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BTS to Release First Live Album ‘PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE – LIVE’ Featuring “Dynamite,” “Butter,” and More

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21st century pop icons BTS is set to release their first-ever live album, PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE – LIVE, along with an accompanying digital code, ‘BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE – SEOUL,’ on July 18.

Launched in October 2021 via an online concert, ‘PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE’ evolved into a global spectacle that connected BTS with ARMY both in-person and virtually. The tour spanned a total of 12 shows across Seoul, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. It amassed over 4 million attendees/viewers total, across all formats including in-person concerts (LIVE PLAY) and virtual live stream (LIVE VIEWING).

The live album features 22 tracks performed during the tour, including BTS’ iconic global hits such as “Dynamite,” “Butter,” “Life Goes On,” “Boy With Luv (feat. Halsey),” “ON,” and more. Officially available in live version for the first time, the tracks capture the electrifying energy and dynamic soundscape of ‘PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE’ that resonated through stadiums around the world.

In addition to the album, fans can revisit the Seoul leg of the tour with ‘BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE – SEOUL,’ that includes a 141-minute digital code featuring a video compilation of the group’s performances from the final show of the three-day concerts held at Olympic Stadium in Seoul from March 10 to 13, 2022, along with a 92-page interview photobook offering behind-the-scenes moments from the concert, and more that allows fans to relive every moment of the concert. The digital code will be offered in a card format that allows users to enter the code on the global fandom platform Weverse to access high-definition VOD content that can be viewed through the Weverse app or website by scanning a QR code or entering the provided digital code.

21st century pop icons BTS is set to release their first-ever live album, PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE – LIVE, along with an accompanying digital code, ‘BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE – SEOUL,’ on July 18.

Launched in October 2021 via an online concert, ‘PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE’ evolved into a global spectacle that connected BTS with ARMY both in-person and virtually. The tour spanned a total of 12 shows across Seoul, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. It amassed over 4 million attendees/viewers total, across all formats including in-person concerts (LIVE PLAY) and virtual live stream (LIVE VIEWING).

The live album features 22 tracks performed during the tour, including BTS’ iconic global hits such as “Dynamite,” “Butter,” “Life Goes On,” “Boy With Luv (feat. Halsey),” “ON,” and more. Officially available in live version for the first time, the tracks capture the electrifying energy and dynamic soundscape of ‘PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE’ that resonated through stadiums around the world.

In addition to the album, fans can revisit the Seoul leg of the tour with ‘BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE – SEOUL,’ that includes a 141-minute digital code featuring a video compilation of the group’s performances from the final show of the three-day concerts held at Olympic Stadium in Seoul from March 10 to 13, 2022, along with a 92-page interview photobook offering behind-the-scenes moments from the concert, and more that allows fans to relive every moment of the concert. The digital code will be offered in a card format that allows users to enter the code on the global fandom platform Weverse to access high-definition VOD content that can be viewed through the Weverse app or website by scanning a QR code or entering the provided digital code.

PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE – LIVE will be available on streaming platforms worldwide on July 18. Fans can pre-order the album through online and offline retailers, starting July 1.

America’s ‘Hearts’ Turns 50: Expanded Edition Includes “Sister Golden Hair,” “Daisy Jane,” and More

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 Today, Omnivore Recordings announced the 50th anniversary expanded edition of HeartsAmerica’s fifth album for Warner Bros. Records and second with legendary producer Sir George Martin, out on August 8.

1975 was a watershed year for the band having established themselves as true hitmakers. Their previous album Holiday (and first with Martin) delivered two Top 5 hits (“Tin Man” and “Lonely People”) and the follow-up Hearts did not disappoint with three Top 40s including the summer favorite, “Sister Golden Hair,” the band’s first #1 since their debut album’s “A Horse With No Name” in 1972.

Working with Martin proved essential for the band’s creative growth with all three members (Beckley, Bunnell and Dan Peek) contributing strong material; each charting hit singles. As Beckley would reminisce in a new interview for this album’s notes, “we learned an immense amount from them (Martin and famed Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick) that we applied the minute we started on Hearts.”

Omnivore’s expanded edition celebrating the 50th anniversary of this Top 5 charting, Gold-certified album includes six bonus tracks with five previously unissued alternate versions. Experience the beautiful harmonies on the vocal and string mix of “Daisy Jane,” an alternate acoustic mix of the plaintive “Old Virginia,” plus the CD debut of the Spanish language version of “Sister Golden Hair” (“Con Tu Pelo Tan Dorado“).

As Gerry Buckley said “Hearts was built to last” and is still as fresh and engaging as ever!

Pre-order: www.omnivorerecordings.com/shop/hearts

Hearts Tracklist:

1. Daisy Jane

2. Half A Man

3. Midnight

4. Bell Tree

5. Old Virginia

6. People In The Valley

7. Company

8. Woman Tonight

9. The Story Of A Teenager

10. Sister Golden Hair

11. Tomorrow

12. Seasons

Bonus Tracks

13. Midnight (Vocals & Orchestra)

14. Old Virginia (Acoustic Version)

15. People In The Valley (Alternate Version)

16. Daisy Jane (Vocals & Strings Mix)

17. Seasons (Vocals & Orchestra)

18. Con Tu Pelo Tan Dorado (Spanish Version Of “sister Golden Hair”)

* Tracks 13–17 Previously Unissued

* Track 18 First Time on CD

Unpublished Jack Kerouac Writings on Buddhism Released in ‘The Buddhist Years’

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The Estate of Jack Kerouac are thrilled to announce the release of The Buddhist Years: Collected Writings—a powerful new volume of never-before-published work from Jack Kerouac, now available from Sal Paradise Press and Rare Bird Books.

Edited by Charles Shuttleworth, The Buddhist Years: Collected Writings offers a rare window into Kerouac’s deeply personal exploration of Buddhism and spirituality. Drawn entirely from his vast archives, these writings show Jack not as the wild figure often imagined, but as a soul-searching, intensely reflective man who believed writing was his spiritual path.

Kerouac saw Buddhism not just as a belief system, but as a way to make sense of his art, his restlessness, and the world around him. This collection is honest, revealing, and quintessentially Kerouac—alive with insight, yearning, and raw emotion.

This is the fourth release in our ongoing series from the Kerouac archives, following Desolation Peak (2022), Truth and Beautiful Meaningful Lies (2023), and Self-Portrait (2024).

A portion of proceeds will benefit the Jack Kerouac Foundation and its ongoing efforts to renovate the future Jack Kerouac Center —bringing the historic building up to code with essential upgrades like HVAC, sprinklers, ADA accessibility, and restrooms. All donations are tax-deductible and make a real difference to this community arts and performance center. 

Sly Stone and Richard Pryor Jam and Joke on The Mike Douglas Show in 1974

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On November 27, 1974, a day before Thanksgiving, musical legend Sly Stone and comedy icon Richard Pryor teamed up for an unforgettable moment on The Mike Douglas Show. As part of Sly’s week-long guest appearance, the duo delivered a spontaneous, lighthearted jam session—blending humor, soul, and star power. Their chemistry and playful energy captured a rare and joyous intersection of funk and comedy on daytime TV.


XTC’s 1980 BBC2 Special ‘At The Manor’ Offers Rare Behind-the-Scenes Look at “Towers of London”

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Originally broadcast on BBC2 on October 8, 1980, XTC At The Manor is a one-hour mockumentary chronicling the band’s recording of “Towers of London” at The Manor studio over one August weekend. Directed by Roy Chapman and produced/narrated by Tony Staveacre, the film blends interviews with every band member and rare studio footage. Viewers also get a glimpse of producer Steve Lillywhite, engineer Richard Manwaring, and label head Richard Branson during this creatively charged session.


Fairport Convention’s 1981 Granada TV ‘Celebration’ Captures Folk Rock Legends in Rare Hiatus Performance

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Broadcast in August 1981 on Granada TV and hosted by Mike Harding, Fairport Convention: Celebration is a rare full-set look at the band’s “Full House” lineup during their hiatus years. Featuring Dave Swarbrick, Richard Thompson, Simon Nicol, Dave Pegg, and Dave Mattacks—with guest Linda Thompson—the special blends 1970-era tracks, material from Smiddyburn, and unreleased gems like “Wall of Death.” This performance is a must-watch for folk rock fans and a snapshot of a band between chapters.

Inside Pop 1967: Leonard Bernstein Presents Rock Music as Art

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In 1967, Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution made history by treating pop and rock not as fleeting fads, but as serious art. Hosted by Leonard Bernstein and directed by David Oppenheim, the CBS documentary featured performances by Janis Ian and Brian Wilson, and examined how young musicians were shaping and responding to the era’s social upheaval. It marked one of the first major acknowledgments of rock music as a legitimate cultural force on American television.


Video: Young Marble Giants Captured Live at the Western Front, 1980

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Experience the minimalist magic of Young Marble Giants in their rare live performance at Vancouver’s Western Front on November 6, 1980. With Alison Statton’s ghostly vocals and the Moxham brothers’ stripped-down sound, this set remains a haunting document of post-punk at its most fragile and fearless.


Canadian Women Who Rewrote the Global Pop Playbook

From folk icons to pop powerhouses, opera stars to country queens, Canadian women have long stood at the forefront of musical innovation, creativity, and cultural impact. Their voices have filled stadiums, shifted genres, and built bridges between language, identity, and expression. These artists continue to shape how the world hears Canada—one unforgettable song at a time.

Alanis Morissette
Jagged Little Pill introduced the world to a songwriter unafraid to tell the whole truth. With bold emotion and poetic strength, Alanis redefined what it meant to be raw and powerful in mainstream rock. Her work continues to influence artists exploring vulnerability and freedom in their music.

Anne Murray
Anne’s warm, timeless voice made her the first Canadian female solo artist to reach #1 on the U.S. charts with Snowbird, opening doors for countless women in music. With 25 JUNO Awards, she continues to be one of the most decorated and beloved voices in Canadian music.

Avril Lavigne
A pop-punk trailblazer, Avril burst onto the global stage with Complicated and Sk8er Boi, giving voice to a generation of young fans through a sound that was catchy, confident, and unmistakably hers. Her blend of punk edge and pop melodies remains influential around the world.

Celine Dion
Celine’s voice remains one of the most recognizable in music history. Her emotional delivery, unmatched technical control, and heartfelt global ballads like The Power of Love and My Heart Will Go On set a new standard for vocal performance across genres. Her influence spans decades and continents.

Deborah Cox
A powerhouse vocalist and international chart-topper, Deborah Cox holds a place in music history with the enduring anthem Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here. Her induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2022 highlighted her remarkable legacy in R&B and beyond.

Diane Dufresne
A trailblazer in Francophone performance art, Diane Dufresne’s theatrical flair and vocal versatility have shaped Quebec’s musical landscape for more than six decades. Her 2023 Hall of Fame induction honoured her as the first artist recognized entirely for French-language performance.

Jann Arden
Jann’s songs—like Insensitive and Good Mother—offer tender reflections on life, family, and identity. Beyond music, her wit, humour, and advocacy work have made her a cherished voice in Canadian arts and culture.

Jessie Reyez
Known for her raw vocals and poetic, socially conscious lyrics, Jessie Reyez blends R&B, pop, and hip-hop with a storyteller’s spirit. Her work highlights vulnerability, resilience, and empowerment—earning her international acclaim and a dedicated following.

Joni Mitchell
One of the most revered singer-songwriters of all time, Joni Mitchell transformed folk music into something deeply introspective and entirely her own. Albums like Blue and Hejira continue to inspire generations of musicians and writers with their lyrical nuance and musical sophistication.

Liona Boyd
As Canada’s “First Lady of the Guitar,” Liona Boyd introduced classical guitar to wide audiences with elegance and flair. Her compositions and collaborations span the globe, and her artistry has inspired generations of musicians across classical and crossover genres.

Maureen Forrester
One of Canada’s greatest operatic voices, Maureen Forrester’s commanding contralto brought the works of Mahler, Brahms, and Wagner to life for audiences worldwide. Her classical legacy continues to shape vocal music education and performance to this day.

Measha Brueggergosman-Lee
Blending opera, gospel, and classical repertoire, Measha brings a dynamic energy and global perspective to every performance. Her work as a vocalist and advocate celebrates cultural connection, education, and innovation in music.

Molly Johnson
Molly Johnson’s soulful jazz stylings reflect both deep tradition and contemporary cool. Her voice carries emotional clarity and elegance, and her commitment to social causes, including music education, and organizing the Kesington Market Jazz Festival further proves her cultural impact.

Rita MacNeil
Rooted in Cape Breton storytelling, Rita MacNeil’s music carries messages of community, resilience, and belonging. Her powerful vocals and unwavering authenticity connected with audiences across the country and continue to resonate with fans today.

Sarah McLachlan
Sarah’s emotionally rich songs like Angel and Adia are staples of heartfelt storytelling. As the founder of Lilith Fair, she also created space for women artists to tour together, lifting up new voices and shaping an inclusive movement in live music.

Shania Twain
With her groundbreaking album Come On Over, Shania brought country-pop to new heights. Her empowering lyrics and infectious hooks made her the top-selling female country artist of all time, inspiring artists across genres to embrace both sparkle and substance.

Tate McRae
A voice of the now, Tate McRae’s breakout hits like You Broke Me First have brought Canadian songwriting to the forefront of Gen Z pop. With her background in dance and ability to channel real emotion, she represents a dynamic new era in global music.

Terri Clark
With a string of chart-topping country hits, Terri Clark’s voice seeps with strength and storytelling. Her membership in the Grand Ole Opry speaks to her lasting contributions to both Canadian and American country traditions.

k.d. lang
With her velvety voice and fearless artistry, k.d. lang has delivered unforgettable songs like Constant Craving while bridging country, pop, and jazz influences. Her artistry and advocacy continue to set an inspiring example across the creative industries.

20 Canadian Songs That Define the Nation

Canada’s soundtrack is stitched together with prairie poetry, coastal harmonies, and downtown grooves. From soaring ballads to indie anthems, these songs capture the heart of the country — not just in sound, but in spirit. Whether you’re skating on a frozen pond or dancing at a summer festival, these 20 songs echo through the landscape like familiar friends.

“Ahead by a Century” – The Tragically Hip
A poetic meditation wrapped in guitars and golden-hour nostalgia, this track remains one of Canada’s most beloved anthems. It conjures both the personal and the collective, always just a few steps ahead of time.

“Big Yellow Taxi” – Joni Mitchell
With just a dulcimer, a voice, and a whole lot of clarity, Joni crafted a call to action that feels just as fresh today. Few songs spark so much awareness with so much charm.

“Blinding Lights” – The Weeknd
Synths that shimmer like neon on a rainy Toronto night. This global smash brought retro-future pop into the mainstream and reminded the world that Canada still sets the pace.

“Born to Be Wild” – Steppenwolf
A rock ’n’ roll road trip of a song that defined freedom for generations. It still revs like an open highway under northern skies.

“Call Me Maybe” – Carly Rae Jepsen
Pure pop with brains and a chorus you’ll never shake — this gem brings pure joy. It gave Canada a new global anthem and a meme that never quits.

“Closer to the Heart” – Rush
Epic, earnest, and eternally progressive, this song speaks to unity and idealism. Rush made technical brilliance feel deeply human.

“Constant Craving” – k.d. lang
Haunting, lush, and timeless — this ballad floats between desire and dignity, always pulling at something just out of reach.

“Echo Beach” – Martha and the Muffins
Urban angst never sounded so escapist. The beat’s infectious, the lyrics eternal — a perfect slice of synth-pop nostalgia.

“Hallelujah” – Leonard Cohen
A song for weddings, funerals, and everything in between. With every cover, its reverence only deepens — proof of its transcendent power.

“Home for a Rest” – Spirit of the West
Folk-rock that runs on adrenaline and nostalgia. It remains a rite of passage for every Canadian student and partygoer alike.

“I’m Like a Bird” – Nelly Furtado
Weightless yet grounded, this early-2000s anthem launched a voice that soared far beyond borders. It’s freedom in pop form.

“Life is a Highway” – Tom Cochrane
Windows down, engine humming — this song carries the energy of endless summer drives. Every lyric steers straight to the heart.

“Lost” – Frank Dukes, Charlotte Day Wilson, BADBADNOTGOOD
A hypnotic blend of soul, jazz, and ambient cool. This collaboration from Toronto’s genre-melting scene shows how Canadian artists are shaping the sound of tomorrow with no rules — just vibes.

“Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” – Shania Twain
An empowering anthem wrapped in rhinestones and sass. Shania brought country-pop to stadium-sized heights — and invited everyone to dance along.

“Northwest Passage” – Stan Rogers
A folk hymn that stretches across the map, its harmonies as wide as the land itself. History, legacy, and longing in perfect harmony.

“People’s Champ” – Arkells
Anthemic, energetic, and unapologetically hopeful, this song captures a rising movement of civic pride and feel-good rock. Stadiums bounce to it — and so do morning commutes.

“Summer of ’69” – Bryan Adams
Every chord rings like a campfire memory. It captures youth, ambition, and the raw thrill of a guitar plugged into life.

“Sundown” – Gordon Lightfoot
With a voice like worn leather and lyrics like campfire stories, Lightfoot paints the twilight hour with pure Canadiana.

“Try” – Blue Rodeo
A classic ballad from a band that bridges rock and roots. It speaks to second chances, quiet resilience, and the kind of love that lingers.

“You Oughta Know” – Alanis Morissette
Bold, fierce, and fearless, Alanis shook the world with this confessional firestarter. It redefined emotional honesty in music — with a distinctly Canadian roar.