All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her through Instagram or X.






















All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her through Instagram or X.






















All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her through Instagram or X.

























In the wake of the devastating July floods in Texas Hill Country—which experienced one of the deadliest natural disasters in state history—local musicians and community leaders are rallying to help. On Sunday, August 17, Band Together Texas will bring an all-star lineup to Austin for a special benefit concert. Performers include Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum, Cody Johnson, Ronnie Dunn, Lyle Lovett, Randy Rogers Band, Wade Bowen, Jack Ingram, Jon Randall, Ryan Bingham, Lukas Nelson, and Dylan Gossett.
Parker’s session features performances of “Solid Country Gold,” “My Blue,” and “Watch Me Bleed,” all set against the landscape that inspired his self-titled album. The filming took place in late spring, before the flooding that impacted the area. Parker’s latest album draws inspiration from the red dirt and resilient spirit of his hometown—a spirit now on full display as neighbors band together to rebuild.
You can listen to the tracks from Parker’s OUTSIDE session on Spotify and watch the full performances on YouTube.
Alongside the local Texas community, Spotify is using their platform and resources to help ongoing recovery efforts. Spotify is providing $1 million in pro bono audio and display advertising for the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country and the Central Texas Community Foundation, the beneficiaries of Band Together Texas, as well as providing a direct donation to both foundations. They’ve also updated their Texas Country Now playlist to spotlight donation links and encourage fans to get involved.
In Mexico, K-Pop is more than a musical genre; it’s a cultural phenomenon. Blending pop, hip-hop, R&B, electronic, and rock, it has become a way of life for many. With over 14 million K-Pop fans, Mexico is the genre’s fifth-largest market globally and the only Spanish-speaking country in the top 10. The nation’s passion for K-Pop is evident in surging streams and vibrant fan communities.
To celebrate World K-Pop Day, Spotify is highlighting the streaming trends and fandom power that have made it an epicenter for K-Pop discovery in Mexico. The following infographic provides key insights.
K-Pop has become a streaming powerhouse in Mexico, with an impressive growth of over 500% in the last five years. With more than 14 million fans, Mexico holds the fifth spot for K-Pop listens globally and is the only Spanish-speaking country in the top 10.
The Mexican fandom is dominated by Gen Z, with nearly seven out of 10 K-Pop fans in the country being 29 years old or younger.
The top 5,000 K-Pop fans in Mexico demonstrate remarkable dedication, listening for an average of 655 minutes a day, which is nearly 11 hours of K-Pop daily. The number one fan streams for over 15 hours a day, from morning to night.
In Mexico, fandoms are deeply devoted to K-Pop, with streaming peaking on Tuesdays at 6 pm. Among these highly dedicated fans, Jimin and BTS are the most-played artists.
The “Korean wave” is a movement that has been building for years. It first reached Mexico in the 2000s through Korean television dramas, but the arrival of groups like BTS, BLACKPINK, TWICE, Stray Kids, and Red Velvet in the 2010s truly ignited the K-Pop explosion. Since then, K-Pop streams on Spotify in Mexico have grown by more than 500% in the past five years.
What distinguishes Mexican fans is not just the time they spend streaming, especially among Gen Z, but the way they fully immerse themselves in K-Pop culture. Devotees in Mexico organize events, fill concert venues, host themed bazaars, and build thriving communities. They are a powerful force on social media, starting trends and supporting their idols. They also uniquely blend Mexican culture into their fan art, memes, and other creative content.
K-Pop’s emotional storytelling and stunning visuals have deeply connected with Mexican listeners. The songs explore universal themes of love, friendship, and resilience, which fosters a sense of community and belonging. For many fans, language is not a barrier; the music and artists feel personal and relatable.
According to Alejandro Grageda, Head of Music at Spotify Mexico, “K-Pop artists connect with fans by being real and speaking openly about their feelings, which really resonates with young listeners in Mexico. They also promote an optimistic vision of the world—something that inspires fans to dream, believe in something better, and build strong, supportive communities together.”
Spotify is proud to have contributed to K-Pop’s growth in Mexico, providing a platform for listeners to discover new music and celebrate their favorite idols. They will continue to support the community, artists, and moments that make this genre so special.
Burgeoning rock artist Cody Jasper has announced his signing with legendary label Megaforce Records under the direction of Missi Callazzo. Raised in Amarillo, TX and refined in Austin, Jasper launched his career as a teenager, playing blues and classic rock covers before coming into his own combustible blend of soulful rock ‘n’ roll mixed with a modern alternative sound. Cody Jasper will debut on Megaforce with the release of single “Jaded” on September 12th (pre-save) and a full-length album to follow.
On signing with Megaforce and his forthcoming album, Jasper shares:
“When I set out to make this album, my goal was simple—create the kind of rock record I’d want to hear. One with fresh ideas and variety, but still rooted in the timeless elements that make rock great. I can’t imagine a better home for it than a legendary label like Megaforce. It’s truly a dream come true.”
A singer, songwriter, and guitar virtuoso who has played across a variety of genres, Jasper readies to enter his next era in his most authentic form. Having learned from sharing the stage with greats including Slash, Billy Gibbons, Warren Haynes and Stone Temple Pilots, Jasper has turned his experiences in life and on the road into bold and compelling earworms. His electrifying presence and ability to channel raw emotion through soaring vocals and blistering guitar solos make Cody Jasper a must watch act.
Cody Jasper is represented by Stef Scamardo and Jason Duarté at Hard Head Management (Warren Haynes, Gov’t Mule) and booked by Andrew Goodfriend for The Kirby Organization (TKO).
Samsung Electronics today announced a partnership with Netflix to deliver a limited-time promotion for the hit animation, KPop Demon Hunters. Starting August 13, Galaxy users will have the opportunity to bring a specially curated collection of smartphone themes via the Galaxy Store — available at no additional cost for a limited time.
The KPop Demon Hunters theme collection composed of Lock Screen, Home Screen, AOD, Phone Screen, Message Screen and Icons, includes eleven special designs inspired by the film unique visual identity. The set features one special theme package spotlighting the in-universe K-pop groups HUNTRIX, along with ten character-based wallpapers highlighting fan favorites such as Rumi, Zoey, Jinu, Derpy and Sussie.
The themes are designed to provide a consistent and visually engaging user experience across Galaxy devices. Closely aligned with the creative direction of the film, each theme enhances the overall look and feel of the interface while maintaining Galaxy’s standards for performance and usability.
The collaboration reflects Samsung’s ongoing commitment to expanding content-based experiences that enrich everyday life for Galaxy users. The company will continue to explore creative partnerships to deliver engaging and personalized UX that resonates with global audiences.
The themes will be available from 10:00 a.m. on Aug. 13 to 11:59 p.m. on Sep. 12 local time via a dedicated promotion page in the Galaxy Store. Existing Netflix users can unlock the themes simply by launching the Netflix app through the promotion page in the Galaxy Store. Users without the Netflix app are directed to the Netflix app download page in the Galaxy Store. After installation and launch of the app, they can download the KPop Demon Hunters Theme and Wallpaper through the promotion page.
Rumi (Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong), and Zoey (Ji-young Yoo) have already lit up Netflix screens, and now it’s your turn to join the magic. The KPop Demon Hunters: A Sing-Along Event brings the Honmoon battle to life with a weekend of singing, cheering, and full-volume fandom.
On August 23 and 24, audiences in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK unite for a one-of-a-kind, big-screen celebration of the most-watched Netflix animated original film ever. Voices will soar, hearts will race, and the energy will be unstoppable.
With over 180 million views, a Billboard 200 soundtrack at #2, and more than 3 billion global streams, KPop Demon Hunters is a phenomenon. Now, the soundtrack’s powerhouse lineup — EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, REI AMI, Andrew Choi, Danny Chung, Kevin Woo, samUIL Lee, Neckwav, Lea Salonga, and more — takes center stage in a theater near you.
Tickets are on sale now. To view the full list of theaters and showtimes in your area, and to download tickets, check out the following links: US and Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. This is your moment — bring your voice, your friends, and your fiercest fandom energy.
In the age of smartphones, concerts have become more than a night of music—they’re a visual celebration designed to live on long after the final encore. Today’s artists are shaping their tours to be as camera-ready as they are ear-pleasing, creating unforgettable snapshots that fill feeds and hearts (literally and on socials) alike.
Live music thrives on moments that make people feel connected and inspired. Now, those moments are designed to be shared instantly. Vibrant stage designs, surprise guest appearances, choreographed crowd interactions, and perfectly timed confetti blasts give fans a show to remember and a memory to post. When fans share glowing shots of rainbow-lit stages or a singer wading into the crowd, the excitement reaches thousands more. Each post becomes part of a collective highlight reel, spreading the magic far beyond the venue.
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour delivers “Instagrammable” moments every night—whether it’s the sparkling “Bejeweled” strut or surprise acoustic songs. Harry Styles’ Love On Tour brings colorful suits, giant balloon hearts, and arena-wide singalongs that light up timelines. K-pop icons like BLACKPINK create visually stunning shows with fireworks, synchronized fan light sticks, and bold outfit changes. Even Elton John fills his performances with dazzling backdrops and instantly recognizable scenes that fans love to capture.
This style of tour design continues to grow, with more interactive elements like crowd-controlled LED wristbands and live polls that shape setlists. Augmented reality could soon make every phone camera feel like a front-row pass, adding unique 3D visuals to the experience. For artists, these designs keep the buzz alive long after the lights go down. For fans, they offer personal highlight reels ready for a “Best Night Ever” caption.
Every concert becomes a gallery of joy, color, and connection, ready to be relived with each scroll. These tours turn music’s most powerful moments into shared celebrations, echoing across the world in photos, videos, and stories that keep the feeling alive.
Released in January 1988, Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror” became his ninth Billboard Hot 100 #1 and earned triple platinum status. Written by Glen Ballard and Siedah Garrett, it was nominated for Record of the Year at the Grammys. Its message of change remains timeless.