Music – Page 118 – 105.7 WDNY

Taylor Swift named biggest-selling artist in the world for fourth consecutive year

February 18, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Taylor Swift was the top-selling artist in the world in 2025, marking her fourth consecutive year with the title.

That’s according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, which represents the recorded music industry business around the world. The IFPI also notes that this marks the sixth time Taylor’s won the title: as many times as all other artists combined over the past 10 years.

In 2025, Taylor dominated the streaming, physical and digital music formats thanks to her album The Life of a Showgirl and her Disney+ documentary The End of an Era.

“Taylor Swift’s sixth IFPI Global Artist of the Year award is a truly historic achievement,” IFPI CEO Victoria Oakley said in a statement.

Other artists among IFPI’s top-10 biggest global artists of 2025 include Bad Bunny, Morgan Wallen, Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish and Lady Gaga, who was in the top 10 for the first time since 2020.

Further down the list were Ariana Grande, Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber. Ed’s back on the list for the first time since 2023, while Justin made it for the first time since 2021.

Yungblud releasing ‘Idols II’ album on Friday

February 18, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Yungblud will be releasing a new album called Idols II on Friday.

As its title suggests, the upcoming record is a sequel to the English artist’s latest effort, 2025’s Idols.

The Idols II track list includes six new songs, plus the updated version of the original Idols single “Zombie” featuring The Smashing Pumpkins.

Yungblud first announced Idols as a double album project in May. The first part dropped in June.

“We turn to others for an identity before turning to ourselves,” Yungblud said at the time. “Self-belief, self-reclamation, self-evolution and change. As we grow up, we lose our belief in magic and mystery. We begin to rationalize everything; our cage walls build up. We compare ourselves to 15 different people before we’ve even had our breakfast.”

Yungblud will launch a U.S. tour in May.

DJ Khaled to headline Big 12 conference afterparty

February 18, 2026 by WDNY Radio

DJ Khaled has been tapped to headline the official afterparty for the Big 12 Conference, a premier NCAA Division I athletic conference. He’ll perform at the KC Live! stage in Kansas City, Missouri. Fans must follow the Big 12‘s social media for more information on how to get access to tickets for the free show.

“The Big 12 Tournament is one of the biggest and best. I’m looking forward to bringing that energy to the Tournament After Party with a performance and connecting with the fans,” Khaled said in a statement. “Young world, the world is yours—you are now and you are the future! Keep going! WE THE BEST!”

“We are continually investing in ways to elevate the Big 12 Basketball Tournaments and deliver an unforgettable experience for our fans,” added Big 12 chief brand and business officer Tyrel Kirkham. “DJ Khaled is an incredible performer and we know he will put on a high-energy show.”

The Big 12 basketball tournament afterparty takes place on March 14.

Darius Rucker’s one-night-only big band performance

February 18, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Darius Rucker’s stepping out with a symphony in his hometown.

The country star and Hootie & the Blowfish frontman will play the Darius Rucker Big Band Gala April 7 at the Gaillard Center in Charleston. He’ll be joined by the Robert Lewis Orchestra.

“These big band shows are some of my favorite nights as it’s the only time I get to perform so many of the standards we all grew up listening to with the backing of such an incredible orchestra,” Darius says. “It’s all to benefit incredible non-profit work locally.”

Proceeds go to fund music education in Charleston County Schools through the CMA Foundation, and to the Carolyn G. Rucker Nursing Scholarship at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital, which honors Darius’ mother.

Tickets go on sale Friday.

U2 releases surprise EP, ‘U2 – Days of Ash’

February 18, 2026 by WDNY Radio

U2 has surprised fans with some new music.

The Irish rockers just released a new six-track EP, U2 – Days of Ash. It features five new songs and a poem, with a guest appearance by Ed Sheeran and Ukrainian musician-turned-soldier Taras Topolia.

The EP is described in a press release as “an immediate response to current events and inspired by the many extraordinary and courageous people fighting on the frontlines of freedom.” It comes ahead of a new U2 record, expected in late 2026.

“It’s been a thrill having the four of us back together in the studio over the last year … the songs on Days of Ash are very different in mood and theme to the ones we’re going to put on our album later in the year,” Bono said in a statement. “These EP tracks couldn’t wait; these songs were impatient to be out in the world. They are songs of defiance and dismay, of lamentation.”

“I believe these new songs stand up to our best work,” Larry Mullen Jr. added, with Adam Clayton offering, “I’m excited about these new songs, it feels like they’re arriving at the right time.”

Songs on the EP include “American Obituary,” written in response to the death of Minneapolis resident Renee Good at the hands of federal agents, and “Yours Eternally,” which features Sheeran and Topolia. The latter song will be accompanied by a documentary, directed by Ukrainian cinematographer and filmmaker Ilya Mikhaylus. It will be released Feb. 24 to coincide with the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

U2 – Days of Ash is available now via digital outlets, with lyric videos for all the songs on YouTube. Here is the track list:
“American Obituary”
“The Tears of Things”
“Song of the Future”
“Wildpeace” – by Yehuda Amichai, read by Adeola, with music by U2 and Jacknife Lee
“One Life At a Time”
“Yours Eternally” (ft. Ed Sheeran & Taras Topolia)

J. Cole adds dates to The Fall-Off World Tour

February 18, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Demand is high for J. Cole’s The Fall-Off World Tour, so much so that he’s added dates in select cities.

After more than 1 million people joined the queues for the presales for tickets for the East Coast and Midwest shows, according to his manager Ibrahim “Ib” Hamad, Cole announced second dates in Atlanta, Philadelphia, Toronto, Brooklyn, Boston, Chicago, Oakland, Inglewood, Houston and Dallas. Following presales taking place throughout the week, all tickets will go on sale to the general public Friday.

J. Cole’s The Fall-Off World Tour will support his latest album, The Fall-Off. It will kick off its North American leg on July 11 in Charlotte, North Carolina, with the run ending with Sept. 23 in his hometown of Fayetteville, North Carolina. The European/U.K. leg runs from Oct. 7 to Nov. 12 and will be followed by five dates in Australia. Cole’s final show will then take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, marking his first time in the region in 10 years.

The Fall-Off was released on Feb. 6 and has since topped the Billboard 200, with more than 20 songs from the double disc now on the Billboard Hot 100. J. Cole now has 111 entries, making him the 22nd act to have 100 titles on the chart. Thirteen of them have reached top-10 status.

J. Cole adds dates to The Fall-Off World Tour

February 18, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Demand is high for J. Cole’s The Fall-Off World Tour, so much so that he’s added dates in select cities.

St. Vincent to perform at Willie Nelson’s 2026 Luck Reunion festival

February 18, 2026 by WDNY Radio

St. Vincent will be performing at the 2026 edition of Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion festival, taking place on March 19.

The annual event, now in its 14th year, is held on the country icon’s famed Luck ranch in Spicewood, Texas. The 92-year-old Nelson will also perform.

“We’re thrilled to welcome our Luck Family back home to Willie’s backyard for another incredible year,” says Matt Bizer, CEO and founder of Luck Presents. “Fourteen years in, Luck Reunion continues to be about bringing people together in meaningful ways. This year’s lineup beautifully represents that spirit, with legendary artists who’ve been part of our story from the beginning, new voices we’re excited to introduce to our community, and more than a few surprise guests that we can’t wait to reveal.”

For more info, visit LuckPresents.com.

In other St. Vincent news, the “Los Ageless” rocker has announced a show at the Los Angeles Hollywood Bowl alongside the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. The performance, taking place Aug. 2, is part of an upcoming series of orchestra-accompanied St. Vincent concerts.

For ticket info, visit HollywoodBowl.com.

St. Vincent to perform at Willie Nelson’s 2026 Luck Reunion festival

February 18, 2026 by WDNY Radio

St. Vincent will be performing at the 2026 edition of Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion festival, taking place on March 19.

The annual event, now in its 14th year, is held on the country icon’s famed Luck ranch in Spicewood, Texas. The 92-year-old Nelson will also perform.

For more info, visit LuckPresents.com.

For ticket info, visit HollywoodBowl.com.

Joan Jett, Cheap Trick & more to play Kentucky’s Bourbon & Beyond Festival

February 18, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Cheap Trick and Squeeze are among the artists set to play the 2026 Bourbon and Beyond Festival.

The festival, which will feature over 100 artists on five stages, will be held Sept. 24-27 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.

Festival headliners include Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, Mumford & Sons, Kacey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton, The Red Clay Strays, Dave Matthews Band and Hootie & the Blowfish.

Other artists on the bill include Counting Crows, 4 Non Blondes, Adam Ant, Violent Femmes, Better Than Ezra, Joan Osbourne, The Fray and Lisa Loeb.

Tickets for the four-day festival are on sale now. More info, including the complete lineup, can be found at BourbonandBeyond.com.

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