Chasing Stardom in Korea Nearly Destroyed Ejae. Then Came ‘KPop Demon Hunters.’
South Korean singer‑songwriter Kim Eun‑jae, known as Ejae, co‑wrote and performed the hit song “Golden” from the animated film “K‑Pop Demon Hunters.” The track swept the Golden Globe, Grammy and Oscar, catapulting her from a decade‑long trainee grind to global stardom. Amid the triumph, Ejae battled eight illnesses, including Covid, while delivering fever‑ish live performances. The film, a Sony‑Netflix collaboration, is praised for authentically marketing Korean culture but has sparked debate over who truly owns K‑pop’s expanding influence.
The Zen of Peter Frampton
Peter Frampton will release “Carry the Light” on May 15, his first album of new material since his 2021 diagnosis with Inclusion Body Myositis. The record, co‑written with his son Julian, marks the first collaboration between the rock legend and...
The Monday Morning Brew #153
Monday Morning Brew #153 spotlights a wave of new releases in British folk, from Jim Moray’s synth‑laden track on Gallants to Henry Parker’s field‑recorded EP The Dark Peak. The newsletter also highlights The Furrow Collective’s reinterpretation of a 16th‑century Gaelic...
Shakira’s Free Concert Draws 2 Million to Rio De Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach
Colombian pop star Shakira performed a free, 30‑song concert on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach, drawing an estimated two million attendees. The show featured Brazilian icons Anitta, Maria Bethânia and Caetano Veloso, continuing a recent streak of high‑profile female artists...
Fans Choose Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Bring Your Love’ as This Week’s Favorite New Music
Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter’s new duet “Bring Your Love” topped Billboard’s weekly best‑new‑music poll, capturing 88.99% of fan votes. The track, co‑produced by longtime collaborator Stuart Price, was first performed live during Madonna’s surprise appearance at Carpenter’s Coachella set before...
MAITREYA CORSO
Maya Hawke’s fourth album, *MAITREYA CORSO*, marries folk‑pop sensibilities with synth‑laden textures, delivering a candid exploration of ambition, identity and self‑doubt. Inspired by Leonard Cohen’s poem “How to Speak Poetry,” the record leans into radical honesty, especially on tracks like...
Setting
Setting, the North Carolina improvisational trio, has issued a new studio album that expands their electro‑acoustic palette with banjo, synth, and percussion. The record channels the avant‑garde dialogue of 1970s Don Cherry and Terry Riley while retaining the group’s spontaneous,...
Romanticize the Dive
Canadian indie rock stalwarts Metric have dropped their tenth studio effort, Romanticize the Dive, in 2026. The record leans heavily on the synth‑driven, dance‑rock aesthetic that defined the band’s 2009 breakthrough Fantasies and its follow‑up Synthetica, with producer Gavin Brown...
This Week’s Top Tours: Luke Combs Draws Nearly 100K For Ohio Stadium Show
Luke Combs sold 97,367 tickets at Ohio Stadium on April 25, marking the seventh‑largest single‑show attendance ever recorded for a solo headliner and the third‑largest ever in the United States. The concert is part of his "My Kinda Saturday Night...
"I'm Going to Be a Bit Sad when We Hit the Stage and I'm Facing the Audience and Not Facing...
Geddy Lee revealed he’s thrilled to share the stage with Anika Nilles, the German virtuoso stepping into Neil Peart’s legendary drum seat for Rush’s upcoming Fifty Something tour. The band rehearsed 38 songs in Toronto, and Lee even hired a vocal coach to reclaim...
George Strait Just Set Another Attendance Record Following Sold-Out South Carolina Show
George Strait set a new attendance record at Clemson University’s Memorial Stadium, drawing 90,037 fans – the largest crowd ever at the venue and his fourth‑largest show overall. The concert marked the first major event at the stadium in 27...
Country Music’s Newest Star Bobby Doggins Signs Deal with Woodstock Bourbon & Cola in New Audio-Led Campaign via Kerfuffle
Woodstock Bourbon & Cola has launched an audio‑led marketing campaign anchored by a debut Spotify single, “The Wood Life,” performed by emerging country artist Bobby Doggins. The initiative, created by independent agency Kerfuffle, pairs the bourbon brand’s laid‑back “good life”...
She Survived the FLDS Cult. Now, She’s Healing Through Music
Naomi “Nomz” Bistline, a former “spiritual wife” of Sam Bateman’s FLDS offshoot, is rebuilding her life after a 21‑month prison term by turning to music and psychology studies. Her story is featured in Netflix’s docuseries *Trust Me: The False Prophet*,...
Aldous Harding Announces New Zealand Tour
Aldous Harding announced a four‑city New Zealand tour for November 2026, timed with the May 8 release of her fourth album, Train on the Island. The record, co‑produced with John Parish, will be issued digitally, on CD, and in three limited‑edition vinyl formats....
4 Songs That Show How Billy Idol Filled a Punk Void in the 1980s
Billy Idol transformed the decline of late‑1970s punk into a commercially viable hybrid of new wave, dance‑rock, and hard‑rock, launching a solo career that filled a cultural void in the early 1980s. After Generation X disbanded, his 1980 remix of “Dancing...
I Listened to Every Country No. 1 From 1990, These Are the Songs I Still Can’t Get Enough Of
The article revisits three country chart‑toppers from 1990—Garth Brooks’s “The Dance,” Clint Black’s “Nobody’s Home,” and George Strait’s “Love Without End, Amen.” Each song is paired with artist commentary that reveals deeper personal or cultural meanings beyond their commercial success....
Country Music’s Best New Female Act Performs “Probably the Best Cover of Ozzy Osbourne” You’ll Ever Hear
Avery Anna, the ACM’s New Female Artist of the Year, released her fan‑driven album *Let Go Letters* in May 2026. She surprised audiences by covering Ozzy Osbourne’s heavy‑metal classic “No More Tears,” a performance that has already amassed over 102,000 views. The genre‑defying...
Olivia Dean’s ‘The Art of Loving’ Tour Will Be 2026’s Hottest Ticket: 5 Best Moments From London’s O2 Arena
Olivia Dean’s ‘The Art of Loving’ tour has escalated from modest London venues to six sold‑out nights at the O₂ Arena, pulling roughly 120,000 fans. Her sophomore album has lingered in the UK Top 5, spent eight weeks at No. 1 and...
Born in North Carolina on This Day in 1977, the Modern-Day Country Music Outlaw Known to Fans as “The Chief”
Eric Church, the self‑styled “Chief,” turned 49 on May 3, 2026. The North Carolina‑born singer‑songwriter rose from a teenage guitarist in local bars to a two‑decade‑long country music powerhouse, known for outlaw‑styled hits like “Springsteen” and “Drink in My Hand.” After early...
NO CURE Calling For Fans To Help With Upcoming Live Music Video Shoot
Alabama straight‑edge hardcore band No Cure has invited fans to a free live music‑video shoot on Saturday, May 9, in Birmingham. The event will take place at the alley behind TrimTab, starts at 2 p.m., and is open to all ages with no...
Alex Ligertwood, Former Santana Lead Singer, Dies At 79
Alex Ligertwood, the Scottish vocalist best known for his tenure with Santana, died on April 30 at age 79 after a prolonged health battle. He fronted the band on four chart‑topping tracks, including “Winning” and “Hold On,” and contributed as...
VENOM Tells US Fans That International Bands Are "Like Vampires; We Need To Be Invited. We Can't Come Over Your...
Venom warns that U.S. visa fees of $7,000‑$9,000 per member and a cumbersome work‑visa process are making American tours financially unviable. The band cites recent cancellations by Nevermore and delays for Cradle of Filth as evidence of a broader trend...
Watch: MIKE TRAMP's WHITE LION Performs At 2026 Edition Of M3 ROCK FESTIVAL
Mike Tramp’s current White Lion lineup—featuring guitarist Marcus Nand, bassist Jerry Best and drummer Troy Patrick Farrell—delivered a full set at the May 2, 2026 M3 Rock Festival in Columbia, Maryland. The performance follows the September 2025 release of “Songs Of White...
Johnny Cash's 'Hurt': The Sad Song Inspired by Nine Inch Nails' Original Hit
In March 2003, 70‑year‑old Johnny Cash released his cover of Nine Inch Nails’ "Hurt" as a single from the album *American IV: The Man Comes Around*, marking his final chart‑release before his death. The original 1994 version by Nine Inch Nails reached...
Bruce Springsteen’s Philadelphia Concert Postponed by 76ers, Flyers’ Playoff Victories
Bruce Springsteen’s Land of Hope and Dreams Tour stop at Philadelphia’s Xfinity Mobile Arena was postponed from May 8 to May 30 after the venue was needed for the 76ers’ Game 3 against the New York Knicks and the Flyers’ Stanley Cup playoff schedule....
SOCIAL DISTORTION's MIKE NESS: 'We Plan To Shock Everybody And Put Out Another Studio Album In A Timely Manner'
Social Distortion’s frontman Mike Ness announced the band’s eighth studio album, “Born To Kill,” arriving on May 8 through Epitaph, the first record in 15 years and the first after Ness’s successful cancer treatment. Ness co‑produced the LP with veteran Dave...
MOTIONLESS IN WHITE Are Finished Working On Their Next Record
Motionless In White have wrapped up recording their seventh studio album despite a jam‑packed 12‑month touring schedule that included a European leg and a spring U.S. run supporting Bring Me The Horizon. Frontman Chris Motionless updated his Twitter bio to confirm the...
Amy Allen, Sony Music Publishing ,’Die With a Smile’ Among Big Winners at 2026 ASCAP Pop Music Awards
Amy Allen of Warner Chappell Music was named ASCAP Songwriter of the Year, adding a second consecutive Grammy for Songwriter of the Year to her résumé. Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ duet “Die With a Smile” earned Song of the Year after...
Eurovision 2026: Switzerland
Swiss singer Veronica Fusaro will represent Switzerland in Eurovision 2026’s second semi‑final with the song “Alice.” The 28‑year‑old, known for fusing pop, soul and rock, has built a reputation for powerful stage presence and lyrical depth. Fusaro’s résumé includes over...
Islands’ Nick Thorburn and Ratata’s Mike Stroud Join Forces as The Creem, Unveil Debut Songs: Stream
Nick Thorburn of Islands and The Unicorns and Mike Stroud of Ratatat have launched a new project called The Creem. Their partnership traces back to a 2006 email that eventually led to studio sessions in the Catskills. The duo’s debut album,...
Today in Hip-Hop History: Wu-Tang Clan Released Their Debut Single “Protect Ya Neck” 33 Years Ago
On October 13, 1993, Wu‑Tang Clan dropped their debut single “Protect Ya Neck,” an unapologetically gritty track that announced a new East Coast hardcore sound. Produced by RZA, the song was rebuilt from vocal stems over a fresh beat, layering...
McAlmont & Butler Announce Anniversary Reissue of Debut Album with Outtakes, Demos and Remixes
London duo McAlmont & Butler are issuing a 30‑year anniversary re‑release of their 1995 debut, ‘The Sound Of…McAlmont & Butler’. The package features a remastered 2‑LP vinyl and a 2‑CD deluxe set packed with outtakes, demos and new remixes. Bernard...
Laura Pausini Fulfills Her Dream of Singing ‘Hijo De La Luna’ With Ana Torroja in Mexico
Laura Pausini fulfilled a long‑standing dream by duetting with Spanish icon Ana Torroja on Mecano’s “Hijo de la Luna” at Mexico City’s Arena Ciudad de México, drawing a packed crowd of 15,000. The show also featured a surprise appearance by...
VENOM Explains Lack Of U.S. Shows: Getting Visas Is 'Really Expensive' And 'So Difficult'
British black‑metal pioneers Venom explained that a U.S. tour for their new album “Into Oblivion” is stalled by prohibitively expensive visas, costing roughly $7,000‑$9,000 for the three‑member lineup, and a cumbersome interview process. Guitarist Rage also highlighted soaring tour‑bus rates...
‘When I Compare It to Spotify Lossless, Apple Music Is the Clear Winner’: I Signed up to Apple Music Again,...
Rowan Davies revisits Apple Music to evaluate its Dolby Atmos spatial‑audio offering, comparing it to Spotify’s lossless tier. He curates five albums—Björk’s *Homogenic*, Geese’s *3D Country*, Chappell Roan’s *The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess*, Jeff Buckley’s *Grace*, and Kali Uchis’s *Orquídeas*—that...
Gov’t Mule Welcome Jackie Greene for Grateful Dead and Neil Young Covers, Honor Late Dave Mason During Encore
Gov’t Mule closed its 2026 spring tour at New Orleans’ historic Orpheum Theater on May 1, featuring guest guitarist‑singer Jackie Greene. Greene joined for a rare Neil Young cover and a Grateful Dead rendition, adding fresh dynamics to the set. The...
Miranda Lambert Teases New Music Mixing Country and … Disco?
Country star Miranda Lambert has inked a new recording contract with MCA, marking her first album release since moving to Republic/Big Loud for 2024’s *Postcards From Texas*. On April 30 she sent fans a teaser featuring two glittery cans labeled “Country”...
Shakira Performs to 2 Million People at Copacabana Beach in Rio De Janeiro
Colombian pop star Shakira headlined Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach on May 2, delivering a free three‑hour show to an estimated two million spectators. The performance opened the “Todo Mundo no Rio” festival with a drone‑lit wolf tribute and featured nearly 30...
TRIXTER's Upcoming Contribution To '1970s Soft Rock Tribute' Album Will 'Blow You Away'
TRIXTER guitarist‑vocalist Steve Brown confirmed the band is recording a new album, with 16 tracks roughly 75% finished. A cover of Air Supply will appear on Cleopatra Records' 1970s soft‑rock tribute compilation, which Brown says will "blow you away." Brown...
Jay-Z Predicted Streaming and the State of the Music Industry Way Back in 2010
In a 2010 Interview Magazine conversation, Jay‑Z warned that the traditional record business was on the brink of collapse as digital sharing eroded physical sales. He cited Napster’s disruption and argued that while fans’ appetite for music would stay strong,...
Troy Cartwright Is Chronicling Nashville’s ‘Island of Misfit Toys’ Songwriting Scene
Troy Cartwright, a Texas‑born songwriter turned Nashville podcaster, released the EP *Etc. All the Rest* in March, his first new music since 2024’s *Bygones*. He continues to juggle three full‑time roles: writing for other artists, recording his own material, and...
Watch: ACCEPT Plays First Concert With Ex-MEGADETH Drummer SHAWN DROVER
German heavy‑metal veterans Accept are celebrating their 50th anniversary with a 24‑date European tour spanning 11 countries, kicking off on May 1 at Norway’s Karmøygeddon Metal Festival. Former Megadeth drummer Shawn Drover will join as a special guest for the first...
Watch: DEREK SHARP Fills In for PHIL X At TRIUMPH's Shows In Halifax And Moncton
Canadian rock icons Triumph continued their 2026 "Rock & Roll Machine Reloaded" tour, with Derek Sharp stepping in for Phil X at shows in Halifax and Moncton. The tour marks the band’s 50th anniversary and features a rotating lineup that includes...
Chiranjeevi’s Thriller Tribute Song Golimaar Finds a Place in Michael Jackson’s YouTube Favourites
Michael Jackson’s official YouTube playlist of favorite Thriller recreations now includes Chiranjeevi’s 1985 Telugu song “Golimaar” from the film Donga. The sequence mimics Thriller’s zombie choreography and red‑leather aesthetic, earning a spot on the pop icon’s personal favourites. After a...
See Polaris Perform ‘The Remedy’ at Red Rocks
Australian metalcore band Polaris hit a major milestone by performing at Colorado’s iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre, supporting Electric Callboy on the latter’s Tanzneid world tour. The show follows a recent stint opening for Linkin Park’s sold‑out Australian dates, underscoring the group’s...
Michal Oren Announced as Calleva Assistant Conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Michal Oren has been appointed the 2026‑27 Calleva Assistant Conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. The decision came after a two‑day audition in Poole where seven candidates were evaluated and the orchestra’s musicians cast the final vote. The position is...
Connor Storrie Drops By ‘SNL’ to Introduce New Olivia Rodrigo Song “Begged”
Connor Storrie appeared on Saturday Night Live to introduce Olivia Rodrigo’s unreleased song “Begged,” previewing her upcoming third album. The episode also featured Rodrigo’s performance of “Drop Dead,” with both tracks slated for the album dropping on June 12. Storrie, fresh from...
Connor Storrie Stops By ‘SNL’ To Introduce Olivia Rodrigo As Double Duty Host Debuts Unreleased Track
Olivia Rodrigo made her first appearance as a host on Saturday Night Live, delivering a double‑duty performance that included a surprise debut of an unreleased song, “Begged.” The track, a somber ballad from her upcoming album *you seem pretty sad...
Blondie’s Debbie Harry Intros Olivia Rodrigo’s Energetic Performance Of ‘Drop Dead’ On ‘SNL’
Olivia Rodrigo performed her new single “drop dead” on Saturday Night Live, with a surprise introduction by Blondie legend Debbie Harry. The performance marked Rodrigo’s first time serving as both host and musical guest, showcasing her pop‑rock credentials. Her upcoming...
Fanny Hill
In the early 1970s, the all‑woman rock band Fanny turned a West Hollywood house called Fanny Hill into a creative sorority where they wrote, rehearsed, and hosted icons like Bonnie Raitt and The Band. Their 1972 album *Fanny Hill* captured...