Daily Top 5 News Countdown: Pussy Riot Members Finally Freed + More
Music, like politics, is now subject to the 24-hour news cycle. As a result, it’s damn near impossible to keep abreast of the day’s myriad rock ‘n’ roll tidbits. But fear not: In the spirit of simplification and efficiency, we’ve collected today's top 5 items and ranked them in terms of newsworthiness. Scroll down to see our picks.
- 5
Okkervil River Drop Free EP of '80s Covers
Indie greats take on Wang Chung, Don Henley and moreTheir version of 'Dance Hall Days' is a freakin' revelation. [Stereogum]
- 4
Daft Punk Playing Grammys
At least five minutes of this year's ceremony will be watchableThe show's producer says the duo's first performance since 2008 will be "celebratory." [Contact Music]
- 3
Trent Reznor Big-Ups Bowie, Disses Arcade Fire
NIN mastermind speaks his mind in a Hollywood Reporter columnTrent likes how Bowie surprised everyone this year and wishes Arcade Fire had scaled back the promo a bit. "OK, I get it," he writes. "You've got an album out, you've played every TV show in the world." [NME]
- 2
Arcade Fire Headlining Glastonbury
Montreal crew takes top billing at U.K. festThat settles it: Trent Reznor ain't going! [Pitchfork]
- 1
Pussy Riot Members Freed
Jailed Russian art-punks benefit from new amnesty lawBut don't think this means Vladimir Putin has gone soft. “I was not sorry that they ended up behind bars,” he said. “I was sorry that they were engaged in such disgraceful behaviour, which in my view was degrading to the dignity of women.” [Consequence of Sound]