Alternative Rock
Big Thief Cancel Concerts in Israel, Venue Calls Band “Cowards”
Amid public outcry from many of their fans, Big Thief have canceled a pair of upcoming shows scheduled in Tel Aviv, Israel. In a statement issued on Thursday, the band said, “To be clear, we oppose the illegal occupation and the systematic oppression of the Palestinian people. We believe in total freedom and self-determination for all Palestinians.” Big Thief announced the July concerts at Tel Aviv venue Barby last last week, explaining in a statement that they wanted to explore bassist Max Oleartchik’s Israeli hometown and meet his family and friends in the same way that he had done for them as they toured the United States. “It is important for us to go where we have family to share space and play for them,” the band said. “It is foundational. It is in that spirit that we made our d...
Laurie Anderson Called Off Plan to House Lou Reed Archive in Texas over Gun Law
The new exhibition “Lou Reed: Caught Between the Twisted Stars” opens at Lincoln Center’s Library for Performing Arts on Thursday, but it nearly ended up in Texas. As Reed’s widow Laurie Anderson explained in conversation with The New York Times, she cut off conversations with UT Austin after Texas legislators passed a law allowing handguns to be carried on college campuses. Reed died in 2013, and Anderson had initially wanted his archive to be housed at the Harry Ransom Center in Austin, which already boasted papers from James Joyce, Norman Mailer, and Don DeLillo. But after Governor Abbott signed the campus-carry bill in 2015, “I called them up,” she said. “‘This thing we’ve been talking about for a couple years? It’s off. Because of guns.’” A few months later, she read about a...
Laurie Anderson Called Off Plan to House Lou Reed Archive in Texas over Gun Law
The new exhibition “Lou Reed: Caught Between the Twisted Stars” opens at Lincoln Center’s Library for Performing Arts on Thursday, but it nearly ended up in Texas. As Reed’s widow Laurie Anderson explained in conversation with The New York Times, she cut off conversations with UT Austin after Texas legislators passed a law allowing handguns to be carried on college campuses. Reed died in 2013, and Anderson had initially wanted his archive to be housed at the Harry Ransom Center in Austin, which already boasted papers from James Joyce, Norman Mailer, and Don DeLillo. But after Governor Abbott signed the campus-carry bill in 2015, “I called them up,” she said. “‘This thing we’ve been talking about for a couple years? It’s off. Because of guns.’” A few months later, she read about a...
KennyHoopla Announces 2022 US Tour Dates
KennyHoopla staked his claim in the music world last summer with his Survivors Guilt mixtape, and now, he’s finally hitting the road. Today, the rising pop-punk star has been announced as the headliner of the 2022 Monster Energy Outbreak Tour. KennyHoopla’s 28-date trek across the US begins September 10th in Denver. He’ll hit cities including Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York City, Atlanta, and more before wrapping things up in Austin on October 29th. Supporting Kenny on the 2022 Monster Energy Outbreak Tour are alt-pop band Groupthink and emo rapper nothing,nowhere. Kenny adds in a press release: “I’m excited to headline the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour with my brothers nothing,nowhere and Groupthink. So many cities that I haven’t played in yet and I can’t wait to meet you all!...
Lou Reed Archive Series Launches with Words & Music, May 1965
An archive series of Lou Reed’s music has been announced by Light in the Attic Records, with many of the late artist’s early demo recordings surfacing for the first time. The initial release, Words & Music, May 1965, is set to arrive on August 26th. Compiled with cooperation from Reed’s longtime partner and electronic music pioneer Laurie Anderson (who also produced Words & Music, May 1965 with Don Fleming, Jason Stern, Hal Willner, and Matt Sullivan), the newly-remastered material pulls from tapes recorded by the fledgling New York singer-songwriter prior to the official formation of The Velvet Underground. In archival notes that accompany the release, Fleming and Stern recount their discovery while browsing Reed’s offices, where they found two tapes that featured a 1958 rehearsal...
Lou Reed Archive Series Launches with Words & Music, May 1965
An archive series of Lou Reed’s music has been announced by Light in the Attic Records, with many of the late artist’s early demo recordings surfacing for the first time. The initial release, Words & Music, May 1965, is set to arrive on August 26th. Compiled with cooperation from Reed’s longtime partner and electronic music pioneer Laurie Anderson (who also produced Words & Music, May 1965 with Don Fleming, Jason Stern, Hal Willner, and Matt Sullivan), the newly-remastered material pulls from tapes recorded by the fledgling New York singer-songwriter prior to the official formation of The Velvet Underground. In archival notes that accompany the release, Fleming and Stern recount their discovery while browsing Reed’s offices, where they found two tapes that featured a 1958 rehearsal...
Fontaines D.C. Announce Fall 2022 US Tour, Share “Roman Holiday” Video: Watch
Fontaines D.C. fans who missed out on their recently wrapped North American tour now have a chance to catch the Irish rockers during newly announced Fall 2022 dates across the US. The fall run kicks off on September 16th in San Diego with subsequent stops in cities including Los Angeles, Austin, Atlanta, Nashville, and Baltimore. It closes out in Boston on October 6th, after which the group will head out on the UK and Ireland leg of their trek. See Fontaines D.C.’s full touring itinerary below. Tickets to the new dates go on sale to the general public on Friday, June 10th at 10:00 a.m. local time; grab yours here. Advertisement Related Video Alongside the announcement, Fontaines D.C. shared the ’70s heist-inspired music video for “Roman Holiday,” the fourth single off their April LP, Skint...
Jeff Tweedy Covers Angel Olsen’s “Big Time”: Stream
Jeff Tweedy has offered up his take on Angel Olsen‘s “Big Time.” The Wilco frontman released the cover on his Substack, Starship Casual, writing, “Here’s a song I learned from Angel Olsen’s new record that came out TODAY! Normally I put songs behind the paywall, but this album is brand-new and lovely, and I want everyone with ears to hear it” alongside a number of pictures of himself, Olsen, and her band. “And I’m losing, I’m losing, I’ve left it behind/ Guess I had to be losing to get here on time/ And I’m living, I’m loving, I’ve loved long before/ And I’m loving you big time, I’m loving you more,” he crooned on the song’s country-tinged chorus over simple acoustic guitar. Upon hearing the cover, Olsen had nothing but good things to say, tweeting, “Jeff!!! Covering ‘Big Time’! I owe you ...
Red Hot Chili Peppers Drop Unlimited Love Bonus Track “Nerve Flip”: Stream
Red Hot Chili Peppers are still fresh off the release of their latest album Unlimited Love, and there’s still plenty of love left to go around: Today, the Consequence cover stars have unveiled the song “Nerve Flip” on digital and streaming platforms, after first being released as a bonus track on the album in Japan only. Unlimited Love marked the Chili Peppers’ first album with fan-favorite guitarist John Frusciante since their 2006 double LP Stadium Arcadium. You can hear his spirit throughout the record, and even bonus tracks like “Nerve Flip” showcase why we missed him for so long. A Chili Peppers song through-and-though, “Nerve Flip” layers those chugging, arena-sized guitars with Anthony Kiedis’ often absurdist lyrics — what is “getting high on pink flami...
Tame Impala Covers The Strokes’ “Last Nite” at Primavera Sound: Watch
After a member of The Strokes tested positive for COVID-19, the band was forced to postpone its appearance at Primavera Sound this weekend. To help fill the void, Tame Impala covered “Last Nite” during their own headlining set on Friday night. Watch fan-captured footage below. The Strokes were originally set to headline Primavera Sound on Saturday, but were forced to postpone their appearance until next weekend due to “an ongoing positive COVID-19 case in the band.” (The Strokes were also forced to scrap last weekend’s set at Boston Calling; they were replaced by Nine Inch Nails at the last minute.) As of now, The Strokes are set to play Primavera Sound on Saturday, June 10th. They’re also confirmed to play Los Angeles’ This Ain’t No Picnic in September. Advertisement Editor’s Note: Visit ...
Muse Attempt to Summon the “Will of the People” with New Single: Stream
Muse will offer their best attempt to save the world later this year with their new album Will of the People. Before the record comes out on August 26th, the British rockers have shared its title track today along with a dystopian-themed music video. Additionally, the band have unveiled a short run of North American and European tour dates for October 2022. One glance at the Will of the People tracklist — which includes song titles like “Liberation” and “We Are Fucking Fucked” — indicates that Muse are trying to evoke some poignant analyses about society, and this song is no exception: “Free your sons and unlock your daughters/ We’ll throw the baby out with the bathwater,” Matt Bellamy sings over an electric guitar chug and group-vocal chant that feel almost like a poppier version of ...
Panic! At The Disco Announce New Album Viva Las Vengeance, 40-Date Arena Tour
Panic! At the Disco has announced a new album called Viva Las Vengeance, which will be supported by a 40-date worldwide arena tour. As a preview, Brendon Urie has shared the album’s title track, which doubles as its lead single. Watch the accompanying music video, directed by Brendan Walter, below. Due out on August 19th, Viva Las Vengeance marks P!ATD’s seventh album to date and follows 2018’s Pray for the Wicked. This time around, Urie cut everything live to tape in Los Angeles alongside his friends and production partners, Jake Sinclair and Mike Viola. “Viva Las Vengeance is a look back at who I was 17 years ago and who I am now with the fondness I didn’t have before,” Urie explained in a statement. “I didn’t realize I was making an album and there was something about the tape machine t...
