Page 40 – That Eric Alper

BLOODYWOOD Announce 2026 “System Of A Brown” Tour

Music

Eric Alper

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Dec 9, 2025

BLOODYWOOD Announce 2026 “System Of A Brown” Tour

Fresh off a sold-out Summer 2025 support slot for BABYMETAL and recently serving as direct support for HALESTORM in Europe, Indian folk metal band BLOODYWOOD today announce their 2026 “System Of A Brown Tour,” featuring support from diverse worldwide acts. Produced by Live Nation, joining Bloodywood on this run are genre-bending, boundary-breaking U.S. metalcore band The Pretty Wild; Mexican “Flow Pesado” rockers Ladrones; and Catalonian melodic metal band Ankor.

It’s going to be an evening of eclectic metal that will surely thrill hard rock fans.

“Our Spring headline run of the U.S. will be an epic full circle moment,” states Raoul Kerr, rapper/vocalist. “It started this summer supporting BABYMETAL and it’s going to culminate in a run where we bring our full length set to the U.S. for the first time. It’s the best songs from our new album and the best of our first album — it’s the kind of set that pushes the limit of any venue to the max and we can’t wait to bring it to all our supporters there. We’re also playing Sick New World for the first time and returning to Welcome to Rockville as well as Sonic Temple, so this tour is stacked and we’re beyond ready to go.”

The 25-city tour, produced by Live Nation, kicks off on Friday, April 10 at Wooly’s in Des Moines making stops at the premiere festivals WELCOME TO ROCKVILLE, SONIC TEMPLE and the return of SICK NEW WORLD, in addition to crossing North America before wrapping up in Detroit at Saint Andrew’s Hall on Friday, May 15.

TICKETS: Tickets and VIP will be available starting with artist presale beginning today, Tuesday, December 9. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale beginning Friday, December 12 at 10am local time at LiveNation.com and Bloodywood.net

BLOODYWOOD: SYSTEM OF A BROWN TOUR 2026 DATES:

Fri, Apr 10 — Des Moines, IA — Wooly’s

Sat, Apr 11 — Minneapolis, MN — Varsity Theater

Mon, Apr 13 — Denver, CO — The Oriental Theater

Tue, Apr 14 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Depot

Thu, Apr 16 — Portland, OR — McMenamins Crystal Ballroom

Fri, Apr 17 — Seattle, WA — Neptune Theatre

Sat, Apr 18 — Garden City, ID — Revolution Concert House & Event Center

Mon, Apr 20 — San Francisco, CA — August Hall

Tue, Apr 21 — San Diego, CA — The Observatory SD

Wed, Apr 22 — Los Angeles, CA — The Belasco

Fri, Apr 24 — Mesa, AZ — The Nile Theater

Sat, Apr 25— Las Vegas,NV- SICK NEW WORLD Festival

Tue, Apr 28 — Dallas, TX — The Echo Lounge & Music Hall

Wed, Apr 29 — Austin, TX — Empire Garage

Fri, May 01 — Madison, WI — Majestic Theatre

Sat, May 02 — Chicago, IL — House of Blues Chicago

Mon, May 04 — Boston, MA — Paradise Rock Club

Tue, May 05 — Philadelphia, PA — Theatre of Living Arts

Wed, May 06 — New York, NY — Irving Plaza Powered by Verizon 5G

Fri, May 08 — North Myrtle Beach, SC — House of Blues Myrtle Beach

Sat, May 09 — Atlanta, GA — Buckhead Theatre*

Sun, May 10 —Daytona Beach,FL—WELCOME TO ROCKVILLE

Mon, May 11 – Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theatre

Tue, May 12 — Chattanooga, TN — The Signal

Wed, May 13 — Louisville, KY — Mercury Ballroom

Fri, May 15 — Toronto, ON — The Danforth Music Hall

Sat, May 16 — Detroit, MI — Saint Andrew’s Hall

Sun, May 17—Columbus,OH—SONIC TEMPLE*

*Not A Live Nation Date

BILMURI Announces BILMURI – KINDA HARD TOUR For Spring 2026

Music

Eric Alper

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Dec 9, 2025

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BILMURI Announces BILMURI – KINDA HARD TOUR For Spring 2026

Genre-blurring alt disruptor Bilmuri announces the BILMURI – KINDA HARD TOUR, his brand-new headline run for 2026. Promoted by Live Nation, the 18-city tour kicks off on April 17 at the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver, CO, making stops across Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, New York City, Boston, and more before wrapping up on May 17 at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway in Boston, MA.

Earlier this month, Bilmuri released his latest single “HARD2TELL,” available now via Columbia Records alongside a high-adrenaline official music video filmed in Columbus, OH. Directed by longtime collaborator Ned Ingalls, the visual channels gritty Fast & Furious–style energy through fan-driven drift cars and explosive action sequences. Bilmuri is currently supporting Bad Omens on their EU/UK tour through December 13, closing in Amsterdam. With momentum building worldwide and more new music expected in 2026, the KINDA HARD TOUR marks his biggest headline moment yet.

TICKETS: Tickets will be available starting with an Artist presale (details below) beginning Tuesday, December 9 exclusively through the Muri Naysh app. The app can be found in the Android and Apple App Store or by visiting murinaysh.com. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale beginning Friday, December 12 at 10AM local time at LiveNation.com.

BILMURI: KINDA HARD TOUR DATES:
Fri Apr 17 — Denver, CO — Fillmore Auditorium
Sat Apr 18 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Union Event Center
Mon Apr 20 — Los Angeles, CA — Hollywood Palladium
Tue Apr 21 — San Diego, CA — SOMA
Fri Apr 24 — Dallas, TX — South Side Ballroom
Sat Apr 25 — San Antonio, TX — Boeing Center at Tech Port
Sun Apr 26 — Houston, TX — Bayou Music Center
Tue Apr 28 — Oklahoma City, OK — The Criterion
Thu Apr 30 — Minneapolis, MN — The Armory
Fri May 01 — Chicago, IL — Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
Sat May 02 — Madison, WI — The Sylvee
Sun May 03 — Detroit, MI — The Fillmore Detroit
Tue May 05 — Atlanta, GA — Coca-Cola Roxy
Thu May 07 — Charlotte, NC — Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre
Fri May 08 — Raleigh, NC — The Red Hat Amphitheater
Mon May 11 — Moon Township, PA — UPMC Events Center
Tue May 12 — Cincinnati, OH — The Andrew J Brady Music Center
Wed May 13 – Nashville, TN – The Pinnacle*
Fri May 15 — New York, NY — The Rooftop at Pier 17
Sat May 16 — Washington, DC — The Anthem
Sun May 17 — Boston, MA — MGM Music Hall at Fenway
San Jul 18 – Grand Rapids, MI – Upheaval Fest*
* Not a Live Nation show.

Arm’s Length Announce 2026 North American Headline Tour

Music

Eric Alper

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Dec 9, 2025

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Arm’s Length Announce 2026 North American Headline Tour

Arm’s Length have announced an upcoming headline tour in support of their newest album ‘There’s A Whole World Out There’ out now via Pure Noise Records. The North American dates, produced by Live Nation, will span 25 cities and kick off on April 21 in Ottawa, ON at Bronson Centre. Support comes from The Callous Daoboys, Harrison Gordon and labelmates Super Sometimes.

TICKETS: Tickets will be available starting with a Citi presale (details below) beginning Tuesday, December 9 at 10am local time. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on sale beginning Friday, December 12 at 10am local time at LiveNation.com.

Citi is the official card of the U.S. dates of the There’s A Whole World…Tour. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Tuesday, December 9 at 10am local time until Thursday at 10pm local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com.

Arm’s Length recently completed a nationwide run of shows supporting Hot Mulligan on The Sound A Body Makes When It’s Still Tour. Ahead of their North American headliner, they will tour the UK and Europe with Ben Quad.

A full list of upcoming tour dates can be found below.

Arm’s Length – Upcoming Tour Dates

UK/Europe

w/ Ben Quad

February 5 – Southampton, UK at Engine Rooms

February 6 – London, UK at O2 Academy Islington

February 7 – Manchester, UK at Club Academy

February 9 – Glasgow, UK at G2, The Garage

February 10 – Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK at The Grove

February 12 – Liverpool, UK at District

February 13 – Leeds, UK at Project House

February 14 – Birmingham, UK at O2 Academy 2

February 15 – Kingston Upon Thames, UK at Fighting Cocks

February 18 – Antwerpen, Belgium

February 19 – Eindhoven, Netherlands at Dynamo

February 20 – Cologne, Germany at Gebäude 9

February 21 – Hamburg, Germany at LOGO

North American Headline Tour

w/ The Callous Daoboys, Harrison Gordon, Super Sometimes

** NO HARRISON GORDON

^Not a Live Nation Date

April 21 – Ottawa, ON – Bronson Centre

April 22 – Montreal, QC – Le Studio TD

April 24 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club by Citizens

April 25 – New York, NY – Warsaw

April 26 – Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of Living Arts

April 28 – Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage

April 29 – Charlotte, NC – The Underground

May 1 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl Nashville

May 2 – Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theatre

May 3 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues of Orlando

May 5 – Dallas, TX – The Echo Lounge & Music Hall

May 6 – Austin, TX – Emo’s Austin

May 8 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom

May 9 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues San Diego

May 10 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues Anaheim

May 11 – Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades

May 13 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre

May 14 – Boise, ID – The Shredder^

May 15 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot

May 17 – Denver, CO – Summit Music Hall

May 19 – St. Louis, MO – Delmar Hall

May 21 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues Chicago **

May 22 – Detroit, MI – St. Andrew’s Hall

May 23 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues Cleveland

May 24 – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall

Building on the emotional gravity and raw honesty of their debut, ‘There’s A Whole World Out There’ is a sweeping, vulnerable journey through grief, mental health, self-doubt, and resilience – all told through massive guitar hooks and gut-punching lyricism.

Arm’s Length pull no punches on this album. From the moment it starts, the songs unfold with the dual torment and exhilaration of what it means to be alive, but with the knowledge and understanding that everything is also always lost.

AMON AMARTH & DETHKLOK Announce 2026 North American Co-Headlining Tour: THE AMONKLOK CONQUEST

Music

Eric Alper

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Dec 9, 2025

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AMON AMARTH & DETHKLOK Announce 2026 North American Co-Headlining Tour: THE AMONKLOK CONQUEST

Swedish metal titans AMON AMARTH join forces with DETHKLOK for THE AMONKLOK CONQUEST. The extensive co-headliner crosses North America Spring 2026 with special guests CASTLE RAT – bringing a night of pure theater and over the top heavy metal entertainment. The run will be the biggest raids of the year with the two titan sized bands co-billing for the first time ever. AMON AMARTH, have honoured the adventurous ethos of their Viking forebears by taking their music anywhere and everywhere, and are regarded as one of metal’s most vital and imperious live acts. Now hot off the back of a busy year across the tumultuous high seas supporting Slayer in the U.K. and their U.S. takeover with Pantera, these upcoming dates see the voracious quintet bringing an all new theatrical stage production for an extended set. WATCH TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT VIDEO HERE.

AMON AMARTH declare, “Three bands. One night. The strong will scream. The weak will fall. Limbs will be lost. We will crush skulls beneath our boots and tear the halls down stone by stone. This is not a concert. It is a reckoning. If you survive… perhaps the gods have other plans for you.

DETHKLOK celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2026, marking two decades since Metalocalypse premiered on Adult Swim. As one of the most essential musical multimedia acts ever, DETHKLOK is both an animated phenomenon and a live metal juggernaut, combining intense musicianship with breakneck cinematic theatricality. Bringing the beloved larger-than-life characters of DETHKLOK to life once again will be Metalocalypse mastermind Brendon Small on guitar and vocals, legendary extreme metal drummer Gene Hoglan (Death, Dark Angel, Testament), bassist Pete Griffin (Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert, Zakk Wylde), and guitar shredder Nili Brosh (Danny Elfman). “We have to celebrate our 20th anniversary,”says Small. “And what a killer way to do it, with Amon Amarth and Castle Rat, who embody theatrical heavy metal.” The tour promises nothing less than total sensory immersion. “We’re going to entertain you as hard as we possibly can with the power of heavy metal in many kinds of ways, and many different iterations — from Viking battleships to Castle Rat to Dethklok with our music and fast-paced, insane animation,” says Small. The balance between brutality, comedy, and surprise defines the DETHKLOK live experience. “We challenge ourselves to get in as much material without wearing out our welcome,” the frontman explains. “We also get to be funny.”

Fantastical heavy metal band CASTLE RAT are thrilled to join as special guests each night. The Rat Queen heralds, “On the heels of the Vernal Equinox, our adjacent universes shall align as we bring .•.The Realm.•. of Castle Rat into battle alongside venerable vikings, Amon Amarth, and Metalocalypse metal-masters, Dethklok! Join us, as we seek to expand and defend .•.The Realm.•. from our arch nemesis: Death, Herself — The Rat Reaperess!”

For the newly announced North American dates produced by Live Nation, tickets will be available starting with a Citi presale (details below) beginning Tuesday, December 9 at 10am local time, followed by AMON AMARTH and DETHKLOK presales at 12pm local same day. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on sale beginning Friday, December 12 at 10am local time at livenation.com.

Citi is the official card of the U.S. dates of THE AMONKLOK CONQUEST TOUR. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Tuesday, December 9 at 10am local time until Thursday at 10pm local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com.

Last month AMON AMARTH announced a huge string of live dates that see them splitting oceans and rowing their way through the U.K. and EU in Autumn 2026. THE ALLFATHER AWAKENS tour includes ransacking support from modern death metal up and comers Orbit Culture and classic melodic death metallers Soilwork. Their conquest starts in the U.K. in October, preceding their EU journey which includes stops in France, Luxembourg, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Poland, Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, and Portugal.

AMON AMARTH recently celebrated a bountiful year with a feast of a new single, “We Rule The Waves,” and its accompanying video. Whilst this is AMON AMARTH’s first new song in years, the latter end of 2026 will also see the berserkers unleash the wrath of Odin in the form of a brand new album. Carved from salt and steel, echoing across oceans, and sonically barbaric, modern metal doesn’t get more epic, or more essential, than this.

THE AMONKLOK CONQUEST TOUR DATES:

Apr 15: Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre

Apr 17: San Antonio, TX – Boeing Center at Tech Port

Apr 18: Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall

Apr 20: Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion

Apr 21: Kansas City, MO – The Midland Theatre^

Apr 22: Chesterfield, MO – The Factory

Apr 24: Minneapolis, MN – The Armory

Apr 25: Waukee, IA – Vibrant Music Hall

Apr 28: Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Paramount

Apr 29: Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall At Fenway

May 01: Toronto, ON – Great Canadian Casino Resort

May 02: Montreal, QC – Bell Centre

May 05: National Harbor, MD – The Theater at MGM National Harbor

May 09: Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy

May 10: Nashville, TN – The Pinnacle^

May 12: Johnstown, PA – 1st Summit Arena

May 13: Detroit, MI – Fox Theatre

May 14: Bethlehem, PA – Wind Creek Event Center

May 16: Milwaukee, WI – Landmark Credit Union Live

May 19: Denver, CO – JUNKYARD

May 20: Salt Lake City, UT – TheUnion Event Center

May 21: Las Vegas, NV – PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino

^ Not a Live Nation Date

Nate Smith Hails LONG LIVE COUNTRY ROCK & ROLL With 2026 Headline Tour

Music

Eric Alper

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Dec 9, 2025

0

Nate Smith Hails LONG LIVE COUNTRY ROCK & ROLL With 2026 Headline Tour

Gearing up for what promises to be a monumental 2026, MULTI-PLATINUM chart-topper Nate Smith will embark on his biggest and most extensive North American run, LONG LIVE COUNTRY ROCK & ROLL TOUR, produced by Live Nation. Welcoming special guests Josh Ross, Brandon Wisham, and Just Jayne throughout next spring, the 23-date trek kicks off on March 26 at Tulsa’s Cain’s Ballroom, visits major markets coast-to-coast, and closes out with a two-night takeover at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium June 17-18.

Tickets are available beginning today (12/9) with an artist presale. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale beginning Friday (12/12) at 10 a.m. local time here.

Kicking off the new year, Smith will head back to the road as direct support for Jason Aldean on the upcoming 2026 leg of his FULL THROTTLE TOUR. Prior, he had performed alongside the superstar over 2025, pumping up audiences and igniting arenas everywhere.

Not to mention, he’s also set to make his anticipated return to Stagecoach. As one of the genre’s most exciting performers, he’s lit up music festival stages like iHeartCountry Festival, Ridin’ Hearts Festival, The Great New York State Fair, and Sand In My Boots, in addition to standing out on bills next to heavy-hitters such as Thomas Rhett, Cole Swindell, and Morgan Wallen. A proven headliner, Smith last canvased the country on his THROUGH THE SMOKE TOUR, packing venues everywhere. Moreover, he previously SOLD OUT every stop on last year’s WORLD ON FIRE TOUR.

Remaining prolific, Smith caps this wildly successful year having impressively earned his fourth consecutive #1 on the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart with “Fix What You Didn’t Break,” before recently gaining major traction with celebratory anthem “After Midnight” (Sony Music Nashville) – his brand-new collaboration with DIAMOND-certified superstar and 23x hitmaker Tyler Hubbard (MCA). Rallying “rowdy, good-ol’-boy, good-time vocals,” as hailed by MusicRow, it took flight as the most added at Country radio with 60 first-week stations launching the single and marking his second biggest impact date of his hitmaking career. Listen to “After Midnight” and watch the Jeff Johnson and Kaiser Cunningham-directed music video.

Stay tuned for a whole lot more from Smith soon and get ready to party with him at the LONG LIVE COUNTRY ROCK & ROLL TOUR.

2026 HEADLINE DATES FOR NATE SMITH’SLONG LIVE COUNTRY ROCK & ROLL TOUR:

MARCH26 | Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom ^ #
27 | Norman, OK – Riverwind Casino ^ #
28 | Ft. Worth, TX – Billy Bob’s Texas ^ #

APRIL2 | Wallingford, CT – The Dome at Toyota Oakdale Theatre *^
3 | Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring *^
4 | Raleigh, NC – The Ritz *^
9 | Lake Buena Vista, FL – House of Blues Orlando *^
10 | Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theatre *^
11 | Charlotte, NC – Coyote Joe’s *+ #
16 | Waukee, IA – Vibrant Music Hall *^
17 | Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room @ Old National Centre *^
18 | Cincinnati, OH – The Andrew J Brady Music Center *^
23 | Wheatland, CA – Hard Rock Live ^
25 | Reno, NV – Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resort *+ #

JUNE17 | Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium *^ #
18 | Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium *^ #

* Support: Josh Ross^ Support: Brandon Wisham+ Support: Just Jayne
# Non-Live Nation Date

Triumph Announces First Tour In 30 Years With 50th Anniversary North American Tour

Music

Eric Alper

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Dec 9, 2025

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Triumph Announces First Tour In 30 Years With 50th Anniversary North American Tour

Triumph, one of Canada’s most revered and influential rock bands, proudly announces their first tour in 30 years with the Triumph 50th Anniversary Tour, produced by Live Nation – an expansive 2026 North American run celebrating five decades of musical excellence, pioneering stagecraft, and a legacy that continues to inspire fans worldwide.

“Our fans have always been the heart of Triumph. Their energy, their belief, and the way they embraced the positivity in our music have carried us for fifty years. We’ve always said these songs were meant to bring people together – and that’s exactly why we’re coming back now. We knew there was still a chapter left to write. This tour is our chance to do it, together with the people who made the Triumph journey possible.”

Tickets for the Triumph 50th Anniversary Tour with special guest April Wine, will be available beginning with a presale running Wednesday, December 10 through Thursday, December 11, giving fans early access to seats. American Express® Card Members in Canada can purchase tickets before the general public beginning Wednesday, December 10 at 10am local time through Thursday, December 11 at 11:59pm local time. The general on-sale follows on Friday, December 12 at 10am local time at livenation.com.

Triumph has partnered with PLUS1 so that $1 from every ticket sold will support SoundsUnite – the music community for learning, wellness, and creativity – anywhere, anytime, any device.

Formed in Mississauga in 1975, Triumph – Rik Emmett (guitar, vocals), Mike Levine (bass, keyboards), and Gil Moore (drums, vocals), rose from playing high school auditoriums and rock n’ roll bars to selling out iconic arenas, from Toronto’s famed Maple Leaf Gardens to Reunion Arena in Dallas, Texas. Their virtuosic musicianship, soaring vocals, and dazzling, high-production live shows helped define an era of arena rock. Blending hard rock power with progressive ambition, Triumph has sold over 15 million albums worldwide and earned multiple gold and platinum certifications, building a global following through headline tours and landmark festival performances, including the 1983 US Festival before 500,000 fans. With hits like “Lay It on the Line,” “Magic Power,” and “Fight the Good Fight” – combined with pioneering stage productions featuring pyrotechnics, laser lighting, and theatrical flair – Triumph became arena rock legends, securing a permanent place in Canadian and international rock history.

The band’s return to the road follows a defining year honouring Triumph’s impact across generations. In June 2025, the band was celebrated with Magic Power: All-Star Tribute to Triumph (Round Hill Records, June 6, 2025), a 15-track tribute album featuring rock luminaries such as Phil X, Sebastian Bach, Slash, Nancy Wilson, Joey Belladonna, Dee Snider, Lawrence Gowan, Deen Castronovo, Alex Lifeson, Jeff Keith, Mickey Thomas, and produced by the world-renowned Mike Clink (Guns N’ Roses, Mötley Crüe, Whitesnake).

Further solidifying their celebrated status, Triumph was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in October, a prestigious honour recognizing their enduring influence, masterful songwriting, and contributions to Canada’s cultural legacy. This induction adds to their long list of accolades, which includes membership in the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame (2007), the Canadian Music Hall of Fame (2008), and Canada’s Walk of Fame (2019).

2026 TRIUMPH 50^TH ANNIVERSARY NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES

CANADA

April 22 – Sault Ste. Marie, ON | GFL Memorial Gardens

April 24 – Toronto, ON | Scotiabank Arena

April 25 – Hamilton, ON | TD Coliseum

April 28 – Halifax, NS | Scotiabank Centre

April 29 – Moncton, NB | Avenir Centre

May 1 – Laval, QC | Place Bell (Montreal)

May 2 – Ottawa, ON | Canadian Tire Centre

May 5 – Winnipeg, MB | Canada Life Centre

May 7 – Edmonton, AB | Rogers Place

May 8 – Calgary, AB | Scotiabank Saddledome

UNITED STATES

May 13 – Rosemont, IL | Rosemont Theatre (Chicago)

May 14 – Milwaukee, WI | Miller High Life Theatre

May 16 – Kansas City, MO | Starlight Theatre

May 17 – St. Louis, MO | Hollywood Casino Amphitheater

May 20 – Irving, TX | The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory (Dallas)

May 21 – San Antonio, TX | Frost Bank Center

May 22 – Houston, TX | Smart Financial Center at Sugar Land

May 24 – Tampa, FL | MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

May 26 – Atlanta, GA | Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park

May 28 – Camden, NJ | Freedom Mortgage Pavilion (Philadelphia)

May 30 – Sterling Heights, MI | Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill (Detroit)

June 3 – Darien Center, NY | Darien Lake Amphitheater

June 5 – Wantagh, NY | Northwell at Jones Beach Theater (New York)

June 6 – Boston, MA | Leader Bank Pavilion

CMA Honors Tony Conway, Dr. Chayim Newman, And Posthumously Jim Owens For Genre Contributions

Music

Eric Alper

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Dec 9, 2025

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CMA Honors Tony Conway, Dr. Chayim Newman, And Posthumously Jim Owens For Genre Contributions

The Country Music Association came together throughout Nashville last week to celebrate some of the genre’s most dedicated and passionate contributors past and present, with special honors presented during its Board of Directors meeting and during a special moment of remembrance at the Grand Ole Opry.

At the CMA Board dinner on Thursday, Dec. 4, Tony Conway (President, Conway Entertainment Group, Ontourage Management) received the 2025 J. William Denny Award, presented by CMA Board Chairman Jennie Smythe (Founder and CEO, Girlilla Marketing). The award is presented in recognition and appreciation of a lifetime of dedication, distinguished service, and meritorious contributions to the CMA Board of Directors.

Serving on the CMA Board from 1984-2021, including as Chairman in 1996, Conway has been a transformative and dedicated force throughout his tenure. Acting as Executive Producer of the CMA Music Festival for 11 years, Conway led its landmark move to downtown Nashville, a shift that significantly strengthened both CMA and the city. He also led the charge in the redesign and transformation of Fan Fair to the CMA Music Festival in 2001, earning him CMA’s President’s Award. He was also awarded the CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, underscoring his lasting impact on the Country Music touring community.

In addition, Dr. Chayim Newman (Co-Founder, Amber Health) was also presented with the CMA Chairman’s Award by Smythe. Awarded only at the discretion of the sitting Chairman, this recognition is reserved for individuals whose exceptional service to CMA merits recognition.

Dr. Newman is a clinical psychologist and longtime music industry insider who has become a go-to resource for mental health in Country Music. As co-founder of Amber Health and the Tour Health Research Initiative (THRIV), he continues to provide practical tools, guidance, and unwavering support to artists, touring professionals, and the broader industry. Beyond his clinical work, he actively mentors and advocates for the well-being of music professionals, showing up in meaningful ways across the Country Music community.

The following evening, Dec. 5, at the Grand Ole Opry, Jim Owens was honored posthumously with the Joe Talbot Award. Sarah Trahern (CMA Chief Executive Officer) presented the award to his widow, Lorianne Crook, during the Opry celebration. This award is presented in recognition of outstanding leadership and contributions to the preservation and advancement of Country Music’s values and tradition. The award may be presented to a person in recognition of an initiative or long-term contribution deemed by the CMA Board of Directors to qualify for this award.

Owens was a pioneering producer of Country Music television and radio, creating some of the genre’s most influential programs, from iconic specials and fan-voted award shows to the legendary Crook & Chase broadcast team. Known as “Gentleman Jim,” he built a historic library of thousands of hours of programs and photographs that continues to preserve, showcase and connect generations of Country Music artists and fans worldwide. His work has supported countless artists, songwriters, and production teams while contributing to major productions, museums, and documentaries that celebrate the genre’s legacy.

“This past week, we celebrated individuals whose leadership and dedication have shaped the heart of Country Music,” said Trahern. “Tony, Chayim, and Jim have each preserved our legacy, supported countless artists, and inspired future generations in ways that will continue to echo for years to come. Honoring their contributions is not only a recognition of their work, but a celebration of the spirit that continues to drive our genre forward.”

PinkPantheress Expands North American Tour Following Sold-Out Shows And Grammy Nod

Music

Eric Alper

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Dec 9, 2025

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PinkPantheress Expands North American Tour Following Sold-Out Shows And Grammy Nod

British singer, songwriter, and producer PinkPantheress has announced a significant extension of her “An Evening with PinkPantheress” North American tour, bringing her Grammy-nominated mixtape ‘Fancy That’ to audiences across her most extensive tour to date. The 2026 dates, promoted by Live Nation, follow her completely sold-out 13-show run, which included performances at the Kings Theater in Brooklyn and the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles. In addition to her headline shows, PinkPantheress will make her highly anticipated solo performance debut at the Coachella 2026 lineup in Indio, California. Her international breakthrough mixtape ‘Fancy That’ featured her first solo Billboard Hot 100 hit, and she recently earned her first Grammy Award Nominations for Best Dance/Electronic Album and Best Dance Pop Recording for the single “Illegal.”

The tour will offer fans a variety of VIP packages and experiences to take their concert experience to the next level, including premium tickets, exclusive merchandise, and early entry. PinkPantheress is also utilizing Ticketmaster’s Face Value Exchange for shows sold through the platform, ensuring tickets can only be resold at the original face value and are non-transferable, a crucial move that protects her fans from scalpers. In October, she released ‘Fancy Some More?’, a brilliant reimagining of her mixtape, which featured 22 genre-blending remixes with an international spectrum of musicians, including Swedish pop icon Zara Larsson and Brazilian DJ sensation Mochakk.

PinkPantheress 2026 An Evening With North American Tour Dates

Apr 8 – Mexico City @ Pabellon Oeste
Apr 11 – Indio, CA @ Coachella Festival
Apr 14 – Seattle, WA @ WAMU Theater
Apr 16 – Vancouver, BC @ PNE Forum
Apr 18 – Indio, CA @ Coachella Festival
Apr 20 – Phoenix, AZ @ Arizona Financial Theatre
Apr 22 – Houston, TX @ 713 Music Hall
Apr 23 – Dallas, TX @ South Side Ballroom
Apr 26 – Miami, FL @ The Fillmore
Apr 27 – Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live
Apr 30 – Atlanta, GA @ Coca-Cola Roxy
May 3 – Washington, D.C. @ The Anthem
May 7 – New York, NY @ Brooklyn Storehouse
May 9 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Met Philadelphia Presented by Highmark
May 12 – Boston, MA @ MGM Music Hall at Fenway
May 15 – Montreal, QC @ MTELUS

K-pop Fashion Essentials: Must-Have Items for Every Fan

Music

Eric Alper

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Dec 9, 2025

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By Mitch Rice

Thinking of flexing your K-pop fan pride without saying a word?

The K-pop merchandise scene has gone mainstream in a big way. Fans worldwide are donning their favourite idol’s merch like never before. And why not…

After all it’s not just about the goods. It’s about self-expression.

In this post you’ll learn:

Why K-pop Merch Is The Must-Have Fashion Category
K-pop Merch Essentials For Your Wardrobe
Styling Your K-pop Gear (Don’t Look Too Cray)
Building Your Fan Collection Step-By-Step

Why K-pop Merchandise Is A Fashion Essential

It’s a no brainer that K-pop fashion is so much more than the stuff they wear on stage.

You wear the merch as a way to support the artists that you love. It also links you to a community of fans that spans the globe.

What makes it special?

Clothing and accessories are like a secret handshake for fans. You see someone wearing that same concert tee or lightstick and you feel a special bond. That’s the kind of magic that makes K-pop fandom so strong.

Not to mention, the numbers are crazy.

A recent report by Luminate in 2023 found that K-pop fans in the United States spend 2.4x more on merchandise than the average music listener. That’s not chump change. It really shows how dedicated the community is.

Whether you’re in the market for the latest bts merch or discovering new acts, there has never been a better time to build up your own collection. The global K-pop merchandise market only continues to expand because fans love expressing themselves through what they wear.

How Cool Is That?

The K-pop Merch Must-Haves

Time to break down the K-pop fashion items every fan needs to consider for their wardrobe. These pieces let you rep your fave groups in the best possible way.

Official Concert T-Shirts

Concert tees are the bread and butter of K-pop fashion. They’re comfortable, versatile, and showcase exactly who you stan.

Why they work:

Easy to pair with any bottoms (jeans, shorts, skirts, etc.)
A great way to start a conversation with other fans
Tour merch is often a limited edition so you can’t find it anywhere else

One of the coolest things is that you don’t have to attend a concert to snag these shirts. Many official merch shops sell their tour gear online for fans around the world to enjoy.

Hoodies and Sweatshirts

Right now K-pop hoodies are very much on trend.

They’re comfortable, they’re trendy and they let you support your favourite groups without being too in-your-face about it. Many fans are loving oversized fits lately, which fits right in with current Korean street fashion.

Pro Tip: Look for hoodies with minimal logo placement or member signatures. It’s easier to style for day-to-day and still feels like you’re showing your fan pride.

Lightsticks

A lightstick is a no-brainer to include in any serious K-pop fan’s collection.

They started out as a concert accessory, but have become collectible items and common decor for bedroom and shelves around the world. Each group has their own distinctive design, making them easy to identify.

Think of it as your K-pop fan passport. It represents your commitment to your fave group and connects you to other fans around the world.

Photocards and Card Holders

Photocards have become one of the hottest K-pop merchandise items.

In Bunjang’s 2024 trend report, photocards are still ranked as the most popular K-pop collectible item among consumers. The resale value of some rare photocard items even exceed tens of thousands of dollars.

How to display them:

Stylish card holders that clip to bags or phone cases
Mini binders for collection storage
Clear toploader sleeves to protect them

Photocard collecting has become its own thing within K-pop culture. You can trade with other fans in person or online to complete your collection and make friends.

Accessories and Jewellery

Small details really do make a big difference.

Rings, necklaces, bracelets and more inspired by idol fashion let you add K-pop flavour to any look. Many fans have a lot of fun replicating their idol’s signature style in these smaller ways.

Some popular items include:

Layered necklaces (huge in idol fashion)
Chunky rings and ear cuffs
Hair clips/pins (remember Jennie’s iconic bobby pin?)
Bucket hats with logo details

These smaller items are great for fans who like a more lowkey way of showing K-pop love.

How To Style K-pop Merchandise

It’s one thing to have the K-pop merchandise. It’s another to style it well.

The secret?

Don’t be afraid to tone it down. The best K-pop-inspired outfits balance statement pieces with lowkey basics. You want your look to feel intentional not like you just unloaded everything from a merch shop.

Try these combinations:

Official hoodie + neutral bottoms + chunky sneakers
Concert tee tucked into high waist jeans + cardigan
Simple outfit + bold accessory (lightstick keychain, photocard holder)

Korean street style favours clean lines and intentional layering. Mix your K-pop pieces with some basics to create a look that works anywhere.

Finding Inspiration In Your Fave Idols

Your fave idols are your own personal walking fashion inspiration magazine.

Watch closely to see how they style items during airport fashion moments or variety show appearances. Casual idol styling is more approachable to recreate than what they wear on stage.

Oversized fits, bright colours, bold accessories and statement pieces are all fair game. Confidence is key. K-pop fashion is all about being yourself and self-expression above all else.

Building Your Collection From Scratch

Curating a collection of K-pop merchandise is a journey.

Here’s how to start:

Pick your priority groups to focus on. You don’t have to buy everything for every group you like
Set a budget! K-pop merch can really add up if you don’t watch it
Always buy official to support the artists
Quality over quantity. A few carefully selected pieces are better than a closet full of cheap stuff

The goal is to curate a collection that genuinely reflects your personal style and connection to K-pop culture, not just to have the most stuff.

The Conclusion

K-pop merchandise is a legit fashion category. It allows fans to express themselves while supporting the artists that they love.

There’s a merch item out there for every type of fan. Whether it’s concert tees and hoodies, lightsticks and photocards, or accessories and jewellery, there is something for everyone.

Key Takeaways:

Start with K-pop essentials like t-shirts and hoodies
Add in collectibles like lightsticks and photocards
Style your K-pop gear tastefully for daily wear
Build your collection gradually and intentionally

K-pop fashion isn’t just about the merchandise. It’s about your identity, community, and celebrating the artists and music you love. Now get out there and start building your ultimate fan wardrobe.

Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.

Lockjaw Unleashes Anthemic War Cry “We Won’t Back Down”

Music

Eric Alper

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Dec 9, 2025

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Lockjaw Unleashes Anthemic War Cry “We Won’t Back Down”

The highly anticipated new single from Lockjaw, “We Won’t Back Down,” is officially out now, serving as a powerful, fist-raising anthem aimed squarely at corruption, division, and lies. The track immediately hits hard, packing massive guitars and thunderous drums behind soaring choruses that loudly rally strength and refuse to be silenced. Guitarist Jeff Ogle emphasized the song’s intent, describing it as an “anthemic war cry against the lies we’ve been told by our own government.” Lockjaw is marking this visceral release by immediately kicking off the Everything is Heavier in Texas Tour today, joining Upon A Burning Body as special guests, a run that launches tonight in San Antonio. The band is also thrilled to welcome new drummer Alex Hamp, with Ogle proclaiming his addition has been a “game changer.”