Author: Musicians Today Contributor

On July 22, Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall staged a spellbinding evening as the Seattle Chamber Music Society’s Summer Festival blended the timeless elegance of Mozart’s Flute Quartet in C Major, K. 285b with stirring works by Hindemith, Clarke, and Fauré. The program featured world-class soloists Demarre McGill (flute), Jun Iwasaki (violin), Paul Neubauer (viola), and Bion Tsang (cello), accompanied by pianists James Ehnes, Adam Neiman, and Steven Osborne. A free “Ragtime and Jazz” prelude at 6:30 pm, highlighted by Steven Osborne’s renditions of Joplin, Gershwin, Jarrett, Evans, and Peterson, set a vibrant tone for the evening. From its opening bars, Mozart’s Flute Quartet radiated clarity and camaraderie.…

Surprise album releases—like Tyler, the Creator’s drop of Don’t Tap the Glass on July 21, 2025—have evolved from a gimmicky marketing tactic into a central strategy for modern touring artists. These unannounced releases create a powerful confluence of buzz, live performance, and streaming momentum that formal rollouts often struggle to match. Tyler surprised fans just weeks before headlining Outside Lands on August 9 and in the midst of his Chromakopia world tour. By dropping the album mid-tour, he generated fresh excitement that bled naturally into concert appearances—unveiling new tracks live, enhancing setlists, and amplifying media coverage. As a result, surprise…

Halsey’s ongoing tour, For My Last Trick: The Tour—supporting her 2024 album The Great Impersonator—has undergone a notable international schedule adjustment. On July 21, 2025, the artist announced that her Istanbul concert, originally planned for August 21, would now take place a week later on August 28. The change ensures that her full production setup, including plans for a professional filming event, remains intact. The tour, which commenced on May 10 in Concord, California, has featured 31 shows across North America and spanned high-profile venues like the Hollywood Bowl, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and Jones Beach Theater. A blend of immersive…

AJR officially kicked off their highly anticipated “Somewhere in the Sky” Tour on July 18 at the Nugget Event Center, treating fans to a visually spectacular and sonically immersive concert experience. The indie-pop trio of brothers Adam, Jack, and Ryan Met opened the 18-city North American tour with a sold-out show that blended musical innovation with theatrical storytelling. Opening with their hit single “Way Less Sad,” the performance evolved into a dynamic setlist packed with fan favorites and creatively reimagined tracks. Highlights included theatrical versions of “Karma” and “Betty,” and a marching-band-style finale of “Weak,” which left the crowd energized…

Grammy-nominated soul and R&B powerhouse Ledisi concluded her Love You Too Tour with an emotionally charged finale at Łazienki Park in Warsaw on Saturday night. The sold-out event marked the close of a 34-date journey that began in Baltimore on May 28 and spanned major cities across the U.S. and Europe, promoting her latest album, The Crown. The tour, which spotlighted her signature blend of contemporary soul, jazz, and gospel influences, drew rave reviews for its vibrant setlists and musical storytelling. Special guests Marsha Ambrosius, Rahsaan Patterson, and Kindred the Family Soul joined Ledisi on select stops, adding to the concert series’…

R&B powerhouse Ledisi brought down the curtain on her critically acclaimed Love You Too tour on July 19, 2025, with a stirring final performance at the Botanical Garden of the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland. Spanning 34 electrifying shows across North America and Europe, the tour celebrated her twelfth studio album, The Crown, and left a lasting impression on audiences far and wide . Launching on May 28 in Baltimore, Maryland, Ledisi’s “Love You Too” journey featured powerhouse opening acts such as Marsha Ambrosius—known for her work with Floetry—and guest appearances by Rahsaan Patterson and Kindred the Family Soul on…

The Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville has opened the new exhibit “Lainey Wilson: Tough as Nails,” offering fans an intimate exploration of the Louisiana-born country star’s rise—from her humble rural beginnings to award-winning prominence. Running from July 18, 2025, through June 2026, the exhibit is included with museum admission. The display showcases personal artifacts that trace Wilson’s journey: her first guitar and childhood saddle reflect her early musical passion and down-to-earth roots in Baskin, Louisiana. Visitors will also find her teenage journal entries—like her heartfelt declaration, “My dream is to become a country singer/songwriter. I know I can…

July 18’s wave of album releases from veteran acts like Styx and Bush alongside emerging artists like Jessie Murph and Alex G marks what feels like a mini cultural reset—a musical back-to-school moment. This mid-July convergence isn’t random; it’s a calculated strategy that resonates as a seasonal turning point in the industry. Mid-July lands between peak summer energy and the gradual shift toward autumn rhythms. As people return from vacations, update road trip playlists, and gear up for back-to-school transitions, their musical appetites begin to shift. Labels know this. Releasing albums now captures both summer’s exuberance—ideal for upbeat tracks—and the early stages of…

July 18, 2025, brought a notable swell in album releases, delivering a cross-genre array of new music from both legendary names and rising voices. This cluster of releases reflects a deliberate mid-summer strategy by artists and record labels to maximize visibility, streaming potential, and fan engagement during one of the year’s most music-driven seasons. Headlining the week’s drops is Circling From Above by Styx, the band’s 18th studio album and a powerful reminder of their longevity. While staying true to their progressive rock roots, the new album incorporates modern production and lyrical themes that explore digital transformation and human ambition.…

British soul-pop artist Olivia Dean began her much-anticipated Across The Atlantic Tour last night at the iconic Brooklyn Paramount, marking a significant leap in her burgeoning career. With tickets starting from an accessible $58, Dean’s arrival on the U.S. stage underscores her growing appeal across the Atlantic. At just 26 years old, Dean has steadily gained notoriety for her emotive vocals and introspective, autobiographical songwriting. First garnering acclaim with her debut album Messy in 2023—which produced fan favorites like “Dive” and “The Hardest Part”—she has since become known for her intimate blend of neo-soul and pop. The U.S. leg of…