An acoustic version of “Dream On” launched Depeche Mode’s Exciter tour June 11 in Quebec. David Gahan, dressed in all black, sang several selections from the band’s Violator and Songs of Faith and Devotion albums, including Sweetest Condition, Halo, Walking in My Shoes, Waiting for the Night and Enjoy the Silence. Only a few selections from the two-hour show were plucked from the Exciter album. Martin Gore, dressed in a white T-shirt with feathers on the shoulder, black pants and a gold belt (yikes!), took the lead on three songs. The band did four songs for the encore, including: Home, Clean, Black Celebration and Never Let Me Down Again.
In case you haven’t heard: on Madonna’s tour she reportedly changes costume at least six times, flies through the air via invisible cables, rides a mechanical bull and fights kung-fu style with a samurai warrior. Look for a punk Scottish lassie look, a Geisha girl look, a cyberpunk cowgirl incarnation and a nod to ghetto fabulous girls—all designed by JP Gaultier. Don’t expect much early material on this tour—the focus is definately on material from Music and Ray of Light. Look for Madonna to show off her newly acquired guitar skills on Candy Perfume Girl and on a stripped-down version of “La Isla Bonita.” Also: Madonna’s camp says that despite the fact there are a lot of physical demands on the singer, she will not rely on pre-recorded vocals.
Former Spice Girl Mel B outed Robbie Williams on the British television show, Top of the Pops, reports the Advocate.com, by stating that none of the girls in the disbanded group have ever gone out with Williams, because “he prefers men.” In other Robbie news, the singer has announced plans to release an album with Frank Sinatra-style cover songs.
Music musings: Savage Garden’s Darren Hayes has begun work on a solo album in a San Francisco studio. Hayes claims that he and his bandmate Daniel Jones are not broken up but merely on a hiatus. The solo project due in early 2002 will have a slightly more R&B slant, reports Billboard magazine.
Macy Gray’s much-anticipated follow album, entitled “Id” is scheduled for release Sept. 25. Look for Erykah Badu to sing back up on one of the tracks.
Alanis Morrissette debuted eight new songs during a recent, low-profile show in Los Angeles. Her new album has been delayed due a contract dispute with Madonna’s Maverick Records. When it is finally released look for the new album to venture back to the angry, edgy sounds of 1995’s Jagged Little Pill. Song titles include: “Unprodigal Daughter,” and”21 Things I Want in a Lover.”
TLC have announced that they have in fact, not broken up, and are busy building a follow up to 1999’s “Fan Mail” Two of the three bandmates have embarked on solo projects: Chili C’s is on the back burner in favor of the renewed TLC project and Left Eye’s still-untitled project is set for an Aug. 14 release.
Guess who’s doing the music for the much, much anticipated big-screen adaptation of Anne Rice’s Queen of the Damned? Korn frontman Jonathan Davis, that’s who (yes, I too was underwhelmed.)
Bonus Item: Seth Green (Buffy TVS, and Austin Powers) has been tapped to play the part of club kid Michael Alig in Disco Bloodbath. Based on the HILAROUS novel by James St. James (run out now and buy it if you haven’t already devoured this thing) the screenplay is to be penned by Fenton Bailey and his partner Randy Barbato, the team behind The Eyes of Tammy Faye. Yes, Macaulay Culkin had previously been considered for the role until recently, and honestly, we think he would have done a much better job.
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