Hayley Williams of Paramore performs onstage during The 2023 New Yorker Festival at Webster Hall on October 06, 2023 in New York City. (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for The New Yorker)
Hayley Williams paid tribute to the late Sinéad O’Connor during her solo show in Dublin on Tuesday.
The Paramore frontwoman’s set included a cover of O’Connor’s track “Mandinka,” a single off her 1987 debut album, The Lion and the Cobra.
O’Connor, who passed away in 2023, was born in Dublin. Williams introduced the performance by dedicating it to “queen Sinéad O’Connor.”
The Dublin show marked the final European date of Williams’ tour in support of her 2025 solo album, Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party. During the tour, which launched in the U.S. in March, Williams performed Ego Death in full each night alongside select covers.
Williams performs at the Newport Folk Festival on July 24 before launching another U.S. tour in September. The upcoming U.S. headlining dates are part of “The Hayley Williams Show,” which will feature performances from songs throughout her three solo albums.
Iron Maiden performs at the Metropolitano Stadium, on July 5, 2025, in Madrid, Spain. (Ricardo Rubio/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Iron Maiden will be filming their upcoming headlining performance at the band’s Eddfest concert on July 11 in Knebworth, England, after their show in Paris was cut short due to a power outage.
As previously reported, the Paris concert, which took place on June 22, was set to be filmed for a project documenting Maiden’s Run for Your Lives tour. However, the power in the venue went out in the middle of the show, which didn’t resume until an hour later. Between the delay and venue’s curfew, Maiden had to cut the show’s encore from the set.
With Eddfest, which celebrates Maiden’s 50th anniversary, the band intends to finish the film project they couldn’t in Paris.
“You all know what happened in Paris, we all know what happened in Paris, so we’re gonna finish it off at Knebworth,” says bassist Steve Harris in a statement. “We’ll see you there.”
“We’re not going to lose what we did in Paris but we’re going to add to it with some amazing stuff from Knebworth,” frontman Bruce Dickinson adds. “So Knebworth, be on ya best behaviour!!”
Kenny Chesney’s ‘Silver Sands Marina’ (HEY NOW Records)
The title track of Kenny Chesney’s upcoming 21st album, Silver Sands Marina, isn’t some mythical getaway — it’s a family-owned business in New Hampshire and it’s probably about to get a whole lot busier.
“When you hear the song, it’s so perfectly drawn, you almost can’t believe it’s real,” he says. “But, of course, it is a real place – located on Lake Winnipesaukee – where generations of families and friends have tied up their boats, checked in, enjoyed the water and being together. You can feel all the happiness and fun people have had there the moment you step on the property.”
Kenny traveled there to shoot the “Silver Sands Marina” music video outside the traditional tourist season, capturing performances near the pier, motel and marina.
“Like the song, there’s a sense this place can’t be real,” Kenny continues. “When you pull up, it’s even more wonderful than the pictures. You can feel people’s lives have played out here; kids who’ve met, grown up together, occasionally gotten married and brought their kids there; fishing trips and reunions. And, as my song suggests, the occasionally unexpected encounter where you meet someone who sees you for all that you are – even if it’s only for a moment.”
Following Sunday’s BET Awards, Soulja Boy shared an idea he’d like to bring to life. “Might start my own awards show and give it to rappers who never got they credit,” he wrote on X Tuesday. “NBA Youngboy, Chief Keef, Kodak Black, etc. no reason they never won a BET Award or a Grammy.”
Burna Boy’s collaboration with Shakira, “Dai Dai (FIFA World Cup Official Song 2026),” has topped the Billboard Global Excluding U.S. chart, making it the first World Cup anthem to reach #1.
A 2023 podcast interview of Lil Wayne discussing Verzuz was released Tuesday. In it, he said he has no interest in competing against anyone other than himself. “I’m too competitive and I wouldn’t wanna embarrass no one, and if I am competing against whoever I’m competing against, I will embarrass you,” he told DJ Drama. “If it’s the wrong type of situation on that Verzuz, you can end their careers … and that’s what I would do,” he said. “I don’t wanna be that guy.”
Tay Keith’s funeral reportedly took place Tuesday in Memphis. Footage of a flower arrangement reading “Tay” has surfaced online, while Sexyy Red shared a selfie video wearing an-all black outfit. BlocBoyJB and Turbo also posted a photo of themselves dressed for the occasion.
T.I.’s sons Domani Harris and King Harris may not believe Kill the King is their father’s final album, but T.I. says it is. “I think it’s their time to go ahead and speak for the generation and handle it and hold it down for the world,” he told ET of his children. “It’s time, that’s why the King’s Succession Tour is very important. You should get there and check us out. Me, Domani, King … you know, a passing of the torch, if you will.”
Artwork for Bryan Adams’ new single ’51st State” (Badams Music Limited))
Wednesday is Canada Day, and Bryan Adams is celebrating with the release of a new patriotic song.
The Canadian rocker just released the track “51st State,” which appears to be a response to President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Canada should become part of the United States.
“Let me give it to you straight/ When you’re talking about my home/ You better show some respect/ Cuz up here we take care of our own,” Adams sings in the chorus. “So let me give you some advice mister/ You might have too much on your plate/ Go’n load us up with tariffs/ But we’ll never be the 51st State.”
“I wanted to write something about Canada because Canada is home,” says Adams. “There is more that binds us than divides us. This is a tribute to the pride and spirit of my fellow Canadians – the rest is just noise.”
“51st State” is now available via digital outlets and as a limited-editon colored vinyl 7-inch single.
There’s no word on whether the song is part of a future Bryan Adams album or just a standalone single. He released his last studio album, Roll With The Punches, in August.
Adams is set to launch a North American tour on July 24 in St. Louis, Missouri. A complete list of dates can be found at BryanAdams.com.
Elton John and Rod Stewart were among the acts who performed at the Concert for Diana at the newly opened Wembley Stadium in London.
The concert was a celebration of Princess Diana, who would have turned 46 that year, hosted by her sons Prince William and Prince Harry.
Elton opened the show with a performance of “Your Song,” and later closed the evening, performing “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting,” “Tiny Dancer” and “Are You Ready for Love,” while Rod Stewart’s performance included “Maggie May,” “Baby Jane” and “Sailing.”
The concert also featured performances from Duran Duran, Supertramp’s Roger Hodgson, Tom Jones, Bryan Ferry, Joss Stone, Fergie, Lily Allen and more.
The concert raised money for charities Diana supported, as well as ones Prince William and Harry were patrons of.
Just some of the albums that have been recorded at Aaron Dessner’s Long Pond Studios include projects by Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Brandi Carlile and Gracie Abrams. Sara Bareilles recorded some of her upcoming release, Good Grief, there too. But when asked to name her favorite album made at the studio, located in upstate New York, she chose one by another artist.
“Maybe Noah Kahan’s,” Sara told Rolling Stone, referring to Noah’s latest, The Great Divide. “I really loved that record. Plus, I just love …. did you guys see his documentary? I love a tender guy. I feel like I want more tenderness from everybody. Can we just be a little softer with each other?”
Noah, who’s currently on tour, reposted the video of Sara making those remarks on his Instagram Story Wednesday. He captioned it, “I love you @sarabareilles! Thank you for your music and for the kindness!”
Sara isn’t the only one who loves The Great Divide: It also made Rolling Stone‘s Best Albums of 2026 So Far list, along with releases by Ella Langley, Harry Styles, Paul McCartney, Charlie Puth, RAYE, BTS and Hilary Duff.
Victor Willis of Village People performs on stage at PNE Amphitheatre on September 2, 2018 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Andrew Chin/Getty Images)
Village People lead singer Victor Willis, whose onstage costumes and catchy songs — including “YMCA,” “In the Navy” and “Macho Man” — made the group a household name far beyond the disco era, died on Tuesday, the band said in a social media post this week. He was 74.
Willis died after a “short, but aggressive” illness, his wife wrote in a separate statement posted on his official Facebook page on Wednesday.
“The family request privacy at this time of great loss,” the statement added.
Willis was born in Texas in 1951 and grew up singing gospel music in the church where his father was a Baptist minister.
In 1977, he teamed with late producers Jacques Morali and Henri Belolo to create the Village People, embodying the group’s “Cop/Admiral” character. Willis left and returned to the group several times in the years that followed but returned for good in 2017.
When the group’s hit song “Y.M.C.A.” was added to the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress in March 2020, Willis said in a statement, “I had no idea when we wrote ‘Y.M.C.A.’ that it would become one of the most iconic songs in the world, and fixture at almost every wedding, birthday party, bar mitzvah and sporting event.”
“I am glad that the music of Village People has made the world smile for over 40 years with our music,” he continued. “On behalf of my partners Jacques Morali and Henri Belolo, we thank you and are honored to be in such elite company.”
“Y.M.C.A.” was also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2021.
President Donald Trump, who frequently plays “Y.M.C.A.” at his campaign rallies and events, mourned Willis’ death in a social media post Wednesday. He took credit for reviving the song, which was first released in 1978 as the lead single on the Village People’s Cruisin’ album.
The group had initially asked Trump to stop using their songs “Y.M.C.A.” and “Macho Man” at his rallies, but later supported the use of them and even performed at Trump’s victory rally on the eve of his second inauguration in January 2025.
“[Willis] was a great and happy guy who loved that I used his groups song, YMCA, at my Rallies,” Trump wrote in part on Wednesday. “It became a ‘monster’ hit, again, 30 years after its original launch.”
Willis was previously married to actress Phylicia Rashad from 1978 to 1982. He remarried in 2007 and is survived by his wife Karen Huff-Willis, an entertainment executive and attorney.
As Taylor Swift heads into what allegedly will be her wedding weekend, she’s also got another milestone to mark: the 20th anniversary of her Billboard chart debut.
Taylor’s first-ever Billboard chart appearance came July 1, 2006, as her debut single, “Tim McGraw,” entered the Hot Country Songs chart at #60. She was just 16 years old at the time. The song, which was released on June 19, took 30 weeks to climb to its peak at #6.
Taylor’s self-titled debut album, released Oct. 24 of that year, went on to spend 24 weeks at #1 on Billboard‘s Top Country Albums chart and reached #5 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart.
Since then, of course, Taylor has gone on to dominate not just the country charts but the pop charts as well. To date, she’s scored 15 #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and 15 #1 albums on the Billboard 200, the most of any female artists.
— In 2022, Taylor became the first artist to hold the entire top 10 of the Hot 100 in the same week, when 10 songs from Midnights simultaneously entered the chart. In 2024, she bested her own record, taking over the top 14 spots on the chart with songs from The Tortured Poets Department.
— Taylor holds the record for the longest song ever to top the Billboard Hot 100: “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version),” which clocks in at 10 minutes and 13 seconds. It was #1 in November 2021.
— Taylor is the only female artist ever to replace herself at #1, and she’s done it twice: In 2014, “Blank Space” replaced “Shake It Off,” and in 2023, “Is It Over Now (Taylor’s Version)” replaced “Cruel Summer.”
(L-R) Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee of Rush perform during the opening night of their first American tour in 11 years at The Kia Forum on June 07, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)
Rush was forced to postpone two shows on their Fifty Something tour after lead singer Geddy Lee was diagnosed with laryngitis and bronchitis. The announcement came just hours before they were to take the stage at Dickies Arena in Forth Worth, Texas, on June 30. The band’s July 2 show at the same venue was also postponed.
“We are deeply sorry to share that we must reschedule our June 30 and July 2 shows,” read a statement on the band’s website. “Geddy has been diagnosed with laryngitis and bronchitis. After being evaluated by his doctors, he has been advised that he needs additional time to rest and recover before returning to the stage.”
“This is incredibly disappointing for all of us. We know many of you have made travel plans and have been counting down the days to these shows. Please know this decision was not made lightly,” the post continues.
“After more than 50 years of touring, we’ve always believed that if we’re going to step on stage, we owe you the very best performance we can give—and right now, that simply isn’t possible.”
In a video on social media, Rush’s Alex Lifeson addressed fans, noting that when they came for soundcheck Geddy “could barely speak let alone sing.”
The June 30 show has now been rescheduled for July 11, with the July 2 show now happening July 13. Tickets for the original shows will be honored for the new dates, and those who can’t attend will receive refunds.
“Thank you for your patience, your understanding, and for always standing with us,” the post on their website concludes. “We look forward to seeing you in just a couple of weeks and appreciate your continued support while Geddy makes a full recovery.”
