LEGO introduces SMART Bricks, SMART Tags, and SMART Minifigures at CES 2026, bringing motion-reactive, light-sensitive building to Star Wars X-Wing Fighter, TIE Fighter, Throne Room, and A-Wing sets. The technology plays sounds and lights up based on movement and environment, turning static builds into responsive experiences. Pre-orders start January 9, 2026.
Kajii Japan Builds DIY Calliope Using PVC Pipe And Foot Pump Power
Kajii Japan constructs a homemade calliope from PVC pipe, recorders, and a foot pump typically used for inflating mattresses. The traditional instrument produces high-pitched notes through steam and narrow pipes, but this version swaps steam for manual air pressure, proving ingenuity wins when creativity meets resourcefulness.
Brooklyn Artist Nory Shares “Snip Snip” Video Ahead Of January 15 Show At Nightclub 101
Blog Post:
Miami-bred, Brooklyn-based artist Nory drops the video for “Snip Snip” today, amplifying the conversation that started when his street interview about being half Muslim and half Jewish went viral in recent weeks. The track appears on his debut LP ‘FUCK THAT THIS THE RHYTHM’, now out, where he blends hip-hop, rock, and jazz into something that refuses easy categorization. Lines like “I’m moving to the left, because I’m never right / I can’t stay in the middle, I’m too afraid to die” cut straight through the noise, articulating what it means to exist outside clean boundaries during a cultural moment built on choosing sides. His flow recalls Q-Tip’s finesse mixed with Zack de la Rocha’s fire, and the 13 tracks address political corruption, negligence, and his own search for identity through religion and artistry.
Nory performed at Nublu on January 5 for the weekly Producer Mondays series hosted by Ray Angry of The Roots, following his November support slot for Oddisee at Music Hall of Williamsburg. Recent viral freestyles with Robert Glasper, Thundercat, and Harry Mack have created a surge of attention around his voice and perspective. The musician, producer, rapper, dancer, and actor hosts JAVAJAM, a weekly Brooklyn music event drawing over a hundred fans from around the world, and his collaborations span Marc Rebillet, DARGZ, Bernell Jones II, KennerKeyz, Shevya, J3PO, Zohar and Adam, and many others. This video arrives as raw proof that his genre-shattering approach connects on multiple levels, pulling from EDM, rap, explosive rock-hip hop, and experimental jazz without apology. He headlines Nightclub 101 in Manhattan on January 15, carrying this momentum into a live setting where his musicality and lived complexity collide onstage.
Harry Connick Jr. Directs Rockin’1000 US Debut At Caesars Superdome In New Orleans
New Orleans & Company and Rockin’1000 are thrilled to announce that Harry Connick Jr. will return to his hometown of New Orleans to direct a special New Orleans “welcome” for the US debut of Rockin’1000 on January 31, 2026, at the iconic Caesars Superdome.
Connick has been invited by Rockin’1000, the global collective that unites 1,000 musicians to perform together for the concert of their lives, to serve as a special guest Artistic Director. In this role, Connick will curate an entire act of the live stadium show that will feature local musicians, unmistakable New Orleans moments, and a global celebration of the New Orleans spirit, brought to life by the Biggest Rock Band on Earth – Rockin’1000.
A fearless global movement, Rockin’1000 proves music transcends barriers by turning strangers into bandmates for one unforgettable night of music and performances. The live stadium show will feature a curated setlist of timeless rock anthems and fan favorites, performed live by 1,000 guitarists, bassists, drummers,
keyboardists, singers, and a special horn section featuring trumpets, saxophones, and trombones – together in unison. Live, loud, and in perfect sync, they will take the stage together to unleash a wall of sound unlike anything the U.S. has ever seen. From a 10-year-old guitar player, to a 75-year-old drummer, musicians range in age and occupation, including a truck driver, retired algebra teacher, and retired parole supervisor.
Harry Connick, Jr. said, “Music is food for the soul, and Rockin’1000 feeds it by bringing together people from around the world to play and sing their hearts out. What better place for their U.S. debut than my hometown of New Orleans, a city that eats, sleeps, and breathes music. I’m excited to welcome all the participants and show them how we do music in the Crescent City!”
Harry Connick, Jr.’s career has exemplified excellence across multiple platforms in the entertainment world over the past three decades. The foundation of Connick’s art is the music of his native New Orleans, where he began performing as a pianist and vocalist at the age of five. Connick has received Grammy and Emmy awards as well as Tony nominations for his live and recorded musical performances, as well as his achievements in film, television and Broadway. He continues to establish himself as a best-selling musician and singer, a composer, actor, and legendary live performer, with millions of recordings sold around the world.
“We are incredibly excited to celebrate our U.S. debut in New Orleans. Hosting our first stadium show in a city with such a deep musical history is a real honor for us, and having a local icon like Harry Connick Jr. join as our Artistic Director helps ensure the spirit of New Orleans is at the heart of this performance,” said Fabio Zaffagnini, visionary Founder of Rockin’1000. “We were overwhelmed by the response from musicians around the world who wanted to be part of this moment, from Italy to Indonesia, and from more than 230 cities across the U.S. One stadium at a time, Rockin’1000 continues to show that when people come together through music, something powerful happens.” What started as a wild idea by Fabio Zaffagnini to get his favorite band the Foo Fighters to play in his small Italian town of Cesena in 2015, has evolved into a worldwide community of over 100,000 devoted music lovers, united by the mutual belief that collective energy and shared passion can change the world. From that first viral video in 2015 that captured hearts worldwide, Rockin’1000 has gone on to fill stadiums across the planet, creating magical moments that transcend language, culture, and borders.
‘WAIL: The Visual Language of Prestige Records’ Documents The Creative Triumph Of Midcentury Jazz Design
Published by the Rochester Institute of Technology’s RIT Press, WAIL: The Visual Language of Prestige Records is the first comprehensive study devoted exclusively to the pioneering designers who defined the label’s aesthetic. Authors Chris Entwisle and Mark Havens document a critical decade from 1949 to 1960, a period when independent New York City labels like Prestige were at the heart of the modern jazz revolution. By examining the alliance between postwar jazz and modern art, the book provides a compelling panorama of midcentury graphic design built around the works of musical giants like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Sonny Rollins. The 360-page hardcover volume introduces the photographers, illustrators, and graphic artists who established a visual language every bit as innovative as the bebop and hard bop music it accompanied.
Drawing from a wealth of previously unpublished material, WAIL features meticulously photographed album covers alongside singular insights into the creative process. The collection includes exclusive firsthand interviews, estate artifacts, unseen sketches, and personal photographs that provide deep cultural context for the mid-1950s New York art scene. By showcasing rare outtakes from legendary album cover shoots, Entwisle and Havens offer an inspirational record of landmark graphic design that transformed the way audiences experienced jazz. This definitive history stands as both a scholarly resource and a visual celebration of a creative triumph that continues to influence contemporary branding and artistic expression.
Trisha Yearwood to Headline Second Annual ‘Band As One Nashville’ Benefit at the Grand Ole Opry House
Susan G. Komen has announced the return of its premier benefit event, the second annual Band As One Nashville Concert for the Cure, taking place on March 22, 2026. After a highly successful inaugural year that raised over $700,000 for breast cancer research and patient services, the event is moving to the legendary Grand Ole Opry House. Country music icon Trisha Yearwood returns as the headlining host, bringing together a star-studded lineup of “friends” to honor survivors and raise vital funds. The evening promises a mix of powerful musical performances and heartfelt storytelling, emphasizing the urgency of Komen’s mission: addressing a disease that claims a life in the U.S. approximately every 12 minutes.
Yearwood, a long-time advocate for the cause, expressed her excitement to “spread love” through music alongside other artists committed to the fight against breast cancer. While the full list of “Friends” for the 2026 stage is traditionally revealed closer to the date, last year’s debut set a high bar with appearances by Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson, Sheryl Crow, and Lauren Alaina. Joshua Daniel, Senior Director of Entertainment Engagement at Komen, highlighted that moving to the Opry House allows the organization to build on the momentum of the inaugural success at the Ryman, ensuring that the 2026 concert remains a cornerstone of Nashville’s philanthropic and musical calendar.
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Plot 2026 North American Tour
Jason Isbell has officially mapped out an extensive North American tour for 2026, featuring a mix of full-band performances with the 400 Unit and intimate solo acoustic dates. This tour serves as a live celebration of his latest solo record, ‘Foxes in the Snow’, which was released last March via his own Southeastern Records. The run begins later this month with a string of solo shows across the Southeast before the 400 Unit joins him for a double-header at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre on January 23 and 24. A major highlight of the tour is a two-night residency at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall in February, featuring a solo acoustic set with Shelby Lynne on the 20th and a full-band show with Alejandro Escovedo on the 21st.
The tour continues through some of the continent’s most hallowed venues, including a highly anticipated stop at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on May 2, where the band will be supported by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. Throughout the summer, Isbell will visit iconic stages like the Wolf Trap in Washington, D.C., and the Boch Center Wang Theatre in Boston. This busy schedule comes on the heels of his annual Ryman Auditorium residency and the 10th-anniversary reissue of ‘Something More Than Free’, which included the previously unreleased B-side “Should I Go Missing.” Whether performing stripped-back arrangements from ‘Foxes in the Snow’ or the driving rock anthems of ‘Weathervanes’, Isbell continues to solidify his reputation as one of the most vital and evocative songwriters of his generation.
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit 2026 Tour Dates:
Jan 14 – Durham, NC @ Durham Performing Arts Center
Jan 15 – Manassas, VA @ Hylton Performing Arts Center
Jan 16 – Charlotte, NC @ Ovens Auditorium
Jan 17 – Athens, GA @ The Classic Center
Jan 23 – Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
Jan 24 – Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
Jan 26 – Sacramento, CA @ Channel 24
Jan 28 – Santa Rosa, CA @ Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
Jan 29 – Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater
Jan 30 – Temecula, CA @ Pechanga Theater
Jan 31 – Los Angeles, CA @ Orpheum Theatre
Feb 18 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Met Philadelphia Presented by Highmark
Feb 20 – New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
Feb 21 – New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
Feb 22 – New Haven, CT @ College Street Music Hall
Feb 24 – Cleveland, OH @ KeyBank State Theatre at Playhouse Square
Feb 25 – Columbus, OH @ Palace Theatre
Feb 27 – Boston, MA @ Boch Center Wang Theatre
Feb 28 – Boston, MA @ Boch Center Wang Theatre
Mar 1 – Niagara Falls, ON @ OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino
Mar 2 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Benedum Center
Mar 4 – Iowa City, IA @ Hancher Auditorium
Mar 5 – Minneapolis, MN @ The Armory
Mar 6 – Chicago, IL @ The Salt Shed
Mar 7 – Chicago, IL @ The Salt Shed
Mar 13-20- Cayamo Cruise
Mar 25 – Bowling Green, KY @ SkyPAC (Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center)
Mar 26 – Little Rock, AR @ Robinson Center
Mar 27 – Memphis, TN @ Orpheum Theatre
Mar 28 – Indianapolis, IN @ Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
Apr 24 – Miramar Beach, FL @ Sun, Sand, and Soul
Apr 26 – Orlando, FL @ Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Apr 29 – St. Louis, MO @ The Fabulous Fox Theatre
May 1 – Denver, CO @ Mission Ballroom
May 2 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
May 3 – Kansas City, MO @ Uptown Theater
May 20 – Dallas, TX @ Winspear Opera House – AT&T PAC
May 21 – Dallas, TX @ Winspear Opera House – AT&T PAC
May 22 – Austin, TX @ Long Center for the Performing Arts
May 23 – San Antonio, TX @ Majestic Theatre
July 16 – Richmond, KY @ EKU Center for the Arts
July 17 – Knoxville, TN @ Tennessee Theatre
July 18 – Knoxville, TN @ Tennessee Theatre
July 19 – Brevard, NC @ Brevard Music Center
July 23 – Grand Rapids, MI @ TBA
July 24 – Interlochen, MI @ TBA
July 25 – Huber Heights, OH @ Rose Music Center at The Heights
July 26 – Charlottesville, VA @ Ting Pavilion
July 28 – Lenox, MA @ Koussevitzky Music Shed at Tanglewood
July 30 – Washington, DC @ Wolf Trap
The Road Hammers, Doc Walker, Michelle Wright, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Head to OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino
The OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino has announced a premier lineup of country and southern rock performances for the upcoming late winter season in Niagara Falls. The festivities begin on February 21 with a high-energy triple bill featuring Canadian country-rock icons The Road Hammers, the harmony-rich Doc Walker, and legendary vocalist Michelle Wright. This “Till The Wheels Fall Off” tour pairing brings together three of Canada’s most decorated acts for a night of road-tested anthems and classic hits. Fans can expect a powerhouse performance from The Road Hammers, led by Jason McCoy, Clayton Bellamy, and Chris Byrne, alongside Doc Walker’s signature soaring melodies and Wright’s timeless stage presence. Tickets are onsale now at Ticketmaster.
On March 1, the venue welcomes six-time Grammy winner Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. Isbell arrives following the success of his 2025 solo acoustic record, ‘Foxes in the Snow’, which highlighted his status as one of the most evocative storytellers of his generation. While his recent solo work explored more personal, stripped-back themes, this performance sees him reunited with his full band for a set spanning his critically acclaimed catalog. Rounding out the country-focused schedule on March 6 is Texas-born maverick Charley Crockett. Bringing his “Gulf & Western” sound to Ontario, Crockett’s performance follows the release of his ambitious ‘Sagebrush Trilogy’, including the acclaimed 2025 albums ‘Lonesome Drifter’ and ‘Dollar A Day’. With a no-nonsense honesty and diehard work ethic, Crockett has quickly become a must-see live act for fans of traditional country and soul.
The BLK LT$ Steps Into the Spotlight with RZA-Executive Produced Album ‘Honey’
The BLK LT$ (pronounced “Black Lotus”) has officially released her 13-track album, ‘Honey: The BLK LT$ Meets The Killa Beez’, via RZA’s 36 Chambers imprint. Executive produced by RZA in collaboration with Grammy winner Yonatan Watts, the project serves as a sophisticated fusion of hip-hop grit and R&B sensuality. The Toronto-born, Atlanta-based artist has spent years as a behind-the-scenes powerhouse, contributing to the sound of superstars like Drake and Future. Now, she takes center stage with a record that reimagines Wu-Tang classics through a contemporary female lens. LT$ explains that the interpolation process was a “fusion of inspiration and experimentation,” balancing deep respect for the source material with her own “C.R.E.A.M.(y)” sonic aesthetic.
The album’s release is supported by a series of striking visuals for singles like “Real Talk”—a soulful rework of the Method Man and Mary J. Blige classic “All I Need”—as well as “Damage” and “N.T.F.W.” To further immerse fans in her universe, LT$ is preparing a short film with creative direction from legendary photographer Danny Hastings, known for his work on the original ‘Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)’ cover art. This collaboration underscores the “destined” nature of her signing to RZA’s label, marking a full-circle moment for the three-time Grammy-nominated engineer and producer. By infusing the Killa Beez legacy with her own lush vocals and modern textures, The BLK LT$ is effectively extending hip-hop’s golden era into a new generation.
SXSW London 2026 Announces Conference Tracks and Ticket Sales for Shoreditch Return
The leading European platform for technology and creative convergence, SXSW London, has officially launched ticket sales for its return to Shoreditch from June 1–6, 2026. Building on an inaugural event that drew over 20,500 delegates and high-profile figures like King Charles and Idris Elba, the 2026 edition will feature fifteen specialized conference tracks. These strands are designed to explore the frontier of human experience, covering themes from AI and human-machine collaboration to “London 2050,” healthtech, and the creator economy. Programming Director Katy Arnander noted that the festival’s editorial intent is to spotlight bold, unexpected perspectives, utilizing iconic venues like the Truman Brewery and Christ Church to showcase East London’s unique spirit.
The 2026 festival will see a significant expansion in its Screen and Music programs. The Screen strand will capitalize on its placement ahead of Emmy voting by increasing its focus on television and showcasing underrepresented creators from North Africa and Latin America. Meanwhile, the Music festival continues its reputation as a global launchpad, following a successful 2025 run that featured Tems and Mabel, alongside Mercury Prize nominee Pa Salieu. Disruptive entrepreneurship will also remain a cornerstone through the return of the Venture Spotlight competition, which previously awarded funding to innovators like Kneu Health and Mimicrete. Pass prices have been confirmed at £1300 for Platinum and £1000 for the standard Festival Pass, offering attendees a front-row seat to the ideas and technologies defining tomorrow.
The fifteen programming tracks for the SXSW London 2026 Conference include:
- AI & The New Human Experience
- Healthtech & Medtech
- Frontier Technologies
- London 2050
- Unreal Realities
- Society Rewired
- Creator Economy
- Marketing & Advertising
- Innovation & Transformation
- Venture
- Startup Academy
- Design
- Fintech & Digital Commerce
- Gaming & Interactive Worlds
- Screen, Story & Sound