Billboard Bits serves up the best bite-sized nuggets of music news and gossip.
Keith Urban To Launch “Phoenix” Fragrance For Men
Keith Urban will debut his first fragrance for men, Phoenix, internationally in October. “We created Phoenix to express just the right blend of masculinity, mystery and sensuality,” the chart-topping country artist said in a release. In collaboration with Boom LLC, the fragrance will be promoted during Urban’s 50+ city “Get Closer 2011” world tour and fans will have access to an online pre-sale.
Portugal. the Man’s Van and Gear Stolen After Lollapalooza
One day after they performed at Lollapalooza, Portugal. the Man’s van, trailer and gear were stolen in Chicago. On Monday morning (Aug.8) they tweeted “HELP People of Chicago and @Lollapalooza our van & trailer & gear where stolen. Red Ford Van, Black trailer Alaska plates FJH244 Today.” The Portland-based rock band posted the news on their twitter, along with a spreadsheet of all the stolen gear urging fans nationwide to take the list to their local pawn shop. ( @portugaltheman)
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Lady Gaga Plays Dress-Up in ‘You and I’ Artwork
Lady Gaga, a master of fashion and costuming, has brought back her male alter ego, Joe Calderone, for the cover of her next single, “You and I.” The black and white images, which were tweeted out on Friday night, show Gaga dressed as a man in a jacket and t-shirt with short black hair, smoking in a cigarette.”You will never find what you are looking for in love, if you don’t love yourself,” she wrote. ( THR)
New York’s Music to Know Festival Canceled
The first ever MTK, or Music to Know Festival, has been canceled, according to the festival’s official site. The indie-centric fest would have taken place on August 13 and 14 in East Hampton, New York and featured acts such as Vampire Weekend, Bright Eyes, Matt & Kim and Cold War Kids. The statement cites inadequate ticket sales as reason for the cancellation. (MTK Statement)
‘Weird Al’ Concert Special Coming to Comedy Central
Comedy Central will air “‘Weird Al’ Yankovic Live! – The Alpocalypse Tour,” the master satirist’s first televised concert special in over a decade, on Oct. 4. The special was filmed at Toronto’s Massey Hall while Yankovic was supporting his latest album, “Alpocalypse.”
Loretta Lynn Cancels Tour Dates Due to Knee Surgery
Loretta Lynn has been sidelined by knee surgery: a statement says the country music icon will cancel dates through a Sept. 3 show at her ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. She is scheduled to undergo reconstructive knee surgery and needs time to recover. Lynn says in the statement she’s “sad” to cancel the shows, “but they tell me I’ve just got to stay off this knee for a while.” ( Associated Press)
(Reporting by Jason Lipshutz, Erica Thompson and Sarah Maloy)