Author: Musicians Today Contributor
Musicians Today Contributor
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By June 20, 2025, the spirit of live music had not only returned—it had transformed. Across the United States, summer festivals are once again defining the cultural landscape, but with a renewed purpose and evolved experience. What was once simply a gathering of fans before a stage has now become a fully immersive, multi-sensory journey into art, technology, community, and sound. Festivals like Summerfest in Milwaukee and 4 Peaks Music Festival in Bend, Oregon, are emblematic of this change. Summerfest, known as “The World’s Largest Music Festival,” spans multiple weekends and draws hundreds of thousands to the scenic shores of…
Country music sensation Cody Johnson expanded his Leather Deluxe Tour stop in San Antonio after the originally scheduled June 20 show at Frost Bank Center sold out within hours. A second concert on June 21 was swiftly announced to accommodate the surge in ticket demand. Both nights are expected to draw more than 15,000 fans each, reflecting Johnson’s status as a premier live performer and his deep roots in Texas music culture . The June 20 show saw opener performances by Shane Smith & the Saints and rising artist Jesse Raub Jr., setting an energetic tone before Johnson took the stage at around 7:30 p.m. Fans were advised…
Valerie June took to the stage at San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts on June 20 for a performance that left many attendees visibly moved. Opening with the hauntingly beautiful “Astral Plane,” her voice carried an emotional intensity that drew tears from the audience. One moment during the song prompted a quiet hush, followed by a wave of applause so strong that June herself wiped away tears—an intimate exchange of vulnerability and connection between artist and listeners. Despite arriving under vocal strain and advised to rest her voice, June delivered a deeply affecting thirty-minute set promoting her new album Owls,…
Cardi B has stormed back with a fierce new single titled “Outside”, officially released on June 20, 2025, through Atlantic Records. This marks her first solo release in roughly 15 months, following her 2024 track “Enough (Miami)” and numerous high-profile collaborations. Produced by Charlie Heat, HeyMicki, and co-produced by DJ SwanQo, the track arrives amid heightened public interest surrounding her personal life and evolving artistry. Cardi premiered “Outside” live at a Spotify showcase in Cannes on June 18, delivering an explosive performance that included her viral hits like “WAP,” “Bodak Yellow,” and “Bartier Cardi”—but notably omitted any shout-outs to Offset, signaling a clear shift…
National Release – June 20, 2025 Alt-pop trio Haim—sisters Danielle, Este, and Alana—released their highly anticipated fourth studio album, I Quit, on June 20, 2025. Co-produced by Danielle Haim and Rostam Batmanglij, the 15-track LP features songwriting collaborations with Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), Tobias Jesso Jr., Cass McCombs, Ariel Rechtshaid, Daniel Aged, and Jack Hallenbeck. The album opens with “Gone,” which creatively samples George Michael’s Freedom! ’90, and closes with “Now It’s Time,” echoing U2’s Numb. Early singles—“Relationships,” “Everybody’s Trying to Figure Me Out,” “Down to Be Wrong,” and “Take Me Back”—premiered via The Tonight Show and other platforms, receiving…
Vail, CO – June 19, 2025 The Bravo! Vail Music Festival officially opened its 38th season on June 19, 2025, setting the stage for six weeks of classical music excellence throughout the Vail Valley. This year’s festival, running through July 31, features over 70 performances combining world-class orchestral music with free and community-focused initiatives. The highlight of the opening week is the debut of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe (COE). Under the baton of German conductor Matthias Pintscher—recently appointed Music Director of the Kansas City Symphony—the COE performs its inaugural Bravo! Vail residency from June 19–22. The ensemble, comprised of…
Nigeria (Global Release) – June 19, 2025 Nigerian Afrobeats powerhouse Olamidé dropped his much-anticipated eleventh studio album, Olamidé, globally on June 19, 2025, through YBNL Nation and Empire Distribution. The sprawling 17‑track project features an impressive lineup of collaborators, including Wizkid, Seyi Vibez, Asake, and a groundbreaking cameo from hip‑hop legend Dr. Dre—a rare cross-continental musical reunion. The album’s launch was preceded by two electrifying singles. The first, “Kai!,” released on April 28, 2025, reunites Olamidé with Afrobeat superstar Wizkid. The song blends the vibrant “Konto bounce” with swagger-filled lyrics and romantic flair, quickly charting in Nigeria’s Top 100 and reaching number 10 on the U.S. Afrobeats…
New Haven, CT – June 19, 2025 New Haven marked its 12th annual Juneteenth celebration with a vibrant spotlight on hip‑hop culture, as the Neighborhood Music School hosted the seventh annual New Haven Hip‑Hop Conference on June 19. The day-long event, held at the school’s 100 Audubon Street location, celebrated hip‑hop’s role in both artistic expression and social activism. Organizers designed the conference as a “multisensory journey,” offering interactive workshops that showcased the four foundational elements of hip‑hop: turntablism, emceeing, graffiti, and dance. Participants explored the roots and evolution of these disciplines through hands-on activities, including rhythm and DJ tutorials,…
Tate McRae is embarking on her highly anticipated “Miss Possessive Tour,” bringing her latest album, So Close To What, to life on stages across the globe. With stops in Europe, North America, and South America, McRae is poised to captivate audiences with her unique blend of emotional vulnerability and powerful vocal performances. The tour features stellar support acts, including New Zealand pop sensation Benee and Swedish singer Zara Larsson, both of whom bring their own electrifying performances to the stage. McRae, whose rise to fame was fueled by viral hits like “you broke me first,” has since cemented herself as…
Hardcore-punk mainstays Turnstile have reached a new milestone with the release of their fourth studio album, Never Enough, which debuted on June 6, 2025. The record has quickly soared up global charts, earning the band its highest commercial debut to date and signaling a breakthrough moment in their genre-defying evolution. According to industry data, Never Enough entered the Billboard 200 at No. 9, selling over 38,000 album-equivalent units in its first week—27,500 of which were pure album sales. The achievement marks a significant leap from their 2021 release, Glow On, which peaked at No. 30 on the same chart. Internationally, the album…