Snippets from the Road

1. Sir Paul McCartney has tacked a few more shows onto the itinerary for his 2010 "Up and Coming" tour.

The former Beatle will return to the road beginning with a two-night stand March 28-29 in Glendale, AZ. Since last check, four new dates have been confirmed, including a second night at LA's Hollywood Bowl (3/30-3/31). The legendary performer will also host concerts in Miami (4/3) and San Juan, Puerto Rico (4/5).

2. ZZ Top, Godsmack, Buckcherry and Tesla are just some of the bands appearing at this year’s Rocklahoma, scheduled for Memorial Weekend in Pryor, Okla. Along with the aforementioned bands, other groups appearing at the 3-day festival include Cinderella, Chevelle, Stone Sour, Theory Of A Deadman, Saliva, Saving Abel, Adelitas, Aranda and Burn Halo with more to be announced.

3. Alicia Keys is among the recently confirmed headliners for the 2010 Essence Music Festival, set for July 2-4 in New Orleans. The newest additions to the lineup also include Arrested Development, Estelle, Trey Songz, War, LL Cool J, Mint Condition and Mary Mary among others.

Keys joins previously announced Mary J. Blige, along with Earth, Wind & Fire, Gladys Knight, Keri Hilson, Jill Scott, Raphael Saadiq, Charlie Wilson, De La Soul and many more at the annual weekend celebration.

BPD has received assurances that we'll have passes for #s1-3. So don't delay, request yours right away.

Alicia Keys 2010 Dates

Alicia Keys has begun assembling dates for a spring arena tour to support her just-released studio set, "The Element of Freedom."

The Grammy-winning R&B/soul star dropped her fourth studio album earlier this week. "The Element of Freedom," which Keys co-produced alongside a bevy of well-known hit-makers, follows 2007's triple-platinum "As I Am."

"Doesn't Mean Anything," the first single from "The Element of Freedom," was released to radio in September. A second single, "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart," hit in November. The album also features a collaboration with Beyonce called "Put It In a Love Song."

Earlier this month, Keys streamed her World AIDS Day/Keep a Child Alive benefit concert at New York's Nokia Theatre live from her YouTube channel.

These dates are confirmed with others to be added later:


Wed 03/03/10 Rosemont, IL Allstate Arena

Wed 03/17/10 New York, NY Madison Square Garden Arena

Fri 03/19/10 Newark, NJ Prudential Center

Mon 03/22/10 Boston, MA Agganis Arena at Boston University

Tue 04/06/10 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center

Don't miss out; request your passes from BackstagePassDirect today.