Home Blog

J. Cole Takes ‘The Fall Off’ Global With a 50-Plus City Arena Tour

Eric Alper
-
0
J. Cole Takes ‘The Fall Off’ Global With a 50-Plus City Arena Tour

J. Cole is taking ‘The Fall Off’ everywhere. The Fayetteville rapper has announced The Fall-Off Tour, a global arena run covering more than 50 cities across 15 countries, from North America through Europe, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and a stadium finale in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The tour is his first solo headlining run in five years, following 2021’s The Off-Season Tour, and his first full global run since the 2017 4 Your Eyez Only World Tour. The scale alone signals how much is riding on this moment, and Cole is clearly ready to meet it.

The Fall-Off Tour supports ‘The Fall Off,’ J. Cole’s seventh studio album, out now via Cole World, Inc. under exclusive license to Interscope Records. The record has been years in the making, and the tour matches its ambition stop for stop.

The run kicks off July 11 in Charlotte, NC at Spectrum Center and closes December 12 with a stadium performance at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, marking Cole’s first return to South Africa in a decade. In between, the tour hits Miami, Atlanta, Toronto, Montreal, Chicago, Los Angeles, London (two nights at The O2), Amsterdam, Paris, Sydney, Auckland, and more.

Tickets are on sale now.

The Fall-Off Tour 2026 Dates:

July 11 – Charlotte, NC @ Spectrum Center

July 14 – Miami, FL @ Kaseya Center

July 15 – Tampa, FL @ Benchmark International Arena

July 17 – Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena

July 20 – Philadelphia, PA @ Xfinity Mobile Arena

July 23 – Baltimore, MD @ CFG Bank Arena

July 25 – Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre

July 27 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena

July 31 – Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center

Aug 4 – New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden

Aug 5 – Queens, NY @ UBS Arena

Aug 7 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden

Aug 11 – Chicago, IL @ United Center

Aug 15 – Cleveland, OH @ Rocket Arena

Aug 16 – Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena

Aug 18 – Minneapolis, MN @ Target Center

Aug 19 – Kansas City, MO @ T-Mobile Center

Aug 21 – Denver, CO @ Ball Arena

Aug 24 – Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena

Aug 25 – Seattle, WA @ Climate Pledge Arena

Aug 27 – Sacramento, CA @ Golden 1 Center

Aug 29 – Oakland, CA @ Oakland Arena

Sept 1 – Los Angeles, CA @ Crypto.com Arena

Sept 3 – Inglewood, CA @ Intuit Dome

Sept 6 – Las Vegas, NV @ T-Mobile Arena

Sept 9 – San Diego, CA @ Viejas Arena

Sept 10 – Phoenix, AZ @ Mortgage Matchup Center

Sept 13 – San Antonio, TX @ Frost Bank Center

Sept 14 – Austin, TX @ Moody Center

Sept 16 – Houston, TX @ Toyota Center

Sept 19 – Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center

Sept 23 – Fayetteville, NC @ Crown Coliseum

Oct 7 – Berlin, DE @ Uber Arena

Oct 9 – Zurich, CH @ AG Hallenstadion

Oct 12 – Amsterdam, NL @ Ziggo Dome

Oct 15 – Cologne, DE @ LANXESS Arena

Oct 17 – Antwerp, BE @ AFAS Dome

Oct 19 – London, UK @ The O2

Oct 20 – London, UK @ The O2

Oct 22 – Dublin, IE @ 3Arena

Oct 25 – Birmingham, UK @ Utilita Arena

Oct 26 – Glasgow, UK @ OVO Hydro

Oct 28 – Manchester, UK @ Co-op Live

Oct 31 – Nottingham, UK @ Motorpoint Arena

Nov 5 – Paris, FR @ Accor Arena

Nov 8 – Hamburg, DE @ Barclays Arena

Nov 9 – Copenhagen, DK @ Royal Arena

Nov 11 – Stockholm, SE @ Avicii Arena

Nov 12 – Oslo, NO @ Unity Arena

Nov 25 – Brisbane, AU @ Brisbane Entertainment Centre

Nov 28 – Melbourne, AU @ Rod Laver Arena

Dec 1 – Sydney, AU @ Qudos Bank Arena

Dec 5 – Auckland, NZ @ Spark Arena

Dec 12 – Johannesburg, ZA @ FNB Stadium

Shinedown Drop New Single “Safe And Sound” and Announce Massive ‘Ei8ht’ Album and World Tour

Eric Alper
-
0
Shinedown Drop New Single “Safe And Sound” and Announce Massive ‘Ei8ht’ Album and World Tour

Shinedown are firing on all cylinders. The rock hitmakers have released new single “Safe And Sound” and announced their eighth studio album ‘Ei8ht,’ out May 29 via Atlantic Records, alongside the Dance Kid Dance Act II World Tour, a 54-date run spanning 11 countries across North America, the United Kingdom, and Europe.

Vocalist Brent Smith speaks to the weight of the record: “This album is over a year in the making. Without question, as a band, we pushed ourselves like never before.” The album was produced by Eric Bass, Shinedown’s own bassist and producer, with Smith noting the entire band’s deep pride in the collaboration.

‘Ei8ht’ is an 18-track statement. From opener “At The Bottom” through to closer “The Pilot,” the record spans the full range of what Shinedown do best, melodic muscle, emotional depth, and rock songs built to fill arenas. “Safe And Sound” is already a strong indicator of what the album delivers.

The Dance Kid Dance Act II World Tour is a genuinely massive undertaking. Joining Shinedown on various dates are Coheed and Cambria, Black Stone Cherry, From Ashes to New, DJ Rock Feed, and Those Damn Crows. The tour opens May 13 in Green Bay and runs through a full European and UK leg closing in Dublin on November 22.

Beyond the tour, Shinedown have also launched their first-ever curated festival, Shinedown’s Lunatic Ball Beach Weekend, a three-day destination event in Miramar Beach, FL on October 23-25. The lineup includes Bush, Hanson, Flyleaf with Lacey Sturm, Living Colour, From Ashes to New, and more.

Tickets for North American and European dates are on sale now.

‘Ei8ht’ Track Listing:

  1. At The Bottom
  2. Dance, Kid, Dance
  3. Burning Down The Disco
  4. Three Six Five
  5. Young Again
  6. Dizzy
  7. Imposter
  8. Machine Gun
  9. Outlaw
  10. Safe And Sound
  11. Searchlight
  12. Bear With Me
  13. Deep End
  14. Killing Fields
  15. Back To The Living
  16. Wide Open
  17. So Glad That You Asked
  18. The Pilot

Dance Kid Dance Act II World Tour Dates:

May 13 – Green Bay, WI @ Resch Center

May 15 – Columbus, OH @ Sonic Temple Festival Headlining

May 16 – Madison, WI @ Kohl Center

May 18 – Sioux Falls, SD @ Denny Sanford PREMIER Center

May 19 – Wichita, KS @ INTRUST Bank Arena

May 22 – Austin, TX @ Moody Center

May 23 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Paycom Center

May 26 – Jacksonville, FL @ VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

May 28 – Estero, FL @ Hertz Center

May 30 – Tampa, FL @ Benchmark International Arena

June 2 – Biloxi, MS @ Mississippi Coast Coliseum

June 5 – Norfolk, VA @ Chartway Arena

June 6 – Hershey, PA @ GIANT Center

July 11 – Mt. Pleasant, MI @ Soaring Eagle

July 13 – Toronto, ON @ Coca-Cola Coliseum

July 15 – Quebec City, QC @ Centre Vidéotron

July 17 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena

July 18 – Albany, NY @ MVP Arena

July 20 – Manchester, NH @ SNHU Arena

July 21 – Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center

July 23 – Philadelphia, PA @ Xfinity Mobile Arena

July 25 – Knoxville, TN @ Food City Center

July 30 – Lubbock, TX @ United Supermarkets Arena

July 31 – Colorado Springs, CO @ Weidner Field

Aug 2 – El Paso, TX @ UTEP Don Haskins Center

Aug 4 – Tucson, AZ @ Tucson Arena

Aug 6 – Ontario, CA @ Toyota Arena

Aug 7 – Las Vegas, NV @ Michelob ULTRA Arena

Aug 9 – Sparks, NV @ Nugget Event Center

Aug 10 – Boise, ID @ ExtraMile Arena

Aug 12 – Billings, MT @ First Interstate Arena at Metrapark

Aug 14 – Spokane, WA @ Numerica Veterans Arena

Aug 15 – Vancouver, BC @ PNE Pacific Coliseum

Aug 17 – Edmonton, AB @ Rogers Place

Aug 20 – Fargo, ND @ Fargodome

Aug 21 – Welch, MN @ Treasure Island Resort

Aug 23 – Springfield, IL @ Illinois State Fair

Sept 4 – Dyersville, IA @ Velocity Festival

Sept 10 – McHenry, IL @ McHenry Music Festival

Oct 31 – Paris, FR @ Zénith Paris – La Villette

Nov 2 – Milan, IT @ Alcatraz

Nov 4 – Tilburg, NL @ O13

Nov 6 – Prague, CZ @ Forum Karlín

Nov 8 – Copenhagen, DK @ Falkonersalen

Nov 9 – Stockholm, SE @ Annexet

Nov 11 – Berlin, DE @ Columbiahalle

Nov 12 – Düsseldorf, DE @ Mitsubishi Electric Halle

Nov 14 – Birmingham, UK @ bp pulse LIVE

Nov 16 – Glasgow, UK @ OVO Hydro

Nov 17 – Nottingham, UK @ Motorpoint Arena

Nov 19 – London, UK @ OVO Arena Wembley

Nov 20 – Manchester, UK @ AO Arena

Nov 22 – Dublin, IE @ 3Olympia Theatre

London Modern Metal Outfit Electron Go Deeper and Darker With Haunting New Single “Trap”

Eric Alper
-
0
London Modern Metal Outfit Electron Go Deeper and Darker With Haunting New Single “Trap”

Electron don’t flinch. The London modern metal outfit have released “Trap,” their most emotionally exposed single yet, and it’s a track that pulls you in and doesn’t let go.

The song is a hypnotic descent into desire, control, and emotional captivity. Set against the imagery of a decayed, forgotten room, “Trap” follows a magnetic yet broken woman caught between intoxication and suffocation, craving freedom while bound by obsession. The storytelling is visceral and precise, the kind of writing that makes a track feel cinematic without losing its raw edge.

Electron have always blended crushing heaviness with atmospheric vulnerability, and “Trap” pushes that balance further than their previous singles “You Betray” and “Lie To Me.” Those tracks built real momentum across the UK scene, earning coverage from Total Rock, PowerPlay Magazine, BraveWords, Kerrang!, Heavy Magazine, and Clash. “Trap” arrives with that accumulated weight behind it.

The production mirrors the lyrical content, dark, atmospheric, and unsettling in the best possible way. Passion becomes a prison here, and Electron render that transformation with genuine artistry. It’s a seductive, uncomfortable listen that earns every second of discomfort it creates.

“Trap” is out now, and it marks a bold new chapter for one of London’s most compelling acts in modern metal.

Tim Vicia Taps Into Something Universal With German Indie Pop Single “Allein unter Vielen”

Eric Alper
-
0
Tim Vicia Taps Into Something Universal With German Indie Pop Single “Allein unter Vielen”

There’s a specific feeling Tim Vicia is chasing on “Allein unter Vielen,” and he nails it. The German indie pop singer-songwriter has released a new single that translates to “Alone Among Many,” and it speaks directly to anyone who’s felt invisible in a room full of people.

Produced from his bedroom studio in the Rhineland, the track layers gentle electric guitars, warm synths, and subtle beats beneath Tim’s breathy, resonant voice. The result is something he calls “Dreamo,” a sound that’s intimate and pop-forward at the same time, melancholic without losing its warmth.

The lyrics move through longing, mental health struggles, and the deep human need to belong. Tim draws influence from Billie Eilish, Kings Elliot, Gracie Abrams, Julia Alexa, Julie Kuhl, and Lena and Linus, and those reference points are audible without the track ever feeling derivative.

Decent Music PR’s Danielle Holian puts it well: Tim Vicia proves that pop can be deeply personal and universally relatable at the same time. His ability to translate vulnerability into something melancholic and uplifting makes him one of the most exciting new voices in German indie pop.

The track has already earned praise from Orkus!, BandUp, Frontstage Magazine, and Soundkartell. Tim Vicia is building something real, and “Allein unter Vielen” is a strong marker of where he’s headed.

Train Room’s “Turn Off Everything” Opens the Door to Sophomore Album ‘Station Road’

Eric Alper
-
0
Train Room’s “Turn Off Everything” Opens the Door to Sophomore Album ‘Station Road’

Train Room craft music that breathes. “Turn Off Everything,” the lead single from their sophomore album ‘Station Road,’ is out now, and it’s the kind of track that earns repeated listens.

Recorded by songwriter Joe Monaghan in the West of Ireland, the track is entirely self-produced and features a rich arrangement of real instruments, accordion, violin, piano, and live vocals woven together into something ambient and expansive. The production gives the composition genuine room to move.

The melody is layered and purposeful, wrapping around lyrics that carry real weight. Train Room have built a sound that feels independent in the truest sense, ambitious without chasing trends, and “Turn Off Everything” captures that quality with confidence.

‘Station Road’ is out now. With a lead single this assured, the full record is well worth your time.

Southampton Indie Favorites Myriad Deliver Heartfelt New Single “Cowboys”

Eric Alper
-
0
Southampton Indie Favorites Myriad Deliver Heartfelt New Single “Cowboys”

Myriad have a gift for finding the emotional core of a moment, and “Cowboys” is proof. The Southampton indie 4-piece have released their most intimate single to date, a track built around intricate guitars and lyricism that gets right to the heart of falling in love for the first time.

The band describe it well: “Cowboys” is about the excitement of young love, not knowing what comes next, and the vulnerability of revealing yourself to someone you want to spend your life with. That emotional honesty comes through in every layer of the song.

“Cowboys” is the second single from ‘Notes She Never Read,’ which is out now. It follows support slots with The Hunna and The Summer Set, plus a festival appearance at Isle of Wight Festival. Myriad have been building toward something, and the new material reflects that growth.

The sound is bigger and more confident than before. Myriad are leaning into high-energy indie anthems without losing the intimacy that makes their writing connect. “Cowboys” sits right in that space, melodic and emotionally direct.

Vendetta Bloom Unleashes “Neurotic Psychosis,” a Brooding Alternative Metal Crusher

Eric Alper
-
0
Vendetta Bloom Unleashes “Neurotic Psychosis,” a Brooding Alternative Metal Crusher

Vendetta Bloom arrived in 2026 swinging. The Richmond-based alternative metal rockers have released “Neurotic Psychosis,” a new single that lands on the heavier end of their catalog and makes a strong case for where they’re headed.

The track is a studio collaboration between Davy C Jr, Nate Williams, and producer-engineer Mikey Canoy of Set for Tomorrow. The influence of Bad Omens, Chevelle, and Deftones is audible, but Vendetta Bloom filters those touchstones through their own lens, coming out with something that feels distinctly theirs.

“Neurotic Psychosis” is a dense, dynamic track. Crushing guitars meet massive hooks, and the whole thing holds together with a sharp sense of control that keeps the intensity focused rather than scattered. It’s accessible and uncompromising at the same time, a combination that’s harder to pull off than it sounds.

The official music video, directed by Brendan McGlathery with PretaPath Productions, is a strong visual companion. High-contrast performance footage, bold imagery, and urgent cutting mirror the song’s dark emotional landscape without overshadowing the music itself.

“Neurotic Psychosis” follows the band’s debut EP ‘Decay Theory,’ released in September 2025. With this single, Vendetta Bloom is building real momentum and showing no signs of slowing down.

How to Survive a Rainy Festival Without Missing the Music

Eric Alper
-
0
How to Survive a Rainy Festival Without Missing the Music

Let’s be honest. It’s probably going to rain.

Maybe not the whole weekend. Maybe just for a couple of hours on Saturday afternoon right when your favourite act walks onstage. But at some point, at some festival, the sky is going to do what it wants and you are going to have to decide what to do about it.

Here’s some friendly advice from someone who has stood in a lot of fields in a lot of weather: stay for the music. It’s almost always worth it. And with a little preparation, rain goes from a problem to just part of the story.

Pack Like You Already Know

The easiest thing you can do is pack for the worst case instead of the forecast. Throw in a poncho rather than an umbrella because umbrellas block the view of whoever is standing behind you and nobody loves that person. Grab some waterproof boots or wellies if you have them. Toss a couple of dry pairs of socks in your bag because dry socks at a festival on day two feel genuinely wonderful. A small dry bag or even some ziplock bags for your phone and wallet will save you a headache later. None of this is expensive and all of it makes a real difference.

Know Where the Cover Is Before You Need It

Before the music starts on day one, take a little walk around the site. Find the covered stages, the food vendors with overhangs, the spots where you can duck in for ten minutes and warm up without losing too much ground. When it starts pouring and everyone starts moving at once, it helps a lot to already know where you’re going.

Let Yourself Enjoy It

This one might sound a little strange but some of the most legendary festival moments have happened in the rain. Woodstock was mud. Glastonbury has built an entire identity around it. Something genuinely interesting happens when a crowd stops worrying about getting wet and just gives in to the music together. The energy in those moments can be pretty special. Artists notice it too. Playing to a soaking crowd that refused to leave tends to bring out something extra in a performance.

Stay Warm and Stay Fed

Being wet and cold is what actually ruins the experience so bring a light fleece or base layer to go under your poncho. Temperatures drop at night even in summer and a cold wet body makes even great music feel less great. Also remember to eat and drink water even when it’s raining because people tend to skip both when the weather turns and it catches up with them by evening. A hot drink or a warm bowl of something from a vendor in the rain is honestly one of the underrated pleasures of festival life.

Give Your Phone a Break

Keep it dry, absolutely, but also consider that rainy festivals are a pretty good excuse to put it away and just be present. Some moments are better felt than filmed and a field full of people singing in the rain is usually one of them.

The best festival stories almost never start with perfect weather. They start with a little chaos, a decision to stay anyway, and a set that nobody who was there will ever forget. Pack the poncho, find your spot, and enjoy every minute of it.

How to Create a Music Marketing Plan

Eric Alper
-
0
How to Create a Music Marketing Plan

You made the music. Now what?

Most artists stop there. They finish the song, upload it, post once on Instagram, and then wait. And wait. And wonder why nobody’s listening.

Here’s the thing: the music is only half the job. The other half is making sure people actually find it. And for that, you need a plan.

Don’t panic. A music marketing plan doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to exist.

What Is a Music Marketing Plan?

It’s a simple document — even one page works — that answers five questions:

  1. What am I releasing?
  2. When am I releasing it?
  3. Who is it for?
  4. How am I going to reach those people?
  5. What does success look like to me?

That’s it. Answer those five things honestly and you already have more than most artists ever put together.

Step 1: Get Specific About What You’re Releasing

“New music” is not a plan. “A single called ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ dropping October 10th on all platforms” is a plan. The more specific you are, the easier everything else becomes. Know your release. Name it. Date it. Own it.

Step 2: Build Your Timeline and Work Backwards

Most artists give themselves two weeks to promote a release. That’s not enough. The ones getting real traction start two to three months out. Here’s a simple timeline to follow:

  • 8 weeks out: Reach out to music blogs, playlist curators, and media contacts
  • 6 weeks out: Start teasing on social media — behind the scenes, snippets, the story
  • 4 weeks out: Drop your first piece of content tied to the release
  • 2 weeks out: Ramp everything up — posting, pitching, sharing
  • Release week: All hands on deck across every platform
  • 2 weeks after: Keep going. This is where most artists stop. Don’t.

Step 3: Know Exactly Who You’re Talking To

This is the step everyone skips and it’s the most important one. Who is your listener? Not “everyone.” Everyone is no one. Think about three artists who sound like you and imagine their fanbase. That’s your audience. Talk directly to those people in everything you post, pitch, and share.

Step 4: Choose Your Platforms and Commit

You do not need to be everywhere. You need to be somewhere consistently. Pick two or three platforms where your audience actually lives and show up there regularly. Instagram and TikTok work well for most artists right now. YouTube is long game but worth it. Twitter/X is great for music industry conversation. Pick your spots and be present.

Step 5: Know What Success Looks Like

Before you release anything, decide what winning looks like for this particular release. Is it 1,000 streams? A review in a blog you respect? Ten new email subscribers? One playlist placement? Define it in advance so you can actually measure it and learn from it, whatever happens.

One Last Thing

The artists who build real careers are not always the most talented ones in the room. They are the most consistent ones. A simple plan you actually follow beats a perfect plan that lives in your head forever.

Make the plan. Work the plan. Repeat.

Molly Johnson Unites Generations on New ‘Long Time Running’ EP Featuring Haviah Mighty

Eric Alper
-
0
Molly Johnson Unites Generations on New ‘Long Time Running’ EP Featuring Haviah Mighty

Recognized as one of Canada’s greatest voices, Molly Johnson releases her new three-song EP Long Time Running, a powerful and deeply collaborative project that brings her together with a new generation of artists. Included on the EP is “Talk To Me,” a striking new collaboration with acclaimed rapper Haviah Mighty, produced by rising talent Jonathan “CUBE” Renaud, alongside a reimagined take on The Tragically Hip’s “Long Time Running” with Jim Cuddy and the original composition “Slipped Away,” written by Molly Johnson and Davide Di Renzo.

“Talk To Me” marks a bold new direction for Johnson, pairing her signature vocal style with the sharp lyricism of JUNO Award-winning rapper Haviah Mighty. Structured as a call and response, the track becomes a compelling exchange between two distinct voices, reflecting a meaningful dialogue between generations.

“Such joy to work with Haviah Mighty, a brilliant, collaborative woman. The idea that we need to really listen to younger voices is what ‘Talk To Me’ is all about,” says Molly Johnson.

The Long Time Running EP is available now via Universal Music Canada. Listen HERE.

The EP features Johnson’s stirring interpretation of The Tragically Hip’s “Long Time Running,” recorded with Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo, produced by Davide Di Renzo. First released in 1991, the song remains a defining piece of the Canadian musical canon, and here is reimagined with a sense of intimacy and reverence that honours its enduring legacy.

Across the project, Johnson is joined by her long-time collaborators, including Davide Di Renzo, Mike Downes and Robi Botos, whose enduring musical partnership remains central to her sound.

Also included is “Slipped Away,” an original composition written by Johnson and Di Renzo that reflects on love, memory, and the lingering question of what might have been. Anchored by her unmistakable vocal, the track further showcases her strength as both a storyteller and songwriter.

More new music from Molly Johnson will be announced in the coming months.

Photo credit: Chris Nicholls

ABOUT MOLLY JOHNSON:
Recognized as one of Canada’s greatest voices, jazz vocalist Molly Johnson is a mother, singer-songwriter, artist, and philanthropist. Throughout her life-spanning career, she has captivated audiences in Canada and Europe with her original pieces and interpretations of jazz standards. Unsurprisingly, Molly is a laureate of multiple notable awards, including two JUNO Awards, the Governor General’s Award, the Order of Canada, and the Chevalier Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. Outside her musical endeavors, Molly is also an avid supporter and patron of the arts. She launched the Kumbaya Festival in 1993 benefitting AIDS hospices and Canadians living with AIDS, contributing directly to the birth of Toronto’s Casey House. Kumbaya remains the largest music fundraiser in Canadian history. As the founding artistic director of Toronto’s Kensington Market Jazz Festival, Molly has introduced hundreds of performers and, in her own words, built a “local jazz festival that reflects the cultural depth” of the immediate music community.

123...3,662Page 1 of 3,662

Follow us on Instagram @thatericalper

That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

Popular posts

Popular category

© Copyright - That Eric Alper