Court records show musicians Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz have finalized their divorce and are keeping the exact terms of their breakup confidential.
Band will kick off Mylo Xyloto tour on April 17.
By Gil Kaufman
Chris Martin
Photo: John Shearer/ Getty Images
They've teased us all year with spot festival dates, but beginning April 17 Coldplay will launch their first proper North American tour in three years when they hit the stage in Edmonton, Alberta to promote their latest, Mylo Xyloto.
With three Grammy nominations under their belt -- two for "Every Teardrop is a Waterfall" and one for "Paradise" -- the band will be on the road from April through August in the U.S. and Canada, currently slated to wrap things up at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota on August 11.
Before they pack up their road cases, they will drop the third single from the album, "Charlie Brown," which goes to radio later this month. They will also appear on the first-ever 90-minute episode of the world's longest-running live music TV series, "Austin City Limits". They'll ring in the new year on the program, which will air on PBS station nationwide on December 31 beginning at 11 p.m. "Coldplay New Year's Eve: An Austin City Limits Special" can also be viewed on demand on www.pbs.org starting at 11 p.m. ET that evening.
If you didn't get a chance to catch any of Coldplay's festival appearances earlier this year, singer Chris Martin promises that the new Xyloto songs will fit in with their soaring catalog, but might also feel a bit ... different. "It's definitely a schizophrenic album ... it keeps changing sounds," he told MTV News. "That's why we called it such a strange thing, Mylo Xyloto. Because we felt like so many people have already made up their minds about us, both good and bad, that we can sort of start again from scratch and try and reflect all the music we listen to and we love."
And while you may not see album guest Rihanna hop up on stage with the band during the outing to sing "Princess of China" , there's a shot you might see them do their take on her current hit, "We Found Love," which they covered on BBC Radio 1 recently.
Dates for Coldplay Mylo Xyloto North American tour:
April 17 - Edmonton, AB @ Rexall Place
April 18 - Calgary, AB @ Scotiabank Saddledome
April 20 - Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena
April 24 - Portland, OR @ Rose Garden Arena
April 25 - Seattle, WA @ KeyArena
April 27 - San Jose, CA @ HP Pavilion At San Jose
May 1 - Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl
May 2 - Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl
June 22 - Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
June 25 - Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
June 28 - Tampa, FL @ St. Pete Times Forum
June 29 - Miami, FL @ American Airlines Arena
July 2 - Atlanta, GA @ Philips Arena
July 5 - Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
July 8 - Washington, DC @ Verizon Center
July 23 - Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre
July 26 - Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
July 29 - Boston, MA @ TD Garden
August 3 - East Rutherford, NJ @ Izod Center
August 7 - Chicago, IL @ United Center
August 11 - St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center
Lil Wayne sold a milli, the Throne made history and Drake took great care crafting his LP, but House of Balloons tops this MTV News writer's list.
By Rob Markman
The Weeknd
Photo: Twitter/ XO
There was no shortage of high-profile 2011 album releases. When all is said and done, Jay-Z and Kanye West's team-up Watch the Throne, Lil Wayne's platinum-plus Tha Carter IV and Drake's Take Care will most likely define the year in hip-hop — the genre I love, champion and cover here for MTV News. I've purchased, rode out to and enjoyed all of those albums, but when I think of the album I connected with the most in 2011, the Weeknd's soul-drenched debut, House of Balloons, tops my Best of 2011 list.
The Weeknd got a hell of a push after fellow Canadian Drake tweeted, "Bring your love baby I could bring my shame," a line from "Wicked Games," the standout track from House of Balloons. Released in March, HoB is a soulful string of nine sexual-yet-tragic hymns. It's sex, drugs and rock and roll, but with a twist.
Produced by Doc McKinney, Zodiac and Illangelo, House of Balloons starts with the mood-setting "High for This." Over a buzzing bass and thudding drums, the Weeknd wails with an emotiveness reminiscent of Prince. Throughout the track, the singer (born Abel Tesfaye) coaches his nervous lover, likening his sexual prowess to a drug. It's isn't all chocolates and roses, however. Actually, things get dangerous as he warns, "Hold tight for this ride, we don't need no protection," before bellowing, "Trust me, girl, you wanna be high for this."
Throughout the LP, Tesfaye puts his risquéé lifestyle on display, and therein lies the appeal. Much like how gangsta rap is credited with bringing suburban kids close enough to the danger without ever having to fully experience the consequences, the Weeknd sings of rampant drug use and free love without fear of judgment or penalty. It's a lifestyle typically enjoyed by freewheeling artists and one that remains a fantasy for 9-to-5ers and family men. I guess the grass is always greener.
With "What You Need," he goes after another man's woman, and as much as we'd like to deny it or be politically correct, at one time or another, we've all schemed on someone else's pot of honey. The Weeknd draws strength from singing what most dare not say. We all like to listen and say it's just music, but it really isn't. I mean, who really tells their partner, "I always want you when I'm coming down"?
On "Coming Down" the emerging rock star admits that when he's out partying, popping pills and getting high, he forgets about the woman who has always been there for him through thick and thin. In fact, he starts by singing, "I got something to tell you, but I don't know how to say it" — and then he just blurts it out.
Not much is known about Tesfaye. He is a 21-year-old Canadian singer whose family hails from Ethiopia. His story, however, is all too familiar, even to those too ashamed to admit it. Take the slow-rolling "Wicked Games," for example. On the rock-tinged ballad, the Weeknd admittedly empties his bank account in search of a love he knows can't and won't last. He croons anyway and consciously plays pretend just to build his confidence after a bad breakup. "So tell me you love me ... even though you don't love me," he begs a stripper, who will oblige until the money runs out.
It's a sad reality for some and a lush fantasy for others. For Tesfaye, it just seems to be life as he knows it. On the outside, the House of Balloons looks like a great place to visit, but maybe just for the weekend.
Then, it's back to reality.
MTV will reveal the best artists, songs and movies of the year. Come to MTV News each day to see more big reveals and check out more of MTV's Best of 2011 music, TV, movies and news coverage.
Related ArtistsFollowing 'Valentine's Day' and 'New Year's,' Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel come up with some new ideas.
By Kara Warner
Katherine Heigl at the L.A. premiere of "New Year's Eve"
Photo: Jordan Strauss/ Getty Images
With the release of this year's most star-studded romantic comedy, "New Year's Eve," just a day away, it's time to consider what holiday director Garry Marshall might tackle next in order to add to his holiday-themed ensemble canon, which also includes last year's hit "Valentine's Day."
When MTV News caught up with a few of the stars of "New Year's Eve," we asked them to put their thinking caps on to select a worthy and appropriate holiday to write around. The task proved slightly difficult, in that not all holidays are universally celebrated and accepted.
"I was actually thinking about that yesterday," Katherine Heigl said. "It has to be universal so it can sell domestically and internationally. But what are other holidays that the whole world celebrates? Thanksgiving is out, Christmas, I guess he could do Christmas, but now that he's done New Year's Eve, can you do it in reverse? I don't know. Well, I know Columbus Day is out, President's Day is out, Memorial Day? Doesn't everyone celebrate that?"
Like Heigl, Josh Duhamel seemed to have already put thought into the question as well.
"St. Patrick's Day, yes. It's about a crazy little leprechaun in Ireland," he said. "Does everyone celebrate St. Patrick's Day? You got to pick a holiday that everybody celebrates. We couldn't do Columbus Day; even Canadians don't celebrate that."
"Veterans Day," offered Jake T. Austin. "I think the next film I got offered was Christmas Eve," he joked. "Let's do it, I'm ready!"
Check out everything we've got on "New Year's Eve."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related Videos'Walking Dead' and 'Game of Thrones' standouts also among MTV News' favorite TV characters of the year.
By MTV News staff
Naya Rivera as Santana on "Glee"
Photo: FOX
From vampire/werewolf hybrids to food-hungry travel enthusiasts, MTV News' list of the 50 greatest television characters of the year has been an eclectic one, to say the least. And as we're winding down toward our final set of small-screen titans, the list is only getting weirder!
Want a military sniper-turned-gangster assassin with a half-blown-off face? We've got you covered. How about a zombie-killing hillbilly or a sword-wielding 9-year-old? That's taken care of too. From "The Walking Dead" to "Glee" and beyond, here's our next set of the year's best TV characters!
20. Walter Bishop, "Fringe"
If there's another television show featuring a mad scientist who achieves impossible feats of fringe-science lunacy while snacking on double-dipped beer-battered onion rings from Sully's in his Harvard laboratory (where the awesomely named Gene the cow lives), I'm not watching it. And frankly, I don't want to. Walter Bishop is the best man of science on TV since Jack Shephard, and I'm not just saying that because he reminds me way too much of my own weird dad. (Though, seriously, the similarities are eerie and I'm beginning to wonder whether I'm from a parallel universe. That's neither here nor there.) Walter is hilarious, heartbreaking and horrific all in one stroke, thanks to the unparalleled genius of John Noble and the "Fringe" writing staff, and the fact that Dr. Bishop isn't an Emmy-winning character is absolutely beyond me — but hey, he's solved weirder problems in the past. Give the man some time. -Josh Wigler
19. Wilfred, "Wilfred"
I am a dog person. That is a fact. I am such a dog lover, in fact, that I don't speak to them in stupid dog voices, because that is disrespectful. But assuming I did speak to my dog in a stupid dog voice, would he talk back in an Australian accent? No. Would he spend hours upon hours smoking weed? No. Nor does my dog appear to me as a 6-foot-2, 35-year-old, slightly overweight guy in a gray dog suit — no, that's all Wilfred, portrayed on the offbeat F/X series by Jason Gann. And that's exactly why he's on this list. -Brian Phares
18. Elliot Stabler, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"
Have you been watching "SVU" lately and felt like something was missing? Well, that's because it is, and that something is the butt-kicking Elliot Stabler, a layered man who just wanted to serve justice and catch bad guys. When Stabler (played by Christopher Meloni) exited the "SVU" scene earlier this year, the war on sex-related crimes was really lost — for the viewers, at least. Sure, Benson has our collective backs, but it's a two-person job, and currently we are down a man. -Jocelyn Vena
17. Richard Harrow, "Boardwalk Empire"
What could be cooler than an eye patch? How about a half face mask? Richard Harrow was made to be a fan favorite. He's a sympathetic character (a disabled WWI vet) who has a badass ability (sweet sniper skills). That's classic awesomeness algebra. Richard (played by Jack Huston on the HBO series) stole the show's first season, made the jump to series regular for the second and hasn't looked back once, if you'll forgive the pun. -Kevin P. Sullivan
16. Jenna, "Awkward."
Relatable teen characters are hard to come by unless you grew up on the Upper East Side or in a certain Beverly Hills zip code. So it's always refreshing to see a high-schooler just like us — or how we once were. Jenna (Ashley Rickards) struggles with the kind of issues we're all familiar with: identity, relationships and a newfound infamy thanks to her rumored suicide attempt. (OK, maybe not so much on that last item.) Regardless, Jenna is the sort of self-conscious everyteen we can't help but root for. -Amy Wilkinson
15. Randy Marsh, "South Park"
Everyone's favorite borderline-OCD, super-embarrassing, stereotypical I-will-punch-the-coach-in-the-face-if-he-doesn't-put-my-kid-in-the-game dad had to be included on our list, because, let's face it, every season of "South Park," we are just praying for that one, always amazing Randy Marsh episode. Crème fraiche, anyone? Best condiment ever. -Brian Phares
14. Scott Disick, "Keeping Up With the Kardashians"
The man has cheated on his girlfriend, punched mirrors in rage, stuffed hundred-dollar bills down waiters' throats and battled with alcoholism and a bad attitude for many seasons on "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" — yet he's also managed to score the second hottest of the K clan (Kourtney, if you were unsure), and audiences can't seem to get enough of Scott Disick's shenanigans. We're not even sure if he has a real job, but why does he need one? Piggybacking off your girlfriend and entertaining the heck out of the folks at home all the while seems a job in itself. Scott has become a welcome part of the Kardashian franchise, appearing in spin-offs like "Kourtney and Khloé Take Miami" and "Kourtney and Kim Take New York," and, unlike Kris Humphries, we hope he sticks around for good. -Natasha Chandel
13. Daryl Dixon, "The Walking Dead"
Zombies really do deserve to die. They're terrible. This is pretty much fact. So the world needs someone to kill them. And that someone, thankfully, is the one-and-only Daryl Dixon, played by the incredible Norman Reedus. There are few men in this world who manage to look so good while killing the living dead, and he is one of those men. He may actually be the top guy. So thank you, Daryl Dixon, for doing us all a favor and helping us live a little longer. -Jocelyn Vena
12. Arya Stark, "Game of Thrones"
My love for Arya Stark — a.k.a. Cat of the Canals, Nan and No One — knows no bounds. As a devout reader of George R.R. Martin's brilliant books, it's difficult to limit my explanation of Arya's awesomeness to only the first season of HBO's award-winning TV adaptation, but this fearless, sassy, hero-in-the-making is a scene and series stealer. And she's only 9 years old! Arya (played by Maisie Williams) has enough charisma and sword-fighting skill to hopefully do some major damage in the future. Honorable mention: Needle — stick 'em with the pointy end! -Kara Warner
11. Santana, "Glee"
If any story arc has kept Gleeks from changing the channel, it's surely sassy, slam-ready Santana's struggle to accept her sexuality while taking her deserved spot at center stage in McKinley High's new glee club, the Trouble Tones. Once simply a vehicle for ridiculous one-liners, Santana (Naya Rivera) has grown to become a multifaceted character that's anything but a caricature — even if her #1 Latina, Paul Abdul, is actually Arabic. -Amy Wilkinson
MTV will reveal the best artists, songs and movies of the year. Come to MTV News each day to see more big reveals and check out more of MTV's Best of 2011 music, TV, movies and news coverage.
Related PhotosGuided By Voices have canceled the band’s headline appearance at All Tomorrow’s Parties’ I’ll Be Your Mirror event in London. Cincinnati-based rock band The Afghan Whigs are reuniting and taking GBV’s place.
Gene Simmons disses Madonna’s upcoming Super Bowl gig, Sinead O’ Connor is getting hitched, and Underworld’s next project will be an Olympic-size endeavor.
If management company Q Prime is any indication, 2012 will be all about U.S. acts touring Europe.
Radiohead never made it to the band’s rumored September appearance at Occupy Wall Street but frontman Thom Yorke showed his support by performing a DJ set Tuesday night at a show for Occupy London.
