The Manchester Police department said in a statement Monday night that they are treating the investigation of the explosion as "a terrorist incident until police know otherwise" and some media outlets are reporting that it was a possible suicide bombing based on claims made by anonymous sources.
CNN reported that an unnamed "western official" told them at a "male at scene at the scene in Manchester has been indentified as the probable suicide bomber," although that had not been confirmed by police at press time.
The bombing reportedly occurred as fans were leaving the venue following the concert and police confirmed that they did a controlled second explosion of abandoned clothing that was found in the area, which was originally suspected of being a 'suspicious item'.
The Manchester Police Department tweeted the following "There will be a controlled explosion in Cathedral gardens shortly if you hearing anything don't be concerned." A short time later they added "Officers carrying out a precautionary controlled explosion in Cathedral Garden confirm that it was abandoned clothing, not a suspicious item".
According to UK media outlets, Prime Minister Theresa May said in a statement, "We are working to establish the full details of what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack. All our thoughts are with the victims and the families of those who have been affected."
The venue posted the following statement on their Twitter account "We can confirm there was an incident as people were leaving the Ariana Grande show last night. The incident took place outside the venue in a public space."
The album sold 193,000 copies during its first week in stores and enjoyed a total of 230,000 in "equivalent sales" when factoring in streaming, which also gave him the biggest first week sales for a debut full length release for a UK male artist since start of the SoundScan era that began in 1991.
Styles enjoyed massive success in first week sales aboard as well. The album topped the charts in his native UK, Canada, Australia, Belgium, across South East Asia, for a total of over 20 countries where it entered the charts at No. 1.
The tracks were recorded during sessions in the mid to late 2000s for a proposed supergroup project called T-Wayne that never went beyond the initial recording stage before being shelved.
However, T-Pain recently unearthed the tracks after discovering them on a hard drive and has decided that they deserve red to see the light of day, so is giving them away. Fans can stream the tracks here or download them (in exchange for signing up for T-Pain's mailing list)
here.
Sources familiar with the negotiation reportedly revealed to the celebrity gossip website that the "Swish Swish" singer will earn $25 million for her role on the reality singing show.
"Katy had all the leverage. If ABC ended up announcing the show without a judge, they'd be screwed," one source explained. ABC was needing to sign a big name before the Upfronts launched last week, which explains the staggering payout. Read more
here.
The defiant lyrics admonish outsiders who see rural America as nothing more than "tractors, barbed wire and tall green grass." "Nothing gets under my skin more than being stereotyped," Aldean explained to USA Today.
"If you live in some big city and you get all your fruits and vegetables at the grocery store, that stuff didn't just magically appear on the shelf. Some farmer in the Midwest or the South busted his a� to get it there. That's how they make their living. They're some of the hardest-working people there are. A lot of times they don't get the respect they deserve." Watch the video
here.
The Philly rapper released his second studio album, Dreams Worth More Than Money, in 2015 and has yet to announce a release date for his third record.
Meek had previously promised to release a new project, DC4.5, which would be a follow-up to his October mixtape DC4. The rapper will co-headline a summer tour with Yo Getti, which begins July 5 in Cleveland, Ohio. Steam the new track
here.
The video starts with Rey performing in a TV studio and moves to the singer dancing with the "Starboy" artist on top of the "H" if the Hollywood sign. "We dance on the H of the Hollywood sign � 'Til we run out of breath," Rey sings.
The record does not yet have a release date, though Rey has already shared "Love" and its music video from the album. She has also confirmed her LP features tracks with Sean Ono Lennon and Stevie Nicks. Watch the video
here.
The special run of shows at the intimate 1,800 seat venue will be kicking off on October 6th and will include additional nights on the 7th, 11th, 13th, 14th, 18th and 20th before concluding on the 21st.
Gary LeVox shared his excitement about returning to Sin City, "Vegas just keeps pulling us back in. Our previous two residencies were such an amazing experience and opportunity to connect with our fans on a more intimate level. I think moving over to The Venetian will provide a totally different setting and fan experience that we're really excited about!"
The trek is scheduled to kick off on September 22nd in Atlanta at the Tabernacle and will be running until October 6th where it will wrap up in New Haven, CT at College Street.
Frightened Rabbit are currently on their North American spring tour which at the famed Greek Theatre in Los Angeles with Band of Horses this Thursday (May 25th). See the dates
here.
Combs received the news of the song going No. 1 this past weekend while appearing at the BMI's Songwriters Festival in Key West. He had this to say, "It's surreal to celebrate my first No. 1 down here at the BMI Songwriter's Festival surrounded by my very own songwriting heroes and friends.
"Much like the stories of many artists before me, I gambled it all in the name of these songs - dropping out of college to write, playing those songs in three-hour acoustic sets at an empty bar to some rowdy club nights filled with fans and then moving to Nashville to be a part of this incredible songwriting community.
"Songs carried me here and today is a wild dream come true. To my friends at country radio, thank you for believing and spinning. To the fans, you loved 'Hurricane' first and most - this one's for ya'll."
The video for the single has surpassed 25 million views on Vevo. Check it out
here.
Preceding the release of her forthcoming Cannonball EP (Out 6/2 on Heavenly Recordings), Dutch musician Amber Arcades is pleased to share another brand new track "Wouldn't Even Know" which features esteemed English singer-songwriter Bill Ryder-Jones. Listen to the track HERE.
Annelotte de Graaf (Amber Arcades) had this to say about the new song, "This may be the song I'm most proud of so far... It's been a long time in the making, starting out with the chorus which I initially thought was gonna be for a funky kind of jam.
"Then, after a long time fermenting in my brain, I pieced it together with this slow Yo La Tengo kinda verse that'd been popping up in my thoughts. The result is this tune which makes me feel melancholic but uplifted at the same time. Also super into Bill's vocals on it. His dark broody voice really ties it all together."
Bill Ryder-Jones adds, "I was already a fan of Amber Arcades when I was asked to put a vocal on this. I'm quite jealous of Annelotte's ability to find the right words to fit her melodies, it's a rare thing these days. The song is beautiful." Stream the song
here.
The self-titled album is scheduled to hit digital music stores on June 30th and features the lead single "That's How You Get The Girl", which also offered as one of two instant downloads for fans that preorder the album.
Benji Harris had this to say, "I feel like this record is a whole new chapter for me. After so many years of touring with other great artists, I've gained invaluable experience watching the masters at work. I knew I had the goods to make a great record, and I've learned what goes into putting on an amazing live show. I'm so excited the time has finally come for me to step out to center stage."
Benji announced the release during an appearance on Cumulus' NASH FM morning show Ty, Kelly and Chuck. You can view the segment
here.
The tour will be kicking off with an appearance at the Riverbend Festival in Chattanooga on June 9th and will be wrapping up on July 7th in Lombard, IL at the Brauer House.
The trek will also include performances at the Enchanted Forest Gathering in Laytonville, CA which will be running from June 9th through 11th and the group will follow the tour with an appearance at the Oregon Eclipse festival in August. See the dates
here.
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