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Celtic Icon Lucy MacNeil Announces Long-Awaited Solo Album and 2025 Tour Dates

Eric Alper
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Celtic Icon Lucy MacNeil Announces Long-Awaited Solo Album and 2025 Tour Dates

After 37 years of enchanting audiences worldwide as a member of the legendary Barra MacNeils, Lucy MacNeil is stepping into the spotlight with her highly anticipated solo album and a string of tour dates that will bring her rich, soul-stirring voice and deep-rooted Cape Breton traditions to audiences across Canada.

For more than three decades, Lucy has been a cornerstone of the Barra MacNeils, one of the most celebrated and enduring acts in Celtic music. With a career spanning continents—from the remote shores of Fogo Island, Newfoundland, to the historic halls of Europe—her music has been the soundtrack of generations. Alongside her brothers, she has shared the stage with icons like Celine Dion, Kenny Rogers, and Rita MacNeil, appearing on multiple national television specials and headlining premier festivals and concert halls across the globe.

Now, Lucy is carving a new path with a solo project that has been years in the making. Inspired by a lifetime immersed in the beauty and resilience of traditional music, her debut solo album is a heartfelt reflection of her deep connection to the Celtic heritage. It’s a collection of songs that honor the past while embracing the present—a musical legacy that will stand the test of time.

“During the quiet of the pandemic, I finally found the time to create something truly personal,” says Lucy. “This album is my love letter to the music that shaped me, and I can’t wait to share it with the world.”

To celebrate this milestone, Lucy MacNeil will embark on a national tour in March 2025, bringing her signature blend of evocative vocals, bodhrán, Celtic harp, fiddle, and step dancing to fans from Toronto to Vancouver. Audiences can expect an intimate, mesmerizing experience that showcases Lucy’s breathtaking artistry, honed over decades of live performances.

Lucy MacNeil 2025 Solo Tour Dates:
• March 7 – Hugh’s Room, Toronto, ON
• March 8 – Registry Theatre, Kitchener, ON
• March 9 – Aeolian Hall, London, ON
• March 10 – The Bassment, Saskatoon, SK
• March 12 – ArtsPlace Canmore, Canmore, AB
• March 13 – Festival Place, Sherwood Park, AB
• March 14 – Calgary Folk Club, Calgary, AB
• March 15 – Bailey Theatre, Camrose, AB
• March 16 – Grande Prairie Live Theatre, Grande Prairie, AB
• March 18 – Golden Civic Centre, Golden, BC
• March 19 – Langham Theatre, Kaslo, BC
• March 21 – Dream Café, Penticton, BC
• March 23 – Rogue Folk Club, Vancouver, BC
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With an astonishing career that includes collaborations with symphony orchestras, headlining major international festivals, and leading artist-in-residence programs, Lucy MacNeil’s influence on Celtic music is undeniable. Her work with the Barra MacNeils has earned multiple awards, gold-certified albums, and international acclaim, making her one of Canada’s most cherished musical treasures.

This solo endeavor is more than just an album—it’s the next chapter in an extraordinary musical journey. And for those lucky enough to attend her upcoming tour, it’s an opportunity to witness a master at work, sharing the songs that have shaped her soul.

Sylvia Tyson Earns JUNO Nomination for Traditional Roots Album of the Year with ‘At The End of The Day’

Eric Alper
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Sylvia Tyson Earns JUNO Nomination for Traditional Roots Album of the Year with ‘At The End of The Day’

Canadian folk legend Sylvia Tyson has once again been recognized for her unparalleled contributions to music, earning a JUNO Award nomination for Traditional Roots Album of the Year for her latest and final studio album, At The End of The Day. A masterful collection of songs that reflect on a life well-lived, the album is a poignant swan song from one of Canada’s most revered songwriters.

Throughout her career, Tyson has shaped the folk and country landscape, influencing generations of musicians with her artistry and storytelling. Her song “You Were On My Mind” became an international hit, while her work with Ian Tyson as part of the seminal duo Ian & Sylvia helped define the folk era of the 1960s. With At The End of The Day, she continues this legacy, blending introspection with universal truths in a way that only a seasoned artist can.

The album’s standout track, “Sweet Agony,” showcases Tyson’s signature ability to weave bittersweet themes into timeless melodies. The song’s lyrics capture the delicate balance between love and loss:

Come to me, sweet agony
I am ready to fall in love again
If I can have that ecstasy
I’ll take my chances with the pain

Produced by longtime collaborator Danny Greenspoon and featuring an all-star lineup of musicians, At The End of The Day is a testament to Tyson’s enduring artistry. The album was recorded at Canterbury Music Company Studios in Toronto and features contributions from Davide DiRenzo (drums), Charles James (bass), Jason Fowler (guitar), John Sheard (piano), Drew Jurecka (violin, mandolin), and Denis Keldie & Mark Lalama (accordion, B3 organ).

Tyson’s nomination adds to an already storied career that includes inductions into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame (2003), the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (2019), and the Canadian Music Hall of Fame (1992, alongside Ian Tyson). She is also a recipient of the Order of Canada (1994).
Tyson has been recognized multiple times at the JUNO Awards throughout her career, including nominations for:

  • 1993: Country Female Vocalist of the Year
  • 1991: Country Group or Duo of the Year (with Tom Russell)
  • 1990: Best Roots & Traditional Album (You Were On My Mind)
  • 1987: Country Female Vocalist of the Year
  • 1976: Country Female Vocalist of the Year
  • 1976: Female Vocalist of the Year
  • 1976: Most Promising Female Vocalist of the Year

Legendary artists and peers have shared their admiration for Tyson’s latest work:

Judy Collins: “There is the sunlight, there is the heartbreak, there is the voice that I’ve known since the beginning… Thank God for Sylvia Tyson.”

Linda Ronstadt: “Ian & Sylvia were a big influence on me in the early days of my career. Sylvia is still making meaningful music. I was knocked out by ‘I Never Got Over You,’ ‘Leaves in the Storm,’ and ‘Not Quite Rain.’”

Daniel Lanois: “Sylvia Tyson’s At The End of The Day is a fine collection of some of the most truthful and touching songs I’ve heard.”

Margaret Atwood: “She was gorgeous and had a beautiful voice… She has always maintained her high musical standards. Long may she sing!”

With At The End of The Day, Tyson cements her legacy as one of Canada’s most treasured songwriters. As she reflects on a lifetime of music, her latest nomination serves as a fitting tribute to a career that has shaped the very fabric of folk and roots music.

The JUNO Awards will take place on March 30, 2025, in Vancouver, British Columbia, where music fans and industry members will celebrate the best in Canadian music.

5 Surprising Facts About Leonard Cohen’s ‘Songs of Leonard Cohen’

Eric Alper
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5 Surprising Facts About Leonard Cohen’s ‘Songs of Leonard Cohen’

Leonard Cohen’s Songs of Leonard Cohen is a collection of hymns for the lost, a pilgrimage through love and longing, and a whispered conversation with the moon. Released in 1967, this debut solidified Cohen’s transition from poet to songwriter, a shift that would change the course of music history. But hidden within the minor chords and poetic verses are stories few have heard. Here are five secrets buried in Songs of Leonard Cohen that deserve to be sung.

1. A Woman Sleeps, a Song is Born: The True Story Behind ‘Sisters of Mercy’

Edmonton, a winter storm, two backpackers named Barbara and Lorraine. They had no place to go, and Cohen, the wandering bard, gave them shelter for the night. They curled into sleep as he sat awake in an armchair, watching over them, moved by something quiet and sacred. By dawn, Sisters of Mercy was written. When they woke, he played it for them—his offering, his benediction. It was not love in the way the world understands it, but it was love nonetheless.

2. A Room in the Chelsea Hotel, a Farewell That Was Never Meant to Be

“So long, Marianne.” It wasn’t always goodbye. In the beginning, it was Come on, Marianne. The song started in Montreal, on Aylmer Street, and was finished in the Chelsea Hotel in New York. Marianne Ihlen, the muse with sea-colored eyes, was the great love Cohen carried across continents. The lyrics were an elegy before their time, a prophesied parting long before their hands ever unclasped. Even in their last days, when Cohen wrote to her as she lay dying, he was still singing her name.

3. The Poet and the Mirror: Cohen’s Strange Studio Ritual

Leonard Cohen, meticulous and melancholy, insisted on a full-length mirror in the studio while recording Songs of Leonard Cohen. Not vanity—no, that wasn’t his way. He played his guitar while looking at himself, lost in a dialogue with his own reflection. Was it self-scrutiny? A poet’s compulsion to see himself as others did? Or was he simply trying to understand the man behind the words, the troubadour who had turned his poetry into song?

4. A Song Sold, a Regret That Echoed for Years

Cohen wrote Suzanne, and then he lost it. Not the melody, not the meaning, but the rights to his own song. In the tangled dealings of the music industry, Suzanne, Stranger Song, and Dress Rehearsal Rag slipped from his hands and into the pockets of another. For years, he watched his most intimate words belong to someone else. When he finally regained them, they were bruised with time, but still, they were his. The poet had reclaimed his poetry.

5. The Spirit in Chains: The Album’s Hidden Religious Symbolism

The back cover of Songs of Leonard Cohen features an image of Anima Sola, a Mexican religious icon—a woman bound in flames, breaking free. Cohen found her in a botánica near the Chelsea Hotel, drawn to the way she seemed both suffering and transcendent. Was she Suzanne? Marianne? The sisters of mercy? Or was she Leonard himself, struggling against the weight of longing, burning with poetry, searching for something holy in the wreckage of love?

Leonard Cohen’s debut is a collection of rooms, of moments frozen in amber, of letters never sent but always received. Each song is a story, and each story is a doorway into the heart of a poet who never stopped searching.

And now, the music plays on.

5 Surprising Facts About Michael Jackson’s ‘Bad’

Eric Alper
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5 Surprising Facts About Michael Jackson’s ‘Bad’

Michael Jackson’s Bad was the moment the King of Pop fully took the reins of his artistic destiny. Thriller might have been planned to be the biggest album of all time, but come on, when plans like this really do happen, there’s nowhere to go but down. Or you stay at the top, which is what Michael aimed to do – and succeeded. But beneath the platinum records, world tours, and gravity-defying dance moves, there are some truly wild facts that even die-hard fans might not know. Let’s moonwalk into some deep cuts about Bad that’ll make you appreciate it even more.

1. Prince Almost Took Over ‘Bad’—Until One Line Ruined It

It was supposed to be the greatest duet of the 1980s: Michael Jackson and Prince, going head-to-head on Bad. Quincy Jones pitched it. Michael was on board. Prince was this close to saying yes. But then he heard the first lyric: “Your butt is mine.” And just like that, the Purple One was out. According to Prince himself, there was no way he was going to sing that—or let MJ sing it to him. Instead, Prince offered up Wouldn’t You Love to Love Me, but Jackson passed. Imagine a world where this collab actually happened. The universe might have imploded from sheer musical genius.

2. The ‘Smooth Criminal’ Hook Came From CPR Training

If you’ve ever taken a CPR class, you’ve probably practiced on a Resusci Anne mannequin. And when instructors teach chest compressions, they say, “Annie, are you okay?”—the exact phrase that became the hook for Smooth Criminal. Michael was fascinated by the question, found it haunting, and built one of his most iconic songs around it. Suddenly, a simple CPR training phrase became an unforgettable piece of pop music history.

3. ‘Dirty Diana’ Was Not About Diana Ross (Or Princess Diana)

When Dirty Diana dropped, speculation ran wild. Was Michael calling out his longtime friend and mentor Diana Ross? Was it a secret love letter to Princess Diana? The answer: neither. Michael confirmed in multiple interviews that Dirty Diana was actually about groupies—those persistent superfans who followed rock stars (and, apparently, pop stars) everywhere. Princess Diana, however, loved the song and told MJ it was one of her favorites. The irony!

4. The Bad Tour Set a World Record That Lasted for Years

When Michael Jackson hit the road for the Bad World Tour, it wasn’t just another series of concerts—it was a phenomenon. By the time it wrapped, he had played 123 shows across 15 countries, raking in $125 million, making it the highest-grossing tour of all time at that point. And the record-breaking didn’t stop there: his seven-night residency at London’s Wembley Stadium drew over 504,000 people, a feat that remained unbeaten for over 25 years.

5. Michael Wrote 60 Songs for the Album—And Wanted to Release All of Them

Jackson didn’t just write a handful of songs and call it a day—he lived in the studio. For Bad, he wrote a staggering 60 songs and recorded 30 of them, initially planning to release a triple album. Quincy Jones, in his infinite wisdom, told Michael to scale it down to 10 tracks. The result? A no-filler, hit-packed album that still stands as one of the best-selling records of all time. But imagine what Bad could have been if MJ had won that argument. A Bad triple album? Mind-blowing.

Michael Jackson’s Bad was the moment he fully embraced his artistic control, pushed the boundaries of pop, and made himself something more than just a megastar. He was a legend.

So next time you hear Bad, just remember: Prince could have been there, a CPR dummy gave us Smooth Criminal, and the King of Pop almost dropped a 30-track opus. What a time to be alive in 1987.

John Legend Announces ‘Get Lifted’ 20th Anniversary World Tour

Eric Alper
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John Legend Announces ‘Get Lifted’ 20th Anniversary World Tour

John Legend today announced the “Get Lifted 20th Anniversary World Tour,” bringing his acclaimed debut album back to the stage. Kicking off May 27th at OVO Hydro in Glasgow, UK-with select dates produced by Live Nation-the tour will visit over 40 cities across the UK, Europe, and North America, including stops at The O2 in London, Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam, Accor Arena in Paris, Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, and Barclays Center in New York, with additional dates to be announced soon. See full tour routing below.

Presales for UK/EU dates begin Wednesday, March 19, with general on-sale starting Friday, March 21. North America presales begin Wednesday, March 26, followed by general on-sale Friday, March 28.

Backed by his full band, Legend’s “Get Lifted 20th Anniversary World Tour” will showcase a set list celebrating the entirety of Get Lifted, which garnered eight nominations and won three Grammy Awards at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards, including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for “Ordinary People,” Best R&B Album for Get Lifted, and Best New Artist. Each night, Legend will deliver a mix of deep cuts, fan favorites, and fresh renditions of the album’s beloved tracks like the Grammy-winning “Ordinary People” (his breakout hit that reached the Billboard Top 40 and the UK R&B Singles chart), “Used to Love U,” “Number One,” and “So High.” In addition to honoring Get Lifted, the live show will feature Legend’s other career-spanning hits, showcasing the musical depth and storytelling that have been hallmarks of his artistry for the past two decades.

To celebrate the tour announcement, Legend will stop by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon this evening where he’ll appear as both a talk and musical guest, performing “Used to Love U” alongside Black Thought, backed by The Roots. Bringing a fresh take to one of the album’s essential tracks, Black Thought is featured on the remixed version of “Used 2 Love U,” which appears on the digital deluxe and 3LP vinyl editions of Get Lifted (20th Anniversary), out now. In addition to Black Thought, the celebratory release features new contributions from other guest artists including Tems, Killer Mike, Lil Wayne, and Simi. Expanding the original album with 11 bonus tracks, Get Lifted (20th Anniversary) includes eight brand-new remixes, rare B-sides, and two previously unreleased studio performances recorded during the original Get Lifted sessions.

Recorded in a variety of studios across the U.S. from 2001-2004, Get Lifted was originally released in the United States through GOOD Music, Sony Urban Music and Columbia Records on December 28, 2004 (Legend’s 26th birthday). The album’s uncanny melodic blend of R&B, neo-soul, hip-hop, cosmopolitan sophistication, and sly street smarts signaled the arrival of a new major artist with deep musical roots, an affinity for pop music, and a plan for the future.

With all songs written or co-written by Legend, who also served as co-producer on much of the album, Get Lifted introduced him to the world as a top-tier tunesmith with a lyrical sensibility that captured the full spectrum and emotional reality of human affairs, from the raunchy to the sublime.

A prodigious musical talent, singer/songwriter/pianist Legend had already made his mark on hit records before writing and recording Get Lifted. A sought-after behind-the-scenes talent, he played piano on Lauryn Hill’s Everything Is Everything and sang backup vocals for Jay-Z and Alicia Keys. As the first artist to sign with Kanye West’s GOOD Music, Legend quickly made his mark, breaking into the Billboard 200 Top 10 (#4) with Get Lifted, which also reached #1 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album entered the Billboard 200 at #7, selling 116,000 copies in its first week-his first Top 10 debut. Legend didn’t just cross over from R&B and hip-hop to pop; he both bridged and defied genres.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has since certified Get Lifted as Double Platinum, with “Ordinary People” also earning Double Platinum status as a single.

Get Lifted 20th Anniversary World Tour Dates:
05/27/25 @ OVO Hydro in Glasgow, UK^
05/29/25 @ Co-op Live in Manchester, UK
05/30/25 @ Utilita Arena Birmingham in Birmingham, UK^
06/01/25 @ The O2 in London, UK^
06/02/25 @ Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam, NL^
06/05/25 @ Accor Arena in Paris, FR
06/07/25 @ Olympiahalle in Munich, DE
06/12/25 @ Heartland Festival in Kværndrup, DK
06/14/25 @ Vaulen Open Air Festival in Stavanger, NO
08/23/25 @ Ravinia in Highland Park, IL
08/24/25 @ Ravinia in Highland Park, IL
09/02/25 @ Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA
09/03/25 @ Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA
09/28/25 @ Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, CA
10/18/25 @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Dallas, TX^
10/19/25 @ Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land in Houston, TX^
10/21/25 @ Zoo Amphitheatre in Oklahoma City, OK
10/23/25 @ Saenger Theatre in New Orleans, LA
10/24/25 @ Synovus Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park in Atlanta, GA^
10/26/25 @ Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, FL^
10/28/25 @ St. Augustine Amphitheatre in St. Augustine, FL^
10/29/25 @ Live Oak Bank Pavilion in Wilmington, NC^
10/30/25 @ Red Hat Amphitheatre in Raleigh, NC^
11/04/25 @ Barclays Center in New York, NY^
11/05/25 @ The Met in Philadelphia, PA^
11/07/25 @ MGM Music Hall at Fenway in Boston, MA^
11/08/25 @ Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT
11/10/25 @ Schottenstein Center in Columbus, OH^
11/11/25 @ Fox Theatre in Detroit, MI^
11/13/25 @ Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls, ON
11/14/25 @ Place Bell in Montreal, QC
11/16/25 @ Fishers Event Center in Indianapolis, IN^
11/17/25 @ The Factory in St. Louis, MO
11/19/25 @ Paramount Theatre in Denver, CO^
11/20/25 @ Maverik Center in Salt Lake City, UT^
11/22/25 @ Thunder Valley Casino in Lincoln, CA
11/23/25 @ The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park in San Diego, CA^
12/03/25 @ Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC^
12/05/25 @ WAMU Theater in Seattle, WA^
12/07/25 @ Theater of the Clouds in Portland, OR^
12/09/25 @ Paramount Theatre in Oakland, CA^
^Live Nation Date

The Warning Announces ‘Keep Me Fed’ U.S. Headline Tour And Dates Supporting Halsey

Eric Alper
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The Warning Announces ‘Keep Me Fed’ U.S. Headline Tour And Dates Supporting Halsey

Rock sister-trio from Monterrey, Mexico, The Warning announce their much anticipated return to the states with a headline tour. The Keep Me Fed US tour kicks off on July 5th in Milwaukee, making stops in Atlanta, Nashville, New York, and more, concluding in Minneapolis on July 23rd. Presales start at 10am Local on Thursday and General Onsale on Friday at 10am Local.

The Warning will also be opening for select dates on Halsey’s For My Last Trick US tour. Their latest offering, Keep Me Fed, has amassed over 155 million streams globally, landing them #1 on Billboard’s Emerging Artist chart, and cemented the band as the biggest album debut for an all-female rock group in the 2020s.

The Warning had an incredible year in 2024, receiving nominations at the Latin GRAMMYs, VMA and EMAs. They also lit up television screens across the country with performances on Jimmy Kimmel LIVE! and The Kelly Clarkson show.

Halsey US Support Tour
May 10 – Toyota Pavilion – Concord, CA
May 12 – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre – Phoenix, AZ
May 14 – Hollywood Bowl – Los Angeles, CA
May 17 – Dos Equis Pavilion – Dallas, TX
May 18 – Choctaw Grand Theater – Durant, OR
May 19 – Walmart Amphitheatre – Rogers, AR
May 21 – Ascend Amphitheater – Nashville, TN
May 22 – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre – Alpharetta, GA
May 24 – Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre – Tampa, FL
May 25 – Hard Rock Live – Hollywood, FL

The Warning US Headline Tour
July 5 – Summerfest – Milwaukee, WI
July 6 – The Factory – St. Louis, MO
July 8 – Aztec – San Antonio, TX
July 9 – Warehouse Live – Houston, TX
July 11 – House of Blues – Orlando, FL
July 12 – The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA (previously rescheduled*)
July 13 – The Basement East – Nashville, TN (previously rescheduled*)
July 15 – The Ritz – Raleigh, NC
July 16 – The Fillmore – Silver Spring, MD
July 18 – Palladium – New York City, NY
July 19 – Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA
July 20 – Kemba Live – Columbus, OH
July 22 – Riviera Theatre – Chicago, IL
July 23 – The Fillmore – Minneapolis, MN

Alan Niven’s ;Sound N’ Fury; Delivers Untold Rock ‘n’ Roll Stories from Guns N’ Roses, The Rolling Stones & More

Eric Alper
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Alan Niven’s ;Sound N’ Fury; Delivers Untold Rock ‘n’ Roll Stories from Guns N’ Roses, The Rolling Stones & More

Experience rock history through sharp, engaging stories featuring icons like Guns N’ Roses, The Rolling Stones, and Aerosmith ― perfect for music lovers and the uninitiated alike ― from legendary manager Alan Niven.

Most rock ’n’ roll books are a bore. They all have the same narrative arc and are aimed at the dwindling following that now follows an artist that has long passed their AARP date.

Sound N’ Fury does not have a story arc. It is a collection of anecdotes, like a record comprised of various tracks ― each one has its point and purpose. Alan Niven, who guided Guns N’ Roses from the gutter of Los Angeles to Wembley Stadium, shares stories from his remarkable life as a manager with an immediacy delivered by an extraordinary recall of dialogue. Readers will encounter not just Guns N’ Roses (who have sold almost 10 million tickets to their shows) but The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Clarence Clemons, Whitesnake, Elton John, and others who came from humble origins and experienced fame known only to few. Small-town minds collided with worldwide adulation, expectations, and demands. The results are amusing, affirming, and, predictably, disastrous. Keep in mind that rock ’n’ roll is God’s occupation for the unemployable.

Written with a crisp and fluid style, the magnificence and idiocy of the music world will dance off the pages and engross even those who are not rock fans.

Queen, Herbie Hancock & Barbara Hannigan Named 2025 Polar Music Prize Laureates

Eric Alper
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Queen, Herbie Hancock & Barbara Hannigan Named 2025 Polar Music Prize Laureates

Queen are among the recipients of the 2025 Polar Music Prize Laureates along with Herbie Hancock and Barbara Hannigan. The trio will join the roll call of trailblazing artists all bestowed with the prestigious honor, which celebrates excellence in music. The Polar Music Prize ceremony takes place on Tuesday 27 May in Stockholm at the Grand Hotel and is broadcast live in Sweden on TV4 at 8pm (CET).

For three decades, the Polar Music Prize has honored and recognized pioneering musical legacy. The 2025 recipients will add their names to the list of innovators from contemporary and classical music, winning one of the creative realm’s most coveted modern accolades. The Polar Music Prize is presented at a ceremony in Stockholm in the presence of the Swedish Royal Family, and each Laureate will receive money of one million Swedish Krona.

On being chosen, Queen said: “We are highly and deeply honoured to be given the Polar Music Prize this year. It’s incredible, thank you so much”

Herbie Hancock said: “The Polar Music Prize is a prestigious honour, and I am both thrilled and humbled to be a recipient. The Laureates who have come before me have left an indelible mark on humanity through their profound examples of inspiration and dedication.”

Barbara Hannigan said: “I am deeply moved and humbled to receive this year’s Polar Music Prize. Thank you so much for including me among this incredible and inspiring group of Laureates.”

Marie Ledin, managing director of the Polar Music Prize, added: “It is our immense privilege to honour and award these three Laureates at the 2025 Polar Music Prize. Queen, a band synonymous with the very fabric of pop culture, have made an impact on music that spans decades, generations and genres. They are a most deserving recipient, beloved the world over.

“Herbie Hancock is a musical legend and tour de force. His music has pushed boundaries in jazz, funk soul and R&B, and we are thrilled to honour his enduring legacy. Barbara Hannigan is a presence like no other; a passionate soprano and conductor of a unique and courageous path. We are looking forward to celebrating all three recipients at this year’s event.”

Formed in 1970, Queen – Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon (who joined the band in 1971) – are one of the most enduring and compelling bands ever to have emerged from the UK. Fusing an eclectic blend of progressive rock, hard rock, heavy metal, arena pomp and pop accessibility, their music is unmistakable. It was the band’s vocal harmonies, in particular, that marked them out as such a unique proposition on the world stage. “We blended very well together,” said Taylor. “We developed our vocal sound which was very much the three voices and that was very recognisable.”

May added: “The three of us could all sing and we had one of the greatest singers in the world in Freddie, of course. I don’t think we quite knew it at the time. We were fortunate because when the three of us sang in unison within the harmony parts, it made a very distinctive tuneful sound.”

Unlike many of their peers, Queen embraced feverous audience participation, which became a calling card of their legendary live performances. May said: “It was an epiphany for us when we suddenly realised everyone was singing everything at our concerts, so we thought – why don’t we encourage it? From then on, we were a band completely interacting with our audience. It was a big step at the time to do that.”

Freddie Mercury’s prowess as a frontman, with his charisma, penchant for theatrics and incredible range, made him one of the all-time greatest rock stars. “He’s very complex, Freddie,” continued May. “A very shy person who became this very powerful person on stage, and he understood how people connect. He was a leader on stage. A leader of the people. He had an extraordinary voice.”

Together, Queen remain one of the world’s biggest-selling musical artists, with over 300 million record sales and a legacy that continues to enthral, influence and inspire.

Lollapalooza 2025 Unveils Star-Studded Lineup Featuring Olivia Rodrigo, Tyler The Creator, TWICE & More!

Eric Alper
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Lollapalooza 2025 Unveils Star-Studded Lineup Featuring Olivia Rodrigo, Tyler The Creator, TWICE & More!

Lollapalooza has unveiled its 2025 lineup, led by superstars Olivia Rodrigo, Tyler, The Creator, Sabrina Carpenter, RUFUS DU SOL, Luke Combs, TWICE, A$AP Rocky and Korn, and featuring performances by Gracie Abrams, Doechii, Dom Dolla, Djo, The Marías, Martin Garrix, Cage The Elephant, Clairo, and much, much more. The iconic annual music celebration takes place July 31-August 3, with more than 170 artists on eight stages, delivering four full days of music and interactive programming in Chicago’s crown jewel, Grant Park.

Guaranteed lowest price 4-Day Tickets will be available Thursday, March 20 at 10am CT for one hour only. This is the only way to guarantee the lowest price on 4-Day General Admission, GA+, VIP and Platinum Tickets. Ticket prices will increase at 11am CT when the Public On-Sale begins. To sign up for the presale, purchase tickets and shop Lolla’s debut Core Essentials merch collection visit www.lollapalooza.com. Hotel and Festival Experience packages are also available now with exclusive festival rates and offerings.

1-Day and 2-Day Tickets, along with the lineup-by-day will be available at a later date. Kids eight and under may attend for free with a ticketed adult and enjoy Kidzapalooza, Presented by Lifeway Kefir, an interactive music playground within the festival featuring a lineup of family-friendly performances, activities, music, and dance workshops and more.

In an exciting year of firsts, Olivia Rodrigo will make her highly anticipated debut at Lollapalooza Chicago in 2025, while Sabrina Carpenter returns as a headliner, just two years after her debut Grant Park performance. In addition, Luke Combs will make history as Lolla’s first-ever country closer, TWICE will be the first female K-pop group to headline Lollapalooza Chicago, and Korn will return to the Lolla stage for the first time since 1997.

Every year, Lollapalooza sets the bar with a deeply diverse musical lineup, giving music lovers a front row look at the next generation of rock and roll legends. This year’s must-see all-stars on the rise include Mk.gee, Mau P, Barry Can’t Swim, Magdalena Bay, and Fujii Kaze, while Alex Warren, Gigi Perez, Bilmuri, and floweroflove serve as this year’s class of breakout performers.

Lollapalooza is thrilled to partner with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras (CYSO), where students helped unveil this year’s lineup through an exciting blend of contemporary and classical music. Lolla takes pride in showcasing the talent and dedication of young musicians in Chicago, who arranged and performed renditions of songs by Olivia Rodrigo, Korn, Doechii, and Dom Dolla, that were shared on Lolla’s socials in advance of today’s lineup announcement. CYSO will also perform at this year’s festival. Through initiatives like this, Lollapalooza aims to inspire the next generation of musicians by providing unique opportunities to foster their talent.

Lollapalooza’s contribution to the City of Chicago leads all festivals in the region. While the festival takes place over a four-day weekend in the summer, organizers strive to deliver meaningful engagement programs and create positive impacts in the city year-round. Lollapalooza works to support the local community in various areas, with a focus on introducing Chicago youth to creative opportunities in the festival industry and reducing barriers to arts access in Chicago schools. Reaffirming this commitment, organizers created the Lollapalooza Arts Education Fund, a $2.2M donation to support arts and education in Chicago Public Schools. In addition, Lollapalooza partners with local nonprofits including After School Matters, Community Goods, and Yollocalli to integrate art by Chicago youth into the festival, hosts the annual Lollapalooza & Sue-os Festival Job Fair to increase access to careers in the festival industry, and engages with the Chicago arts and culture community year-round through ongoing partnerships with Festival University, Kennedy King College, Teens in the Park Fest, Black Culture Week, and Musically Fed. As a part of Lollapalooza’s commitment to community relations, the festival has also improved communal spaces by funding the Grant Park Tennis and Pickleball Court Project.

The Momentary Unveils 2025 Music Lineup Featuring Alabama Shakes, GloRilla, Megan Moroney & More

Eric Alper
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The Momentary Unveils 2025 Music Lineup Featuring Alabama Shakes, GloRilla, Megan Moroney & More

The Momentary announced their 2025 music slate, including the lineups for their outdoor Live on the Green series and indoor RODE house series. The Momentary, which recently celebrated its fifth anniversary, has become the “epicenter of the arts and music community” (VenuesNow) in Bentonville, solidifying its reputation as a premier performance destination for Grammy winners and rising artists alike. 2025 will see a wide-ranging lineup, offering shows for every music lover.

The Live on the Green 2025 series will bring a dynamic lineup of artists to Bentonville’s sprawling outdoor lawn, kicking off on April 26 with CMA Award-winner and GRAMMY Best New Artist nominee Megan Moroney. The series will also feature Alabama Shakes (July 22), reuniting for their first tour in eight years and performing hits from their GRAMMY-winning album Sound & Color, critically acclaimed indie pop-rock group Hippo Campus (May 25) who are stopping in Bentonville as part of their Flood North American tour, 8X BET Award nominee and 3X GRAMMY-nominated rap powerhouse GloRilla (June 13), genre-blurring indie-pop artist Still Woozy (August 4), and reggae legends Ziggy Marley & Burning Spear (October 3). Additional acts will be announced soon.

“Our goal at the Momentary is to curate a music experience that resonates with every kind of listener, from lifelong fans to those discovering new sounds,” said Will Eubanks, Director of Music and Production at the Momentary. With this year’s lineup, we’re bringing a dynamic mix of acclaimed artists and rising stars that showcase the diversity and energy of today’s music scene.”

The Momentary is also home to the indoor RODE House Music Series. The RODE House series kicked off with indie rock powerhouse Real Estate on February 7, and will continue to feature an illustrious lineup of performers this spring. The series will include performances by Greyhounds & King Cabbage Brass Band (March 1), Oh He Dead (March 6), Wonder Women of Country (March 7), TRAITORS (March 8), The Main Squeeze (March 28), Jessica Pratt (April 6), TOKIMONSTA (May 3), and Wallice (May 9).

The Momentary is also set to host FreshGrass | Bentonville, a two-day, all-ages festival celebrating the best in American and global roots music and folk traditions. The 2025 festival will take place May 16-17 and will feature performances by Lukas Nelson, Shaky Graves, Bela Fleck, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, La Do-a, Alison Brown, Jesse Welles, Sister Sadie, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Lost Bayou Ramblers, The Langan Band and more. FreshGrass | Bentonville has welcomed over 20,000 attendees and a variety of phenomenal talents to the Momentary since its inception. Past performers include Billy Strings, Sierra Ferrell, Trombone Shorty, Jason Isbell, and Mavis Staples, among many others. For more information and tickets, please visit theMomentary.org/FreshGrass.

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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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