Drawing a crowd of nearly 75,000 punters over last Saturday and Sunday (Aug 4-5), the Virgin Festival in Baltimore played host to reunited headliners Smashing Pumpkins and The Police , as well as the full Wu-Tang Clan (minus O.D.B. R.I.P.), Beastie Boys, LCD Soundsystem, M.I.A., Felix Da Housecat, Girl Talk, Regina Spektor, Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Miguel Migs, Amy Winehouse, Paolo Nutini and many others of the...

It's almost the real thing. Jill Scott's new album sampler for The Real Thing (CD out Sept. 25) is up for grabs to the first 5,000 users of her label Hidden Beach Recordings' website . Although it does require signing up, our only complaint is that it's over too quickly! The Real Thing Sampler Tracklist 1. Breathe 2. Crown Royal 3. Come See Me 4. All...

Having already rocked the US with their DJ sets last year, the French members of Justice , who released their debut album † in June, have put together a live rig and are ready to tour America this coming fall. Expect a gigantic luminescent crucifix set upon a mass of machinery and wiring, and a thrilling live performance to rival Daft Punk. Justice's Tour Dates 10.07 - San Diego, CA (4th & B) 10.09 - Los Angeles, CA (Henry Fonda Theater) 10.10 - San...

On the same covers tip as his recent album Version , Mark Ronson does a number on Bob Dylan's "Most Likely You'll Go Your Way (and I'll Go Mine)," transforming it into another full-bodied feel-good funk tune. Special note: it is the first time Dylan has ever approved a remix from a producer. You can preview it from his MySpace now.

69 year old vocalist Etta James , who underwent abdominal surgery a month ago, has been admitted to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles due to complications in her recovery from the operation. Although James had a tour scheduled with fellow blues artist B.B. King and the minister of soul Al Green , "her doctor advised that were she to do so, it would put her at very great risk," according to her manager. With Chaka Khan substituting for James on the tour...

WOMEX , the annual world music expo held in Sevilla, Spain, has announced its full 2007 showcase list. With more than 50 artists and DJs booked, the convention is sure to satisfy all of your eclectic tastes for international flavors this October 24-28. 2007 Showcase List 3canal (Trinidad & Tobago) Abdeljalil Kodssi (Morocco/Spain) Aman Aman (Spain) Badila (India/Iran/France) Bajofondo Tangoclub (Argentina/Uruguay) Balkan Beat Box (Israel/USA) Caravan Palace...

In recent speculation, both Prince and Joni Mitchell were both candidates for Starbucks' sophomore signing. Now, the company's record label Hear Music has announced that Mrs. Mitchell, who has completed her new album entitled Shine (out Sept. 25th), contacted it and agreed to a one CD deal. The release, which is said to include 9 original pieces along with an updated version of the classic "Big Yellow...

Beggars Group , a massive conglomerate of Matador, 4AD, XL Recordings, Playlouder, Too Pure, Mo' Wax among others, recently acquired Rough Trade records, an imprint plagued by unfortunate financial losses . Since late 2006, Sanctuary Group - then owner of Rough Trade - had considered selling said label, and now Beggars Group has come to the rescue of Rough Trade, while Univeral records has taken over Sanctuary...

Facebook has officially entered into the fore for networking musical successes. The friend networking site played an integral role in bringing together members of Blake , the first band to sign to a major label through the site, sealing a 5-album deal with Universal for £1 million (approx. 2 million USD). Built around a love for classical music, the mid-twenties music and drama major graduates Stephen Bowman, Jules Knight, Dominic Tighe and Oliver Baines ...

Ken Lombard , CEO of Starbucks' record label Hear Music , spoke at the MusicMeetsBrand conference on Wednesday (7/18), stating that Prince is an ideal candidate for the company's next signing, proceeding the opening success of Paul McCartney's latest full-length Memory Almost Full . The royal pop artist recently gave away his newest album Planet Earth for free weeks before the offical release date via the Mail on...