Your source for news, upcoming releases, and what to check out in the large world of music

Headlines

• The Olympic party unfortunately came to an end last night in London, but the games went out with an amazing show. Over 80,000 people crammed into Olympic Stadium to witness the closing ceremony that featured an all-star cast of musical guests. The show started with a posthumous rendition of Imagine by John Lennon and continued on with appearances by Queen, George Michael, The Who, Elbow, Pet Shop Boys, another posthumous performance by Freddie Mercury and perhaps most of all a one night only reunion of the Spice Girls that even got British Prime Minister David Cameron and London Mayor Boris Johnson off of their feet. So much happened at last night’s show that it is nearly impossible to recap it all in one place. To get an idea about the show read up about it here: http://bit.ly/QUJ6yL.
As well, to watch videos of all the musical performances click here if you are in America or here for our Canadian readers.
• Olympic stadium wasn’t the only site for music last night in London. Hyde Park in the downtown of the city hosted a closing concert of its own headlined by Britpop icons Blur in what many are speculating to be their final concert ever. The show also included performance by other British icons Bombay Bicycle Club, The Specials and New Order. For a full recap of the show click here via Rolling Stone As well you can watch a few songs from Blurs segment of the show here.
• Outside of all the Olympic news things have been happening across the pond as well. Unfortunately Frank Ocean has had to cancel his upcoming tour dates in Europe where he would have been opening for Coldplay. Ocean left an apologetic letter on his site but gave no specific reason for the cancellations.
• In other music news, Christina Aguilera is preparing for a musical comeback with casting happening for a music video to her new single ‘Your Body’ http://bit.ly/R5MXvc. Rockers Rush will be releasing a novel to coincide with their newest album http://bit.ly/MObR0P, and young rapper Earl Sweatshirt hopes to lose some fans when he releases his upcoming and highly anticipated album. http://bit.ly/PdHS0s

Albums Releasing This Week (August 14)

• "Story of Light" by Steve Vai
• "Based on a T.R.U. Story" by 2 Chainz
• "Mighty Death Pop" by Insane Clown Posse
• "Rock N Roll Revival" by Loverboy

Video to Watch

No Doubt have released another Websiode highlighting the process of making an album cover and the artistic thought process that goes behind it.

Upcoming Festival

If you’re not into metal and long road trips then this one may not be for you. Slipknot’s inaugural ‘Knotfest’ will be taking place this weekend. The show this Friday will take place in Council Bluffs, Iowa and then move to Minneapolis for Saturday. The shows will of course be headlined by the band and will also be available on pay-per-view for those of you who don’t want to drive all the way to Iowa.

Full details on the festival here at http://knotfest.com/

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That’s your music roundup for the week ahead. Did you like what you saw, have any comments or questions; did we miss something that you think needs to be mentioned? Give us your feedback at info@songfreaks.com