Page 417 – That Eric Alper

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Return With ‘X’s For Eyes’ Era

Music

Eric Alper

-

Jan 3, 2026

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Return With ‘X’s For Eyes’ Era

5X Platinum-certified alternative rock band The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus released their sixth studio album ‘X’s For Eyes’ on October 3 via Better Noise Music, alongside the new single “Perfection.” The track features a driving rhythm and wide melodic arc, with vocalist and guitarist Ronnie Winter delivering the line “Whatever won’t break can make us.”

The video was directed by Shane Drake, marking a reunion with the filmmaker who directed the band’s earlier videos for “False Pretense” and “Your Guardian Angel” from their 2006 debut ‘Don’t You Fake It.’ ‘X’s For Eyes’ includes 11 tracks and follows previously released singles “Home Improvement,” “Slipping Through (No Kings),” and “X’s For Eyes,” with guest appearances from Kellin Quinn on “Always The King” and Craig Mabbitt on “Worth It.” Formed in 2004 in Jacksonville, Florida, the band have earned multiple Gold and multi-Platinum certifications, including 5X Platinum “Face Down” and 2X Platinum “Your Guardian Angel,” and have surpassed 1.5 billion career streams.

Latin Soul Architect Adrian Quesada Commands KEXP Studio With Star Vocal Lineup

Music

Eric Alper

-

Jan 3, 2026

0

Latin Soul Architect Adrian Quesada Commands KEXP Studio With Star Vocal Lineup

Producer, guitarist, and songwriter Adrian Quesada brings warmth, precision, and deep groove to a full live session at KEXP, recorded in the station’s studio and hosted by Cheryl Waters. Backed by a tight band and joined by an all-star group of vocalists, the performance flows through “Puedes Decir De Mi” and “El Muchacho De Los Ojos Tristes” with Gaby Moreno, “Hoy Que Llueve” with Trish Toledo, and “No Juego” and “Ídolo” with Angelica Garcia. The set highlights Quesada’s gift for shaping classic Latin soul, bolero, and psychedelic textures into something fluid and immediate, with each voice given room to stretch and shimmer.

Neil Diamond Musical ‘A Beautiful Noise’ Makes Canadian Premiere In Toronto

Music

Eric Alper

-

Jan 3, 2026

0

Neil Diamond Musical ‘A Beautiful Noise’ Makes Canadian Premiere In Toronto

The smash hit musical A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical arrives in Canada for the first time with its Canadian premiere at Mirvish’s Toronto’s Princess Of Wales Theatre, running April 28 through June 7, 2026. Starring Nick Fradiani in the title role, the production traces the rise of Neil Diamond from a Brooklyn kid to a global rock icon, set to a catalog that includes “Sweet Caroline,” “America,” and “Forever In Blue Jeans.” Created in collaboration with Diamond himself, the touring production brings the scale, emotion, and songbook of his career into a theatrical setting built for big voices and bigger moments.

Directed by Michael Mayer, choreographed by Steven Hoggett, and written by Anthony McCarten, the musical blends biography with spectacle, following in the tradition of landmark jukebox productions while standing firmly on its own. Fradiani reprises the role after a successful Broadway run, joined by a large ensemble cast and creative team with deep Broadway pedigree. With its Toronto engagement marking a major milestone on the national tour, ‘A Beautiful Noise’ brings Diamond’s songs back to the city in a form designed for shared emotion, full houses, and voices lifted together.

A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical
April 28 – June 7, 2026
Princess Of Wales Theatre, Toronto

British Rock Newcomer Ty Freeman Steps Into Truth On “Better Man” Single

Music

Eric Alper

-

Jan 3, 2026

0

British Rock Newcomer Ty Freeman Steps Into Truth On “Better Man” Single

Birkenhead born, Liverpool raised artist Ty Freeman sharpens his voice and vision on “Better Man,” out now, a live recorded soul rock confession tracked at Real Sound Recording Studio in Milan. Written during a period of emotional collapse and clarity, the song leans into warmth, grit, and vulnerability, carried by raw vocals and the imperfect electricity of friends playing together in the room. Mixed by Chris Taylor and mastered by Graeme Lynch, the track nods to the Northern soul ache of The Verve and the fragile power of classic British alternative without slipping into imitation. Directed by Frank Felsen, the accompanying video mirrors that internal shift through stark, cinematic imagery. Following earlier single “One Way Love” and recent standout live shows in Zurich and London, “Better Man” captures an artist choosing honesty over armor, letting soul, scars, and conviction sit plainly in the spotlight.

Pop Icon Melanie C Launches New Era With “SWEAT” And Dance Floor Energy

Music

Eric Alper

-

Jan 3, 2026

0

Pop Icon Melanie C Launches New Era With “SWEAT” And Dance Floor Energy

International pop icon Melanie C returns with “SWEAT,” a high-gloss electro house single that kicks off her next chapter with motion, joy, and physical release at the center. Built around a sample of Diana Ross’ “Work That Body,” the track pulses with vintage workout video flair while folding in club-ready momentum shaped across sessions in London, Stockholm, and Los Angeles. The accompanying video, directed by Graham Cruz, matches the song’s playful intensity, spotlighting movement as celebration. “SWEAT” also names her forthcoming ninth studio album, arriving May 1, 2026 via Virgin Music Group, a record that brings together her pop history, DJ instincts, and lifelong love of rave culture into a sound designed for shared energy and escape.

Bret Michaels Brings “Live And Amplified” Hits To Fallsview Casino Stage

Music

Eric Alper

-

Jan 3, 2026

0

Bret Michaels Brings “Live And Amplified” Hits To Fallsview Casino Stage

Fallsview Casino Resort is ready to rock and get the party started on February 6 as Bret Michaels returns to play the hits we know and love as part of the Live & Amplified 2026 tour at the OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino.

“Bret Michaels is known for some of the best live shows celebrating an incredible catalogue of hit music while delivering an energetic and exciting fan experience!” says Cathy Price, Vice President of Marketing & Resort Operations, Niagara Casinos.

Whether he’s selling out stadiums or headlining hit TV shows, Bret Michaels consistently brings his iconic energy and star power to over three generations of loyal fans. As one of music’s most legendary singers and songwriters, Michaels counts “Every Rose Has Its Thorn”, “Go That Far” & “Nothing But A Good Time” as part of his robust catalogue of mega-hits. Other hits include “Something to Believe In,” “Talk Dirty To Me,” “Your Mama Don’t Dance” and many more. On television, Michaels’ shows include the record-breaking enduring hit Rock of Love with Bret Michaels and a recent turn as the audience-favourite Banana in Fox’s hit The Masked Singer. Michaels still finds time to give back through his Life Rocks Foundation which supports a myriad of charities & causes around the globe.

Show date & performance
Bret Michaels: Live & Amplified 2026
Date: Friday, February 6, 2026Showtime: 8:00pmVenue: OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino

Pop Punk Staples State Champs Mark ‘Around The World And Back’ With 2026 Shows

Music

Eric Alper

-

Jan 3, 2026

0

Pop Punk Staples State Champs Mark ‘Around The World And Back’ With 2026 Shows

Albany pop punk mainstays State Champs are celebrating ten years of ‘Around The World And Back’ with eight special headlining shows across the US in early 2026. The anniversary run honors the band’s beloved sophomore album, which helped define a decade of modern pop punk and featured fan favorites like “Secrets” and “All You Are Is History.” Each date brings a rotating lineup of friends including Cartel, Origami Angel, Real Friends, Driveways, Harrison Gordon, Broadside, and Just Friends, turning the shows into tight-knit celebrations of a record that still hits with speed and heart. Alongside the tour, exclusive vinyl variants of ‘Around The World And Back’ are available to pre-order, featuring refreshed artwork and four cover songs gathered together on vinyl for the first time.

The announcement follows the release of the band’s recent single “Common Sense,” out via Pure Noise Records, which leans harder into punchy riffs and forward momentum while keeping their melodic instincts sharp. It also arrives after their 2024 self-titled album expanded their sound without leaving behind the hooks and energy that carried them from basement shows to packed rooms. Together, the tour and reissue reflect a band looking back with gratitude while staying fully engaged in the present, inviting longtime listeners and new fans alike to sing these songs loud again.

2026 State Champs North America Tour Dates:
January – Miami, FL – Emo’s Not Dead Cruise
January 9 – Chicago, IL – Salt Shed
January 10 – Detroit, MI – The Majestic
January 11 – Cleveland, OH – The Agora
January 13 – Albany, NY – Empire Live
January 16 – New York, NY – Brooklyn Paramount
January 17 – Boston, MA – House of Blues
January 18 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore
February 6 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern

Railbird Music Festival 2026 Brings Tyler Childers And The Lumineers To Lexington

Music

Eric Alper

-

Jan 3, 2026

0

Railbird Music Festival 2026 Brings Tyler Childers And The Lumineers To Lexington

Railbird Music Festival returns June 6 and 7, 2026 with Tyler Childers and The Lumineers set to headline at The Infield at Red Mile in Lexington. The two-day event brings more than 30 artists across three stages, blending roots, Americana, indie, and country into a lineup that reflects Kentucky’s musical heartbeat. The bill features standout performances from Zach Top, Ella Langley, Caamp, Mt Joy, Sam Barber, Muscadine Bloodline, Stephen Wilson Jr, Houndmouth, Robert Earl Keen, Shane Smith And The Saints, The Wallflowers, Margo Price, Watchhouse, Shakey Graves, Waylon Wyatt, Evan Honer, and more.

Set inside the storied horse racing grounds of Red Mile, Railbird pairs live music with curated bourbon experiences and wide-open festival space built for discovery and connection. Ticket options range from GA and GA+ to VIP, Platinum, and the immersive 2-Day Superfecta package, offering everything from shaded lounges and premium viewing areas to on-stage access and all-day dining. With its carefully stacked lineup and setting rooted in local tradition, Railbird 2026 shapes up as a weekend where sound, place, and shared experience come together in full stride.

Scottish Alt Rock Band Desert Kites Face The End Of Innocence On “Summer Light”

Music

Eric Alper

-

Jan 3, 2026

0

Scottish Alt Rock Band Desert Kites Face The End Of Innocence On “Summer Light”

Scottish alternative rock band Desert Kites capture youth, unease, and emotional fallout on “Summer Light,” a cinematic single that drifts between beauty and reckoning. Built on chiming guitars and wide, swelling melodies, the song draws from the reflective side of Brit rock and alternative traditions, pairing nostalgia with a sharpened sense of urgency. Lyrically, it wrestles with societal greed, environmental collapse, and shared indifference, yet never loses its human core, offering moments of resolve amid the haze. Formed in Dundee during lockdown by songwriter and guitarist Shaleph O’Neill, alongside drummer Michael Szeremet and bassist and engineer Stuart Hanna, Desert Kites favor poetic imagery over straight narrative, letting feeling and texture guide each movement. “Summer Light” lands as a reflective and affecting statement, one that lingers like the last glow before night fully settles in.

Irish Punk Funk Project Def Nettle Tear Back In With “Nothing For It” Single

Music

Eric Alper

-

Jan 3, 2026

0

Irish Punk Funk Project Def Nettle Tear Back In With “Nothing For It” Single

Irish punk funk outfit Def Nettle roar back after a year away with upcoming single “Nothing For It,” a volatile rush of tension, release, and defiance led by frontman Glen Brady. Following the folktronic curveball “Get Me Here,” remixed by DJ Arveene, and the hard-hitting “Headwrecker,” the new track leans into anxiety and disorientation before detonating into massive, physical choruses. Built on pummeling drums and swirling electronics, it twists retro futurism into something confrontational and alive, rejecting polished rebellion in favor of sweat, movement, and friction. The song lands with force and attitude, carrying the same restless energy that defined debut album ‘DN001’ while sharpening Def Nettle’s voice as one of the most unpredictable and uncompromising acts in the Irish underground.