Author: Rap Hooks

Liverpool’s Magical Mystery Tour has long been one of the city’s most in-demand tourist attractions, with fans of The Beatles taken on a city-wide excursion to key locations in the Fab Four’s story. Now it comes with added star power: Sir Paul McCartney himself.

The band’s bassist made an unexpected cameo on a daily tour yesterday (July 20) when guests on the Magical Mystery bus spotted him at a set of traffic lights. After waving to fans in the serendipitous moment, they then received an added bonus when, after waving to fans, McCartney showed them that he was currently on a Facetime call with former bandmate Ringo Starr.

Speaking to the BBC, driver and tour guide Neal Morton said “it was surreal” to spot the musician while on the tour of the city.

“I had pulled up at the traffic lights on Hope Street when who should I see – Sir Paul with Ringo on Facetime”, he said. “He waved to us, and everybody took photos. The passengers could not believe it.”

McCartney was in town ahead of a presentation to actor Stephen Graham (Adolescence, The Irishman) with a companionship of the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA); McCartney is a co-founder of the school and often attends graduation ceremonies for students.

The unofficial tour, named after their 1967 LP, is a two-hour visit to the city’s locations that played a part in the band’s stories, visiting their childhood homes, Strawberry Fields, Penny Lane, and finishing at the Cavern Club, where the group played early shows.

It’s the latest team-up between McCartney and Starr after the pair duetted for the first time on the former’s latest album The Boys of Dungeon Lane, released in May.

On Tuesday (July 21), French streaming service Deezer announced that, for the first time, fully AI recordings reached more than 50% of new music uploads on its site “at peak level in June 2026,” according to a press release. The service says that equates to 90,000 AI tracks.

To take its AI policies a step further, Deezer is now vowing to remove any AI track that it suspects has been used in streaming fraud scams as well as AI tracks that haven’t been streamed for six months or more. Previously, the service reported that up to 85% of the streams on fully AI tracks were fraudulent, and when streaming manipulation of any kind was found, Deezer would exclude the streams from royalty payments.

In a previous interview with Billboard, Aurelien Herault, chief innovation officer at Deezer, said that with the influx of new music every day, storage space is a concern for the company: “This is a serious topic for us, and we already removed some content that was using too much space — because it’s not only an economic issue, it’s also an ecological one. Do we need to store all this content so we all have the same catalog and all have a copy of the same things? It’s really a question worth thinking about, and we already have had some discussion to remove some content, especially because a lot of content is not listened to at all.” 

Deezer has been tracking the influx of AI-generated content on its service since January 2025, when it first announced plans to track and tag fully AI-generated recordings. At the time, its proprietary AI detection system flagged that 10% of daily uploads were AI-generated. The service also vowed at the time that all detected songs would be removed from algorithmic recommendations and would not be eligible for editorial playlisting, but would remain on the site for fans who wanted to stream them.

The distinction between “fully” and “partially” AI-generated songs is notable: Deezer’s AI detection tool, like nearly all others on the market, only flags 100% AI-generated recordings from the most prolific models like Suno and Udio. It does not flag or penalize songs partially generated by AI. Deezer claims that more than 13.4 million fully AI-generated tracks were detected and tagged on the service in 2025.

“Deezer has been at the frontline of fighting fraud and reducing payment dilution related to AI music for almost two years,” said Alexis Lanternier, CEO of Deezer. “Now that half of all daily uploads are AI-generated tracks, we are taking additional steps to safeguard the rights of artists and songwriters, while maintaining focus on music that fans actually love. We have reached a pivotal moment, but we have the technology to keep track of the development, and an ambition to do what’s right. If the industry can align and come together to create shared standards, we can build a healthy and sustainable music ecosystem, where great music wins.”

Live Nation is partnering with the NFL to bring live music to Australia’s first regular-season NFL game week.

The NFL Melbourne Game Kickoff Festival presented by American Express will take over Melbourne Park from Thursday, Sept. 10, through Saturday, Sept. 12, surrounding the Los Angeles Rams’ matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, Sept. 11.

The three-day event will include daily entertainment and music performances from Australian artists and local DJs, with a headline act each evening included as part of the festival ticket. The full artist lineup will be announced in the coming weeks.

The festival marks a major entertainment push around the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia, turning Melbourne Park into a game-week hub with live music, watch parties, fan activations, retail pop-ups, Flag Football clinics, American-style food and NFL exhibits.

“The NFL’s first regular season game in Australia is a landmark moment, and Live Nation is proud to help build the excitement around it with a game-week experience that matches the scale of the occasion,” Luke Hede, senior vice president of touring and commercial at Live Nation Australia, said in a statement.

“The Kickoff Festival will bring together live music, entertainment and the unmistakable energy of the NFL, giving fans a new way to be part of the action. From Melbourne Park to the MCG, this will be a truly memorable celebration for fans across the city.”

Charlotte Offord, NFL general manager for Australia and New Zealand, said the festival is designed for fans attending the game and those who want to be part of the wider celebration.

“The Kickoff Festival promises to be an action-packed experience for sports fans of all ages,” Offord said. “Whether fans are attending the game or not, this event is the perfect way to get a taste of the NFL, be part of the celebrations and enjoy what we know is going to be an incredible few days in Melbourne.

The Kickoff Festival will also host the official watch party for the 2026 NFL season opener, when the defending Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks, host the New England Patriots at Lumen Field on Thursday, Sept. 10, in a Super Bowl LX rematch. A separate official watch party will be held for fans not attending the Rams-49ers game at the MCG.

Beyond music, the event will feature appearances from NFL figures, including a live Q&A with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, activations from the Rams and 49ers, and appearances from NFL Australia and New Zealand Global Markets Program clubs, including the Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks and Las Vegas Raiders.

Fans will also be able to take photos with all 60 Super Bowl rings and the Vince Lombardi Trophy, test their skills at the NFL Academy Combine Zone and watch Flag Football programming at Kia Arena, including clinics, school visits, a celebrity game and Australia vs. New Zealand men’s and women’s national Flag Football games.

American Express Card Members will have access to presale tickets from Monday, July 27, at 10 a.m. AEST through Wednesday, July 29, at 10 a.m. AEST, while supplies last. General tickets go on sale via Ticketmaster on Wednesday, July 29, at 11 a.m. AEST.

Adult tickets are priced at $49 for Thursday and Saturday sessions and $59 for Friday. Kids 13 and under can attend free with an accompanying adult ticket.

The Los Angeles Rams will face the San Francisco 49ers at the MCG on Friday, Sept. 11, at 10:35 a.m. AEST.

Budjerah is taking Gentleman from the studio to the stage. The Australian singer-songwriter has announced The Gentleman Tour, a run of October and November dates arriving just months after the release of his debut album Gentleman, due Friday (July 24).

The tour begins Saturday, Oct. 31, at The Espy in Melbourne, before heading to Anglesea, Sydney and the Gold Coast. It wraps Saturday, Nov. 21, at The Triffid Beer Garden in Brisbane.

For Budjerah, the tour marks a new chapter after years spent growing in public — from teenage breakthrough talent to Platinum-certified, two-time ARIA Award winner, and now to an artist preparing to release his first full-length statement.

“I’m so excited to be going on tour again!” Budjerah said in a statement. “Being on stage is my favourite part of my job and I can’t wait to see my fans again. When I was making the album, it was with the live performance in mind and I just want to give everyone the best night of their life.”

That live-first approach sits at the heart of Gentleman. Produced by Grammy Award winner Om’Mas Keith, whose credits include Frank Ocean and Jay-Z, the 11-track album draws from the pop and R&B Budjerah grew up loving while tracing the personal growth he experienced between ages 20 and 24.

The album is led by “Even At Worst,” “Could I Be,” “Gentleman” and “Want You Back,” songs that place Budjerah’s voice — warm, elastic and built for big emotional turns — at the center of the record.

The project also brings him into orbit with a heavyweight group of collaborators, including Poo Bear, Diane Warren, Philip Lawrence, Rob Lewis, Autumn Rowe and Alex Burnett. Rather than framing Gentleman as a simple debut, the rollout positions it as the arrival of an artist who has spent years collecting the right songs, lessons and confidence to step fully into his own sound.

Before the tour begins, Budjerah will mark the album release with a run of free stripped-back performances and signings at independent record stores. He will appear at Hum On King in Newtown, NSW, on Sunday, July 26, Badlands Vinyl in Tweed Heads, NSW, on Tuesday, July 28, and Sound Merch in Collingwood, VIC, on Wednesday, July 29.

Presale tickets for The Gentleman Tour are on sale now, with general tickets available Thursday, July 23, at 10 a.m. AEST.

The full tour dates are below:

Saturday, Oct. 31 — The Espy, Melbourne, VIC
Sunday, Nov. 1 — The Sound Doctor, Anglesea, VIC
Saturday, Nov. 7 — Metro Social, Sydney, NSW
Friday, Nov. 20 — Miami Marketta, Gold Coast, QLD
Saturday, Nov. 21 — The Triffid Beer Garden, Brisbane, QLD

Fresh from her historic performance at the first FIFA World Cup halftime show on Sunday (July 19), Shakira kept the party going Monday (July 20) at the Barclays Center, where she brought the stadium energy to the Brooklyn arena for a stellar night that included Tyla, Ed Sheeran and Burna Boy as surprise guests.

Part of the second leg of her record-breaking Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour in the U.S., the words “World Cup Edition” were added to the title on the big screen at the back of the stage before the Colombian superstar appeared with her dancers to kick off the first of two nights at the venue.

“What a day yesterday at the finals!” she said, referring to the match in which Spain defeated Argentina 1–0 and was crowned champion. “Well, today I’m pumped, so I’m gonna give you all I got. Because there’s nothing like when a she-wolf is back with her pack. Awooo!” The crowd answered with a deafening roar.

After delighting the audience with staples such as “Estoy Aquí,” “La Bicicleta” and “La Tortura,” Shakira presented her first guest of the night: South African singer and songwriter Tyla, with whom she performed her 2006 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit “Hips Don’t Lie.” And boy, did the “Queen of Popiano” keep up. Singing and dancing through a catwalk that extended from the stage toward the center of the arena, Tyla — wearing a turquoise dress with fringes that complemented Shakira’s gold outfit — didn’t miss a step of the choreography, moving along with the hostess by her side and about 20 more dancers behind.

Later on, Sheeran appeared for a duet of Shakira’s song “Underneath Your Clothes,” which peaked at No. 9 on the Hot 100 in May 2002. Playing the guitar and taking turns to sing the different verses, the British superstar — casual in black pants, a white T-shirt and sneakers — added sweetness to the ballad, with their voices blending beautifully in harmony.

And, shortly before the night ended, Burna Boy showed up to perform his collaboration with Shakira, “Dai Dai” — the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup — and the biggest song on the planet today, topping both the Billboard Global 200 and the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts. It was the most cheerful and colorful moment of the night, with the Nigerian singer and the Colombian star — along with her backup dancers — making everyone smile and dance to their irresistible blend of Latin pop, reggaetón, dance-pop and afrobeats.

It was a high that could only be followed by another timeless World Cup anthem: Shakira’s own “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” from 2010.

Tom Morello, Garbage, Violet Grohl, Courtney Love and more artists are remembering Jennifer Finch, the L7 bassist and vocalist who died Saturday (July 18) following an aggressive form of brain cancer. She was 59.

A family representative announced Finch’s death over the weekend, days after L7 revealed that she had been diagnosed with brain cancer and would be unable to join the band’s upcoming farewell tour.

“Jennifer’s impact on the world of music was seismic; her impact on our lives, even more so,” the representative said in a statement. “We appreciate everyone’s interest and concern, thank you for all the kind messages. We appreciate some space to heal privately during this difficult time.”

Finch’s L7 bandmates Suzi Gardner, Donita Sparks and Dee Plakas also shared their own tribute, remembering her as a “beloved bandmate, friend, and fellow troublemaker.”

“With a very heavy heart we announce that our beloved bandmate, friend, and fellow troublemaker Jennifer Finch has passed away today,” the band wrote. “She had a long courageous fight with brain cancer and was loved by many wonderful friends, musical peers and fans worldwide. We love you, Jennifer.”

Morello, guitarist for Rage Against the Machine, remembered Finch as both a key figure in the Los Angeles rock community and a generous presence within it.

“God bless her. An important fixture of the LA scene, a super cool person, a true artist with a kind and welcoming heart,” Morello wrote. “I loved, respected and admired her greatly. She will be missed.”

He also described Finch as a “powerful artist and gracious friend.”

Garbage shared a brief tribute, writing, “Godspeed beautiful Jennifer. Thank you,” while Violet Grohl remembered Finch as a “force.”

“This is so devastating, she was such a force,” Grohl wrote. “Made so many feel so seen. Rest in peace legend.”

R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe also posted a short remembrance, writing, “Bless her.” Courtney Love, who played with Finch in the pre-Hole band Sugar Babydoll alongside future Babes in Toyland member Kat Bjelland, also honored Finch with a photo tribute.

Finch joined L7 in 1986 and became part of the band’s best-known lineup alongside Sparks, Gardner and Plakas. Her bass work helped drive the group’s 1992 breakthrough album, Bricks Are Heavy, which included “Pretend We’re Dead,” “Wargasm” and “Shitlist.”

Produced by Butch Vig, Bricks Are Heavy pushed L7 from the Los Angeles punk underground into the wider alternative-rock moment of the early ’90s. The band’s heavy riffs, blunt humor and political bite made them one of the era’s most distinctive guitar acts.

Finch left L7 in 1996 and later performed with Other Star People and The Shocker before rejoining L7 after the band reunited in 2014. Outside music, she also worked as a photographer, writer and visual artist.

L7 had announced in May that The Last Hurrah, the band’s farewell tour, would begin in October. Days before Finch’s death, the band said she had asked them to continue with the tour as planned.