In all honesty I feel most awards ceremonies are so out of touch with what I consider quality music, but nonetheless I always tune in for the performances, fashion, surprises and disappointments.

Sunday night’s’ show kicked off on a high note with Lady Gaga performing a high-concept run through of Pokerface and duetting with no other than Sir Elton John for lovely renditions of Your Song and Speechless. High performance notes came from Pink who performed nerve-wracking acrobatic rendition of Glitter in the Air, Stevie Nicks, Maxwell with Roberta Flack and Jeff Beck with Imelda May in tribute to guitartist Les Paul. The eloquent acceptance speech by Prince Jackson and Paris Jackson on behalf of their late father Michael Jackson was also very sweet and endearing.

There were no big shockers on the fashion side (beside Gaga being a bit subdued): Rihanna and Beyonce glamming it up, Katy Perry and Ke$ha appearing haggardly, and Fergie and Britney not dressing up for the occasion. Along with the dead air censored performance by Lil Wayne, Eminem and Drake, Gaga and Yeah Yeah Yeahs being snubbed, the overly hyped 3-D visuals that accompanied the Michael Jackson Tribute were a disappointment.  The headache-inducing 3D visuals didn’t really work with the visuals and overall it was just distracting, but the performances were great. I was also disappointed by the lack of crowd shots and lack of awards handed out. Also, WTF did Beyonce sing You Oughta Know?

mp3: Pink – Sober (Bimbo Jones Club Mix) [alt]

mp3: Kings of Leon – Use Somebody (RAC Remix) [alt]

mp3: Lady Gaga Featuring Beyonce – Telephone (Passion Pit Remix) [alt]

A few awards I agree with are below, fill list of winners HERE.

With 2 Fall NY-area arena shows going on sale this week, there’s nothing stopping America’s greatest contemporary rock band.  And no, that is not an ironic hyperbole; it’s the truth and TLC’s got the proof.

The cover story’s online component takes you behind the scenes of the Followill’s private lives from childhood photos to tours of their Tennessee homes. These boys really love flat screen TVs and red wine. Get your fill of the Followills here.

MP3: Kings of Leon – Revelry or Zshare

Bat for Lashes Live 4.9.09, Picture Courtesy of BBC Radio 1

This has been a big week for Natasha Khan  aka Bat for Lashes. Along with having her second album Two Suns released this week, the record has been rightfully lauded by critics and fans alike!

Natasha also stopped by BBC Radio 1′s live studio to perform ‘Suns’ first single Daniel and a cover of Kings of Leon‘s Use Somebody. Click HERE to watch the performances. Two Suns is in stores now, run to your record shop!

MP3: Bat for Lashes – Use Somebody (Kings of Leon Cover) or zShare

Kings of Leon at Madison Square Garden, 1.29.09

Minus Kings of Leon (of course!), Katy Perry and the return of No Doubt this list is kinda dull. Will you be waking up at 5AM to see any of the following? More info HERE.

May 1: No Doubt
May 8: New Kids On The Block & Special Guest
May 15: Jennifer Hudson
May 22: Fall Out Boy
May 29: Taylor Swift
June 5: The Dave Matthews Band
June 12: Black Eyed Peas
June 19: Jonas Brothers
June 26: The Fray
July 3: Rob Thomas
July 10: Rascal Flatts
July 17: The All American Rejects
July 24: Katy Perry
July 31: Kings of Leon
Aug 7: Jason Mraz
Aug 14: Flo Rida
Aug 21: Natasha Bedingfield
Aug 28: TBA

MP3: Katy Perry & Yelle – Hot ‘N’ Cold (Yelle Remix) or zShare
MP3: Kings of Leon – Pistols Of Fire (Mark Ronson Remix) or zShare

In these harsh times when CD’s won’t sell, ambitious tours are canceled, and the biggest acts (besides legends such as Madonna and U2) won’t even dare book a major stadium in the US, I honestly thought “What are Kings of Leon thinking?!?!” The band, who released their debut album Youth and Young Manhood in 2003, has found greater success abroad and has sold out consecutive stadium shows with ease. However, it’s been the same old story as many other American bands who have not been embraced in the same way in the States. This was definitely not the case last night.

We arrived in time to catch The Whigs, a garage band from Georgia who supported Kings of Leon on the last tour. The Whigs played an enjoyable set that felt like a throwback to 90′s grunge then bowed out for our headliner.

The night’s most anticipated moment occurred when the lights dimmed and 4 shadowy figures took the stage. The opening notes of Crawl triggered an uproar, and the crowd jumped on board for what would be a most emotional, epic and monumental evening for the Followills. Being in the General Admission pit at Madison Square Garden for this show felt really intimate, it almost made us forget we were in a giant arena until we turned around in awe and saw an ecstatic crowd of 20,000+ clapping in unison. The sound was phenomenal and the energy of the crowd was very uplifting, I can only imagine what the boys felt!

The moment in Kings of Leon’s show last night that I’d love to live over and over again was when they performed Sex on Fire. The entire stadium sang their hearts out in synch. Lead singer Caleb was clearly taken aback, taking moments to genuinely thank everyone, and declaring that they finally made it. This show really set the bar and gave me hope for 2009; maybe the Kings of Leon are here to save the music industry?

The Whigs

Tastes Like Caramel teamed up with Red Music to bring you the following opportunity to win tickets for Kings of Leon’s USA stadium tour stop at Madison Square Garden with the Whigs. If you miss them this time around, The Whigs are returning to New York on March 7th to play Bowery Ballroom with Dead Confederate and Trances Arc.

To enter the contest, follow the link below. One lucky winner will win tickets to the Madison Square Garden gig on our behalf. Good luck!

MP3: The Whigs – Right Hand on My Heart or zShare
MP3: Kings of Leon – On Call (Grum Disco Remix) or zShare

I usually blare these songs and go ahead and start drinking to get me in the right head space. It’s also a good fall back to have if other parties fall through and the party has to be at my place. Listen to the playlist HERE.

1. Joy Division – Love Will Tear Us Apart
2. Cut Copy – Lights & Music
3. Tom Vek – One Horse Race
4. Radiohead – Bodysnatchers
5. Grizzly Bear – Knife
6. The Whigs – Right Hand on My Heart
7. MGMT – Time to Pretend
8. M83 – Kim & Jessie
9. Junior Boys – In the Morning
10. Crystal Castles – Vanished

Award Nominations:
+ Q Awards: Best Live Band & Best Act In The World Today. Vote.
+ MTV EMA’s. Vote.
Tour Dates:
Webster Hall: September 23rd
02 Arena: December 11th
Wembley Arena: Dec 22nd
More Tour Dates Here.