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FREEDOM FORUM Unveils Freely Fest at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena

Eric Alper
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FREEDOM FORUM Unveils Freely Fest at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena

The nonpartisan nonprofit organization Freedom Forum has announced the inaugural Freely Fest, a groundbreaking music festival set for April 8, 2026, at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Celebrating the power of music and the fundamental freedoms protected by the First Amendment, the event features a star-studded lineup including The Killers, T-Pain, Dominic Fike, Janelle Monáe, and Avery Anna. Billed as a tribute to free expression, the festival will combine high-energy performances with artist storytelling to highlight how the right to speak, create, and be heard shapes American culture. Freedom Forum Chair and CEO Jan Neuharth emphasized that “music tells the story of America,” and this festival serves as a platform to ensure those stories continue to be told through the protection of our foundational rights.

In addition to the live event in Nashville, Freely Fest will be streamed globally, allowing audiences worldwide to join the celebration of the First Amendment. Tickets for the arena experience go on sale this week, with presales beginning Thursday, December 18, 2025, and a general sale to follow. Fans looking for an enhanced experience can opt for VIP packages that include dedicated entry, premium lounge seating, and all-inclusive hospitality. As Freedom Forum marks over three decades of advocating for the five freedoms—religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition—Freely Fest stands as their most ambitious effort yet to inspire a new generation to value and defend the essential rights that make creative expression possible.

APPLE MUSIC LIVE: Fred again.. Headlines Massive New Year’s Eve Takeover

Eric Alper
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APPLE MUSIC LIVE: Fred again.. Headlines Massive New Year’s Eve Takeover

Apple Music is ringing in 2026 with an exclusive New Year’s Eve event, Apple Music Live: Fred again.., featuring the artist’s acclaimed USB002 Dublin DJ set. Premiering on December 31, the broadcast highlights the only full-length film from Fred again..’s USB002 tour, notable for the immersive Boris Acket fabric installation—a 70-meter moving sculpture that has become a visual hallmark of his recent performances. Subscribers can watch the performance on demand at local midnights, while a free video stream will be available in the Apple Music “New” tab starting at 12:00 AM ET on December 31. Additionally, fans can catch the live audio broadcast on the newly launched Apple Music Club radio at 6:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM ET to soundtrack their countdown.

The celebration extends across the platform with a 24-hour takeover on Apple Music Club radio, the global destination for dance and electronic music. Starting at 12:00 AM PT / 3:00 AM ET on December 31, the station will feature a marathon of brand-new, exclusive mixes from over 20 of the world’s top DJs and producers, including DJ Snake, James Hype, Shygirl, and The Brothers Macklovitch (A-Trak & Dave 1). From the high-energy house of Cloonee to the boundary-pushing sounds of Indira Paganotto and ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U, the takeover offers a continuous global party. Following the successful USB002 stops in cities like Toronto and Lyon, this Dublin film captures Fred again..’s transformative “soft kinetic chamber” experience, cementing his status as electronic music’s most vital live act.

SILICA GEL Makes History as First Korean Male Band on “THE FIRST TAKE”

Eric Alper
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SILICA GEL Makes History as First Korean Male Band on “THE FIRST TAKE”

Korean four-piece Silica Gel has achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first all-male Korean band to perform on Japan’s premier music YouTube channel, THE FIRST TAKE. Delivering a high-intensity, one-take performance of their signature track “NO PAIN,” the band showcased the raw musicianship that has fueled their rise from 15,000-capacity headline shows to international acclaim. Known for its minimalist environment that captures performances in their purest form, the channel—which has hosted icons like Harry Styles and Hikaru Utada—provided a global stage for Silica Gel to reaffirm their growing influence in the contemporary J-rock and K-indie scenes. Vocalist Kim Hanjoo noted that “NO PAIN” was selected specifically for its powerful live response, inviting new viewers to join the band’s burgeoning “offline” community.

The performance arrives alongside the release of their latest single “BIG VOID” and serves as a major catalyst for their upcoming ‘Syn.THE.Size.X Japan Tour’. Scheduled for headline dates in Tokyo and Osaka this month, the tour represents a strategic expansion into the Japanese market following a year of unprecedented growth. Silica Gel’s ability to blend psychedelic textures with driving rock anthems has set them apart as “raw authenticity” ambassadors, bridging the musical gap between Seoul and Tokyo. As anticipation builds for their December headline shows, the band’s THE FIRST TAKE appearance stands as a definitive moment of cross-cultural success, proving that their sonic vision resonates far beyond Korean borders.

Silica Gel ‘Syn.THE.Size.X’ Japan Tour Details:

  • Performance: “NO PAIN” on THE FIRST TAKE (11.6M Subscribers)
  • New Single: “BIG VOID” (Out Now)
  • Dec 22: Tokyo – Zepp Shinjuku
  • Dec 23: Osaka – BIGCAT

SIRIUSXM Media Canada Announces Exclusive Sales Partnership with “Footy Prime The Podcast”

Eric Alper
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SIRIUSXM Media Canada Announces Exclusive Sales Partnership with “Footy Prime The Podcast”

SiriusXM Media Canada has officially inked an exclusive advertising and sponsorship sales partnership with Footy Prime The Podcast, Canada’s top-rated soccer podcast. Hosted by an elite team of national broadcasters and former players—including James Sharman, Craig Forrest, and Amy Walsh—the show has become the definitive voice for unfiltered soccer analysis and cultural conversation in the country. This collaboration arrives at a pivotal moment for Canadian soccer as the nation prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, providing brands with a unique opportunity to engage with a rapidly growing and passionate fan base. By integrating Footy Prime into its premium podcast network, SiriusXM aims to leverage the show’s credibility and humor to deliver high-impact results for advertisers during the most significant era in Canadian soccer history.

As the exclusive sales partner, SiriusXM Media will offer brands specialized in-podcast integrations and data-driven advertising solutions across its extensive cross-platform network. VP General Manager Jon Hales highlighted the partnership as a reflection of the surging demand for high-quality sports content, noting that Footy Prime’s deep fan connection makes it an ideal vehicle for brands looking to capitalize on World Cup momentum. Host James Sharman expressed excitement about utilizing SiriusXM’s vast resources to expand the show’s reach and provide comprehensive coverage of the global game. With this alliance, SiriusXM continues to solidify its position as Canada’s leading destination for premium audio storytelling, bridging the gap between homegrown Canadian voices and a massive coast-to-coast audience.

WHICH SIDE?: Protest Music Teach-Out Announces Star-Studded January Lineup

Eric Alper
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WHICH SIDE?: Protest Music Teach-Out Announces Star-Studded January Lineup

The acclaimed monthly series “Which Side?: A Protest Music Teach-Out” returns to Somerville’s Burren Back Room on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, for an evening dedicated to community, conversation, and resistance. Inspired by James Sullivan’s book Which Side Are You On?, the event pairs history with live performance, tasking artists to perform one classic protest song alongside an original work. The January installment features an incredible lineup including Leon Beal, Sarah Borges, Avi Jacob, Caleb McCoy, Adam Sherman with Dinty Child and Elizabeth Steen, and Wesley Stace. All performers will be backed by the house band, The Paid Protesters, led by music director Ed Valauskas.

Produced by Joyce Linehan, Jon Lupfer, and Sullivan, the 90-minute program has become a vital “beacon of hope” in politically divisive times, functioning as part concert and part community teach-in. Since its inception, the series has archived powerful performances from Boston legends like Ezra Furman and Chad Stokes, bridging the gap between historical movements and contemporary advocacy. Admission remains “pay-what-you-want,” with proceeds supporting the musicians and organizations fighting for intellectual freedom. With reservations strongly suggested for the intimate Back Room setting, the event promises to be a poignant start to the new year, reminding audiences of the enduring power of song as a tool for social justice.

Event Details:

  • Date: Tuesday, January 20, 2026
  • Time: 8:00 p.m. (Doors at 7:00 p.m.)
  • Location: The Burren Back Room, Somerville, MA
  • Lineup: Leon Beal, Sarah Borges, Avi Jacob, Caleb McCoy, Adam Sherman, and Wesley Stace
  • House Band: The Paid Protesters
  • Admission: Pay-what-you-want

TOO MUCH LIGHT Combines NIN and Dickens for Anti-Capitalist Goth-Pop Statement

Eric Alper
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TOO MUCH LIGHT Combines NIN and Dickens for Anti-Capitalist Goth-Pop Statement

Vancouver-based audiovisual project Too Much Light has released a provocative queer reimagining of Nine Inch Nails’ “Head Like A Hole,” weaving the industrial anthem together with the anti-capitalist themes of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Directed by Erik Gustafson and featuring production design by Jenny Kirby (whose credits include Avatar: The Last Airbender), the music video transforms Dickensian ghosts into drag icons, with Kirby appearing as an androgynous Jacob Marley and Parris Florence as a drag king version of the Ghost of Christmas Present. Shot over two days in a living room using entirely thrifted and handmade sets, the project serves as a “Dickensian exercise of constraint” and a powerful call for diverse representation within the dark alternative scene. This release acts as a precursor to the band’s debut EP, Exposure, slated for 2026, and a series of upcoming live performances across British Columbia.

EVERY US Delivers a Soulful Ode to Chosen Family with New Single “B-Train”

Eric Alper
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Brooklyn-based indie-soul collective Every Us has released their latest single, “B-Train,” a harmony-rich tribute to the enduring power of chosen family. Out today, December 19, the track captures the soft chaos of navigating heartbreak through late-night subway rides and bottles of cheap wine. Led by the expressive vocals of Chynna Sherrod and meticulously crafted by producer Ryan Jones, “B-Train” blends sample-driven grit with lush, nostalgic textures to create a cinematic soundscape. Mixed and mastered by Ian Kimmel, the song moves away from traditional romantic tropes to celebrate the friends who show up when life gets messy, landing in a sonic lane shared by artists like Jungle and Dijon.

The release marks a significant step toward the group’s sophomore EP, due in 2026, and follows their recent atmospheric single “The Motions.” Every Us has built a reputation for collective storytelling, channeling the heart of modern New York through an inclusive and collaborative production style. “B-Train” functions as a sonic love letter to those reliable connections, utilizing understated drums and evocative samples to mirror the rhythmic hum of the city’s transit system. As they continue to expand their world of soul-infused production, Every Us solidifies their place as a vital voice in the modern indie-soul scene, proving that the most profound love stories are often found in the company of friends.

RAINBOW Celebrates 50th Anniversary with “Temple Of The King” 9-CD Box Set

Eric Alper
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RAINBOW Celebrates 50th Anniversary with “Temple Of The King” 9-CD Box Set

Demon Music is marking the 50th anniversary of Rainbow’s formation with the announcement of “Temple Of The King: Rainbow 1975-1976,” a massive 9-CD deluxe box set arriving on March 6, 2026. This comprehensive collection chronicles the band’s explosive early era, featuring the seminal studio albums ‘Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow’ and ‘Rising’ alongside a live trilogy from their debut European tour. Captured at sold-out venues in Cologne, Düsseldorf, and Nürnberg, these recordings document the legendary lineup of Ritchie Blackmore, Ronnie James Dio, Cozy Powell, Jimmy Bain, and Tony Carey at the height of their powers. The set also includes a final disc of rare mixes, mono edits, and studio rehearsals, all newly mastered by Andy Pearce and Matt Wortham.

Housed in deluxe 7-inch packaging, the box set includes a 24-page booklet with extensive liner notes by Rich Davenport, rare artist photos, and historical memorabilia. This release marks the first archival box set from Rainbow’s founding years and serves as the launch for a major reissue campaign supported by Blackmore himself. From the “Bolivian Mono Mix” of “Temple Of The King” to rough mixes of the ‘Rising’ sessions, the collection provides an immersive look at the “greasy” guitar-driven masterclass that cemented Rainbow as a cornerstone of British rock. Pre-orders are available now, offering fans a definitive retrospective of the band’s transition from Blackmore’s split with Deep Purple to global hard rock dominance.

CD 1: Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow

  1. Man On The Silver Mountain
  2. Self Portrait
  3. Black Sheep Of The Family
  4. Catch The Rainbow
  5. Snake Charmer
  6. Temple Of The King
  7. If You Don’t Like Rock ‘n’ Roll
  8. Sixteenth Century Greensleeves
  9. Still I’m Sad

CD 2: Rising

  1. Tarot Woman
  2. Run With The Wolf
  3. Starstruck
  4. Do You Close Your Eyes
  5. Stargazer
  6. A Light In The Black

CD 3: Live In Köln 1976 – Kölner Sport Halle 25.9.1976 (Part 1)

  1. Kill The King
  2. Mistreated
  3. Sixteenth Century Greensleeves
  4. Catch The Rainbow
  5. Man On The Silver Mountain

CD 4: Live In Köln 1976 – Kölner Sport Halle 25.9.1976 (Part 2)

  1. Stargazer
  2. Still I’m Sad
  3. Do You Close Your Eyes

CD 5: Live in Düsseldorf 1976 – Düsseldorf Philips Halle 27.9.1976 (Part 1)

  1. Kill The King
  2. Mistreated
  3. Sixteenth Century Greensleeves
  4. Catch The Rainbow

CD 6: Live in Düsseldorf 1976 – Düsseldorf Philips Halle 27.9.1976 (Part 2)

  1. Man On The Silver Mountain
  2. Stargazer
  3. Still I’m Sad

CD 7: Live in Nürnberg 1976 – Nürnberg Messezentrum Halle 28.9.1976 (Part 1)

  1. Kill The King
  2. Mistreated
  3. Sixteenth Century Greensleeves
  4. Catch The Rainbow
  5. Man On The Silver Mountain

CD 8: Live in Nürnberg 1976 – Nürnberg Messezentrum Halle 28.9.1976 (Part 2)

  1. Stargazer
  2. Still I’m Sad
  3. Do You Close Your Eyes

CD 9: Rarities

  1. Getaway (Kill The King) – Studio Rehearsals for 1976 World Tour
  2. Mistreated – Studio Rehearsals for 1976 World Tour
  3. Sixteenth Century Greensleeves – Studio Rehearsals for 1976 World Tour
  4. Catch The Rainbow – Studio Rehearsals for 1976 World Tour
  5. Temple Of The King – Bolivian Mono Mix
  6. Man On The Silver Mountain – Mono Edit
  7. Man On The Silver Mountain – Stereo Edit
  8. Tarot Woman – Rough Mix
  9. Run With The Wolf – Rough Mix
  10. Starstruck – Rough Mix
  11. Do You Close Your Eyes – Rough Mix
  12. Stargazer – Rough Mix
  13. A Light In The Black – Rough Mix
  14. Stargazer – Pirate Sound Tour Rehearsal
  15. Starstruck – Mono Edit
  16. Starstruck – Stereo Edit

BABYFXCE E Drops “Blackout” Ahead of 2026 Debut Album ‘Da Realest’

Eric Alper
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0
BABYFXCE E Drops “Blackout” Ahead of 2026 Debut Album ‘Da Realest’

Flint, Michigan rapper Babyfxce E is closing out a breakout year with the release of his hard-hitting new single “Blackout,” now available on all platforms. The track is accompanied by a sleek official music video directed by Rari Digital, further cementing E’s reputation for high-energy visuals and technical lyrical precision. “Blackout” serves as a primary teaser for the rapper’s highly anticipated debut album, ‘Da Realest’, which is officially slated to arrive on February 6, 2026. This announcement follows a major fall for the artist, including a featured “Show & Prove” profile in XXL that praised his “syrupy flow” and unapologetic braggadocio, as well as a viral freestyle during Kai Cenat’s Mafiathon 3 that showcased his undeniable agility on the mic.

The momentum behind ‘Da Realest’ builds on the success of his 2025 mixtape ‘M Block’, which recently saw an expanded deluxe release featuring an elite roster of collaborators including 03 Greedo, VonOff1700, and YN Jay. Notably, the “PTP Remix” featuring Monaleo from that project earned a spot on Pitchfork’s “100 Best Songs of 2025,” while his “Ron Holland” freestyle became a viral sensation, even earning a public co-sign from the Detroit Pistons star. From his roots in the sparse, trunk-rattling Flint scene to his recent performances on On The Radar, Babyfxce E has transformed from a local hero into a national force. With “Blackout” acting as a final warning shot, the hip-hop community is bracing for ‘Da Realest’ to redefine the Michigan sound early in the new year.

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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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