Pennsylvania’s Roots In Blue Stone return with a burst of energy and emotion on their new single ‘Carry On,’ a soulful collaboration with singer Karen Meeks. Blending blues, rock, and a touch of country, the song captures the spirit of perseverance with its uplifting message about letting go of pain and doubt. With riffing guitars, commanding vocals, and heartfelt storytelling, ‘Carry On’ moves from struggle to strength, urging listeners to keep moving forward no matter what challenges they face.
Led by Walter Lee and Ian Kirk, Roots In Blue Stone have built their signature sound by fusing reggae, rock, blues, and soul into something deeply human and alive. What began as a live looping project has evolved into a powerhouse band known for passion, connection, and rhythm that moves both the body and heart. ‘Carry On’ is a shining example of their craft — a reminder that even in moments of hardship, music has the power to inspire resilience and renewal.
Los Angeles indie/alternative favorites Silversun Pickups have returned with “The Wreckage,” the first single from their upcoming seventh studio album, Tenterhooks, out February 6. Produced by longtime collaborator Butch Vig (Nirvana, Garbage), the record marks a raw, urgent new chapter for the band. “We wanted to make a tight record that could fit on one vinyl with five songs on each side,” said frontman Brian Aubert. “To me, it’s an impatient, apprehensive, and more aggressive album. We stripped things down and went louder and rawer.”
Silversun Pickups — Brian Aubert, Nikki Monninger, Christopher Guanlao, and Joe Lester — will support Tenterhooks with a major North American tour running from February through May 2026. Fans can pre-order Tenterhooks on CD or LP now and catch the band’s electric new sound live this spring.
‘Tenterhooks’ 2026 Tour Dates: Feb 19 – Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory Santa Ana Feb 20 – Highland, CA – bEATS at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino Feb 23 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater Feb 25 – Aspen, CO – Belly Up Aspen Feb 27 – Jackson, WY – Jackson Hole Center for the Arts – Center Theater Feb 28 – Ketchum, ID – The Argyros Performing Arts Center Mar 02 – Edmonton, AB – Midway Music Hall Mar 03 – Calgary, AB – The Palace Theatre Mar 05 – Eugene, OR – McDonald Theatre Mar 06 – Reno, NV – Virginia Street Brewhouse Mar 07 – Napa, CA – Uptown Theatre Napa Mar 09 – Monterey, CA – Golden State Theatre Mar 10 – San Luis Obispo, CA – Fremont Theater Mar 11 – Ventura, CA – Ventura Music Hall Apr 25 – Oklahoma City, OK – Tower Theatre Apr 27 – New Orleans, LA – Joy Theatre Apr 28 – Birmingham, AL – Iron City Apr 30 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Music Hall May 02 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVa May 04 – Baltimore, MD – Nevermore Music Hall May 05 – Harrisburg, PA – Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center May 07 – Asbury Park, NJ – The Stone Pony May 08 – Norwalk, CT – District Music Hall May 09 – Providence, RI – The Strand Ballroom May 11 – Portland, ME – State Theatre May 12 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom May 13 – Grand Rapids, MI – Elevation May 15 – Kansas City, MO – Warehouse on Broadway May 17 – San Antonio, TX – The Aztec Theatre May 18 – El Paso, TX – Lowbrow Palace
A major new biopic titled Michael is set to hit theaters on April 26, 2026, bringing the life and legacy of Michael Jackson to the big screen. Directed by Antone Fuqua, the film stars Jaafar Jackson — the late pop icon’s nephew and son of Jermaine Jackson — in the lead role. The official teaser trailer, released Thursday, offers the first glimpse into what promises to be a powerful and immersive portrait of one of music’s most transformative figures.
According to its synopsis, Michael will explore Jackson’s extraordinary journey from his beginnings as the lead of the Jackson Five to his evolution into a global superstar, offering fans an intimate look beyond the stage lights. The cast includes Miles Teller as Jackson’s longtime attorney John Branca, Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, Jessica Sula as LaToya Jackson, Larenz Tate as Berry Gordy, Kat Graham as Diana Ross, and Laura Harrier as Motown executive Suzanne de Passe. The film promises to bring audiences closer than ever to the story of the King of Pop.
WDR Funkhausorchester, celebrated for their masterful orchestral renditions of pop culture classics, delivered a captivating three-part medley of James Bond theme songs arranged by Ingo Luis. Recorded live at the WDR Funkhaus Wallrafplatz in Cologne, Germany, the performances from 2017, 2022, and 2024 channel the elegance, intrigue, and cinematic grandeur of the iconic spy franchise with breathtaking precision and flair.
Pop icon Robbie Williams is dialing up the nostalgia and attitude with his brand-new studio album ‘Britpop,’ out February 13, 2026. The English superstar, long celebrated for his stadium-filling anthems and charismatic flair, revisits the sound and swagger of his early solo years — a time defined by the rise of Oasis, Blur, and the unmistakable Britpop spirit that swept the 1990s.
The album’s latest single “Pretty Face” brings the energy of 1995 roaring back. Directed by Charlie Lightening with VFX from AIST, the video recreates the iconic late-night TV chaos of The Word, complete with bleached hair, track jackets, and VHS-style fuzz. “This is my ‘DeLorean Moment’ back to 1995,” Williams says. “If BRITPOP is the album I would have made, then THIS would have been the TV show… now a (virtual) reality.”
Already out are singles “Rocket” — a punk-fueled anthem featuring Black Sabbath legend Tony Iommi on guitar — and “Human,” a soaring collaboration with Jesse and Joy. “Spies” adds a touch of cinematic charm to the mix, while a stripped-back version of “Rocket” shows Williams’ knack for balancing power and intimacy.
“I set out to create the album that I wanted to write and release after I left Take That in 1995,” says Williams. “It was the peak of Britpop and a golden age for British music. I’ve worked with some of my heroes on this album; it’s raw, there are more guitars and it’s an album that’s even more upbeat and anthemic than usual. There’s some ‘Brit’ in there and there’s certainly some ‘pop’ too – I’m immensely proud of this as a body of work.”
After a blockbuster summer tour with Christopher Cross and Men At Work, legendary rock group Toto is hitting the road once again in 2026 for a brand-new concert experience titled ‘An Evening With.’ Launching in February, the special series of shows will feature over two hours of music each night, with setlists personally curated by Steve Lukather and Joseph Williams. Fans can expect a deep dive into Toto’s rich catalog of hits, showcasing the musicianship and legacy that have made them one of rock’s most enduring bands.
Toto’s lineup for this run features Steve Lukather (guitar/vocals), Joseph Williams (vocals), Greg Phillinganes (keyboards/vocals), Shannon Forrest (drums), John Pierce (bass), Warren Ham (horns/percussion/vocals), and Dennis Atlas (keyboards/vocals). Known for timeless classics like “Africa,” “Rosanna,” and “Hold the Line,” the group continues to connect with new audiences across generations, drawing millions of listeners each week across streaming platforms.
‘An Evening With’ 2026 Tour Dates: Feb 18 – Milwaukee, WI – The Riverside Theater Feb 19 – Davenport, IA – Capitol Theatre Feb 23 – Knoxville, TN – Tennessee Theatre Feb 24 – North Charleston, SC – North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center Feb 28 – Miami, FL – Montreux Jazz Festival Miami Mar 01 – Orlando, FL – Hard Rock Live Mar 02 – St. Augustine, FL – The Saint Augustine Amphitheatre Mar 04 – Huntsville, AL – Mark C. Smith Concert Hall Mar 06 – Tulsa, OK – Hard Rock Live Mar 07 – Durant, OK – Choctaw Grand Theater Mar 09 – Omaha, NE – Orpheum Theater Mar 11 – Des Moines, IA – Hoyt Sherman Place Mar 13 – New Buffalo, MI – Silver Creek Event Center at Four Winds
Live Nation has announced a new chapter of its City Pop Waves concert series, featuring legendary Japanese guitarist Masayoshi Takanaka on his first-ever world tour, ‘SUPER TAKANAKA WORLD LIVE 2026.’ Following the sold-out success of his Los Angeles shows earlier this year, Takanaka will bring his dazzling surf-inspired sound to audiences around the globe, with performances in London, Brooklyn, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Tickets go on sale Friday, November 14 at 10 AM local time on Ticketmaster.com.
‘SUPER TAKANAKA WORLD LIVE 2026’ will showcase Takanaka’s signature fusion of color, rhythm, and technical mastery, alongside the historic return of his iconic surfboard guitar—a full-size instrument built from an actual surfboard, restored for its first appearance in over a decade. Fans can also enjoy a VIP experience that includes priority pit access, a 7-inch vinyl, and exclusive tour merchandise available via vipnation.com.
‘Super Takanaka World Live 2026’ Tour Dates: Mar 31 – London, UK – O2 Shepherds Bush Empire Apr 04 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Paramount Apr 07 – Chicago, IL – Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom Apr 09 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic Apr 12 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium
As City Pop continues its worldwide revival, Live Nation’s City Pop Waves series is connecting generations of fans to Japan’s most beloved musical icons. The series also includes Taeko Onuki’s first concert outside Japan at The Wiltern on February 7, 2026, and ANRI’s debut U.S. tour with performances in Brooklyn and Los Angeles in May 2026.
Australia’s Byron Bay Bluesfest announced the first wave of artists scheduled to appear at the festival when it makes its return in time for Easter 2026.
Leading the announcement are the pioneering New Zealand rock band Split Enz, who will make their first performance in Australia in more than 20 years and Earth, Wind & Fire, who return to Australia for the first time since 2012.
California punk trailblazers Sublime are scheduled to make their Bluesfest debut in 2026, while Southern Rock icons The Black Crowes will appear at Bluesfest for the first time since 2008.
The lineup for 2026 also includes The Pogues, Marcus King Band, Buddy Guy, Kenny Wanye Shepherd Band, Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew, Robert Randolph, Taj Farrant, and the Living End, among others.
“All up, the artists in this announcement have collectively sold around 180 million albums. The Black Crowes – 30 million, Counting Crows – 20 million, Sublime – 20 million – and the list goes on. Between them, they’ve earned 58 platinum and 43 gold albums, plus an extraordinary number of awards, including nine GRAMMYs for Earth, Wind & Fire and nine GRAMMYs for the greatest living bluesman, Buddy Guy. Who would have thought we’d see Buddy Guy return after what was billed as his farewell tour just a few years back? When the opportunity came to present him again – well, I took it,” stated Bluesfest’s Peter Noble, OAN.
The full list of announced artists for the 2026 edition of the Byron Bay Bluesfest.
Split Enz Earth, Wind & Fire Sublime The Black Crowes Buddy Guy Counting Crows The Pogues Marcus King Band Jerry Harrison & Adrian Belew “Remain in Light” The Living End Xavier Rudd Mental As Anything Mark Seymour Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band Robert Randolph Taj Farrant Skegss The Dreggs South Summit The Southern River Band 19-Twenty Chain Backsliders Pierce Brothers Áine Tyrrell Ray Beadle Steve Poltz Daniel Champagne Nik West (exclusive) Roshani Angelique Francis (exclusive) Jovin Webb (exclusive) Z-Star Ben Catley Laid Back Country Picker (exclusive)
Progressive death metal innovators Alkaloid are merging worlds with their first-ever live album, ‘Bach Out of Bounds,’ out January 23, 2026 via Season of Mist. Recorded in the Netherlands at Bibelot and Paard van Troje, the album unites the brutal precision of metal with the timeless genius of Johann Sebastian Bach. Produced by Alkaloid and mixed by Hannes Grossmann, this monumental project transforms classical composition into a blazing new frontier of heavy art. The album’s lead single, “Haunter of the Void,” is available now on the Season of Mist YouTube channel.
‘Bach Out of Bounds’ features wild reimaginings of Bach’s “Allegro,” “Adagio – All Is Vanity,” and “Agnus Dei,” as well as fan favorites like “Cthulhu” and “A Fool’s Desire,” plus two new songs, “Beneath the Sea” and “Haunter of the Void.” The band’s intricate arrangements feature sopranos Rianne Wilbers and Chrysa Tsaltampasi, violinists Julija Hartig and Oene van Geel, accordionist Marieke Hopman, and cellist Ketevan Roinishvili. “I didn’t change any notes of Bach’s scores,” says frontman Morean, “but I took maximum liberty in how I arranged them.” Available in limited CD and vinyl editions, this record captures a fearless experiment where classical mastery meets cosmic metal invention.
Tracklist 1. Allegro (BMV 1052-I) (8:28) 2. Adagio – All Is Vanity (BMV 1052-II) (6:56) 3. Beneath the Sea (7:26) 4. Cthulhu (6:00) 5. Haunter of the Void (10:11) 6. A Fool’s Desire (8:55) 7. Agnus Dei (BMV 232) (6:25) 8. The Fungi From Yuggoth (7:47)
