Music – Page 28 – 105.7 WDNY

Madonna, Justin Bieber & more rock the FIFA World Cup 2026 Topps Final Halftime Show

July 19, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Music makes the people come together, and the entire world came together on Sunday afternoon for the first-ever FIFA World Cup™ Final Halftime Show.

The 11-minute spectacular started with Madonna singing her hit “Music,” mashed up with one of her new songs, “Danceteria.” She started singing in the tunnels underneath New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, and then continued while riding in the back of a dune buggy driven by Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. Madonna and the two players then walked out onto the field as she finished the song.

The Muppets’ band, Electric Mayhem, came next, performing the White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” alongside dozens of dancers, plus musicians from the New York Philharmonic and Venezuela’s Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel. That segued into BTS performing their hit “Dynamite.”

Next up, Ted Lasso stars Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt reprised their roles as Ted Lasso and Coach Beard. As Ted, Sudeikis said that the next part of the show needed “heart, y’know? Someone that has some soul. Someone who can bring the love.” He and Hunt then called Justin Bieber out onto the field, with Sudeikis as Ted saying, “All right, young man, let’s go! It’s your big shot! Go on out there, don’t be nervous, make us proud.”

Justin, accompanied only by an acoustic guitar, walked onto the field and sang “Everything Hallelujah” while Hunt held up a sign that read “BELIEBE.” “It’s the World Cup, Hallelujah!” he concluded. Shakira and Burna Boy then took the stage to sing the official song of the World Cup, “Dai Dai.”

The big finale featured the PS22 Chorus, Chris Martin of Coldplay, the Muppets, Justin, BTS, Shakira and more, all singing “We Dance,” an original song written by Coldplay for the occasion. The finale also introduced a new Global Citizen initiative called believeinlove.org, which hopes to inspire people all over the world to participate in small acts of love. Fireworks capped off the whole performance, which you can watch now on YouTube.

Post Malone performed during the closing ceremony ahead of the game, Jennifer Hudson sang the national anthem, and British pop star Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger and Italian star Laura Pausini joined together to sing another FIFA song, “Desire.”

Spain won the World Cup over Argentina, 1-0.

L7’s Jennifer Finch dead at 59

July 19, 2026 by WDNY Radio

L7 bassist and founding member Jennifer Finch has died. She was 59.

The news comes less than a week after the “Pretend We’re Dead” rockers announced that Finch had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer.

“We are shattered by the loss of our beloved bandmate, sister and friend Jennifer Finch, whose fierce spirit, humor and boundless creativity helped shape L7 and changed all of our lives forever,” L7 said in a statement. “Jennifer was a true original who lived entirely on her own terms, and the impact she made on music, art and everyone lucky enough to know her cannot be measured.”

The band added, “We love her beyond words and will carry her with us always. Rest in power our dear friend.”

Finch formed L7 with guitarists and vocalists Donita Sparks and Suzi Gardner and drummer Roy Koutsky in 1985. In 1989, Koutsky was replaced by Demetra Plakas, solidifying the classic L7 lineup.

Primarily influenced by punk and hailing from Los Angeles, L7 brought their own spin to the grunge sound, which exploded in Seattle in the early ’90s. Their breakout album was 1992’s Bricks Are Heavy, recorded with Nirvana’s Nevermind producer, Butch Vig.

L7 followed Bricks Are Heavy with 1994’s Hungry for Stink; Finch left the band in 1996. They put out two more albums before going on hiatus in 2001.

The lineup of Finch, Sparks, Gardner and and Plakas then reunited in 2014 and premiered a documentary, Pretend We’re Dead, in 2016. They released the album Scatter the Rats in 2019.

L7 announced in May that they were embarking on a farewell tour, dubbed the Last Hurrah, starting in October. When announcing Finch’s diagnosis, the band said that Finch would not be joining the tour.

“The Last Hurrah Tour was planned along with Jennifer when all four of us were in good health and spirits,” L7 said. “Although she will not be able to join us for the upcoming U.S. dates, Jennifer has asked us to continue with the tour as planned. We will honor her request while making her care and well-being our immediate priority.”

Storm season: Noah Kahan cancels New York City show due to inclement weather

July 18, 2026 by WDNY Radio

In the Big Apple, it’s the season of the storms, which is why Noah Kahan had to scrap his show at New York City’s Citi Field on Saturday night.

According to a post on Noah’s Instagram Story, initially, the plan was to open the doors at 7:30 p.m., cancel the opening acts and proceed with the show. But a few hours later, a message went out announcing that the show had been canceled due to “inclement weather.”

“This was a very difficult decision to make, but the first priority is always to keep everyone safe,” the message continued, noting that fans will receive refunds.

“Exhausted every option to make this happen.. love you guys,” Noah wrote over the announcement.

“The Great Divide” singer is set to take the stage on Sunday night at Citi Field, as well. Merchandise stands will be open at 9 a.m. ET ahead of that night’s show.

Poppy’s band performs without Poppy at Upheaval Festival

July 18, 2026 by WDNY Radio

While Poppy’s band took the stage for their set at the Upheaval Festival in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Friday as scheduled, the “new way out” singer herself did not.

Instead, the band played an instrumental set without Poppy, who later posted in an Instagram Story that she was unable to perform due to the poor air quality conditions caused by wildfires in Canada.

“Due to ‘hazardous’ AQI reaching 350+ around our set time I was unable to join my band on stage,” Poppy wrote. “I was unable to breathe in those conditions. You might’ve noticed our set was instrumental only.”

She added, “For those who braved the conditions – I applaud you.”

“AQI” stands for “air quality index.” A level of 350+ signals a health emergency.

As previously reported, on Thursday, air quality issues forced bands including The Black Keys and Creed to postpone their outdoor concerts.

Slightly Stoopid goes ‘Backseat Drivin” with Wiz Khalifa and G. Love on new song

July 17, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Slightly Stoopid has premiered a new song called “Backseat Drivin’.”

The track features rapper Wiz Khalifa and frequent Stoopid collaborator G. Love.

“‘Backseat Drivin” is all about the carefree spirit of summer, cramming into your best friend’s car with the music turned all the way up, chasing waves at the beach, and ending the night at house parties that somehow last until sunrise,” the “Closer to the Sun” band says in a statement. “It’s about making memories, embracing the adventure, and always looking for the next good time. We hope everyone enjoys the ride.”

“Backseat Drivin'” follows the 2025 singles “Step into the Sun,” “The Upside Down” and “Shine for You.” The tracks are set to appear on the upcoming 10th Slightly Stoopid album, the follow-up to 2018’s Everyday Life, Everyday People.

Slightly Stoopid will launch their U.S. summer headlining tour July 23 in Cleveland.

T.I.’s Brooklyn show canceled hours ahead of show

July 17, 2026 by WDNY Radio

T.I.’s scheduled performance at New York’s Brooklyn Paramount Friday night has been canceled.

The venue announced the news just hours before the show. “Due to circumstances affecting the planned presentation of the show, T.I.’s Brooklyn performance has been canceled,” the venue wrote on Instagram. “Ticket holders will receive automatic refunds at the original point of purchase. Thank you for your understanding.”

T.I. has not yet issued a statement addressing the cancellation.

T.I. is currently on The King Succession Tour in support of his final album, Kill the King, featuring sons Domani and King Harris as special guests.

His next scheduled show is Saturday at The Fillmore in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Ex-I Prevail vocalist Brian Burkheiser releases new Scatterbrain song, ‘Bitter’

July 17, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Former I Prevail vocalist Brian Burkheiser has released a new song with his solo project, Scatterbrain.

The track is called “Bitter,” and its accompanying video is now available on YouTube.

“Can’t take my identity/ It starts with me/ It dies with me,” Burkheiser sings.

Burkheiser, who parted ways with I Prevail in May 2025, launched Scatterbrain in December with a cover of the Taylor Swift song “Look What You Made Me Do.” He’s since put out the original songs “Phases” and “Fast Lane.”

I Prevail put out their first record without Burkheiser with 2025’s Violent Nature. They released a new single called “Paradise” in June.

(Video contains uncensored profanity.)

Rick Wakeman sets October ‘Return to the Red Planet’

July 17, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Former Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman released the album The Red Planet in 2020, and now he’s revisiting Mars for yet another album.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer will release Return to the Red Planet on Oct. 16, described as “a sweeping new progressive work that fuses science, imagination, and musical virtuosity.” The description adds that it’s inspired by “the remarkable images and research that have transformed our understanding of Mars in recent years.”

“Once I started looking at the new data and photographs, I realised there was an entirely new album waiting to be written,” Wakeman says. “There was simply too much more to say about Mars – musically and spiritually – not to return.”

The album, recorded between August 2025 and January 2026, has Wakeman backed by The English Rock Ensemble, made up of bassist Lee Pomeroy, guitarist Dave Colquhoun, drummer Adam Falkner and vocalist Mollie Marriott, daughter of English musician Steve Marriott.

Return to the Red Planet is available for preorder now.

The album will be released ahead of Wakeman’s upcoming memoir, The Wizard of Prog, which comes out Oct. 29. He’s also set to tour the U.K. in December and in early 2027. A complete list of tour dates can be found at rwcc.com.

AC/DC’s Brian Johnson and Angus Young talk touring, the band’s legacy

July 17, 2026 by WDNY Radio

AC/DC recently kicked off a new North American leg of their Power Up tour, and undoubtedly some fans may be wondering whether this will be the last time they see the rockers on the road.

It seems AC/DC’s Brian Johnson and Angus Young don’t really know yet.

The duo recently spoke to USA Today, and when the subject of where they’d like to play their last show came up they skirted the question.

“I hope it’s not my funeral,” Young said, with Johnson adding, “Upstairs rather than down!”

Narrowing it down a little more, Young responded, “On Earth?” He noted, “It’s a tough, tough call.”

“I wouldn’t want to upset any of the fans by saying, ‘No, that’s the best place,’” Johnson said of where they’d say goodbye. “After a gig, when I say, ‘Hey, thank you so much’ (to the crowd), you mean it, you know?”

As for how they want to be remembered, Young said, “I would just say ‘a great rock band.'”

“They were great at what they did. And they did it consistently,” Johnson added of their legacy. “You never thought back in the day that, when I finish here … I’m going to be 79,” to which Young joked, “Can you count that high?”

“I can’t even (expletive) think of it,” Johnson said. “Saying it back then, I would have just laughed at you.”

AC/DC’s Power Up tour hits Madison, Wisconsin, on Sunday. It wraps Sept. 29 in Philadelphia. A complete list of show dates can be found at acdc.com.

Taylor Swift fans donate $20K to charity in celebration of her wedding

July 17, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Taylor Swift fans donate K to charity in celebration of her wedding

Taylor Swift fans donate $20K to charity in celebration of her wedding — Following Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding, screens display ‘Just T&T Married!’ outside Madison Square Garden in New York City on July 3, 2026. (Sara Konradi for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Before they tied the knot on July 3, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce donated $26 million to charity. Their fans responded by celebrating the couple’s wedding by donating to charity themselves.

Olivia Levin, the author of a bestselling book about the Swiftie fan community, organized an Instagram fundraiser so fans could donate to Operation Breakthrough, a charity the couple has supported in the past. She suggested donating in increments of $13.87 — combining Taylor’s lucky number and Travis’ jersey number — and fans did so, but others gave more.

Levin tells People, “While the Instagram fundraiser itself raised over $17,500, many fans also messaged me saying they donated directly through Operation Breakthrough’s website, bringing the total impact to more than $20,000 according to the organization.”

Levin points out that Swifties have come together in the past to donate to charity after being “inspired by Taylor’s own generosity.” She adds, “To me, that’s truly a testament to who Taylor is as a person and the kind of community she’s inspired.”

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