Music, Tours | featured news

A ritual, a blood bath, slacklining, a partial striptease, drummers in midair, traditional Basque harmonies, a psychedelic train ride — they’re all part of Madonna’s “MDNA” tour, which started its North American itinerary with an arena concert here at the Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday night. It comes to Yankee Stadium next Thursday and Sept. 8.

U2 raked in $156 million from 25 shows in 21 North American cities in 2011, making the band the highest-grossing touring act of the year, according to Pollstar. Worldwide, the group pulled in $231.9 million for the year. Taylor Swift just missed the $100 million mark in North America, earning $97.7 million over 80 dates in 59 cities on her "Speak Now" tour. Other top-grossing acts were Kenny Chesney ($84.6 million), Lady Gaga ($63.7 million) and Bon Jovi ($57.1 million), who were the biggest earners of 2010.

"I don't know how I'm going to do 50 shows. I'm not a big eater - I need to put some weight on," Jackson reportedly said.

Singer cancels gig due to recent legal problems -- A spokesman for Amy Winehouse says the singer won't perform in the United States next month, as had been planned.