Alice Cooper turned the world’s largest metal festival into his own horror theatre. The shock-rock pioneer played Wacken Open Air in Germany on August 2, 2013, delivering a spectacular main-stage show drawn from a career that stretches back to the 1960s and broke wide open with 1972’s “School’s Out.” The sound leaned on the gritty guitars of Nita Strauss and Ryan Roxie, Glen Sobel’s forceful drumming, and Cooper’s theatrical vocals, fusing hard rock with horror-movie atmosphere. Props did the rest, as he wielded a guillotine, a snake, and a parade of costumes to amplify his commanding presence. Part of his Raise the Dead tour, the set celebrated a revival of his classic sound, and the band played with a fierce energy that reaffirmed his legacy as rock’s great theatrical showman.
Video: Alice Cooper Brings the Guillotine to Wacken Open Air In 2013
NPR’s Tiny Desk Honors BET Legacy with a Black Music Month Lineup from Eve to Floetry
Tiny Desk is turning June into a celebration of Black music’s full sweep. NPR Music and Tiny Desk mark Black Music Month with a multi-generational, month-long lineup, and starting June 2, ten artists spanning genres and generations will take over the popular global series. 2026 marks the fifth year of the Tiny Desk tradition honoring the culture, foundation, and legacy of Black music.
The roster pulls from across eras and styles. GENA, Karriem Riggins and Liv.e, Ayra Starr, Joe, The Paradox, Floetry, Fred Hammond, Eve, 8 Ball & MJG, Shaboozey, and Bow Wow all step behind the desk. BET icons Donnie Simpson, Big Tigger, and Bow Wow are helping announce the lineup across social media, and every concert lands on NPR.org and NPR Music’s YouTube channel.
This year’s edition is built as a tribute to BET. Bobby Carter, host and series producer for Tiny Desk, framed the series as standing on the shoulders of programs like Video Soul, Rap City, and 106 & Park, born in the 1980s when other networks refused to feature Black artists. He says these ten shows reflect the essence of Black music. The lineup makes good on that promise, threading R&B, hip-hop, gospel, Afrobeats, and more into a single month.
BET President Louis Carr echoed the sentiment, pointing to more than 40 years of championing Black music and artistry without compromise. He called the Tiny Desk salute a profound recognition of the culture BET has built since day one, and a reminder that the work of elevating Black music continues.
Throughout June, audiences can also expect behind-the-scenes and additional content across social media. The full celebration runs at npr.org/music, with all performances at npr.org/tinydesk.
The Wayans Crew Drop Final “Scary Movie” Trailer Ahead of June 5 Theatrical Slashing
The countdown is on, and the Core Four are back in the crosshairs. Paramount Pictures has released the final trailer for “Scary Movie,” the franchise revival hitting theatres, 4DX, and premium large formats on June 5, 2026. Twenty-six years after first outrunning a suspiciously familiar masked killer, Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Anna Faris, and Regina Hall reunite to land right back in Ghostface’s sights.
This time the targets are bigger than any single slasher. The film takes aim at reboots, remakes, requels, prequels, sequels, spin-offs, elevated horror, origin stories, anything with “legacy” in the title, and every “final chapter” that absolutely isn’t final. Nothing is sacred, no trope survives, and every line gets crossed. The Wayans are back to cancel Cancel Culture.
Michael Tiddes directs from a script by Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Craig Wayans, and Rick Alvarez, building on characters created by the original team. The cast loads up on returning favorites and fresh faces, including Kenan Thompson, Dave Sheridan, Lochlyn Munro, Kim Wayans, Cheri Oteri, Chris Elliott, Damon Wayans Jr., and Heidi Gardner. It’s a stacked comedic ensemble built to tear through the genre.
The film is a Paramount Pictures presentation in association with Miramax, a Wayans Brothers production. Tickets are on sale now.
Riley Green Adds Fall Dates to His Cowboy As It Gets Tour Ahead of ‘That’s Just Me’
Riley Green is stretching out his biggest run yet. The multi-platinum, ACM and CMA Award winner has added fall dates to his 2026 headlining Cowboy As It Gets Tour, bringing the show to Long Beach, Los Angeles, Austin, and more. Randy Houser and Kashus Culpepper join as special guests, with Hannah McFarland returning to the bill.
The newly added stops pile onto a tour that’s already the largest of Green’s career, with sold-out crowds nationwide and a career-highlight night at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena earlier this year. The full run rotates in a deep bench of guests, including Justin Moore, Drake White, Mackenzie Carpenter, Hannah McFarland, and Zach John King.
The dates land alongside Green’s forthcoming album ‘That’s Just Me’, due September 18, and his recent single “Think As You Drunk.” Written and recorded during a pivotal year and in the thick of his biggest tour, the record is a deeply personal, multi-faceted body of work that captures every side of him as an artist and songwriter. Rooted in his signature country storytelling and a strong western spirit, it moves easily between tender yearning, carefree beachy anthems, and the fun-loving drinking songs his fans love. It’s the kind of album that shows just how much range Green has grown into.
The new music caps a landmark stretch. This spring Green made his acting debut on CBS drama ‘Marshals’, playing former Navy SEAL Garrett, and he was recently named a coach on the 30th season of NBC’s ‘The Voice’. He also launched his spirits brand Duck Club Bourbon while continuing to sell out arenas worldwide, cementing his place at the front of country music.
Presales start Tuesday, June 2, ahead of the general sale on Friday, June 5 at 10 am local time.
Riley Green 2026 Cowboy As It Gets Tour Dates:
June 4, Myrtle Beach, SC, Carolina Country Music Festival
June 7, Nashville, TN, Nissan Stadium (CMA Fest)
June 12, Midland, TX, Midland County Horseshoe
June 13, Decatur, AL, Rock the South
June 18, Holmdel, NJ, PNC Bank Arts Center
June 19, Saratoga Springs, NY, Albany Med Health System at SPAC
June 20, Wantagh, NY, Northwell at Jones Beach Theater
June 25, Noblesville, IN, Ruoff Music Center
June 26, Burgettstown, PA, The Pavilion at Star Lake
June 27, Nashville, TN, Nissan Stadium (Alan Jackson’s Last Call: One More For The Road Finale)
July 9, Fort Loramie, OH, Country Concert
July 10, Craven, Canada, Country Thunder Saskatchewan
July 11, Ashland, KY, Rock the Country
July 16, Green Bay, WI, Resch Center
July 17, Eau Claire, WI, Country Jam USA
July 18, Twin Lakes, WI, Country Thunder Wisconsin
July 22, Cheyenne, WY, Cheyenne Frontier Days
July 23, Salt Lake City, UT, Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre
July 25, Monticello, IA, Great Jones County Fair
July 31, Big Sky, MT, Wildlands
Aug 1, Camrose, Canada, Big Valley Jamboree
Aug 2, Lake Cowichan, Canada, Sunfest Country
Aug 6, Darien Center, NY, Darien Lake Amphitheater
Aug 7, Cuyahoga Falls, OH, Blossom Music Center
Aug 8, Bristow, VA, Jiffy Lube Live
Aug 13, Camden, NJ, Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
Aug 14, Hartford, CT, The Meadows Music Theatre
Aug 15, Bangor, ME, Maine Savings Amphitheatre
Aug 20, Des Moines, IA, Iowa State Fair
Aug 21, Sioux Falls, SD, Denny Sanford
Aug 22, Grand Forks, ND, Ralph Engelstad Arena
Sept 6, San José del Cabo, Mexico, Paradisus Los Cabos (Country Splash)
Sept 10, Denver, CO, Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
Sept 11, Albuquerque, NM, First Financial Credit Union Amphitheater
Sept 12, Lubbock, TX, United Supermarkets Arena
Sept 17, Ridgefield, WA, Cascades Amphitheater
Sept 18, Bend, OR, Hayden Homes Amphitheater
Sept 19, Wheatland, CA, Toyota Amphitheatre
Sept 24, Long Beach, CA, F&M Bank Amphitheater
Sept 25, Los Angeles, CA, Greek Theatre
Sept 26, Mountain View, CA, Shoreline Amphitheatre
Oct 1, Austin, TX, Moody Center
Oct 2, Durant, OK, Choctaw Casino
Nov 21, St. Petersburg, FL, St. Pete Country Fest
Dec 6, Las Vegas, NV, Resorts World Theatre
Dec 10, Las Vegas, NV, Resorts World Theatre
Video: Sam Smith Bares It All at the Sydney Opera House in 2018
Sam Smith turned the Sydney Opera House into a confessional. Set against the venue’s iconic sails in January 2018, this intimate concert for Nova’s Red Room series gave a few hundred lucky fans a rare close-up of the British superstar’s vocal power in a world-renowned setting. Smith opened up between songs with heartfelt stories about love and life, revealing the roots of their most powerful ballads. The setlist blended beloved classics with newer material from ‘The Thrill Of It All’, moving through soaring takes on “I’m Not The Only One” and “Stay With Me” and soulful readings of “Burning” and “Pray.” A stripped-back version of the Disclosure collaboration “Latch” showed off Smith’s range, and a closing “Too Good at Goodbyes” sealed an unforgettable night that confirmed Smith as one of their generation’s most compelling live performers.
Charli xcx Announces New Album ‘Music, Fashion, Film’ for July
Charli xcx is back with a bold new statement. The pop trailblazer has announced her new album ‘Music, Fashion, Film’, arriving Friday, July 24. The record gathers previously released tracks “SS26” and “Rock Music” and is available to pre-order now.
The album’s title carries straight through to its visual identity. The cover, shot by Aidan Zamiri, features John Cale, Marc Jacobs, and Martin Scorsese, three icons spanning the very worlds the title names. It’s a fitting frame for an artist who has spent her career moving fluidly between the experimental and the mainstream.
Charli has built a body of work defined by reinvention, collaboration, and a singular approach that’s shaped both the sound and the visual language of contemporary culture. The acclaim has followed, with multiple BRIT and Grammy Awards confirming her place among pop’s most influential voices.
Her reach now stretches well past music. Charli has become a defining presence in fashion and contemporary image-making, and she’s expanded into film as an actor, writer, producer, and composer, working with directors including Takashi Miike, Greg Araki, and Cathy Yann. ‘Music, Fashion, Film’ draws all three threads into one.
Video: Beyoncé and Jay-Z Headline Global Citizen Festival in Johannesburg
Beyoncé and Jay-Z turned a tribute into a cultural moment. The superstar couple headlined the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium, a massive event marking what would have been Nelson Mandela’s 100th birthday and rallying a global push to end extreme poverty. Their hit-filled set played like a special edition of the acclaimed “On the Run II” tour, blending solo anthems with powerful collaborations across iconic tracks like “Holy Grail,” “’03 Bonnie & Clyde,” and the commanding “Apeshit.” The chemistry was undeniable as they worked the enormous stage backed by stunning visuals and intricate choreography, with Beyoncé honoring Mandela through several wardrobe changes including a pink dress. Surprise appearances from Ed Sheeran and Pharrell Williams deepened the festival’s collaborative spirit, and the whole night stood as a reminder of music’s power to amplify a call for change.
Future and Tyla Kick Off “Game Time” for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Album
The countdown to kickoff just got a soundtrack worthy of the stage. Future and Tyla have joined forces on “Game Time,” the latest release from the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album, out now via SALXCO UAM and Def Jam Recordings. The single arrives with an official music video and ramps up the album’s rollout, bottling the adrenaline fans and players feel as the tournament nears. Watch it here.
Produced by four-time Grammy winner Cirkut, “Game Time” pairs three-time Grammy winner Future with two-time Grammy winner Tyla on a high-impact anthem built around bold brass, booming percussion, and Future’s unmistakable presence. The track opens with his rallying call of “20 seconds to game time,” capturing those final moments before kickoff, while Tyla folds in her signature global pop energy with movement, melody, and international scope. The two bridge distinct musical worlds into one commanding record.
Both artists are bringing it straight to the world stage. “The World Cup is a global stage. We made a record to match that energy and now it’s Game Time,” Future says, adding that he’s set to perform at the Opening Ceremony in Los Angeles. Tyla calls it a full-circle moment. “Being part of the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album feels like a full circle moment, from South Africa hosting the World Cup in 2010,” she says. “I’m so excited to perform at the opening ceremonies. Let’s go Bafana Bafana.”
“Game Time” keeps the album’s momentum building, following recent singles “Goals” by LISA, Anitta and Rema and “Illuminate” by Jessie Reyez and Elyanna. Each release adds another dimension to the project’s global identity, and this one shifts the energy into full stadium mode. Bringing together artists across continents and genres, the album doubles as a meeting point where music and sport collide ahead of football’s biggest event.
Hip-Hop Comrades Wiz Khalifa and mgk Drop “MPH” Video as ‘blog era boyz’ Run Rolls On
Wiz Khalifa and mgk are keeping the momentum rolling. The two have dropped the official music video for “MPH,” one of the standout tracks from their recently released collaborative mixtape ‘blog era boyz’. Directed by Sam Cahill, the visual catches the easygoing chemistry that’s fueled their partnership for years, opening with the duo posted up beside a row of parked trucks on a tour break before spilling into a string of performance scenes that match the carefree energy of the song.
Built on hard-hitting verses and a no-frills approach, “MPH” finds both rappers in attack mode. mgk opens with a run of confident bars about ambition, success, and proving doubters wrong, and Wiz answers with reflections on longevity, independence, and the lifestyle that’s defined his career. It stands as one of the project’s most direct and energetic records.
‘blog era boyz’ reunites two artists whose careers were forged in the internet mixtape era. Produced by Sledgren, SlimXX, BazeXX, No Love For The Middle Child, and Eric and Issac Dan for ID Labs, the nine-track project blends stoner rap, melodic experimentation, and reflective storytelling, with fan favorites “family > everything,” “girl next door,” and “everything tatted.” The pair also recently shared videos for “girl next door” and “everything tatted,” reconnecting fans with the chemistry that made records like “Mind of a Stoner” hits more than a decade ago.
The mixtape lands as Wiz joins mgk on the current North American run of the Lost Americana Tour. Last year’s ‘lost americana’ became mgk’s third straight No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart, while Wiz kept a busy 2026 going with ‘Khaotic’ and ‘Girls Love Horses’. Together they’re tapping back into the spirit that first linked their fanbases, building a new chapter out of friendship, nostalgia, and creative freedom.
blog era boyz Tracklist:
- “family > everything”
- “everything tatted”
- “MPH”
- “fill my pockets”
- “girl next door”
- “stoned”
- “passport”
- “grind everyday”
- “fiberglass”
Remaining lost americana North American Tour Dates:
May 29, Atlanta, GA, Lakewood Amphitheatre
May 30, Charleston, SC, Credit One Stadium
May 31, Charlotte, NC, PNC Music Pavilion
June 2, Raleigh, NC, Coastal Credit Union Music Park
June 3, Bristow, VA, Jiffy Lube Live
June 5, Bangor, ME, Maine Savings Amphitheater
June 6, Hartford, CT, Xfinity Theatre
June 9, Holmdel, NJ, PNC Bank Arts Center
June 10, Burgettstown, PA, The Pavilion at Star Lake
June 12, Scranton, PA, The Pavilion at Montage Mountain
June 13, Darien Center, NY, Darien Lake Amphitheater
June 14, Toronto, ON, Budweiser Stage
June 16, Clarkston, MI, Pine Knob Music Theatre
June 17, Grand Rapids, MI, Acrisure Amphitheater
June 19, St. Louis, MO, Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
June 20, Noblesville, IN, Ruoff Music Center
June 22, Shakopee, MN, Mystic Lake Amphitheater
June 23, Kansas City, MO, Azura Amphitheater
June 26, West Valley City, UT, Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre
June 27, Boise, ID, Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater
June 29, Vancouver, BC, Rogers Arena
June 30, Auburn, WA, White River Amphitheatre
July 1, Ridgefield, WA, Cascades Amphitheater
Reggae Icon Ziggy Marley and Jam Titans Gov’t Mule Join Forces for “Dreaming The Same Dream Tour”
Two distinct musical worlds are about to share one stage. Nine-time Grammy-winning reggae icon Ziggy Marley and Grammy-nominated jam titans Gov’t Mule, led by guitar legend Warren Haynes, have announced the “Dreaming The Same Dream Tour,” a 16-date co-headlining fall run. The outing reunites Marley and Haynes, who co-wrote the tour’s namesake song, “Dreaming the Same Dream,” and adds a guest DJ set from YOLA on every night.
The tour launches September 23 in New York City at The Rooftop at Pier 17, sweeps through Florida with six stops, then hits Atlanta and other markets before a four-night Texas stretch that wraps October 17 in Irving. The pairing has both leaders genuinely excited. “It’s gonna be a great jam session being on tour with Warren and the crew,” Marley said. “I’m looking forward to the vibes.” Haynes pointed to the overlap and the discovery. “We’ve known each other a long time and have shared the stage a few times but never done a tour together,” he said, noting that many Mule fans will hear Ziggy for the first time and vice versa.
YOLA called the invite a full-circle moment, tracing her path from the DJ and dance scenes of her native Bristol to the American stage. A portion of every ticket sold ($2) goes to Food For The Poor Jamaica, supporting relief and rebuilding in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the most destructive storm in the island’s history, with help toward shelter, food, clean water, and medical care.
The tour lands in a busy stretch for both camps. Marley released his ninth album ‘Brightside’ in May, his first studio record in eight years, featuring “Racism Is A Killa” with Big Boi of Outkast and “Many Mourn For Bob,” a tribute to his father. He co-produced it with brother Stephen Marley, and the sessions drew collaborators including Trombone Shorty, Sheila E., and Nikka Costa. The performances throughout promise the kind of cross-genre energy that makes a co-headline bill click. Gov’t Mule, meanwhile, keep rolling after 2023’s ‘Peace…Like A River’, with Haynes having issued solo album ‘Million Voices Whisper’ and its companion ‘The Whisper Sessions’ in the years since.
Artist fan club presale tickets are available starting June 3 at noon ET, with local presales beginning June 4 at 10 a.m. local time. The general on-sale begins June 5 at 10 a.m. local time.
Gov’t Mule & Ziggy Marley “Dreaming The Same Dream Tour” Dates:
Sept. 23, New York, NY, The Rooftop at Pier 17
Sept. 25, Asheville, NC, Hellbender
Sept. 26, Raleigh, NC, Red Hat Amphitheater
Sept. 27, Richmond, VA, Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront
Sept. 30, Key West, FL, Coffee Butler Amphitheater
Oct. 2, Hollywood, FL, Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock
Oct. 3, St. Augustine, FL, The Saint Augustine Amphitheatre
Oct. 4, Clearwater, FL, The BayCare Sound
Oct. 6, Ft. Myers, FL, Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall
Oct. 7, Tallahassee, FL, TBA
Oct. 9, Tuscaloosa, AL, Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater (w/ Larkin Poe)
Oct. 10, Atlanta, GA, Coca-Cola Roxy
Oct. 13, Sugar Land, TX, Smart Financial Centre
Oct. 14, San Antonio, TX, Majestic Theatre
Oct. 15, Austin, TX, Moody Amphitheater
Oct. 17, Irving, TX, The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory