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Country-Rock Firebrand Koe Wetzel Announces 45-City “The Night Champion World Tour”

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Koe Wetzel is heading back out on the road in a serious way. The East Texas singer-songwriter has announced “The Night Champion World Tour,” a 45-city headlining run spanning the United States, Canada and Australia this summer and fall. Shane Smith & The Saints, Ole 60, Wyatt Flores, Corey Kent, Wade Bowen, Bayker Blankenship, Kolby Cooper and Logan Jahnke join on select dates. General on-sale for North American dates begins March 13 at 10 a.m. local time via KoeWetzelMusic.com, with artist presale starting March 10.

Wetzel’s live show has grown from Texas dive bars to sold-out amphitheaters and arenas, and he’s direct about what that journey has meant. “It’s kind of crazy that I’m not dead or in jail with everything that’s gone on in my life,” he says. “Coming into 2026 and this tour, I feel like I’m the best version of myself I’ve ever been. I survived the night side of me. I’m coming out of it a champion.” The tour name is not a boast so much as a reckoning.

The setlist draws from across his catalog, including new tracks “Surrounded” and “Time Goes On,” alongside the three-times Platinum, five-week number-one country radio hit “High Road” (featuring Jessie Murph), which was also the most-played song at country radio in all of 2025. Long-time listeners have been calling this his most focused and hard-hitting live era yet, pointing to the Gold-certified ‘9 Lives’ as the record that finally brought his full range into one place.

“The Night Champion World Tour” dates are as follows.

May 3 | Melbourne, Victoria | Forum Melbourne

May 5 | Sydney, New South Wales | Enmore Theatre

May 9 | Brisbane, Queensland | Fortitude Music Hall

July 8 | Edmonton, Alberta | Rogers Place

July 10 | Penticton, British Columbia | South Okanagan Event Center

July 11 | Abbotsford, British Columbia | Abbotsford Centre

July 23 | Nampa, Idaho | Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater

July 24 | Stateline, Nevada | Lake Tahoe Amphitheatre at Caesars Republic

July 25 | Las Vegas, Nevada | The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas

July 30 | Airway Heights, Washington | Northern Quest Casino

July 31 | Bend, Oregon | Hayden Homes Amphitheater

August 1 | Tacoma, Washington | Dune Peninsula

August 6 | Bonner Springs, Kansas | Azura Amphitheater

August 7 | Evansville, Indiana | Ford Center

August 8 | Nashville, Tennessee | Bridgestone Arena

August 12 | New York, New York | Pier 17

August 13 | Reading, Pennsylvania | Santander Arena

August 14 | Gilford, New Hampshire | BankNH Pavilion

August 19 | Boston, Massachusetts | Leader Bank Pavilion

August 20 | Washington, D.C. | The Anthem

August 21 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Petersen Events Center

August 26 | Buffalo, New York | Outer Harbor Live at Terminal B

August 27 | Cleveland, Ohio | Wolstein Center

August 28 | Rochester Hills, Michigan | Meadow Brook Amphitheatre

September 3 | Austin, Texas | Moody Center

September 4 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Raising Cane’s River Center

September 5 | Bossier City, Louisiana | Brookshire Grocery Arena

September 10 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center

September 11 | Greensboro, North Carolina | First Horizon Coliseum

September 12 | Wilmington, North Carolina | Live Oak Bank Pavilion

September 17 | Alpharetta, Georgia | Ameris Bank Amphitheatre

September 18 | Columbia, South Carolina | Colonial Life Arena

September 19 | Richmond, Virginia | Virginia Credit Union LIVE

September 24 | Pikeville, Kentucky | Appalachian Wireless Arena

September 25 | Huntsville, Alabama | The Orion Amphitheater

September 26 | Brandon, Mississippi | Brandon Amphitheater

September 30 | Rogers, Arkansas | The Walmart AMP

October 1 | North Little Rock, Arkansas | Simmons Bank Arena

October 2 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | BOK Center

October 3 | Wichita, Kansas | INTRUST Bank Arena

October 8 | Chicago, Illinois | Salt Shed Fairgrounds

October 9 | Fishers, Indiana | Fishers Event Center

October 10 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Fiserv Forum

October 28 | Morrison, Colorado | Red Rocks Amphitheatre

October 30 | Lubbock, Texas | Cook’s Garage

Wyoming Country Artist Ian Munsick Is Opening a Cowboy Bar in Deadwood, South Dakota

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Ian Munsick is taking the West with him everywhere he goes, and now that includes a physical address. The Wyoming-born country artist is partnering with The Landmark Hotel & Casino to open the Ian Munsick Cowboy Bar & Western Grill this August in Deadwood, South Dakota, inside one of the region’s most storied historic structures. Built between 1894 and 1920, The Landmark spans approximately 35,000 square feet, and Munsick’s bar will occupy over 2,600 of them across two performance stages, one indoors and one out.

The vision came from his wife, Caroline Munsick, and Ian is not shy about the ambition behind it. “You won’t find a better place to have a beer or three than our new oasis of the West,” he says. “Live music, great food, and most importantly, all the authentic western vibes that makes everyone love a real cowboy bar. Deadwood just got a little better.” Gerard Keating, Managing Partner of The Landmark Hotel & Casino, added that a recording studio in adjacent space is also currently under design.

The bar announcement lands in the middle of a genuinely big stretch for Munsick. He recently dropped “Geronimo,” his first release under WEST TO THE REST RECORDS/Triple Tigers Records, and the response has been immediate. Listeners are calling it a bold, road-ready statement that locks in everything that’s made him one of country music’s most compelling independent voices over the past few years.

Munsick is currently running the “Eagle Flies Free Tour” across North America, with stops in Kennewick, Missoula, Spokane, Fargo, Grand Island, Brookings, Mankato, and dozens more cities through the spring and summer. Special guests on rotating dates include Lanie Gardner, Ben Haggard, Tyler Nance, Kenny Whitmire, and Jake Worthington. The tour closes August 25 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado, with ERNEST and Ned LeDoux joining him on stage, his second headlining appearance at the venue following a sold-out debut in 2024.

With over one billion global streams, more than 100,000 headlining tickets sold across 2024 and 2025, and now a bar bearing his name in one of the West’s most legendary towns, Munsick keeps building something that looks less like a music career and more like a movement. Tickets and full tour information are available at IanMunsick.com.

Morgan Wallen’s ‘Still The Problem’ Tour Powered By Kawasaki And Monster Energy

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Kawasaki and Monster Energy are officially joining forces as sponsors of Morgan Wallen’s Still The Problem Tour, a 23-date stadium run kicking off April 10 in Minneapolis. The partnership brings nationwide promotions, custom tour-branded Kawasaki bikes, exclusive merch, VIP experiences and fan activations to every stop of the tour.

The sponsorship launches at Daytona Supercross with the unveiling of custom Morgan Wallen Still The Problem Tour Kawasaki bikes, alongside limited edition hoodie giveaways through Monster Energy’s Rig Riot. Fans can also enter a nationwide sweepstakes to win a custom 2026 Kawasaki RIDGE CREW Platinum Ranch Edition side x side featuring exclusive Morgan Wallen graphics.

Promoted by AEG Presents, with the Tuscaloosa date produced by Live Nation, the tour includes stops at major stadiums including Michigan Stadium, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Direct support rotates between Brooks & Dunn, HARDY, Ella Langley and Thomas Rhett, with additional appearances from Gavin Adcock, Hudson Westbrook, Flatland Cavalry, Jason Scott & The High Heat, Zach John King, Vincent Mason and Blake Whiten. A portion of every ticket benefits the Morgan Wallen Foundation.

Still The Problem Tour 2026 Dates:
April 10 — Minneapolis, MN @ U.S. Bank Stadium w/ Thomas Rhett, Gavin Adcock, Vincent Mason
April 11 — Minneapolis, MN @ U.S. Bank Stadium w/ HARDY, Gavin Adcock, Vincent Mason
April 18 — Tuscaloosa, AL @ Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium w/ Ella Langley, Vincent Mason, Zach John King
May 1 — Las Vegas, NV @ Allegiant Stadium w/ Brooks & Dunn, Gavin Adcock, Vincent Mason
May 2 — Las Vegas, NV @ Allegiant Stadium w/ Thomas Rhett, Gavin Adcock, Vincent Mason
May 8 — Indianapolis, IN @ Lucas Oil Stadium w/ Brooks & Dunn, Hudson Westbrook, Zach John King
May 9 — Indianapolis, IN @ Lucas Oil Stadium w/ Ella Langley, Flatland Cavalry, Zach John King
May 15 — Gainesville, FL @ Ben Hill Griffin Stadium w/ Thomas Rhett, Gavin Adcock, Zach John King
May 16 — Gainesville, FL @ Ben Hill Griffin Stadium w/ Ella Langley, Gavin Adcock, Zach John King
May 29 — Denver, CO @ Empower Field at Mile High w/ Brooks & Dunn, Gavin Adcock, Vincent Mason
May 30 — Denver, CO @ Empower Field at Mile High w/ Ella Langley, Gavin Adcock, Vincent Mason
June 5 — Pittsburgh, PA @ Acrisure Stadium w/ Brooks & Dunn, Gavin Adcock, Zach John King
June 6 — Pittsburgh, PA @ Acrisure Stadium w/ Ella Langley, Gavin Adcock, Zach John King
June 19 — Chicago, IL @ Soldier Field w/ Brooks & Dunn, Gavin Adcock, Zach John King
June 20 — Chicago, IL @ Soldier Field w/ Ella Langley, Gavin Adcock, Zach John King
June 26 — Clemson, SC @ Clemson Memorial Stadium w/ Brooks & Dunn, Gavin Adcock, Jason Scott & The High Heat
June 27 — Clemson, SC @ Clemson Memorial Stadium w/ Ella Langley, Gavin Adcock, Jason Scott & The High Heat
July 17 — Baltimore, MD @ M&T Bank Stadium w/ Brooks & Dunn, Gavin Adcock, Jason Scott & The High Heat
July 18 — Baltimore, MD @ M&T Bank Stadium w/ Ella Langley, Gavin Adcock, Jason Scott & The High Heat
July 24 — Ann Arbor, MI @ Michigan Stadium w/ Thomas Rhett, Hudson Westbrook, Blake Whiten
July 25 — Ann Arbor, MI @ Michigan Stadium w/ HARDY, Hudson Westbrook, Blake Whiten
July 31 — Philadelphia, PA @ Lincoln Financial Field w/ Brooks & Dunn, Hudson Westbrook, Blake Whiten
August 1 — Philadelphia, PA @ Lincoln Financial Field w/ Ella Langley, Hudson Westbrook, Blake Whiten

Kali Uchis, Knock2 B2B Zedd And DJ Snake Lead Hard Summer 2026

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Hard Summer Music Festival returns August 1 and 2 to Hollywood Park in Inglewood, reclaiming its place as Los Angeles’ largest electronic music event. Set across the 300-acre entertainment complex adjacent to SoFi Stadium and YouTube Theater, the 2026 edition brings a refreshed layout and expanded Green Stage space. Two-day GA, GA+, and VIP passes go on sale February 27 at 10 am PT, with early SMS access at 9 am PT.

This year’s lineup is topped by Kali Uchis, a rare Knock2 B2B Zedd set, and DJ Snake delivering a hip-hop set. They are joined by Tokischa, Shygirl presents Club Shy, Zack Fox, Charlotte de Witte, Amelie Lens, Mau P, RL Grime, and Maceo Plex. The bill spans global electronic powerhouses and crossover icons, reinforcing Hard Summer’s reputation for genre-spanning curation rooted in Los Angeles’ club culture.

Beyond the headliners, the lineup dives into underground and forward-facing sounds, from Brutalismus 3000 and Sammy Virji to VTSS and Hannah Laing. A Live From Earth stage takeover features 2hollis, Snow Strippers, MCR-T, Frost Children, Underscores, and more. Since relocating to Hollywood Park, Hard Summer has elevated its immersive footprint while continuing its Hard Pre-Game initiative, supporting local businesses across Greater Los Angeles.

London Indie Soul Duo LuxJury Share “Both Teams” From ‘Giving Up’

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London-based indie soul duo LuxJury release “Both Teams,” the latest single from their debut album ‘Giving Up’, out March 27 via Bella Union. Fronted by Nicole “Lux” Fermie alongside drummer Howey Gill, the track blends groove-heavy indie rock with horn lines and rhythmic swagger. A new video written and directed by Lucia Saavedra brings the song’s playful tone to life ahead of the album’s arrival.

“Both Teams was written about a girl I’d fallen in love with at work,” Nicole explains, describing the projection, uncertainty, and eventual revelation that shaped the track’s hook. Originally sung, the verse evolved into a spoken delivery to sharpen its edge. The result leans into their love of soul and George Michael while capturing a moment of queer longing and self-discovery with directness and wit.

‘Giving Up’ charts Nicole’s journey after leaving her previous band, coming out as queer, and returning to songwriting with renewed perspective. The album explores identity, relationships, and social pressure across tracks including “Poly-Amerie,” “Hot Mess,” and “Snacks (I Could Love You).” LuxJury celebrate the release with a London headline show at SJQ on April 9.

Tracklist:

  1. Poly-Amerie
  2. Both Teams
  3. Can You Want It
  4. Snacks (I Could Love You)
  5. History Of The Body
  6. Couples Therapy
  7. Hot Mess
  8. Opaque and Hollow
  9. Orphans
  10. Thief
  11. I’m This Time

UK Post-Metal Titans Conjurer Unleash North American “Unself” Tour

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Following the impact of last fall’s ‘Unself’ via Nuclear Blast, UK heavyweights Conjurer bring their crushing intensity back to North America for a 16-date headline run. The tour launches May 22 in New York City and storms through Montreal, Chicago, Nashville, and beyond before closing June 7 in Philadelphia. Support across the run comes from Sadness, Snooze, and Pains, forming a stacked bill built for volume and atmosphere.

“We are thrilled to be coming back to the US and Canada for the first time since 2023,” the band share. “For our first stateside headline shows, we wanted to bring some of our favourite bands with us and so it’s a genuine honour to have Sadness, Snooze, and Pains share the stage every night.” The run marks their first North American headline stretch in support of ‘Unself’, delivering its weight and texture in full live form.

North American Tour (w/ Sadness, Snooze, & Pains):
05/22/2026 US NY New York City @ The Meadows
05/23/2026 US ME Portland @ Geno’s Rock Club
05/24/2026 US MA Boston @ The Rockwell
05/26/2026 US RI Providence @ Alchemy
05/27/2026 CAN QC Montreal @ Cabaret Foufs
05/28/2026 CAN ON Ottawa @ Dominion Tavern
05/29/2026 CAN ON Toronto @ Prepare The Group
05/30/2026 US OH Columbus @ Donatos Basement
05/31/2026 US IL Chicago @ Sleeping Village
06/01/2026 US IN Indianapolis @ Black Circle
06/02/2026 US KY Louisville @ Portal
06/03/2026 US TN Nashville @ DRKMTTR
06/04/2026 US GA Atlanta @ Boggs Social & Supply
06/05/2026 US NC Raleigh @ Chapel Of Bones
06/06/2026 US MD Baltimore @ Motown Ballroom
06/07/2026 US PA Philadelphia @ Kung Fu Necktie

Canadian Live Music Leader Erin Benjamin Steps Down From CLMA After 12 Years

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Erin Benjamin will step down as President and CEO of the Canadian Live Music Association this spring, closing a twelve-year chapter as the organization’s first and only leader. Since its founding, Benjamin has helped unify Canada’s live music ecosystem under one national platform, representing venues, promoters, festivals, agents, and touring professionals while elevating the sector’s standing at the federal level.

Among the most consequential milestones of her tenure was Hear and Now, the first national economic impact study of Canada’s live music industry. The report established a new evidence base for public investment and policy, reshaping how live music is understood within the country’s cultural and economic framework. During the COVID-19 shutdown, Benjamin also led coordinated national advocacy efforts that secured emergency supports and positioned live music within broader recovery plans.

“Leading the CLMA has been one of the great privileges of my career,” said Benjamin. “What began as a shared vision across a passionate community has grown into a strong national organization with a clarity of purpose and the capacity to forge lasting change.” She will remain in the role through April to support the transition. Board Chair Nate Sabine credited her with building the CLMA into the national voice for live music and strengthening the sector’s cohesion and recognition across Canada.

Electronic Jam Collective 2ŁØT Announce ‘RE/SOLVE’ And Unveil “Favorite Star”

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2ŁØT launch a new era with “Favorite Star,” the first single from their sophomore album ‘RE/SOLVE’, arriving July 31. After a year of global electronic collaborations, the five-piece collective pivot inward with a track that leans into atmosphere and restraint. Anchored by Rudy Love Jr.’s contemplative vocal, “Favorite Star” explores the tension between public memory and private transformation.

“If Entropy confronted chaos, RE/SOLVE looks at what comes after,” Rudy shares. “The aim is to mythologize the cyclical process of self-reflection, transformation, and self-actualization through a Campbellian archetypal lens.” The album unfolds as a narrative arc, tracing identity, reckoning, and rebuilding. Guests include Jon Batiste, Robert Randolph, and other Grammy-winning collaborators, expanding 2ŁØT’s creative orbit while keeping the focus on cohesion.

Following collaborations with Steve Aoki, Paul Oakenfold, and Aloe Blacc, 2ŁØT return to a unified album statement rooted in their Electronic Jam Music foundation. They preview this next phase live beginning February 28 in Dallas, with stops in Denver, Vail, Boise, West Hollywood, and Columbus.

2ŁØT Tour Dates
February 28 – Deep Ellum Art Company – Dallas, TX
March 12 – Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom & Cervantes’ Other Side – Denver, CO
March 15 – Shakedown Street – Vail, CO
March 27 – Treefort Music Fest – Boise, ID
April 4 – Troubadour – West Hollywood, CA
May 29 – Breakaway Music Festival – Columbus, OH

Glam Rock Icons Angel Celebrate 50 Years Of ‘Helluva Band’

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Deko Entertainment marks the 50th anniversary of Angel’s sophomore album ‘Helluva Band’ with a newly remastered reissue on 180g vinyl and CD. Originally released in 1976 on Casablanca Records, the record captured the band’s theatrical blend of glam rock, hard rock, and progressive ambition. The lineup of Frank DiMino, Punky Meadows, Gregg Giuffria, Mickie Jones, and Barry Brandt delivered a swift and confident follow-up to their 1975 debut.

The anniversary edition arrives in a six-panel CD digipak and two limited vinyl variants, 400 Splatter and 600 Red Swirl, complete with liner notes by journalist Dave Reynolds. Select bundles include copies signed by surviving original members DiMino, Meadows, Giuffria, and Brandt. The album features “Feelin’ Right,” “The Fortune,” “Mirrors,” and fan favorites including “Angel Theme.”

Angel begin their Farewell Tour in March, extending through 2027, with select dates alongside Starz.

ANGEL
March 27 – The Wildey Theatre – Edwardsville, IL

ANGEL w/STARZ
April 17 – Sellersville Theater – Sellersville, PA
April 18 – Debonair Music Hall – Teaneck, NJ
April 19 – Bijou Theatre – Bridgeport, CT
May 2 – Tupelo Music Hall – Derry, NH
May 3 – The Vault Performing Arts Center – New Bedford, MA
May 28 – The Token Lounge – Lakewood, OH
May 29 – The Winchester Music Tavern – Lakewood, OH
May 30 – The King of Clubs – Columbus, OH
May 31 – Jergels – Warrendale, PA

ANGEL
August 7 – Whisky A Go-Go – Hollywood, CA
August 8 – The Bootlegger – Las Vegas, NV

ANGEL w/STARZ
October 24 – Alamo City Rocktober Fest – San Antonio, TX
October 28 – Shank Hall – Milwaukee, WI
October 30 – Arcada Theater – St. Charles, IL

Future Teens, John Doe And Tanya Donelly Lead Lowell’s Town And The City Festival

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Lowell’s beloved multi-venue celebration The Town and The City Festival returns April 30 through May 2 with 19 shows spanning music, comedy, and spoken word across downtown. More than 50 musical acts join a reading by Chris Wrenn from his book ‘Fenway Punk’. Inspired by the legacy of Jack Kerouac, the festival transforms the city into a walkable stage where audiences move from room to room discovering local standouts and national names.

Opening night kicks off April 30 at Taffeta Music Hall with Boston alt-emo band Future Teens, joined by Lowell rockers Western Education and Toluca Lake. Friday brings John Doe and David Lowery to Merrimack Repertory Theatre with Kris Delmhorst, while venues including The Old Court, Thirsty First, The Worthen, Tescobar, Warp & Weft, and The Lass Stop host an expansive lineup from GA-20 and The Felice Brothers to The Wolff Sisters and Ava Sophia.

Saturday begins with free afternoon performances at Brew’d Awakening and the Bicentennial Stage before evening sets from Tanya Donelly and Chris Brokaw, Steve Wynn, Nigel Wearne, and more. Comedy at Cobblestones features Tony V and Kristen O’Brien, while Jon Langford and Cristina Vane close out the night at Warp & Weft. Tickets are on sale now for the seventh edition of this citywide spring tradition.