All photos by Mini’s Memories, you can contact her through Instagram.
Photo Gallery: Apocalyptica with Nita Strauss at Toronto’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Pop and Slots: The Best Online Casino Games Inspired by Music Legends
By Mitch Rice
When you think about online casinos, music might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But it actually plays a pretty important role in enhancing the entire experience, especially with games like online slots. Imagine the classic sound effects of those old slot machines when you land winning symbol combinations, or consider the exciting new titles inspired by legendary rock bands like Kiss and Guns N’ Roses.
It’s interesting how a lot of folks decide to play online slots or casino games without any sound. They often find the music and sound effects lacking, but really, that’s missing out on a lot of fun! Many live dealer game shows employ comparable sound effects and tunes to keep the action entertaining, and having a soundtrack that complements the atmosphere or subject of an online slot is crucial. Software developers are tapping into music and audio to boost their games in various ways, giving more thought to this increasingly important aspect.
Playing on online casino platforms recommended by Bonusfinder NZ is such a fun way to dive into the latest music-themed slot machines and other games. These operators are always refreshing their gaming catalogs with the latest titles, allowing players to enjoy the perks of carefully designed music and sound effects. Couple these games with music legends; you’ll want to stick around to discover our curated list of the best!
The King of Pop: Hit the Jackpot with MJ
The Michael Jackson slot by Bally Technologies is a remarkable tribute to the iconic musician, merging live concert elements with exhilarating casino gameplay. The music integrates well with the action, featuring a compilation of the artist’s top songs, including ‘Beat It’ and ‘Smooth Criminal.’ The captivating images immerse you in the heart of his extraordinary performances, including iconic icons such as the renowned King of Pop’s glove, sunglasses, and hat, to further enchant gamers.
The game has multiple distinct extra features, such as Beat It and Smooth Criminal free spins, stacked wilds, and the innovative interactive U Spin Platinum Wheel, which provides substantial winnings using genuine touchscreen mechanics. Surround sound technology amplifies each spin of the slot, making it essential for Michael Jackson enthusiasts and those who like cinematic allure combined with dynamic gameplay, all inside a slot that honours Michael Jackson’s musical heritage.
Dio Slot Machine: Combining creatures with the Metal Icon
A slot game that honors Heavy Metal music is Dio. The slot immerses gamers on a journey through a realm inhabited by dragons and wolves with Ronnie James Dio. The slot captivates players with its engaging tale, allowing them to accompany Dio as he battles a variety of mythological adversaries. This position is essential for aficionados of old Heavy Metal.
While spinning the reels, players are presented with many of Dio’s most renowned tunes. Additionally, the extraordinary bonus rounds provide participants the opportunity to contend against creatures for the chance to secure significant riches. The slot offers a distinctive combination of engaging gameplay, a Heavy Metal soundtrack, and narrative elements within the casino game genre.
Motley Crue Slot: An exciting experience with the notorious rock band
The Mötley Crüe slot has garnered popularity among players since its launch in 2024. Created by Play’n Go, this slot amalgamates the renowned music of the iconic band with engaging gameplay, incorporating various features such as Mötley Crüe Scatters, which utilize the band’s recognizable symbols to trigger free spins, Wild Side, which disperses wild symbols across the reels, and Kickstart My Heart, which can activate stacked symbols and bonus rounds.
Guns N’ Roses: A legendary band on the reels
Outside the domain of Hollywood blockbusters, iconic musicians and bands are making their imprint on film, providing players with a harmonious experience that honors their musical heritage.
Consider the exhilarating slot game inspired by the iconic rock band Guns N’ Roses, where the distinctive riffs of Slash’s guitar and the powerful vocals of Axl Rose create an unparalleled gaming experience, enhanced by a remarkable soundtrack featuring the band’s greatest hits, including classics such as “Welcome to the Jungle,” and “Sweet Child of Mine,” immersing the player in the ambiance of a live concert.
Elvis Presley Lives: Relive the Golden Era of Elvis
The Elvis Lives slot machine from Scientific Games transports players back in time to the glitz and glamour of Elvis Presley’s golden age as they listen to classic songs, including “Can’t Help Falling In Love,” “Jailhouse Rock,” and “Hound Dog.” The game has striking images, like Elvis’ sunglasses, jumpsuits, and microphones, which encapsulate the intensity of his iconic concerts.
Incorporating exhilarating extra features like free spins with roaming wilds, multiplier-laden TCB Free Spins, and the tiered Jumpsuit Picker bonus, these captivating elements contribute to dynamic gameplay. The Elvis Lives extra is particularly noteworthy since illuminating the ELVIS symbol might yield a 2,000x jackpot based on your wager. Elvis enthusiasts and Las Vegas must-play slots aspirants will find satisfaction in every spin as each one immerses you in a captivating Vegas performance.
Final Thoughts
The sustained success of music-themed casino games is due to the worldwide allure of music as a form of communication. Music has the distinctive capacity to elicit emotions and establish the ambiance, a characteristic often utilized in films and television.
These games engage players by allowing them to immerse themselves in their preferred songs or albums, giving a kind of escapism. Music functions as a conduit for alleviating daily burdens and facilitating relaxation. The choice to listen to the soundtrack while gaming allows players to either immerse themselves in the game or appreciate the background music. This crossover between entertainment and gameplay isn’t limited to slots; even traditional games like บาคาร่า 168 have seen themed adaptations that incorporate popular tunes to enrich the player’s experience. Furthermore, the incorporation of renowned songs or musicians in music-themed casino games enhances their appeal and elevates gaming performance. This feature enables players to revisit treasured experiences linked to their preferred music, fostering a personal bond with the game.
Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.
10 Songs You Think Are Love Songs—But Totally Aren’t
Love songs. They make us swoon, they soundtrack our romances, and sometimes they accompany our most dramatic heartbreaks. But what if some of the most iconic love songs… weren’t actually about love at all? What if those swoon-worthy lyrics were actually about obsession, loss, regret, or even something downright sinister?
Music has a way of disguising meaning—sometimes intentionally, sometimes through pure misinterpretation. You hear “Every Breath You Take” at a wedding, and you wonder if anyone actually listened to the lyrics. You belt out “I Will Always Love You,” picturing a forever romance, without realizing it’s actually a song about letting go.
Let’s take a deep dive into ten songs that masquerade as love songs but have a completely different story to tell.
1. The Police – “Every Breath You Take”
At first listen: A tender vow of devotion.
Reality check: A creepy stalker anthem.
Sting himself has called this song “very, very sinister” because it’s not about love—it’s about possessiveness and control. Yet, it remains one of the most played wedding songs ever. Go figure.
2. Whitney Houston (Dolly Parton) – “I Will Always Love You”
At first listen: A romantic promise of undying affection.
Reality check: A breakup song.
Dolly Parton wrote this song not about romantic love, but about parting ways with her longtime business partner, Porter Wagoner. It’s about moving on, not clinging on.
3. U2 – “With or Without You”
At first listen: A dramatic love ballad about longing.
Reality check: A song about being trapped in a toxic relationship.
Bono has said this song was about the tension between his rockstar lifestyle and personal relationships. It’s about dependency, but not the good kind.
4. The Beatles – “Got to Get You Into My Life”
At first listen: A joyful declaration of love.
Reality check: A love song… to marijuana.
Paul McCartney admitted years later that this wasn’t about a person—it was about his love for weed. Listen again, and suddenly it all makes sense.
5. Bon Iver – “Skinny Love”
At first listen: A beautifully raw love song.
Reality check: A song about a failing relationship.
Justin Vernon wrote this song about love that’s already falling apart—thin, frail, and unsustainable. It’s about emotional depletion, not romance.
6. Bruce Springsteen – “I’m on Fire”
At first listen: A smoldering, passionate love song.
Reality check: More like an unsettling song about obsession.
There’s an eerie undercurrent to this one, and lyrics like “Hey little girl, is your daddy home?” make it clear—it’s more about forbidden desire than a healthy relationship.
7. The Rolling Stones – “Angie”
At first listen: A heartbreaking love song.
Reality check: A song about the end of love—and maybe drugs.
Mick Jagger has denied that “Angie” was about David Bowie’s wife, but Keith Richards has hinted that it was more about quitting heroin. Either way, it’s not a happily-ever-after.
8. Fleetwood Mac – “Go Your Own Way”
At first listen: A song about choosing freedom.
Reality check: A bitter breakup track.
Lindsey Buckingham wrote this song about Stevie Nicks, essentially telling her to leave and blaming her for their failed relationship. The harmonies might be beautiful, but the intent is pure heartbreak.
9. Celine Dion – “My Heart Will Go On”
At first listen: An eternal love song.
Reality check: A song about loss and moving forward.
James Cameron nearly rejected this Titanic anthem because it’s not about love lasting—it’s about cherishing memories and continuing life after losing someone.
10. Eric Clapton – “Wonderful Tonight”
At first listen: A loving tribute to a beautiful woman.
Reality check: A passive-aggressive song about impatience.
Listen closely, and you’ll hear that Clapton isn’t just singing about how beautiful Pattie Boyd looks—he’s also clearly annoyed that she’s taking too long to get ready.
Music is funny like that. It wraps complex, even dark emotions in gorgeous melodies, tricking us into singing along to stories we might not fully understand. Maybe that’s the beauty of it—songs are open to interpretation, and if a song makes you feel love, does it really matter what the artist originally meant?
What Makes a Great Love Song? The Magic Behind the Music
Love songs have the power to define generations, soundtrack our most intimate moments, and make us believe in romance all over again. Whether it’s a heart-wrenching ballad or an exuberant anthem of devotion, the best love songs transcend time and genre. But what exactly makes a love song great? Is it the melody? The lyrics? The raw emotion? The answer is all of the above—and more. Let’s break it down and explore some of the most iconic love songs that embody these elements.
1. A Melodic Hook That Hits the Heart
A love song needs a melody that lingers like a lover’s touch. The greatest ones are instantly recognizable after just a few notes. Think of Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You—that soaring vocal line is pure magic. Or the gentle acoustic riff in The Beatles’ Something, which feels as timeless as love itself. These melodies are unforgettable, carrying the weight of the emotions within the song and staying with the listener long after the final chord fades.
2. Lyrics That Speak Universal Truths
Love is personal, but great love songs make it feel universal. The best lyrics express emotions we all understand, whether it’s devotion (At Last by Etta James), longing (Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers), or heartbreak (Someone Like You by Adele). Songwriters who tap into these raw, relatable feelings create lyrics that make us say, “That’s exactly how I feel.” The most powerful love songs feel like they were written just for us.
3. A Vocal Performance That Gives You Chills
A great love song isn’t just sung—it’s felt. The most legendary love songs feature vocal performances that send shivers down your spine. Listen to Freddie Mercury on Love of My Life—his voice aches with emotion, turning the song into a tender farewell. Or consider Sam Cooke’s smooth, heartfelt delivery in You Send Me, a masterclass in effortless romance. The right voice doesn’t just deliver the lyrics; it lives them.
4. Instrumentation That Sets the Mood
Love songs don’t just tell a story—they create an atmosphere. The swelling strings in My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion evoke the grand, cinematic scope of love. The jazzy piano chords in Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley wrap the listener in warmth and intimacy. Every note, every instrument plays a role in painting the perfect picture of love.
5. A Timeless Quality That Never Fades
The best love songs are just as powerful today as they were decades ago. Frank Sinatra’s The Way You Look Tonight still melts hearts, just like Ed Sheeran’s Perfect does for a new generation. Love is eternal, and the most enduring love songs capture that timeless magic. Whether played at a wedding or alone in the car on a quiet night, these songs never lose their emotional impact.
A great love song is felt deep in the soul. It’s the song you slow dance to, the one that plays in the background of your happiest moments, or the one that brings tears to your eyes when love feels just out of reach. Love songs are part of our collective experience, shaping the way we express, celebrate, and remember love.
5 Surprising Facts About U2’s ‘Achtung Baby’
You think you know Achtung Baby. You’ve blasted “One” on late-night drives, jumped around to “Mysterious Ways,” and marveled at Bono’s transformation into The Fly. But did you know that U2 nearly broke up while making it? Or that a car from the album cover would become part of their most ambitious tour ever? Released in 1991, Achtung Baby wasn’t just a new album—it was a complete reinvention, tearing apart everything U2 had built in the ’80s and making something darker, stranger, and bolder. Here are five things you probably didn’t know about Achtung Baby—the record that changed U2 forever.
1. The Berlin Sessions Were a Disaster—Until “One” Saved the Band
In late 1990, U2 set up shop at Hansa Studios in Berlin, hoping to capture the energy of a newly reunified Germany. Instead, they found themselves in a cold, uninspiring city, struggling to write songs and fighting over their musical direction. Bono and The Edge wanted to dive into industrial and electronic influences, while Larry Mullen Jr. and Adam Clayton leaned toward classic rock. The tension was so bad, the band nearly called it quits. But during a jam session, The Edge stumbled upon a new chord progression, and within minutes, the band had written “One.” The song wasn’t just a breakthrough—it was a lifeline. Without it, Achtung Baby might never have been finished, and U2 might not have made it out of the ’90s intact.
2. The Album Title Came From a Joke—But It Was Dead Serious
U2 had been toying with names like Man (a nod to their 1980 debut Boy) and even 69, but they landed on Achtung Baby—a German phrase meaning “Attention, baby!”—as a tongue-in-cheek way to signal their sonic shift. The phrase reportedly came from either sound engineer Joe O’Herlihy’s studio banter or a Mel Brooks reference. But the irony of the title masked the album’s deeper themes of love, betrayal, and reinvention. Bono later admitted, “It’s probably the heaviest record we’ve ever made … but calling it Achtung Baby threw people off.” Classic U2—serious and self-deprecating in equal measure.
3. “The Fly” Was Inspired by a Pair of Cheap Sunglasses
Bono’s Fly persona—leather-clad, bug-eyed, whispering rock-star clichés—was born out of pure studio spontaneity. The turning point came when wardrobe assistant Fintan Fitzgerald handed Bono a pair of oversized wraparound sunglasses. The moment he put them on, everything changed. Suddenly, he had a character that could say all the things he wasn’t comfortable saying as “Bono from U2.” The Fly would go on to define the Zoo TV Tour, introducing audiences to a more ironic, chaotic, and self-aware U2. The song itself? A wall of distorted guitars, hip-hop beats, and a whispered warning from the underworld.
4. The Achtung Baby Cover Features a Stolen Car and a Naked Adam Clayton
The album’s chaotic, collage-style cover was a deliberate break from U2’s usual serious, monochrome aesthetic. Shot by Anton Corbijn, it featured vibrant photos of the band, a surreal shot of Bono kissing The Edge, and—most famously—a bright blue East German Trabant car, a leftover relic from the Berlin Wall era. The band became so obsessed with the car that they used real Trabants as stage lights on the Zoo TV Tour. Oh, and the original cover also featured a naked photo of Adam Clayton on the back—until U.S. retailers complained, and a black X had to be slapped over his, well, achtung.
5. The Zoo TV Tour Was Unlike Anything Rock Had Ever Seen
The Joshua Tree tour made U2 the biggest band in the world, but Zoo TV made them the weirdest. Instead of earnestness, they embraced absurdity. Instead of one big screen, they flooded the stage with dozens of flickering TV monitors. Fake phone calls, alter egos, prank calls to the White House—it was part concert, part performance art. The scale was so ambitious that the tour grossed $151 million, with U2 playing to over 5.3 million fans. But it wasn’t just a spectacle—it was a critique of media overload, wrapped in rock-star excess.
Rock and roll is about reinvention. The Beatles had Sgt. Pepper’s, Bowie had Ziggy Stardust, and U2 had Achtung Baby. This was an album seeped in a demolition and a rebirth. The band went into the ’90s feeling lost, and they came out of it with an album that shattered expectations. It gave us a new U2—messier, louder, funnier, and maybe even better. Thirty years later, Achtung Baby still sounds like the future. It’s the sound of four men chopping down The Joshua Tree—and planting something even wilder in its place.
5 Surprising Facts About Led Zeppelin II
You know Led Zeppelin II. You’ve cranked up “Whole Lotta Love” in your car, played air guitar to “Heartbreaker,” and whispered “Ramble On” lyrics like a secret only true fans understand. But do you really know this album? The 1969 masterpiece didn’t just set the standard for hard rock—it changed music history forever. From groundbreaking recording techniques to a certain Tolkien connection, here are five things you probably didn’t know about Led Zeppelin II.
1. It Was Recorded in Some of the Most Unlikely Places
Imagine laying down a rock and roll classic in a makeshift studio with no proper headphones. That’s exactly what Led Zeppelin did while recording Led Zeppelin II. Unlike most albums, which are recorded in one or two studios, this one was pieced together in over a dozen different locations across the UK and the US—some barely equipped to handle a band of Zeppelin’s power. Jimmy Page and Eddie Kramer had to work with whatever was available, sometimes mixing tracks on the fly while the band was on tour. The result? An album that captures the raw, urgent energy of their live performances like no other.
2. The “Whole Lotta Love” Mix Was Pure Studio Magic
One of the most iconic moments in Led Zeppelin II is the trippy middle section of “Whole Lotta Love,” where Robert Plant’s vocals swirl, echo, and float through the speakers like a rock and roll fever dream. But here’s the wild part: it wasn’t planned. Engineer Eddie Kramer and Jimmy Page crafted that psychedelic section by randomly twisting knobs, adding effects in real time, and experimenting with stereo panning. It was all done manually, live in the studio, with no computers or automation—just pure instinct and sonic wizardry.
3. J.R.R. Tolkien Inspired “Ramble On”
Led Zeppelin had a thing for The Lord of the Rings, and nowhere is that more obvious than in “Ramble On.” Robert Plant’s lyrics reference Mordor, Gollum, and “the evil one” in a song about adventure, longing, and wandering souls. Plant was a huge Tolkien fan, and traces of Middle-earth would continue to pop up in Zeppelin’s music, from “The Battle of Evermore” to “Misty Mountain Hop.” Fun fact: Despite being one of Zeppelin’s most beloved songs, “Ramble On” was never performed live by the full band until their 2007 reunion show at the Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert.
4. “Heartbreaker” Changed the Way Guitar Solos Were Played
Jimmy Page’s unaccompanied solo in “Heartbreaker” is one of the most influential moments in rock guitar history. Recorded separately from the rest of the song, the 46-second solo was completely spontaneous—Page just plugged in and let loose. It became a blueprint for future guitarists, inspiring everyone from Eddie Van Halen to Slash. In fact, Van Halen once said that the “Heartbreaker” solo directly influenced his famous “Eruption” tapping technique. The next time you hear that wild, unchained burst of guitar, know that it paved the way for generations of shredders to come.
5. The Album Cover Is a Remix of a World War I Photograph
The Led Zeppelin II album cover looks like a surrealist rock and roll dream, but it actually started as a photograph of a World War I German Air Force division. The original image featured the famed Flying Circus squadron led by the Red Baron, but artist David Juniper modified it by replacing some of the pilots’ faces with those of the Zeppelin members. He even snuck in a few unexpected additions—like French actress Delphine Seyrig from the 1969 film Mr. Freedom. A Zeppelin album cover inspired by a leftist anti-war satire? Now that’s rock and roll.
Fifty-five years after its release, Led Zeppelin II still stands as a defining moment in rock history, a declaration of the band’s sonic identity, fusing blues, hard rock, and psychedelia into an unstoppable force. With its raw energy, studio innovations, and unforgettable riffs, it set the template for countless bands to follow. Whether you’re revisiting it for the hundredth time or dropping the needle on it for the first, Led Zeppelin II remains, quite simply, essential.
Green Day, Noah Kahan, and Fall Out Boy to Headline Oceans Calling Festival 2025 in Ocean City
The highly-anticipated lineup has been announced for the 2025 edition of Oceans Calling Festival with Green Day, Noah Kahan, and Fall Out Boy set to headline September 26-28 at the Ocean City, Maryland Boardwalk.
The festival returns to Ocean City Inlet Beach with more than 40 artists performing across 3 stages including Weezer, Lenny Kravitz, Vampire Weekend, Good Charlotte, Train, The Black Crowes, Nelly, Devo, Modest Mouse, O.A.R., Vance Joy, CAKE, Ziggy Marley, Jack’s Mannequin, and many more.
Tickets will be available this Friday, February 14 beginning with the Presale at 10AM ET, followed by the public on-sale at 11 AM ET with any remaining tickets.
In addition to the music, Oceans Calling celebrates the return of renowned Chef Robert Irvine alongside culinary stars new to the Oceans Calling stage: Michael Voltaggio, Brian Voltaggio, and Anne Burrell, who will all be presenting lively cooking demos hosted by Jason Biggs for a delicious weekend to remember. Festival goers will once again have access to the Ocean City Boardwalk and its businesses in residence as well as the iconic Jolly Roger at the Pier amusement park, both located inside the festival grounds, as admission will be included with the purchase of an Oceans Calling Festival ticket.
Zach Bryan to Headline Historic First Concert at Michigan Stadium with Special Guest John Mayer
oday, multi-Platinum, GRAMMY-winning artist Zach Bryan has announced a first-of-its-kind concert at Michigan Stadium on September 27, 2025, with special guest John Mayer. Ryan Bingham and The Texas Gentlemen and Joshua Slone will also be joining the bill for this inaugural evening of music. Michigan Stadium, home to the University of Michigan Wolverines, is the largest stadium in the United States. Tickets go on sale this Friday, February 14 at 10am EST and can be purchased HERE.
Michigan Stadium is the largest football stadium in the Western Hemisphere, and the third largest in the world. While the stadium has previously held other sporting events including soccer matches and college and professional hockey games, this is the first time an artist will headline a concert at “The Big House.”
“We are excited to have award-winning artist Zach Bryan perform the very first concert at Michigan Stadium,” said Warde Manuel, U-M’s Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics. “I would like to thank the Board of Regents, President Ono, the Executive Officers of the University, and many of our athletic department staff as well as AEG Presents for all the work that has brought us to this point in the process. We have been studying and evaluating what it takes to host a concert at Michigan Stadium for a couple of years and today marks that next step in the venture with great partners.”
Zach Bryan recently wrapped “The Quittin’ Time Tour,” where he played 85 arenas and stadiums across North America. He is set to headline Stagecoach Festival 2025 in Indio, California and was recently announced as a headliner at BST Hyde Park Festival 2025 in London, England for two nights. Bryan will also be performing at Phoenix Park in Dublin, Ireland for three nights on June 20, 21, and 22, Metlife Stadium in Rutherford, New Jersey for three nights on July 18, 19, and 20, and Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California on August 15.
George Strait Announces 2025 Stadium Shows with Chris Stapleton, Parker McCollum, and Little Big Town
George Strait continues to prove why he’s been dubbed the King of Country, setting a record for the largest single ticketed concert in U.S. History and a new record for Texas A&M Kyle Field for a single event with 110,905 fans in attendance for George Strait: The King at Kyle Field. The record-breaking performance was one of only 10 live shows from Strait last year including a supersized stop at Allegiant Stadium for his 37th Strait to Vegas show.
The country music icon along with eleven-time GRAMMY winner Chris Stapleton will continue the excitement with five shows in 2025. Joining Strait and Stapleton for this run of one-off stadium dates will be special guest Parker McCollum for the Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Foxborough dates with Little Big Town joining for the only west coast show at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium.
“I keep trying to slow down a bit but you keep calling me back. Please don’t ever stop. I still love it just as much as I always have,” shares Strait. “Thank you for an amazing year last year and I can’t wait to see you for a few more again this year. Chris will be back and glad to have Little Big Town with us in LA. For the other cities, we’ve added Parker M. to the show which will be outstanding. Can’t wait to see you!!”
Of his stop at New Jersey’s Metlife Stadium last year The Associated Press opined, “Strait turned a space of tens of thousands across many demographics into something resembling the intimacy of those honky tonks he’s always singing about.” Bringing “a big band and a lot of heart” for what AP describes as the “closest a person can get to levitation…singing along to ‘Amarillo by Morning’ in a stadium of tens of thousands.”
While Pollstar opines, “Strait remains the most worthy inheritor of Merle Haggard or Willie Nelson’s mantle of country icon through the meaningful fluidity with which he moves through country’s various sub-strains with the same ease and enjoyment that marked both men’s Country Music Hall of Fame careers.”
Tickets go on sale Friday, Feb. 21 at 10 a.m. local time via GeorgeStrait.com. American Express is providing Card Members access to Amex Presale Tickets™, available for purchase starting Thursday, February 20, before the general public on-sale, while supplies last. Terms apply.
George Strait w/ Chris Stapleton & special guest Parker McCollum:
May 10, 2025 Philadelphia, PA Lincoln Financial Field
May 31, 2025 Pittsburgh, PA Acrisure Stadium
June 14, 2025 Buffalo, NY Highmark Stadium
June 21, 2025 Foxborough, MA Gillette Stadium
George Strait w/ Chris Stapleton & special guest Little Big Town:
July 19, 2025 Inglewood, CA SoFi Stadium
Alicia Keys, Beck, Cher, Peter Frampton, and More to Headline LOVE ROCKS NYC 2025 Benefit Concert at the Beacon Theatre
The ninth annual LOVE ROCKS NYC benefit concert for God’s Love We Deliver will be live from the historic Beacon Theatre in NYC on Thursday, March 6. Executive produced by iconic international fashion designer John Varvatos, NYC Douglas Elliman real estate broker, investor and prominent concert producer Greg Williamson and esteemed concert/events producer Nicole Rechter, produced by DPS, and with appearances by Alex Edelman, Amy Schumer, Susie Essman and Tracy Morgan, the concert will support and honor the work of the cherished New York-based not-for-profit.
The organization, which has served more than 40 million meals since it was founded during the AIDS pandemic in 1985, now addresses 200+ diagnoses with its medically tailored meals and nutrition services, and this year will mark their milestone 40th anniversary. Last year, the staff and volunteers cooked, packaged, and home-delivered more than 4 million medically tailored meals to 17,000 New Yorkers living with and affected by severe illness.
God’s Love We Deliver pre-sale tickets go live on Thursday, February 13 at 10:00amET, and public tickets go live on Friday, February 14 at 10:00amET through www.ticketmaster.com.
This year, Love Rocks NYC will not only support the NYC nonprofit, but also their Food is Medicine Coalition peer organization Project Angel Food in L.A. as a response to the devastating wildfires in the area.
Since launching in 2017, the annual LOVE ROCKS NYC concerts have brought together an astonishing lineup of musical talent, raising $50 million to date and helping to fund 5 million meals to New Yorkers living with illnesses. The benefit concert highlights the organization’s continued mission of providing life-sustaining meals and nutrition counseling for people in the New York Metropolitan area living with severe illness. As a member of the Food is Medicine Coalition (FIMC), God’s Love We Deliver supports the coalition’s national mission while offering vital services to local communities.
“As we prepare for the 9th Annual LOVE ROCKS NYC concert, we’re reminded of the power of music and community to create change,” said Terrence Meck, President and CEO of God’s Love We Deliver. “This year is especially meaningful as God’s Love We Deliver celebrates having delivered more than 40 million meals since our founding in 1985. We are so proud of our work nourishing our neighbors affected by severe and chronic illness, and we are grateful to Love Rocks NYC for the visibility and funds it raises for God’s Love We Deliver.”
For the ninth anniversary, the LOVE ROCKS NYC 2025 all-star lineup, led by Music Director and Band Leader Will Lee (The CBS Orchestra), will feature Alicia Keys, Beck, Cher, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Dave Stewart Eurythmics feat. Vanessa Amorosi, Eric Burton of Black Pumas, Grace Bowers, Jesse Malin, Kate Hudson, Luke Spiller, Mavis Staples, Michael McDonald, Peter Frampton, The War and Treaty, Trey Anastasio more to be announced.
The past EIGHT LOVE ROCKS NYC benefit concerts have featured an outstanding array of music stars from legendary headliners such as Billy F Gibbons, Buddy Guy, Cyndi Lauper, Dave Grohl, Dave Matthews, Derek Trucks, Heart, James Taylor, Joe Walsh, John Mayer Trio, Jon Bon Jovi, Keith Richards & The X-Pensive Winos, Melissa Etheridge, Nile Rodgers, Norah Jones, Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Robert Plant, Sheryl Crow, Susan Tedeschi, The Black Crowes, The Black Keys, and Ziggy Marley to contemporary stars such as Andra Day, Gary Clark Jr., Hozier, Jim James, Joss Stone, Larkin Poe, Ledisi, Leon Bridges, Marcus King, Nathaniel Rateliff, Rufus Wainwright, Sara Bareilles, St. Vincent, Trombone Shorty, Yola and more.
The outstanding house band will include Eric Krasno (Soulive, Phil Lesh & Friends), Ivan Neville, Jeff Babko (Jimmy Kimmel Live), Larry Campbell (Levon Helm, Bob Dylan), Michael Bearden (Lady Gaga) and a six-piece horn section, Pedrito Martinez (Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Camila Cabello), Shawn Pelton (Saturday Night Live), and Steve Gadd (James Taylor, Paul Simon). Ken Dashow of Q104.3 Radio will also serve as the evening’s “voice of god.”
The evening’s sponsors are Bloomberg Philanthropies, RJKB Family Charitable Foundation and Secunda Family Foundation. Additional sponsors include Ernst & Young, JT Magen, Sam & Dena Lombardo, Jeffrey Altman, The Campbell/Ribbecke Family, Corient, DK Display Corp., Daily Provisions, Gramercy Tavern, Greg Williamson at Douglas Elliman Real Estate, The Levine Family, The Nash Family, Shake Shack, RWE Partners and official media sponsors iHeartMedia, Wall Street Journal, Q104.3 and Conde Nast.