L.A. Times - Music News

Chuck Varga, founding member of shock-metal band Gwar, dead at 68

August Brown — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 21:10:03 GMT

Varga contributed costumes, props, sets and artwork to Gwar, which became infamous beyond the metal world.

Taylor Swift passes Beyoncé in number of MTV Video Music Awards, debuts starry 'Patient Zero' video

Deborah Day — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 20:20:42 GMT

Taylor Swift debuted her video for 'Patient Zero' at a historic MTV VMAs for the pop superstar, who broke a Beyoncé record. The video featured Swift's 'good friend' Dakota Johnson, who also presented Swift with an award during the event.

Newsom signs 'ghost ticket' ban but says its carve-outs need more work

Cerys Davies — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 19:02:49 GMT

Newsom signed AB 1349, banning 'ghost ticket' sales for concerts and sports — but urged lawmakers to revisit carve-outs critics say favor StubHub.

Rod Stewart says he's 'not retiring' but announces his 'last tour ever, ever, ever'

Tracy Brown — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 17:53:46 GMT

Rod Stewart, 81, has announced that his Final Encore tour in 2027 will be his last rock 'n' roll tour 'ever, ever, ever.'

'Dare I say TikTok is saving jazz': Black Nile rewrites the L.A. jazz story for a new generation

Steve Baltin — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Inglewood brothers Aaron and Lawrence Shaw, the jazz duo Black Nile, step into their biggest hometown spotlight yet, joining Erykah Badu and the Charles Gaines Collective at the Hollywood Bowl on Sept. 29.

Dolly Parton recorded a duet with Bono before she died that will be on U2's next album

Tracy Brown — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 21:09:25 GMT

Dolly Parton recorded a duet with Bono just months before she died that will be included on U2's upcoming album 'Carnaval De Luz.'

Fans will get what they want with 'Mariachi Meets the Smiths'

Carlos De Loera — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 19:05:26 GMT

In "Mariachi Meets the Smiths," Mariachi Tierra Mia will combine two of the most influential sounds in Mexican American culture in a show at the Ford on Sept. 27.

Ed Sheeran's Gillette Stadium shows canceled due to weather in latest snag for his Loop tour

Alexandra Del Rosario — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 17:24:24 GMT

Ed Sheeran's Friday and Saturday concerts at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., have been canceled 'due to severe weather warnings' in the region, Messina Touring announced Friday.

Taylor Swift's new 'Encore' songs, ranked from worst to best

Mikael Wood — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 15:30:02 GMT

The pop superstar just dropped an expanded edition of 2025's blockbuster 'The Life of a Showgirl.' Here's a critical rundown of the album's new songs.

A 30-year love letter to L.A. with a final revelation

Mark Swed — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

How an ancient church in a small German town and a new concert hall in DTLA bookend my 30 years as classical music critic of the L.A. Times.

Gary 'Angry' Anderson, frontman for Aussie rock band Rose Tattoo, dies at 79

Andrea Flores — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 02:42:21 GMT

News of Gary Anderson's death came via the band's Instagram account, which said the singer died Monday night in Sydney.

Peter Byrne, lead singer for the synth-pop group Naked Eyes, dies at 74

Deborah Day — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 22:39:37 GMT

British singer-songwriter Peter Byrne, co-founder of synth-pop duo Naked Eyes, died Sept. 14, 2026, in Los Angeles.

Macklemore announces new Free Palestine tour, after Ed Sheeran tour dismissal

Alexandra Del Rosario — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 19:58:51 GMT

Macklemore reveals his Free Palestine tour, a week after he was dismissed from Ed Sheeran's tour. The tour currently consists of three stops in Europe but will later include U.S. shows, he said.

How Shudder to Think came back to life

Mikael Wood — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 17:37:07 GMT

Nearly three decades after its last album, the influential post-punk group is prepping a new LP for release next year.

Ella Langley choosin' Tucker Wetmore: 'Choosin' Texas' breakout dating fellow singer

Alexandra Del Rosario — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 17:22:09 GMT

Ella Langley has more than a record-breaking hit on her hands. The "Choosin' Texas" country music breakout is now reportedly in a budding romance with Tucker Wetmore, also a musician.

'We opened Pandora's box:' Mexican rock trio the Warning defies all expectations

Katerina Portela — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

The Warning's fifth LP, 'Everything's Falling' landed the band new Billboard records and Latin Grammy nominations. Ahead of their three sold-out shows at the Fonda, the Villarreal sisters dove into their K-pop influence, playing with Carín León at the Sphere and breaking 'purista' expectations.

Tequila Mockingbird, L.A. punk's great archivist, is still pissed off and spectacular

August Brown — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Mockingbird's archives are on display at the Goethe-Institut Los Angeles, depicting a raucous era of music and defiance.

Paramore's Hayley Williams breaks silence following ex-husband Chad Gilbert's death

Emily St. Martin — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 01:25:52 GMT

Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams has spoken out following the death of her ex-husband, New Found Glory founding guitarist Chad Gilbert.

After a record year, YouTube extends its Coachella livestream deal to 2030

Cerys Davies — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 20:08:28 GMT

YouTube has renewed its exclusive Coachella livestream deal with Goldenvoice through 2030, after the 2026 festival set a record for concurrent viewers.

Dead Kennedys announce that founding guitarist East Bay Ray has Parkinson's disease

Deborah Day — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 19:19:41 GMT

East Bay Ray, a founding member of the San Francisco punk band Dead Kennedys, "plans to continue performing and touring," management said.

Taylor Swift announces 'The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore' will be released on Friday

Mikael Wood — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 15:06:07 GMT

The pop superstar will release an expanded version of her blockbuster 2025 album with four new songs.

D.A. calls Justin Bieber's surprise MacArthur Park gig a 'testament to ... progress'

Iris Kwok — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

An impersonator may have tricked a Las Vegas nightclub last year, but those at the park Tuesday appeared convinced of their brush with Bieber. L.A. County's district attorney was too.

Did this L.A. Times story inspire Taylor Swift's new single?

August Brown — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 20:58:23 GMT

Former Times staffer Amy Kaufman's column might have entered Swift's songwriting canon, as many of the singer's fans seem to believe today.

Ella Langley's 'Choosin' Texas' broke a major record set by Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You'

Anthony Solorzano — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 20:09:30 GMT

Ella Langley's 'Choosin' Texas' broke Mariah Carey's Billboard Hot 100 record, with 23 weeks at No. 1.

Lionel Richie undergoes heart procedure amid stop-and-go tour with Earth, Wind & Fire

Alexandra Del Rosario — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 19:29:52 GMT

Lionel Richie and his tour with Earth, Wind & Fire hit yet another health-related roadblock this week. He was hospitalized to receive treatment for an irregular heartbeat.

Why are queer L.A. nightclubs disappearing from Facebook and Instagram?

August Brown — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Club Cobra, Chico and Catch One are safe havens for queer clubbers. Without social media, they're cut off from fans.

California establishes Dolly Parton Day on Sept. 25 in honor of late country legend

Deborah Day — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 19:58:17 GMT

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation to honor the Queen of Country in California on a day — 9-2-5 — that references her chart-topping song from the hit 1980 movie of the same name, "9 to 5."

Xavi grew up on his latest album, 'Dosis.' Now he's a Latin Grammy nominee

Cerys Davies — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 18:20:30 GMT

Xavi rose to fame at a young age and developed his own style of romantic corridos. Released in May, his latest album "Dosis" has made him a Latin Grammy contender.

Chad Gilbert, founding guitarist of pop-punk band New Found Glory, dies at 45

Tracy Brown — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 17:46:53 GMT

Chad Gilbert had just celebrated his return to the stage in June after emergency surgery earlier this year to remove a brain tumor.

How a Swedish fishing village and a lack of advice unlocked Tove Lo's new album 'Estrus'

Cerys Davies — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 17:06:33 GMT

Before making her newest album, "Estrus," Swedish singer-songwriter Tove Lo felt pressure to make it profound. But after returning to a small village in Sweden, she was instead reminded of who she is at her core: "the same f— messy girl."

10 minutes backstage with Orville Peck at the Hollywood Bowl

Mikael Wood, Rebecca Castillo — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 16:57:32 GMT

The Times' Mikael Wood and Rebecca Castillo talk with the masked country singer before his show at the hillside amphitheater.

Why some musicians aren't happy about labels signing AI deals with platforms

Cerys Davies — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Record labels that sued AI music companies are now licensing them. But payouts are undisclosed, lawsuits continue and musicians ask who benefits.

What was the song of the summer? Here are nine candidates

Julius Miller — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

These are nine songs that could be song of the summer for 2026. Candidates include artists like Karol G, Olivia Rodrigo and Ella Langley.

Sway Dasafo, award-winning British rapper, dies at 44

Tracy Brown — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 20:19:24 GMT

Pioneering British rapper Sway Dasafo, the first unsigned artist to win a Mobo award in 2005, has died at age 44.

Duncan Sheik, 'Barely Breathing' singer and Tony-winning 'Spring Awakening' composer, dies at 56

Chuck Schilken, August Brown — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 15:15:41 GMT

Duncan Sheik, who earned a Grammy nomination for his ubiquitous 1990s hit "Barely Breathing" and won a Tony Award for composing the music for "Spring Awakening," died Thursday.

'We need space to feel over it': How Kelela became alt-music's ultimate truth teller

Kailyn Brown — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Ahead of her back-to-back shows on Sept. 21 and 22 at the Wiltern, the singer discusses dismantling "sonic racism" and revisiting her indie roots on "New Avatar."

How Dhani Harrison and Nigel Godrich turned a hang into a band

Mikael Wood — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Pals since their days living in L.A. in the early 2000s, the two English musicians have a new group called Dragonflies.

Rosalind Ashford, original Martha and the Vandellas singer, dies at 83

Emily St. Martin — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 03:07:09 GMT

Rosalind Ashford, the soprano behind Motown hits including "Dancing in the Street" and "Heat Wave," has died. She was 83.

Tone Capone, 'I Got 5 On It' producer, dead at 59

August Brown — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 23:26:03 GMT

"I Got 5 On It" entered the canon of west coast hip-hop, hitting the Billboard top ten and resurfacing in Jordan Peele's 2019 horror film "Us."

Chris Brown speaks up after lawmaker walks back public honor: 'How about y'all leave me ... alone'

Andrea Flores — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 23:14:27 GMT

On Sept. 12, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and Texas Rep. Venton Jones honored Chris Brown and Usher during their concert in Arlington, Texas. The incident sparked public backlash because of Brown's history of domestic violence.

On 'Cursum Perficio,' Anthrax chases perfection and calls out a broken America

Jon Wiederhorn — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 16:34:40 GMT

On their first album after a 10-year gap, Anthrax confronts school shootings, partisan division and cutthroat capitalism while reaffirming the band's love for their country.

Where Ed Sheeran's Loop tour now stands after Macklemore fallout, lineup unraveling

Alexandra Del Rosario — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 23:03:07 GMT

As Ed Sheeran continues his Loop tour, read on to learn about what led to the controversy surrounding it and the ensuing fallout.

Essay: Breaking down the Ed Sheeran tour debacle

August Brown, Mikael Wood — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 22:51:50 GMT

Once known as music's nice guy, Ed Sheeran has been widely criticized for allowing Macklemore to be fired from his tour after the rapper made comments onstage supporting Palestinians.

CMA will honor Dolly Parton with a two-hour live TV tribute

Andrea Flores — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 22:08:01 GMT

On Wednesday, the Country Music Assn. announced that it would produce a two-hour live special honoring Dolly Parton, who died last month at the age of 80.

Kelly Osbourne on cutting ties with her older sister, Aimee: 'She was embarrassed of us'

Emily St. Martin — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 22:00:49 GMT

Kelly Osbourne didn't hold back when discussing the fractured relationship she has with her big sister, Aimee Osbourne, telling 'We Need To Talk' podcast that the two will never reconcile.

The 2026 Latin Grammy nominations are in: Edgar Barrera may set a new record for wins

Andrea Flores — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 13:45:00 GMT

Edgar Barrera leads the nominations with a total of 10 nods, followed by Karol G, Rosalía, Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso and Jorge Drexler, who each received seven nominations.

Judy Collins on the art of the farewell

Mikael Wood — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The 87-year-old singer and songwriter looks back on her long career amid a farewell tour that will bring her to Santa Barbara this month.

Squeeze is back and bigger than ever with a headlining Hollywood Bowl gig

Craig Rosen — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

For more than 50 years, with a few breaks in between, Squeeze has been making memorable tunes by marrying infectious pop melodies with sophisticated and literate lyrics, often about the complexity of relationships.

Ed Sheeran tour shakeup: Finneas among artists withdrawing amid Macklemore's firing

Alexandra Del Rosario — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 22:26:53 GMT

Finneas and Aaron Rowe are among the musical acts that have pulled the plug on their upcoming performances with Ed Sheeran, in the latest shake up to the singer's tour.

Ed Sheeran thinking out loud: Decision to boot Macklemore from tour over Gaza remarks 'not mine'

Alexandra Del Rosario — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 21:54:58 GMT

Ed Sheeran speaks out about his tour promoter's decision to drop Macklemore from the remaining dates of his Loop tour.

Universal Music Group accuses music distributor of spreading AI 'slop' in lawsuit

Cerys Davies — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 19:40:29 GMT

Universal Music is suing DistroKid, alleging the distribution service spreads AI-generated and copyright-infringing tracks that divert royalties from human artists.

Cheetah Chrome, Dead Boys' guitarist, dead at 71

August Brown — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 18:20:31 GMT

Cheetah Chrome's trashy, thrashy playing in Dead Boys wedded the urgency of punk with devotion to older, sleazy rock 'n' roll.

From dyslexic kid to 'Resident Punk': Legs McNeil on surviving the scene that made him a writer

Nate Jackson — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Legs McNeil doesn't come across as sentimental.

Macklemore removed from Ed Sheeran's tour after onstage support for Palestinians. He has no regrets

Alexandra Del Rosario — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 19:23:54 GMT

Macklemore confirms 'Ed Sheeran and his team' decided to remove him from the latter's tour. The 'Thrift Shop' musician faced scrutiny for his onstage support of Palestinians.

Stagecoach 2027: Garth Brooks, Zach Top and Riley Green will headline

Mikael Wood — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 15:10:00 GMT

Other acts on the bill for the annual music festival in Indio, Calif., include Willie Nelson, Kelly Clarkson, Stella Lefty, Shaboozey and David Lee Roth.

They're your favorite rapper's favorite label. Thirty years in, Stones Throw still fights for L.A.

August Brown — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Chris Manak, who founded the label Stones Throw, influenced Ye and Tyler, the Creator and owns Highland Park's popular Gold Line Bar, looks back on 30 years of the tumultuous world of indie hip-hop: 'I'm like the cat that lands on its feet.'

'Mother Monster' Lady Gaga reportedly welcomes first child

Iris Kwok — Sat, 12 Sep 2026 03:10:14 GMT

Pop singer Lady Gaga and her fiancé, tech investor Michael Polansky, were recently photographed with a newborn child during an outing in Northern California, according to Page Six.

Ocean Way, the Santa Monica beach festival, canceled due to impact of offshore hurricane

August Brown — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 21:32:31 GMT

Ocean Way, the beachfront Santa Monica music festival, has been canceled just two weeks before debuting. It was slated to have headline sets by the Killers and Olivia Dean.

All 25 of Journey's Hot 100 hits, ranked from worst to best

Mikael Wood — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 18:12:42 GMT

Ahead of the band's show Saturday night in Los Angeles, here's a critical rundown of Journey's best-known songs.

Alanis Morissette likens postpartum depression to terror: 'I dipped into psychosis'

Emily St. Martin — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:55:29 GMT

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette described her harrowing experience with postpartum depression, which she says she had after having each of her children.

Harry Styles unveils two Rose Bowl concerts in Together Together tour extension

Alexandra Del Rosario — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 17:48:23 GMT

Harry Styles extends his Together Together tour, including adding two stops in Los Angeles and a variety of guest stars.

U2 named 2027 MusiCares Persons of the Year

Mikael Wood — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMT

The veteran Irish band will be honored by the Recording Academy's philanthropic wing in a ceremony to be held before February's Grammy Awards.

Ray LaMontagne topples over onstage in Nashville, where the high hits 101

Andrea Flores — Wed, 9 Sep 2026 00:37:09 GMT

On Sept. 5, the 53-year-old folk singer fell while performing his popular track 'Jolene' in front of a sold-out Nashville show, according to fan footage.

Tom Jones says he was fired from 'The Voice UK' because of 'financial difficulty with insurance'

Tracy Brown — Tue, 8 Sep 2026 22:27:12 GMT

Tom Jones says he didn't want to leave 'The Voice UK,' but ITV told him he is not returning as a coach due to 'financial difficulty with insurance.'

Dolly Parton's sister slams 'fake AI garbage' following icon's death: 'Show more compassion'

Andrea Flores — Tue, 8 Sep 2026 21:22:16 GMT

In a Sept. 4 Instagram statement, Dolly Parton's sister Stella Parton thanked fans for the "genuine" support, urging supporters to use her sister's life as an "example for tolerance and respect towards others."

Rosanne Cash pauses tour, postpones performances under doctor's orders after emergency

Emily St. Martin — Tue, 8 Sep 2026 21:15:47 GMT

Singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash has postponed upcoming concert dates in Wyoming and Montana following a medical emergency under doctor's orders.

Macklemore meets pressure to drop from Ed Sheeran's tour with more calls to 'Free Palestine'

Alexandra Del Rosario — Tue, 8 Sep 2026 20:05:03 GMT

Grammy winner Macklemore, facing pressure to drop from Ed Sheeran's tour, says 'my message is for peace, love for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect and equality.'

He sold out a DJ set in a California state park: Here's how Chris Lake made it happen

Cerys Davies — Tue, 8 Sep 2026 17:15:38 GMT

By the end of 2026, Chris Lake will have performed between 50 and 60 shows this year, with his largest taking place in Los Angeles. The British DJ breaks down his tour finances and reveals the realities of touring as an independent artist.

Beyoncé shows love for Selena Quintanilla in 'Irreemplazable' cumbia remix

Cat Cardenas — Fri, 4 Sep 2026 23:26:43 GMT

Released with Beyoncé's 20th anniversary edition of her 2006 album 'B'Day,' her Selena-infused song 'Irreemplazable (Como La Flor)' isn't her first tribute to the Queen of Tejano.

Three decades of distance give Liz Phair and Sleater-Kinney a new kind of sisterhood

Emma Madden — Thu, 3 Sep 2026 15:49:27 GMT

For more than three decades, Liz Phair and Sleater-Kinney existed in parallel without ever quite meeting.

Quintanilla siblings feud over alleged lawsuit: 'It comes from years'

Andrea Flores — Thu, 3 Sep 2026 02:55:53 GMT

On Tuesday, A.B. Quintanilla III, brother of the late singer Selena Quintanilla, claimed that there is a lawsuit involving Suzette Quintanilla Arriaga, as well as "facts and circumstances" related to their father, Abraham Quintanilla Jr.

Cassandra Wilson, Grammy-winning jazz vocalist, dead at 70

August Brown — Wed, 2 Sep 2026 21:40:31 GMT

John Horhn, mayor of Jackson, Miss., said of Wilson that "Jackson has lost an extraordinary native daughter, and the world has lost a singular musical voice."

BTS' run at SoFi Stadium is a test of K-pop's lasting cultural penetration

Mikael Wood — Wed, 2 Sep 2026 16:21:27 GMT

The K-pop boy band is on tour for the first time since its seven members completed their mandatory South Korean military service.

Can Ocean Way — a car-free Coachella by the sea — revive Santa Monica's nightlife?

August Brown — Wed, 2 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The inaugural fest, headlined by Olivia Dean and the Killers, is a watershed moment for Santa Monica as a music town. Goldenvoice and the city vow to get it right.

At Daisy Chain Fields, the Lilith Fair generation passes the torch

Suzy Exposito — Tue, 1 Sep 2026 17:21:46 GMT

The Times interviews women who attended Lilith Fair in the 1990s — and the kids in their lives — about the feminist roots of the Daisy Chain Fields fest, spearheaded by Grammy-winning pop-rock star Olivia Rodrigo.

Remember This Banger: Don Omar and Hakim's Arab-Latino jam "Tigi Tigi"

Danny Hajjar — Tue, 1 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Released in April 2007, "Tigi Tigi" united Latinos and Arabs across oceans, marked new territory for Arabic pop and expanded reggaeton's reach.

Did Miley Cyrus just go mononymous? Pop star's name change and album signal a new era

Emily St. Martin, Alexandra Del Rosario — Tue, 1 Sep 2026 03:28:05 GMT

Pop star Miley Cyrus unveiled her latest album 'Bass Persuades' after she seemingly dropped her last name on social media. The release will be her 10th studio album.

Shakira is performing for Latinos who 'live in fear' with new Spain residency

Carlos De Loera — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 23:51:04 GMT

Shakira recently opened up about the inspiration behind her upcoming concert residency in Spain and why she hopes the 12-concert run is dedicated to the Latinos worldwide who "live in fear."

Tennessee football will honor Dolly Parton with butterfly helmet decal. 'She means a lot to people'

Chuck Schilken — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 22:39:15 GMT

The Tennessee Volunteers will honor Dolly Parton with sticker patches on their football helmets all season. The musical icon received an honorary doctorate from the university in 2009.

Lionel Richie hospitalized after concert in St. Louis

August Brown — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 21:28:55 GMT

A representative for Richie declined comment, but the singer is reportedly stable and doing well.

Can México Canta unite young Mexican Americans without corridos tumbados?

Andrea Flores — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Binational singing competition México Canta held its semifinals in L.A. on Aug. 23. Contestants Tiffany Galaviz, Joshua Soto and Rosalba Valdez will advance to the grand finale Sept. 13 in Mexico City for a chance at a record deal.

12 best moments from Olivia Rodrigo's Daisy Chain Fields fest

Sun, 30 Aug 2026 23:37:07 GMT

Best of Daisy Chain Fields

Olivia Rodrigo communes with her idols at Daisy Chain Fields

Mikael Wood — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 07:23:08 GMT

The 23-year-old pop star brought out Stevie Nicks, Sarah McLachlan and Alanis Morissette during her headlining set at Saturday's festival in Irvine.

L.A. rapper arrested in $8.1-million stolen check scheme

Stacy Perman — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 17:53:56 GMT

L.A. rapper ColdheartedAC and two others were arrested and charged in a multimillion-dollar check-cashing scheme across Southern California.

Gladys Knight 'easing into fewer' concerts after recent performances spark health concerns

Emily St. Martin — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 02:36:45 GMT

Amid growing health concerns from family and fans after recent concerts, legendary singer Gladys Knight has announced she is reducing her tour schedule.

J. Cole canceled concert after touring crew member died carrying show gear in big rig

Emily St. Martin — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 21:42:27 GMT

J. Cole canceled his Sacramento concert after touring crew member Jarlath 'Chip' Parkinson veered off I-5 in a semi truck, transporting gear south from the rapper's Seattle gig, and died from injuries sustained in the crash.

Kehlani reschedules tour dates after being hospitalized for 'so much pain'

Tracy Brown — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 18:22:05 GMT

Kehlani has rescheduled the two shows she had to postpone on her world tour after being in 'so much pain' she was 'unable to swallow.'

Olivia Rodrigo's Daisy Chain Fields loses a link: Katseye pulls out over group member's injury

Alexandra Del Rosario — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 17:18:23 GMT

Katseye announces that it will no longer perform at Olivia Rodrigo's all-women Daisy Chain Fields music festival on Saturday, explaining the absence is due to a member's injury.

David Byrne feels pretty good about how things have turned out

Mikael Wood — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 19:18:49 GMT

Ahead of a two-night stand at the Hollywood Bowl, the 74-year-old art-rock veteran discusses his love of performance and his misgivings about AI.

Olivia Rodrigo's Daisy Chain Fields is a $10 million roar for abortion rights and women's health

August Brown, Eloise Rollins-Fife — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Rodrigo "could have played it safe, but she acknowledged that she has the power to make stuff happen, and she's going to use it for good," said Kathleen Hanna, founder of Bikini Kill, which is playing the Daisy Chain Fields festival.

She worked 'up until the day she died': Dolly Parton docuseries, biopic among planned projects

Anthony Solorzano — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:54:56 GMT

Dolly Parton's estate has announced a docuseries, biopic, TV shows, dolls, hotel, museum, coffee, Broadway musical and more projects that were planned before her death.

Barry Manilow announces touring hiatus days after canceling third show this month

Emily St. Martin — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 22:46:16 GMT

Barry Manilow has announced he needs to step away from the stage to recover after a busy summer tour. The 'Copacabana' crooner canceled three shows this month, citing 'technical difficulties' among other issues.

There will never be another human like Dolly Parton — or a theme park like Dollywood

Carlye Wisel — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 18:31:12 GMT

A palpable kindness emanated throughout the Tennessee theme park, as though every employee was working in her honor, whether performing in a show or selling bedazzled tank tops.

Miley Cyrus bids farewell to Dolly Parton, her 'angel' godmother: 'I will always love her'

Alexandra Del Rosario — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 18:23:10 GMT

Miley Cyrus remembers Dolly Parton, her godmother, after the beloved country music star and humanitarian died at age 80 on Tuesday. 'I have an angel by my side,' she writes.

Arellano: Dolly Parton stood up for undocumented immigrants when few others would

Gustavo Arellano — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 18:06:47 GMT

The singer never revealed why she included 'Deportee' in '9 to 5 and Odd Jobs.' It's one of the few times she so explicitly addressed politics, which she famously and repeatedly said wasn't her thing.

Inside the moody blues of Diles Que No Me Maten

Ernesto Lechner — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 17:37:49 GMT

Mexico City indie jam band Diles Que No Me Maten is an anomaly, even within the obscure parameters of underground Latin. De Los interviews frontman Jonás Derbez on the moody blues of new album 'Escrito en Agua.'

Dolly Parton always explained the magic trick she was doing

Mikael Wood — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 17:17:38 GMT

Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday at age 80, made a career out of building illusions she delighted in dismantling.

Appreciation: Dolly Parton was introduced to America via television, where we saw her become a star

Robert Lloyd — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Over the years, Dolly Parton's appearances on variety shows, specials, TV films and series tracked her evolution from simple country singer to full-service pop star.

Dolly Parton's contributions to literacy will outlive the star, just like she planned

Emily St. Martin — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 07:12:11 GMT

Dolly Parton spent decades gifting books to millions of children. Following her death at 80, the Dollywood Foundation plans to carry her mission with Imagination Library forward.