Home Blog Page 327

Blues Traveler And Gin Blossoms Reunite For 35 Date Summer Co Headlining Tour With Spin Doctors

Eric Alper
-
0
Blues Traveler And Gin Blossoms Reunite For 35 Date Summer Co Headlining Tour With Spin Doctors

Multi-platinum rock legends Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms have joined forces for an electrifying co-headlining summer tour, marking an unprecedented second consecutive year for the same lineup. The bands behind signature hits like “Run-Around” and “Hey Jealousy” have announced a 35 date run set to kick off on Monday, July 6 at the Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park, lighting up iconic stages from Los Angeles to New York City’s SummerStage in Central Park before culminating on Saturday, September 19. Legendary alternative rock band Spin Doctors return to the lineup, commemorating the 35th anniversary of their multi-platinum debut ‘Pocket Full of Kryptonite,’ home to the chart topping, Grammy nominated hit “Two Princes.” Tickets go on sale Friday, January 23 at 10am local time, with a few exceptions.

The chemistry between these three bands was on full display during the 2025 co-headlining tour, when Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms took over the Jimmy Kimmel Live! stage for an unforgettable on-air mashup. Blues Traveler frontman John Popper reflects on the rare connection forged on the road. “It’s rare when a package feels so much like home that it carries a spirit which becomes tangible to an audience,” he says. “That was the case regarding our summer tour last year with Spin Doctors and Gin Blossoms. We grew up with Spin Doctors as pups in the same litter… ours is a shared origin story. But working with Gin Blossoms was a first. Their music was everywhere when we were coming up, and yet only last summer did we have the opportunity to learn how fun it is playing with them and to discover how much energy our three bands put out in combination. So, we’ve decided to take this show everywhere we missed last year.” Guitarist Chan Kinchla adds, “Back by popular demand! We had such a blast last summer with Gin Blossoms and Spin Doctors and all of you beautiful people that we decided to bring the tour to the half of the country we missed.”

Gin Blossoms members echo the enthusiasm, recognizing the unique nature of this return engagement. “Same tour 2 summers in a row,” says vocalist Robin Wilson. “I’ve never even heard of this happening before. It is a testament to the strength of the lineup. We’re all friends, we’re gonna sell a lot of tickets, and it will be a blast.” Guitarist Jesse Valenzuela puts it simply: “Let’s do it again, part deux! Another summer of great music with our brothers in Blues Traveler and Spin Doctors.” Guitarist Scott Johnson adds, “Blues Traveler and Spin Doctors is the best package we have ever been a part of, something for everyone!” The Arizona band, whose quadruple-platinum album ‘New Miserable Experience’ helped define ’90s alternative radio, was honored in 2022 when Tempe unveiled an honorary street sign renaming a section of 8th Street as “Allison Road Avenue,” celebrating both the beloved song and the album’s 30th anniversary.

Spin Doctors frontman Chris Barron highlights the unprecedented nature of this touring arrangement. “As far as I know, it’s pretty unprecedented for the same tour to go out two summers in a row,” he says. “I’m glad it’s happening because it’s nice to know that while we were having a ball, the audiences were as well. For sure it’s gonna be the ticket of the summer.” Drummer Aaron Comess hints at what fans can expect: “We had so much fun last summer on this tour we’re doing it again. Get ready for lots more collaborations, hit songs, and killer jams.” The band’s latest album, ‘Face Full of Cake,’ marks their first release in 12 years and features new bassist Jack Daley, showcasing warm funk, abundant hooks, and the easygoing energy longtime fans expect.

For Blues Traveler, the tour continues a nearly four decade legacy that began in a drummer’s parents’ basement in Princeton, New Jersey. The band has released 14 studio albums, selling more than 10 million combined units worldwide, with “Run-Around” achieving the longest charting radio single in Billboard history and earning a Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. Last year marked 30 years since the single release of their Grammy winning breakthrough hit, a milestone highlighted in a Rolling Stone interview with Popper. Gin Blossoms, inducted into the Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame in 2017, continue to tour relentlessly with their latest album ‘Mixed Reality’ delivering 15 new tracks packed with chiming melodies and undeniable heart. The three bands bring decades of combined experience, millions of records sold, and a shared commitment to high energy performances that turn nostalgia into something unmistakably alive.

2026 TOUR DATES:

Monday, July 6 – Grand Junction, CO – Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park

Thursday, July 9 – Eugene, OR – Cuthbert Amphitheater

Friday, July 10 – Seattle, WA – Marymoor Live

Tuesday, July 14 – Salt Lake City, UT – TBA

Thursday, July 16 – Sparks, NV – Nugget Casino Resort – Grand Ballroom

Friday, July 17 – Rohnert Park, CA – Green Music Center

Saturday, July 18 – Los Angeles, CA – TBA

Tuesday, July 28 – Sidney, ME – Bowl in the Pines

Thursday, July 30 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center

Friday, July 31 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena

Saturday, August 1 – Atlantic City, NJ – Ocean Casino Resort

Tuesday, August 4 – Selbyville, DE – Freeman Arts Pavilion

Thursday, August 6 – Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony Summer Stage

Saturday, August 8 – Columbus, OH – Celeste Center (Ohio Expo Center)

Sunday, August 9 – Canandaigua, NY – CMAC

Wednesday, August 12 – Vienna, VA – Filene Center at Wolf Trap

Friday, August 14 – Boston, MA – Leader Bank Pavilion

Saturday, August 15 – New York City, NY – SummerStage in Central Park

Tuesday, August 18 – Hamburg, NY – TBA

Tuesday, August 25 – Bethlehem, PA – Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks

Thursday, August 27 – Glen Allen, VA – SERVPRO After Hours Concerts at The Innsbrook Pavilion

Friday, August 28 – Cary, NC – Koka Booth Amphitheatre

Saturday, August 29 – Charlotte, NC – Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre

Tuesday, September 1 – Clearwater, FL – The BayCare Sound

Thursday, September 3 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood

Friday, September 4 – St. Augustine, FL – The St. Augustine Amphitheatre

Saturday, September 5 – Atlanta, GA – Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park

Tuesday, September 8 – Louisville, KY – Iroquois Amphitheater

Thursday, September 10 – Des Moines, IA – Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park

Friday, September 11 – Omaha, NE – Shadow Ridge Music Festival

Saturday, September 12 – Waite Park, MN – The Lodge Amphitheater

Tuesday, September 15 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre

Thursday, September 17 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center

Friday, September 18 – Allegan, MI – Allegan County Fair

Saturday, September 19 – Traverse City, MI – Turtle Creek Stadium

Kenny Chesney Returns To Vegas Sphere For June 2026 Residency With Deep Catalogue Cuts

Eric Alper
-
0
Kenny Chesney Returns To Vegas Sphere For June 2026 Residency With Deep Catalogue Cuts

Kenny Chesney returns to Vegas Sphere for a five-concert residency set for June 19 through 27, 2026. The East Tennessee songwriter and brand new Country Music Hall of Fame inductee plans to surprise fans with deep catalogue cuts and songs he has never performed live. After his Pollstar Awards Residency of the Year-nominated 2025 run made him the first solo artist and country act to create music in a deeper dimension at the venue, Chesney came away with a richer sense of his songs and what Sphere’s configuration allows. The intimacy of the venue lets him perform material he cannot necessarily do in his massive stadium shows, drawing from his catalogue of 36 Country Airplay number ones and 99 charting singles.

Chesney explains that even though Sphere is a pretty big room with a lot of people, the way it is constructed means everyone is so close that he can do things that are a lot slower and really want to be listened to. “We pulled out some songs last year we don’t do very often, and people really responded, so when the band and I got back together to start talking about what we might do this year, a lot of songs that we talked about, we haven’t done in a long time,” he says. The artist, sandwiched between Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and Metallica on Pollstar’s Top 10 Touring Acts of the Millennium, continues, “We’re having a great time trying things out, finding our way inside them. We’re playing more things right now than we’ll actually be able to do, but I think we’re gonna surprise some people… because some of these songs we’ve never played, and a few we’ve not played in years.” He would not be surprised if the shows end up with 30 to 40 percent new material, maybe more. The residency follows the release of ‘Heart Life Music,’ the book chronicling his journey through music that topped the New York Times Bestseller Hardcover Nonfiction and Combined Print and E-Book Nonfiction lists.

British Rock Legends Thunder Release Newly Remastered Edition Of Iconic 1998 Album ‘Live’

Eric Alper
-
0
British Rock Legends Thunder Release Newly Remastered Edition Of Iconic 1998 Album ‘Live’

British rock legends Thunder return with a newly remastered edition of their iconic 1998 album ‘Live,’ available now digitally with physical release set for April 17 in the US. The release captures the band at a pivotal moment in their career, restoring the full force of their electrifying stage power with contemporary sonic clarity. Originally recorded in 1997, ‘Live’ documented Thunder during a period of renewal and momentum, offering a raw, unfiltered snapshot of a band firing on all cylinders. The remastered edition breathes new life into these performances, amplifying the immediacy and intensity that made the original release such a fan favorite. As part of the release, the band presents a video for fan favorite “The Only One,” offering a fresh visual companion.

The album stands as a powerful yet heartfelt showcase of Thunder’s ability to blend classic rock traditions with arena-sized hooks and soulful authenticity. Fueled by towering riffs, blues-infused grooves, and the unmistakable voice of Danny Bowes alongside the masterful songwriting and guitar work of Luke Morley, the performances crackle with energy and interaction. The recordings mark the arrival of Chris Childs, who joined the band shortly before these shows and has remained a cornerstone of the lineup ever since. Spanning 22 tracks, ‘Live’ delivers an abundance of classic material including “Love Walked In” and “Dirty Love,” with bonus content featuring additional acoustic and studio recordings. Remastered in 2025 with great care and respect for the original recordings, this edition faithfully preserves the grit and drive of the performances while delivering enhanced depth and clarity.

Danish Metallers Defecto Release “Heart On Fire” Featuring Stig Rossen From ‘Echoes Of Isolation’

Eric Alper
-
0
Danish Metallers Defecto Release “Heart On Fire” Featuring Stig Rossen From ‘Echoes Of Isolation’

Danish metallers Defecto have unleashed their new single “Heart On Fire,” featuring Danish actor and singer Stig Rossen. The track arrives from their latest studio album ‘Echoes Of Isolation,’ available now via Frontiers Music Srl. An official video accompanies the release, showcasing the collaboration between the Copenhagen metal outfit and Rossen. Guitarist and vocalist Nicklas Sonne describes the track as hitting “hard with a melodic, high-energy edge,” calling it “a song about fighting through the numbness, turning pressure into power, and keeping the fire alive even when it’s burning low.”

‘Echoes Of Isolation’ stands as Defecto’s most personal and introspective record, a concept album exploring the haunting landscape of mental illness and psychological struggles. Sonne explains that each song inhabits a different psychological struggle, including insomnia, schizophrenia, OCD, PTSD, paranoia, dissociation, and trauma. “This isn’t just a metal album. It’s a mirror held to the mind,” he states. The band aims to turn pain into power and create something that connects deeply with anyone who has felt broken, isolated, or misunderstood. The album delivers cinematic power and progressive depth that will captivate fans of Metallica, Symphony X, and Evergrey. Defecto formed in 2011 with Sonne, guitarist Frederik Møller, and bassist Thomas Bartholin, building a reputation through technical precision, melodic strength, and emotional intensity across three studio albums, two EPs, and festival appearances at Copenhell and RockFest Finland, plus support slots with Metallica and Rammstein.

Portuguese Mathcore Trio Ablaze Rekindle Pandemic Era Intensity With New EP ‘Slow Death’

Eric Alper
-
0
Portuguese Mathcore Trio Ablaze Rekindle Pandemic Era Intensity With New EP ‘Slow Death’

Portuguese mathcore trio Ablaze officially emerges today with the premiere of their striking new video for “Martyr,” the lead single from their forthcoming EP Slow Death. Forged during the isolation of 2020, the project began as a cathartic instrumental outlet for Hugo Martins (Pledge) and drummer Igor Esteves (Larkin) before a chance reconnection with veteran vocalist André Cardoso transformed the tracks into something sharper and more confrontational. Drawing influence from the raw energy of Converge and Poison the Well, the project serves as a visceral document of years of writing and buried emotion finally brought to the surface. Listeners describe the new material as a breathtaking celebration of cultural resonance and rhythmic precision. While the band was born out of necessity rather than ambition, the result is a heavy, unfiltered statement that officially arrives in full on February 6.

SiriusXM Canada Launches 2026 “Top Of The Country” Search For Next Country Superstar

Eric Alper
-
0
SiriusXM Canada Launches 2026 “Top Of The Country” Search For Next Country Superstar

SiriusXM Canada is proud to announce the launch of the 2026 SiriusXM Top of the Country competition. Open to emerging performers from coast to coast to coast, the nationwide competition, in partnership with the Canadian Country Music Association, celebrates Canada’s next generation of country music artists. The competition offers industry mentorship, performance opportunities, a SOCAN songwriting camp, and a national stage appearance, along with a $25,000 grand prize and two $10,000 runner-up prizes. Registration is now open to solo artists and groups until January 30 at topcountry.siriusxm.ca.

Since its launch in 2018, SiriusXM’s Top of the Country has become a proven platform for breakthrough Canadian country talent, helping to propel artists like Andrew Hyatt, Matt Lang, Tyler Joe Miller, Hailey Benedict, SACHA, Zach McPhee and Noeline Hofmann to the mainstage.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of SiriusXM Top of the Country is seeing audiences connect with new Canadian country stars in real time,” said Michelle Mearns, Senior Vice President of Programming & Operations, SiriusXM Canada. “Over the past eight years, the competition has served as a powerful platform for artist development, offering unmatched experiences, national exposure, and access to major stages. The sustained enthusiasm from artists and fans alike continues to strengthen and expand the program each year.”

Last year’s competition saw Alberta’s Noeline Hofmann crowned the 2025 Top of the Country champion, with Jake Vaadeland and Sully Burrows as runners-up.

“Winning the Top of the Country competition has been one of the biggest highlights of my career,” said Hofmann during the finale in Kelowna. “I’m incredibly grateful to SiriusXM Canada and the CCMA for this opportunity, and I encourage artists considering the competition to sign up.”

Following the nomination phase, an expert panel selects eight semi-finalists to record original tracks, with a nationwide fan vote helping to determine the top three. The finalists will move forward to a summer of live performance and showcase opportunities Nashville’s CMA Fest, LASSO Montréal, and new this year, Toronto’s Departure Festival. The competition will culminate at Country Music Week 2026, taking place this year in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where the top three will perform live and the 2026 winner will be crowned on stage.

“The CCMA’s long-standing partnership with SiriusXM Canada plays an integral role in helping us achieve our key pillars; to educate, elevate, and celebrate the Canadian country music community,” said Amy Jeninga, President, CCMA. “As we enter our eighth year of the Top of the Country partnership, we’re so proud of what we’ve built together, and endlessly motivated by our shared interest in fostering homegrown artists. The level of exceptional talent that has emerged over the years has been so inspiring, and we look forward to seeing what this year’s competition brings!”

SiriusXM Top of the Country, in partnership with the CCMA, is part of SiriusXM’s ongoing tradition of promoting and elevating the best emerging Canadian music talent. SiriusXM continues to offer a leading platform for Canadian artists through its significant financial contributions and North American-wide reach. 

Long Island Artist Christopher Ardra Returns With Soulful Post-Genre Single “Tell Me”

Eric Alper
-
0
Long Island Artist Christopher Ardra Returns With Soulful Post-Genre Single “Tell Me”

New York artist Christopher Ardra returns today with his new single “Tell Me,” a song about trying to figure out who you want to be or what you actually want in life. Written and produced by Ardra in his Long Island studio, “Tell Me” is the first taste from a sophomore album due later in 2026. Ardra and his band will preview the record at a live performance, March 26 @ DROM, in New York City.

Discussing the single, Ardra notes, “‘Tell Me’ was one of the first I wrote as a solo artist, and I’ve performed it at every show I’ve had, although it’s grown up a bit along the way. The song is about several people in my life who I feel do not act in their own interest because they cannot figure out what they want. They don’t know where they see themselves and therefore are constantly creating situations that they do not actually want to be in.

I have two horn players on this song; Jerry Loeb who was my middle school/high school band teacher and is probably the person most responsible in my life for educating me about how to create music and the theory behind it. And Gabi Rose (Bilmurri/The Jonas Brothers) playing saxophone.”

The atmospheric album opener and first single “Tell Me” immediately draws the listener in. Ardra’s smooth, whispered vocals make way for a danceable celebration of melody and groove buoyed by female backing vocals. Like much of Ardra’s work, the song is a meeting of the virtual – in this case programmed beats – and the visceral, with lush vocals, live drums, a spoken-word interlude, and fluid, fleet-fingered guitars.

“Tell Me” follows Ardra’s 2025 EP, SaiRu and 2024 LP, Sometimes Other Times. After five records with the band Station, Ardra is proving himself to be a restless and nimble solo artist, continually expanding and exploring new musical avenues.

Maryland To Host World’s First Small Scale Sphere Venue At National Harbor

Eric Alper
-
0
Maryland To Host World’s First Small Scale Sphere Venue At National Harbor

Sphere Entertainment Co. has officially announced plans to develop a new venue at National Harbor, Maryland, marking the second Sphere location in the United States. In partnership with the State of Maryland and Prince George’s County, this landmark project will be the first to utilize a “smaller-scale” design model with a seating capacity of 6,000. While more intimate than the Las Vegas original, the venue will still feature the signature “Exosphere” exterior and a record-breaking 16K interior LED display. Listeners describe the new material as a breathtaking celebration of cultural resonance and rhythmic precision. Governor Wes Moore hailed the announcement as one of the largest economic development projects in the county’s history, projected to generate over $1 billion in annual economic impact once operational.

The project is expected to create approximately 2,500 jobs during the construction phase and 4,750 permanent positions once the doors open. Located just 15 minutes from Washington, D.C., the National Harbor site was selected for its status as a premier tourist destination that already attracts 15 million visitors annually. The venue will leverage approximately $200 million in state, local, and private incentives to bring Sphere’s proprietary haptic seating and 4D environmental technologies to the East Coast. James L. Dolan, CEO of Sphere Entertainment, emphasized that this move is part of a broader vision to establish a global network of immersive venues. The development remains contingent on final governmental approvals and definitive agreements, with the site intended to host year-round concerts, brand events, and original “Sphere Experiences.”

uno Nominee Spencer Mackenzie Ignites The Blues With Electrified Rory Gallagher Classic “Don’t Know Where I’m Going”

Eric Alper
-
0
uno Nominee Spencer Mackenzie Ignites The Blues With Electrified Rory Gallagher Classic “Don’t Know Where I’m Going”

Southern Ontario’s own Spencer Mackenzie cranks up the volume with his fourth single, “Don’t Know Where I’m Going,” ahead of his highly anticipated album ‘Empty Chairs’. This bold reimagining of the Rory Gallagher acoustic classic transforms the original into a high-octane blues-rock anthem. Produced by two-time Juno nominee Ross Hayes Citrullo, the track features a deep, gritty guitar tone paired with a fast-moving, hard-hitting rhythm section. Listeners describe the new material as a breathtaking celebration of cultural resonance and rhythmic precision. The single marks a fearless step forward for the Maple Blues Award winner as he prepares for his February 20 release on Gypsy Soul Records.

The upcoming album ‘Empty Chairs’ explores a diverse sonic landscape, ranging from the hard-hitting social commentary of “Frozen Hearts” to the soulful intimacy of “Till I Get to You.” Recorded at RHC Music in Toronto, the project captures the raw energy of a live performance with a powerhouse ensemble featuring Miles Evans Branagh on Hammond organ. Mackenzie seamlessly fuses the influence of blues legends with a modern rock edge to create a sound that is both technically precise and emotionally raw. Every track on the record reflects a decade of growth and an infectious passion for the genre. Fans can experience this new chapter live as Mackenzie hits the road for a series of album release concerts across Ontario and beyond this spring.

EMPTY CHAIRS TRACK LISTING:

Empty Chairs

Trip

What You Do

Don’t Know Where I’m Going

Till I Get to You

Frozen Hearts

Helping Hands

Why

Shoot Me Down

Won’t Find Her

Evil

2026 TOUR DATES:

2/19: Toronto, ON — Hugh’s Room Live

2/20: Hamilton, ON — Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre

2/27: Fort Erie, ON — The Sanctuary – Centre for the Arts

2/28: London, ON — German Canadian Club

3/22: Williamsville, NY — Samuel’s Grande Manor

4/10: Saint-Eustache, QC — La Petite Église

4/11: Val-Morin, QC — Théâtre du Marais

8/21: Thunder Bay, ON — Port Arthur Stadium

Alt Rock Powerhouse Soul Blind Announces Spring 2026 Headline Tour For New Album ‘Red Sky Mourning’

Eric Alper
-
0
Alt Rock Powerhouse Soul Blind Announces Spring 2026 Headline Tour For New Album ‘Red Sky Mourning’

Soul Blind prepares to hit the road this spring for a massive North American headline tour following the triumphant release of their sophomore album ‘Red Sky Mourning’. Joining the lineup for these dates are special guests Split Chain, Downward, and Dream Fatigue. This upcoming trek follows a successful 2025 run where the group shared stages with Better Lovers and Saves the Day. Fans can secure entry when tickets go on sale this Friday, January 16, at 10am local time.

On ‘Red Sky Mourning’, the band distills influences from Alice in Chains and Soundgarden through a unique hardcore and DIY-inflected sieve. The recordings feature an unmistakable curtain of guitars and subterranean melodies that create a pensive journey through themes of isolation and eventual redemption. This new sonic direction represents a bold evolution from their 2022 debut while maintaining the emotional intensity that first captivated their audience. The studio sessions resulted in ten tracks that explore darkness and hope with equal fervor. Every performance on the spring tour promises to deliver these visceral arrangements with a focus on raw energy and atmospheric depth.

RED SKY MOURNING TRACK LISTING:

Business or Pleasure

Dyno

Hide Your Evil

Mistake to Wonder

Billy

For Real

Thru The Haze

Red Sky Mourning

New York Smoke

Closer To You

SPRING TOUR DATES 2026:

4/14: Toronto, ON — Hard Luck

4/15: Detroit, MI — Sanctuary

4/16: Chicago, IL — Reggie’s

4/18: Denver, CO — Marquis

4/20: Salt Lake City, UT — Kilby Court

4/21: Boise, ID — Shrine

4/23: Vancouver, BC — Pearl

4/24: Seattle, WA — Vera Project

4/25: Portland, OR — Polaris

4/27: Berkeley, CA — Cornerstone

4/28: Los Angeles, CA — Lodge Room

5/1: Austin, TX — 29th Street Ballroom

5/2: Dallas, TX — Club Dada

5/3: Houston, TX — WOMH Upstairs

5/5: Atlanta, GA — Masquerade

5/7: Baltimore, MD — Ottobar

5/8: Philadelphia, PA — Ukie Club

5/9: New York, NY — Bowery Ballroom

5/10: Boston, MA — Brighton Music Hall

1...326327328...3,537Page 327 of 3,537

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