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Review: A Star-Studded Night Two at iHeartRadio Music Festival 2024 with Hozier, Doja Cat, The Weeknd and More

If you thought Friday night at the iHeartRadio Music Festival was a wild ride, Saturday night took things to a whole new level. With a lineup that stretched from country superstar Keith Urban to pop sensation Doja Cat, and closing out with The Weeknd’s electrifying performance, it was like playing every card in the deck—and winning big every time. The second night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas had something for every music lover, from the nostalgic beats of New Kids On the Block to the heart-wrenching soul of Hozier. And with special guests and surprise debuts, this show turned out to be a sure bet.

With performances that felt like hitting the jackpot time and time again, the energy in the crowd was electric from the moment New Kids On the Block helped kick things off. The night featured everything from intimate acoustic moments to high-octane pop anthems, and every artist brought their A-game. Las Vegas may be known for its blinding lights and high stakes, but the real magic on Saturday was inside the arena, where music reigned supreme.

New Kids On the Block: And a Nostalgic Crossover

Opening night two was none other than the boy band legends themselves, New Kids On the Block. Decked out in classic ‘90s swagger, they took the crowd on a trip down memory lane with “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” and “Step by Step.” But the real surprise hand came when they brought out Flavor Flav to join them for an unexpected mash-up of “Hangin’ Tough” and Queen’s “We Will Rock You.” It was the perfect mix of nostalgia and Vegas-style showmanship, and the crowd ate it up. For fans of the old school, this was the moment they had been betting on.

Big Sean Represents for the Rappers

Next up was Big Sean, and he didn’t come to play—well, not just to play. Sean tore through a high-energy set that included the live debut of “It Is What It Is” and classics like “Mercy” and “Bounce Back.” Dressed in black leather over a white tee, Sean looked every bit the rap star, and the crowd couldn’t get enough when he dropped “I Don’t F*ck With You.” His performance was as entertaining as ever, reminding everyone that Big Sean’s always a Big Deal when it comes to live performances.

Keith Urban Gives Vegas some Country Sounds

Keith Urban brought his signature mix of country and rock to the stage, opening with “Straight Line.” Dressed in black pants and a red plaid shirt, Urban reminded everyone that country can hold its own in a festival lineup packed with pop and hip-hop stars. “Blue Ain’t Your Color” had the crowd swaying, while “Wasted Time” brought the energy right back up. Urban’s guitar skills were on full display, and he played every note like it was a winning hand.

Victoria Monét: Pure R&B Gold

Victoria Monét made her iHeartRadio debut with a performance that was pure gold. Opening with “Alright,” she delivered an effortlessly smooth R&B set that included crowd favorites like “Ass Like That” and the sultry “Jaguar.” Monét commanded the stage with elegance and swagger, and when she closed out with “On My Mama,” the audience was right there with her. Her performance was a slow burn, building the energy perfectly for the artists to follow.

Chris Martin: Acoustic Heartstrings

Chris Martin’s set brought the crowd to a quiet, intimate place with acoustic versions of Coldplay classics like “A Sky Full of Stars” and “Viva la Vida.” Performing in his signature understated style, Martin reminded the audience why his songs are the soundtrack to so many lives. In a surprise moment, he brought out Elyanna to join him on the track “We Pray,” adding an extra layer of magic to an already stellar set. For a moment, it felt like we were all gathered around a campfire, listening to stories told through song.

Hozier: Soulful and Soaring

Hozier followed with a hauntingly beautiful set that included “Nobody’s Soldier,” “Work Song,” and, of course, his massive hit “Take Me to Church.” Dressed in an all-grey suit, Hozier looked like a man who had wandered straight out of a dream, and his voice matched that vibe perfectly. His performance was a masterclass in soulful vulnerability, making everyone in the crowd feel like they were part of something deeply intimate—even in an arena of thousands.

Halsey: Fiery and Fearless

Halsey, fresh off her engagement to Avan Jogia, hit the stage with fire and passion—and red hair to match. She opened with “Nightmare” and powered through hits like “Without Me” and “Closer.” Dressed in a dress shirt, suspenders, and pants, Halsey looked fierce and fearless, delivering every song with the intensity she’s known for. The raw emotion of “You Should Be Safe” hit hard, but she quickly flipped the energy back up with her closing track, “Ego.” Halsey doesn’t hold back, and Saturday night was no exception.

Doja Cat Delivers

Doja Cat scratched her way to the top with a high-energy set that kept everyone on their feet. She opened with the “WYM Freestyle” before launching into “Demons” and fan-favorite “Say So.” In a white tank top and gray pants, Doja kept it simple—but her performance was anything but. “Agora Hills” had the crowd hyped, and by the time she finished with “Paint the Town Red,” it was clear she had solidified her status as a pop powerhouse. Every move, every beat—Doja Cat owned the night.

The Weeknd: Full Production, Full Perfection

Closing out night two was none other than The Weeknd, and if you thought his performance was just going to be a few songs and done, think again. The full production set featured about 50 dancers, perfectly complementing his stage presence. He opened with his new single “Dancing in the Flames” and kept the energy high with “Take My Breath” and “Blinding Lights.” When he closed with “Dancing in the Flames” again—this time the full version—it felt like he had taken the crowd through a journey and brought them back again. It was the perfect final act for a night that had already seen so many highlights.

And That’s a Wrap

Night two of the iHeartRadio Music Festival was everything fans could have hoped for and more. With a lineup that delivered hit after hit, it was a fitting end to an unforgettable weekend. From The Weeknd’s fiery finale to Keith Urban’s country-rock swagger, there was something for everyone. Here’s to another jackpot weekend of music magic in Las Vegas!

Tove Lo & AlunaGeorge Will Join Coldplay’s 2017 Tour

BY TER STAFF

Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration
Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration

Currently on her headlining Lady Wood Tour, in support of her new LP of the same name, singer Tove Lo is one of the artists who have just been added to Coldplay’s huge forthcoming 2017 tour. Also joining the stadium tour for a number of dates will be synthpop duo, AlunaGeorge.

While Tove Lo will support the A Head Full of Dreams band for performances in Seattle, Canada, Portland, San Francisco and San Diego, through the end of September and the beginning of October, AlunaGeorge will join Chris Martin and company through most of August, including a stop at Chicago’s Soldier Field.

Check out Tove Lo’s headlining and Tove Lo & AlunaGeorge’s supporting North American tour dates for Coldplay below.

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Coldplay Announces “Head Full of Dreams” 2017 Tour Dates

BY TER STAFF

Photo by Getty Images
Photo by Getty Images

If you didn’t have the opportunity this past summer to catch Coldplay on their mega “Head Full of Dreams” Tour, don’t worry as you will have the chance to redeem yourself in 2017. Earlier today, Coldplay announced a number of additional dates to their headlining tour.

Returning to the U.S. on August 1st at New York’s MetLife Stadium, the Chris Martin-led band will make stops at a number of stadiums throughout North America, including stops in Chicago, Montreal, Minneapolis, Boston and more, until the tour concludes a year from tomorrow in San Diego.

Check out the tour dates and the tour’s promo video below.

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Coldplay Announces U.S. Stadium Tour, “A Head Full of Dreams” Tour

BY TER STAFF

Courtesy of AP

If you’re a huge Coldplay fan but can’t afford a ticket to the Super Bowl this year, don’t worry because a the half-time show won’t be the only stadium that Coldplay is performing at year. Minutes ago, the group announced a set of stadium dates, bringing their “A Head Full of Dreams” tour to the United States. Kicking off their U.S. Dates on July 16 in New York, Chris Martin and company will hit a number of stadiums throughout the country until closing the U.S. tour in the Bay on September 3rd. General tickets go on sale February 5th, with a January 29th pre-sale for Citi card holders. You can get more info at Coldplay.com

Check out the tour dates for Coldplay’s upcoming stadium tour below!

Continue reading Coldplay Announces U.S. Stadium Tour, “A Head Full of Dreams” Tour

Coldplay Releases Music Video for “Birds”

BY TER STAFF

Courtesy of Invision/AP

Coldplay began their comeback last year with the release of their critically acclaimed LP, A Head Full of Dreams. And while the booking didn’t come without some controversy, Coldplay made headlines again in 2015 with the announcement that the group would be headlining the upcoming half-time performance for the Super Bowl. Now, to continue their recent momentum, Coldplay has released their next music video from their latest LP, this time, Marcus Haney directed visuals for their track ‘Birds’.

Watch Coldplay’s new music video below.

Continue reading Coldplay Releases Music Video for “Birds”

Don’t Let Judd Apatow Fool You, the Super Bowl’s Halftime Show Booking of Coldplay is its Best in Years

BY DAN GARCIA

Courtesy of Getty Images

Ever since Judd Apatow’s “40 Year Old Virgin”, where Paul Rudd’s character told Seth Rogen’s, “you know how I know you’re gay? You like Coldplay”, it has been uncool to be a Coldplay fan. And as crazy as it sounds, and while no one should every denial the cultural influence that the comedic genius Judd Apatow has on society, that small joke has almost single handedly made it lame to like Coldplay. As a result, given today’s reports that Chris Martin and company will be headlining the NFL’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, everyone on your Twitter and Facebook feed has gone nuts! Year-by-year, the Superbowl is criticized for it’s relatively safe and underwhelming choices for the Halftime Show, and while fans this year are probably more upset than ever, they are wrong.

On the surface, given the unwarranted hate that they get, Coldplay seems like another bust for what could be an epic performance on America’s most watched event. Hell, the highlight of Katy Perry’s performance last year was a meme that came from a guy in a Shark suit who couldn’t dance along to Perry’s colorful performance. Why no Drake? Why no Kanye West? Why no Adele, even? Those are valid questions, but don’t sleep on Coldplay!

A few years ago, I was offered a free ticket to see Coldplay at the United Center in Chicago. Because I had no other plans, because the ticket was free, because I wasn’t driving, I decided to go (note that I was not a Coldplay fan). To me, when I heard “Coldplay” I instantly thought of that hilarious one liner from “40 Year Old Virgin”, I didn’t think, “great entertainers”. Going into the performance, for no rational reasons at all, I expected not to enjoy myself.

Boy was I wrong! In the past year alone, having the opportunity to see some great live performers up close and personal in the photo pit, I’ve seen amazing sets from Kanye West, Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Future, Neil Young and many many more. Not knowing the exact number, I’ve probably seen 200+ concerts in the past couple years alone. However, still Coldplay’s performance from the 300 level of the UC stands out as one of the best concerts I have ever seen. The performance had unmatched energy from everyone on stage and an entertaining set-up and light show that has been replicated by many since. At this time especially, artists did not put a lot of money back into their performances, and for this reason Coldplay’s performance that night was well ahead of its time. I could write 1,000 words on what made that performance stand out, but I will spare you too many spoilers from what you will see in 2016.

Reminder, I am not a Coldplay fan, not then and still not now. That is no disrespect to Chris Martin, rather there are just so many artists and bands I can regularly listen to and their sound generally isn’t my go-to sound. But I can’t deny their stage presence, their live performances, the energy they put into those live performances, and in general their ability to craft a more than memorable show.

Hit me up if I am wrong, but I bet Coldplay’s performance at this year’s Super Bowl will leave a ton of people surprised and will gain them a whole new fan base. You heard it here first…

Our Nomination Predictions for the 57th Annual Grammy Awards

BY DAN GARCIA

With only ten days until the eligibility period ends for the 57th annual Grammy awards, we have compiled a list of our predictions for some of our most anticipated categories.

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