LA County Fair in Pomona, Calif. - 2025 Concert Series details

The 2025 LA County Fair Concert Series is on sale now at ticketmaster.com. Concert tickets include Fair admission. The fair runs May 2-26.

Here is the lineup:

Friday, May 2: WAR
Saturday, May 3: Shaggy and Common Kings
Sunday, May 4: Los Angeles Azules
Friday, May 9: The O’Jays, Tower of Power
Saturday, May 10: Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan, Alicia Villareal
Sunday, May 11: Chris Young
Friday, May 16: Zapp, Midnight Star
Saturday, May 17: DRU HILL, Mýa
Sunday, May 18: Los Tucanes de Tijuana
Friday, May 23: Cheap Trick, opening act TBA
Saturday, May 24: TBA
Sunday, May 25: Los Huracanes del Norte

Due to maintenance of the Grandstand, the LA County Fair Concert Series will move to a new field venue for 2025.

Daily Fair admission tickets are on sale now, as are season passes. Buy online at lacountyfair.com.

The 103rd anniversary LA County Fair is set to ignite the creative spirit of visitors in 2025 with its theme, “Art Unleashed.” From home arts to culinary masterpieces, visual wonders to captivating performances, the Fair promises an unforgettable celebration of artistic expression.

For information about the Fair, visit lacountyfair.com.

Billy Idol sets nationwide tour with Joan Jett and long-awaited new album in April

Exciting news! I interviewed Billy for his Kings & Queens of the Underground album and have reviewed him many times in concert, including Cruel World Festival '23 (see elsewhere on this blog)...

Billy Idol has unveiled details of his first full-length album of new music in over a decade.

Dream Into It is out April 25 on Dark Horse Records, featuring appearances by Avril Lavigne, Joan Jett and Alison Mosshart of The Kills. See below for a complete track list and album art, and pre-order the record HERE.

The new single “Still Dancing” just debuted alongside a video directed by Steven Sebring; stream/share the video and new track HERE.

“‘Still Dancing’ is really a reflection of my whole journey,” explains Idol, in a press release. “From the punk rock period through to now. And I’m still looking towards the future, still living the life I set out to live.

At the start of the song, I’m recalling the early times in London, when I was living in squats or at friends’ apartments, all my belongings in a plastic bag. Everybody at home or work told you what you were doing was never going to happen. But punk rock gave me an opening. I was surrounded by people who loved the music as deeply as I did and you were going to throw caution to the wind, believe in what you were doing and grab on for dear life.

“As the song says, there have been many moments along the way where I’ve been self destructive. But what’s seen me through is that unflinching belief in the music that started all those years ago. That’s been the greatest gift of all.”

Idol was recently nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's Class of 2025. Fan voting is open through April 21 HERE, with inductees to be announced at the end of April.

Additionally, Idol is returning to the road for It’s a Nice Day To…Tour Again! Joan Jett & the Blackhearts will join Idol on all shows. Tickets are available at billyidol.net/tour, see below for a complete list of dates. Five dollars from every ticket sold to the Los Angeles show at Kia Forum will be donated to the American Red Cross to support Southern California Wildfire Relief. Billly Idol will also personally match this donation.

Last year, Idol celebrated the 40th Anniversary of his landmark sophomore album Rebel Yell with a Deluxe Expanded Edition out now via Capitol/UMe. Idol also 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. The film highlights the history and significance of the Hoover Dam and includes 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.

Track listing:

1. Dream Into It
2. 77 (featuring Avril Lavigne)
3. Too Much Fun
4. John Wayne (featuring Alison Mosshart)
5. Wildside (featuring Joan Jett)
6. People I Love
7. Gimme The Weight
8. I’m Your Hero
9. Still Dancing

Tour Dates: 

April 30—Phoenix, AZ—Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre*
May 3—Houston, TX—Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman*
May 4—Austin, TX—Moody Center*
May 7—Fort Worth, TX—Dickies Arena*
May 9—Alpharetta, GA—Ameris Bank Amphitheatre*
May 10—Tampa, FL—MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre*
May 13—Sunrise, FL—Amerant Bank Arena*
May 16—Charlotte, NC—PNC Music Pavilion*
May 17—Nashville, TN—Bridgestone Arena*
May 20—Tinley Park, IL—Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre*
May 21—Cincinnati, OH—Riverbend Music Center*
May 23—Toronto, ON—Budweiser Stage*
June 18—Northeim, DE—Waldbuhne
June 20—Copenhagen, DK—Copenhell
June 22—Milton Keynes, UK—Forever Now Festival
June 24—London, UK—Wembly Arena†
June 27—Munich, DE—Koenigsplatz
June 29—Bonn, DE—Kunstrasen
July 2—Wiesbaden, DE—Brita-Arena
Julu 4—Klam, AT—Clam Rock
July 5—Eisenstadt, AT—Lovely Days
July 8—Budapest, HU—Budapest Park
July 9—Belgrade, RS—Kalemegdan Park
August 16—Philadelphia, PA—TD Pavilion at The Mann*
August 17—Saratoga Springs, NY—Broadview Stage at SPAC*
August 20—New York, NY—Madison Square Garden Arena*
August 22—Columbia, MD—Merriweather Post Pavilion*
August 23—Mansfield, MA—Xfinity Center*
August 26—Bangor, ME—Maine Savings Amphitheatre*
August 28—Clarkston, MI—Pine Knob Music Theatre*
August 30—Noblesville, IN—Ruoff Music Center*
August 31—Milwaukee, WI—American Family Insurance Amphitheatre*
September 3—Morrison, CO—Red Rocks Amphitheatre*
September 5—Salt Lake City, UT—Utah First Credit Union Amphithatre*
September 12—Palm Springs, CA—Acrisure Arena*
September 14—Berkeley, CA—Greek Theater*‡
September 17—Wheatland, CA—Toyota Amphitheatre*
September 19—Ridgefield, WA—Cascades Amphitheater*
September 20—Seattle, WA—Climate Pledge Arena*
September 23—Chula Vista, CA—North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre*
September 25—Los Angeles, CA—The Kia Forum*

* with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
† with New Model Army
‡ Non-Live Nation Date

BILLYIDOL.NET

Alt-rock mainstay Garbage to return with new album in May

Garbage will release new album Let All That We Imagine Be The Light, the alt-rock band's  eighth studio album, on May 30. It was co-produced by the band, Pre-order/presave HERE

Speaking about Garbage’s new album, singer Shirley Manson says in a statement:

"Going into making this record, I was determined to find a more hopeful, uplifting world to immerse myself in. The title of the album, Let All That We Imagine Be The Light is the perfect descriptor for this new record as a whole. When things feel dark it feels imperative to seek out forces that are light, positive and beautiful in the world. It almost feels like a matter of life and death. A strategy for survival."

She also stated, “Our last album was extremely forthright. Born out of frustration and outrage – it had a kind of scorched earth, pissed off quality to it. With this new record however, I felt a compulsion to reach for a different kind of energy. A more constructive one. I had this vision of us coming up out of the underground with searchlights as we moved towards the future. Searching for life, searching for love, searching for all the good things in the world that seem so thin on the ground right now. That was the over-riding idea during the making of this record for me - that when things feel dark, its best to try to seek out that which is light, that which feels loving and good. When I was young, I tended towards the destruction of things. Now that I’m older I believe it’s vitally important to build and to create things instead. I still entertain very old romantic ideals about community, society and the world. I don’t want to walk through the world creating havoc, damaging the land and people. I want to do good. I want to do no harm.” 

The Wisconsin-bred band is best known for such alt-rock radio hits as "Stupid Girl," "#1 Crush," "Push It,"  "I Think I'm Paranoid" and "Special" during the 1990s.

Garbage's Butch Vig says; “We used a lot of analogue synths and sound design on the album, as they seemed to fit the dystopian vibes we were all experiencing. We started recording the album with a clean slate, although given what’s happening in the US and the rest of the world, it’s inevitable that the madness starts to infiltrate the songs. But we definitely wanted the record to have some hope, some light, to convey the feeling that people have the power."

Speaking about the album’s opening track There’s No Future In Optimism, Manson continues: “I really wanted that song to open the album. It starts out with an anthemic call to arms, a clarion call. It’s pretty much a rallying cry to all likeminded people. If you are interested in meeting this world with love, if you are willing to invest in tenderness and not violence or hate, then we are with you. You should come with us.

I have to believe that music and art can still impact culture. I know it still impacts me - that mysterious power which no government on earth can co-opt or buy. Great music exists entirely within its own microcosm in a way - without any interference or corruptive influences. That’s what always makes it so pure and precious. Even though all the pointers in our society say otherwise, I do feel music still has the power to shift atoms, shift thinking and shift positions.”

Discussing the record’s final track, The Day That I Met God, the singer adds: “This is the opus on the record and explores the grand theme of great love, something I haven’t written about very much before now. The idea came to me when I was recovering from major surgery and I felt so raw, vulnerable and scared. I was on the treadmill for the first time following an operation when I suddenly felt this powerful sensation of healing love around me - it was a moment that uplifted me. It took me out from what had felt like hell. The vocal you hear is the writing demo, the first take. Just me sitting on the edge of my bed, in recovery, singing into a handheld microphone. I was feeling so vulnerable and I think that’s what lends the song added poignancy. It’s really a song about mortality but it’s also an expression of gratitude. Gratitude for getting older, gratitude for the longevity of our band, for good health, for the great mystery and for the ongoing, creative adventure of life”.

Garbage consists of all four original band members, Shirley Manson, Duke Erikson, Steve Marker and Butch Vig. Over the 30 years since their inception in 1995, they have sold over 20 million albums. 

Track listing:

There’s No Future In Optimism
Chinese Fire Horse
Hold
Have We Met (The Void)
Sisyphus
Radical
Love To Give
Get Out My Face AKA Bad Kitty
R U Happy Now
The Day That I Met God

Goo Goo Dolls reveal cover of INXS’ “Don’t Change” on expanded 30th Anniversary reissue of 'A Boy Named Goo,' tour with Dashboard Confessional

Goo Goo Dolls debut a cover of INXS’ “Don’t Change,” which was recorded semi-acoustically for the radio show Modern Rock Live Los Angeles in 1996. This rendition will appear as a bonus track on the band’s 30th Anniversary reissue of their fifth studio album, A Boy Named Goo. The deluxe edition is set for release exactly 30 years to the day on March 14.

Listen to/share “Don’t Change (Modern Rock Live Los Angeles)” HERE and pre-order the 30th Anniversary deluxe edition HERE.

Originally released in 1995, A Boy Named Goo went 2x Platinum within a year of its release. Driven by the smash hit “Name,” the record also included the singles “Flat Top,” “Naked,” “Only One” and “Long Way Down.”

The 24-track, deluxe 2xLP format will include the original album, plus an unreleased live concert performance recorded in Las Vegas on March 10, 1996. The 2xCD deluxe edition contains 34 tracks and includes the live concert, plus 4 B-sides from the era and 6 songs recorded for Modern Rock Live. There is also a limited 2xLP edition pressed on sea blue vinyl available exclusively via the band’s webstore.

In addition, the band has an extensive run of summer tour dates with Dashboard Confessional. Kicking off on July 13, the “Summer Anthem Tour 2025” will bring the band to venues from coast-to-coast. Full tour routing can be found below while tickets can be purchased at googoodolls.com/tour.

The band will perform a career-encompassing set that features multiple songs from their 2022 album Chaos in Bloom along with other hits from their complete discography, including their global hit “Iris.” The 4x GRAMMY-nominated track is now Certified Diamond and has amassed over 2 billion streams worldwide.

Goo Goo Dolls will be partnering with Joe Torre Safe At Home for the tour, a nonprofit founded in 2002 by Ali and Joe Torre to provide healing and education services to youth who have been traumatized by exposure to violence including domestic violence, child abuse, teen dating abuse and sexual assault to help break the cycle of violence.

The band is currently in the studio working on their 15th studio album.

A BOY NAMED GOO (30TH ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION)

TRACK LIST:

2xLP Deluxe Edition

LP1 - Original album

Side One:

1. Long Way Down
2. Burnin’ Up
3. Naked
4. Flat Top
5. Impersonality
6. Name

Side Two:
1. Only One
2. Somethin’ Bad
3. Ain’t That Unusual
4. So Long
5. Eyes Wide Open
6. Disconnected
7. Slave Girl

LP2 - Live At The Aladdin Theatre (Las Vegas, NV - 3/10/1996)

Side One:
1. Naked
2. Impersonality
3. Fallin’ Down
4. Burnin’ Up
5. Eyes Wide Open
6. Long Way Down

Side Two:
1. Only One
2. Hey
3. Slave Girl
4. Name
5. Flat Top

Note: This applies to the all retail black and the D2C sea blue exclusive.

2xCD Deluxe Edition and Digital Deluxe Edition

Original album:

1. Long Way Down
2. Burnin’ Up
3. Naked
4. Flat Top
5. Impersonality
6. Name
7. Only One
8. Somethin’ Bad
9. Ain’t That Unusual
10. So Long
11. Eyes Wide Open
12. Disconnected
13. Slave Girl

Deluxe Bonus Content:

1. Hit Or Miss (B-Side)
2. Nothing Can Change You (B-Side)
3. I Wanna Destroy You (Soft Boys Cover)
4. Wait For The Black Out (The Damned Cover)
5. Naked (Modern Rock Live New York)
6. Name (Modern Rock Live New York)
7. Another Second Time Around (Modern Rock Live New York)
8. Girl Right Next To Me (Modern Rock Live Los Angeles)
9. Name (Modern Rock Live Los Angeles)
10. Don’t Change (Modern Rock Live Los Angeles)
11. Naked (Live in Las Vegas, March 10, 1996)
12. Impersonality (Live in Las Vegas, March 10, 1996)
13. Fallin’ Down (Live in Las Vegas, March 10, 1996)
14. Burnin’ Up (Live in Las Vegas, March 10, 1996)
15. Eyes Wide Open (Live in Las Vegas, March 10, 1996)
16. Long Way Down (Live in Las Vegas, March 10, 1996)
17. Only One (Live in Las Vegas, March 10, 1996)
18. Hey (Live in Las Vegas, March 10, 1996)
19. Slave Girl (Live in Las Vegas, March 10, 1996)
20. Name (Live in Las Vegas, March 10, 1996)
21. Flat Top (Live in Las Vegas, March 10, 1996)

Note: Tracks 1-10 of the deluxe bonus tracks are only on the 2-CD format and digital deluxe edition.

Tour Dates:

Sunday, April 27, 2025 - Indio, CA - Stagecoach

Saturday, July 13, 2025 - Phoenix, AZ - Arizona Financial Theatre*
Wednesday, July 16, 2025 - Fort Worth, TX - Dickies Arena*
Thursday, July 17, 2025 - Sugar Land, TX - Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land*
Saturday, July 19, 2025 - Rogers, AR - Walmart AMP*
Sunday, July 20, 2025 - Nashville, TN - Ascend Amphitheater*
Tuesday, July 22, 2025 - Atlanta, GA - Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park*
Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - St. Augustine, FL - St. Augustine Amphitheatre*
Friday, July 25, 2025 - Charlotte, NC - Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre*
Saturday, July 26, 2025 - Raleigh, NC - Red Hat Amphitheater*
Sunday, July 27, 2025 - Vienna, VA - Wolf Trap - Filene Center*
Tuesday, July 29, 2025 - Boston, MA - LeaderBank Pavilion*
Wednesday, July 30, 2025 - Saratoga Springs, NY - Broadview Stage at SPAC*
Friday, August 1, 2025 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center*
Saturday, August 2, 2025 - Wantagh, NY - Northwell at Jones Beach Theater*
Sunday, August 3, 2025 - Philadelphia, PA - The Mann Center*
Tuesday, August 5, 2025 - Bangor, ME - Maine Savings Amphitheater*
Wednesday, August 6, 2025 - Gilford, NH - BankNH Pavilion*
Friday, August 8, 2025 - Bridgeport, CT - Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater*
Saturday, August 9, 2025 - Buffalo, NY - KeyBank Center*
Saturday, August 10, 2025 - Toronto, ON - Budweiser Stage*
Tuesday, August 12, 2025 - Cuyahoga Falls, OH - Blossom Music Center*
Wednesday, August 13, 2025 - Chicago, IL - Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island*
Friday, August 15, 2025 - Indianapolis, IN - Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park*
Saturday, August 16, 2025 - Sterling Heights, MI - Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre*
Monday, August 18, 2025 - Waite Park, MN - The Ledge Amphitheater*
Tuesday, August 19, 2025 - La Vista, NE - The Astro*
Thursday, August 21, 2025 - Maryland Heights, MO - Saint Louis Music Park*
Friday, August 22, 2025 - Kansas City, MO - Starlight Theatre*
Sunday, August 24, 2025 - Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre*
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 - West Valley City, UT - Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre*
Thursday, August 28, 2025 - Airway Heights, WA - Northern Quest Resort & Casino*
Friday, August 29, 2025 - Bend, OR - Hayden Homes Amphitheater*
Sunday, August 31, 2025 - Seattle, WA - Venue TBD*
Monday, September 1, 2025 - Seattle, WA - Venue TBD*
Thursday, September 4, 2025 - Berkeley, CA - Greek Theatre*
Saturday, September 6, 2025 - Santa Barbara, CA - Santa Barbara Bowl*
Sunday, September 7, 2025 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre*
Tuesday, September 9, 2025 - Albuquerque, NM - Isleta Amphitheater*
Thursday, September 11, 2025 - Oklahoma City, OK - The Zoo Amphitheatre*
Friday, September 12, 2025 - Camdenton, MO - Ozark Amphitheater*

*with Dashboard Confessional

Counting Crows next album slated for May

Counting Crows' forthcoming new album, Butter Miracle, the Complete Sweets! is set for release on May 9 via BMG. The Bay Area-bred rock band - best known for such 1990s-2000s alt-rock, pop and AAA radio hits as "Mr. Jones," "Round Here," "Angels of the Silences," "Accidentally in Love," a cover of Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi," "Mrs. Potter's Lullaby" and others - has dropped the first single, “Spaceman in Tulsa,” its first in nearly five years.

Listen HERE and watch the music video HERE.

The album follows the Butter Miracle: Suite One EP, which arrived in 2021 and spawned the #2 charter "Elevator Boots" at AAA radio.

"‘Spaceman In Tulsa’ is about metamorphosis—the way music breaks down who we were and spins us into something new. It’s about broken lives becoming something better," said singer Adam Duritz.

Pre-order the new album HERE.

Tracklist:

1. With Love, From A-Z

2. Spaceman In Tulsa

3. Boxcars
4. Virginia Through The Rain
5. Under The Aurora
6. The Tall Grass
7. Elevator Boots
8. Angel of 14th Street
9. Bobby and The Rat-Kings

Hollywood Bowl announces 2025 Summer Season, including Cyndi Lauper, Rick Springfield, John Fogerty, Diana Ross, Grace Jones, John Legend

photo courtesy: LA Phil

Music fans from all over Southern California often make an effort to take in at least one concert per season at the world-renowned Hollywood Bowl. Earlier this week, the LA Philharmonic unveiled the 2025 summer season with performances from June to September. 

To honor and thank the first responders who fought the recent Los Angeles wildfires, and the community members who were impacted, the LA Phil is presenting a free “We ❤️ LA” concert on April 1 at the Hollywood Bowl, featuring Gustavo Dudamel, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and special guests to be announced.

Below are some show highlights in various genres on The Bowl calendar.

Opening Night at the venue features singer/actor Hugh Jackman performing songs from The Greatest Showman, The Music Man and more. Jackman will be accompanied by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, led by conductor Thomas Wilkins, and musicians of Youth Orchestra Los Angele. This one-night-only annual gala raises funds for the LA Phil’s music education initiatives. (June 7).

A Roots Picnic Experience returns for a second year, with The Roots featuring Lil’ Kim, Method Man & Redman, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, DJ Quik, Raekwon, E-40, Goodie Mob, Havoc of Mobb Deep and more. (June 8)

The Blue Note Jazz Festival features performances by Grace Jones, The Isley Brothers, De La Soul, Stanley Clarke, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Willow and more. (June 14-15)

Rhiannon Giddens: American Tunes honors folk music's deep cultural roots - both its historical significance and modern-day relevance, led by Giddens & The Old-Time Revue, alongside Steve Martin, Ed Helms, Leyla McCalla, Amythyst Kiah, Alison Brown and more. (June 18)

This year’s July Fourth Fireworks Spectacular features Earth, Wind & Fire, together with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, conductor Thomas Wilkins and the Bowl’s fireworks display. (July 2-4)

Jaws in Concert with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by David Newman, celebrates the film's 50th anniversary with an Academy Award-winning score by John Williams. (July 5)

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Fogerty, the former leader of Creedence Clearwater Revival. (July 6)

Bugs Bunny at the Symphony celebrates the character's 85th anniversary and the concert’s 35th. Over a dozen animated Looney Tunes shorts will be projected on the big screens while the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra plays the original scores live. (July 11-12)

Two-time Academy Award-winner Alexandre Desplat, makes his first appearance at the Hollywood Bowl, leads a program of his most popular film scores (Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, The Shape of Water), as well as selections from his scores for Wes Anderson. (July 15)

Juanes, the winner of a combined 29 Grammys and Latin Grammys brings rock songs and folkloric Latin American rhythms. (July 16)

Motown legend Diana Ross returns to The Bowl. (July 25-26)

I Want My 80s Tour features Rick Springfield, John Waite, Wang Chung and Paul Young. (July 27)

Jurassic Park in Concert with Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic features imagery of the entire film projected in HD with a performance of John Williams’ score live to picture. (August 8-9)

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, an Australian alt-rock band, joins forces with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and conductor Sarah Hicks. Part of the KCRW-FM Festival. (August 10)

Eight years after their last LA-area show, blues rock outfit Alabama Shakes returns alongside garage-psych group Shannon & The Clams. (August 13)

Reggae Night XXIII welcomes back Damian and Stephen Marley, playing the music of their father, Bob Marley, as well as their own careers. KCRW Festival (August 17) 

Herbie Hancock performs jazz music. (August 20)

Charlie Wilson, the iconic co-founder/lead singer of The Gap Band, with Babyface and K-Ci Hailey. (August 27)

Angélique Kidjo and Yo-Yo Ma explores classical and African music, from Ravel’s Boléro, with added lyrics by Kidjo, to Mozart’s unfinished opera about the African slave trade, to rare African songs accompanied by cello. (August 28)

Eighties pop hitmaker Cyndi Lauper brings her farewell tour to the Hollywood Bowl. (August 29-30)

Smooth jazz sax man Dave Koz and his Summer Horns are joined by The Ohio Players, Jonathan Butler and Kayla Waters. (August 31)

Pop singer/songwriter/actor Josh Groban performing songs accompanied by Thomas Wilkins and the Los Angeles Philharmonic (September 5-6)

Wynton Marsalis debuts his Concerto for Orchestra (world premiere, LA Phil commission) with the Los Angeles Philharmonic helmed by conductor Rafael Payare. (September 9)

Chicago will have fireworks lighting up the night. (September 12-14)

French electro-pop act Air, seen last year during the Paris Summer Olympic Games, plays songs from its acclaimed debut Moon Safari with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. (September 21) KCRW Festival

R&B balladeer John Legend, among a select group of EGOT award winners. (Sept. 28)

Tickets for the Hollywood Bowl 2025 summer season will be available online at hollywoodbowl.com or via phone at 323 850 2000 on the following dates:

New subscriptions available now.
Group sales for select concerts available now.
The Roots Picnic Experience tickets are currently on sale.
Opening Night with Hugh Jackman tickets are on sale now. 
Alabama Shakes tickets available February 28, at 10AM
Blue Note Jazz Festival tickets available March 4, at 10AM
"Create Your Own" packages available March 25, at 10AM
The Hollywood Bowl Box Office opens for single-show ticket sales May 6, at 10AM

Programs, artists, prices, and dates subject to change. Ticket limits may apply.
For full schedule and additional information, see http://www.hollywoodbowl.com/

ABOUT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL

One of the largest natural amphitheaters in the world, with a seating capacity of nearly 18,000, the Hollywood Bowl has been the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since its official opening in 1922 and plays host to the finest artists from all genres of music. For over a century, the Bowl has been a Los Angeles County public park, operated in partnership with the LA Phil to welcome visitors from all over the world. It remains one of the best deals anywhere in Los Angeles; to this day, $1 buys a seat at the top of the Bowl for many classical and jazz performances. In February 2024, the Hollywood Bowl was awarded the Outdoor Concert Venue of the Year award at the 35th Annual Pollstar Awards, an honor bestowed 16 previous times. For millions of music lovers across Southern California, the Hollywood Bowl is synonymous with summer. hollywoodbowl.com

A 1986 live album by new wave/rock band Translator slated for May; includes a pair of newly-recorded songs

A celebrated group of the new wave era, Translator has announced details of their first live concert release. Beyond Today: Live at the Farm – San Francisco 1986. It arrives May 9 on LP, CD, and download from Liberation Hall.

The vinyl LP will feature eight tracks from the final show of the group’s period at Columbia Records (1982-1986). The CD and download will include an additional four live tracks, including the previously unreleased “Puzzles,” as well as two brand-new songs mixed last year by renowned producer Ed Stasium. All formats are distributed by MVD Entertainment Group (USA) and Wienerworld (UK).

The album is available for pre-order at Bandcamp. A digital single, “These Days to Come,” is out now.

Formed in Los Angeles in 1979, Translator began as the trio of Steve Barton (vocals, guitar), Larry Dekker (bass), and Dave Scheff (drums). After playing a handful of shows, the lineup was solidified by the addition of Robert Darlington (vocals, guitar). Translator relocated to San Francisco and was quickly signed to local label, 415 Records. The timing was fortunate as Translator became one of the first groups to benefit from 415’s manufacturing and distribution deal with Columbia Records. Debut album Heartbeats and Triggers arrived in 1982 and was greeted with critical praise and solid airplay for the career-defining tracks “Everywhere That I’m Not” and “Everywhere.” A video for the group’s anti-nuke statement, “Sleeping Snakes,” received airplay on MTV.

Between 1983 and 1986, the band completed three more albums for Columbia Records. They received significant airplay for "Un-Alone,” from No Time Like Now, which was their second album produced by David Kahne (The Bangles, Romeo Void, Fishbone). For their third and fourth albums — the self-titled Translator and Evening of the Harvest — the group worked with producer Ed Stasium (Ramones, Talking Heads, the Smithereens).

The 1980s were a slightly strange time for a guitar-based group like Translator, as the charts were loaded with synthesizer bands and larger-than-life pop stars. In the first half of the decade, they shared stages with the Kinks, David Bowie, R.E.M., Psychedelic Furs, ABC, Sparks, Romeo Void, Echo & the Bunnymen, Gang of Four, and many others.

Translator had always wanted to release a live album. The closest they came during their Columbia years was 1986’s Evening of the Harvest. Stasium only made subtle additions to the live-in-studio recordings. Between-song ambient sounds and a few other embellishments are among the few ingredients that separate the album from an audio verité recording.

Near the end of the tour in support of Evening of the Harvest, the four members of Translator had decided to go their separate ways. 

“We just got back from being on the road, so we were quite warmed up,” said Darlington. “It was an incredibly emotional show for me. You can kind of hear it in the first few songs.” The band opened with “Beyond Today” (from No Time Like Now), establishing a tone — uncertain of the future but unbowed — that carried the entire evening. Steve Barton added, “We tied colorful balloons to the amps to make it a sort of celebration — but it was very bittersweet at the same time. We knew it was the end. I dressed in all white instead of my usual dark clothes…ready for a fresh canvas, I suppose.”

Beyond Today: Live at the Farm – San Francisco 1986 marks the first time this concert has been available as a physical release. For a brief time in 2020, the recording had been available to stream on the group’s website, Translator-Band.com. “The Farm was our last show of the ‘80s and as far as we knew at the time, our last show ever,” recalled Scheff. “It was recorded on a Sony cassette machine sitting on the board near our soundman Floyd Solders. It picked up talking, crowd noise, and exactly what we played in the moment… it captures all the energy we were feeling that night, and all the noise we made!”

To mark the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the band’s breakup, Translator delighted fans with reunion shows in 2006, including performances at SXSW in Austin, Texas. Since then, the band members have continued performing and recording, both together and separately. A fifth Translator studio album, Carriage of Days, was released by the band in 2017.

Beyond Today is rounded out by a special treat for purchasers of the CD or download. The final two tracks, “These Days to Come” and “With Your Dreams,” are newly written band compositions recorded over the past two years by Translator. Both are mixed by Stasium. “It was so cool to work with Ed again,” said Barton. “We have remained close friends throughout the years, and he understood immediately what we were going for with these songs.” 

In addition to a new liner notes essay, the package includes a wealth of photographs from The Farm concert.

TRANSLATOR – Beyond Today: Live at the Farm – San Francisco 1986 (LP: LIB-2106; CD/DL: LIB-2105)

CD TRACKLIST: 

1. Beyond Today * | 2. Necessary Spinning * | 3. Everywhere # | 4. Nothing Is Saving Me @ | 5. Gravity # | 6. Standing in Line # | 7. Drum/Puzzles/Favorite Drug @ | 8. O Lazarus # | 9. New Song * | 10. These Old Days * | 11. Everywhere That I’m Not * | 12. Roll Over Beethoven (Chuck Berry) | 13. These Days to Come @ | 14. With Your Dreams @

* Written by Steve Barton.
# Written by Robert Darlington
@ Written by Steve Barton, Robert Darlington, Larry Dekker, Dave Scheff
All tracks previously unreleased.
Tracks 13 & 14 are studio tracks recorded in 2023/2024 and mixed by Ed Stasium.