Brandon Flowers has made the most of The Killers’ hiatus recording his debut solo album, Flamingo, and setting out on a tour by himself. The Las Vegas native will begin his short tour in Sin City with a show next week at the Las Vegas Hilton’s The Shimmer Room. Flowers will play the Troubadour in Los Angeles, Slim’s in San Francisco, Park West in Chicago, and the Highline Ballroom in New York. From there, Flowers will head overseas to tour Europe to play a number of shows in late September. Flamingo lead single, “Crossfire”, has been garnering some attention online for its video featuring Charlize Theron. Theron plays the part of a female hero who always has to save a beaten, tortured Flowers from sure danger. Flowers debut album will be out in the United States on September 14th.

Who said there was no money in ventriloquism? Jeff Dunham tickets sell out as soon as they go on sale in both the United States in Europe. Dunham is best paid comedic act outside of Jerry Seinfield and Chris Rock in the United States. Before the Dallas native made his millions with his puppets Walter, Peanut, and Achmed the Dead Terrorist, Jeff Dunham got his start as a ventriloquist performing at Six Flags and at his church. In 1990, Dunham appeared on the Johnny Carson show, but it wasn’t until his 2006 Comedy Central special “Arguing with Myself” that he career really took off. Dunham has come up with hilarious characters who touch a range comedy topics. Dunham is masterful at controlling the puppet’s facial motions to give his jokes added emphasis. Dunham will be touring the United States this summer up until early September.

New York City’s Milk Studios was turned into a three-level party of light, art, and music last Saturday night. In a joint venture with VICE magazine and Intel, MIA, Spike Jonze, and Interpol worked to together to create a one-of-a-kind experience. “Creators Project” guests were treated to interactive displays and numerous performances by Neon Indian, Die Antwoord, Mark Ronson, and Sleigh Bells. The massive NYC studio was full of interactive art including a giant Rubik’s Cube and multiple other art exhibits. There will be other “Creators Project” exhibitions in other cities around the world like Sao Paolo, London, and Beijing. Keep your eyes peeled for the next one to be announced by Vice and Intel.

It’s been a amazing few years for the rock ‘n roll band Kings of Leon. They’ve gone from indie favorites to Grammy-winning chart toppers in the span of two years. The band consisting of brothers Caleb, Ivan, Michael, and cousin Cameron Followill has been writing new music recently in preparations for their next album and a audience of 2,500 in Atlantic City, NJ got to preview a couple of new KOL songs. The band launched into “Immortals” which supposedly sounded like it would fit right in with the sound of Only by the Night while “Mary” came off as more exploratory. The band is traveling across the country playing 30 dates in the US alone. The Tennessee born band will make its way back to their home state this week to play mega-festival Bonnaroo. We’ll see if anymore new KOL songs get a run out in Manchester this weekend.

As soon as they finish up the European tour,US fans will be able to buy Kiss tickets for their “Hottest Show on Earth” Tour that runs until September. Although remaining members Paul Stanley (age 58) and Gene Simmons (age 60) are no longer young kids, Kiss isn’t getting less ambitious. The ever loquacious Simmons told the media, “I want this world to be called Planet KISS”. Kiss has sold more than $100 million records worldwide in their forty year career. Original members Ace Frehely and Peter Criss rejoined the band for the world Reunion Tour from 1996-2000 that racked in $46 million. Simmons and Stanley now tour with drummer Eric Singer and lead guitarist Tommy Thayer. The US Tour begins with Kiss’ show in Cheyenne, Wyoming at Cheyenne Frontier Days on July 23rd.

Building on the success of the Rescue Me Tour in 2009, comedian Denis Leary will hit the road again this summer. Leary will kick off The Rescue Me Tour II at The Borgata Hotel Casino on May 22nd. The show will not only feature Mr. Leary himself, but Rescue Me cast mates and stand up comedians Lenny Clarke and Adam Ferrara. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Leary Firefighter Foundation, which contributes much needed equipment and training to fire departments across the country. Any die hard Rescue Me fan or just anyone who loves laughing should book their seats as fast they can. Leary’s entire acting career was based of the success he’s had as a stand up comedian. His television special’s No Cure For Cancer and Lock ‘N Load are some of the most popular stand up performances in the last twenty years. You’re also likely to hear some music from Leary and his band The Enablers featuring the Rehab Horns. The Rescue Me 2 Tour will definitely be one of the best comedy tours to hit the highway this summer.  

In the 1990’s, alternative rock band Jane’s Addiction were one of the most popular bands in the country, but for the last decade band members Perry Farrell and Dave Navarro spent most of their time on various side projects. With new bassist Duff McKagan playing his first show with the band, Jane’s Addiction played a secret show at music venue Bardot in Los Angeles. The band cranked out eight songs to the delight of 150 audience members. The set list included hits like “Pigs in Zen”, “Ain’t No Right”. “Ocean Size”, and a new song “Old Soulmate”. The band is presently recording a new album with McKagan adding the bass. Who knows? Maybe we’ll see Jane’s Addiction at Perry’s Lollapalooza this summer.

Brooks & Dunn, country music’s all time best selling duo, is hanging up their boots for good, but fans still have one more chance to buy Brooks and Dunn tickets. Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn have been churning out hit albums since their debut in 1991. When Brooks, an accomplished Nashville songwriter/musician and Dunn, a big-voiced solo artist looking to breakthrough to the top of the charts, joined forces in 1991, a unprecedented partnership was born. Brooks & Dunn songs like “My Maria”, “Boot Scootin’ Boogie”, ” and “Believe” have been some of the most successful country songs released in the last twenty years. Their live shows have kept fans coming back again and again through the years. It’ll be a sad day when the duo walk off the stage together for the last time, but something tells me it won’t be forever.

Twenty two year old pop star Rihanna will have a busy summer this year. Her announced “Last Girl on Earth Tour” will be her biggest headlining tour to date yet, playing across the United States in July and August. American fans will have to wait until then to buy Rihanna tickets, because the Barbadian R&B hit maker will be in Europe from April 16th-June 5th.  Rihanna is destined to sell out arenas on both sides of the Atlantic, but she is also making stops at the Rock in Rio Festival in Madrid this summer and on the Lilith Fair Tour as well in Salt Lake City on July 12th. Rihanna is also on top of the charts currently with her single “Rude Boy” off her 2009 release Rated R.  Rihanna has achieved so much in her young career so far that one can only think that things will be even bigger for the Def Jam recording artist in 2010.

The summer is filled with great festivals all throughout the country, but one very special one in particular is the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival held in New Orleans, Louisiana from April 23-May 2nd. The festival began in 1970 with only local acts being featured and has grown into one of the most popular festivals in the United States. Jazz Fest now attracts some of the biggest names in music such as Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews Band, and more. This year artists that are scheduled to perform include Lionel Ritchie, Simon & Garfunkel, My Morning Jacket, Darius Rucker, the Levon Helm Band, the Allman Brothers, Elvis Costello, Aretha Franklin, Pearl Jam, Van Morrison, the Neville Brothers, and more. Music fans also get to enjoy just visiting the unique town that is New Orleans. All the food vendors at the festival undergo strict screening so only authentic New Orleans food is sold. Head on down to New Orleans and have a ball this summer at New Orleans Jazz Fest.