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Emmylou Harris Leads All-Star Americana Lineup in Heartfelt Tribute for Hardly Strictly’s 25th Anniversary

Eric Alper
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Emmylou Harris Leads All-Star Americana Lineup in Heartfelt Tribute for Hardly Strictly’s 25th Anniversary

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass will kick off its landmark 25th anniversary celebration this year with a very special festival eve benefit concert honoring legendary singer and songwriter Emmylou Harris – the only artist to perform at each and every edition of the much beloved San Francisco free music festival. Set for Thursday, October 2 at San Francisco, CA’s The Masonic, “A Tribute to Emmylou Harris & 25 Years of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass” will see the 14x GRAMMY Award-winner joined by some of her closest friends and collaborators including Allison Russell, Albert Lee, Margo Price, Patty Griffin, Rodney Crowell, Rosanne Cash, Sam Bush, Shawn Colvin, Steve Earle and other guests. Buddy Miller will serve as the show’s musical director, backed by The Red Hot Dirt Ramblers.  The all-star lineup features some of Emmylou Harris’ current and recent bandmates, including Albert Lee, Bryan Owings, Chris Donohue, Eamon McLoughlin, Glen D Hardin, Phil Madeira, Sam Bush & Steve Fishell.

All proceeds will benefit the foster-based, 501(c)3 nonprofit dog rescue organization Bonaparte’s Retreat. Tickets for “A Tribute to Emmylou Harris & 25 Years of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass” go on sale to the public on May 22. For more information, view tickets HERE.

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass will once again take place at San Francisco, CA’s iconic Golden Gate Park on October 3-5. As always, the 25th edition of the three-day, multi-stage free concert will showcase an extensive lineup of eclectic performers spanning a wide array of musical genres and styles. Complete details will be unveiled in the months to come. For updates and additional information, please see hardlystrictlybluegrass.com.

Founded by Warren Hellman in 2001, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass marked the late financier/philanthropist’s gift to the City of San Francisco, offering a free outdoor festival in the historic Golden Gate Park to serve as an annual celebration of American music. Over the last quarter-century, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass has grown from a one-day local attraction to a world-renowned three-day festival. The one-of-a-kind, annual free event proudly presents a diverse assortment of artists spanning roots and Americana, funk, rock, soul, and more, highlighted by new and unexpected acts alongside annual favorites such as Emmylou Harris and Steve Earle.

Founded by Emmylou Harris in 2004 following the passing of one of her own beloved dogs, Bonaparte’s Retreat focuses on the neglected and forgotten – senior dogs, large dogs, or dogs in need of imminent medical care or surgery – with a mission to love and care for these animals for as long as it takes to find their forever homes. To learn more, or to make a donation, please visit www.bonapartesretreat.org.

Gary Graff’s ‘501 Essential Albums Of The ’80s’ Celebrates the Decade That Changed Everything

Eric Alper
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Gary Graff’s ‘501 Essential Albums Of The ’80s’ Celebrates the Decade That Changed Everything

The 1980s were a sound. A vibe. A revolution wrapped in cassette tape and neon leg warmers. And now, thanks to veteran music journalist Gary Graff, we’ve got a definitive guide to the era that gave us Thriller, Purple Rain, and London Calling. 501 Essential Albums of the ’80s: The Music Fan’s Definitive Guide is a backstage pass to the most diverse and game-changing decade in music history.

From the chart-busting giants to the underground legends, Graff and a crew of fellow scribes offer year-by-year rundowns, juicy backstories, and full-color album art for every record featured. Whether you’re reliving the heartbreak of Like a Virgin, the fury of Damaged, or the bliss of Songs from the Big Chair, this book has the power to pull you right back into your teenage bedroom—complete with posters on the wall and vinyl spinning on the turntable.

Each entry is a mini time capsule: who produced it, what label dropped it, and why it still matters today. It covers all corners of the musical map—pop, rock, hip-hop, metal, R&B, country, and college radio staples—because the ’80s weren’t about sticking to one sound. They were about genre collisions, sonic risks, and the rise of icons who still tower over the charts today.

Whether you’re Team Bruce or Team Black Flag, 501 Essential Albums of the ’80s will remind you why this decade refuses to fade away. It was shoulder pads and synths, sure, and also a creative explosion, and this book is your front-row seat. So cue up your mixtape and dive in. This is one history lesson that comes with a killer soundtrack.

Terry Riley’s Groundbreaking Sony Box Set ‘The Columbia Recordings’ Arrives August 22

Eric Alper
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Terry Riley’s Groundbreaking Sony Box Set ‘The Columbia Recordings’ Arrives August 22

One of the most consequential musicians of the 20th century – the visionary American composer Terry Riley – is celebrated with the Sony Classical release of Terry Riley – The Columbia Recordings.  Set for release on August 22 and available for preorder now, the four-disc box set includes Terry Riley’s unique recordings for Columbia Masterworks between 1968 and 1980 that changed the direction and expanded the range of late 20th-century music.

Terry Riley – The Columbia Recordings box set includes the albums In C (1968); A Rainbow in Curved Air (1969); Church of Anthrax (1971, in collaboration with John Cale of the Velvet Underground); and Shri Camel (1980), all made for Columbia Masterworks at a time when the label was boldly embracing new directions in American music. This collection offers an essential document of Riley’s most transformative period when the pulse of innovation met the possibilities of high-fidelity sound.

In addition to all four complete recordings and rarely seen archival photographs from recording sessions in Columbia’s fabled 30th Street Studios in Manhattan, Terry Riley – The Columbia Recordings includes a 50-page booklet featuring first-hand reflections from David Behrman, the original producer of In C and A Rainbow in Curved Air; and an essay by Thomas M. Welsh, Terry Riley’s longtime manager and archivist; and reprints of all essays and notes from the original vinyl releases.

“The magic of Terry Riley’s music derives from many worlds, among them the minimalist world, the indeterminate world, and the music of the world,” Grammy-nominated producer and former Sony Masterworks executive Tom Laskey wrote in his essay for Terry Riley – The Columbia Recordings. “And the way it all fuses together creates its own world. And like going to a new world, maybe it’s awkward at first. And then, maybe, it’s like you’ve lived there all your life. Or maybe your experience of listening to Terry’s music is like mine: it’s not the world I live in, but when I visit, I don’t want to leave.”

Terry Riley, a Californian who celebrates his 90th birthday in June, is widely regarded as the father of minimalist music, particularly because of the electrifying, global impact that In C had when the recording was released in 1968 as a part of Columbia’s Music of Our Time series.

The composer’s ideas had an immediate impact on other innovators in the 1960s, a group that included Steve Reich, Philip Glass, and La Monte Young, all eventually recognized as key figures in the minimalist movement. (Young was an early friend and collaborator of Riley’s, and Reich was among the performers in the original concert performance of In C.) Modern jazz and Indian classical music were basic influences on Riley’s work, as well as the potential in improvisation and the expressive possibilities in tape and electronic music.

It was the impact of the recording of In C – perhaps because it revealed to a mass audience such an epic, indescribable but mesmerizing new musical expression – signaled a turning point in 20th-century music, a rare instance when the avant garde and a liberated audience converged in a popular commercial success for a musical visionary with a major American record label.

Terry Riley’s rich musical life has continued through the decades to explore the potential of his musical ideas, building on the early success and his four seminal recordings for Columbia Masterworks.

TERRY RILEY – THE COLUMBIA RECORDINGS – SET CONTENTS:

DISC 1 – CD
1 In C (2009 Remastered)

DISC 2 – CD
1 A Rainbow in Curved Air
2 Poppy Nogood and the Phantom Band
3 A Rainbow in the Curved Air (Radio Spot) (Bonus Track)

DISC 3 – CD
1 Church of Anthrax
2 The Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles
3 The Soul of Patrick Lee
4 Ides of March
5 The Protégé

DISC 4 – CD
1 Anthem of the Trinity
2 Celestial Valley
3 Across the Lake of the Ancient World
4 Desert of Ice

Can Bands Now Go On Forever? Audiences Say Yes.

Eric Alper
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Can Bands Now Go On Forever? Audiences Say Yes.

Kelly Hansen is leaving Foreigner. And yet—somehow—it doesn’t feel like an ending. It feels like a new begninning and a bridge to something new.

After 20 years of belting out “I Want to Know What Love Is” and “Cold As Ice” with spine-tingling precision, Hansen announced during the Voice season finale that he’ll step away following the band’s 2025 summer tour. But true to the spirit of rock and roll, he isn’t dropping the mic—he’s passing it. Enter guitarist-turned-frontman Luis Maldonado, who already has the voice, energy, and soul to carry the torch into the next chapter.

And this is where things get interesting.

Because in 2024, when a frontman leaves a band, it doesn’t always mean goodbye. It might just mean… see you next tour.

The old model—where a band breaks up, reforms once for a reunion tour, then disappears again—is fading. In its place? A new kind of forever: one fueled by nostalgia, evolving lineups, and fans who never want the music to stop.

With the rise of streaming platforms like Spotify, the archive of music is constantly at our fingertips. YouTube makes even the most obscure live performances immortal. And fans—whether 17 or 70—are showing up in droves to see the hits they grew up with, no matter who’s behind the mic.

This used to mean a continuation with disastrous results, a sing of desperation, but no more. It’s the idea that a band can become bigger than its founding members. It’s living proof that rock and roll might not just never die… it might also never retire.

The trend is real, and Foreigner isn’t alone. Here are 10 bands still touring (and thriving!) with rotating or legacy-based lineups:

  • Foreigner – Soon to be fronted by Luis Maldonado, with founder Mick Jones offering guidance from behind the scenes.

  • Lynyrd Skynyrd – With the Van Zant legacy continuing and a fan base that still sings every word of “Free Bird.”

  • Quiet Riot – Drummer Frankie Banali’s wish was for the band to continue after his passing—and it has.

  • The Guess Who – No original members left for a number of tours, but Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings have returned to proudly flying the Canadian classic rock flag.

  • Yes – Members have rotated in and out, but the band keeps building on its prog-rock legacy.

  • The Little River Band – Touring actively without original members—but with permission and the songs fans love.

  • Blood, Sweat & Tears – Known for its revolving door of musicians, the music remains the star.

  • The Temptations – With founder Otis Williams steering the ship, the harmonies live on.

  • Blackfoot – Now made up entirely of younger musicians hand-picked to carry the sound forward.

  • The Drifters – Possibly the blueprint for this model, with dozens of members over the decades.

So…Do bands ever really end anymore? Maybe not. Maybe rock bands are becoming like symphony orchestras—where personnel can change, but the music remains constant. Maybe it’s not about who was there in 1975… but who can channel the soul of it in 2025.

And maybe, just maybe, Kelly Hansen stepping down from Foreigner isn’t a final act. It’s just another encore—played by someone new, but sung with the same fire.

Because as long as someone wants to hear it live… the band will always be ready to play.

Connie Francis’ “Pretty Little Baby” Goes Viral Worldwide 63 Years After Release

Eric Alper
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Connie Francis’ “Pretty Little Baby” Goes Viral Worldwide 63 Years After Release

Connie Francis’ 1962 song “Pretty Little Baby” is experiencing a remarkable resurgence, captivating a new generation of listeners around the world with its infectious, lilting melody and wholesome lyrics of a bygone era. The song, which wasn’t a big hit for the then-23-year-old Francis, has become a viral sensation 63 years after it was first released, with millions of TikTokers lip synching to the timeless track while showing off stylish, often retro, outfits and using it to soundtrack videos of their babies, kids, pets, and more over the past few weeks.

“I am thrilled and overwhelmed at the success of ‘Pretty Little Baby’,” says Connie Francis. “I recorded that song 63 years ago and to know that an entire new generation now knows who I am, and my music is thrilling for me. Thank you so much everybody, thank you TikTok.”

“Pretty Little Baby” is now available in French (“La Seul Qui T’aime”), German (“Alle Jungen Leute”), Italian (“Baby”), Japanese, Spanish (“Linda Muchachita”) and Swedish (“Sjunger På Svenska”) language versions on the new digital release Pretty Little Baby – International Versions, which brings these vintage rarities, released in their respective countries in 1962, to streaming for the first time. Fans new and old around the globe can now enjoy these delightful versions wherever they stream music and continue the viral trends in a variety of languages.

“Pretty Little Baby” is currently averaging 600K+ daily creates on TikTok, including posts from celebs and influencers alike, including Kim Kardashian & North West, Kylie Jenner, Brook Monk, Jarred Jermaine, Abbie Herbert, Ariana Greenblatt, Mistermainer, Samara and many more. In the U.S., the song, with a special focus on the lyrics, “You can ask the flowers/I sit for hours/Telling all the bluebirds/The bill and coo birds/Pretty little baby, I’m so in love with you,” is No. 1 on both TikTok’s Viral 50 and Top 50 charts. Currently it has nearly 15 million creates this year totaling more than 10 billion views across all sounds on TikTok.

The trending song has crossed over to streaming where it has received more than 14 million streams globally in the last week. “Pretty Little Baby” entered Spotify’s Viral Charts in 65 countries, including the top spot in India, Indonesia, Philippines, Egypt and Morocco and top five in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Singapore, Denmark, Romania and many more.

The song broke into Spotify’s Global and U.S. charts for the first time this week, where it’s currently No. 67 on the Global Top 100 and No. 132 on the Global Weekly chart. It is No. 2 on the Global Daily Viral Songs chart. As of the week ending April 10, the song was earning just north of 17,000 official streams a week in the U.S., five weeks later it has increased more than 20,000% to 4 million a week.

Additionally, “Pretty Little Baby” is No. 1 on YouTube Shorts U.S. Daily Chart and No. 2 on the YouTube Shorts Global Daily Chart. It is currently No. 1 on Shazam’s Viral Chart.

“Pretty Little Baby” was released on Francis’ 1962 album Connie Francis Sings Second Hand Love & Other Hits, which peaked at No. 111 on the Billboard Top LPs chart. The song was released as the B-side to the single “I’m Gonna Be Warm This Winter” in the U.K., Norway, India, Denmark and South Africa, among other countries, owing to her international fame and universal appeal. More than six decades later, Francis has enchanted a completely new generation with her timeless voice and this charming, nostalgic tune.

Alessi Rose Announces EP ‘Voyeur’ With Electrifying New Single “Same Mouth”

Eric Alper
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Alessi Rose Announces EP ‘Voyeur’ With Electrifying New Single “Same Mouth”

Today, fast-rising breakout artist Alessi Rose makes her Capitol Records  with “Same Mouth” — an electrifying new single spotlighting the self-made star’s no-filter lyrics and high-level artistry. The start of a thrilling new era for the London-based 22-year-old, “Same Mouth” is the first song released from her forthcoming EP Voyeur, out July 25th.

Hailed as one of the “15 Rising U.K. and Ireland Acts to Watch in 2025” by Billboard, Alessi has already sold out two U.K./European headline tours, amassed millions of streams across a pair of EPs and emerged as one of the most fascinating young artists on the scene today, garnering critical praise from the NME, Line of Best Fit, The Face and more. In this cover feature, Dork Magazine declared her “the voice of a new confessional pop generation.”

Produced by Josh Scarbrow (Arlo Parks) and Sam De Jong (Gracie Abrams, Lennon Stella), “Same Mouth” arrives as a glorious introduction to Voyeur’s unabashed and candidly detailed storytelling. As Alessi explains, the guitar-driven track surfaced from a moment of pure frustration with the emotional torment of no-strings-attached relationships.

Said Alessi, “‘Same Mouth’ is me confronting the hypocrisy of an ambiguous relationship but it’s also about the abandonment of self and the idea that if I’m aware of what I’m getting myself into, then maybe I’m not the victim, and maybe I’m actually in control.”

Built on her magnetic vocal work, “Same Mouth” embodies a bright and soaring sound inspired by the cinematic indie-pop of 2000s-era teen-movie soundtracks. In a brilliant contrast to the song’s carefree energy, Alessi reveals her willingness to shine a light on the darkest parts of her psyche (from the chorus: “It’s kinda masochistic/I’ll hurt myself so you fix it/Say you’re not down/But you kiss me with the same mouth”). Both sensitive and fiercely self-possessed, Alessi ultimately channels desperation, anger, and all-consuming desire with an unforgettable emotional impact.

Made with leading producers like John Hill (Cage the Elephant, Carly Rae Jepsen) and Sammy Witte (Halsey, SZA), Voyeur brings an even bolder vision and greater self-assurance to Alessi’s stream-of-consciousness brand of alt-pop — fully delivering on her recently stated intentions to be “outrageously myself.” See below for the full tracklist to Voyeur.

“In my EP Voyeur, the voyeurism is twofold, explains Alessi. The audience becomes a voyeur of my innermost thoughts and feelings through the music, but additionally I am a voyeur of myself and my own, sometimes self-sabotaging, decisions. I wanted this EP to feel like the unfiltered version of events that you tell your closest friends and I feel like the bluntness and stream of consciousness lyrics reflect that. I don’t care how I’m perceived because I trust the listener.”

Earlier this month Alessi wrapped up her first series of U.S. tour dates with the second of two sold-out shows at the Moroccan Lounge in Los Angeles. The run also included two sold-out nights at New York City’s Baby’s All Right and followed her U.K./European headline tour which sold out in less than 10 minutes, subsequently upgraded venues and immediately sold out again. Now on the road supporting pop superstar Dua Lipa in arenas and stadiums on the European/U.K. leg of her Radical Optimism tour, Alessi will soon gear up to join Tate McRae on the North American leg of the Miss Possessive tour, which launches in August.

Growing up in Derby, England, Alessi first explored her creative side by writing poetry at age 13. With her longtime inspirations including pop visionaries like Lorde and Kate Bush, she soon began writing songs and later taught herself to produce music while working as a bartender to save up for college. As she gained attention for her gritty but deeply heartfelt songwriting, Alessi made her debut in the summer of 2023 with the self-written and self-produced “say ur mine,” which amassed over 40K views in less than a week.  From there she released “hate this part” before building out a string of singles for her 2024 debut EP, rumination as ritual. Earlier this year, Alessi released her second EP,  for your validation, featuring the singles “IKYK” and “oh my,” quickly earning a global following.  Stay tuned for more new music from Alessi soon.

Tracklist for Voyeur by Alessi Rose:

SIDE A
1. Same Mouth
2. Take It or Leave It
3. Everything Anything
4. Stella

SIDE B
5. That Could Be Me
6. RIP
7. Bittersweet
8. Dumb Girl

Reneé Rapp Announces Sophomore Album ‘Bite Me’ and Releases Electrifying New Single “Leave Me Alone”

Eric Alper
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Reneé Rapp Announces Sophomore Album ‘Bite Me’ and Releases Electrifying New Single “Leave Me Alone”

oday, critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Reneé Rapp unveils brand new single “Leave Me Alone,” marking her bold entrance into a new era and simultaneously announcing long-awaited sophomore album Bite Me releasing on August 1st via Interscope Records / Universal Music Canada. 

Today’s release and announcement arrive alongside an official music video for “Leave Me Alone.” The video features Rapp alongside a slew of blonde doppelgängers as they progress from raunchy pillow-fight to all-out brawl. The highly stylized video ranges from chaotic and fun to thrilling and exciting, a fitting complement to the energy of the new song, and a perfect intro into Rapp’s new chapter.

Rapp first began teasing her new era earlier this month with the BITE.ME website reveal, urging fans to ‘sign a hundred NDA’s’ ultimately revealing a slew of hints about the yet-to-be-announced album. In the weeks following, the internet erupted with ‘Bite Me’ related clues – from Rapp’s “Bite Me” lip tattoo to posts from the likes of Paris Hilton, Charlize Theron, Monica Lewinsky, Gabby Windey, and more. A powerful statement about reclaiming your personal narrative, “Leave Me Alone” and the Bite Me era encourages listeners to embrace every facet of their personality, the chaotic and the confident, and to find strength in being authentically, unapologetically themselves.

This exciting new chapter marks Rapp’s first music release since 2023, when she collaborated with GRAMMY award-winning artist Megan Thee Stallion on hit record “Not My Fault” from the official soundtrack to Paramount’s feature film MEAN GIRLS (which also saw Rapp reprising her iconic role of Regina George). The song earned Rapp’s highest ever day one streams on Spotify to date, and saw a legendary performance between the two stars on Saturday Night Live. Earlier that same year, Rapp released her first studio album Snow Angel, earning her the largest first-week sales for a female artist’s debut album in the U.S. upon release. That fall, she embarked on the ‘Snow Hard Feelings Tour’ in support of the project, a sold-out headlining run met with massive demand, featuring four nights in New York and one in Los Angeles at the iconic Greek Theatre. Now, with her sophomore effort on the horizon Rapp is positioned to ascend to even higher levels of stardom in this next era.

Reneé Rapp is a critically acclaimed multi-hyphenate with experience in music, film and TV acting, and Broadway. In just a few short years, Rapp has solidified her position as a dynamic force across all industries, reaching widespread critical acclaim while simultaneously cultivating her rapidly growing fan-base.

After landing her breakout role as Regina George in Mean Girls on Broadway, Rapp eventually turned her attention to her solo music career in 2022. That year saw the release of her debut EP, Everything to Everyone, which featured standout tracks “Too Well,” and “In The Kitchen.” Following the momentum of Everything to Everyone, Rapp channeled her raw talent and authentic voice into the creation of her first full-length studio album Snow Angel in 2023. The project, which earned the largest first-week sales for a female artist’s debut album in the U.S. upon release that year, showcased her powerful vocals, introspective songwriting, and ability to connect with her fans on a deeply emotional level. Snow Angel marked a significant step in Rapp’s musical journey, cementing her status as one of the most compelling and dynamic new artists in the pop landscape, now amassing over 1.4 billion streams and counting across her entire discography.

Across her career, Rapp has played to packed crowds at iconic festivals across the globe, including Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, Lollapalooza, Governors Ball, Boston Calling, and many more. She’s been nominated for two MTV VMA Awards, in the categories of ‘Best New Artist’ and ‘PUSH Performance of the Year,’ and held performance spots on a number of coveted television programs including Saturday Night Live, The Today Show’s Summer Concert Series, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and more. This consistent presence on major stages and recognition from tastemakers across industries firmly establishes Reneé Rapp as a burgeoning powerhouse and a vital new voice shaping the future of pop culture.

Dead & Company Announce Three-Night Golden Gate Park Run with Billy Strings, Sturgill Simpson, and Trey Anastasio Band

Eric Alper
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Dead & Company Announce Three-Night Golden Gate Park Run with Billy Strings, Sturgill Simpson, and Trey Anastasio Band

Dead & Company is set to return to San Francisco for three headline shows on the Polo Field in the iconic Golden Gate Park in celebration of the Grateful Dead’s music. Fans can look forward to an incredible series of performances, featuring unique sets by Dead & Company each night.  3-day tickets go on sale beginning Friday, May 30 at 10 AM PT. Single-day ticket information will be announced soon.

Each night will begin with up to 75-minute special guest sets from Billy Strings on Friday, August 1, Sturgill “Johnny Blue Skies” Simpson on Saturday, August 2, and Trey Anastasio Band on Sunday, August 3.

The concerts are being presented by Another Planet Entertainment and co-produced with Live Nation, in partnership with the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department.

Fans are encouraged to sign up now for the artist presale HERE to secure 3-day tickets. The presale for 3-day tickets begins Wednesday, May 28 at 10 AM PT. Advance registration does not guarantee tickets, and supplies are limited.

The general on-sale for 3-day tickets begins Friday, May 30 at 10 AM PT with 3-day tickets starting at $635 ($556 + $79 fees), offering better value than individual single-day tickets for all three shows. Single-day tickets will be available soon, starting at $245 ($209 + $36 fees).

A limited quantity of special $60 tickets will be available by lottery for California firefighters beginning Wednesday, June 4 at 10 AM PT.

Dead & Company has joined forces with Another Planet Entertainment to offer VIP tickets and 100x Hospitality to present a suite of premium fan experiences, including Exclusive Golden Road Super VIP Packages and Travel Packages.

VIP tickets include access to exclusive lounges, upgraded restrooms, expedited entry and an up-front viewing area on the Polo Field with dedicated bar access. Enjoy courtyard and elevated viewing lounge options featuring exclusive food vendors, full-service bars, upgraded restrooms, and bleacher seating.

Golden Road Super VIP Packages include all VIP ticket amenities with added benefits like first venue entry, priority access to the upfront viewing area plus an exclusive section closest to the stage. Guests will also enjoy the Golden Road Sky Viewing Deck & Lounge which will feature complimentary dining, a full-service open bar, a private merchandise store, premium restrooms, a dedicated concierge and on-site host, and a special merchandise gift.

Travel Packages include 3-day concert tickets along with hotel accommodations, roundtrip venue transportation and exclusive merchandise.  For more information visit: https://deadandcompany.100xhospitality.com.

HeadCount and REVERB will host Participation Row, Dead & Company’s fan-powered social action village, at Golden Gate Park. Participation Row will feature a curated lineup of nonprofit organizations and a charity auction of band-signed memorabilia. Since its launch in 2015, Dead & Company’s Participation Row has inspired more than 250,000 on-site actions, from voter registrations to climate pledges, and has raised over $10 million for social and environmental causes.

Dead & Company was founded in 2015 by Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, John Mayer and Bobby Weir. The band also features Jeff Chimenti, Oteil Burbridge and Jay Lane. The band last performed in San Francisco in July 2023 with three sold-out concerts at Oracle Park, the home of the San Francisco Giants baseball team. Those shows drew an audience of over 118,000 fans across three nights, bringing thousands of visitors to the Bay Area, and making a tremendous impact on the local economy. According to Destinations International’s Event Impact Calculator, the Total Estimated Direct Spend for that weekend was $21M, and the Total Estimated Economic Impact was $30.9M.

Thompson Square Release Emotional New Single “You Were There” and Announce CMA Fest and Solo Shows

Eric Alper
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Thompson Square Release Emotional New Single “You Were There” and Announce CMA Fest and Solo Shows

Award-winning country music duo Thompson Square release their new single, “You Were There”. Keifer Thompson delivers the powerful lead before wife Shawna joins him to reveal their unmistakable harmonies. The lyrics of this beautiful song, written by Josh Osborne, JT Harding and Ryan Tyndell, reveal to the listener that when it comes to real love the details don’t matter. It’s not about the memories, it’s about who you make them with.

“‘You Were There’ was a must-record for us,” said Shawna. “From the first listen, it drew us both in and we knew it had to be a single. It’s the same feeling we had when we recorded ‘Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not’ and ‘If I Didn’t Have You.’ For the first 10 listens of the demo, I cried. And when music moves you that way you need to pay attention.”

“We have recently reclaimed our independence as artists, and it is so refreshing to be able to get back to doing what we do best,” added Keifer. “We want to make music that means something to us not just based on what’s ‘in’ at the time. I believe music is more important than that. An artist should be true to who they are, always. We believe that ‘You Were There’ represents the best of Thompson Square and we can’t wait for everyone to hear it.”

Thompson Square is currently touring the country on their “Root’s Tour” and are scheduled to perform at CMA Fest in Nashville on Sunday, June 6, 2025 at the Chevy Vibes Stage at 1pm. Shawna will be performing a solo concert highlighting music from her critically-acclaimed Lean On Neon album at East Side Bowl in Nashville on June 10.

& Juliet Sets Toronto Return for December 2025 at Royal Alexandra Theatre

Eric Alper
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& Juliet Sets Toronto Return for December 2025 at Royal Alexandra Theatre

David and Hannah Mirvish announced today that tickets for the highly anticipated new Canadian production of the internationally acclaimed, hit musical comedy & Juliet will go on sale to the public at 10AM on Monday June 2, 2025.

Performances will begin December 3, 2025 at the historic Royal Alexandra Theatre.  Tickets will be on sale for performances through March 22, 2026.

Tickets will be available online at mirvish.com or by phone at 1-800-461-3333.

The cast of the new production will be announced at a later date.

With a book by Toronto’s own David West Read, the Emmy Award-winning writer from Schitt’s Creek, and music from legendary five-time Grammy Award-winning songwriter/producer Max Martin, & Juliet uses some of the most beloved pop songs of the last three decades to tell a multi-generational story of self-discovery, empowerment and love.

& Juliet flips the script on the greatest love story ever told, imagining what would happen next if Juliet hadn’t ended it all over Romeo, and got a second chance at life and love – on her terms. Juliet’s new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name, including “Since U Been Gone,” “Roar,” “I Want It That Way,” “Confident,” and more.

The production’s full creative team includes: Luke Sheppard (Direction), Jennifer Weber (Choreography), Bill Sherman (Musical Supervision, Orchestrations and Arrangements), Soutra Gilmour (Scenic Design), Paloma Young (Costume Design), Howard Hudson (Lighting Design), Gareth Owen (Sound Design), Andrzej Goulding  (Video & Projection Design),  J. Jared Janas (Hair, Wig & Makeup Design), and Dominic Fallacaro (Co-Orchestrations and Arrangements) and casting by Stephanie Gorin, CSA, CDC.

& Juliet premiered at the Manchester Opera House in September 2019, before transferring to the West End in November 2019. At the 2020 Laurence Olivier Awards, & Juliet received 9 nominations and won 3 awards. Following a pre-Broadway summer run in 2022 in Toronto, & Juliet opened at New York’s Stephen Sondheim Theatre in November 2022, where it continues to play to sold-out crowds and break box office records.

By Spring 2025, & Juliet will have played in nine countries and on four continents since its West End Premiere in 2019. The first North American tour of the musical kicked off its route last fall and will continue its run of more than 30 US cities this year, joined by the UK Tour (which began in July 2024), and a German production (October 2024).

The Original Broadway Cast Recording of & Juliet was released in October 2022 on Atlantic Records and is available wherever streaming music is played.

& Juliet is produced on Broadway by Max Martin, Tim Headington, Theresa Steele Page, Jenny Petersson, Martin Dodd and Eva Price.

 

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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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