Top 5 Concerts

Paul McCartney: Little Caesars Arena│Detroit, MI│October 1st

Paul McCartney is performing in Detroit for two nights in early October. These shows are important because these will be the last of his U.S. dates. Afterwards, McCartney embarks on a brief leg in Brazil before going to Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand for scattered dates in October and December.

Bruno Mars: Capitol One Arena│Washington D.C.│September 30th

Bruno Mars continue to light up the Top 5 Concerts list every week with his highly-anticipated performances on his “24K Magic Tour.” Mars dropped his album 24K Magic late last year. Fun hits such as the title track, “That’s What I Like,” and more present an upbeat atmosphere that perfectly compliments Mars’ elaborate choreography and entertainer style.

The Classic Northwest: Safeco Field│Seattle, WA│September 30th

The Classic Northwest comes after the success of The Classic East and The Classic West. In a small lineup, The Classic Northwest includes the Eagles and the Doobie Brothers. It takes place in Seattle during one of the season’s last baseball park concerts. Though The Classic Northwest lineup is less full, the fans of the oldies icons will be out in massive numbers to support their bands.

Both the Eagles and the Doobie Brothers are nearing the end of their careers, so this is a unique opportunity to see them live at The Classic Northwest before retirement. The Eagles’ future in particular is unknown due to the recent passing of Glenn Frey. For The Classic East and West, the Eagles subbed in Frey’s son Deacon Frey to play with the band in a “Circle of Life” performance that made the lineup extra special.

The Classic Northwest is one example of the trend of oldies bands to still bring out large crowds to hear their epic talents from over the year. The Classic Northwest could be just the start of more Classics throughout the country.

Ed Sheeran: Barclays Center│Brooklyn, NY│September 30th

Ed Sheeran is one of, if not the, biggest male popstar. He has a whopping three nights at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. The Saturday show is in the middle of the three nights. Sheeran is known for his loop pedal skills, and he will most likely play the majority of ÷ in addition to hits from his other two albums and covers. Sheeran’s covers of famous songs are part of the reason he is so famous. His ability to make them his own is impeccable and demonstrates an on-the-fly talent.

Billy Joel: Madison Square Garden│New York, NY│September 30th

Billy Joel continues to perform at Madison Square Garden for his residency at The World’s Most Famous Arena. He is the first artist to gain residency, and it shows no signs of letting up as the years move forward with a high interest in tickets to the shows. Joel performs his hits such as “Piano Man” and “Only the Good Die Young” in addition to a myriad of other music from his catalog.

What’s In Tune: New Music

Miley Cyrus│Younger Now

Miley Cyrus is back with Younger Now. It is a turn towards the country style of her early days, born from her birth roots as the daughter of famous country star Billy Ray Cyrus. However, Younger Now is not completely country. It’s indie-pop, mild style reflects that of mainstream pop radio. There is a straddling between worlds that she grew up in, literally and artistically. Younger Now feels more Cyrus that ever before. This might be because the recent Cyrus grew past the rebel period of her past few albums, exploding out of Disney Channel with a fire to make something bigger of herself. Younger Now feels settled into the true Cyrus. Though that doesn’t discount her other selves, as she’s made it clear that each stage of her life, she was true to who she was at the time.

Younger Now

“Inspired,” a single off of the album, was written for Hillary Clinton. Cyrus campaigned for her, and the song is about Cyrus’s love of nature and the threat of its extinction due to environmental pollution. Her album is not outwardly political, but the liberal flavors are there to garner a good understanding of her place on the spectrum.

“Miss You So Much” is a track that leans more towards the emotional end of the album’s message. It was written about one of Cyrus’s close friend’s boyfriends who OD’ed. On a broader scale, the song is about holding someone who’s passed in your heart, so that they’re never truly gone. In addition, it’s about missing people even before they pass away and thinking about the inevitable.

The heartstrings are pulled on songs such as “Week Without You” and “Malibu,” both potentially about Liam Hemsworth at different points in their relationship. “Week Without You” is emotional yet is about breaking up and the bitterness. “Malibu,” however, is about her recent sense of contentment now that they’re back together and living peacefully in Malibu.

The title track includes the phrase “Change is a thing you can count on.” For the statement’s irony, it’s completely true. With Cyrus, with people, with the world. Cyrus feels Younger Now, and we can’t be any more happy for her.

Younger Now Tracklist:

1. “Younger Now”
2. “Malibu”
3. “Rainbowland” featuring Dolly Parton
4. “Week Without You”
5. ‘Miss You So Much”
6. “I Would Die For You”
7. “Thinkin'”
8. “Bad Mood”
9. “Love Someone”
10. “She’s Not Him”
11. “Inspired”

Demi Lovato│Tell Me You Love Me

Demi Lovato brings her best self in Tell Me You Love Me. Her Disney star to pop firecracker transition has been rough. From drug and alcohol addictions to self-harm, Lovato is a spokesperson for mental health issues as well as a celebrity example of stumbling one’s way through the charts. As much as that seems like a negative or a critique, frankly, it’s meant to be quite the opposite. Lovato is one of the harshest, realest people for her celebrity persona. She gives off the impression that you can’t fuck with her. No really, don’t try, to the point where her fiery personality has created spontaneous Twitter decisions that might not have been the best in retrospect.

This doesn’t mean Lovato has anything other than good intentions. In fact, her spirit and phenomenal voice are exactly why fans love her. After ending a long relationship and struggling through her addictions and eating disorder, Lovato demonstrates to her fans what it means to be strong. “You Don’t Do It For Me Anymore” is not about getting over an ex, but rather getting over her drug and alcohol addictions. The soulful, slightly-R&B sound on this album reflects a newer, stripped-back version of Lovato. It was be less sleek and shiny and more raw on Tell Me You Love Me.

“Daddy Issues” regards her father and their complicated, unhealthy relationship through the years. The remainder of the tracks will surely look into her fluid sexuality as well as her major breakup and progress moving forward in life.

In addition, she will drop the documentary Simply Complicated on YouTube after the album. It will look into the recording process and her single life as a mid-twenties popstar.

Tell Me You Love Me Tracklist:

1. “Sorry Not Sorry”
2. “Tell Me You Love Me”
3. “Sexy Dirty Love”
4. “You Don’t Do It For Me Anymore”
5. “Daddy Issues”
6. “Ruin The Friendship”
7. “Only Forever”
8. “Lonely”
9. “Cry Baby”
10. “Games”
11. “Concentrate”
12. “Hitchhiker”

Shania Twain│Now

Shania Twain, one of country pop’s biggest icons, released her first album since her divorce with producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange. In “Poor Me,” she reflects on the time she discovered that her husband was having an affair with her best friend. However, Twain confirms, this is not a divorce album. The album is surprising, difficult, and complex. Its message delves into the introspection one goes through when they went through a major life change. Lange didn’t leave Twain empty, that is made very clear.

In addition, the loss of her voice related to Lyme disease certainly has an impact on this album. Though the slower, darker notes are fufilled, the upbeat material lacks life. One can see the difference between early Twain throughout these songs; something an earlier version of herself would’ve knocked out of the park. Fans of her true country grit sound, swimming amongst her gleaming country pop tracks, will be happy will “Swingin’ With My Eyes Closed.” It’s a boot-stomping number that turns into a tropical pop feeling, mixing both realms of her two major genre crossovers. “Home Now” is even more blatantly country with a banjo to match.

For a piano ballad, “Where Do You Think You’re Going” nails her new vocal abilities and her emotional range. It builds into a orchestra from her very raw introduction, and this in itself demonstrates her ability to mold from backwoods to pop glam to vulnerable.

Twain’s return is triumphant. Though her vocal abilities might never bounce back to their original glory, her artistic spectrum on this album identifies why exactly she grew into a cross-genre superstar.

Now Tracklist:

1. “Swingin’ With My Eyes Closed”
2. “Home Now”
3. “Light of My Life”
4. “Poor Me”
5. “Who’s Gonna Be Your Girl”
6. “More Fun”
7. “I’m Alright”
8. “Let’s Kiss and Make Up”
9. “Where Do You Think You’re Going”
10. “Roll Me on the River”
11. “We Got Something They Don’t”
12. “Because of You”
13. “You Can’t Buy Love”
14. “Life’s About to Get Good”
15. “Soldier”
16. “All in All”

What’s In Tune: Television Appearances

Jay-Z│Saturday Night Live│September 29th

Jay-Z dropped his album 4:44 earlier this year, and he is touring this fall from late October to late December. He will be the first musical guest on this season of Saturday Night Live for the season premiere episode.

Miley Cyrus│The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon│October 2nd-6th

Miley Cyrus drops her new album Younger Now today. She will have a week-long residency on Jimmy Fallon that will include an array of live performances.

Shania Twain│The Ellen DeGeneres Show│September 29th

Shania Twain released her album Now. She will be making the talk show rounds including The Ellen Show. The pop country icon is going on tour in 2018.

Rita Ora│The Ellen DeGeneres Show│October 3rd

Rita Ora is on Ellen, though she hasn’t released an album for years. She is set to be in Fifty Shades Freed out in 2018.

Demi Lovato│The Ellen DeGeneres Show│October 4th

Demi Lovato dropped her new album Tell Me You Love Me today. She will most likely perform new music as well as possibly announce a tour.

Thirty Seconds to Mars│The Ellen DeGeneres Show│October 5th

Thirty Seconds to Mars dropped their first single in years titled “Walk On Water” that they performed at the VMAs.

Shania Twain│The Late Late Show with James Corden│October 3rd

Twain continues her talk show route with a stop at The Late Late Show. Her beauty and talent encapsulates her rise to the top of the country pop game.