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Little Simz To Headline Cross The Tracks 2026 With KOKOROKO, Obongjayar, Lady Wray And More

Eric Alper
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Little Simz To Headline Cross The Tracks 2026 With KOKOROKO, Obongjayar, Lady Wray And More

Little Simz has been announced as the headliner for Cross The Tracks 2026, set to take place Sunday, May 24, 2026, at Brockwell Park, London. Returning for its seventh year, the festival has revealed the first wave of its stellar lineup, featuring KOKOROKO, Obongjayar, Lady Wray, Brooke Combe, Bricknasty, and more, with additional acts to be announced.

Following a Mercury Prize-winning career and a triumphant UK arena tour, Little Simz’s headline set will mark her debut appearance at Cross The Tracks — and one of her biggest festival moments to date. The event’s reputation for blending jazz, funk, soul, and contemporary sounds makes it the perfect stage for Simz’s boundary-pushing artistry.

Known for its commitment to inclusivity, community, and diversity, Cross The Tracks continues to shine as one of the UK’s most beloved festivals. Its gender-balanced lineup and dedication to showcasing both homegrown and international talent have made it a cornerstone of London’s summer music calendar.

The 2025 edition featured unforgettable performances from Michael Kiwanuka, Ezra Collective, Jordan Rakei, and Free Nationals. With Little Simz leading the 2026 bill and an exciting lineup already confirmed, Cross The Tracks looks set to raise the bar once again for soulful, forward-thinking live music experiences.

Confirmed Lineup To Date:
Little Simz
KOKOROKO
Obongjayar
Lady Wray
Brooke Combe
Bricknasty
Bel Cobain
Sholto
The Womack Sisters
Channel One
Reek0
Sonnyjim & Goya Gumbani w/ Franky Bones Ensemble
2fox (live)
ZENA

Electric Temple Unleash Classic Metal Power With New Single ‘Am I Damned?’

Eric Alper
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Electric Temple Unleash Classic Metal Power With New Single ‘Am I Damned?’

U.S.-based rock band Electric Temple have dropped their electrifying new single and video, “Am I Damned?”, just in time for Halloween. Combining classic hard rock ferocity with a modern edge, the track firmly plants the group among the next wave of power-driven metal acts. From the opening riff, the song channels raw energy and haunting atmosphere, pulling listeners into a dark journey through the human condition.

Featuring an all-star lineup of rock veterans, Andrew Freeman (Last in Line, Lynch Mob, Offspring) leads with powerhouse vocals alongside Mike Duda (W.A.S.P.) on bass, Matt Starr (Ace Frehley, Mr. Big, KIX) on drums, and guitarist-songwriter-producer Tony Childs (Shanghai). Together, they forge a sound steeped in the legacy of classic metal while injecting new life into the genre.

“Am I Damned?” pays homage to icons like Dio, AC/DC, and Ozzy Osbourne, with an unmistakable modern polish courtesy of mix engineer Chris Collier (Korn, Whitesnake, Mick Mars). The result is a thunderous track that balances nostalgia with innovation — a perfect storm of blazing guitars, tight rhythm, and melodic grit.

With this release, Electric Temple deliver a statement of intent: hard rock is alive, loud, and ready to reignite. “Am I Damned?” doesn’t just nod to metal’s golden era — it kicks down the door with the conviction of a band built for the stage and destined for the spotlight.

Wale And Odeal Ignite Global Connection With Soulful New Single “City On Fire”

Eric Alper
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Wale And Odeal Ignite Global Connection With Soulful New Single “City On Fire”

Multi-platinum D.C. rapper Wale has set the world ablaze with his powerful new single “City on Fire,” featuring British-Nigerian R&B artist Odeal. Out now via Def Jam Recordings, the song serves as the final preview of Wale’s upcoming album everything is a lot. arriving November 14 and you can pre-save it here. The track fuses Wale’s introspective storytelling with Odeal’s soulful vocals, bridging American and Nigerian artistry in a deeply emotional reflection on love, loss, and vulnerability.

Produced by P2J (Beyoncé, WizKid, Doja Cat) and Cole YoursTruly (Blxst, Odeal, FLO), “City on Fire” balances lush Afrobeats rhythms with R&B smoothness and hip-hop grit. Wale’s lyrical honesty takes center stage as he intertwines his trademark poetic flow with Nigerian Pidgin phrases like “wahalla,” capturing a universal sense of emotional chaos. The collaboration follows Wale’s “Mirrorronnabenz” with BNYX, both signaling a more open, reflective era ahead of EIA.

Earlier this month, Wale surprised fans at Odeal’s sold-out D.C. show at the 930 Club, joining him onstage to perform “Lotus Flower Bomb” before debuting “City on Fire” live at the afterparty. The moment celebrated both artists’ shared roots and marked a symbolic passing of creative energy between continents.

To mark the release of everything is a lot., Wale will headline a special one-night-only homecoming concert at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. on November 14. As Wale continues to redefine what global hip-hop sounds like, “City on Fire” stands as a glowing bridge between his heritage and his future — a love letter to authenticity, evolution, and the power of connection.

The Human Tragedy Unleash Orchestral Metal Masterpiece ‘Upon Waves, The Inferno’

Eric Alper
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The Human Tragedy Unleash Orchestral Metal Masterpiece ‘Upon Waves, The Inferno’

Lexington’s own The Human Tragedy have unleashed their most ambitious work to date with the release of Upon Waves, The Inferno, out now on all streaming platforms. The orchestral metal visionaries combine cinematic grandeur with extreme heaviness, crafting an album that blurs the line between classical composition and pure metal fury. The record arrives on the heels of their haunting single “Desecrated Grounds,” whose video introduced fans to the album’s powerful emotional depth and visual storytelling.

Across twelve sweeping tracks, Upon Waves, The Inferno explores themes of isolation, loss, and the fragile thread that connects humanity. The band has described the project as a confrontation with darkness rather than an escape from it. “We don’t want to glorify violence,” they explain. “We want to confront the reality that too many turn away from. Compassion, conversation, and presence in each other’s lives can be the difference between hope and tragedy.” The result is an experience that’s as emotionally raw as it is musically ambitious.

Musically, the album is a tour de force of orchestral metal. Crushing riffs and blast beats collide with lush string arrangements and atmospheric keys courtesy of Jonathan Barnett, while Frank Tallman and Tim Hensley’s guitars cut through the mix with precision and power. Johnny Martin’s growling vocals and Sam Brashear’s thunderous drumming give the project its rhythmic heart, tying together the grandiose orchestrations and metallic intensity. Tracks like “Desecrated Grounds” showcase the band’s ability to move seamlessly from moments of reflective beauty to apocalyptic power.

Cinematic to its core, Upon Waves, The Inferno is a masterclass in scale and emotion. With its blend of symphonic texture and metal ferocity, it cements The Human Tragedy as one of the genre’s most exciting and forward-thinking acts. For fans of Dimmu Borgir, Fleshgod Apocalypse, and Old Man’s Child, this is a must-hear release — one that proves even in the darkest depths, art can rise, rage, and resonate.

Soul Meets Psychedelia As Bill McClintock Mashes Peter Gabriel and Peter Gabriel With Sly & The Family Stone

Eric Alper
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Soul Meets Psychedelia As Bill McClintock Mashes Peter Gabriel and Peter Gabriel With Sly & The Family Stone

Video editor Bill McClintock returns with another masterful mashup, blending Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” with Sly and the Family Stone’s funk classic “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin).” The mix grooves deeper with elements of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” and Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2,” creating a soulful, genre-bending jam that bridges rock, funk, and pure imagination.



Atlanta Death Metal Band Starved Of Light Unleashes New Single “We All Must Go”

Eric Alper
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Atlanta Death Metal Band Starved Of Light Unleashes New Single “We All Must Go”

Atlanta’s Starved of Light have dropped their brand-new single “We All Must Go,” a ferocious follow-up to their 2024 debut album Into Early Mourning on Dark Sails Entertainment. The track, produced, mixed, and mastered by Josh Curl at True Fiction Audio, pushes the limits of modern melodic technical death metal with searing precision and raw emotion.

“We All Must Go” dives headfirst into mortality and acceptance, pairing relentless riffs with haunting melodic layers that cut through the chaos. Fans of The Black Dahlia Murder, Job for a Cowboy, and Revocation will find Starved of Light’s blend of technical mastery and emotional weight impossible to ignore.

The Atlanta quartet features Tim Jones (vocals), Josh Kerston (guitars), Robbie Cook (drums), and Elliott Stotler (bass) — four veterans of the city’s extreme metal underground whose collective pedigree includes acts like Leaf Blower, Abattoir, and Coat Hanger Abortion. Together, they channel grief, power, and catharsis into an unrelenting sound.

With Into Early Mourning still resonating in the underground and “We All Must Go” now unleashed, Starved of Light is gearing up for a series of live shows and visuals to further expand their dark vision.

Till Lindemann Launches Sold-Out “Meine Welt” European Tour, Announces 2026 Till Fest Open-Air Shows

Eric Alper
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Till Lindemann Launches Sold-Out “Meine Welt” European Tour, Announces 2026 Till Fest Open-Air Shows

Till Lindemann, the powerful voice of Rammstein, has officially kicked off his solo “Meine Welt” European tour with a completely sold-out show at Quarterback Immobilien Arena in Leipzig, Germany. The high-voltage launch marks the start of a massive 26-date arena run that will take the industrial-metal frontman across Europe, including a single UK stop at London’s OVO Arena Wembley.

According to promoter Handwerker Promotion, over 190,000 tickets have already been sold for the “Meine Welt” tour, out of a total 230,000-capacity run. The production is immense—featuring five lasers, 120 metres of trussing, 25 kilometres of cabling, and eight trucks transporting the elaborate stage setup. The band lineup includes Kristin Kaminski (bass), Daniel Lohner (guitar), Brynn Route (keyboards), Joseph Letz (drums), and Emily Ruvidich (guitar), joining Lindemann for what’s being hailed as one of Europe’s most visually ambitious rock tours of the year.

Adding to the excitement, Lindemann also announced Till Fest 2026, a pair of exclusive open-air concerts set for July 3–4, 2026, at Leipzig’s Völkerschlachtdenkmal. These will be his only European performances in 2026, promising two nights under the banner “One Festival. Two Shows. Two Worlds.”

Till Lindemann “Meine Welt” 2025 European Tour Dates

Nov. 2 – Antwerpen, Belgium – Sportpaleis
Nov. 4 – London, UK – OVO Arena Wembley
Nov. 6 – Frankfurt, Germany – Festhalle
Nov. 8 – Dortmund, Germany – Westfalenhalle
Nov. 10 – Dresden, Germany – Messe Dresden
Nov. 13 – Barcelona, Spain – Sant Jordi Club
Nov. 15 – Madrid, Spain – Vistalegre
Nov. 17 – Lisbon, Portugal – MEO Arena
Nov. 20 – Paris, France – Adidas Arena
Nov. 21 – Düsseldorf, Germany – PSD Bank Dome
Nov. 23 – Hamburg, Germany – Barclays Arena
Nov. 25 – Munich, Germany – Olympiahalle
Nov. 27 – Nuremberg, Germany – Arena Nürnberger Versicherungen
Nov. 29 – Vienna, Austria – Wiener Stadthalle
Dec. 1 – Krakau, Poland – TAURON Arena
Dec. 2 – Budapest, Hungary – MVM Dome
Dec. 4 – Bucharest, Romania – ROMEXPO
Dec. 6 – Istanbul, Turkey – Ülker Sports and Event Hall
Dec. 8 – Sofia, Bulgaria – Arena 8888
Dec. 10 – Zagreb, Croatia – Arena
Dec. 12 – Milan, Italy – Alcatraz
Dec. 14 – Zurich, Switzerland – Hallenstadion
Dec. 16 – Stuttgart, Germany – Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle
Dec. 18 – Prague, Czech Republic – O2 Arena

Till Fest 2026

July 3, 2026 – Leipzig, Germany – Völkerschlachtdenkmal
July 4, 2026 – Leipzig, Germany – Völkerschlachtdenkmal

Bon Jovi Adds Ninth And Final Madison Square Garden Show To Massive “Forever Tour”

Eric Alper
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Bon Jovi Adds Ninth And Final Madison Square Garden Show To Massive “Forever Tour”

Rock icons Bon Jovi are back — and bigger than ever. After overwhelming demand, the band has added a ninth and final show at Madison Square Garden on July 26, solidifying their record-breaking run at the legendary New York venue. The addition comes amid roaring fan excitement for the band’s long-awaited “Forever Tour,” their first global trek since 2022.

Produced by Live Nation, the tour kicks off July 7 at MSG and spans multiple nights in New York before heading overseas for high-energy stadium shows across the UK and Ireland. A second night at London’s Wembley Stadium has also been confirmed following rapid sellouts.

The tour marks Jon Bon Jovi’s triumphant return to the stage following his recovery from vocal cord surgery — a journey captured in Hulu’s acclaimed docu-series Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story. With his powerhouse voice restored and the band fully recharged, Bon Jovi are ready to deliver nights of anthemic sing-alongs, blistering guitar solos, and timeless rock energy.

Tickets for all MSG dates go on sale at 10 a.m. ET on Oct. 31, while UK and Ireland shows go live at 9 a.m. local time the same day. The tour is booked by CAA’s Christopher Dalston.

Bon Jovi “Forever Tour” Dates
July 7 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
July 9 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
July 12 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
July 14 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
July 16 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
July 19 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
July 21 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
July 23 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
July 26 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden (Final MSG Show)
Aug 28 – Edinburgh, UK – Murrayfield Stadium
Aug 30 – Dublin, Ireland – Croke Park
Sept 4 – London, UK – Wembley Stadium
Sept 6 – London, UK – Wembley Stadium

Tears For Fears Celebrate 40 Years Of ‘Songs From The Big Chair’ With Massive Anniversary Reissue

Eric Alper
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Tears For Fears Celebrate 40 Years Of ‘Songs From The Big Chair’ With Massive Anniversary Reissue

Forty years after its original release, Tears For Fears’ landmark 1985 album Songs From The Big Chair returns on November 14 with a stunning collection of reissues celebrating one of the most influential pop records of the 1980s. Released via UMe, the 40th Anniversary Editions span multiple formats — including 2LP Transparent Red Vinyl, a 3CD Deluxe Edition, Coke Bottle Clear Vinyl, and a 1LP Picture Disc.

Originally released on February 25, 1985, Songs From The Big Chair topped the U.S. charts, went quintuple-platinum, and yielded five era-defining singles: “Mothers Talk,” “Shout,” “Everybody Wants To Rule The World,” “Head Over Heels,” and “I Believe.” The album continues to influence generations of artists and remains a cornerstone of pop history.

“Everybody Wants To Rule The World” alone has become a pop culture staple, covered by Lorde for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and featured across films and soundtracks from Guardians of the Galaxy to The Lego Batman Movie. With fresh remasters and long-unheard mixes, the 40th Anniversary Editions reaffirm why this record remains so timeless.

2LP Transparent Red Vinyl (Limited Edition with Unused Artwork)

Side One

  1. Shout – 6:32
  2. The Working Hour – 6:31
  3. Everybody Wants To Rule The World – 4:11
  4. Mothers Talk – 5:06

Side Two
5. I Believe – 4:55
6. Broken – 2:38
7. Head Over Heels – 5:02
8. Listen – 6:53

Side Three

  1. Shout (Alternative Mix) – 5:08 (First time on vinyl)
  2. The Working Hour (Piano Version) – 2:08 (First time on vinyl)
  3. Everybody Wants To Rule The World (Alternative Single Version) – 4:21 (First time on vinyl)
  4. Mothers Talk (Early Mix) – 4:39 (First time on vinyl)

Side Four
5. I Believe (A Soulful Re-Recording) – 4:42
6. Broken (Demo) – 5:39 (First time on vinyl)
7. Head Over Heels (Hughes 7″ Edit) – 4:16
8. Listen (Clean Intro) – (First time on vinyl)

3CD Deluxe Edition

Disc One: Original Album & B-Sides

  1. Shout – 6:32
  2. The Working Hour – 6:31
  3. Everybody Wants To Rule The World – 4:11
  4. Mothers Talk – 5:06
  5. I Believe – 4:55
  6. Broken – 2:38
  7. Head Over Heels – 5:02
  8. Listen – 6:53
  9. The Big Chair – 3:21 (B-side to “Shout”)
  10. Empire Building – 2:52 (B-side to “Mothers Talk”)
  11. The Marauders – 4:15 (B-side to “The Way You Are”)
  12. Broken Revisited – 5:16 (Bonus track)
  13. The Conflict – 4:04 (B-side to “Change”)
  14. The Working Hour (Piano Version) – 2:08
  15. Pharaohs – 3:41 (B-side to “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”)
  16. When In Love With A Blind Man – 2:23 (B-side to “Head Over Heels”)
  17. Sea Song – 3:53 (B-side to “I Believe (A Soulful Re-Recording)”)

Disc Two: Edited Songs From The Big Chair

  1. The Way You Are – 4:55
  2. Mothers Talk (Short Version) – 3:54
  3. Shout (Alternative Version) – 6:00
  4. Everybody Wants To Rule The World (Single Version) – 4:12
  5. Head Over Heels (Dave Bascombe 7″ N.Mix)
  6. I Believe (A Soulful Re-Recording) – 4:42
  7. Everybody Wants To Run The World – 4:34
  8. The Way You Are (Edit) – 4:21
  9. Mothers Talk (U.S. Remix) – 4:14
  10. Shout (U.S. Single Edit) – 4:06
  11. Everybody Wants To Run The World (Running Version) – 4:33
  12. Head Over Heels (Hughes 7″ Edit)
  13. Mothers Talk (Video Version) – 4:47
  14. Shout (7″ Edit) – 4:47
  15. Listen (Clean Intro) – 6:52
  16. Interview With Curt & Roland – 7:36

Disc Three: Remixed Songs From The Big Chair

  1. The Way You Are (Extended) – 7:41
  2. Mothers Talk (Long Version) – 6:17
  3. Shout (UK Version / Extended Version) – 7:42
  4. Everybody Wants To Rule The World (Extended Version) – 5:40
  5. Broken / Head Over Heels / Broken (Preacher Mix) – 8:01
  6. Mothers Talk (Beat Of The Drum Mix) – 8:56
  7. Shout (Extended) – 8:00
  8. Everybody Wants To Rule The World (Urban Mix) – 6:01
  9. Mothers Talk (Alternate U.S. Remix) – 4:12
  10. Shout (U.S. Dub Version) – 6:48
  11. Everybody Wants To Rule The World (Instrumental) – 4:23
  12. Shout (Acapella)

1LP Coke Bottle Clear Vinyl

Side One

  1. Shout – 6:32
  2. The Working Hour – 6:31
  3. Everybody Wants To Rule The World – 4:11
  4. Mothers Talk – 5:06

Side Two
5. I Believe – 4:55
6. Broken – 2:38
7. Head Over Heels – 5:02
8. Listen – 6:53

1LP Picture Disc

Side One

  1. Shout – 6:32
  2. The Working Hour – 6:31
  3. Everybody Wants To Rule The World – 4:11
  4. Mothers Talk – 5:06

Side Two
5. I Believe – 4:55
6. Broken – 2:38
7. Head Over Heels – 5:02
8. Listen – 6:53

Masked Country Maverick Orville Peck Returns With Soaring Single “Drift Away” And New EP ‘Appaloosa’

Eric Alper
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0
Masked Country Maverick Orville Peck Returns With Soaring Single “Drift Away” And New EP ‘Appaloosa’

Country’s masked trailblazer Orville Peck gallops into a new era with his cinematic single “Drift Away” and announces his upcoming Appaloosa EP, arriving November 14 on Warner Records. Blending sky-scraping vocals, lonesome guitar, and a sense of desert romance, “Drift Away” captures the spirit of restless youth, healing, and release. “It’s not about gettin’ out, it’s about lettin’ go,” Peck sings — a line that feels like the thesis of this next chapter.

The single’s arrival sets the tone for what promises to be a monumental season. On November 14–16, Peck will host his 7th Annual Rodeo in Pioneertown, California, at the legendary Pappy & Harriet’s. The three-day festival will feature performances from Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Joy Oladokun, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Allison Russell, and more, with Peck headlining each night — including a special Saturday set on November 15. Fans can expect drag brunches, late-night afterparties, and plenty of cowboy magic under desert skies.

Beyond the stage, Peck’s star power continues to cross boundaries. He recently wrapped filming for the 2026 Street Fighter movie, where he portrays the enigmatic Vega, and this summer marked his Broadway debut as the Emcee in Cabaret. Critics raved: VOGUE praised his “command of the line between desire and menace,” NPR called his performance “beautiful and full of longing,” and PLAYBILL hailed his persona as “powerful and unforgettable.”

“Drift Away” marks a return to solo songwriting for Peck, following collaborations with Noah Cyrus on “Love Is a Canyon” and Kesha on “Tennessee,” featuring Hudson Mohawke and Tayla Parx. Those songs join the legacy of his duets project Stampede, which paired him with icons like Kylie Minogue, Beck, Diplo, and Willie Nelson for a reimagined “Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other.” Ever the shapeshifter, Peck’s blend of outlaw country, indie rock, and queer Americana keeps redefining what modern country can sound like.

Saddle up — Appaloosa arrives November 14, promising to expand Peck’s mythos with songs that drift, ache, and burn with cinematic fire.

Track Listing – Appaloosa EP

  1. Dreaded Sundown
  2. Drift Away
  3. Atchafalaya (ft. Noah Cyrus)
  4. Maybe This Time
  5. Oh My Days
  6. My Side Of The Mountain
  7. It’s The End Of The World

Tour Dates
Nov 14 – Pioneertown, CA @ Orville Peck’s 7th Annual Rodeo [covers set]
Nov 15 – Pioneertown, CA @ Orville Peck’s 7th Annual Rodeo [headlining set]
Nov 16 – Pioneertown, CA @ Orville Peck’s 7th Annual Rodeo [acoustic set]

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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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