Fusing the driving energy of the 2000s indie revival with the atmospheric textures of ’80s-alt, Holdover Holiday has officially released their latest EP, Douglass. At the center of the six-track collection is the standout single “Allie Lie,” a two-and-a-half-minute anthem that masterfully balances infectious, retro guitar hooks with a narrative of guilt and relational betrayal. Born from the real-world drama of a friend’s complicated love life, the track establishes the band’s signature “unpolished” aesthetic, prioritizing raw instrumentation and anthemic choruses over the sheen of modern studio overproduction. By blending nostalgic tones with a straightforward, punk-influenced arrangement, Holdover Holiday delivers a relatable and rhythmic exploration of deceit that feels both authentic and immediate.
Audio Hardware Fender and Teufel Unite for the High-Powered ROCKSTER AIR 2 Event Speaker
When the craftsmanship of American rock and roll meets the precision of German audio engineering, the result is the Fender x Teufel ROCKSTER AIR 2. This high-end Bluetooth event speaker is designed to act as a portable powerhouse, bridging the gap between a consumer Hi-Fi system and a professional-grade PA. Precision-engineered in Berlin, the unit features a long-throw 10-inch woofer and a high-definition compression driver capable of reaching 22 kHz, all while maintaining a massive 115 dB output. Its aesthetic, inspired by classic Fender amplifiers, houses 58 hours of battery life and a robust Class-D amplifier, making it a “stage companion” for buskers, DJs, and event hosts who refuse to sacrifice sound quality for mobility.
Beyond its raw power, the ROCKSTER AIR 2 is a “team player” designed for expansive scalability and versatile connectivity. The speaker supports lossless Bluetooth aptX HD and AAC for studio-quality wireless streaming, while physical XLR and instrument inputs allow musicians to plug in and play directly through the unit. For larger gatherings, users can pair two speakers wirelessly for a true stereo soundstage or daisy-chain up to ten units via XLR cables to cover massive outdoor areas. Weighing in at 30 lbs and featuring four integrated carrying handles, it is built for the road, offering a unique “Constant Directivity Waveguide” that ensures clear, high-resolution audio reaches every listener, whether they are front and center or standing off to the side.
This collaboration represents a strategic move for both brands, blending Fender’s legendary stage presence with Teufel’s four decades of acoustic expertise. The speaker isn’t just a playback device; it’s a functional piece of performance gear that includes a built-in 35-mm stand socket and a power bank feature to keep mobile devices charged during long sets. With a specialized LiFePO4 battery that offers deep discharge protection and a cold-resistant design, the ROCKSTER AIR 2 is built to perform in conditions that would sideline standard consumer electronics. Whether used for a 80-person backyard party or a public speaking engagement, this collaboration sets a new standard for what a battery-powered “event speaker” can achieve in 2026 and beyond.
Genoa CFC Drops Surprise Iron Maiden Collab
Genoa CFC continue to build strong links between football and music. After honouring Frank Sinatra, a well-known supporter of Italy’s oldest club, last weekend, Il Grifone now connect with another major name from the music world: legendary British heavy metal band Iron Maiden.
The Serie A club showed no fear of the dark and shared a photo on social media showing Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris,a lifelong West Ham United fan, holding the Rossoblù shirt, a surprising and eye-catching collaboration to round off 2025. It is the latest example of Genoa’s ongoing approach to blending football with wider cultural references.
In recent years, the club has welcomed several well-known figures from the arts and entertainment world. British singer Rita Ora modelled Genoa’s 130th anniversary shirt, while wrestling icon The Undertaker featured in the launch of the club’s third kit last season.
Through these initiatives, Genoa CFC continue to present themselves as a modern and creative club, using social media to connect football with music, culture and a broader global audience.
Bert Kreischer and HARDY Set to Host “Nashville’s Big Bash” New Year’s Eve Special
Music City is gearing up for its most expansive New Year’s Eve celebration yet as comedian Bert Kreischer and country star HARDY take the reins as co-hosts for “Nashville’s Big Bash.” Airing live on CBS and Paramount+, the five-hour broadcast will anchor itself at the Bicentennial Stage for the city’s signature Music Note Drop, while social media personality Haley Baylee reports from the ball drop in New York City. The night promises a collision of comedy and high-octane performances, with HARDY joining a headlining roster that includes Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson, and Bailey Zimmerman. Kreischer, known for his “Permission to Party” ethos, and HARDY, a songwriter with 17 number-one hits to his name, bring a unique chemistry to a lineup that spans from legendary acts like Brooks & Dunn to modern heavy hitters like Keith Urban and Megan Moroney.
HARDY will also perform live at Bicentennial Park in Nashville along with previously announced headliners Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson and Bailey Zimmerman, and special guests CeCe Winans and the Fisk Jubilee Singers. Additionally, the five-hour special will feature performances by Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts, Riley Green, Marcus King, Megan Moroney, Zach Top, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson and Stephen Wilson Jr. from various venues across the city, as well as special appearances by comedian Dusty Slay, ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT’s Cassie DiLaura, Sirius XM host Buzz Brainard and UFC champion Kayla Harrison.
Grammy-award winning country superstar Dwight Yoakam and Marcus King will take the stage at Category 10, home of the official NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE: NASHVILLE’S BIG BASH watch party, with special guests Cody Alan and Caylee Hammack. The official watch party is free and open to fans 21 and older on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors open at 6PM. Guaranteed entry tickets and VIP upgrade options can be purchased in advance HERE.
A Cappella Y-Studs Reinterpret Hanukkah History via Jackson 5-Inspired “One More Chance”
Decked out in their finest 1970s disco-era attire, the Jewish a cappella ensemble Y-Studs has released a creative retelling of the Hanukkah story through a soulful cover of the Jackson 5 classic “One More Chance.” The group aims to bridge the gap between cultural heritage and musical legacy, using the high-energy sounds of Motown to mirror the triumphant spirit of the Maccabees. By blending iconic pop melodies with the timeless history of the Festival of Lights, the group honors the immense influence the Jackson 5 brought to the world stage while offering a fresh, rhythmic perspective on the holiday’s traditional themes of resilience and joy.
Rob Thomas, Alexa Ray Joel, Pat Monahan, and Rufus Wainwright Lead All-Star Billy Joel Tribute at Carnegie Hall
New York City’s prestigious Carnegie Hall is set to become a massive living tribute to the “Piano Man” as Michael Dorf Presents his 21st annual “Music Of” concert. This year’s celebration centers on the legendary catalog of Billy Joel, featuring a star-studded roster including Rob Thomas, Rufus Wainwright, and Alexa Ray Joel, all backed by Joel’s actual eight-piece touring band. Under the direction of longtime musical director David Rosenthal, the evening will traverse decades of hits from ‘Cold Spring Harbor’ to the anthems that defined the American songbook. In a historic first for the series, the event completely sold out before a single performer was even announced, a testament to both Joel’s enduring cultural gravity and the trust fans place in this annual benefit for music education.
The impact of this one-night-only event extends far beyond the walls of the Stern Auditorium, with 100% of net proceeds directed toward a diverse group of non-profits like Save the Music and Young Audiences NY. Since its inception in 2004, Dorf’s series has raised over $2 million for underserved youth, honoring icons from Joni Mitchell to David Byrne while funding the next generation of players. For those who missed out on the sold-out Carnegie Hall tickets, a limited opportunity remains through an exclusive live rehearsal show at City Winery on March 11th. This intimate preview offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the arrangements before they hit the big stage, all while supporting a mission that has defined Michael Dorf’s four-decade career in live music production.
Electronic Duo 3OH!3 Returns to Boulder Roots for Annual “303 Day” Celebration
Returning to the very stage where they once stood in line as fans, Boulder’s own 3OH!3 has announced a homecoming headliner at the Boulder Theater for their annual “303 Day” celebration. The March 2026 event serves as a centerpiece for the duo’s ongoing 15th-anniversary festivities for their landmark album, ‘Streets Of Gold’. Sean Foreman and Nathaniel Motte have spent the last year re-energizing their grassroots legacy, following up a massive arena run alongside Simple Plan with fresh singles “SLUSHIE” and “HIT ME HARDER.” While the special guest for the Colorado date remains under wraps, the energy is already high following a string of sold-out anniversary shows in Anaheim and Brooklyn. For a band that built its reputation on the chaotic, high-octane spirit of basement parties on “The Hill,” this theater play represents a full-circle moment, bringing their polished platinum-certified anthems back to the specific streets that first inspired them.
Stoner Rock Desertfest London 2026 Reveals Final Lineup and Day Splits
Camden is preparing for its annual transformation into a pilgrimage site for the riff-worshipping community, as Desertfest London officially completes its 2026 lineup. The fourteenth edition of the festival has just released day and stage splits, cementing a weekend that balances legendary reunions with a heavy focus on homegrown British talent. Friday kicks off with a dose of desert rock royalty as John Garcia leads Hermano at the Electric Ballroom, while Saturday shifts the spotlight to local heroes Green Lung for a headline set at the Roundhouse. The weekend culminates on Sunday with the long-awaited Desertfest debut of Clutch, an act that has topped attendee wish lists for over a decade. Beyond the headliners, the bill is bolstered by the reunion of Florida sludge pioneers Cavity and the return of stoner icons The Sword, alongside new additions like Church of the Cosmic Skull and Wytch Hazel. With stage takeovers spanning from the cavernous Roundhouse to the intimate grit of The Black Heart, this final announcement confirms that the 2026 gathering will be one for the ages.
New additions to Desertfest 2026:
CHURCH OF THE COSMIC SKULL
WYTCH HAZEL
INHUMAN NATURE
CAVITY
MOLOCH
DAUFODT
KUSHTHULU
IRON SLUG
TROLL MOTHER
Indie Rockers The Happy Fits Reveal Initial 2026 ‘Lovesick’ Tour Dates
The New Jersey indie-rock outfit The Happy Fits are transitioning into their next decade with a renewed sense of purpose and a massive itinerary for 2026. Following the departure of founding member Ross Monteith earlier this year, the band has solidified its new quartet lineup with long-time collaborators Nico Rose and Raina Mullen stepping in as full members. This evolution is mirrored in their fourth studio album, ‘Lovesick’, a 15-track exploration of emotional recalibration that balances their signature cello-driven energy with a new vulnerability. Having just wrapped a marathon headline run to close out 2025, the group is wasting no time, announcing a two-month trek that will bring their high-energy stage show to major markets across North America. From the Higher Ground in Vermont to the Aztec Theater in San Antonio, the “Lovesick Tour” represents the first full-scale live manifestation of a band that has successfully turned a major transition into a creative rebirth.
Tour Dates:
03/13 – Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground Ballroom
03/14 – Albany, NY @ Empire Live
03/15 – Buffalo, NY @ Electric City
03/17 – Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart’s
03/18 – Indianapolis, IN @ Old National Center
03/20 – Lansing, MI @ Grewal Hall
03/21 – Madison, WI @ Majestic Theatre
03/23 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
03/24 – Des Moines, IA @ Wooly’s
03/26 – Omaha, NE @ Slowdown
03/28 – Boulder, CO @ Boulder Theater
03/31 – Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades
04/01 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst
04/02 – San Luis Obispo, CA @ Fremont Theater
04/04 – San Diego, CA @ Observatory North Park
04/05 – Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory
04/07 – Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theater
04/08 – Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theater
04/10 – San Antonio, TX @ Aztec Theater
04/11 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Tower Theater
04/14 – Tampa, FL @ Jannus Live
04/15 – Jacksonville, FL @ FIVE
04/17 – Gainesville, FL @ Heartwood Stage
04/18 – Pensacola, FL @ Vinyl Music Hall
04/20 – Athens, GA @ Georgia Theater
04/21 – Louisville, KY @ Mercury Ballroom
04/23 – Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel
04/24 – Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre
04/25 – Virginia Beach, VA @ Elevation 27
04/27 – Charlottesville, VA @ Jefferson Theater
04/29 – Harrisburg, PA @ XL Live
05/01 – Baltimore, MD @ The Recher
05/02 – Providence, RI @ Fete Music Hall
05/03 – New Haven, CT @ Toad’s Place
Alt-Poppers Cry Club Charges Into 2026 With ‘Retaliate’ and New Album Announcement
Melbourne’s queer pop-punk duo Cry Club has found a way to turn the stress of the modern world into a “torch-and-pitchfork party soundtrack.” Following their return in late 2025, the pair has announced their third full-length album, ‘High Voltage Anxiety’, set to drop this March. The new single, “Retaliate,” serves as a blistering electro-punk rally cry against wealth disparity and the systemic apathy of the modern age. This record represents a major milestone for Heather Riley and Jonathon Tooke, as it marks their first time taking complete creative control by self-producing, self-engineering, and self-recording the entire project. After 18 months spent touring Europe and supporting heavy hitters like The Darkness, the duo has emerged with a sound that is as fiercely political as it is cathartically danceable.