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Songwriters Hall Of Fame Names Taylor Swift, Alanis Morissette, Kenny Loggins, And More As 2026 Inductees

Eric Alper
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Songwriters Hall Of Fame Names Taylor Swift, Alanis Morissette, Kenny Loggins, And More As 2026 Inductees

Musical icons Walter Afanasieff; Terry Britten and Graham Lyle; Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of KISS; Kenny Loggins; Alanis Morissette; Christopher “Tricky” Stewart; and Taylor Swift will become the latest inductees of the Songwriters Hall of Fame at the organization’s 2026 Induction and Awards Gala. These legendary songwriters are credited with mega-hits such as “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” “Hand In My Pocket,” “Rock and Roll All Nite,” “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” “Footloose,” “Single Ladies,” and “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version).”

The star-studded event is slated for Thursday, June 11th at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City, and will not be open to the general public. Additional special award honorees will be announced soon.

SHOF Chairman Nile Rodgers expressed, “The music industry is built upon the incredible talent of songwriters who create unforgettable songs. Without their artistry, there would be no recorded music, concert experiences, or engaged fans.  Everything originates from the song and its creator. We take great pride in our ongoing commitment to recognizing some of the most culturally significant composers in history. This year’s lineup not only showcases iconic songs but also celebrates unity across various genres. These songwriters have profoundly impacted the lives of billions of listeners worldwide, and it is our privilege to honor their contributions.”

Key songs in each 2026 inductees catalog include:

Walter Afanasieff

* All I Want For Christmas Is You * My All * Hero * Love Will Survive * One Sweet Day *

Terry Britten and Graham Lyle

* What’s Love Got To Do With It * We Don’t Need Another Hero * Typical Male * Devil Woman * I Should Have Known Better *

Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of KISS

* Rock and Roll All Nite * I Love It Loud * Calling Dr. Love * Shout It Out Loud * Christine 16*

Kenny Loggins

* Danny’s Song * Footloose * Celebrate Me Home * Return to Pooh Corner * What A Fool Believes *

Alanis Morissette

* You Oughta Know * Ironic * Hand in My Pocket * Thank U * Uninvited *

Christopher “Tricky” Stewart

* Umbrella * Single Ladies * Obsessed * Just Fine * Break My Soul *

Taylor Swift

* All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) * Blank Space * Anti-Hero * Love Story * The Last Great American Dynasty *

Established in 1969, the Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF) serves as a vital bridge between music’s past and future. In the Hall, musical pioneers are enshrined and celebrated, while the organization’s outreach to the music community grooms the next generation of troubadours. To qualify for induction, a songwriter with a notable catalog of songs qualifies for induction 20 years after the first commercial release of a song.

The New Pornographers Announce New Album, ‘The Former Site Of’ And Share Video For “Votive”

Eric Alper
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The New Pornographers Announce New Album, ‘The Former Site Of’ And Share Video For “Votive”

Today, following news of their 2026 tour, The New Pornograpers – A.C. Newman, Kathryn Calder, Neko Case, John Collins, and Todd Fancey — announce their new album, The Former Site Of, out on March 27, 2026. The album is now available to pre-order on CD, LP, or limited-edition red and orange marble “Mai Tai” Peak Vinyl from the Merge store, as well as clear and black-spattered “Spilled Ink” vinyl exclusive to The New Pornographers’ webstore. Listen to lead single “Votive” wherever you stream music, and watch the Michael Arthur-animated video below.

Built around the sound of frontperson A.C. Newman’s mandolin, “Votive” builds from an atmospheric synth and keyboard opening into a wide-open jam. The video, animated by Michael Arthur, draws on the imagery of Newman’s lyrics alongside his and keyboardist/vocalist Kathryn Calder’s hooky refrain, “I didn’t see you there.”

On The Former Site Of, the tenth studio album from the acclaimed supergroup, ten short stories of people at personal and societal extremes are collected as meticulously crafted pop songs. The record was first crafted by Newman in his home studio before being brought to the band, composed of A.C. Newman, Kathryn Calder, Neko Case, John Collins and Todd Fancey. The band is joined for the first time by storied session drummer Charley Drayton (Divinyls, The Rolling Stones, Fiona Apple). Josh Wells (Destroyer, Black Mountain) will join as the touring drummer for the band’s upcoming dates in the Spring. 

Of the making of the album, Newman shares, “Having time in my studio really opened things up. I don’t like wasting my bandmates’ time, and always felt guilty when I’d give them a song, ask them to do something, then completely change the song and ask them to do it again. Now I can get the skeleton of a song together first—just a couple of elements, the key feeling, really as little as possible—before bringing it to the band and running from there.” 

The band will kick off their U.S. tour on April 22 at The Wilbur in Boston with stops at New York’s Webster Hall, Los Angeles’ Teragram Ballroom, Chicago’s The Metro, Washington D.C.’s 9:30 Club and many more, with support from Will Sheff of Okkervil River. Tickets are available now at thenewpornographers.com, full details and a list of dates can be found below.

The New Pornographers on tour:
Apr 22 Boston, MA – The Wilbur*
Apr 23 New York, NY – Webster Hall*
Apr 24 Glenside, PA – Keswick Theatre*
Apr 25 Rochester, NY – Water Street Music Hall*
Apr 27 Detroit, MI – El Club*
Apr 29 Milvale, PA – Mr. Smalls Theatre*
Apr 30 Cleveland, OH – House of Blues*
Mat 01 Milwaukee, WI – Turner Hall*
May 02 Minneapolis, MN – The Fitzgerald Theater*
May 03 Chicago, IL – The Metro*
May 05 Englewood, CO – Gothic Theatre*
May 06 Salt Lake City, UT – The Commonwealth Room*
May 08 Seattle, WA – The Showbox*
May 09 Portland, OR – Aladdin Theater*
May 11 San Francisco, CA – The Castro Theatre*
May 12 Los Angeles, CA – Teragram Ballroom*
May 13 Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom*
May 15 Austin, TX – Mohawk Outside*
May 16 Dallas, TX – The Kessler Theater
May 17 Baton Rouge, LA – Chelsea’s Live*
May 19 Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse*
May 20 Saxapahaw, NC – Haw River Ballroom*
May 21 Washington, D.C. – 9:30 Club*

* w/Will Sheff (of Okkervil River)

The Beach Boys Celebrate Mid-1970s Era With 73-Track Collection ‘We Gotta Groove: The Brother Studio Years’

Eric Alper
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The Beach Boys Celebrate Mid-1970s Era With 73-Track Collection ‘We Gotta Groove: The Brother Studio Years’

In the mid-1970s, the unexpected success of two back-to-back Top 10 greatest hits albums pushed The Beach Boys toward their early surf-and-cars past, fueling hits-laden nostalgia tours at sold-out stadiums and arenas across the U.S. Amidst this era, America’s Band, led by Brian Wilson’s return to songwriting and producing, quietly made some of the rawest, unexpected, and most emotionally exposed studio recordings of their career at their recording haven, Brother Studio in Santa Monica, Calif. Across a period defined by intense touring, shifting internal dynamics, and the highly publicized “Brian’s Back!” campaign, all five principal members — Brian Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Carl Wilson, Mike Love, and Al Jardine — contributed to a body of work far more complex than the era’s public narrative suggested.

Following the revelatory ’70s-era box sets Feel Flows — centered on the albums Sunflower and Surf’s Up — and Sail On Sailor, which explored the Carl and the Passions – “So Tough” and Holland sessions, We Gotta Groove: The Brother Studio Years turns to the next chapter of the band’s evolution. The expansive new collection, due February 13 via Capitol/UMe, gathers this pivotal period, recorded between 1976-77 at Brother Studio into one place for the first time, anchoring itself around a newly remastered edition of The Beach Boys Love You (1977) and the album sessions, the first-ever official release of the long-shelved Adult/Child sessions, and a wealth of outtakes and alternates from the transitional 15 Big Ones (1976) sessions. These recordings powered the era’s “Brian’s Back!” campaign — launched to rebalance the band’s commercial fortunes — which presented Brian as returning to full creative command even as his participation in the studio remained uneven and, at times, fragile.

The six-disc box set (3CD & 3LP), co-produced by acclaimed producer/mixing engineer James Sáez and longtime Beach Boys historian Howie Edelson, with artist direction from band archivist Alan Boyd, offers an in-depth look at Brian’s late-’70s burst of songwriting and producing while also showcasing the essential contributions of Mike, Al, Carl, and Dennis. The 73-track collection, boasting 35 unreleased and 22 newly mixed tracks, presents the majority of the album sessions across three LPs with additional outtakes, alternate mixes and demos on three CDs, which also include the same tracks as the vinyl. The albums are packaged in a handsome 12.75” x 12.75” slipcase emblazoned with a picture of the stunning stained-glass window that hung in Brother Studio and features a 40-page booklet with extensive, illuminating liner notes by co-producer Edelson that draws on new and archival interviews with all of The Beach Boys and the Brother Studio engineer team of Stephen Moffitt, Earle Mankey and John Hanlon to tell the story of this integral and influential era. The booklet is filled with a slew of rare photos, tape box images and artifacts of the era and a complete sessionography detailing when and where every recording was made.

“We Gotta Groove,” the song that gives the set its name, is available to listen to now. An upbeat outtake of the Love You sessions, written and produced by Brian Wilson, the track, which has been newly mixed by co-producer Sáez, was recorded to 2” 24-track tape between October-November 1976 at Brother Studio and features Mike Love on lead vocal, with backing vocals and electric guitar by Billy Hinsche, and Brian on vocals and all other instrumentation, including Baldwin electric harpsichord, drums, tack upright piano, Hammond B-3 organ, electric bass and tambourine.

In celebration of this historic release, the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles will host a special evening on Thursday, February 12, bringing together the compilation producers Edelson and Sáez in conversation with the original Brother Studio engineers, Stephen Moffitt, Earle Mankey and John Hanlon, who will reunite for the first time since these recordings were made 50 years ago to talk about this pivotal and underappreciated period of The Beach Boys catalog. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit: INSERT LINK

Upon returning home from Holland where they recorded their 1973 album of the same name, The Beach Boys relocated their homebase from Brian’s Bel Air mansion to a former X-rated movie theater at 1454 5th St. in Santa Monica, Calif., that they christened Brother Studio. The studio was designed and headed up by Stephen Moffitt who had previously created Geordie Hormel’s Village Recorders – a West L.A. mainstay for so many top acts over the years. In addition to The Beach Boys, Brother hosted sessions by Elton John, Eric Carmen, The Runaways, Helen Reddy, The Paley Brothers, and The Quick, among others.

The first disc of We Gotta Groove features The Beach Boys Love You which has been newly remastered from the original 1977 mix, alongside 10 period outtakes, providing a fuller picture of the fruitful album sessions that lasted from October 1976 to January 1977. Recorded largely at Brother Studio with Brian at the console and playing most of the instruments, Love You strips the group to blocky analog synthesizers, pounding piano, and close-mic’d vocals. Its distinctive sound world — driven by ARP and Oberheim synths rather than traditional Beach Boys instrumentation — has since become one of the most studied and influential aspects of the album, turning songs about parenthood (“I Wanna Pick You Up”), romance (“Roller Skating Child”), the cosmos (“Solar System”), and talk show hosts (“Johnny Carson”) into something both childlike and unexpectedly modern. Mike and Al’s unmistakable vocal signatures — from Mike’s bass and baritone leads to Al’s crystalline high parts — play a crucial role in grounding Brian’s synthesizer-driven arrangements, while Carl’s controlled, elegant leads and Dennis’s rough-edged emotional intensity add depth and contrast throughout.

While divisive among critics and fans at release, Brian frequently cited Love You as his favorite Beach Boys record, calling it “the best album we ever made.” Over the ensuing nearly five decades since its release, it has become a cult classic and a touchstone for musicians far outside classic rock circles. R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck has also singled it out as his favorite Beach Boys album, and generations of indie and alternative artists have gravitated toward its cracked vocals, minimal synth-pop textures, and outsider sincerity — hearing in it a proto-new-wave sensibility as much as a late-period Beach Boys LP. As Edelson writes in the liners, “Upon the initial release of The Beach Boys Love You, non-believers picked up on the D.I.Y. punk ethos from the Lower East Side all the way to the hipper enclaves across Europe. Today, Brian Wilson’s left field use of keyboards in the 1970s is considered to be an early influence for 1980’s New Wave, Synth Pop, and New Romantic record makers.”

If Love You is the era’s officially released peculiar masterpiece, Adult/Child is its whispered legend. Recorded in 1977 with arranger Dick Reynolds, whose sophisticated Four Freshmen–style charts Brian had idolized since youth, the shelved album leans into big-band swing, lounge textures, fitness jingles, and some of Brian’s most disarmingly intimate originals, including “Still I Dream of It” and “It’s Over Now.” Brian sidestepped the electronic buzz found on Love You and instead tapped into a simpler era. “I wrote a song for Frank Sinatra once called ‘Still I Dream Of It.’ He didn’t say yes to the song. It was a beautiful song about loneliness and hope. The song ended up on an album named Adult/Child, which was filled with those kinds of songs. It was a Beach Boys album that never came out,” Brian remarked in an interview.

Prepared for release but ultimately vetoed and left in the vault, Adult/Child circulated for decades only through collectors’ tapes and bootlegs, attaining near-mythical status among fans. Its mixture of big-band pastiche, autobiographical confession, and unabashed eccentricity left both the label and parts of the band uncertain how to present it, resulting in its quiet shelving. We Gotta Groove finally assembles the material in a coherent album sequence for the first time, supplemented by new 2025 backing-track mixes and session highlights. The group’s distinctive vocal blend, including prominent contributions from Mike, Al, Carl and Dennis adds warmth and cohesion to Brian’s idiosyncratic material, revealing Adult/Child as more of a Beach Boys project than its mythology has often implied.

We Gotta Groove also offers a new perspective on 15 Big Ones through its wealth of studio material rather than its familiar running order. Combining oldies covers with new Brian-penned compositions, the 1976 album, which marked the group’s first long player to feature a “Produced by Brian Wilson” credit since 1966’s Pet Sounds, divided critics even as it returned The Beach Boys to the U.S. Top 10 and produced a major hit with “Rock and Roll Music.” 15 Big Ones was mostly recorded between March through May 1976 at Brother Studio and released quickly after in July of that year. The new set offers the opportunity to hear a variety of covers that were in contention for the album but ultimately didn’t make the cut, including “Mony Mony,” “Running Bear,” “Shake, Rattle & Roll, “On Broadway,” and “Sea Cruise.” Hearing these outtakes reveals the muscular band interplay and dense vocal arrangements beneath the mid-’70s production gloss — including Mike’s dominant lead on the hit single, Al’s powerful vocal contributions, and Carl’s pivotal production leadership — reconnecting the album to the group’s deep studio-craft traditions.

This period also coincided with The Beach Boys’ transformation into one of America’s most successful touring acts, playing massive summer-circuit shows even as their studio recordings grew stranger, more insular, and more Brian-centric behind the scenes. Across its six discs, We Gotta Groove places these contradictions into context, highlighting parallel creative threads in the Beach Boys universe: Dennis’s haunting “Holy Man,” Carl’s developing compositions that would later evolve on L.A. (Light Album), Mike and Al’s essential vocal and conceptual contributions, and a suite of Brian’s studio-cassette demos that reveal Love You and Adult/Child in their most vulnerable form — just voice and keyboard, unvarnished and immediate.

Pulling together newly mixed tracks like “We Gotta Groove,” “Hey There Mama,” and “Short Skirts,” along with finally finished versions of long-circulating titles, We Gotta Groove: The Brother Studio Years reframes 1976–77 as one of the most revealing and creatively restless chapters of the band’s evolution — a moment when all five Beach Boys were navigating change, rediscovering their creative identities, and shaping a deeply human turning point in the continuing story of The Beach Boys.

WE GOTTA GROOVE: THE BROTHER STUDIO YEARS
Disc 1 — The Beach Boys Love You Album (1977 Mix)
LP1 Side 1
1. Let Us Go On This Way
2. Roller Skating Child
3. Mona
4. Johnny Carson
5. Good Time
6. Honkin’ Down The Highway
7. Ding Dang

LP1 Side 2
8. Solar System
9. The Night Was So Young
10. I’ll Bet He’s Nice
11. Let’s Put Our Hearts Together
12. I Wanna Pick You Up
13. Airplane
14. Love Is A Woman

Love You Outtakes (CD Only)
15. Ruby Baby *
16. Marilyn Rovell *
17. Sherry She Needs Me *
18. Lazy Lizzie *
19. We Gotta Groove (2025 Mix) *
20. Hey There Mama (2025 Mix) *
21. Clangin’ (2025 Mix) *
22. Love Is A Woman (Al Jardine Vocal) *
23. Johnny Carson (Alternate Mix With Intro) *
24. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling *

Disc 2 — Adult/Child Sessions
LP2 Side 1
1. Life Is For The Living *
2. Deep Purple *
3. It’s Over Now
4. Still I Dream Of It
5. Everybody Wants To Live *
6. Lines *
7. It’s Trying To Say *

LP2 Side 2
8. Shortenin’ Bread *
9. New England Waltz *
10. Life Is For The Living (Backing Track) *
11. Deep Purple (2025 Backing Track Mix) **
12. It’s Over Now (2025 Backing Track Mix) **
13. Still I Dream Of It (2025 Backing Track Mix) **

1974 – 1977 Select Outtakes (CD Only)
14. Holy Man (2025 Mix Carl Wilson Vocal) **
15. Carl’s Song 1 (It Could Be Anything) (2025 Mix) **
16. Carl’s Song 2 (Angel Come Home) (2025 Mix) **
17. String Bass Song (Rainbows) (2025 Mix) **
18. 10,000 Years Ago *
19. Gimme Some Lovin’ (2025 Mix) *
20. Honeycomb (Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford Vocal) *
21. In The Back Of My Mind (1975 Alternate Take 2025 Mix) **

Disc 3 — 15 Big Ones Outtakes and Alternate Mixes

LP3 Side 1
1. Just Once In My Life (2025 Mix) **
2. Mony, Mony (2025 Mix) *
3. Running Bear (2025 Mix) *
4. Shake, Rattle And Roll *
5. On Broadway (2025 Mix) **
6. Sea Cruise (2025 Mix) **

LP3 Side 2
7. Chapel Of Love (2025 Mix) **
8. Short Skirts (2025 Mix) **
9. TM Song (2025 Backing Track Mix) **
10. Rock And Roll Music (2025 Backing Track Mix) **
11. Had To Phone Ya (2025 Deconstructed Mix) **
12. Just Once In My Life (2025 Backing Track Mix) **

Love You Alternate Mixes (CD Only)
13. Let Us Go On This Way (Alternate Mix) *
14. Mona (2025 Deconstructed Mix) **
15. Honkin’ Down The Highway (Billy Hinsche Vocal) *
16. Ding Dang (Session Highlights and Unedited 2025 Mix) **
17. Solar System (2025 Backing Track Mix) **
18. The Night Was So Young (2025 Vocals Only Mix) **
19. Let’s Put Our Hearts Together (2025 Coda Mix) **

Love You Brian Cassette Demos (CD Only)
20. That Special Feeling (Demo) *
21. It’s Over Now (Demo) *
22. They’re Marching Along (Demo) *
23. Love Is A Woman (Demo) *
24. Mona (Demo) *
25. Airplane (Demo) *
26. Let’s Put Our Hearts Together (Demo) *
27. I’ll Bet He’s Nice (Demo) *
28. Still I Dream Of It (Demo) *

* previously unreleased
** newly mixed in 2025

Luis Fonsi Teams Up With Feid On New Single “Cambiaré”

Eric Alper
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Luis Fonsi Teams Up With Feid On New Single “Cambiaré”

At a time when music is more necessary than ever, LUIS FONSI kicks off 2026 with an unexpected surprise alongside FEID and releases “Cambiaré,” a song that invites listeners to move, feel and reconnect with joy through rhythm.

Known for his versatility and constant artistic evolution, FONSI surprises us once again with a song that celebrates his cultural roots from a fresh perspective in an unexpected and exciting collaboration with Colombian artist FEID.

“I’m very excited to write and perform a song that’s different from what I’ve been doing throughout my 27-year career. I feel excitement, nerves and adrenaline; I love feeling this way. It feels like starting over,“ explained FONSI. ”It all comes from a place of respect and celebrating my roots, my culture, and that ‘key’ that I carry inside. Without risk, there is no progress, and without courage, there is no evolution.”

“Cambiaré” was born during a songwriting session in Los Angeles with ANDRÉS TORRES and MAURICIO RENGIFO, who regularly collaborate with FONSI. “We had already written many songs, but this one kept running through my head. Every time I sang it, it demanded rhythm and movement. I tried to take it in a different direction, but the song had its own path. I closed my eyes, let myself go, and I’m very happy with the result,” he says.

Musically, the song is based on the rhythms and cadence of salsa, reinterpreted from a contemporary production that connects tradition with a new generation. The song was composed by LUIS FONSI, FEID, ANDRÉS TORRES, and MAURICIO RENGIFO, who were also in charge of production alongside MARCOS SÁNCHEZ.

The collaboration with FEID came about naturally during the creative process. “When I recorded the demo, I knew I wanted a voice with a different color, one that would bring another perspective. I wanted to work with someone fresh, with a very current energy, and with an artist whom I deeply admire. I felt it was the perfect moment for Feid and me to do something completely different and, at the same time, very special for the audience,” FONSI adds.

For the official video, FONSI worked, once again, with renowned director CARLOS PÉREZ, creative director of Elastic People and responsible for iconic videos such as “Despacito,” “Échame La Culpa,” “Imposible,” and “Roma.” Filmed in Puerto Rico, the video captures the essence and energy of the song, developing a story that begins mysteriously and culminates in a vibrant celebration in the streets.

This past weekend, FONSI and FEID met at Las Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where they surprised the crowded streets with an exclusive preview of “Cambiaré.” Within minutes, videos of the viral moment began circulating massively on social media, making the appearance one of the most talked-about events of the weekend.

Dermot Kennedy Announces Third Album, ‘The Weight of the Woods’, And Shares New Single “Funeral”

Eric Alper
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Dermot Kennedy Announces Third Album, ‘The Weight of the Woods’, And Shares New Single “Funeral”

Multi-platinum singer/songwriter Dermot Kennedy announces his third album, The Weight of the Woods, out March 27th on Island/Interscope Records. The album news is accompanied by the release of the lead single “Funeral” and its stunning music video starring Charlie Rowe and directed by Charlie Sarsfield. The rousing, victorious track premiered last night as BBC Radio 1’s Hottest Record.

The Weight of the Woods is the organic cultural intersection between Dermot’s native Ireland and Nashville, home to the album’s producer Gabe Simon [Noah Kahan, Lana Del Rey]. Simon stole away to Ireland for six weeks tapping into an uncanny collaborative energy with Dermot, where most of the album was written and recorded in a studio down the road from Dermot’s home. As part of the process, Kennedy and Simon also decamped to Gabe’s studio in Nashville. ‘The end result is Dermot’s most self-assured work to date, with deeply poetic lyrics and authentic musicality drawing inspiration, energy, and strength from his strong Irish roots.

“To me, the album is a beautiful homegrown thing with Irish instruments and an Irish story. There’s a forest behind my house, which is a haven for my sense of wonder. It’s a peaceful place where I can escape. I’ve entertained the idea of living somewhere else, but I don’t think I’d be happy anywhere else.”

With a refreshed approach to his songwriting and production, Dermot has peeled away the layers to let his stunning voice shine through.  He explains, “If I get up in a pub with just a guitar or a piano, I’m certain that I can sing to a room full of people. It’s where I’m the most comfortable. I wanted that element to be front-and-center on this album.” The Weight of the Woods blends traditional folk textures, with hints of country influence and soaring melodies that linger long after first listen.

Known for his passionate and powerful live performances, Kennedy has graced the stages of such iconic venues as London’s O2 and New York City’s Madison Square Garden. In May and June, he headlines his largest tour to date across Europe before a run of six UK arena shows, including a return to London’s O2 on June 5th. In July, Dermot returns home for two headline shows at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, the home of Irish Rugby. North American dates will be announced soon.

Other recent live events for Dermot include intimate, stripped back tours of Europe, the UK and North America, a special half-time performance at Soccer Aid Match in Manchester, and memorable shows with GRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter Zach Bryan at London’s British Summer Time Festival and Indiana’s famed Notre Dame Stadium. Dermot also launched MISNEACH, a new annual global music festival conceived and curated by Dermot himself, celebrating Ireland’s rich musical heritage and culture.

Photo credit: Silken Weinberg.

EUROPE AND UK HEADLINE TOUR 2026
May 11 – Copenhagen, Denmark, Falkonersalen – SOLD OUT
May 12 – Stockholm, Sweden, Annexet
May 14 – Hamburg, Germany, Barclays Arena
May 15 – Berlin, Germany, Max-Schmeling-Halle
May 17 – Zurich, Switzerland, Halle 622
May 18 – Paris, France, L’Olympia
May 20 – Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Rockhal
May 21 – Brussels, Belgium, Forest National
May 23 – Munich, Germany, Zenith
May 24 – Vienna, Austria, Gasometer
May 26 – Dusseldorf, Germany, Mitsubishi Electric Halle
May 27 – Amsterdam, Netherlands, AFAS Live
May 29 – Glasgow, UK, OVO Hydro
May 30 – Manchester, UK, AO Arena
Jun 1 – Cardiff, UK, Utilita Arena
Jun 2 – Leeds, UK, First Direct Bank Arena
Jun 4 – Birmingham, UK, Utilita Arena
Jun 5 – London, UK, The O2
July 11 – Dublin, Ireland, Aviva Stadium – SOLD OUT
July 12 – Dublin, Ireland, Aviva Stadium

Bruce Hornsby Announces New Album, ‘Indigo Park’, And Extensive 2026 Tour

Eric Alper
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Bruce Hornsby Announces New Album, ‘Indigo Park’, And Extensive 2026 Tour

Today, singer, pianist, composer, bandleader and three-time GRAMMY-winner Bruce Hornsby announces an extensive run of 2026 US tour dates alongside his longtime six-piece band, The Noisemakers. The newly revealed itinerary includes two dozen headline shows across the country, as well as performances at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and more this spring and summer. Sets will feature material from throughout Hornsby’s storied career, in addition to new music from his forthcoming album, Indigo Park, arriving April 3rd on Zappo Productions/Thirty Tigers.

Tickets for Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers’ 2026 tour can be found HERE, on-sale at 10am local time this Friday, January 23rd, following a presale that begins at 10am local time on Wednesday, January 21st. See the full list of dates below, and stay tuned for more music, album details and special guests to be unveiled soon. 

Indigo Park is the latest project from a legendary artist who only gets more contemporary, curious and creative with age – a perennial inspiration to a wide variety of genres and generations. Drawing from a vast wellspring of American musical traditions, Hornsby has built one of the most diverse, collaborative and adventurous careers in music, as he continues to expand a large and accomplished body of work through a vast array of stylistic approaches. 

2026 also marks the 40th anniversary of The Way It Is – both the album and its #1 single – and since its release, Hornsby has played Saturday Night Live, composed numerous scores and songs for close collaborator Spike Lee (Kobe Doin’ Work, Netflix’s She’s Gotta Have It, BlacKkKlansman and much more), performed the soundtrack for Ken Burns’ Baseball, toured for years as a member of the Grateful Dead, and worked with everyone from Bob Dylan, Bob Seger, Bonnie Raitt, Chaka Khan, Elton John, Jerry Garcia, Mavis Staples, Ornette Coleman, Phil Collins, Robbie Robertson, Stevie Nicks, Sting, Wayne Shorter and Willie Nelson to Bon Iver, Brandon Flowers, Danielle Haim, Ezra Koenig, Goose, Jamila Woods and yMusic.

AN EVENING WITH BRUCE HORNSBY 2026 TOUR DATES

2/12 – Houston, TX – The Heights Theater – SOLD OUT

2/13 – Lake Jackson, TX – The Clarion at Brazosport College

2/28 – Denver, CO – Boettcher Concert Hall w/ the Colorado Symphony Orchestra

BRUCE HORNSBY & THE NOISEMAKERS 2026 TOUR DATES

4/9 – Cincinnati, OH – Taft Theatre 

4/11 – Louisville, KY – Brown Theatre 

4/12 – Nashville, TN – CMA Theater 

4/14 – Knoxville, TN – Bijou Theatre 

4/15 – Winston-Salem, NC – The Ramkat

4/17 – Atlanta, GA – TBA

4/19 – North Charleston, SC – High Water Music Festival

4/21 – Ponte Vedra Beach, FL – Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

4/23 – Birmingham, AL – The Lyric Theatre 

4/25 – New Orleans, LA – New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

6/2 – Redding, CA – Cascade Theatre

6/4 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall

6/5 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre

6/7 – Medford, OR – Holly Theatre

6/8 – Folsom, CA – Harris Center- Stage One

6/10 – San Ramon, CA – Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center

6/11 – San Francisco, CA – Palace of Fine Arts

6/13 – Monterey, CA – Golden State Theatre

6/16 – Los Angeles, CA – The Troubadour 

6/17 – Los Angeles, CA – The Troubadour

6/18 – Ojai, CA – Libbey Bowl

6/20 – Scottsdale, AZ – Virginia G. Piper Theatre

6/21 – Corona, CA – Dos Lagos Amphitheater 

7/25 – Patchougue, NY – Great South Bay Music Festival

Canadian Country Artist Jessica Sole Releases New Single, “Strangers Don’t”

Eric Alper
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Canadian Country Artist Jessica Sole Releases New Single, “Strangers Don’t”

Rising Canadian country artist Jessica Sole has released her new single, “Strangers Don’t”, marking her first release with New Motor Records. Written with Patrick Kordyback and Madison Banham, the song centers on the uneasy space after a breakup, when closeness fades and familiarity slips away. The track reflects Sole’s continued growth as a songwriter, pairing a restrained arrangement with a focus on storytelling and emotional clarity.

Speaking about the song, Sole says, “‘Strangers Don’t’ is a heartbreak song about forcing yourself to move on from someone who once felt like home.” She adds, “It’s a really universal feeling, which is why after bringing in the first verse, the song almost wrote itself.” The release follows a period of momentum for Sole, including a #1 single on SiriusXM’s Top of the Country channel and performances at major Canadian festivals and showcases, as she continues expanding her catalog and presence nationwide.

The Infamous Stringdusters Share Final Single Ahead Of New Album ’20/20′

Eric Alper
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The Infamous Stringdusters Share Final Single Ahead Of New Album ’20/20′

Twenty years into their career, The Infamous Stringdusters continue to roll out music from their forthcoming twenty-track album ’20/20′, due February 13, 2026, via Americana Vibes. With several tracks already released, the band now shares the final pre-album single, “Up from the Bottom”, alongside an accompanying music video. Banjoist Chris Pandolfi describes the song as deeply personal, saying, “This song is my comeback story. After everything shut down in 2020, I was stuck at home and I felt like the world was closing in on me.” He adds that the chorus became a source of momentum, eventually growing into “the first song I ever wrote fully on my own for the band.”

Pandolfi also notes how the track evolved within the group, explaining, “It’s a little deceptive because it’s a very personal song and Travis sings it on the record, but we figured out that his voice sounds great on it, and the music leads the way.” Alongside the album release, The Infamous Stringdusters are touring extensively across the U.S. through the summer, with headline dates, festival appearances, and stops at venues including Bowery Ballroom, Thalia Hall, the Station Inn, the Grand Ole Opry, and The Ryman.

The Infamous Stringdusters Tour Dates:
January 21, 2026 – Patchogue, NY – Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts
January 22, 2026 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
January 23, 2026 – Beverly, MA – The Cabot
January 24, 2026 – Stowe, VT – Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center
January 25, 2026 – Portland, ME – State Theatre
January 27, 2026 – Buffalo, NY – Electric City
January 28, 2026 – Cleveland, OH – Globe Iron
January 29, 2026 – Cincinnati, OH – Taft Theatre
January 30, 2026 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall
January 31, 2026 – Appleton, WI – Ice Dance Music Festival
February 1, 2026 – Stoughton, WI – Stoughton Opera House
February 11, 2026 – Nashville, TN – Station Inn
February 13, 2026 – Nashville, TN – Grand Ole Opry
February 19, 2026 – Boulder, CO – eTown Hall
February 20-22, 2026 – Telluride, CO – Sheridan Opera House
February 24, 2026 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory
February 25, 2026 – Jackson, WY – Jackson Hole Center for the Arts
February 26, 2026 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Commonwealth Room
February 27, 2026 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Commonwealth Room
February 28, 2026 – Steamboat Springs, CO – WinterWonderGrass
March 18, 2026 – Rutland, VT – The Paramount Theatre
March 19, 2026 – Poughkeepsie, NY – Bardavon 1869 Opera House
March 20, 2026 – Washington, DC – Lincoln Theatre
March 21, 2026 – Ardmore, PA – Ardmore Music Hall
March 22, 2026 – Providence, RI – Uptown Theater
March 24, 2026 – York, PA – Appell Center for the Performing Arts
March 25, 2026 – Wilmington, NC – Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
March 26, 2026 – Southern Pines, NC – The Sunrise Theater
March 27, 2026 – Savannah, GA – Savannah Music Festival
March 28, 2026 – Brooksville, FL – EMS Spring Bluegrass Festival
April 23-26, 2026 – Wilkesboro, NC – MerleFest
April 24, 2026 – Charleston, SC – The Refinery
April 26, 2026 – Greenville, SC – Coach Music Factory
May 21-24, 2026 – Cumberland, MD – DelFest
May 29, 2026 – Highlands, NC – Bear Shadow Festival
June 18, 2026 – Telluride, CO – Telluride Bluegrass Festival
June 24-27, 2026 – Owensboro, KY – ROMP Festival
July 14, 2026 – Nashville, TN – The Ryman
July 16-18, 2026 – Snowshoe, WV – 4848 Festival
July 17, 2026 – Hammondsport, NY – Point of the Bluff
July 30-August 2, 2026 – Del Norte, CO – Rhythms on the Rio Music Festival

Rik Emmett Announces New Poetry Collection, ‘Leaning Into It: Poems’

Eric Alper
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Rik Emmett Announces New Poetry Collection, ‘Leaning Into It: Poems’

Rik Emmett has announced a new poetry collection titled ‘Leaning Into It: Poems’, set for release on April 7, 2026, via ECW Press. The book marks Emmett’s second published collection of poetry and was written during 2021 and 2022, a period shaped by the isolation and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Structured in five parts, the collection moves between personal reflection and observation, shifting from interior narration to commentary on the modern world.

‘Leaning Into It: Poems’ engages with themes of power, politics, frustration, and hope, using wit and critical distance to examine contemporary life. Emmett draws inspiration from voices that challenge authority through humor, humility, and skepticism, positioning poets and outsiders as necessary counterweights to entrenched systems. The book is available for preorder now and will be released in paperback format.

Earl Sweatshirt Shares New Video For “INFATUATION” While Touring Worldwide

Eric Alper
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Earl Sweatshirt Shares New Video For “INFATUATION” While Touring Worldwide

Earl Sweatshirt has released a new music video for “INFATUATION”, a track from his album ‘Live Laugh Love’. The visual unfolds inside a restaurant setting and marks his first video release of 2026. The song continues the album’s thematic thread through understated imagery and closely observed details, adding another visual layer to the project as Earl remains on the road internationally.

The release follows earlier videos tied to the album, including “exhaust”, “Tourmaline”, and “CRISCO”, each presenting a different narrative approach. ‘Live Laugh Love’ is out now via Warner Records and Tan Cressida, and arrives as Earl brings his catalog to audiences across Europe and the UK after recent North American dates. The current tour stretches through February with performances across multiple countries.

Earl Sweatshirt Tour Dates:
01/20 – Helsinki, Finland @ Ääniwalli
01/22 – Oslo, Norway @ Rockefeller
01/23 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Slaktkyrkan
01/24 – Copenhagen, Denmark @ Amager Bio
01/26 – Hamburg, Germany @ Uebel & Gefahrlich
01/27 – Berlin, Germany @ Metropol
01/29 – Prague, Czech Republic @ ROXY
01/31 – Vienna, Austria @ Flex
02/02 – Rome, Italy @ Hacienda
02/03 – Milan, Italy @ Farbique
02/04 – Munich, Germany @ Backstage Werk
02/06 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Rote Fabrik
02/07 – Frankfurt, Germany @ Batschkapp
02/08 – Cologne, Germany @ Essigfabrik
02/10 – Utrecht, Netherlands @ TivoliVredenburg
02/12 – Antwerp, Belgium @ De Roma
02/13 – London, UK @ Exhibition
02/14 – Manchester, UK @ Albert Hall
02/15 – Dublin, Ireland @ The Academy
02/17 – Paris, France @ Trabendo
02/19 – Barcelona, Spain @ Sala Apolo
02/20 – Lisbon, Portugal @ Lisboa ao Vivo

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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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