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Spiritbox Announce First Ever UK Arena Headline Tour

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Following an electrifying appearance at the Grammy Awards, where they earned a nomination for the third consecutive year, Canadian metal band Spiritbox continue their rapid ascent with the announcement of their first-ever UK arena headline tour. The Tsunami Sea Tour will see the band play their biggest UK shows to date, building on the momentum of their sold-out Alexandra Palace performance and a landmark mainstage set at Download Festival. Special guests Jinjer and Dying Wish will join all dates, creating a forward-thinking, genre-defying line-up across the UK and Europe.

Anchored by the commanding presence of vocalist Courtney LaPlante, alongside guitarist Mike Stringer, drummer Zev Rose and bassist Josh Gilbert, Spiritbox continue to expand the boundaries of modern heavy music. Their sound blends crushing riffs, explosive dynamics and soaring melodic passages, while LaPlante’s voice carries themes of identity, mental health, loss and resilience. The band’s bold collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion further demonstrated their crossover vision, proving their willingness to challenge expectations without losing their metal core.

Both ā€˜Eternal Blue’ and ā€˜Tsunami Sea’ reached the UK Top 20, with ā€˜Tsunami Sea’ also hitting No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Hard Rock Albums chart. After supporting Linkin Park at Wembley Stadium and preparing to tour North America with Evanescence in 2026, Spiritbox now step confidently into arena headliner territory across the UK and Europe. Tickets go on sale February 27 at 10 am local time.

Spiritbox 2026 UK and European Tsunami Sea Tour Dates:

Sept 12 – Glasgow, UK @ SEC Centre
Sept 14 – Nottingham, UK @ Motorpoint Arena
Sept 16 – Manchester, UK @ Co-Op Live
Sept 17 – Cardiff, UK @ Utilita Arena
Sept 19 – London, UK @ OVO Arena Wembley
Sept 22 – Berlin, Germany @ UFO Im Velodrom
Sept 23 – Gliwice, Poland @ Gliwice Arena
Sept 25 – Prague, Czech Republic @ Forum Karlin
Sept 26 – Vienna, Austria @ Gasometer
Sept 28 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Halle 622
Sept 29 – Munich, Germany @ Zenith
Sept 30 – Frankfurt, Germany @ Jahrhunderthalle
Oct 02 – Hamburg, Germany @ Sporthalle
Oct 03 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ AFAS Live
Oct 04 – Düsseldorf, Germany @ Mitsubishi Electric Halle
Oct 06 – Luxembourg, Luxembourg @ Rockhal
Oct 08 – Antwerp, Belgium @ Lotto Arena
Oct 09 – Paris, France @ La Seine Musicale

Mumford & Sons Partner With Apple Music for Exclusive Nashville Sessions EP

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Following the arrival of British rock band Mumford & Sons’ latest album ā€˜Prizefighter,’ Apple Music has teamed up with the group for an exclusive release, ā€˜Apple Music Nashville Sessions: Mumford & Sons.’ The new EP features live renditions of tracks including ā€œRubber Band Man,ā€ a duet of ā€œHereā€ with Sierra Ferrell, and a stirring performance of Grammy-nominated favorite ā€œThe Cave.ā€

The Sessions EP is available exclusively on Apple Music for a limited time, with the special versions also included as bonus tracks on the ā€˜Prizefighter’ Deluxe iTunes Edition. Recorded in Spatial Audio, the project offers fans a reimagined take on the band’s latest era, capturing the raw energy and emotional depth that have defined Mumford & Sons’ live performances for over a decade.

The band also stopped by The Zane Lowe Show on Apple Music 1 to discuss the creative process behind ā€˜Prizefighter’ and the evolution of their sound. Apple Music Sessions continue to spotlight artists in an intimate studio setting, with past installments from Olivia Dean, Lainey Wilson, Carrie Underwood, Diplo, Jason Isbell, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Zach Top, Riley Green and Billy Strings, among others.

Indie Pop Artist Sonia Stein Unveils New Single ā€œHell Rideā€ and Announces Upcoming EP

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Rising pop artist Sonia Stein returns with her shimmering new single ā€œHell Ride,ā€ a hook-driven anthem that sets the stage for her forthcoming EP, arriving March 20.

From the first listen, ā€œHell Rideā€ locks in with bright guitars, crisp production and a soaring chorus that feels built for repeat spins. Channeling the melodic polish of HAIM and the glossy punch of The Aces, the track pairs infectious energy with emotional intensity. Stein’s crystal-clear vocals glide over the production as she dives headfirst into the thrill of obsessive love, delivering the striking lyric: ā€œwhat you do to me should be criminal / cause life without you is one bad hell ride.ā€

Stein describes the song as an exploration of devotion pushed beyond comfort. Leaning into the character at the heart of the track, she embraces the drama and indulgence of feelings that once felt too raw to voice. The result is bold, playful and emotionally charged, capturing a version of love that is messy, magnetic and impossible to ignore.

Ahead of the EP release, Stein will perform an intimate session-style show aboard a canal boat in Maida Vale on February 18. The special performance will see her share songs from the upcoming project with a select audience of fans and industry guests. Seven months pregnant, Stein steps into this next chapter glowing and creatively energized, documenting how pregnancy is reshaping her voice, breath and connection to performance.

Born in Berlin and raised across Poland, Boston, New York and London, Stein’s global journey has shaped her expansive sound. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, she later connected with producer Liam Howe, leading to a string of acclaimed EPs and a growing international audience. With millions of streams and performances spanning Glastonbury to major arena tours alongside Dido, James Arthur and Lucy Spraggan, Stein continues to build momentum.

With ā€œHell Ride,ā€ Sonia Stein delivers a confident, high-gloss pop moment that feels both intimate and cinematic, signaling an exciting new era as her next EP approaches.

Martin Short’s Daughter Katherine Hartley Short Dies at 42

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Katherine Hartley Short, the daughter of Martin Short and his late wife Nancy Dolman, has died at 42. A representative for the family confirmed the news, sharing that they are experiencing profound grief and asking for privacy during this time.

In a statement, the family said Katherine ā€œwas beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world.ā€

Katherine built a career dedicated to helping others. She earned her bachelor’s degree from New York University in 2006 and went on to receive her Master of Social Work from University of Southern California in 2010. She worked as a licensed clinical social worker in Los Angeles, specializing in areas including adoption, anxiety, depression, grief and relationship challenges. Earlier in her career, she worked at UCLA’s Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital and contributed to mental health initiatives focused on reducing stigma.

Katherine was the eldest of three children adopted by Short and Dolman. Dolman died in 2010 after a battle with ovarian cancer. Katherine is survived by her brothers, Oliver and Henry.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. In the United States, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or chat via 988lifeline.org. In Canada, Talk Suicide Canada is available at 1-833-456-4566 or by texting 45645.

Alt.Metal Supergroup Tomahawk Reunites for First U.S. Tour in 13 Years

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Tomahawk return to the stage this summer for their first live shows in 13 years. The month-long U.S. run celebrates the band’s 25th anniversary and reunites them with longtime labelmates The Melvins for the first time since their 2003 Geek Show tour.

Featuring Duane Denison, Mike Patton, John Stanier and Trevor Dunn, Tomahawk last toured behind 2013’s ‘Oddfellows.’ Their 2021 album ‘Tonic Immobility’ arrived during the pandemic and was never performed live, making this trek the long-awaited debut of that material on stage. Denison frames the outing as a competitive return to form, while Melvins frontman Buzz Osborne calls the pairing a natural fit.

The tour, cheekily titled ā€œA Huge Waste of Your Time and Money,ā€ launches July 18 in Nashville and wraps August 15 in Los Angeles. Tickets go on sale February 27 at 10 a.m. local time, with an Ipecac presale beginning February 25 using the password Flashback.

In addition to the co-headlining run, The Melvins will warm up with three headline dates in Albuquerque, Kansas City and St. Louis. With two of heavy music’s most enduring experimental forces sharing the bill, the summer promises volume, precision and controlled chaos coast to coast.

ā€œA Huge Waste of Your Time and Moneyā€ 2026 U.S. Tour Dates:

July 18 Nashville, TN Brooklyn Bowl
July 20 Austin, TX Emo’s
July 21 Dallas, TX Granada Theater
July 23 New Orleans, LA House of Blues
July 24 Atlanta, GA Buckhead Theatre
July 26 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
July 27 Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer
July 28 Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn Steel
July 30 Boston, MA House of Blues
July 31 Buffalo, NY Electric City
August 1 Cleveland, OH House of Blues
August 3 Detroit, MI The Fillmore
August 4 Chicago, IL The Riviera Theatre
August 5 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
August 7 Denver, CO Ogden Theatre
August 8 Salt Lake City, UT The Union Event Center
August 10 Portland, OR Pioneer Courthouse Square
August 11 Seattle, WA The Showbox
August 12 Seattle, WA The Showbox
August 14 San Francisco, CA The Warfield
August 15 Los Angeles, CA The Belasco

The Melvins Headline Dates:

July 13 Albuquerque, NM Launchpad
July 16 Kansas City, MO Record Bar
July 17 St. Louis, MO Old Rock House

Punk Funk Band Def Nettle Return With Sharp New Single ā€œMohawkā€

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Irish punk-funk outfit Def Nettle return with their new single ā€œMohawk,ā€ arriving February 20. Following a brief hiatus after their debut album DN001, the band reemerged in 2025 with a string of singles that drew support from BBC Radio 6, RTƉ 2FM and key alternative press outlets. ā€œMohawkā€ continues that momentum with a sharper edge and a playful bite.

Built on 80s post-punk guitar lines and new wave textures, the track pairs nostalgia with present-day urgency. Spoken word passages and rap cadences collide with hook-heavy choruses as frontman Glen Brady and rapper Lisa Doyle Taaffe trade lines, taking aim at the commercialization of punk aesthetics while acknowledging their own flirtation with retro sentiment.

Musically, ā€œMohawkā€ channels influences including The Cure, The Smiths and Joy Division without slipping into imitation. Guest guitarist Dissenter Melody, drummer Damien Fox and bassist Ely Siegel lock into a driving groove that keeps the track kinetic and dancefloor-ready.

Led by Dublin native Glen Brady, whose career spans session work and international touring, Def Nettle continue to refine a sound that balances grit, wit and groove. With ā€œMohawk,ā€ the band lean into self-awareness and swagger in equal measure, reaffirming their place in Ireland’s evolving alternative scene.

From Ashes To New Announce 2026 European and UK Headline Tour

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Alt metal heavyweights From Ashes To New will return to Europe and the UK this April for a headline run supporting their new album ‘REFLECTIONS’, out April 17 via Better Noise Music. Tickets go on sale February 26 at 10:00 AM GMT. Frontman Matt Brandyberry calls the tour long overdue, marking a new chapter for the Lancaster, Pennsylvania band as they reconnect with overseas fans.

The European dates include stops in Milan, Hamburg, Cologne, Antwerp, Eindhoven and London, with the band set to debut new material alongside fan favorites. ‘REFLECTIONS’ follows 2023’s ‘BLACKOUT’ and features the already released tracks “New Disease,” “Drag Me” and “Villain.” The 12-song album builds on the group’s signature blend of alternative metal and modern hard rock.

Following the European run, From Ashes To New will support Black Veil Brides on a 42-date U.S. tour beginning April 25 in Riverside, California. The trek includes stops in Seattle, Denver, Dallas, Toronto and New York, with select dates promoted by Live Nation.

The momentum continues into summer as the band joins Shinedown for arena shows across North America, including Las Vegas, Vancouver and Springfield. With billions of streams and a growing global following, From Ashes To New head into 2026 with renewed intensity and an expanded international footprint.

EU/UK Tour Dates
April 7 – Milan, IT – Lime
April 10 – Hamburg, DE – Bahnhof Pauli
April 11 – Cologne, DE – GebƤude 9
April 12 – Antwerp, BE – Zappa
April 14 – Eindhoven, NL – Dynamo
April 17 – London, UK – Dome

Tour Dates with Black Veil Brides
Apr 25: Riverside, CA @ Municipal Auditorium ^
Apr 26: Reno, NV @ Grand Sierra Resort #
Apr 28: Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo #
Apr 30: Salt Lake City, UT @ The Union ^
May 01: Denver, CO @ Fillmore ^
May 02: Omaha, NE @ ASTRO #
May 04: Dallas, TX @ House of Blues ^
May 05: Houston, TX @ House of Blues ^
May 06: San Antonio, TX @ The Aztec ^
May 08: Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle ^
May 11: Greensboro, NC @ Piedmont Hall ^
May 12: Norfolk, VA @ The Norva #
May 14: Philadelphia, PA @ Fillmore ^
May 15: Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE #
May 17: Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore ^
May 19: Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room ^
May 21: Minneapolis, MN @ The Fillmore ^
May 22: Chicago, IL @ Ramova Theatre ^
May 23: Madison, WI @ The Sylvee ^
May 25: Toronto, ON @ History ^
May 26: Montreal, QC @ M-Telus ^
May 28: New York, NY @ Palladium Times Square ^
May 29: Silver Spring, MD @ Fillmore ^
May 30: Worcester, MA @ The Palladium #

Tour Dates with Shinedown
July 11: Mt. Pleasant, MI @ Soaring Eagle Casino
July 15: Quebec City, QC @ Centre Videotron
July 18: Albany, NY @ MVP Arena
July 25: Knoxville, TN @ Thompson Boling Arena
July 30: Lubbock, TX @ United Supermarkets Arena
August 2: El Paso, TX @ Don Haskins Center
August 4: Tucson, AZ @ Tucson Arena
August 7: Las Vegas, NV @ Michelob Ultra Arena
August 10: Boise, ID @ Extramile Arena
August 12: Billings, MT @ First Interstate Arena
August 14: Spokane, WA @ Spokane Arena
August 15: Vancouver, BC @ PNE Pacific Coliseum
August 17: Edmonton, AB @ Rogers Place
August 20: Fargo, ND @ Fargo Dome
August 23: Springfield, IL @ Illinois State Fair

T. Graham Brown and The Malpass Brothers Headline Heart of Texas Festival

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The 37th annual Heart of Texas Country Music Festival returns to Brady, Texas from March 19-28 with a full slate of traditional country favorites, led by T. Graham Brown on March 20 and The Malpass Brothers on March 21 at the Brady Civic Center. Brown will deliver signature hits including ā€œHell and High Water,ā€ ā€œDon’t Go to Strangers,ā€ and ā€œDarlene,ā€ while The Malpass Brothers bring harmony-rich classics and vintage country flair to the weekend lineup.

The multi-day festival features 24 shows and dances, more than 30 entertainers, open jam sessions, the Darrell McCall and Friends Golf Tournament, and the Heart of Texas Steel Guitar Show. A ribbon-cutting for the expanded Heart of Texas Country Music Museum will also take place March 21, unveiling a new 6,300-square-foot addition that includes expanded exhibits, a larger gift shop and a live performance space.

Additional artists on this year’s bill include Dottsy, Tony Booth, Darrell McCall, Kay Adams, Justin Trevino, Jeannie C. Riley, Amber Digby, Billy Mata and Texas Tradition, and many more. The event continues to draw fans from across the United States and internationally, reinforcing its reputation as one of the premier gatherings for traditional country music enthusiasts.

Festival organizer Tracy Pitcox calls the event a reunion atmosphere where fans and artists celebrate the roots of country music while supporting the local community. Proceeds benefit the Heart of Texas Country Music Museum, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and promoting the genre’s legacy. Tickets are available now at heartoftexascountry.com.

Veteran Character Actor John Wheeler Dies at 95

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Veteran stage and screen actor John Wheeler has died at the age of 95. Best known to genre fans for his appearance on Star Trek: The Original Series and to television audiences for decades of steady character work, Wheeler passed away February 6 at his home in Claremont, California.

Born in Texas and a graduate of the University of the Pacific with a degree in music, Wheeler began his career as a singer before moving into acting. On Broadway, he appeared in five musicals including Sweet Charity, later appearing in the film adaptation in a smaller role. His television rƩsumƩ stretched from the late 1950s through the early 2000s, with recurring and guest appearances on The Dukes of Hazzard, The Brady Bunch, The Odd Couple and dozens more.

In 1967, Wheeler portrayed Ambassador Gav, the first Tellarite seen on Star Trek, in the episode ā€œJourney to Babel.ā€ Beneath heavy prosthetics, he delivered a memorable performance that became a fan favorite in the franchise’s long history of alien diplomacy. He was also widely recognized for his role in the choreographed 1971 McDonald’s commercial ā€œGrab a Bucket and Mop,ā€ where his tenor voice stood out in the musical number.

Later in his career, Wheeler portrayed William Frawley in the 1991 television film Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter and frequently returned to the role of Santa Claus in multiple television projects. Across film, television and stage, Wheeler built a career defined by versatility, reliability and a strong musical foundation that carried through every performance.

Music Documentary ‘Gregg Allman : The Music of My Soul’ Lands North American Release

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Subtext, the newly launched independent film production and distribution company founded by Danielle DiGiacomo, Brian Levy and Teddy Liouliakis, has acquired North American rights to Gregg Allman The Music of My Soul. The feature documentary marks the company’s first theatrical release and is set to arrive in cinemas this summer.

Directed by James Keach and produced by Michael Lehman, the film traces the life and legacy of Gregg Allman, co-founder and frontman of The Allman Brothers Band. Through rare performance footage and previously unseen interviews, the documentary reflects on personal loss, creative resilience and the blues-rooted sound that helped define Southern rock. The story confronts the death of Duane Allman, struggles with addiction and the complicated weight of fame, including Allman’s high-profile marriage to Cher.

Beyond biography, the film examines the broader cultural imprint of the Allman Brothers. It highlights the band’s embrace of collaboration across racial lines at a time when integrated rock groups were uncommon, grounding their sound in deep respect for Black musical traditions. The result is a portrait of an artist whose influence extended well beyond hit songs and arena stages.

Produced in association with Rolling Stone Films and executive produced by Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank of Amblin Documentaries, the film positions Allman as both cultural force and deeply human figure. For Subtext, the acquisition signals a clear mission: spotlighting music-driven cinema that connects legacy artists with new generations.