I SPY NY: Angelina Jolie, Jimmy Kimmel and More

I spy in NY…

Angelina Jolie filming scenes for forthcoming flick Salt aboard a boat on the Hudson River Monday (top photo), Jimmy Kimmel strolling in SoHo with friends Monday (middle photo), Ludacris tearing it up during Heineken’s New Legends series at Apollo Theatre Monday night (bottom photo), Lindsay Lohan hanging at the Rangers/Islanders game Friday night at Madison Square Garden, and Gogol Bordello performing at Webster Hall Sunday night.

Chris Brown: The Man or the Music?

It’s twenty degrees in New York, and there are dozens of people sleeping in front of Nokia Theatre in Times Square.

If you’ve been reading the news over the last year, you might be surprised to learn that those people are camped out to see Chris Brown, the 20-year old R&B singer who infamously attacked ex-girlfriend Rihanna following a Grammy’s pre-party back in February.

Brown issued a public apology following the incident, pleaded guilty to a felony assault, and eight months later announced a “Fan Appreciation Tour,” in which a portion of profits benefit domestic violence and disability organizations. But those efforts have come second to a maelstrom of backlash.

Almost immediately, radio stations stopped playing Brown’s music. Brown was forced to withdraw from several high-profile performances, including one at the 2009 Grammy’s. And a photo of Rihanna’s injuries that leaked post-incident triggered everything from domestic violence group outrage to verbal attacks to Brown at his events.

Tuesday’s show, ten months after the attack, had a sold-out audience of 2,100. That group was comprised mostly of teenage girls – some joined by parents, others with friends – but nearly all sporting some type of sign.

“Chris, We Want You To Take Us Down,” one poster read, a reference to single “Take You Down,” off of 2007’s Exclusive.

When Brown gets onstage, it’s no wonder why the fans lined up. Brown is beyond talented: vocally, choreographically; he even performs a spot-on cover of Michael Jackson‘s “Rock With You” and dances seamlessly through “Thriller.” But when I talk to the crowd, one thing is constant.

“I wouldn’t buy his album,” one girl says, when I ask if she’s a Chris Brown fan.

“The man or the music?” asks another.

“If he didn’t hit her, he’d be playing Madison Square Garden tonight,” says yet another attendee.

The fans – though present in droves – are closeted. They love Brown’s music, but they don’t love his person.

Chris Brown is not the first musician with a history of domestic violence (see Bobby Brown, Ike Turner), but you can’t help but notice how much their mistakes have staggered their potential.

Brown took the crowd through two hours of music – everything from 2008’s “Forever” to first single “Run It!” to “Back to the Crib” featuring a cameo by Juelz Santana.

“Where all my single ladies at?” Brown asked the crowd, adding, “You know your boy’s single too.”

Yeah, we know, this writer thought. We also know why.

Personally, I’ve always been a fan of Chris Brown’s music. I used to joke with friends that if you don’t enjoy “No Air,” you might not have a soul. But his actions, as unbiased as a reporter should be, have certainly influenced my opinion of him. You can hit every high note and nail your dance routine, but in my mind, there will always be a scarlet letter on Chris Brown’s forehead.

Can you ever truly divorce the man from the music?

-PI

Coheed and Cambria Storm New York; Talk Production on Fifth Album

While we all patiently wait for Coheed and Cambria‘s Spring prequel album (of which Poison Ivy can confirm four songs have already been recorded in Pasadena with producers Atticus Ross and Joe Barresi), the band have hit the road for a handful of dates with Black Sabbath offshoot band Heaven and Hell.

P.I. had the chance to check out the fantastic show and chat with CoCa after their Madison Square Garden gig Tuesday night, and it was one very metal affair!

Frontman Claudio Sanchez debuted his newest Gibson – a Flying V he says makes “the sound stray” more than ever, and drummer Chris Pennie told us that Barresi and Ross were “totally insightful” in the studio.

“It takes balls and foresight to give someone a chance,” Pennie said.

Check out a clip of “In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3,” MSG-style, above.

Britney Spears Extends U.S. Tour

It was only a matter of time before Britney Spears added more dates to her fantastic, slightly erotic Circus Tour.

This time, North Americans (specifically, NYCers) are the beneficiaries!!!

Check out a full list of North American dates added here.

Can’t wait for back-to-back MSG shows August 24 and 25!!!