Odds & Ends: Typhoon Benefit Concerts, Bieber, Wireless Festival, Megadeth

We’re sure the irony of having a typhoon benefit disrupted by bad weather wasn’t lost on fans who attended the “Kokua For The Philippines” concert in Hawaii Dec. 15.  Scheduled to take place at the Great Lawn at Hilton Hawaiian Waikiki Beach Resort, the event’s lineup was to feature several Hawaiian music artists including Henry Kapono of pop duo Cecilio & Kapono, melodic rockers Kalapana, 2006 Grammy winner Raiatea Helm and guitarist Makana.

Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans. 

But a little thunder and lightning didn’t stop the event’s organizers from making the proverbial lemonade from rain-drenched lemons.  The concert, hosted by KSSK morning hosts Michael W. Perry and Larry Price, moved indoors.  And although they couldn’t accommodate the fans who bought tickets for the outdoor concert, they did put on a show that aired on local radio and was streamed on the Internet.

Performers for the indoor version of the event included Kapono, Kristian Lei and Amy Hanaiali’I Gilliom.  Mick Fleetwood also put in an appearance as did Jimmy Buffett, who performed with Hawaiian ukulele maestro Jake Shimabukuro.

By the end of the broadcast organizers said the show had generated more than $1.75 million in donations. 

More money may be rolling in.  Spokesman David Sayre said earlier on Sunday that fans who purchased the $20 tickets for the outdoor show were encouraged to donate the refund amount.

Meanwhile, Linkin Park, The Offspring and Bad Religion are set to headline a Philippines typhoon benefit being planned for Los Angeles at Club Nokia Jan. 11.

Tickets are extremely limited but fans can snag passes by donating or raising a minimum of $250 for Music For Relief’s Typhoon Relief effort.  The first 300 people to reach the $250 goal will get tickets for the general admission pit closest to the stage while the top 75 fundraisers will get the VIP treatment, including meet & greets with the bands and other perks.  Click here for more info.

Non-beliebers may have thought their prayers were answered today, if only for a few minutes.  Appearing on Los Angeles radio show “Big Boy’s Neighborhood” on Power 106 FM, 19-year-old hitmaker Justin Bieber talked about retirement.

“I’m actually, uh, retiring, man,” Bieber said, according to TMZ.  The gossip site reported that the teenage superstar spoke “in a suspiciously raspy voice with conveniently sunglass-shielded eyes.”

While the Bieber camp has yet to comment on today’s remarks, this is probably one of those instances where we’ll soon be told that he was just kidding or was quoted out of context or … whatever.

Or maybe The Bieb was just trying to drum up a little extra publicity for when his new album, Complete My Journals, dropping Dec. 23.  And don’t forget he has a new movie to push.  “Justin Bieber’s Believe” lands in theaters on Christmas Day.  Quitting show biz?  Yeah, right.

You’re sure to double your pleasure and your fun at Britain’s Wireless Festival in 2014.  The yearly event in London which hosted Justin Timberlake and Jay Z this year has expanded to Birmingham, England.

Organizers announced on the festival’s website that Wireless is returning as “a two site, multi stage event” and that fans will see “the same artists play across sites in London and Birmingham” on different days during the same July 4-6 weekend.

So far no lineup has been announced but tickets will go on sale in January.  Meanwhile, you can register for the ticket presale by clicking here.

And to send you on your merry way with a smile on your face and a song in your heart, here’s some holiday cheer from Megadeth.