Followers

Friday, April 26, 2024

Out next week: Better Than Ezra's 'Super Magick'

Veteran alt-rock band Better Than Ezra's forthcoming release of their tenth studio album Super Magick is due out May 3 via Round Hill Records, Super Magick, the 
New Orleans-bred group's first new one in a decade, is available for pre-order/pre-save now.

Go here to listen to latest single “Live A Little” and watch the visualizer here.

Super Magick was recorded at Tennessee’s Pink Deer Studio and mainly produced by BTE singer/guitarist Kevin Griffin and Emery Dobyns. 

“In many ways music is one of the closest things to magic, in terms of how it can affect and transport you,” says Griffin. “Now more than ever, we’re aware that we’re creating songs that could become part of the fabric of other people’s lives, and it’s something we appreciate in a much deeper way than we first started out.”

“Live A Little” has fared well with fans at BTE’s live shows. 

“It’s one of those rare songs where the music and the melody definitely match the message, which is essentially ‘carpe diem’,” Griffin says in speaking to the track’s immediate appeal. “The longer you live, the more you realize how fragile life is — nothing is a given, and every day is a gift.”

In addition to “Live A Little,” Super Magick features Better Than Ezra’s recent singles “Mystified” and “Contact High.

Track listing:

Mystified
Live a Little
Show 'em Up
Super Magick
This Time
Contact High
Grateful
Sensation
Bad Communication
Fuzzy
Omens
KIlling It

ABOUT BETTER THAN EZRA:

Their early roots, circa 1988, came from playing house parties at Louisiana State University.  The New Orleans quartet, founded by Kevin Griffin [lead vocals, guitar, piano] and Tom Drummond [bass, backing vocals], are best known for 1995’s #1 rock hit “Good” and Taylor Swift’s famously in 2010 covered Better Than Ezra's “Breathless.” 

David Gilmour of Pink Floyd confirms new album ‘Luck and Strange’ for September

David Gilmour of Pink Floyd will put out new album ‘Luck and Strange’ on September 6 via Sony Music. The first track released from the album is ‘The Piper’s Call.’

‘Luck and Strange’ was recorded over five months in Brighton and London and is Gilmour’s first album of new material in nine years. The record was produced by David and Charlie Andrew, best known for his work with ALT-J and Marika Hackman.

Of this new working relationship, David says, “We invited Charlie to the house, so he came and listened to some demos, and said things like, “Well, why does there have to be a guitar solo there?” and “Do they all fade out? Can’t some of them just end?”. He has a wonderful lack of knowledge or respect for this past of mine. He’s very direct and not in any way overawed, and I love that. That is just so good for me because the last thing you want is people just deferring to you.”

The majority of the album’s lyrics have been composed by Polly Samson, Gilmour’s co-writer and collaborator for the past thirty years. Samson says of the lyrical themes covered on ‘Luck and Strange’, “It’s written from the point of view of being older; mortality is the constant.” Gilmour elaborates, “We spent a load of time during and after lockdown talking about and thinking about those kind of things.” Polly has also found the experience of working with Charlie Andrew liberating, “He wants to know what the songs are about, he wants everyone who’s playing on them to have the ideas that are in the lyric informing their playing. I have particularly loved it for that reason.”

The album features eight new tracks along with a reworking of The Montgolfier Brothers’ ‘Between Two Points’ and has artwork and photography by Anton Corbijn.

Musicians contributing to the record include Guy Pratt & Tom Herbert on bass, Adam Betts, Steve Gadd and Steve DiStanislao on drums, Rob Gentry & Roger Eno on keyboards with string and choral arrangements by Will Gardner. The title track also features the late Pink Floyd keyboard player Richard Wright, recorded in 2007 at a jam in a barn at David’s house.

Some contributions emerged from the live streams that Gilmour and family performed to a global audience during the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021; Romany Gilmour sings, plays the harp and appears on lead vocals on ‘Between Two Points’. Gabriel Gilmour also sings backing vocals.

The album’s cover image, photographed and designed by Anton Corbijn, is inspired by a lyric written by Charlie Gilmour for the album’s final song ‘Scattered’. 

Of working with his family on ‘Luck and Strange’, David says, “Polly and I have been writing together for over thirty years and the Von Trapped live streams showed the great blend of Romany’s voice and harp-playing and that led us into a feeling of discarding some of the past that I’d felt bound to and that I could throw those rules out and do whatever I felt like doing, and that has been such a joy.”

VINYL
Black vinyl, gatefold sleeve and booklet with photography and design by Anton Corbijn

CD
Album plus two bonus tracks.
Digipak and booklet with photography and design by Anton Corbijn

CD track listing:

Black Cat*
Luck and Strange
The Piper’s Call
A Single Spark
Vita Brevis*
Between Two Points** - with Romany Gilmour
Dark and Velvet Nights
Sings
Scattered***

BONUS TRACKS

Yes, I Have Ghosts
Luck and Strange (original Barn Jam)*

BLU-RAY – AUDIO ONLY

Album in Dolby Atmos and high-resolution stereo mixes plus four bonus tracks.
Digipak and booklet with photography and design by Anton Corbijn

BONUS TRACKS

In Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res stereo

Yes, I Have Ghosts
Luck and Strange (original Barn Jam)*
A Single Spark (Orchestral)*
Scattered (Orchestral)*

Deluxe LP & CD boxsets will be announced in the coming weeks.

All songs Music: David Gilmour. Lyrics: Polly Samson.
Except *Music: David Gilmour.
**Music: Mark Tranmer. Lyrics by Roger Quigley.
***Music: David Gilmour. Lyrics: David Gilmour, Charlie Gilmour and Polly Samson.

Produced by David Gilmour and Charlie Andrew
Engineered by Matt Glasbey, Charlie Andrew, David Gilmour and Damon Iddins
Mixed by David Gilmour, Charlie Andrew and Matt Glasbey
Additional engineering by Andy Jackson and Luie Stylianou

davidgilmour.com

'One Hand Clapping,' archival 1974 Paul McCartney & Wings in-studio album, to get official release in June

With the June 14 release of One Hand Clapping, one of the most bootlegged live albums in musical history will finally receive a proper release. 

In August 1974, when Band on the Run was enjoying a seven-week consecutive #1 stint at the top of the UK album charts, Paul McCartney and Wings headed to Abbey Road Studios for the filming of a video documentary and possible live studio album – One Hand Clapping. Despite overwhelming demand for newly recorded material from the biggest band in the world at that time, One Hand Clapping was never officially released.

Filmed and recorded over four days and directed by David Litchfield, the release of One Hand Clapping is a historic moment for Paul McCartney fans. Over the years, various parts of One Hand Clapping have been bootlegged with varying degrees of success. Some of the material has also appeared on official McCartney releases. However, the June 14 release of One Hand Clapping, which features the original artwork designed for the project, including a TV sales brochure for the unreleased film at the time, is the first time the audio for the film—plus several additional songs recorded off-camera--have been officially issued.

One Hand Clapping showcased Wings‘ new line-up, fresh off their return from Nashville, where they recorded the classic single Junior’s Farm. Following the sudden departure of Denny Seiwell and Henry McCullough the previous year on the eve of recording the Wings masterpiece Band on the Run, Paul, Linda, and Denny Laine were now joined by guitarist Jimmy McCulloch and drummer Geoff Britton. Additionally joining the band in the studio were orchestral arranger Del Newman and saxophonist Howie Casey, who had previously played with Paul in Hamburg and would go on to join the Wings touring band. 

Opening with an instrumental jam that would become the One Hand Clapping theme song, the album features live-in-studio renditions of Wings mega-hits “Live and Let Die,” “Band on the Run,” “Jet,” “My Love,” “Hi, Hi, Hi,” “Junior’s Farm,” Paul’s much loved solo song “Maybe I’m Amazed,” reworked extracts of Beatles’ classics “Let It Be,” “The Long and Winding Road” and “Lady Madonna,” the Moody Blues hit “Go Now” with Denny Laine singing, and a Paul solo piano version of the Harry Akst/Benny Davis Tin Pan Alley classic “Baby Face.”

One Hand Clapping will be released in multiple formats, including an online exclusive 2LP + 7” package featuring an exclusive vinyl single of previously unreleased solo performances recorded on the final day of the sessions in the backyard of Abbey Road studios. These include the unreleased track “Blackpool,” The Beatles’ iconic “Blackbird,” Wings B-side “Country Dreamer,” and cover versions of Eddie Cochran’s “Twenty Flight Rock” (the first song Paul played to John Lennon when they met in 1957) and Buddy Holly’s “Peggy Sue” and “I’m Gonna Love You Too.”

ONE HAND CLAPPING
FORMATS
2LP + 7” (D2C)
*Previously released 2010 Band on the Run Archive Collection DVD
** Previously released as bonus audio on Archive Collection releases

One Hand Clapping will also be available to stream in Dolby Atmos
Atmos mix by Giles Martin and Steve Orchard
One Hand Clapping by Paul McCartney and Wings:

Paul McCartney: vocals, bass, piano, electric piano, Hammond organ, celeste, harmonium, acoustic guitar
Linda McCartney: Moog, electric piano, Mellotron, tambourine, backing vocals
Danny Laine: vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar
Jimmy McCulloch: electric guitar, backing vocals
Geoff Britton: drums

Featuring Tuxedo Brass Band and Howie Casey
Orchestra conducted by Del Newman

Produced by Paul McCartney

Disc 1
SIDE ONE

1. One Hand Clapping*
2. Jet*
3. Soily*
4. C Moon/Little Woman Love*
5. Maybe I’m Amazed*
6. My Love*

SIDE TWO
1. Bluebird*
2. Let’s Love*
3. All of You*
4. I’ll Give You a Ring*
5. Band on the Run*
6. Live and Let Die*
7. Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five*
8. Baby Face*

Disc 2
SIDE ONE

1. Let Me Roll It**
2. Blue Moon of Kentucky
3. Power Cut
4. Love My Baby
5. Let It Be
6. The Long and Winding Road/Lady Madonna

SIDE TWO
1. Junior’s Farm
2. Sally G
3. Tomorrow
4. Go Now
5. Wild Life
6. Hi, Hi, Hi

Disc 3 (7”)
1. Blackpool
2. Blackbird
3. Country Dreamer**

SIDE TWO
1. Twenty Flight Rock
2. Peggy Sue
3. I’m Gonna Love You Too

Haircut 100 to tour North America for first time 40 years with Howard Jones, ABC

This is very exciting news. Three of my favorite pop/new wave acts from the Eighties - two of which I've interviewed in the past (Jones, Heyward). A must-see for fans of First Wave music. Read on for details...

Howard Jones and ABC will be hitting stages across North America this summer with special guest Haircut 100. The tour is made extra special by the return of Haircut 100, who will be playing to North American audiences for the first time in 40+ years with their original band line-up. Click here for a message/mini-performance from Howard Jones. See below for the confirmed itinerary, with more dates to be added.

Of the jaunt, Howard Jones commented, “I’m very excited to be hitting the road with my friends ABC and Haircut 100. Our audiences can look forward to some seriously top tunes night after night! Bring your celebratory selves to the party.” 

ABC frontman Martin Fry stated, “ABC in the USA. Very excited to hit the road alongside Howard Jones and Haircut 100 for an electrifying summer tour across the USA! Get ready for an unforgettable musical journey as we bring the hits to stages nationwide. Let's make memories and rock the house together!" 

Haircut 100’s Nick Heyward added, “Ever since our last tour in 1982 we’ve been pining to play in North America again, so this is a dream come true for us. Come down early and get your dancing shoes on, because there’s a lot of catching up to do.”

Howard Jones will be joined onstage by his longtime backing band: Nick Beggs (bass), Robin Boult (guitar), Dan Clarke (keyboards) and Robbie Bronnimann (keyboards and tech).

ABC’s Martin Fry will be supported by members of his UK/US touring bands including Toshi Yanagi (guitar), Andy Carr (bass), Jimmy Keegan (drums), and Rob Hughes (saxophone). 

Haircut 100 will feature original/founding members Nick Heyward (lead vocals/guitars), Graham Jones (guitars), Les Nemes (bass) and five additional players rounding out the show with brass and percussion.

Electronic music pioneer Howard Jones has been a constant presence on the international touring scene for the past four decades, playing live in a number of different configurations including intimate solo shows and dates with his full high-tech band set-up. He first burst upon the contemporary music scene in 1983, with his very English songwriting and pioneering synthesizers with “New Song”. His first two albums HUMAN’S LIB and DREAM INTO ACTION were worldwide hits. HUMAN’S LIB reached #1 in 1984 in the UK and featured the hits “New Song,” and “What Is Love?” In 1985, Jones released the follow-up, DREAM INTO ACTION, which quickly became a Top Ten Platinum album in the United States and featured the smashes: “Things Can Only Get Better,” “Life In One Day,” “No One Is To Blame,” and “Like To Get To Know You Well.”

Howard Jones has sold upwards of 10 million albums worldwide and continues to make new music and tour the world. Jones has performed on NBC’s top-rated morning and nighttime shows respectively, Today and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. His ubiquitous hits can be heard in such high-profile television series and films such as “Stranger Things,” “Breaking Bad,” “Watchmen,” “The Carrie Diaries”, “Superstore” and “Bumblebee”. Howard Jones’ most recent album is DIALOGUE, which was released in September, 2022. DIALOGUE is the third album in a trilogy of electronic releases from Jones with multi-media project ENGAGE coming out in 2015 and studio album TRANSFORM out in 2019. DIALOGUE garnered serious coverage in outlets such as Spin, Stereogum and more.

ABC has enjoyed a glittering career to date. They are one of a number of groups who came along and kick-started the 80s with their own brand of pop for a “new decade”. On its release in May, 1982, their debut album THE LEXICON OF LOVE crashed straight into the UK album charts at number one. Showcasing the soulful voice of lead singer Martin Fry with such hit songs as “Poison Arrow” and “The Look Of Love” and produced by the legendary Trevor Horn, it was voted by many as the best British album of the decade. More hits would follow with subsequent albums including “How To Be A Millionaire,” “Be Near Me” and “When Smokey Sings”. ABC has released nine albums to date and has sold upwards of 20 million albums worldwide; they continue to thrill audiences globally with their live show.

Haircut 100 released PELICAN WEST in 1982 to worldwide acclaim. That cherished LP contained their trademarks "Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)," HERE "Love Plus One" HERE and "Fantastic Day," HERE all UK top ten singles in the 1982-83 season. Soon they added a fourth, "Nobody's Fool," HERE by which time, PELICAN WEST was already platinum certified in the UK, only three months after release. The album spent 11 consecutive weeks in the British top ten and twice reached No. 2. It also charted in the US, Australia and beyond, after which frontman Nick Heyward left for a distinguished solo career. Heyward’s solo efforts included another top ten title, his debut solo album, NORTH OF A MIRACLE, in a collection of nine LPs in his own name to date.

North American tour dates:

AUGUST
14 Redmond, WA Marymoor Live
17 Sandy City, UT Sandy Amphitheater
18 Las Vegas, NV The Theater At Virgin Hotels
20 Inglewood, CA YouTube Theater
21 Del Mar, CA The Sound
24 Oklahoma City, OK The Zoo Amphitheatre
28 Columbus, OH TempleLive At Columbus Athenaeum
29 Windsor, ON Caesars Windsor – The Colosseum
30 Niagara Falls, ON Fallsview Casino Resort
31 Cleveland, OH TempleLive At Cleveland Masonic

SEPTEMBER
4 Montclair, NJ The Wellmont
5 Port Chester, NY The Capitol Theatre
6 Huntington, NY The Paramount
 

'Petty Country," an all-star country tribute album to Tom Petty, due in June

Chris Stapleton’s take on Tom Petty’s “I Should Have Known It,” from the forthcoming Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty, debuted with an accompanying audio video that features vintage photos of Petty—watch/share HERE.

The track originally appeared on Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ 2010 album, Mojo, and again on the late rocker’s 2019 posthumous greatest hits album, The Best of Everything. 

It comes ahead of Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty, the country tribute album curated by some of the late rocker’s closest friends and collaborators. It’s set for release on June 21 via Big Machine Records in partnership with the Tom Petty Estate and is available to pre-order HERE.

“I Should Have Known It” arrives on the heels of “Southern Accents,” reimagined by Petty’s friend and fellow Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Dolly Parton. Watch the video directed by Trey Fanjoy, featuring home videos and professional footage of Petty throughout his life, HERE.

Dierks Bentley’s take on the Petty classic, “American Girl,” premiered as Bentley’s highest charting single upon launch—listen/share HERE. The track is currently climbing through the Top 35 on Country radio.

The tribute album was executive produced by George Drakoulias (Black Crowes, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers), with Randall Poster (Killers of the Flower Moon, Skyfall, Wes Anderson) and Scott Borchetta (Big Machine).

In celebration of the new music, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will feature archival artifacts seen in the “Southern Accents” music video in June as an extension of their acclaimed “Western Edge” exhibit. The exhibit will showcase select items from Petty’s career that highlight his western edge such as tour assets from his 2001 Way Out West tour, an iconic Nudie suit inspired “Planets” blazer worn famously during his 1985 Southern Accents tour, “Southern Accents” handwritten song lyrics, western style wardrobe pieces worn on and off stage and Petty’s Gretsch 6130 Roundup Western electric guitar.

Petty’s deep roots in country music saw collaborations and long-lasting friendships with a number of the genre’s greatest artists, including Carl Perkins (Petty inducted Perkins into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame), Johnny Cash (The Heartbreakers were the backing band on Cash’s Unchained), June Carter Cash, Marty Stuart, John Prine, Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, George Strait, Hank Williams Jr. and Willie Nelson. Today, country songwriters consistently reference their love and admiration for Petty, and in many ways, how Petty’s influence shaped their own sound.

TRACK LIST:

1. “I Should Have Known It” by Chris Stapleton
2. “Wildflowers” by Thomas Rhett
3. “Runnin’ Down A Dream” by Luke Combs
4. “Southern Accents” by Dolly Parton
5. “Here Comes My Girl” by Justin Moore
6. “American Girl” by Dierks Bentley
7. “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” by Lady A
8. “I Forgive It All” by Jamey Johnson
9. “I Won’t Back Down” by Brothers Osborne
10. “Refugee” by Wynonna Judd & Lainey Wilson
11. “Angel Dream No. 2” by Willie Nelson & Lukas Nelson
12. “Learning To Fly” by Eli Young Band
13. “Breakdown” by Ryan Hurd feat. Carly Pearce
14. “Yer So Bad” by Steve Earle
15. “Ways To Be Wicked” by Margo Price feat. Mike Campbell
16. “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” by Midland
17. “Free Fallin’” by The Cadillac Three feat. Breland
18. “I Need To Know” by Marty Stuart And His Fabulous Superlatives
19. “Don’t Come Around Here No More” by
Rhiannon Giddens feat. Silkroad Ensemble and Benmont Tench
20. “You Wreck Me (Live)” by George Strait

Johnny Cash album from the vaults modernized with new music and due in June

In early 1993, Johnny Cash found himself between contracts in his then nearly 40-year career and recorded an album’s worth of songwriting demos at LSI Studios in Nashville of songs he’d written over many years. 

LSI at the time was owned by his son-in-law Mike Daniels and daughter Rosey, and he wanted to help the family financially while also record some songs special to him. Not long after the fruitful session, Johnny met producer Rick Rubin, and the recordings were shelved as the two embarked on an important and prolific musical partnership that revitalized the Man in Black’s career that would last the rest of his life.

Some thirty years later, John Carter Cash, the son of Johnny and June Carter Cash, rediscovered the songs and stripped them back to just Johnny’s powerful, pristine vocals and acoustic guitar. Along with co-producer David “Fergie” Ferguson, the two invited a handpicked group of musicians that played with Johnny, including guitarist Marty Stuart and the late bassist Dave Roe, along with drummer Pete Abbott and several others, to the Cash Cabin, in Hendersonville, Tenn. where Johnny would write, record and relax, to breathe new life into the tracks, taking the sound back to the roots and heart of the songs.

Releasing June 28 via Mercury Nashville/UMe, Songwriter features songs written solely by Johnny Cash. It will be available to stream and download, as well as on CD and a variety of vinyl options, including standard black and several limited edition color variants.

Available now is first single “Well Alright,” an upbeat and infectious tune about finding love in of all places, the laundromat. Listen to the song and pre-order Songwriter here: https://JohnnyCash.lnk.to/SongwriterPR

“Dad’s advice with anything, whether it was life or making music, was always ‘follow your heart,” said John Carter. After stripping the original recordings back to just Johnny’s vocals and guitar, he reached out to Fergie, a longtime friend and Johnny’s go-to engineer for nearly thirty years, and the two set off to create an album that would honor and amplify Johnny’s songwriting and timeless voice, while staying true to the spirit of the recordings.

Along with John Carter, Fergie is arguably one of the people that knew best what Johnny liked when it came to recording as they worked together beginning in the early 1980s when he was Cowboy Jack Clement’s in-house engineer where Johnny often liked to record. He would go on to work with him on many records, including most of his Mercury albums and the acclaimed American Recordings series with Rick Rubin, even recording his last-ever songs in his final days in 2003. “He was always my hero and I just felt like the luckiest guy in the world to get to record him,” said Fergie.

When it came time to assemble a band, two musicians were must-haves: guitarist Marty Stuart, who played with Johnny in his backing band The Tennessee Three from 1980-86, and the late, great upright bassist Dave Roe, who toured in Johnny’s band, beginning in the early ‘90s and lasting nearly a decade. For Roe, the experience was a chance for a do-over as he actually played on the original ‘93 session, but despite being a great electric bass player was so new to upright bass that his playing was lacking. In fact, after a gig around this same time, Johnny famously gave Roe money to take lessons and said he had six months to learn. Roe would go on to become one of the best slap bass players in the world and play on hundreds of albums before his death in 2023. Songwriter was likely one of his last sessions.

Drummer, Pete Abbott, of Average White Band fame, among many other bands and accolades, was brought in to complete the trio who both recorded together and separately at the Cash Cabin, the sanctuary and studio space that Johnny built on his property in 1979 and where John Carter continues to record. 

Several other Nashville musicians, such as Ana Cristina Cash (background vocals), Matt Combs (acoustic guitar, mandolin, strings), Mike Rojas (B3 organ, piano), Russ Pahl (acoustic & electric guitar, bass, dobro, steel) and Sam Bacco (congas, percussion) were enlisted to round out the core band for the majority of the album, while others like session man and Grand Ole Opry guitarist, Kerry Marx, and vocalist Harry Stinson guested on select songs. “All those guys are the best, just cream of the crop,” said Fergie.

Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys provides a bluesy guitar solo on the track “Spotlight” and Vince Gill lends his dulcet vocals to “Poor Valley Girl.” Johnny’s good friend, outlaw country legend, Waylon Jennings, sang on two songs in the original session, “I Love You Tonite” and “Like A Soldier.”

“Nobody plays Cash better than Marty Stuart, and Dave Roe of course played with dad for many years,” said John Carter. “The musicians that came in were just tracking with dad, you know, recording with dad, just as, in the case of Marty and Dave, they had many times before, so they knew his energies, his movements, and they let him be the guide. It was just playing with Johnny once again, and that's what it was. That was the energy of the creation.”

While the playing of the musicians on the original 1993 recordings was strong, the sound quality left something to be desired as it placed the songs into a particular time. By recording a whole new band, John Carter and Fergie, along with engineer Trey Call, brought Johnny into the modern era and made an incredible sounding record that sounds like if Johnny recorded today.

“We just went rudimentary,” said John Carter of the approach. “We went straight to the roots, as far as the sound, and tried not to overly enhance it. We built as if dad was in the room. That's what we tried to do. Between the both of us, Fergie and I have spent thousands of hours with dad in the recording studio, so we just tried to act like he was there: WWJCD, right?”

“I think this record is the way I would have liked to have made one if I would have ever been in charge of one, before Rick Rubin or after Jack Clement,” said Fergie. “I’ve known John Carter since he was a boy, so it was great to finally work with him. He gave me a lot of leeway, especially in terms of grooves and things. We went right along the same page. There wasn’t ever a conversation or plan about an end product, it was just let's do the best we can do.”

At the time of the original recording, Johnny was in a great place both mentally and vocally. The songs he chose to record were personal to him and had been written over many decades, with some dating back to the mid to late ‘70s. “I Love You Tonite” is a love letter to his beloved wife June Carter Cash while “Poor Valley Girl” is about both June and her mother, country pioneer, Maybelle Carter, likely written in the wake of her passing in 1978. “Drive On” was inspired by the chronic pain he suffered from due to a broken jaw in the early ‘90s and is about the hardships that were endured by veterans in the Vietnam War. 

“I think he wanted to understand in his heart, to find peace with his own physical pain, that there were others out there who had pains that were greater, who had PTSD that was more profound, to gain more humility or to gain more acceptance of his own condition,” said John Carter who along with Wesley Orbison, closes the song out with some dueling psychedelic guitars.

Meanwhile, "Like A Soldier” is about his struggle with addiction and ultimately recovery. “It's something that that he wrote after his first stint in a recovery center,” said John Carter. “He felt like he was like a soldier getting over a war. The opponent that he had been fighting, his enemy had been addiction, and he was coming into a new life and had the great opportunity for healing. That's where the song came from.” Both “Drive On” and “Like A Soldier” were included with different recordings and arrangements on Johnny’s first American Recordings album in 1994, but these are the very first recordings.

Other tracks like the reverential “Have You Been to Little Rock?” sees Johnny expressing pride for his homeland over a beautiful, traditional melody, while “She Sang Sweet Baby James,” is a tender song about a young single mother singing James Taylor’s “Sweet Baby James” to comfort her baby. Johnny was a fan of Taylor’s ever since he performed on the first season of “The Johnny Cash Show” in 1971. Johnny revisits a lesser-known gem of his with “Sing It Pretty Sue,” originally released in 1962 on The Sound of Johnny Cash.

In the early ‘90s as country music was changing, Johnny found himself at a lull in his career, despite his songwriting and voice remaining strong. “My dad was probably just as clear as at any point in his life and I think that voice, which was kind of ignored at the time, needs to be heard,” said John Carter. “The man at that age, at that specific point in his life, deserves more attention and focus because he sadly didn’t get as much as he should.”

For John Carter, working on Johnny’s music is a form of catharsis and communion with his dad. “It’s not about selling Johnny Cash, he would be doing that himself,” said John Carter. “I'm grateful that this record is here, even if it was only for me, because it reminds me of who my father was, and I do believe there are people out there that knew him on somewhat of a level that I did, that will be just as touched,” said John Carter. “But I also believe that there are people out there that have never heard my father's music that will find new interest in hearing this, hearing this album and hearing my father's voice. I hope that gleans some curiosity in some people where they dig further, and they discover more because there's a lot to see within those pages.”

As for what Johnny might think about Songwriter, “I would think Johnny would say what he said about every record that I worked on with him, every record I think he ever made, when he got to the end of it, he always said, “I think it's the best record I’ve ever made,” said Fergie. “You could count on that. I could just hear him say that. I think he'd be really proud of it.”

Ultimately, Songwriter is all about putting the spotlight back on Johnny’s songwriting. “I wanted it to be songs that mostly people hadn't heard and that paid close attention to who he was as a songwriter and who he was as an American voice,” said John Carter. “One of my most important focuses in the past 10 years is to make sure that history, as best that I can possibly, is to give history the opportunity to notice him as the great writer he is. Bob Dylan says he's one of the greatest writers of all of American written music and I agree. I want to put that in the forefront. His writing voice specifically is a certain voice, that I think if America wants to know their history, that's a good place to look. Johnny Cash is definitely one true voice that we can listen to, specifically to his writings.”


TRACK LISTING:

CD/DIGITAL

1. Hello Out There
2. Spotlight
3. Drive On
4. I Love You Tonite
5. Have You Ever Been to Little Rock?
6. Well Alright
7. She Sang Sweet Baby James
8. Poor Valley Girl
9. Soldier Boy
10. Sing It Pretty Sue
11. Like A Soldier

Orville Peck news

Orville Peck will release the duets album, Stampede Vol. 1, on May 10 via Warner Records. The project features songs with Elton John, Noah Cyrus, Midland, Allison Russell, Nathaniel Rateliff and Bu Cuaron, in addition to the previously released Willie Nelson collaboration, “Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond Of Each Other.”

Next month, Peck will hit the road on his Stampede headlining tour, kicking off May 28 in Asheville, NC. See all dates below and click HERE for tickets. On May 11, Peck will be honored at the 35th GLAAD Media Awards in New York City with the Vito Russo Award, which is presented to a LGBTQ media professional who has made a significant difference in accelerating LGBTQ acceptance.

Stampede is Peck's first release since dropping his acclaimed sophomore album, Bronco, in 2022. In 2019, Peck's self-produced debut album Pony delivered the singles "Dead of Night" and "Take You Back."

Pre-order the latest magazine issue of Man About Town with a Peck cover feature HERE.

Tour Dates:

5/28 — Asheville, NC — Rabbit Rabbit *^
5/30 — Raleigh, NC — Red Hat Amphitheatee *^
5/31 — Charlotte, NC — Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre *^
6/1 — Atlanta, GA — Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park *^
6/3 — Columbus, OH — KEMBA Live! - Outdoor *^
6/4 — Rochester Hills, MI — Meadow Brook Amphitheatre *^
6/5 — Grand Rapids, MI — TBA *^
6/7 — Cleveland, OH — Jacobs Pavilion *^
6/8 — Cincinnati, OH — The Andrew J Brady Music Center *^
6/9 — Indianapolis, IN — Rock the Ruins *^
6/11 — Minneapolis, MN — The Armory *^
6/13 — Chicago, IL — Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom *^
6/14 — Madison, WI — The Sylvee *^
6/29 — Asbury Park, NJ — The Stone Pony Summer Stage #
6/30 — Washington, DC — The Anthem +#
7/1 — Lewiston, NY — Artpark Outdoor Amphitheater +#
7/3 — Toronto, ON — Budweiser Stage +#
7/4 — Ottawa, ON — Ottawa Bluesfest
7/8 — Vancouver, BC — Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre #
7/10 — Edmonton, AB — Midway #
7/11 — Edmonton, AB — Midway #
7/14 — Winnipeg, MB — Winnipeg Folk Festival
7/27 — Newport, RI — Newport Folk Festival
7/28 — Harrisburg, PA — Riverfront Park ~%
7/30 — St. Louis, MO — The Factory ~%
8/1 — Kansas City, MO — GrindersKC ~%
8/2 — Saint Charles, IA — Hinterland Music Festival
8/3 — Omaha, NE — The Admiral ~%
8/5 — Oklahoma City, OK — The Jones Assembly ~%
8/6 — Santa Fe, NM — Santa Fe Brewing Company ~%
8/8 — Denver, CO — Fillmore Auditorium ~%
8/9 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Union Event Center %
9/24 — Bend, OR — Hayden Homes Amphitheater @!
9/25 — Woodinville, WA — Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery @!
9/27 — San Francisco, CA — Bill Graham Civic Auditorium @!
9/28 — Los Angeles, CA — Hollywood Palladium @!
9/29 — Los Angeles, CA — Hollywood Palladium @!
10/1 — San Diego, CA — Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU @!
10/2 — Phoenix, AZ — Mesa Amphitheatre @!
10/16 — Boston, MA — MGM Music Hall at Fenway @&
10/18 — Philadelphia, PA — The Met presented by Highmark @&
10/19 — Brooklyn, NY — Brooklyn Paramount @&
10/20 — Brooklyn, NY — Brooklyn Paramount @&

* With Durand Jones
^ With Debbii Dawson
+ With The War And Treaty
# With Goldie Boutilier
~ With Jaime Wyatt
% With Gold Star
@ With Nikki Lane
! With Emily Nenni
& With Vincent Neil Emerson

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Top music sets at Coachella Festival Weekend 2

photo: George A. Paul
Music writers George A. Paul and 
Robert Kinsler witnessed many performances during Weekend 2 of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Each singled out some sets that made a major impact.

On Friday afternoon, inside the air-conditioned Sonora tent, Late Night Drive Home provided a welcome respite from the heat. The young El Paso, Texas indie rock band came across like an appealing mix of The Strokes, Conor Oberst, and The Killers. Sporting a cowboy hat, expressive singer Andre Portillo showed off his falsetto amid an enrapturing “Perfect Strangers.” During the dramatic, crystalline sonic sweep of aptly titled “Euphoria,” Portillo sang about positivity and got everyone to leap up. Other set standouts included a buoyant “Stress Relief” (the group’s most popular Spotify song is approaching 75 million streams), “Believe Me” (from the new I’ll Remember You… EP), and the blissful “Star Love.” (GAP)

The Japanese House, the moniker for English indie pop musician Amber Bain, enthralled the Mojave tent crowd from the get-go on Friday with “Sad to Breathe.” It was the first of several ethereal songs from 2023’s impressive In the End it Always Does (co-produced by The 1975’s George Daniel). Onstage, the singer’s layered vocal effects brought to mind Phoebe Bridgers and Sarah McLachlan as she triggered electronic music backing. Highlights included a lush “Something Has to Change,” the life-affirming feel of acoustic guitar-led “You Seemed So Happy,” and an earthy “Boyhood,” dedicated to her girlfriend. (GAP)

LA-based duo Neil Frances provided some enticing electronic-based alt-pop at the Gobi tent on Friday. Aussie vocalist Jordan Feller, with an elastic falsetto a la Foster the People, enthusiastically led the band through danceable numbers like the funky “Music Sounds Better with You,” the airy “High” (off latest album It’s All a Bit Fuzzy; rapper PawPaw Rod made a guest appearance), a frantic “Be Free” (where Feller climbed the side stage scaffolding) and catchy “Falling for You.” (GAP)

With their masks and matching superhero costumes the Aquabats fused catchy high-energy songs, bona fide comedy, costumed villains and tossing of inflated props into the crowd to engage the excited audience throughout a fast-moving 45-minute set. The band's musical brew is a winning mix of alt rock and punk with a dose of ska, new wave and synth-pop for good measure. From the melodic punk opener "Pool Party!" and Devo-flavored "Karate Body!" to several new originals ("No Rewind!" and "Doctor Space Mummy!" from the forthcoming album Finally! coming in June), the troupe thrilled the Sonora tent with their fun approach. Some of my favorite selections included the horns-adorned "No Rewind!", ska-punk cut "Martian Day!" and closer "The Shark Fighter!" (RK)

Rising British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean made the most of her short 40-minute set on Sunday afternoon, performing her intoxicating fusion of Neo-soul and Motown mining R&B with a marvelous seven-member band whose talents collectively elevated the performance. Highlights included the uptempo "OK Love You Bye," the joyous dance cut "Reason To Stay," heartfelt tribute to her grandmother "Carmen" and inspired "Dive." There was a palpable connection between the songstress and the audience during the memorable performance. (RK)

This review originally appeared in Desert Star Weekly and Desert Local News.

Imagine Dragons ready summer album, tour

Imagine Dragons will unveil their sixth full-length album, LOOM (KIDinaKORNER/Interscope), on June 28. Pre-order/Pre-save HERE. T
he band will also embark on a North American headline tour, kicking off in July. See the full confirmed itinerary below.

TICKETS: Available now via a Citi presale (details below). Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on sale beginning April 26 at 10 a.m. local time at https://www.imaginedragonsmusic.com/tour.

VIP: Several VIP experiences will be available. Select packages include a signed guitar played by a member of Imagine Dragons on stage that night, a backstage tour, on-stage photo, and more! All VIP packages include early entry, digital activities, and exclusive merchandise. Learn more at ImagineDragonsVIP.com.

PRESALE: Citi cardmembers have access to presale tickets now until Thursday, April 25 at 10 p.m. local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com.

Imagine Dragons’ sixth studio album LOOM was co-produced by the band and includes the hit single “Eyes Closed.” Watch the video HERE

Tour Dates:

July 30, 2024 - Camden, NJ - Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
August 2, 2024 - Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
August 4, 2024 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center
August 6, 2024 - Mansfield, MA - Xfinity Center
August 8, 2024 - Toronto, ON - Budweiser Stage
August 12, 2024 - Clarkston, MI - Pine Knob Music Theatre
August 14, 2024 - Burgettstown, PA - The Pavilion at Star Lake
August 16, 2024 - St. Louis, MO - Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
August 18, 2024 - Tinley Park, IL - Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
August 20, 2024 - Noblesville, IN - Ruoff Music Center
August 22, 2024 - Bristow, VA - Jiffy Lube Live
August 23, 2024 - Columbia, MD - Merriweather Post Pavilion
August 26, 2024 - Virginia Beach, VA - Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
August 28, 2024 - Charlotte, NC - PNC Music Pavilion
August 30, 2024 - West Palm Beach, FL - iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
September 1, 2024 - Tampa, FL - MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
September 4, 2024 - Dallas, TX - Dos Equis Pavilion
September 6, 2024 - Houston, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
September 8, 2024 - Ridgedale, MO - Thunder Ridge Nature’s Arena
September 28, 2024 - Seattle, WA - The Gorge Amphitheatre
September 29, 2024 - Ridgefield, WA - RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater
October 2, 2024 - Wheatland, CA - Toyota Amphitheatre
October 5, 2024 - Chula Vista, CA - North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
October 6, 2024 - Phoenix, AZ - Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
October 9, 2024 - Albuquerque, NM - Isleta Amphitheater
October 11, 2024 - Salt Lake City, UT – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre
October 17, 2024 - Denver, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre
October 20, 2024 - Mountain View, CA - Shoreline Amphitheatre
October 22, 2024 - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Bowl

Friday, April 12, 2024

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.

Thursday, April 11, 2024

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.