Pop’s biggest names storm soccer’s biggest stage, while new music, chart moves, and tough farewells round out a packed Sunday.
FIFA’s first-ever World Cup Final halftime show turned New York New Jersey Stadium into an 11‑minute pop revue: Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, BTS, Burna Boy and more, capped by Coldplay’s Chris Martin leading a brand-new closer, “We Dance,” with The Muppets and the PS22 Chorus (BTS joined the finale after a “Dynamite” burst). Jason Sudeikis’ Ted Lasso cameo teed up Bieber’s “Everything Hallelujah,” while the pregame closing ceremony saw Post Malone preview “Chrome Heartbreaker” and bring out Swae Lee, with Jennifer Hudson singing the U.S. anthem and Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger and Laura Pausini performing FIFA’s “Desire.” Reaction landed fast — from TV breakdowns and Super Bowl comparisons to Liam Gallagher calling the spectacle “like a bad trip.”
Sports-meets-pop spectacleNew music and previewsCharts and milestonesLoss and remembranceTours and live disruptions
Future scores his 12th No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with The Real Me; The Rolling Stones and the Heated Rivalry soundtrack also debut in the top 10.
Gracie Abrams surprises with two Daughter From Hell bonus tracks, “Out of Nowhere” and “Love Letter,” available for a limited time.
Martin Garrix premieres U2 collab “Fireflies” with The Edge at Tomorrowland; a studio release is coming soon.
Ariana Grande teases a classic‑Hollywood‑themed “Petals” video during her Brooklyn Barclays Center show.
In memoriam: L7 bassist Jennifer Finch dies at 59; “Good Times” vocalist and session great Jim Gilstrap dies at 79; early rock hitmaker Freddy Cannon dies at 89.
Weather and tour notes: Noah Kahan cancels his Queens show due to severe weather; Morgan Wallen debuts “Been By Now” live in Baltimore, set for release Friday (July 24).
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