John Mayer Covers Beyonce's "XO" and It's Great

John Mayer has released a recorded version of his cover of Beyonce’s  “XO” and quite frankly, I am in love. Check out the cover above and let us know what you think; it’s definitely worth a listen (or ten).

Lana Del Rey Releases "Shades of Cool" Off Upcoming 'Ultraviolence'

It’s been a busy few weeks for songstress Lana Del Rey. Performing here in Toronto, at the Sony Music Centre on May 13th she recently jetted over to Italy to perform her hit “Summertime Sadness” at the Kimye rehearsal dinner. Keeping up with her seemingly non-stop schedule, Del Rey has just released her newest single “Shades of Cool” off her upcoming album Ultraviolence. The album is set to drop June 13th.

Give “Shades of Cool” a listen above.

Will Ferrel and Red Hot Chilli Pepper Drummer Chad Smith Square Off on The Tonight Show

Last night on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, comedian Will Ferrel and Red Hot Chilli Pepper drummer Chad Smith faced off in a highly-anticipated drum battle. 

The pair began a good-natured feud with one another back in February, when Ferrel stated in a Reddit AMA Session how, “It has been acknowledged many times that myself and Chad Smith, drummer for the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, share a resemblance to each other. A lot of people think that it’s me playing for the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. But that would be an insult to Chad Smith. The truth of the matter is there is no Will Ferrell. Only Chad Smith.”

In an effort to clear up any confusion about who the real drummer is ,the pair squared-off in a series of increasingly heated drum solos. That is, until Ferrel pulled out his infamous cowbell and it was game over for Smith.

Together the pair raised a ton of money for charity and provided a good laugh for RHCP and Ferrel fans alike. Check out the drum-off above and let us know if you think Ferrel deserved the crowning title?

You can check out Ferrel’s Reddit AMA Session here.

14 Summer Festivals You Absolutely Have to Attend This Summer

1. FIELD TRIP (June 7-8, 2014)

Who: Broken Social Scene, Vance Joy, Chvrches, Interpol

Where: Fort York and Garrison Common (Toronto, ON)

Record label Arts & Crafts held their inaugural two-day festival “Field Trip” in 2013, and its second-year is shaping up to look just as killer. Expanding this year beyond just music, 2014’s Field Trip allows festival goers to enjoy programs that explore the local art, fashion and culinary scenes of Toronto. From what I’ve heard, hitting up one of the festival’s many local food truck options is an absolute must if you’re planning on attending.

2. NORTH BY NORTHEAST (NXNE) (June 13-22, 2014)

Who:  Juicy J, Sleigh Bells, Joel Plaskett Emergency, Spoon

Where: All over Toronto, ON

NXNE’s ten-day summer festival covers everything from music to film to stand-up comedy. Celebrating its 20th year this year, the festival even has a ton of free-shows and extended last-calls at a number of popular Toronto bars and clubs.

3. HILLSIDE (July 25-27, 2014)

Who: Born Ruffians, Hey Rosetta!, Hollerado, Tegan and Sara

Where: Guelph Lake Island (Guelph, ON)

Complete with a food bazaar, workshops and a ton of craft vendors, Hillside is a three-day, five-stage event that has been running for over 30 years in Guelph. And, for those looking for a place to stay, campsites are available on the island for up to six campers per lot.

4. DIGITAL DREAMS (June 28-29, 2014)

Who: Tiesto, Eric Prydz, Carnage, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike

Where: The Flats @ M.C.A. (Ontario Place) (Toronto, ON)

I’m not gonna pretend I know a lot about the EDM scene, but for those of you out there (and there’s a lot) that love nothing more than a weekend of raving and good times, hit-up Digital Dreams at Ontario Place this Canada Day long-weekend for Canada’s largest electronic music festival.

5. ESCAPADE MUSIC FESTIVAL (June 28-29, 2014)

Who: Fedde Le Grand, Kaskade, Eric Prydz, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike

Where: Ottawa, ON

Another option for the EDM crowd, Escapade is the first festival of its kind in the NCR. Boasting a roster of all sorts of electronic music artists, Escapade runs for two-days over June 28th and 29th. If you can’t make it to Escapade this summer (perhaps because you’ve already got your tickets to Digital Dreams which is also running this weekend), consider checking out the festivals concert series instead on June 30th, or make the festival your destination for Canada Day festivities in the capital with Escapade Does O’Canada on July 1st.

6. TORONTO URBAN ROOTS FEST (TURF) (July 4-6, 2014)

Who: Sam Roberts Band, Hey Rosetta!, July Talk, Hollerado, Neutral Milk Hotel

Where: Fort York and Garrison Common (Toronto, ON)

With 3-stages and 44-artists performing, Toronto Urban Roots is returning for its second year to highlight a ton of really great Canadian talent. And, if for some crazy reason you’re not feeling the festival, Lee’s Place and the Horseshoe Tavern will be hosting a series of after-hours bonus shows with a number of TURF artists before, during and after the festival dates.

7. OTTAWA BLUESFEST (July 3-13, 2014)

Who: Blake Shelton, Tegan and Sara, Journey, Lady Gaga, Lady Antebellum, The Killers, Barenaked Ladies, Snoop Dog, AWOLNATION, Said The Whale

Where: Lebreton Flats (Ottawa, ON)

Priding itself as one of the top-ten music festivals in the world, Ottawa Bluesfest (recently re-christened the RBC Royal Bank Bluesfest) has a line-up of artists from almost every genre and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. If you’re in or around Ottawa during the ten-day festival its definitely worth trying to hit-up a day or two if you can.

8. BOOTS AND HEARTS (July 31- August 3, 2014)

Who: Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, Toby Keith, Hunter Hayes

Where: Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (Bomanville, ON)

Boots and Hearts is by far Canada’s largest country music festival, and a must-go event every summer for a ton of Canadian country fans. Camping sites are already sold out for this year’s festival, but wristbands are still available for those willing to commute or find a place to stay nearby.

9. VELD MUSIC FESTIVAL (August 2-3, 2014)

Who: Armin Van Buuren, Calvin Harris, Adventure Club, Nom De Strip

Where: Downsview Park (Toronto, ON)

Celebrate some of EDM’s biggest names in Downsview Park this August with VELD Music Festival’s summer line-up. Rain or shine, VELD always draws an enormous crowd every year.

10. OVO Fest (August 3-4, 2014)

Who: Drake, Frank Ocean, James Blake, Outkast

Where: Molson Amphitheatre (Toronto, ON)

October’s Very Own’s fifth annual OVO Fest kicks off in Toronto this summer featuring two-days of performances from a huge number of today’s finest in the hip-hop and R&B industry, including Toronto’s very own, Drake, on August 4th (pun intended).

11. ARBORETUM FESTIVAL (August 18-23, 2014)

Who: Kevin Drew (of Broken Social Scene), Constantines, Weaves

Where: Over 30 venues across the Ottawa area (Ottawa, ON)

Celebrating its third year, Arboretum prides itself on highlighting Ottawa’s art scene’s best kept secrets. From music to food to art, Arboretum is a killer three-day festival held all over the Ottawa-Gatineau area. Self-proclaimed as Ottawa’s “new music festival and cultural hoo-haw" Arboretum is a must on any serious festival goer’s agenda this summer.

12. RIOT FEST (September 6-7, 2014):

Who: The Cure, The National, Tokyo Police Club, Billy Talent, Death Cab for Cutie, City and Colour

Where: Downsview Park (Toronto, ON)

Complete with its own carnival attractions, Riot Fest is celebrating its ninth year with a multi-stop circuit that includes additional stops in Chicago (September 12-14) and Denver (September 19-21).

13. EDGEFEST (July 1, July 18, August 16, 2014)

Who: USS, The Sheepdogs, Monster Truck, Our Lady Peace, MS MR, Said The Whale

Where: TD Echo Beach (Toronto, ON)

102.1 The Edge’s annual Edgefest has been revamped this year into a three-day concert series running throughout the summer instead of its traditional one-day festival event. In addition to the scattering of performances throughout the summer the festival has also relocated from its usual spot in Downsview Park to TD’s Echo Beach. Featuring performances by a ton of the biggest names in alternative and indie music right now, I know I’ll personally be at at least one of the Edgefest shows this summer.

14. OSHEAGA (August 1-3, 2014)

Who: Anyone and everyone it seems (but notably, Arctic Monkeys, Jack White, Lorde, Outkast, Foster the People, Childish Gambino)

Where: Parc Jean-Drapeau (Montreal, QC)

Okay, so not in Ontario but I figured Osheaga deserved an honourable mention. Definitely one of the most popular Canadian summer music festivals, the three-day Quebec-based event features a ton of huge names in music. I’m pretty sure attending this festival is on at least 99% of 20-something’s bucket lists, so why not cross it off yours this summer.

Arcade Fire Release New Music Video for "We Exist"

Arcade Fire released their new music video for "We Exist" last week. 

Check it out above to see shots of the band’s 2014 Coachella performance as well as a cameo from Spiderman’s Andrew Garfield as he plays the role of a young man struggling with gender identity.

Love it? Not so much? Personally, I’m a fan of this video. Sound off in the comments with your thoughts!