Page 1160 – That Eric Alper

Falling In Reverse Announce 2025 “God Is A Weapon” Amphitheater Tour With Massive Lineup

Music

Eric Alper

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May 26, 2025

Falling In Reverse Announce 2025 “God Is A Weapon” Amphitheater Tour With Massive Lineup

Falling In Reverse are hitting the road this summer for a massive North American headline tour that will again see the band playing amphitheaters. The “Falling In Reverse: God Is A Weapon Tour,” produced by Live Nation, kicks off August 10 in Denver, Colorado and runs through September 26 in Las Vegas.

Wage War, Tech N9ne, and Sleep Theory will serve as support from August 10 through August 27. Slaughter to Prevail, Hollywood Undead, and Sleep Theory will appear from August 29 through September 7. The final leg will feature support from Slaughter to Prevail, Hollywood Undead, and Point North. All dates are below. Tickets go on sale on Friday, May 23 at 10am local time.

Falling In Reverse’s juggernaut, 2024-released album POPULAR MONSTER has accumulated 3.1 billion streams to date and is nearly platinum. The album includes the mega smashes “Popular Monster, “Watch the World Burn,” and “All My Life,” featuring Jelly Roll, which was the No. 1 single at active rock radio for five weeks.

Elsewhere, the band’s catalog has notched over 69 billon streams, cementing Falling In Reverse’s status as one of the most successful bands of their generation.

FALLING IN REVERSE ON TOUR:
8/10 – Denver, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre* (NOT A LIVE NATION DATE)
8/12 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion*
8/13 – Austin, TX – Moody Center*
8/14 – The Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion*
8/16 – Biloxi, MS – Mississippi Coast Coliseum*
8/17 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre*
8/19 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre*
8/20 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre*
8/22 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek*
8/23 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion*
8/25 – Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion*
8/26 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live*
8/27 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater*
8/29 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center**
8/30 – Tinley Park, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre**
8/31 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center**
9/2 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre**
9/3 – Milwaukee, WI – American Family Insurance Amphitheater^
9/6 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion**
9/7 – Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium**
9/9 – Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater***
9/10 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage***
9/11 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre^^
9/13 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center***
9/14 – Hartford, CT – Xfinity Theatre***
9/16 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center***
9/18 – Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake***
9/23 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater***
9/24 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre***
9/26 – Las Vegas, NV – PH Live at Planet Hollywood***
* With Wage War, Tech N9ne, Sleep Theory
**With Slaughter To Prevail, Hollywood Undead, Sleep Theory
***With Slaughter To Prevail, Hollywood Undead, Point North
^ With Slaughter To Prevail, Hollywood Undead
^^ With Hollywood Undead, Point North

Welcome To Rockville 2025 Breaks Records With 230,000 Fans and 150+ Bands at Daytona Speedway

Music

Eric Alper

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May 26, 2025

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Welcome To Rockville 2025 Breaks Records With 230,000 Fans and 150+ Bands at Daytona Speedway

Welcome To Rockville took its biggest lap yet at Daytona International Speedway last weekend as North America’s Largest Rock Festival broke its own records with 230,000 music fans joining together for the four-day destination event that included back-to-back record-setting crowds of 58,000 plus on both Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17. With more than 150 bands on 5 stages, it was the biggest edition yet of Welcome To Rockville as the festival marked its fifth iteration in Daytona Beach, Florida and 14th year overall.

Welcome To Rockville featured a stellar lineup of top rock talent including mainstage headliners Shinedown with Rob Zombie and Three Days Grace (highly anticipated reunion with original vocalist Adam Gontier) on Thursday, Green Day with Good Charlotte (in their first East Coast performance since 2019) and Sublime on Friday, LINKIN PARK with Incubus and Pierce The Veil on Saturday and KORN with Bad Omens and Marilyn Manson on Sunday. The massive rock lineup also featured Social Distortion, Knocked Loose, Halestorm, Mudvayne, I Prevail, Jimmy Eat World, Motionless In White, Beartooth and many more.

“What an unforgettable weekend celebrating rock and the incredible Rockvillian community at Welcome To Rockville! We just hosted a record-breaking 230,000 fans, reaffirming our place as North America’s Largest Rock Festival,” said Danny Wimmer, Founder of Danny Wimmer Presents. “To do it in my home state of Florida—and to see every artist give it their all—created an unforgettable experience for the Rockvillian community. We’re deeply thankful to the teams at Daytona International Speedway Staff, AdventHealth Medical Professionals, VCEMS Workers, Volusia Sheriff’s Office, Daytona Beach Police Department, Daytona Beach Fire Department, and Florida Highway Patrol. Your partnership and support is invaluable. We’ll be announcing 2026 dates soon and can’t wait to see you all next year to celebrate Welcome To Rockville’s 15th anniversary!”

Those in attendance at Welcome To Rockville were able to witness some incredible moments including:

● Florida natives Shinedown inviting Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Johnny Van Zant and Rickey Medlocke to join for a performance of Skynyrd’s “Simple Man”; Shinedown headlined Rockville for the first time

● Linkin Park performing From Zero deluxe edition track “Let You Fade” live for the very first time

● Green Day packing in a massive 20-song hit list for their Welcome To Rockville debut

● KORN closing out the festival Sunday night with fan favorites

● Halestorm debuting five new songs from their upcoming album Everest, including “Fallen Star,” “WATCH OUT!,” “Darkness Always Wins” (first full band performance), “Rain Your Blood On Me” and the title track

● Social Distortion joining the lineup as a special addition

● The East Coast debut of Seven Hours After Violet, the new project from System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian

● Shinedown and Three Days Grace performing tributes to 3 Doors Down and singer Brad Arnold (originally scheduled for Welcome To Rockville) with respective covers of “Kryptonite” and “Away From the Sun”

● Good Charlotte covering the Wheatus hit “Teenage Dirtbag” with Wheatus singer Brendan Brown; The band’s exclusive Southeast U.S. performance and only their second show since 2019

● Pierce The Veil and Kellin Quinn of Sleeping With Sirens banding together for their collaboration track “King For A Day”

● Crossfade marking one of their first performances in 13 years

● Body Count performing their first Florida show since 2004

● We Came As Romans debuted an unreleased song called “No Rest For The Dreamer”

● Dry Kill Logic’s first show in 19 years

In addition, Welcome To Rockville featured memorable performances from Rob Zombie, Incubus, Bad Omens, Marilyn Manson, Knocked Loose, Mudvayne, I Prevail, Jimmy Eat World, Motionless In White, Beartooth and many more.

Plus, in homage to the festival’s home at the Daytona International Speedway, there were additional surprise appearances from Daniel Suarez (NASCAR Cup Series Driver) and James Rispoli (Harley Davidson Rider).

Beyond the music, Welcome To Rockville offered additional onsite experiences including The SiriusXM Zone: Octane Headbangers Happy Hour where fans could hang out with Octane hosts Jose Mangin, Shannon Gunz, and Caity Babs as they broadcast live and talked with some of the biggest bands on the festival lineup, including Knocked Loose, Mudvayne, I Prevail, Motionless In White, Beartooth, Hollywood Undead, Sleeping With Sirens, Chevelle, Bush, Daughtry, Killswitch Engage, Underoath and more. During the festival, fans around the world could tune in live to hear interviews and live performances from various Welcome To Rockville artists on SiriusXM’s Rockville Radio takeover on Octane (Ch. 37). The best of Rockville highlights on Rockville Radio also can be streamed on the SiriusXM app and web player now through May 30.

Onsite at Welcome To Rockville there were also opportunities to enjoy a series of carnival rides including the Rockvillian Wheel, refresh at the iHeart Radio Dive Bar, the Bud Light Backyard, BeatBox’s Party Pub activation, and additional entertainment from partners including Blackcraft, Demons Behind Me, Eargasm, Fxck Cancer, HeartSupport, Jack Daniel’s, Milagro, Mortus Viventi, NÜTRL, Parlor Root Beer, Red Bull, SiriusXM, Smirnoff, Take Me Home Animal Charity, The Music Experience, The Taylor Foundation, To Write Love on Her Arms, and the U.S. Army.

The 2026 festival dates for Welcome To Rockville will be announced soon.

Rock Feed called Welcome To Rockville “one of the best festivals in the world.”

Metal Injection said, “…Welcome To Rockville 2025 delivered a searing lineup that more than matched the Florida scorching sun’s intensity. From sweat-drenched circle pits to euphoric sing-alongs echoing across the Speedway, this year’s edition was a masterclass in controlled chaos – equal parts grit, glory, and good times. If this is what the inferno feels like, count us in for next year’s burn.”

Daytona Beach News-Journal noted, “In the marathon battle between heat and heavy metal, rock ‘n’ roll prevailed as Welcome To Rockville roared through four days of music from more than 150 bands…”

WPEC-TV (CBS 12) added, “Shinedown closed out Day 1 of Rockville 2025 with an explosive, high-energy performance that lit up the night sky — literally. Fireworks, pyro, and a roaring sea of fans turned the Apex Stage into ground zero for one of the most electric headlining sets in Rockville history.”

Welcome To Rockville is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, one of the largest independent producers of destination music festivals in America.

Chris Stapleton Joins F1 THE ALBUM With “Bad As I Used To Be” Ahead of High-Octane Film Release

Music

Eric Alper

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May 26, 2025

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Chris Stapleton Joins F1 THE ALBUM With “Bad As I Used To Be” Ahead of High-Octane Film Release

Atlantic Records has raised the flag on the newest track from F1 THE ALBUM, the supercharged, star-studded musical companion to Apple Original Films’ high-octane, action-packed feature F1 THE MOVIE, starring Brad Pitt and directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick). Eleven-time Grammy Award–winning Chris Stapleton officially enters the race with “Bad As I Used To Be,” available now. F1 THE ALBUM is available for pre-order here and arrives in stores and at all online retailers on Friday, June 27, coinciding with the film’s theatrical release, distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.

“Bad As I Used To Be” joins a lineup of adrenaline-charged singles that began with Grammy-nominated producer/DJ Dom Dolla’s “No Room For A Saint” (featuring Nathan Nicholson), followed by global pop icon ROSÉ’s cinematic ballad “Messy,” and the revved-up lead single “Lose My Mind” from multi-platinum Houston rapper and singer-songwriter Don Toliver (Cactus Jack recording artist), featuring Grammy-winning, multi-platinum star Doja Cat. Marking his first soundtrack release, “No Room For A Saint” was lauded by Billboard as a “speed demon of a track… slick and muscular, giving an ’80s vibe” in their “Best New Tracks” roundup. “Messy,” produced by Lostboy & Burns, premiered alongside an official music video starring ROSÉ, with exclusive film footage of Brad Pitt and Kerry Condon, and was hailed by Billboard as “a cinematic love ballad” in their “Must-Hear Releases” column. Watch the official video that shut down the Las Vegas Strip here. Produced by Ryan Tedder, “Lose My Mind”—which samples Hans Zimmer’s Oscar-winning “F1 Movie Theme”—arrived with an electrifying video here, prompting Rolling Stone to call it “the film soundtrack of the year” and Billboard to praise it as “a shimmering, synth-drenched club track that showcases Don Toliver’s silky melodic streak and Doja Cat’s chest-thumping rhyming.” Together, these three singles have already amassed over 100 million global audio streams and video views.

Dom Dolla, ROSÉ, and Don Toliver were among the soundtrack stars who attended an immersive F1 THE ALBUM activation at the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix 2025. Hosted in a private VIP paddock adjacent to the official team garages, the experience brought the film’s fictional APXGP team to life with interactive games, racing simulators, memorabilia, and an exclusive album preview. Guests included Kerry Condon, Jerry Bruckheimer, Tiësto, Sexyy Red, Roddy Ricch, Myke Towers, and Burna Boy. In a first-ever tribute, Formula 1 drivers’ names on the garages were replaced with those of the album’s featured artists. The launch culminated when Grammy Award–winning icon Tiësto made F1 history by headlining performances from the grid bridge moments before the formation lap and from the podium after the race—capping off a truly momentous weekend.

From the label behind blockbuster soundtracks like Barbie The Album, Twisters: The Album, The Greatest Showman, and Suicide Squad, F1 THE ALBUM will feature massive new tracks from an unprecedented lineup, including Ed Sheeran, Tate McRae, RAYE, Burna Boy, Roddy Ricch, Chris Stapleton, Tiësto, Sexyy Red, Myke Towers, Madison Beer, Peggy Gou, and more. See below for the full track listing.

Kentucky-born Chris Stapleton is an eleven-time Grammy, nineteen-time CMA, and twenty-one-time ACM Award-winner and one of country music’s most respected artists. Recently honored as ACM Male Artist of the Year and Grammy Best Country Solo Performance for “It Takes A Woman,” Stapleton’s album Higher features breakout hits “White Horse” and “Think I’m In Love With You.” Rolling Stone praises his voice as “dazzling,” and The New Yorker lauds him as “the rare country star with both traditional bona fides and broad commercial appeal.” Known for electrifying live performances, he continues his “All-American Road Show” this summer, including two nights at Madison Square Garden, and has collaborated with Post Malone, Dua Lipa, Slash, George Strait, Adele, Taylor Swift, and more. Stapleton and his wife, Morgane, co-founded the Outlaw State of Kind charitable fund, supporting causes close to their hearts.

F1 THE ALBUM TRACKLIST

Don Toliver – Lose My Mind (feat. Doja Cat)
Dom Dolla – No Room for A Saint (feat. Nathan Nicholson)
Ed Sheeran – Drive
Tate McRae – Just Keep Watching
ROSÉ – Messy
Burna Boy – Don’t Let Me Drown
Roddy Ricch – Underdog
RAYE – Grandma Calls The Boy Bad News
Chris Stapleton – Bad As I Used To Be
Myke Towers – Baja California
Tiësto & Sexyy Red – OMG!
Madison Beer – All At Once
Peggy Gou – D.A.N.C.E
PAWSA – Double C
Mr Eazi – Attention
Darkoo – Give Me Love
Obongjayar – Gasoline

Spotify Celebrates Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month With Takeovers, Playlists, and New Singles

Music

Eric Alper

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May 26, 2025

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Spotify Celebrates Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month With Takeovers, Playlists, and New Singles

Globally, Asian and Pacific Islander (API) artists, creators, and authors continue to make their presence felt with exciting new musical styles and genres, sharp cultural commentaries, and narratives that offer a window into the diverse experiences that shape their perspectives.

Throughout May, Spotify is celebrating Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by spotlighting API voices around the world. Whether you’re on your desktop or mobile, their Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month hub is your go-to spot for all the great stuff they’ve got lined up, including brand-new Spotify Singles and refreshed playlists, as well as curated podcasts and audiobooks.

You know their playlists GLOW, Fresh Finds, Frequency, and EQUAL? They’re joining the celebration, too. Keep an eye out because some fantastic API artists will be sprinkled throughout these playlists and featured on playlist cover art all month long. And speaking of playlists, they’re highlighting some dedicated ones like Jasmine, K-Pop ON!, Gacha Pop, Desi Hits, and KALYE that are packed with the hottest sounds from API artists right now.

They’re also teaming up with indie star Japanese Breakfast—one of the earliest faces of their Jasmine playlist—for a takeover featuring the emerging API artists she’s most excited about right now. And if you’re in New York and LA, look for billboards spotlighting rising artists who have been featured on the playlist, including Luna Li, Snow Wife, Chance Emerson, Griff, grentperez, and Debbii Dawson.

There’s more than just music to discover this month. They’ve got a special shelf of audiobooks with all sorts of fiction and nonfiction that dive into different genres, themes, and experiences. From imagining the future to looking back at personal stories, there’s a whole range of styles and perspectives that they think will really inspire you and help you appreciate API heritage.

And for those who love a good story or chat, they’ve got a curated collection of buzzworthy podcasts from some of the freshest API voices out there today. Think shows like The Comment Section with Drew Afualo, Much to Discuss…!, and Rotten Mango Video.

Gold House Futures Accelerator returns with a new round of Spotify Singles

For the fourth year running, they’re collaborating with Gold House to create more opportunities for API music artists to gain exposure, mentorship, and performances. They’re hosting a Masterclass, connecting emerging artists with experienced industry leaders, organizing an artist showcase hosted by Live Nation, and offering playlist support on Gold Beats.

They’ve also invited the current crop of Gold House Futures Accelerator program artists to record new Spotify Singles.

Snow Wife puts her spin on Miley Cyrus’s “Rose Colored Lenses”:

Luna Li reimagines Imogen Heap’s “Headlock”:

Chance Emerson puts a fresh take on Noah Kahan’s “All My Love”:

Spotify Celebrates 10 Years of Fresh Finds With a Star-Packed Anniversary Playlist

Music

Eric Alper

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May 26, 2025

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Spotify Celebrates 10 Years of Fresh Finds With a Star-Packed Anniversary Playlist

For the past decade, Spotify’s Fresh Finds playlists have served as a launchpad for emerging independent artists, helping them break through and connect with new listeners. In fact, in 2024, nearly 70% of all Fresh Finds streams represented listeners discovering artists for the first time. Now, as Fresh Finds turns 10, they’re shining a light on the independent artists at the heart of it all.

To commemorate the milestone, their editors have curated a special 10th-anniversary playlist showcasing some of the most exciting artists who had their start in Fresh Finds, such as 100 gecs, Laufey, Ethel Cain, Brent Faiyaz, Omar Apollo, Doechii, Clairo, BigXthaPlug, Big Thief, and more. This playlist is their way of saying thank you to some of the inspiring artists who have been central to the Fresh Finds story over the years.

The Fresh Finds ecosystem includes the flagship playlist and more than a dozen genre-specific playlists: latin, indie, experimental, rock, dance, folk, country, pop, hip-hop, jazz, R&B, heavy (metal), música mexicana, faith, and more. A team of more than 30 Spotify editors blends data insights, thorough research, context from pitches through Spotify for Artists, and human intuition to curate these playlists. The flagship playlist represents the very best finds week over week, meticulously crafted for the crate-digging, new-music aficionado open to discovering artists of any genre, from anywhere in the world.

“Thinking back over the past decade, so many inspiring artists have been a part of the Fresh Finds story,” said Sulinna Ong, Global Head of Editorial, Music at Spotify. “Seeing them go from those initial playlist spots to building a whole new audience is just incredible and highlights the impact of finding those early fans. Our focus for the next 10 years? To keep opening doors for thousands more independent artists, helping them share their sound and build real connections.”

The Fresh Finds effect: By the numbers

Fresh Finds drives discovery and supports independent artists at the earliest stages of their careers, often serving as the crucial first step toward industry recognition, viral success, signing with a record label, or building a global fan base. Here’s a glimpse at the impact Fresh Finds has made over the years:

Nearly 70,000 artists have been added to Fresh Finds playlists to date.
In 2024 alone, more than 18,000 artists from 127 countries were featured, demonstrating Fresh Finds’ global reach.
In 2024, Fresh Finds drove more than 65 million artist discoveries, underscoring the playlists’ effectiveness in connecting listeners with fresh, independent sounds.
More than 90% of artists added to Fresh Finds in 2024 used Spotify for Artists’ playlist pitching feature. Their editors review as many submissions as possible, making it a valuable tool for artists seeking playlist placements.
On average, artists see their new listeners and international streams more than double one month after being added to Fresh Finds for the first time.

And the Fresh Finds journey doesn’t end there. To date, more than half of artists first added to Fresh Finds are later added to other Spotify editorial playlists like New Music Friday, RapCaviar, or Lorem. A number of Fresh Finds alumni have even gone on to be nominated for Best New Artist: Japanese Breakfast, Ice Spice, Omar Apollo, Doechii, and Wet Leg.

“Fresh Finds has always been about spotlighting new independent voices and helping artists connect with new audiences,” said Joe Hadley, Spotify’s Global Head of Music Partnerships & Audience. “A vital part of this has been really cementing the artist-to-fan connection, going beyond the playlist with initiatives like our live shows with Samsung in Chicago and New York City. We’re proud to celebrate 10 years of championing discovery for independent artists and their fans.”

As Fresh Finds turns 10, they aim to help thousands more artists share their music, tell their stories, and find their audiences.

Join us in celebrating a decade of Fresh Finds. Hit play on their anniversary playlist and check out this interview with Elizabeth Szabo, Spotify’s Editorial Lead, Indie, and Sulinna Ong, Global Head of Editorial, Music, for more insights. They’ll be sharing more Fresh Finds artist stories over the next month on their Spotify for Artists Instagram and TikTok.

Spotify Launches Upcoming Releases Hub to Power the Next Wave of Album Drops

Music

Eric Alper

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May 26, 2025

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Spotify Launches Upcoming Releases Hub to Power the Next Wave of Album Drops

Marking a first, Spotify has launched the Upcoming Releases hub—a destination solely dedicated to highlighting soon-to-be-released albums powered by Countdown Pages, a feature introduced last year.

This hub provides users with a one-stop shop to explore personalized recommendations based on their listening history. Located under the Search tab on mobile, fans can easily find the “Upcoming Releases” tile to browse these personalized suggestions and the top 10 global Countdowns based on the number of pre-saves.

Fans can easily pre-save multiple upcoming releases directly from the hub and quickly jump into Countdown Pages to preview the tracklists, stream released singles, watch Clips, find merch, and follow the countdown right up until release. Then, on release day, they’ll send a push notification to all the fans who’ve pre-saved, automatically adding the music to their library.

They’ve already seen the success and momentum Countdown Pages can build. Since launching in Summer 2024, 60% of major artists—including Charli xcx, Billie Eilish, and Bad Bunny—have used Countdown Pages to drive pre-release hype with fans.

Countdown Charts come to Spotify socials

In addition to the Upcoming Releases hub, they’re rolling out Countdown Charts on theirSpotify and Spotify for Artists social channels, giving fans more ways to stay in the know. Every Wednesday, they’ll post an updated list of the top 10 Countdown Pages with the most total pre-saves globally.

“The Upcoming Releases hub is about celebrating what’s next in music, and Countdown Charts bring a whole new level of visibility to releases that fans are most excited about,” said Madeleine Bennett, Senior Director, Head of Global Music Go-to-Market. “By ranking the top pre-saved releases globally, we’re giving artists a powerful new way to build anticipation and connect with their biggest fans in the lead-up to release day.”

For eligible artists (i.e., artists with at least 5,000 active listeners in the last 28 days), be sure to create a Countdown Page for your upcoming album or EP to be eligible for the hub and charts.

To check out their Upcoming Releases hub and start pre-saving the albums you’re most excited about, click here.

The Best Songs from the New Romantic Era

Eric Alper

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May 26, 2025

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The Best Songs from the New Romantic Era

Before eyeliner came in bulk and shoulder pads became weapons, there was a movement brewing in London clubs like The Blitz. Out of the ashes of punk and the glitter of glam came the New Romantics—flamboyant, fashionable, and fiercely futuristic. They didn’t just want to rebel; they wanted to redecorate the world with synths, sequins, and stares that could kill. These were not your older sibling’s rock stars. They were androgynous, arty, and ready to pose on every record sleeve like it was a Vogue cover.

From Soft Cell’s sleaze to Spandau Ballet’s suave, the New Romantic sound was rich with drama, dripping with mood, and always soaring just one octave higher than necessary. Whether you were dancing under neon lights at Camden Palace or miming along with Top of the Pops, these were the songs that made you feel like you were living in a synth-scored movie.

So tease your hair, fluff your frills, and strike a pose—here are some of the best songs from the New Romantic era, all so fabulous.

“A Forest” – The Cure
A haunting blend of post-punk and atmospheric synths, this track envelops listeners in its moody ambiance.

“Always Something There to Remind Me” – Naked Eyes
This shimmering Bacharach cover became a synth-pop smash and a staple of ‘80s heartbreak anthems. It turned retro melancholy into dancefloor gold.

“Cambodia” – Kim Wilde
A haunting tale of Cold War fear and disappearance, wrapped in icy synths and Wilde’s perfectly detached delivery. Eerily beautiful.

“Calling Your Name” – Marilyn
All pout, all glam, all heartache. Marilyn delivered this glossy plea with a voice as fragile as their mascara. A Blitz Kid favorite.

“Chant No. 1 (I Don’t Need This Pressure On)” – Spandau Ballet
A funk-infused anthem that showcases the band’s versatility and dancefloor appeal.

“Dancing with Tears in My Eyes” – Ultravox
A poignant narrative set against soaring synths, reflecting on love and impending doom.

“Don’t You Want Me” – The Human League
An iconic duet that juxtaposes catchy melodies with themes of love and power dynamics.

“Doot-Doot” – Freur
More art than chart, this dreamy synth piece by the band that would later become Underworld floated through speakers like a sigh in neon fog.

“Fade to Grey” – Visage
The ultimate Blitz Club anthem. Steve Strange’s cold stare and Chris Payne’s synth wizardry created a continental mood of elegance and ennui.

“Forever Young” – Alphaville
German synth romantics deliver the ultimate high school slow dance for dystopian dreamers. It still hurts so good.

“Gold” – Spandau Ballet
Not just a song—an affirmation. Tony Hadley belts like a man on a yacht made of mirrors. Every note drips with luxury.

“Hold Me Now” – Thompson Twins
A heartfelt ballad that combines emotional lyrics with lush electronic instrumentation.

“I Could Be Happy” – Altered Images
Clare Grogan’s sugar-spun vocals meet pogoing synths in this bubbly banger. It’s chaotic in the cutest way.

“I Ran (So Far Away)” – A Flock of Seagulls
That hair. That riff. That chorus. A new romantic sci-fi fever dream disguised as a chase scene through a synthstorm.

“If You Leave” – Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD)
Made for Pretty in Pink, but ready for your breakup playlist. It’s pure prom-night yearning with glossy synth tears.

“I’m in Love with a German Film Star” – The Passions
A dreamy, melancholic tune that captures the allure of distant admiration.

“In the Name of Love” – Thompson Twins
Tribal drums meet techno gloss in this hypnotic track that made you feel both romantic and slightly haunted.

“Israel” – Siouxsie and the Banshees
A powerful track blending tribal rhythms with ethereal vocals, showcasing the band’s experimental edge.

“It’s a Mug’s Game” – Soft Cell
Marc Almond monologues his way through teenage angst, lust, and longing like a synth-soaked kitchen sink drama.

“Love Plus One” – Haircut 100
New Romantic beach vibes with bucket hats and saxophones. As breezy as a pastel summer afternoon.

“Love’s Great Adventure” – Ultravox
An upbeat, adventurous song that captures the thrill of new experiences.

“Messages” – OMD
Before the ballads, OMD delivered this mechanical heartache with pulsing precision. A telegram to your soul.

“Mirror Man” – The Human League
Phil Oakey warns of fame and illusion over a punchy disco beat. As catchy as it is cynical.

“More Than This” – Roxy Music
Bryan Ferry floats above the synth mist with velvet vocals. A soft and sad New Romantic sunset.

“New Song” – Howard Jones
Positivity in parachute pants. Jones was the motivational speaker of synth-pop, and this track was his glittering gospel.

“No Regrets” – Midge Ure
Melancholy dressed in drama. Ure covers Tom Rush with cinematic strings and trembling vocals that cut deep.

“Only You” – Yazoo
Vince Clarke’s synths + Alison Moyet’s voice = romantic perfection. So minimal, so majestic, so Yazoo.

“Planet Earth” – Duran Duran
Where the New Romantic movement became a band. The bass slinks, the drums snap, and the future looks fabulous.

“Quiet Life” – Japan
David Sylvian channels glam melancholy in a track that paved the runway for the whole scene. Cool, distant, divine.

“Reward” – The Teardrop Explodes
A vibrant mix of psychedelia and pop, bursting with energy and catchy hooks.

“Souvenir” – Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD)
Like being kissed in an abandoned cathedral. Sparse and beautiful, with one of the dreamiest melodies of the era.

“Tainted Love” – Soft Cell
The anthem. A cover turned cultural reset. Bleak, sexy, hypnotic—and still irresistible.

“The Damned Don’t Cry” – Visage
High melodrama in eyeliner and epaulettes. Steve Strange never blinked, and this song never faltered.

“The Look of Love” – ABC
A sophisticated track that combines lush orchestration with heartfelt lyrics about desire and admiration.

“To Cut a Long Story Short” – Spandau Ballet
Their debut single, introducing the world to their unique blend of synth-pop and new wave.

“Underpass” – John Foxx
A minimalist electronic piece that paints a vivid picture of urban isolation.

“Vienna” – Ultravox
It means nothing to you? Rubbish. It means everything. Midge Ure and Billy Currie made baroque grandeur the soundtrack of a generation.

“Visions in Blue” – Ultravox
A hauntingly beautiful song that melds melancholic lyrics with atmospheric synth layers.

John Lennon’s Jukebox: 40 Songs That Shaped a Beatle

Eric Alper

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May 26, 2025

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John Lennon’s Jukebox: 40 Songs That Shaped a Beatle

In 1965, somewhere between the chaos of stadium crowds and the stillness of hotel rooms, John Lennon built himself a sonic sanctuary: a Swiss-made KB Discomatic jukebox packed with 40 of his favorite 45s. It wasn’t assembled for show. It was for solace, stimulation, and soul. At a time when The Beatles were being chased, dissected, and deified, Lennon turned to the voices that had first made him fall in love with music. This was not nostalgia—it was nourishment.

This jukebox was Lennon’s private mixtape before mixtapes existed. Long before streaming and playlists, these 45s held emotional power. These were the records he needed. Not for fashion. Not for fans. But because they reminded him who he was before the world knew his name. The crackle of Little Richard’s scream, the poetry of Dylan’s disdain, the swing of Smokey’s heartbreak—all of it informed Lennon’s musical DNA.

Chuck Berry, Gene Vincent, the Miracles, the Isley Brothers, and Fontella Bass all spin side by side. There’s no ranking here—only resonance. Smokey Robinson appears five times, Dylan twice, and the influence of Black American R&B is unmistakable. It’s a jukebox that pulses with rebellion, romance, grief, and groove. It’s the kind of music that doesn’t ask for permission.

When the jukebox resurfaced at a Christie’s auction in 1989 and was purchased by Bristol music producer John Midwinter, it became more than a collectible. Midwinter painstakingly restored it, tracked down the original records, and shared Lennon’s handwritten notes—before his own death in 2004. His work was eventually turned into the documentary John Lennon’s Jukebox, offering a rare glimpse into the personal soundtrack of a man who redefined popular music.

Here are the 40 songs John Lennon carried with him—the songs that reminded him of where he came from, and maybe, where he still hoped to go.

John Lennon’s Jukebox: The Complete 40
“Agent Double-O Soul” – Edwin Starr
“Bad Boy” – Larry Williams
“Be-Bop-A-Lula” – Gene Vincent
“Bring It on Home to Me” – The Animals
“Brown Eyed Handsome Man” – Buddy Holly
“Daddy Rollin’ Stone” – Derek Martin
“Do You Believe in Magic” – The Lovin’ Spoonful
“First I Look at the Purse” – The Contours
“Gonna Send You Back to Georgia” – Timmy Shaw
“Hey! Baby” – Bruce Channel
“Hi-Heel Sneakers” – Tommy Tucker
“I’ve Been Good to You” – The Miracles
“If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody” – James Ray with the Hutch Davie Orchestra
“In the Midnight Hour” – Wilson Pickett
“Long Tall Sally” – Little Richard
“Money (That’s What I Want)” – Barrett Strong
“My Girl” – Otis Redding
“New Orleans” – Gary U.S. Bonds
“No Particular Place to Go” – Chuck Berry
“Ooh! My Soul” – Little Richard
“Positively 4th Street” – Bob Dylan
“Quarter to Three” – Gary U.S. Bonds
“Rescue Me” – Fontella Bass
“She Said, Yeah” – Larry Williams
“Shop Around” – The Miracles
“Short Fat Fannie” – Larry Williams
“Slippin’ and Slidin” – Buddy Holly
“Slippin’ and Slidin” – Little Richard
“Some Other Guy” – The Big Three
“Steppin’ Out” – Paul Revere & the Raiders
“The Tracks of My Tears” – Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
“The Walk” – Jimmy McCracklin
“This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)” – The Isley Brothers
“Turquoise” – Donovan
“Twist and Shout” – The Isley Brothers
“Watch Your Step” – Bobby Parker
“What’s So Good About Goodbye” – The Miracles
“Who’s Lovin’ You” – The Miracles
“Wild About My Lovin’” – The Lovin’ Spoonful
“Woman Love” – Gene Vincent

8 Artists Who Hit #1 After They Died

Eric Alper

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May 26, 2025

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Death may stop the tour, but it doesn’t stop the music. These artists left the stage far too soon, but their voices rose even higher in the charts after they were gone. Whether it was a final single, a posthumous release, or a surge of love from fans, these #1 moments prove that great songs live forever.

Otis Redding – “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay”
Otis Redding recorded this soulful classic just three days before he died in a plane crash in 1967. In 1968, it became the first-ever posthumous #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. His whistled outro, added in the studio, is now one of music’s most bittersweet moments.

Janis Joplin – “Me and Bobby McGee”
Released in 1971 after her death the year before, Janis Joplin’s take on this Kris Kristofferson song soared to #1. It’s full of grit, longing, and that unmistakable Joplin fire. She never got to see its success—but the world sure felt it.

Jim Croce – “Time in a Bottle”
Originally an album cut, this track found new life after Croce’s death in a plane crash in 1973. Fans connected deeply with its lyrics about time and memory. It reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 just months later.

John Lennon – “(Just Like) Starting Over”
Lennon was tragically killed in December 1980. Just weeks later, his new single went to #1. It wasn’t just a hit—it became a farewell anthem for fans around the world who were mourning and celebrating all at once.

The Notorious B.I.G. – “Mo Money Mo Problems”
Biggie’s second chart-topping single dropped after his death in 1997. With Puffy and Mase riding the beat, and Diana Ross sampled in the hook, it was a massive hit. Biggie proved he could dominate from beyond the grave.

Tupac Shakur – “How Do U Want It” / “California Love”
2Pac’s chart success didn’t stop after his death in 1996. “How Do U Want It” and “California Love” both hit #1, part of a run that showed just how powerful his music had become. His posthumous output kept flowing for years.

XXXTENTACION – “Sad!”
After XXXTENTACION was shot and killed in 2018, “Sad!” jumped to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It made him the first lead artist since Biggie to earn a posthumous #1. The track’s haunting honesty connected with an entire generation.

Juice WRLD – “Lucid Dreams” (Billboard 200 Album #1)
While “Lucid Dreams” peaked at #2, Juice WRLD’s album Legends Never Die debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 after his death in 2019. The title alone felt prophetic. His music continues to guide a generation through emotion and loss.

Whether they were legends in life or artists just getting started, these musicians reached #1 after their time on Earth had ended. Their art kept speaking, climbing charts, and touching hearts. That’s the power of music—it never truly leaves us.

Feid Drops Introspective New Single “ANDO XXIL” Featuring Tony Hawk in Nostalgic Video

Music

Eric Alper

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May 26, 2025

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Feid Drops Introspective New Single “ANDO XXIL” Featuring Tony Hawk in Nostalgic Video

Latin GRAMMY winner and GRAMMY-nominated artist, Feid presents his newest single, “ANDO XXIL.” Self-written and produced by Feid, the singer-songwriter and producer transports listeners into his current creative moment. The song is driven by its powerful bassline, similar to the sounds of 90s and 2000s rap that Feid grew up listening to and has molded him into the creative that he is today. By using hip-hop-inspired structures and raw language, Feid has created a portrait that showcases his ability to create atmospheres where classic and contemporary elements can coexist naturally, allowing vulnerability to lead at the forefront of its sound. “ANDO XXIL” is now available.

The single is accompanied by a music video filled with early 2000s aesthetics and featuring skateboarding legend Tony Hawk. Produced by Sunny Side Up Ideas and Stonefire, the video showcases how Feid has maintained his authenticity by jumping from clips of him and the iconic skateboarder playing video games and eating cereal, to hanging out with his crew in Italy. Throughout the video, Feid shares the screen with an icon while simultaneously enjoying his time abroad with his day one crew, staying lowkey and true to his roots.

“ANDO XXILL” serves as Feid’s own personal sounding board, as his lyrics are charged with introspection, layered with cultural references, and sprinkled with street slang. More than a song, the single serves as his own declaration of internal clarity and discipline. Lines like “No tengo mosa, tengo musa” and “Haciendo barras en el gym y en el estudio” reveal how his daily routine, his environment, and his artistic purpose are ingrained into his creative process.

Since the beginning of this year, Feid has dropped several hints on his next project, accompanied by coffee parties in Berlin, Lisboa, Vienna, Mílan, Madrid, and more. These intentionally intimate events reflect his deep connection with his fans and his ability to create unforgettable moments, where his fans can experience a first look at what’s to come from Feid. His most recent event in the artsy neighborhood of Wynwood in Miami, painted what was expected of this new era, hundreds of fans filling the space with many more waiting outside the venue, hoping for a peek at the artist and his music. “ANDO XXIL” is not the entrance to a new chapter, but the nucleus of Feid’s creative vision, he is building verse by verse: direct, authentic, and completely his own.

Feid continues to cement himself as a key figure in the global music industry. With over 28 billion streams, he is the ninth most-streamed Latin artist in Spotify history. He continues to bring his music to some of the biggest stages in the world, with confirmed performances for Governors Ball Festival in New York on June 7, T-Pain’s Wisconsin Fest on June 14, and the acclaimed Japanese Summer Sonic 2025 festival in Tokyo on August 17 of this year. His inclusion within the event lineup, sharing a space with some of the world’s most renowned figures, emphasizes the importance, impact, and relevance of Latin artists on the world’s most important and visible stages.

That Eric Alper

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