Page 232 – That Eric Alper

Ape Drums Bridges Worlds With Hypnotic Edit of Vøgue’s “Can You Hear Me”

Music

Eric Alper

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Oct 10, 2025

Ape Drums Bridges Worlds With Hypnotic Edit of Vøgue’s “Can You Hear Me”

Miami-based producer and Major Lazer member Ape Drums continues his streak of boundary-pushing releases with a fresh edit of Vøgues “Can You Hear Me,” out this Friday via Pablo Fierro’s label, We’re Here.

Blending the soulful resonance of Vøgue’s original with his signature percussive edge, Ape Drums transforms “Can You Hear Me” into a hypnotic club experience that’s equal parts rhythm and emotion. The edit bridges Afro-house elegance with his globally influenced drum work, adding layers of depth and drive that expand the record’s dancefloor potential while honoring its melodic roots.

The phrases “Do you hear the words that are coming out my mouth” and “Can you hear me in the north and the south” hit listeners before the rhythmic ta-ka-ta-ta-ta pattern intertwines with the flowing house beat—creating a moment that feels both intimate and explosive. It’s a track built for deep connection and movement, resonating through speakers and bodies alike.

This release marks Ape Drums’ debut on We’re Here—a collaboration that underscores the growing connection between global Afro-electronic communities and the next wave of boundary-defying producers. Coming off the momentum of his recent single “GQTECH”with South Africa’s DJ Lag, the producer continues to evolve his sound toward a deeper, more atmospheric club aesthetic rooted in African percussion and electronic experimentation.

Beyond the studio, Ape Drums recently appeared alongside Major Lazer on Kai Cenat’s viralMafiaton III Stream, bringing his infectious energy and genre-blending style to millions of viewers worldwide. The moment highlighted his ability to connect with fans both on and off the dancefloor, bridging cultures through sound and personality.

With “Can You Hear Me (Ape Drums Edit)”, Ape Drumsonce again demonstrates his ability to move between worlds—bridging continents, cultures, and sounds while keeping the pulse firmly on the dancefloor.

Eric Alberto-Lopez, professionally known as Ape Drums, is a Mexican-American DJ and producer from Houston, Texas, and a core member of Major Lazer. Starting out as a self-taught teen producer inspired by The Martinez Brothers, he built his name through high-energy, Caribbean-influenced dance music before officially joining Major Lazer in 2019. Now based in Miami, Ape Drums has evolved into a leading voice in Afro-tech and Afro-house, blending global rhythms, reggaeton, funk, and electronic elements into a sound uniquely his own. With a background in breakdancing and a career spanning solo world tours, chart-topping collaborations, and festival main stages, he continues to shape the future of club music worldwide. VØGUE is a producer and DJ known for conquering dance floors with his distinctive, genre-blending sound. His sets fuse Afrohouse, Melodic House, and Tech House with influences from Afrobeats, R&B, and Rap, creating a driving and energetic experience that moves crowds worldwide. After years of curation and learning from some of the industry’s leading acts, he’s entered the next logical phase of his career—crafting his own music, which has already earned support from major names like &ME of Keinemusik, Pablo Fierro, Samm (BE), Ajna (BE), and Drake’s manager Oliver El-Khatib, CEO of October’s Very Own. Guided by rhythm and rooted in culture, VØGUE continues to shape his own sonic universe, one track at a time

Ben Nichols Finds Solace and Southern Myth in New Solo Album ‘In the Heart of the Mountain’

Music

Eric Alper

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Oct 10, 2025

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Ben Nichols Finds Solace and Southern Myth in New Solo Album ‘In the Heart of the Mountain’

Ben Nichols, frontman and songwriter for the long-running Memphis rock band Lucero, released the new single “In the Heart of the Mountain,” the title track of his sophomore solo album In the Heart of the Mountain out now through Lucero’s label Liberty & Lament. The album is one of his most personal pieces of work to date and marks his first solo release in 16 years since 2009’s acclaimed The Last Pale Light in the West.

“I’ve never before set out to write a song about mental health,” explains Nichols. “Although one could say all songwriting is about mental health in one way or another. The title track to the album, ‘In the Heart of the Mountain’ is a wife-appreciation song. My wife and I have been together for over ten years now and I realize how much she keeps me sane. We can often be our own worst enemies and having someone who keeps us from getting too wrapped up in the devils and demons of our own making is a truly wonderful thing.”

“In the Heart of the Mountain” follows previous singles “The Darkness Sings” and “Fading Back Into the Night”, both of which were released with accompanying music videos shot by photographer Chad Cochran and edited by Nichols. The tracks earned praise from Brooklyn Vegan, Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine, Glide Magazine, DittyTV, and more.

“A few years ago, a stranger mailed me a copy of What About This, Collected Poems of Frank Stanford. He sent it because he knew I was from Arkansas and Stanford had lived and died in Arkansas and he thought my lyrics shared something in common with those poems. Even at the age of 50, I’ve never read much poetry, but there was something about Stanford’s writing I fell in love with. There was something alive and dangerous in his words. Nothing safe about the way he wrote. Soaked in Southern tones but not backwards, more unconventional and pushing at the edges of Southern decorum. It was mythology and everyday life, it was an exotic landscape and it was home. It was not quite like anything I’d read before.

Frank Stanford’s poems made me want to write in a style I’d never written in before. I’m not sure if I actually achieved that, but I ended up creating my own everyday-life-mythology of where I was from. I also ended up writing some of my favorite lyrics in years. I had a handful of guitar parts that I was holding back from the band. They were acoustic-based and had a quieter feel to them and I wasn’t ready to turn them into Lucero songs. In my head I was hearing different instrumentation and a different approach than what the band usually does. And I had these new lyrics I was working on. Before I knew it, I’d written an album’s worth of songs and fashioned the song titles into a poem unworthy of Frank Stanford but still inspired by him.”

In the Heart of the Mountain features Nichols on acoustic guitar and vocals, as well as occasional electric guitar solo and percussion. He is accompanied by Morgan Eve Swain (The Huntress and the Holder of Hands, The Devil Makes Three, Brown Bird) on violin and backing vocals, Cory Branan on electric and acoustic guitars, and Todd Beene (Chuck Ragan, Glossary) on pedal steel and electric guitars. It was recorded at Southern Grooves studio in Memphis, Tennessee with Matt Ross-Spang as the recording and mixing engineer.

“I’d say In the Heart of the Mountain is the closest I’ve come to making an album completely on my own terms,” Nichols reflects. “I had help from a great engineer and great friends who also happened to be amazing studio musicians, but it was self produced. I wrote it without input from anyone else. There were no band members to negotiate parts and approaches with. It wasn’t based on a novel or a theme. The only inspiration was that desire to create something that lived in my memories of those rivers, fields, and mountains, in that mythological Arkansas my family called home, where I grew up. I haven’t been able to get back there nearly as often as I would like.”

Nichols’ will set out on a run of solo tour dates this July and August including shows in his hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas as well as St. Louis, Columbus, Cleveland and more.

Calum Scott Unveils Soul-Stirring Third Album ‘Avenoir’ and Global Tour

Music

Eric Alper

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Oct 10, 2025

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Calum Scott Unveils Soul-Stirring Third Album ‘Avenoir’ and Global Tour

Today, multi-platinum, UK singer-songwriter Calum Scott releases his hotly anticipated third album, Avenoir, via Capitol Records. The 14-song set showcases Calum’s evolution as both a vocalist and songwriter, with an ambitious sonic palette that balances his signature soul-stirring ballads (singles “Die For You” and “God Knows”) with groove-steeped romantic anthems like the previously unheard “Unsteady,” watch the “Unsteady” visualizer HERE. Also included is Calum’s stunning duet reimagining of “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” alongside the late and legendary Whitney Houston. Download/stream Avenoir HERE.

Avenoir borrows its title from John Koenig’s book of neologisms, The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, which defines the invented word as “the desire that memory could flow backward.” Reflecting on the concept, Calum explains, “‘Avenoir’ refers to how we move through life like a rower moves: always moving forward but facing backward, seeing where we’ve been but not where we’re going. The songs on this album speak to both regret and sorrow, and to undying love — a plea to live life to its fullest.”

That’s particularly apparent on the guitar-driven “Unsteady,” which finds the global hitmaker gripped by the unapologetic self-exploration; I’m a little unsteady, a little messed up, a little bit petty,” But, by the time the moving chorus hits, Calum is on solid ground, and celebrating his own love story admittedly unconventional. “I’ve found a place to go, now I’m standing all alone with you,” he belts, “’cause you’re unsteady too.”

Recorded with longtime collaborator Jon “MAGS” Maguire and production duo The Nocturns, Avenoir reveals Calum’s newfound freedom and growing certainty as an artist. “As I started working on Avenoir, there was a level of confidence that I hadn’t really felt on my first two albums,” he explains. “I realized I’ve put my foot firmly in the door of the music industry and I’m capable of doing so much more than I thought possible with my music — and it gave me a whole new sense of freedom, allowing me to evolve.”

Calum pushes his vocals to evocative new heights on poignant ballads “Die For You” and “Mad,” a heartbreaking letter to his future child, but also ventures into bold new territory with songs like the funk-laced “Peripheral Vision,” club banger “Roots,” and country detour “One More Drink” with Lauren Alaina. Avenoir also features “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” – a stunning new version of the iconic Whitney Houston hit that pairs Calum’s vocals with Houston’s, marking the first time her original stems have been used. Recorded with the endorsement of The Estate of Whitney E. Houston, the new rendition transforms the dance-pop classic into a symphonic duet that subtly magnifies the song’s mood of heavy-hearted longing. Watch the official video, which features archival imagery of Whitney, HERE. The release comes as fans around the world celebrate the 40^th anniversary of Whitney’s historic career in music and entertainment, which began with her 1985 self-titled debut album, which is now one of her three certified RIAA Diamond albums in the U.S.

In support of the album, Calum will embark on “The Avenoir Tour” — a global headline run set to bring his phenomenal live show to 48 cities across Europe, South Africa, Asia, North America and finishing in his home country of the UK. With his latest live experience including performing at stadiums across Asia and Europe as support for Ed Sheeran’s Mathematics Tour, Calum will take the stage at hallowed venues such as London’s OVO Wembley Arena, The Wiltern in Los Angeles, and New York City’s Terminal 5. North American dates below and the full itinerary can be found HERE.

Calum’s music has amassed over 10 billion streams worldwide to date. His gold-certified 2018 debut, Only Human, featured his 6x platinum smash “You Are the Reason,” boasting over 1 billion YouTube views on the music video, and 5x platinum cover of Robyn’s “Dancing on My Own,” which earned a BRIT Award nomination in the category of Best British Single. The hits continued with his acclaimed sophomore album Bridges and a series of high-profile collaborations including “Where Are You Now” (a Gold-certified collaboration with Lost Frequencies that earned a 2023 BRIT Award Nomination for Best International Song), and “Whistle” (his Gold-certified collaboration with Jax Jones).

With his powerful voice and soul-baring songwriting Calum creates the kind of deeply resonant songs that are primed to become the soundtrack to our lives’ most meaningful moments. From weddings to end-of-life rituals, fans have turned to his music to score major life events and for solace in times of heartbreak and loss. His moving television performances have included Late Night with Seth Meyers, Good Morning America, LIVE with Kelly and Ryan, Dancing with the Stars, and TODAY while his songs have appeared on countless TV shows over the years (including “American Idol,” “The Voice,” “So You Think You Can Dance,” (and many more). In addition, Calum has garnered acclaim from outlets including Billboard, who praised his “stunningly pure voice,” The Huffington Post, who stated that “Scott makes an impressive splash…compelling,” and Rolling Stone, who declared that “[Scott] can give any listener chills”.

Calum Scott, “The Avenoir Tour” 2026 North American Dates

3/23/26 Vancouver, BC Orpheum Theatre
3/27/26 Sacramento, CA Ace of Spades
3/28/26 San Francisco, CA The Masonic
4/1/26 San Diego, CA SOMA
4/3/26 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern
4/4/26 Phoenix, AZ The Van Buren
4/6/26 Salt Lake City, UT The Union
4/8/26 Denver, CO Paramount Theatre
4/10/26 Dallas, TX House of Blues
4/11/26 Houston, TX House of Blues
4/12/26 Austin, TX ACL Live at The Moody Theater
4/14/26 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Revolution Live
4/16/26 Orlando, FL The Plaza Live
4/17/26 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle
4/18/26 Nashville, TN Brooklyn Bowl
4/21/26 Washington, DC The Anthem
4/22/26 Philadelphia, PA The Fillmore
4/23/26 New York, NY Terminal 5
4/25/26 Boston, MA Orpheum Theatre
4/26/26 Montreal, QC MTELUS
4/29/26 Toronto, ON Massey Hall
5/1/26 Detroit, MI The Fillmore
5/2/26 Chicago, IL Riviera Theatre
5/3/26 Minneapolis, MN The Fillmore

Kuzi Cee Heats Up R&B With Smooth, Viral New Single “Rather Be”

Music

Eric Alper

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Oct 10, 2025

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Kuzi Cee Heats Up R&B With Smooth, Viral New Single “Rather Be”

After a viral moment on TikTok had fans clamouring to hear the full track, singer, songwriter, and producer Kuzi Cee officially drops “Rather Be”, a sultry and smooth ballad that signals a new era of R&B.

The Zimbabwe-born, Canadian-raised, and Calgary-based singer introduces a sound that is both nostalgic and fresh, anchored by his dynamic flows and buttery vocals. A true student of the game, Kuzi’s influences include artists across various genre spaces, including pop, R&B, hip-hop, Afro-fusion, Amapiano, EDM, and more. His commanding presence online has crossed international borders, catching the attention of fans across platforms with a viral snippet of “Rather Be”, which surged in unique creations and has amassed over 6.5 million views to date.

“Thank you to everyone who’s been showin’ love on ‘Rather Be’ – it’s been amazing seeing the support online,” said Kuzi. “So excited we can all hit our lil dance and vibe with it now that it’s out. JUST KNOW we got more on the way. Loverboy R&B is back and I hope y’all gonna be there singing in the rain with me.”

“Rather Be” is produced by West London-based producers BALTHAZARD and Jon leKole, who provide the perfect throwback vibes for Kuzi to shine atop.

Kuzi is no stranger to the spotlight, recently opening for G-Eazy and bringing his energetic live show to the Calgary Stampede, SXSW, and more. His impressive vocals and contemporary production, paired with his infectious stage presence has audiences wanting more.

Appealing to fans of The Weeknd, Burna Boy, and Calvin Harris, Kuzi is just getting started, with much more to come.

Fridayy Captures Intimate Connection in Cinematic “That Vibe” Music Video

Music

Eric Alper

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Oct 10, 2025

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Fridayy Captures Intimate Connection in Cinematic “That Vibe” Music Video

Today, GRAMMY-nominated R&B artist Fridayy dropped the official music video for his XX track “That Vibe.” Directed by multi-faceted creative The.97, the moody, cinematic visual captures the intoxicating moment of catching a vibe with someone, where the meeting of eyes quickly grows into daydreaming about a romantic connection.

Set inside a dimly lit fashion show, Friday is seated amongst flashing lights, stunning models, and a room of onlookers lost in the high-fashion spectacle. Amid the luxury and allure, Fridayy remains solitary – reflecting on love, heartbreak and healing while the world glitters around him.

The music video leans into vintage textures and film-style intimacy: soft grain, flickering flashbulbs, and fleeting close-ups of the woman at the heart of the story. As Fridayy sings about picking up the pieces of her broken heart, the visuals shift between reality and reverie, giving “That Vibe” a timeless edge that mirrors the song’s soulful vulnerability.

The release marks another standout moment for Fridayy, who continues to define his own lane in R&B with emotional storytelling and unique perspective.

The Runarounds Hit the Road Again With 2026 ‘Minivan Tour’ Expansion

Music

Eric Alper

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Oct 10, 2025

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The Runarounds Hit the Road Again With 2026 ‘Minivan Tour’ Expansion

Today, alt-rock band from the new hit Amazon Prime Series, The Runarounds, announce that their sold out The Minivan Tour will continue into 2026 throughout the US as they revisit fans from the first leg of their completely sold out tour and bring their sound to new cities kicking off January 15th — itinerary below. Tickets on sale now HERE.

With over 21 million streams since September 1st and a sold out fall 2025 tour, The Runarounds have heard the call from fans for more and are answering with 30 more dates in bigger venues! The fall tour saw much greater demand than anticipated – shows sold out quickly and fans waited in line for hours to purchase day of show tickets. In many markets, the band returned the favor by passing out waters to those waiting and performing impromptu acoustic sets with fans chanting “Season 2!”

The Runarounds formed in 2020 following a casting call for the massively successful young adult mystery show Outer Banks. After being chosen from more than 5,000 musicians, they performed together in a third season episode, but the band — William Lipton (vocals/guitar), Axel Ellis (vocals/guitar), Jeremy Yun (lead guitar), Zendé Murdock (drums), and Jesse Golliher (bass/vocals) — has continued to play gigs, write music and even release a live EP in 2023. Not only does the group star in the new series from Outer Banks’s creators, but they also wrote and performed the music that appears in The Runarounds and on the soundtrack.

The Runarounds (Original Soundtrack) release follows two previously unveiled singles: “Senior Year,” the first song written and recorded by the band, and “Funny How the Universe Works,” which appeared in The Runarounds trailer. The 17-track set which includes a mix of live and studio recordings that range from racing indie rock to swaying love songs to intimate acoustic numbers. Closing out the collection are covers of the Zutons’ “Valerie” notably performed by Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson and Cheap Trick’s “Surrender.”

The Runarounds follows a group of recent high school graduates from Wilmington, North Carolina, who come together the summer after graduation to form a rock band, united by their love of music and near-impossible dream of stardom. Over the course of one unforgettable summer, they throw themselves into the pursuit of their big break — falling in love, getting into trouble, and building the kind of bonds that feel like family along the way. With original music, romantic entanglements, and the raw highs and lows of coming-of-age, The Runarounds captures the rush of risking everything at the edge of adulthood to chase your dreams.

If you did not get a chance to see them this fall, be sure to catch them this winter as they head out on their 30 city Minivan Tour!

The Minivan Tour

Jan 15 – Dallas, TX @ House of Blues

Jan 16 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues

Jan 17 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s

Jan 20 – Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren

Jan 22 – San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park

Jan 23 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda Theatre

Jan 24 – Berkeley, CA @ The UC Theatre

Jan 26 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom

Jan 27 – Seattle, WA @ Neumos

Jan 29 – Boise, ID @ Treefort Music Hall

Jan 30 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Soundwell

Feb 01 – Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theatre

Feb 03 – Lawrence, KS @ The Granada

Feb 04 – St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant

Feb 06 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue

Feb 07 – Madison, WI @ Majestic Theatre

Feb 10 – Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theatre

Feb 11 – Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room at Old National Centre

Feb 13 – Columbus, OH @ KEMBA Live!

Feb 14 – Detroit, MI @ Royal Oak Theatre

Feb 15 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Smalls Theatre

Feb 17 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues

Feb 18 – New York, NY @ Irving Plaza

Feb 19 – New York, NY @ Irving Plaza

Feb 20 – Washington D.C. @ 9:30 Club

Feb 21 – Raleigh, NC @ The Ritz

Feb 23 – Charlottesville, VA @ Jefferson Theater

Feb 24 – Greenville, SC @ The Foundry at Judson Mill

Feb 25 – Athens, GA @ Georgia Theatre

Feb 27 – Birmingham, AL @ Iron City

Feb 28 – Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl Nashville

Mar 01 – Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl Nashville

Buckcherry Ignite the Road With Fall Headline Tour Featuring Michael Monroe

Music

Eric Alper

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Oct 10, 2025

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Buckcherry Ignite the Road With Fall Headline Tour Featuring Michael Monroe

Buckcherry announce today a fall headline tour with support from legendary Hanoi Rocks vocalist Michael Monroe. The tour begins September 20 with a Buckcherry only warm-up date at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, CA.

Drew Cagle and The Reputation, who Rolling Stone Magazine has named “One of the 10 Bands to Watch in 2025,” will open all shows.

“Let It Burn” was filmed at two upstate New York shows during the Spring tour with Steel Panther and was directed by Tom Flynn. The dates for the Buckcherry/Michael Monroe as well as the Buckcherry only shows are below.

BUCKCHERRY ON TOUR:
10/10 – New Haven, CT – College Street Music Hall
10/11 – Syracuse, NY – Sharkey’s Event Center
10/12 – Glenside, PA – Keswick Theater
10/14 – Derry, NH – Tupelo Music Hall
10/15 – Albany, NY – Empire Live
10/17 – Harrison, OH – Blue Note Harrison
10/18 – Flint, MI – The Machine Shop
10/19 – Dixon, IL – Dixon Theater
10/21 – Warrendale, PA – Jergel’s Rhythm Grille
10/23 – Bowling Green, KY – Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center
10/24 – St. Charles, IL – Arcada Theater
10/25 – Ringle, WI – Q & Z Expo Center
10/26 – Kansasville, WI – 1175 Sports Park*
10/28 – Peoria, IL – Temple Live*
10/30 – St. Louis, MO – Pops*
10/31 – West Siloam, OK – Seven Stage @ Cherokee Casino*
11/1 – Kansas City, MO – VooDoo Lounge*
11/2 – Springfield, MO – The Regency Live*
11/4 – Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom*
11/6 – Albuquerque,NM – Sunshine Theater*
11/7 – Tucson, AZ – Encore*
*BUCKCHERRY ONLY

RAYE Announces THIS TOUR MAY CONTAIN NEW MUSIC – 40-Date 2026 Headline Tour

Music

Eric Alper

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Oct 10, 2025

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RAYE Announces THIS TOUR MAY CONTAIN NEW MUSIC – 40-Date 2026 Headline Tour

Currently featured on the October cover of British Vogue (read here), three-time GRAMMY-nominated global music superstar RAYE returns today with the new single “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!” out now on all digital streaming platforms via Human Re Sources/The Orchard. Co-written and produced with longtime collaborator Mike Sabath, the track marks the first release off her highly-anticipated sophomore album, due to arrive in 2026 – LISTEN HERE // PRE-ORDER ALBUM HERE.
“WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!” is a sassy yet sincere ode to RAYE’s search for her life partner. Fusing funky brass, syncopated R&B beats, and glossy soul-pop production, the track showcases RAYE’s signature soaring vocals and layered harmonies. Fans first heard the song as the opening number of her acclaimed Glastonbury set this summer, with subsequent performances at All Points East and the Montreux Jazz Festival.
To coincide with today’s release, RAYE has announced THIS TOUR MAY CONTAIN NEW MUSIC — a massive 40-date headline tour running from January 22 to May 12, 2026. The Live Nation-produced trek will feature arena shows across the UK and Europe, followed by a North American leg with stops at iconic venues such as New York City’s Radio City Music Hall, Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre, and Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre. Providing direct support throughout the entire tour are her younger sisters, ABSOLUTELY and AMMA, who recently joined RAYE at All Points East—offering fans an early glimpse of the powerful family dynamic they can expect live.
UK/EUROPE 2026 TOUR DATES
January 22, 2026: Lodz, Poland – Atlas Arena
January 24, 2026: Berlin, Germany – Uber Arena (FKA Mercedes Benz Arena)
January 25, 2026: Prague, Czech Republic – O2 Arena
January 27, 2026: Amsterdam, Netherlands – Ziggo Dome
January 30, 2026: Bologna, Italy – Unipol Arena
February 1, 2026: Antwerp, Belgium – AFAS Dome
February 3, 2026: Copenhagen, Denmark – Royal Arena
February 5, 2026: Oslo, Norway – Unity Arena
February 7, 2026: Stockholm, Sweden – Avicii Arena
February 10, 2026: Cologne, Germany – Lanxess Arena
February 11, 2026: Zurich, Switzerland – Hallenstadion
February 13, 2026: Barcelona, Spain – Palau Saint Jordi
February 15, 2026: Paris, France – Accor Arena
February 17, 2026: Manchester, UK – Co-Op Live
February 20, 2026: Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
February 23, 2026: Birmingham, UK – bp pulse LIVE
February 26, 2026: London, UK – The O2
February 27, 2026: London, UK – The O2
March 4, 2026: Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena
NORTH AMERICA 2026 TOUR DATES
March 31, 2026: Sacramento, CA, USA – Channel 24
April 2, 2026: Vancouver, BC, CAN – Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Center
April 3, 2026: Seattle, WA, USA – WAMU Theater @ Lumen Field
April 6, 2026: Denver, CO, USA – Fillmore Auditorium
April 8, 2026: Minneapolis, MN, USA – State Theatre
April 10, 2026: Chicago, IL, USA – Auditorium Theatre
April 12, 2026: Montreal, QC, CAN – Place Bell
April 13, 2026: Toronto, ON, CAN – Coca Cola Coliseum
April 15, 2026: New York, NY, USA – Radio City Music Hall
April 19, 2026: Philadelphia, PA, USA – The Met Presented by Highmark
April 20, 2026: Boston, MA, USA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway
April 26, 2026: Washington, DC, USA – The Anthem
April 28, 2026: Atlanta, GA, USA – Coca Cola Roxy
April 29, 2026: Nashville, TN, USA – Ryman Auditorium
May 1, 2026: Houston, TX, USA – 713 Music Hall
May 3, 2026: Dallas, TX, USA – South Side Ballroom
May 4, 2026: Austin, TX, USA – Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park
May 7, 2026: Phoenix, AZ, USA – Arizona Financial Theatre
May 8, 2026: Las Vegas, NV, USA – The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
May 10, 2026: San Francisco, CA, USA – The Theater at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
May 12, 2026: Los Angeles, CA, USA – Greek Theatre

Melys Return With Fierce Double Single ‘5 Star T*ts’ and ‘Bruises’ From Acclaimed Album ‘Second Wind’

Music

Eric Alper

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Oct 10, 2025

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Melys Return With Fierce Double Single ‘5 Star T*ts’ and ‘Bruises’ From Acclaimed Album ‘Second Wind’

Welsh indie band Melys return with a bold and uncompromising double single release, tackling themes often left in the shadows. Frontwoman Andrea Parker leads with fierce vulnerability, addressing domestic abuse in Bruises and calling out industry sexism in 5 Star t*ts—a track inspired by a real-life incident involving a dismissive and misogynistic single review from members of a very well known band in a prominent 90s music publication, stating they would award Melys another star if she (Parker) had big tits!

“The fact everyone thought it was acceptable and funny just made it worse for me as a young, nervous girl with a complex about the way I looked,” Parker recalls. “It was only made worse by the fact the publication replicated the quote on the front page too. The thing that makes me angry is the fact that 25 years later and this attitude is still going on today, literally nothing has changed!”

5 Star t*ts features a blistering guest performance from Pendulum guitarist Peredur Ap Gwynedd, whose sharp, staccato riffs perfectly complement Melys’ signature mix of driving guitars, punchy bass, and kinetic drums. A live favourite, the track balances raw energy with pointed commentary.

In contrast, Bruises is a slow-burning, brooding track that showcases Parker’s clear, emotive vocal delivery. Delicate and haunting, her voice carries an air of fragility that gradually intensifies, building to a powerful close.

Taken from their 2025 critically acclaimed 5th studio album “Second Wind”, this double release confirms Melys’ status as a band unafraid to combine lyrical depth with unmistakable musical craft.

Welsh Indie band Melys formed in the Snowdonia village of Betws-y-Coed in the late 90’s and quickly signed for the legendary Welsh label, ‘Ankst’(Super Furry Animals, Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci)

With daytime and evening BBC Radio One plays from Mark Radcliffe, Steve Lamacq and Marc Riley and John Peel, the band signed a major deal, opened their own studio and label and went on to release 4 studio albums and an introducing album (released in Europe andUSA). Melys were 2002 winners of the Welsh music award for best live act, and were big favourites of legendary BBC radio DJ John Peel, and recorded 11 BBC sessions for him, going on to win Peel’s festive 50 with their song ‘Chinese Whispers’ in 2001.

After a long break where Andrea and Paul opened a few restaurants and Gary became an academic doctor, the band have been busy again, touring the UK with friends The Wedding Present and have just released a BBC sessions album (Vol.1) featuring sessions from Huw Stephens, John Peel and Adam Walton. Melys are currently in the studio on Anglesey mixing an album of new material with old friend and producer Gorwel Owen (Super Furries, Gorkys, Gwenno)

Laura Pieri Channels Her Inner Vampire in Haunting “Marry the Night” Cover Series

Music

Eric Alper

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Oct 10, 2025

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Laura Pieri Channels Her Inner Vampire in Haunting “Marry the Night” Cover Series

Rising pop singer and songwriter Laura Pieri is embracing the spirit of the season with a bold new creative project: a series of Halloween-themed cover songs and visuals celebrating women who’ve long been labeled as too much, too intense, too dramatic, or too free. The series launched this week with Pieri’s haunting reinterpretation of Lady Gaga’s “Marry the Night.”

“The vampire made perfect sense with ‘Marry the Night’: the kiss of the vampire is eternal, it’s a kind of marriage,” Pieri shares. “Lady Gaga has always lived in that fantasy; she’s a vampire woman, powerful and unafraid of the dark. In my version, I wanted to strip the song down, bring a bit of my Brazilian identity — that raw, live texture — to let the darkness sound human, to make it feel alive.”

Throughout October, Pieri will release three covers, each channeling a distinct character and reimagining the female archetypes she’s reclaiming. She’s also launched a Substack, where she’s writing a story for each persona — beginning with The Vampire, The Bride of Gravenholt, which is live now. The series will culminate on October 31 with an original song, marking a bold new chapter in her artistry.

This new era arrives on the heels of Pieri’s release of Frankie (ON THE DANCEFLOOR), the high-octane counterpart to her acclaimed 2024 EP, Frankie. Featuring reimagined, club-ready versions of the original tracks alongside a brand-new single, Frankie (ON THE DANCEFLOOR) saw Pieri transforming her story of survival into one of celebration.

Born in São Paulo and now living in New York City, Laura Pieri has been chasing music for as long as she can remember. There was never a single moment of realization; music has simply always been part of her identity. Over the last few years, Pieri has carved a distinct path in pop, earning features in outlets like FLAUNT, Mundane Magazine, and Northern Transmissions.

A true multidisciplinary artist, Pieri approaches every project with a fully realized vision. She not only writes and performs her music, but also immerses herself in the visual world surrounding it.