Mary J. DiMeglio

DOVER, Delaware — Andre 3000 has discovered the answer for world peace: short shorts.

When Outkast invited a handful of ladies onstage to “shake it like a Polaroid picture” during “Hey Ya!” on Saturday night at the Firefly Festival, Andre couldn’t help admiring their summertime fashion choices: “Whoever made these shorts should get a Nobel Peace Prize,” he exclaimed.

The ATLiens have been roaring their way through a jam-packed summer of festivals on their reunion tour, which began with Coachella in April and has also included Governors Ball and the Hangout Festival. They will also co-headline Drake’s OVO Festival in August. And just a few days ago, three homecoming shows at Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park were scheduled for late September.

Reviews from the first few shows of the reunion, after nearly a decade apart for the duo, were shaky, but the boys seem to have hit their stride at Firefly, now about a dozen appearances into their 40-plus run.

Outkast exuded confidence and engaged the crowd often as they made their way through the now tried-and-true setlist of their most popular hits — including “The Way You Move,” “Rosa Parks,” “Roses” and “So Fresh, So Clean” — and unexpected fan favorites, such as “Skew It on the Bar-B.” They “turned it back to day one” with “Hootie Hoo,” from their 1994 debut album, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik.

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Mary J. DiMeglio

DOVER, Delaware — Imagine Dragons unleashed their ‘Battle Cry’ on the U.S., using their Saturday night Firefly Festival slot for the tune’s live U.S. debut.

“We’re gonna do a song we’ve never done in the country,” singer Dan Reynolds announced. “We played it three days ago in Hong Kong. We were in the future, because Hong Kong is in the future.”

They’d performed the “Transformers: Age of Extinction” theme song at the film’s worldwide premiere in Hong Kong, one of the locations in the film.

Backed by pummelling drums at Firefly, Reynolds turned up the drama, wailing, “Nobody can save you now/ It’s do or die.”

The Las Vegas band was oozing with gratitude for its fans, who have helped them evolve from opening act to prime time.

“It’s such a beautiful evening,” Reynolds shared. “Last time we were here — we played Firefly two years ago — it was at 11 a.m., and to be back here now doing this again, we can’t tell you how much it means to us. Thank you for letting us do this. You are the greatest people in the world.”

Imagine Dragons are still performing strong in support of their acclaimed debut, 2012′s Night Visions. “Tiptoe” and “Rocks” made the set, and “On Top of the World” was a huge highlight, as was “Who We Are,” from the “Hunger Games: Catching Fire” soundtrack.

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By Mary J. DiMeglio

DOVER, Delaware — “I’m having a lovely time. Thank you for asking,” Alex Turner shared.

The Arctic Monkeys grooved their way into the Firefly Festival on Friday afternoon with swagger to spare.

Under a blazing sun, Turner led the boys through scorching cuts from their five studio albums.

The long-ago buzz band is establishing itself as a force to be reckoned with in the U.S. Last year’s AM was their highest-charting album in the U.S. to date (No. 6 on the Billboard 200); they’re storming across the country with a string of festival appearances (including Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza ); and, their tunes have been covered by everyone from Sam Smith to Miley Cyrus.

With palpable confidence, Turner crooned his way through the slinky, boozy, bluesy stomp of “Do I Wanna Know?” dressing the part of a ’50s greaser in dark shades, slicked back hair and a white button-up. He got his Elvis on — swiveling his hips and pointing off into the distance to everyone and no one.

“Arabella” ushered in the riff from Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs,” and the sludge continued with “Don’t Sit Down ‘Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair.”

“Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?” was “dedicated to that booty call you might make later on.”

The Arctic Monkeys went back to their 2006 debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, for the angular, punky “Dancing Shoes” and “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor.”
“Knee Socks” was a hit, ...

By Maurice Bobb

Ten years after Marc Anthony secretly married Jennifer Lopez in her Beverly Hills home, the ex-powerhouse couple are now divorced.

According to court records, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge John Sandoz officially dissolved the singers’ marital union Monday (June 16), while awarding the pair joint legal custody of their 6-year old twins, Max and Emme.

The 3.0 singer will have his son and daughter for seven days a month, with the “I Luh Ya Papi” chanteuse caring for the kids the rest of the month. The children will also be shielded from paparazzi and reporters.

“Exposing the children to public spectacle and failing to shield the children from aggressive news organizations, photographers, etc. is not the children’s best interest,” decreed the judge.

While Anthony filed for divorce in April 2012, the pair have been separated since July 2011.

The marriage was Lopez’s third and Anthony’s second.

MTV News Staff

By Mary J. DiMeglio

MANCHESTER, Tennessee — Jack White, Saturday night’s headliner at Bonnaroo, proved why he deserves his spot as one of the hottest musical talents of his generation.

In a blistering set that stretched 30 minutes longer than its scheduled two hours, White and his band tore through material spanning from White Stripes favorites to his second solo effort, Lazaretto, which dropped Tuesday.

A chatty White — always a compelling storyteller — had lots to say to his Bonnaroo audience, with speeches that cast him in every possible light, from disgruntled artist to Everyman.

White, who lives in Nashville, just an hour up the road from the fest, kicked things off with “Icky Thump” and played a number of other beloved White Stripes tunes, including “Little Bird,” “Hello Operator,” “Ball and Biscuit” and “We’re Going to Be Friends.”

“Steady As She Goes” represented his work with the Raconteurs, and he shredded his way through cuts from Lazaretto — follow-up to 2012′s chart-topping, Grammy-nominated Blunderbuss — including the title track (heavy on distortion), “Three Women” and “Alone in My Home.”

White dissed Rolling Stone, deeming the iconic music publication “a tabloid” after a recent cover story that cast him in an unfavorable light: “Who makes music happen? Does a tabloid like Rolling Stone make music happen?” he asked the crowd. “You and I make it exist!”

The prolific songwriter also gave many, many shout-outs to everyone from legendary Tennessee artists (Elvis Presley, Loretta Lynn, George Jones and Dolly Parton) and ...

By Maurice Bobb

Everyone knows that Angelina Jolie is beautiful, but now, she’s officially been dubbed a dame.

For those not in the know, a dame is the female version of a knight and Friday (June 13) she was recognized for her humanitarian efforts and given the honorary royal title by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II.

The Oscar-winning actress received the honor because of her work for combating sexual violence in war zones.

“To receive an honor related to foreign policy means a great deal to me, as it is what I wish to dedicate my working life to,” she said.

The “Maleficent” star was in London this week to co-host an international summit on sexual violence and was one of many recognized on the queen’s annual Birthday Honors List for services rendered in their community or national life.

Jolie, who pledged to scale back her movie roles to concentrate on her humanitarian work, is also a United Nations special envoy.

“Maleficent,” which has grossed more than $350 million worldwide, is in theaters now.

MTV News Staff

By Mary J. DiMeglio
MANCHESTER, Tennessee — The always-humble Sam Smith had low expectations for his Friday afternoon (June 13) Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival set — so low that he bet against himself.

“I made a bet with my manager that there would be no one here, so I owe him a lot of drinks,” Smith confessed early in his performance.

An enthusiastic crowd not only turned up en masse, they sang and swayed along, making the U.K. crooner and his backing band feel more than welcome.

The 22-year-old You Outta Know Artist is gearing up to release his debut album, In the Lonely Hour, on Tuesday. New songs, including “Leave Your Lover” and “Like I Can,” are clearly already very familiar to his fanbase, who unabashedly belted along during his show.

“Money On My Mind” and Naughty Boy’s “La La La” were crowd favorites, and time seemed to stand still during his angelic “Lay Me Down.”

His album’s single, “Stay With Me,” which is blowing up the Billboard Hot 100, had the audience absolutely swooning.

To fill out his hour-long set, Smith presented his terrific cover of the Arctic Monkeys’ perfect “Do I Wanna Know?”

Smith hinted that he will take the same stage later Friday night with U.K. producers Disclosure. It’s a safe bet: Their “Latch” collaboration is what made him a star — even if he’s still not ready to believe it.

MTV News Staff

By Maurice Bobb

Drake is showing his appreciation for Houston with his “Houston Appreciation Weekend,” so the city that helped launch him to fame returned the favor by declaring June 10 “Drake Day.”

Houston’s mayor, Annise Parker, presented the OVO’s head owl with the official proclamation at Minute Maid Park, where Drizzy kicked off HAW at the Astros game.

The most notable passage of the certificate was the line, “Whereas, in 2008, Lil Wayne invited Drake to fly to Houston and tour with him, and as a result, Drake has been a City of Houston Ambassador, paying homage to Houston through his lyrics, such as when he coined the term ‘Houstatlantavegas,’ and has also been known to show kindness to the city of Houston.”

Before leaving the stadium, the “0 to 100” MC stopped to thank the fans and take pictures.

Drake’s HAW events will culminate with a wrap party Sunday at Club Paradise.

MTV News Staff

By Maurice Bobb

Apparently, “Avengers” star Tom Hiddleston’s real superpowers are versatility and singing.

You heard right. According to Deadline, the British actor will ditch Loki’s scepter and pick up country music legend Hank Williams’ cowboy hat and guitar for the upcoming biopic “I Saw the Light.”

Hiddleston won’t just look the part, though, he’ll also sing the Grand Ole Opry icon’s entire catalog, from “Your Cheatin’ Heart” to “Hey, Good Lookin’” to “I’m So Lonely I Could Cry.”

Marc Abraham will direct the film, which is based on Colin Escott’s biography of Williams. Aaron L. Gilbert and Brett Ratner will produce, while Ratner’s partner, James Packer, will executive produce the film that will chronicle Williams’ meteoric rise to fame and his untimely death at the age of 29 due to heart failure.

While no release date has been scheduled, production is set to begin in Louisiana in October.

MTV News Staff

By Mary J. DiMeglio

MANCHESTER, Tennessee — Noobs heading to their first Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival this weekend are no doubt excited — and probably feeling a bit overwhelmed — as 80,000 music fans converge on a 700-acre farm in Tennessee to consume a buffet of 150 bands on 10 stages.

Preparing to thrive — not just survive — during four long days of partying is an art. Have no fear, though: I’ve spent the past 10 years doing the dirty field research to become a pro. (Tough job, I know.)

There’s plenty of information out there on how to stay safe and what to pack. Yet, some lessons can only be learned through experience. After a decade as a festy, here are my pro tips:

Gear Up
1. Research the artists: Use every spare minute to look up the acts you haven’t yet heard. It takes me an average of two songs to decide whether I’m feeling an artist enough to make their show a priority. Remember, there are about 150 acts: Taking notes will help jog your memory.

2. Do Inventory On Your Tent: If your tent is new, you can skip this step. If your tent hasn’t seen the light of day since last festival season, ensure you’re heading to Tennessee with a complete setup by counting your polls, inspecting the stakes and checking for the rainfly.

3. Give Your Ride A Once-Over: Check the oil, tire pressure (remember the spare) and coolant. Bring an extra set ...