Friday Dance Music Guide: The Week's Best New Tracks From Haai, Sammy Virji & More
This week in dance music: Blond:ish releases her debut album Never Walk Alone today, a week after being announced as Pacha Ibiza's first female headline resident DJ. Charlotte de Witte, Sara Landry, Horsegiirl and many others were added to the Movement 2025 lineup; EDC Las Vegas announced the lineup for its May event; Winter Music Conference announced the first wave of speakers for its event next month in Miami; Empire of the Sun's Luke Steele signed a global deal with Warner Chappell Music; Seven Lions signed with management company MLennial and Justice hit the Hot 100 for the first time in the duo's decades-long career with its appearance on The Weeknd's Hurry Up Tomorrow opener 'Wake Me Up.'
And on this day of love, we celebrate our enduring passion for the music with the best new dance tracks of the week.
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Haai, 'Can't Stand to Lose'
Australia-born, London-based producer Haai returns with her first new music since 2023 via 'Can't Stand to Lose.' A reflection on the fast-paced DJ life and the desire to sometimes slow down, the song takes its time unfurling, creating a nuanced depth and mood evoking both solitude and a crowded club. The artist born Teneil Throssell calls the song 'a reflection on longing, loss, and the deeply human emotions that accompany them – the nostalgia, the yearning, and the vulnerability. It's inspired by our rapidly changing world and how it reshapes our lives: opening possibilities that are initially exciting, but are soon met with the realization of what's lost. It's a meditation on what we gain and what we leave behind.' Her upcoming U.S. shows include the music cruise Friendship, which sets sail from Miami next week, and back to back weekends at Coachella in April.
Anyma, Argy & Son of Son, 'Voices In My Head'
Having played a whole lot of unreleased music during his Sphere residency, Anyma is now in the process of releasing some of it. A standout moment of the show came during the segment when the venue's screens were filled with thousands of blinking and seemingly sleep-deprived eyes, a segment soundtracked by a song we now know is called 'Voices In My Head.' Out today on Interscope Records, the song is a collaboration with Greek artist Argy and Swedish producer Son of Son and further establishes the dark but still widely accessible melodic techno that is Anyma's signature. Anyma will play his final four dates at Sphere in late February and early March.
Sammy Virji, 'I Guess We're Not the Same'
After blasting through our earholes with 2024's totally undeniable Interplanetary Criminal collab 'Damager,' white-hot U.K. producer Sammy Virji returns with the mellower but equally compelling 'I Guess We're Not the Same.' Out on Astralwerks, the song's bouncy, singsong vibe juxtaposes with kind of bittersweet lyrics, with the theme also reflected in the track's undertow of a bassline. Virji's upcoming U.S. tour includes appearances at Coachella, Lightning in a Bottle, Movement and Bonnaroo.
DJ Minx, 'Blocked'
Let us not forget that Valentine's Day is also about self-love and that self-love is a lot about boundaries, sentiments Detroit legend DJ Minx celebrates today with her latest release. 'Delete,' she commands on the track, 'unfollow, removed, blocked,' reminding us all that sometimes taking care of ourselves is as simple as pressing a button and eliminating anything and anyone, that is, as she puts it, 'f–king with my flow.' The wind up house track gives the whole exercise a commanding and celebratory feel.
Alok & Kylie Minogue, 'Last Night I Dreamt I Fell in Love'
Generational dance royalty Kylie Minogue makes another run for the booth with 'Last Night I Dreamt I Fell In Love,' her first collab with Brazilian producer Alok. Much like the lovey dreamscape it references, the two-minute track has an ephemeral quality, but like a good dream, is also sweet while it lasts.
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San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Immersive tech reshapes music and film landscape with Bono, Metallica and 'Matrix' taking the leap
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — With a mic in hand, Bono belts out 'Vertigo,' close enough to reach out and touch, as if you're sharing the stage with him at the Beacon Theatre in New York. As he performs, the front row seat experience becomes deeply personal, with the U2 frontman seemingly locking eyes with you before the camera swings to his side to reveal the crowd, pumping their fists in excitement. The song's lyrics leap from beneath Bono's feet through 3D animation, gathering around him while hovering over the crowd. This isn't your typical concert. It's an all-access pass into Bono's performance and documentary film 'Bono: Stories of Surrender," which premiered last week on Apple TV+ and gained new life through the Apple Vision Pro. The device places viewers right onstage with Bono, delivering it all in 8K with spatial audio for a fully immersive 180-degree video. 'There's a kind of intimacy afforded to us,' said Bono, who added that immersive technologies tap into viewers senses and emotions more deeply than traditional media. 'It's not just being in the room. You can be in your head.' These days, experiences like Bono's concert film have become the next frontier of music, film and live performances. Headset devices like the Vision Pro and Meta's Quest 3, alongside next-gen venues such as the Sphere and Cosm, are making these experiences borderless, turning every seat into the best one in the house. Some of music's biggest names — including U2, Metallica, Megan Thee Stallion, Alicia Keys, T-Pain, Phish and The Weeknd — have had projects featured on these platforms. Even the iconic film 'The Matrix' has been reintroduced in this immersive space. 'This is the future. These experiences enhance the connection,' said Robert Trujillo, guitarist for Metallica, whose powerhouse Mexico City performance was delivered in an immersive concert experience through the Vision Pro in March. After watching their show on the device, he was in awe. 'It almost felt like you could touch the crowd and us,' he said. 'It was really incredible. The sound is amazing. The dynamic ranges from the ambient noises and the crowd. It's a special experience.' How music greats view future of immersion tech for industry Bono has long embraced innovation and technology to forge a connection with U2's audience. The band's 2014 album 'Songs of Innocence" was added to every Mac, iPhone, iPad, and iPod. In 2023, the foursome became the first band to perform at the Sphere, launching a successful residency at the $2.3 billion, 366-foot-tall Las Vegas venue that illuminates the city's skyline. U2 guitarist The Edge felt the Sphere was a 'quantum leap forward' in terms of the sensory impacts of a live concert. Now, with 'Stories of Surrender,' Bono goes solo, reflecting on his life from childhood and family to his career as a rock star and activist. It's the first feature film shot in Apple Immersive Video, bringing the artwork from his book 'Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story' to life with 3D animation. Bono even used the Apple Pencil Pro to create images featured in the film. He believes the immersive technology can connect with audiences on a profound level and hopes the $3,500 Vision Pro will eventually become more affordable. 'All of this is impressive,' he said. 'I think about the film, when I'm singing about my mother, and (my mother's name) Iris start to appear. I was completely taken aback, even though I'd drawn the Iris. There are other moments when I see my father in the chair beside me as a drawing partially by me.' Bono added: 'Then I thought, 'We might be getting beyond technology here into some kind of magic. Not just a magic trick like 'Hey, presto.' But more alchemy, more of 'What did I just feel?'" Trujillo, who typically avoids watching replays of his performances, found himself drawn in by the immersive experience of their show, which included interviews and close-ups of fans. He said the technology amplifies the energy of a live performance at a time when that excitement can feel diminished. 'For a lot of bands, especially in the hard rock genre, it felt like it was disappearing,' he said. "To me, this really brings it back and relevant again. It shows you the strength in the performance and the emotional attachment to the fans.' How immersive venues are making their mark While virtual reality headsets offer a personal window into performances, venues like the Sphere and Cosm are expanding these experiences to entire crowds. In their own way, both are redefining the possibilities of live performances and shared experiences. 'It's virtual reality without the glasses,' said Baz Halpin, the CEO and founder of Silent House Group, who produced and designed the Eagles' residency at the 17,500-seat Sphere. Halpin said Silent House will also be involved in the Backstreet Boys upcoming Sphere residency, kicking off in July. 'You can create optical illusions that I didn't think were frankly possible,' Halpin said. 'It's such a big swing. It's such a bold idea. It's still that concert experience, but somehow the visuals have turned into a rollercoaster and movie, and you're apart of it." Shared reality through "The Matrix" While the Sphere looms large over Las Vegas, Cosm offers a more intimate experience, featuring a new venture into Keanu Reeves' iconic world as Neo. Cosm is stepping into 'The Matrix' with a shared reality cinematic experience, celebrating the film's 25th anniversary with screenings at their locations in Dallas and Inglewood, California, starting June 6. Inside Cosm's 87-foot LED dome, the original film plays while the environment dynamically mirrors the on-screen action, pulling audiences deeper into the world. 'We are continuing to push the immersive tech industry forward,' said Jeb Terry, the CEO and president at Cosm, which also hosts live sports, 'O' by Cirque du Soleil, 'Orbital' and 'Big Wave: No Room for Error." The company plans to open its third location in Atlanta in 2026. With 'The Matrix,' Cosm believes the shared reality experience will pave the way for showcasing more classic films, complementing the traditional movie theater experience. 'We're really commemorating some of these legendary amazing films,' said Alexis Scalice, Cosm's vice president of business development and entertainment. 'We're keeping that interactive and exciting approach to it.' What's next for Sphere? The vision for a second Sphere location will come to fruition in the United Arab Emirates. In collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, the new venue will replicate the cutting-edge technology and scale of the Las Vegas version. The Abu Dhabi Sphere is part of a broader plan to establish additional Spheres globally and domestically, alongside smaller U.S. venues with seating capacities of 3,000 to 6,000. 'We are advancing our vision of this global network,' said Jennifer Koester, the president and COO at Sphere. She said the smaller Spheres will make the concept more deployable across different markets. As construction of the Abu Dhabi location progresses, the Las Vegas Sphere is preparing to bring a timeless classic to life. In late August, the original 'The Wizard of Oz' is set to premiere at the venue. Koester said AI models were trained on original scene drawings, set designs and materials sourced from the Academy Museum to fully fill the Sphere's massive screen. She said that evolving the technology is key to staying ahead. 'In the industry, we're seeing a lot of people talk about bringing forward experiences that are more immersive,' she said. 'People are looking for it, and people are expecting it. The bar is going to continue to get higher and higher.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Immersive tech reshapes music and film landscape with Bono, Metallica and 'Matrix' taking the leap
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — With a mic in hand, Bono belts out 'Vertigo,' close enough to reach out and touch, as if you're sharing the stage with him at the Beacon Theatre in New York. As he performs, the front row seat experience becomes deeply personal, with the U2 frontman seemingly locking eyes with you before the camera swings to his side to reveal the crowd, pumping their fists in excitement. The song's lyrics leap from beneath Bono's feet through 3D animation, gathering around him while hovering over the crowd. This isn't your typical concert. It's an all-access pass into Bono's performance and documentary film 'Bono: Stories of Surrender," which premiered last week on Apple TV+ and gained new life through the Apple Vision Pro. The device places viewers right onstage with Bono, delivering it all in 8K with spatial audio for a fully immersive 180-degree video. 'There's a kind of intimacy afforded to us,' said Bono, who added that immersive technologies tap into viewers senses and emotions more deeply than traditional media. 'It's not just being in the room. You can be in your head.' These days, experiences like Bono's concert film have become the next frontier of music, film and live performances. Headset devices like the Vision Pro and Meta's Quest 3, alongside next-gen venues such as the Sphere and Cosm, are making these experiences borderless, turning every seat into the best one in the house. Some of music's biggest names — including U2, Metallica, Megan Thee Stallion, Alicia Keys, T-Pain, Phish and The Weeknd — have had projects featured on these platforms. Even the iconic film 'The Matrix' has been reintroduced in this immersive space. 'This is the future. These experiences enhance the connection,' said Robert Trujillo, guitarist for Metallica, whose powerhouse Mexico City performance was delivered in an immersive concert experience through the Vision Pro in March. After watching their show on the device, he was in awe. 'It almost felt like you could touch the crowd and us,' he said. 'It was really incredible. The sound is amazing. The dynamic ranges from the ambient noises and the crowd. It's a special experience.' How music greats view future of immersion tech for industry Bono has long embraced innovation and technology to forge a connection with U2's audience. The band's 2014 album 'Songs of Innocence" was added to every Mac, iPhone, iPad, and iPod. In 2023, the foursome became the first band to perform at the Sphere, launching a successful residency at the $2.3 billion, 366-foot-tall Las Vegas venue that illuminates the city's skyline. U2 guitarist The Edge felt the Sphere was a 'quantum leap forward' in terms of the sensory impacts of a live concert. Now, with 'Stories of Surrender,' Bono goes solo, reflecting on his life from childhood and family to his career as a rock star and activist. It's the first feature film shot in Apple Immersive Video, bringing the artwork from his book 'Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story' to life with 3D animation. Bono even used the Apple Pencil Pro to create images featured in the film. He believes the immersive technology can connect with audiences on a profound level and hopes the $3,500 Vision Pro will eventually become more affordable. 'All of this is impressive,' he said. 'I think about the film, when I'm singing about my mother, and (my mother's name) Iris start to appear. I was completely taken aback, even though I'd drawn the Iris. There are other moments when I see my father in the chair beside me as a drawing partially by me.' Bono added: 'Then I thought, 'We might be getting beyond technology here into some kind of magic. Not just a magic trick like 'Hey, presto.' But more alchemy, more of 'What did I just feel?'" Trujillo, who typically avoids watching replays of his performances, found himself drawn in by the immersive experience of their show, which included interviews and close-ups of fans. He said the technology amplifies the energy of a live performance at a time when that excitement can feel diminished. 'For a lot of bands, especially in the hard rock genre, it felt like it was disappearing,' he said. "To me, this really brings it back and relevant again. It shows you the strength in the performance and the emotional attachment to the fans.' How immersive venues are making their mark While virtual reality headsets offer a personal window into performances, venues like the Sphere and Cosm are expanding these experiences to entire crowds. In their own way, both are redefining the possibilities of live performances and shared experiences. 'It's virtual reality without the glasses,' said Baz Halpin, the CEO and founder of Silent House Group, who produced and designed the Eagles' residency at the 17,500-seat Sphere. Halpin said Silent House will also be involved in the Backstreet Boys upcoming Sphere residency, kicking off in July. 'You can create optical illusions that I didn't think were frankly possible,' Halpin said. 'It's such a big swing. It's such a bold idea. It's still that concert experience, but somehow the visuals have turned into a rollercoaster and movie, and you're apart of it." Shared reality through "The Matrix" While the Sphere looms large over Las Vegas, Cosm offers a more intimate experience, featuring a new venture into Keanu Reeves' iconic world as Neo. Cosm is stepping into 'The Matrix' with a shared reality cinematic experience, celebrating the film's 25th anniversary with screenings at their locations in Dallas and Inglewood, California, starting June 6. Inside Cosm's 87-foot LED dome, the original film plays while the environment dynamically mirrors the on-screen action, pulling audiences deeper into the world. 'We are continuing to push the immersive tech industry forward,' said Jeb Terry, the CEO and president at Cosm, which also hosts live sports, 'O' by Cirque du Soleil, 'Orbital' and 'Big Wave: No Room for Error." The company plans to open its third location in Atlanta in 2026. With 'The Matrix,' Cosm believes the shared reality experience will pave the way for showcasing more classic films, complementing the traditional movie theater experience. 'We're really commemorating some of these legendary amazing films,' said Alexis Scalice, Cosm's vice president of business development and entertainment. 'We're keeping that interactive and exciting approach to it.' What's next for Sphere? The vision for a second Sphere location will come to fruition in the United Arab Emirates. In collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, the new venue will replicate the cutting-edge technology and scale of the Las Vegas version. The Abu Dhabi Sphere is part of a broader plan to establish additional Spheres globally and domestically, alongside smaller U.S. venues with seating capacities of 3,000 to 6,000. 'We are advancing our vision of this global network,' said Jennifer Koester, the president and COO at Sphere. She said the smaller Spheres will make the concept more deployable across different markets. As construction of the Abu Dhabi location progresses, the Las Vegas Sphere is preparing to bring a timeless classic to life. In late August, the original 'The Wizard of Oz' is set to premiere at the venue. Koester said AI models were trained on original scene drawings, set designs and materials sourced from the Academy Museum to fully fill the Sphere's massive screen. She said that evolving the technology is key to staying ahead. 'In the industry, we're seeing a lot of people talk about bringing forward experiences that are more immersive,' she said. 'People are looking for it, and people are expecting it. The bar is going to continue to get higher and higher.'
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Associated Press
Immersive tech reshapes music and film landscape with Bono, Metallica and 'Matrix' taking the leap
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — With a mic in hand, Bono belts out 'Vertigo,' close enough to reach out and touch, as if you're sharing the stage with him at the Beacon Theatre in New York. As he performs, the front row seat experience becomes deeply personal, with the U2 frontman seemingly locking eyes with you before the camera swings to his side to reveal the crowd, pumping their fists in excitement. The song's lyrics leap from beneath Bono's feet through 3D animation, gathering around him while hovering over the crowd. This isn't your typical concert. It's an all-access pass into Bono's performance and documentary film 'Bono: Stories of Surrender,' which premiered last week on Apple TV+ and gained new life through the Apple Vision Pro. The device places viewers right onstage with Bono, delivering it all in 8K with spatial audio for a fully immersive 180-degree video. 'There's a kind of intimacy afforded to us,' said Bono, who added that immersive technologies tap into viewers senses and emotions more deeply than traditional media. 'It's not just being in the room. You can be in your head.' These days, experiences like Bono's concert film have become the next frontier of music, film and live performances. Headset devices like the Vision Pro and Meta's Quest 3, alongside next-gen venues such as the Sphere and Cosm, are making these experiences borderless, turning every seat into the best one in the house. Some of music's biggest names — including U2, Metallica, Megan Thee Stallion, Alicia Keys, T-Pain, Phish and The Weeknd — have had projects featured on these platforms. Even the iconic film 'The Matrix' has been reintroduced in this immersive space. 'This is the future. These experiences enhance the connection,' said Robert Trujillo, guitarist for Metallica, whose powerhouse Mexico City performance was delivered in an immersive concert experience through the Vision Pro in March. After watching their show on the device, he was in awe. 'It almost felt like you could touch the crowd and us,' he said. 'It was really incredible. The sound is amazing. The dynamic ranges from the ambient noises and the crowd. It's a special experience.' How music greats view future of immersion tech for industry Bono has long embraced innovation and technology to forge a connection with U2's audience. The band's 2014 album 'Songs of Innocence' was added to every Mac, iPhone, iPad, and iPod. In 2023, the foursome became the first band to perform at the Sphere, launching a successful residency at the $2.3 billion, 366-foot-tall Las Vegas venue that illuminates the city's skyline. U2 guitarist The Edge felt the Sphere was a 'quantum leap forward' in terms of the sensory impacts of a live concert. Now, with 'Stories of Surrender,' Bono goes solo, reflecting on his life from childhood and family to his career as a rock star and activist. It's the first feature film shot in Apple Immersive Video, bringing the artwork from his book 'Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story' to life with 3D animation. Bono even used the Apple Pencil Pro to create images featured in the film. He believes the immersive technology can connect with audiences on a profound level and hopes the $3,500 Vision Pro will eventually become more affordable. 'All of this is impressive,' he said. 'I think about the film, when I'm singing about my mother, and (my mother's name) Iris start to appear. I was completely taken aback, even though I'd drawn the Iris. There are other moments when I see my father in the chair beside me as a drawing partially by me.' Bono added: 'Then I thought, 'We might be getting beyond technology here into some kind of magic. Not just a magic trick like 'Hey, presto.' But more alchemy, more of 'What did I just feel?'' Trujillo, who typically avoids watching replays of his performances, found himself drawn in by the immersive experience of their show, which included interviews and close-ups of fans. He said the technology amplifies the energy of a live performance at a time when that excitement can feel diminished. 'For a lot of bands, especially in the hard rock genre, it felt like it was disappearing,' he said. 'To me, this really brings it back and relevant again. It shows you the strength in the performance and the emotional attachment to the fans.' How immersive venues are making their mark While virtual reality headsets offer a personal window into performances, venues like the Sphere and Cosm are expanding these experiences to entire crowds. In their own way, both are redefining the possibilities of live performances and shared experiences. 'It's virtual reality without the glasses,' said Baz Halpin, the CEO and founder of Silent House Group, who produced and designed the Eagles' residency at the 17,500-seat Sphere. Halpin said Silent House will also be involved in the Backstreet Boys upcoming Sphere residency, kicking off in July. 'You can create optical illusions that I didn't think were frankly possible,' Halpin said. 'It's such a big swing. It's such a bold idea. It's still that concert experience, but somehow the visuals have turned into a rollercoaster and movie, and you're apart of it.' Shared reality through 'The Matrix' While the Sphere looms large over Las Vegas, Cosm offers a more intimate experience, featuring a new venture into Keanu Reeves' iconic world as Neo. Cosm is stepping into 'The Matrix' with a shared reality cinematic experience, celebrating the film's 25th anniversary with screenings at their locations in Dallas and Inglewood, California, starting June 6. Inside Cosm's 87-foot LED dome, the original film plays while the environment dynamically mirrors the on-screen action, pulling audiences deeper into the world. 'We are continuing to push the immersive tech industry forward,' said Jeb Terry, the CEO and president at Cosm, which also hosts live sports, 'O' by Cirque du Soleil, 'Orbital' and 'Big Wave: No Room for Error.' The company plans to open its third location in Atlanta in 2026. With 'The Matrix,' Cosm believes the shared reality experience will pave the way for showcasing more classic films, complementing the traditional movie theater experience. 'We're really commemorating some of these legendary amazing films,' said Alexis Scalice, Cosm's vice president of business development and entertainment. 'We're keeping that interactive and exciting approach to it.' What's next for Sphere? The vision for a second Sphere location will come to fruition in the United Arab Emirates. In collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, the new venue will replicate the cutting-edge technology and scale of the Las Vegas version. The Abu Dhabi Sphere is part of a broader plan to establish additional Spheres globally and domestically, alongside smaller U.S. venues with seating capacities of 3,000 to 6,000. 'We are advancing our vision of this global network,' said Jennifer Koester, the president and COO at Sphere. She said the smaller Spheres will make the concept more deployable across different markets. As construction of the Abu Dhabi location progresses, the Las Vegas Sphere is preparing to bring a timeless classic to life. In late August, the original 'The Wizard of Oz' is set to premiere at the venue. Koester said AI models were trained on original scene drawings, set designs and materials sourced from the Academy Museum to fully fill the Sphere's massive screen. She said that evolving the technology is key to staying ahead. 'In the industry, we're seeing a lot of people talk about bringing forward experiences that are more immersive,' she said. 'People are looking for it, and people are expecting it. The bar is going to continue to get higher and higher.'
