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The 10 Biggest-Grossing Tours Ever

Eric Alper
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The 10 Biggest-Grossing Tours Ever

Live music has evolved into an unparalleled global industry, where the connection between artists and fans powers massive productions that break records and captivate millions. In an era where album sales have declined, the true music money-maker has become the concert tour, where the stakes are high and the crowds are huge. Today, let’s celebrate the 10 biggest-grossing tours ever — the unforgettable journeys where artists not only played music but made history.

1. Taylor Swift – The Eras Tour (2023–2024)

Gross: $2.08 billion
Shows: 149
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour didn’t just break records, it shattered them — becoming the first tour ever to cross the $2 billion mark. With nearly 150 shows, Swift’s masterclass in storytelling and spectacle brought fans across the globe to witness every era of her career, creating a cultural phenomenon.

2. Coldplay – Music of the Spheres World Tour (2022–2025)

Gross: $1.27 billion
Shows: 194
Coldplay’s sprawling Music of the Spheres tour has been an epic global journey filled with colorful visuals and anthemic songs. Still ongoing, this tour has taken the band across continents, setting the pace as one of the highest-grossing live acts ever.

3. Elton John – Farewell Yellow Brick Road (2018–2023)

Gross: $939.1 million
Shows: 330
Elton John’s farewell tour stretched over five years and 330 shows, making it one of the longest runs in concert history. With a career-spanning setlist and timeless classics, Elton created an unforgettable send-off that packed arenas worldwide.

4. Ed Sheeran – ÷ (Divide) Tour (2017–2019)

Gross: $776.2 million
Shows: 255
Ed Sheeran’s Divide Tour combined stadium intimacy with a global reach, playing to nearly 9 million fans. His unique loop-pedal performance style and heartfelt songwriting made this tour the highest-grossing for a solo artist at its time.

5. U2 – 360° Tour (2009–2011)

Gross: $736.4 million
Shows: 110
U2’s 360° Tour set a new standard for live show innovation, featuring a massive stage design that allowed the crowd to surround the band. The tour broke attendance and revenue records, blending rock legends with state-of-the-art production.

6. Ed Sheeran – +–=÷× Tour (2022–2025)

Gross: $649.5 million
Shows: 165
Ed Sheeran’s follow-up tour to Divide continues to build on his incredible live legacy. With a strong focus on algorithmic and grassroots fan engagement, this ongoing tour shows the power of sustained connection in the streaming age.

7. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – 2023–2025 Tour

Gross: $630.8 million
Shows: 110
The Boss and his band deliver rock ’n’ roll epics with passion and stamina, drawing on decades of storytelling and connection. Their ongoing tour proves that live music legends still have huge audiences eager for that raw energy.

8. Harry Styles – Love On Tour (2021–2023)

Gross: $617.3 million
Shows: 169
Harry Styles brought charisma, fashion, and a modern pop-rock sound to a global audience. His Love On Tour combined strong ticket sales with glowing reviews, cementing his status as one of the biggest stars of his generation.

9. Pink – Summer Carnival (2023–2024)

Gross: $584.7 million
Shows: 97
Pink’s high-flying acrobatics and powerhouse vocals have always set her apart. The Summer Carnival tour’s near-$600 million haul is a testament to her relentless touring energy and the connection she builds with fans.

10. Guns N’ Roses – Not in This Lifetime… Tour (2016–2019)

Gross: $584.2 million
Shows: 158
Reuniting classic members, Guns N’ Roses reignited their rock legend with a massive stadium tour. Not in This Lifetime… became one of the most successful rock tours ever, blending nostalgia with fresh energy for millions worldwide.

A Guide for Those Who Love Having a Good Time in Dubai

Eric Alper
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By Mitch Rice

If there’s one thing Dubai can do effortlessly, it’s to keep having endless fun. This city is a giant playground full of energy, creativity, and adventure for every mood and personality. It’s not just about breathtaking skylines and upscale shopping.

Dubai has something for everyone, whether you want to get your heart rate up, challenge your brain, or simply relax in a novel way.

Discover some exciting things to do that will get you moving, laughing, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Get Your Skates On—Yes, Even in the Desert!

Who said you can’t go ice skating even when it doesn’t snow? In Dubai, it’s always winter—inside, of course.

Ice skating Dubai is one of the best ways to cool off in the middle of the scorching desert. Glide (or wobble) your way into an unexpectedly enjoyable and energetic day out on the ice. It is inadvertently a full-body workout, revitalizing, and rejuvenating. Sliding on the ice while laughing activates your legs, balance, and concentration.

Plus, it’s a terrific method to properly relax and disconnect. Skating is a great way to get some exercise and have fun, whether you’re meeting up with old friends or spending time with your family for the first time. Of course, half the fun is getting up and trying again every few minutes.

No experience necessary – this is the place for you.

Get Ready to Heat Things Up with Padel Tennis!

Are you prepared to step it up a notch? Enjoyable way to exercise, social competition, and a whole lot of fun—that’s padel tennis.

Padel is a fast-paced, beginner-friendly version of tennis that is incredibly addictive. Played in pairs on a comparatively smaller court, the result is more rallies, more laughter, and more bonding.

Padel is a game of movement, energy, and connection, whether you’re crushing the ball or stylishly missing every shot. Another perk is that you work on your cardiovascular system, agility, and reflexes all at once, without even realizing it.

In no time at all, you and your companions will be engrossed. So, reserve a padel tennis court and bring your best wit.

Escape Rooms: A Mental Test

Alright, let’s change the subject now. Relax your muscles and get your mind working instead.

Escape room Dubai offers the pinnacle of psychological excitement and thriller to the visitors. Enter a universe filled with exciting stories, riddles, puzzles, and secret clues—your crew’s sole objective: to escape before the time runs out.

Imagine a haunted house, a space expedition, or an espionage scenario—anything is possible in an escape room. In a good way, they are intense, involved, and engrossing. You can count on working together, laughing, and perhaps some heated arguments on which clue to follow next.

It’s an experience, not just a game. One that will linger in your conversation long after supper has ended.

All Set to Jump In?

Dubai is more than a metropolis. It’s a location where having fun becomes a way of life.

So, one thing is certain – you won’t be bored whether you’re floating across ice, swinging on a padel court, or escaping a whimsical stronghold.

For what reason are you waiting? Send your friends a text, choose your adventure, and go exploring. This guide is only the start. The good times will begin the moment you step inside.

Who knows? Maybe that ice skating session is the first step. To start things off, it’s the best.

Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.

Spotify Launches Comments and New Mobile App to Boost Podcast Creator-Fan Connections

Eric Alper
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Spotify Launches Comments and New Mobile App to Boost Podcast Creator-Fan Connections

For podcast creators who want to grow their audiences, building a stronger relationship with their listeners and fans goes a long way. And in order to amplify their presence, creators need tools that give them the functionality, insights, and flexibility to manage their shows and engage fans anytime, anywhere. 

That’s why, starting today, they’re beginning to roll out a brand-new way for podcast creators to interact with their fans—with Comments—and introducing an easier way for all podcasters to manage their shows: with the all-new Spotify for Podcasters mobile app.

Their new Comments feature expands on the Q&A and polls functionality they introduced in 2021 as a way to bring interactivity into the podcasting industry for the first time. And interactivity is a feature that already has listeners and creators buzzing: More than 9 million unique Spotify listeners have interacted with a Q&A or poll just this year, and there’s been 80% year-over-year growth in the number of total Q&A responses and votes from listeners.

“As a podcast focused on the lessons we can learn from history’s greatest leaders, I’m always curious about which takeaways resonate most with my audience,” said Ben Wilson, creator of How to Take Over the World. “Comments on Spotify provide me that invaluable feedback, which makes creating my podcast that much more rewarding and allows me to build a stronger connection with my listeners.”

With the introduction of Comments, they’re also excited to give all creators—regardless of where their episodes are hosted—better ways to manage their entire show, including listener feedback. Podcast creators can now use Spotify for Podcasters on desktop or with our all-new mobile app to interact with listeners, manage their presence on Spotify, check their latest stats, and track growth in real time. And fans can directly comment on the podcast episodes they’re already listening to on Spotify. 

NEXT 

To learn more about these new features and the ways they’ll strengthen the relationship between podcasters and listeners, For the Record spoke with Maya Prohovnik, VP of Podcast Product at Spotify.

What’s new with the Spotify for Podcasters mobile app? 

We’ve kept our promise to manage and update your show on the go, but we rebuilt the Spotify for Podcasters mobile app to work for all podcasters, regardless of where their show is hosted. 

We’ve also added helpful new notifications so you’ll know right away if you make it onto a Spotify chart, if you get feedback from your listeners, or when your show hits an exciting new milestone. And we added the ability for podcasters to manage Comments on their episodes—a brand-new feature which has just launched on Spotify! 

Why are Comments such an important addition to podcasts on Spotify?  

Comments have been a long-requested feature from both podcasters and Spotify listeners, and we were excited to provide it since we’re very invested in making Spotify the best platform for all types of creators to connect with their biggest fans.

Podcasts have historically been a one-sided format and, while we’ve offered other interactivity features like Polls and Q&A for some time, people have told us they want more ways to connect directly. Now, for the first time, listeners can actually have a two-way conversation with their favorite podcast hosts on Spotify, podcasters can get near-immediate feedback from their audiences, and real communities can form around shows. I think that’s incredibly powerful. 

How will their new app offer a better podcast experience for both creators and users?

I’m a podcaster, so I feel like I can say this with some authority: Every podcast creator, regardless of their size or ambition, wants to grow their audience and deepen those relationships. Interactivity features are a meaningful way for them to do both. We’ve found that listeners who interact with a show are four times more likely to return to that show within 30 days. They also listen to twice as many hours per month on average than those who don’t. So there is really something special—and something tangible—in enabling this connection.

The biggest value for fans is that they can now talk to their favorite podcasters on a whole new level, right where they’re already listening to (or watching!) their favorite show. And we’ve managed to do this in a way that still leaves a ton of control in the creators’ hands, since we know how important it is to have a say over what can show up alongside your content. I’m really proud of the balance we’ve struck here and excited for everyone to start trying it out!

For more details on their new app, be sure to visit Spotify for Podcasters.

20 of the Best New Wave and Synth-Pop Albums Everyone Should Know

Eric Alper
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20 of the Best New Wave and Synth-Pop Albums Everyone Should Know

New wave and synth-pop have shaped the soundscape of modern music for over four decades. From shimmering synths to bold electronic beats, these genres blend emotion with innovation in unforgettable ways. Below, you’ll find twenty landmark albums that have defined and elevated synth-pop, crafting melodies and moods that continue to inspire new generations. Dive into this alphabetical journey through the essential synth-pop and new wave albums you need on your radar.

ABC — The Lexicon of Love
ABC’s debut album is a synth-pop symphony full of lush orchestrations and unforgettable hooks. Martin Fry’s charismatic vocals glide over polished, cinematic arrangements, turning songs like “The Look of Love” into timeless pop classics. This album perfectly captures the sophisti-pop flair that elevated synth-pop to a sophisticated art form.

Bronski Beat — The Age of Consent
A groundbreaking record from the London trio, The Age of Consent pairs pulsating synth beats with powerful, socially conscious lyrics. Jimmy Somerville’s falsetto soars on iconic tracks like “Smalltown Boy,” making it a landmark album that blends dancefloor energy with heartfelt activism.

Cabaret Voltaire — C O D E
Cabaret Voltaire’s C O D E melds industrial textures with infectious synth grooves. This album’s innovative approach brought haunting atmospheres and danceable rhythms together, influencing countless electronic acts and carving a unique niche in synth-pop’s diverse universe.

Chromatics — Kill for Love
Chromatics’ Kill for Love is a modern synth-pop masterpiece wrapped in dreamy, cinematic layers. The band’s evocative soundscapes and shimmering melodies create a hypnotic blend of electronic nostalgia and haunting beauty, making it a standout in 21st-century synth music.

Depeche Mode — Violator
Violator is a towering synth-pop landmark with a perfect balance of dark moodiness and irresistible hooks. Tracks like “Personal Jesus” and “Enjoy the Silence” are anthems that showcase the band’s ability to merge emotional depth with dancefloor-ready beats, earning the album legendary status.

Devo — Oh No! It’s Devo!
This album highlights Devo’s quirky genius and their flair for combining sharp synth lines with satirical lyrics. Songs such as “Peek-a-Boo!” capture the band’s eccentric, playful spirit and cement their role as synth-pop innovators who never stop pushing creative boundaries.

Erasure — The Innocents
With Vince Clarke’s sparkling synths and Andy Bell’s soaring vocals, The Innocents is a joyous synth-pop treasure. This album is packed with uplifting anthems like “A Little Respect,” earning it a cherished spot as one of the most beloved and enduring synth-pop records.

Eurythmics — Touch
Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart’s Touch blends soulful vocals with lush electronic production, creating an album full of danceable yet emotionally rich moments. Tracks like “Here Comes the Rain Again” remain synth-pop staples, showcasing the duo’s dynamic artistry.

Gary Numan — The Pleasure Principle
Gary Numan’s The Pleasure Principle is a synth-pop milestone defined by its robotic beats and futuristic soundscapes. The iconic track “Cars” helped propel electronic music into the mainstream, making this album a must-hear for fans of early synth innovation.

Grimes — Visions
Grimes’ Visions bursts with experimental synth-pop brilliance, weaving ethereal vocals with inventive electronic textures. This album launched the Canadian artist into global recognition, proving her ability to blend catchy melodies with avant-garde production.

Japan — Quiet Life
Japan’s Quiet Life is a refined synth-pop gem combining glam-rock flair with electronic elegance. David Sylvian’s commanding presence and the band’s sophisticated arrangements make this album an essential piece of the UK’s New Romantic movement.

Kraftwerk — The Man-Machine
Pioneers of electronic music, Kraftwerk’s The Man-Machine blends precise synth melodies with minimalist perfection. This album’s influence is immeasurable, laying the foundation for synth-pop’s future and delivering timeless tracks like “The Model.”

M83 — Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming
M83’s sprawling double album Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming combines dreamy synth textures with anthemic melodies. “Midnight City” stands out as a modern classic, and the album’s cinematic scope solidifies it as a modern synth-pop landmark.

MGMT — Little Dark Age
On Little Dark Age, MGMT balance psychedelic rock with electronic synth-pop in captivating ways. The album’s dark, catchy tunes like the title track reveal a band at their most refined, blending introspection with danceable beats.

New Order — Power, Corruption & Lies
New Order’s Power, Corruption & Lies is a synth-pop and post-punk fusion that redefined electronic music. The album features the legendary “Blue Monday” and showcases the band’s ability to craft emotionally resonant synth anthems with enduring appeal.

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark — Architecture & Morality
Architecture & Morality by OMD is a synth-pop masterpiece with sweeping melodies and experimental production. Tracks like “Souvenir” and “Joan of Arc” demonstrate the band’s lyrical depth and knack for unforgettable electronic compositions.

Pet Shop Boys — Actually
Pet Shop Boys’ Actually is a sophisticated synth-pop album that pairs catchy hooks with social commentary. Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe deliver timeless classics like “It’s a Sin,” blending dancefloor energy with intelligent pop craftsmanship.

Soft Cell — Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret
Soft Cell’s debut, Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret, pulses with raw synth energy and theatrical flair. Beyond the legendary “Tainted Love,” the album explores themes of nightlife and emotional turmoil with tracks like “Bedsitter.” Marc Almond and David Ball crafted a record that is both dark and danceable, securing their place as synth-pop’s unforgettable provocateurs.

Tears for Fears — The Hurting
Tears for Fears’ debut album The Hurting is a deeply emotional synth-pop journey filled with introspective lyrics and haunting melodies. Released in 1983, it introduced the world to Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith’s unique blend of dark themes wrapped in catchy synth textures. Songs like “Mad World” and “Pale Shelter” capture the tension between vulnerability and strength, making The Hurting a cornerstone of ’80s new wave and synth-pop.

The Human League — Dare
The Human League’s Dare is a synth-pop milestone best known for the iconic anthem “Don’t You Want Me.” But beyond the hit single lies a treasure trove of electronic brilliance with tracks like “Open Your Heart” and “The Sound of the Crowd.” Released in 1981, Dare showcased the band’s ability to combine infectious melodies with futuristic synth arrangements, helping define the sound of an entire decade.

5 Surprising Facts About The White Stripes’ ‘Get Behind Me Satan’

Eric Alper
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5 Surprising Facts About The White Stripes’ ‘Get Behind Me Satan’

On June 7, 2005, The White Stripes took a leap into uncharted musical territory with Get Behind Me Satan. Gone were the raw guitar riffs of Elephant—in their place came marimbas, grand pianos, mandolins, and a poetic sense of experimentation. Jack and Meg White created something intimate and expansive, a sonic detour wrapped in mystery, metaphor, and marimba.

From Jack’s living room in Detroit came a Grammy-winning album that continues to surprise, delight, and inspire listeners two decades later. To celebrate, here are 5 things you might not know about Get Behind Me Satan:

1. It Was Recorded in Jack White’s Living Room
This Grammy-winning album wasn’t born in a fancy studio. Jack and Meg recorded it at home in Indian Village, Detroit, using a vintage 8-track tape machine and just six microphones. They even rented a Steinway grand piano to get that full-bodied sound. The whole thing was finished in under two weeks.

2. “Blue Orchid” Was Written and Released in Just Six Weeks
Jack White has called “Blue Orchid” the song that saved the album. It was the last song written and brought everything into focus. That urgent energy carried over to its release—it hit radio just six weeks after it was written and became one of the band’s biggest hits.

3. “The Nurse” Features a Happy Accident
That spooky marimba track? It almost didn’t make it. Jack was unsure about the wild, crashing drums and guitar that were added to cover a tape splice error. But after playing the mix for Brendan Benson, who called it “some Brian Wilson shit,” Jack was sold.

4. Meg White Has a Lead Vocal Moment
“Passive Manipulation” is a short and haunting tune, and it’s sung entirely by Meg White. The track runs less than a minute and delivers one of the album’s most memorable and lyrical moments—from a woman’s point of view, no less.

5. The Album Wasn’t Released on Vinyl Until 2015
Even with its success, Get Behind Me Satan didn’t get a commercial vinyl release for a full decade. Jack wanted to re-record a live version of the album specifically for vinyl, but it never came together. It finally arrived for Record Store Day 2015—on red and white wax, of course.

From its lyrical odes to truth and Rita Hayworth, to its playful embrace of marimba and mandolin, Get Behind Me Satan stands as a bold and beautiful chapter in the story of The White Stripes. It’s an album that invites you to listen closer, dance differently, and see the world through a red, white, and piano-tinted lens.

Happy anniversary, Satan. You’ve still got us under your spell.

5 Surprising Facts About Stone Temple Pilots’ ‘Purple’

Eric Alper
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5 Surprising Facts About Stone Temple Pilots’ ‘Purple’

Released on June 7, 1994, Purple arrived with the roar of a jet engine and the grace of a psychedelic fairytale. Stone Temple Pilots were already stars after Core, but Purple launched them into a new stratosphere. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, sold over six million copies, and gave us unforgettable tracks like “Vasoline,” “Interstate Love Song,” and “Big Empty.”

From its mythical artwork to its lightning-fast creation, Purple remains one of the most memorable albums of the 1990s.

1. They Recorded It in Less Than a Month
The band finished the entire album—recording, mixing, and mastering—in about three and a half weeks. They tracked it live with a PA system to keep the energy raw. They played basketball and wiffle ball between takes. That sense of looseness and momentum runs through every song.

2. “Pretty Penny” Was Recorded in a Living Room
For this dreamy acoustic number, Brendan O’Brien brought the band into a house with an old eight-track tape machine. They performed it live in the living room, capturing the warmth and intimacy in one session. No studio magic, just great playing and great atmosphere.

3. The Album Cover Has Its Own Language
Purple’s cover features a child riding a Qilin, a legendary creature in Chinese folklore, surrounded by fairies. The title is written in Chinese (紫), which means “purple.” The track list? Not on the back cover. Instead, there’s a decorated cake that reads “12 Gracious Melodies,” hinting at the album’s hidden twelfth track.

4. “Vasoline” Came From a Childhood Misheard Lyric
Scott Weiland once thought the Eagles’ “Life in the Fast Lane” said “Flies in the Vaseline.” That moment stuck with him. The song reflects the feeling of being trapped and overexposed. Robert DeLeo’s bass runs through a wah-wah pedal for that unforgettable intro tone.

5. “Interstate Love Song” Was Done in One Take
Scott Weiland recorded the vocals for “Interstate Love Song” in a single take. The track became one of the biggest rock hits of the decade, staying at #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart for 15 straight weeks. It started as a soft bossa nova sketch and turned into a rock anthem built for long drives and big feelings.

Purple still sounds fresh, bold, and full of surprises. Every listen feels like opening a time capsule sealed with melody, emotion, and sonic ambition. Happy anniversary to a truly gracious collection of songs.

Photo Gallery: Metric, Sam Roberts Band, And The Dears at Toronto’s Budweiser Stage June 6, 2025

Eric Alper
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Photo Gallery: Metric, Sam Roberts Band, And The Dears at Toronto’s Budweiser Stage June 6, 2025

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

Metric
Metric
Metric

Metric
Metric
Metric
Metric
Metric
Metric
Sam Roberts Band
Sam Roberts Band
Sam Roberts Band
Sam Roberts Band
Sam Roberts Band
The Dears
The Dears
The Dears
The Dears
The Dears

Joshua Heter and Richard Greene’s ‘Post-Punk and Philosophy’ Explores the Sound of Thought

Eric Alper
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Joshua Heter and Richard Greene’s ‘Post-Punk and Philosophy’ Explores the Sound of Thought

What sort of thing is Post-Punk?  Is it merely a musical genre, an artistic movement, or something else altogether?  What is the proper role of emotion in the intellectual life?  Is any attempt to be cool an inherently losing battle; should I embrace my eccentricities?  Does a counterculture need to care about change, or can it simply focus on its art?  Are nihilism and love compatible?  Is the best way to deal with a bleak worldview simply to embrace it through art?  How much should we care (if at all) about the moral failings of the artists whose work we love so much?  What exactly is authenticity, and how important is it?  

As a result of so much thoughtful artistry and music-making, the editors of this book were fortunate enough to bring together the talented authors whose work comprises it as they raise, clarify, and even attempt to answer some of these questions. Thankfully, their creativity and innovation are worthy of the Post-Punk creatives about which they’ve written.  And, their varied and eclectic perspectives are akin to the variety of influences that led to and help make Post-Punk such a unique and beloved art form.  

So, that’s how we got here; through and past the downward spiral of Punk’s initial wave, alternative rock music came out stronger and even more diverse and compelling with the advent of Post-Punk, and we are now in a position to reflect deeply on the movement as a whole.  Perhaps if we think carefully enough about it all, we might even be able to discover where we go from here.” (From the editors’ introduction, “Well, How Did We Get Here?”)

Matthew Collin’s New Book ‘Dream Machines’ Charts the Sonic History of Electronic Music

Eric Alper
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Matthew Collin’s New Book ‘Dream Machines’ Charts the Sonic History of Electronic Music

An expansive and illuminating account of the development of electronic music, told with passionate enthusiasm by Matthew Collin, the critically-acclaimed author of Altered State and Rave On.

Dream Machines tracks the music’s evolution from early avant-garde experiments after World War Two through psychedelia, art-rock and synth-pop to electronic dance music, sampling and the techno era. As well as profiling the sonic futurists who pioneered new styles, it documents the scenes and underground movements that built a thrillingly diverse electronic music culture in its formative decades.

Based on interviews with key players and a wealth of in-depth research, Dream Machines explores genres as diverse as space rock, electro-pop, ambient, dub, industrial music, prog, electro, hip-hop, hi-NRG and house, highlighting how developments in electronic music were shaped by changes in society as well as technological advances.

David Junk’s ‘Rockin’ the Kremlin’ Chronicles the Rise of Western Music in Post-Soviet Industry

Eric Alper
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David Junk’s ‘Rockin’ the Kremlin’ Chronicles the Rise of Western Music in Post-Soviet Industry

Read the true story of Universal Music Russia’s first CEO and his quest to bring Western popular music to post-Soviet Russia in an account that Publishers Weekly calls “an exciting and colorful look at a dynamic period in Russia’s cultural history,” The Washington Post calls “a jaunty, picaresque memoir,” and Library Journal calls an “absorbing illustration of the mutuality of music and politics.”

When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Russia opened its borders, and Russian audiences were hungry for Western popular music and the values it espoused. David Junk was one of the first idealistic, young Americans to seize this opportunity.

Rockin’ the Kremlin is the thrilling true story of how David became the first CEO of Universal Music Russia and built impactful cultural bridges with music—but also how that would all shatter with the rise of Vladimir Putin and invasions of Ukraine. There was no proper music industry in the USSR, and creating a modern music industry in Russia would be far more challenging than anyone had anticipated. David assembled a team of young and talented Russians, and they navigated a terrain filled with political chaos, organized crime, powerful oligarchs, bombings, and violence—with cultural clashes tinting many aspects. They captivated millions by bringing superstar acts to Russia for the first time ever, including Metallica, Mariah Carey, Sting, Eminem, and Enrique Iglesias, while developing local talent such as Alsou and t.A.T.u.—Russia’s greatest selling pop act of all time. Eventually, David would even build a music industry in Ukraine and other countries in Eastern Europe.

While Russia’s descent into authoritarianism and two invasions of Ukraine have tarnished this, the industry that David shepherded has birthed a newer generation of Russian musicians who are speaking out against the war and Putin. Filled with unique insights as well as gripping—and sometimes humorous—stories, this book reveals how it all happened.

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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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