Author: Musicians Today Contributor

The summer of 2025 officially kicked into high gear on June 20, with the dual release of two standout albums from artists charting vastly different but equally compelling musical paths. Colombian reggaetón superstar Karol G and the American soft-rock trio Haim delivered fresh, emotionally resonant records that are already shaping this season’s musical mood. Karol G’s Tropicoqueta is a 20-track celebration of Latin music’s rich emotional and stylistic heritage. Co-produced by Pharrell Williams and Édgar Barrera, the album explores a vibrant range of genres—from cumbia and vallenato to ranchera, salsa, and reggaetón—all laced with modern pop sensibilities. Designed to be “for the Latinos…

On June 21, 2025, thousands of voices across the globe joined in harmony to mark Make Music Day, an annual worldwide celebration of music and community. This year’s festivities spanned more than 1,000 cities in 120 countries and featured a bold new initiative titled “Taking Flight,” an interactive choral program that embodied the day’s spirit of inclusivity and participation. Led by Toronto-based venue Hugh’s Room Live, “Taking Flight” was designed to bring singers of all skill levels together in real time, across borders, to learn and perform a song in multi-part harmony. The initiative emphasized musical unity and community engagement,…

In a deeply moving moment that blended personal grief with public connection, Grammy-winning bluegrass musician Billy Strings honored the passing of his mother, Debra Apostol, during his concert at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky, on June 20, 2025. Just hours after learning she had passed away peacefully in her sleep, Strings chose to continue with his scheduled performance—transforming it into an emotional tribute that resonated with thousands of fans. The news of his mother’s death came in the early hours of June 20, following his June 19 appearance at the Charlotte Bluegrass Festival in Lansing, Michigan—a venue and event that…

On June 20, 2025, at San Francisco’s Davies Symphony Hall, the San Francisco Symphony Chorus made a powerful return, performing Verdi’s celebrated Messa da Requiem in a performance laden with emotion and significance. This concert, under the baton of James Gaffigan, reprised what was intended to be Music Director Esa‑Pekka Salonen’s farewell performance from fall 2024—postponed due to a strike by the professional chorus. The evening also featured three choral works by Gordon Getty, newly commissioned through a $4 million anonymous gift. The evening opened with Getty’s compositions: the Intermezzo from his opera Goodbye, Mr. Chips, the world premiere of Saint Christopher,…

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…