• Welcome to your Saturday edition of The Purge and welcome to ‘These Days’, the brand new single from UK outfit Rudimental. Dropping at digital service providers across the planet yesterday, the new track features vocal appearances from UK dance diva Jess Glynne, US superstar Macklemore and up and coming British R&B singer Dan Caplen. Rudimental are currently in the country and will be performing at the Australian Opel in Melbourne this Sunday.
• Aussie pop songstress Betty Who came thundering back to planet pop yesterday thanks to a new single entitled ‘Ignore Me’. Betty first rose to prominence thanks to a viral video that utilised her single ‘Somebody Loves You’ and scored a top ten Aussie hit in 2016 with her cover of ‘I Love You Always Forever’. ‘Ignore Me’, however, is Betty’s first taste of new music in 2018. And you can listen HERE.
• George Ezra is back with new music, yesterday releasing a new single entitled ‘Paradise’ at the same time as confirming the release of his upcoming sophomore album ‘Staying At Tamara’s’. Inspired by his travels, the new album follows on from his critically acclaimed 2014 debut ‘Wanted On Voyage’. It’ll arrive at retailers across the planet on March 23.
• We’ll have a new Keith Urban album to call our own sometime throughout 2018, but the Aussie country superstar is kicking off the year in fine form with his new single ‘Parallel Line’. It was co-penned by Benjamin Levin, Johnny McDaid, Julia Michaels, Amy Wadge and a young up and comer by the name of Ed Sheeran. No doubt it’s the latter’s name alone that will garner plenty of interest in the week ahead as it starts making its impact at retail.
• Sarah Blasko has given us another glimpse into her upcoming album ‘Depth Of Field’ with the release yesterday of her latest single ‘A Shot’. “‘A Shot’ is about the heartache that comes from feeling betrayed by someone you never thought would betray you, at a time when you need them most,” Sarah explains. “The shock is physical in nature.” To celebrate the new track, Sarah also announced that she’ll be embarking on a national tour throughout May and June. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart will each see a show, along with Bendigo in regional Victoria. Tickets are on sale this Wednesday, January 24.
• And Bleacher’s creative force Jack Antonoff is the man pulling the strings behind the scenes of the soundtrack of the upcoming movie ‘Love, Simon’. The 13 track release features four songs from Bleachers, along with a duet between Antonoff himself and Danish starlet MØ. It also includes ‘Strawberries & Cigarettes’, a new song from Australia’s own Troye Sivan and ‘Sinki In’ from Aussie indie darling Amy Shark. It’s out March 16.
• Hot on the heels of a successful round of events at the end of last year, organisers of the SummerSalt festival have revealed they’ll be headed to Port Macquarie for the first time in March. They’ll be taking over the city’s Westport Park; the event headlined by John Butler Trio, but also comprising performances from San Cisco, Mama Kin Spender, Oh Pep! and Barrel House. Tickets are on sale Monday.
• Canadian performer Scott Helman will play two intimate live shows while he’s in Australia next month on a promotional visit. He’ll be playing songs from his May 2017 debut album ‘Hotel De Ville’ for audiences at the Oxford Art Factory Gallery in Sydney on Wednesday February 14 and at The Toff In Town in Melbourne on Friday February 16. Tickets for both shows are on sale now.
• Simple Plan have added another Melbourne show to their upcoming 15th Anniversary Australian tour. Tickets for the tour only went on sale on Wednesday morning, but within an hour of being on sale, eager fans in the Victorian capital had already snapped them all up. As such, the gang at Chugg has added a second Melbourne date to the run… on Monday April 23. Tickets are on sale at 10am local time this Monday.
• Ed Sheeran has been replaced in the No.1 position on this week’s UK singles chart… by himself. Sort of. He has a vocal appearance on the new Eminem single ‘River’, which streams its way into the No.1 spot this week, followed northwards by Ramz’ ‘Barking (No.4 to No.2). Ed’s ‘Perfect’ is now at No.3, with Clean Bandit’s ‘I Miss You’ and Bruno Mars’ ‘Finesse’ in positions four and five. Camila Cabello now has two top ten UK hits on her hand, thanks to her latest single ‘Never Be The Same’, which bullets from No.29 to No.7. Jason Derulo also hits the top ten in Ol’ Blighty this week; ‘Tip Toe’ improving from No.12 to No.8. Dua Lipa’s ‘IDGAF’ is flying (No.38 to No.14).
• Despite releasing at a quiet time of the year and despite a No.1 single under her belt and another top ten success this week, Camila Cabello can’t QUITE hit the peak she’d no doubt been seeking on the UK albums chart. Her debut solo record ‘Camila’ debuts in the No.2 position, right behind ‘The Greatest Showman’ soundtrack. Ed Sheeran, Eminem and Sam Smith occupy the other top five slots. Dua Lipa’s self-titled album is up from No.20 to No.10 as new single ‘IDGAF’ starts making an impact. The Cranberries’ best-of ‘Stars’ also re-enters the countdown at No.16 this week after the shock death of its lead singer Dolores O’Riordan throughout the week.
• Ed Sheeran’s still shining in the No.1 position on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart this week; his single ‘Perfect’ once again holding off Camila Cabello’s ‘Havana’, which is steady at No.2. But both had better watch out, because Bruno Mars and Cardi B are in a big, big hurry with their new collaboration ‘Finesse’. It rockets from No.35 to No.3 with clear designs on higher positions. Justin Timberlake’s new single ‘Filthy’ is the week’s highest new entry. It’s new at No.9. Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line’s ‘Meant To Be’ is now into the top 20.
• Albums-wise, it’s all about the soundtrack to ‘The Greatest Showman’. It continues to light the way on the Billboard 200 albums chart, ahead of Ed Sheeran, G-Eazy, Bruno Mars and Post Malone. Sam Smith’s ‘The Thrill Of It All’ creeps back into the top ten (No.12 to No.10) and Lil Skies’ ‘Life Of A Dark Rose’ scores the week’s highest debut – at No.23.
• And that’s another Saturday edition of The Purge at an end. But given we’ve brought you wraps of both the UK and US charts, you’ll be wanting the Aussie ones, right? Well if you’re very good, we might even bring you our ARIA Chart Watch at the earlier time of 5pm AEDT today.
TICKETS PLEASE
MONDAY JANUARY 22 : Boyz II Men (Melbourne)
MONDAY JANUARY 22 : Simple Plan (Melbourne)
MONDAY JANUARY 22 : Sam Smith (Nationally)
MONDAY JANUARY 22 : SummerSalt Festival (Port Macquarie)
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 24 : Sarah Blasko (Nationally)
Australia's first stop for pop!