Pop Shots – Playing The Odds

Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week Pop Shots is hitting you with thoughts on everything from Gwen Stefani being a sure thing in Vegas, to Gavin Rossdale taking a risk at a show that didn’t pay off, to L7 betting on a big comeback, and since this is Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.

* Gwen Stefani announced a headlining residency at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Titled Gwen Stefani – Just a Girl, the residency will consist of 25 dates spread out from June 2018 through March 2019. In a related story, I’m still looking to book a hot artist for a residency in my living room. I can’t believe Gwen chose Vegas over my accommodations! I have Greek yogurt in the fridge!

* Demi Lovato posted a picture on Instagram aimed at showing her fans her “flaws.” “I started comparing myself to these Instagram models,” Demi Lovato told E! in a recent interview, “I just thought to myself ‘someone needs to show my fans, and anybody that’s looking at my account, that what you see isn’t always what’s real,’ and so I decided to embrace my flaws – and I don’t even like to call them flaws, it’s just a part of who I am – and show the world that I’m imperfect, but that’s what makes me beautiful.” I’m not sure I’ve seen very many flaws when it comes to Demi Lovato’s looks, but, as a journalist, I suppose it’s now my duty to go through as many of her pictures as possible to try to see what she’s talking about. FYI, this could take a while, don’t wait up for me.


* In an interview with People magazine, Mariah Carey revealed she’s been battling bipolar disorder since 2001. When I think of all the times we mocked her TRL breakdown, and her strange episode of MTV Cribs … {cues gif of Homer Simpson retreating back into the bushes}

* Ariana Grande will be releasing the first single from her upcoming album on April 27th. Your move, Taylor Swift.

* 5 Seconds Of Summer have announced their third album, Youngblood, will be hitting stores on June 22nd. Honestly, it’s high time we had more pop-rock albums about utility players from the ‘70s and ‘80s.


* When Gavin Rossdale invited his female fans to join him on stage while performing “Comedown” he very quickly learned why you probably shouldn’t invite fans on stage. First a random guy decided to try to be a star, jumping in front of Rossdale, which resulted in said guy being tackled by security. While that melee was going on, a woman grabbed the mic and nearly tried to sing the song herself, at which point Rossdale yanked the mic from her hands. I’m actually on Rossdale’s side on that last part. Could you imagine paying to see Bush perform, and instead hearing Joan from accounting drunkenly belt out one of the greatest hits?

* will.i.am reunited with fellow Black Eyed Peas members Taboo and apl.de.ap (Fergie was … busy?) at London’s Royal Albert Hall for a special one-night-only live concert special that will air on April 20th on PBS. The performance is a part of the PBS series Landmarks Live in Concert, which features musicians taking the stage at historical landmarks, or places that hold personal significance to them. I just hope will.i.am brought along his favorite backup singers from the network.


* Vevo was hacked this past week, and it resulted in a number of videos needing to be taken down for a brief period of time, including the most streamed music video of all-time, “Despacito.” Listen, I’m no private investigator, but clearly this was all set up by PSY to try to boost “Gangnam Style” back up to having the title of “most streamed music video of all-time” once again.

* L7 are planning to record a new album later this year – their first since 1999’s Slap-Happy – and they’ve launched a PledgeMusic campaign to help fund it. You know, I think it’s time we stop pretending that they’re dead.


And with that, my time is up for the week, but I'll be back next week with more shots on all things pop.