Obsessively blogging about pop music, pop videos, pop stars, and pop culture from inside the MTV headquarters in Times Square. We also have a slight Jonas Brothers problem. And a little fixation with Tokio Hotel.
Here are some of the best performances of MTV's legendary live show, featuring some obscure performances and some unforgettable ones, with nary an amp in sight.
Nirvana, "Come As You Are" (1993)
For their episode of Unplugged, Nirvana revealed an aching vulnerability to their razor-sharp songs. This was an iconic performance, producing some of the most lasting, indelible imagery of Kurt Cobain.
Paramore, "That's What You Get" (2009)
Audience interaction is one of the best parts of these intimate Unplugged performances. In the case of Paramore, it's more about audience participation, as the crowd helps out Hayley Williams with the "whoa-oh's" of "That's What You Get."
Alicia Keys, "Unbreakable" (2005)
Unplugged puts the artist and their artistry at the forefront. In this 2005 performance, Alicia Keys shows the extent of her capabilities as a performer with a gorgeous rendition of "Unbreakable."
According to this MTV News story, Demi Lovato's video for "Remember December" is, in a word, about, "taking control as a girl. It's like girl empowerment. Yeah, divas!" Okay, that's 11 words. But who's counting?
Our friends at Shockhound just released a brand-new, limited-edition Paramore t-shirt, which means you know where your next $20 is headed. It's got a kinda riot grrl-meets-Alice In Wonderland vibe. Pick up this a-dorbsville Paramore t-shirt at Shockhound.com. Don't blame me if you waited and they run out.
+ Plus: Watch Paramore perform live at the MTV Ulalume Festival.
A couple of weeks ago we hollered and crowed about The Swellers, a searing pop-punk act on tour with Paramore. Well, here's another example of Hayley & The Gang's good taste: Paper Route.
Hailing from Paramore's home turf of Nashville, Paper Route, who released their album, Absence, earlier this year, have a muscular rock sound that's nicely embellished with swaths of keys and assorted electronic instrumentation, calling to mind The Cure and New Order.
They have a slightly more over-the-top-bordering-on-goth feel, which might appeal to Paramore's latent goth streak (which was on display in their Twilight soundtrack jam, "Decode").
You can catch Paper Route out on the road with Paramore through the 11th of November.
Paramore has always had a cool-kids-next-door charm, and in this new interview with Elle.com, they show us that they're still the same Twilight-reading, punk-rock-loving, R&B-adoring regular Joes (and one Jane) that we know and love.
My favorite part of Paramore's chat with Elle.com covers their love of R&B and their roots as a funk cover band:
"Hayley: Yeah, we did Rufus and Chaka Khan, “Tell Me Something Good,” and a lot of Stevie Wonder, Michael McDonald, the Doobie Brothers. The intro to our show was always Average White Band’s “Pick Up the Pieces.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Paramore talk about being amped to see New Moon opening night (and Hayley's affection for Dakota Fanning). They also show that they keep their ears to the Nashville punk rock streets, big upping bands like Paper Route and The Swellers.
You can catch Paramore (in something of a New Moon mode) in the below clip from the MTV special "Ulalume: Howling At New Moon" (which airs on Friday, October 30 at 9 PM ET). Until then, watch this brand-new clip of Paramore performing "Decode" live from the Ulalume Festival.
In the below clip we talk to New Moonies about their favorite and least favorite Halloween candy. Watch Elizabeth Reaser recall being saddled with apples and soup (!?) during her rural Michigan youth! Listen to Nikki Reed decry sour candy! Gasp as Ashley Greene puts the smack down on candy corn.
Be sure to spend your Halloween eve with your full attention focused on the MTV special, "Ulalume: Howling At New Moon," (which airs on Friday, October 30 at 9 PM ET) for a brand-new New Moon clip and performances by Paramore, AFI, Dead by Sunrise featuring Chester Bennington of Linkin Park, and Kid Cudi.
MTV's Ulalume festival went down in Columbia, Maryland last week with live performances by Paramore, AFI, Dead by Sunrise featuring Chester Bennington of Linkin Park, and Kid Cudi. Couldn't make it to the show? Here's some up-close-and-personal, full-length concert footage. And don't miss the MTV special, "Ulalume: Howling At New Moon," on Friday, October 30 at 9 PM ET
Ok, wtf is Ulalume? Well, it's a poem written by macabre and goth-y 19th century poet Edgar Allan Poe (you were awake in English class, right?). It's also the name of MTV's inaugural Ulalume: Howling At New Moon music festival. Wait, it all makes sense and is less esoteric than you think, or sort of.
The music festival takes place at Columbia, Maryland's Merriweather Post Pavilion tomorrow (October 23) and while Poe was born in Boston, the poet is buried in Maryland (not too far from Poe's grave (spooky!). Plus, the Ulalume fest is Halloween-themed (New Moon! Vampires, werewolves, unrequited crushes!) and premieres on MTV, Friday October 30 at 9:00 p.m. ET. And Twilight fans take note! Cast members from New Moon will be part of this one-hour on-air special, and they will be unveiling an exclusive look at a never-before-seen clip from the highly anticipated release of the second Twilight installment.
Ok, you're not a history buff. How about a fan of groups like Paramore and AFI? Yes, Ulalume has a kick-ass line up that not only includes those headliners, but also features Dead By Sunrise the new band by Chester Bennington of Linkin Park, Kid Cudi and more (umm, rad, right? Buy your tickets here if you haven't already). Come out and celebrate all things spooky in honor of Halloween at the festival if you can make it and if not, tune into MTV next Friday.
BUT, if you don't want to wait long (and you shouldn't), we'll be rolling out bonus performances, interviews, photos and more all next week starting Monday October 26. Check into Buzzworthy and MTV.com for more. Wanna know more? Check out the official Ulalume site on MTVU and or go to Halloween.MTV.com where all our festival highlights will appear. Oh, and let's not forget the hot hostess of the show that's a bit on the jet-black gothy side as well, celebrity tattoo artist Kat Von D. Check out our Ulalume video playlist below and a sexy photo of our hostess with the mmm..mostess.
Paramore got the went under the microscope of none other than Dr. Alexa Chung (who received her PhD from Oxford in Interviewing Technique) recently.
Paramore discuss the state of daycare on this past summer's No Doubt tour (which they opened), and long for the protective earphones worn by the tykes who accompanied Gwen and the Gang. Other highlights:
The band goes on to chat about their Brand New Eyes album and generally display the unassuming cuteness and likability that makes us all love them to death.
Any day Paramore's on MTV is a good day. So today was a GREAT day with all of Paramore on Alexa's couch, along with a sorta-shy Shakira and a nod to Kurt Cobain on Alexa's tee. Here's what Alexa wore today on It's On With Alexa Chung.
And get the Shepard Fairey-designed t-shirt Alexa wore at the end of today's show at Karmaloop.com. It's $24, and it's a design and charity collaboration between Karmaloop and MTV's Staying Alive Foundation. Forty percent of the proceeds go towards The Staying Alive Foundation -- Travis McCoy is the foundation's ambassador -- to fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
