Joy Builds US Momentum While Opening for Swift Taylor Finally Hits
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Lifestyle FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2015 Houston’s comatose daughter Kristina moved to hospice he family of Whitney Houston’s daughter death of her mother, who was found face down Bobbi Kristina Brown said Wednesday they in a bathtub in a Los Angeles hotel on February Twere moving her to a terminal care facility, 11, 2012, on the eve of the Grammy Awards. A as she showed few signs of recovering from a final coroner’s report said Houston may have months-long coma. The 22-year-old was found overdosed on drugs and alcohol before drown- face down and unresponsive in her bathtub in ing. — AFP her Atlanta, Georgia home on January 31. She was revived by emergency crews but lost signifi- cant brain function. “Despite the great medical care at numerous facilities, (her) condition has continued to deteriorate,” Brown’s aunt, Pat Houston, said in a statement. File photo shows, singer “As of today, she has been moved into hos- Whitney Houston, left, and pice care. We thank everyone for their support daughter Bobbi Kristina and prayers. She is in God’s hands now.” Brown arrive at an event in Brown’s accident drew eerie parallels with the Beverly Hills, Calif. — AP Joy builds US momentum while opening for Swift ustralian singer-songwriter Vance Joy - still riding the wave of success of his double platinum single, “Riptide” - has Atwo things working in his favor these days. First, he pens very catchy songs with heartfelt lyrics. Second, and perhaps more importantly, he gets to perform them before millions of Taylor Beyonce performs at ‘Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life Swift fans as the opening act for the pop juggernaut on tour. - An All-Star Grammy Salute,’ at the Nokia Theatre LA Live in That’s a built-in audience not all artists have access to, and Joy Los Angeles. — AP appreciates the opportunity. “I played a couple of arenas in the last two nights. It’s amazing how intimate those rooms can feel when the lights go out,” Joy, 27, said in a recent interview. “I’ve Year after tour, Beyonce had a very good run. I was lucky enough to get to perform to her crowd, who are super welcoming and warm.” back for husband’s festival Stepping out onstage to a sea of Swifties can be daunting, but Joy is adjusting and now welcomes the jolt he gets when he hits eyonce will play her first full show in a year as the pop superstar stages much larger than he was previously accustomed to. “You headlines a festival in Philadelphia founded by her husband, get this charge of energy, of electricity,” said Joy, who will tour Brap mogul Jay-Z. R&B singer The Weeknd and alternative rock with Swift internationally through December. He’s also made a bands Death Cab for Cutie and Modest Mouse will also play the new friend in Swift: “I definitely consider her a friend. She’s love- Budweiser Made in America festival on September 5-6. Jay-Z founded ly.” Joy has been climbing into consciousness thanks to the popu- the festival in 2012 with the support of Budweiser-the popular larity of “Riptide,” a Top 40 hit in the United States and the American beer whose parent company is now Belgian-and last year longest-running song in the history of the Australian Recording expanded to a second venue in Los Angeles on the same weekend. Industry Association chart, recently besting Lady Gaga’s 106- Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy poses for a portrait in The festival this year reverts to one location in Philadelphia, with week record with “Poker Face.” New York. — AP part of the proceeds to go to United Ways charities in and around the The breakthrough song won the grand prize at the 2015 fifth-most populous US city. Beyonce played the festival in 2013 dur- International Songwriting Competition, he has played at the “The actual tree house was designed as a space to record in. ing a 132-date world tour. She went on a more selective tour last year Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, watched Swift cover There’s a computer and it’s wired for recording. It just happens to with Jay-Z, which closed in Paris on September 13. She has since “Riptide” and in return Joy covered Swift’s “I Know Places.” Joy be really cozy,” Joy said. “There’s a bed in there and a couple of played short performances, including at the Grammys and at the released his debut album, “Dream Your Life Away,” last year, and chairs.”— AP Stellar Awards for Gospel music, where she reunited her former band he recorded some of it in a tree house at the studio of Ryan Destiny’s Child. — AFP Hadlock, best known for his work with the Lumineers (“Ho Hey”). Taylor finally hits No1 on US album chart weet, Baby James! Singer-songwriter hero Lambert, Hilary Duff and Nate Ruess, all under Antonoff and his “Bleachers” (which debuted at James Taylor has scored his first No 1 on the age 35 — and left them all in the dust. Adam No 11 last year) are inevitable. Apparently the top SUS album chart with “Before This World” Lambert’s “Original High” moved 47,000 units, 10 can accommodate more than one Taylor. after nearly half of a century in the music busi- good for a third-place finish. The former Taylor Swift-who, according to Swifty legend, ness. Taylor’s latest effort moved 97,000 copies in “American Idol” contestant has enjoyed some- was named after James Taylor-finished at No 2 the week ending June 21, according to data from thing of a resurgence with the success of the for the fifth week running. Sales for Swift’s “1989” Nielsen Music. In the 45 years since Taylor’s album’s lead single, “Ghost Town.” Hilary Duff’s were down 11% with 57,000 units moved. Ed breakout record-”Sweet Baby James” was “Breathe in Breathe Out” finished at No. 5, mov- Sheeran’s “X” finished in fourth place, demon- released in March of 1970 11 of Taylor’s albums ing 39,000 units. Duff’s latest cuts offer a mature strating remarkable staying power-the album have made it into the top 10 without ever mak- take on the pop territory she famously explored dropped more than a year ago on June 20, 2014. ing it to first place. According to Billboard, the on 2003’s “Metamorphosis,” which reached No1. Thanks to a well-publicized hosting stint at the only artist to achieve a No 1 later into his career Much Music Video Awards, Sheeran’s sales were than Taylor is Tony Bennett, whose “Duets II” Holding steady up 17%, with “X” moving 39,000 units. Country claimed the top spot in 2011, a mere 54 years The fourth new release of the week came artist Sam Hunt’s “Montevallo” continues its slow after the 1957 debut of “Tony.” from former fun. frontman Nate Ruess. The climb up the chart, this time finishing at No 6 Taylor’s milestone is a win for aging musi- singer’s “Grand Romantic,” his solo debut, fin- with 32,000 units moved.—Reuters cians. His album debuted in the same frame as ished at No7, having moved 31,000 units. The new releases from three young solo artists-Adam comparisons to Ruess’ former bandmate Jack.