Tag: music

Dr. Genesis Rivera: A journey completed, a life well lived

  His passion and dedication in medicine and music is well-known. Dr. Genesis Rivera, 75, who was the first dean of the New Era University’s College of Music and who served as dean of the NEU College of Medicine before his demise, contributed much in both fields which he loved dearly. He dedicated his life using his God-given talents to serve God and to help others, and is fondly remembered by those whose lives he […]

Drugs in river at UK’s Glastonbury music festival harming fish: scientists

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) – High levels of illegal drugs have been found in a river running through Britain’s Glastonbury music festival site, endangering a rare species of fish and other wildlife, scientists said on Tuesday. The levels of cocaine and MDMA — more commonly known as ecstasy — detected in the water were so high, experts said, they could be harming wildlife downstream in Whitelake River that runs through the festival grounds. Samples taken […]

BTS dance through UN to promote youth solutions for planet

UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) — It wasn’t exactly the screaming audience BTS is accustomed to but the Korean pop sensations had another sort of world stage Monday as they addressed the United Nations. The seven-member boy band, clad in subdued dark suits, said they hoped to rally young people to look at how to work toward the Sustainable Development Goals — UN benchmarks on which the world has fallen increasingly behind. With Covid restrictions […]

Surprise may be key to ‘Mozart effect’ on epilepsy: study

by Natalie HANDEL PARIS, France (AFP) — A Mozart sonata that can calm epileptic brain activity may get its theraputic power thanks to melodies that create a sense of surprise, according to a study published Thursday. The research on 16 patients hospitalized with epilepsy that did not respond to medication has bolstered hopes that music could be used for new non-invasive treatments. “Our ultimate dream is to define an ‘anti-epileptic’ music genre and use music […]

Money, money, money: ABBA return to UK singles chart

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — For the first time in 40 years, ABBA are heading back to Britain’s top 10 singles chart after thrilling fans with plans for a new album and virtual concert. Two singles released by the Swedish group from their upcoming album “Voyage” sit at numbers six and seven, based on preliminary CD and vinyl sales and on streaming data, the Official Charts Company said on Sunday. “I Still Have Faith In […]

Coldplay, Billie Eilish, Ed Sheeran join global climate, vaccine concerts

PARIS, France (AFP) — Coldplay, Billie Eilish and Ed Sheeran are among the stars announced Tuesday for a day of concerts across multiple cities on September 25 to raise awareness about climate change, poverty and vaccine distribution. New York, Paris and Lagos are the first cities to be announced for Global Citizen Live, which will run for 24 hours and be screened around the world via TV stations and social media. Joining Eilish and Coldplay […]

Olivia Rodrigo to star in White House vaccine promotion

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Teen pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo is set to visit the White House on Wednesday to put some star power into the Biden administration’s flagging Covid-19 vaccination campaign. Rodrigo, 18, will meet with President Joe Biden and his top coronavirus advisor Anthony Fauci and “record videos about the importance of young people getting vaccinated,” the White House said Tuesday. The actress and singer, who has some 28 million social media followers, […]

No Psy but BTS play on as Seoul bans fast gym music

SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — South Korean mega-hit “Gangnam Style” may be taken off gym playlists in the great Seoul region — but K-pop giants BTS can stay — under new rules aimed at stemming a rising tide of coronavirus infections. The regulations, aimed at stopping gym-goers breathing too hard or splashing sweat on others, ban gyms from playing music with a faster tempo than 120 beats per minute during group exercises like zumba and […]

Saudi holds first Riyadh concert since Covid-19

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AFP) — Hundreds gathered Thursday for the first concert in the Saudi capital since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic to watch performances by Syrian diva Assala Nasri and Kuwaiti crooner Nabeel Shuail. Before stiff rules were brought in a year ago to stem the spread of coronavirus, the ultra-conservative kingdom had started to ease decades-long restrictions on entertainment, as part of efforts to improve its image and attract tourists. “This is […]

Thousands dance mask-free at UK live gig trial

LIVERPOOL, United Kingdom (AFP) — Thousands danced without face coverings at a music festival in northern England as the UK government permitted the country’s first post-lockdown gig. A crowd of 5,000 people cheered, danced and sang along to performances from bands including English indie pop act Blossoms at the sold-out event on Sunday at Liverpool’s Sefton Park. The festival was part of a pilot project by the UK government called the Events Research Programme (ERP) […]

Stalker-plagued Taylor Swift has break-in at New York home

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — An alleged stalker of pop superstar Taylor Swift was arrested after she suffered a break-in at her New York apartment, police said Monday. Hanks Johnson, 52, was charged with criminal trespassing after police responded to an emergency call on Saturday, reporting that someone was breaking into Swift’s home in the Tribeca neighborhood of Manhattan. Johnson was released on his own recognizance following an arraignment in Manhattan criminal court Sunday […]

Taylor Swift wins Grammy for Album of the Year for ‘folklore’

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Pop powerhouse Taylor Swift won the Grammy for Album of the Year for “folklore,” her first of two quarantine records — the third time she has won the coveted trophy, putting her in rarefied company. Swift bested contenders including Post Malone, Coldplay, Dua Lipa, sister act Haim and the Black Pumas to win the award. Only three other artists have won Album of the Year three times — Stevie […]