Zack de la Rocha & Rage Against the Machine to Perform at Inaugural Andalucia Big Festival 

Zack de la Rocha is bringing the rage to Spain… 

The 52-year-old Mexican American musician, singer, songwriter, rapper and activist and his Rage Against the Machine band mates have joined the lineup of the inaugural Andalucia Big Festival in September.

Zack de la Rocha x Rage Against the MachineIt will marking de la Rocha and the band’s first show in the Spanish city of Malaga in 25 years.

The group will perform alongside Glass AnimalsMuse and Jamiroquai at the event that will take place in Malaga at Sacaba Beach on September 8, 9 and 10.

Among the other acts slated to appear at ABF are: Aurora, Gus Dapperton, Biffy Clyro, Years & Years, Stereophonics, Paolo Nutini, Michael Kiwanuka, Kevin Morby, Yard Act, Lucy Dacus, Run the Jewels, Kurt Vile & the Violators, Los Planetas and more.

Tickets for the festival from the organizers of the Mad Cool Festival will go on sale on Friday (April 29) here.

The Mad Cool team will double down on that September weekend by also hosting a one-day sister festival in Madrid on September 10, Mad Cool Sunset, which will feature another headlining set from Rage Against the Machine, as well as performances from Biffy Clyro, Glass Animals, Stereophonics, Run the Jewels, Kurt Vile and more.

The original Mad Cool festival will also be back in Madrid this summer from July 6-10 with a jam-packed lineup of huge stars, including headliners Metallica, Twenty One Pilots, Imagine Dragons, The Killers, Muse, Queens of the Stone Age, Kings of Leon, Florence & the Machine, Pixies and Jack White, as well as Chvrches, Carly Rae Jepsen, Glass Animals, Wolf Alice, Yungblud, Deftones, St. Vincent, Foals, Alt-J, The War on Drugs, Haim, Phoebe Bridgers, Royal Blood, Zara Larsson, Leon Bridges, Animal Collective, Black Pumas, Local Natives, Princess Nokia, The Struts and many more.

Robert Trujillo & His Metallica Band Mates to Perform at This Year’s BottleRock Festival

Robert Trujillo is putting the rock in this year’s BottleRock festival…

The 57-year-old half-Mexican American musician, songwriter and bassist and his Metallica band mates will be headlining this year’s BottleRock, California’s premiere food, wine and music festival.

MetallicaMetallica will headline the event, taking place Memorial Day weekend (May 27-29), alongside P!nk, Twenty One Pilots and Luke Combs.

The fest, which includes more than 75 musical acts, also includes The Black CrowesKygoPitbull, Greta Van Fleet, Mount Westmore, a new hip-hop supergroup featuring Snoop DoggIce CubeE-40 and Too $hort.

The Napa Valley festival will also showcase the region’s wine, craft brew and culinary legacy.

“We’re happy to be bringing the first taste of summer back to music fans here in the Napa Valley,” says Dave Graham of BottleRock Napa Valley. “As fans have come to expect, our 2022 lineup has something for everyone, featuring a wide variety of genres that offer legendary performers with some of the most exciting new and emerging artists in the world.”

This year’s festival includes the highly entertaining Williams Sonoma Culinary Stage, showcasing a unique mashup of cooking demonstrations with renowned chefs, celebrities, performers and rock stars. Details on the 2022 Williams Sonoma Culinary Stage will be announced at a later date.

BottleRock Napa Valley will follow all local and state COVID-19 health & safety guidelines in place at the time of the event and will communicate all requirements to ticket holders beforehand.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. More details here.

Robert Trujillo & His Metallica Band Mates to Release New Career-Spanning Portal, “The Metallica Black Box”

Robert Trujillo is boxin’ up his heavy metal history…

The 57-year-old half-Mexican American musician and songwriter and his Metallica band mates are giving fans a deep dive into their history with a new career-spanning portal, The Metallica Black Box.

MetallicaThe project will feature “memorabilia, photographs, sketches, clothing and footage straight from our personal collections, hoarded over the last 40 years,” according to the band.

“We’ve been incredibly fortunate to travel to all corners of the planet, meet so many amazing people, and do things we once only dreamed of,” said the band in a statement. “And when you’ve been around for 40 years, you manage to collect a few things! Along the way, the four of us have hung on to many keepsakes, photographs, articles of clothing, sketches, and so much more, stashing these items away in attics, garages, and storage spaces. But no more as we’re excited to launch The Metallica Black Box! Debuting with The Black Album Exhibition, The Black Box will offer an ongoing deep dive into every era of our career from the early ’80s garage days up to today and beyond.”

Years in the works, the band said they are now officially “unboxing” their collections to pull their favorite, most significant and personally meaningful artifacts in a collaboration with Inveniem and Definitive Authentic.

Among the promised features on the site — both virtual and physical —  will be weekly livestream events, limited signed memorabilia and “progressively deeper” dives into their vaults.

More artifacts are slated to post before the end of the year as part of the Black Album Exhibition — a 30th anniversary celebration of the band’s self-titled album — and 2021 will bring new exhibits, including a 40-year retrospective and showcase of the many collaborations with graphic artists they’ve worked with during their four-decade career.

Among the items available to check out now are “The Snake Pit,” an homage to their most loyal fans that includes classic laminates, archival photos, fan-made t-shirts and illustrations by artist Heath Miller from their 1991-1994 Black Album era.

Robert Trujillo & His Metallica Band Mates Partner with Carhartt to Raise $377,000 for Workforce Education

Robert Trujillo is ready to help educate and train essential workers…

The 56-year-old half-Mexican American musician and songwriter and his Metallica band mates are celebrating raising more than $377,000 over the Labor Day weekend through the group’s All Within My Hands Foundation.

Robert Trujillo

The heavy metal icons teamed up with workwear brand Carhartt on the initiative, with the clothing brand donating all of their sales proceeds on Monday to the band’s Metallica Scholars initiative, which provides opportunities to people interested in pursuing essential workforce jobs.

“Thank you, Carhartt! Thank you, shoppers! Thank you, AWMH supporters! Labor Day was an exciting day for All Within My Hands,” AWMH tweeted on Tuesday night (Sept. 7). “You helped raise $377,450! We are excited to turn this donation into more training, more tools, and more certifications by expanding our program to reach even more people interested in the skilled trades across the US.”

“Carhartt and All Within My Hands are bound by our shared passion for supporting workforce education,” said AWMH executive director Dr. Edward Frank in a statement. “As two organizations dedicated to providing opportunity, we hope to expand the Metallica Scholars program to include even more schools this year and to get even more students trained for a career in the skilled trades.”

The campaign tapped into a bit of Metallica history, reaching back almost four decades to the legendary classified ad drummer Lars Ulrich placed in a Los Angeles newspaper that teamed him with singer James Hetfield. The want ad promoting the Labor Day event aimed to recruit a new generation to take on skilled trades as the nation faces a labor shortage, especially in the live events space, according to AWMH.

“A few lucky job seekers who answered the ad attended the stage-building workshop hosted by our friends at Upstaging, who have worked with Metallica for decades and put on shows for some of the biggest names in the music and entertainment business,” the band’s charitable foundation said.

Jennifer Lopez to Perform as Part of “Global Citizen Live” Concert Event

Jennifer Lopez is going global to defend the planet…

Global Citizen Live has revealed additional names of performers for its worldwide show on September 25, with the 52-year-old Puerto Rican superstar among those taking the stage.

Jennifer Lopez

J.Lo — who also performed as part of Vax Live in Los Angeles a few months ago — Taboo and his fellow Black Eyed Peas and Meek Mill are among the acts just added to the 24-hour eventwhich will feature performances on six continents.

Global Citizen, the international advocacy group behind the Vax Live concert on May 8, said next month’s event is aimed at defeating poverty, Covid and climate change.

The acts revealed today join Adam Lambert, Alessia Cara, Andrea Bocelli, Angélique Kidjo, Billie Eilish, BTS, Burna Boy, Camila Cabello, Christine and the Queens, Coldplay, Davido, Demi Lovato, DJ Snake, Doja Cat, Duran Duran, Ed Sheeran, Femi Kuti, Green Day, H.E.R., Hugh Jackman & Deborra-lee Furness, Keith Urban, Lang Lang, Lizzo, Lorde, Metallica, Rag’n’Bone Man, Ricky Martin, Shawn Mendes, The Lumineers, The Weeknd, Tiwa Savage and Usher.

Global Citizen’s stated goal for the event is call on world leaders, major corporations and foundations to donate at least 1 billion Covid-19 vaccine doses to those most in need by September, help the 41 million people on the brink of famine by contributing enough meals to feed everyone for the next year and combat climate change by developing science-based targets to reach net-zero emissions.

Broadcast and streaming partners for Global Citizen Live include ABC, ABC News Live, BBC, FX, iHeartRadio, Hulu, YouTube, Time and Twitter.

Here are the full concert lineups for September 25, with more locations and performances to be announced, per Global Citizen:

NEW YORK CITY
Coldplay, Billie Eilish, Camila Cabello, Jennifer Lopez, Lizzo, Meek Mill, Shawn Mendes (with guest performances by Alessia Cara, Burna Boy, Cyndi Lauper, Jon Batiste and Lang Lang)

PARIS
Ed Sheeran, Doja Cat, DJ Snake, H.E.R., Black Eyed Peas, Christine and the Queens (with a guest performance by Angélique Kidjo)

LAGOS, NIGERIA
Femi Kuti, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Made Kuti

J Balvin Gives Spanish Twist to Metallica’s Metal Anthem “Wherever I May Roam”

It’s a heavy (metal) time for J Balvin

The 36-year-old Colombian superstar has given Metallica‘s 1991 metal anthem “Wherever I May Roam” a new twist, and in Spanish no less.

J Balvin

Balvin’s reinvention of the track, which will be included in the upcoming star-studded covers album The Metallica Blacklist out September 10, finds Balvin rapping about his humble beginnings, his hustle, and fame over hip-hop drums.

“One of my favorite bands and favorite songs,” the reggaeton star wrote on social media. “For the culture! Music was created to unite.” J Balvin’s “Wherever I Roam” was one of two new versions released Wednesday. The other one was from country artist Jon Pardi, which you can listen to here.

The releases come in honor of Metallica celebrating the 30th anniversary of The Black Album with a covers set that will feature more than 50 artists taking on songs from the chart-topping 1991 LP.

The Metallica Blacklist will be available in all formats, including a limited edition seven-LP vinyl pressing, while the reissue will also be available in all formats as well as a limited edition box set.

Robert Trujillo & His Metallica Band Mates to Headline This Year’s ATLive

Robert Trujillo is headed to the ATL

The 56-year-old half-Mexican American bassist and songwriter and his Metallica band mates will headline the second annual ATLive alongside George Strait on November 5-6 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Robert Trujillo & Metallica

Produced by AMB Sports and Entertainment and presented by Mercedes-EQ, Strait will be joined by Eric Church and Caitlyn Smith on November 5, while Cage the Elephant and Greta Van Fleet round out the November 6 lineup alongside Metallica.

In perhaps a first, Strait and Metallica’s Lars Ulrich appear “together” in a video promoting the festival.

The inaugural ATLive took place November 15 and 17, 2019 and drew more than 90,000 to the all country lineup including Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Church, SugarlandSam Hunt and Luke Combs.

Like the 2019 concert, this year’s festival also has a charitable component with a portion of the proceeds going to the Strait-supported Military Warriors Support Foundation and Metallica’s All Within My Hands nonprofit.

“We are thrilled to be bringing ATLive back with an incredible lineup of artists,” said Tim Zulawski, SVP and chief revenue officer for AMB Sports and Entertainment in a statement. “From the beginning, our goal was to create a concert series that will become the must-see event for Atlanta. In our first year, we delivered a world-class experience for fans from across the world and we are excited to create that same experience again while giving back to our communities and those in need.”

Tickets go on sale July 16 via Ticketmaster.

Juanes performs Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” on “The Metallica Blacklist” Covers Album

Juanes is makin’ the (black)list

Metallica has announced that the band is celebrating the 30th anniversary of The Black Album with a reissue of the wildly successful 1991 album, as well as a companion set titled The Metallica Blacklist, which will be packed with covers by major recording artists, including the 48-year-old Colombian Latin superstar.

Juanes

Juanes performs a cover of Metallica’s classic single “Enter Sandman.”

But he isn’t the only Latino artist appearing on the heavy metal group’s covers album.

J Balvin appears on “Wherever I May Roam,” while Mexican Institue of Sound featuring La Perla and Gera MX perform “Sad But True.”

Meanwhile, Ha*Ash and Jose Madero both perform separate versions of Metallica’s “The Unforgiven.”

In all, a whopping 53 musicians from various genres are set to be included on the covers album, taking on their favorite songs from The Black Album.

Others include Miley Cyrus, with her interpretation of “Nothing Else Matters” featuring Elton John, Yo-Yo Ma, WATT and others.

The Metallica Blacklist will be available in all formats, including a limited edition seven-LP vinyl pressing, while the reissue will also be available in all formats as well as a limited edition box set. Both releases will arrive via Blackened Recordings on September 10.

Pre-orders for the covers album will receive “instant gratification” tracks in the form of Cyrus’ “Nothing Else Matters” cover, and Juanes’ “Enter Sandman.”

Fans who pre-order the reissue will receive three different recordings of “Enter Sandman.”

The band also announced that 100% of the proceeds from The Metallica Blacklist will benefit 52 charities. They will be split between the band’s own All Within My Hands Foundation, and the charities selected by the artists who appear on the covers album.

Swizz Beatz to Receive ASCAP Voice of the Culture Award

Swizz Beatz is a voice of the future

The 42-year-old half Puerto Rican recording artist, music producer and entrepreneur will receive the ASCAP Voice of the Culture award alongside Timbaland and D-Nice to kick off the 2021 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards on June 22.

Swizz Beatz

Following the presentation, the music creators will take part in a 2021 ASCAP Experience conversation, “Voices of the Culture: How Swizz Beatz, Timbaland & D-Nice United the World Through Music,” at 12:00 pm ET/ 9:00 am PT.

The virtual conversation will explore how Timbaland and Swizz Beatz’s virtual music battle series Verzuz and D-Nice’s Club Quarantine became tools for uplift within the Black music community and touchstones of empowerment during the pandemic.

To join the conversation, participants can RSVP at www.ascapexperience.com/schedule. They can also submit a question for the three creators before June 10.

Verzuz has featured such epic matchups as Gladys Knight vs. Patti LaBelle, Erykah Badu vs. Jill Scott, Earth, Wind & Fire vs. The Isley Brothers, and Snoop Dogg vs. DMX.

Club Quarantine attracted a virtual community of millions to Instagram Live for sets of funk, disco, hip-hop and R&B.

In addition to launching these popular events, Swizz Beatz, Timbaland and D-Nice are accomplished music creators in their own right.

Grammy-winning songwriter-producer Swizz Beatz has been in the music and business worlds since he was 16. He began DJing and working at his uncle’s company, Ruff Ryders Entertainment, while still in high school. Within a short time, Swizz produced the company’s first hit, by DMX. More success followed as a producer and artist. As a producer, Swizz has worked with a diverse array of artists, including Jay-Z, Madonna, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Metallica.

The 2021 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards is a virtual celebration that takes place on social media from June 22-24. The event recognizes songwriters, composers and publishers behind the most performed R&B/hip-hop, rap and gospel songs of the past year. Friends and fans can join the online festivities as ASCAP shares photos, videos, acceptance speeches and more from some of its top songwriters and publishers, posted with the hashtag #ASCAPAwards to @ASCAPUrban on Instagram and @ASCAP on Twitter and Instagram.

The ASCAP Experience takes place twice a month on Wednesdays through the end of 2021. Songwriters, composers and music business professionals can join the ASCAP Experience community for access to conversations with songwriters and producers from across the musical spectrum, plus panels with top industry executives, song feedback, networking opportunities and more. The virtual sessions are free to attend and take place on a variety of platforms, including YouTube, Instagram and on the ASCAP Experience website.

Robert Trujillo & Metallica’s Blackened Whiskey Now Sold Online

Robert Trujillo is helping you get blackened online…

Blackened, the well-received whiskey release that hails from the 56-year-old half-Mexican American musician and songwriter and his Metallica band mates, is now available online.

Metallica

First introduced a few years ago as a super limited-edition release, the whiskey is now available for purchase online at ReserveBar ($42, for a 750ml bottle).

Inspired by the song, “Blackened,” and the great American whiskey-making tradition, BLACKENED is a collaboration between Master Distiller Dave Pickerell and Metallica.

Blackened Whiskey, Metallica

The premium whiskey uses a blend of hand-selected, well-aged bourbons and ryes, that are then uniquely finished in black brandy casks.

The distillery says the whiskey blend is aged for at least eight years.

The finishing touch: the casks are then blasted with a custom Metallica playlist, specially selected and arranged by the band themselves.

Pickerell and his team called this a “BlackNoise” finishing process, stating that “the low frequency sound waves force the whiskey to penetrate deeper into the barrel, extracting more caramel, honey and vanilla flavors from the wood.” As you can imagine, the music has to hit a certain volume and frequency range for the desired effect to take place. The result: a bold yet balanced whiskey, that’s rich in flavor yet smooth enough to sip neat or on the rocks.

Aside from the burnt caramel, oak and honey on the nose, tasting notes of Metallica’s BLACKENED whiskey include hints of cinnamon, allspice, dark fruit, clove and mint, with a finish of butterscotch taffy and maple.

Every batch of BLACKENED will come with an accompanying playlist curated by Metallica and available to listen to at blackenedwhiskey.com.

While it was sold out during its original run, you can now buy Metallica’s BLACKENED Whiskey online at ReserveBar.com. And while Metallica has been the winner of eight Grammy awards to date, the band’s whiskey just took home a new accolade as well: BLACKENED Whiskey was awarded a Gold Medal at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2020.

Find out more about Metallica’s BLACKENED Whiskey and order a bottle for delivery at ReserveBar.com.