Pop superstar Sabrina Carpenter takes fans behind the scenes of her chart-topping hit “Manchild” in the latest installment of Vevo Footnotes. Alongside co-directors Vania Heymann and Gal Muggia, Carpenter breaks down the intricate creative vision for the music video, which was filmed over three scorching days and inspired by a blend of self-revelation, disco-era sensuality, and classic Americana. The episode reveals several personal touches, including the fact that Sabrina’s sister hand-stitched the jean shorts for her featured look, and provides insight into the “trailer-like” concept designed to provoke a timeless, cinematic feel. From the roadside breakdown to the high-stakes scene of a car driving off a cliff, Carpenter discusses the improvisational energy required to survive the heat and the challenge of editing down an abundance of vibrant footage. Fans are also treated to a deep dive into the video’s hidden easter eggs—some of which went unnoticed until after her latest album announcement—establishing “Manchild” as a meticulous masterclass in color, cinematography, and storytelling.
RIVER EAST RIVER WEST Blends AI Innovation with Classic Country Storytelling
Bitter Harvest Recordings has announced the release of “Too Many Whiskeys Under the Bridge,” the debut single from River East River West. This innovative studio project is the brainchild of acclaimed Liverpool songwriter John Jenkins, designed to explore the frontier where traditional songwriting meets modern AI technology. The track is an upbeat, foot-tapping country anthem that Jenkins penned years ago but never felt suited to perform himself. By utilizing AI as a creative tool—much like the Mellotrons or drum machines of previous eras—Jenkins has brought to life a fictional band capable of delivering his more traditional Nashville-leaning material with the specific swagger and swing he always imagined. The result is a vibrant reintroduction to his melodic craft, proving that the heart of a song remains with the author, regardless of the lens through which it is filtered.
“Too Many Whiskeys Under the Bridge” captures a relationship unraveling in the town of Belvedere, balancing sharp, wry humor with the “knowing nod” of classic country narrative traditions. The lyrics paint a vivid scene of red lipstick and frayed pride, all set against an irresistible rhythm that belies the emotional weight of the story. Jenkins, a veteran of John Peel sessions and the 1980s post-punk scene with The Persuaders, views this project as a way to ensure his compositions find a voice rather than sitting unheard in a vault. As a master of the UK Americana and folk scene, Jenkins’ experiment with River East River West establishes a new chapter in his decades-long career, demonstrating how emerging tech can serve the timeless art of the song.
PAUL MCCARTNEY Partners with Vevo for “Wonderful Christmastime” Footnotes
Sir Paul McCartney is celebrating the 2025 holiday season by giving his perennial favorite, “Wonderful Christmastime,” the Vevo Footnotes treatment. Originally recorded during the ‘McCartney II’ sessions and released in 1979 as his first solo single in eight years, the track has evolved from a synth-heavy experiment into a global holiday standard. In this new digital edition, McCartney provides a “Pop-Up Video” style experience, sharing intimate reflections on the song’s Liverpool roots and debunking long-standing fan theories about its meaning. From joking about being the “head wizard of a Liverpool coven” to recalling the making of the music video with director Russell Mulcahy (who would later helm ‘Highlander’), the feature offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the craftsmanship behind the “simply having a wonderful Christmastime” refrain. For fans and skeptics alike, this 2025 retrospective establishes the track’s enduring legacy as an essential piece of the McCartney canon that continues to soundtrack the winter solstice.
CORNELIA MURR Maps Out “Last Run To The Center” 2026 North American Tour
Following the critical acclaim of her 2025 album ‘Run To The Center’, London-born singer-songwriter Cornelia Murr is set to embark on the “Last Run To The Center” headline tour across North America. The 2026 trek kicks off on March 10th in Minneapolis and will see Murr performing at iconic venues including Brooklyn’s Music Hall of Williamsburg and Los Angeles’ Lodge Room. Produced by Luke Temple, the album was largely crafted in the small town of Red Cloud, Nebraska, where Murr hunkered down to restore an abandoned house—a monastic period of reflection that birthed the record’s lush, hypnotic soundscapes. This upcoming tour serves as a victory lap for the artist, who spent much of 2025 playing to packed rooms alongside Matt Maltese and establishing herself as a formidable force in the indie-folk scene.
To celebrate the holiday season and the tour announcement, Murr has also unveiled a Maston remix of “How Do You Get By,” scheduled for release on December 25th. The remix follows the recent release of her ‘B-Sides’ collection, further spotlighting the intimate storytelling that has earned her a dedicated following. Before the main tour begins, Murr will perform special sets at Levon Helm Studio in Woodstock and return to her recording roots at the Red Cloud Opera House in February. Tickets for the tour went on sale earlier this week, offering fans a final chance to experience the “balletic synths” and dreamlike atmosphere of ‘Run To The Center’ live.
Cornelia Murr – “Last Run To The Center” 2026 Tour Dates:
- 01/31 – Levon Helm Studio – Woodstock, NY
- 02/13 – Red Cloud Opera House – Red Cloud, NE
- 03/10 – 7th Street Entry – Minneapolis, MN
- 03/11 – Empty Bottle – Chicago, IL
- 03/13 – Pearl Street – Washington, DC
- 03/14 – Music Hall of Williamsburg – New York, NY
- 03/15 – Johnny Brenda’s – Philadelphia, PA
- 03/17 – Pinhook – Durham, NC
- 03/18 – The Earl – Atlanta, GA
- 03/19 – Third Man – Nashville, TN
- 03/21 – Deep Ellum Art Co – Dallas, TX
- 03/22 – 29th St Ballroom – Austin, TX
- 03/25 – Rebel Lounge – Phoenix, AZ
- 03/26 – Lodge Room – Los Angeles, CA
- 05/07 – Holocene – Portland, OR
- 05/08 – Churchill Baker – Baker City, OR
- 05/09 – Substation – Seattle, WA
- 05/10 – Wise Hall – Vancouver, BC
- 05/13 – Rickshaw Stop – San Francisco, CA
- 05/14 – Starlet Room – Sacramento, CA
- 05/15 – Felton Music Hall – Felton, CA
LACUNA COIL Announces Massive ‘Sleepless Empire US’ 2026 Tour
Fresh off their high-octane European run, Italian metal icons Lacuna Coil have officially announced the ‘Sleepless Empire US’ tour for Spring 2026. The trek follows the release of their 10th studio album, ‘Sleepless Empire’, which arrived on February 14, 2025, via Century Media Records. To celebrate the announcement, the band has unleashed a crushing live video for “Hosting the Shadow,” filmed during their standout performance at the 2025 Aftershock Festival. The video features a guest appearance by Lamb Of God frontman Randy Blythe, who joined vocalists Cristina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro on stage to deliver one of the album’s most aggressive and cathartic moments. Despite performing with a fever during the shoot, Scabbia describes the experience as one of pure joy and “positive energy,” a sentiment that translates vividly through the raw, cinematic footage.
The North American tour kicks off on March 24th at the Gramercy Theatre in New York and features a heavy-hitting support lineup. The band will be joined by Escape The Fate for the duration of the tour, with “death-pop” duo VOWWS providing support for the first half and Brazilian metalcore outfit AXTY taking over for the later dates. From the gothic textures of “Oxygen” to the blistering intensity of “Never Dawn,” the ‘Sleepless Empire’ era represents Lacuna Coil at their most uncompromising and textured. General ticket sales begin today, Friday, December 19th, at 10 AM local time, marking the start of a new chapter for the band in North America. Whether through the lens of their historic festival appearances or the intimate dark atmosphere of the upcoming theater run, Lacuna Coil continues to prove why they remain essential architects of modern heavy music.
LACUNA COIL – ‘Sleepless Empire US’ Tour 2026:
- March 24 – New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre (w/ VOWWS)
- March 25 – Worcester, MA – Palladium (w/ VOWWS)
- March 27 – Cleveland, OH – Globe Iron (w/ VOWWS)
- March 28 – Detroit, MI – Saint Andrew’s Hall (w/ VOWWS)
- March 29 – Chicago, IL – Concord Music Hall (w/ VOWWS)
- March 31 – Denver, CO – Summit Music Hall (w/ VOWWS)
- April 2 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex (w/ VOWWS)
- April 3 – Boise, ID – Treefort Music Hall (w/ VOWWS)
- April 4 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile (w/ VOWWS)
- April 5 – Portland, OR – McMenamins Crystal Ballroom (w/ VOWWS)
- April 7 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore (w/ VOWWS)
- April 8 – Sacramento, CA – Ace Of Spades (w/ VOWWS)
- April 10 – Los Angeles, CA – The Bellwether (w/ VOWWS)
- April 11 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues (w/ VOWWS)
- April 12 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren (w/ VOWWS)
- April 13 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater (w/ VOWWS)
- April 15 – Dallas, TX – The Echo Lounge & Music Hall (w/ AXTY)
- April 16 – San Antonio, TX – Aztec Theatre (w/ AXTY)
- April 17 – Houston, TX – House of Blues (w/ AXTY)
- April 19 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues (w/ AXTY)
- April 21 – Lake Buena Vista, FL – House of Blues (w/ AXTY)
- April 22 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room (w/ AXTY)
- April 24 – Charleston, SC – Music Farm (w/ AXTY)
- April 25 – Atlanta, GA – Hell at The Masquerade (w/ AXTY)
- April 26 – Charlotte, NC – The Underground (w/ AXTY)
- April 28 – Richmond, VA – The Broadberry (w/ AXTY)
- April 30 – Harrisburg, PA – XL Live (w/ AXTY)
- May 1 – Albany, NY – Empire Live (w/ AXTY)
IRATION Returns to the Source with Massive “Where It All Began” 2026 Summer Tour
Pacific-rooted reggae-rock icons Iration have officially announced their “Where It All Began” Summer Tour 2026, a 34-city trek designed to celebrate nearly two decades of independent success. Kicking off May 6 in Santa Fe, the tour features longtime friends Tribal Seeds as support on most dates, hitting a curated mix of scenic outdoor pavilions and intimate theaters across the US. Lead singer Micah Pueschel describes 2026 as a year for giving back, promising an entirely new setlist and a refined live production that balances high-energy spectacle with the closeness of the band’s early days. The tour includes major stops at New York City’s The Rooftop at Pier 17, a two-night stand at Denver’s Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, and a performance at San Diego’s iconic Gallagher Square before wrapping up in Avila Beach on June 28.
This tour serves as the perfect launchpad for Iration’s forthcoming album, expected early next year. Throughout 2025, the band teased their new sound with singles like “Roots” featuring Maoli and “Say Goodnight” with Little Stranger, building momentum toward what Pueschel calls their “best year yet.” With over 1 billion streams to their name, the group is doubling down on fan connection through their new Irators VIP Fan Club, offering early ticket access and exclusive sneak peeks of the new record. As they return to the road, Iration remains a powerhouse of the American reggae-rock scene, delivering a sophisticated blend of laid-back island vibes and polished rock technicality that continues to captivate audiences nationwide.
Iration with Tribal Seeds – Where It All Began Summer Tour 2026 Dates:
- May 6 – Santa Fe, NM – Santa Fe Brewing Company *
- May 8 – Corpus Christi, TX – Concrete Street Pavilion
- May 10 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center
- May 14 – Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theatre
- May 15 – Cocoa, FL – Cocoa Riverfront Park
- May 19 – Pensacola, FL – Vinyl Music Hall *
- May 21 – North Charleston, SC – Firefly Distillery
- May 22 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater
- May 23 – Wilmington, NC – Live Oak Bank Pavilion
- May 24 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVa
- May 28 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring
- May 29 – New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17
- May 30 – Atlantic City, NJ – Ocean Casino Resort
- May 31 – Boston, MA – Citizens House of Blues
- June 5 – Cleveland, OH – Agora Theatre
- June 6 – Chicago, IL – Riviera Theatre
- June 7 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Intersection
- June 9 – La Vista, NE – The Astro
- June 12 – Boise, ID – Idaho Botanical Garden
- June 13 – Redmond, WA – Marymoor Amphitheater
- June 16 – Bozeman, MT – The ELM *
- June 18 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
- June 19 – Denver, CO – Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom *
- June 20 – Denver, CO – Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom *
- June 24 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre
- June 25 – San Diego, CA – Gallagher Square
- June 26 – Costa Mesa, CA – Pacific Amphitheatre
- June 28 – Avila Beach, CA – Avila Beach Resort ( no Tribal Seeds)*
LIZZIE WEBER Joins Forces with MARKÉTA IRGLOVÁ for Mystical “Maria” Visuals
Lizzie Weber has officially released the music video for her new single “Maria,” a soul-stirring collaboration featuring Academy Award winner Markéta Irglová (The Swell Season, Once). Written in Weber’s hometown of St. Louis and recorded across the global axis of Seattle and Reykjavík, the track is a richly woven, otherworldly sonic tapestry that functions as a “symbolic prayer to the Mother of all there is.” Working with producer Nathan Yaccino (Brandi Carlile, Soundgarden) at The Ballard Bait Shop, Weber enlisted an elite group of performers—including bassist Eli Moore (First Aid Kit) and string player Abby Gundersen (SYML)—to anchor her warm, poetic lead vocals. The composition is lauded for its cathedral-like warmth and its striking resolution in the final act, where Irglová’s intricately layered harmonies create a luminous, spiritual shift. It is a deeply human invocation of the mystical, intended to provide listeners with a sacred space to pause and reflect.
20 Of The Best Gospel Albums That Are Pure Joy
Gospel music has always been about feeling something big. Joy. Release. Community. Groove. Even if you skip the liner notes entirely, these albums hit with the same emotional force as soul, funk, R&B, rock, and hip hop. No sermons required. Just great records that happen to reach higher.
Andrae Crouch – ‘Take Me Back’
Warm melodies and rich arrangements define this album, blending gospel with soul and pop instincts. Its emotional pull comes from sincerity and craft rather than spectacle.
Al Green – ‘The Lord Will Make a Way’
Smooth, restrained, and deeply soulful, this album sounds like a late-night conversation set to velvet grooves. Green lets feel and phrasing do the heavy lifting, proving great gospel can be subtle and endlessly replayable.
Aretha Franklin – ‘Amazing Grace’
Recorded live, this album captures Aretha at her most open and powerful. Every song feels immediate, communal, and overflowing with feeling.
Bob Dylan – ‘Slow Train Coming’
Sharp songwriting meets clean, muscular production. Even listeners who skip the message stick around for the grooves and Dylan’s conviction.
CeCe Winans – ‘Alabaster Box’
Graceful and beautifully paced, this album highlights Winans’ control and warmth. It unfolds patiently, letting each song breathe.
Donny McClurkin – ‘Again’
Built on strong melodies and emotional clarity, this record leans into reflection and uplift. The focus stays on feeling rather than flash.
Edwin Hawkins Singers – ‘Let Us Go into the House of the Lord’
Much more than one famous song, this album flows with energy and joy. Choir-driven and rhythmic, it sounds alive in every moment.
Kirk Franklin – ‘Kirk Franklin and the Family’
A true communal album that feels like a room full of voices moving together. Its sense of joy and togetherness still lands decades later.
Mahalia Jackson – ‘The Power and the Glory’
A masterclass in phrasing and presence. Jackson’s voice carries authority, warmth, and deep emotional weight.
Marvin Sapp – ‘Thirsty’
Modern and spacious, this album moves patiently and with intention. The production leaves room for reflection and connection.
Mavis Staples – ‘You Are Not Alone’
Grounded, soulful, and deeply human, this album wraps reassurance into every track. Staples sounds timeless and completely at ease.
Prince – ‘The Rainbow Children’
Funk, jazz, and spiritual curiosity collide in a dense, adventurous record. It rewards repeat listens and open ears.
Sam Cooke – ‘The Best of the Soul Stirrers’
Before pop stardom, this captures Cooke’s emotional precision and phrasing. The performances feel intimate and deeply expressive.
Shirley Caesar – ‘First Lady’
Commanding and joyful, this album highlights her ability to balance power with warmth. Every track carries momentum and confidence.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe – ‘Gospel Train’
Electric guitar, swagger, and pure joy. Tharpe sounds fearless, playful, and decades ahead of her time.
Sufjan Stevens – ‘Seven Swans’
Fragile and intimate, this album feels handwritten rather than produced. Its quiet beauty lingers long after it ends.
The Blind Boys of Alabama – ‘Spirit of the Century’
Tradition meets grit in performances full of life and texture. Old songs feel present and urgent.
The Staple Singers – ‘Uncloudy Day’
Where gospel, soul, and community meet effortlessly. The harmonies feel lived-in and endlessly comforting.
Tramaine Hawkins – ‘Live’
Big vocals, huge moments, and unstoppable energy. This album captures the thrill of a room reacting in real time.
Yolanda Adams – ‘Mountain High Valley Low’
A vocal showcase that balances power with restraint. The songs move smoothly, carried by clarity and confidence.
ASYLUM ROAD Shatters the Façade with New Groove-Metal Anthem “Mask of Oblivion”
Northern Ireland’s Asylum Road has unleashed “Mask of Oblivion,” a crushing and emotionally charged groove-metal assault that navigates the harrowing reality of internal mental warfare. Hailing from Derry, the band seamlessly fuses the weight of groove metal with the urgency of metalcore and soaring melodic depth, creating a sound that will resonate deeply with fans of Killswitch Engage and Sylosis. The track unfolds like a cinematic battle, transitioning from tight, punishing verses to an expansive chorus that serves as a visceral cry for help. The journey culminates in a blistering guitar solo that bleeds into a haunting piano outro, capturing the raw vulnerability and devastating honesty that has become the band’s signature.
Lyrically, vocalist Darryn Mc Cartney delivers a gut-wrenching portrayal of the exhausting performance required to hide mental health struggles behind a societal façade. This single marks a significant evolution for the collective following their 2024 debut EP, The Fear, and highlights the fresh creative energy brought by new guitarist Paul Sandy. “Mask of Oblivion” serves as a powerful precursor to their upcoming EP, Cerca Trova, arriving in June 2026. By blending extreme heaviness with unfiltered human experience, Asylum Road establishes themselves as a compelling and relentless force in the modern metal landscape, proving that their most effective weapon is their absolute transparency.
RICK SPRINGFIELD Announces First 2026 Tour Dates and New Year’s Eve Special
Grammy-winning icon Rick Springfield is gearing up for a high-octane 2026, revealing his first official tour dates for the new year. Before hitting the road, the 76-year-old power-pop legend will help ring in 2026 as a featured performer on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest on December 31st. Following that national spotlight, Springfield’s newly announced itinerary kicks off in March, bringing his timeless hits and energetic stage presence to arenas, casinos, and festivals across the US. From Texas to Tennessee, the tour showcases an artist who has remained one of the hardest-working performers in rock, consistently adding new chapters to a career that spans over five decades of chart-topping success.
This latest run of shows follows Springfield’s recent standout contribution to the tribute album Play On: A Raspberries Tribute, where he delivered a signature high-energy take on the classic “Go All the Way.” Known for his melodic craftsmanship and enduring appeal, Springfield continues to balance a busy live schedule with creative projects that pay homage to his roots while keeping his sound fresh for modern audiences. With stops in Dallas, Charleston, and a major festival appearance at Gatlinburg’s Mountain Music Festival in August, these initial dates are expected to be just the beginning of a larger 2026 campaign. Fans can look forward to a setlist packed with classics like “Jessie’s Girl” and “Affair of the Heart,” delivered with the vitality that has become Springfield’s trademark.
Rick Springfield 2026 Tour Dates:
- March 7 – Dallas, TX – Mesquite Arena
- March 8 – Lake Charles, LA – L’Auberge Casino Resort
- April 10 – Immokalee, FL – Seminole Center
- April 15 – Charleston, SC – The Charleston Music Hall
- April 18 – Tiffin, OH – The Ritz Theatre
- May 28 – Auburn, WA – Muckleshoot Casino Event Center
- May 30 – Napa, CA – Uptown Theatre Napa
- Aug. 23 – Gatlinburg, TN – The Mountain Music Festival