AC/DC: Power Up Pop-Up Bars for Tour
AC/DC have announced that after doing a few pop-up bars on their last run through North America, every city on this summer's trek will get their own PWR/UP [Power Up] Pop Up. Each location will be open to the general public and will feature exclusive merchandise (including limited quantity of the official city event shirt and poster before they go on sale online or at the stadium), AC/DC-themed food and drinks, props from the band's previous tours, ticket giveaways and the opportunity to enter to win a guitar signed by Angus Young. The first pop-up will open July 10th at the Charlotte Beer Garden, the day before the band plays at Bank of America Stadium. Get info on each pop-up location at PwrUpTour.ACDC.com.
SMASHING PUMPKINS: New Corgan-Approved Tribute
A new Billy Corgan-approved and -titled Smashing Pumpkins tribute album is due out August 14th.
Sending Hearts to All My Dearies, which takes its name from a lyric in “Mayonnaise,” features tracks by Nita Strauss, Des Rocs, Barns Courtney, Meg Myers and Palaye Royale. The first single from it is Tame Impala's version of "Hummer" from 1993's Siamese Dream. Tame Impala mastermind Kevin Parker says that Siamese Dream was “the soundtrack to my high school years.” Check it out on YouTube.
THE KILLERS: Flowers Preps New Solo Album
The Killers' frontman Brandon Flowers will release his first solo album in 11 years on August 21st.
It's called Thrasher, and the first single, "Plans," will be out on Friday. Flowers says it's a "country-western" record which includes guest spots by David Rawlings and Nashville studio legend Charlie McCoy. Flowers has released a trailer for the album, which you can check out on YouTube.
Deftones Announce 2026 Dia De Los Deftones Fest with AFI, Converge, The Neighbourhood
The seventh edition of Día De Los Deftones 2026 has been announced, featuring acts like Converge, Lip Critic, the Neighbourhood, and more. The festival will take place on Nov. 7 at San Diego's Petco Park. Other artists on the lineup include AFI, Bktherula, Jehnny Beth, Ladrones, and LustSickPuppy. General on sale for tickets begins on Friday, June 26 at 10 a.m. PST.
OLIVIA RODRIGO: Curating Female-First Festival
Olivia Rodrigo will revive the spirit of Lilith Fair this summer by curating the Daisy Chain Fields festival, an all-female bill headed by Chappell Roan, Doechii, Katseye and Stevie Nicks. The fest, which also promises appearances by alt-rock staples like Garbage and the Breeders, as well as Lilith Fair founder Sarah McLachlan, will roll out in Irvine, California on August 29th. Olivia took to her socials to write, “Truly never felt more excited to share a piece of news with you all. I’ve had a dream of doing this festival for years and i am so ecstatic its finally coming true!! Daisy Chain Fields features an all-women lineup and 100% of the net proceeds will go to charities dedicated to advancing and advocating for women and girls. I firmly believe that joy, community and music can be the drivers of meaningful change, and I’m hopeful this festival will be just that."
Bon Jovi Foundation Receives James Beard Impact Award
The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation and its JBJ Soul Kitchen community restaurant program have received a 2026 James Beard Foundation Impact Award for their efforts to create a fair, sustainable, and economically strong food system. The foundation was recognized during the James Beard Awards events in Chicago. The program, founded in 2011, provides healthy meals in a dignified and community-focused setting, allowing guests to either donate or volunteer in exchange for a meal. JBJ Soul Kitchen has served over 234,000 meals, with 58% earned through volunteer work, and also offers additional services such as job assistance and mental health resources. The James Beard Foundation Impact Awards honor individuals and organizations making a positive impact in the food system and communities nationwide.
Richie Sambora Issues Statement After Publicly Ending His Brotherhood with Jon Bon Jovi
Richie Sambora has addressed the backlash following his recent comments about his relationship with Jon Bon Jovi, clarifying that negative reactions do not reflect his own feelings. He expressed gratitude for the support he has received and distanced himself from divisive interpretations of his remarks. Sambora emphasized his appreciation for his long tenure with Bon Jovi and highlighted the impact and hard work that defined his time with the band. His nuanced perspective on his history with Bon Jovi acknowledges past achievements while candidly addressing present circumstances, underscoring the complexity of long-standing professional relationships in the music industry. Sambora's response suggests a balance between pride in the band's legacy and an understanding of the evolving dynamics within the group.
Iron Maiden forced to cut Paris show short after power outage
Iron Maiden's concert in Paris was interrupted by a power outage lasting an hour during their performance at La Défense Arena. The blackout occurred while the band was playing "2 Minutes to Midnight," causing frustrations among fans. Despite the delay, Iron Maiden returned to play classics like "Run to the Hills" and "The Trooper," but were unable to perform an encore due to the local curfew. Fans expressed disappointment on social media, with some questioning the band's song choices and others hoping for refunds. However, some attendees found a silver lining in the situation, noting that Iron Maiden's performance was even more powerful after the outage.
Stanley Simmons Announce First-Full Length U.S. Tour
Stanley Simmons are gearing up for their first full length U.S. tour. The "Dancing While the World Is Ending" tour, named after the duo's upcoming debut album, will begin on September 14th in Dallas.They'll hit Austin, Nashville, Boston, New York, and more before wrapping up on November 3rd in Hollywood.Tickets go on sale to the general public this Friday. Stanley Simmons is made up of Evan Stanley and Nick Simmons, the sons of Kiss' Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons.
Ozzy Osbourne's concert throne to go on display in Birmingham
Ozzy Osbourne's iconic throne, featured in his final concert and Black Sabbath's last performance, will be displayed at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery starting July 1, 2026. The Gothic-style throne, originally built for Ozzy's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, is a symbol of his career and life. The exhibition, Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero, showcases personal memorabilia and awards, attracting over 640,000 visitors since opening in June 2025. The throne's return to Birmingham marks the first anniversary of Ozzy's passing, allowing fans to connect with his legacy and celebrate his impact on the music industry. The exhibition has been extended until September 27, 2026, due to public demand, offering visitors a chance to reflect on Ozzy's lasting influence.
BUCKCHERRY Releases Official Live Video For 'Blackout' From 'Roar Like Thunder' Album
California rockers BUCKCHERRY have released the official live video for "Blackout", filmed at the Rock The Mountains festival in Maryland in July 2025. The song is from their latest album, "Roar Like Thunder", produced by Marti Frederiksen and recorded in Nashville. The band has announced the final dates of their 2026 tour, including shows with BLACK STONE CHERRY and Tyler Bryant. BUCKCHERRY's lineup includes original member Josh Todd, guitarist Stevie Dacanay, and other talented musicians. Stevie Dacanay has been a key member of the band since their revival in 2005, contributing to their success with hits like "Crazy Bitch" and "Sorry".
Evanescence Return To The Top Of The Charts With Latest Single "Who Will You Follow"
Evanescence has returned to the top of the Billboard charts.That's thanks to their latest single "Who Will You Follow," which moved to number on Billboard's Rock Airplay, Rock and Alternative Airplay, and Hot Hard Rock Songs charts.It's now the band's third number one song in twelve months, following "Afterlife" and "End of You." The band's rise to the top of the charts comes as their newly released album "Sanctuary" debuted across several Billboard charts, including the Top Rock Albums and Top Album Sales charts, among others.
Moment Metallica guitarist falls off stage at Dublin gig as fans rush to help
Last Friday, Metallica performed in Dublin, Ireland as part of their M72 World Tour, during which guitarist Kirk Hammett slipped and fell on stage just before starting their song "Seek & Destroy." Despite the mishap, Hammett was unharmed and quickly helped back onto the stage to continue the show. The incident resulted in a humorous new nickname for the song, "Slip & Destroy," but the band carried on without any further issues.
GAVIN ROSSDALE Is 'In The Middle' Of Making BUSH's Eleventh Album: 'I Want It To Be Brilliant, Or Else There's Really No Point'
At the Download festival in the UK, BUSH frontman Gavin Rossdale discussed his evolving songwriting process, emphasizing his love for music and the inspiration he draws from heavier genres. Rossdale aims for brilliance in his work, constantly editing and refining his songs to achieve excellence. BUSH's latest album, "I Beat Loneliness," reflects Rossdale's commitment to creating impactful music. The band, which reformed in 2010, has released six albums and continues to evolve creatively under Rossdale's leadership.
Pearl Jam Guitarist Mike McCready Unveils A Graphic Novel And "Lost" Rock Opera 'Farewell To Seasons'
Mike McCready has partnered with Z2 to release an original graphic novel and “lost” rock opera, ‘Mike McCready’s Farewell to Seasons,’ a project developed over the last 20 years. The story captures the essence of Seattle’s 1980s music scene and the rise of grunge, exploring the highs and lows of that era. The graphic novel is a historical fantasy that delves into the cost of success in the music industry, posing the question of whether it was all worth it. Deluxe editions of the graphic novel include the ‘Farewell to Seasons’ rock opera, featuring original music written from the perspective of one of the main characters. The project is a personal endeavor for McCready and Z2’s Editor in Chief, reflecting their deep connection to the music scene of that time. Pre-orders for the graphic novel are available now, with a release date set for October 6.