THE WEEKEND STARTS HERE:

...with LIVE AID!  It was recently the anniversary of the trans-Atlantic rock event aimed at aiding starving people in Ethiopia (Its prime movers, like Bob Geldof & Bono, would later discover, actually getting the aid past the Marxist dictatorship would be the difficult part). Most of the day's music has found its way online, including the set from Queen that was memorialized in Boheman Rhapsody, a decidiely career-boosting appearance by U2, a look at the pre-lip-syncing Madonna, a peak-80s Bowie set and -- as my pal Nathan reminded me  -- a raft of appearances from the Style Council to the Four Tops to Paul Young to Judas Priest to the Cars to the Beach Boys to the Pretenders to The Who to Simple Minds to Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers and so many more.  Revisiting these videos, I was particularly taken by a solo Elvis Costello (who pobably could not afford a touring band at this point in his career) making The Beatles' "All You Need Is Love" much more than what's on the page with help from a stadium crowd, and the improbable greatness of Kiki Dee in Mom wear, joining Elton John for "Don't Go Breaking My Heart."

FRUIT BATS play KEXP.

THE CONNELLS share the demo for "Carry My Picture."

HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER shares "Shinbone."

YARD ACT shares "The Trench Coat Museum."

LUCINDA WILLIAMS discusses her memoir and new LP at Paste.

CIGARETTES AFTER SEX is huge, under the radar.

SAG-AFTRA is on strike against the film and TV companies, marking only the second time in Hollywood history that actors have joined writers on the picket lines. 

OPPENHEIMER's cast had to walk off the red carpet when the strike started.

HOUSE OF THE DRAGON can continue shooting despite the strike due to rules in the UK.

DISNEY CEO BOB IGER thinks the writers' and actors' demands are unrealistic.

THE EMMYS: Network TV is missing in action.

KEVIN COSTNER was ordered to pay six figures in monthly child support.

LISA MARIE PRESLEY died in January of complications from small bowel obstruction, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office.

KEVIN SPACEY defends coming out after being accused of sexual misconduct.

THE BEST MOVIES of 2023 (So Far), according to The Ringer.

A HUMMINGBIRD, taking its daily shower.

OCTOPUSES, but babies.

AN OWL, but albino.