Latest news with #Steven
Montreal Gazette
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Montreal Gazette
Dunlevy: Jazz fest turns into giant Nigerian pop party for free outdoor blowout
'Montreal, can you hear me?' bellowed the DJ who came out to warm up the crowd just past 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. 'Who's ready for Ayra Starr? There are two rules: you gotta sing or you gotta dance. You can't do neither, alright?' It was the midpoint free outdoor blowout at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, and like her name implies, Starr is a star. The 23-year-old, Grammy-nominated Nigerian Afrobeats singer, born Sarah Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, is one of many artists in the surging music genre that is taking over the globe. The proof was in the massive, multicultural crowd that filled the festival site on Tuesday night. 'Look at the density,' jazz fest co-founder André Ménard marvelled, pointing to the throngs of young people extending all the way down Jeanne-Mance St. to Ste-Catherine. 'C'est jam-packed,' said Evenko media relations manager Christine Montreuil. The rain held off and much fun was had by all. In the crowd an hour before showtime was Rogeyatou Kanteh. A native of Gambia, the 28-year-old has been in Canada for just over a year, moving between Montreal and Ottawa. She had come down to the jazz fest site 'just to have fun.' 'It's important to be outside and refresh your brain,' said Kanteh, who noted Starr is 'not my kind of artist, but I know I will enjoy it. She's an R&B artist; I enjoy Afrobeats, but I'm not familiar with her songs.' Jevenson Dominique, 32, and his friend Steven (who preferred to give only his first name), 25, didn't hesitate to declare themselves Starr-struck. 'We like her style,' Steven said. 'I love Afro music,' Dominique explained. 'And she's hot,' he added, with a chuckle. The two were waiting for a crew of about 10 people to join them. In the peer group of the two Haitian-Québécois men, Starr's free performance was an event. 'She's the crush of our friends,' Steven said. 'It's exciting,' offered Dominique, who hadn't seen Starr perform before. 'We're looking forward to it.' Maezie Holubowicz-Levington, 19, and Lucie Mitima, 20, know each other from a downtown brasserie chain they work at. Mitima arrived in Montreal in January from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where she discovered Starr's music on YouTube and TikTok. 'She sings well,' Mitima said. 'She's pretty, too,' Holubowicz-Levington mused, adding that the two friends had come down 'to spend time together.' 'To feel good, dance and sing if we have to,' Mitima riffed. They pretty much had to. Starr took the stage at 9:40 p.m. with a beckoning look and a shake of her hips as she shimmied into her smoothly funky hit Fashion Killer. Flanked by four male dancers and backed by an air-tight band, she controlled the stage like a pop star on par with Beyoncé, Rihanna or any other modern American chart-topper. And if you have any doubt that that's where she's headed, know that Starr is signed to Republic Records in North America, home to Taylor Swift and Lorde, among others. She turned and shook her behind for the audience, drawing cheers during Control. Her moves garnered roars of approval throughout the night. Fans pulled out their phones to record the action during Bloody Samaritan, while Starr cooed and grooved to the bumping club beat. She stuck around for the first few minutes of a DJ interlude to shake her money maker with her beat-maker, a smile on her face as she sang the words to the dance hits he dropped, including David Guetta's Titanium feat. Sia, which elicited a massive singalong from the crowd. Starr bantered with the audience upon her return. 'Everybody's good?' She asked, reading signs held up by fans in the front, including 'My first concert' and 'Do you want to be my copine?' She led a chant of 'Away, away, away ah-ah' during her 2021 single Away. And the crowd went wild in the final stretch for her hits All the Love, Commas and Rush. In the grand list of jazz fest moments, this was one to remember: the night the Montreal International Jazz Festival turned into a giant, jubilant Nigerian pop party.
Metro
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Legendary 70s rock band tease reunion tour after retiring over serious injury
Aerosmith's founding member Joe Perry has teased a possible reunion tour, which would come as a shock to fans after frontman Steven Tyler's vocal issues. Last year the I Don't Want To Miss A Thing hitmakers announced they would not be touring again after Steven, 77, damaged his vocal cords during the band's Peace Out tour in 2023. 10 months into their Peace Out Farewell Tour – which saw a string of concerts rescheduled – the band announced Steven's 'recovery from his vocal injury is not possible' and said they had made the 'heartbreaking and difficult decision' to retire from touring. Following a one-off charity performance in February, former Guns N' Roses drummer Matt Sorum shared an update on his friend Steven, saying: 'Now, is he going to tour again? No, he's not. 'Because, and I explained this to people, Steven cannot put himself under the rigors of doing a full worldwide tour because there's a lot of pressure.' Now, Aerosmith guitarist Joe has given fresh hope for fans of the 70s rock band in an interview on the SiriusXM show Trunk Nation. 'I don't know man. We're talking about it. We're all alive and well, so we will just have to see,' he said of future gigs. 'I know there's going to be at least another Aerosmith gig, and I'm not looking forward to putting the setlist together for that one.' Asked whether Steven would be up to – and up for – it, Joe said: 'I think he would, but it's a matter of getting there. We're up there man, and it's a lot. 'With Covid and everyone being home for that length of time, it was like, 'Oh, so this is how other people live. Sleeping in your own bed every night.' 'I don't think I've gone a year without something on the calendar and having to be somewhere. So that's the bigger picture. I don't know. I got enough left in me, I still want to do it.' Sharing a statement on social media in August the band thanked fans for their support over the decades. 'It was 1970 when a spark of inspiration became Aerosmith. Thanks to you, our Blue Army, that spark caught flame and has been burning for over five decades. 'Some of you have been with us since the beginning and all of you are the reason we made rock 'n' roll history,' it began. 'It has been the honor of our lives to have our music become part of yours. In every club, on every massive tour and at moments grand and private you have given us a place in the soundtrack of your lives. 'We've always wanted to blow your mind when performing. As you know, Steven's voice is an instrument like no other. 'He has spent months tirelessly working on getting his voice to where it was before his injury. 'We've seen him struggling despite having the best medical team by his side. Sadly, it is clear that a full recovery from his vocal injury is not possible. 'We have made a heartbreaking and difficult, but necessary, decision – as a band of brothers – to retire from the touring stage.' More Trending It concluded: 'We are grateful beyond words for everyone who was pumped to get on the road with us one last time. Grateful to our expert crew, our incredible team and the thousands of talented people who've made our historic runs possible. 'A final thank you to you – the best fans on planet Earth. Play our music loud, now and always. Dream On. You've made our dreams come true.' The band's line-up had mostly remained for much of the past five decades, with the other four members being Joe, Tom Hamilton, Joey Kramer and Brad Whitford. Aerosmith is the best-selling American hard rock band of all time, having sold more than 150 million records worldwide, including over 85 million records in the United States. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: What happens next in Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial after jury reaches partial verdict MORE: Pirates of the Caribbean and Leatherface actor Bob Elmore dies aged 65 MORE: Star Trek actor Peter-Henry Schroeder dies aged 90
Korea Herald
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Boy group AHOF makes emotional debut with 'Who We Are'
AHOF, the first K-pop boy band launched by F&F Entertainment, made an emotional debut Tuesday with its first EP, "Who We Are," following months of preparation documented on a local TV audition show. The nine-member group was formed through SBS TV's 2024–25 reality competition show "Universe League," which followed contestants as they competed to join a new K-pop act. The final lineup includes Steven, Seo Jeongwoo, Cha Woongki, Zhang Shuaibo, Park Han, JL, Park Juwon, Chih En and Daisuke -- hailing from South Korea, Australia, Taiwan, the Philippines, Japan and China. AHOF, an acronym for "All-time Hall of Famer," also resembles the Korean word for "nine," which the agency said symbolizes both imperfection and potential for growth -- reflecting the group's ambitions in the global K-pop industry. Expressing his feelings about the debut, Daisuke, the Japanese member, said at a press showcase in Seoul, "I'm truly happy. We want to share our music first with the fans who helped make our dreams come true." Seo Jeongwoo described the debut EP as a reflection of the group's own journey. "It contains our raw emotions -- the fear and anxiety we felt ahead of our debut, and our gratitude toward our fans," he said. Several members, including Steven and Zhang Shuaibo, have previously debuted in other groups. Steven, visibly emotional, said, "I'm just so happy that all nine of us were able to debut together." Zhang added, "It means a lot to stand on stage under the name AHOF." JL, who previously worked in the Philippines, also teared up as he said, "I've held onto the dream of becoming a K-pop idol for a long time. I'm so happy and thrilled to be able to achieve that dream with the name AHOF. I also expect my experience in the Philippines to have a positive influence on AHOF." Asked what distinguishes AHOF from other young boy groups, Park Juwon pointed to the group's diverse strengths. "We're confident in our visuals, vocals, rap and performance," he said. "Having gone through a survival competition, we've also gained stage experience and a sense of professionalism that will show in our performances." Members also cited the group's international composition as a key asset. "Having members from different countries is a strength," Cha Woongki said. "We hope to meet fans around the world in person and build a unique fan culture for AHOF through direct communication with them." Looking ahead, members shared their aspirations. "I believe in dreaming big," Park Han said. "Topping the charts is our goal. If we hit number one, I think I'd just stare at my phone all day in disbelief." Chih En added, "I want to win Rookie of the Year because it's an award you can only receive once after debuting. I'd love to share that moment with my bandmates." (Yonhap)
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Joe Perry teases Aerosmith could make a live return after 2024 retirement announcement
Aerosmith could make a live return, guitarist Joe Perry has teased. The legendary American rock band announced in 2024 that they would be retiring from touring in the wake of Steven Tyler's serious vocal injury. The singer fractured his larynx as well as having damaged vocal cords. Now, Joe has admitted that there could be a time in the future when the band decide to get back on stage together and he wants to be able to perform a final Aerosmith show. During an appearance on SiriusXM's Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk, Perry was asked if fans could ever see Aerosmith on stage again, to which the musician replied: "Well, yeah, I'm always hoping, but going on the road, it's a big deal pulling that together.' Perry, 74, also admitted that touring is now much more demanding for him and his Aerosmith bandmates because they are not young men anymore. He added: "There's so much planning, and what it takes out of you physically, it's a lot more than people realise." 'It's one thing when you're doing it when you're 25 or 30, but it's another when you're starting to get up there like us. It's a really physical thing, going out on stage.' Love in an Elevator songwriter Perry is sure that Tyler would be able to sing a full concert again if he could get the strength back in his voice. Asked if Steven could perform a full show, Joe said: "You know, I think he would. I think it's just a matter of getting there, you know? I mean, it's like, you know, I mean, we're up there, man. "I've got enough left in me. I still wanna do [a final Aerosmith show]... So, we'll see what happens.' Tyler, 77, made his first public performance since Aerosmith announced their retirement in January when he sang at a Janie's Fund charity event. Perry will be touring across the US this summer with his group The Joe Perry Project. Aerosmith announced their retirement from touring in August 2024 due to Steven's inability so sing live due to his injury. The band's statement read: "As you know, Steven's voice is an instrument like no other. "He has spent months tirelessly working on getting his voice to where it was before his injury. We've seen him struggling despite having the best medical team by his side. "Sadly, it is clear that a full recovery from his vocal injury is not possible. We have made a heart-breaking and difficult, but necessary, decision – as a band of brothers – to retire from the touring stage."
Daily Record
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Phone charger 'blew up and set bed on fire' seconds after Scot plugged it in
Steven Craig had only just plugged his phone in after buying the new lead from a local shop and seconds later his bed was ablaze. A Scots man's mattress was engulfed in flames after a new mobile phone cable 'blew up' in his bed. Steven Craig, from Carntyne in Glasgow, had only just purchased the new £9.99 charging lead from a local shop. Seconds after plugging it in, the cable exploded and he was left fighting a blaze, reports Glasgow Live. The 37-year-old said: 'I put my phone on charge, went for a shower. About ten seconds into the shower, the smoke alarms started going off. 'I'm used to that happening, a little puff of smoke can set them off, so I've ran out the shower, grabbed a mop, and I'm standing in the hall with a mop, hitting the button on the ceiling. Then I looked, and my bedroom was full of smoke.' 'If it wasn't for the smoke alarms I'd have had no chance,' said Steven, who added the flames were 'high and orange' by the time he got to them, just seconds after the fire broke out. He continued: 'My mattress was on fire. I started hitting the bed with the mop, and the mop caught fire. The plastic in the mattress started melting.' Steven ran to the kitchen and filled a bucket of water before throwing it over the burning mattress. He did this three times before the fire was fully extinguished. He said the charging wire was 'all melted and cremated. All the metal inside it was pure red-hot. It was definitely a faulty wire.' Council worker Steven added: 'The scary thing is, if I had been out, Glasgow Live would have been reporting outside from behind a police cordon. The bed would have fully caught fire and it would have gone up to the loft and burned through the whole block.' It took Steven around 50 seconds to quench the fire. His block has twelve residents. He added: 'If I had been out, it would have been absolutely catastrophic; it would have been headline news.' Steven is now sleeping on the couch. He contacted Core, the manufacturer of the wire, over the weekend. "They should be compensating me for a new bed," said Steven. "Lives could have been lost." A spokesperson for Core said: 'This is an incident that we have only just been made aware of. We treat any incidents of this type (which happily, are very rare, despite the very large number of cables that we supply) very seriously. 'It is incredibly hard for us to comment on the root cause of any incident without access to the original product and full details of how it was being used – we are currently trying to establish this.' The spokesperson added any one of the cable, the charger or mobile device, or a combination of these elements, could have been responsible for the fire. The spokesperson continued: 'We are a reputable manufacturer. We ensure all our products are compliant with the relevant UK electrical standards, we undertake testing both at the pre-production stage and we undertake sample batch testing. 'We have a very robust compliance process that ensures all customers can have faith in the safety of Core products. As noted below, we sell a substantial number of cables (and other mobile accessories) every year with very few reported incidents, all of which are thoroughly investigated.'
