Author: Musicians Today Contributor
Musicians Today Contributor
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Jeff Lynne, 77, has been forced to cancel what was to be the final performance of Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) at BST Hyde Park on July 13, 2025, citing a severe systemic infection. Festival organizers confirmed the entire day’s event has been called off, with ticket holders set to receive full refunds. Lynne’s statement expressed deep regret and sorrow: “Jeff has been battling a systemic infection and is currently in the care of a team of doctors who have advised him that performing is simply not possible at this time nor will he be able to reschedule. The…
Travis Scott, the Houston-bred rapper and founder of Cactus Jack Records, officially released Jackboys 2 on Sunday, July 13, 2025. This 17-track compilation—hosted by UGK legend Bun B—marks a high-octane return to the collective format that originally debuted in 2019. With a star-studded lineup featuring both label signees and heavyweight guest artists, the album has generated considerable buzz for its genre-blending production and elaborate promotional rollout. Jackboys 2 reunites core Cactus Jack artists Don Toliver, Sheck Wes, SoFaygo, and newcomer Wallie the Sensei with an eclectic mix of high-profile collaborators. The album features appearances from 21 Savage, Kodak Black, Playboi Carti, Future, GloRilla, Tyla,…
My Chemical Romance’s decision to perform The Black Parade in full on their Long Live The Black Parade tour is more than a nostalgic indulgence—it’s a powerful strategy that appeals deeply to modern audiences by offering an immersive experience in an era dominated by fragmented streaming playlists. Opening with the full narrative arc of The Black Parade—a concept album revered as emo’s most iconic record—MCR taps into long-standing fan loyalty. The album has become “a way of life” for many, with a dedicated cultural following that still influences music, fashion, and online communities. By delivering the album live, start to…
Rob Thomas’s latest single, “Hard To Be Happy,” released on July 11, marks the beginning of a new chapter in his long and celebrated career. The emotionally charged track serves as the lead single from his upcoming album All Night Days, which is set for release on September 5. The song showcases Thomas’s signature blend of reflective lyrics and melodic pop-rock, offering listeners a candid look at the emotional complexity of navigating life’s challenges. “Hard To Be Happy” dives into themes of vulnerability and emotional struggle, with Thomas embracing a more raw and introspective tone than in many of his…
Scottish singer-songwriter Amy Macdonald has made a vibrant return to the music scene with her sixth studio album, Is This What You’ve Been Waiting For?, released on July 11, 2025. Issued through BMG and Infectious Records, the 36-minute record blends emotive folk-rock with contemporary electronic textures, marking Macdonald’s strongest, most personal work to date . The album arrives nearly four years after her 2020 release The Human Demands. Macdonald took a hiatus to reflect on the shifting dynamics of the music industry—particularly the rise of streaming—and to reassess her relationship with music as art versus commerce . In a candid…
My Chemical Romance ignited fervor among fans on July 11, 2025, as they launched their highly anticipated Long Live The Black Parade stadium tour at T‑Mobile Park in Seattle. The band, celebrated for their theatrical flair and emotionally charged lyrics, delivered a heartfelt performance of their 2006 rock opera, The Black Parade, commencing a 27‑date global journey spanning North America, South America, and Southeast Asia. At the Seattle opener, Violent Femmes warmed up the crowd, marking a notable collaboration. The veteran alternative-rockers, formed in 1980, had just concluded a July 6 performance in Calgary before joining My Chemical Romance on…
Music legend Paul McCartney has officially unveiled the North American leg of his highly anticipated ‘Got Back 2025’ tour, signaling his return to major U.S. and Canadian stages for the first time in three years. The tour will kick off on September 29 in Palm Desert, California, and span 19 cities across the continent before wrapping up with two shows at Chicago’s United Center on November 24 and 25. The ‘Got Back 2025’ tour continues McCartney’s worldwide performance streak, which began in 2022 following the global success of The Beatles: Get Back, the Peter Jackson-directed documentary series that reignited worldwide…
In a high-profile nod that is turning heads across the music world, pop megastar Lady Gaga has publicly praised rising rap artist Doechii as a musical force to be reckoned with. In a recent interview with British Vogue, Gaga described Doechii’s music as “immediately legendary,” highlighting the young artist’s compelling mix of raw lyricism, emotional authenticity, and fearless creativity. “You don’t often see someone come out of the gate with a pen that feels immediately legendary. That’s Doechii to me,” Gaga stated. “I fell in love with her music and her raw, deeply personal perspective. The power in her words,…
On July 9, 2025, regulatory scrutiny surrounding Live Nation Entertainment and its subsidiary Ticketmaster intensified, as U.S. regulators and the White House considered actions to address competition concerns in the live entertainment industry. The focus centers on the companies’ substantial control over ticket sales and event promotions, prompting calls for increased oversight to ensure fair practices. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), alongside 40 state and district attorneys general, has filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, alleging monopolization and other unlawful conduct that thwarts competition in markets across the live entertainment industry. The lawsuit, filed in…
A comprehensive box set chronicling the final creative phase of David Bowie’s legendary career, I Can’t Give Everything Away (2002–2016), is scheduled for release on September 12, 2025, via Parlophone. This latest installment in the critically acclaimed series of Bowie retrospectives captures the artist’s evolving musical vision during the last 14 years of his life, bringing together remastered albums, rare live performances, and previously unreleased material. The collection features newly remastered versions of four of Bowie’s final studio albums: Heathen (2002), Reality (2003), The Next Day (2013), and Blackstar (2016), the latter released just two days before his death. These…