Music News for Your Weekend

Jun 1, 2018 | 6:15 AM

ED SHEERAN, LIONEL RICHIE, BILLY OCEAN WIN IVOR NOVELLO AWARDS: Lionel Richie, Ed Sheeran and Billy Ocean were among the winners at this year’s Ivor Novello Awards, which honor and reward excellence in British and Irish songwriting and composing. At this year’s ceremony, held Thursday in London, Ed’s song “Shape of You” was named the Most Performed Work, meaning it’s been played the most on the radio, TV and other outlets. Ed was also named Songwriter of the Year for creating “an exceptional body of work.” Lionel won the Special International Award, while chart-topping Grammy winner Billy Ocean was given the International Achievement Award. Also taking home a special honor – the Outstanding Song Collection award – was Cathy Dennis, a British songwriter who’s penned hits like Britney Spears’ “Toxic” and Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl,” plus songs for Celine Dion and Janet Jackson, and numerous tracks for American Idol alums like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, Clay Aiken, Kris Allen and David Cook.

TAYLOR SWIFT’S ‘REPUTATION TOUR’ GROSSES $54 MILLION WITH FIRST SEVEN SHOWS: Taylor Swift has performed seven shows so far on the Reputation Stadium Tour and the shows have grossed a massive amount of money. All seven shows have been sold out and they grossed $54,072,007, according to Billboard. A whopping 397,952 tickets have been sold in the five cities Taylor has visited so far. She will perform two shows in Chicago this weekend before traveling to Europe for six shows in England and Ireland.

DJ KHALED & CHLOE X HALLE TO OPEN BEYONC & JAY-Z’S ON THE RUN II TOUR: DJ Khaled and Chloe x Halle are hitting the road with Beyonc and Jay-Z. The 42-year-old DJ and the singers took to their social media accounts to announce that they will be opening acts at the North American shows for the On the Run II Tour. “DJ Khaled previously opened Beyonc’s Formation Tour shows back in 2016. Beyonc and Jay-Z’s On the Run II Tour kicks off on June 6th.