Beyond 1969 and guitarist Tom “The Suit” Forst have a new album dropping April 24th, and it’s one that arrives with serious credentials behind it. ‘Back To The Blues’ is a ten-song, all-original, live in-studio blues/rock record captured at Connecticut’s Horizon Music Group under producer Vic Steffens. It’s raw, immediate, and built to last.
The lineup is tight and road-tested. Forst, a Blues/Rock Hall of Fame inductee and King Of The Blues finalist, leads the charge on guitar and vocals. Tony Delisio, whose work with the Mighty Soul Drivers kept them at No. 1 on the Roots Music Chart for 16 straight weeks, holds down bass and vocals. Keyboardist Jeff Bousfield and drummer Bryan Caudle round out a band that’s shared stages with Styx, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Edgar Winter Band, and more.
The ten songs on ‘Back To The Blues’ cover the full emotional spectrum of the genre. “Consolation Man,” “Feels So Good To Feel Bad,” “Darkest Before The Dawn,” and “I’m Not Over You Yet” are just a few of the titles that signal exactly what Forst and co-writer Delisio are after. As Forst puts it: “Tony and I wrote these songs about passion, love, loss, lust, loneliness and laughter. Every lyric and note tells a story, one that all humans will relate to.” That’s not a boast. On this record, it holds up.
The blues/rock tradition runs deep in Forst’s story. The late Grammy winner Paul Nelson, a touring member of Johnny Winter’s band, produced a prior Forst album, ‘On Fire’. That lineage is audible throughout ‘Back To The Blues’, a modern blues/rock record that respects its roots while pushing forward. ‘Back To The Blues’ drops April 24th on Amazon, iTunes, and CD Baby.
Courtney Barnett walked into the KEXP studio with Stella Mozgawa on drums and Bones Sloane on bass, and delivered four songs that remind you exactly why she’s one of the most compelling live performers in indie rock today. Hosted by Cheryl Waters, the session pulls from Barnett’s coolest songs including “Stay In Your Lane,” “Mantis,” “Mostly Patient,” and “Sugar Plum” and performed with the kind of loose, locked-in energy that studio recordings rarely capture.
Jon Pardi just dropped the video for “Boots Off,” and it’s exactly the kind of good-time country moment he does better than almost anyone working right now. Directed by Jim Wright and out now via MCA, the clip stars Pardi alongside his wife Summer for a sequin-clad night on the town that ends, predictably and perfectly, with boots on the hotel room floor.
Co-written by Pardi, Luke Laird, and Wyatt McCubbin, “Boots Off” is climbing the Top 30 at radio, and the momentum makes sense. MusicRow called it out for its “rollicking, rump-shaking rhythm, snappy rock-leaning production, and sly, sexy lyric,” and that’s an accurate read. It’s a track that earns its fun without working too hard to convince you of it.
Pardi’s Honkytonk Hollywood Tour 2026 is already rolling, with dates across the US, UK, and Canada running through October. The live show brings fiddle, steel guitar, and a seven-piece backing band to every stop, reinforcing what country audiences already know: this is one of the genre’s most dependable and raucous headliners on any stage, any night.
His fifth studio album ‘Honkytonk Hollywood’ sits behind all of it, a 17-track set that builds on four Top 5 albums, fourteen RIAA-certified singles, six number ones, and 9.3 billion global streams. Pardi’s been at this for over a decade, and “Boots Off” is another strong entry in a catalog that keeps delivering.
Honkytonk Hollywood Tour 2026 Dates:
April 17 – Redding, CA – Redding Civic Auditorium
April 18 – Fresno, CA – Boots In The Park
May 8 – Sacramento, CA – Country In The Park
May 9 – Santa Clarita, CA – Boots In The Park
May 15 – London, ENG, UK – Highways Fest
May 16 – Manchester, ENG, UK – O2 Apollo Manchester
May 19 – Newcastle upon Tyne, ENG, UK – O2 City Hall Newcastle
May 20 – Glasgow, SCT, UK – O2 Academy Glasgow
May 23 – Belfast, NIR, UK – Belfast Waterfront
May 30 – Nashville, TN – Music City Rodeo
June 26 – Ridgedale, MO – Bulls, Bands, & Barrells
June 27 – Nashville, TN – Alan Jackson’s Last Call: One More For The Road – The Finale
July 8 – Cincinnati, OH – Great American Ballpark
July 11 – Calgary, AB, CA – Cowboys Music Festival
July 16 – West Fargo, ND – The Lights
July 17 – Hinckley, MN – Grand Casino Hinckley
July 18 – Minot, ND – North Dakota State Fair
July 31 – Salem, OR – The Pavilion At The Oregon State Fairgrounds
August 1 – Lake Cowichan, BC, CA – Sunset Country Music Festival
Voidmonger isn’t a band so much as a universe. ‘Lies of Aquarius’, the debut concept album from this industrial metal audiovisual project, is out now on all digital platforms and as a limited vinyl edition. It’s the opening chapter of a planned three-part saga, and it arrives fully formed, with crushing riffs, cinematic soundscapes, and a mythology dense enough to get genuinely lost in.
The lore runs deep. At the center of the Voidmonger world is the Juggernaut, a mobile tower-stage of fire and steel. Through it, the Preacher, ambassador of a god-like Creator, delivers judgment on humanity’s failings, flanked by the Mechanic, the Executor, and the Slaves to the Void. It’s sci-fi storytelling with real weight behind it, exploring cosmic justice, the exploitation of faith, and civilizations that collapse under their own moral failures.
Sonically, ‘Lies of Aquarius’ earns every comparison to Mechina, Mick Gordon, and Fear Factory, while carving out space that’s distinctly its own. The album was produced and mixed by Otus Hobst and mastered by Jan Zborovjan, and the craft shows throughout. The industrial architecture is relentless, but it’s the cinematic sweep underneath that makes this one stick.
Voidmonger puts it plainly: “It’s the first step into the Voidmonger universe, where sound, story, and spectacle collide.” On the evidence of ‘Lies of Aquarius’, that universe has a long and compelling run ahead of it.
The video uses AI to interrogate AI itself. Directed by Mads Damsbo of Bacon Lab, the clip pulls back its curtain at the end to reveal a soundstage and crew, then cuts to a blooper reel. The twist: none of those people are real. Every face, every emotional moment, every behind-the-scenes beat is synthetically generated, making the point with chilling precision about where this technology already stands. An exclusive YouTube Afterparty followed the premiere, featuring a 15-minute conversation between González and Damsbo on the making of the video and AI’s role at the intersection of art and science.
González is direct about what the song means. “‘A Perfect Storm’ is about how we ourselves are creating the conditions for a more and more turbulent future,” he says, citing AI researcher Stuart Russell’s image of humanity on a bus headed for a cliff, steering wheel missing, driver blindfolded. The track itself earns that weight, with propulsive fingerpicked guitar building to a distorted, thrilling peak beneath González’s intimate vocal. It’s one of the most gripping performances on an already strong album.
‘Against the Dying of the Light’ spans 13 tracks, drawing from game theory, moral philosophy, and the ethics of modern technology. It’s González’s first collection of original songs in more than four years, and a worthy companion to 2021’s ‘Local Valley’. Highlights include the soulful “You & We,” the Spanish-language “Pajarito” (dedicated to his son Mateo), and the dynamic title track. US dates are underway now, with Toronto-based folk-pop musician Abby Sage supporting throughout. Several dates are already sold out.
Patty Griffin has a summer tour on the books, and it’s a serious one. The two-time Grammy Award winner heads out July 10th with her trio, guitarist David Pulkingham and drummer Michael Longoria, for a run that stretches from Woodstock, NY through New Orleans. The itinerary includes headlining dates, shows with special guest Kathleen Edwards, and a coveted supporting slot with Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit.
The tour travels behind ‘Crown Of Roses’, Griffin’s Grammy-nominated 11th studio album, out now on her own PGM Recordings label via Thirty Tigers. Produced by Craig Ross, the eight-song collection moves through spare folk, gauzy Americana, and gospel blues, drawing equally from Griffin’s adopted Texas and her home state of Maine. It’s among the strongest work of her three-decade career.
The album delivers moments that stay with you. “Born In A Cage” opens atmospherically, “Long Time” features a backing vocal from Robert Plant, and “Way Up To The Sky” lands with spare emotional depth. ‘Crown Of Roses’ continues Griffin’s remarkable ability to turn complex inner lives into songs that feel universal, intimate, and completely her own.
Tickets for all newly announced dates go on sale Friday, April 17th at noon local time. This is a tour worth planning around.
Patty Griffin 2026 Summer Tour Dates:
July 10 – Woodstock, NY @ Bearsville Theater
July 11 – Katonah, NY @ The Venetian Theater at Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts
July 12 – Westerly, RI @ United Theatre
July 14 – Brownfield, ME @ Stone Mountain Arts Center
July 15 – Old Saybrook, CT @ The Kate
July 16 – Bethlehem, PA @ Musikfest Cafe
July 17 – Collingswood, NJ @ Scottish Rite Auditorium
July 18 – Lancaster, PA @ American Music Theatre
July 20 – Portsmouth, NH @ Prescott Park Arts Festival
July 21 – Groton, MA @ Groton Hill Music Center
July 22 – Waterville, ME @ Waterville Opera House
July 23 – Bar Harbor, ME @ Criterion Theatre
July 25 – Port Washington, NY @ Landmark on Main Street
July 26 – Hartford, CT @ Infinity Music Hall
July 27 – New York, NY @ Kaufmann Concert Hall
July 28 – Lenox, MA @ Koussevitzky Music Shed at Tanglewood
July 29 – Vienna, VA @ Filene Center at Wolf Trap
Time has dropped its Time100 Most Influential People 2026 list, and music is all over it. Seven musicians made the cut this year, spanning country, K-pop, reggaeton, indie folk, R&B, and beyond. With artists representing nearly 30 countries, the list reflects how broadly and boldly music is moving right now.
Luke Combs leads the charge on the country side, recognized for his authenticity and genre impact. Ed Sheeran wrote his tribute. It’s well-earned: Combs recently broke an Allegiant Stadium attendance record, outselling the Super Bowl in Las Vegas, and debuted his album ‘The Way I Am’ at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart. That’s not a moment, that’s a run.
Jennie of Blackpink earned her spot for her commanding solo presence, with Gracie Abrams penning her tribute. Rauw Alejandro was celebrated for pushing reggaeton and urban music forward, with Tainy doing the honors. Noah Kahan landed on the list for his breakthrough year and soulful songwriting, recognized by Marcus Mumford.
Rounding out the music contingent: Hilary Duff for her enduring cultural relevance (introduced by Nicole Richie), Coco Jones for her rising R&B influence (tribute by Jaylen Barron), and Anderson Paak for his multifaceted energy and talent, with Natasha Lyonne writing his entry. Seven artists. One list. All deserving.
Tesla’s got a new album coming, and it’s one worth paying attention to. ‘Homage’, due July 17th via Frontiers Music Srl, is a covers record with real weight behind it. These Sacramento rockers didn’t just pull together a quick tribute set. They went deep, drawing from Elvis Presley, Freddie Mercury, Sam Cooke, Etta James, and James Brown, voices that defined what rock and soul could be.
The lead single is their take on Climax Blues Band’s “I Love You” (2026 Version), out now with an official video. It’s a warm, confident read on a classic, and it puts front man Jeff Keith’s vocal range front and center where it belongs. The band puts it plainly: the track “pays tribute to legends but gives us a chance to showcase our lead singer’s diversity.”
What makes ‘Homage’ more than a nostalgia exercise is the context. Tesla started as a covers band playing California clubs before selling millions of records on original material. This album is a genuine full-circle moment, not a marketing angle. It also arrives more than 20 years after the ‘Real to Reel’ series, and includes one original track, “Never Alone,” which grew directly out of that earlier project.
The tracklist runs 14 songs deep, pulling from Queen, Bob Seger, Supertramp, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and more. The band calls it “a thank-you note written in sound.” That framing holds up. This is Tesla doing what they’ve always done well: connecting to the music that made them and making it their own.
This summer, they’re joining Motley Crue and Extreme on The Return of the Carnival of Sins Tour, kicking off July 17th in Burgettstown, PA.
‘Homage’ Track Listing:
Never Alone (Original Song)
Bring It On Home (Sam Cooke Cover)
Spread Your Wings (Queen Cover)
I Wish It Would Rain (The Temptations Cover)
Night Moves (Bob Seger Cover)
If I Can Dream (Elvis Presley Cover)
Come And Get It (Badfinger Cover)
I Got You (James Brown Cover)
Give A Little Bit (Supertramp Cover)
I Love You (2026 Version) (Climax Blues Band Cover)
The Ballad Of Curtis Loew (Lynyrd Skynyrd Cover)
Have You Ever Seen The Rain (Creedence Clearwater Revival Cover)
Nobody in the music industry has been spared the AI conversation. It’s been everywhere — in the headlines, in the lawsuits, in the comment sections, and in the back of every artist’s mind when they sit down to create. But for all the noise, clear and practical answers have been hard to come by.
That’s starting to change.
On April 28 at 11:00 AM EDT, MIDiA Research is hosting a free live webinar called The State of AI and Music, and it’s one of the more grounded takes on the topic we’ve come across. MIDiA is a data and analysis firm that tracks the music industry closely, and this session is built around three questions that artists and industry professionals are actually asking right now.
Who is using generative and assistive AI tools today, and where is that heading? How will generative music platforms change the way people listen — and what does that mean for the value of your music? And beyond all the risks everyone keeps talking about, what opportunities are quietly emerging for artists?
The session is presented by Tatiana Cirisano, Vice President of Music Strategy, and Olivia Jones, Associate Music Analyst, and moderated by Ben Woods, Creator Economy Analyst at MIDiA Research. There’s a live Q&A at the end, which means you can bring your own questions into the room.
If you’ve been waiting for a conversation about AI that skips the panic and gets to the point, this is a good place to start.
April 28, 2026 | 11:00 AM EDT | Free to attend. Register Here
Madonna and Stuart Price are back in the room together, and the result is ‘Confessions II.’ The follow-up to 2005’s genre-defining ‘Confessions on a Dance Floor’ arrives July 3rd via Warner Records, and a trancelike visual teaser is out now offering the first taste of what’s coming. Pre-orders are live across vinyl, CD, and cassette configurations.
Twenty years on from the original, Madonna and Price approached ‘Confessions II’ with a clear creative manifesto rooted in something deeper than dancefloor nostalgia. “When Stuart Price and I first started working on this record, this was our manifesto,” Madonna explains, describing the dance floor as a ritualistic threshold where movement replaces language and bass frequencies alter consciousness. It’s a spiritual framework for electronic music, and it’s one she’s been circling her entire career.
Lead single “One Step Away” frames the album’s thesis directly: “People think that dance music is superficial, but they’ve got it all wrong. The dance floor is not just a place, it’s a threshold.” The words carry the weight of someone who has spent five decades understanding exactly what dancefloors do to people and why that matters. Price, whose production on the original ‘Confessions’ remains one of the benchmark electronic pop records of the 2000s, is the ideal collaborator to push that vision further.
