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The Beginning of the End: The Boys Releases Final Season Official Trailer

Music

Eric Alper

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Mar 5, 2026

The Beginning of the End: The Boys Releases Final Season Official Trailer

Today, Prime Video revealed the epic official trailer for the highly anticipated upcoming fifth season of The Boys, as the global hit series heads toward its explosive final chapter. Season Five of the multi-Emmy Award-winning series will premiere on April 8, 2026, with two episodes, followed by a new episode each week, culminating in the unforgettable series finale on May 20, 2026. The season will stream exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. The trailer brings together the series’ iconic characters as they prepare for one last stand, building toward the ultimate confrontation.

In the fifth and final season, it’s Homelander’s world, completely subject to his erratic, egomaniacal whims. Hughie, Mother’s Milk, and Frenchie are imprisoned in a “Freedom Camp.” Annie struggles to mount a resistance against the overwhelming Supe force. Kimiko is nowhere to be found. But when Butcher reappears, ready and willing to use a virus that will wipe all Supes off the map, he sets in motion a chain of events that will forever change the world and everyone in it. It’s the climax, people. Big stuff’s gonna happen.The Boys is based on The New York Times best-selling comic by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, who also serve as executive producers, and developed by executive producer and showrunner Eric Kripke. Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver, Neal H. Moritz, Pavun Shetty, Phil Sgriccia, Michaela Starr, Paul Grellong, David Reed, Judalina Neira, Jessica Chou, Gabriel Garcia, Ori Marmur, Ken F. Levin and Jason Netter also serve as executive producers. The Boys is produced by Sony Pictures Television, Amazon MGM Studios with Kripke Enterprises, Original Film, and Point Grey Pictures.

Voice Acting Icon Jim Cummings Breaks Down His Craft

Music

Eric Alper

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Mar 5, 2026

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Voice Acting Icon Jim Cummings Breaks Down His Craft

Legendary voice actor Jim Cummings sits down with WIRED to answer some of the internet’s biggest questions about the art of voice acting. The veteran performer, known for bringing characters like Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, and Darkwing Duck to life, shares insights into how actors build voices, deliver emotion through performance, and sustain long careers in the field.

During the conversation, Cummings demonstrates several of his most recognizable voices while explaining the techniques behind them. He discusses how accents, vocal placement, and character psychology all shape a performance, and breaks down practical topics such as audition processes, protecting the voice during demanding sessions, and the difference between recording solo and performing alongside other actors.

The interview also touches on the broader voice acting industry, including its role in animation, television, and video games. Cummings reflects on how the craft has evolved over the decades while emphasizing the enduring importance of strong acting fundamentals behind every character.

Jake Hoot Teams With Jamie Floyd For “The Blade” Duet

Music

Eric Alper

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Mar 5, 2026

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Jake Hoot Teams With Jamie Floyd For “The Blade” Duet

Country singer Jake Hoot joins Nashville songwriter and vocalist Jamie Floyd for a new duet version of “The Blade,” arriving April 3. The collaboration pairs the Season 17 winner of The Voice with the three-time GRAMMY-nominated songwriter, bringing fresh life to a song that already carries deep roots in modern country music.

The idea for the recording began during a 2024 performance in Nashville when Hoot joined Floyd onstage for an impromptu rendition of the song. The crowd response was immediate and powerful, revealing a natural chemistry between the two singers that led to the studio version now set for release.

Produced by Canadian songwriter and producer Jimmy Thow, the new recording blends soaring harmonies with modern production while honoring the song’s legacy. Thow handled guitars, bass, and programming on the track, while renowned steel guitarist Travis Toy contributed pedal steel. The session was recorded at Hertz So Good Studios in Nashville.

“The Blade” has a significant history within country music. Written by Marc Beeson, Allen Shamblin, and Jamie Floyd, the song was originally recorded by Ashley Monroe and Miranda Lambert as the title track of Monroe’s 2015 album. The recording earned a GRAMMY nomination and was later named one of The New York Times’ Top 10 Songs of the Year across all genres. Country icon Ronnie Dunn later recorded his own version for his album ‘100 Proof Neon.’

The new duet arrives as Hoot prepares to appear on The Voice: Battle of Champions, bringing him back to the NBC spotlight. Known for his rich baritone and emotional delivery, Hoot has performed on major stages including the Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium while continuing to build a national following through live performances and songwriting.

Dark Pop Band Swaza6 Debut “Wake Up Ina Cemetery” Video

Music

Eric Alper

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Mar 5, 2026

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Dark Pop Band Swaza6 Debut “Wake Up Ina Cemetery” Video

Los Angeles dark pop band Swaza6 step into the spotlight with the release of their debut music video and single “Wake Up Ina Cemetery.” Emerging from the city’s underground Gothic and warehouse scene, the group introduces listeners to their self-described Dracwave sound, a hybrid of darkwave textures, post-punk grit, trap rhythms and theatrical performance energy.

The track arrives with a cinematic video that mirrors the band’s intense live presence. Swaza6 built their reputation through ritualistic performances filled with dramatic visuals and immersive stagecraft, turning shows into experiences that blur the line between concert and performance art. The new single channels that same energy into a brooding, high-impact dark pop anthem.

“Waking up in a cemetery isn’t about death – it’s about rising the fuck up from everything that tried to bury you,” said FHEDESH, the band’s producer, writer and co-vocalist. “This track and video are pure Dracwave: seductive, dangerous, and completely non-state-controlled. We’re summoning the night and daring everyone to join us.”

Lead vocalist Sin Savio said the visuals capture the group’s unapologetic creative style. “The visuals are going to hit like a stake to the heart,” Savio said. “If you’ve seen us live, you know we don’t do safe – we do ritual.”

Swaza6 formed during the pandemic inside Los Angeles’ underground music community, quickly building a following through theatrical performances and blood-soaked aesthetics. FHEDESH also founded and curates DRAC’HAUS, a Gothic club night that has become a gathering point for the city’s alternative and industrial scenes.

Metallica Expands Las Vegas Sphere Residency With New 2026 And 2027 Dates

Music

Eric Alper

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Mar 5, 2026

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Metallica Expands Las Vegas Sphere Residency With New 2026 And 2027 Dates

Metallica will bring its “Life Burns Faster” live production to Sphere Las Vegas in fall 2026, launching a new residency at the state-of-the-art venue. The run begins Oct. 1 and features the band’s signature No Repeat Weekend format, with each performance drawing from a different mix of songs across Metallica’s catalog.

Demand for tickets surged immediately following the announcement, prompting the band to extend the residency with additional performances stretching into early 2027. The expanded schedule adds multiple Thursday and Saturday shows, giving fans more opportunities to experience the band inside Sphere’s immersive environment.

Drummer Lars Ulrich said the band had been thinking about the venue since its opening. “About 12 seconds into the opening night of Sphere with U2 back in ’23, I thought, ‘We have to do this, it’s completely uncharted territory!’” Ulrich said. “This residency gives us another chance to reinvent how we interact with our fans in a live setting.”

Sphere’s advanced visual and audio systems will shape the show’s design. The venue features a massive wraparound LED display and immersive audio system that surrounds the audience, creating a fully integrated concert experience. Metallica’s production team plans to use the venue’s technology to present songs from throughout the band’s career in new ways.

Tour Dates:
Oct 1 – Las Vegas NV – Sphere Las Vegas
Oct 3 – Las Vegas NV – Sphere Las Vegas
Oct 8 – Las Vegas NV – Sphere Las Vegas
Oct 10 – Las Vegas NV – Sphere Las Vegas
Oct 15 – Las Vegas NV – Sphere Las Vegas
Oct 17 – Las Vegas NV – Sphere Las Vegas
Oct 22 – Las Vegas NV – Sphere Las Vegas
Oct 24 – Las Vegas NV – Sphere Las Vegas
Oct 29 – Las Vegas NV – Sphere Las Vegas
Oct 31 – Las Vegas NV – Sphere Las Vegas
Nov 5 – Las Vegas NV – Sphere Las Vegas
Nov 7 – Las Vegas NV – Sphere Las Vegas
Jan 28, 2027 – Las Vegas NV – Sphere Las Vegas
Jan 30, 2027 – Las Vegas NV – Sphere Las Vegas

Finger Lakes Old-Time Banjo Player Benny Bleu Announces ‘When I Am A Fossil’ Album

Music

Eric Alper

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Mar 5, 2026

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Finger Lakes Old-Time Banjo Player Benny Bleu Announces ‘When I Am A Fossil’ Album

Finger Lakes old-time banjo player Benny Bleu will self-release his new album ‘When I Am a Fossil’ on June 5, 2026. The project will be officially announced March 25 alongside the title track and an accompanying music video. Rooted in old-time tradition while branching into jazz textures and global rhythms, the record reflects Bleu’s background as a geologist and explores humanity’s relationship with the natural world and with one another.

The album has been ten years in the making and centers on the idea of geological time. Its songs consider how future scientists might interpret the Anthropocene through the fossil record of human activity. “How might a scientist from the deep future know we were here?” Bleu asks in the notes for the title track, reflecting on the evidence humanity will leave behind.

‘When I Am a Fossil’ was recorded live to tape over four days in May 2025 at 145 Studio in Millheim, Pennsylvania. Bleu co-produced the sessions with multi-instrumentalist Gus Tritsch, whose fiddle, guitar and mandolin shape the album’s sonic palette. Drummer Huck Tritsch and bassist Eric Heveron-Smith provide the rhythmic backbone while Katie Martucci of The Ladles contributes backing vocals.

The ten-song set blends original compositions, traditional material, and carefully chosen covers. Highlights include “Fairy Shrimp,” “March of the Mollusk,” and “Abbey Lovely,” alongside interpretations of Josef Zawinul’s “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy,” Ola Belle Reed’s “I’ve Endured,” and the traditional “Penny’s Farm.” “All I Want to Be” will also appear on a forthcoming American Roots compilation from Putumayo.

Mixing was handled by GRAMMY-nominated engineer Joseph “joebass” DeJarnette at Studio 808A in Brooklyn, with mastering by Tom Nunes at Atomic Disc in Salem, Oregon. The album artwork was created by Sarah Gorry. A sequence of singles leads up to the release, beginning March 25 with the title track and music video, followed by “I’ve Endured” on April 15 and “Serenity Song” with a lyric video on May 13.

Tracklist:
When I Am a Fossil
Fairy Shrimp
Serenity Song
Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
All I Want to Be
Old Dog
March of the Mollusk
I’ve Endured
Abbey Lovely
Penny’s Farm

Tour Dates:
Mar 6 – Washington DC – Music on the Hill
Mar 7 – Baltimore MD – Four Hour Day
Mar 8 – Lancaster PA – West Art
Mar 12 – Geneseo NY – Cosmic Charlies (w Ric Robertson)
Apr 10 – Rochester NY – Little Theatre
Apr 17 – Frostburg MD – Clatter Cafe (w Dakota Karper)
Apr 18 – Westminster MD – Common Ground Downtown (w Dakota Karper)
Apr 19 – Naples NY – Hollerhorn Distilling
May 3 – Saratoga Springs NY – Caffe Lena (full band)
Jun 6 – Rochester NY – Bop Shop Records (full band)
Jun 13 – Rochester NY – Abilene (full band)
Jun 14 – Naples NY – Hollerhorn Distilling (full band)
Jun 26 – Rochester NY – Skylark Lounge (full band square dance)
Sep 20 – Walton NY – Music on the Delaware
Nov 12 – Soquel CA – Ugly Mug
Nov 16 – Portland OR – Hostel Cafe

Season-Long Coverage of Formula 1 on SiriusXM Starts This Weekend

Music

Eric Alper

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Mar 5, 2026

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Season-Long Coverage of Formula 1 on SiriusXM Starts This Weekend

SiriusXM begins its coverage of the 2026 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP with this week’s season-opening event, the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX in Melbourne on Sunday, March 8 (live at 3 am ET).

SiriusXM listeners get access to live broadcasts of every F1 race in its entirety throughout the season in their vehicles (channels 160/205) and on the SiriusXM app. Fans will hear the BBC 5 Live radio broadcast for each Grand Prix, as well as pre- and post-race programming before and after each race, and coverage of practice and qualifying sessions.

In addition to the live race broadcasts, SiriusXM offers the F1-focused shows “Wheel to Wheel,” hosted by Chris Medland and Jon Massengale, and “Drive to Wynn,” hosted by former driver Justin Bell. New episodes of “Wheel to Wheel” debut every Tuesday at 5p ET. New episodes of “Drive to Wynn” debut every Wednesday at 8p ET.

The 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship season runs from March to December and SiriusXM listeners can hear every lap of all 24 Grands Prix events. The calendar includes three races in the United States – the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX (May 3), the FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX in Austin, TX (Oct. 25) and the FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX (Nov. 21) – as well as the world-famous FORMULA 1 LOUIS VUITTON GRAND PRIX DE MONACO (June 7) and many more events at iconic racing venues around the globe.

For more information on SiriusXM, go to www.SiriusXM.com. For more info on the 2026 Formula 1 season visit www.Formula1.com.

The British Music Embassy Announce SXSW 2026 Schedule Featuring 58 Hotly-Tipped UK Artists

Music

Eric Alper

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Mar 5, 2026

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The British Music Embassy Announce SXSW 2026 Schedule Featuring 58 Hotly-Tipped UK Artists

Today, the British Music Embassy (BME) has announced its SXSW 2026 schedule, with performances from 58 of the UK’s most exciting new and emerging breakthrough artists. Chalk, Bricknasty, MT Jones, Adult DVD and Panic Shack are among this year’s hotly-tipped performers set to take the stage during ten showcases, across seven days, Thursday, March 12 until Wednesday, March 18. The BME returns to the 700-capacity, two-stage indoor and outdoor Palm Door on Sixth Street.

The British Music Embassy is the official UK musical presence at SXSW, with an array of panels, performances and showcases celebrating the best of the British music scene. A collaboration between music licensing companies PPL and PRS, UK record labels association the BPI, the Department for Business & Trade (DBT), the British Council, PRS Foundation and BBC Introducing as lead media partner, since launching at SXSW in 2008, the BME has hosted shows for 715 UK acts, many of whom have gone on to significant critical and commercial acclaim.

Now in its 19th edition, BME stages have played host to some of the UK’s most celebrated acts, including the likes of Olivia Dean, Sam Fender, Little Simz, Jungle and The 1975. For many artists on the line-up, the showcase represents their first time performing in the United States, making it a major opportunity to reach international audiences at a key point in their development. Last year’s performers included BRIT Award winner and Mercury Prize nominee Jacob Alon, BRIT Award nominees Confidence Man and Sam Ryder, Mercury Prize nominee corto.alto and many more.

With this year’s Monday showcase, SXSW will get a taste of one of Europe’s biggest events as Kolt AI and Happaning pay homage to a major cultural tradition, in a year marking 60 years of Notting Hill Carnival. Bringing the hugely popular energy of UK carnival celebrations to the U.S., the event will feature masquerade dancers, the legendary Rampage Sound playing dancehall, R&B, hip-hop and more, plus a line-up of fantastic performers and special guests.

UK House will also be returning alongside BME, March 14-17, offering a not-to-be-missed destination for some of the UK’s most disruptive emerging technology companies, from virtual production to immersive entertainment. Hosted by the UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT), UK House is a pop-up event bringing a curated programme of events, demonstrations and networking opportunities.

The BME is also working with a range of programming partners for day parties and evening showcases throughout the week. Evening showcases will be hosted by [PIAS], BBC Introducing, West London Carnival on 6th and Liift/Chris Hawkins, while daytime events will be hosted by Northern Sound, DBT Wales, and Future Arts and Culture.

Production Park will once again deliver the production, ensuring UK artists benefit from world class stage production and design, with production partners including the Academy of Live Technology, Elation Lighting, Allen & Heath, Creative Technology and more.

Americana Originals Marley’s Ghost Mark 40 Years With ‘Honky Tonk’ Album

Music

Eric Alper

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Mar 5, 2026

0

Americana Originals Marley’s Ghost Mark 40 Years With ‘Honky Tonk’ Album

Seattle Americana mainstays Marley’s Ghost mark four decades together with the new album ‘Honky Tonk’, arriving May 22 via Sage Arts. Produced by Larry Campbell, the record anchors the band’s 40th anniversary celebration with a set steeped in classic country barroom tradition. The title track arrives March 6, just days before the band appears alongside Brett Dennen for a taping of the nationally syndicated radio program eTown in Boulder on March 10.

The album dives headfirst into the roots of honky-tonk music, drawing inspiration from the dance halls and barrooms that shaped the sound of American country music. Longtime bandleader and songwriter Dan Wheetman says the music reflects decades of shared history inside those rooms. “It is, and always has been, about the music,” Wheetman said. “That’s what’s kept this band going for so long. It’s always been about digging a little deeper, honing our skills and celebrating the entire playing process.”

Produced once again by Campbell, whose credits include Bob Dylan and Levon Helm, the sessions lean into the band’s connection to traditional folk and roots music. Wheetman credits Campbell’s deep musical knowledge for helping shape the project. “Larry has a vast knowledge that spans so many genres,” he said. “He saw in us an ability to give that music a contemporary credence. He knew our strengths and how to use them to the best advantage in each of the songs.”

‘Honky Tonk’ features a wide-ranging set of country classics including “Invitation to the Blues,” made famous by Ray Price and written by Roger Miller, “Honky Tonk Song” from Webb Pierce, “Only Daddy That’ll Walk the Line” from Waylon Jennings, and “Rockin’ Chair Money” from Hank Williams. The album also includes songs associated with George Jones, Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, Johnny Paycheck, Red Foley, and Wynn Stewart, tracing a lineage that stretches across decades of country music history.

The band’s six members bring that material to life with a full ensemble approach built over years of touring and recording together. Marley’s Ghost features Mike Phelan on guitars, dobro, bass, fiddle and vocals, Jerry Fletcher on keyboards and accordion, Ed Littlefield Jr. on pedal steel guitar and vocals, Dan Wheetman on bass, guitar and fiddle, Jonathan Wilcox on mandolin and vocals, and Bob Nichols on drums and percussion.

The release continues a long creative partnership between the band and Campbell, following earlier albums including ‘Ghost Town’, ‘Jubilee’, and ‘Travelin’ Shoes’. With more than a dozen albums behind them and a reputation built on spirited musicianship and multi-part harmonies, Marley’s Ghost step into their fifth decade still exploring the deep well of American roots music.

Warren Zevon’s Final Concert Returns On ‘Epilogue’ Silver Vinyl From Edmonton Folk Festival

Music

Eric Alper

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Mar 5, 2026

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Warren Zevon’s Final Concert Returns On ‘Epilogue’ Silver Vinyl From Edmonton Folk Festival

Warren Zevon’s final live performance returns in a striking new format. ‘Epilogue: Live at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival’ arrives April 17 as a two-LP opaque metallic silver vinyl release on Omnivore Recordings (OVLP-614). Produced by Cheryl Pawelski, Adam Unger, and Matt Cartsonis, the album captures Zevon’s August 9, 2002 performance at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, a powerful closing set in front of 14,000 people that became the final concert of his career.

The Edmonton appearance was never originally planned. Zevon was invited by festival producer Terry Wickham after a strong showing at the Calgary Folk Music Festival two weeks earlier. On stage, Zevon was joined by musician and longtime friend Matt Cartsonis, who added acoustic and electric guitars, dulcimer, banjo, fiddle, harmony, and background vocals. The audio was provided by the Edmonton Folk Music Festival team and later mastered and restored by Grammy-winning engineer Michael Graves and Jordan McLeod of Osiris Studio with Cartsonis.

The setlist moves across Zevon’s catalog with both signature songs and unexpected turns. “Lawyers, Guns And Money,” “Poor Poor Pitiful Me,” “Play It All Night Long,” and “Werewolves Of London” anchor the performance, while “Hit Somebody! (The Hockey Song)” and “Detox Mansion” highlight the sharp storytelling that defined his work. The album also includes a rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “A Case Of You,” the traditional folk song “Canadee-I-O,” previously recorded by Nic Jones and Bob Dylan, and “Dirty Life And Times,” a song Zevon performed live only twice.

The release spreads across three sides of music and an etched fourth side. Side One features “Lawyers, Guns And Money,” “I Was In The House When The House Burned Down,” “I Don’t Play Too Many Festivals,” “A Case Of You,” and “Detox Mansion.” Side Two includes “Hit Somebody! (The Hockey Song),” “Werewolves Of London,” “For My Next Trick I’ll Need A Volunteer,” “A Tune With No Name,” and “Dirty Life And Times.” Side Three closes the performance with “Poor Poor Pitiful Me,” “Play It All Night Long,” and “Canadee-I-O.”

Originally released on black vinyl in the United States on Nov. 28, 2025 for Record Store Day Black Friday, ‘Epilogue’ stands as a vivid document of Zevon’s final night on stage. Soon after the Edmonton appearance he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Zevon died Sept. 7, 2003 at age 56 and was posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in November in the Musical Influence category. The new silver vinyl pressing is available for preorder now.