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SiriusXM’s Top of the Country Returns for 2025 with Major Prizes & Career-Changing Opportunities

Eric Alper
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SiriusXM’s Top of the Country Returns for 2025 with Major Prizes & Career-Changing Opportunities

Today, SiriusXM Canada is proud to announce its seventh annual SiriusXM Top of the Country competition, in partnership with the Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA). The nationwide search for Canada’s top country talent offers artists career-defining opportunities with the chance to perform at some of the biggest country music events in Canada. The top three finalists will also win cash prizes including a $25,000 grand prize and $10,000 each for both runners-up. Registration is now open to solo artists and groups until January 31 at topcountry.siriusxm.ca.

“The SiriusXM Top of the Country competition showcases Canadians’ love of country music and celebrates the incredible talent from across this country,” said Michelle Mearns, Senior Vice President of Programming & Operations, SiriusXM Canada. “Supporting emerging Canadian artists, offering a platform and giving them the spotlight to shine is one of SiriusXM’s top priorities and proudest efforts. Now in its seventh year, the competition’s ongoing success highlights its deep resonance with country fans and music lovers from coast to coast.”

The competition is no stranger to propelling Canadian country music talent to greater heights, such as Zach McPhee who walked home as the 2024 champion with $25,000.

“Winning the SiriusXM Top of the Country competition was a dream come true. It gave me the platform to share my music across the country and I will always be grateful to SiriusXM, the Canadian Country Music Association and Canadian country music fans for believing in me and supporting me,” shared McPhee after being crowned the winner last September.

Once registration closes, an expert panel will select eight worthy semi-finalists to record original tracks and in-studio videos. A nationwide vote will follow to determine the top three finalists who will embark on a summer of showcase opportunities including Lasso Montréal (August 15-16, 2025) and the 2025 CMA Fest in Nashville. This year’s competition will reach its finale during Country Music Week 2025 in Kelowna in September, where the finalists will perform, and the winner will be announced live on-stage.

“At the heart of the CCMA’s mission is the commitment to elevating the Canadian country music community and advancing the genre as a whole,” said Amy Jeninga, President, CCMA. “Competitions like SiriusXM’s Top of the Country play a crucial role in helping us achieve this goal. Our long-standing partnership with SiriusXM has been instrumental in showcasing remarkable emerging talent within Canadian country music, allowing us to discover fresh voices, share their stories, and support them as they take exciting steps forward in their careers. We can’t wait to see where their journeys lead.”

SiriusXM Top of the Country, in partnership with the CCMA is part of SiriusXM’s ongoing tradition of promoting and elevating the best emerging Canadian music talent. SiriusXM continues to offer a leading platform for Canadian artists through its significant financial contributions and North American-wide reach.

Boi-1da and Sarah Harmer to Receive Special Honors at 2025 JUNO Awards

Eric Alper
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Today, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) is delighted to announce two new Special Award Recipients during the 2025 JUNO Week. Boi-1da will join us onstage at The JUNO Broadcast on March 30, 2025 to be awarded the International Achievement Award, live on CBC and Sarah Harmer will be Awarded with the Humanitarian Award at The JUNO Awards Gala Presented by Music Canada on March 29, 2025.

“This year’s JUNOS Special Award Recipients exemplify the very best of what Canadian music has to offer,” says Allan Reid, President and CEO of CARAS. “From creating superstar recordings to leading with compassion in their humanitarian efforts, we are excited to celebrate Boi-1da and Sarah Harmer for their work and profound impact.”

The 54th Annual JUNO Awards, produced by Insight Productions (a Boat Rocker company), will broadcast and stream live across Canada from Rogers Arena in Vancouver on March 30th at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBC TV, CBC Gem, CBC Radio One, CBC Music, CBC Listen, and globally at CBCMusic.ca/junos and CBC Music’s YouTube page. Be sure to tune in to catch all the action and see these awards being presented.

Boi-1da receives the International Achievement Award

The JUNO International Achievement Award recognizes Canadian artists who have attained exemplary success on the world stage. The award looks to honour Canadian talent who have not only topped charts, but who have raised the profile of Canadian music around the world. Throughout The JUNO Awards’ history, the International Achievement Award has only been given out nine times, with Boi-1da being the first Producer and 10th recipient of the Award. Boi-1da’s first recognized production credit was on Drake’s 2006 mixtape Room for Improvement, where he produced the track “Do What You Do.” This marked the beginning of his long-standing collaboration with Drake and his rise as a prominent producer in the industry on a global scale. 

Boi-1da is a 19X Grammy Award-nominated producer/songwriter and has earned his household name in the music industry. From mixtapes to being named “Hip-Hop’s Secret Weapon” by GrammyNews, he has produced on some of the biggest albums and for the most prominent artists in the Hip-Hop and R&B scene including Drake, Rihanna, Eminem, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Kanye West, and Beyoncé among countless others. To date, he has garnered 60+ platinum singles, 4 RIAA-Certified Diamond records and 3 Billboard Hot 100 #1s.

“Being recognized with the International Achievement Award at the JUNOS is a huge honour. Canada has always been home, and its music scene shaped me into the producer I am today. To be able to take that foundation and contribute to music on a global scale means everything. I hope this inspires the next generation of Canadian artists and producers to dream big and know that the world is listening,” says Boi-1da.

Sarah Harmer to be recognized with the 2025 Humanitarian Award

At The JUNO Awards Gala Presented by Music Canada Sarah Harmer will be honoured by CARAS with the prestigious 2025 Humanitarian Award for using her voice to engage her audiences and peers in important environmental and human rights issues. This award recognizes outstanding Canadian artists or industry leaders whose humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social culture of Canada and whose impact can be felt worldwide.

Sarah Harmer is a multiple award-winning, platinum-selling singer-songwriter and environmental activist. Her solo music career launched with the now classic debut You Were Here (2000) and includes six critically acclaimed albums, including her latest, Are You Gone, released via Arts & Crafts. A deeply personal and political collection of songs motivated by the beauty of life, the urgency of the climate crisis, and the question of loss, Sarah called the album a spiritual successor of sorts to her acclaimed 2000 debut. Between co-founding the citizen’s organization PERL (Protecting Escarpment Rural Land) and leading the successful effort to prevent an open-pit gravel mine in a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve on the Niagara Escarpment, Sarah has become a fixture in local politics and advocacy.

“I truly appreciate this honour. I accept on behalf of all the people who volunteer their time to speak up to protect land, water, and the web of life in their communities, and beyond. Musicians who use their platforms to amplify these struggles give a huge boost to the collective fight. Now more than ever we need to use our powers to build community and respect the natural world that underpins our lives.”

The award will be presented to Sarah at the JUNO Awards Gala Presented By Music Canada on Saturday, March 29 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Canada’s Live Music Industry Generates $10.92B in Economic Impact, Study Finds

Eric Alper
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Canada’s Live Music Industry Generates $10.92B in Economic Impact, Study Finds

The Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA) released findings of its long-anticipated economic impact study today, inside Massey Hall’s Allied Music Centre. ‘Here and Now: understanding the economic power and potential of Canada’s live music industry” commissioned by the CLMA, was led by Nordicity, a leading strategic, policy, and economic analysis firm.

“The incredible small, medium, and large venues, clubs, concert halls, festivals, arenas, and other live music spaces that connect artists with their fans form a vast, complex, indoor and outdoor ecosystem. This is the system that facilitates live music–and its massive supply chain across Canada, be it a national arena tour, or a one-off local show in a 120-cap independent venue…and everything in-between.” said Erin Benjamin, President & CEO of the CLMA. “Understanding and harnessing this system creates a significant and scalable competitive advantage for Canadians and for all levels of government and is essential for our artists so that they can continue to share the music we love and need. And why wouldn’t we? This study is a benchmark, the numbers in it have been achieved largely in the absence of any dedicated fiscal policy frameworks aimed at incentivizing growth. $10.92B in combined impact from live music and tourism spending…  without trying.”

The study found that the live music industry supports over 100,000 jobs – from artists, performers, and technicians to venue staff, promoters, and service workers – and attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists year over year. In 2023 alone, live music festivals and live shows at venues in Canada together brought in a total of 19.69 million visitors. In addition to the live music and artistic experience we all know and love (and many of us can’t live without), the economic benefits of live music spillover directly into other industries, helping the creation and sustainability of jobs in sectors like hospitality, transportation, and retail.

“The findings in Here and Now make it clear that protecting and growing Canada’s live music infrastructure directly results in more jobs, major economic impact for cities and towns, and more performance opportunities for Canadian artists. It means more fans choosing Canada when deciding where to spend their (billions of, as it turns out) music tourism dollars. It means sold out hotels, fully booked flights, bustling shops, and restaurants. It means togetherness and social cohesion. It means better mental health. It means thriving downtowns. It means attracting and retaining other industries and talent to our cities. It means more revenue for artists and musicians. It means more music and memories with family and friends that change our lives,” said Tarun Nayar, Co-Founder, 5X Festival; Co-Founder, Snakes x Ladders, artist, and board chair of the CLMA.

Key statistics:

  • Combined impacts of live music company operations and tourism spending:
    • $10.92 billion contribution to GDP
    • $9.9 billion in visitor spending
    • 101,604 jobs created
    • $3.73 billion in taxes
    • $5.84 billion in labour income
  • Live music operations:
    • $2 billion contribution to GDP
    • 27,490 jobs created
    • $513.5 million in taxes
    • $1.17 billion in labour income

The Canadian Live Music Association was founded in 2014 to drive the narrative of the power of live music, and to collaborate with members and government to stimulate increased sector capacity across the ecosystem. With this new data in hand, we hope the hard evidence and robust research in this report will incentivize forward and innovative thinking about the industry’s place and potential for growth within Canada’s cultural and economic framework.

You can read the full report here.

Stereophonics Announce 2025 Tour & New Album ‘Make ‘em Laugh, Make ‘em Cry, Make ‘em Wait’

Eric Alper
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Stereophonics Announce 2025 Tour & New Album ‘Make ‘em Laugh, Make ‘em Cry, Make ‘em Wait’

Today, the legendary Stereophonics announce details of their thirteenth studio album ‘Make ‘em Laugh, Make ‘em Cry, Make ‘em Wait’. Due for release on 25th April 2025 via EMI, the album is available to pre-order here. The announcement comes alongside a new single taken from the forthcoming record, ‘There’s Always Gonna Be Something’. Listen here.

‘There’s Always Gonna Be Something’ evolves Stereophonics’ signature sound. Chorus affected guitars chime and weave between suspended bass lines. Kelly Jones’ husky vocals draw listeners to the lyrics which intrigue and unveil new depths on each listen, with lines including “The bayonet tongue of silence, whispering just to remind us” and “I leave nothing for death but bones and the solitude Jester jokes, igniting my energy and bringing me to my knees, in this 21st century, so help this sinner please, this is only one part of me – There’s Always Gonna Be Something, So What’s it Gonna Be Today”.

Kelly comments: “There’s Always Gonna Be Something” is a song that could be describing the restlessness in uncertainty, struggling to arrive at acceptance. A part within all of us.”

With three decades and a wealth of record-breaking achievements under their belts, including 8 number 1 albums, Stereophonics have earned their status and respect amongst their fans, peers and artists from across the musical generations, ranging from Bob Dylan to David Bowie to Dua Lipa. In 2025, the band mark their anticipated return with ‘Make ‘em Laugh, Make ‘em Cry, Make ‘em Wait’, a tight and heavy-hitting eight track record. Written and recorded in London, it is an album devoid of any fat or filler. It is at once clean and precise. Hopeful and joyous. It does what it says on the cover. You Laugh, You Cry, You Wait.

As with previous album artwork, Kelly has gravitated towards different art forms to influence the project’s aesthetic, whether that be paintings, books or films. For “Make ‘em Laugh, Make ‘em Cry, Make ‘em Wait”, it was a similar process, Kelly recounts.

“I went to New York, I visited some galleries, I saw ‘ART IS A GUARANTY OF SANITY’, a painting by Louise Bourgeois. She believed art was a form of mental healing and a way to process difficult emotions. The spelling caught me first, then the simplicity of the words etched onto a pink tile. So I tried scratching my title, inspired by my own art school teacher thirty years ago. And I loved it. I loved the simplicity of the pink. The pink album was born”.

With a world tour imminent this year which has already seen the band sell over 300,000 tickets, as well as play some of their biggest shows around the world to date, the band continue to cement their position as one of our most enduring and loved bands. Their knack for blending rock sensibilities with soaring melodies keeps their sound vital, while Kelly Jones’ ever-introspective lyrics continue to resonate with each passing year.

Stereophonics have never been content to rest on their laurels, and this year’s performances promise to be some of their most dynamic yet.

‘Make ‘em Laugh, Make ‘em Cry, Make ‘em Wait’ Tracklist:

1. Make It On Your Own
2. There’s Always Gonna Be Something
3. Seems Like You Don’t Know Me
4. Colours Of October
5. Eyes Too Big For My Belly
6. Mary Is A Singer
7. Backroom Boys
8. Feeling Of Falling We Crave

Stereophonics Live Dates:

Mar 21, 2025 Théâtre Beanfield, Montreal, QC
Mar 22, 2025 Massey Hall, Toronto, ON
Mar 23, 2025 Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA
Mar 25, 2025 Brooklyn Paramount Theater, New York, NY
Mar 26, 202 House of Blues Boston, Boston, MA
Mar 28, 2025 Lincoln Theatre, Washington, DC
Mar 29, 2025 Agora Theatre and Ballroom, Cleveland, OH
Mar 30, 2025 The Vic Theatre, Chicago, IL
Apr 2, 2025 Vogue Theatre, Vancouver, BC
Apr 3, 2025 Neptune Theatre, Seattle, WA
Apr 4, 2025 McMenamins Crystal Ballroom, Portland, OR
Apr 6, 2025 The Regency Ballroom, San Francisco, CA
Apr 8, 2025 The Wiltern, Los Angeles, CA
Apr 9, 2025 Humphreys Concerts by the Bay, San Diego, CA
Apr 11, 2025 Teatro Metropolitan, Mexico City, Mexico
Apr 28, 2025 Cirque Royal, Brussels, Belgium
Apr 29, 2025 Zenith La Villette, Paris, France
Apr 30, 2025 AFAS Live, Amsterdam, Netherlands
May 2, 2025 Sporthalle, Hamburg, Germany
May 3, 2025 Uber Eats Music Hall, Berlin, Germany
May 5, 2025 TonHalle München, Munich, Germany
May 6, 2025 Live Music Hall, Cologne, Germany
May 8, 2025 X-TRA, Zürich, Switzerland
May 9, 2025 Transbordeur, Lyon, France
May 11, 2025 Sala La Riviera, Madrid, Spain
May 12, 2025 Razzmatazz, Barcelona, Spain
May 14, 2025 Alcatraz, Milan, Italy
May 25, 2025 Neighbourhood Weekender, Warrington, England
May 30, 2025 Vestrock Festival, Hulst, Netherlands
May 31, 2025 Dauwpop Festival, Hellendoorn, Netherlands
Jun 5, 2025 Belsonic, Belfast, UK
Jun 6, 2025 St. Anne’s Park, Dublin, Ireland
Jun 7, 2025 Virgin Media Park, Cork, Ireland
Jun 14, 2025 The John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield, UK
Jun 21, 2025 Isle of Wight Festival, Seaclose Park, Newport, Isle of Wight
Jun 28, 2025 Bellahouston Park, Glasgow, UK
Jul 4, 2025 Finsbury Park, London, UK
Jul 11, 2025 Principality Stadium, Cardiff, UK
Jul 12, 2025 Principality Stadium, Cardiff, UK
Aug 16, 2025, Sandringham Estate, Norfolk, UK

Fleetwood Mac’s Legendary 1975-1987 Albums Return on Crystal-Clear Vinyl & CD Box Set

Eric Alper
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Fleetwood Mac’s Legendary 1975-1987 Albums Return on Crystal-Clear Vinyl & CD Box Set

 Fleetwood Mac released five back-to-back multi-platinum albums between 1975 and 1987, an astonishing feat that drove them to become one of the best-selling bands in the world.

On March 28, these classic albums will be reissued on crystal-clear vinyl as a 6LP boxed set as well as a 5CD set. This collection includes Fleetwood Mac (1975), Rumours (1977), Tusk (1979), Mirage (1982), and Tango In The Night (1987). A Rhino.com exclusive edition, including a crystal-clear 12-inch of “Silver Springs” and “Go Your Own Way” in both stereo and mono, will be available on the same day and is limited to 1,000 copies globally. Pre-order HERE.

A new incarnation of Fleetwood Mac debuted in the summer of 1975, including Mick Fleetwood, John McVie and Christine McVie, along with new members Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. The group’s first album together, Fleetwood Mac (sometimes called “The White Album”), topped the Billboard album chart, spent more than a year in the Top 40 and sold more than five million copies in the U.S. thanks to songs like “Landslide,” “Say You Love Me,” and “Rhiannon.”

In 1977, the band followed up with the 21x Platinum record Rumours – considered among the greatest albums of all time. It won the GRAMMY Award for Album of the Year and has sold over 40 million copies worldwide. Its unforgettable tracks “Go Your Own Way,” “Gold Dust Woman,” and the band’s first number-one smash, the Gold-certified “Dreams.”

The Grammy®-nominated double-album Tusk arrived in 1979, selling more than four million copies worldwide and introducing fans to hits like “Sara,” “Think About Me,” and the title track. Three years later, in 1982, Fleetwood Mac again topped the U.S. Album Chart for five weeks with Mirage. Along with hits like “Hold Me” and “Gypsy,” Mirage also features great album tracks like “Oh Diane” and “Straight Back.”

In 1987, Tango in the Night became the second-most successful album of the band’s career, selling more than 15 million copies worldwide with the massive hits “Everywhere,” “Big Love,” and “Little Lies.”

FLEETWOOD MAC 1975-1987
Album Listing
Fleetwood Mac (1975)
Rumours (1977)
Tusk (1979)
Mirage (1982)
Tango In The Night (1987)
12-inch (Rhino.com Exclusive)
Side A
“Go Your Own Way” (Stereo Version)
“Silver Springs” (Stereo Version)
Side B
“Go Your Own Way” (Mono Version)
“Silver Springs” (Mono Version)

5 Surprising Facts About Marianne Faithfull’s “Broken English”

Eric Alper
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5 Surprising Facts About Marianne Faithfull’s “Broken English”

Some albums define careers. Others redefine them. Broken English did both. Released in 1979, it wasn’t just a comeback for Marianne Faithfull—it was a full-blown resurrection. Her angelic, folk-pop voice had been burned away by years of addiction and hardship, leaving behind a raw, husky rasp that fit the album’s themes of despair, anger, and survival like a velvet glove. Critics hailed it as her masterpiece. But behind the synth-driven new wave and dark lyricism, Broken English holds secrets that even die-hard fans might not know. Here are five fascinating facts about Faithfull’s most iconic album.

1. The Title Track Was Inspired by a Desire for Change

While “Broken English” carries a sense of tension and urgency, its inspiration wasn’t just rooted in political turmoil—it was also about transformation and reinvention. Faithfull saw the song as a metaphor for breaking through barriers, both personal and societal. After years of struggle, she was reclaiming her voice and stepping into a bold new artistic identity. The song’s hypnotic groove and defiant lyrics reflected her determination to push forward, making it not just a reflection of the times, but a personal anthem of resilience and renewal.

2. “Why’d Ya Do It?” Was Almost Given to Tina Turner

The album’s most infamous track, “Why’d Ya Do It?”, is a six-minute explosion of betrayal and rage, its lyrics dripping with profanity and explicit imagery. Poet Heathcote Williams originally wrote it with Tina Turner in mind, envisioning her belting out the furious monologue over a raw blues track. But when Faithfull got her hands on it, she knew it was hers. Her gravelly, battle-worn voice transformed it into something feral, snarling, and unforgettable. Island Records nearly refused to release it due to its explicit content, and in Australia, the song was outright banned. Faithfull didn’t care—she had found her voice, and she wasn’t about to censor it.

3. John Lennon’s Spirit Looms Over “Working Class Hero”

Faithfull’s cover of John Lennon’s “Working Class Hero” isn’t just a tribute—it’s a manifesto. She recorded it with a sense of urgency, stripping the song down to its bleak, biting core. Faithfull saw Lennon as a kindred spirit, someone who had navigated fame, addiction, and the weight of public perception. The decision to cover the song was also a nod to her own heroes, including Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, David Bowie, and Iggy Pop—artists who, like her, had walked the tightrope between brilliance and self-destruction. With her weathered voice, she transformed the song into something even more brutal and uncompromising than Lennon’s original.

4. The Album Almost Had a Very Different Sound

When Broken English was first recorded, it had a more organic, live-in-the-room feel, closer to Faithfull’s earlier folk-tinged work. But producer Mark Miller Mundy had a vision—he wanted it to sound modern, sleek, and electronic. He brought in Steve Winwood to add layers of shimmering synths and keyboards, pushing the record into the new wave territory of artists like Talking Heads and Blondie. Faithfull later admitted that she wasn’t entirely comfortable with the shift at first, but the gamble paid off. The blend of new wave production and her ragged vocals gave the album a timeless, genre-defying edge.

5. It Took Over a Decade for Faithfull to Reclaim It

While Broken English was a critical and commercial success, Faithfull herself was in no position to celebrate. She was still in the grips of heroin addiction, and the newfound attention didn’t make things easier. By the mid-1980s, she was spiraling again. It wasn’t until 1987—after getting clean—that she could fully appreciate what she had created. “For years, I didn’t even listen to Broken English,” she later admitted. “I wasn’t ready to hear it.” It was only with the release of Strange Weather in 1987 that she truly reclaimed her artistry, setting the stage for the remarkable second act of her career.

Broken English was a declaration of survival. It turned Marianne Faithfull from a faded 1960s icon into one of the most compelling artists of her generation. The voice that once floated through folk ballads had been shattered and reforged into something darker, wiser, and utterly unforgettable. More than 40 years later, the album still stands as a testament to reinvention, resilience, and the raw power of an artist who refused to be written off.

 

Who Is Playing And How To Watch FireAid

Eric Alper
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Who Is Playing And How To Watch FireAid

The FireAid concert, spearheaded by Irving Azoff, will take place on January 30, 2025, across two major venues in Los Angeles—the Intuit Dome and the Kia Forum—to support wildfire relief efforts. The event boasts an all-star lineup featuring Billie Eilish, Earth, Wind & Fire, Gracie Abrams, Jelly Roll, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Lil Baby, Olivia Rodrigo, Peso Pluma, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Sting, and Tate McRae performing at the Intuit Dome, while Alanis Morissette, Anderson .Paak, Dave Matthews and John Mayer, Dawes, Graham Nash, Green Day, John Fogerty, Joni Mitchell, No Doubt, P!nk, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stephen Stills, Stevie Nicks, and The Black Crowes will take the stage at the Kia Forum. The concert will be streamed across over 25 platforms, and with sponsorships and donations already exceeding $60 million, it is set to be one of the most impactful charity events in recent history, and it deserves a slew of facts you need to know about the concerts.

30 Key Facts You Need To Know

  1. FireAid was conceived just three days after the catastrophic L.A. wildfires began on January 7, 2025 and quickly expanded into a massive two-venue benefit concert.
  2. The concert will be held simultaneously at the Intuit Dome and the Kia Forum on January 30, 2025.
  3. 100% of ticket sales and donations will go to wildfire recovery and prevention efforts, with all venue and ticketing fees waived.
  4. Irving Azoff, his family, Live Nation, and AEG are the key organizers behind FireAid.
  5. The first artist to confirm was Rod Stewart, followed closely by Stevie Nicks.
  6. The event is expected to raise north of $50 million from ticket sales and sponsorships, with additional donations pushing the total much higher.
  7. The Eagles, unable to perform, donated $2.5 million to kickstart the fundraising efforts.
  8. The Ballmers (Steve and Connie) will match viewer donations dollar for dollar, significantly boosting fundraising potential.
  9. FireAid has nearly 40 corporate sponsors, including American Express, Netflix, Spotify, TikTok, and AT&T.
  10. Major streaming platforms like YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and TikTok will air the event live.
  11. The concert aims to capture the ‘spirit of L.A.’ rather than being a somber event, focusing on music, joy, and rebuilding efforts.
  12. Performances will be staggered between venues, with a 90-minute lead-in from the Kia Forum before Intuit Dome starts.
  13. Some acts will use a house band, while others will bring their full touring setup.
  14. Lil Baby and Anderson .Paak are among the notable hip-hop performers, though Kendrick Lamar and Dr. Dre were unable to participate due to the Super Bowl.
  15. FireAid organizers originally considered only Intuit Dome but added Kia Forum due to overwhelming artist participation.
  16. Joel Gallen is producing the show for streaming and broadcast, facing significant logistical challenges.
  17. Sponsorship deals were so high in demand that all suites and sponsorship opportunities were sold out weeks in advance.
  18. More than 2,500 first responders and wildfire victims will receive free tickets to the concert.
  19. The event will feature several surprise collaborations and guest appearances.
  20. AMC Theaters and Regal Cinemas will screen the concert live across select locations.
  21. Rod Stewart and his band are flying in from England to participate, underscoring his deep ties to California.
  22. The idea for FireAid started when Shelli Azoff called Clippers CEO Gillian Zucker, who immediately offered the Intuit Dome as a venue.
  23. Live Nation and its CEO Michael Rapino are deeply involved in organizing and fundraising for the event.
  24. The concert was strategically scheduled to avoid Super Bowl week and Grammy weekend complications.
  25. Sponsors like DirectTV and Starbucks have made significant direct donations to the cause.
  26. A modern ‘digital telethon’ model is being used to encourage real-time text donations.
  27. FireAid will include segments featuring survivor stories and firefighter footage to highlight the event’s purpose.
  28. Each artist will perform 2-4 songs, with a five-and-a-half-hour runtime currently projected.
  29. Despite comparisons to the Grammys, Azoff insists that FireAid is ‘not in competition’ with the awards show.
  30. All ticket sales and corporate contributions have already surpassed $60 million, making this one of the largest single-night music benefit events ever.

5 Surprising Facts About Neil Young’s “After The Gold Rush”

Eric Alper
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5 Surprising Facts About Neil Young’s “After The Gold Rush”

There are albums that define an era, and then there’s After the Gold Rush. Released in 1970, Neil Young’s third solo album fused folk, rock, and country into a soul-searching journey filled with heartbreak, protest, and apocalyptic visions. From its dreamy title track to the scorching social commentary of Southern Man, this album wasn’t just music—it was a moment. But even for die-hard fans, there are still some surprises lurking in the grooves. Here are five lesser-known facts about After the Gold Rush that prove Neil Young was on another level.

1. It Was Inspired by an Unproduced Movie That Could Have Been the Next Easy Rider

Ever wonder why After the Gold Rush feels like a cinematic experience? That’s because it was originally written for a screenplay of the same name by actor Dean Stockwell and writer Herb Bermann. Stockwell, part of the Topanga Canyon artist scene, was encouraged by Dennis Hopper to write his own movie after the success of Easy Rider. The story centered around an ecological disaster that wiped out the hippie counterculture. Young got his hands on the script and was so inspired that he wrote most of the album in just three weeks. The project never got off the ground, but Young’s haunting, surreal title track remains a glimpse into what could have been a lost classic of New Hollywood cinema.

2. Graham Nash’s Breakup with Joni Mitchell Led to One of Young’s Greatest Songs

Breakups hurt, but at least they can inspire great music. Young’s ballad Only Love Can Break Your Heart was written for Graham Nash after his split from Joni Mitchell. Nash later admitted that Young had perfectly captured his heartbreak, saying, “Neil came to me and said he’d written a song for me because he knew exactly how I felt.” The irony? Young himself has said in interviews that he barely remembers writing the song, but its raw, melancholy beauty has made it one of his most enduring hits.

3. Lynyrd Skynyrd Took Southern Man Personally—And Neil Young Didn’t Blame Them

Southern Man was Young’s fiery indictment of racism and slavery in the American South, and it didn’t go unnoticed. A couple of years later, Lynyrd Skynyrd fired back with Sweet Home Alabama, calling Young out by name: “I hope Neil Young will remember, a Southern man don’t need him around, anyhow.” But here’s the twist—Young actually loved Sweet Home Alabama and was on good terms with the Skynyrd crew. Ronnie Van Zant even wore a Tonight’s the Night t-shirt on stage, and Young has been known to cover Sweet Home Alabama in concert. In his autobiography Waging Heavy Peace, Young admitted that his lyrics in Alabama (from his next album, Harvest) were a bit too harsh, saying, “I deserved it.”

4. Nils Lofgren Had No Idea What He Was Doing on Piano—And It Worked

Eighteen-year-old Nils Lofgren, later famous for his work with Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, was brought in to play piano on the album—despite not being a pianist. Young loved his energy and threw him into the deep end, letting him figure it out as they went. The result? A raw, unconventional piano sound that added a unique character to tracks like After the Gold Rush and Only Love Can Break Your Heart. Lofgren later recalled, “Neil just trusted me to go for it. I learned piano by playing on After the Gold Rush.” Not bad for a trial by fire!

5. The Album Cover Was an Accident—And Almost Featured Graham Nash

That iconic, ghostly image of Neil Young on the album cover? It was actually out of focus. Photographer Joel Bernstein snapped the shot of Young walking past an old woman on the New York University campus, but it wasn’t quite sharp. Instead of scrapping it, art director Gary Burden decided to use a solarization effect to mask the blur, giving it its now-iconic look. Even crazier—Graham Nash was originally in the photo, but was cropped out for the final cover.

Neil Young has never been one to follow the rules, and After the Gold Rush is proof. Whether it’s taking inspiration from a lost screenplay, capturing the heartache of his friends, or pushing the limits of his own sound, this album remains one of rock’s most fascinating creations. Now, next time you spin After the Gold Rush, you’ll hear it with a whole new perspective.

5 Surprising Facts About David Bowie’s “Hunky Dory”

Eric Alper
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5 Surprising Facts About David Bowie’s “Hunky Dory”

David Bowie’s Hunky Dory was the moment he started shaping the sound and identity that would define him for decades. Released in December 1971, Hunky Dory might not have been a smash hit right away, but it quickly became one of Bowie’s most revered works. A mix of theatricality, introspection, and cultural references, the album gave us classics like Changes, Life on Mars?, and Oh! You Pretty Things. But beyond its well-documented brilliance, there are some lesser-known stories behind the album that make it even more fascinating. Here are five facts that show just how ahead of his time Bowie truly was.

1. Life on Mars? Started as a Parody of a Frank Sinatra Hit

Imagine hearing Frank Sinatra’s My Way and thinking, “I could do something more surreal with that”—because that’s exactly what Bowie did. The origins of Life on Mars? trace back to an early song Bowie wrote called Even a Fool Learns to Love, which used the same French melody that My Way would later be adapted from. When Paul Anka swooped in, secured the rights, and turned it into Sinatra’s now-iconic ballad, Bowie was frustrated. So what did he do? He wrote Life on Mars? using a similar chord progression but with a completely different, more cinematic narrative. The result? A song that, ironically, became even more legendary.

2. Mick Ronson’s Orchestration on Hunky Dory Was His First Time Arranging Strings

Mick Ronson is often celebrated for his guitar work, but on Hunky Dory, he proved he was a one-man orchestra. When Bowie asked him to write string arrangements for Life on Mars?, Ronson had never arranged strings before. He learned on the spot, drawing inspiration from classical composers and his own rock background. The result was nothing short of breathtaking—his orchestral work on Life on Mars?, Quicksand, and The Bewlay Brothers added a layer of grandeur that made the album sound like a surreal Broadway show. Bowie’s faith in Ronson paid off, and it helped shape his role in The Spiders from Mars.

3. Kooks Was Written as a Welcome Message to His Newborn Son—On the Spot

Bowie wasn’t just making music for himself—he was crafting songs for the next generation. After his son Duncan (then known as Zowie Bowie) was born on May 30, 1971, Bowie rushed home and wrote Kooks the same day as a tribute to his newborn. The song is full of charming, whimsical lyrics about what it’s like growing up in an unconventional, artsy household. When he performed the song on BBC’s In Concert just days later, he introduced it by saying: “I’d like to sing a song which has just been written and dedicated to my newly born son”—cementing it as one of the most personal moments in his entire catalog.

4. Andy Warhol Hated the Song Andy Warhol

David Bowie idolized Andy Warhol. Andy Warhol… did not reciprocate that feeling—at least not when it came to the song Bowie wrote for him. Andy Warhol, a folky, flamenco-tinged tribute to the pop artist, was meant to be an affectionate nod to his mentor. But when Bowie played the track for Warhol during a visit to The Factory in New York, Warhol reportedly sat in silence, visibly unimpressed. After an awkward pause, he changed the subject and started talking about Bowie’s shoes. Bowie later reflected that the encounter was a little weird but still found Warhol’s reaction fascinating in its own way.

5. Rick Wakeman Turned Down Joining Bowie’s Band—For Yes

Rick Wakeman’s piano work on Hunky Dory is phenomenal—his flourishes on Changes and Life on Mars? are instantly recognizable. Bowie, knowing he had a virtuoso on his hands, offered Wakeman a full-time spot in The Spiders from Mars. But Wakeman had other plans—he turned down the offer to join progressive rock giants Yes, where he became one of the most famous keyboardists in rock history. Imagine how different Ziggy Stardust might have sounded if Wakeman had said yes to Bowie instead!

Hunky Dory wasn’t an instant commercial success, but it was a defining moment in Bowie’s evolution as an artist. It was the album where Bowie truly found his voice, blending surrealism, personal reflection, and an obsession with pop culture into something completely his own. From its playful songwriting to its orchestral grandeur, it remains one of the most endlessly fascinating albums of all time.

HARD Summer Music Festival Returns to Inglewood in 2025—Los Angeles’ Largest Electronic Event Expands Its Legacy

Eric Alper
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HARD Summer Music Festival Returns to Inglewood in 2025—Los Angeles’ Largest Electronic Event Expands Its Legacy

Today, HARD Events has announced the return of HARD Summer Music Festival to Inglewood on August 2-3, 2025, once again taking place at Hollywood Park, the expansive entertainment complex adjacent to SoFi Stadium and YouTube Theater.

Since its inaugural edition in 2008, HARD Summer has cemented its place as a cornerstone of Southern California’s festival scene. With its distinct multi-genre curational ethos and vibrant Y2K-inspired aesthetic, the event has grown steadily in prominence. Today, it stands as Los Angeles’ largest electronic music festival and a powerful celebration of the city’s rich tapestry of musical styles and cultural influences.

After relocating to Hollywood Park in 2024, HARD redefined the premiere Los Angeles electronic music experience. Spanning 300 acres, the venue offered a fresh, immersive atmosphere for attendees with its spacious layout, interactive features, and innovative activations, making it the largest event of its kind in the city. As stated by entertainment and pop culture publication UPROXX, “HARD Summer is an institution. From the moments between when the lineup drops to when the last attendee exits Hollywood Park — located on the SoFi Stadium grounds — everyone knows that the dance-music powerhouse is going to throw one of the best parties LA, or anywhere, is offering.”

HARD Summer’s 2024 lineup featured leading names in electronic music, from Disclosure to Jamie xx, Major Lazer, FISHER + Chris Lake, and more while also welcoming marquee crossover names like Nelly Furtado, Sofi Tukker, and Channel Tres across its seven stages. This included two stages focused on championing local LA talent at Boombox Art Car presented by Beatbox and the Locals Only Stage presented by Jose Cuervo. Fans can expect the festival’s signature blend of diverse sounds and styles to be reinforced with the 2025 lineup, which will be announced soon.

HARD Summer remains dedicated to delivering an exceptional festival experience while fostering positive relationships with its local communities. Since 2023, HARD Summer’s ‘Pre-Game’ initiative has partnered with 17 local businesses around Greater Los Angeles, with five of those being Inglewood establishments in 2024. The program acts as a continuation of HARD’s commitment to supporting its home city, exemplified through further activations including its partnership with Inglewood music education institution 1500 Sound Academy and pop-up night market events with Grand Central Market. HARD Summer has created an application here for local businesses to inquire directly about partnering on this year’s edition of HARD Summer’s ‘Pre-Game’.

Two-day GA, GA+, and VIP festival passes will be available for purchase beginning January 31 at 10AM PT. Fans will also have an opportunity at an early jump on passes via the SMS presale beginning January 31 at 9AM PT. Visit HARD Summer’s official website for more info and to sign up for presale.

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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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