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Josh Groban Returns Down Under ‘For Gems’ World Tour In 2026

Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 28, 2025

Josh Groban Returns Down Under ‘For Gems’ World Tour In 2026

Music fans across Australia and New Zealand have fantastic news today: Josh Groban is making his highly anticipated return to the region! MG Live, Arena Touring, and Frontier Touring are delighted to announce the ‘Gems World Tour’ will hit stages across both countries in February and March 2026, marking his first concert run in this part of the world in an entire decade.

Groban, known globally as one of the most outstanding and instantly recognizable voices in music, brings with him an unmatched catalogue of incredible songs. He was last in Australia for his 2016 ‘Stages World Tour’ and visited New Zealand as part of the 2013 ‘All That Echoes World Tour’. His return is met with unanimous excitement and serves as a major highlight on the 2026 concert calendar, promising intimate performances filled with powerful, emotive vocal delivery.

The tour kicks off in New Zealand, starting at Auckland’s Spark Arena on February 25th. Groban then makes his way back to Australia for a comprehensive run of shows across the mainland. The Australian leg begins at the ICC Sydney Theatre on February 28th, followed by a beautiful performance at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on March 1st. He then travels north for a show at the QPAC Concert Hall in Brisbane on March 4th.

The journey continues to Thebarton Theatre in Adelaide on March 7th. The entire run concludes with a final show at Perth’s Riverside Theatre on March 9th. Presales for these highly sought-after performances started yesterday, Thursday, November 27th at 1 pm local time, ahead of the general sale which is set to begin on Monday, December 1st at 2 pm local time. This is truly a special opportunity to witness one of the world’s great vocalists live.

Josh Groban 2026 Gems Australia & New Zealand World Tour

Feb 25 – Auckland, NZ @ Spark Arena
Feb 28 – Sydney, NSW @ ICC Sydney Theatre
Mar 1 – Melbourne, VIC @ Sidney Myer Music Bowl
Mar 4 – Brisbane, QLD @ QPAC
Mar 7 – Adelaide, SA @ Thebarton Theatre
Mar 9 – Perth, WA @ Riverside Theatre

Halestorm And Paul Rodgers Reimagine Bad Company’s “Shooting Star”

Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 28, 2025

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Halestorm And Paul Rodgers Reimagine Bad Company’s “Shooting Star”

Hard rock powerhouse Halestorm has delivered an absolute gem, releasing the video for their powerful take on the Bad Company standard, “Shooting Star.” This highly anticipated cover is a featured track on the new compilation, ‘Can’t Get Enough: A Tribute to Bad Company’, which is available now from Primary Wave Music. What makes this recording truly special is the inclusion of the song’s original writer, Paul Rodgers, a 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee.

The legendary rocker did not just give his blessing to the cover; he actively participated in the performance. Rodgers joined Lzzy Hale on background vocals while also lending his distinctive electric and acoustic guitar skills to the track, making this an intergenerational performance to remember. Lzzy Hale absolutely commands the spotlight with her incredible vocals, showing deep reverence for the source material. She spoke about the profound influence Rodgers had on the band’s sound, noting, “Rock n’ Roll with a soul wouldn’t exist without Paul Rodgers. We grew up on the songs and sounds he gifted to the world, and we are honored to be on this record paying tribute to one of the greatest singers of all time.”

This new tribute album is a magnificent celebration of Bad Company, the iconic band founded by Mick Ralphs and Paul Rodgers in 1973. The project drew contributions from a stunning range of musicians, mixing contemporary stars with classic icons across rock, country, and Americana—genres where Bad Company’s influence runs deep. The sheer talent on the compilation is undeniable, featuring fresh interpretations from artists like Hardy, The Pretty Reckless, Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott and Phil Collen, and a massive track from Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators.

Metal Hall Of Fame Announces Legendary Class Of 2026 Inductees

Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 28, 2025

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Metal Hall Of Fame Announces Legendary Class Of 2026 Inductees

The Metal Hall Of Fame has officially announced its monumental Class of 2026 inductees, set to be celebrated at a special event at the legendary Roxy Theater in Hollywood, California on January 21, 2026. This is a massive night for 80s metal history, hosted by the dynamic duo of Eddie Trunk and entertainment personality Cathy Rankin.

The list of honorees reads like an all-star roster of rock royalty: Tracii Guns, the co-founder of Guns N’ Roses and L.A. Guns, the one and only Chris Holmes, the guitar wizard Warren DeMartini from RATT, the voice of a generation Riki Rachtman from MTV’s Headbangers Ball, and Poison’s Rikki Rockett. Chris Holmes will even be inducted by Carlos Cavazo, adding another layer of rock star greatness.

The entire celebration begins with a celebrity red carpet at the iconic Rainbow Bar And Grill before the action moves to the Roxy for the main ceremony, which culminates in a historic all-star jam session that closes out the legendary night of metal greatness.

Pop Queen Robyn Is Back: Spotify and Acne Studios Host Triumphant LA Show

Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 28, 2025

0

Pop Queen Robyn Is Back: Spotify and Acne Studios Host Triumphant LA Show

The long-awaited return of pop queen Robyn to the stage finally happened this week, and it was a magnificent event. Spotify and Acne Studios collaborated to bring friends and top fans together for an unforgettable evening at the legendary Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, marking a true celebration of one of music’s most influential artists.

The spectacular night began with high-energy sets from Isabella Lovestory and BROWNSKINHAZEL, perfectly setting the stage for the headliner. Robyn then delivered a high-octane show, thrilling the audience with fan favorites that included the powerful anthems “Missing You” and the universally beloved “Dancing on My Own.” The highlight of the evening for many listeners was the live debut of her exciting new single, “Dopamine,” a moment that cemented her triumphant return to the live performance circuit. The enthusiastic crowd included a number of notable guests, such as Anya Taylor-Joy, Adela, Steve Lacy, Becky and the Birds, Sky Ferreira, Empress Of, Griff, Lykke Li, and Magdalena Bay.

In fantastic news for her global fanbase, this entire one-night-only performance will be released exclusively on Spotify in early 2026. This special release will give listeners around the world a chance to relive the incredible energy and atmosphere of the Swedish pop icon’s return to the stage. To mark this special occasion, Robyn, Spotify, and Acne Studios also teamed up for an exclusive merchandise drop. This limited-edition shirt features lyrics from the new single “Dopamine,” and it is now available online via Acne Studios and in select stores in both New York City and Los Angeles.

This event marks the next chapter in the successful ongoing partnership between Spotify and Acne Studios, a collaboration dedicated to amplifying artistic expression and bringing artists and fans together through codesigned merchandise, immersive live events, and exclusive content. The collaboration began earlier this year with an intimate WILLOW performance and merch drop in London. These brands will keep bringing more unforgettable experiences to music and fashion lovers everywhere, and this Robyn show proves the partnership is capable of creating truly special, high-impact musical moments.

The Black Standard: Why AC/DC’s ‘Back In Black’ is the Ultimate Acoustic Test

Eric Alper

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Nov 28, 2025

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The Black Standard: Why AC/DC’s ‘Back In Black’ is the Ultimate Acoustic Test

You walk into a world-class recording studio. The walls are sound-treated, the console gleams, and the speakers are top-of-the-line. You’re about to record the next masterpiece, but first, the sound engineer must perform a critical ritual: the acoustic room test.

And what rock ‘n’ roll masterpiece do they drop to calibrate these million-dollar rooms? A gentle jazz piece? A complex orchestral work?

Nope. They crank AC/DC’s ‘Back In Black.’

That’s right. The riff-heavy, sweat-soaked anthem of hard rock is, ironically, the gold standard benchmark for acoustic perfection in studios and audiophile circles worldwide. But why?

The Flawless Mix

The album’s sound quality—specifically the title track, but the entire album applies—is considered flawless. It’s a testament to the masterful work of legendary producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange and engineer Tony Platt.

Here’s why this 1980 rock classic is the sonic equivalent of a perfectly cut diamond:

1. The Drum Sound: Clarity and Punch

Phil Rudd’s drums are perhaps the biggest testament to the mix’s brilliance.

It’s Huge, But Contained: The kick drum has an enormous, visceral thump that never sounds boomy or muddy. When you play ‘Back in Black’ in a well-treated room, you should feel the kick drum hit you in the chest, but the quick attack of the beater must remain sharp.
The Snare Snap: The snare drum is perfectly balanced. It has a satisfying, crisp crack without sounding overly processed. If your room is struggling with unwanted reflections (flutter echo), the snare will sound smeared or weak.

2. Angus’s Guitar Tone: A Lesson in Space

Angus Young’s iconic guitar tone on this track is one of the most famous sounds in history.

The Midrange Test: The tone is driven primarily by the crucial midrange frequencies. If your speakers or room have an unnatural bump or dip in the mids, Angus’s riff will sound either nasal and harsh or thin and lifeless. A perfect room reproduces the glorious crunch just right.
Definition: Despite the distortion, every note remains distinct. If the mix sounds like a wall of undifferentiated noise, your acoustics are blurring the crucial detail.

3. The Bass/Guitar Harmony: Low-End Lock

Cliff Williams’s bass guitar is perfectly interwoven with Malcolm Young’s rhythm guitar. They lock into a deep, powerful groove.

The 100 Hz Test: The low-end energy is powerful, but extremely tight. A poorly tuned room will excite the low frequencies too much, making the whole mix sound muddy and boomy. In a perfect room, the bass is felt, not just heard, and it never overwhelms the guitars. The clarity here is paramount.

4. The Vocal Presence: Front and Center

Brian Johnson’s unmistakable rasp is mixed to be perfectly present and upfront.

Immunity to Reverb: The vocals are relatively dry (meaning minimal added reverb). This puts them right in the listener’s face. If your room is adding its own unwanted reflections, Johnson’s voice will sound diffuse or slightly disconnected from the instruments—it breaks the “illusion” of him standing right there.

The Verdict: A Masterpiece of Dynamics and Discipline

The genius of the ‘Back in Black’ mix is its simplicity and dynamic restraint. There are only a handful of instruments, yet the sound is massive. Mutt Lange and Tony Platt mastered the art of giving every element its own pocket of space, creating a huge sonic picture that never sacrifices clarity.

So, the next time you drop the needle on ‘Back in Black,’ remember you’re not just listening to rock history. You’re listening to an acoustic ruler—a legendary mix that demands the absolute best from any sound system, making it the one song that lets a studio know:

“You’ve passed the test. You are truly… back in black!”

30 Of The Best Christmas Songs You Still Hear While Shopping

Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 28, 2025

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30 Of The Best Christmas Songs You Still Hear While Shopping

Some Christmas songs feel like background noise. These ones feel like coming home. They are the songs you hear in grocery store aisles and crowded malls, in family kitchens and quiet car rides, and somehow they make everything softer, brighter, a little more magical. They remind us of first snows and last trains, of people we miss and people we love. From giddy party anthems to slow, reflective ballads, these tracks have become part of how we mark the season, year after year.

“All I Want for Christmas Is You” – Mariah Carey
Instant joy in song form, this one feels like running through fresh snow to hug someone at the door.

“Blue Christmas” – Elvis Presley
For anyone who has ever spent a holiday missing someone, this is the sound of lonely lights on a quiet street.

“Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” – Darlene Love
Bursting with emotion, it feels like a last, hopeful plea shouted into a winter night.

“Christmas in Hollis” – Run D.M.C.
Fun, funny, and full of personality, this is Christmas on the city sidewalk, warm and loud and alive.

“Christmas Time Is Here” – JJ Heller
Soft and hushed, like a late night by the tree when the world finally slows down.

“Christmas Wrapping” – The Waitresses
A whole holiday rom com in one song, full of missed connections, chaos, and a perfect happy ending.

“Do They Know It’s Christmas?” – Band Aid
A reminder that the season is also about looking outward, sending care far beyond our own homes.

“Fairytale of New York” – Kirsty MacColl & The Pogues
Messy, tender, and human, it captures Christmas the way it really feels for a lot of people.

“Feliz Navidad” – Jose Feliciano
Pure celebration, the musical equivalent of a crowded living room, good food, and everyone singing along.

“Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” – John Lennon & Yoko Ono
Gentle and hopeful, like a wish whispered over a candle that the new year will be kinder.

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – Frank Sinatra
A bittersweet toast to hanging on and making the best of where you are, with whoever you have.

“It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” – Michael Buble
Like walking through a decorated downtown, spotting wreaths, toy stores, and that first sparkle of the season.

“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” – Andy Williams
Big, bright, and overflowing with cheer, this is the soundtrack to wrapping presents and baking cookies.

“Jingle Bell Rock” – Bobby Helms
Playful and bouncy, it feels like dancing around the living room in socks while the tree lights blink.

“Last Christmas” – Wham!
Snowy heartbreak, all glitter and tears, perfect for late night drives and reflective walks.

“Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” – Dean Martin
Cozy and romantic, like staying in with someone you love while the world outside disappears in white.

“Little Saint Nick” – The Beach Boys
Sunshine on a winter day, this is Christmas with surfboards, smiles, and jingling sleigh bells.

“Merry Christmas Baby” – Otis Redding
Slow, warm, and soulful, it feels like dim lights, a crackling record, and a glass raised in gratitude.

“Mistletoe” – Justin Bieber
The sound of young love at Christmas, all shy smiles, twinkling lights, and shared scarves.

“O Little Town Of Bethlehem” – John Dawson
A gentle, heartfelt take on a beloved carol, Dawson’s version feels calm and candlelit. His warm delivery turns the song into a quiet moment of reflection amid the holiday rush.

“Please Come Home for Christmas” – Eagles
A quiet, aching wish for one person to walk back through the door and make everything feel right again.

“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” – Brenda Lee
The ultimate house party song, it practically begs you to grab a cookie and join the dance.

“Run Rudolph Run” – Chuck Berry
Fast, fun, and wild, this is Christmas from the point of view of the reindeer out front.

“Santa Baby” – Eartha Kitt
Flirty and sly, this one turns the tree into a spotlight and the holiday into a playful performance.

“Santa Tell Me” – Ariana Grande
A modern holiday crush anthem, wondering if love will last longer than the tinsel.

“Silent Night” – Nat King Cole
Still and reverent, the kind of song that makes you lower your voice and just listen.

“Sleigh Ride” – The Ronettes
Like a snow globe come to life, full of jingles, laughter, and shared excitement.

“Step Into Christmas” – Elton John
An open invitation to jump headfirst into the season, from the first ornament to the last sparkler.

“Underneath the Tree” – Kelly Clarkson
Big, joyful, and glowing, it captures that feeling that the best gift is the person standing beside you.

“White Christmas” – Bing Crosby
Soft and dreamlike, this is the forever soundtrack of snowy mornings and childhood memories.

“Wonderful Christmastime” – Paul McCartney
Simple, looping, and happy, like a neighborhood gathering where everyone is a little silly and very content.

Pavey Ark’s New Album ‘More Time, More Speed’ Delivers Cinematic Folk

Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 28, 2025

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Pavey Ark’s New Album ‘More Time, More Speed’ Delivers Cinematic Folk

Hull’s cinematic indie-folk ensemble Pavey Ark have officially released their long-awaited second album, ‘More Time, More Speed’, this Friday. The record arrives as a beautifully crafted and deeply evocative meditation on time, change, and the momentum of modern life. Expansive yet wonderfully intimate, the album finds the band refining their distinctive orchestral-folk sound into what becomes their most ambitious and immersive work to date.

The entire record is built around the atmospheric vocals and intricate, finger-picked guitar work of songwriter Neil Thomas. ‘More Time, More Speed’ unfolds elegantly with sweeping strings, melodic horns, rich bass lines, and precise, intricate percussion. This arrangement creates a warm, cinematic sound world that feels both utterly timeless and entirely contemporary. From the euphoric, apocalyptic surge of the recent single “Epoch” to the slow-thaw optimism found in “The Go Slow” and the stirring, lifting release of “Yesterday Is Done,” the album masterfully captures the elastic and elusive nature of time itself—stretching, looping, vanishing, and returning with new meaning.

This new project was recorded almost entirely by the band in a converted farm building just outside Hull, and it beautifully carries the quiet atmosphere of its surroundings. The music is imbued with the sounds of shifting seasons, distant machinery, and the rhythm of working land. The result is an album that truly feels lived-in and deeply human. While the strings were recorded both on the farm and at a Sheffield studio under the direction of Adrian McNally, who also co-produced and mixed three tracks, the remaining songs were mixed in Los Angeles by Paul Butler. Butler’s analog approach adds a noticeable warmth, glow, and dimension to the band’s already intricate arrangements, elevating the listening experience.

The release of ‘More Time, More Speed’ follows several milestone years for Pavey Ark. The band is highly regarded for their mesmerising live shows, performing at major events including SXSW Texas 2025, Glastonbury (Acoustic Stage, 2022), and Cambridge Folk Festival (2023, closing Stage 3). They have also provided support for esteemed acts such as This Is The Kit, Badly Drawn Boy, Willy Mason, Billie Marten, Wild Beasts, and Steve Mason. Their debut album, ‘Close Your Eyes and Think of Nothing’, earned widespread praise from UNCUT, Folk Radio, and BBC 6 Music, with several reviewers hailing it as “beautiful,” “sublime,” and even “a modern classic.”

If the debut introduced an ensemble of quiet ambition, ‘More Time, More Speed’ clearly reveals a band in full bloom. The songs twist and broaden with unexpected musical turns, guided by Thomas’s introspective, subtly piercing lyrical voice and the rich orchestrations provided by violinist and arranger Chris Heron. Themes of love, loss, renewal, obsession, and the weight, or gift, of time recur throughout the album, forming a loose narrative of reflection and release. Pavey Ark’s sophisticated ability to pair delicate songwriting with such a cinematic scope places them firmly in the lineage of artists like Andrew Bird, Laura Marling, and Fleet Foxes, all while remaining unmistakably and uniquely their own creation. With its warmth, patience, and high ambition, ‘More Time, More Speed’ is an album made for listeners who want to sink in deeply—a record that rewards the investment of time.

Live Dates

Sun 30th November – Hull (Wrecking Ball)
Mon 8th December – London, Tufnell Park (Aces & Eights)
Fri 30th January – Sheffield (Cafe No9)

Bublé’s Back, Baby: Six Dates of Pure Magic Hit the UK and Ireland

Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 28, 2025

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Bublé’s Back, Baby: Six Dates of Pure Magic Hit the UK and Ireland

Michael Bublé, is making a truly spectacular return! The international superstar has just announced a run of six massive outdoor concerts across the UK and Ireland for June and July 2026.

This artist is quite simply one of the top touring artists in the world for a reason, blending his incredible vocal talent with truly spectacular concert production and that easy, genuine showmanship that has won over fans globally. He knows how to connect with an audience, taking everyone on an unforgettable journey through the great American songbook, his own pop hits, and everything in between. Imagine those classic songs, the big-band sound, all delivered live under the open summer sky—it’s pure magic and a highlight of the entire 2026 concert season.

The journey kicks off in Ireland, starting at Dublin’s historic Malahide Castle on Saturday, June 27th, and then heading straight to Thomond Park Stadium in Limerick on Sunday, June 28th. Fans in Northern Ireland get their turn next, as the tour rolls into Belfast for Belsonic on Wednesday, July 1st. After these massive Irish dates, Bublé will head across the water for a remarkably exclusive run of only three mainland UK performances, making these shows incredibly special and a must-see event.

Michael Bublé 2026 UK/Ireland Tour Dates

June 27 – Dublin, IE @ Malahide Castle
June 28 – Limerick, IE @ Thomond Park Stadium
July 1 – Belfast, IE @ Belsonic
July 3 – Lancashire, UK @ TK Maxx presents Lytham Festival
July 4 – Oxfordshire, UK @ Blenheim Palace Festival
July 6 – Scarborough, UK @ TK Maxx presents Scarborough Open Air Theatre

Last Relapse Is Back To Finish Unfinished Business With Their New Self Titled EP

Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 28, 2025

0

Last Relapse Is Back To Finish Unfinished Business With Their New Self Titled EP

Atlanta’s indie rock heroes Last Relapse have sensationally reopened a chapter many assumed was closed forever, releasing their incredible self titled EP. This project arrives over a decade later not as a dusty archival collection, but as pure, vital, unfinished business, reshaped by years of real life and distance. During their initial 2006 to 2012 run, the band was known for balancing raw confession with expansive guitar work, cultivating a dedicated regional audience through immersive, unpredictable live shows. Frontman David Holding articulated the project’s powerful gravity: “We kept the takes that felt alive, leaning into feel over perfection because that’s how our band breathes. Some of these unfinished songs lived on hard drives for more than a decade, and finishing them felt like letting a few ghosts go.”

That palpable urgency runs throughout the EP, which carries the emotional DNA of their earlier work but unfolds with a new clarity and restraint. The production wisely favors atmosphere over gloss, allowing those minor imperfections to remain as evidence of breath and memory. While the sound echoes the theatrical introspection of Circa Survive and the melodic melancholy of The Format, the blend of Atlanta’s bruised urgency and Tampa’s softer, salt stung haze makes the result uniquely Last Relapse. Their return is a continuation long delayed but never abandoned, and their self titled EP proves the connection never left, making this a living, breathing continuation of a story that never truly ended.

GMO SONIC Returns To Japan With Swedish House Mafia Marshmello And A Stellar Lineup

Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 28, 2025

0

GMO SONIC Returns To Japan With Swedish House Mafia Marshmello And A Stellar Lineup

GMO SONIC is gearing up for its biggest edition yet as it returns to Makuhari Messe on January 17 and 18, bringing together some of the most influential names in electronic music. Travelers heading to Japan in January will find the festival perfectly timed, offering two days of high energy performances and world class visuals. Day one sets the tone with Marshmello, Afrojack, Steve Aoki, Atarashii Gakkou no Leaders, and GloRilla, blending house, hip hop, and Japanese creative performance art. The incredible momentum continues on day two as Swedish House Mafia headlines with their signature anthemic sound, joined by Meduza³, Tiësto as a special guest, and Dom Dolla.

GMO SONIC has earned a reputation for its ambitious production, aiming to elevate the experience once again with multiple stages transformed by immersive LED displays and crisp sound design. Alongside its international presence, the festival proudly celebrates Japanese creativity, with Atarashii Gakkou no Leaders bringing their unconventional style to the mix. This blend of global and local culture makes GMO SONIC a unique snapshot of Japan’s music scene. Co produced by GMO Internet Group and Creativeman Productions, the festival quickly gained attention since its 2020 launch, previously welcoming huge names like Skrillex and Zedd. GMO SONIC 2026 is set to deliver one of the most memorable weekends of the year for electronic music fans. Attendees can purchase tickets now here.