Coachella Festival '24 news: Neil Frances Share New Track; performs tonight

photo: Nettwerk Records

Ahead of their Coachella set tonight, Los Angeles-based duo NEIL FRANCES drop their new collaboration, “High Notes,” with rapper PawPaw Rod.

The tune is the follow-up to their previous collaboration, "High," off their 2023 album, It's All a Bit Fuzzy. 

The guys explain, “’High Notes’ came from the same session that we wrote ‘High’ with PawPaw. Clearly something was in the air ;) It’s impossible for a recording of Rod’s voice to not sound cool and this song is no exception. One of our favs from the FUZZY sessions."

WATCH + SHARE “HIGH NOTES”
https://neilfrances.ffm.to/highnotes

The collab-heavy It’s All a Bit Fuzzy was released last October. The title alludes to a dizzy night out, followed by a pleasantly woozy morning after - “an ode to house music.” It features dreamcastmoe, St. Panther, PawPaw Rod, and DRAMA. 

The duo first gained global attention when their cover of Stardust’s "Music Sounds Better With You” went viral, earning Gold Certification. Their catalog has since been streamed over 300 million times. Known not only for their recording prowess but also as dance-floor sociologists, NEIL FRANCES has become celebrated for their captivating stage presence. They have sold-out numerous North American tours, including headline shows at Brooklyn Steel and The Novo, opened for acts like Jungle, Odesza, and Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and have evolved into a staple in the festival circuit, having graced the stages of almost every renowned North American festival, including Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Corona Capital, Portola, Outside Lands, and over fifteen others.

The new track follows the recent announcement of Australian-born Jordan Feller and Southern California native Marc Gilfry’s first-ever world tour, which will include stops at Red Rocks, Coachella, Bonnaroo, Electric Forest, SZIGET Festival (Hungary), Frequency Festival (Austria), Cabaret Vert Festival (France), Lost Village Festival (UK), and headline shows in Miami, Berlin, Amsterdam, London, and more. Tickets are on sale now, and a full list of shows can be found below.

TOUR DATES:

4/12 Coachella Indio,CA

4/17 Red Rocks Morrison, CO With JUNGLE
4/17 Ogden Denver, CO ^

4/19 Coachella Indio,CA
4/21 Palm Springs Surf Club Palm Springs, CA^
4/27 Hola Shaka Festival Bangkok, Thailand
6/11 Zey Zey Miami, FL
6/13 The Underground Charlotte, NC
6/15 Bonnaroo Manchester, TN
6/18 Headliners Music Hall Louisville, KY
6/19 A+R Bar Columbus, OH
6/20 Hi-Fi Indianapolis, IN
6/22 Electric Forest Rothbury, MI
8/10 Sziget Festival Budapest, Hungary
8/12 Rock Cafe Prague, Czech Republic
8/13 Niebo Warsaw, Poland
8/14 Lido Berlin, Germany
8/16 Frequency Festival Saint Polten, Austria
8/17 Mascotte Zurich, Switzerland
8/18 Cabaret Vert Charleville-Mézières, France
8/19 Melkweg (Oude Zaal) Amsterdam, Netherlands
8/21 Here @ Outernet London, United Kingdom
8/22 Gorilla Manchester, United Kingdom
8/23 Lost Village Lincolnshire, UK

All sets full band unless noted as DJ set

^ DJ set

Coachella Festival '24 news: Livestream on YouTube

TUNE IN TO YOUTUBE’S EXCLUSIVE LIVESTREAM OF COACHELLA WEEKEND 1.

EXPERIENCE THE GLOBAL LIVESTREAM WITH MULTIVIEW ON TV OR WATCH ANY OF THE SIX LIVESTREAM FEEDS ON THE YOUTUBE APP

The Livestream Schedule for Friday is Listed on Coachella’s Official YouTube Channel Now and Tune In TONIGHT April 12th at 4 PM PT / 7 PM ET HERE.

WHEN: Friday, April 12th at 4 PM PT / 7 PM ET through Sunday night, April 14th.

WHAT: All weekend long fans can experience the excitement of Coachella from anywhere in the world via Coachella’s YouTube Channel or within the YouTube Music app. Tune in to catch performances from Coachella’s incredible global lineup of artists including Lana Del Ray, Peso Pluma, Justice, Bizarrap, Lil Uzi Vert, Sabrina Carpenter, Brittany Howard, Young Miko, Peggy Gou, Skepta, and ATEEZ tonight plus so many more all weekend long. The livestream set times for today are now listed in the description section of each of the six channel feeds.

For the very first time in music and around the world YouTube’s multiview will be available so that viewers everywhere can watch up to 4 of the livestream stages at once while listening to the audio of their choice.

All weekend long fans can view stages including, Coachella Main Stage, Outdoor Theater, Sahara, Mojave, Gobi, Sonora (Yuma for Weekend 2). Once the headlining sets are complete, that day’s performances will be on repeat until the next day’s sets begin.

BONUS FEATURES: YouTube will be back on the ground giving fans the complete Coachella experience with special access to:

Exclusive Merchandise Drops: Snag exclusive custom merchandise via YouTube Shopping from Coachella and over a dozen artists including Saturday headliner Tyler, The Creator, Sunday headliner Doja Cat, plus Bleachers, Ice Spice, J. Balvin, Justice, LE SSERAFIM and Sabrina Carpenter during their respective performances, without leaving the livestream or turning off your TV. It's easy, on mobile or desktop simply click the shopping button in the left corner of the screen to peruse and purchase. On TV, you can swipe up to reveal the ‘shop’ button, click, and scan the QR code with your mobile device to open the YouTube app where you can shop the available products.

Insider access with Highsnobiety: Go beyond the music with behind-the-scenes photos of your favorite artists and creators live from our first ever YouTube x Highsnobiety Coachella Photo Studio. From there, be sure to check out those artists’ official YouTube channels and socials for more photos, on-the-ground interviews and fun backstage moments on Shorts.

Weekend 2 of YouTube’s Coachella livestream experience kicks back into gear Friday, April 19th through Sunday, April 21st.

Coachella Festival '24 news: Militarie Gun

photo: Daniel Topete

Los Angeles' Militarie Gun releases their mini-documentary Live Under The Sun, which is now available to watch on YouTube following the broadcast premiere via VEVO’s Retro Rock channel and the in-person premiere at Los Angeles’ Brain Dead Studios.

In conjunction with the documentary’s release, Militarie Gun will kick off their 2024 festival run this weekend when they make their Coachella debut.

Live Under The Sun sees the band and a host of their Life Under The Sun collaborators reunite at Manchester Orchestra’s Atlanta studio to further reimagine the songs featured on January’s EP, with guest performances from Manchester Orchestra, Marisa Dabice of Mannequin Pussy, and Christine Goodwyne of Pool Kids, who steps in for Alicia Bognanno of Bully for a performance of “Never Fucked Up Twice.” 

Live Under The Sun provides a window into the growing community around Militarie Gun while highlighting bandleader Ian Shelton’s dynamic and expectation-defying songwriting. The mini-documentary was celebrated at Brain Dead Studios in Los Angeles this past Monday with a screening along with a conversation between Shelton and Manchester Orchestra’s Andy Hull moderated by Yasi Salek (Bandsplain, 24 Question Party People) and an acoustic performance with Shelton and band featuring Hull.

Militarie Gun will be performing across the globe this spring, summer and into the fall. The band has a full slate of 2024 festivals that includes Coachella, Welcome to Rockville, Primavera Sound, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Thing Festival, Louder Than Life Festival, Reading & Leeds, Aftershock, Project Pabst and more. Additionally, Militarie Gun will be supporting A Day To Remember, The Story So Far, and Four Year Strong on select dates this June before heading to Australia for a string of dates at the end of June and July with Hockey Dad. This fall, Militarie Gun will be supporting Manchester Orchestra during their 10 year anniversary COPE tour. Full live dates can be found below.

Life Under The Sun strips back a selection of songs from Militarie Gun’s breakout debut album Life Under The Gun, which was released last summer, putting Ian Shelton’s intensely personal songwriting center stage. Life Under The Sun includes "Never Fucked Up Twice" featuring Bully's Alicia Bognanno, "Very High (Under The Sun)," "My Friends Are Having A Hard Time" featuring Manchester Orchestra, "Will Logic" featuring Mannequin Pussy, and the cover of NOFX track "Whoops I OD'd."

Life Under The Gun was one of 2023's most celebrated albums, released to praise from the likes of Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, NME, Revolver, Stereogum, SPIN, Paste, The FADER, and more. The album landed on multiple best albums of 2023 lists including Alternative Press, The Ringer, UPROXX, Stereogum and Rolling Stone, who said Life Under The Gun has "taken everything that’s uniquely cathartic about the hardcore and lacquered it with insanely catchy melodies." That catchiness has been on full display on TV with Taco Bell's ad campaign that prominently features Life Under The Gun's "Do It Faster."

Watch the Live Under The Sun mini-documentary above & see below for 2024 live dates and full Life Under The Sun EP and Life Under The Gun LP details.

Militarie Gun

January 26, 2024

Loma Vista Recordings

1. Never Fucked Up Twice (featuring Bully)

2. Very High (Under The Sun)
3. Will Logic (featuring Mannequin Pussy)

4. My Friends Are Having A Hard Time (featuring Manchester Orchestra)

5. Whoops, I OD'd (NOFX cover)

Upcoming Live Dates:

4/13 - Indio, CA @ Coachella

4/20 - Indio, CA @ Coachella
5/12 - Daytona, FL @ Welcome to Rockville
5/13 - Savannah, GA @ Lodge of Sorrows^
5/14 - Asheville, NC @ Eulogy^
5/16 - Indianapolis, IN @ Black Circle Brewing^
5/17 - Columbus, OH @ Sonic Temple Festival
5/29 - Paris, FR @ Petit Bain
5/30 - Lyon, FR @ Warmaudio
6/01 - Barcelona, ES @ Primavera Sound
6/02 - Barcelona, ES @ Primavera a la Ciutat
6/04 - Donostia-San Sebastian, ES @ Dabadaba
6/06 - Porto, PT @ Primavera Porto
6/08 - Maryland Heights, MO @ St. Louis Music Park #
6/09 - Bonner Springs, KS @ Azura Amphitheater #
6/11 - Indianapolis, IN @ Everwise Amphitheater #
6/12 - Sterling Heights, MI @ Michigan Lottery Amphitheater #
6/13 - Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival
6/14 - Cleveland, OH @ Jacob's Pavilion at Nautica #
6/15 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena #
6/16 - Buffalo, NY @ Terminal B at Outer Harbor #
6/18 - Toronto, ON @ The Theatre @ Great Canadian Resort #
6/21 - Atlantic City, NJ @ Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena #
6/22 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Four Chord Music Fest
6/23 - Scranton, PA @ Pavilion At Montage Mountain #
6/29 - Brisbane, Aus @ Fortitude Music Hall*
7/05 - Melbourne, Aus @ Margaret Court Arena*
7/06 - Sydney, Aus @ Hordern Pavilion*
7/28 - Portland, OR @ Project Pabst
8/01-04 - Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza
8/10 - Carnation, WA @ Thing Festival
8/18 - Winterthurer, CH @ Winterthurer Musikfestwochen
8/23 - Torremolinos, ES @ Canela Party Festival
8/24 - Reading, UK @ Reading Festival
8/25 - Leeds, UK @ Leeds Festival
8/29 - 9/01 - Dorset, UK @ End of the Road Festival
9/6 - Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore%
9/7 - Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore%
9/8 - Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom%
9/10 - Buffalo, NY @ Buffalo Riverworks%
9/11 - Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore%
9/13 - Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount%
9/14 - Boston, MA @ House of Blues%
9/17 - Cincinnati, OH @ Andrew J. Brady Music Center%
9/19 - Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore%
9/20 - Indianapolis, IN @ Rock The Ruins%
9/29 - Louisville, KY @ Louder Than Life Festival
10/12 - Sacramento, CA @ Aftershock Festival

TICKETS
^ = with Gel
* = with Hockey Dad
= with A Day To Remember, The Story So Far, Four Year Strong
% = with Manchester Orchestra

Coachella Festival '24 - Weekend 1 YouTube Livestream Schedule

Here is the tentative YouTube livestream schedule for Coachella Weekend 1:

Coachella Stage

Friday, April 12
3:40 p.m. - Record Safari
4:45 p.m. - Young Miko
6:00 p.m. - Sabrina Carpenter
7:35 p.m. - Lil Uzi Vert
9:05 p.m. - Peso Pluma
11:20 p.m. - Lana Del Rey

Saturday, April 13
3:45 p.m. - Jaqck Glam
4:45 p.m. - Santa Fe Klan
6:05 p.m. - Sublime
7:40 p.m. - Blur
9:25 p.m. - No Doubt
11:40 p.m. - Tyler, The Creator

Sunday, April 14
2:50 p.m. - LUDMILLA
4:05 p.m. - YG Marley
5:25 p.m. - Carin León
6:50 p.m. - Bebe Rexha
8:20 p.m. - J Balvin
10:25 p.m. - Doja Cat

Mojave Stage

Friday, April 12
2:10 p.m. - DAYSonMARKET.
3:15 p.m. - Mall Grab
4:30 p.m. - The Japanese House
5:40 p.m. - Faye Webster
6:55 p.m. - Tinashe
8:20 p.m. - Yoasobi
9:50 p.m. - Hatsune Miku
11:15 p.m. - Anti Up

Saturday, April 13
2:00 p.m. - Anika Kai
3:05 p.m. - Kenya Grace
4:10 p.m. - Raye
5:25 p.m. - Kevin Abstract
6:50 p.m. - Bleachers
8:05 p.m. - Charlotte de Witte
9:50 p.m. - Coi Leray
10:45 p.m. - The Drums

Sunday, April 14
2:00 p.m. - Honey Roots
3:00 p.m. - Flo
4:10 p.m. - Taking Back Sunday
5:20 p.m. - 88rising Futures
6:55 p.m. - Victoria Monét
8:10 p.m. - Tems
9:25 p.m. - Lil Yachty
10:40 p.m. - Bicey

Sonora Stage

Friday, April 12
1:00 p.m. - Doom Dave
2:00 p.m. - Upchuck
2:50 p.m. - Narrow Head
3:50 p.m. - Late Night Drive Home
4:50 p.m. - The Beths
5:55 p.m. - Eartheater
8:00 p.m. - Black Country, New Road
9:05 p.m. - Clown Core
10:20 p.m. - Son Rompe Pera

Saturday, April 13
1:00 p.m. - Triste Juventud x Totem
2:00 p.m. - Militarie Gun
2:55 p.m. - Girl Utra
3:55 p.m. - The Aquabats
5:05 p.m. - The Adicts
6:15 p.m. - Depresión Sonora
7:15 p.m. - The Red Pears
8:15 p.m. - Bar Italia
9:15 p.m. - Brutalismus 3000

Sunday, April 14
1:00 p.m. - Argenis
1:55 p.m. - Jjuujjuu
3:00 p.m. - Bb Trickz
3:55 p.m. - Feeble Little Horse
4:50 p.m. - Hermanos Gutiérrez
6:05 p.m. - Eddie Zucko
7:05 p.m. - Latin Mafia
8:15 p.m. - Mandy, Indiana
9:20 p.m. - Boy Harsher

Outdoor Theatre

Friday, April 12
4:15 p.m. - Fundido
5:25 p.m. - L’Impératrice
6:45 p.m. - Deftones
8:10 p.m. - Everything Always
10:15 p.m. - Justice

Saturday, April 13
4:05 p.m. - Gabe Real
5:00 p.m. - Vampire Weekend
6:10 p.m. - Blxst
7:25 p.m. - Jon Batiste
8:40 p.m. - Jungle
10:40 p.m. - Gesaffelstein

Sunday, April 14
3:55 p.m. - Tiffany Tyson
5:05 p.m. - Reneé Rapp
6:25 p.m. - The Rose
7:50 p.m. - Khruangbin
9:30 p.m. - Jhené Aiko

Sahara Stage

Friday, April 12
2:00 p.m. - Sincerely, Manolo
3:00 p.m. - Skin on Skin
4:00 p.m. - Cloonee
5:20 p.m. - Ken Carson
6:30 p.m. - Skepta
7:45 p.m. - Bizarrap
9:15 p.m. - Peggy Gou
10:45 p.m. - ATEEZ
12:00 a.m. - Steve Angello

Saturday, April 13
2:00 p.m. - Loboman
3:10 p.m. - Starrza
4:30 p.m. - Destroy Lonely
5:40 p.m. - Purple Disco Machine
7:10 p.m. - Grimes
8:30 p.m. - Ice Spice
9:30 p.m. - Isoknock
10:50 p.m. - Le Sserafim
11:55 p.m. - Dom Dolla

Sunday, April 14
2:00 p.m. - Bones
3:00 p.m. - Tita Lau
4:00 p.m. - Spinall
5:10 p.m. - AP Dhillon
6:20 p.m. - Nav
7:45 p.m. - Anyma
9:15 p.m. - DJ Shanke
10:55 p.m. - John Summit

Gobi Stage

Friday, April 12
2:00 p.m. - Cimafunk
3:10 p.m. - Kokoroko
4:20 p.m. - Sid Sriram
5:30 p.m. - Chappell Roan
6:45 p.m. - Brittany Howard
8:00 p.m. - Neil Frances
9:15 p.m. - Chlöe
10:30 p.m. - Suki Waterhouse

Saturday, April 13
1:15 p.m. - Elusive
2:05 p.m. - Erika de Casier
3:10 p.m. - Young Fathers
4:20 p.m. - Thuy
5:30 p.m. - The Last Dinner Party
6:45 p.m. - Palace
8:00 p.m. - Oneohtrix Point Never
9:15 p.m. - Saint Levant
10:25 p.m. - Kevin Kaarl
11:40 p.m. - Orbital

Sunday, April 14
2:15 p.m. - WaveGroove
3:30 p.m. - Mdou Moctar
4:40 p.m. - Jockstrap
5:50 p.m. - Olivia Dean
7:00 p.m. - Two Shell
8:20 p.m. - Barry Can’t Swim
9:40 p.m. - Atarashii Gakko!

All times are Pacific. Artists and times are subject to change.

8 Can't Miss acts at Coachella '24

photo: Reuben-Bastienne-Lewis

Music writers George A. Paul and Robert Kinsler each highlight some of their must-see artists coming to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

Taking place over consecutive weekends at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, Coachella will be held April 12-14 and again April 19-21, 2024.

This year's headliners are Lana Del Rey, Tyler, The Creator, Doja Cat and No Doubt. There are countless emerging and established artists performing this year.

Fridays, April 12 and 19

Brittany Howard — Just two months after the release of her acclaimed album What Now, five-time Grammy Award-winning artist Brittany Howard will bring her soulful and high powered approach to Coachellagoers in Indio. The former singer-rhythm guitarist of Alabama Shakes, Howard's 2019 debut Jamie landed on a slew of best-of-the-year lists including The New York Times, Rolling Stone and Pitchfork; it was named NPR's album of the year too. (RK)

Lana Del Rey — Acclaimed singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey will bring her parade of wide-ranging hits and stylish approach as the headlining artist on both Fridays of Coachella this month. Last year the New York City native was named the Greatest American Songwriter of the 21st Century by Rolling Stone UK, and her wonderful powers as a vocalist bolster the delivery of wonderful songs such as the dreamy "Video Games," melancholy-adorned "Candy Necklace," electronica-tinged "Doin' Time," piano-anchored soft rock ballad "The Greatest" and shimmering "Say Yes To Heaven." Since the release of her major label debut Born to Die in 2012, the songstress has successfully fused and explored a growing number of styles in her celebrated work. (RK)

Saturdays, April 13 and 20

No Doubt — Few people expected a reunion of the massively successful alt-rock and ska band from Anaheim, considering singer Gwen Stefani’s busy solo career, Vegas residencies, coaching stints on NBC’s “The Voice,” clothing and beauty lines and various singles with husband Blake Shelton. Coachella will mark the foursome’s first gig together in nine years. No Doubt’s last studio album was 2012’s underrated Push and Shove. Stefani told Jimmy Kimmel they plan to play a deep cut from 1995’s diamond-certified Tragic Kingdom. Chances are good that fans will also hear some big hits like “Spiderwebs,” “Sunday Morning,” “Just a Girl,” “Don’t Speak,” “Hella Good,” “Hey Baby,” and the fine cover of Talk Talk’s “It’s My Life.” (GAP)

photo: Huxley

Bleachers — A decade ago, following stints in Steel Train and fun., mild mannered New Jersey native Jack Antonoff launched Bleachers (pictured left). It is essentially a one-man-band by the Grammy-winning producer/musician (Taylor Swift, St. Vincent), who often crafts rousing rock anthems with multiple instruments and prominent use of saxophone, lending comparisons to Bruce Springsteen (The Boss even appeared on ’20 single “Chinatown”). Bleachers’ popular adult and alt-rock radio singles include “I Wanna Get Better,” “Rollercoaster,” “Don’t Take the Money,” “Stop Making This Hurt,” and recently, “Modern Girl.” The excellent new eponymous fourth album contains guest appearances from Florence Welch, St. Vincent, and Matt Healy of The 1975. Antonoff has also worked with Lana Del Rey, so his Coachella set could easily have some special guests. (GAP)

Sublime — When Sublime founding singer-guitarist Bradley Nowell passed away in 1996, the band broke up and it appeared the trio from Long Beach, CA might be forgotten. However, the band's third full-length album released two months after Nowell's death spawned the huge enduring hit "What I Got" and interest remained in the reggae rockers. In 2023, founding members Eric Wilson (bass) and Bud Gaugh (drums) announced the reforming of Sublime with Nowell's talented son Jakob Nowell — the band performed at a benefit show at the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles, and are now set to make a more high-profile return via their Coachella appearances where they will undoubtedly perform energetic classics such as "Wrong Way," "Santeria" and "What I Got." (RK)

Blur — During the Nineties, this London quartet (pictured above) spearheaded the Britpop music movement thanks to an inclination toward making eclectic music – a trait singer/songwriter Damon Albarn continues with Gorillaz and other solo projects. Best known in America for the modern rock radio hits “Song 2” (ubiquitous at sporting events), “Girls & Boys” and “There’s No Other Way,” Blur notched a dozen top 10 hits in the U.K. Last year, it headlined two nights at Wembley Stadium there and released their atmospheric, reflective ninth album The Ballad of Darren alongside producer James Ford (Arctic Monkeys). Guitarist/singer Graham Coxon said the songs, recorded with everyone in the same room, were “loaded with the right intention and emotion.” No stranger to Coachella, Blur has played Indio twice before. (GAP)

photo: Qiao Meng

The Drums – Singer Jonny Pierce co-founded The Drums in 2008. Two years later, the NYC pop/rock band’s self-titled debut made major inroads in England, where several singles charted there and in Mexico. The reverb-drenched vocals, melodic guitars and keyboard-driven sound frequently recalls the Eighties heyday of Postcard and Rough Trade Records acts. By 2017’s Abysmal Thoughts, The Drums transitioned into a solo vehicle for Pierce, a LGBTQ artist who writes songs with unflinchingly honest lyrics. Last year, The Drums’ old giddy jangle pop gem “Money” went viral on social media and was certified gold here. Seventh studio album Johnny finds noted female hip hop singer Rico Nasty guesting on “Dying.” A new deluxe version expands the latest release to 21 tracks. (GAP)

Sundays, April 14 and 21

Taking Back Sunday — Long Island's Taking Back Sunday was definitely among the more captivating emo/post-hardcore bands to emerge in the late 1990s/early 2000s. A Warped Tour regular, they gained popularity from the get-go with indie album Tell All Your Friends. Yet when guitarist Fred Mascherino joined for Where You Want to Be, his playing style and interlocking vocal interplay with frontman Adam Lazzara took everything up a notch. Modern rock radio hits “Make Damn Sure,” “A Decade Under the Influence,” and “Liar” were prime examples. Still a potent force despite several lineup changes, its solid latest album 152 (named after a long-running in-joke between band members), contains what Lazzara said is “a lot of fun stuff and more pop-influenced material.” (GAP)

For more information, go to coachella.com.

John Oates' new album due in May; on tour now

John Oates (co-founder of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Daryl Hall and John Oates) announces his new album Reunion to be released on May 17. As a preview, he has released the title track “Reunion” that is out now.

Oates says, “The idea for writing a song about a ‘Reunion’ came to me when I began to think about the true definition of the word. It came together when my 100-year-old father told me that he was making ready to be together with my mother, who had passed away some time ago. I wanted to write about the idea of reconnecting with the most essential part of our soul and our spirit. I brought the idea to a co-writing session with a newfound friend, A.J. Croce, a man with songwriting in his DNA and who is both an amazing piano player and someone who I sensed would relate to this idea. The song flowed out in a few hours. Then I took it home and translated it into a style that I could perform on guitar. We recorded it in Nashville with some of my best friends and were able to capture the truth as I envisioned it to be. I hope it means as much to you as it does to me, and if that is so, then this is my personal definition of a ‘hit.'"

CLICK HERE to watch live performance of "Reunion"

In support of his new music Oates will be touring throughout the rest of the year and all next year. See tour dates below. More to be announced.

Oates moved to and started working in Nashville in the early 2000s. He was embraced by the burgeoning Americana music community and surrounded by kindred spirits and with their help he began to tap back into his earliest musical DNA to establish and re-define himself.

The results of which have been seven solo albums, multiple singles, and many collaborations. Now this body of work has manifested itself in REUNION. The sound and style pay homage to his earliest influences with a maturity and perspective of who he is today.

Supported by an all-star lineup of musical friends and guests like Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Bella Fleck, and Sierra Hull as well as a cast of some of Music City’s finest players like Guthrie Trapp, Tom Bukovac, Russ Pahl, Paul Franklin, Steve Mackey, Marc Rogers, David Kalmusky, Greg Morrow, Josh Day and Nathaniel Smith…REUNION revolves around love, loss, and personal rediscovery framed in a sonic palate of acoustic production.

Tour Dates:

April 4 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount
April 5 – Pittsburgh, PA – The Palace Theatre
April 6 – West Chester, PA – Knauer PAC
April 9 – Rocky Mount, VA – Harvester Performance Center
April 10 – Bristol, TN – Paramount Center for the Arts
April 12 -Cornelius, NC – Cain Center for The Arts
April 13 -Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theatre
April 18 – Columbia, TN – Columbia State Community College
April 28 – Corona, CA – Dos Lagos Amphitheater
May 2-3- Phoenix, AZ – Musical Instrument Museum
May 7 – St. Louis, MO – City Winery
May 8- Chicago, IL – City Winery
June 7-8 – Cedaredge, CO – Grand Mesa Songwriter Festival
June 25 – Cincinnati, OH – Memorial Hall
June 26 – Cleveland, OH – Agora Theatre + Ballroom
June 27 – Rochester, NY – Rochester International Jazz Festival
August 15 – Cape May, NJ – Cape May Convention Hall
August 17 – Philadelphia, PA – Philadelphia Folk Festival
August 22 – Newton, NJ – The Newtown Theater
August 24 – Beverly, MA – The Cabot
August 25 – Nantucket, MA - Dreamland

”Reunion” info: https://orcd.co/reunionjo

johnoates.com

Cruel World Festival '24 news: Simple Minds documentary debut open to festival attendees

Simple Minds and Cruel World Fest present the first U.S. screening of the band's documentary-film “Everything Is Possible” on March 25 at Brain Dead Studios in Los Angeles, CA. Purchase is exclusive to Cruel World 2024 passholders only.

Tickets are $22 + fees. On sale begins Thurs, March 22 at 12pm PT. Access codes and purchase link will be sent Wed, March 21 to Cruel World 2024 purchasers. Act fast because space will be limited at this intimate event.

Purchase your Cruel World pass by Wed, March 21 at 8am PT to be sent your access code for this documentary event. For passes and festival details, head to https://cruelworldfest.com