerto Rico for the concert alone, which is roughly double the number of visitors the island usually gets. This is what happens when the biggest artist on Earth reinvests in his roots. From Local Hero to Global Host In front of a full house on July 11, the opening night of "No Me Quiero Ir De Aquí" set the tone for what future attendees can expect. A three-hour ode to heritage, it began with a lesson on Puerto Rico's complex roots. Prior to Benito taking the stage, a giant screen flashed facts and messages in Spanish like "Puerto Rico is an archipelago, not just an island," "Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States, but it has its own flag, culture, and identity," and "Puerto Rico has two native musical genres: bomba and plena," an homage to its African and working-class ethics. How do you pack six albums' worth of hits into a few hours? An ambitious task, but no match for the guy whose creativity almost feels limitless at times. The setlist tracks from the 31-year-old's just-released (I Should Have Taken More Photos) and singles anyone with a social media account has heard over and over. In total, over 30 songs spanning three hours and genres such as reggaetón, salsa, bomba, trap, and plena, a true melting pot of the island's diverse sound. It's clear the music is for Puerto Ricans, about Puerto Ricans, from perhaps the most famous Puerto Rican. With enough wardrobe changes to rival Beyoncé, the Grammy Award winner's first look features a beige Taíno-inspired ensemble with straw accents and a winter-trapper-style hat. From there, exquisite suiting in vibrant colors and more casual sets paired with sneakers from his long-running adidas partnership. Between the dancers working overtime and a crowd screaming the lyrics to every song, it's a pleasant display of sensory overload. Puerto Rico has long been a wellspring of cultural influence, with its music, style, and message of resilience symbolizing an abundant reminder that happiness awaits on the other side of conflict. The island never needed Bad Bunny to validate its impact, but through his vision and massive platform, he's created something more: an immersive celebration that invites both residents and visitors to witness its brilliance firsthand. In doing so, he ensures that Puerto Rico's voice isn't just heard -- it echoes, unmistakably and indelibly, across the world. Read More: Film & TV July 25, 2025 In 'Happy Gilmore 2', Adam Sandler Creates a Sequel Worth Cheering For Execs & Entrepreneurs July 25, 2025 How Masai Ujiri Helped Shape the NBA's African Revolution Music July 24, 2025 On Record: Jeezy Talks the Making of 'Go Crazy' and 'Thug Motivation 101' Media July 24, 2025 Taylor Rooks on Building Legacy and Her Next Power Move Sports July 23, 2025 More Than a Game: Boardroom & Chase Celebrate the Rise of the W Sports July 23, 2025 Eugenio Suárez, Seth Lugo, & 10 Key Names to Watch at the MLB Trade Deadline
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Hear Hayley Williams Debut New Song ‘Mirtazapine' on Nashville Radio
Hayley Williams shared a new song, titled 'Mirtazapine,' on Tuesday night on Nashville radio station WNXP. The track, named for a common antidepressant, is a mid-tempo, shoegazey rock number that sees the Paramore singer unleashing her signature howling vocals. Williams posted a fuzzy photo of a bottle of Mirtazapine on Instagram before the song premiered, hinting at its thematic tone. 'Here comes my genie in a screw cap bottle/ To grant me temporary solace,' she sings on the track. 'I could never be without her/ I had to write a song about her/ Who am I without you now?/ Mirtazapine, you make me eat, you make me sleep/ Mirtazapine, you let me dream.' More from Rolling Stone Zac Farro Is One of One on Latest Solo Single '1' Paramore and HalfNoise's Zac Farro Announces Solo Album 'Operator' Billie Eilish Breaks, Mends Our Hearts With 'The Only Exception' Paramore Cover WNXP Nashville revealed earlier in the day that the station would be premiering new solo music from Williams. The station posted the news on X along with a video of a CD that listed two song titles: 'Mirtazapine' and 'Glum.' Williams released her last solo LP, Flowers for Vases/Descansos, in 2021. She recently lent her vocals to Turnstile's song 'Seein' Stars,' off the band's new album Never Enough. She also collaborated with Moses Sumney on his song 'I Like It I Like It,' which dropped in May. In 2023, Paramore released their sixth album, This Is Why. The rock band spent much of last year on the road with Taylor Swift in support of the Eras Tour. Williams spoke about her ongoing struggle with depression in an interview with Rolling Stone around the album, noting that This Is Why was the first time she felt comfortable addressing the issue in song. 'People talk about anger and depression being so related because depression is like when you turn your anger inwards,' she said. 'And I think that there's bits of that anger mixed with bits of this real understanding of how frustrating it can feel to wake up with depression. Depression about your own choices, depression about the state of the world, depression about lost relationships or connections, or purpose. All that stuff is so heavy and you can't control it. So by this point, writing This Is Why — having learned about my own experience and looking at it head on — I think that it's interesting to think of that being a foundational point to the angst and the anxiousness and worry that This Is Why holds.' Best of Rolling Stone Sly and the Family Stone: 20 Essential Songs The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Rare Hulk stretch toy sells for thousands of pounds at auction
A stretch toy of Marvel's The Hulk, which has been described as one of the 'rarest stretch toys in existence', has sold for thousands of pounds, according to Excalibur Auctions. The figure, which appears to be one of only 30 known examples of the original Hulk stretch figure from 1979 known to still exist, was sold to a private collector on Saturday at the Excalibur Auctions Vintage Toys, Diecast Models & Model Railways auction for £3,900. Originally estimated between £3,000 and £5,000, the final sale set a new record in the UK for 'a figure of its kind', according to the auction house. Jonathan Torode, from Excalibur Auctions, said: 'We were excited to offer this rare piece of nostalgia today, which set a UK auction record for a figure of its kind. 'We saw competitive bidding on the phones and internet, with it finally winning out to a UK private collector, where we hope it will be as cherished by its new owner as much as it has been by its previous one.' The character the toy is based on was created by the American comic book writer and producer Stan Lee and comic artist Jack Kirby, appearing in comic form for the first time in May 1962 under the Marvel name. He was later portrayed across TV, film, cartoon and video games as The Incredible Hulk – the alter ego of the physicist Dr Bruce Banner, who transformed into the superhero when he was angry or under extreme stress. A range of actors have since portrayed the character over the years, including Eric Bana in The Hulk (2003), Edward Norton in The Incredible Hulk (2008) and Mark Ruffalo in The Avengers (2012). The toy was described as being in 'mint' condition after being kept out of the light, upright, and in its original packaging over the years. The Hulk figure also came with its original instructions and has never been offered for sale since it was bought in 1979, according to the auction house. Produced by renowned toymaker Denys Fisher (1918-2002), the figure came directly from its original owner who had begged his mother for one as a child. It was originally part of Kenner's 'Stretch Armstrong' line and was later licensed under Denys Fisher in the UK. Fisher, who developed the Spirograph, grew up in the Leeds area and later lived in Dumfries and Cumbria. The Hulk stretch figure was filled with corn syrup to enable it to stretch and was made using the same latex and gel moulds as those used for the Stretch Armstrong figure. However, its green skin colouring, the Hulk head and the Marvel branding set it apart from the Stretch Armstrong toy. Manufactured in Thorp Arch, Wetherby, the toy was sold in limited quantities only in the UK, through select mail order catalogues and a handful of shops.
