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Sonata Arctica Announce Power Metal Headline Dates Amid North American Tour With Symphony X

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In addition to their previously announced support dates with Symphonxy X, the legendary Finnish power metal band Sonata Arctica are pleased to announce five headlining dates on their upcoming North American Tour.

The band comments “It’s been awhile since we last toured the US & Canada so it’s gonna be really awesome to come back and kick some ass once again. With our new album we made a return to Power Metal so you can expect to hear some favourites from the past that we haven’t played in years as well as some new stuff. See you all soon! “

Joining the band as openers on all dates will be the American instrumental band Powerglove. All dates are in support of their critically acclaimed album Clear Cold Beyond, which was released in 2024.

Founded almost 30 years ago in Kemi, Finland, and releasing their first album Ecliptica in 1999, the ambitious Finns quickly grew into the position as gatekeepers of the best melodic metal sounds; bursting with the innovative joy of playing and completed with their special, individual note; the voice of Tony Kakko. Eleven masterpieces have been created in the last three decades of the band’s history, and stylistically, Sonata Arctica has never let themselves be deprived of trying out new ways and leaving old habits behind. From classical Power Metal to more progressive excursions, to now finally coming full circle with their return to roots album & tour, each album has its own charm – a perceptible life of its own. Yet Sonata Arctica have always been true to themselves. With their skills, their talent, their wealth of ideas and their daring, the band has decisively influenced the genre and had a lasting impact on it.

CLEAR COLD BEYOND NORTH AMERICAN HEADLINE DATES

Sep 29 – Toronto, ON – The Mod Club
Sep 30 – Montreal, QC – Theatre Beanfield
Oct 1 – New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre
Oct 2 – Boston, MA – Royale
Oct 4 – Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage

NORTH AMERICAN DATES IN SUPPORT OF SYMPHONY X
Sep. 04 – Stroudsburg, PA – Sherman Theater
Sep. 08 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theater
Sep. 10 – Mesa, AZ – The Nile
Sep. 11 – San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick
Sep. 12 – Pomona, CA – The Glass House
Sep. 13 – Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theatre
Sep. 14 – San Francisco, CA – August Hall
Sep. 16 – Portland, OR – Dante’s
Sep. 17 – Seattle, WA – Neptune
Sep. 18 – Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theatre
Sep. 20 – Calgary, AB – The Palace Theatre
Sep. 21 – Edmonton, AB – Starlite Room
Sep. 23 – Winnipeg, MB – Park Theatre
Sep. 24 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line
Sep. 25 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave II
Sep. 26 – Joliet, IL – The Forge
Sep. 27 – Cleveland, OH – Globe Iron
Sep. 29 – Red Bank, NJ – The Vogel

Idlewild Return With Self-Titled Alt-Rock Album, Share Expansive New Single “Stay Out Of Place”

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The Scottish alternative rock band Idlewild return today with the news of a self-titled album, their first since 2019, to land October 3rd via V2 Records. ‘Idlewild’ will be released on CD, standard black LP and two different limited colour vinyl editions

The band also share a first single from the record, the expansive ‘Stay Out Of Place’, a song that has all the innate warmth and melodic immediacy that has made them such a beloved act across the years.

Premiered by Steve Lamacq on his BBC 6 Music show, frontman Roddy Woomble had the following to say about the themes behind it: “Walt Whitman was right, we do contain ‘multitudes’ – there is more than one “us” in there – we’re choosing a voice from among the many voices. This is especially interesting in a band context, because it’s not just one voice, but five voices collaborating, over time. We arrange the world in our own order, but sometimes you’ve got to shake up expectations and forget about the instructions – I suppose that’s what I’m getting at with ‘Stay Out Of Place’. It felt like a good starting point and (re)introduction to Idlewild 2025…”

Produced by Rod Jones (who also mixed the record) and Idlewild, ‘Idlewild’ is the tenth studio album from the group and was written over 2024 at Post Electric Studios in Edinburgh and the Isle of Iona Library in the Hebrides.

Since forming in Edinburgh in 1995, Idlewild have been a lot of different things. They were a teenage punk band, slinging buzzsaw riffs and barbed refrains on their seminal early records ‘Hope Is Important’ and ‘100 Broken Windows’, before becoming one of the most compelling mainstream rock groups of their generation with ‘The Remote Part’, an album that debuted at number three on the UK charts behind Oasis and Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2002.

On either side of a 2010 hiatus, which allowed them to branch out along fresh creative avenues, from solo albums to production work for other bands, they made widescreen indie-rock, ruminative folk-rock and, with 2019’s thrillingly inventive ‘Interview Music’, sprawling art-pop. Across the ten songs of ‘Idlewild’ they welcome each of these past selves into the room, interrogating formative sounds with the vigour and curiosity of kids geeking out over Fugazi and R.E.M. while simultaneously exploring texture and harmony through the sort of road-worn chemistry that you can’t fake. As Woomble succinctly puts it, they sought out “big ideas, deep uncertainties, memorable tunes.”

“We’re looking back without being nostalgic – we were thinking about all the songs we’d made and the new songs we were making,” he observes. “For the first time we were referencing ourselves, not in a nostalgic way, in a positive, creative way, realising that we had a ‘sound’ and the songs we were writing should celebrate that. After it was all recorded and done, it felt fitting to simply title it ‘Idlewild’.”

‘Idlewild’ will be released on CD, standard black LP and two different limited colour vinyl editions.

The band will play a clutch of festival dates across the summer, before touring in support of the new album in October.

Catch Idlewild live on the following dates:

July

27th – Deer Shed Festival, Thirsk

September

13th – Black Isle Calling, Inverness

October

10th – Boilershop, Newcastle
11th – Project House, Leeds
12th – Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton
14th – The Junction, Cambridge
15th – O2 Academy, Bristol
17th – Koko, London (SOLD OUT)
18th – New Century Hall, Manchester

December

5th – Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen (SOLD OUT)
6th – LiveHouse, Dundee
7th – Barrowland, Glasgow (SOLD OUT)

January (2026)

2nd – 5th – Rockaway Beach, Bognor Regis

KISS Launches ‘KISS Kruise: Landlocked’ Fan Fest in Vegas With Unmasked Shows and All-Star Lineup

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Rock & Roll Hall of Fame legends KISS are putting their unmistakable mark on the highly anticipated KISS Army Storms Vegas event with new brand KISS Kruise: Landlocked in Vegas. The news comes with several exciting updates to their upcoming fan experience coming this November 14-16, 2025 at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. This special fan experience is being created in conjunction with co-producers Pophouse, creators of boutique music vacations Topeka, and music-led destination experience company Vibee.

In addition to honoring the legacy of the KISS KRUISE brand, KISS is proud to reveal several previously unannounced additions to the already jam-packed lineup of activities. This KISS Army vacation will welcome fans with a special acoustic KISS “Kick-Off” set ” Friday November 14th. The weekend with continue with performances from former KISS band member Bruce Kulick, Pearcy and DeMartini performing the music of RATT, Sebastian Bach, Quiet Riot, Black ‘N Blue, Kuarantine, KISS tribute bands Mr. Speed and KISS Nation, School of Rock, comedian Craig Gass and DJ Noiz.

Fans can also expect exclusive Q&A sessions with Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Tommy Thayer, as well as longtime manager Doc McGhee. Other panelists include Legendary KISS producer Bob Ezrin, Lynn Goldsmith, famed KISS photographer and KISS Army founders Bill Starkey and Jay Evans. Fans will also get a sneak peek on all that is ahead for the band in a special “The Future of KISS” panel.

The “everything KISS” paradise, which also includes support artist meet & greets, curated KISS gifts and so much more, will take place in celebration of KISS Army’s 50th Anniversary and the 30th anniversary of the first KISS fan convention. Since retiring from touring in December 2023, this will be the first time KISS has performed together and will be a one-of-a-kind moment for fans to experience KISS “unmasked” acoustic and electric shows featuring Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Tommy Thayer as special guests.

Official Experience Packages for Kiss Kruise: Landlocked in Vegas – offering the Kiss Army a bucket list-worthy, rock ‘n’ roll-packed weekend adventure – are available exclusively through Vibee. All Vibee packages include a suite of enviable perks including a three-night stay at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, access to the Kiss Unmasked Acoustic and Electric live shows, Q&As with members of Kiss, all panels, artists sets on the lineup and activities, a curated event gift and event poster signed by members of the band, photos with KISS memorabilia, and a collectible laminate and lanyard.

Mötley Crüe and Dolly Parton Hit #1 With Reimagined “Home Sweet Home” Duet

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Motley Crue and globally beloved superstar Dolly Parton have debuted at #1 on the Mediabase Classic Rock Songs chart with their heartfelt duet of the Motley Crue classic, “Home Sweet Home,” released via BMG. The reimagined duet version coincides with the 40th Anniversary of the original 1985 release of “Home Sweet Home,” featured on the band’s third full length album, Theatre of Pain and marks the first #1 for the song.

To drive home the song’s positive message of hope, a portion of the proceeds from the single will benefit Covenant House, an organization close to the hearts of the members of Motley Crue. Covenant House provides safe shelter, meals, hope and more to help youth experiencing homelessness.

The achievement represents the second time members of Motley Crue and Parton find themselves atop the chart together with a #1 debut. Nikki Sixx and John 5 appeared as special guests on Parton’s song “Bygones” off her #1 Gold-selling Rockstar album released last year via Butterfly Records/Big Machine Label Group.

The reimagined version of “Home Sweet Home” featuring Parton is part of Motley Crue’s forthcoming brand-new singles collection, From The Beginning (BMG), set to drop on September 12, 2025, the same day that the legendary rockers will kick off their highly anticipated 10-show residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas, NV.

The official video for the track which pays homage to the classic original video for the song from 1985 surpassed 1 Million views on YouTube

Iron Maiden Roots Band Gypsy’s Kiss Set to Release New Album ‘Piece By Piece’

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Gypsy’s Kiss, who celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 2024 having been formed in East London in 1974 by David Smith and Iron Maiden’s Steve Harris, have announced their third album ‘Piece By Piece’, which will be released on July 18th.

Founder member David Smith says “We are immensely proud of this album (Piece by Piece), and we believe that we have added more depth and variety to both our songwriting and recordings. This album demonstrates where we are now in 2025 but with a nod to our classic rock and metal roots.”

The album was recorded at Pearce’s Farm Studios, Wokingham between May 2023 and May 2025, Engineered and mixed by Ian Turner and produced by Ian Turner and Gypsy’s Kiss. Pre-order the album here

Alt-Rock Icons Puscifer Announce Intimate Double Show in L.A. Ahead of New Album

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In anticipation of its upcoming studio album, PUSCIFER invites a select number of fans to experience the LP with two very special, intimate performances in Los Angeles on August 11, 2025, at Exchange L.A.

The back-to-back sets (5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.) mark the Maynard James Keenan-led band’s most intimate shows ever.

These performances will be filmed for a future release.

Tickets are on sale now at this location.

Photo Gallery: Dave Matthews At Toronto’s Budweiser Stage July 8, 2025

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

Queensryche and Accept Unite for Metal Mayhem on “Volume and Vengeance Tour”

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Queensryche are excited to announce they’ll be hitting the road this coming fall on the “Volume and Vengeance Tour” alongside special guests Accept. The tour will kick off on November 7th in Denver, CO at Summit and will conclude on December 20th in Temecula, CA at Pechanga Theater Casino.

Ticket pre-sales begin tomorrow and the general on-sale is Friday. Vocalist Todd La Torre shares on the tour: “We are extremely excited to announce our upcoming 2025 U.S. fall tour with metal legends Accept!

“For years and years both bands have discussed wanting to do a proper tour together, and the time has finally arrived. And while we both have our unique stylistic approaches, both bands continue to have a deep and revered history, shared by an amazing fanbase that is sure to enjoy this moment in time.

“So it is with great pleasure that we invite you to experience the Volume and Vengeance Tour with Queensryche and Accept, and be part of metal musical history with us! See you soon!!!”

11/07: Denver, CO @ Summit
11/08: Wichita, KS @ TempleLive at Wichita Scottish Rite Center
11/09: Evansville, IN @ Victory Theatre
11/11: Peoria, IL @ TempleLive at Peoria Scottish Rite Theater
11/13: Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
11/14: Nashville, IN @ Brown County Music Center
11/15: Cleveland, OH @ TempleLive Cleveland Masonic
11/16: Columbus, OH @ TempleLive at the Columbus Athenaeum
11/18: Greensburg, PA @ Palace Theater
11/19: Wilkes-Barre, PA @ Kirby Center
11/21: Somerville, MA @ Somerville Theatre
11/22: Hartford, CT @ The Webster
11/23: Huntington, NY @ The Paramount
11/25: Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
11/26: Harrisburg, PA @ Capitol City Music Hall
11/28: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL @ Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
11/29: Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room
12/02: Lake Buena Vista, FL @ House of Blues
12/03: Tampa, FL @ Jannus Live
12/05: Rocky Mount, VA @ Harvester Performance Center
12/06: Charles Town, WV @ Hollywood Casino
12/09: Fort Smith, AR @ Commandry at TempleLive
12/11: Houston, TX @ House of Blues
12/14: Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
12/16: Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren
12/18: Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues
12/19: San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
12/20: Temecula, CA @ Pechanga Theater Casino

Xoth Launch Death-Thrash ‘Exogalactic Actuality’ Tour with Inoculation

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Seattle-based power-infused death-thrash futurists XOTH rise to proclaim the Exogalactic Actuality Tour, with support from Cleveland’s cosmic death dealers, INOCULATION! This marks XOTH’s first full-scale incursion into the uncharted territories of the Midwest and East Coast.

The conquest begins September 17th in the frostbitten lands of Fargo, ND, and culminates October 5th in the mile-high stronghold of Denver, CO.

Armed with the otherworldly arsenal of their acclaimed opus, Exogalactic — a record hailed for its labyrinthine precision and galactic vision — XOTH beckons all mortals to bear witness as the veil between realms is torn asunder.

For ticketing information, updates, and additional live dates, visit beholdxoth.com.

Wed 9/17 – Fargo, ND – The Aquarium
Thu 9/18 – Minneapolis, MN – Underground Music Venue
Fri 9/19 – Portage, WI – Studio 301
Sat 9/20 – Chicago, IL – Reggies
Sun 9/21 – Detroit, MI – Sanctuary
Mon 9/22 – Youngstown, OH – Westside Bowl
Tue 9/23 – Pittsburgh, PA – Green Beacon Gallery
Wed 9/24 – Washington D.C. – Pie Shop
Thu 9/25 – Brooklyn, NY – The Wood Shop
Fri 9/26 – Cambridge, MA – Middle East
Sat 9/27 – Philadelphia, PA – Kung Fu Necktie
Sun 9/28 – Harrisonburg, VA – Golden Pony
Mon 9/29 – Charlotte, NC – The Milestong
Tue 9/30 – Atlanta, GA – Boggs Social & Supply
Wed 10/1 – Nashville, TN – Cobra Nashville
Thu 10/2 – Indianapolis, IN – Black Circle
Fri 10/3 – St. Louis, MO – Moshmellow
Sat 10/4 – Kansas City, MO – Minibar
Sun 10/5 – Denver, CO – Hi-Dive

Dance-Punk Icons The Rapture Announce First Headline Tour in 15 Years

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New York dance-punk band The Rapture have announced details of their first proper headline tour in 15 years. The upcoming dates will see founding member Luke Jenner and company traversing North America and Europe throughout the fall, hitting 26 cities across two continents .

Pre-sale tickets for the tour will be available this Wednesday, July 9th at 10:00AM local time, with all remaining tickets going on sale Friday, July 11th, at 10:00AM local time. Support for the upcoming dates will be announced in the coming weeks.

Commenting on the new live dates, Jenner shared “This has been a long time coming. Years ago when I stepped away from the band I was needing time and space to piece together my life. I needed to fix my marriage, be there for my son, and ultimately work on myself. This tour marks a new chapter for me, one shaped by everything I’ve lived through and learned along the way. I’ve achieved everything I hoped to achieve through music, and now I get to use it to help anyone else who maybe needs it like I did back then.”

Mixing post-punk intensity with dance-floor energy, The Rapture captured the zeitgeist of an entire era of indie rock in the early 2000s. Formed in 1998 by Jenner (guitars, vocals), and founding drummer Vito Roccoforte, the band quickly made waves in New York City with their raw mix of punk, disco, funk, and electronic music. Their breakthrough came with the 2003 release of Echoes (DFA), which was led by the surging single “House of Jealous Lovers.” Drawing inspiration from both the grit of NYC’s punk history and the pulse of modern club culture, subsequent albums like Pieces of the People We Love (Mercury, 2006) and In the Grace of Your Love (DFA, 2011) saw The Rapture continue to transcend genre and galvanize audiences. The Rapture remains one of the most singular bands of their generation, entirely on their own terms, and their impact can still be felt today across popular music.

09.16 – First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN
09.18 – Ogden Theatre – Denver, CO
09.19 – The Depot – Salt Lake City, UT
09.21 – Portola Festival – San Francisco, CA
09.23 – Humphrey’s – San Diego, CA
09.24 – The Van Buren – Phoenix, AZ
09.26 – Emo’s – Austin, TX
09.27 – The Studio aNew York dance-punk band The Rapture have announced details of their first proper headline tour in 15 years. The upcoming dates will see founding member Luke Jenner and company traversing North America and Europe throughout the fall, hitting 26 cities across two continents .

Pre-sale tickets for the tour will be available this Wednesday, July 9th at 10:00AM local time, with all remaining tickets going on sale Friday, July 11th, at 10:00AM local time. Support for the upcoming dates will be announced in the coming weeks.

Commenting on the new live dates, Jenner shared “This has been a long time coming. Years ago when I stepped away from the band I was needing time and space to piece together my life. I needed to fix my marriage, be there for my son, and ultimately work on myself. This tour marks a new chapter for me, one shaped by everything I’ve lived through and learned along the way. I’ve achieved everything I hoped to achieve through music, and now I get to use it to help anyone else who maybe needs it like I did back then.”

Mixing post-punk intensity with dance-floor energy, The Rapture captured the zeitgeist of an entire era of indie rock in the early 2000s. Formed in 1998 by Jenner (guitars, vocals), and founding drummer Vito Roccoforte, the band quickly made waves in New York City with their raw mix of punk, disco, funk, and electronic music. Their breakthrough came with the 2003 release of Echoes (DFA), which was led by the surging single “House of Jealous Lovers.” Drawing inspiration from both the grit of NYC’s punk history and the pulse of modern club culture, subsequent albums like Pieces of the People We Love (Mercury, 2006) and In the Grace of Your Love (DFA, 2011) saw The Rapture continue to transcend genre and galvanize audiences. The Rapture remains one of the most singular bands of their generation, entirely on their own terms, and their impact can still be felt today across popular music.

09.16 – First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN
09.18 – Ogden Theatre – Denver, CO
09.19 – The Depot – Salt Lake City, UT
09.21 – Portola Festival – San Francisco, CA
09.23 – Humphrey’s – San Diego, CA
09.24 – The Van Buren – Phoenix, AZ
09.26 – Emo’s – Austin, TX
09.27 – The Studio at The Factory – Dallas, TX
09.30 – Buckhead Theatre – Atlanta, GA
10.01 – Marathon Music Works – Nashville, TN
10.03 – Riviera Theatre – Chicago, IL
10.04 – Masonic Temple Theater – Detroit, MI
10.05 – Danforth Music Hall – Toronto, ON
10.07 – Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA
10.08 – Brooklyn Steel – Brooklyn, NY
10.09 – House of Blues – Boston, MA
10.10 – 9:30 Club – Washington, DC
11.11 – St. Luke’s – Glasgow, UK
11.12 – New Century Hall – Manchester, UK
11.13 – HERE at Outernet – London, UK
11.15 – Fabrik – Hamburg, DE
11.17 – Huxleys – Berlin, DE
11.19 – Paradiso – Amsterdam, NE
11.20 – Salle Pleyel – Paris, FR
11.21 – Trix – Antwerp, BE
11.23 – Razzmatazz 2 – Barcelona, SPt The Factory – Dallas, TX
09.30 – Buckhead Theatre – Atlanta, GA
10.01 – Marathon Music Works – Nashville, TN
10.03 – Riviera Theatre – Chicago, IL
10.04 – Masonic Temple Theater – Detroit, MI
10.05 – Danforth Music Hall – Toronto, ON
10.07 – Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA
10.08 – Brooklyn Steel – Brooklyn, NY
10.09 – House of Blues – Boston, MA
10.10 – 9:30 Club – Washington, DC
11.11 – St. Luke’s – Glasgow, UK
11.12 – New Century Hall – Manchester, UK
11.13 – HERE at Outernet – London, UK
11.15 – Fabrik – Hamburg, DE
11.17 – Huxleys – Berlin, DE
11.19 – Paradiso – Amsterdam, NE
11.20 – Salle Pleyel – Paris, FR
11.21 – Trix – Antwerp, BE
11.23 – Razzmatazz 2 – Barcelona, SP