Home Blog Page 21

MerleFest 2026 Kicks Off in One Week With Alison Krauss, Old Crow Medicine Show, and a Special Late Night Jam

Eric Alper
-
0
MerleFest 2026 Kicks Off in One Week With Alison Krauss, Old Crow Medicine Show, and a Special Late Night Jam

MerleFest turns 38 this year and the lineup delivers. The festival, presented by Window World, runs April 23-26 on the campus of Wilkes Community College, and the final week countdown is on. Headlining performances from 27-time Grammy winner Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Old Crow Medicine Show, Charles Wesley Godwin, and Blackberry Smoke anchor a weekend built entirely around deep musical roots and genuine spontaneity.

The Late Night Jam with Grand Ole Opry is its own event within the event. Hosted by Old Crow Medicine Show serving as the house band, the Jam brings in a rotating cast including Charlie Starr, Willie Watson, AJ Lee and Blue Summit, and Maggie Rose for the kind of unrepeatable collaborative moments MerleFest has built its reputation on. Tickets are available now at merlefest.org and going fast.

Old Crow Medicine Show pulls double and triple duty across the weekend. Friday night they play a full-album set of ‘O.C.M.S.’ and ‘Big Iron World’ on the Watson Stage with special guest Willie Watson from 9:00 to 11:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon brings an acoustic Hillside set at 1:30 p.m. The fan-favorite Album Hour returns to the Hillside Stage Saturday at 3:15 p.m., hosted by The Waybacks. Friday also features the Docabilly Blues Blowout at the Walker Center with Amelia Day, Jim Lauderdale, and Uwe Kruger.

General admission passes and Late Night Jam tickets are on sale now at merlefest.org/purchase. Advance tickets are available at a discount through April 22. The WCC Foundation’s Silent Auction returns with online bidding available now, supporting the SAGE First Year Experience program.

MerleFest 2026:

April 23, 2026, Wilkesboro, NC @ Wilkes Community College

April 24, 2026, Wilkesboro, NC @ Wilkes Community College

April 25, 2026, Wilkesboro, NC @ Wilkes Community College

April 26, 2026, Wilkesboro, NC @ Wilkes Community College

Collective Soul Drop Surprise New Wave Album ‘Touch and Go’ for Record Store Day

Eric Alper
-
0
Collective Soul Drop Surprise New Wave Album ‘Touch and Go’ for Record Store Day

Collective Soul just pulled off one of the more satisfying Record Store Day surprises in recent memory. The multi-platinum rock veterans are releasing ‘Touch and Go,’ a brand new ten-track album, exclusively to independent record stores on April 18. It’s available on 180-gram colored vinyl with a 12″x24″ poster, and it marks a genuine sonic left turn for the band. Ed Roland says it plainly: “It has a New Wave sound.” The Cars loom large over this one, and it works.

For a band with seven number one singles including “Shine,” “December,” and “The World I Know,” and over 15 million albums sold worldwide, ‘Touch and Go’ isn’t a victory lap. It’s a creative pivot, inspired by New Wave music and built to push the band somewhere they haven’t been before. Roland’s enthusiasm is real: “We’re excited for everyone to hear our new album. We appreciate your love and support.” That kind of straightforward sincerity is exactly what’s kept Collective Soul’s fanbase loyal for three decades.

The album arrives in the middle of a busy touring stretch. Collective Soul recently wrapped a Las Vegas residency at The Venetian Theatre with a special appearance by Edwin McCain, and they’re deep into a run of U.S. headlining shows with dates continuing through August. The routing covers venues from Florida to Saskatchewan, with a stop on Creed’s Summer of ’99 and Beyond Cruise mixed in for good measure.

‘Touch and Go’ is out April 18 at participating independent record stores. Find your nearest location at recordstoreday.com.

‘Touch and Go’ Track Listing:

  1. Rainbow
  2. Eye On You
  3. Uh Oh
  4. All My Days On Thru
  5. Heavy Load
  6. Fun
  7. Again
  8. Feel
  9. Shooting For You
  10. Love Your Way

Upcoming Tour Dates:

April 17-21, Great Stirrup Cay, BAH @ Creed Summer of ’99 and Beyond Cruise

April 24, Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live Orlando

April 25, Savannah, GA @ Johnny Mercer Theatre

April 28, Greenville, SC @ Peace Center Concert Hall

April 29, Dothan, AL @ Dothan Civic Center

May 1, Baton Rouge, LA @ L’Auberge Baton Rouge Casino Resort

May 2, Bossier City, LA @ Margaritaville Resort and Casino

May 22, Portsmouth, VA @ Rivers Casino Portsmouth

June 5, Ludington, MI @ Stix

July 3, Lake Charles, LA @ Golden Nugget Lake Charles Hotel & Casino

July 11, Morton, MN @ Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel

July 23, Grover Hill, OH @ Wetzel Motorcycle Rally

July 24, West Bend, WI @ Washington County Fair Park

July 25, Menahga, MN @ Mid Summer Music Fest

July 31, Regina, SK @ Conexus Arts Centre

August 7, Tillamook, OR @ Tillamook County Fairgrounds

August 16, Winnipeg, MB @ Burton Cummings Theatre

August 22, Cohasset, MA @ South Shore Music Circus

August 25, Derry, NH @ Tupelo Music Hall

August 26, Hyannis, MA @ Melody Tent

August 29, Atlantic City, NJ @ Ocean Casino Resort

August 30, Selbyville, DE @ Freeman Arts Pavilion

Workaholics Stars Adam Devine, Anders Holm, and Blake Anderson Bring ‘This Is Important Live’ to Niagara Falls This September

Eric Alper
-
0
Workaholics Stars Adam Devine, Anders Holm, and Blake Anderson Bring ‘This Is Important Live’ to Niagara Falls This September

The trio behind Workaholics has been having the same effortlessly entertaining conversations for years. Now they’re bringing them to a stage. Adam Devine, Anders Holm, and Blake Anderson arrive at the OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino on Friday, September 25 for ‘This Is Important Live,’ a comedy show built around the kind of quick-fire chemistry that only comes from decades of genuine friendship. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 17 at 10:00am through ticketmaster.ca.

The premise is simple and the execution is the thing. Devine, Holm, and Anderson dive headfirst into the most pressing issues facing society today, grown men fighting children, body functions, and the full spectrum of topics their podcast listeners already know these three can make genuinely hilarious. It’s the podcast experience live, unfiltered, and in a room together. Cathy Price, Vice President of Marketing & Resort Operations at Niagara Casinos, puts it plainly: “This is a comedy experience that only this trio can deliver.”

The OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino is the right room for it. The 5,000-seat venue is ranked the number one venue in Canada based on size, sitting inside Fallsview Casino Resort overlooking the Horseshoe Falls. It’s a destination show in a destination venue, and the September 25 date gives the summer enough time to build anticipation properly.

This Is Important Live:

September 25, 2026, Niagara Falls, ON @ OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino, 8:00pm

Lil Uzi Vert, Skrillex, and Playboi Carti Head Up the 2026 Summer Smash Lineup Near Chicago

Eric Alper
-
0
Lil Uzi Vert, Skrillex, and Playboi Carti Head Up the 2026 Summer Smash Lineup Near Chicago

Summer Smash is back and the 2026 lineup hits hard. The world’s largest independently owned hip-hop festival has unveiled its eighth annual edition, running June 12-14 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois, with Lil Uzi Vert, Skrillex, and Playboi Carti leading the charge across three days and three main stages. Tickets are on sale now at TheSummerSmash.com, with passes starting at $399 across GA, GA+, VIP, Diamond, and additional tiers.

The supporting lineup runs deep. Chief Keef, Yung Lean x Bladee, Lil Baby, and Baby Keem as special guest all appear alongside more than four dozen artists including Sexxy Red, G Herbo, ISOxo, and Esdeekid. Founded by independent promoter SPKRBX and next-gen media company Lyrical Lemonade, Summer Smash draws over 100,000 fans each weekend and has built its reputation on bringing together global stars, Chicago hometown heroes, and rising talent under one roof.

The festival sits about 30 minutes from downtown Chicago and delivers well beyond the music. Large-scale activations, carnival attractions, and food experiences from some of the Midwest’s top restaurants and chefs fill out the grounds across all three days. It’s a full weekend commitment built for fans who want the complete festival experience.

Three headliners, four dozen artists, and a track record that speaks for itself. Summer Smash 2026 runs June 12-14 in Bridgeview. Tickets are on sale now.

Summer Smash 2026:

June 12, 2026, Bridgeview, IL @ SeatGeek Stadium

June 13, 2026, Bridgeview, IL @ SeatGeek Stadium

June 14, 2026, Bridgeview, IL @ SeatGeek Stadium

K-Pop Superstars ENHYPEN Expand ‘Blood Saga’ World Tour With Latin America, U.S., and European Dates

Eric Alper
-
0
K-Pop Superstars ENHYPEN Expand ‘Blood Saga’ World Tour With Latin America, U.S., and European Dates

ENHYPEN’s ‘Blood Saga’ world tour just got significantly bigger. The K-pop superstars have announced a sweeping run of new dates spanning Latin America, the United States, and Europe, with shows confirmed from July 2026 through March 2027. After three sold-out Seoul shows last year, the group makes their first-ever Latin America appearances this summer, opening in São Paulo before hitting Lima and Mexico City.

The U.S. leg runs through July and into August, with five stops across Dallas, San Diego, Tacoma, Oakland, and Las Vegas. These aren’t small rooms. ENHYPEN’s August 2025 show at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles sold 22,298 tickets and grossed $4.1 million, a benchmark that puts the scale of this tour in sharp perspective. The European run follows in early 2027, covering Milan, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, and London’s O2.

Presales open April 22 for ENGENE members, with general on-sale beginning April 24. Fans looking to access the membership presale need to apply through Weverse before April 19. The global application window runs until April 19 at 8:59 PM CST, with U.S. applications closing at 10:59 PM ET the same day.

ENHYPEN, managed by HYBE, continues to operate at arena and stadium level across multiple continents simultaneously. ‘Blood Saga’ is shaping up to be their most ambitious touring run yet.

ENHYPEN World Tour ‘Blood Saga’ Dates:

July 4, 2026, São Paulo, Brazil @ Allianz Parque

July 8, 2026, Lima, Peru @ Estadio San Marcos

July 11, 2026, Mexico City, Mexico @ Arena CDMX

July 17 & 18, 2026, Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center

July 21, 2026, San Diego, CA @ Snapdragon Stadium

July 26, 2026, Tacoma, WA @ Tacoma Dome

July 28 & 29, 2026, Oakland, CA @ Oakland Arena

August 1, 2026, Las Vegas, NV @ T-Mobile Arena

February 24, 2027, Milan, Italy @ Unipol Dome

February 27, 2027, Paris, France @ La Défense Arena

March 2, 2027, Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Ziggo Dome

March 5, 2027, Berlin, Germany @ Uber Arena

March 9, 2027, London, UK @ The O2

30 Things Every Indie Artist Should Have Before Dropping a Single

Eric Alper
-
0
30 Things Every Indie Artist Should Have Before Dropping a Single
  1. Releasing a single is one of the most exciting moments in any artist’s career — and one of the easiest to undercut with poor preparation. The music is only part of it. In today’s landscape, an indie artist is also their own marketing team, publicist, distributor, and content creator, and the window to make an impression on release day is smaller than most people realize. Algorithms reward early engagement. Playlists require advance notice. Content needs to be ready before the song even drops.
  3. The artists who break through aren’t always the most talented. They’re often the most prepared. This checklist covers everything you need to have in place before you hit publish — from the technical and legal basics to the content, promotion, and strategy that give your single a real shot at being heard.
  1. Professionally mixed and mastered final track, saved in both WAV and MP3 formats
  2. Cover art at 3000×3000 pixels that matches your artist identity and meets streaming platform specs
  3. A chosen digital distributor (DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, Symphonic, etc.) with your release date locked in — give yourself at least 3 to 6 weeks minimum
  4. Song registered with a Performing Rights Organization (PRO) such as ASCAP or BMI, and with the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC)
  5. Royalty splits confirmed in writing with any collaborators, producers, co-writers, or featured artists
  6. Metadata completed and accurate — song title, featuring credits, genre, ISRC code, and release year
  7. An Electronic Press Kit (EPK) with your bio, press photos, song description, and streaming links
  8. Updated artist profiles on Spotify for Artists, Apple Music for Artists, and any other DSP dashboards you have access to
  9. Spotify editorial pitch submitted through Spotify for Artists — at least two weeks before release, ideally more
  10. A pre-save link set up and ready to share so fans can save the track before it drops
  11. At least 10 short-form vertical videos filmed and ready — performance clips, lyric snippets, behind-the-scenes, acoustic takes — for TikTok, Reels, and YouTube Shorts
  12. A content calendar mapped out covering the 2 weeks before release through 2 weeks after
  13. A smart link or link-in-bio page updated with the new release and all streaming platform links
  14. An email list draft ready to send on release day — if you don’t have a list, start building one now
  15. Outreach sent to independent playlist curators in your genre — at least 2 weeks before release
  16. A music video or lyric video, or at minimum a visualizer, ready to post on YouTube on release day
  17. Press photos that are current, high resolution, and consistent with the single’s visual aesthetic
  18. A release budget mapped out — even a small one — covering ads, artwork, promotion tools, and any PR outreach
  19. A paid social media ad ready to run on Meta (Facebook and Instagram) targeting listeners in your genre on release day
  20. A release day plan written out — exactly what you’re posting, where, and at what time across every platform you’re active on
  21. A verified artist page on all major social platforms with a consistent handle, bio, and profile image across all of them
  22. A website or landing page with your artist bio, links, and a way for fans to sign up to your mailing list
  23. A teaser post or countdown published at least one week before release to start building awareness
  24. The song’s lyrics proofread and ready to submit to lyric platforms like Genius and Musixmatch on release day
  25. A pitch email drafted and ready to send to music blogs, indie press outlets, and online publications that cover your genre
  26. SoundExchange registration completed so you collect digital performance royalties from streaming and internet radio
  27. A Bandcamp page set up with the single available for purchase and download, giving fans a direct way to support you financially
  28. Release day graphics sized and formatted correctly for every platform — Instagram feed, Instagram Stories, Facebook, Twitter/X, and TikTok
  29. A plan for the week after release — follow-up content, fan engagement, responding to comments, and tracking your streaming numbers through your distributor dashboard
  30. An honest assessment of whether the release date avoids conflicts with major competing releases, holidays, or cultural moments that could bury your announcement in the noise

New York Art-Pop Songwriter Blums Signs to Take Care Records and Debuts Hypnotic First Single “Sinking/Soaring”

Eric Alper
-
0
New York Art-Pop Songwriter Blums Signs to Take Care Records and Debuts Hypnotic First Single “Sinking/Soaring”

Blums has arrived. Kelsea Feder’s long-anticipated New York City project has signed to Brooklyn-based indie Take Care Records, and debut single “Sinking/Soaring” is out today alongside an official music video directed by Ava Burka and Marianna Kamiaklioyis. It’s a striking first statement: mellow vibraphone, delicate keys, and a melodic spiral that builds into something genuinely unsettling and beautiful at once.

The song draws directly from Feder’s time as a hostess at a jazz club, and the sonic fingerprints are all over it. Her friend and roommate Sasha Berliner, a jazz vibraphonist, plays on the track and contributed the chord that unlocked the second and third choruses. Producer Kirk Palsma pushed the arrangement further, having Feder isolate syllables and sing them in different melodies to create what she calls a “freaky genius” bridge effect. Feder describes the song’s emotional core plainly: “The song comes from a place of being trapped in the head, self-obsessed, miserable, tormented by loneliness.”

The video matches that duality, moving between dilapidated houses and glamorous performances to visualize the push and pull at the heart of the track. It’s a fully realized debut, the kind that signals a creative vision already well-developed before the first note goes public. Feder has spent years building to this, playing Bushwick’s show circuit in a power-pop band, singing backup on tour, and working through a slow, deliberate recording process with Palsma. The debut album is coming within the year.

Blums has already built real traction in New York’s indie scene, playing alongside May Rio, Bella Litsa, Nyxy Nyx, and Shallowhalo, and debuting new material last week at Rachel Lime’s album release show at Union Pool in Brooklyn. More shows are coming.

Departure Festival + Conference and MLSE Relaunch Bursary Program to Support 15 Aspiring Music Industry Professionals

Eric Alper
-
0
Departure Festival + Conference and MLSE Relaunch Bursary Program to Support 15 Aspiring Music Industry Professionals

The music industry needs new voices, and Departure is making sure they get in the room. The Departure Festival + Conference, presented by Loft Entertainment and Oak View Group, has relaunched the Scotiabank Arena & Coca-Cola Coliseum Departure Bursary Program in partnership with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. Fifteen aspiring music industry professionals will receive support to attend Departure in 2026. Applications are open now until April 19 at departureto.com/bursary.

The program is built for post-secondary students pursuing careers in live music and entertainment. Each recipient gets a full 2026 Departure Conference pass, access to educational sessions, networking opportunities across the music community, and direct one-on-one meetings with MLSE representatives in the Departure Mentors Lounge. It’s structured access at a moment when the right connection can genuinely change a career trajectory.

Neil Claydon, MLSE Vice President of Ticketing and Music & Live Entertainment, puts the intent plainly: “Over the past few years, we’ve been able to give dozens of young leaders unprecedented access and opportunity to get a glimpse into our amazing and thriving industry.” Kevin Barton, Executive Director of Departure, frames it as essential work: “Opening doors for emerging talent is essential to the future of the music industry.”

Originally created by Canadian Music Week and MLSE, the bursary program continues that legacy under the Departure banner. The program is open to Canadian residents and actively encourages applications from equity-seeking groups. All successful applicant details remain strictly confidential. Recipients will be announced April 27.

Applications close April 19. Apply here.

Prime Video’s Romantic Drama ‘Your Fault: London’ Returns With Nick and Noah Facing Their Biggest Test Yet

Eric Alper
-
0
Prime Video’s Romantic Drama ‘Your Fault: London’ Returns With Nick and Noah Facing Their Biggest Test Yet

Nick and Noah are back, and things are getting complicated. Prime Video has dropped the teaser trailer for ‘Your Fault: London,’ the second installment in the English-language UK adaptation of Mercedes Ron’s internationally bestselling Culpables trilogy. The film premieres exclusively on Prime Video this June, available in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

Asha Banks (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder) and Matthew Broome (The Buchaneers) return as Noah and Nick, now navigating the kind of pressure that tests even the strongest relationships. Noah heads to Oxford to pursue her studies while Nick gets pulled deeper into the demands of work. New faces enter the picture on both sides, and the jealousy and tension that follow push their bond to its limit. The teaser makes clear this isn’t going to be easy for either of them.

The new cast additions add serious fuel to the drama. Louisa Binder plays Sophia, an ambitious newcomer at Leister Enterprises with her sights set on Nick. Joel Nankervis brings Michael, an Oxford student who befriends Noah while quietly wanting more. Scarlett Rayner’s Briar presents a friendly face with hidden motives, and Orlando Norman arrives as Cruz, a key player in the underground racing world. Every new character is designed to destabilize, and the dynamic works.

Directed by Dani Girdwood and Charlotte Fassler from a script by Melissa Osborne and Bella Heesom, ‘Your Fault: London’ continues the Prime Video collaboration with Mercedes Ron now operating as The House of Ron. ‘My Fault: London’ built a devoted audience fast, and this follow-up arrives with considerably higher stakes.

‘Your Fault: London’ premieres on Prime Video this June.

Jamey Johnson Hits the Road With 31-Date “Traveling Truebadour” Headlining Tour

Eric Alper
-
0
Jamey Johnson Hits the Road With 31-Date “Traveling Truebadour” Headlining Tour

Jamey Johnson has spent two decades earning the title the Washington Post handed him: “one of the greatest country singers of our time.” His 2026 Traveling Truebadour headlining tour makes that case across 31 dates, running May through October, with tickets for most shows going on sale Friday, April 17 at 10 a.m. local time at jameyjohnson.com/tour.

The tour opens May 8 at Anderson Music Hall in Hiawassee, GA and runs through October 11 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, NY. Johnson never plays the same setlist twice, tailoring every performance to the room and the crowd in front of him. Expect songs from his latest album ‘Midnight Gasoline,’ new music from his upcoming record, and established classics including “In Color” and “High Cost of Living,” whether solo acoustic or with a full band behind him.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Johnson’s major label debut, ‘The Dollar,’ a record that launched one of traditional country’s most consistent and critically respected careers. He’s one of only two artists in country music history, alongside Kris Kristofferson, to win two Song of the Year awards in the same year, taking both the ACM and CMA honors for “Give It Away” and “In Color.” Rolling Stone calls his “one of country music’s most seasoned voices,” and Don Henley has described him as “the nearest thing” we have to George Jones.

Thirty-one dates are confirmed now with more being added. Several festival appearances and free events are woven into the routing alongside theatre and casino stops across the South, Midwest, and beyond.

Traveling Truebadour Tour Dates:

May 8, Hiawassee, GA @ Anderson Music Hall

May 22, Quapaw, OK @ Downstream Casino Resort

May 23, Richmond, MO @ Branded Outdoor Theater

June 3, Wheeling, WV @ The Capitol Theatre

June 4, Farmington, PA @ Timber Rock Amphitheatre

June 5, Charlotte, NC @ The TD Amp Ballantyne

June 6, Paris, TN @ Tennessee River Jam (Free Event)

June 11, Chesterfield, MO @ The Chesterfield Amphitheater

June 12, Sheffield, IL @ Psycho Silo Saloon

July 9, Fort Loramie, OH @ Country Concert At Hickory Hill Lakes (Festival)

July 10, Bethlehem, PA @ Wind Creek Event Center

July 11, Danville, VA @ The Pantheon at Caesars Virginia

July 25, Bowler, WI @ North Star Mohican Casino

July 31, Lake Charles, LA @ Golden Nugget Lake Charles

August 1, Bossier City, LA @ Paradise Theater at Margaritaville Resort Casino

August 8, Detroit Lakes, MN @ WE Fest (Festival)

August 9, Vale, SD @ Full Throttle Saloon (Free Event)

August 13, Shipshewana, IN @ Blue Gate Performing Arts Center

August 15, French Lick, IN @ French Lick Resort

September 4, Fort Worth, TX @ Billy Bob’s Texas

September 5, Grant, OK @ Choctaw Casino Stage 271

September 11, New Haven, KY @ The Amp at Log Still

September 12, Petros, TN @ Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary

September 19, Effingham, IL @ Effingham Performance Center

September 20, Marion, IL @ Marion Cultural and Civic Center

October 2, Gautier, MS @ The Sound Amphitheater

October 3, Pine Bluff, AR @ Saracen Event Center at Saracen Casino Resort

October 8, Bristol, VA @ Hard Rock Live Bristol

October 9, Charles Town, WV @ The Event Center at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races

October 10, Atlantic City, NJ @ Tropicana Atlantic City

October 11, Verona, NY @ Turning Stone Resort Casino

1...202122...3,592Page 21 of 3,592

Follow us on Instagram @thatericalper

That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

Popular posts

Popular category

© Copyright - That Eric Alper