The holiday spirit just took a delightfully eccentric turn as the legendary Weird Al Yankovic teamed up with the Middle Aged Dad Jam Band for a high energy performance. Their soulful rendition of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” captures all the whimsical grit of the original Dr. Seuss classic while adding a fresh layer of musical prowess. This collaboration brings a spirited intensity to the 1967 holiday staple that fans of festive humor will absolutely adore.
FESTIVAL NAPA VALLEY Celebrates 20th Anniversary with World Premieres and Star-Studded Lineup
The lush vineyards of Northern California are set to transform into a world class stage as Festival Napa Valley marks its 20th anniversary this coming July. This landmark season brings an incredible array of international stars and fresh talent to various private estates and luxury resorts for a two week celebration of the arts. One of the most anticipated moments is the world premiere of ‘The Judgment of Paris’ which is a brand new opera by Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer commissioned specifically for this historic milestone.
Legendary soprano Renée Fleming returns to the valley in a dual role as she serves as the keynote speaker for the Music and Wellness Summit and headlines the “Voice of Nature: The Anthropocene” concert. The lineup continues to impress with a Grand Cru performance featuring the brilliant violinist Ray Chen alongside pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet. Music lovers can also look forward to “From Beethoven to Getty to Dylan” where the ensemble Time for Three joins the Young People’s Chorus of New York City under the direction of Steve Hackman for a truly unique symphonic experience.
Dance enthusiasts have something special to circle on their calendars with “A Night at the Ballet: From Swan Lake to The Stones” which is directed by Melanie Hamrick of Live Arts Global. The schedule also includes a touching tribute to Luciano Pavarotti and a swinging evening with the LMR Jazz Orchestra. Families will find plenty to enjoy as well with an outdoor screening of “The Wizard of Oz” accompanied by a live orchestra and the popular daily admission free Festival Live! concerts that showcase emerging artists from the Blackburn Music Academy.
Passes for the Patron Experience are available now and offer exclusive access to Vintner’s Luncheons and the Arts for All Gala at Nickel & Nickel. These events support the nonprofit mission of the festival to provide affordable arts education and wellness programming to the community. Single tickets become available on March 11 which allows everyone a chance to secure a seat for the Symphonic Finale honoring the 250th anniversary of America.
Morgan Wallen Shatters Records As The Highest Certified Country Artist Of All Time
The landscape of modern music shifted significantly this week as Morgan Wallen officially secured his spot as the highest RIAA certified Country artist in history. With a staggering total of 265.5 million certified units, Wallen now trails only Drake and Taylor Swift for solo titles across all genres. This monumental achievement arrives just seven years after his first Gold certifications, proving that his connection with listeners has created a trajectory unlike anything the industry has seen in decades.
Wallen continues to dominate the charts with his fourth studio album ‘I’m The Problem’ which has already earned a 4x Platinum certification within months of its release. The massive 37 song cycle resonated instantly with audiences, becoming the top album worldwide on Apple Music for 2025. Every track on his previous powerhouse records ‘If I Know Me’ and ‘Dangerous: The Double Album’ has also reached RIAA certification status, cementing his reputation for creating deep collections of music that fans consume from start to finish.
The individual accolades are just as impressive, featuring five singles that have reached Diamond status or higher. Fan favorites like “Last Night” and “Wasted On You” sit at an incredible 12x Platinum, while the 2019 collaboration with Diplo titled “Heartless” just joined the Diamond club. These numbers reflect more than just sales as they represent a sustained cultural impact that bypasses traditional genre boundaries and places Wallen at the very pinnacle of global streaming success.
Looking toward the future, the 2026 Still The Problem Tour is set to bring this massive catalog to life in stadium settings across North America. The tour features an elite rotating lineup of guests including Brooks & Dunn and HARDY, with stops at legendary venues like Michigan Stadium and Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. As his success grows, Wallen continues to prioritize his community by donating a portion of every ticket to the Morgan Wallen Foundation to fund vital music and sports programs for local youth.
Josh Groban Announces North American Arena Tour With Special Guest Jennifer Hudson
Tony, EMMY, and five-time GRAMMY Award-nominated singer, songwriter, actor, and philanthropist Josh Groban has shared plans for a North American tour with special guest – Grammy, Oscar, Tony, and Emmy winning artist, actor, producer, and host Jennifer Hudson. The news was announced this morning on The Jennifer Hudson Show – watch the clip HERE. Produced by Live Nation and presented by Stifel, the tour offers a rare opportunity to experience two of the most powerful and acclaimed voices sharing one stage for an unforgettable evening of soaring vocals and beloved hits.
Kicking off June 2 at Place Bell in Montreal, QC, the run will bring the pair to major markets across the U.S. and Canada, with highlights including Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on June 4, TD Garden in Boston on June 6, Madison Square Garden in New York City on June 12, and Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on June 16. Ticket pre-sales begin Tuesday, December 16th at 10am local, with general on-sale starting this Friday, December 19th at 10am local. In support of arts education nationwide, $1 from every ticket sold will be donated to Groban’s Find Your Light Foundation. Full routing is included below. For tickets and more information visit www.joshgroban.com.
On the announcement, Groban shares, “Performing live has always been one of the greatest joys of my life, and getting to share these nights with Jennifer, someone I admire so deeply, makes it all the more special. These shows are going to be emotional, celebratory, and full of surprises. I can’t wait to see everyone this summer.”
The announcement follows an exciting year for Groban. In May, he reflected on an incredible body of work, sharing Gems, followed by its Deluxe Edition in June. Encompassing over two decades of definitive ballads, Gems traces Groban’s impact on popular culture throughout his illustrious career. That same month, Groban lit up the Las Vegas Strip with a sold-out, exclusive five-night run at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, featuring his hits-focused production, Josh Groban: Gems — Exclusive Las Vegas Engagement. In September, he performed back-to-back sold-out shows at the Hollywood Bowl, taking audiences on a captivating journey through songs from his illustrious career with the accompaniment of Thomas Wilkins and the LA Philharmonic.
Most recently, in November, he released Hidden Gems via Reprise Records — a carefully curated collection of fan-favorite rarities, deep cuts, and previously unavailable tracks, including a new song “The Constant” (co-written with Pasek & Paul and produced by Dan Romer). Less than a week after the album’s release, Groban announced his 2026 GEMS World Tour, his first global tour in a decade.
Jennifer Hudson is a Grammy, Oscar, Tony, and Emmy winning artist and entertainment icon. Hudson’s nationally syndicated talk show, “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” is the recipient of thirteen Daytime Emmy Award nominations and two People’s Choice Awards nominations. The show, which continually features an impressive lineup of guests, earned her the AAFCA We See You Award, GLAAD’s Excellence in Media Award, and multiple NAACP Image Awards for Best Talk Show Host and Outstanding Talk Series. Last October, Hudson released her Grammy Nominated first holiday album, The Gift of Love, which features genre-defying, world-class collaborations on classics and original songs.
Stifel is a full-service, global investment firm with a distinguished history of providing securities brokerage, investment banking, trading, investment advisory, and related financial services to individual investors, institutions, corporations, and municipalities. Established in 1890 and headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Stifel is one of the nation’s leading Wealth Management and Investment Banking companies. With over 400 offices across the nation, and in Europe, Stifel is dedicated to providing superior services and products, the newest technological advances, and industry-leading client communication, plus the professional knowledge and exclusive research that help our clients pursue financial goals.
Citi is the official card of the Josh Groban tour. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Tuesday, December 16 at 12 PM local time until Thursday, December 18 at 10 PM local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com.
Verizon will offer customers an exclusive presale for Josh Groban with Special Guest Jennifer Hudson in the U.S. – no strings attached, simply for being a Verizon customer. The presale for select shows runs from Tuesday, December 16 at 12pm local time until Thursday, December 18 at 10pm local time. Visit myAccess in the My Verizon app for more details. Learn more about Verizon Access here.
NORTH AMERICAN TOUR W/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
2026 GEMS WORLD TOUR – already announced
Feb 7 – Honolulu, HI, US – Neal S. Blaisdell Center Arena
Feb 11 – Taipei, Taiwan – Taipei International Convention Center (TICC)
Feb 13 – Singapore – The Star Theatre
Feb 15 – Jakarta, Indonesia – Grand Ballroom, Ritz-Carlton Pacific Place
Feb 18 – Manila, Philippines – Mall Of Asia Arena
Feb 21 – Shibuya, Japan – Bunkamura Orchard Hall
Feb 22 – Shibuya, Japan – Bunkamura Orchard Hall
Feb 25 – Auckland, New Zealand – Spark Arena
Feb 28 – Sydney, NSW, Australia – ICC Sydney Theatre
Mar 1 – Melbourne, VIC, Australia – Sidney Myer Music Bowl & Kings Domain
Mar 4 – South Brisbane, QLD, Australia – Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC)
Mar 7 – Torrensville, SA, Australia – Thebarton Theatre
Mar 9 – Perth, WA, Australia – Perth Theatre
Mar 25 – Manama, Bahrain – Bahrain National Theatre
Mar 27 – Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Coca-Cola Arena
Mar 29 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena
Apr 1 – London, UK – The O2
Apr 3 – Paris, France – Grand Rex
Apr 7 – Berlin, Germany – Tempodrom
Apr 8 – Frankfurt, Germany – myticket Jahrhunderthalle
Apr 11 – Düsseldorf, Germany – Mitsubishi Electric Hall
Apr 12 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – AFAS Live
Goo Goo Dolls Announce Extensive 2026 U.S. Tour with Neon Trees
The Goo Goo Dolls will take their lauded live show back on the road in 2026 with an extensive run of U.S. tour dates, joined by Neon Trees. Kicking off on July 24, the summer tour includes performances at major venues such as Minneapolis’ Mystic Lake Amphitheater, Richmond’s Allianz Amphitheatre at Riverfront, Milwaukee’s BMO Pavilion, and Charleston’s Credit One Stadium. The band will also embark on a Las Vegas limited engagement in May 2026, featuring a five-show residency at The Venetian Theatre at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas. The public on-sale for tickets begins Friday, December 12, at 10 a.m. local time.
Last week, the band released the full performance audio from their acclaimed live set at California’s Stagecoach Music Festival, demonstrating the continued strength of their live performance ahead of this extensive schedule. In addition to the newly announced summer tour and the Las Vegas residency, the band will also be playing several Canadian dates in March and festivals like Innings Festival 2026 and Two Step Inn 2026.
This busy 2026 tour schedule promises fans across North America multiple opportunities to see the band live, from intimate theatre settings in Las Vegas to large amphitheaters during the summer run with Neon Trees.
Goo Goo Dolls 2026 Tour Dates:
- Feb 20 – Tempe, AZ @ Innings Festival 2026
- Mar 19 – Victoria, BC @ Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
- Mar 20 – Abbotsford, BC @ Rogers Forum
- Mar 22 – Kelowna, BC @ Prospera Place
- Mar 23 – Calgary, AB @ Scotiabank Saddledome
- Mar 25 – Edmonton, AB @ Rogers Place
- Mar 26 – Saskatoon, SK @ SaskTel Centre
- Mar 28 – Winnipeg, MB @ Canada Life Centre
- Mar 30 – Sault Ste. Marie, ON @ GFL Memorial Gardens
- Apr 1 – Oshawa, ON @ Tribute Communities Centre
- Apr 2 – Hamilton, ON @ TD Coliseum
- Apr 4 – London, ON @ Canada Life Place
- Apr 6 – Ottawa, ON @ Canadian Tire Centre
- Apr 8 – Laval, QC @ Place Bell
- Apr 10 – Halifax, NS @ Scotiabank Centre
- Apr 11 – Moncton, NB @ Avenir Centre
- Apr 18 – Georgetown, TX @ Two Step Inn 2026
- May 15 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Venetian Theatre at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas (Residency)
- May 16 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Venetian Theatre at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas (Residency)
- May 20 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Venetian Theatre at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas (Residency)
- May 22 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Venetian Theatre at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas (Residency)
- May 23 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Venetian Theatre at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas (Residency)
- July 24 – Lincoln, CA @ Thunder Valley Casino Resort (w/ Neon Trees)
- July 26 – Bend, OR @ Hayden Homes Amphitheater (w/ Neon Trees)
- July 27 – Boise, ID @ Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater (w/ Neon Trees)
- July 29 – Idaho Falls, ID @ Mountain Center Arena (w/ Neon Trees)
- July 30 – Billings, MT @ MetraPark (w/ Neon Trees)
- Aug 1 – Rapid City, SD @ Summit Arena at The Monument (w/ Neon Trees)
- Aug 3 – Grand Forks, ND @ Alerus Center (w/ Neon Trees)
- Aug 4 – Minneapolis, MN @ Mystic Lake Amphitheater (w/ Neon Trees)
- Aug 6 – Milwaukee, WI @ BMO Pavilion (w/ Neon Trees)
- Aug 8 – Davenport, IA @ Mississippi Valley Fair (w/ Neon Trees)
- Aug 9 – Bloomington, IL @ Grossinger Motors Arena (w/ Neon Trees)
- Aug 11 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Acrisure Amphitheater (w/ Neon Trees)
- Aug 12 – Huber Heights, OH @ Rose Music Center at The Heights (w/ Neon Trees)
- Aug 14 – Pittsburgh, PA @ The Pavilion at Star Lake (w/ Neon Trees)
- Aug 18 – Huntsville, AL @ The Orion Amphitheater (w/ Neon Trees)
- Aug 19 – Brandon, MS @ Brandon Amphitheatre (w/ Neon Trees)
- Aug 21 – Orange Beach, AL @ The Wharf Amphitheater (w/ Neon Trees)
- Aug 24 – Tampa, FL @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre (w/ Neon Trees)
- Aug 25 – Fort Lauderdale, FL @ Hard Rock Live (w/ Neon Trees)
- Aug 27 – Macon, GA @ Atrium Health Amphitheater (w/ Neon Trees)
- Aug 29 – Charleston, SC @ Credit One Stadium (w/ Neon Trees)
- Aug 30 – Simpsonville, SC @ CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park (w/ Neon Trees)
- Sept 1 – Richmond, VA @ Allianz Amphitheatre at Riverfront (w/ Neon Trees)
- Sept 3 – Syracuse, NY @ Empower Federal Credit Union (w/ Neon Trees)
- Sept 5 – Scranton, PA @ The Pavilion at Montage Mountain (w/ Neon Trees)
- Sept 6 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena (w/ Neon Trees)
ALINA Finds Her Spark with Captivating New ‘catching lightning’ EP
Rising singer/songwriter ALINA has released her brand-new five-song collection, the ‘catching lightning’ EP, which is available today. This release is a striking document that captures the raw electricity of emotional unraveling, renewal, and the fragile hope that flickers between those two states. The EP threads together some of her most vulnerable songwriting yet, revealing an artist standing inside her own storm and learning to move through it. This collection is a significant artistic moment for ALINA.
ALINA shared that writing these songs involved exploring new levels of vulnerability and genres she had previously been avoiding. She calls this EP “the walls of my brain in music form,” noting that this level of personal expression felt like a “big deal” for her. The title, ‘catching lightning,’ came from her mother, who said ALINA felt like “lightning in a bottle.” Across the track list, which includes “chain reaction,” “bulletproof,” and the utterly devastating closer “nothing i am,” ALINA pairs her silken vocals with really smart, understated production. This approach allows every tremor and realization to rise right up to the surface, creating a masterclass in confession and catharsis.
The emotional peak of the EP is “nothing i am,” where she offers a stark confession of feeling perpetually shut down and never quite “enough.” It is an immersive track, moving through haunted production as she unpacks the weight of someone else’s negligence. This release is perfectly timed, arriving right after a successful nine-show run supporting The Band Camino on their Never Always Tour, which culminated at the Hollywood Palladium. The ‘catching lightning’ EP explores devotion, volatility, and the quiet fear of not recognizing yourself, yet it is lit with the possibility of change. With this collection, ALINA steps fully into her next chapter: an era defined by honesty, momentum, and the courage required to find illumination.
Billy Strings Brings Bluegrass Spirit to NPR’s Tiny Desk
Bluegrass virtuoso Billy Strings and his band recently performed a Tiny Desk Concert Fundraiser for NPR Music, delivering a show that brought back the spirit of the series’ early days. Recorded on December 10, 2025, Strings was so keen on capturing the authentic sound of his music that he requested fewer microphones, aiming for, in his own words, “the way these instruments are meant to sound.” Strings noted the unique atmosphere of the venue, saying, “I’ve seen so many amazing performances that happened right here and I kind of believe that love and spirit kind of soaks into this environment, so just standing here feels like a special thing.”
Strings, who found his roots in bluegrass from his father, has successfully expanded the genre to new audiences, accumulating a huge following of super fans who affectionately call themselves “billy goats.” The performance captures the essence of Strings: a humble musician and a “sorcerer of his craft,” wielding his guitar as if it were an extension of himself. The band for the performance included Alex Hargreaves on fiddle, Billy Failing on banjo and background vocals, Royal Masat on bass and background vocals, and Jarrod Walker on mandolin and background vocals.
The four-song set list featured tracks from his growing catalog, including “Red Daisy,” “My Alice,” “Malfunction Junction,” and “Gild the Lily.” This concert showcases the technical mastery and emotional depth that has made Billy Strings one of the most exciting and in-demand performers in contemporary music.
Iron & Wine to Bring the “Joy” to the Avalon Theatre in May
Fallsview Casino Resort is excited to announce that the talented indie folk/Americana project, Iron & Wine, will be performing at the Avalon Theatre on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Joining as support for the evening is Improvement Movement. Tickets for the show go on sale Friday, December 12 at 10:00 a.m. through Ticketmaster.
Iron & Wine is the musical project of singer-songwriter Sam Beam. Since his 2002 debut, which garnered critical and popular acclaim, Beam has been a leading voice in the indie-folk/Americana scene. For over 20 years, Iron & Wine has captivated audiences with distinctly cinematic songs. His extensive output includes seven full-length studio records, collaborations with artists like Calexico and Ben Bridwell (Band of Horses), and five GRAMMY nominations.
Iron & Wine’s latest record was released in April 2024, with Paste Magazine noting that Beam “returns with an expanded sonic palette while also rekindling the bright spark that made his 2007 record so magical.” Hits spanning his career include beloved songs like “The Trapeze Swinger,” “Upward Over the Mountain,” and “Woman King.”
Iron & Wine with Improvement Movement Performance Details:
- Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
- Showtime: 8:00 p.m.
- Venue: Avalon Theatre, Niagara Falls, ON
Star-Studded Lineup Announced for NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE: NASHVILLE’S BIG BASH
The final star-studded lineup has been announced for NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE: NASHVILLE’S BIG BASH, a five-hour television special airing live Wednesday, December 31 (8:00–10:00 p.m., ET/PT, 10:30 p.m.–1:30 a.m., ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+. The special will feature main stage performances from Nashville’s Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park by previously announced headliners Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson, and Bailey Zimmerman, alongside special guests CeCe Winans and the Fisk Jubilee Singers. The event culminates with the traditional Music Note Drop and firework display at midnight Central Time.
The special will also feature additional performances from venues and clubs across Nashville, including appearances by Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts, Riley Green, Marcus King, Megan Moroney, Zach Top, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson, Stephen Wilson Jr., and Dwight Yoakam. The official in-person watch party for the broadcast will take place at Luke Combs’ Category 10 in Nashville. Dwight Yoakam will take the stage there to perform his biggest hits with newly announced guest Marcus King, with appearances by Cody Alan and Caylee Hammack to ring in 2025.
The broadcast will include special guest appearances from Dusty Slay, Entertainment Tonight’s Cassie DiLaura, Sirius XM Host Buzz Brainard, and UFC Champion Kayla Harrison. The official watch party at Category 10 is free and open to fans 21 and older on a first-come, first-served basis, with doors opening at 6 p.m. Guaranteed entry tickets and VIP upgrade options are also available for purchase in advance here.