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Carín León Launches La Cura Fest in Hermosillo With Alejandro Sanz, Jelly Roll, Kany García, Kevin Kaarl, And More

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Carín León is returning home in a big way this spring with the launch of La Cura Fest, a new two-day music festival set for March 14 and March 15 at Expogan in Hermosillo, Sonora. The inaugural edition marks the first time León has curated and hosted a multi-artist festival of his own, headlined by Alejandro Sanz, Jelly Roll, and Grupo Frontera, with León himself performing both nights.

Night one features Alejandro Sanz, Jelly Roll, Kany García, Kevin Kaarl, Midland, and León, while night two welcomes Grupo Frontera in place of Jelly Roll, with the remaining artists returning to the stage. Additional performers will be announced closer to the event, with music spread across a main stage at Expogan and a secondary stage at Palenque. When announcing the festival, León shared that La Cura Fest is about opening his heart and creating a borderless celebration of music “right here in my homeland and with my people.”

Musicow Announces FANDOM, the First Fan-Owned Album Release, with Debut Single from Jon Bellion Ft. Swae Lee

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Musicow, the first Music Equity Service Provider to enter the U.S. market, has announced the launch of FANDOM, an unprecedented fan-owned album release distributed by Roc Nation. Bridging the gap between artists and their audience, FANDOM redefines this relationship by allowing fans to share equity in exclusive single releases. The first track from the project will be the brand-new single, “Two Car Garage,” from Grammy-nominated artist Jon Bellion ft. Swae Lee, releasing on January 30 with an accompanying music video. Pre-save the single HERE.

FANDOM creates a truly unique connection, empowering listeners to become more than fans by sharing in the success of their favorite artists and becoming part of the music’s journey. In addition to the debut track from Jon Bellion ft. Swae Lee, Musicow will release additional new singles as part of the series, including many artists across genres. Notably, there will be groundbreaking, cross-cultural collaborations between U.S. and global K-pop talent – a reflection of music’s growing cultural exchange and worldwide influence. By pairing voices across genres and continents, the project underscores how K-pop’s global reach continues to inspire new creative partnerships and connect fans everywhere.

“FANDOM represents the next evolution of how we connect artists and fans,” says Marcus Sanchez, CEO of Musicow IP. “By giving fans the opportunity to share in the financial journey of the music they love, we’re reimagining what fan engagement can be. It’s a step toward a more connected, collaborative future where artists and audiences grow together.”

“K-pop has shown the world the true power of fandom – communities that go beyond streaming and social engagement to become part of the story itself,” says Woo Rhee, CEO of Musicow. “With FANDOM, we’re turning that passion into partnership – giving fans the chance to actually share in the success they help create while connecting U.S. and K-pop artists on a truly global stage.”

Complementing the release of FANDOM, Musicow is also launching the FANDOM Community Hub, a visual and experiential space featuring a 3D interactive “Two Car Garage” that includes a community forum for fans to connect, discuss and engage.

For the latest news and releases from the album, fans can sign up for updates on the FANDOM site. Fans can also be part of the conversation by engaging with the FANDOM community in the forum. 

Musicow recently rolled out the beta release of its groundbreaking app, available for download now. This new age entertainment company is poised to redefine how creators and fans connect with a platform that enables fans to participate in equitable ownership of fractionalized royalty revenue from songs by their favorite artists.

ALEXSUCKS Hit Full Speed With New Single “Autopilot” And Album Reveal

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L.A. rock provocateurs ALEXSUCKS tear into 2026 with “Autopilot,” a volatile new single that sharpens their blend of indie-rock immediacy, post-punk tension, and shout-along hooks. The track arrives alongside the announcement of their new album, ‘Autopilot’, due February 20 via Warner Records. Lean, restless, and emotionally charged, the song thrives on momentum, pairing jagged guitars and snap-tight rhythm with a vocal performance that feels both detached and desperate.

Built around loss, confusion, and impulse, “Autopilot” captures the band’s knack for turning spirals into anthems. “If you don’t wanna shoot yourself in the foot, then don’t,” frontman Alex Alvarez says bluntly of the track’s message. The single follows a growing run of buzz-heavy releases including “The Headache,” “Flowers & Dirt” featuring Lola Bllue, and “Worm in the Sun,” each reinforcing the band’s ability to fuse raw feeling with sticky melodies. The response has been loud and enthusiastic, positioning the album as a defining next step rather than a repeat.

To bring the new material to the stage, ALEXSUCKS kick off their headlining autopilot US tour on February 25, running through late March and hitting clubs across the country. The tour follows a breakout year that included standout sets at Lollapalooza and packed rooms internationally, continuing the momentum sparked by their debut album ‘The Gutter’ and the Warm Beers EP. With sweat-soaked shows and a reputation for controlled chaos, the tour promises the band at their most feral and fully locked in.

ALEXSUCKS autopilot US Tour Dates:
Feb 25 – Phoenix, AZ – The Rebel Lounge
Feb 27 – Austin, TX – Brushy Street Commons
Feb 28 – Houston, TX – House of Blues Houston
Mar 1 – Dallas, TX – Dada Dallas
Mar 3 – Athens, GA – Georgia Theatre
Mar 5 – St. Petersburg, FL – Bayboro Brewing Co.
Mar 6 – Jacksonville, FL – Jack Rabbits
Mar 7 – Charlotte, NC – Neighborhood Theatre
Mar 9 – Washington, DC – The Atlantis
Mar 10 – Brooklyn, NY – Market Hotel
Mar 12 – Toronto, ON – The Sound Garage
Mar 13 – Ferndale, MI – The Loving Touch
Mar 14 – Lakewood, OH – Mahall’s
Mar 15 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
Mar 16 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th St Entry
Mar 18 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theater
Mar 20 – Salt Lake City, UT – Soundwell
Mar 22 – Seattle, WA – Baba Yaga
Mar 24 – Sacramento, CA – Harlow’s
Mar 25 – Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theatre

Keith Wallen Opens 2026 With Reflective New Single “A Thin Line”

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Keith Wallen begins 2026 with “A Thin Line,” a restrained and emotionally direct new single that places songwriting and vocal presence front and center. Built around gentle acoustic strumming and space to breathe, the track recalls the alt-rock power ballads of the late ’90s, where impact comes from clarity rather than excess. The response has been notably positive, highlighting the song’s quiet weight and the confidence of its simplicity.

“The duality of outcomes from the choices we make could mean the difference between our personal heaven or hell, war or peace, or even life or death,” Wallen says of the song’s meaning. “A Thin Line” follows a steady run of releases over the past year, including “Us Against the World,” “Dead Inside,” a stripped-down cover of Avril Lavigne’s “I’m With You,” and the collaboration “TEETH MARKS” with GORE. vocalist Haley Roughton. Together, the songs underline Wallen’s range and his comfort moving between intimacy and anthem-sized emotion.

Best known as the guitarist for Breaking Benjamin, Wallen is also a prolific collaborator and solo artist whose writing bridges pop instinct and hard rock grit. His solo catalog pulls from ’80s new wave influences like The Police and Depeche Mode alongside the darker textures of ’90s grunge, while his co-writing credits span Saint Asonia, Fuel, We Came As Romans, and Love And Death. Whether onstage with Breaking Benjamin or carving his own path, Wallen’s work is united by honesty, melodic strength, and a clear emotional core.

JYT Step Forward With Confident New Single “Say Less”

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Rising new boyband JYT (Just Your Type) kicks off 2026 with the release of their sophomore single “Say Less” (produced by Oak Felder (Usher, Kehlani) and Freddy Wexler (Justin Bieber, BlackPink.) The track lives in that sweet spot where nostalgia and newness collide—future-leaning pop that nods to the 2000s without ever losing its modern edge. It’s a confident anthem about instant chemistry and unspoken attraction, delivered with the ease of a group that knows exactly who they are. On the track the boys share: “Say Less’ feels like us leveling up. It’s confident, it’s rhythmic, and it lets us really perform. We’ve been putting everything into the live show, and this song is a big part of showing who we’re becoming.”

This also marks the release of their first official music video. Director and co-choreographer Nick DeMoura shares: “There’s something undeniable about the way JYT moves on this record. The confidence, the precision. They just look incredible. Directing this video was about capturing that energy and letting the performance speak for itself.” Co-choreographer J Blaze shared: “I loved working on the choreography for this record. The guys are incredibly talented and were fully open to pushing themselves throughout rehearsals. They made the process feel effortless, which allowed the choreography to grow naturally and authentically. I’m excited to see what’s next for them. The world isn’t ready.”

In December 2025, JYT signed with Republic Records and GRAMMY-nominated songwriter/producer Freddy Wexler and released their debut single “What U Want.” The track received praise from Billboard, Entertainment Tonight, Music Business Worldwide, and more, and was also added to Sirius Hitbound. The high-energy new boyband are poised to reintroduce dance-driven pop to a global audience. Ages 15-17, members Caden, Tyler, Bryan, Recker, and Toby bring together elite-level choreography, standout vocals, and an undeniable brotherhood that has already earned them a fast-growing online fanbase: over 500K followers combined before releasing a single track. The band was formed through an unconventional process in which the members chose each other, resulting in a group with natural chemistry, complementary personalities, and a shared commitment to performance at the highest level.

Freddy Wexler is an award-winning creator across music, film, television, theater, and animation. A GRAMMY and Golden Globe-nominated songwriter and producer, Wexler has contributed to 11 Billboard #1s for artists including Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, BLACKPINK, Laufey, Post Malone, Selena Gomez, Diana Ross, P!nk, Celine Dion, and Billy Joel. Recent highlights include bringing Billy Joel back to the studio for his first new music in decades; co-writing and producing the Golden Globe–nominated end-title song for Better Man, the Robbie Williams biopic; launching Nickelodeon’s Kid Cowboy; coproducing The Last Five Yearson Broadway; serving as the record label for Netflix’s Emily in Paris; and executive producing Sebastian Maniscalco’s Hulu comedy special It Ain’t Right, which debuted at #1 on the platform this month.

Elmiene Announces Spring Headline Tour Ahead Of Debut Album ‘Sounds For Someone’

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Rising British-Sudanese songwriter and vocalist Elmiene announces upcoming UK/EU/US headline tour this Spring. The jaunt will visit 18 cities throughout the United States and Canada, promoted by Live Nation Urban (LNU) coinciding as well as 7 cities throughout United Kingdom and Europe with the upcoming arrival of his anxiously awaited full-length debut album, sounds for someone, on 27th March via Polydor/Def Jam Recordings. Pre-order/Pre-save HERE.

Renowned for his spellbinding live performances, Elmiene commands the stage with a stripped-back elegance that is often accompanied only by piano or a full band allowing the raw power of his voice to take center stage. His performances have become moments of discovery, most notably his breakout COLORS session, where one fan remarked, “I’ve never heard of Elmiene before, but 30 seconds into this, I declared myself a fan.” That same magnetic presence carried into his NPR Tiny Desk performance, with Bobby Carter praising “the knockout blow [with Elmiene] is that vintage voice.” From BET dubbing his 2025 BET Awards performance as “moving” and “soul-stirring” to a sold-out show at London’s Brixton Academy, Elmiene has cemented himself a captivating live vocalist of his generation.

The North American tour kicks off on 30th April in Detroit, MI, and comes to a close in the US on 31st May Los Angeles, CA. He will later reignite the UK/EU tour in Amsterdam on 29th Nov and will visit Paris, Berlin, Manchester, Bristol, Brussels, and Manchester markets, ending on the 8th December at London’s Eventim Apollo. Check out the full confirmed itinerary below.

In the United Kingdom and Europe, fans who pre-order sounds for someone will gain early access to pre-sale tickets on Thursday 29th January at 10am local time. General on-sale follows on Friday 30th January at 10am local time. Pre-order HERE for early access to tickets.”

Elmiene kickstarted 2026 with the single “Reclusive.” It has already reacted well with listeners, generating over 1.3M combined streams and 320K YouTube views for the music video, as well as 8M views across Instagram and TikTok. Beyond looks from the likes of Rated R&BThe Line of Best FitClash, and more, TRENCH praised the track’s “twinkling melodies” and “driving rhythm.” SoulBounce professed, “Elmiene sings an anthem for anyone who battles between craving their solitude and wanting to be social.” Watch here.

sounds for someone takes listeners on an emotional rollercoaster through a 2-decade journey of familial ups and downs that has shaped how Elmiene sees the world and also himself. Kicking off with the emotional rollercoaster that is “Moment” – Elmiene invites you right into the room, as he croons about a thankless, formless champion of the downtrodden, with a subtle swing-like lilt that cradles you while setting the stage for an exploration of various highs and lows. The new album hosts features from GRAMMY Award winning singer / songwriter Raphael Saadiq and rising vocalist Baby Rose with production support across the project from Sampha and Jeff “Gitty” Gitelman as well as GRAMMY Award winning producers No I.D, Raphael Saadiq, and more.

“Reclusive” is the latest debut behind his most recent single “Cry Against The Wind” marking an emotional turning point in his artistic journey. He recently released his EP titled Heat The Streets Some Mo’  – a remix EP of his highly acclaimed mixtape Heat The Streets – which is receiving playlisting love from BBC Radio 1Xtra and Tune of the Week on BBC Radio 1, a special nod of excitement from notable R&B songstress, Kehlani as well as “Damage Control” making its live performance debut on Apple Music’s The Ebro Show. In addition to the new remix EP, Elmiene delivers brand new track “By Now” – a melodic reflection of trying to move on from a past flame. Most recently, Elmiene was nominated for Outstanding New Artist at The 2026 NAACP Image Awards as well as receiving two nominations for Best R&B/Soul Act and Best Male Act at the 2026 MOBO Awards.  

Elmiene’s slew of live shows feels like bucket list accolades: he performed at the BET Awards, played at the Roots Picnic, and supported Stevie Wonder at BST Hyde Park. His iconic NPR Tiny Desk Concert recently surpassed 1 million viewers, and his interview on The Terrell Show found further reverence for Elmiene’s R&B credentials when he impressed viewers by singing Uncle Sam’s “I Don’t Ever Want To See You Again.” Last month, he performed at Spotify’s “RNB X Live” in NYC as well as had his special “Live From” intimate performances in Brooklyn, Toronto, Houston, Charlotte and Atlanta. He has been named an Artist To Watch on a handful of platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, MTV, NME Magazine, The Guardian, BBC and more – and is gearing up to be a top familiar face on the music scene throughout 2026 and beyond.

sounds for someone Tracklist:
1. Moment
2. Cry Against The Wind
3. Saviour
4. Reclusive
5. Time Doesn’t Heal
6. Honour ft. Baby Rose
7. Don’t say Maybe
8. Special
9. Lie With Me
10. Light By The Window ft. Raphael Saadiq
11. Lonely People
12. Told you I’ll Make It

TOUR DATES [ UK AND EU DATES*]:
4/30 Detroit, MI St. Andrew’s Hall
5/1 Chicago, IL Riviera Theatre
5/3 Toronto, ON Opera House
5/6 Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn Paramount
5/7 Silver Spring, MD The Fillmore
5/9 Philadelphia, PA Theatre of Living Arts
5/11 Charlotte, NC The Fillmore
5/12 Nashville, TN Brooklyn Bowl
5/14 Birmingham, AL Saturn
5/15 Atlanta, GA Coca Cola Roxy
5/17 Houston, TX House of Blues
5/19 Austin, TX Emo’s
5/20 Dallas, TX House of Blues
5/23 Salt Lake City, UT The Depot
5/26 Sacramento, CA Ace of Spades
5/27 Berkeley, CA The UC Theatre
5/29 Phoenix, AZ Crescent Ballroom
5/31 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern
11/29 Amsterdam, NL Melkweg*
11/30 Berlin, DE The Metropol*
12/2 Paris, FR Salle Pleyel*
12/3 Brussels, BE Ancienne Belgique*
12/5 Bristol, UK O2 Academy*
12/6 Manchester, UK Albert Hall*
12/8 London, UK Eventim Apollo*

After breaking through in 2023 with his El-Mean and Marking My Time EPs, the BRIT-nominated musician had a prolific 2024 with two more original EPs Anyway I Can and For The Deported as well as two live releases Live at RAK Studios and Live from 525 – the latter comprising covers of tracks by Frank Ocean, Prince and Cleo Sol. This year his This Is The Remix EP saw his own tracks reimagined by Timbaland, Blxst and IAMNOBODI.

Elmiene has been embraced by a global community of creatives – collaborating with some of the most sought-after names in music including Leon Thomas, ASAP Ferg, Syd, Sampha, Lil Silva, D’Mile, Dahi and Stormzy – and hotly tipped by press and tastemakers with coverage in Dazed, The Guardian, The Face, NME, Teen Vogue, Rolling Stone and Complex. He received a nomination for the BRITs Rising Star Award and the Ivor Novello Rising Star Award, plus he was shortlisted as one of the artist to watch on the BBC Radio 1 Sound of 2024 poll, VEVO, MTV, Pandora Music, BBC 1Xtra and Ticketmaster.

Goose Map Out Expansive Summer 2026 North American Tour

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Goose have announced a sweeping summer 2026 North American tour, extending an already packed year of live shows into some of the band’s biggest rooms to date. The newly announced run begins June 13 in Toronto and carries through the East Coast and Midwest with stops in Virginia Beach, New York City, Charleston, Raleigh, Boston, and Saratoga Springs before a brief pause over July 4. Tickets for the tour will be available first through an artist presale on Wednesday, January 28 at 10 am local time, followed by a general onsale on Friday, January 30.

The tour resumes August 13 in San Diego and continues west through Los Angeles, Stanford, Reno, Vancouver, Seattle, Bend, Missoula, and Denver, culminating with a final show on August 29 in Salt Lake City. The dates arrive alongside a busy year for Goose, which also includes spring U.S. touring in support of their 2025 albums Chain Yer Dragon and Everything Must Go, plus their return to Mexico for Viva El Gonzo in San José del Cabo this May.

Goose Summer 2026 Tour Dates (New Dates):
June 13 – Toronto, ON – RBC Amphitheatre
June 15 – Virginia Beach, VA – The Dome
June 16 – Virginia Beach, VA – The Dome
June 19 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
June 20 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
June 23 – Charleston, SC – Firefly Distillery
June 24 – Charleston, SC – Firefly Distillery
June 26 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater
June 27 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater
June 28 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion
June 30 – Boston, MA – Leader Bank Pavilion
July 1 – Boston, MA – Leader Bank Pavilion
July 2 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
July 3 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
July 4 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Aug 13 – San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
Aug 14 – Los Angeles, CA – The Greek Theatre
Aug 15 – Stanford, CA – Frost Amphitheater
Aug 16 – Reno, NV – The Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resort
Aug 18 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
Aug 19 – Seattle, WA – WAMU Theater
Aug 21 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater
Aug 22 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater
Aug 24 – Missoula, MT – KettleHouse Amphitheater
Aug 27 – Denver, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Aug 28 – Denver, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Aug 29 – Salt Lake City, UT – TBA

Spoon And The Beths Team Up For Summer Co-Headline Tour

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Austin indie rock mainstays Spoon and New Zealand quartet The Beths have announced a U.S. summer co-headline tour, bringing the two bands together for a focused run of East Coast and Midwest dates. The tour follows a June 20 appearance at the Green River Festival in Greenfield, Massachusetts, where both acts will also share the bill with artists including Charley Crockett, Geese, Kurt Vile & The Violators, and Big Freedia. Presale tickets go on sale Tuesday, January 27 at 10 am local time, with the general onsale beginning Friday.

The routing continues through New Haven, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Detroit, Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati, before wrapping July 1 at Louisville’s Iroquois Amphitheater. Spoon also shared that new live recordings, including “Chateau Blues” and “Guess I’m Fallin In Love,” have been added to their official YouTube channel while the band remains in the studio working on new material. The Beths echoed the excitement, noting they are “over the moon” to be hitting the road together this June, with opening support from Squirrel Flower adding to what they describe as a standout run of shows.

Tour Dates:
June 20 – Greenfield, MA – Green River Festival
June 21 – New Haven, CT – College Street Music Hall
June 23 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore
June 24 – Baltimore, MD – Nevermore Music Hall
June 26 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore
June 27 – Cleveland, OH – Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
June 28 – Columbus, OH – KEMBA Live!
June 30 – Cincinnati, OH – MegaCorp Pavilion
July 1 – Louisville, KY – Iroquois Amphitheater

Erin Osmon Examines Heartland Rock’s Power And Politics In New Book

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In Won’t Back Down: Heartland Rock and the Fight for America (out April 28, 2026) acclaimed music journalist Erin Osmon takes a deep, clear-eyed look at the music that dominated American airwaves in the 1980s and the cultural forces it reflected and resisted. The book traces the rise of heartland rock from its grassroots origins to its chart-topping peak, unpacking how songs woven into everyday life also carried ideas about identity, power, and belonging. Osmon approaches the genre with curiosity and nuance, balancing affection for the music with a sharp critical lens.

The book revisits landmark works including Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run,” Bob Seger’s “Against the Wind,” John Mellencamp’s “Small Town,” and Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down,” while widening the frame beyond familiar narratives. Osmon foregrounds the contributions of artists often left out of the conversation, including Melissa Etheridge, Bonnie Raitt, and Lucinda Williams, and explores how figures like Prince pushed the genre’s boundaries. The writing has been met with strong enthusiasm for its insight, storytelling, and ability to complicate a well-worn musical myth.

Beyond albums and personalities, Won’t Back Down situates heartland rock within the political and technological shifts of its era. Osmon examines the impact of MTV, the transition to CDs, and the genre’s unexpected role in opposing ’80s conservatism while supporting labor movements, environmental causes, and LGBTQ rights. The result is a layered portrait of music that resonated with people who felt unseen, revealing why heartland rock’s echoes remain so persistent today.

JMSN Delivers Full Studio Set Live On KEXP

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Alt-soul artist JMSN brings his full-band intensity to the KEXP studio with a powerful live session recorded November 20, 2025 and hosted by Evie Stokes, moving through “Blow the Spot Up,” “Don’t Make Me Change,” “I Don’t Even Think About U,” and “Sad Sack”. Backed by Tim Rosales on guitar, Ricky Bakken on bass, and Christopher Wilson on drums, the set highlights the chemistry that make JMSN’s live performances so good.