Austin roots rock mainstays The Band Of Heathens celebrate 20 years with the release of ‘Country Sides’, out now. Self-produced with longtime collaborator Jim Vollentine, the album is a guitar-driven, piano-pounding statement from a band that has built its career on its own terms. It arrives with the single “Lead Don’t Follow,” premiered by SPIN, and a growing tour schedule across the U.S.
The record lands at a milestone moment. Their recording of “Hurricane” is now certified platinum, “Take The Cake” sits at #2 on the Americana chart after three weeks in the Top 5 and is Top 40 at AAA, and the band continues to chart its own course. “There’s the conventional way and then there’s our way,” the band shares. “Finding our own voice and standing firm in what made us different was the only way to have longevity.”
Founded in Austin by Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist, the group has moved from barroom stages to national venues while maintaining full creative control. ‘Country Sides’ was tracked in just over a week at their studio, The Finishing School, and features standouts including “She’s The Night,” “Lead Don’t Follow,” and “Pleasing People.” The sound is loose, lived-in, and grounded in country, soul, and rock and roll tradition.
The ‘Country Sides’ Tour kicks off March 6 with a homecoming show at ACL Live in Austin before heading to Chicago, Atlanta, Indianapolis, New Orleans, and more. Two decades in, The Band Of Heathens are still pushing forward, celebrating endurance, craft, and a fiercely independent spirit that defines their legacy.
Belfast indie rock quartet Monday’s Child step into a new chapter with “Over Again,” a bold, guitar-driven single that follows their debut EP ‘Modern Affair’. Swells of distortion meet a soaring, radio-ready chorus, capturing the tension between devotion and doubt. The band sound energized and fully in stride.
Produced by Darragh Tibbs, the track leans into the chemistry the group have built on stages across Ireland. Touring alongside acts like Swim School and CRAWLERS sharpened their dynamics and expanded their reach, and that momentum pulses through every hook. “Over Again” feels immediate, emotionally charged, and built to echo back from a crowd.
Lead singer Jen calls the song “a deeply introspective and personal look at my doubts and fears in the face of a pure love.” The band filmed the video with Anna Burnett at The Fairy Glen in Rostrevor, chasing a sense of youthful mischief and freedom. The result is vibrant and magnetic, a statement of growth from a band clearly ascending.
Multiplatinum global pop superstar Hilary Duff releases her sixth studio album, ‘luck… or something’, out now via Atlantic Records. The 11-track collection includes lead singles “Mature” and “Roommates” and arrives alongside the official visual for opening track “Weather For Tennis.” Co-written by Duff and produced by Matthew Koma and Brian Phillips, the album marks a bold new chapter in her catalog.
“There’s that question of whether women can have it all, and through this process I learned I had to sacrifice some things in order to put the record first,” shares Duff. “As hard as that is, I still believe it’s okay to choose yourself sometimes and do what scares the hell out of you. Carving out the time to make an album after all these years was incredibly powerful for me, and now I can’t wait to share it with the world.”
Critics have responded with enthusiasm. Rolling Stone calls it “a cohesive, no-skips record that offers an update on Duff’s life,” while Glamour writes, “The sense you get listening to ‘luck… or something’ is that Duff is firmly in the driver’s seat.” Across its runtime, the album explores motherhood, marriage, growth, and self-reflection with sharp songwriting and polished pop production.
The album was introduced by “Mature,” praised by Vogue for pushing Duff’s sound forward while staying true to her voice. The Lauren Dunn-directed video has already drawn millions of views. Follow-up single “Roommates,” directed by Matty Peacock, continues climbing at Pop and Hot AC radio, with Rolling Stone declaring it “10 OUT OF 10…one of her best songs.” The record moves with confidence and emotional depth.
Duff celebrates the release with “the lucky me tour,” her first full-scale global headline run in nearly two decades. The tour begins June 21 in West Palm Beach and spans seven countries through February 2027, with multiple second nights added in Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, London, Vancouver, and Mexico City due to demand. Tickets are on sale now.
Track Listing – luck… or something Weather For Tennis Roommates We Don’t Talk Future Tripping Growing Up The Optimist You, From The Honeymoon Holiday Party Mature Tell Me That Won’t Happen Adult Size Medium
HILARY DUFF LIVE
MAY 22 – Las Vegas, NV – Voltaire at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas (SOLD OUT) 23 – Las Vegas, NV – Voltaire at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas (SOLD OUT) 24 – Las Vegas, NV – Voltaire at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas (SOLD OUT)
the lucky me tour
JUNE 21 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre ^ | NEW 22 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre ^ 23 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre^ 25 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre *^ 27 – Houston, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Sponsored by Huntsman *^ 28 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater *^ 30 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory *^
JULY 3 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre *^ 8 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum *^ 9 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum *^ | NEW 11 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre *^ 12 – Wheatland, CA – Toyota Amphitheatre *^ 14 – Ridgefield, WA – Cascades Amphitheater *^ 15 – Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre *^ 17 – Salt Lake City, UT – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre *^ 20 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre *^ 22 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater *^ 23 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center *^ 25 – Shakopee, MN – Mystic Lake Amphitheater *^ 26 – Tinley Park, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre *^ 28 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center *^ 30 – Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater *^
AUGUST 1 – Charlotte, NC – Truliant Amphitheater *^ 2 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live *^ 5 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden *^ 6 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden *^ | NEW 8 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center *^ 9 – Philadelphia, PA – TD Pavilion at Highmark Mann *^ 12 – Toronto, ON – RBC Amphitheatre *^ 13 – Toronto, ON – RBC Amphitheatre *^ | NEW 15 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre *^ 16 – Grand Rapids, MI – Acrisure Amphitheater *^
SEPTEMBER 6 – Dublin, IE – 3Arena * 8 – Cardiff, UK – Utilita Arena Cardiff * 10 – London, UK – The O2 * 12 – Manchester, UK – AO Arena * 13 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro * 15 – London, UK – The O2 * | NEW
OCTOBER 20 – Auckland, NZ – Spark Arena * 22 – Brisbane, AU – Brisbane Entertainment Centre * 24 – Sydney, AU – Qudos Bank Arena * 26 – Melbourne, AU – Rod Laver Arena * 27 – Melbourne, AU – Rod Laver Arena * | NEW 29 – Perth, AU – RAC Arena *
JANUARY 2027 22 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena & 23 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena & | NEW 26 – Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome & 27 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place & 30 – Winnipeg, MB – Canada Life Centre &
FEBRUARY 2027 2 – Hamilton, ON – TD Coliseum & 4 – Ottawa, ON – Canadian Tire Centre & 5 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre & 7 – Halifax, NS – Scotiabank Centre & 12 – Mexico City, MX – Palacio de los Deportes 13 – Mexico City, MX – Palacio de los Deportes | NEW
*With Special Guest La Roux &With Special Guest Lauren Spencer Smith ^With Support from Jade LeMac
Multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated Houston hip hop artist Don Toliver delivers “CREEPIN’,” an original song for ‘Scream 7’, expanding his cinematic run with a dark, pulse-heavy anthem. Produced by Don Toliver alongside BNYX and 206DEREK, the track lands as part of a month-long rollout of original music tied to the franchise’s latest chapter.
The release follows Toliver’s chart-topping album ‘OCTANE’, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 with 162K units moved in its first week and 423 million global streams. The project also opened at #1 globally on Spotify and Apple Music, marking a major milestone in his ascent. It stands as one of the year’s most dominant openings in hip hop.
Momentum continues at the single level. “E85” and “Body” have both surpassed 50 million global streams and landed on the Billboard Hot 100. “E85” sits at #4 on TikTok’s Top 50 with more than 448 million video views and over 570,000 user creations, while “Body” has generated 296 million views and more than 118,000 creations. The numbers speak loudly.
‘Scream 7’, directed by Kevin Williamson, arrives in theatres, 4DX, ScreenX, premium large formats and IMAX on February 27, 2026. The film stars Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Isabel May and more, continuing the Ghostface legacy with five original songs rolling out across February, including Toliver’s “CREEPIN’.”
Vancouver grunge pop four-piece Buddie hit New York City next month for a showcase at New Colossus Festival, celebrating Crafted Sounds’ 10-Year Anniversary. The band takes the stage March 6 at Parkside Lounge, joining labelmates BRNDA, Aunt Katrina, and Silver Car Crash for a stacked international bill that runs deep into the night.
Ahead of the trip, Buddie shared digicam footage of “Golden,” filmed at their ‘Glass’ release show at Green Auto in Vancouver. The clip captures the band in full fuzzed-out form, guitars shimmering and drums pushing forward with urgency. It is a raw snapshot of a group fully locked in.
Led by Philadelphian-turned-Vancouverite Dan Forrest, Buddie channel ’90s alternative touchstones like Built To Spill and Nada Surf into sharp, hook-heavy songs grounded in environmental and social awareness. RANGE magazine called them a “quietly essential presence in Vancouver’s grunge-pop landscape,” and ‘Glass’ carries that weight with confidence and punch.
The eight-song, 25-minute album filters city-life anxiety through thick distortion and melodic sweetness. Singles “Stressed in Paradise” and “In the Glass Shell” take on gig work and digital overload with grit and heart. It is a record that hits hard and lingers long after the last chord fades.
Canadian blues rock trio Something Unto Nothing return with a remastered and expanded edition of their self-titled debut, ‘Something Unto Nothing’, out now on vinyl for the first time via Crown X Recordings. Fronted by Juno Award winner Sass Jordan, alongside multi-instrumentalist Brian Tichy and bassist Michael Devin, the record captures a band locked into the groove and pushing air the old-school way.
Originally released in 2013, the album roars back with updated sonics courtesy of remastering engineer Thiago Lima at Iguana Studios in Toronto. The chemistry traces back to 2010, when Jordan reunited with Tichy after their work on her 1994 album Rats. The first song written, “Burned,” sparked the sessions and established the album’s gritty blues-rock pulse.
“Brian and I have a fantastic creative partnership. There’s a constant flow of inspiration when we’re together, songs just pour out,” says Jordan. She continues, “Every track on this album holds echoes of the music we grew up loving. It’s all the flavors you recognize, but reimagined into something fresh and alive. We’re not reinventing rock & roll. We’re celebrating it.” That spirit runs through every track with undeniable fire.
Recorded over two focused weeks in a mountain shack in Canyon Country, the album thrives on live-off-the-floor energy. Tichy sums it up: “For those who like to look life in the face… for those who move at another pace… Real grooves. Real performances. Real rock.” The deluxe limited signed package features a flame-colored LP, CD with bonus tracks, signed flat, custom guitar pick, and exclusive tote, available through the band’s webstore.
Track Listing:
LP – Original Album Burned Crazy Head Nomad Razed If I Was You I’m The One No Way Home Mobile Again Something Unto Nothing Goodbye
CD Adds Album Tracks: Did Me No Good Wide Ocean The Beginning of the End
CD Bonus Tracks (from the Acoustic Stomp EP) Burned (Live) Razed (Live) No Way Home (Live) Nomad (Live)
Raw, taut, and bristling with energy, Portland icons The Dandy Warhols return with a sharp-edged new single, “Love Song,” a blistering cover of the seminal track originally written and recorded by The Damned. Lifted from the band’s forthcoming covers album PIN UPS (release date: March 20, 2026 via Beat The World/Little Cloud Records), “Love Song” captures the thrill of a band paying tribute to the song’s wiry menace and sardonic bite not by imitation, but by embodiment – honoring the original spirit of late-’70s punk through their own unmistakable lens.
For frontman Courtney Taylor-Taylor, the song is deeply personal. “The Damned album Machine Gun Etiquette sits in my all-time top ten. Of course, I wouldn’t be able to choose a favorite song off it but ‘Love Song’ is definitely right up there with ‘Melody Lee’ and ‘Anti-Pope.’ It is a great pleasure to sing any of them as I get to use my voice like a whip in slow motion.”
Inspired by David Bowie’s 1973 tribute record of the same name, PIN UPS collects a wide-ranging, lovingly curated set of songs by artists who have shaped, challenged, and inspired the band over decades. The album – featuring covers of The Cure, Gang of Four, The Clash, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Cramps, The Runaways, Violent Femmes, The Byrds, and more – spans unreleased gems, deep cuts, B-sides, and contributions originally scattered across tribute compilations and international releases. The first single, “Kiss Off” (a cover of Violent Femmes), introduced the project with Zia McCabe on lead vocals, while “Love Song” shifts the spotlight back to Courtney for swingin baritone energy.
“These are some of our favorite songs, or songs by our favorite bands, or just songs we admired,” says guitarist Peter G. Holmström. Adds Courtney, “Nearly every band we cover on here are friends of ours or artists we have had a meaningful experience with.”
PIN UPS arrives on the heels of a monumental run for The Dandy Warhols, including their critically acclaimed album ROCKMAKER (2024), its reimagined companion Rock ReMaker (2025), and a powerful return to the stage with The Oregon Symphony, further cementing the band’s enduring creative momentum.
PIN UPS will be released on vinyl, CD, and digital formats on March 20, 2026. Pre-orders are available now.
11x Grammy Award-winner Brandi Carlile will livestream her sold out show at Minneapolis’ Target Center this Saturday, February 21 in support of Minnesota’s The Advocates for Human Rights. “Be Human: A Concert for Minneapolis” will broadcast live for free at Minnesota Public Radio’s The Current at 89.3 FM in Minneapolis and St. Paul and everywhere at TheCurrent.org (audio) and via a paid ticketed option at VEEPS (audio and video). The VEEPS livestream will be available for 48 hours and is the only opportunity to see Carlile’s “The Human Tour” from home. The Head and the Heart hit the stage at 7:00PM CT, and Carlile hits the stage at 8:15PM CT.
Through Carlile’s Looking Out Foundation, $2 from every concert ticket will be donated to The Advocates for Human Rights as well as all proceeds from VEEPS livestream tickets.
VEEPS livestream ticket price is $29.99. Purchase tickets HERE.
There is a limited edition commemorative t-shirt available for purchase HERE – with proceeds going to The Advocates for Human Rights. Carlile shares, “I couldn’t bring myself to get onstage in Minneapolis in front of over 12,000 people without recognizing what Minnesotans are going through. I wanted to take this opportunity to harness the power of music and raise funds for The Advocates for Human Rights, who need our funding to heal generations of trauma at the hands of ICE. Now, more than ever, it is vital that we continue to hold each other and take action to stop the hate that is spreading through our country. What affects one of us, affects all of us and we need to continue to look out for each other.”
“Music has had the power to connect, soothe, empower, and meet the moment,” says Lindsay Kimball, program director at The Current. “Brandi’s music means so much to The Current and our community, and to be able to share it with everyone – live on air – connects and supports all of us during this time.”
Carlile kicked off her extensive “The Human Tour” last week with sold out shows at New York’s Madison Square Garden (two nights), Philadelphia’s Xfinity Mobile Arena and Boston’s TD Garden, of which The Boston Herald praised: “Brandi’s unmistakable vocal delivery with a towering band, her strange and perfect songs done with all the drama they deserve, her infectious enthusiasm for performing, all combined to prove she belongs in this big place. Even if she can make it feel so small.” She will continue to tour through this fall including stops at Inglewood’s Kia Forum, London’s The O2, Dublin’s 3Arena, and Paris’ La Seine Musicale among many others.
Carlile will also return to The Gorge Amphitheatre this spring with her “Echoes Through the Canyon” weekend on May 29, 30 and 31. The Highwomen will headline night 3 — recently added due to overwhelming demand. Additional special guests across The Gorge weekend include Sheryl Crow, Indigo Girls, Bonnie Raitt, Wynonna Judd, I’m With Her, Brittney Spencer and Sara Bareilles. See below for complete tour itinerary.
The upcoming performances celebrate Carlile’s acclaimed new album, Returning To Myself, which was produced by Carlile, Andrew Watt, Aaron Dessner and Justin Vernon and debuted at #7 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart this past fall. Stream/purchase HERE. (Interscope Records/Lost Highway). Following the release, Carlile recently unveiled a new live version of her song, “Human,” featuring the BBC Concert Orchestra. Listen to/share “Human (live with the BBC Concert Orchestra)” HERE and watch the performance HERE.
My SiriusXM show: A rare, in-depth hour with Kathleen Edwards, exploring my favorite album of 2025, ‘Billionaire’, revisiting her earlier records, reflecting on her time away from music, and looking ahead to what comes next. Sat 8am + 2pm, Sun 12pm + 8pm, Wed 2pm ET on Channel 167, and anytime on the app.
The greatest solo artists understand something fundamental about live music. It is not just about the songs. It is about the machine behind them. The right backing band can elevate a frontperson from compelling to transcendent. History is filled with solo icons who toured with lineups so powerful they could have headlined on their own. Here are 20 who built legacies with killer musicians behind them.
Alice Cooper After the original Alice Cooper band dissolved, Cooper rebuilt with elite players like guitarists Nita Strauss and Ryan Roxie, plus drummer Glen Sobel. His live shows in the 2000s and 2010s became theatrical hard rock masterclasses. The musicianship has always matched the spectacle.
Bob Dylan Dylan toured with The Band in 1965 and 1966, redefining electric folk rock. During the Rolling Thunder Revue, he had Mick Ronson and T Bone Burnett in the lineup. The Never Ending Tour has featured players like Larry Campbell and Charlie Sexton, keeping the catalog alive night after night.
Bruce Springsteen The E Street Band is practically a co-star. Clarence Clemons, Roy Bittan, Max Weinberg and Steven Van Zandt shaped the sound of tours from The River to The Rising. Their ability to pivot onstage during marathon three-hour sets is legendary.
David Bowie From Mick Ronson and the Spiders From Mars to Carlos Alomar and Earl Slick, Bowie curated bands like art installations. The Station to Station tour and the Serious Moonlight tour showcased players who defined entire eras of rock performance.
David Byrne Post Talking Heads, Byrne assembled genre-blending ensembles featuring members like Mauro Refosco and the Dap-Kings brass section. The American Utopia tour used a choreographed, wireless band setup that reimagined what a live rock show could look like.
Donald Fagen On The Nightfly tour and later Steely Dan-adjacent outings, Fagen worked with elite session royalty. Players like Larry Carlton and Michael McDonald brought studio precision to the stage, translating complex arrangements into flawless live performances.
Elvis Costello Costello has toured with The Attractions, The Imposters and even The Roots. Steve Nieve’s keyboards remain central to his sound. From Armed Forces-era shows to modern tours, the backing musicians have always been razor sharp.
Frank Zappa Zappa’s bands were graduate schools for virtuosos. Alumni included Steve Vai, Terry Bozzio and Adrian Belew. Whether it was the Mothers of Invention or later 1980s ensembles, the technical precision and improvisational daring were unmatched.
James Brown The J.B.’s were a powerhouse unit featuring Bootsy Collins and Fred Wesley. Brown demanded military-level tightness. The live band arrangements on tours in the late 1960s and early 1970s essentially wrote the blueprint for funk.
Joni Mitchell Her 1979 tour featured Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorius, Lyle Mays and Michael Brecker. That lineup alone reads like a jazz fusion hall of fame. Mitchell’s songs became expansive, elastic and musically fearless onstage.
Linda Ronstadt Her early 1970s backing band evolved into the Eagles, including Glenn Frey and Don Henley. Later tours featured Andrew Gold and Waddy Wachtel. Ronstadt consistently surrounded herself with players who defined California rock.
Lou Reed The Rock n Roll Animal live album captured Reed backed by guitarists Steve Hunter and Dick Wagner. The twin-guitar attack on Sweet Jane became a benchmark for live reinterpretation.
Neil Young With Crazy Horse, Young built a combustible chemistry with Danny Whitten, Frank Sampedro and Ralph Molina. On the Mirror Ball tour, Pearl Jam served as his backing band, bridging generations of guitar-driven rock.
Ozzy Osbourne Ozzy’s early solo band featured Randy Rhoads, Bob Daisley and Tommy Aldridge. Later lineups included Zakk Wylde. The Blizzard of Ozz era established a gold standard for metal musicianship supporting a frontman.
Paul McCartney Wings featured Denny Laine and Jimmy McCulloch, while later tours brought in guitarists like Rusty Anderson and drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. McCartney’s modern live band handles Beatles, Wings and solo material with seamless authority.
Peter Gabriel Gabriel’s tours have included Tony Levin, Manu Katche and David Rhodes. The So tour and Secret World Live shows blended theatrical staging with musicianship at the highest level.
Prince The Revolution and The New Power Generation were stacked with talent like Wendy Melvoin and Sheila E. Prince demanded virtuosity and delivered explosive live performances on tours like Purple Rain and Lovesexy.
Ringo Starr His All Starr Band concept rotates elite musicians including Joe Walsh, Todd Rundgren and Edgar Winter. Each tour becomes a celebration of collective rock history under Ringo’s steady leadership.
Stevie Wonder Wonder’s touring bands have featured world-class horn sections and multi-instrumentalists capable of navigating his complex arrangements. Live renditions of Superstition and Sir Duke demonstrate extraordinary ensemble tightness.
Weird Al Yankovic Weird Al has toured with the same core band for decades, including guitarist Jim West and drummer Jon Schwartz. The consistency allows for precise parody recreations that sound remarkably close to the originals.
