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Linkin Park Drop ‘From Zero (Deluxe Edition)’ With Three New Tracks

Eric Alper
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Linkin Park Drop ‘From Zero (Deluxe Edition)’ With Three New Tracks

Continuing their meteoric return, LINKIN PARK present the Deluxe Edition of their acclaimed album FROM ZERO, out now.

The band notably extended and expanded the original chart-topping record with three brand new tracks, including the latest “Let You Fade.” Capping off this body of work, the cathartic closer doubles as an emotional highpoint boosted by the interplay between Mike Shinoda and Emily Armstrong over the ebb-and-flow of the song’s heavy intro and hushed bridge. Once again, it showcases LINKIN PARK’s innate grasp of dynamics, thriving in the midst of sonic extremes with grace, tension, and release.

“Up From The Bottom” initially kickstarted this Deluxe chapter. Soaring into the Top 5 at both Alternative and Rock Radio, it has gathered 42 million Spotify streams and 22 million YouTube views on the music video. Watch HERE. Earning acclaim, Revolver applauded, “It taps into the propulsive, pop-punk-ish and mid-tempo spirit of last year’s FROM ZERO single “The Emptiness Machine,” and likewise features piano embellishment and a bridge sporting turntables, 808 beats and more,” and NME hailed it as “ferocious” and “explosive.’

Following unforgettable shows everywhere from Mexico to Tokyo, Jakarta, and beyond, the From Zero World Tour—produced by Live Nation—is currently underway in the U.S. Next up, LINKIN PARK will headline and ignite the UEFA Champions League final Kick Off Show presented by Pepsi and UC3 on May 31st at the Munich Football Arena. From there, the tour continues with sellout dates at Wembley Stadium in London, Stade de France in Paris, and Boston’s TD Garden where a second date has been added for July 31 due to overwhelming demand. This massive global jaunt carries them through to the end of the year, concluding on November 11 in Brasilia, Brazil. Special guests Spiritbox, AFI, Architects, grandson, Jean Dawson, JPEGMAFIA, and PVRIS will join on select dates. Check out the full confirmed itinerary and get tickets at https://linkinpark.com/tour.

The shows continue to receive acclaim. City Beat Cincinnati chronicled the band’s headline set in front of 100,000 fans at the sold-out Sonic Temple in Columbus, OH. Of the latter, Substream Magazine put it best, “The fans’ reaction to the new lineup and return was more than just acceptable. They loved it! It was as if the band didn’t skip a beat. Although Chester is missed, the fans seemed to embrace Emily Armstrong and some feel this may have been the best performance of the entire festival.” The News & Observer praised the Raleigh show, writing, “Armstrong used her voice and dynamic stage presence, including her growling, brain-piercing screams, not to replace Bennington, but to incorporate herself into the band’s driving force as a whole.” 

FROM ZERO, winner of this year’s “Rock Album of the Year” at the iHeartRadio Music Awards, has churned out successive hits since its 2024 debut. “The Emptiness Machine” surged as “the biggest rock song of 2024,” spending 15 weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Rock & Alternative Airplay Chart. Their next anthem “Heavy Is The Crown” followed in its footsteps at #1 on the respective chart. FROM ZERO impressively bowed at #1 on charts in 14 countries. Stateside, it opened at #2 on the Billboard 200 and at #1 across six Billboard charts: Top Rock & Alternative Albums, Top Rock Albums, Top Alternative Albums, Top Hard Rock Albums, Vinyl Albums, and Indie Store Album Sales. Not to mention, it has incited widespread acclaim from the likes of VULTURE, The Guardian, KERRANG!, NME, Associated Press, USA Today, and more. As reported by Billboard, LINKIN PARK was the one-and-only rock band to cross over 2 Billion yearly streams in 2024.

LINKIN PARK emerged as an innovative musical force and are one of the best-selling artists of the last twenty years. Their RIAA Diamond-certified full-length debut, Hybrid Theory, stands out as the “best selling debut of the 21st century,” while landmark sophomore album Meteora bowed at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 before going 8X-Platinum in the U.S. The band’s worldwide sales across the entire catalog eclipses 100 million, and among numerous accolades and honors, they have garnered 2 GRAMMY® Awards, 5 American Music Awards, 4 MTV VMA Awards, 10 MTV Europe Music Awards and 3 World Music Awards. Selling out stadiums worldwide, they’ve headlined the largest festivals globally and also remain the first and only Western rock band to play a five-stadium tour in China. 2017’s One More Light marked their fifth #1 debut on the Billboard 200. In 2020, the band celebrated their groundbreaking debut album, Hybrid Theory, by releasing a comprehensive 20th anniversary edition super deluxe box set which features their RIAA Diamond-certified single “In The End.” In 2023, the band released Meteora 20th Anniversary Edition, which topped the charts and featured the newly-uncovered song “Lost.” The emotionally charged single was originally recorded during sessions for their second studio album Meteora (2003), and soon after its 2023 release, “Lost” hit #1 at both Alternative and Rock radio. 2024 marked the release of their first greatest hits package Papercuts, featuring vault track “Friendly Fire” that similarly topped both the Alternative and Rock charts. On September 5, the band made a triumphant return to the top of the charts with “The Emptiness Machine,” which exploded as the #1 rock song in the country and the biggest rock song of 2024. It made a rapid climb to #1 on both the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay Chart and Alternative Airplay Chart. In total, the band have scored a staggering 13 #1 entries on the latter chart (the second-most in history) with three in the last eighteen months. LINKIN PARK released their 8th studio album From Zero on November 15 on Warner Records, once again topping charts around the world and eclipsing a billion streams. The band have always prioritized charity and goodwill in an effort to make the world a better place, helping to raise millions over the years for victims of natural disasters. Today, LINKIN PARK’s imprint on music and culture continues to expand and magnify.

FROM ZERO (DELUXE EDITION) TRACKLISTING

    1. From Zero (Intro)
    2. The Emptiness Machine
    3. Cut the Bridge
    4. Heavy Is the Crown
    5. Over Each Other
    6. Casualty
    7. Overflow
    8. Two Faced
    9. Stained
    10. IGYEIH
    11. Good Things Go
    12. Up From The Bottom*
    13. Unshatter*
    14. Let You Fade*

*Previously Unreleased

Aya Nakamura Drops “Baddies” With Joé Dwèt Filé After Olympic Triumph

Eric Alper
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Aya Nakamura Drops “Baddies” With Joé Dwèt Filé After Olympic Triumph

Fresh off her “International Impact of the Year” prize at Les Flammes Awards, handed out by Paris 2024 Olympics artistic director Thomas Jolly, French pop sensation Aya Nakamura unveils her latest track, “Baddies,” featuring Haitian kompa star Joé Dwèt Filé.

Nakamura, France’s biggest pop star, follows the recent Diamond certification of her Ayra Starr collaboration “Hypé” in France and her recent Billboard cover story with this new song “Baddies,” with her first collaboration with Joé Dwèt Filé – the later recently performed during Burna Boy’s Stade de France Paris show for their joint hit single 4 Kampé II – to deliver a vibrant Caribbean chemistry.

The award was no surprise given her 2024 victory lap, that started as “Female Artist of the Year” win at France Music Awards, followed by her opening performance for Vogue World in June along Bad Bunny, wearing for that occasion a Jean-Paul Gaultier customed dress.

A month later during the Olympics opening Ceremony in front of an estimate +1Billion viewers globally, she would storm out from l’Academie Française to cross Le Pont des Arts tojoin the Republican Guard to perform her mega-hits Djadja and Pookie from her +1.5M selling album NAKAMURA – that is still to date the most streamed French-language of all time according to Billboard. Her Olympic performance also set a new record as the most watched event in France TV history with over +36 Million viewers.

Baddies official video, filmed in the sunny region of Barcelona, comes elevate Aya’s high-energy aura with stunning visuals.

Anyma Unveils ‘The End Of Genesys’ Album With Summer Tour, Ibiza Residency

Eric Alper
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Anyma Unveils ‘The End Of Genesys’ Album With Summer Tour, Ibiza Residency

Today, DJ, producer, and multidisciplinary artist, Anyma, announces his highly anticipated album, The End Of Genesys, which is set for release on May 30th. The End Of Genesys completes the score of the Genesys trilogy and follows his previous albums Genesys and Genesys II. Anyma originally announced the album in the closing moments of his final show during his recent residency at Sphere in Las Vegas. The album features recent singles “Work (Feat. Yeat),”  “Neverland (From Japan)”, “Angel In The Dark,” “Hypnotized” Featuring Ellie Goulding, which hit #1 at US Dance Radio and Billboard Dance/Mix Show, and “Voices In My Head.”  It will also include more new music that Anyma premiered live throughout his Sphere residency like collaborations with Grimes, 070 Shake, Luke Steele of Empire of the Sun and more.  In addition, Anyma’s new track “In My Mind” will be exclusively available on Beatport from May 23rd until release day, May 30th, as part of his Artist of the Month spotlight on Beatport. See full track list below.

The End Of Genesys carves a unique space in electronic music, exploring themes of technology, nature, humanity, and coexistence, blending a sonic and visual journey. The music reflects the evolution of Anyma’s sound through diverse featured artists, transcending the realm of techno, and allowing it to resonate with a wide range of audiences. The album marks the end of one era and the dawn of Anyma’s next chapter, where innovation will shape genre-bending sounds, visuals, and creative boundaries, setting the stage for a bold and transformative future.

To pre-order Anyma’s The End Of Genesys album, click HERE.

The End Of Genesys Track List:
1. Lucente
2. Voices In My Head
3. Hypnotized (feat. Ellie Goulding)
4. Taratata (with Grimes)
5. Neverland (From Japan)
6. Fortuna (feat. Sevdaliza)
7. Atmosphere
8. Work (feat. Yeat)
9. The End Of Genesys
10. Leave A Mark
11. In My Mind
12. Entropy (feat. fknsyd)
13. Angel In The Dark
14. Human Now (feat. Luke Steele)
15. Joke’s On You (feat. 070 Shake)

In addition to the album, Anyma recently announced his summer residency at Ibiza’s newest club, [UNVRS], where he will headline Tuesdays beginning July 8th for eight unmissable shows. Designed specifically for immersive, high-level audiovisual experiences, [UNVRS] is the perfect setting for Anyma’s residency, allowing him to fully express his expansive creative vision within one of the world’s most advanced clubs. Outside of the [UNVRS] residency, Anyma will headline a number of festivals in Europe and Asia throughout the summer including Afterlife Festival in Barcelona, Zürich Openair in Switzerland, Tomorrowland in Belgium, Sziget Festival in Hungary, Rock en Seine in France, Creamfields in the UK, and more. See full list of tour dates below.

Anyma is the American-born Italian electronic music and multidisciplinary artist Matteo Milleri. Renowned for boundary-defying techno compositions, visuals and live shows, Anyma became the first electronic music artist to hold a residency at Sphere Las Vegas (the most technologically advanced performance space in the world). The meticulously produced Afterlife Presents Anyma “The End of Genesys” cybernetic opera featured esteemed collaborations with hand-selected producers, visual artists, musicians, and DJs, and drew in an audience of 200,000 people across all 12 dates. Exploring themes of technology, nature, humanity, and coexistence, Anyma also created the Genesys album trilogy. A debut album, Genesys, came out in 2023, followed by 2024’s Genesys II (Afterlife/Interscope), with a third album, The End of Genesys, being released in 2025. Anyma’s collaborators across albums and live shows have included Sevdaliza, Grimes, Ellie Goulding, FKA Twigs, John Summit and many more. In addition to Anyma, Milleri has been an inimitable force in the underground dance scene spanning well over a decade. He is one half of the electronic duo, Tale Of Us, who created Afterlife Records and the global Afterlife event movement tagged “an odyssey throughout the realm of consciousness.” Milleri’s commitment to raising global consciousness by melding music, tech, and art in a revolutionary manner is unprecedented. He has helped create many groundbreaking events including ones for Afterlife throughout Europe, South America and Mexico, and Anyma events in Melbourne and Istanbul, as well as performances at Coachella and Tomorrowland. In 2024, he took on visual creative direction for The Weeknd’s “One Night Only” concert in São Paulo, Brazil. His remixes of Fred Again…’s “Turn On The Lights again..(feat. Future)” and Lana Del Rey’s “Say Yes To Heaven” have seen great success.  Anyma recently announced his summer residency at [UNVRS] in Ibiza, headlined Ultra Miami 2025 with a B2B set with DJ and producer, Solomun, for a first-ever, world-exclusive performance for the festival’s 25th anniversary, and will perform at Sziget Festival, Zürich Open Air, and many more.

DATE FESTIVAL/VENUE CITY
5/17 Atomium Brussels, Belgium
6/13 Afterlife Festival Barcelona, Spain
6/15 World DJ Festival Seoul, Korea
7/4 Kappa Futur Festival Turin, Italy
7/5 Kappa Futur Festival Turin, Italy
7/8 [UNVRS] Sant Rafel, Spain
7/15 [UNVRS] Sant Rafel, Spain
7/19 Tomorrowland Festival Boom, Belgium
7/22 [UNVRS] Sant Rafel, Spain
7/25 Tomorrowland Festival Boom, Belgium
7/26 Tomorrowland Festival Boom, Belgium
7/29 [UNVRS] Sant Rafel, Spain
8/5 [UNVRS] Sant Rafel, Spain
8/7 – 8/10 Untold Festival Cluj-Napoca, Romania
8/8 Sonne Mond Sterne Festival Saalburg Beach, Germany
8/9 Sziget Festival Budapest, Hungary
8/12 [UNVRS] Sant Rafel, Spain
8/19 [UNVRS] Sant Rafel, Spain
8/22 Rock en Seine Sant-Cloud, France
8/23 Zürich Openair Zurich, Switzerland
8/24 Creamfields Cheshire, UK
8/26 [UNVRS] Sant Rafel, Spain

 

Steve Aoki Announces ‘HiROQUEST 3: Paragon’ With Tyler Hubbard Collab “Forget Tonight”

Eric Alper
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Steve Aoki Announces ‘HiROQUEST 3: Paragon’ With Tyler Hubbard Collab “Forget Tonight”

2x GRAMMY-nominated artist, producer, and cultural force Steve Aoki has announced his landmark 10th studio album, HiROQUEST 3: Paragon, set for release on June 27. The new record is a deluxe version of 2023’s Paragon, featuring 20 new songs and building on the expansive world Aoki has crafted across his last three records. Fresh off a performance at Diplo’s Honky Tonk at Stagecoach, Aoki unveils his latest release, an electric country crossover collaboration with 22x No. 1 hitmaker Tyler Hubbard titled “Forget Tonight.”

The pair first connected backstage while co-headlining last year’s Cowboys Music Festival. After hitting it off creatively, Hubbard shared several song ideas with Aoki—one of which sparked immediate inspiration. The result is a genre-blending, festival-ready anthem that fuses Aoki’s signature dancefloor energy with Hubbard’s country roots. “Forget Tonight” also marks Hubbard’s first guest feature as a solo artist following his massive success with Florida Georgia Line, 22 No. 1 hits, and his acclaimed sophomore solo album, Strong, which features the GOLD certified and his third consecutive solo No. 1 single “Back Then Right Now,” and has propelled Hubbard to more than 1.8 billion global streams.

The official music video for “Forget Tonight” was filmed during Aoki’s recent tour stop in Memphis, TN. Capturing his set at Riverbeat Festival, the video features Aoki and Hubbard performing “Forget Tonight” live for the first time in front of thousands of fans, alongside additional footage of them performing at the iconic Silky O’Sullivan’s on Beale Street.

“Tyler and I had an instant creative connection when we met, which made working on ‘Forget Tonight’ come together so naturally,” Steve Aoki shares. “It’s one of those songs that just makes you feel good. Bringing it to life onstage in Memphis and capturing that energy for the video was unreal. Tyler’s a powerhouse and an incredible collaborator—I’m hyped for people to finally hear what we made.”

“Steve’s a master of innovation in the dance world, and I really dig what we’ve created with ‘Forget Tonight,’” says Tyler Hubbard. “Spending a day inside his world to shoot the video and perform together was incredible… and getting to throw cakes from the stage with him was the ultimate way to close the show. He’s the perfect artist to bring this song to life, and can’t wait for everyone to hear it.”

HiROQUEST 3: Paragon marks a major milestone in Aoki’s genre-defying career, continuing the expansion of his ever-evolving HiROQUEST universe, spanning music, trading cards, graphic novels, and collectibles. Known for pushing boundaries with his collaborations, Aoki brings together an eclectic lineup of artists on the new project, including David Guetta, Trippie Redd, Jowell & Randy, and more. Blending world-building storytelling with high-octane production, the album offers fans an immersive experience that extends beyond the music.

In addition to the new release, Aoki has teamed up with Hubbard to create a limited edition Hubb Caps hat. Fans can find the new hat collaboration at www.hubbcaps.com.

Steve Aoki & Tyler Hubbard (credit: Brad Heaton)

Counting nearly 3 billion music streams to his name, Steve Aoki is a true visionary. Billboard described the 2x-GRAMMY-nominated music producer, artist, fashion designer, entrepreneur, NFT futurist, and Dim Mak Records founder as “one of the most in-demand entertainers in the world.” A Guinness World Record holder for the “Most Traveled Musician in a Single Calendar Year,” Aoki has performed at nearly every top festival around the world, including Coachella, Ultra Music Festival, Lollapalooza, Fuji Rock Festival, Tomorrowland, and Electric Daisy Carnival. Aoki also graced recent covers of Entrepreneur Magazine, Success Magazine, Electronic Musician, and Adweek as their “Visionary of the Year.”

As a globally successful cross-genre solo artist, Aoki has collaborated with an impressive list of varied artists, including BTS, Maluma, Snoop Dogg, Linkin Park, blink-182, One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson, Machine Gun Kelly, Lil Uzi Vert, 2 Chainz and Daddy Yankee, on top of having released three Platinum singles, six Gold singles, and over ten Top 10 radio records. After unveiling four Neon Future albums, Aoki recently released HiROQUEST 2: Double Helix, the second in his HIROQUEST series, featuring collaborations with Paris Hilton, Galantis, ERNEST, Akon and more.

Aoki approaches each new endeavor with the same sense of dedication he’s put into his past achievements, including the Grammy-nominated Netflix documentary I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead (2016) and his memoir BLUE: The Color of Noise (2019). In 2012, he also founded THE AOKI FOUNDATION to support organizations in brain science and its research. His influential record label Dim Mak, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2021, is known for being a launching pad for the careers of prominent acts like Bloc Party, The Chainsmokers, Bloody Beetroots, The Kills, Zedd, and Diplo. Most recently, Aoki created the A0K1VERSE, an NFT membership community, powered by the Passport, that welcomes his fans to both virtual and real-world experiences. In whatever space Steve Aoki enters, the multi-hyphenate innovator continues to set trends and inspire creativity on a global level

With 22 No.1 singles on country radio, countless awards, and sold-out tours, Tyler Hubbard has already had a remarkable career as a songwriter and as one half of multi-platinum duo Florida Georgia Line. Now as a solo artist, he has amassed more than 1.8 billion streams to date. Hubbard’s Gold-certified debut solo album, aptly titled Tyler Hubbard, was released in January 2023. It features Hubbard’s hit debut single “5 Foot 9,” which hit No. 1 at Country Radio, was certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA and has 688M global streams. It also features Hubbard’s second No. 1 single, “Dancin’ In The Country,” which has amassed more than 571M global streams and has been certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA. Hubbard has made several television appearances as a solo artist, most recently at Good Morning America, The Kelly Clarkson Showand Fox & Friends, and also on the CMT Music Awards, ACM Honors, NBC’s TODAY Show and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. “Back Then Right Now,” the first radio single of his sophomore album ‘Strong,’ reached the top spot at country radio, making Hubbard the only artist to start two separate careers with at least three consecutive No. 1 songs. His latest single “Park” is currently at country radio. Hubbard will be out on the road in 2025. Dates can be found HERE. Listen to ‘Strong’ HERE.

Lola Young Unleashes Bold New Single ‘One Thing’ and Expands Global Stage Presence

Eric Alper
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Lola Young Unleashes Bold New Single ‘One Thing’ and Expands Global Stage Presence

3x Ivor Novello-nominated South London artist Lola Young presents her brand new single, ‘One Thing’.

Anchored by fluttery guitar melodies and a head-bobbing R&B groove, ‘One Thing’ showcases Lola’s provocative gift for spoken word and tremendous vocal ability. When speaking about her new offering, Lola says, “It’s a song that on first listen sounds like I’m talking about one thing. Sex. Which I am, of course. However sex in itself is never about one thing.”

Accompanied by a music video captured by revered director Dave Meyers (Little Simz, SZA, Sabrina Carpenter), the cleverly-cut visual brings Lola’s much-adored tongue in cheek humour to life on screen. “I wanted to make a song and music video,” says Lola, “That is thought-provoking and highlights sex being both a fun and light thing, not always meaningful, as well as showing how gender roles can be reversed.” Built around different scenarios; a first date, an all-girls class room, remaining undefeated in a boxing ring with ex-lovers and Lola making out with herself for good measure, ‘One Thing’ ushers a new era for the South London artist.

Boasting over 1 billion all-time streams globally across her catalogue of releases, Lola Young continues to achieve tremendous success. Her platinum-certified #1 single ‘Messy’ from her acclaimed 2024 album, This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway, held the top spot in the UK for four consecutive weeks, making Lola one of only two British female artists to reach #1 in the UK Singles Chart within the last year. At 24, the South London singer-songwriter is also the youngest British artist to have a #1 single since Dave with ‘Starlight’ in 2022, while ‘Messy’ becomes the first #1 solo single from the youngest British female artist since Dua Lipa with ‘New Rules’ in 2017.

Concurrently in America, ‘Messy’ recently hit #1 on the Billboard Pop Airplay chart, #1 at Hot Adult Contemporary, #1 on the Alternative Rock Billboard chart as well as reaching the upper regions of the Billboard Hot 100. Lola is the first female artist to have a debut single go #1 at both Pop and Alternative charts since Lorde’s ‘Royals’. Lola has been nominated for 3 Ivor Novello awards (Best Album: This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway, Best Song Musically and Lyrically: ‘Messy’ & Rising Star Award), following her ‘Best Pop Act’ nomination at this year’s BRIT Awards.

Lola has since collaborated with Tyler, The Creator (‘Like Him’), and Lil Yachty (‘Charlie’) and continues to make a global impact with her music and compelling personality. She made a debut appearance at Coachella last month and will open for Billie Eilish in Paris during her Hit Me Hard and Soft headline tour before an exciting UK and European Summer festival run including Glastonbury and Little Simz’ Meltdown Festival – full dates below.

As one of the UK’s most arresting voices that’s making an impact globally, new single ‘One Thing’ proves that Lola Young is poised to become a voice of her generation.

Lola Young – Upcoming Live Dates
* Headline Show

Sunday 25th May – BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend – Liverpool, UK
Wednesday 4th June – La Madeleine – Brussels, Belgium *
Thursday 5th June – Georg-Elser-Halle – Hamburg, Germany *
Tuesday 10th June – Accor Arena – Paris, France [Billie Eilish Support]
Wednesday 11th June – Accor Arena – Paris, France [Billie Eilish Support]
Sunday 15th June – Capital FM Summertime Ball – London, UK
Tuesday 17th June – Meltdown Festival – London, UK
Friday 27th June – Glastonbury – Somerset, UK
Thursday 3rd July – Open’er Festival – Poland
Friday 4th July – Rock Werchter – Belgium
Saturday 5th July – Roskilde Festival – Denmark
Thursday 17th July – Gurtenfestival – Bern, Switzerland
Friday 18th July – Lollapalooza Paris – Paris, France
Thursday 7th August – Øya Festival – Oslo, Norway
Saturday 9th August – Way Out West Festival – Gothenburg, Sweden
Sunday 10th August – Flow Festival – Helsinki, Finland
Thursday 14th August – Paredes De Coura – Portugal
Saturday 16th August – MS Dockville – Hamburg, Germany
Sunday 17th August – Lowlands Festival – The Netherlands
Saturday 27th September – All Things Go Festival – Queens, New York
Sunday 28th September – All Things Go Festival – Columbia, MD

NXNE and Ardene Launch Capsule Collection to Support Canadian Musicians

Eric Alper
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NXNE and Ardene Launch Capsule Collection to Support Canadian Musicians

NXNE, Canada’s premier music festival, is teaming up with Canadian fashion retailer, Ardene, to launch an exclusive capsule collection in support of Canadian musicians. This collaboration marks a milestone as NXNE celebrates 30 years of defining the future of music and culture.

The limited-edition collection will be available in selected Canadian Ardene locations capturing the energy, creativity, and passion that NXNE represents. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Unison Fund, a non-profit organization providing essential financial assistance, mental health support, and crisis relief to Canadian musicians.

“For three decades, NXNE has been a launchpad for groundbreaking artists and a hub for creative expression,” said Michael Hollett, Founder and President of NXNE. “Partnering with Ardene, a brand that shares our passion for music culture and self-expression, allows us to amplify our mission to support the Canadian music ecosystem while celebrating the artists who define its future.”

Ardene’s connection to music culture and its commitment to creative self-expression aligns perfectly with NXNE’s ethos of breaking boundaries and championing diverse voices. The collection will feature iconic designs, including the famous NXNE Bunny, a symbol of creative expression and cultural influence.

“Ardene has always been about embracing self-expression and celebrating creativity,” said Kelly Solti, Head of Marketing at Ardene. “As a proudly Canadian company, we’re thrilled to partner with NXNE to shine a spotlight on the incredible talent within our music community and give back to those who make it all possible.”

The Unison Fund has provided over $26 million in financial assistance to more than 10,000 Canadian music workers facing hardship since its inception. During the COVID-19 pandemic, requests for support increased by 3000%, underscoring the crucial role the charity plays in helping the music community.

“The Canadian music industry is built on passion and resilience,” said Brian Huston, Board Chair, The Unison Fund. “Partnerships like this directly support Unison’s ability to remain a safety net for those who make our industry thrive, ensuring music workers facing hardship have access to the help they need. We’re grateful for this meaningful investment in the well-being of our community.”

The NXNE x Ardene capsule collection will launch at the end of May offering fans a chance to show their love for music while supporting the artists and professionals who drive the industry.

Morgan Wallen Unleashes 37-Track Epic With ‘I’m The Problem’ Album and Tour

Eric Alper
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Morgan Wallen Unleashes 37-Track Epic With ‘I’m The Problem’ Album and Tour

Morgan Wallen’s highly-anticipated fourth studio album, I’m The Problem, which has already notched three No. 1’s at Country radio and six top 10’s on the Billboard Hot 100 chart ahead of its release, is available now. Listen here.

Spanning 37 tracks, I’m The Problem combines Wallen’s country, cross and dirt-rock influences, and features collaborations with pop superstars Post Malone and Tate McRae, plus close friends Eric Church, ERNEST and HARDY.

Having spent nearly a year writing and refining the tracklist from his farm just outside of Nashville with core collaborators, including producers Joey Moi and Charlie Handsome, the process was reflective for Wallen, taking inventory of where he’s been and where he’s headed – and not shying away from the past.

The album opens with the title track, “I’m The Problem,” a cutting double-edged confession that reveals the complexities of a relationship at its lowest point. It concludes with “I’m A Little Crazy,” a quiet, self-reflective song that looks inward while examining the world outside. As with Wallen’s other albums, his eclectic taste in music creeps into his songs. But with this album, he’s really honed his ability to integrate those influences, drawing on guitar sounds of Indie bands like The War On Drugs, country greats like Keith Whitley and hip-hop drum tracks. Between all of that, Wallen also reaches listeners on a granular level.

“There were three styles on the last album that I had in my head, and I went with that same approach with this album,” Wallen reflects on the process of interpolating different sounds into the project. “We had straight up-country songs, which I always do, and then we had more of an alternative-indie approach on a few of them. Those songs end up being a little bit countrified, just because that’s who we are and that’s how we do them. And then the more cross-genre approach might end up on a multi-genre radio station, just because of all the influences that I’ve had throughout my life, listening to every single type of music. I think I’ve stuck to that approach with I’m The Problem, getting an anchor song for each style and once we have those anchor songs dialed in, we fill up those buckets.

“We recorded around 50 songs for this album and ended up cutting 13,” he adds. “I feel like we accomplished what I had in mind, and a huge shoutout to my close collaborators on this too. They came in ready and fired up every single day, and they inspire me as much as anything else.”

While Wallen co-wrote 22 of the tracks, he tapped into 49 songwriters, curating a tracklist that’s both deeply personal and resonant, viewing life events through a different lens than he’s used in the past. The result is a product that’s both more vulnerable and more resolute than ever before.

Previously released songs “Lies Lies Lies,” “Love Somebody” and “I’m The Problem” have already reached No. 1 at Country radio, as praise rolled in early for the project, with Billboard declaring Wallen “the biggest country star in the world” amid chart success.

Throughout the course of the album, Wallen digs in, unafraid to acknowledge his past with songs like “Superman,” dedicated to his son, the contemplative “Genesis” and his deeply personal “I Got Better,” which Wallen says most reflects where he is now.

“’I got better since you got gone’ would be how I feel right now,” Wallen shares. “I’d say that’s one that really came from my heart, and it can mean many things. It’s not just a song to a girl, it could be a song to anything that’s holding you back. That’s why I like that song so much, for a long time I had a lot of things holding me back. I’ve finally said goodbye to a lot of those things, and I’m proud of the results that have come from doing that. So, I’d say ‘I Got Better’ is my most personal song right now.”

Amid all of the highs and lows reflected throughout the album, Wallen remained centered on one thing: his fans.

“The work that it takes for me, my team, my songwriters, and the sacrifices it takes from them to get a 37 song album – we don’t just do that strictly because that’s what we want to do, we see that the demand is there and we are happy to meet that demand,” Wallen remarks. “I hope people don’t think that we just threw 37 songs together like it was some haphazard thing. It really was a fully immersed project, and I hope people can tell that.

Wallen’s coinciding 2025 I’m The Problem Tour kicks off June 20 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. The 20-show run will include stops in Seattle, Washington; Foxborough, Massachusetts; Toronto, Ontario and more. With a second stop added in Madison, Wisconsin, Wallen’s appearances will mark the first time an artist has played two consecutive nights at Camp Randall Stadium.

A rotating lineup of guests including Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett and Koe Wetzel join in direct support with Gavin Adcock, Corey Kent, Ella Langley and Anne Wilson as first-of-three across select dates. Coupled with Wallen’s Sand In My Boots Festival this weekend and a special one-night-only album release celebration show on May 28 at Roundhouse in London, these 22 shows are the only place to see the superstar in 2025.

Morgan Wallen sets the pace in, and beyond, country music – with Billboard calling him “the biggest country star in the world” and The New York Times doubling down, declaring he’s “one of the biggest stars in pop, period.” With 18 No. 1 singles at Country radio, 19 Billboard Music Awards to-date, more than 170 weeks spent atop Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart (the most in country music history), the highest selling country tour under his belt and more, Wallen has propelled country music to a global level in less than five years. As Las Vegas Review Journal puts it: “Wallen’s appeal is remarkable as it is fueled by his ability to connect to a crowd.”

With Dangerous: The Double Album, Wallen solidified his place as country music’s “dominant superstar,” with the project recently being named Billboard‘s No. 1 Album of the 21st Century. One Thing At A Time’s groundbreaking success saw Wallen’s crossover appeal reach a global scale, as he topped the Australian ARIA charts for the first time, along with a host of other accolades. With three No. 1’s already hailing from his fourth studio album, I’m The Problem, available now via Big Loud / Mercury, Wallen digs even deeper, uncovering a side that’s both more vulnerable and more resolute than ever before.

As Wallen prepares a refreshed setlist for his 20-stadium-show I’m the Problem Tour, kicking off on June 20 in Houston, Texas, he’s also highlighting some of his favorite artists by bringing the personally-curated, multi-genre Sand In My Boots Music Festival to Gulf Shores, Alabama, this May, which sold out in less than two hours.

Wallen continues to donate a portion of every ticket sold to his Morgan Wallen Foundation — which supports youth music and athletic programs and gives communities access to essentials in times of crisis.

I’m The Problem Tracklist:
1. I’m The Problem (Morgan Wallen, Grady Block, Jamie McLaughlin, Ernest Keith Smith, Ryan Vojtesak)
2. I Got Better (Morgan Wallen, Blake Pendergrass, Chase McGill, Ryan Vojtesak, Ernest Keith Smith, Michael Hardy)
3. Superman (Morgan Wallen, Ryan Vojtesak, John Byron, Blake Pendergrass, James Maddocks)
4. What I Want (feat. Tate McRae) (Morgan Wallen, Tate McRae, John Byron, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Ryan Vojtesak, Joe Reeves)
5. Just In Case (Morgan Wallen, Ernest Keith Smith, John Byron, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Ryan Vojtesak, Josh Thompson, Blake Pendergrass, Alex Bak)
6. Interlude (Morgan Wallen, Ryan Vojtesak, John Byron, Blake Pendergrass, Rocky Block)
7. Falling Apart (Morgan Wallen, Blake Pendergrass, Josh Thompson, Ryan Vojtesak)
8. Skoal, Chevy, and Browning (Joe Fox, Chase McGill, Josh Miller)
9. Eyes Are Closed (Morgan Wallen, John Byron, Blake Pendergrass, Ryan Vojtesak)
10. Kick Myself (Morgan Wallen, Rocky Block, Ernest Keith Smith, Ryan Vojtesak, James Maddocks)
11. 20 Cigarettes (Chris LaCorte, Chase McGill, Blake Pendergrass, Josh Miller)
12. TN (Morgan Wallen, John Byron, Ashley Gorley, Chase McGill, Taylor Phillips, Ryan Vojtesak, Geoff Warburton)
13. Missing (Morgan Wallen, Chase McGill, Josh Thompson, Blake Pendergrass, Ryan Vojtesak, Luis Witkiewitz)
14. Where’d That Girl Go (Morgan Wallen, Rocky Block, John Byron, Ryan Vojtesak, Blake Pendergrass, Joe Reeves, Geoff Warburton)
15. Genesis (Morgan Wallen, John Byron, Rocky Block, Jacob Durrett, Blake Pendergrass, Ryan Vojtesak, James Maddocks)
16. Revelation (Trannie Anderson, Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon, Chris Tompkins)
17. Number 3 and Number 7 (feat. Eric Church) (Rocky Block, Blake Pendergrass)
18. Kiss Her In Front Of You (John Byron, Jaxson Free, Taylor Phillips, Ashley Gorley, Ryan Vojtesak)
19. If You Were Mine (Chris Tompkins, Jessie Jo Dillon, David Garcia, Geoff Warburton)
20. Don’t We (Morgan Wallen, Ryan Vojtesak, Ashley Gorley, Rocky Block, Blake Pendergrass, John Byron)
21. Come Back As A Redneck (feat. HARDY) (Morgan Wallen, Ernest Keith Smith, Ryan Vojtesak, Michael Hardy, James Maddocks)
22. Love Somebody (Morgan Wallen, John Byron, Shaun Frank, Nicholas Gale, Ashley Gorley, Yaakov Gruzman, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Elof Loelv, Steve Francis Richard Mastroianni, Martina Sorbara, Ryan Vojtesak)
23. Dark Til Daylight (Rocky Block, Chris Tompkins, Jimmy Robbins)
24. The Dealer (feat. ERNEST) (Blake Pendergrass)
25. Leavin’s The Least I Could Do (Morgan Wallen, Michael Hardy, Josh Miller, Ernest Keith Smith, Ryan Vojtesak)
26. Jack and Jill (Jacob Hackworth, Jared Mullins, Ned Cameron)
27. I Ain’t Comin’ Back (feat. Post Malone) (Morgan Wallen, Louis Bell, Michael Hardy, Austin Post, Ernest Keith Smith, Ryan Vojtesak)
28. Nothin’ Left (Josh Miller, Greylan James, Matt Jenkins)
29. Drinking Til It Does (Josh Thompson, Jimmy Robbins)
30. Smile (Morgan Wallen, Rocky Block, John Byron, Ernest Keith Smith, Ryan Vojtesak, Luis Witkiewitz)
31. Working Man’s Song (Morgan Wallen, Ryan Vojtesak, Josh Miller, Blake Pendergrass, Rocky Block)
32. Whiskey In Reverse (Morgan Wallen, Ernest Keith Smith, Ryan Vojtesak, Michael Hardy)
33. Crazy Eyes (Chris Tompkins, Josh Miller, Jessie Jo Dillon, Daniel Ross)
34. LA Night (Chris Tompkins, Travis Wood, Josh Miller)
35. Miami (Morgan Wallen, Ryan Vojtesak, Ernest Keith Smith, Blake Pendergrass, Chase McGill, Michael Hardy, Dean Dillon, Hank Cochran, Royce Porter)
36. Lies Lies Lies (Jessie Jo Dillon, Josh Miller, Daniel Ross, Chris Tompkins)
37. I’m A Little Crazy (Michael Hardy, Smith Ahnquist, Hunter Phelps, Jameson Rodgers)

Morgan Wallen 2025 I’m The Problem Tour Dates:
June 20 // NRG Stadium // Houston, Texas w/ Corey Kent and Koe Wetzel
June 21 // NRG Stadium // Houston, Texas w/ Corey Kent and Koe Wetzel
June 28 // Camp Randall Stadium // Madison, Wis. w/ Ella Langley and Miranda Lambert
June 29 // Camp Randall Stadium // Madison, Wis. w/ Ella Langley and Miranda Lambert
July 11 // Hard Rock Stadium // Miami Gardens, Fla. w/ Gavin Adcock and Miranda Lambert
July 12 // Hard Rock Stadium // Miami Gardens, Fla. w/ Gavin Adcock and Brooks & Dunn
July 18 // State Farm Stadium // Glendale, Ariz. w/ Ella Langley and Miranda Lambert
July 19 // State Farm Stadium // Glendale, Ariz. w/ Ella Langley and Brooks & Dunn
July 25 // Lumen Field // Seattle, Wash. w/ Anne Wilson and Miranda Lambert
July 26 // Lumen Field // Seattle, Wash. w/ Anne Wilson and Brooks & Dunn
Aug 1 // Levi’s Stadium // Santa Clara, Calif. w/ Anne Wilson and Miranda Lambert
Aug 2 // Levi’s Stadium // Santa Clara, Calif. w/ Anne Wilson and Brooks & Dunn
Aug 15 // Huntington Bank Field // Cleveland, Ohio w/ Ella Langley and Miranda Lambert
Aug 16 // Huntington Bank Field // Cleveland, Ohio w/ Ella Langley and Thomas Rhett
Aug 22 // Gillette Stadium // Foxborough, Mass. w/ Corey Kent and Miranda Lambert
Aug 23 // Gillette Stadium // Foxborough, Mass. w/ Corey Kent and Miranda Lambert
Sep 4 // Rogers Centre // Toronto, ON w/ Gavin Adcock and Miranda Lambert
Sep 5 // Rogers Centre // Toronto, ON w/ Gavin Adcock and Brooks & Dunn
Sep 12 // Commonwealth Stadium // Edmonton, AB w/ Ella Langley and Miranda Lambert
Sep 13 // Commonwealth Stadium // Edmonton, AB w/ Ella Langley and Brooks & Dunn

 

Karan Aujla’s “Courtside” Debuts As #1 Most Viewed Music Video Globally On YouTube

Eric Alper
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Karan Aujla’s “Courtside” Debuts As #1 Most Viewed Music Video Globally On YouTube

Internationally acclaimed Warner Music Canada recording artist Karan Aujla’s latest single “Courtside” was the #1 most viewed music video in the world on YouTube in its first 24 hours with over 6.3 million streams.  Within just three days of release, the music video has already accumulated over 17 million views and is trending on YouTube in 10 countries, including #1 in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

In addition to the massive success on YouTube, “Courtside” is also trending at #4 on Instagram Reels.  On Spotify, “Courtside” has reached the Top 30 in both Canada and India. The track has also achieved significant success on Apple Music, reaching #7 in Canada and #2 in India. This global success underscores Karan Aujla’s international appeal and his undeniable talent as a hitmaker.

Karan Aujla’s rise from his upbringing in rural Punjab to his place atop the global music industry is a testament to his talent and unique blend of Punjabi folk, hip-hop, and R&B. His albums, BacTHAfuKUP and Making Memories, have solidified his international presence. Making Memories, released in 2023, generated billions of streams and culminated in a sold-out world tour that connected him with hundreds of thousands of fans worldwide. This album’s success highlights Aujla’s ability to resonate with a diverse global audience, a position underscored by his status as the most streamed Punjabi artist on Spotify globally in 2024. His influence has extended to Bollywood, where his song “Tauba Tauba” was featured in the film Bad Newz and quickly became a national hit in India. Aujla’s achievements have been recognized with prestigious awards, including his groundbreaking win of the 2024 TikTok JUNO Fan Choice Award, making him the first South Asian artist to win the fan-voted category. In 2025, Aujla has already received multiple JUNO Award nominations, including Single of the Year for “Winning Speech,” and has collaborated with GRAMMY-nominated chart-toppers OneRepublic on “Tell Me,” produced by preeminent South Asian producer Ikky, with much more in store for the year to come.

 

Kesha Drops “Boy Crazy.” Ahead Of July 4 Album ‘.’ And Massive Tour

Eric Alper
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Kesha Drops “Boy Crazy.” Ahead Of July 4 Album ‘.’ And Massive Tour

Multi-Platinum global pop superstar Kesha continues the countdown to her hugely anticipated new album . (PERIOD), with today’s premiere of the scintillating latest single, “BOY CRAZY.,” . (PERIOD) arrives at last on Independence Day, Friday, July 4 via her own Kesha Records.

. (PERIOD) – which arrives exactly one year since Kesha returned on her own terms with 2024’s smash comeback hit, “JOYRIDE” – was first unveiled with the premiere of the thrilling “YIPPEE KI-YAY. (Feat. T-Pain),” available now at all DSPs and streaming services. Produced by Pink Slip (Ava Max, Jason Derulo) and co-written by Kesha and frequent collaborator Zhone (who previously produced and co-wrote last year’s smash singles “JOYRIDE” and “DELUSIONAL”), the country-flavored party anthem was joined last week by a special remix package featuring an exclusive new spin by hit producer A. G. Cook (Charli xcx, Lady Gaga) and “The Hosed Down Remix,” available everywhere now. Official visualizers for all three tracks are streaming now on Kesha’s official YouTube channel HERE.

Kesha further celebrated “YIPPEE-KI-YAY.” with a recent pair of unforgettable performances, first teaming with A. G. Cook for a live take on the new remix at Coachella and then returning to the Indio, CA site for a once-in-a-lifetime joint rendition alongside T-Pain at Stagecoach.

The spectacular live performances only serve to whet the appetite for the biggest live run of Kesha’s already extraordinary career, The Tits Out Tour. Produced by Live Nation and presented by Feeld, the milestone North American headline tour kicks off July 1 in West Valley City, UT’s Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre and then hits arenas and amphitheaters across the continent through an August 10 finale at Tampa, FL’s MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre. Highlights include Kesha’s first-ever headline shows at such world-famous venues as Los Angeles, CA’s Kia Forum (July 5) and New York City’s Madison Square Garden (July 23). Support on all dates comes from newly reunited glam-pop legends Scissor Sisters, marking their first North American tour in over a decade. Special guests on select dates also include pop disruptor Slayyyter (July 1-July 18), rising UK artist Rose Gray (July 19-21, July 24-August 10), and venerable Dutch Eurodance favorites Vengaboys (July 23).. Tickets are available now at keshaofficial.com. For complete details, please visit keshaofficial.com/tour.

Kesha’s sixth studio album, . (PERIOD) – yes, it’s just a period. – is an unapologetic, unfiltered declaration of artistic freedom and fearless authenticity from the 2x GRAMMY Award-nominated pop icon. Conceived, co-produced and co-written by Kesha, the 11-song collection transcends pop norms to create a raw, daring, and intensely personal sonic journey, a defiant act of self-expression that refuses to adhere to expectations or play it safe. More than just a new album, . (PERIOD) is Kesha at her most powerful best, turning her experiences into vibrant, audacious art with a spiked heel at the neck of pop culture.

Among its many exhilarating highlights, . (PERIOD) includes 2024’s aforementioned “JOYRIDE.” and the blockbuster “DELUSIONAL.,” both available everywhere now. Currently boasting over 103M streams at Spotify alone, “JOYRIDE” proved a true sensation since its Independence Day 2024 release, reaching #6 on Billboard’s “Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles” and “Hot Dance/Electronic Songs” along with the top 30 on “Pop Airplay” and chart success around the world from the UK to New Zealand. Produced by Zhone and co-written by Kesha, Zhone, and Madison Love, the track marked the triumphant first chapter of a milestone new era for Kesha, celebrating both her long overdue empowerment as an independent artist as well as a powerful sonic evolution following 2023’s critically acclaimed fifth studio album, Gag Order. Along with its popular achievement, “JOYRIDE” has been met by high-profile critical applause from the likes of Rolling Stone, Variety, and Vulture, to name only a few. Perhaps NYLON said it best: “Everything about ‘JOYRIDE’ is a trip…The original glitter-faced party animal of the 2010s is back with a fiery vengeance.”

“JOYRIDE” joined by an equally acclaimed official music video streaming now at YouTube. Directed by Dimitri Basil (Kylie Minogue, Vance Joy), Cooper Roussel (Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Miami Horror), and Laura Gorun (Joywave, Kings of Leon), the high-octane visual received wide-ranging attention from major publications and top online outlets around the globe, including Billboard, Vulture, and Rolling Stone, the latter of which raved, ““Kesha is taking her foot off the brakes and going full-speed ahead on her new video for ‘JOYRIDE.’ The video sees Kesha racing through the desert in a hot red convertible while being chased by a helicopter, gun-toting assassins, and a shirtless dude hell-bent on catching up to the pop diva.”

One of Spotify’s Top 100 Artists with close to 40M monthly listeners, Kesha has heralded . (PERIOD) with an array of high-profile media appearances and promotional events, including visits to The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Jennifer Hudson Show, and The Drew Barrymore Show, and exclusive cover feature in PAPER, an electrifying Boiler Room event in Miami, and a very special lighting ceremony at New York City’s world famous Empire State Building. This month will see Kesha cross the Atlantic for a pair of sold-out “House of Kesha” headline shows in the UK, followed by a top-billed festival performance at London’s Mighty Hoopla pop extravaganza on June 1. For additional details, please visit keshaofficial.com/tour.

KESHA 
LIVE 2025

MAY
29 – Glasgow, UK – House of Kesha @ O2 Academy 1 (SOLD OUT)
30 – Manchester, UK – House of Kesha @ Albert Hall (SOLD OUT)

JUNE
1 – London, UK – Mighty Hoopla †

† Festival Performance

KESHA & SCISSOR SISTERS: THE TITS OUT TOUR
NORTH AMERICA 2025

JULY
1 – West Valley City, UT – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre ^
3 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre ^
5 – Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum ^
6 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre ^
8 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion * ^
10 – The Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion ^
12 – Tinley Park, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre ^
13 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre ^
15 – Nashville, TN – Riverfront Park – Ascend Amphitheater ^
16 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center ^
18 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center ^
19 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre #
21 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage #
23 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden *
24 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center #
26 – Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake #
28 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center #
29 – Philadelphia, PA – TD Pavilion at The Mann #
31 – Buffalo, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater #

AUGUST
2 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater #
3 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek #
5 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion #
7 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre #
9 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre #
10 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre #

^ w/ Slayyyter
# w/ Rose Gray
* w/ Vengaboys

Canada Soccer Confirms Format for 2025 Youth Competitions: What to Expect

Eric Alper
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By Mitch Rice

The blueprint is finally here. After years of waiting, Canada Soccer has released the complete outline of their youth competitions for 2025, and this time, it doesn’t resemble a carbon copy of previous years. Unlike earlier checkbox exercises or mundane match succession rounds, the goal is to rework the pathways dedicated to Canadian talent completely. Transforming grassroots as far out as Halifax & Calgary, right through to the professional developmental leagues. If developing the next Alphonso Davies goes on to your list of priorities, you will acknowledge that nurturing talent at this level makes every second worth it when changing this magnitude. 

A Format Built for Real Development, Not Just Trophies 

This strategy does not center on seeking awards for rivalries that serve no purpose. As far as Canada Soccer is concerned, competition starts at the right stage, which is at the developmental stage. The Plinko analogy fits perfectly because there is plenty of room to run freely between the training activities and the regional skirmishes, which can yield unimaginable outcomes in movement. Here, youth players are equipped with the right sets of structures as well as strategically tailored value chains, which allow them to venture and navigate. This is done right, and it comes second.

Starting from U13 to U17, there are now regional competitions and subnational feeders for the elite interprovincial championships. The aim here is to optimize the balance between travel fatigue and showcasing exceptional players and teams at the national level. This is a severe change from the previous approach that was outmatched, greatly overexposed, and completely mismatched with underexploited hidden gems. Especially considering the U15 and U17 teams, the newly designed model comes with a set season cadence, which means more total minutes played, aggressor development, and fewer meaningless wins by obliteration. Winning does not simply imply enduring in the current context.

The Geography Shift: Less Jet Lag, More Local Rivalries 

One noteworthy shift? Canada Soccer is paying more attention to regional rivalries. Instead of doing youth team bubbles from north to south and east to west, teams will start in zones and emphasize intra-regional contests. Consider the Ontario Showdowns, Prairie Rivalries, and BC Face-offs. The winner proceeds to nationals. This change is economical, reinforces regional rivalries, and supports the football structures of other leading nations. It’s a bit like how fans follow UFC here https://melbet-ca.com/en/line/ufc—you start local, back your region, and then watch the top contenders fight for national pride.

What’s New in 2025: The Specifics That Matter

This isn’t just an “adjustment” – it is a full shift, and competitively, here’s what else is different:

  • From U13 to U14, skill development and a consistent match rhythm occur only within regional leagues. 
  • For U15 and U17, there will be a two-phase season that will include regional qualifiers and national championship rounds. 
  • There is no national league for U16—to limit burnout before critical U17 exposure, that age group remains regionally based. 
  • Required coaching licenses – all participating teams must have certified coaches by spring 2025. 

This approach adds more structure in the short term rather than podium finishes. It encourages discipline, game IQ, and coaching that goes beyond summer tournament wins. Endurance-based strategies are finally welcomed alongside endurance, aligning the vision with international standards while remaining true to the ethos that drives the vision.  

Spotlight on Players: Why This Format Matters on the Pitch

The arrangement’s most outstanding winners? The underprivileged children. In the old system, geography determined whether someone was scouted — talent was irrelevant. The chances of getting scouted were slim if you were not based in Toronto or Vancouver. That is now changing.

A 16-year-old winger in Yellowknife with phenomenal speed no longer has to wait for a life-changing event. He will get the structured and consistent competition he needs that helps build a productive résumé over time. The same applies to a U15 centerback from Quebec who is now being substituted into skillful games rather than being thrown into one-sided contests. It is no longer about sheer luck, but constant incremental improvement. When Canadian scouts attend the championships, they will witness true warriors who have survived brutal battles in the trenches, instead of highlight reel pretenders.

The rest of this story concerns Canada’s blueprint for the youth blueprint of 2025, which is not about turning dates on a planner on and off but about a fundamental shift in mindset. By guiding policies like this, Canada’s youth will not merely observe the game but plan and strategize in the future.

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

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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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