London-based four-piece Honest Work have made their official debut with the release of the pulsating single “Horses for Meat.” Partnering with the influential independent label Nice Swan Records—the early home of acts like English Teacher and Sprints—the band has quickly transitioned from the underbelly bars of East London to a broader stage. The track is a structurally precise blend of garage rock, grunge, and metal, characterized by a driving rhythm that collapses into tender, melodic interludes. Lyrically, the band describes the song as a exploration of desolation and the primal instinct to survive, using a harsh winter landscape as a metaphor for the extreme measures taken during modern-day struggles.
The release follows a significant period of momentum for the group, who recently completed their first headline UK tour and performed at the Left Of The Dial Festival in Rotterdam. Having already shared stages with the likes of FEET and Grandmas House, Honest Work’s sound balances brash, unfiltered energy with sharp songwriting and a reverence for “old school” rock dynamics. Produced to capture the raw intensity of their live performances, “Horses for Meat” establishes the quartet as a compelling new voice in the UK indie-rock landscape. With the support of Nice Swan Records behind them, the band is poised to be a factual standout in the 2026 alternative circuit.
Pop sensation Olly Murs has officially released his eighth studio album ‘Knees Up’, a project that marks a vibrant return to his musical roots. Released via BMG, the album is a 12-track collection heavily influenced by the rhythms of British ska, drawing inspiration from legends like Madness. The latest single, “Run This Town,” serves as the definitive anchor for this new era. Produced by Mark Taylor and co-written with Sam Preston (The Ordinary Boys), the track is an infectious, horn-heavy anthem that Murs has actually held onto since his debut in 2010. By revisiting this “cheeky” and energetic sound, Murs has successfully pivoted toward a more authentic and “daring” style that he describes as the most excited he has felt about music in years.
Following a massive 15th-anniversary arena tour alongside special guests Blue, Murs celebrated the new record with an exclusive, intimate performance at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town. This era of his career—which he playfully calls “Olly 2.0″—has been further highlighted by the success of tracks like “Save Me” and “Bonkers,” which set the stage for the album’s release. ‘Knees Up’ is available in multiple formats, including a transparent green vinyl and a deluxe CD edition featuring live versions of fan favorites like “Troublemaker” and “Dance With Me Tonight.” As he moves into 2026, the Essex-born singer continues to prove his status as a permanent fixture in the British pop landscape, blending nostalgic ska-pop with a fresh, modern energy.
The legendary David Byrne, visionary frontman of Talking Heads and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, recently joined Jack Coyne on the streets of New York City for a viral episode of ‘Track Star’. Known for challenging both pedestrians and famous musicians on their recorded music knowledge, Coyne put Byrne to the test with a curated tracklist that spanned soul, punk, and world music. Byrne not only passed with ease—identifying artists ranging from James Brown and Iggy Pop to Willie Nelson and Fela Kuti—but he also enriched the game with deep historical context and personal stories from the 1970s and ’80s New York scene. This appearance follows a busy 2025 for Byrne, which included the release of his solo album ‘Who Is The Sky?’ and a celebratory series of live dates that reaffirmed his status as a permanent fixture in the city’s creative landscape.
Fallsview Casino Resort welcomes Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, the three-time GRAMMY Award-winning country band to the Avalon Theatre April 18 as part of their All the Good Times: The Farewell Tour. Tickets for Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, ALL THE GOOD TIMES: The Farewell Tour are onsale now through ticketmaster.ca.
“Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has an incredible legacy with 60 years of legendary performances. We are thrilled to welcome them as they celebrate their iconic hit music spanning generations,” says Cathy Price, Vice President of Marketing & Resort Operations.
With a career spanning nearly six decades, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band stands as one of the most influential groups in American roots music. Blending country, folk, rock and bluegrass, they’ve delivered timeless classics like “Mr. Bojangles”, “Fishin’ in the Dark” and “An American Dream”. Renowned for their groundbreaking 1972 album Will the Circle Be Unbroken, which united generations of country legends, the band continues to captivate audiences with their signature harmonies, musicianship and storytelling. And speaking of music, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has a newly released 5-song EP, Night After Night. The new single title track—a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers-esque rocker—is perfectly suited to kick off their release of all-new music since 2009’s Speed of Life and follow-up their critically-acclaimed 2022 release, Dirt Does Dylan.
Show date & performance
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
ALL THE GOOD TIMES: The Farewell Tour – 60 Years of Dirt
Rising country star Andrea Vasquez has released the official music video for her sass-fueled single, “Everything I Wish I Did.” Directed by Oceanna, the video was filmed at The Centennial in Nashville and captures the high-energy “what if” spirit of the track, transforming a local bar into a rowdy, liberated jam session with friends. The song—co-written by Vasquez, Bailey Morgan, and Dallas Jack—serves as a standout anthem from her latest six-track project, ‘El Camino’. Produced by Jason Bobo, the track flips the traditional breakup narrative on its head, trading wallowing for the bold, fiery energy reminiscent of genre staples like “Before He Cheats.”
The video follows a significant milestone in Vasquez’s breakout year: the ‘El Camino’ EP release showcase at Soho House Nashville. As one of Grammy.com’s “10 Latina Country Artists To Know Now,” Vasquez continues to blend her cultural heritage with fearless country grit. Beyond the studio, she has become a vocal advocate for Latin voices in the genre through her podcast, Latina in Nashville, and her work with The Country Latin Association. This latest visual release reinforces the storytelling prowess that has already earned her features in Rolling Stone and Billboard, proving that ‘El Camino’ is a factual turning point in her journey as a premier voice in modern country music.
The Squirrel Nut Zippers have announced an exclusive “In The Afterlife” weekend at the historic Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their platinum-selling album ‘Hot’. Taking place March 20–21, 2026, the event features two full performances of the landmark record in its entirety, including hits like “Hell” and “Put a Lid On It.” The weekend is designed as a fully immersive experience, transforming the hotel—famous for inspiring Stephen King’s The Shining—into a haven of vintage jazz and haunted glamour. Beyond the main stage sets, the band will host a “Late Night New Orleans Throw Down” for hotel guests and a Saturday “New Orleans Jazz Brunch” featuring the Back O’ Town Allstars.
Recorded originally at Daniel Lanois’ Kingsway Studio, ‘Hot’ became a cultural phenomenon that helped ignite the late-’90s swing revival. This anniversary residency looks to honor that legacy with rare amenities, including screenings of restored Fleischer Studios cartoons and a pop-up shop featuring limited-edition ‘Hot’ vinyl and merchandise. Bandleader Jimbo Mathus noted that the venue’s ghostly reputation perfectly complements the “spirits of old New Orleans” that have always inhabited the band’s music. The event serves as a factual centerpiece of their 2026 tour, which also includes “In The Afterlife” dates in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Key West, ensuring that the band’s signature blend of Delta blues and gypsy jazz continues to reach a new generation of fans.
To ensure the best experience, fans are encouraged to book official ticket and room packages directly through the Stanley Hotel. These packages provide exclusive access to the late-night afterparty and a special meet-and-greet with the band. As ‘Hot’ continues to see a resurgence—fueled by the inclusion of “Hell” in recent television hits like Wednesday—this weekend stands as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the Zippers in one of America’s most iconic and atmospheric settings.
The James Hunter Six shares the blues blaster “Ain’t That A Trip,” a rare duet with legendary Irish singer Van Morrison. This is one of the most joyous songs on the band’s forthcoming album Off The Fence, their first release with Easy Eye Sound which is out January 16.
British singer, songwriter and GRAMMY-nominated James Hunter was first introduced to Van Morrison in the early ’90s, and appeared on two of his albums – 1994’s live set, A Night In San Francisco and ’95’s Days Like This. The following year Morrison returned the favor, guesting on Hunter’s Believe What I Say. Three decades on, Hunter explains what it means to have him return for another collaboration: “I’ve always reckoned Van’s voice, right from the paint-stripping howls of the Them days to the Smokey Robinson-esque ‘Crazy Love.’ It’s a real kick having him sing on something I wrote. Is that a trip or what?”
He adds, “This song is the result of a suggestion that I write something in the style of Jimmy Reed. It’s rather more verbose than Jimmy’s style but his heartfelt simplicity isn’t easy to emulate.”
A legendary fixture in the scene for over three decades, James Hunter has been dubbed “The United Kingdom’s Greatest Soul Singer” by MOJO. His eleventh studio album delivers another dose of timeless rhythm & soul, marking 40 years since his recording debut. Featuring twelve self-penned gems, each song is delivered with Hunter’s customary blend of smooth vocal control coupled with heart-worn grit and wit. Last month, the band shared “A Sure Thing,” the album’s infectious debut single shimmering with Northern Soul vibes and Hunter’s renowned lyrical word play.
The James Hunter Six – who, alongside James, also include Myles Weeks (double bass), Rudy Albin Petschauer (drums), Andrew Kingslow (keyboards, percussion), Michael Buckley (baritone saxophone) and Drew Vanderwinckel (tenor saxophone) – are masters of their craft and have developed a near-telepathic relationship with their leader. Off The Fence is full of examples of their innate understanding of the music and the needs of each song.
Hunter’s own musical journey started 66 miles from London in Colchester, Essex, where he was born in 1962. His life-changing moment came at the age of nine when his grandmother handed him her Dansette record player and a collection of old 78s. Included in that pile of shellac was a copy of Jackie Wilson’s 1958 hook-filled hit, “Reet Petite” – a tune that musically helped transform R&B into soul. It proved equally as transformational as far as young James was concerned, providing him with a gateway to a whole new musical world that seemed a million miles away from 70s Winter of Discontent Essex.
James Hunter will be touring in the UK and Europe in early 2026. See a full list of dates below and find more information here: jameshuntermusic.com/tour.html
Off The Fence Tracklist
Two Birds With One Stone
Let Me Out Of This Love
Gun Shy
Believe It When I See It
Here And Now
Off The Fence
Ain’t That A Trip (feat. Van Morrison)
One For Ripley
Trouble Comes Calling
Particular
A Sure Thing
Only A Fool
The James Hunter Six 2026 European Tour
January 16 – Bristol, UK @ Thekla
January 17 – Brighton, UK @ Concorde 2
January 19 – London, UK @ 229
January 20 – Colchester, UK @ Colchester Arts Centre
January 26 – Glasgow, UK @ Òran Mór
January 28 – Newcastle, UK @ The Cluny
January 29 – Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club
January 30 – Cambridge, UK @ Storey’s Field Centre
Canadian psych-rock veteran C.ROSS (Chad Ross) has officially released his newest solo album, ‘Future Site of C.ROSS’, through Echodelick Records. Known as a pillar of the Canadian underground for his work with Quest for Fire, Comet Control, and The Deadly Snakes, Ross utilizes this seven-song collection to dive deeper into a “mellowfuzz” blend of psych-folk and cosmic rock. Recorded and mixed by Joshua Wells (Destroyer, Black Mountain) at The Mango Pit in Chicago, the project serves as a sophisticated evolution of his 2022 debut ‘Skull Creator’. The record features a collaborative spirit, with Wells contributing drums and keys, Aaron Goldstein providing evocative pedal steel, and Eiyn Sof adding ethereal backing vocals. Written largely in “hermit mode” while Ross was living in the woods of Ontario, the album balances fuzzed-out guitar riffs with delicate acoustic arrangements.
The lead single “Plant Your Eyes” encapsulates the record’s grounded yet otherworldly aesthetic, pairing “Crazy Horse fuzzed-out riffage” with lyrics exploring the constant vibration of the unknown. Other standout tracks like “Faster Than the Light” lean into a more traditional band energy, bridging the gap between Ross’s heavy psychedelic past and his more recent, introspective solo work. Critics have praised the album’s structure and the seamless interplay between Ross and Wells, noting that while it incorporates the pastoral, misty atmospheres of his previous projects, it also introduces a more cinematic and cinematic drone-heavy finish on tracks like “Unnatural Light.” ‘Future Site of C.ROSS’ stands as a factual and atmospheric document of an artist successfully navigating the space between gritty garage-rock and cosmic folk.
Dublin trad-rock firebrands Ispíní na hÉireann have released their final single, a blistering rendition of the Cork classic “Johnny Jump Up,” ahead of their highly anticipated sophomore album ‘Poxtail Soup’. Originally written by Tadhg Jordan in 1934 and famously performed by Christy Moore, the track serves as a darkly comic warning about the chaotic effects of a potent batch of cider. The band—led by frontman Tomás Mulligan along with Paahto Cummins, Pádraig Óg Mac Aodhagáin, Aongus MacAmhlaigh, and Declan Gillen—originally performed the song at their very first gig. This latest version, released via Faction Records, replaces the acoustic simplicity of traditional covers with a raucous, high-energy arrangement that has become a staple of their “musicianship and mayhem” style.
‘Poxtail Soup’, which arrived in November 2025, follows the critical success of their 2022 debut ‘The Hard Working Men’ and the 2023 EP ‘Worse Things Than Dying’. The ten-track album features guest appearances from traditional music royalty, including Sharon Shannon on the tracks “Eileen Ní Riordain’s” and “The Kings Of Kerry.” Produced with a focus on capturing their live intensity, the record balances foot-stomping anthems with sharp social commentary and moments of raw intimacy, such as the duet “A Health to the Company.” Following a massive album launch tour that wound through iconic Irish venues like DeBarra’s and Bank Lane, the band continues to redefine the contemporary trad scene. This record stands as a factual testament to their evolution from a “silly name” to a premier force in Irish alternative-traditional music.
Australian producer, vocalist, and multi-hyphenate artist GG Magree has released her highly anticipated debut album ‘Spit Love’. Following the acclaim of singles like “Wet Dreams” and “Run,” the 12-track project serves as a raw, multi-sensory exploration of self-acceptance and the reclamation of power after years of toxic relationships and emotional abuse. Co-produced by Magree alongside her longtime musical collaborator Duncan Murray, the record seamlessly blends high-octane electronic production with punk-rock ferocity. The album arrives as a companion piece to a 12-minute short horror film of the same name, which Magree wrote, co-directed, and starred in. The film—a gruesome tale of a cannibalistic exotic dancer—mirrors the album’s themes of defiance and the refusal to be silenced by societal expectations.
‘Spit Love’ is a sonic documentation of Magree’s personal metamorphosis, trading hollow vulnerability for an aggressive, liberated sound she describes as “art that bleeds.” Tracks like the title track “Spit Love” and “Bleed” showcase her dynamic vocal range, shifting between delicate, haunting passages and forceful screams. The album also features a high-energy collaboration with Silly Goose on “2 Hot 2 Handle,” further cementing Magree’s place at the intersection of the EDM and rock scenes. Having previously toured with legends like Steve Aoki and Zeds Dead, Magree uses this debut to shatter shame around female rage and sexual freedom. The instrumentation relies on thick distortion and layered arrangements, creating an immersive listening experience that fulfills her mission to hold space for the marginalized and the “too loud.”
