Page 1104 – That Eric Alper

Chris Slade Releases Lyric Video for “Time Flies” From New Album ‘Timescape’

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 14, 2025

Chris Slade Releases Lyric Video for “Time Flies” From New Album ‘Timescape’

THE CHRIS SLADE TIMELINE released the amazing lyric video for the track “Time Flies” from their new album “Timescape”.

Chris Slade discusses the new video and song, “Time Flies, the song and the video was originally envisaged as a sort of sonic experiment. I only had the vaguest idea of a melody, but I knew I wanted the end of the lines to be repeated in echo. I’d demo’d half the song with Mike Clark (keyboards) help before I thought, “This needs a chorus”. The heartbeat etc. and the silences between sections was a very dangerous thing to have in the middle of a song. The inspiration for both song and video came from some meditation experiences both real and imagined. You’d be surprised if you knew which is real and which imagined. I’ve been doing zen meditation since early 1970s. 70s saw me meditating twice a day for 45mins each sitting, every day. Even when travelling on tour with Manfred Mann’s Earthband all over the world. I’ve never taken hallucinogenic drugs even while spending all my life, so far, in rock bands.”

Chris continues, “The End of the Universe bought in James Cornford on guitar. It comes from the concept of the end of time itself which could be next Wednesday or 115, million, million, centuries away, or, whenever you can make it really. The stars will literally go out one by one just like The Carpenters predicted.”

THE CHRIS SLADE TIMELINE album Timescape can be purchased or streamed at: https://smarturl.it/ChrisSladeTimeline

Chris Slade launched the band ‘THE CHRIS SLADE TIMELINE’ in 2012 to mark 50+ years as a professional rock drummer. For this project, Slade took on phenomenal vocalists STEVE GLASSCOCK and PAUL “BUN” DAVIS with the added stunning musical techniques of guitarist JAMES CORNFORD along with keyboard and guitar player MICHAEL J. CLARK you most certainly have a band to be reckoned with and worthy to mark Slade’s illustrious musical career.

This is a concept for Slade that will include performances from a varied set list from Tom Jones, Manfred Mann’s Earthband, Uriah Heep, The Firm, ASIA, MSG, David Gilmour, Gary Moore along with a fair degree of AC/DC numbers and many surprises to be unwrapped along the way.

“After all these years recording and playing with some of the world’s greatest rock musicians such as Tom Jones, Manfred Mann’s Earthband, Gary Moore, Gary Numan, Denny Laine, Jimmy Page, Paul Rodgers, David Gilmour, Uriah Heep, Asia and of course AC/DC

Slade started his career at the age of 16 with Tom Jones before he changed his name to Tom Jones, this included World tours and recording throughout the 60’s.

Chris Slade was a founding member of ‘Manfred Mann’s Earth Band’ in January of 1971. He was to spend seven years with the band, recording eight albums and achieving three UK Top Ten singles in the process: ‘Joybringer’ (No. 9, October 1973), ‘Blinded By The Light’ (No. 6, September 1976 & a multi million selling #1 in the USA) and ‘Davy’s On The Road Again’ (No.6, June 1978). After ‘Earthband’ he spent 2 years with ‘Uriah Heep.’ A Year with Gary Numan and a year with David Gilmour in 1984.

He later teamed up with Jimmy Page, Paul Rodgers and bassist Tony Franklin to form ‘The Firm’. They produced two excellent albums for Atlantic in 1985 and 1986 that gave them a few radio hits including ‘Radioactive’ and ‘Satisfaction Guaranteed.’

Then Chris joined Gary Moore, taking over from Cozy Powell just four days before the start of the 1989 ‘After The War’ tour. It was at one of Gary Moore’s gigs in The UK that Malcolm Young saw Chris Slade play. After the tour it was Chris’s intention to put together a band with ex-Aerosmith guitarist Rick Dufay. But the call from AC/DC scuppered those plans as he was destined to tour and record with them over the course of the next five years, playing on their acclaimed ‘Razors Edge’ Album, and giving a killer performance on their concert DVD “Live from Donington”.

After his stint with AC/DC Chris joined the prog-rock band ‘Asia’, who (even with the many personnel changes over the years) had still been managing to churn out some excellent music. Chris recorded with them on their 2000-2004 studio recordings, ‘Aura’ and ‘Silent Nation’ , and put forth his ‘trademark’ energy-filled live performances on all the subsequent tours that ensued over five years in total.

In the 21st Century, for a period of 5 years, Slade played drums for German guitarist Michael Schenker before forming THE CHRIS SLADE TIMELINE in 2012.

BABYMETAL Announces New Album ‘METAL FORTH’ With Poppy, Tom Morello, and More

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 14, 2025

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BABYMETAL Announces New Album ‘METAL FORTH’ With Poppy, Tom Morello, and More

BABYMETAL will release their new album METAL FORTH on August 8 via Capitol Records. Meaning “beyond metal,” METAL FORTH features collaborations with Poppy, Spiritbox, Tom Morello, Bloodywood, Electric Callboy, Polyphia, and Slaughter to Prevail-artists BABYMETAL has connected with while touring the globe. Fans can stream the previously released singles “RATATATA” (with Electric Callboy), “from me to u (feat. Poppy)”, and “Song 3” (with Slaughter To Prevail) now on all digital platforms.

METAL FORTH follows 2019’s METAL GALAXY and THE OTHER ONE, their 2023 concept album. PAPER said, “On THE OTHER ONE, the band cracks open the Metalverse, surfing through parallel universes and a dizzying maze that tests their perceptions of truths, lies, and what rests beyond the darkness.”

For the first time ever BABYMETAL will offer autographed copies of the new album in strictly limited quantities, as well as a box set, alternate cover art versions, LPs, CDs, cassettes, merchandise bundles and more. Visit https://shop.metalforth.com to purchase.

Formed in 2010, BABYMETAL quickly gained popularity in Japan for their explosive live shows. By 2013, they had become a force of their own – opening for Red Hot Chili Peppers, Korn, and Lady Gaga, and bringing the ferocity of metal to a global audience. With over 15 years of history and a diehard international following, BABYMETAL isn’t just a band – they’re a movement redefining what heavy music looks and sounds like. Fronted by three dynamic women – SU-METAL, MOAMETAL, and MOMOMETAL – BABYMETAL has helped reshape the face of metal, inspiring a new generation of women and girls who see themselves in this sound and on these stages.

This week, BABYMETAL will kick off their biggest North American tour yet in Houston on June 13, with support from Black Veil Brides, Jinjer, and Bloodywood on select dates. The 24-date run hits major cities including Atlanta, New York, Philadelphia, Toronto, Chicago, and San Francisco with a newly announced, special show taking place at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. This arena show, taking place Saturday, November 1st is BABYMETAL’s largest US headline show to date.

See below for the full list of North American dates.

BABYMETAL NORTH AMERICA 2025 TOUR DATES:
Fri Jun 13 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall^=
Sat Jun 14 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory^=
Tue Jun 17 – Tampa, FL – Yuengling Center^=
Wed Jun 18 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy^=
Fri Jun 20 – Charlotte, NC – Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre^=
Sat Jun 21 – Baltimore, MD – Pier Six Pavilion^=
Tue Jun 24 – New York, NY – The Theater at Madison Square Garden^=
Wed Jun 25 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway^=
Fri Jun 27 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena^=
Sat Jun 28 – Philadelphia, PA – TD Pavilion at The Mann Center^=
Mon Jun 30 – Laval, QC – Place Bell^=
Wed Jul 2 – Toronto, ON – Coca-Cola Coliseum^=
Thu Jul 3 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre^=
Sat Jul 5 – Milwaukee, WI – Summerfest*
Sun Jul 6 – St. Louis, MO – Saint Louis Music Park+=
Tue Jul 8 – Chicago, IL – Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom+=
Wed Jul 9 – Minneapolis, MN – The Armory+=
Fri Jul 11 – Denver, CO – The JunkYard+=
Mon Jul 14 – Vancouver, BC – Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Center+=
Tue Jul 15 – Kent, WA – accesso ShoWare Center+=
Thu Jul 17 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic+=
Fri Jul 18 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic+=
Sun Jul 20 – Las Vegas, NV – Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort+=
Mon Jul 21 – Salt Lake City, UT – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre+=
Wed Jul 23 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre+=
Sat Nov 1 – Intuit Dome – Los Angeles, CA

^With Black Veil Brides
+With Jinjer
=With Bloodywood

GRAMMYs Announce New Categories & Major Eligibility Updates Ahead of 2026 Awards

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 14, 2025

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GRAMMYs Announce New Categories & Major Eligibility Updates Ahead of 2026 Awards

Music’s Biggest Night is set to return in a big way. Mark your calendars for Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, when the 68th GRAMMY Awards will broadcast live from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Nominations will be revealed on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, and from there, the countdown begins.

But this isn’t just another GRAMMY season — it’s a signal that the Recording Academy is actively listening, learning, and evolving with the times. Two new categories — Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover — have officially been added to the awards roster. These updates aren’t just cosmetic; they reflect deep conversations among Academy members and a growing awareness that the musical landscape is more nuanced and diverse than ever before.

In an exclusive with GRAMMY.com, Mason underscored how essential these changes are. The goal isn’t simply more categories — it’s about more meaningful celebration. From revisiting what “Best New Artist” can mean, to broadening eligibility for packaging categories that reflect the real-life way music is sold today (yes, direct-to-fan vinyl counts now), the GRAMMYs are trying to meet the moment. And in 2026, the moment is big.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the key updates:

General Field
Eligibility for Best New Artist has been expanded to include artists who have been previously nominated in Album Of The Year, but whose contributions fell below the current 20 percent playing time threshold. This update allows acts who were credited as featured artists on projects that were GRAMMY nominated for Album Of The Year in a previous awards cycle to be eligible for Best New Artist consideration.
Country Field
The existing Best Country Album Category has been renamed Best Contemporary Country Album, and a new Category, Best Traditional Country Album, has been added.
Classical Field
In Classical Categories, composers and lyricists/librettists are now eligible for GRAMMY recognition alongside all other key creative personnel including artists, producers, and engineers on winning albums.
Packaging Field
The existing Best Recording Package and Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package Categories have been combined into one single Category: Best Recording Package. A new Category, Best Album Cover, has also been added.
The physical product eligibility requirement for Best Recording Package, Best Album Notes, and Best Historical Album has also been expanded to be more representative of today’s marketplace. This change ensures that physical album packages sold directly to fans through an artist’s or label’s website are eligible for GRAMMY consideration.
Additionally, the Craft Committee serving in this field is transitioning from a regional to a national model.

Each rule tweak, redefinition, and category addition is a step toward recognizing the evolving ways music is made, consumed, and shared.

Stay tuned to live.GRAMMY.com for full coverage and updates on this year’s show, and get ready to celebrate the artists, the innovators, the visuals, the songs — and yes, the album covers — that made 2025 unforgettable.

The Black Crowes Celebrate 25 Years of ‘Live at the Greek’ With Jimmy Page With New Video

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 14, 2025

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The Black Crowes Celebrate 25 Years of ‘Live at the Greek’ With Jimmy Page With New Video

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Live at the Greek, The Black Crowes have released a behind-the-scenes video on the making of their legendary collaboration with Led Zeppelin icon Jimmy Page. The remixed and remastered album captures the raw power of their live performances, blending blues-rock swagger with guitar god brilliance. It’s a must-listen for any rock fan revisiting a once-in-a-lifetime musical moment.

John Entwistle Performs “My Wife” on Old Grey Whistle Test in Classic 1973 Performance

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 14, 2025

1

John Entwistle Performs “My Wife” on Old Grey Whistle Test in Classic 1973 Performance

There are bass players, and then there’s John Entwistle. This blistering 1973 performance of The Who’s ‘Who’s Next’ standout “My Wife” on The Old Grey Whistle Test captures The Who’s legendary low-end wizard at his peak—effortlessly precise, thunderously powerful, and cool as ever.

Raf-Saperra and Ikky Unleash Genre-Bending Punjabi Pop Banger “Step Out”

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 14, 2025

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Raf-Saperra and Ikky Unleash Genre-Bending Punjabi Pop Banger “Step Out”

– Cultural vanguard Raf-Saperra returns today with his brand new single “Step Out” produced by hitmaker Ikky and backed by Polydor Records in the UK and Universal Music Canada.

An unexpected new chapter from the British Punjabi musical disruptor, Raf-Saperra takes his boldest artistic leap to date with a vibrant, infectious pop track delivered through his signature Punjabi lens. “Step Out” is the latest collaboration between Raf and Ikky, following “Heer” from earlier this year.

About the new single, Raf says: “First time stepping into the pop lane… and who better to do it with than the hitmaker himself, Ikky. ‘Step Out’ is a full-blown earworm – catchy, bold, and backed by a visual straight out of a cartoon-meets-cinema dream. Press play and don’t look back!”

A powerful blend of catchy melodic hooks, electronic textures, and Raf’s trademark folk lyricism, “Step Out” is lifted from his upcoming pop-focused EP in collaboration with Ikky. This song is Raf and Ikky’s take on the Dub music that has inspired London with a blend of dancehall that has inspired Toronto– all with the strength of Punjabi music coming from these two global stars.

The track is accompanied by a sleek, high-energy visual directed by Bedroom Projects and Avleen Kaur, spotlighting Raf in full transformation mode, stepping confidently into new sonic terrain. “Step Out” signals a striking new direction for an artist known for bending genre rules and elevating underground sounds.

Rooted in traditional Punjabi singing, but equally shaped by Streatham’s rap culture and East Coast hip-hop, Raf-Saperra is one of the most daring and original voices to emerge from London in recent years. His 2023 project Ruff Around The Edges was critically acclaimed as one of the most genre-bending debuts in the British underground, and his 2024 follow-up 5 Deadly Venomz, a hard-hitting Punjabi boom-bap rap project, proved Raf could go bar-for-bar with rap royalty like Conway The Machine, Dave East, and Big Body Bes, all while staying rooted in his cultural identity. Raf has routinely spoken fondly of the Punjabi music scene in Canada and sold out shows across the country. With “Step Out,” he formally lends his voice to one of the nation’s most in-demand producers.

With his upcoming EP, Raf is out to prove something different: that Punjabi music isn’t confined to genre, and neither is he.

The single and EP are produced by Ikky, one of the most important and influential producers in the global Punjabi music movement. With over 3 billion streams to his name, the Toronto-based super-producer has redefined what Punjabi music can sound and feel like in the modern era. His sonic blueprint has powered crossover anthems for the likes of AP Dhillon, Karan Aujla, Diljit Dosanjh, Shubh, and more, blending rich Punjabi instrumentation with stadium-sized pop and R&B polish.

“Step Out” is more than a single – it’s a statement.

King Cruff Teams With !llmind for Hip-Hop and Reggae Smash “BUNCH”

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 14, 2025

1

King Cruff Teams With !llmind for Hip-Hop and Reggae Smash “BUNCH”

Today, fast-rising visionary artist King Cruff drops the hip-hop and reggae-infused banger “BUNCH” via Tuff Gong Collective.

Produced by 2X GRAMMY winner and 12X GRAMMY nominee !llmind and Don Mills (J. Cole, Giveon, Juice WRLD), “BUNCH” is an immediate earworm, punching through the speakers with heavy vibrating bass, infectious rhythmic drums, and King Cruff’s signature rapid bars.

When writing the lyrics for “BUNCH”, King Cruff was inspired by the wit often found in dancehall music. “I’m very much in my hip-hop bag on ‘BUNCH’ but I also wanted to bring a sarcastic sense of humour to the lyrics like earlier dancehall songs I remember listening to,” says King Cruff. “But as funny as the song is, it’s actually talking about being faithful to your partner. ‘Stand at attention when I stand up for my queen’ is talking about being there and being present for your partner and ‘Don’t you know Jamaican men do not cheat’ serves as a reminder that Jamaican men are the original ‘lover mans.’”

“BUNCH” follows the release of King Cruff’s debut EP WHAT HAVE I ‘DON, a collection of genre-blending innovative soundscapes and poetic lyricism. Released in November of 2024, the project features collaborations with Skip Marley, Stonebwoy, Jag.Huligin, and Solo YT, and production by Banx & Ranx, Tessellated, !llmind, Don Mills, Circa Eleven, Natural High Music, A.J. Mills, Pops, Lowner and OLivR.

2025 is shaping up to be a momentous year for King Cruff. This past March, after playing multiple shows at SXSW, King Cruff’s artistry was recognized by the Canadian music industry when his single “FALLBACK” featuring Runkus earned him his first JUNO Award nomination for Reggae Recording of the Year. Following recent performances at Departure Festival and Cali Vibes Festival in California, King Cruff returned to the venue that hosted his first ever headlining show, the Drake Underground, for an energetic NXNE set this week. Up next, King Cruff is slated to perform at additional festivals in the US and Canada this summer including Festival d’été de Québec, Breaking Sound in Brooklyn, Sommo Festival in Prince Edward Island, and opening for the legendary GRAMMY-winning band The Roots at Backyard Music Festival in Victoria, BC.

Canadian-Jamaican artist King Cruff (Solomon Marley-Spence) was born with the talents of songwriting and performance in his blood. An introspective storyteller, he sees his songs as think pieces that embody the poetic lyricism, vibrant rhythms, and innovative soundscapes that define his artistry. Drawing on his audio engineering background, the versatile King Cruff fuses genres across the diaspora including hip-hop, Afrobeats, dancehall, and reggae.

While reggae royalty is in his blood, King Cruff’s rapid flow and patois-laced lyrical style reveals the influence hip-hop lyricists such as André 3000 and Kendrick Lamar have had on him choosing to carve his own path and building his own legacy.

Following two consecutive Top 40 radio hits in Canada, “Soufflé” and “PROPPA GHANDA”, King Cruff released his debut EP WHAT HAVE I ‘DON to critical acclaim, landing multiple ‘Best Of’ lists and receiving the 2025 JUNO Award Nomination for Reggae Recording of the Year.

Canadian-Jamaican artist King Cruff (Solomon Marley-Spence) was born with the talents of songwriting and performance in his blood. An introspective storyteller, he sees his songs as think pieces that embody the poetic lyricism, vibrant rhythms, and innovative soundscapes that define his artistry. Drawing on his audio engineering background, the versatile King Cruff fuses genres across the diaspora including hip-hop, Afrobeats, dancehall, and reggae.

While reggae royalty is in his blood, King Cruff’s rapid flow and patois-laced lyrical style reveals the influence hip-hop lyricists such as André 3000 and Kendrick Lamar have had on him choosing to carve his own path and building his own legacy.

Following two consecutive Top 40 radio hits in Canada, “Soufflé” and “PROPPA GHANDA”, King Cruff released his debut EP WHAT HAVE I ‘DON to critical acclaim, landing multiple ‘Best Of’ lists and receiving the 2025 JUNO Award Nomination for Reggae Recording of the Year.

A natural-born performer, 27-year-old King Cruff has spent the past two years on stages in Jamaica, the US, and Canada opening for Stonebwoy, DillonPonders, and Damien and Stephen Marley, performing alongside Skip Marley at the Tuff Gong Takeover in New York, playing multiple festivals including SXSW, NXNE, and Cali Vibes Festival, and for cultural events such as Toronto’s Caribana, School Night, Skratch Bastid’s BBQ in both Toronto and Jamaica, Afro Carib Fest, and at the LA and Toronto opening nights of the Bob Marley One Love Experience. Uniting his love for hip-hop, reggae, dancehall, and funk, King Cruff’s captivating performances and innovative sound has solidified him as a visionary artist to watch.

Your Favorite Color Unleashes Anthem of Self-Liberation With “Less in Love”

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 14, 2025

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Your Favorite Color Unleashes Anthem of Self-Liberation With “Less in Love”

Following last month’s release of the anthemic “Forever,” indie alt-rock band Your Favorite Color – who continue to carve out their place in the modern alt-rock scene, resonating deeply with listeners searching for honesty and emotional depth – returns with an emotionally charged new single, “Less in Love.” Blending the band’s signature mix of cathartic lyrics with cinematic soundscapes, the song is a hard-charging alt-rock thriller that doubles as a confession. The song was born from a feeling of pure freedom during the band’s first UK tour where they ran through the streets of London and shed the weight of others’ expectations.

“This song is about refusing to change for someone else and owning your true self without apology,” Your Favorite Color says of “Less in Love.” “It’s an anthem of self-liberation.”

Your Favorite Color— which features lead vocalist Matt Warren and keyboardist Nicky Neighbors, along with Cameron Pearson on bass, Matthew Fosmire on drums (aka “Foz”) and guitarist David Silveria — recently released their new single “Forever” —a high-energy anthem that captures the rush of living in the moment. The single follows the breakout success of their debut album, For You, and viral moments sparked by their cover of the Thompson Twins’ “Hold Me Now” and the fan-favorite track “ Medicine .” Most recently, Your Favorite Color wrapped a 26-date European tour opening for The Driver Era on the X Girlfriend tour, playing to sold-out crowds in Paris, Madrid, London and introducing their high energy, nostalgic sound to a global audience.

Hailing from Huntington Beach, CA, Your Favorite Color blends alt-rock with dreamy ‘80s pop influences and moody emotional undertones. United by a shared love of music and the ocean, the band formed in Orange County and has evolved into lifelong friends and collaborators.

After six years performing along the California coast and honing their sound, they signed with esteemed indie label Prajin Parlay and released their debut LP For You in September 2024—an 11-track journey through love, heartbreak, and self-discovery, influenced by the pop/rock sounds of the ‘80s, ‘90s, and early 2000s. A standout performance at SXSW 2024, their debut European tour, and back-to-back alt-rock anthems “Bleach” and “Forever” have firmly established them as one of California’s most exciting rising acts.

Spotify GLOW Amplifies LGBTQIA+ Artists and Stories Around the World

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 14, 2025

0

Spotify GLOW Amplifies LGBTQIA+ Artists and Stories Around the World

Spotify is dedicated to lifting up the voices and contributions of all artists, creators, and authors. This Pride Month and beyond, they’re also taking a moment to showcase the continued growth and impact of GLOW, their global music platform that amplifies LGBTQIA+ creators and celebrates their contributions to music and culture year-round.

GLOW’s ongoing global impact

Available in more than 50 countries, the GLOW hub is a key destination for fans looking to discover and celebrate LGBTQIA+ sounds.

Since launching in January 2023, the program has also supported more than 100 GLOW ambassadors with marketing, editorial, and partnership opportunities in their home countries and beyond. These artists have been featured across their GLOW playlists, appeared in GLOW billboard ads in cities like New York, London, and Bangkok, and shared their stories across their global and local social channels. Additionally, GLOW playlists have racked up more than 371 million streams and enabled more than 86 million discoveries.

LGBTQIA+ artists who GLOW

Their GLOW hub serves as a dedicated space to highlight offerings from LGBTQIA+ voices, with curated selections and monthly campaigns supporting spotlight artists. They’ve collaborated with artists at various stages in their careers, from Trixie Mattel (U.S.) to LUDMILLA (Brazil) and MOONGA K. (South Africa) to Jean Seizure (Singapore).

They’ve refreshed their flagship GLOW playlist with tracks from LGBTQIA+ artists, and this June, they’re highlighting six exceptional GLOW spotlight artists from around the world: Esteman (Colombia), RUSLANA (Spain), Hakushi Hasegawa (Japan), ALIE BLACKCOBRA (Thailand), Craig Lucas (South Africa), and Sophie and the Giants (U.K.), representing a range of genres and perspectives and showcasing the breadth of talent within the community.

Hakushi Hasegawa

Sophie and the Giants

RUSLANA

ALIE BLACKCOBRA

Craig Lucas

Esteman

Hakushi Hasegawa

Sophie and the Giants

Listeners can explore more genres and styles with curated playlists like Pride Party, featuring dance anthems; Club Resistance, a collection of bold, pioneering tunes; Transcend, which honors trans talent; BRILLO, the hottest tracks from Latin American LGBTQIA+ artists; and The Ballroom (Vogue), full of iconic ballroom sounds.

GLOW also fosters community and connection beyond the digital realm. Throughout the month and across many local markets, they’re celebrating with artists, creators, and fans in recognition of the LGBTQIA+ community.

More than music

For podcast fans, the Queer Creators We Love and Spotlighting LGBTQIA+ Stories shelves within their GLOW hub boast a selection of shows and episodes from the community, including Therapuss with Jake Shane and Two Dykes And A Mic. And in countries where audiobooks are available, the hub features an audiobooks shelf with playlists spanning everything from memoirs to science fiction and fantasy.

Visit theirGLOW hub to discover your new favorite LGBTQIA+ artists and creators.

Spotify Drives Major Global Growth in Audiobook Listening and Sales

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 14, 2025

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Spotify Drives Major Global Growth in Audiobook Listening and Sales

Since Audiobooks in Premium launched on Spotify in 2023, they’ve seen strong growth all around, with their catalog of English-language audiobooks nearly tripling in size to more than 400,000 titles.

And the number of audiobooks listeners and listening hours increased by more than 30% and 35% year-over-year, respectively, in the U.S., U.K., and Australia. More recently, since the launch of audiobooks in France and the Benelux last year, they’ve also seen audiobook listeners in those countries grow by a monthly average of 12%.

Much of this growth is driven by users who were listening to an audiobook for the very first time. This isn’t just (really) cool — they believe it’s playing a key role in the sales of the publishing industry overall.

A newly released survey by the Audiobook Publishers Association shows that audiobook sales grew by 13% in 2024, with 99% of the revenues generated by digital audiobooks.

More specifically, their publishing partners are seeing growth and are citing Spotify as a key contributor to that growth.

U.K. publisher Bloomsbury reported that audio sales during its 2025 fiscal year “grew 57 percent in part driven by our new commercial relationship with Spotify.”
French publisher Lagadere mentioned in its 2024 financial report that “digital sales grew significantly in the audio segment (up 38%), driven by a new partnership with Spotify.”
U.S. publisher HarperCollins has also said that in the fourth quarter of 2024, audiobook sales rose by 13% compared to Q4 2023, with parent company News Corp pointing out their entrance into the audiobook market as a catalyst for that growth.

They want to help the industry maintain this momentum by introducing even more listeners to the world of audiobooks. And they\ll do that by continuing to provide the best experience for authors, publishers, and listeners alike. So far, they’ve done this by: