Eagles of Death Metal set for Paris return

Caroline Galloway / AP photo

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Paul Vernon / AP photo

Uwe Lein

Eagles of Death Metal, whose gig was targeted during terror attacks in Paris last month, will return to the stage on Sunday, December 6 in the French capital with U2, according to Billboard magazine.

The California band will join U2 for the Irish rockers’ final song at the Accor­Hotels Arena. Eagles of Death Metal will also resume their halted European tour in February.

Sunday’s performance will include Eagles of Death Metal co-founder Josh Homme, of Queens of the Stone Age, who rarely tours with the band and was absent during the November 13 attack at the Bataclan theatre, where 90 people were killed. Eagles of Death Metal have already said they want to be the first to play at the Bataclan when it reopens. U2’s performances on Sunday and Monday were originally scheduled for November 14 and 15 but postponed after the attacks. – AFP

The Beatles are together again

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has reunited The Beatles one last time – or, at least, their equipment.

The businessman bought Ringo Starr’s first Ludwig drum kit at auction for US$1.75 million (Dh6.42m). Irsay already owns guitars that belonged the group’s other three members – Paul McCartney, George Harrison and John Lennon.

This year, Irsay also purchased a drumhead that will fit the set he just bought.

“Finally, after 45 years, The Beatles are together again,” Irsay said.

A huge music fan and avid collector, he owns about 30 guitars used by stars such as Bob Dylan, Jerry Garcia and Eric Clapton. – AP

Walking Dead producer tries out VR

While experimenting with virtual reality for his latest project, Walking Dead executive producer David Alpert and his crew relied on a very old-school form of technology when filming in 360 degrees: the hidey-hole.

“The assistant director would go around and say: ‘OK. Everyone, get in your hidey-hole’,” said Alpert. “Everyone in the camera department would look around and check if you could see them. If they could, they’d say: ‘You need a new hidey-hole’.”

Avoiding the view of cameras capturing every angle was just one of the many challenges that Alpert faced while working on Gone, a live-action episodic VR series produced for Samsung's Milk VR service.

It explores what happens when a child goes missing. At certain points, viewers are able to zoom in on clues using the touchpad on the side of Samsung’s Gear VR headset, which utilises Samsung smartphones as a display device.

Walking Dead fans will have to wait a while for a VR experience based on the franchise, though.

Alpert noted that modern VR is still evolving and that he wanted to first produce an original story in VR before tackling zombies in the immersive medium.

“In the beginning, when TV came out, people started just by putting radio on TV,” he said. “Then, when the internet came, people said: ‘Let’s put TV on the internet’. It takes a while to find that native medium. I don’t think the best thing to do is to take an established brand and just plop it in VR.” – AP

Stone Temple Pilots frontman dies at age 48

Scott Weiland, frontman of Stone Temple Pilots and rock supergroup Velvet Revolver, has died at the age of 48, while touring with his latest band, The Wildabouts.

Weiland’s manager, Tom Vitorino, confirmed the news but not the cause of death. Weiland had a long history of struggles with addiction.

A statement on Weiland’s Facebook page read: “Scott Weiland, best known as the lead singer for Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver, passed away in his sleep while on a tour stop in Bloomington, Minnesota, with his band The Wildabouts. At this time we ask that the privacy of Scott’s family be respected.” – The National staff

Fire destroys Lee Scratch Perry’s studio

Legendary reggae producer Lee “Scratch” Perry accidentally burnt down his Swiss studio after he forgot to put a candle out.

He intentionally burnt down his original Black Arts Studio in 1979 as part of a “cleansing period” in his life, but this time the destruction appears to have been an accident.

He posted on Facebook: “Something very, very sad happened. My whole secret laboratory burnt out. My whole life collections, arts, my magic hats, my magic boots, all my crazy show outfits and costumes. All my electronics and studio equipment and my magic mic, books, music, everything gone.”

Perry has called for fans to make him new magic hats in return for free tickets to his forthcoming world tour. – The National staff