Hours before his legendary Woodstock set, Carlos Santana took LSD from Jerry Garcia — and the world changed shape. With colors melting and time bending, he let faith and instinct take over. Guided by God and pure rhythm, he played like his soul was on fire.
Why Creators Are Turning to NextSky to Build Their Shopify Stores
In today’s digital era, creativity has become a global marketplace. Musicians, illustrators, and online creators are no longer limited by record labels or galleries — they’re building their own empires directly from laptops. And at the center of this transformation lies eCommerce.
That’s where eCommerce plays a vital role. By launching their own online stores, creators can control how their work is presented, connect directly with their fans, and earn more from every sale. Among all platforms available, Shopify stands out as a trusted choice for turning creativity into a business — offering flexibility, ease of use, and ownership.
The Evolution of the Creator Economy
Over the last decade, the creator economy has grown into a $250 billion global industry and is projected to surpass $480 billion by 2027 (according to Goldman Sachs). More than 200 million people now consider themselves creators — from musicians and podcasters to teachers and designers.
Unlike earlier generations who relied on third-party platforms, today’s creators are building direct-to-fan ecosystems. Followers are no longer just audiences — they’ve become customers and brand advocates.
However, with independence comes responsibility: creators must design storefronts, manage transactions, and deliver seamless shopping experiences while maintaining authenticity. Shopify has become a key ally in this journey, giving creators professional-grade tools without the need for coding or technical expertise.
Why Shopify Has Become the Creator’s Choice
Shopify democratized online selling much like YouTube democratized video publishing. It allows creators to launch professional stores quickly and integrate sales directly into their content ecosystems.
Here’s why creators prefer Shopify:
- Creative control: Every design element can reflect the creator’s personal style.
- Omnichannel integration: Sell through TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and even live streams.
- Built-in analytics: Track where traffic and conversions come from.
- App ecosystem: Over 8,000 apps enable automation, marketing, and product customization.
- Scalability: From a one-person brand to a global enterprise, Shopify adapts as you grow.
This balance of creativity and business makes Shopify an essential platform for creators seeking both artistic freedom and commercial success.
Where NextSky Fits In
While Shopify provides the tools, design defines the experience — and that’s where NextSky, a Shopify design and development company, comes in.
NextSky focuses on creating high-performance Shopify themes that combine storytelling, usability, and clean design. Over the years, the company has built themes used by thousands of Shopify store owners worldwide, including Glozin, Umino, Agile, and the latest Purity theme.
Each theme reflects NextSky’s commitment to helping creators and entrepreneurs build online stores that look professional, load fast, and stay true to their brand identity.
From Stage to Storefront: Real-World Examples
The shift toward independent selling is visible across industries.
- Musicians use Shopify to sell vinyl records, digital albums, and limited-edition merchandise directly to fans — cutting out middlemen like distributors.
- Visual artists and illustrators are building their own print shops, offering signed artwork, digital downloads, and commissions through Shopify.
- Content creators on YouTube or TikTok sell branded products, online courses, or digital tools — connecting commerce directly to their community.
According to Shopify’s 2024 data, creators who integrate direct sales into their personal platforms see an average 25–30% increase in fan engagement and repeat customers.
Themes like Umino and Glozin simplify this process by offering prebuilt layouts optimized for storytelling, visuals, and product showcases.
The Human Side of Digital Commerce
For creators, eCommerce isn’t just about selling — it’s about connection.
A well-designed store becomes an extension of their creative world, giving fans a place to explore, support, and interact.
Research from Baymard Institute shows that 70% of online shoppers value “ease of navigation and authenticity” over flashy visuals. That’s why successful creator stores focus on fast performance, clear structure, and emotional storytelling — whether achieved through Shopify’s built-in customization or professionally crafted themes.
A New Chapter for Independent Creativity
The future of the creator economy lies in ownership.
By combining creativity with business tools like Shopify, individuals can now shape their brands on their own terms — no agents, no middle platforms, just a direct line between creator and audience.
And with thoughtful design solutions such as NextSky’s Shopify themes, that vision can take tangible form — transforming artistic ideas into professional online stores that grow with the creator.
Because in the end, creativity doesn’t just need a platform.
It needs a home.
Building a digital brand today is about more than transactions — it’s about storytelling, trust, and identity. Shopify empowers creators to own their presence, while design companies like NextSky provide the structure to bring that presence to life.
For modern creators, that combination represents more than business — it’s creative independence, built to last.
Alan Jackson Announces Final Concert ‘Last Call: One More for the Road – The Finale’ in Nashville
Alan Jackson is ready to serve up one more round before he retires from touring…and he’s inviting all sorts of friends to join him! Last Call: One More for the Road – The Finale – the last full-length concert of Jackson’s touring career – will take place Saturday, June 27, 2026 at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium, home of the Tennessee Titans. It’s a concert unlike any he’s ever done before – an unforgettable celebration of an unmatched career!
In addition to the more than 50,000 people who’ll fill the field and stands, an all-star lineup of artists will join Jackson to celebrate his career and legacy. Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Riley Green, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Jon Pardi, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Lee Ann Womack will all perform at the event…with more multi-platinum, Grammy, CMA and ACM Award-winning artists to be announced!
“We just felt like we had to end it all where it all started for me, and that’s in Nashville – Music City – where country music lives,” Jackson says, echoing the sentiment he offered when announcing an end to his road career this past spring.
Registration for pre-sales begins today, October 8 at 10:00am CT at www.AlanJacksonLastCall.com and continues through Monday, October 13. Pre-sales begin Wednesday, October 15 at 10:00am CT. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, October 17 (Jackson’s birthday) at 10:00am CT, should any remain. VIP experiences are also available.
At a May concert in Milwaukee, Jackson announced the end of his touring career, surprising many when he told the sellout crowd, “This is my last road show.” “It’s been a long, sweet ride. It started 40 years ago,” he went on to explain. “I’ve really lived the American dream for sure – I’m so blessed.”
Jackson’s touring career has taken his catalog of true country music from coast-to-coast countless times…crossed Canada from sea-to-sea…and even made its way to such far-reaching places as Australia, Brazil, and Europe. His Last Call: One More for the Road tour – which began in 2022 and continued through this past spring – found the Country Music Hall of Fame member playing to enthusiastic audiences at sellout and capacity concerts.
Wintergrass 2026 Unveils ‘Rad Trad’ Lineup Celebrating Tradition and Transformation
The celebrated West Coast music gathering Wintergrass returns to the Hyatt Regency Bellevue from February 19-22, 2026, unveiling its official lineup and embracing a “Rad Trad” vision that celebrates both the roots and evolution of traditional music.
Since its debut in 1994, Wintergrass has stood as one of the nation’s premier “discovery” festivals––a junction where both legacy and innovation invite attendees to explore music through more than just sound––engaging sight, touch, and movement through hands-on workshops, instrument exhibits, vibrant stages, and jam sessions. Set within the urban comfort of downtown Bellevue, the four-day festival transforms the Hyatt Regency into a lively, multi-stage sanctuary for musicians and music-lovers alike.
This year’s Rad Trad focus explores the many ways tradition can be expressed––from bluegrass to old-time, polska to folk, Celtic, and beyond. Through its diverse lineup, Wintergrass 2026 pays homage to timeless musical roots while spotlighting the artists who are fearlessly redefining them for a new generation.
Among those torchbearers are New Dangerfield, a Black stringband supergroup comprising award-winning banjoist Tray Wellington, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Kaïa Kater, bassist Nelson Williams (of Chris Jones & the Night Drivers fame), and fiddler and singer Jake Blount. Other standouts include Woody Platt & The Bluegrass Gentlemen (Platt, being a former and founding member of the legacy bluegrass outfit Steep Canyon Rangers), singer, songwriter, and double bassist Melissa Carper, whose storied career spans decades of genre-spanning collaborations and a deep dedication to preserving and evolving traditional acoustic music, Swedish trad/folk duo Väsen, whose virtuosic blend of nyckelharpa, electric bass viola, and violoncello da spalla pushes the boundaries of Scandinavian roots music, and Missy Raines & Allegheny, led by the iconic bassist and IBMA award-winner whose innovative approach and decades-long career have helped shape the sound of contemporary bluegrass.
“Tradition is good––it gives us a place to hang our hats,” shares Patrice O’Neil, Executive + Artistic Director for Wintergrass. “But it’s an ever-evolving, slippery thing. We like to think this lineup offers both comfort and feel-your-way-in-the-dark discovery moments. Rad Trad means being open to radical interpretations of just exactly how to balance old and new.”
Wintergrass has always been beloved for its heels-dug-in, fully immersive experience. From youth education programs where the next generation of pickers learns their first chords, to free workshops included with your ticket and paid intensives where adults can dive deeper into their craft, the four-day joyfest offers something for every level of musician and listener.
Beyond the stages, festivalgoers can explore one of the most remarkable instrument exhibits anywhere, featuring fine handcrafted instruments, unique artisan goods, and gear that inspires creativity. Between performances, workshops, and spontaneous jam circles, the only stressful part of the weekend is deciding what to do next. Regarded as a hallowed ground where tradition meets transformation, Wintergrass is one of the last rare spaces where artistry, authenticity, and connection come first. Whether you’ve made Wintergrass an annual tradition or are joining for the first time, one thing is certain––a weekend of inspiration, discovery, and profound joy through music awaits.
Tickets to Wintergrass 2026 are on sale now. For more information, visit wintergrass.com, or follow along at @WintergrassMusicFestival on Facebook and Instagram.
Wintergrass 2026 Lineup
Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass
Woody Platt & The Bluegrass Gentlemen
Melissa Carper
New Dangerfield
Mr. Sun
John Reischman & The Jaybirds
The Paperboys
Väsen
The Fretless
Caleb Klauder & Reeb Willms Country Band
Same Street Band with Darol Anger
Bruce Molsky & Brittany Hass
Biribá Union
Missy Raines & Allegheny
Mollie O’Brien & Rich Moore
Pine Leaf Boys
Jerron Paxton
Hanneke Cassel Trio
Jordan Tice Trio
Joachim Cooder
Fog Holler
Nina Gerber & Chris Webster
Madeleine Roger
Sons of Rainier
The Horsenecks
Squirrel Butter
Briarfinch
Hillman City Sway
Guatemalan Indie-Pop Artist J Miguel Finds Peace in New Single ‘A Cool Breeze’
Chicago-based Guatemalan artist J Miguel is back with his new single “A Cool Breeze.” The song is his first release of the year and the first of four songs leading up to his forthcoming album, dropping in 2026. The track has an easy, feel-good vibe—smooth and rhythmically infectious.
Mixing pop, indie, R&B, and Latin sensibilities, J Miguel gives us a track that feels like letting go of old weight and starting anew. His voice flows naturally over soft guitars and steady beats, switching between English and Spanish as he sings about finding peace and moving forward.
In his words, “After a year and a half of feeling emotionally stuck, I found myself longing to go back to when I was a carefree teen, naïve, happy, and full of love. I realized I was the only one standing in my way.” This quote does a good job summing up the meaning behind the song.
“I found myself longing to go back to when I was a carefree teen, naïve, happy, and full of love.”
The repeated line “It’s a cool midnight summer breeze” sets the tone by giving listeners something they can visualize and feel. “After months of searching, I found peace not by escaping the chaos, but by embracing it,” J Miguel says. He put those feelings to song.
“A Cool Breeze” is written about J Miguel’s personal experience but it is relatable. It’s like a late-night drive with the windows down. It’s about release, healing, and being okay with where you are.
J Miguel’s latest song reminds listeners that sometimes the best kind of change comes quietly, like a cool breeze on a summer night.
Indie Duo The Dream Eaters Serve Up Surreal New Single ‘Dead Friends’
Brooklyn, NY/Toronto, ON-based indie rock/pop duo The Dream Eaters return with their macabre yet comic new single, “Dead Friends,” a track that transforms loneliness and loss into something strangely celebratory. Blending humour with the surreal, the song tells the story of a trip back to your hometown, only to realize the life you once knew has vanished. Friends are gone, but their ghosts remain – so you invite them over for dinner.
“It’s about taking a trip to your hometown, and the loneliness of realizing that what you knew as your life there has disappeared,” explains Jake Zavracky (vocals/guitar/programming). “So you go back to your apartment and have dinner with their ghosts. It’s humorous and surreal but also about celebrating the moments we shared with the people who have left us.”
What makes “Dead Friends” unique is its unflinching embrace of the macabre through something as ordinary as food. “I don’t know that anyone has ever written a song about making dinner for ghosts,” adds Zavracky. “It’s also about food, and how we use food to show love. Making dinner for people is the best way to show love for your friends.”
The track was mixed by Zavracky’s longtime friend John Dragonetti – known for his work in The Submarines and Jack Drag – adding another layer of nostalgia and connection to the release. It also draws inspiration from Italian chef Gennaro Cantaldo, who once cooked a lemon pasta for his late friend in a moving video that inspired Zavracky to write “Dead Friends” instantly.
Since 2015, The Dream Eaters have evolved from a dream pop band into a full-on video art project, releasing hundreds of darkly humorous and visually inventive videos. Vocalist/keyboardist Elizabeth LeBaron (originally from Calgary) and Zavracky (originally from Boston) began making music together while working at a bar in Brooklyn’s Gowanus neighborhood, eventually joined by drummer/dancer Steve Fugitt.
Their catalog includes EPs, two albums (We Are A Curse, 2017; Pagan Love, 2018), and their ongoing web series The Dream Eating Freakshow. With a growing cult fanbase across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, and extensive touring in the U.S. and Canada, The Dream Eaters continue to balance catchy indie pop hooks with gothic humour and surreal storytelling.
13 Debut Albums That Were Instant Classics
Some albums don’t need time to find their place — they arrive fully formed, shaking the world and rewriting the rules. These debut records didn’t just introduce artists; they announced icons. From grunge revolutions to pop reinventions, here are 13 debut albums that landed as instant classics.
‘Are You Experienced’ – The Jimi Hendrix Experience (1967)
The guitar became a cosmic instrument. Hendrix’s debut turned distortion into poetry, psychedelic rock into spectacle, and every solo into a declaration of genius. The world would never hear sound the same way again.
‘Appetite for Destruction’ – Guns N’ Roses (1987)
The Sunset Strip went supernova. Grit, rebellion, and swagger bled from every note as Axl, Slash, and the gang redefined hard rock with “Welcome to the Jungle” and “Sweet Child O’ Mine.”
‘Boy’ – U2 (1980)
Echoing guitars, heartfelt lyrics, and boundless idealism. U2’s debut captured youth, hope, and the pulse of a band that would soon fill stadiums with sound and soul.
‘Born to Die’ – Lana Del Rey (2012)
A cinematic universe of heartbreak and Hollywood melancholy. Lana Del Rey’s debut introduced a lush, nostalgic world where glamour met gloom, all wrapped in vintage Americana.
‘CrazySexyCool’ – TLC (1994)
Silky harmonies and fearless attitude blended R&B, funk, and hip-hop into a smooth groove revolution. TLC’s debut made cool sound effortless and empowerment sound like the future.
‘Elvis Presley’ – Elvis Presley (1956)
The King walked in, guitar in hand, and the world started swiveling its hips. This record fused rhythm and blues with country twang and youth rebellion — and rock ’n’ roll was born.
‘Illmatic’ – Nas (1994)
Nine tracks of pure lyrical perfection. Nas painted New York street life with poetic detail, laying the blueprint for hip-hop storytelling that still echoes through every verse today.
‘Licensed to Ill’ – Beastie Boys (1986)
Punk energy met hip-hop swagger, and a party exploded. From “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” to “Fight for Your Right,” it was chaotic, clever, and completely culture-shifting.
‘Parachutes’ – Coldplay (2000)
Soft, shimmering, and heartfelt. With songs like “Yellow,” Coldplay introduced a wave of melodic melancholy that quietly took over radio and hearts everywhere.
‘Reasonable Doubt’ – Jay-Z (1996)
A hustler’s symphony of cool precision and ambition. Jay-Z’s debut mapped the intersection of street hustle and lyrical mastery — a blueprint for every mogul to come.
‘Ten’ – Pearl Jam (1991)
Grit met grace. Vedder’s voice roared with emotion, the guitars soared, and a generation found its anthem in the stormy heart of grunge.
‘The Fame’ – Lady Gaga (2008)
Pop’s new architect arrived in sequins and synths. Gaga’s debut mixed dance-floor euphoria with performance art flair, making fame itself her glittering playground.
‘The Velvet Underground & Nico’ – The Velvet Underground (1967)
Avant-garde art met raw noise in a record that reshaped alternative music. Lou Reed, Nico, and Warhol’s factory turned outsider energy into timeless influence.
‘Michael Bolton’ Book Showcases Decades of Iconic Photography by Timothy White
The quintessential collection of iconic photographs and poignant texts that reveal the visual and cultural legacy of American icon Michael Bolton as captured by longtime collaborator, renowned photographer, and dear friend Timothy White.
In 1987, celebrity photographer Timothy White got a call from American musician Michael Bolotin’s (now Bolton) record company asking him to work on a photo shoot. When Bolton came over to his studio, Timothy was struck by his calm persona, dry wit, and superb sense of humor. The two immediately hit it off. The resulting full-of-life photographs that captured Bolton’s charisma and charm marked the start of not only a professional but also a personal relationship that would come to establish Bolton’s visual legacy and identity.
Michael Bolton contains White’s handpicked collection of cinematic photographs featuring Bolton, on view together for the first time ever. The wide range of works include: Bolton with his trademark wavy locks, pictures in his breathtaking neoclassical home, classic editorial studio shots, and heartwarming selections from shoots across a variety of urban and rural landscapes. The work spans decades, featuring Bolton at all stages of his career.
Original quotes from celebrity friends are peppered throughout the book’s pages and highlight Bolton’s impact on a range of famous lives and on wider society. Dolly Parton notes how Bolton “stole her heart” the first time she heard him sing, Smokey Robinson declares Bolton “one of the greatest singers in life”, and The Lonely Island coin Michael a National Treasure. Additional mash notes from Kelly Clarkson, John Oliver, Zooey Deschanel, and Andre Agassi, to name a few, fill out the testimonials of love. Bolton and White themselves contribute text, as well as legendary Record Executive, Clive Davis.
Chock-full of cinematic visuals and touching, personal texts that reveal a side of the enigmatic megastar that has never been presented before, the book portrays a comprehensive visual overview of the beloved performer and his impact on popular culture, while also highlighting an intimate collaboration between two exemplars of their respective talent fields.
‘Blondie in Camera 1978’ Captures the Spark of a Band on the Brink of Stardom
Blondie in Camera 1978 beautifully presents the most celebrated photos of the late 1970s’ biggest breakthrough band.
Blondie in Camera 1978 is richly illustrated with photographer Martyn Goddard’s most famous images of Blondie. Taken during their breakthrough year, these pictures have graced magazines, newspapers, promotional campaigns, posters and even the ‘Picture This’ single cover and the Best of Blondie album cover.
Blondie’s rise to the mainstream surface punctuated the late ’70s with a raft of unforgettable New Wave hits. The genre-mashing classic ‘Heart of Glass’ along with the likes of ‘Hanging on a Telephone’ and ‘Picture This’ were as zesty and fresh-faced as the young band members, who soon found superstardom as their singles landed and the strength of their attitude began to resonate. When Goddard traveled to New York in ’78 with an assignment to photograph lead-singer Debbie Harry, he couldn’t have imagined that Blondie’s songs and his images would soon become permanent fixtures on the cultural landscape.
This is the ultimate treasure trove for fans of one of the world’s biggest bands.
‘Their Generation’: The Who’s Explosive U.S. Tours Captured Through the Lens of Tom Wright
The story of The Who’s momentous first tours of America told through fabulous photos by the band’s official photographer and tour manager Tom Wright with a foreword by Pete Townshend.
Tom Wright first met Pete Townshend at Ealing Art School in the early 60s. He became The Who’s official tour photographer and manager from 1967 in the US, also managing the Grande Ballroom in Detroit where The Who’s rock opera Tommy premiered. He was much more than the band’s photographer, he was a friend and photographed them right up to their farewell tour in 1991. Tom’s vast record collection and musical influences had a big impact on the band in their early years.
Their Generation covers The Who’s first tours of North America, a hugely creative time with explosive performances both on and off stage, the time of their US hit ‘I Can See for Miles’ and much more.
Through the fabulous photographs, many of which have never been seen before, we see the band backstage, onstage, on tour, at rehearsal, at ease, in studio, at home. The photos will be accompanied by extended captions providing background details of the time, the people and the places.
As well as The Who, Tom Wright toured with the Rolling Stones, the Faces, The James Gang, J. D. Elvis Costello, The Eagles and many more, documenting their performances and life on the road.
“One thing is certain, had I not met Tom Wright, The Who would never have become successful.” Pete Townshend