‘It’s the Emotional IQ’: Unpacking the Unique Hotness of Musicians
Musicians have long commanded a unique brand of attractiveness that goes beyond looks, rooted in the emotional intelligence they display while creating and performing music. From 19th‑century Lisztomania to today’s TikTok‑driven hype around artists like Cameron Winter, the halo effect of talent, stage‑craft, and curated digital mystique fuels fan fascination. Psychologists note that live performances, minimal social media footprints, and vulnerable lyrics generate parasocial intimacy, turning musicians into idealized romantic figures. This dynamic shapes how audiences project desire and how the music business leverages persona for engagement.
Behind the “Boring” Country Song Made Famous Again by This 1990s Soundtrack
The 1994 Quentin Tarantino film *Pulp Fiction* resurrected the Statler Brothers’ 1966 novelty track “Flowers On the Wall,” placing the 1975 re‑recording on its iconic soundtrack. The song, which originally hit No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won a Grammy, had faded from public view...
Harry Styles Has Revealed the First Artists for His Meltdown Festival Takeover
Harry Styles is curating the Meltdown Festival at London’s Southbank Centre, unveiling an eclectic lineup that runs from June 11‑21. The roster includes jazz luminary Kamasi Washington, Ethiopian legend Mulatu Astatke, indie acts like Warpaint and emerging talents such as Ninajirachi. Styles will headline...
T.I. Celebrates Gold Certification for “Let ‘Em Know”
Atlanta rapper T.I. announced that his single “Let ‘Em Know” has been certified gold, surpassing half a million units. The certification makes it the first gold record of 2026 across all genres, highlighting strong early‑year sales. T.I. credited his family,...
Jack White Has Joined the Coachella 2026 Bill as Organisers Confirm Weekend One Set Times
Coachella 2026 organizers have released the full set times for opening weekend, adding a surprise 45‑minute slot for Jack White at the Mojave Tent on Saturday, April 11 at 3 pm. The two‑weekend festival runs April 10‑12 and April 17‑19, featuring...
Nourished by Time: ‘Music Should Be Fun – but It Can’t Be Fun All the Time’
Marcus Brown, performing as Nourished by Time, has turned his decade‑long underground career into mainstream buzz after releasing the critically praised EP *Catching Chickens* and his second album *Passionate Ones*. A 38‑date headline tour, a co‑sign from Tyler, the Creator,...
Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE and SURF GANG Have Released Their Collaborative Double Album, ‘POMPEII // UTILITY’
Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE and producer collective SURF GANG have dropped the double album “POMPEII // UTILITY,” a two‑part project with MIKE fronting the POMPEII half and Earl Sweatshirt leading UTILITY. All beats are supplied by SURF GANG members Harrison, evilgiane, Elipropperr and...
Helen Svoboda Shares “If” From Forthcoming Room40 Album “Headwater”
Room40 announces the release of Helen Svoboda’s new album Headwater, slated for June 26, and has premiered a video for the opening track “If.” The album consists of sixteen “earworms” built around two double basses, vocals and electronics, blending improvisation with...
Grandmas House Have Shared ‘DOG’, a Heavy New Track Shaped by Chronic Illness
Grandmas House, the Bristol‑based indie quartet, released their first 2026 track, “DOG,” a heavy song inspired by a member’s two‑year battle with chronic illness. The band paired the release with a cryptic video from Clump Collective that hides a phone...
Bilmuri Share Catchy New Track ‘WHERE TO FIND ME’ Featuring Novelists
Bilmuri released the new single “WHERE TO FIND ME,” featuring French progressive‑metal band Novelists, as a preview for their upcoming album KINDA HARD. The track blends country‑style melodies with heavy riffs, showcasing the band’s evolving sound. KINDA HARD drops on...
Goblin Band Return With New Single ‘Clyde Water’ Ahead of Biggest Show Yet
Goblin Band has released a new single, “Clyde Water,” digitally and on 7″ vinyl through Broadside Hacks Recordings, featuring B‑side “Go From My Window.” Produced by Rory Salter, the track channels Nic Jones’s traditional ballad while capturing the quartet’s live urgency....
How Did Black Music Take Over the World? Let Melvin Gibbs Explain.
Melvin Gibbs, a genre‑defying bassist, has spent five decades tracing how Black music traveled along the trans‑Atlantic slave trade routes to shape modern American sounds. His new book, “How Black Music Took Over the World,” arrives on April 14, 2026,...
John Cage’s Silent, Avant-Garde Piece 4′33″ Gets Covered by a Death Metal Band
Death metal outfit Dead Territory has filmed a cover of John Cage’s iconic silent composition 4′33″, released through NPR’s All Songs TV. The performance follows the piece’s traditional format—earplugs, a brief count‑off, then four minutes of silence—while the band’s metal...
The 11 Best Songs From 1973
The article by Mikko Von Hertzen lists the 11 best songs from 1973, highlighting debut releases from Aerosmith, Queen, and Pink Floyd’s *The Dark Side of the Moon*. It pairs each track with personal anecdotes that illustrate the era’s lasting...
Former HYBE Execs Behind BTS Launch Global K-Pop Audition, Eyeing 2027 Debut for First Boy Group
Former HYBE executives have launched a new entertainment venture, Retopia Salon, and announced global auditions across 18 cities to form its first boy group slated for a 2027 debut. The auditions, open to applicants born between 2008 and 2014 of...
"I First Met Phil Lynott Completely by Accident During My First Ever Acid Trip." Original Thin Lizzy Guitarist Eric Bell...
Original Thin Lizzy guitarist Eric Bell recounts how a chance meeting with Phil Lynott during Bell’s first acid trip sparked the band’s formation in 1969. Lynott, then a charismatic vocalist, persuaded drummer Brian Downey and Bell to create a trio, insisting he...
Porcelain Review: Peach PRC’s Debut LP Is a Candid Take on Young Queer Life
Australian singer‑songwriter Peach PRC released her debut LP *Porcelain*, a record that intertwines nature‑filled synth pop with candid reflections on young queer life. Critics applaud the autobiographical lyricism on tracks like “Celebrity Crush” and “Out Loud,” but fault the production...
Bon Iver Curates His Ultimate Tracklist on 'VOLUMES: ONE'
Bon Iver has issued its first non‑studio album, VOLUMES: ONE, a curated archive of live performances recorded between 2019 and 2023. The 11‑track collection pulls songs from ten shows across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, featuring rare cuts like...
Sabrina Carpenter, Margaret Qualley, Madelyn Cline Make Grand Larceny Glam in ‘House Tour’ Video
Sabrina Carpenter’s new “House Tour” music video, co‑directed with actress Margaret Qualley, showcases a tongue‑in‑cheek mansion burglary starring Carpenter, Qualley and Madelyn Cline. The trio raids a lavish L.A. estate, pilfering wine, jewels and even a Grammy trophy before exiting...
Elisabeth Waldo Dies at 107; Fused Indigenous and Western Music
Elisabeth Waldo, a classically trained violinist who studied under Jascha Heifetz and Efrem Zimbalist, died at 107 on March 16, 2026. After extensive travel in Latin America during the 1940s, she abandoned a purely Western repertoire and began fusing pre‑Columbian...
"My Role in Life Was to Be a Proud, Bold Lion, to Tell the Truth, and Stick up for What's...
Dave Mustaine announced that Megadeth’s self‑titled seventeenth album, released in January 2026, will be the band’s final record and tour. The album debuted at No. 1 on the US Billboard 200, marking the group’s highest chart achievement. Mustaine cited persistent hand...
Conrad and Grace Sewell Perform Exclusive Acoustic Version of ‘Firestone’
Conrad Sewell teamed with his Grammy‑nominated sister Grace for an exclusive acoustic rendition of his 2014 hit “Firestone,” filmed for Rolling Stone AU/NZ. The stripped‑back performance arrives as Sewell prepares to launch his “Bloodline Tour” across Australia this June. “Firestone,”...
Lady Gaga Cancels Final Montreal Show Due To Respiratory Infection: “Absolutely Heartbroken And So Sorry”
Lady Gaga canceled her final Montreal concert at the Bell Centre after her doctor warned against performing due to a worsening respiratory infection. She announced the cancellation on Instagram just hours before the show was set to begin. The tour will...
Chris Stussy Releases Debut Album, Lost, Found & Forgotten
Dutch producer Chris Stussy released his debut album *Lost, Found & Forgotten…* on April 6, 2026 via his own Up The Stuss label. The 19‑track LP is divided into three conceptual sections—Lost, Found and Forgotten—using a kite metaphor to guide...
‘INTROS’ Season 5: Georgia Lines Meets Geneva AM
Rolling Stone AU/NZ’s music web series INTROS returns for its fifth season, hosted by rising Kiwi pop star Georgia Lines. The latest episode pairs Lines with Auckland‑based artist Geneva AM, whose debut album Pikipiki placed in the top three of Rolling...
Major Sponsors Pull Out of Kanye West’s London Gigs
US rapper Kanye West, now known as Ye, will headline three nights of London’s Wireless Festival in July, reigniting controversy over his past anti‑Semitic statements. Beverage giants Pepsi and spirits group Diageo have both withdrawn their sponsorships of the event,...
Courtney Barnett Announces Australian Album Tour
Australian indie rock stalwart Courtney Barnett announced a three‑city Australian tour for November 2026, supporting her freshly released album *Creature of Habit*. The itinerary includes shows in Brisbane’s Tivoli, the iconic Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, and Melbourne’s Palais Theatre....
Allen Toussaint’s ‘Songbook’ to Receive Deluxe Reissue with Unreleased Songs and Interviews
Craft Recordings will issue a deluxe reissue of Allen Toussaint’s 2009 live album *Songbook* on May 29. The expanded set adds 20 previously unreleased tracks, including live renditions of “City of New Orleans” and “Hi Lee Hi,” drawn from the...
Sons of Kiss' Stanley and Simmons Announce First-Ever Live Shows
Sons of Kiss' sons Stanley and Simmons announced their first live shows, four California dates from May 4 to May 13, 2026. Tickets go on sale April 8, with a presale promoted on Instagram. The duo released the acoustic‑psychedelic debut single “Body Down”...
Dayoung Returns with ‘What’s a Girl to Do,’ Opting for a Different Path After ‘Body’
South Korean idol Dayoung of girl group WJSN released her second solo EP, “What’s a Girl To Do,” on April 9, 2026. Unlike her high‑energy dance debut “Body,” the new record embraces a softer R&B sound and showcases her growth...
Rocketship Add East Coast Dates to 2026 Tour, Including First NYC Show in 12 Years
Rocketship announced a 2026 tour, their first in eight years, to support the 30th‑anniversary edition of *A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness*. The itinerary launches on April 9 in San Francisco and adds an East Coast leg in the fall, featuring Lightheaded...
Watch: Mesmerizing Animated Music Video for Yorushika's 'Madder'
Japanese animation filmmaker Yoshiki Imazu released a new painted‑style music video for Yorushika’s single “Madder.” The four‑minute video doubles as the theme for the anime movie “My Dangerous Mind,” a compilation of the “The Dangers in My Heart” series. Featuring...
ULI JON ROTH On Guitarists' 'Pursuit Of Technical Brilliance': 'Too Many Players Start Sounding Like Typewriters'
Uli Jon Roth, the German guitar legend who helped shape the Scorpions' early sound, told North Coast Music Beat that aspiring players should chase personal expression rather than endless technical fireworks. He warns that many modern guitarists sound like "typewriters," prioritising speed...
![[Grace Kao] BTS Sings About Racism in 'Aliens’](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/04/06/news-p.v1.20260406.ac47de5d1cf14b7daabb2116797be60e_T1.jpg)
[Grace Kao] BTS Sings About Racism in 'Aliens’
BTS’s latest album Arirang remains No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for a second week, and its track “Aliens” has entered the Billboard Hot 100 at #47. The song confronts the racism and xenophobia the group has endured, mixing Korean and English lyrics...
BERTHA: Grateful Drag Announces Additional 2026 Tour Dates
BERTHA: Grateful Drag, the pioneering all‑drag Grateful Dead tribute band, announced six additional 2026 tour dates. The new shows add two outdoor concerts in Colorado in August, a September opening slot for Pink Talking Fish in New York, and a...
20 Acts We Can’t Wait to See at Coachella
Coachella 2026 unveils a historic lineup, featuring first‑time headliners Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber and Karol G, with Karol G becoming the festival’s inaugural Latina headliner. The roster also highlights breakthrough acts like Filipino girl group BINI and rising stars such as Young Thug,...
Tyler Ballgame Outlines Fall 2026 U.S. Tour Dates
Tyler Ballgame announced a 20‑date fall 2026 U.S. headline tour supporting his debut album *For The First Time, Again*. The run begins September 14 at Music Hall Of Williamsburg in Brooklyn and ends November 12 at 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis, covering 15 states and major...
All 23 'American Idol' Winners Ranked + Where They Are Today
An outlet ranked all 23 American Idol winners by memorability, placing Carrie Underwood at the top and Caleb Johnson at the bottom. The list highlights how early‑season champions like Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and Ruben Studdard retain cultural relevance, while many...
Full Album Stream: Throwing Bricks & Ontaard –Something to Lose: Live at Roadburn 2025
At the 2025 Roadburn Festival in the Netherlands, Dutch extreme‑metal outfits Throwing Bricks and Ontaard delivered a seven‑song, festival‑commissioned performance that fused black metal, screamo, sludge and doom. The set featured guest musicians who injected electronic, acoustic and industrial textures,...
Alanis Morissette To Headline Wells Fargo Autograph Card Exclusives Concert
Alanis Morissette will headline an exclusive Wells Fargo Autograph Card concert on May 29, 2025 at Houston’s 1,100‑seat White Oak Music Hall. Tickets are reserved for Autograph cardholders, with a sale opening at 10 a.m. CT on April 9. The Autograph Card Exclusives series, launched...
Is the World’s Most Outrageous David Bowie Experience Found in This Tiny Town in Outback Australia?
Carinda, a remote New South Wales town of 165 residents, hosts the two‑day Let’s Dance Carinda festival each October, celebrating David Bowie’s 1983 visit and the iconic music video filmed at the local hotel. The event draws about 500 fans...
BTS’ ‘Swim’ Spends Second Week at No. 1 on Billboard Global Charts
BTS's single "Swim" secured a second consecutive week at No. 1 on both the Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts, marking the group's eighth chart‑topping entry on each list. The track logged 106.3 million streams worldwide (down 3%) and 114 thousand...
10 Years After Merle Haggard’s Death, His Legacy Looms Large … Yet Elusive
Ten years after Merle Haggard’s 2016 death, his music still dominates country playlists and inspires tributes from artists like Cody Johnson and Jamey Johnson. Haggard reportedly left 300‑400 unreleased songs in a personal archive, yet none have surfaced despite growing...
Marvin Gaye's 1971 Masterpiece Is Now Called the Greatest Song Ever — but It Wasn't His Biggest Hit
Marvin Gaye’s 1971 single “What’s Going On” emerged from a politically charged origin, inspired by the 1969 People’s Park clashes in Berkeley. Although Motown executives feared its message, Gaye recorded the track, infusing personal grief and social conscience. The song...
Sons Of KISS's PAUL STANLEY And GENE SIMMONS Announce First-Ever STANLEY SIMMONS Live Shows
Sons of KISS Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, Evan Stanley and Nick Simmons, have announced the first‑ever STANLEY SIMMONS live dates, a four‑show California mini‑tour in early May 2025. The duo recently released a Mitchell Richmond‑directed video for their second...
Bad Bunny’s Spotify’s Billions Club Concert Film Is Coming Sooner Than You Think: Watch the Teaser
Spotify announced that Bad Bunny’s Tokyo concert film, "Billions Club Live With Bad Bunny," will debut on April 8. The one‑night event captures the Puerto Rican star performing 17 hits, a salsa remix of “MIA,” and surprise guest appearances at...
R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks of the Week: Rjtheweirdo, Sekou, Lazer Dim 700, Marlon Craft & More
The week’s hip‑hop headlines were dominated by legal drama and high‑profile releases. Memphis rapper Pooh Shiesty was arrested on kidnapping and robbery charges tied to a dispute with Gucci Mane’s label. Kanye West’s new album *Bully* opened at No. 2 on the Billboard 200...
Chart Rewind: In 1996, Wynonna Judd Notched Another ‘Be Loved’ No. 1
In April 1996 Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart crowned Wynonna Judd’s “To Be Loved by You” as its number‑one single, marking a pivotal moment in her transition from the iconic duo The Judds to a solo artist. The track entered...
Anna Netrebko & Luca Salsi to Perform Recital at Teatro Verdi in Busseto
On May 1, Teatro Verdi in Busseto will host a recital starring soprano Anna Netrebko and baritone Luca Salsi, accompanied by pianist Nelson Calzi. The concert commemorates the 125th anniversary of Giuseppe Verdi’s death and will be Netrebko’s first recital devoted entirely to Verdian repertoire....
Doechii & Lady Gaga Link Up For New ‘Devil Wears Prada 2’ Track
Florida‑born rapper Doechii teams up with pop icon Lady Gaga for “Runway,” the lead single from the *Devil Wears Prada* sequel soundtrack. The track, described as a Madonna‑style dance anthem, debuted in the film’s trailer released on April 6. The sequel...