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 over feeling, and urges a deeper study of harmony, rhythm and musical craft. Roth also critiques contemporary heavy‑metal production for its relentless hyper‑distortion and loss of dynamics, contrasting it with the fluid loud‑soft interplay of 60s‑70s rock. Recent "Scorpions Revisited" releases underscore his ongoing commitment to preserving that original musical spirit.
![[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...
Young Miko Announces Her First Arena Trek: Here Are the Dates for the 2026 Late Checkout Tour
Puerto Rican singer Young Miko announced her first arena trek, the 2026 Late Checkout Tour, featuring 31 dates in 11 countries. The tour supports her sophomore album Do Not Disturb and kicks off July 3 at Denmark’s Roskilde Festival before...
Ella Langley’s ‘Choosin’ Texas’ Rules Billboard Hot 100 for Fifth Week
Ella Langley’s single “Choosin’ Texas” marked its fifth consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, while also leading the Hot Country Songs chart for a 19th week. The song’s official video, co‑directed by Langley and shot in Fort Worth,...
Shannon Crowley Joins Fletcher Artist Management
Shannon Crowley has joined Fletcher Artist Management, adding a promising soprano to the firm’s roster. The Pittsburgh Opera resident recently reached the Grand Finals of the 2026 Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition and will finish her current season as Nannetta in...
Shadows Fall Is Almost Done Recording a New Album
Massachusetts metal veterans Shadows Fall are in the final stretch of recording their first full‑length album in nearly 15 years. The band has already teased the effort with two singles – “In The Grey” (December 2024) and “Souls Devoured” (May...
Eggy Welcome Fruit Bats’ Eric D. Johnson and ALO’s Dan Lebowitz on the West Coast
Eggy wrapped up a three‑night West Coast run with Taper’s Choice, delivering surprise covers and reviving long‑shelved originals. Fruit Bats frontman Eric D. Johnson joined the Los Angeles show to perform his band’s “The Bottom Of It” and a Crosby,...
Leonard Slatkin Receives 2026 Lincoln Medal
The Ford’s Theatre Society announced that Grammy‑winning conductor Leonard Slatkin will receive the 2026 Lincoln Medal at its annual gala on May 31. The honor recognizes Slatkin’s six‑decade career championing the nation’s musical repertoire, education, and preservation of symphonic heritage....
The Strokes Just Announced a New Album, ‘Reality Awaits’
The Strokes have announced their seventh studio album, “Reality Awaits,” slated for a summer 2026 release. It marks the band’s first full‑length record in six years since the Grammy‑winning “The New Abnormal.” The announcement arrived with a retro‑styled 1980s car‑ad...
Gatecreeper Tease New Music Is Coming Soon
Gatecreeper, the Arizona death‑metal band, announced via Instagram that new music is in development. The post featured studio photos and a clear "New music coming soon!" statement, confirming the band's recording efforts. Simultaneously, the group launched a 28‑date North American...
Young Miko Announces 31-Date ‘Late Checkout Tour’
Puerto Rican rapper‑singer Young Miko unveiled a 31‑date "Late Checkout Tour" spanning 11 countries, launching at Denmark's Roskilde Festival on July 3 and concluding at New York's Barclays Center on Nov 5. The Live Nation‑promoted run mixes European festivals with a North...
Stella Blue’s Band Announce Seventh Annual Free Dead in the Park Benefit Concert for Riverkeeper
Stella Blue’s Band announced the seventh Free Dead in the Park benefit concert, scheduled for May 12, 2024 at the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park. The all‑ages event supports Riverkeeper, the nonprofit protecting the Hudson River, and will feature the band’s two‑set tribute...
Enter Shikari Release Dates for West Coast North American Run of Shows
British rock outfit Enter Shikari announced a 12‑date West Coast North American tour running from September 25 to October 10, 2026. The itinerary covers major markets including Austin, Denver, Vancouver, Seattle and Los Angeles, with Canadian stops in Calgary, Kelowna and Vancouver....
Peso Pluma Has Top Debut On Live75; Eagles, Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny All Repeat At No. 1
Mexican star Peso Pluma entered the Live75 chart at No. 5 after selling 178,259 tickets across 14 sold‑out shows on his North American "Dinastía" tour. The tour, which runs through May 9, features 36 U.S. dates and will close with a...
Album Review – Charley Crockett’s “Age of the Ram”
Charley Crockett’s latest release, *Age of the Ram*, caps his ambitious Sagebrush Trilogy with a 20‑track concept album that follows the fictional outlaw Billy McLane. The record fuses Western storytelling with country, blues, and R&B, delivering standout songs like “Kentucky Too...
Opera Australia 2026 Review: Eugene Onegin
Opera Australia’s 2026 production of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, revived by Heather Fairbairn from Kasper Holten’s design, opened on March 17 and earned praise for its authentic Russian atmosphere and nuanced storytelling. The staging emphasized the agrarian setting, while singers such as Lauren Fagan and...
Fans In Multiple States Wondering the Same Thing About Luke Bryan
Country star Luke Bryan sparked a nationwide buzz after posting an Instagram video of himself reacting excitedly to his own "Pass it On" billboard. The billboards, spotted from Mississippi to California, are part of a positive‑messaging campaign run by the...
Unreleased Photos From Beatles' 1966 Japan Concerts Verified
Nippon Budokan has verified 102 previously unpublished black‑and‑white photographs taken during the Beatles’ 1966 Japan concerts. The negatives, discovered in 2009 and examined by Beatles researcher Toru Omura, were authenticated by an expert after a thorough review. The images capture...
Metallica Add Two Non-Vegas Residency Shows for Later This Year
Metallica announced two additional residency concerts in Uncasville, Connecticut, set for November 19 and 21, 2025, each featuring a distinct setlist. The first night will be opened by Suicidal Tendencies, while Spiritbox will support the second. Ticket sales begin April...
Musica Transonic + Mainliner, “Solid Static”
Japanese psych‑noise veterans Nanjo Asahito, Makoto Kawabata and Tatsuya Yoshida have finally issued the long‑shelved 1997 sessions under the joint banner Musica Transonic + Mainliner, titled “Solid Static.” The release blends High Rise‑style fuzz, Acid Mothers Temple’s cosmic disorientation and Ruins’ avant‑drum...
YouTube to Stream Coachella 2026 Across Seven Stages in 4K
YouTube will livestream both weekends of Coachella 2026, expanding coverage to seven simultaneous stages and delivering 4K resolution for the Coachella Stage, Outdoor Theatre, and Sahara. The platform introduces a 24/7 linear “Coachella TV” channel featuring archival performances, and enhances...
Streaming: Lysergic’s EP Towering Altars of Misanthropy
Former Wake vocalist Kyle Ball has unveiled Lysergic’s debut EP, Towering Altars of Misanthropy, a ferocious blend of black metal, death metal, grindcore, industrial noise and psychedelic soundscapes. The record was initially self‑released on cassette, with Decomp Regalia slated to...
Namco X Capcom Opening and Ending Theme Songs Will Appear on Digital Streaming Platforms on April 11
Composer Yuzo Koshiro announced that the opening and ending theme songs of the 2005 crossover RPG Namco X Capcom will be released on major digital streaming platforms on April 11. The tracks – “Subarashiki Shin Sekai” and “Itsuka Kitto, Tsuki no Shita de” – will use the original 48 kHz/24‑bit master sources,...
The Volcano Lover: An Anarchic Young Composer’s Masterpiece
Simon Hanes, a leading figure in New York’s downtown music scene, has released “Gargantua,” a 15‑musician composition that fuses heavy‑metal funk rhythms, classical excerpts, and experimental sound collage. Inspired by the February eruption of Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano, the work premiered...
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‘He Stands for Something We Really Need Right Now’: Inside an Immersive New David Bowie Exhibition at Lightroom
The immersive exhibition "David Bowie: You’re Not Alone" opens at London’s Lightroom on 22 April 2026, curated by Mark Grimmer with direct involvement from Bowie’s estate. It blends archive footage, handwritten lyrics, fashion pieces and mixed‑media installations to reveal the artist’s true...
BTS Break New Ground for K-Pop with Billboard Chart Performance
BTS became the first K‑pop act to hold the No. 1 spot on the US Billboard 200 for two straight weeks with their March 20 album Arirang. The record moved 187,000 equivalent album units in its second week, down 71% from a debut...
‘It Was a Way of Processing Violences I’ve Survived’: How Iconoclastic Musician Arca Beat Burnout with Frenzied Painting
Venezuelan‑born electronic pioneer Arca (Alejandra Ghersi) stepped away from a decade‑long music career after supporting icons like Madonna and Beyoncé, confronting burnout through an intense visual‑art practice. The resulting mixed‑media canvases, titled “Angels,” debuted at the ICA in London, featuring...
The Monday Morning Brew #149 (Plus Music Recommendations & More)
The latest Monday Morning Brew highlights several new releases across the indie music spectrum. Jeff Coffin’s quartet debuts the psychedelic album “When Now” on Ear Up Records, while the supergroup BASIC will drop its self‑titled second album on June 12, featuring...
Verzuz Matchups We Want To See In 2026
The piece catalogs fan‑requested Verzuz battles slated for 2026, spanning R&B duels, rap rivalries, and producer face‑offs. It highlights iconic pairings such as SZA vs. Summer Walker, Future vs. Young Thug, and Metro Boomin vs. Mustard, noting their historical and...
LAST IN LINE Parts Ways With Singer ANDREW FREEMAN
Last In Line, the Dio‑heritage supergroup led by Vivian Campbell and Vinny Appice, announced that vocalist Andrew Freeman has departed following on‑stage tension and divergent musical focus. The band confirmed it still holds a recording contract with earMUSIC but will postpone any...
Hymns From the Hills
Philadelphia punk outfit Poison Ruïn releases their sophomore album *Hymns From the Hills*, expanding from raw anarcho‑punk to a polished, genre‑spanning sound. The record weaves peace‑punk, deathrock, NWOBHM, dungeon synth, black metal and prog‑rock textures while retaining a medieval lyrical lens...
Fathoms
Daryl Groetsch, the Portland‑born composer behind Pulse Emitter, releases his latest synth‑driven album "Fathoms" after moving to Salzburg, Austria. The record consists of four long tracks that simulate a descent into the ocean, echoing the 1950s exotica tradition while maintaining...
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Composer Was Writing the Film's Score From a Hospital Bed, Says It Includes over 300...
Composer Brian Tyler revealed he wrote most of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie score while recuperating in a hospital bed after suffering a double subarachnoid brain hemorrhage in August 2025. Despite the life‑threatening injury, he continued work to meet the...
Charli Xcx Management Clarifies Sky Ferreira Claims About ‘Wuthering Heights’ Credits
Charli XCX’s management issued a statement after Sky Ferreira alleged that two tracks on Charli’s upcoming album *Wuthering Heights* were derived from Ferreira’s 2015‑2018 demo material. Ferreira, who is credited as a featured artist, co‑writer and vocal producer on the...