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The Used, Underoath, Dance Gavin Dance And More Are Setting Sail On The 5th Annual E.N.D. Cruise

Eric Alper
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The Used, Underoath, Dance Gavin Dance And More Are Setting Sail On The 5th Annual E.N.D. Cruise

The E.N.D. Cruise keeps getting bigger, and the fifth annual voyage is the most stacked edition yet. Emo’s Not Dead and Sixthman announce the 2027 sailing, January 22 through 26, departing Miami for Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas aboard Norwegian Joy, with a lineup that reads like a greatest hits collection of the post-hardcore and emo scene.

The Used, Underoath, Story Of The Year, Senses Fail, August Burns Red, Dance Gavin Dance, Saves The Day, Knuckle Puck, Silverstein, The Devil Wears Prada, We The Kings, Hot Mulligan, Anberlin, Escape The Fate, Hawthorne Heights, and Copeland are all on board, with performances spanning multiple stages including acoustic sets and special album playthroughs. The Matt Says Stage features Barry Hendrixx, Dakota Ave, Not, Moments Of, and Lacey, while the Misery Loves Comedy lineup brings Ian Fidance, Natalie Cuomo, Uncle Lazer, Dan Lamorte, Neil Rubenstein, and Alex Oliver.

Beyond the music, Norwegian Joy delivers go-karts, water slides, a casino, a bellyflop competition, drinking tournaments, comedy nights, theme nights, and the Mandara Spa for anyone who needs a moment of quiet between sets. Great Stirrup Cay adds swimming with pigs, ziplining, and beachside cabanas to the experience.

“Seeing all of our favorite bands up close and personal on a cruise ship with all of our loved ones and friends is an actual dream,” says E.N.D. Cruise founder Matt Cutshall. “Everyone on this cruise feels like one big happy family.” Four years of sold-out sailings back that claim up completely.

Tickets go on sale at endcruise.com.

Prog-Metal Stalwarts Karnivool End A 13-Year Album Absence With ‘In Verses’

Eric Alper
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Prog-Metal Stalwarts Karnivool End A 13-Year Album Absence With ‘In Verses’

Thirteen years is a long time to wait, and Karnivool have made every moment of it count. The Australian prog-metal outfit’s long-awaited new album ‘In Verses’ is out now via Cymatic Records and The Orchard, a ten-track record built from a decade of life experience, relentless experimentation, and a rediscovery of what this band is capable of at full creative force.

Lead single “Animation” is out now and delivers exactly what the album promises. “It holds the pulse of ‘In Verses’, tight, detailed, tense,” the band says of the track. “It reflects the frustration, the renewal, and the search for light that runs through the record.” That description applies to the album as a whole, a journey through collective catharsis and identity that feels both deeply personal and unmistakably Karnivool.

The record was built in their Perth studio alongside longtime collaborator Forrester Savell, and the process was anything but rushed. “Animation” follows a carefully constructed run of singles including “Aozora,” “Drone,” and the epic “Opal,” each one expanding the picture of where ‘In Verses’ would land. Now that the full album is here, the scope of the vision is clear.

For longtime fans, ‘In Verses’ is the record they have been waiting for. For newcomers, it is a striking entry point into a body of work built on genuine craft and intensity. Either way, Karnivool sounds like a band in their healthiest creative space yet.

Texas Blues-Rock Guitarist Ally Venable Takes ‘Money & Power’ Back To The UK This September

Eric Alper
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Texas Blues-Rock Guitarist Ally Venable Takes ‘Money & Power’ Back To The UK This September

Ally Venable made a serious impression on UK audiences in October 2025, and she is heading back for more. The Texas blues-rock guitarist announces a nine-date UK tour this September, with celebrated Canadian blues-rock phenom Garret T. Willie joining as special guest on every night of the run.

The tour arrives on the strength of ‘Money & Power’, Venable’s critically acclaimed sixth studio album on Ruf Records, recorded at Nashville’s Soundstage Studios with producer and drummer Tom Hambridge. The album features A-list guests Shemekia Copeland and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, whose stinging guest solo on opener “Brown Liquor” sets the tone for a record that plays entirely by its own rules. “I’m thrilled to release this album,” Venable says. “For me, it’s a sonic embodiment of a woman’s unstoppable ambition.”

The momentum behind Venable is undeniable. Her 2023 album ‘Real Gone’ hit No. 1 on the Billboard Blues Charts and stayed in contention for a full year after release. Total Guitar magazine ranked her among the Top 100 Blues Guitarists, and Classic Rock praised her growing maturity as a songwriter alongside her already formidable instrumental prowess. ‘Money & Power’ builds directly on that foundation with even more confidence and intention.

The UK run opens September 8 in Newcastle and moves through York, London, Nottingham, Norwich, Manchester, Glasgow, Bristol, and Faversham. Nine nights, nine cities, and a guitarist operating at the peak of her powers.

Ally Venable 2026 UK Tour Dates:

September 8, Cluny 2, Newcastle

September 9, The Crescent, York

September 10, The 100 Club, London

September 11, Rescue Rooms, Nottingham

September 12, The Waterfront, Norwich

September 13, Deaf Institute, Manchester

September 15, Stereo, Glasgow

September 16, Exchange, Bristol

September 17, The Old Brewery, Faversham

Feminist Punk Pioneers Bikini Kill Are Hitting The Road This Fall Across North America

Eric Alper
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Feminist Punk Pioneers Bikini Kill Are Hitting The Road This Fall Across North America

Bikini Kill have never been more necessary, and they know it. The legendary feminist punk pioneers announce a 2026 North American fall tour, opening September 6 in Portland and rolling through Los Angeles, Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Boston, and two Brooklyn nights to close. The iconic lineup of Kathleen Hanna on vocals, Tobi Vail on drums, Kathi Wilcox on bass, and guitarist Sara Landeau brings the full force of one of punk’s most consequential catalogs back to the stage.

The band regrouped in 2019 for their first full shows since 1997, and the response has been overwhelming. Sold-out crowds across the globe, critical reappraisal from The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, and the Los Angeles Times, and a renewed conversation about the band’s enduring influence on music and culture. That conversation has only grown louder, and this tour arrives at exactly the right moment.

West Coast fans get an early look when Bikini Kill headlines Mosswood Meltdown in Oakland on July 19, before the full fall run kicks off in September. The routing hits some of the best mid-size rooms in North America, the kind of venues where the energy between a band and audience becomes something genuinely electric.

Few acts in punk history carry the cultural weight that Bikini Kill does, and their live show delivers on every bit of it. Tickets are on sale now.

Bikini Kill 2026 Tour Dates:

July 19, Mosswood Meltdown, Oakland, CA

September 6, Crystal Ballroom, Portland, OR

September 9, The Wiltern, Los Angeles, CA

September 13, Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee, WI

September 14, The Salt Shed, Chicago, IL

September 15, Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak, MI

September 17, Agora Theatre, Cleveland, OH

September 18, Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA

September 19, The Fillmore Silver Spring, Silver Spring, MD

September 21, College Street Music Hall, New Haven, CT

September 22, Roadrunner, Boston, MA

September 24, Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY

September 25, Brooklyn Steel, Brooklyn, NY

Australian Folk-Rock Pioneer Tom Woodward Gets Dark And Fearless On New Album ‘Come Come Karma’

Eric Alper
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Australian Folk-Rock Pioneer Tom Woodward Gets Dark And Fearless On New Album ‘Come Come Karma’

Tom Woodward does not make easy records, and ‘Come Come Karma’ is no exception. The acclaimed Australian folk-rock pioneer’s seventh studio album is out now on all major streaming platforms, a 12-track, 45-minute journey that shifts between baroque folk rock, lo-fi psychedelia, and country-tinged storytelling with the kind of restless intelligence that keeps listeners leaning in.

Produced by Adam Casey and recorded at True Vine Productions over the summer of 2024, the album finds optimism locked in a constant tango with nihilism, extremism, and self-grandiose helplessness. That sounds like a lot to carry, and Woodward makes it feel effortless. Fans of The Felice Brothers, Bob Dylan, or The War On Drugs will find plenty to sink into here.

Lead single “Phoney Messiah” sets the tone. Grunge-tinged and unsettling, the track arrives with a haunting video framing a nightmare as entertainment, a sharp critique of false prophets in the digital age. The song drew praise from Honk Magazine and Skope Magazine, and it earns every word of it. As the album’s centerpiece, it represents the surrounding tracks well without giving away everything the record has to offer.

‘Come Come Karma’ is the kind of album that rewards patience and punishes distraction. Woodward has built a body of work across seven records that consistently resists the obvious move, and this one continues that tradition with confidence.

Dream-Pop Storyteller James Tonic Delivers The Second Chapter Of His Ambitious ‘Safety’ Trilogy

Eric Alper
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Dream-Pop Storyteller James Tonic Delivers The Second Chapter Of His Ambitious ‘Safety’ Trilogy

James Tonic is building something with intention. ‘Safety II’, the seventh studio album from the dream-pop artist, is out now, the second installment in a trilogy that began with 2025’s breakout release ‘Safety’. Where the first record established the world, this one pushes deeper into it, pairing darker narratives with lighter production in a combination that gives the project real emotional range.

The nine-song set leans on live drums, old-school synths, and raw performances that give it the kind of authentic, lived-in feel that modern releases often sand away. The result is a record that sounds like it was made by someone with something genuine to say, not just a follow-up filling a release slot.

The momentum behind this trilogy is real. ‘Safety’ moved 20,000 copies and posted a 60% Spotify save rate, a number that speaks directly to how deeply listeners are connecting with the music. Tonic also built serious live heat with 2024’s ‘Stuck in LA’ and its sold-out West Coast run, and that audience is clearly following him into this new chapter.

The trilogy is not finished. A third installment is still to come, and with two strong chapters already in place, the conclusion carries genuine anticipation. Tour news is expected soon.

Electro-Pop Favorites Cannons Announce Fifth Album ‘Everything Glows’ And Drop Glittering New Single “Starlight”

Eric Alper
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Electro-Pop Favorites Cannons Announce Fifth Album ‘Everything Glows’ And Drop Glittering New Single “Starlight”

Cannons have a new album on the way, and it sounds like a band operating at a completely different level. ‘Everything Glows’, the LA trio’s fifth studio album, arrives March 27 on Columbia Records, and new single “Starlight” is out now alongside a music video that captures the glittering, infectious energy the record promises throughout.

The album was written and recorded as lead singer and songwriter Michelle Joy rebuilt her health, and that context shapes every track without ever weighing the music down. “Everything Glows is the most vulnerable album we’ve made,” Joy says. “That space became transformative for us, a kind of rebirth. The record is about remaining open in uncertainty and trusting that even in the darkest moments, there’s still light.” Eleven songs navigate heartbreak, codependence, brokenness, and ultimately liberation, with a sense of camaraderie running through all of it.

“Starlight” follows the October single “All I Need,” a dreamy synth-pop track that set the tone for this era. Both songs point toward a record that finds Cannons reinventing the way they create and collaborate rather than simply returning to familiar ground. The result is their most unified, fearless work yet.

The “Afterglow” Tour co-headlining with electronic duo Bob Moses is underway now, a North American run that hits Red Rocks Amphitheatre on April 26, Brooklyn Paramount for two nights on April 16 and 17, and wraps with West Coast dates through July including the Greek Theatre in Berkeley and a Los Angeles show still to be announced.

Tickets are on sale now.

‘Everything Glows’ Track Listing:

  1. “All I Need”
  2. “Starlight”
  3. “Corousel”
  4. “I Get Weak”
  5. “These Nights”
  6. “Shine”
  7. “Light As A Feather”
  8. “Fool For You”
  9. “Good Luck Charm”
  10. “Photographs”
  11. “Take Me To Tokyo”

The “Afterglow” Tour Dates:

April 2, The Bomb Factory, Dallas, TX

April 3, Moody Amphitheater, Austin, TX

April 4, 713 Music Hall, Houston, TX

April 6, Coca-Cola Roxy, Atlanta, GA

April 7, The Pinnacle, Nashville, TN

April 8, The Fillmore Charlotte, Charlotte, NC

April 10, Fillmore, Philadelphia, PA

April 11, Stage AE, Pittsburgh, PA

April 13, Roadrunner, Boston, MA

April 15, The Anthem, Washington, DC

April 16, Brooklyn Paramount, Brooklyn, NY

April 17, Brooklyn Paramount, Brooklyn, NY

April 19, History, Toronto, ON

April 22, The Salt Shed (Indoor), Chicago, IL

April 23, Palace Theatre, St. Paul, MN

April 24, Landmark Credit Union Live, Milwaukee, WI

April 26, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO

April 27, The Union, Salt Lake City, UT

April 29, Channel 24, Sacramento, CA

May 2, Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, San Diego, CA

July 14, Dune Peninsula, Tacoma, WA

July 15, Edgefield, Troutdale, OR

July 17, Greek Theatre, Berkeley, CA

July 19, Los Angeles, CA

Unknown Mortal Orchestra And Toro y Moi Head Up The First Wave Of Portland’s New Soundscape Northwest Festival

Eric Alper
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Unknown Mortal Orchestra And Toro y Moi Head Up The First Wave Of Portland’s New Soundscape Northwest Festival

Portland is getting a brand new festival with serious ambitions, and the first wave of lineup makes an immediate case for attention. Soundscape Northwest launches its inaugural edition April 27 through May 2, with Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Toro y Moi topping the first announcement alongside Alan Sparhawk, Baby Rose, Budos Band, Bully, Cassandra Jenkins, Damien Jurado, Helado Negro, Shabazz Palaces, Y La Bamba, Ya Tseen, Weird Nightmare, and dozens more still to be revealed.

Produced by The Storied Arts in collaboration with Austin-based Tiger Bomb Promo, Soundscape Northwest is not simply a music festival. It is a six-day international music conference and cultural event spread across more than a dozen venues in Portland’s historic Central Eastside industrial neighborhood, featuring over 100 international artists. The programming includes massive underplays in intimate rooms, exclusive debuts of new projects, and historic first USA appearances alongside beloved Portland locals.

Ten percent of SSNW’s profits go directly to support visiting listener-supported college and public radio stations, all of which have lost federal funding. Soundscape Village Radio showcases the most innovative public radio presenters working today, giving the festival a genuine community mission that goes beyond ticket sales.

The Soundscape in Residence program adds another layer of creative depth. Gilles Peterson and Novena Carmel serve as Hosts in Residence, Y La Bamba as Artist in Residence, and photographer Driely S as Filmmaker and Photographer in Residence. “This is far more than an industry event,” says founder Scott Crane. “It’s a blueprint for how music can drive economic recovery, urban renewal, and cultural innovation.”

Tickets are on sale now at soundscapenorthwest.com.

Cage The Elephant, LCD Soundsystem, And The Lumineers Lead Okeechobee Festival’s 10-Year Reunion

Eric Alper
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Cage The Elephant, LCD Soundsystem, And The Lumineers Lead Okeechobee Festival’s 10-Year Reunion

Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival is back, and the 10-Year Reunion is shaping up to be one of the most significant gatherings the beloved Florida independent festival has ever staged. OMF 2026 takes place now through March 22 at Sunshine Grove, with headline performances from Cage The Elephant, Fisher, GRiZ, Knock2, T-Pain, LCD Soundsystem, and The Lumineers anchoring a genuinely diverse, multi-genre lineup spanning three years of pent-up anticipation.

The festival opened Thursday with an exclusive slate for 4-Day ticketholders, featuring headline sets from Cage The Elephant, Dirty Heads, and Knock2, alongside the first-ever Aquachobee Dub Reggae Takeover. That opening night brought a traditional Nyabinghi Drumming Opening Ceremony followed by performances from Subatomic Sound System, featuring reggae legend Mykal Rose, Screechy Dan, and Pirate WiFi, plus groundbreaking dub master Scientist with Papa Michigan and Sister Nancy. That is a serious opening statement.

Beyond the headline performances, OMF 2026 brings back the PoWoW!, the festival’s legendary all-star jam session pairing unexpected talents for live mashups under the stars in Sunshine Grove. It has been a defining moment since the inaugural 2016 event, and its return here feels right. Renegade’s Incendia stage delivers four nights of underground energy and bass, while the Jungle 51 Stage runs extended DJ sets from sundown to sunrise.

For fans who could not commit to the full four days, OMF responded by releasing a limited batch of single-day and two-day weekend tickets, the first time two-day options have ever been available. Single-day tickets cover Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with day parking included. Tickets are on sale now at okeechobeefest.com.

UK Alt-Rock Favorites The XCERTS Come Roaring Back With Raw New Single “Do It To Myself”

Eric Alper
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UK Alt-Rock Favorites The XCERTS Come Roaring Back With Raw New Single “Do It To Myself”

The XCERTS have not lost a step. The Aberdeen-formed, Brighton-based trio return with “do it to myself,” their first original music since 2023 and their debut release on FLG Records. It is a frenetic, grunge-laden alt-rock statement that reconnects the band with the raw urgency that defined their early work, and it lands with real force.

The track was written collaboratively in the same room, something the band stepped away from on their 2023 releases ‘Learning How to Live’ and ‘Let Go.’ That return to shared, immediate creativity is audible in every second of the recording. Bright, urgent guitar tones recall the energy of 2014’s ‘There Is Only You’, while vocalist and guitarist Murray Macleod delivers one of his most vulnerable performances to date. “There’s a desperate urgency about this song,” he says. “It’s an admission of my fragility and tendency to self-sabotage. That conflicting feeling was intentional. We wanted it to feel uncomfortable, honest, and human.”

The XCERTS, completed by bassist Jordan Smith and drummer Tom Heron, have maintained the same unbroken lineup since forming in 2001, a rare feat that speaks directly to the depth of the creative bond at the band’s core. After a run of records that leaned toward more polished, pop-adjacent textures, “do it to myself” marks a decisive return to grit and catharsis without sacrificing any of the melodic weight the band has developed across two decades.

Macleod has remained active outside the band as well, recently appearing as guest vocalist on As It Is’ single “Ruin My Life” and serving as live guitarist for Idlewild. The XCERTS’ connection to the UK alternative scene has never dimmed, and “do it to myself” makes clear the next chapter is going to be worth paying close attention to.

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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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