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

Goldenvoice Surf Club to Take Place During Both Coachella Festival Weekends

Goldenvoice, the promoter of Coachella, Stagecoach and more, has announced a new daytime event series, Goldenvoice Surf Club, at Palm Springs Surf Club, during both Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival weekends, April 13-14 and April 20-21.

Goldenvoice Surf Club offers a pre-festival experience at one of the desert’s most lush properties. Fans can expect performances from some global electronic music artists in an environment curated for both party people and those looking to rest up for the day ahead.

A sprawling grass amphitheater stage, the venue’s state-of-the art wave pool, wellness amenities, top-tier food and beverage programming are all part of the event. There are luxury cabanas with full views of the San Jacinto Mountains. 

Weekend One kicks off on Saturday with a curated takeover from Palm Springs’ Desert Air featuring a DJ set from Ninja Tune mainstays Bicep, veteran DJ, producer and style star Mia Moretti, and Barry Can’t Swim, who just put out a debut EP release. LA’s house and techno minded Sound Nightclub take curation control of Sunday weekend one with a TBA lineup of leading electronic selectors.

Weekend Two kicks off on Saturday with one half of experimental electronic duo 100 gecs Dylan Brady and three special back-to-back sets. Ireland’s Steel City Dance Disc mainstay KETTAMA goes B2B with Australian underground's Partiboi69 as KETBOI69, Aussie export Mall Grab will team up with Stay on Sight’s Skin on Skin, and longtime collaborators and UK dubstep act Skream and Benga tag team after their return last year. Weekend Two is rounded out on Sunday by a DJ set from British production outfit JUNGLE, Los Angeles indie-disco duo NEIL FRANCES (DJ set), and LA underground staple Juliet Mendoza.

More artists will be announced in the coming weeks. Single day GA tickets start at $40. Weekend passes are available starting at $75. All events are 21+ and go on sale at 11am PST on Thursday, March 14th. Access to the water slides is available with the purchase of an additional pass. Tickets and more information available at www.gvsurfclub.com.

Goldenvoice Surf Club 2024

Weekend One

4/13: Desert Air Presents Bicep (DJ Set), Barry Can’t Swim, salute, Mia Moretti

4/14: Sound Presents (TBA)

Weekend Two

4/20: Skream b2b Benga, Mall Grab b2b Skin on Skin, Kettama b2b Partiboi69, Dylan Brady

4/21: JUNGLE (DJ Set), NEIL FRANCES (DJ Set), Juliet Mendoza

About The Palm Springs Surf Club

The Palm Springs Surf Club features a state-of-the-art wave technology catering to surfers of all levels. Enjoy resort-style amenities, waterpark attractions, and crafted dining options. From the amphitheater to restaurants, and an island surrounded by a lazy river, the venue has panoramic views of surf and mountain vistas. Whether you're a seasoned surfer or a first timer, the Palm Springs Surf Club promises a unique experience. 

Weezer To Mark 30th Anniversary of 'Blue Album' By Performing it in Full On Tour Starting in September

Weezer has announced a North American tour in celebration of the 30th anniversary of their popular self-titled debut Weezer, also known as the ‘Blue Album.’ They will play Weezer (the Blue Album) in full along with other fan favorites, rarities and more. On this anniversary tour, Weezer will be joined by The Flaming Lips and Dinosaur Jr. as support.

Fans can sign up for Weezer’s mailing list to get access to presale tickets on Wednesday, March 13 at 12:00PM local time. More presales including a Citi presale (details below) will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale beginning on Friday, March 15 at 10:00AM local time. All tickets can be purchased on the band’s website HERE.

Citi is the official card of Weezer’s Voyage to the Blue Planet Tour. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets for U.S. dates beginning Wednesday, March 13 at 9:00AM local time until Thursday, March 14 at 10:00PM local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com.

Separate from their tour, the band also announces a special anniversary event on March 15th at the Lodge Room in Los Angeles with Dogstar as support. This exciting full-circle moment mirrors the band’s March 1992 show at Raji’s where they ended up opening for Dogstar in an unlikely turn of events. The name “Weezer” was coined in a conversation with the show’s booker (read more via Weezerpedia HERE). They will be playing Weezer (the Blue Album) front to back alongside some very special guests.

Tour Dates: 

Wed, Sept. 4, 2024 - Saint Paul, MN - Xcel Energy Center
Fri, Sept. 6, 2024 - Rosemont, IL - Allstate Arena
Sat, Sept. 7, 2024 - Columbus, OH - Nationwide Arena
Sun, Sept. 8, 2024 - Toronto, ON, Canada - Scotiabank Arena
Tues, Sept. 10, 2024 - Boston, MA - TD Garden
Wed, Sept. 11, 2024 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
Fri, Sept. 13, 2024 - Philadelphia, PA - Wells Fargo Center
Sat, Sept. 14, 2024 - Washington, DC - The Anthem
Tues, Sept. 17, 2024 - Nashville, TN - Bridgestone Arena
Wed, Sept. 18, 2024 - Greenville, SC - Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Fri, Sept. 20, 2024 - Orlando, FL - Kia Center
Sat, Sept. 21, 2024 - Hollywood, FL - Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
Fri, Sept. 27, 2024 - Austin, TX - Moody Center
Sat, Sept. 28, 2024 - Houston, TX - Toyota Center
Sun, Sept. 29, 2024 - Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center
Tues, Oct. 1, 2024 - Loveland, CO - Blue FCU Arena
Fri, Oct. 4, 2024 - Seattle, WA - Climate Pledge Arena
Sat, Oct 5, 2024 - Vancouver, BC, Canada - Rogers Arena
Sun, Oct. 6, 2024 - Portland, OR - Moda Center
Tues, Oct. 8, 2024 - Sacramento, CA - Golden 1 Center
Wed, Oct. 9, 2024 - San Francisco, CA - Chase Center
Fri, Oct. 11, 2024 - Inglewood, CA- Intuit Dome

Expanded edition of Billy Idol's 'Rebel Yell' album due next month

Billy Idol is set to mark the 40th anniversary of his popular album Rebel Yell with a deluxe expanded edition due April 26 via Capitol/UMe.

Available for pre-order, the reissue includes a selection of previously unreleased songs and demos, the Poolside remix of Idol’s smash hit “Eyes Without A Face” and the never-before-heard Billy Idol/Steve Stevens original “Best Way Out of Here” from the original sessions. Idol’s never-before-released cover of the Rose Royce single “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” from the album’s original recording sessions is available to download/stream; pre-order the album and stream the new single HERE.

Originally released in November 1983, Rebel Yell is the twice-platinum followup to Idol’s self-titled debut. The album features the hit singles “Eyes Without a Face,” Flesh for Fantasy,” “Rebel Yell” and “Catch My Fall.” The reissue is available in 2xLP, 2xCD, and digital formats. See below for complete track listings.

Idol recently released the concert film Billy Idol: State Line, a Vertigo Live concert film documenting his April 2023 show at the famed Hoover Dam—the first-ever concert performed at the location—on DVD and Blu-ray following a successful limited theatrical run. The film highlights the history and significance of Hoover Dam and includes performances from two unique sets of Billy Idol’s iconic hits: a full band concert at sunset with special guests that electrified and illuminated the surrounding Black Canyon, and an acoustic duo set on the roof of the powerhouse at the foot of Hoover Dam straddling the Colorado River, directly on the Nevada/Arizona state line. For both sets, Idol is joined by his longtime collaborator and guitar player Steve Stevens, as well as special guests Alison Mosshart (The Kills, The Dead Weather), Steve Jones (Sex Pistols, Generation Sex) and Tony Kanal (No Doubt).

Watch/share the film’s trailer HERE. Order the DVD HERE and the Blu-ray HERE.

As for recordings, Idol released both The Roadside EP in 2021 and The Cage EP in 2022 on Dark Horse Records. In January, Idol cemented his name among Hollywood legends with the first Walk of Fame Star of 2023.

REBEL YELL (EXPANDED EDITION) TRACKLIST:

2xLP
DISC 1—SIDE A
1. Rebel Yell
2. Daytime Drama
3. Eyes Without A Face
4. Blue Highway

DISC 1—SIDE B
1. Flesh For Fantasy
2. Catch My Fall
3. Crank Call
4. (Do Not) Stand In The Shadows
5. The Dead Next Door

DISC 2—SIDE A
1. Best Way Out Of Here
2. Love Don’t Live Here Anymore
3. Daytime Drama (Demo)
4. Flesh For Fantasy (Demo)

DISC 2—SIDE B
1. Catch My Fall (Early Version)
2. Crank Call (Demo)
3. (Do Not) Stand In The Shadows (Demo)
4. Eyes Without A Face (Poolside remix)

2xCD/DIGITAL ALBUM
DISC 1

1. Rebel Yell
2. Daytime Drama
3. Eyes Without A Face
4. Blue Highway
5. Flesh For Fantasy
6. Catch My Fall
7. Crank Call
8. (Do Not) Stand In The Shadows
9. The Dead Next Door

DISC 2
1. Best Way Out Of Here
2. Love Don’t Live Here Anymore
3. Daytime Drama (Demo)
4. Flesh For Fantasy (Demo)
5. Catch My Fall (Early Version)
6. Crank Call (Demo)
7. (Do Not) Stand In The Shadows (Demo)
8. Rebel Yell (Session Take)
9. Blue Highway (Original Demo)
10. Flesh For Fantasy (Session Take)
11. Catch My Fall (Original Demo)
12. Motorbikin’ (Session Take)
13. Eyes Without A Face (Poolside remix)

BILLY IDOL LIVE 2024

May 3—West Palm Beach, FL—Sunfest
May 5—Atlanta, GA—Shaky Knees Festival
May 10—Flagstaff, AZ—Pepsi Amphitheater
May 14—Catoosa, OK—Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
May 16—Lincoln, NE—Pinewood Bowl
May 19—Gary, IN—Hard Rock Northern Indiana
July 27—Portland, OR—Project Pabst

BILLYIDOL.NET

Daryl Hall and Elvis Costello team up for summer tour

photo: Mark Seliger/courtesy Shore Fire Media Daryl Hall and Elvis Costello & The Imposters with Charlie Sexton have announced a co-headlining summer run across North America. The 22-city tour kicks off in June and wraps in Virginia in July.

Regarding the tour with Elvis, Daryl says “It’s fantastic to be able to rekindle a musical relationship. Get ready for lots of great music."

"We are looking forward to kicking off the show in style in the certainty that Daryl will deliver a slam-bang finish.” says Costello (pictured).

Daryl Hall, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member with songwriting/recording partner John Oates (the pair are apparently on hiatus and on the outs at the moment due to a lawsuit Daryl filed against John) did a solo tour last year with Todd Rundgren. Daryl also recently performed in front of 65,000 people at the historic American Express BST Hyde Park. And, a new season of his award-winning "Live from Daryl’s House" returned on November 1 on Hall’s dedicated YouTube channel. Fellow Rock Hall inductee Elvis Costello & The Imposters, whose latest studio album is 2022's The Boy Named If, toured recently as well.

Tickets will be available starting with an artist presale beginning on Monday, March 11. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale beginning on Friday, March 15 at 10 AM local time at DarylHall.com and ElvisCostello.com.

Tour Dates:

Sun Jun 02 – Troutdale, OR – McMenamins Edgefield

Tue Jun 04 – Airway Heights, WA – BECU Live at Northern Quest

Thu Jun 06 – Seattle, WA – Remlinger Farms

Sat Jun 08 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater

Mon Jun 10 – Saratoga, CA – Mountain Winery

Wed Jun 12 – Lincoln, CA – Thunder Valley Casino

Fri Jun 14 – Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl

Sun Jun 16 – San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU

Tue Jun 18 – Los Angeles, CA – The Greek Theatre

Fri Jun 21 – Rancho Mirage, CA – Agua Caliente Casino

Sun Jun 23 – Las Vegas, NV – Fontainebleau Las Vegas

Thu Jul 04 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage

Sat Jul 6 – Highland Park, IL – Ravinia Festival

Mon Jul 8 – Detroit, MI – Masonic Temple Theatre

Wed Jul 10 – Philadelphia, PA – TD Pavilion at the Mann

Fri Jul 12 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena

Sun Jul 14 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway

Tue Jul 16 – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall

Thu Jul 18 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center

Sat Jul 20 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

Mon Jul 22 – Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion

Thu Jul 25 – Vienna, VA – Wolf Trap Filene Center

Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival 2024 revealed

The lineup for the 101st Season of the Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival has been announced.

“We are thrilled to begin the second chapter of the history of the Redlands Bowl with the stellar 101st season we have planned! From our opening night to our closing symphony, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy,” says Beverly Noerr, Executive Director, Redlands Bowl Performing Arts (RBPA), which presents the event.

On June 21, the season’s opening performance brings an evening of classical crossover and pop music with Daniel Emmett, who recently had a popular PBS special, “Simply the Best." Daniel has multiple #1 singles on iTunes classical chart and has headlined shows in Las Vegas and worldwide. He has toured extensively with David Foster. The concert evening will be conducted by Nolan Livesay.

“It’s an exciting season ahead! As we start a new century of programming at the Redlands Bowl, we’re thrilled to bring our wonderful Redlands Bowl audiences some fresh and innovative twists on the classics,” says Valerie Peister, Program Director for Redlands Bowl Performing Arts.

Performances will be held on Tuesday and Fridays from June 21 through August 16, except for July 5. Mary Poppins will have four performances, from July 25 through the 28, with a public dress rehearsal on July 23. Performances begin at 8:00 p.m. and will run approximately 90 minutes with an intermission. No admission is charged. No reservations needed. Seating is first-come, first-served. A freewill offering will be collected at intermission.

Redlands Bowl Performing Arts is the presenter of the Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival which holds the distinction of being the longest continuously running music festival in the United States at which no admission is charged. The Redlands Bowl is attended by over 100,000 members of the community each year. 

Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival 2024:

Friday, June 21 - Daniel Emmett, with Nolan Livesay, conductor

Tuesday, June 25 – The Grand Finals of the Young Artist Concerto Competition, Roger Kalia, music director and conductor

Friday, June 28 – Brass Transit: The Musical Legacy of Chicago

Tuesday, July 2 – Air Force Band of the Golden West

Tuesday, July 9 – Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives

Friday, July 12 – Americana Women

Tuesday, July 16 – Tito Puente Jr. and His Latin Jazz Orchestra

Friday, July 19 – The Gentlemen’s Quartet

Tuesday, July 23 – Public Dress Rehearsal for Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins

Thursday, July 25 to Sunday, July 28 – Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins

Tuesday, July 30 – Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band

Friday, August 2 – Tango Del Cielo

Tuesday, August 6 – Forever Motown

Friday, August 9 – The Kalama Brothers and Puahi’s Polynesian Dancers

Tuesday, August 13 – Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr.

Friday, August 16 – Fireworks Finale! The Redlands Symphony conducted by Ransom Wilson - An evening celebrating movie music with an emphasis on the works of Danny Elfman. In addition, featured guest artist Chaeyoung Park performing Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No.2.

For more information, please go to www.redlandsbowl.org or call (909) 793-7316.

Coachella Festival '24 news: Do Lab stage lineups

The artist lineup for the Do LaB stage at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 14-16 and April 21-23 is here.

Known for colorful structures that celebrate human connection and art as a transformative experience, the newest version of the stage, follows Do LaB’s previous Warrior One design. Taking inspiration from the world’s beauty as seen in things as specific as mushrooms and coral reefs, the design uses flowing fabrics and low ceilings to create a feeling of intimacy that belongs on the dancefloor.

Do LaB’s 2024 lineup will feature a mix of marquee dance and crossover talent alongside next generation stars. Between both weekends, fans can look forward to a special BODY HI by Alesso set from the dance music titan, a DJ set from slick sounding beatmaker Channel Tres, revitalized D&B icons Chase & Status, Life and Death founder DJ Tennis, and multi-genre producer and singer-songwriter Sam Gellaitry.

Varying styles of dance music continue to be scattered throughout the bill, including vocalist, DJ, and producer Anna Lunoe, veteran DJ and producer Mia Moretti, tech house sensations Biscits, Beltran and Westend, the melodic stylings of Kasbo and Sultan + Shepard. The lineup also includes producer Hamdi, HoneyLuv, Melé, and UK multi-instrumentalist Jasper Tygner.

Do LaB continues to spotlight underground and experimental dance music. There will be collaborations between producers Nikki Nair x Hudson Mohawke, KETBOI69 (KETTAMA B2B Partiboi69), and LA's Maddy Maia B2B Tottie, plus DJ duo Jersey and Moroccan selector SICARIA.

Rare booking sights include a DJ Set from indie electro act The Dare, one half of experimental electronic duo 100 gecs Dylan Brady, a takeover from house and techno label HE.SHE.THEY, and Tinzo & JoJo of Book Club Radio.

Surprise special guests happen each night of both Coachella weekends. Surprise appearances in 2023 included James Blake, ODESZA, Vintage Culture b2b Mochakk, Dombresky, Elderbrook, Hayden James, Joy Anonymous, Uncle Waffles, GORDO b2b Mathame, Monolink and Knock2, with preceding years seeing the likes of Skrillex, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Richie Hawtin, Major Lazer, Bonobo, Bob Moses, ZHU, SG Lewis, and more.

Do LaB at Coachella 2024 Lineup:

Weekend One (A-Z)

Ahadadream
Anna Lunoe
Awen
Azzecca
BODY HI by Alesso
Channel Tres (DJ Set)
Chase & Status
DJ Starrza
DRĖĖĖMY
Hamdi
Jersey
Maddy Maia B2B Tottie
Melé
Mia Moretti
Nikki Nair x Hudson Mohawke
Parallelle
Player Dave
salute
Sam Gellaitry
SICARIA
Smiles Davis
Tape B
The Dare (DJ Set)

Weekend Two (A-Z)

&friends
Alleycvt
AYYBO
Baby Weight
Beltran
Biscits
CocoRosie
DJ Tennis
Dylan Brady
HE.SHE.THEY
HoneyLuv
Huneycut
Jasper Tygner
Jon Casey
Juelz
Juliet Mendoza
Julya Karma
Kasbo
KETBOI69 (KETTAMA b2b Partiboi69)
Patricio
Sinca
Sultan + Shepard
Tinzo & Jojo (Book Club Radio)
Val Fleury
Westend
Yung Singh

Photo by Divisuals, courtesy of Do Lab 

Richard Thompson news

Sixties folk legend Richard Thompson will return with Ship To Shore on May 31 via New West Records. The 12-song set was produced by Richard Thompson and recorded in Woodstock, NY.

It follows his 2018 studio album 13 Rivers and 2021 memoir Beeswing: Losing My Way and Finding My Voice 1967-1975 which was published by Algonquin Books. 

To craft the album, Thompson retreated to Woodstock, New York, where he was joined by his longtime band — guitarist Bobby Eichorn, bassist Taras Prodaniuk, and drummer Michael Jerome — along with harmony vocalist Zara Phillips, fiddle player David Mansfield, and engineer Chris Bittner. The team worked quickly — roughly a week to track, vocals included.

"I liked the idea of having a strong base to work from and reaching out from there,” he says. “And I think of my base as being British traditional music, but there’s also Scottish music, there’s Irish music. There’s jazz and country and classical. As far as I’m concerned, once you establish your base, you can reach out anywhere. It’ll still be you ringing through, wherever you decide to go musically.”

Thompson shared the song “Singapore Sadie,” offering, “I have been playing this live over the past year or so and it has become a favorite. We recorded it really quickly in two or three takes and David Mansfield is featured on the fiddle.”

SHARE RICHARD THOMPSON’S “SINGAPORE SADIE”

Richard Thompson has announced his initial tour dates in support of Ship To Shore. Prior to the album release, he will launch a brief North American tour on March 21 in Fairfield, CT. He will launch a 12-date UK tour in Bristol on May 26 that features a performance at the legendary Royal Albert Hall in London on June 8. Thompson has also announced a performance at The Town Hall in New York City on October 18. Please see tour dates, with more to be announced, below.

Ship To Shore will be available across digital platforms, compact disc, and standard black vinyl. A limited “Deep Blue” color vinyl edition of 500 with a bonus orange flexi disc featuring a demo of the song “Trust” will be available via Rough Trade. An autographed compact disc edition and a limited Orange & Yellow Marble color vinyl edition featuring a 5x7 archival print autographed by Richard Thompson will be available via Independent Retailers and is available for pre-order NOW via NEW WEST RECORDS.

Track List:

1. Freeze
2. The Fear Never Leaves You
3. Singapore Sadie
4. Trust
5. The Day That I Give In
6. The Old Pack Mule
7. Turnstile Casanova
8. Lost In The Crowd
9. Maybe
10. Life’s A Bloody Show
11. What’s Left To Lose
12. We Roll

Tour dates:

03/15/24 - Old Saybrook, CT - The Kate *
03/16/24 - Fall River, MA - Narrows Center for the Arts *
03/17/24 - Northampton, MA - Back Porch Festival *
03/21/24 - Fairfield,CT - Sacred Heart University Community Theater *
03/22/24 - Derry, NH - Tupelo Music Hall *
03/23/24 - Burlington, VT - First Unitarian Church *
03/24/24 - Shirley, MA - The Bull Run *
04/04/24 - Hartford, CT - Infinity Music Hall *
04/05/24 - Gloucester, MA - The Cut *
04/06/24 - Roslyn, NY - My Father's Place *
04/07/24 - Roslyn, NY - My Father's Place *
04/09/24 - Annapolis, MD - Rams Head Tavern *
04/10/24 - Richmond, VA - Tin Pan *
04/11/24 - Vienna, VA - The Barns at Wolf Trap *
04/12/24 - Collingswood, NJ - The Scottish Rite *
05/25/24 - Cambridge, England, UK - Corn Exchange #
05/26/24 - Bristol, UK - Beacon #
05/27/24 - York, UK - Barbican #
05/29/24 - Glasgow, UK - Royal Concert Hall #
05/30/24 - Gateshead, UK - Glasshouse #
05/31/24 - Manchester, UK - Aviva Studios at Manchester Factory International #
06/01/24 - Stoke-on-Trent, UK - Victoria Hall #
06/03/24 - Birmingham, UK - Symphony Hall #
06/04/24 - Cardiff, UK - New Theatre #
06/05/24 - Portsmouth, UK - Guildhall #
06/06/24 - Brighton and Hove, UK - Dome Concert Hall #
06/08/24 - London,UK - Royal Albert Hall #
07/28/24 - Cape May, NJ - Cape May Convention Hall #
10/18/24 - New York, NY - The Town Hall #
08/23/25- 08/30/25 - Venice, Italy - Harmony Voyages- Gems of the Adriatic Cruise

* Solo Show
# Full Band

Cage The Elephant's long-awaited new album arrives in May, with a North American tour

Since I interviewed guitarist Brad Shultz for 2019's Social Cues (find it elsewhere on this blog), I'm anxious to hear the new material...

Cage The Elephant's sixth studio album, Neon Pill (May 17, RCA Records) will precede an extensive North American summer tour, including a show at LA's Kia Forum.

“To me, Neon Pill is the first record where we were consistently uninfluenced, and I mean that in a positive way,” says singer Matthew Shultz. “Everything is undoubtedly expressed through having settled into finding our own voice. We’ve always drawn inspiration from artists we love, and at times we’ve even emulated some of them to a certain degree. With this album, having gone through so much, life had almost forced us into becoming more and more comfortable with ourselves. We weren’t reaching for much outside of the pure experience of self expression, and simultaneously not necessarily settling either. We just found a uniqueness in simply existing.”

Neon Pill, produced by John Hill, materialized during sessions at Sonic Ranch in El Paso, Electric Lady in New York, Sound Emporium in Nashville, Echo Mountain in North Carolina, and at Hill’s own studio in Los Angeles. 

Matthew figures “Out Loud,” the newest song from the album unveiled, is "so straightforward and honest, because I didn’t know if it would see the light of day...'Out Loud' is very connected to my father. My dad’s the reason we discovered music in the first place. When he died, ‘Out Loud’ just poured out of me. My efforts towards the song were deeply rooted in paying honor to him, and I knew it meant a lot to Brad too.

"That, also in connection with the difficulties that I was dealing with at that time. It was almost a subconscious apology of sorts before I was fully capable of grasping the gravity of it all. Subconsciously working through it while channeling all of the adversity my family faced growing up coming full circle into my adult life in this one song.” 

The release of this song follows the latest single, “Neon Pill.” Listen to it here.

Pre-order on all formats here.

The tour kicks off in June 20 in Salt Lake City, with support from Young The Giant on most dates. Tickets and VIP available for all dates will go on sale to the general public on Friday, March 8 at 10am local here, and presales, including for the band’s Fan Club, Discord, and Spotify followers will begin on Tuesday, March 5 at 10am local time. For all Canadian dates, American Express® Card Members can purchase tickets before the general public beginning Tuesday, March 5 at 10am local time through Thursday, March 7 at 10pm local time.

Tour Dates:

June 20 – West Valley City, UT at Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre^

June 22 – Seattle, WA at Climate Pledge Arena^
June 23 – Ridgefield, WA at RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater^
June 24 – Bend, OR at Hayden Homes Amphitheater^
June 26 – Vancouver, BC at Rogers Arena^
June 28 – Edmonton, AB at Rogers Place^
June 30 – Spokane, WA at BECU Live at Northern Quest^
July 2 – San Francisco, CA at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium*
July 3 – Santa Barbara, CA at Santa Barbara Bowl^~
July 5 – Phoenix, AZ at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre^
July 6 – San Diego, CA at Viejas Arena^
July 7 – Los Angeles, CA at Kia Forum^
July 9 – Albuquerque, NM at Isleta Amphitheater^
July 11 – Austin, TX at Moody Center^
July 12 – Houston, TX at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman^
July 13 – Fort Worth, TX at Dickies Arena^
July 15 – Rogers, AR at Walmart AMP^
Aug 2 – Alpharetta, GA at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre*
Aug 3 – Raleigh, NC at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek^
Aug 4 – Charlotte, NC at PNC Music Pavilion*
Aug 7 – Noblesville, IN at Ruoff Music Center^
Aug 8 – Madison, WI at Breese Stevens Field
Aug 10 – Winnipeg, MB at Canada Life Centre^
Aug 12 – Minneapolis, MN at Target Center^
Aug 14 – Chicago, IL at Credit Union 1 Arena at UIC^
Aug 16 – Grand Rapids, MI at Van Andel Arena^
Aug 18 – Saratoga Springs, NY at Broadview Stage at SPAC^
Aug 19 – Bridgeport, CT at Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater^
Aug 21 – Gilford, NH at BankNH Pavilion^
Aug 22 – Mansfield, MA at Xfinity Center*
Aug 24 – Holmdel, NJ at PNC Bank Arts Center^
Aug 26 – Montreal, QC at Centre Bell^
Aug 27 – Toronto, ON at Budweiser Stage^
Aug 29 – Burgettstown, PA at The Pavilion at Star Lake^
Aug 30 – Cincinnati, OH at Riverbend Music Center^
Sept 5 – New York, NY at Madison Square Garden^
Sept 6 – Philadelphia, PA at TD Pavilion at the Mann^
Sept 7 – Lewiston, NY at Artpark Mainstage Theater^
Sept 9 – Cleveland, OH at Blossom Music Center^
Sept 10 – Detroit, MI at Pine Knob Music Theatre^
Sept 12 – St. Louis, MO at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre^
Sept 13 – Des Moines, IA at Wells Fargo Arena^
Sept 14 – Kansas City, MO at Starlight Theatre^
Sept 16 – Omaha, NE at CHI Health Center Omaha^
Sept 18 – Denver, CO at Red Rocks Amphitheatre*
^with Young The Giant and Bakar
* with Bakar

Reunited Something Corporate books cross country U.S. tour starting in June

I was glad to have the opportunity to review one of the band's New Year's Eve week shows in Anaheim last year (see elsewhere on this blog). Good to hear they're hitting the road...

Something Corporate's Out Of Office Tour 2024 is the first official tour featuring the band’s five original members in over 20 years. The outing finds Something Corporate crossing the country throughout the summer and fall, kicking off in June in New York City. 

PRESS HERE to watch the tour promo video. 

Tickets are on sale now. The tour will be using a Face Value Exchange where, if needed, fans can resell their ticket to other fans at the original price paid. To help protect the Exchange, tickets for this tour will be mobile only and restricted from transfer. This applies to all shows except those in Illinois, Colorado, New York, and Utah where Face Value Exchange cannot be mandated. 

“The band and I couldn’t be more excited for these upcoming dates,” shares front man Andrew McMahon. “We’re having more fun together than ever and the generosity of the fans, both online and at last year’s shows, made it impossible not to come back and do a few more. We hope to see you there!”

The core members of the Orange County, California alt-rock quintet – Andrew McMahon (vocals, piano), Josh Partington (guitar), Kevin “Clutch” Page (bass), Brian Ireland (drums), and William Tell (guitar) – reunited in 2023 for main stage performances at the When We Were Young festival and three sold-out headlining shows in Las Vegas and Anaheim. 

These five special gigs, their first official shows together in 20 years, left their dedicated fanbase clamoring for more. The reunion performances also saw McMahon debut a one-of-a-kind upright piano fully wrapped in Christie MicroTiles LED displaying images and lyrics from throughout the band’s catalog, slated to be front and center once again on the Out Of Office Tour.

Something Corporate first formed in 1998 when its members were in high school and in a short period of time created quite the stir before going on hiatus in 2005. During its tenure, the highly adored SoCal band released multiple albums, including their major label debut, Leaving Through The Window, in 2002 via MCA Records/Drive-Thru Records, which premiered at the top of the Billboard Heatseekers Chart, and 2003’s North, which entered the Billboard 200 at #24. During its heyday, the band toured extensively worldwide, including a summer on the Vans Warped Tour, graced the cover of Alternative Press magazine, and performed on late-night TV including an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Collectively, Something Corporate – hailed as “one of the most respected groups in the scene with their incredible hooks and emotionally transparent music” (Alternative Press) – has sold over 1 million total records.

Tour Dates:

Friday, June 21 – New York, NY @ The Rooftop at Pier 17
Saturday, June 22 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Met
Sunday, June 23 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Four Chord Music Festival
Thursday, August 22 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
Friday, August 23 – Asbury Park, NJ @ The Stone Pony Summer Stage
Saturday, August 24 – Boston, MA @ Roadrunner
Thursday, September 12 – Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
Friday, September 13 – Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
Saturday, September 14 – Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live
Thursday, September 19 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
Friday, September 20 – Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore
Sunday, September 22 – TBA
Friday, September 27 – Denver, CO @ The Mission Ballroom
Saturday, September 28 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex
Friday, October 11 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium
Saturday, October 12 – San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield

Holiday From Real Cruise
November 9-13 – Miami, FL

Collective Soul travel from 'Here to Eternity' in May; tour with Hootie & the Blowfish

Here to Eternity, the 12th studio release by Collective Soul, drops May 17 on their label, Fuzze-Flex Records. It comprises 20 songs and will be available everywhere on digital stores and streaming partners (including a Dolby ATMOS version), as a single disc CD, and as a limited-edition double-disc colored vinyl. Pre-order info and more details will be announced in the coming weeks.

The rock band - core members Ed Roland (vocals/guitar), Dean Roland (rhythm guitar), Will Turpin (bass/background vocals), plus Jesse Triplett (lead guitar/background vocals) and  Johnny Rabb (drums/background vocals) also mark the group's 30th anniversary with various projects throughout the year.

Collective Soul recorded and self-produced the new effort with co-producer Shawn Grove at Elvis Presley’s estate in Palm Springs, CA. They’re the only other music artist to ever record at the historical landmark where Elvis and Priscilla Presley spent their honeymoon and celebrated their Las Vegas wedding in 1967.

Later this summer, the band will hit the road with Hootie & the Blowfish, as their special guest (along with Edwin McCain) for the “Summer Camp with Trucks Tour” produced by Live Nation. The trek--which will visit 43 cities across the U.S. and Canada--kicks off May 30 in Dallas and runs through September 28 in West Palm Beach, visiting arenas, amphitheaters and select stadiums such as Boston’s iconic Fenway Park (with special guests Barenaked Ladies) along the way. Tickets are on sale now at LiveNation.com and Citientertainment.com.

“30 years (yeah) you’re damn right to believe we still do our gig with an audience across the world is such a dream,” declares Ed Roland. “Speaking of dreams, as a kid determined that rock n’ roll was my life, I dreamed of making a double album, well here you go! HERE TO ETERNITY recorded at Elvis’ estate in Palm Springs, CA. Wow, Wow, and Wow. 20 songs that truly show the personality of this band and our musical journey! This recording is not the pinnacle of the band, but it’s the best one yet! Shouldn’t we all feel the next day as our best? Well enjoy our best till the next one.”

Track listing:

Mother’s Love
Bluer Than So Blue
Let It Flow
Not the Same
Bob Dylan (Where Are You Today)
Hey Man
Kick It
Matter of Fact
Sister and Mary
Be the One
Keep It on Track
Who Loves
La Dee Da
Bring on the Day
Words Away
No Man’s Land
Letter from E
I Know You, You Know Me
Therapy
Over and Out

Tour dates: 

Headlining shows - 

Fri 3/1 Scranton, PA Mountainfest
Sat 4/20 San Antonio, TX St. Mary's University - Fiesta Oyster Bake

Hootie & The Blowfish Summer Camp with Trucks Tour with Edwin McCain -

May 30 Dallas, Texas Dos Equis Pavilion
May 31 Rogers, Ark. Walmart AMP
June 1 St. Louis, Mo. Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
June 6 Detroit, Mich. Pine Knob Music Theatre
June 7 Cincinnati, Ohio Riverbend Music Center
June 8 Indianapolis, Ind. Ruoff Music Center
June 13 Gilford, N.H. BankNH Pavilion
June 14 Bangor, Maine Maine Savings Amphitheatre
June 15 Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Broadview Stage at SPAC
June 21 Boston, Mass.* Fenway Park
June 27 Bethel, N.Y. Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
June 28 Hershey, Pa. Hersheypark Stadium
June 29 Burgettstown, Pa. The Pavilion at Star Lake
July 10 Denver, Colo. Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
July 11 Salt Lake City, Utah USANA Amphitheater
July 13 Phoenix, Ariz. Footprint Center
July 16 Anaheim, Calif. Honda Center
July 17 Mountain View, Calif. Shoreline Amphitheatre
July 19 Portland, Ore. RV Inn Styles Amphitheatre
July 20 Seattle, Wash. White River Amphitheatre
July 26 Birmingham, Ala. Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
July 27 Nashville, Tenn. Bridgestone Arena
Aug. 1 Hartford, Conn. The XFINITY Theatre
Aug. 2 Holmdel, N.J. PNC Bank Arts Center
Aug. 3 Columbia, Md. Merriweather Post Pavilion
Aug. 8 Somerset, Wisc. Somerset Amphitheater
Aug. 9 Chicago, Ill. Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
Aug. 10 East Troy, Wisc. Alpine Valley Music Theatre
Aug. 15 Cleveland, Ohio Blossom Music Center
Aug. 16 Philadelphia, Pa. Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
Aug. 17 Bristow, Va. Jiffy Lube Live
Aug. 29 Columbia, S.C. Colonial Life Arena
Sept. 5 Wantagh, N.Y. Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
Sept. 6 Syracuse, N.Y. Empower FCU Amphitheater at Lakeview
Sept. 7 Toronto, Ontario Budweiser Stage
Sept. 12 Knoxville, Tenn. Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
Sept. 13 Raleigh, N.C. Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Sept. 14 Virginia Beach, Va. Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
Sept. 19 Charlotte, N.C. PNC Music Pavilion
Sept. 20 Alpharetta, Ga. Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
Sept. 26 Tampa, Fla. MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Sept. 27 Jacksonville, Fla. VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
Sept. 28 West Palm Beach, Fla. iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre

Stereophonics' Kelly Jones delves into the 'Inevitable Incredible' in May

Stereophonics frontman Kelly Jones has a new solo album, Inevitable Incredible, to be released on May 3 on Stylus Records via Ignition Records Ltd. You can view the album trailer here. The first single is the title track; listen HERE.

Inevitable Incredible saw Kelly writing primarily on the piano for the first time between October and December of 2022. He went to Ocean Sound studio in Norway, tucked away on a tiny remote island in the North Sea. With just his studio engineer and backline technician with him, the landscape informed a six-day recording session. 

“The remote surroundings of the island studio allowed the songs to come to life and breathe, no distractions, it was such a new experience. There were no expectations for how the songs should sound. Just let the emotion and vulnerability I put into writing those songs come to life. The weather could change in a minute and there was little to no contact with the outside world. All this influenced how the songs came to be. It was a truly cathartic experience. I feel like I left it all out there on these songs,” said Jones.

Following 2022’s chart-topping album Oochya! – Stereophonics’ 8th UK #1 LP and accompanying sold-out stadium and arena tour that included 2 sold out nights at Cardiff’s 60,000 capacity Principality Stadium – Jones shifted gears with his Americana-influenced project Far From Saints and their self-titled debut album. The project, comprising of Jones and Dwight Baker and Patty Lynn of The Wind and The Wave, received critical and commercial success last year, debuting in the Top 5 on the UK Official Albums Chart whilst topping the specialist UK Official Americana and Country Artists Albums Charts. 

Inevitable Incredible will be available on heavyweight LP, CD, and digital formats. Pre-order here.

Track listing:

1. Inevitable Incredible
2. Turn Bad Into Good
3. Time's Running Away
4. Echowrecked
5. Sometimes You Fly Like The Wind
6. Monsters In The House
7. May I Come Home From My War
8. The Beast Will Be What The Beast Will Be

Get ready for 'Eels Time!'

Eels' 15th studio album, Eels Time! is set for release on June 7 via E Works/Play It Again Sam. Acoustic-led opening track “Time” can be heard HERE.

Last year, Eels - singer/songwriter E (Mark Oliver Everett) - toured and put out a second best of compilation Eels So Good: Essential Eels, Vol.2 and a new track, “Christmas, Why You Gotta Do Me Like This.”

Recorded between Los Feliz, California and Dublin, Ireland, Eels Time! consists of songs with collaborators such as Koool G Murder, The Chet, Tyson Ritter, Sean Coleman and more. The album is available for pre-order HERE.

Track list:

1. Time
2. We Won’t See Her Like Again
3. Goldy
4. Sweet Smile
5. Haunted Hero
6. If I’m Gonna Go Anywhere
7. And You Run
8. Lay With The Lambs
9. Song For You Know Who
10. I Can’t Believe It’s True
11. On The Bridge
12. Let’s Be Lucky

Blancmange career retrospective 'Everything Is Connected' arrives in May

In the early ‘80s, Blancmange notched UK Top 10 with singles such as “Living On The Ceiling”, “Blind Vision” and “Don’t Tell Me”. Now the English synth-pop band have a career-spanning collection Everything Is Connected, to be released via London Records on May 11.

Vocalist and songwriter Neil Arthur says, “I'm really lucky to be able to make the music completely on my own terms. Within myself there are no limits, there’s a massive palette inside and I will try anything.”

Neil met multi-instrumentalist Stephen Luscombe at the Harrow School of Art in 1979, and they signed to London Records in February 1982. After half a decade and ten UK hits, the group split. The pair reemerged some 25 years later with 2011’s acclaimed album Blanc Burn. 

Stephen left shortly after due to ill-health, but Neil still put out seven more Blancmange albums in the space of a decade (not including the instrumental series Nil By Mouth). Blancmange re-signed to London Records for 2022's Private View. 

The compilation includes "new" track “Again, I Wait For The World” (released March 13). Neil had first written the song with his pre-Blancmange band L360 in 1979. It kept nagging at him, so 45 years later he finally finished it. 

Everything Is Connected is available to pre-order HERE. The 2CD and digital formats compile 38 tracks, while the vinyl is 10 tracks. 

Neil Arthur will follow Everything Is Connected with a Blancmange headline tour which includes a London show at the Islington Assembly Hall - tickets are available HERE. 

Track listing (2CD):

 
CD1

‘Sad Day’ (original version)
‘I’ve Seen The Word’
‘God’s Kitchen’
‘Feel Me’
‘Living On The Ceiling’
‘Waves’
‘Game Above My Head’ (12” version)
‘Blind Vision’
‘That’s Love, That It Is’
‘Vishnu’
‘Don’t Tell Me’
‘The Day Before You Came’
‘What’s Your Problem’
‘Lose Your Love’
‘Why Don’t They Leave Things Alone’
‘Drive Me’
‘I’m Having A Coffee’
‘The Western’
‘Just Another Spectre’

CD2

‘The Fall’
‘Last Night (I Dreamt I Had A Job)’
‘Jack Knife’
‘What’s The Time?’
‘We Are The Chemicals’
‘Anna Dine’
‘Distant Storm’
‘I Smashed Your Phone’
‘Not A Priority’
‘Mindset’
‘This Is Bliss’
‘Clean Your House’
‘Commercial Break’
‘Some Times These’
‘Reduced Voltage’
‘Take Me’
‘Again, I Wait For The World’
‘Wish’
‘Empty Street’

Vinyl:
Side One
‘Living On The Ceiling’
‘Waves’
‘Blind Vision’
‘Don’t Tell Me’
‘The Day Before You Came’

Side Two
‘What’s The Time?’
‘Distant Storm’
‘Mindset’
‘Reduced Voltage’