Home Blog Page 893

Official Spotify Fan Engagement Guide 2025 Published

Eric Alper
-
0
Official Spotify Fan Engagement Guide 2025 Published

Every artist’s audience goals are unique, and having the right tools can unlock deeper fandom at every stage. Spotify has just released their official Fan Engagement Guide for 2025:

Music goals come in all shapes and sizes – from attracting new fans with a debut album to deepening connections with long-time listeners ahead of a tour. That’s where Campaign Kit comes in.

With tools like playlist pitching, Discovery Mode, Marquee, and Showcase, Campaign Kit is designed to help you turn any listeners into “super listeners” – aka your most engaged fans from the past 28 days who come back to your music time and time again. In fact, our 2023 Fan Study found that over two-thirds of super listeners will still be streaming your music after a six-month stretch.

Purpose-built to achieve three audience goals — growth, reactivation, and engagement — Campaign Kit helps to create and nurture loyal fans.

Goal #1: Grow your audience

Bringing new listeners into your musical orbit is the first stop on the fan journey. Campaign Kit helps connect your music with the right potential audiences to get things moving.

Use: Playlist pitching

In 2024, 74% of artists added to an editorial playlist had fewer than 100K monthly listeners. Playlist pitching is a free tool that artists of all sizes and stages in their career can use to help get their new releases heard.

  • How it works: Submit unreleased tracks to our editors to be considered for curated playlists – where listeners discover new music.
  • Measure: New listeners.
  • Success story: Latin artist Jay Wheeler’s song, “TRAPPii,” landed on Spotify’s Trap Land playlist, driving 100,000 streams.

Use: Discovery Mode

In 2024, 35% of all discoveries on Spotify happened via personalized recommendations in algorithmic contexts. With Discovery Mode, artists now have a say in how their songs are surfaced to listeners in these contexts.

  • How it works: Amplify the reach of your songs via Spotify Mixes, Radio, and Autoplay.
  • Measure: Streams, new listeners.
  • Success story: Pop artist NERIAH reached nearly half a million new listeners in the three months preceding her debut album — representing nearly 25% of her listeners during that time.

Use: Marquee and Showcase

On average, our research shows that combining Marquee and Showcase generates 40x more new active listeners—5x more than using Marquee alone.

  • How they work: Introduce your music to listeners who are most likely to stream the promoted release after seeing the campaign – even if they’re new to your music.
  • Target: Programmed and/or potential audience.
  • Measure: New active listeners, new listeners.
  • Success story: Nearly half of the listeners reached through EDM artist William Black’s Showcase were new to his music.

Goal #2: Reactivate listeners who haven’t streamed recently

Re-engaging past listeners keeps your music in their rotation. Without engagement, over half of the listeners in an artist’s previously active audience stop streaming within three months, on average.

Use: Marquee and Showcase

On average, we’ve seen that new releases promoted with Marquee drive a 6x lift in reactivated listeners.

  • How they work: Hone-in on listeners who haven’t streamed you recently with new or catalog music.
  • Target: Previously active audience.
  • Measure: Reactivated listeners.
  • Success story: Over 10% of previously active listeners who streamed indie artist Goth Babe’s single from his Showcase campaign saved it to their library or added it to a personal playlist. And nearly 20% of those listeners went on to stream other releases by Goth Babe.

Goal #3: Deepen connections with active fans

Your most engaged listeners – aka your “active audience” – go beyond just streaming your music once. They save and playlist add tracks, and return to stream again and again. They even support you with live shows and merch sales. Deepening fandom with this valuable set of listeners is an investment in long-term success.

Use: Discovery Mode

On average, we’ve seen that artists see a +50% increase in saves, +44% in playlist adds, and +37% in follows in the first month using Discovery Mode.

  • How it works: Amplify your reach with existing fans and increase actions that lead to long-term fandom – like saves, playlist adds, and follows.
  • Measure: Streams.
  • Success story: Over a 15-month period, after activating Discovery Mode for 11 tracks, R&B artist thuy’s listeners saved and added her songs to playlists over 200,000 times.

Use: Marquee and Showcase

On average, we’ve seen that new releases promoted with Marquee drive a 2x lift in amplified listeners.

  • How they work: Hone in on your most engaged listeners to encourage them to dive even deeper into your world.
  • Target: Active audience.
  • Measure: Amplified listeners.
  • Success story: After 30 days, active listeners who viewed pop artist Jillian Rossi’s Marquee streamed about 30x more than similar listeners who did not see the campaign.

How to get started with Campaign Kit tools

Campaign Kit is available in the Campaigns tab on Spotify for Artists (desktop). Playlist pitching is open to all artists, Discovery Mode is live in 90+ markets, and Showcase and Marquee are available in ten—with more regions and features on the way.

Combine these tools with Clips, Canvas, and Countdown Pages to maximize your reach and connect with fans in fresh, creative ways.

Ready to amplify your next release? Visit the Campaigns tab and start your campaign today.

Spotify for Artists helps you to develop the fanbase you need to reach your goals.

5 Surprising Facts About R.E.M.’s “Automatic for the People”

Eric Alper
-
0
5 Surprising Facts About R.E.M.’s “Automatic for the People”

Few albums capture the weight of nostalgia, loss, and reflection quite like Automatic for the People. Released in 1992, R.E.M.’s eighth studio album defied expectations, moving away from the bright jangle-pop and folk-rock of their earlier years and diving deep into orchestral textures, unconventional instrumentation, and poignant lyricism. With its sweeping arrangements—courtesy of former Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones—the album became an introspective masterpiece that continues to resonate decades later. Here are five lesser-known facts that make Automatic for the People even more fascinating.

1. The Unexpected Influence Behind “Drive” – and an Unexpected Extra

“Drive,” the album’s haunting lead single, is one of R.E.M.’s most brooding and enigmatic songs. While many assumed it was a straight political anthem, the track’s title actually nods to the Motor Voter Bill, which aimed to increase voter registration. Musically, it pays homage to David Essex’s 1973 hit Rock On, mirroring its sparse arrangement and echoing vocal delivery. Producer Scott Litt later revealed that Peter Buck and Mike Mills—both huge Queen fans—were also inspired by the band’s dramatic approach to arrangement. Adding to the song’s lore, Drive‘s music video, shot at the Sepulveda Dam, features a blink-and-you-miss-it appearance from future Parks and Recreation star Adam Scott, who worked as an extra.

2. “Nightswimming” and the Legendary Piano That Played “Layla”

A centerpiece of the album’s wistful nostalgia, “Nightswimming” stands apart as one of R.E.M.’s most delicate and evocative ballads. Unlike the rest of the album, which features layered arrangements, the track is stripped down to just Mike Mills’ piano, Michael Stipe’s voice, and an orchestral arrangement by John Paul Jones. Mills originally dismissed the song’s circular piano riff, playing it absentmindedly during sessions—until Stipe immediately latched onto it. The piano itself has its own legend: Mills recorded the final version at Criteria Studios in Miami, on the same instrument used for Derek and the Dominos’ Layla.

3. The Album Was Supposed to Be More Rock-Oriented

After the folk-leaning Out of Time, R.E.M. initially set out to make a louder, more aggressive follow-up. Early rehearsals focused on writing uptempo rock songs, but the band found themselves gravitating toward melancholic, atmospheric material instead. Out of the 30 songs they demoed, only three could be considered “rockers”: “Ignoreland,” “The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite,” and “Man on the Moon.” The result was an album that seemed quiet and introspective, but was, in many ways, more emotionally raw and intense than anything they’d done before.

4. The Lost Album Title and the Star That Survived a Hurricane

Automatic for the People wasn’t always the planned title. At one point, the band considered naming the album Star, a reference to the striking Sputnik-like ornament on the cover. That object was originally part of the sign for the Sinbad Motel in Miami, near where the band recorded. Although the motel itself still stands, the star was damaged in Hurricane Andrew and removed. In an alternate reality, we could be talking about Star as one of the greatest albums of the ’90s.

5. A Secret Nazareth Connection in “Everybody Hurts”

“Everybody Hurts” became one of R.E.M.’s most enduring anthems, known for its direct, comforting lyrics. Unlike most R.E.M. songs, which feature cryptic or abstract storytelling, this track was written with straightforward lyrics to ensure its message reached listeners—especially teenagers struggling with mental health. What’s lesser-known is that the song’s melody and tone were heavily inspired by Nazareth’s 1975 power ballad Love Hurts, a song Stipe had long admired. Initially, Stipe wanted Patti Smith to sing on the track, but the collaboration never materialized.

Automatic for the People was a turning point for R.E.M., a reflection on change, mortality, and the inevitable passage of time. More than 30 years later, it remains one of the defining records of its era, proving that sometimes, the quietest moments leave the loudest impact.

5 Surprising Facts About The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s “Axis: Bold as Love”

Eric Alper
-
0
5 Surprising Facts About The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s “Axis: Bold as Love”

With Axis: Bold as Love, Jimi Hendrix took the psychedelic blues he pioneered on Are You Experienced and infused it with new textures, studio experimentation, and a more nuanced lyrical approach. The album’s impact goes beyond its era, influencing countless musicians across genres. Here are five lesser-known facts that reveal how Axis: Bold as Love became a milestone in rock history.

1. The Master Tape Disaster

The release of Axis: Bold as Love nearly didn’t happen as planned. Hendrix accidentally left the master tape for Side A in the back seat of a London taxi, forcing a last-minute remix session to recreate the lost recordings. With a looming deadline, he and producer Chas Chandler worked through the night to redo the mixes. However, one track, If 6 Was 9, was saved by bassist Noel Redding, who had a personal copy of an earlier mix. The tape was damaged and had to be ironed flat before use—proving that rock history sometimes hangs by a thread.

2. The Album Cover That Hendrix Hated

The Axis: Bold as Love cover art, featuring Hendrix and the Experience depicted as Hindu deities, is one of the most striking in rock history—but Hendrix himself despised it. The design was created without his input, and he found it culturally insensitive. He had wanted the artwork to reflect his Native American heritage instead. The controversy surrounding the cover led to bans in some countries and remains a point of discussion about artistic control in the music industry.

3. The Secret of ‘Little Wing’

Hendrix wrote Little Wing after performing at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967, capturing the festival’s atmosphere in a song. He described it as putting all the festival’s energy into the form of a girl who “just floats around” like a guardian angel. But musically, the song was just as innovative. Hendrix’s lead guitar was run through a Leslie speaker—typically used for organs—giving it a swirling, ethereal tone that became one of his most imitated sounds.

4. The Sound of ‘Spanish Castle Magic’ Was Inspired by a Real Club

The hard-driving Spanish Castle Magic was inspired by an actual venue: The Spanish Castle, a club in Washington state where Hendrix played as a teenager. The club was a major hub for early rock and R&B, and Hendrix channeled his memories into the song’s psychedelic riff. Musically, the song was groundbreaking too—bassist Noel Redding played an eight-string Hagstrom bass through an Octavia effects unit, which gave it a thick, futuristic tone.

5. ‘If 6 Was 9’ and the Hopi Mythology Connection

On the surface, If 6 Was 9 is a countercultural anthem of individuality, but Hendrix may have drawn inspiration from Native American Hopi mythology. The lyric “If the mountains fell into the sea” echoes a Hopi creation myth about the destruction of the second world. Hendrix was fascinated by Native American and mystical themes, and many of his lyrics reflect these influences. The song’s studio effects—stereo panning, slapback delay, and reverb—further enhance its otherworldly atmosphere.

More than just a sophomore album, Axis: Bold as Love was a turning point in rock history, showing Hendrix’s ability to push musical and technological boundaries. Its influence extends far beyond the late ‘60s, continuing to inspire generations of musicians. Understanding these hidden stories only deepens our appreciation for Hendrix’s genius and the enduring impact of his work.

Shinedown Announces 2025 Dance, Kid, Dance Tour With Support From Special Guests BUSH And Beartooth

Eric Alper
-
0
Shinedown Announces 2025 Dance, Kid, Dance Tour With Support From Special Guests BUSH And Beartooth

Multi-platinum, chart-topping band Shinedown has announced their highly anticipated upcoming Dance, Kid, Dance Tour. Co-produced by FPC Live and Live Nation, the Dance, Kid, Dance Tour kicks off on April 25th in Des Moines, IA making stops across the U.S. in Nashville, New York and more before wrapping up in Memphis, TN on August 30th. The 30+-city trek will feature special guest Beartooth on the spring dates and legendary band BUSH on the summer dates with Morgan Wade opening all shows.

Fans can expect megawatt sets from all acts including fan-favorite hits and classics. In addition, Shinedown has teamed up with Musicians On Call, donating $1 for every ticket sold on the tour. Musicians On Call, the nation’s leading provider of live music in hospitals, has delivered the healing power of music to patients, families, and caregivers for 25 years.

Shinedown continues to demonstrate that they are one of the most forward-thinking powerhouses in music, forever pushing the boundaries of what it means to be a modern-day rock band. The tour not only kicks off a new era for Shinedown but continues to celebrate the momentous acclaim the band received from their juggernaut song “A Symptom of Being Human” off their 7th studio album Planet Zero (Atlantic Records). The song, which has reached over 100 million streams and counting, crossed over not only to Alternative but Top 40 radio and resonated with fans across the globe for the unifying message of its lyrics: that it is our human connections that matter the most. Recently the band announced two brand new singles will be released on Friday, January 24th: “Three Six Five,” and “Dance, Kid, Dance,” getting fans even more excited for all things Shinedown in 2025.

Coming off their hottest tour in 15 years, GRAMMY-nominated, multi-Platinum band BUSH will join Shinedown on the summer leg of the Dance, Kid, Dance Tour. The band recently released Loaded: The Greatest Hits 1994-2023 (Round Hill Records), a 21-track retrospective celebrating nearly three decades of hits, including “Everything Zen,” “Glycerine,” “Swallowed,” and their latest single, “Nowhere To Go But Everywhere.” Frontman Gavin Rossdale will also debut Dinner with Gavin Rossdale, a new series premiering February 13, 2025, on VIZIO’s free streaming service, WatchFree+. Sign up here. The show features intimate, celebrity-filled dinners at Gavin’s Los Angeles home, with guests such as Serena Williams, Common, Tom Jones, where they share candid conversations and a three-course meal designed and prepared by Gavin himself.

Beartooth has solidified their place as a powerhouse in rock, with their latest album The Surface debuting at #1 on Billboard’s Alternative and Hard Rock charts and earning top spots in Current Album Sales and Vinyl. With multiple #1 hits like “Might Love Myself” and “I Was Alive,” as well as a Platinum certification for their breakout single “In Between,” they continue to dominate rock radio, ranking as the 8th most-played artist and landing “I Was Alive” as the #6 most-played song.

An ACM, AMA, and CMT Awards nominee, Morgan Wade has earned acclaim from the The New York Times, Rolling Stone, NPR, Garden & Gun, Billboard, No Depression, Vulture, and more. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Wade’s latest album Obsessed puts the focus on her storytelling abilities and singular voice. She writes with incredible force about the ache for home and the emotion of being reunited with loved ones, of feeling dangerously preoccupied with someone, and of being in situations that society might consider outside the norm. Produced by her touring guitarist Clint Wells, Obsessed is an entirely self-written, stripped-down 14-track collection that showcases Wade at her rawest and most vulnerable. She recently toured with Alanis Morissette and Joan Jett on the TRIPLE MOON TOUR and has hit the road with Eric Church, Chris Stapleton, and Lucero, among others.

TICKETS: Tickets will be available starting with Citi and Verizon presales (details below) beginning Tuesday, January 21. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale beginning Friday, January 24 at 10am local at LiveNation.com.

PRESALES: Citi is the official card of the Dance, Kid, Dance Tour. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Tuesday, January 21 at 2pm ET until Thursday, January 23 at 10pm local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com.

Verizon will offer an exclusive presale for the Shinedown Dance, Kid, Dance Tour in the U.S. through Verizon Access, just for being a customer. Verizon Access Presale tickets for select shows will begin Tuesday, January 21 at 2pm ET until Thursday, January 23 at 10pm local time. For more details visit Verizon.com/Access.

Multi-platinum band Shinedown have cemented their status as one of the most vital and forward-thinking powerhouses in music, embodying the kind of creative dynamism that transcends boundaries with over 6.5 billion global streams, a record-breaking 21 #1 rock hits, 15 platinum and gold singles, platinum or gold certification for all of their albums, 10 million albums sold worldwide, and major media acclaim. They are known for their timely and honest messages behind their chart-topping songs that resonate with not only their global audience and the rock community, but our culture at large.

History continues to be made as Shinedown is the #1 artist on Billboard’s Greatest Of All Time Mainstream Rock Artists Chart, after notching the most ever #1s (19) in the history of the Mainstream Rock Songs Chart with a string of consecutive #1 hit singles. Mediabase has also cemented Shinedown as the greatest rock band in history with an award for the most No. 1’s, Top 5’s and Top 10’s in Mediabase Active Rock Chart history. The band’s latest juggernaut track “A Symptom Of Being Human,” (off of their 7th studio album Planet Zero) amassed over 100 million total streams and has connected with listeners worldwide across all genres with its uplifting and important message.

Hailed for their high-octane live shows, explosive rock ‘n’ roll spirit, thought-provoking lyrics, and melodic sensibility, Shinedown continues to engender diehard love from millions of global fans and has racked up countless sold-out tours and festival headlining slots propelled by the undeniable power of front man Brent Smith’s voice. Shinedown is Brent Smith [vocals], Zach Myers [guitar], Eric Bass [bass, production], and Barry Kerch [drums].

2025 sees the band ready to continue their history making rise as they take on bigger venues and push the boundaries of what it means to be a modern-day rock band. Stay tuned for more…

After three decades, well over 24 million records sold, a GRAMMY Award nomination, 1 billion streams, and a procession of #1 hits, BUSH stands tall as rock outliers whose imprint only widens as the years pass. Turn on rock radio, and it won’t be long before you hear “Glycerine” or “Machinehead.” On the big screen, their music courses through blockbuster franchises such as John Wick. On the road, they regularly pack amphitheaters and ignite festival stages. In 1994, the group delivered their seminal debut, Sixteen Stone. It notably achieved a six-times platinum certification and remains a pillar of modern rock. Rolling Stone cited it among “1994: The 40 Best Records From Mainstream Alternative’s Greatest Year,” while Stereogum exclaimed, “It feels like music untethered from time, separate from its history.” The triple-platinum follow-up, Razorblade Suitcase, bowed at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 and boasted “Swallowed,” which garnered a GRAMMY Award nomination in the category of “Best Hard Rock Performance.” Their catalog spans the platinum The Science of Things [1999] through The Kingdom [2020], which arrived to acclaim highlighted by “Flowers On A Grave” and “Bullet Holes.” As indefatigable as ever, the band released its ninth full-length offering, The Art of Survival [BMG] in late 2022. Thus far, they have notched 25 straight Top 40 hits on the Modern Rock and Mainstream Rock charts, earning six #1 entries. The band just released their first-ever career retrospective, Loaded: The Greatest Hits 1994-2023.

Caleb Shomo first turned the pain of his struggle with mental health and self-image into music in 2013. Beartooth began as a living document, a diary, a journal of repressed rage and depression. Alone in his basement studio, screaming and singing, playing all the instruments, and self-producing a batch of furious but melodic songs filled with reflection and confession, the Ohio native stared into the abyss, initially with no intention of returning to the heavy music world that burned him as a teen. A decade later, the different pieces of his body of work connect in title, sound, and spirit. As the

frontman hits 30, Beartooth’s fifth album, The Surface , completes this era in 2023. Even more importantly, it kicks off a new chapter filled with surprising optimism and just as honest. Depression is a sick, disgusting, aggressive disease below the surface. Caleb stands ready to bask in the light. Like Nine Inch Nails, Beartooth remains a one-person band in the studio. On the heels of the introductory Sick EP (2013), Disgusting (2014) produced BEARTOOTH’s first Gold single, “In Between.” Aggressive (2016) and Disease (2018) expanded on the desperation and pain, each a step closer to a balance between the blood and tears of classic recordings and the shimmer of modernity. Rolling Stone heralded Beartooth as one of 10 Artists You Need to Know. The rabid response to Caleb’s music demonstrated how many people related to his struggle for self-acceptance. Below (2021) topped the Rock and Alternative charts and several Best Rock/Metal Albums of the Year lists.

As of 2023, the Beartooth catalog boasts more than 1 billion streams across all platforms. Beartooth began as both bomb and balm, an outright refusal to suffer in silence, weaponizing radio- ready bombast, delivering raw emotion mixed with noise-rock chaos. Other bands play the “devastating riffs and catchy hooks” game, but this music is the difference between life and death, and now, a sort of life after death while still here. The band Forbes sees “inching towards a tipping point of becoming the latest arena headliner” is now one step closer.

One of Nashville’s most critically acclaimed stars, Morgan Wade stands alone in her ability to dissect and examine human emotion through her visceral songwriting. Her latest effort, Obsessed, was a solo-written opus, which No Depression celebrated, “She’s without a doubt one of the finest singers in country and Americana music today, and this album is her best yet.” The 14-track project pares things back to the essence of who she is as a musician, storyteller, and human. It’s Wade at her rawest and most vulnerable, the way she started out, and a convincing statement that she’s one of country music’s most distinctive talents. The third album in a universally hailed trifecta, Obsessed follows her debut Reckless (which Rolling Stone declared the Best Country Album of the Year upon release) and sophomore effort Psychopath, which was spotlighted by The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, People, Tennessean, Variety, and many more. Having toured with the likes of Chris Stapleton, Eric Church, Luke Combs, American Aquarium, Lucero, and many more, Wade recently wrapped her opening stint with Alanis Morissette and Joan Jett on the TRIPLE MOON TOUR and is in the midst of her headlining OBSESSED TOUR now. She is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, a brand ambassador for Monster Energy and Brooks Running, and an ownership partner in Max Effort Muscle supplements.

As the nation’s leading provider of live music in hospitals, Musicians On Call (MOC) has delivered the healing power of music to patients, families and caregivers in healthcare environments for 25 years. More than one million people across all 50 states have experienced the joys of live music in the hospital setting through MOC’s bedside, virtual and streaming programs. MOC Volunteers perform live for children and adults facing any health challenge, including Veterans recovering in VA facilities, family members supporting loved ones in need and healthcare workers caring for patients. With innovations like its online program platform, the organization continues its work to wards revolutionizing access to music in healthcare. MOC’s network includes Volunteer Guides, Volunteer Musicians and renowned artist supporters including Bruce Springsteen, Dolly Parton, Barry Manilow, Kelly Clarkson, Darius Rucker, Trisha Yearwood, Katy Perry, Jason Derulo, Ed Sheeran, Olivia Rodrigo, Reba McEntire, Camila Cabello, Wynonna Judd, Nick Jonas, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Pharrell, Kelsea Ballerini, The War And Treaty, Amos Lee, Lis Fonsi, Peter Frampton, Luke Bryan, Charles Esten and many more. For more information on how Musicians On Call delivers the healing power of music, visit www.musiciansoncall.org.

DANCE, KID, DANCE TOUR DATES:
Fri Apr 25 | Des Moines, IA | Wells Fargo Arena
Sat Apr 26 | Omaha, NE | CHI Health Center
Mon Apr 28 | Wichita, KS | INTRUST Bank Arena
Thu May 01 | Toledo, OH | Huntington Center
Fri May 02 | Lexington, KY | Rupp Arena
Sun May 04 | Little Rock, AR | Simmons Bank Arena
Tue May 06 | New Orleans, LA | Smoothie King Center
Fri May 09 | Peoria, IL | Peoria Civic Center
Sat May 10 | Nashville, TN | Bridgestone Arena
Tue May 13 | Birmingham, AL | The Legacy Arena at The BJCC
Sat Jul 19 | Boston, MA | TD Garden
Sun Jul 20 | New York City, NY | Madison Square Garden
Tue Jul 22 | Pittsburgh, PA | PPG Paints Arena
Wed Jul 23 | Columbus, OH | Schottenstein Center
Fri Jul 25 | Detroit, MI | Little Caesars Arena
Sat Jul 26 | Milwaukee, WI | Fiserv Forum
Mon Jul 28 | Minneapolis, MN | Target Center
Tue Jul 29 | Kansas City, MO | T-Mobile Center
Sat Aug 02 | Phoenix, AZ | Footprint Center
Tue Aug 05 | Sacramento, CA | Golden 1 Center
Thu Aug 07 | Portland, OR | Moda Center
Fri Aug 08 | Seattle, WA | Climate Pledge Arena
Mon Aug 11 | Salt Lake City, UT | Maverik Center
Tue Aug 12 | Denver, CO | Ball Arena
Fri Aug 15 | St. Louis, MO | Enterprise Center
Sat Aug 16 | Rosemont, IL | Allstate Arena
Mon Aug 18 | Indianapolis, IN | Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Tue Aug 19 | Cleveland, OH | Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Thu Aug 21 | Raleigh, NC | Lenovo Center
Sat Aug 23 | Greenville, SC | Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Sun Aug 24 | Atlanta, GA | State Farm Arena
Wed Aug 27 | Houston, TX | Toyota Center
Thu Aug 28 | Fort Worth, TX | Dickies Arena
Sat Aug 30 | Memphis, TN | FedExForum

BossMan Dlow Announces 2025 Tour

Eric Alper
-
0
BossMan Dlow Announces 2025 Tour

Today, BossMan Dlow – the breakout new rap artist of 2024 with over two billion streams across a string of hits and a multitude of accolades – announces his upcoming spring 2025 tour. Produced by Live Nation, the 15-city tour kicks off on March 6, at The Fillmore in San Francisco, making stops across North America in Las Vegas, Atlanta, Toronto and more, before wrapping up on April 22 at Steelhouse Omaha in Omaha.

BossMan Dlow recently released his official debut album DLOW CURRY via Alamo Records, featuring Glorilla, Ice Spice, Lil Baby, French Montana & more. Dlow was announced as Spotify’s next RADAR artist, joining the likes of Sexyy Red and Peso Pluma in Spotify’s leading program to spotlight emerging artists worldwide. In 2024, Dlow was also named to XXL’s Freshmen Class of 2024, Billboard’s ‘Rookie Of The Month,”, as well as BET’s Amplified artist program and a ‘Best New Artist’ nomination at the 2024 BET Awards.

Tickets will be available starting with artist presale beginning Thursday, January 16. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale beginning Friday, January 17 at 10am local time at LiveNation.com.

BossMan Dlow – the breakthrough rap superstar hailing from Port Salerno, FL – burst into the scene in 2022 with the release of his debut mixtape 2 Slippery, which charted on the Billboard 200. Mr. Beat The Road, his Alamo Records follow-up, debuted at #20 on the Billboard 200, and has garnered an astounding 2 billion streams to date, earning Dlow his first gold album. Getting the most out of Dlow’s massive charisma, the 17-track mixtape yielded the platinum certified, #1 urban radio smash “Get In With Me,” along with the gold-certified hits “Mr. Pot Scraper,”“Finesse” and “Talk My Shit”. In December 2024, Dlow released his official debut album ‘Dlow Curry’ to unanimous fan and critical acclaim. Bossman Dlow has garnered numerous accolades and awards, including Spotify’s RADAR program, and XXL Magazine’s Freshmen Class of 2024, along with BET Awards and BET Hip-Hop Awards nominations for ‘Best New Artist.’ Dlow has received cosigns from industry stalwarts like Rod Wave, Moneybagg Yo, Ciara, Solange, Lil Baby, and more. The rising star is making a name for himself with his unexpected punchlines, sly flexes, and out-of-pocket pronouncements.

BOSSMAN DLOW 2025 TOUR DATES: 
Thu Mar 06 — San Francisco, CA — The Fillmore
Fri Mar 07 — Sacramento, CA — Ace of Spades
Sat Mar 08 — Las Vegas, NV — House of Blues
Tue Mar 11 — San Diego, CA — Observatory North Park
Thu Mar 13 — Tempe, AZ — Marquee Theatre
Sat Mar 22 — Austin, TX — Emo’s Austin
Tue Mar 25 — Atlanta, GA — Tabernacle
Sat Apr 05 — Cincinnati, OH — Bogart’s
Mon Apr 07 — Philadelphia, PA — The Fillmore Philadelphia
Wed Apr 09 — Pittsburgh, PA — Roxian Theatre
Sun Apr 13 — Boston, MA — Big Night Live
Tue Apr 15 — Toronto, ON — The Phoenix Concert Theatre
Thu Apr 17 — Minneapolis, MN — Uptown Theater
Sat Apr 19 — Denver, CO — Fillmore Auditorium
Tue Apr 22 — Omaha, NE — Steelhouse Omaha

Governors Ball 2025 Lineup Announced Tyler, The Creator, Olivia Rodrigo, Hozier To Headline

Eric Alper
-
0
Governors Ball 2025 Lineup Announced Tyler, The Creator, Olivia Rodrigo, Hozier To Headline

Following widespread critical acclaim last year, New York’s premier music festival, Governors Ball, has unveiled its 2025 lineup. The festival will make its highly anticipated return to the iconic Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens on June 6-8, once again aligning with New York’s Music Month. This year’s lineup includes headlining performances from genre-defying festival alumni Tyler, The Creator, breakout popstar Olivia Rodrigo, and Platinum-selling, GRAMMY-nominated Irish singer-songwriter Hozier. The lineup also includes Benson Boone, Feid, Glass Animals, Conan Gray, Mt. Joy, Mk.Gee, Clairo, The Backseat Lovers, Young Miko, and much more.

Celebrating 15 years and staged for the third time at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Gov Ball will kick off summer in the city with 3 days of performances from over 60 bands across 3 stages. The festival site is less than 30 minutes by train from any of the Five Boroughs with the 7 Train and the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) taking fans directly to Flushing Meadows Corona Park!

The festival will once again feature some of the city’s top local, gourmet food offerings including fan favorites from around Queens, plus a beverage program suitable for beating the New York summer heat. Fun and engaging fan experiences, photo opportunities and more will abound at every corner of the iconic New York City park. Vendors, activations and additional programming to be announced in the coming weeks.

“New Yorkers are well familiar with these signs of summer: beachgoers on the A train; round-the-clock firecrackers; the smell of hot trash; and Gov Ball, the annual pop bonanza that returns this weekend to Queens.” – The New York Times

“MANY PEOPLE HAVE tried to make music festivals happen inside the five boroughs of New York over the years, with varying degrees of success. These days, Governors Ball is the one that rules them all… Since moving to Flushing Meadows Corona Park in 2023, it’s come closer than anyone to bringing an expansive, West Coast-style festival experience to the city. ” – Rolling Stone

“New York’s hottest club isn’t another Lower East Side dive with cheap drinks—it’s actually the Governor’s Ball music festival.” – Cosmopolitan

“It felt like all of the years past were building up to this exact moment in Gov Ball history, the moment in which everything fell perfectly into place. The energy throughout the entire weekend was palpable. From everyone who gathered in the pits to support all the New York locals, to the hundreds of thousands in pink cowboy hats who witnessed the star power of Roan and the festival constantly one-upping itself day after day, set after set. Move over, Coachella…”  – NME

Credit: Charles Reagan

 

Credit: Alive Coverage

Credit: Charles Reagan

Fans can sign up now for the SMS Presale happening THIS Thursday, 1/16 from 10am – 11am ET. This is the ONLY WAY to guarantee getting your tickets at the lowest price. Sign up here for a presale passcode to secure your spot at Gov Ball 2025. All ticket prices will increase on Thursday at 11am ET when the Public On-Sale begins. Ticket prices are all-inclusive with no fees on top.

This year, Gov Ball is pleased to announce the PIT VIEWING 3-day and 1-day ticket types. This ticket offers the same amenities as VIP but includes an exclusive viewing area at all 3 stages just in front of VIP viewing. There is no better view available! Returning premium ticket types this year include GA+, VIP and Cabanas for both 1 and 3 days.

Layaway Plans are also available on all ticket types starting at $25 down. Also, local Queens residents (11368, 11355, 11375, and 11367 zip codes) are eligible for a 15% discount on tickets. For more information on all ticket types and layaway plans, please visit www.GovBall.com.

In 2025, the Gov Ball Gives Back program will continue working directly with local and national non-profits, as well as the cultural organizations within Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Gov Ball will continue to ensure these important causes and institutions get the support they need to further their missions. This year’s national and regional partnerships include Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Chhaya, Elmhurst Corona Resource Collaborative (ECRC), Headcount, Everytown for Gun Safety, Planned Parenthood, This Must be The Place, Be The Match: National Marrow Donor Program and Music Forward Foundation. The festival benefits for Parks and Flushing Meadows Corona Park Cultural Organizations include: capital improvements to Flushing Meadows Corona Park including 20,000 square feet of sod and additional asphalt installations to improve accessibility, as well as the rental of the Queens Theatre, Queens Museum and New York Hall of Science for the duration of the festival to ensure no lost revenue opportunities. Gov Ball 2024 contributed $127.8 Million to New York City’s economy, including more than $7.1 Million in tax revenue to the region. Gov Ball is also committed to sustainability efforts including programs like free water stations, waste diversion, a reusable cup program replacing single-use plastics on site, the Rock & Recycle program incentivising fans to recycle on-site, and introducing composting this year.

“Summer in New York City is not complete without the sound of music playing in our parks,  said NYC Parks Commissioner, Sue Donoghue. “Holding the Governor’s Ball in our iconic Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens is the perfect way to celebrate the arts and bring people together. We look forward to seeing New Yorkers and visitors alike join us in Queens for this thrilling kick off to summer in one of our most storied parks.”

Queens Borough President, Donovan Richards Jr. added, “With the return of Governor’s Ball to Flushing Meadows Corona Park for a third straight year, The World’s Borough is once again the center of the music world. From Hozier to Olivia Rodrigo to Tyler, the Creator and beyond, this year’s incredible lineup of talent is simply too sweet to miss. We’re also deeply grateful to Gov Ball for its continued investment in our borough’s equally impressive lineup of local food vendors and vital community-based organizations, as well as the tens of millions of dollars in economic activity it generates here in Queens. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to Flushing Meadows for what will be an unforgettable weekend of music!”

City Council Member Shekar Krishnan, Chair of the Committee on Parks and Recreation, continues, “The World’s Borough is once again hosting Gov Ball!  We thank them for being a responsible partner and working with the NYC Parks Department to invest in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Gov Ball demonstrates by example how to bring arts responsibly to our public space while also supporting parks and celebrating the diversity of our borough. We’re excited to see them and the thousands of fans this summer!”

Making its debut in 2011 as a one-day festival, Gov Ball quickly expanded to a three-day multi-stage and multi-genre event featuring world-class artists and local NYC culinary offerings. In 2023, Gov Ball took place at the historic green space, Flushing Meadows Corona Park and is proud to call the lush tree-lined park home. Deemed New York City’s “premier outdoor pop event” by The New York Times, and “New York City’s best music festival” by New York magazine, Governors Ball is routinely heralded as one of the top live music events in North America and the world at large.

St. Vincent Wins Three GRAMMYs, Bringing Career Total to Six

Eric Alper
-
0
St. Vincent Wins Three GRAMMYs, Bringing Career Total to Six

St. Vincent has won three of four nominations at the 67th Annual G.RAMMY Awards: Best Rock Song – “Broken Man” – Best Alternative Music Performance – “Flea” – Best Alternative Music Album – All Born Screaming

The new wins bring St. Vincent’s career GRAMMY tally to six, having previously been awarded Best Rock Song in 2019 for “MASSEDUCTION,” and Best Alternative Music Album in 2015 for her self-titled fourth album and again for 2022’s Daddy’s Home.

Having appeared in this year’s GRAMMY Awards all-star opening performance of “I Love L.A.,” St. Vincent will play the G*ve a F*ck Benefit for L.A. Wildfire Relief on February 5 and Noise Pop in San Francisco on February 23 before resuming her All Born Screaming world tour March 26 in Curitiba, Brazil. Following its swing through South America and Mexico, the tour returns to the U.S. starting April 6 at the Factory in Deep Ellum in Dallas.

Andrew Watt Wins Best Rock Album Grammy for The Rolling Stones’ ‘Hackney Diamonds’

Eric Alper
-
0
Andrew Watt Wins Best Rock Album Grammy for The Rolling Stones’ ‘Hackney Diamonds’

Music producer Andrew Watt made a big splash tonight at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, taking home the ‘Best Rock Album’ trophy for his co-writing and production work on The Rolling Stones’ critically acclaimed 24th studio album, Hackney Diamonds. Watt took to the stage to accept the award, representing the group during the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony.

This latest win follows multiple previous Grammy successes for Watt, including the prestigious ‘Producer of the Year’ award in 2021 for his work on Post Malone’s Hollywood’s Bleeding and Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia, as well as ‘Best Rock Album’ in 2023 for his production on Ozzy Osbourne’s Patient Number 9. These major victories further cement Watt’s reputation as a versatile force in both songwriting and production.

In 2023, Watt earned widespread acclaim for his work on Hackney Diamonds, The Rolling Stones’ first album of original music in 18 years, which he produced entirely. The album’s lead single, “Angry,” also earned Watt a 2023 Grammy nomination for ‘Best Rock Song’ for his co-writing and production on the track.

Tonight’s Grammy success comes on the heels of Watt’s first Oscar nomination in the ‘Best Original Song’ category for his contribution to “Never Too Late” by Elton John and Brandi Carlile. Written for the RJ Cutler-directed documentary Elton John: Never Too Late, the song also credits Elton John, Brandi Carlile, and Bernie Taupin as collaborators. The winner will be revealed at the 97th Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday, March 2nd.

Meanwhile, Watt has been enjoying major chart success with Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ Grammy-winning “Die With a Smile,” which took home the award for Best Pop Duo / Group Performance at tonight’s awards. The song has not only received widespread critical praise but has also become an enormous global hit. It topped the Billboard Global 200 for eight weeks-making it the longest-reigning song of 2024-and reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it has held steady for the last five weeks.

Watt also has co-producing and co-writing credits on Lady Gaga’s highly anticipated seventh studio album, Mayhem, set for release on March 7th. The album’s first single, “Disease,” was released last fall, with Watt also serving as co-producer and co-writer.

Outlaw Music Festival Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Biggest Tour Yet With Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan

Eric Alper
-
0
Outlaw Music Festival Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Biggest Tour Yet With Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan

Willie Nelson, Mark Rothbaum, Keith Wortman, Blackbird Presents and Live Nation are thrilled to announce the Outlaw Music Festival 10th Anniversary Tour. The 2025 tour is the biggest Outlaw tour to date, featuring an unparalleled lineup of legends and superstars, including Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan, Billy Strings, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Sheryl Crow, Turnpike Troubadours, The Avett Brothers, Wilco, Lake Street Dive, The Red Clay Strays, Waxahatchee, Charles Wesley Godwin, Lucinda Williams, Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, Trampled By Turtles, The Mavericks, Sierra Hull, Willow Avalon, Waylon Payne, Madeline Edwards, Lily Meola, Myron Elkins, Tami Neilson, and more. Please refer to the market lineups for artists performing in various cities below.

Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, February 7, at 10 AM local time via OutlawMusicFestival.com and Ticketmaster.com. VIP packages will be available, including great seats and exclusive festival merchandise. Citi is the official card of the 2025 Outlaw Music Festival Tour. Citi card members will have access to presale tickets beginning Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at 10 a.m. local time until Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 10 p.m. local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details, visit www.citientertainment.com.

The Outlaw Music Festival proudly celebrates its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of unforgettable performances and camaraderie among music luminaries and fans alike. Since its 2016 inception in Scranton, PA, the festival has become a hallmark of authentic Americana, developing into one of North America’s largest annual touring franchises. The Outlaw Music Festival Tour, led by cultural and musical icon Willie Nelson, unites music legends with today’s superstars in celebration of the outlaw spirit and genre-defying music. Artists such as Bonnie Raitt, Brandi Carlile, Chris Stapleton, Eric Church, John Fogerty, John Mellencamp, Luke Combs, Neil Young, Phil Lesh, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Sheryl Crow, Sturgill Simpson, The Avett Brothers, Tyler Childers, Van Morrison, Zach Bryan, ZZ Top and many more have been a part of the Outlaw Tour, creating unforgettable music memories. This milestone year promises to be the biggest yet, with 35 stops across 22 states featuring an incredible lineup of artists, vibrant festival experiences, and special tributes to its storied history. Join us as we honor a decade of trailblazing music and memories, with the Outlaw Music Festival continuing to set the stage for the next generation of legendary performances. See the Outlaw Festival’s 10th Anniversary gallery at OutlawMusicFestival.com/10years.

“What an amazing lineup to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Outlaw Music Festival Tour. I can’t wait to join friends and family in bringing this celebration to the fans we love,” says Willie Nelson.

2025 OUTLAW MUSIC FESTIVAL TOUR DATES & LINEUPS:

May 13, 2025
Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre, Phoenix, AZ
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Billy Strings
Sierra Hull
Lily Meola

May 15, 2025
North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre, Chula Vista, CA
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Billy Strings
Sierra Hull
Lily Meola

May 16, 2025
Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Billy Strings
Sierra Hull

May 18, 2025
Toyota Amphitheatre, Wheatland, CA
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Billy Strings
Sierra Hull
Lily Meola

May 20, 2025
Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater, Nampa, ID
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Billy Strings
Sierra Hull
Lily Meola

May 22, 2025
ONE Spokane Stadium, Spokane, WA
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Billy Strings
Sierra Hull
Lily Meola

May 24, 2025
Cascades Amphitheater, Ridgefield, WA
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Billy Strings
Lake Street Dive
Sierra Hull
Lily Meola

May 25, 2025
The Gorge Amphitheatre, Quincy, WA
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Billy Strings
Lake Street Dive
Sierra Hull
Lily Meola

June 20, 2025
Pine Knob Music Theatre, Clarkston, MI
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Trampled by Turtles
Myron Elkins

June 21, 2025
Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers
Myron Elkins

June 22, 2025
Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati, OH
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Trampled by Turtles
Myron Elkins

June 25, 2025
FirstBank Amphitheater, Franklin, TN
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Trampled by Turtles
Tami Neilson

June 27, 2025
Radians Amphitheater, Memphis, TN
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Trampled by Turtles
Tami Neilson

June 28, 2025
Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, Maryland Heights, MO
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Trampled by Turtles
Tami Neilson

June 29, 2025
Thunder Ridge Nature, Arena Ridgedale, MO
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Trampled by Turtles
Tami Neilson

July 5, 2025
Dos Equis Pavilion, Dallas, TX
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
The Avett Brothers
The Mavericks
Tami Neilson

July 6, 2025
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Presented By Huntsman, The Woodlands, TX
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
The Avett Brothers
The Mavericks
Tami Neilson

July 25, 2025
Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, Alpharetta, GA
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Turnpike Troubadours
Charles Wesley Godwin
Willow Avalon

July 26, 2025
PNC Music Pavilion, Charlotte, NC
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Turnpike Troubadours
Charles Wesley Godwin
Willow Avalon

July 27, 2025
Coastal Credit Union Music Park, Raleigh, NC
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Turnpike Troubadours
Charles Wesley Godwin
Willow Avalon

July 29, 2025
Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater, Virginia Beach, VA
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Turnpike Troubadours
Willow Avalon

August 1, 2025
Northwell at Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh, NY
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Wilco
Lucinda Williams
Waylon Payne

August 2, 2025
Broadview Stage at SPAC, Saratoga Springs, NY
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Wilco
Lucinda Williams
Waylon Payne

August 3, 2025
BankNH Pavilion, Gilford, NH
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Wilco
Lucinda Williams
Waylon Payne

August 8, 2025
Darien Lake Amphitheater, Buffalo, NY
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Turnpike Troubadours
The Red Clay Strays
Waylon Payne

August 9, 2025
Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey, PA
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Turnpike Troubadours
The Red Clay Strays
Waylon Payne

August 10, 2025
Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview, Syracuse, NY
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Turnpike Troubadours
The Red Clay Strays
Waylon Payne

September 5, 2025
Maine Savings Amphitheater, Bangor, ME
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Sheryl Crow
Waxahatchee
Madeline Edwards

September 6, 2025
Xfinity Theatre, Hartford, CT
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Sheryl Crow
Waxahatchee
Madeline Edwards

September 7, 2025
Xfinity Center, Mansfield, MA
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
TBA
Waxahatchee
Madeline Edwards

September 12, 2025
Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, Camden, NJ
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Sheryl Crow
Waxahatchee
Madeline Edwards

September 13, 2025
PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Sheryl Crow
Waxahatchee
Madeline Edwards

September 14, 2025
Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Sheryl Crow
Madeline Edwards

September 19, 2025
Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy, WI
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Sheryl Crow
Waxahatchee
Madeline Edwards

For complete tour details, please visit: outlawmusicfestival.com

KSDS Jazz 88.3 Presents “Freedom Now!”: Exploring Jazz and the Civil Rights Movement

Eric Alper
-
0
KSDS Jazz 88.3 Presents “Freedom Now!”: Exploring Jazz and the Civil Rights Movement

In celebration of Black History Month, KSDS Jazz 88.3 FM proudly announces Freedom Now! Jazz and Civil Rights, a limited-run, on-air series exploring the deep connections between jazz and the fight for civil rights in America. Airing every weekday throughout February, each hour-long episode will reexamine the landmark events of the Civil Rights Movement through the lens of the music that fortified and galvanized the nation’s signature campaigns for equality and dignity.

Curated by some of the foremost jazz historians of our time, including Will Friedwald, Kenny Washington, Neil Tesser, Loren Schoenberg, Chuck Granata, and Ricky Riccardi, the series will feature rare recordings and insightful analysis. Each episode will highlight a seminal artist, composition, or historic moment where jazz and activism intersected, illustrating how the two became inextricably bound.

“Jazz artists have been at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement in our country from the beginning, and this project is about honoring the musicians and artists who used their music to confront injustice and inspire change,” said KSDS General Manager Ken Poston. “We hope to educate, inspire, and celebrate the incredible cultural impact of jazz during one of the most pivotal movements in history.”

KSDS invites listeners in San Diego and worldwide to tune in at Noon PST each weekday throughout February at 88.3 FM or via live stream at jazz88.org and the KSDS mobile app. Additional multimedia content and commentary will be available on the website throughout the month.

Program Schedule:

Week 1

  • February 3 – Black and Blue: Louis Armstrong and Civil Rights (Will Friedwald & Ricky Riccardi)
  • February 4 – Breaking Barriers: Benny Goodman, Teddy Wilson, and Lionel Hampton (Loren Schoenberg)
  • February 5 – Strange Fruit: Billie Holiday – Protest in Song (Will Friedwald)
  • February 6 & 7 – Jump for Joy: Duke Ellington’s 1941 Musical Review (Ken Poston)

Week 2

  • February 10 – Black, Brown, and Beige: Duke Ellington’s Musical History of the African American Experience (Loren Schoenberg)
  • February 11 – Norman Granz: Jazz for Justice (Ken Poston)
  • February 12 – Miles Davis’ Lincoln’s Day Concert: The 1964 CORE Benefit at Carnegie Hall (Claudia Russell)
  • February 13 – The House I Live In: Frank Sinatra and the Fight for Racial Equality (Chuck Granata)
  • February 14 – Jazz Ambassadors: Jazz and Cultural Diplomacy (Ken Poston)

Week 3

  • February 17 – The Real Ambassadors: Dave and Iola Brubeck’s Civil Rights Era Musical (Will Friedwald & Ricky Riccardi)
  • February 18 – Nat King Cole: We Are Americans, Too (Will Friedwald)
  • February 19 – Moanin’: The Jazz Cry for Freedom (1955-1963) (Ron Dhanifu & Matt Silver)
  • February 20 – We Insist: Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite (Kenny Washington)
  • February 21 – I Have a Dream: The Jazz Cry for Freedom (1964-1968) (Larry Murry & Matt Silver)

Week 4

  • February 24 – Ella Fitzgerald’s Race Problem (Will Friedwald)
  • February 25 – Jazz Exiles: The American Jazz Expatriates (Loren Schoenberg)
  • February 26 – Fire Music: Archie Shepp’s Quest to Liberate America Aesthetically and Socially from its Inhumanity (Chad Fox)
  • February 27 – Message to Our Folks: The Art Ensemble of Chicago and the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (Neil Tesser)
  • February 28 – Let Freedom Ring

About KSDS Jazz 88.3 FM KSDS is a full-time jazz radio station, licensed to the San Diego Community College District and broadcasting 24 hours a day from the San Diego City College campus. Founded in 1951, KSDS has been dedicated to jazz programming since 1973 and became San Diego’s only full-time jazz station in 1985. The station has received numerous accolades, including the National Association of Broadcasters’ prestigious Marconi Award for Jazz Station of the Year.

For more information, visit jazz88.org.

1...892893894...2,988Page 893 of 2,988

Follow us on Instagram @thatericalper

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

Popular posts

Popular category

© Copyright - That Eric Alper