This Week in Music

With summer days in full swing there is plenty to do and see in the world of music many of which is free.

Good Morning America has their annual summer concert series. If you have not been watching, you already missed artists like LMFAO, Mary J. Blige and Brad Paisely, but you still have a few more weeks to see other big names. This morning, No Doubt performed. Next week, Ne Yo is performing, followed by One Republic (Aug. 10), Neon Trees (Aug. 17), The Wanted (Aug. 24) and the Backstreet Boys (Aug. 31).

Meanwhile, the Today Show has their own summer concert line up. Coming up on Aug. 13 is the The Fray. Nicki Minaj, Train, Jason Mraz and Matchbox Twenty are some of the other big performers that are lined up to entertain live or on television from the comfort of your home.

Chicago’s Lollapolooza festival from Aug. 3-5 is sold out. However, if you didn’t get tickets or hate crowds you can still catch the action with a live webcast on YouTube.

The iHeart Radio music festival in Las Vegas on Sept. 21 and 22 is also sold out. Luckily, there are chances to win tickets online to see the line up of performers like Pitbull, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, and Usher. Hopefully they will stream some of the live action as well.

Tickets are still available for Philly’s Made In America Festival, which takes place Sept. 1 and 2. The main acts are Pearl Jam and JayZ with many others including Passion Pit.

This electro pop band Passion Pit released their sophomore album, Gossamer. It is full of the same synthesized sounds that made Passion Pit’s debut album, Manners, a success. It also includes the talented lyrical workings of Michael Angelakos who does lead vocals and keyboard as well.

Also new this week, rock band Gaslight Anthem released Handwritten.

Here is the video from popular single "45":

I don’t think J Lo is still “Jenny from the Block” but she reminds us how far she has come with her Dance Again album. It features her greatest hits like “If You Had my Love”, “I’m Real,” and “Waiting for Tonight."

Here is the video from club ready “Goin In” featuring Flo Rida:

In other news:
Not only will Rob Thomas be performing for the Today Show summer concerts, but The Voice will feature him as a celebrity guest mentor for Cee Lo Green’s team come September.

Mariah Carey will receive a BMI Icon Award.

Carey was confirmed on the panel of American Idol, but now that she is an icon who will be alongside her? It might be country artist Brad Paisley.

Lady Gaga is in trouble with a toy company. She is being sued for not approving a line of dolls that will be modeled after Gaga.

And finally, "life is good” for Nas. This week he tops the Billboard 200 album chart.