Voidmonger isn’t a band so much as a universe. ‘Lies of Aquarius’, the debut concept album from this industrial metal audiovisual project, is out now on all digital platforms and as a limited vinyl edition. It’s the opening chapter of a planned three-part saga, and it arrives fully formed, with crushing riffs, cinematic soundscapes, and a mythology dense enough to get genuinely lost in.
The lore runs deep. At the center of the Voidmonger world is the Juggernaut, a mobile tower-stage of fire and steel. Through it, the Preacher, ambassador of a god-like Creator, delivers judgment on humanity’s failings, flanked by the Mechanic, the Executor, and the Slaves to the Void. It’s sci-fi storytelling with real weight behind it, exploring cosmic justice, the exploitation of faith, and civilizations that collapse under their own moral failures.
Sonically, ‘Lies of Aquarius’ earns every comparison to Mechina, Mick Gordon, and Fear Factory, while carving out space that’s distinctly its own. The album was produced and mixed by Otus Hobst and mastered by Jan Zborovjan, and the craft shows throughout. The industrial architecture is relentless, but it’s the cinematic sweep underneath that makes this one stick.
Voidmonger puts it plainly: “It’s the first step into the Voidmonger universe, where sound, story, and spectacle collide.” On the evidence of ‘Lies of Aquarius’, that universe has a long and compelling run ahead of it.
José González has a new video out for “A Perfect Storm,” and it demands your full attention. The Swedish singer-songwriter and guitarist released the immersive, intentionally confrontational visual today, building on the already acclaimed opening track from his fifth studio album, ‘Against the Dying of the Light’, out now via Mute Records in North America and City Slang everywhere else.
The video uses AI to interrogate AI itself. Directed by Mads Damsbo of Bacon Lab, the clip pulls back its curtain at the end to reveal a soundstage and crew, then cuts to a blooper reel. The twist: none of those people are real. Every face, every emotional moment, every behind-the-scenes beat is synthetically generated, making the point with chilling precision about where this technology already stands. An exclusive YouTube Afterparty followed the premiere, featuring a 15-minute conversation between González and Damsbo on the making of the video and AI’s role at the intersection of art and science.
González is direct about what the song means. “‘A Perfect Storm’ is about how we ourselves are creating the conditions for a more and more turbulent future,” he says, citing AI researcher Stuart Russell’s image of humanity on a bus headed for a cliff, steering wheel missing, driver blindfolded. The track itself earns that weight, with propulsive fingerpicked guitar building to a distorted, thrilling peak beneath González’s intimate vocal. It’s one of the most gripping performances on an already strong album.
‘Against the Dying of the Light’ spans 13 tracks, drawing from game theory, moral philosophy, and the ethics of modern technology. It’s González’s first collection of original songs in more than four years, and a worthy companion to 2021’s ‘Local Valley’. Highlights include the soulful “You & We,” the Spanish-language “Pajarito” (dedicated to his son Mateo), and the dynamic title track. US dates are underway now, with Toronto-based folk-pop musician Abby Sage supporting throughout. Several dates are already sold out.
‘Against the Dying of the Light’ Track Listing:
A Perfect Storm
Etyd
Against The Dying Of The Light
For Every Dusk
Sheet
Pajarito
Losing Game (Sick)
Ay Querida
U/Rawls Slöja
Gymnasten
Just A Rock
You & We
Joy (Can’t Help But Sing)
José González 2026 Tour Dates:
April 21 – Boston, MA – Royale
April 22 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
April 23 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
April 25 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel
April 27 – Chicago, IL – Vic Theatre
April 28 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
May 1 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo
May 2 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
May 3 – San Francisco, CA – Castro Theater (SOLD OUT)
May 4 – San Francisco, CA – Bimbo’s 365 Club
May 5 – Los Angeles, CA – The Bellwether (SOLD OUT)
May 8 – Austin, TX – Mohawk (Outdoor)
May 9 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theater
May 11 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom
May 25 – Münster, Germany – Theater Münster
May 26 – Dresden, Germany – Beatpol
May 27 – Hamburg, Germany – Mojo Club
June 14 – Stockholm, Sweden – Rosendal Garden Party †
July 3 – Gent, Belgium – Gent Jazz †
July 8 – Bilbao, Spain – Museo Guggenheim Bilbao (SOLD OUT)
July 9 – Huesca, Spain – Pirineos Sur †
July 10 – A Coruña, Spain – Palacio de la Opera
July 11 – Feldkirch, Austria – Poolbar
July 17 – Göteborg, Sweden – Slakthuset Block Party †
July 25 – Kapolcs, Hungary – Valley of the Arts †
July 26 – Neston Park, United Kingdom – WOMAD Festival †
July 29 – Madrid, Spain – Teatro Real
August 28 – Rättvik, Sweden – Dalhalla
August 29 – Malmö, Sweden – Folkets Park Malmö
September 20 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl *
September 23 – Saratoga, CA – Mountain Winery
October 28 – Barcelona, Spain – Paral-lel 62
October 29 – Valencia, Spain – Rambleta
October 30 – Murcia, Spain – Sala Mamba!
October 31 – Sevilla, Spain – Cartuja Center CITE
November 1 – Lisboa, Portugal – Coliseu dos Recreios
November 2 – Porto, Portugal – Ageas Porto Coliseum
November 14 – Vienna, Austria – Gasometer
November 15 – Zurich, Switzerland – Volkshaus
November 17 – Milan, Italy – Alcatraz
November 18 – München, Germany – Mufatthalle
November 19 – Prague, Czech Republic – ARCHA+
November 20 – Berlin, Germany – Columbiahalle
November 21 – Frankfurt, Germany – Zoom
November 23 – Utrecht, Netherlands – Tivoli Ronda
November 24 – Paris, France – Le Trianon
November 25 – Brussels, Belgium – Ancienne Belgique
November 26 – London, United Kingdom – Eventim Apollo
† Festival Appearance
w/ Gregory Alan Isakov with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra
Patty Griffin has a summer tour on the books, and it’s a serious one. The two-time Grammy Award winner heads out July 10th with her trio, guitarist David Pulkingham and drummer Michael Longoria, for a run that stretches from Woodstock, NY through New Orleans. The itinerary includes headlining dates, shows with special guest Kathleen Edwards, and a coveted supporting slot with Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit.
The tour travels behind ‘Crown Of Roses’, Griffin’s Grammy-nominated 11th studio album, out now on her own PGM Recordings label via Thirty Tigers. Produced by Craig Ross, the eight-song collection moves through spare folk, gauzy Americana, and gospel blues, drawing equally from Griffin’s adopted Texas and her home state of Maine. It’s among the strongest work of her three-decade career.
The album delivers moments that stay with you. “Born In A Cage” opens atmospherically, “Long Time” features a backing vocal from Robert Plant, and “Way Up To The Sky” lands with spare emotional depth. ‘Crown Of Roses’ continues Griffin’s remarkable ability to turn complex inner lives into songs that feel universal, intimate, and completely her own.
Tickets for all newly announced dates go on sale Friday, April 17th at noon local time. This is a tour worth planning around.
Patty Griffin 2026 Summer Tour Dates:
July 10 – Woodstock, NY @ Bearsville Theater
July 11 – Katonah, NY @ The Venetian Theater at Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts
July 12 – Westerly, RI @ United Theatre
July 14 – Brownfield, ME @ Stone Mountain Arts Center
July 15 – Old Saybrook, CT @ The Kate
July 16 – Bethlehem, PA @ Musikfest Cafe
July 17 – Collingswood, NJ @ Scottish Rite Auditorium
July 18 – Lancaster, PA @ American Music Theatre
July 20 – Portsmouth, NH @ Prescott Park Arts Festival
July 21 – Groton, MA @ Groton Hill Music Center
July 22 – Waterville, ME @ Waterville Opera House
July 23 – Bar Harbor, ME @ Criterion Theatre
July 25 – Port Washington, NY @ Landmark on Main Street
July 26 – Hartford, CT @ Infinity Music Hall
July 27 – New York, NY @ Kaufmann Concert Hall
July 28 – Lenox, MA @ Koussevitzky Music Shed at Tanglewood
Time has dropped its Time100 Most Influential People 2026 list, and music is all over it. Seven musicians made the cut this year, spanning country, K-pop, reggaeton, indie folk, R&B, and beyond. With artists representing nearly 30 countries, the list reflects how broadly and boldly music is moving right now.
Luke Combs leads the charge on the country side, recognized for his authenticity and genre impact. Ed Sheeran wrote his tribute. It’s well-earned: Combs recently broke an Allegiant Stadium attendance record, outselling the Super Bowl in Las Vegas, and debuted his album ‘The Way I Am’ at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart. That’s not a moment, that’s a run.
Jennie of Blackpink earned her spot for her commanding solo presence, with Gracie Abrams penning her tribute. Rauw Alejandro was celebrated for pushing reggaeton and urban music forward, with Tainy doing the honors. Noah Kahan landed on the list for his breakthrough year and soulful songwriting, recognized by Marcus Mumford.
Rounding out the music contingent: Hilary Duff for her enduring cultural relevance (introduced by Nicole Richie), Coco Jones for her rising R&B influence (tribute by Jaylen Barron), and Anderson Paak for his multifaceted energy and talent, with Natasha Lyonne writing his entry. Seven artists. One list. All deserving.
Tesla’s got a new album coming, and it’s one worth paying attention to. ‘Homage’, due July 17th via Frontiers Music Srl, is a covers record with real weight behind it. These Sacramento rockers didn’t just pull together a quick tribute set. They went deep, drawing from Elvis Presley, Freddie Mercury, Sam Cooke, Etta James, and James Brown, voices that defined what rock and soul could be.
The lead single is their take on Climax Blues Band’s “I Love You” (2026 Version), out now with an official video. It’s a warm, confident read on a classic, and it puts front man Jeff Keith’s vocal range front and center where it belongs. The band puts it plainly: the track “pays tribute to legends but gives us a chance to showcase our lead singer’s diversity.”
What makes ‘Homage’ more than a nostalgia exercise is the context. Tesla started as a covers band playing California clubs before selling millions of records on original material. This album is a genuine full-circle moment, not a marketing angle. It also arrives more than 20 years after the ‘Real to Reel’ series, and includes one original track, “Never Alone,” which grew directly out of that earlier project.
The tracklist runs 14 songs deep, pulling from Queen, Bob Seger, Supertramp, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and more. The band calls it “a thank-you note written in sound.” That framing holds up. This is Tesla doing what they’ve always done well: connecting to the music that made them and making it their own.
This summer, they’re joining Motley Crue and Extreme on The Return of the Carnival of Sins Tour, kicking off July 17th in Burgettstown, PA.
‘Homage’ Track Listing:
Never Alone (Original Song)
Bring It On Home (Sam Cooke Cover)
Spread Your Wings (Queen Cover)
I Wish It Would Rain (The Temptations Cover)
Night Moves (Bob Seger Cover)
If I Can Dream (Elvis Presley Cover)
Come And Get It (Badfinger Cover)
I Got You (James Brown Cover)
Give A Little Bit (Supertramp Cover)
I Love You (2026 Version) (Climax Blues Band Cover)
The Ballad Of Curtis Loew (Lynyrd Skynyrd Cover)
Have You Ever Seen The Rain (Creedence Clearwater Revival Cover)
Nobody in the music industry has been spared the AI conversation. It’s been everywhere — in the headlines, in the lawsuits, in the comment sections, and in the back of every artist’s mind when they sit down to create. But for all the noise, clear and practical answers have been hard to come by.
That’s starting to change.
On April 28 at 11:00 AM EDT, MIDiA Research is hosting a free live webinar called The State of AI and Music, and it’s one of the more grounded takes on the topic we’ve come across. MIDiA is a data and analysis firm that tracks the music industry closely, and this session is built around three questions that artists and industry professionals are actually asking right now.
Who is using generative and assistive AI tools today, and where is that heading? How will generative music platforms change the way people listen — and what does that mean for the value of your music? And beyond all the risks everyone keeps talking about, what opportunities are quietly emerging for artists?
The session is presented by Tatiana Cirisano, Vice President of Music Strategy, and Olivia Jones, Associate Music Analyst, and moderated by Ben Woods, Creator Economy Analyst at MIDiA Research. There’s a live Q&A at the end, which means you can bring your own questions into the room.
If you’ve been waiting for a conversation about AI that skips the panic and gets to the point, this is a good place to start.
April 28, 2026 | 11:00 AM EDT | Free to attend. Register Here
Madonna and Stuart Price are back in the room together, and the result is ‘Confessions II.’ The follow-up to 2005’s genre-defining ‘Confessions on a Dance Floor’ arrives July 3rd via Warner Records, and a trancelike visual teaser is out now offering the first taste of what’s coming. Pre-orders are live across vinyl, CD, and cassette configurations.
Twenty years on from the original, Madonna and Price approached ‘Confessions II’ with a clear creative manifesto rooted in something deeper than dancefloor nostalgia. “When Stuart Price and I first started working on this record, this was our manifesto,” Madonna explains, describing the dance floor as a ritualistic threshold where movement replaces language and bass frequencies alter consciousness. It’s a spiritual framework for electronic music, and it’s one she’s been circling her entire career.
Lead single “One Step Away” frames the album’s thesis directly: “People think that dance music is superficial, but they’ve got it all wrong. The dance floor is not just a place, it’s a threshold.” The words carry the weight of someone who has spent five decades understanding exactly what dancefloors do to people and why that matters. Price, whose production on the original ‘Confessions’ remains one of the benchmark electronic pop records of the 2000s, is the ideal collaborator to push that vision further.
Burglar are moving fast. The Dublin-based alt-rock duo of Willow Hannon and Eduardo Pinheiro have released “Star-Crossed” via TULLE, their follow-up to January’s acclaimed single “Lovey,” and it arrives alongside the announcement of their debut UK headline tour later this month. Rolling Stone UK says the pair present “unique chemistry and plenty of excitement for the future.” Dork puts it even more directly: “Primed for a breakthrough.” Listen here.
Hannon and Pinheiro met in college, bonding over Stereolab and Smashing Pumpkins, but their individual backgrounds pull in genuinely different directions. Hannon came up through bedroom pop production as a teenager; Pinheiro was shaped by 1970s Brazilian popular music and the garage punk scene of his hometown Goiânia. The collision of those influences produces something tight, confessional, and immediately distinctive, built on interlocking vocals and a melodic instinct that’s hard to ignore.
“Star-Crossed” arrives with a pointed emotional thesis from Pinheiro: “I’m sick of right timings, and seeking inner-truths. You can stick around special people if they show up, there’s enough big changes out there.” It’s a song about resisting the pressure to constantly reinvent yourself, delivered with the kind of directness that cuts through. BBC 6 Music, NME, Loud & Quiet, and Crack Magazine have all taken notice, and the festival circuit beckons after the spring tour wraps.
Five UK dates run from April 26 through April 30, covering Bristol, Manchester, Glasgow, Leeds, and London. “Star-Crossed” is out now on all platforms via TULLE.
UK Tour Dates:
April 26, Bristol, UK @ Moor Brewing Co.
April 27, Manchester, UK @ The Castle Hotel
April 28, Glasgow, UK @ McChuills
April 29, Leeds, UK @ Headrow House
April 30, London, UK @ Our Mutual Friend, The Dublin Castle
John Mellencamp is doing two things at once this year, and both of them matter. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has announced the Dancing Words Tour, a 19-city greatest hits run produced by Live Nation beginning July 10, alongside the September 29 release of ‘John Mellencamp: The Songbook: 50 Years of Song and Poetry’ via Rizzoli New York. The tour marks the first time Mellencamp will perform all his most beloved songs in a single night, including tracks that haven’t been played live in years.
The book is the essential companion piece. With a foreword by Stephen King, ‘The Songbook’ pairs lyrics from Mellencamp’s most celebrated anthems with previously unpublished personal photographs, handwritten drafts, and archival notes spanning his entire career. It’s an intimate document from one of America’s most respected singer-songwriters, and pre-orders placed through Rizzoli Bookstore during April will support Farm Aid, the annual festival and organization Mellencamp co-founded with Willie Nelson and Neil Young in 1985. Pre-sale buyers in April are also automatically entered to win a signed copy.
The Dancing Words Tour hits iconic rooms from coast to coast, including the Hollywood Bowl, Northwell at Jones Beach Theater, and Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville. A cinematic tour trailer featuring Sean Penn is out now. Mellencamp was recently awarded the 2026 iHeartRadio Icon Award and performed at the ceremony, a fitting cap to a stretch that underlines just how deeply his catalog has embedded itself in American music.
Five decades of songs, one night to play them all. Tickets are on sale now.
John Mellencamp Dancing Words Tour Dates:
July 10, Grand Rapids, MI @ Acrisure Amphitheater
July 11, Tinley Park, IL @ Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
July 13, Kansas City, MO @ Morton Amphitheater
July 14, Shakopee, MN @ Mystic Lake Amphitheater
July 16, Clarkston, MI @ Pine Knob Music Theatre
July 18, Noblesville, IN @ Ruoff Music Center
July 19, Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center
July 21, Cuyahoga Falls, OH @ Blossom Music Center
July 24, Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center
July 25, Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center
July 26, Wantagh, NY @ Northwell at Jones Beach Theater
July 29, Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live
July 30, Charlotte, NC @ Truliant Amphitheater
August 1, Alpharetta, GA @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
August 3, Tampa, FL @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
August 6, Houston, TX @ The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
August 9, Phoenix, AZ @ Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
August 10, Hollywood, CA @ Hollywood Bowl
August 12, Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre
Damnation Festival just raised the bar considerably. The UK’s premier heavy music event has announced six major additions to its 2026 lineup, with Swedish post-metal titans Cult of Luna and Norwegian black metal pioneers Satyricon confirmed as headliners for the November 7-8 weekend at BEC Arena in Manchester. Satyricon’s appearance is a UK exclusive. Tickets are moving fast and the event is on course to sell out.
Cult of Luna close out Saturday night. Satyricon take Sunday. Joining them are extreme metal heavyweights Carcass, French experimental provocateurs Igorrr, US sludge icons Crowbar, and Swiss avant-garde metallers Triptykon. Six additions, every one of them headliner-caliber. Festival organiser Gavin McInally doesn’t undersell it: “All six of these bands could headline Damnation without raising an eyebrow, so to have them all play the same year is obscene.”
The new names slot in alongside previously announced acts Health, Walls of Jericho, Eyehategod, and Wolves in the Throne Room, building a lineup that spans black metal, death metal, sludge, post-metal, and experimental extremity with genuine depth at every level. McInally also confirms another 19 bands are still to be revealed, describing all of them as “gems.” With more than half of tickets already sold, the remaining inventory won’t last long.
Damnation Festival 2026 runs November 7-8 at BEC Arena in Manchester. Tickets and full details at the official Damnation website.
