Billie Eilish has released “INTRO (HIT ME HARD AND SOFT TOUR),” the under-two-minute electrifying track she and her brother Finneas created to open each night of her sold-out world tour. It’s a jolt of pure anticipation, and it arrives now as the lead-in to something much bigger: her concert film BILLIE EILISH – HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR (LIVE IN 3D), hitting theatres on May 8, 2026.
The film is directed by Academy Award winners James Cameron and Billie Eilish, and it delivers exactly what that pairing promises. Captured across her sold-out global run, the immersive 3D concert experience puts viewers in the room in a way that a standard live recording simply can’t. Presented in Dolby Cinema, RealD 3D, and Premium Large Formats, it’s a full-scale theatrical event for the price of a movie ticket.
The official trailer has already cleared 150 million views across platforms since its debut earlier this year. For fans who can’t wait until May 8, Early Access screenings are set for Wednesday, April 29 at 7PM local time, presented exclusively in Dolby 3D and RealD 3D at participating theatres. Tickets are on sale now at hitmehardandsoftmovie.com.
Noah Kahan’s fourth studio album ‘The Great Divide’ is out now via Mercury Records, and the reception has been immediate and overwhelming. NPR calls it his “finest work to date.” Rolling Stone awards it 4.5 out of 5 stars. The Associated Press gives it 4 out of 5, comparing it to “a windows-down drive on a cool summer night.” Billboard notes new depth in Kahan’s skillset. The critical consensus is clear: this is a significant record.
Produced by Gabe Simon (Dua Lipa, Lana Del Rey, Koe Wetzel) and GRAMMY-winning Aaron Dessner (Taylor Swift, Bon Iver), the 17-track album was recorded across four studios, including Dessner’s Long Pond Studio in New York and Guilford Sound in Vermont. Hit singles “The Great Divide” and “Porch Light” anchor a record that finds Kahan grappling with fame, identity, family, and the distances that form between people.
Kahan shared his own reflection on making the album: “The collision of fear and pressure and joy and luck and total love has left me wordless. I spent many months walking forward in complete darkness, hands out in front of me, desperate to touch something familiar.” It’s the kind of honesty that has defined his writing since ‘Stick Season,’ and ‘The Great Divide’ pushes that emotional directness into more expansive, anthemic sonic territory.
The release week has been relentless. Kahan opened with a stripped-back NPR Tiny Desk performance of “American Cars,” “The Great Divide,” “Paid Time Off,” and fan favorite “Orange Juice.” He then appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon before attending the TIME100 Gala in New York City, where he was named among the TIME100: Most Influential People of 2026. Marcus Mumford wrote his honor, comparing his songwriting to “Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell at their best.”
The Netflix documentary Noah Kahan: Out of Body, which debuted last week, has added another dimension to the album’s arrival. The film won the 24 Beats Per Second Audience Award at SXSW 2026, with Variety calling Kahan “a fascinating mixture of rock-star confidence and small-town-lad humility.” Roger Ebert awarded it 3 out of 4 stars, praising it as “remarkably vulnerable and focused.” It’s streaming on Netflix now.
Up next, Kahan returns to Saturday Night Live as musical guest on May 9th, alongside host and fellow New Englander Matt Damon. It’s his first appearance on the show since his 2023 debut. With over 1.5 million tickets already sold for The Great Divide World Tour, including a record-breaking four sold-out nights at Fenway Park, the summer ahead is shaping up to be the biggest of his career.
‘The Great Divide’ Tracklist:
“End of August”
“Doors”
“American Cars”
“Downfall”
“Paid Time Off”
“The Great Divide”
“Haircut”
“Willing and Able”
“Dashboard”
“23”
“Porch Light”
“Deny Deny Deny”
“Headed North”
“We Go Way Back”
“Spoiled”
“All Them Horses”
“Dan”
Noah Kahan: The Great Divide World Tour:
June 11 – Orlando, FL – Kia Center
June 12 – Orlando, FL – Kia Center
June 26 – Philadelphia, PA – Citizens Bank Park
June 28 – Toronto, ON – Rogers Stadium
July 1 – Cincinnati, OH – Great American Ball Park
July 3 – Pittsburgh, PA – PNC Park
July 7 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park
July 8 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park
July 10 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park
July 11 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park
July 14 – Chicago, IL – Wrigley Field
July 15 – Chicago, IL – Wrigley Field
July 18 – Queens, NY – Citi Field
July 19 – Queens, NY – Citi Field
July 22 – Washington, DC – Nationals Park
July 25 – Raleigh, NC – Carter-Finley Stadium
July 27 – Atlanta, GA – Truist Park
July 30 – Arlington, TX – Globe Life Field
August 2 – St. Louis, MO – Busch Stadium
August 5 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Field
August 8 – Denver, CO – Coors Field
August 9 – Denver, CO – Coors Field
August 15 – Pasadena, CA – Rose Bowl Stadium
August 17 – San Diego, CA – Petco Park
August 19 – Phoenix, AZ – Chase Field
August 21 – San Francisco, CA – Oracle Park
August 25 – Sandy, UT – America First Field
August 28 – Vancouver, BC – BC Place
August 30 – Seattle, WA – T-Mobile Park
August 31 – Seattle, WA – T-Mobile Park
September 25 – Melbourne, VIC – Rod Laver Arena
September 26 – Melbourne, VIC – Rod Laver Arena
September 28 – Melbourne, VIC – Rod Laver Arena (Added Date)
September 29 – Melbourne, VIC – Rod Laver Arena (Added Date)
October 2 – Sydney, NSW – Qudos Bank Arena
October 3 – Sydney, NSW – Qudos Bank Arena
October 5 – Sydney, NSW – Qudos Bank Arena (Added Date)
October 6 – Sydney, NSW – Qudos Bank Arena (Added Date)
October 9 – Auckland, NZ – Spark Arena
October 10 – Auckland, NZ – Spark Arena (Added Date)
November 5 – Glasgow, Scotland – OVO Hydro
November 6 – Glasgow, Scotland – OVO Hydro
November 9 – Manchester, UK – AO Arena
November 10 – Manchester, UK – AO Arena
November 13 – London, UK – The O2
November 14 – London, UK – The O2
November 17 – London, UK – The O2 (Added Date)
November 19 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena (Added Date)
On November 27, 2020, with live music on pause everywhere, Krewella did what they’ve always done: turned up the intensity and connected with their fans anyway. Sisters Jahan and Yasmine Yousaf delivered their ‘zer0 Live Concert Experience’ via Insomniac TV, a full-production broadcast that blended raw vocals with hard-hitting bass, dubstep, and drum and bass in a set built around their ‘zer0’ era material. With support from Shivarasa and Reaper, it wasn’t a compromise, it was a full-scale electronic music event that happened to stream directly into your living room.
In 2015, Muse hit the Pinkpop stage in Landgraaf, Netherlands, and delivered the kind of performance that reminds you why stadium rock still matters. Riding the release of ‘Drones,’ their politically charged concept album, Matt Bellamy, Chris Wolstenholme, and Dominic Howard tore through a setlist that balanced new material with career-defining anthems like “Starlight” and “Uprising,” all wrapped in the kind of visual production that few acts can pull off at that scale. Raw, technically flawless, and relentlessly powerful, it’s Muse at full throttle.
In August 2025, RAYE took the stage at Lowlands Festival in Biddinghuizen, Netherlands, and delivered exactly the kind of performance that turns festival crowds into converts. The half-hour set drew on the emotional depth and R&B-pop power of ‘My 21st Century Blues,’ her six-Grammy-winning 2023 album, with vocals that hit hard and stage presence that filled every corner of the grounds. Lowlands, running since 1993 and drawing over 60,000 attendees annually to the Walibi Holland site, gave RAYE the perfect stage, and she made every moment count.
Josh Groban just dropped his rendition of “Skyfall,” the iconic title track from the James Bond film, and it’s exactly the kind of bold, cinematic swing you’d expect from an artist who’s built a career on making big songs feel even bigger. It’s the third release from his upcoming album ‘Cinematic,’ arriving May 8th via Reprise Records, and it lands with real weight.
‘Cinematic’ is a 10-track collection dedicated to the music of the silver screen. Produced by Greg Wells (credits include ‘Wicked,’ ‘The Greatest Showman,’ and records with Adele and Dua Lipa), the album was recorded in both Los Angeles and London. The tracklist pulls from decades of film history, drawing on songs from The Godfather, Casablanca, The Lion King, Stand By Me, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and more.
The album’s highlights are genuinely compelling. Groban delivers a Sicilian-language rendition of “Brucia La Terra” from The Godfather, performs a duet of “Unchained Melody” with Jennifer Hudson, and brings his father Jack Groban in for the trumpet solo on “Moon River.” These aren’t gimmicks. They’re thoughtful choices that give the project real emotional range.
Earlier singles have already set the tone. “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” featuring the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles, arrived first, followed by a sweeping take on “As Time Goes By” from Casablanca. Now “Skyfall” completes the pre-album rollout.
Groban’s GEMS World Tour wrapped last week after a run that spanned Hawaii, Asia, Australia, Ireland, the UK, and continental Europe. He heads back out in June for a North American run with Jennifer Hudson as special guest, hitting major rooms from Montreal to Salt Lake City. This fall, he returns to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for GEMS The Las Vegas Residency. Tickets and information are at joshgroban.com.
Off the road, Groban’s Find Your Light Foundation recently announced over $1.5 million awarded to 257 nonprofit organizations across 40 states in its most recent grant cycle, supporting arts education access for more than 600,000 K-12 students. In 20 years, the foundation has contributed over $7.5 million to more than 500 arts education organizations across the U.S.
‘Cinematic’ Tracklist:
As Time Goes By (Casablanca)
Skyfall (James Bond’s Skyfall)
Brucia La Terra (The Godfather)
Can You Feel the Love Tonight (The Lion King) featuring the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles
When You Wish Upon a Star (Pinocchio)
Unchained Melody (Ghost) with Jennifer Hudson
Remember Me (Coco)
Moon River (Breakfast at Tiffany’s) featuring Jack Groban
Against All Odds (Against All Odds)
Stand By Me (Stand By Me)
North American Tour with Special Guest Jennifer Hudson:
June 2 – Montreal, QC – Place Bell
June 4 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
June 6 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
June 7 – Philadelphia, PA – Xfinity Mobile Arena
June 10 – Hershey, PA – Giant Center
June 12 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
June 16 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
June 17 – Atlanta, GA – Gas South Arena
June 19 – Tampa, FL – Benchmark International Arena
June 20 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
June 24 – Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center
June 25 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
June 27 – Chicago, IL – Allstate Arena
June 28 – St Paul, MN – Grand Casino Arena
July 1 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
July 3 – Salt Lake City, UT – Maverik Center
Josh Groban: GEMS The Las Vegas Residency:
October 2 – Las Vegas, NV – The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
October 3 – Las Vegas, NV – The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
October 7 – Las Vegas, NV – The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
October 9 – Las Vegas, NV – The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
BeachLife Festival 2026 hits the Redondo Beach waterfront May 1-3, and the lineup says everything. Duran Duran, James Taylor, Sheryl Crow, The Offspring, My Morning Jacket, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, The Chainsmokers, Grouplove, Peach Pit, Flipturn, and dozens more are converging on 239 N Harbor Drive for three days of music, food, and coastal California energy. This is Southern California’s biggest live music weekend.
Four stages run across all three days. The HighTide Stage presented by Fiji Airways anchors the weekend with headliners Duran Duran (Friday), The Offspring (Saturday), and James Taylor (Sunday). The LowTide Stage presented by Cove Soda delivers The Chainsmokers, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, and My Morning Jacket on their respective nights. The RipTide Stage presented by LA Chargers and the SpeakEasy presented by STōK Cold Brew Coffee round out a schedule packed from early afternoon through late evening.
For those who can’t make it to Redondo Beach, BeachLife is livestreaming select performances for free at ions.com, presented by Music Gives to St. Jude Kids. Donations are encouraged, with all proceeds going directly toward supporting St. Jude families who never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food.
The festival experience goes well beyond the stages. The California Surf Club, the first-of-its-kind fine-dining membership club on the festival grounds, returns with Executive Chef Chase Carlson overseeing a gourmet dining experience with views over the LowTide stage and the Redondo Beach coast. Captain and Captain Plus ticketholders access the Captain’s Culinary Experience in the Captain’s Bungalow, featuring South Bay restaurants including Tin Roof Bistro, AttaGirl Hermosa Beach, and California Surf Club North Grill.
The beloved California Craft Brew Tent is back, with Embolden Beer Company serving as the official craft beer partner. New this year, the Aperol Garden brings a relaxed Italian-coast atmosphere to the grounds, while Cove Soda hosts the Cove Bar and Cove Soda Shoppe at the LowTide Stage. STōK Cold Brew Coffee rolls in with a custom vintage cold brew truck, games, and giveaways at the SpeakEasy Stage.
New partners joining the 2026 festival include Fiji Airways, whose on-site Kava Bar celebrates authentic Fijian culture, along with a chance to win a trip for two to Fiji. Citizens Private Bank joins as the official financial services partner, hosting VIP ticket holders on the High Tide VIP Deck. Aboard brings its reimagined all-new RV for an exclusive first look. Returning partners include Skechers, DAOU, Hendrick’s Gin, Jack Daniel’s, Tequila Herradura, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and more.
Practical details: the festival runs Friday May 1 from 2pm to 10:30pm, Saturday May 2 from 12pm to 10:30pm, and Sunday May 3 from 12pm to 9:15pm. Rideshare is strongly encouraged, with drop-off and pick-up at Dive N Surf parking lot (504 N Broadway). A free bike valet operates near the main entrance. A clear bag policy is in effect, and lockers with mobile chargers are available for all ticket levels. Tickets are on sale now at beachlifefestival.com, with some tiers already sold out. All ages are welcome, and children six and under are free with a ticketed adult.
Foo Fighters turned the Domaine de Saint-Cloud into a massive high-voltage circuit during this definitive 2005 performance. Captured at the peak of the ‘In Your Honor’ tour, the set captures a group operating with a level of sonic density that few of their peers could match. Dave Grohl’s vocal intensity serves as the anchor, but it’s the rhythmic interplay between Taylor Hawkins’ percussive power and Pat Smear’s guitar work that pushes the show into the red. They move through staples like “Best of You” and “Everlong” with a professional grit, proving exactly why they transitioned from post-grunge contenders to permanent stadium fixtures. This recording stands as a visceral document of the band’s ability to command a crowd of thirty thousand through sheer melodic weight and relentless momentum.
Pop-punk legends Blink-182 turned the iHeartRadio ALTer EGO festival into a clinic on high-velocity nostalgia and modern muscle. This 2020 set at The Forum captures a specific, potent era of the group, with Matt Skiba locking in alongside the foundational engine of Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker. The trio didn’t just lean on their massive catalog; they revitalized it, sandwiching newer cuts like “Darkside” between the heavy-hitting anthems that defined a generation. From the opening blast of “Feeling This” to a chaotic finale that mashed “Dammit” with a surprise nod to TLC, the performance moved with a frantic, controlled energy. It remains a testament to the band’s enduring ability to command an arena through sheer percussive force and undeniable hooks.
Michael Stipe just shattered a fifteen-year silence with a single television appearance. Sitting across from Stephen Colbert, the legendary frontman confirmed his first-ever solo album arrives late this year. It’s a seismic shift for a voice that defined the alternative rock landscape for three decades. He didn’t just talk, though. He brought a brand new song to the stage, giving us the first real glimpse into his private creative world. This isn’t a nostalgia trip. It’s the beginning of a completely new chapter.
The transition from frontman to solo identity has been a long time coming. Since R.E.M. dissolved in 2011, we’ve only seen fragments of Stipe’s musical output. He spent years working in photography and visual art, but the pull of the studio finally took hold. He admits the pressure of his previous catalog created a high bar for this project. That tension has resulted in something far more idiosyncratic than anything we heard on ‘Collapse Into Now’. The record is officially on the calendar for late 2026.
Stipe is leaning heavily into experimental textures and found sounds. He described a process where he recorded a tree in his Georgia backyard and fed it through MIDI. The result apparently sounds like Daft Punk (nature hearing itself for the first time). It’s a surreal feedback loop that replaces traditional guitar frameworks with digital manipulation and organic field recordings. This approach highlights his current interest in the intersection of biology and electronic music. It’s a bold departure from the jangle-pop of his Athens roots.
There’s a certain playfulness in the new material as well. He revealed that a sea shanty motif based on “Drunken Sailor” made its way onto the record. During the interview, he shared misheard lyrics involving duct tape and donkey ears. It’s clear he’s having fun with the structural constraints of songwriting. He even joked about Billie Eilish playing a younger version of him in a biopic. That humor translates into a tracklist that feels both experimental and human.
The live debut of “The Rest Of Ever” landed with immediate melodic weight and a sophisticated rhythmic pulse. Performed with Louis Cato and The Great Big Joy Machine, the track showcased Stipe’s evolving spoken-sung phrasing. It’s an early indicator that the album will focus on texture and atmosphere rather than radio-ready singles. The collaboration with Colbert’s house band provided a lush, live anchor for his abstract compositions. The performance felt urgent, confident, and entirely necessary.
Despite the solo focus, the bond with his former bandmates remains a cornerstone of his life. He emphasized that the members of R.E.M. are still best friends who talk constantly. Their 2024 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction was a rare moment of public unity, but this new work is a solitary path. Stipe is authoring this world on his own terms without the democratic requirements of a group. It’s the sound of a legacy artist finding a new frequency.
