Music – Page 289 – 105.7 WDNY

The Format announces ’Boycott Heaven’ listening parties & in-store concerts

January 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

The Format has announced a series of listening parties and in-store performances to celebrate the release of their new album, Boycott Heaven.

The listening parties will take place in record stores across the U.S. on Jan. 17 and Jan. 18, days before Boycott Heaven will be officially released on Jan. 23.

You can check out a list of all participating locations via TheFormat.com/listening-parties.

The in-store performances, meanwhile, take place Jan. 23 and Jan. 24 in The Format’s hometown of Phoenix, Jan. 25 in Long Beach, California, Jan. 27 in Seattle and Jan. 29 in New York City.

Boycott Heaven, which features the single “Holy Roller,” marks the first Format album in 20 years. The band broke up in 2008, after which frontman Nate Ruess went on to form fun.

The Format then reconvened in 2020 for a planned reunion tour, but it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They reunited again in 2025.

The Format will launch a full U.S. tour in support of Boycott Heaven in March.

Stitched Up Heart announces new album, ‘Medusa’

January 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Stitched Up Heart has announced a new album called Medusa.

The fourth full-length effort from the “Catch Me When I Fall” outfit arrives June 12. You can listen to lead single “GLITCH B****,” featuring the band Conquer Divide, out now.

“‘GLITCH B****’ is a love letter to every fierce e-girl baddie out there shattering expectations, and leaving a trail of broken hearts in your digital wake,” says Stitched Up Heart. “You’re the queens of turning pixels into power, and making the internet pretty. Reminding us all that code is confidence and beauty’s a weapon.”

Stitched Up Heart will be on tour with Sebastian Bach starting in February.

Here’s the Medusa track list:
“LOVE & DEATH”
“SICK SICK SICK”
“GLITCH B****”
“CANNIBAL”
“MEET ME AFTER LIFE”
“MEDUSA”
“BEAST”
“DEAD TO ME”
“DEVILICIOUS”
“EX-TERMINATION”

(Video contains uncensored profanity.)

Judas Priest’s Rob Halford celebrates 40 years of sobriety

January 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford has shared a special message with fans as he celebrates 40 years of sobriety.

In a new video posted on Instagram, captioned “one day at a time,” the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer opened up about his decision to get clean and expressed his gratitude to those who have supported him.

“Four decades ago, I made a decision to change the entire course of my life, stepping out of darkness into the light, toward the future I couldn’t see. As I’ve said before, it wasn’t easy and still isn’t,” he said in the post. “Recovery asks for complete honesty, humility and a willingness to grow one day at a time. With the love and support from my higher power, my family, friends and fans helping me, guiding the way, I kept moving forward.”

“Over these years, I’ve learned that sobriety isn’t just about staying clean, it’s the presence of clarity, purpose and connectivity, a gift of showing up for my life each day for the people I love,” he continued. “I’m grateful for the person I became and every challenge I’ve faced that made me stronger.”

Halford then addressed anyone who was thinking about getting sober.

“I hope that my own journey proves that recovery is possible,” he said. “Hope is real, and each day at a time is a chance to begin again,” signing off with, “I love you.”

Halford and Judas Priest are set to launch a European tour this summer. The trek kicks off July 25 in Mönchengladbach, Germany. A complete list of dates can be found at JudasPriest.com.

Music notes: Bruno Mars, Charli XCX and more

January 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Now that Bruno Mars‘ new album is done, what can we expect from the singer, who hasn’t put out a solo project in nearly 10 years? Music biz publication Hits Daily Double is reporting that a new single will arrive on Friday. The album itself, produced by Bruno’s longtime collaborator Philip Lawrence, will reportedly follow in March.

Charli XCX is starring in Yves Saint Laurent’s new Spring 2026 campaign, along with Bella Hadid, Anora star Mark Eydelshteyn and Korean actress Song Jia. You can watch a film with all of them on YSL’s Instagram feed. It’s a big month for Charli: Her movie The Moment arrives in theaters Jan. 30.

The Kid LAROI is promoting his new album, Before I Forget, with pop-ups in New York and LA. The album’s out on Friday, with the LA pop-up taking place that same day on 433 N. Fairfax Ave. The New York pop-up is set for Jan. 15 at 620 Broadway. Unlike most pop-ups, an email to fans notes the Australian star will actually be there, signing copies of the new album.

ZZ Top’s Billy F Gibbons confirms band was offered $1 million each to shave their beards

January 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

ZZ Top’s Billy F Gibbons confirms band was offered million each to shave their beards

ZZ Top’s Billy F Gibbons confirms band was offered $1 million each to shave their beards — Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top performs on stage at Viejas Casino & Resort on November 02, 2025 in Alpine, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)

ZZ Top’s Billy F Gibbons has confirmed a story that the band members were once offered $1 million to shave off their iconic beards.

In an interview with Jay Mohr’s Mohr Stories podcast, Gibbons said it’s true that they were offered the money to shave their beards for a Super Bowl commercial. When asked if it was razor company Gillette, Gibbons confirmed that it was, but noted, “They deny it.”

“It was a million dollars per man,” Gibbons said, before revealing why they turned down the money. He explained that they went to their publicist Bob Merlis with the offer, and he was the one who gave them a reason to reconsider.

“He said, ‘The money’s good, you might as well consider doing it, but I’m not so sure you guys — any of you guys — know what’s under there,’” Gibbons said. “So we passed. We passed, and our fans loved it. Word got out.”

Gibbons and ZZ Top have a busy 2026 ahead of them. Gibbons kicks off a tour with the BFG Band on Jan. 20 in Napa, California. Then ZZ Top will hit the road on the Big One! tour starting March 21 in Abilene, Texas. They are also headlining the Dos Amigos tour with Dwight Yoakam, which consists of 15 shows starting March 26 in Brookings, South Dakota.

ZZ Top is also bringing their the Big One! tour to Europe, which will be their first European tour in two years. The trek starts June 13 in Estonia.

A complete list of ZZ Top dates can be found at ZZTop.com.

Benson Boone to play San Francisco charity show ahead of Super Bowl

January 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Benson Boone may not be headlining the Super Bowl halftime show, but he’ll be performing in San Francisco just a few days before the big game takes place.

The “Mystical Magical” singer will give a concert at San Francisco’s famed Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on Feb. 5. A portion of the proceeds will go to Tipping Point Community, the Bay Area’s leading philanthropic organization that works to fight poverty. The event is organized by the Bay Area Host Committee, which brings sporting events to the region.

A presale for Xfinity customers, BAHC partners and the Tipping Point community starts Wednesday at 10 a.m. local time. Tickets go on sale to the public Friday at 10 a.m. local time via Ticketmaster.

Meanwhile, Super Bowl LX takes place Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Bad Bunny is the halftime performer.

Miley Cyrus was this Oscar hopeful’s childhood crush

January 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Plenty of people out there are crushing on Jacob Elordi, but the Frankenstein star’s own childhood crushes seem to revolve around the Disney Channel.

Asked by W magazine to reveal his crushes, Jacob said, “Miley Cyrus as Hannah Montana. And Hilary Duff, when she’s in Italy in that one movie. There’s a frog in the fountain, and there was a boy on a moped” — in other words, 2003’s The Lizzie McGuire Movie. Jacob also cited Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen in the movie New York Minute as two of his other crushes.

Jacob will probably be seeing a lot of Miley in the coming weeks: They’re both up for Golden Globes on Jan. 11 and are likely Oscar contenders, Miley for co-writing “We Dream As One” for Avatar: Fire and Ash.

Of course, Miley’s currently off the market. She got engaged to boyfriend Maxx Morando in December. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Miley said she doesn’t really like calling Maxx her fiancé, saying she gets “so cringed out” about it. “I’m kind of the dorkiest with stuff like that,” she added.

Miley went on to say that her engagement came at the right time, as it enables her to show up “joyful and experience love in my own way” while promoting her Avatar song. “I feel like I’m in a good place to support the message of what this film’s about,” she explained.

Cover band singer thinks Billy Joel’s guest appearance might lead to stage return

January 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Billy Joel shocked fans on Jan. 2 when he took the stage — for the first time since his brain condition diagnosis — to perform with a Billy Joel cover band in Wellington, Florida. The singer in that cover band is now speculating that the Rock & Roll of Famer is working toward a return to the stage.

Tony Monaco, lead singer of the tribute band Turnstiles, tells Spin.com that he had no idea Billy was coming to their gig until he, his wife and his daughters showed up backstage and Billy said “maybe” he’d be interested in sitting in with the band.

According to Tony, Billy suggested they do “New York State of Mind” together, despite the fact that, as he told Tony, “I haven’t sang in months and I don’t play piano much lately.” When the time came for the song, Billy was nowhere to be found. Soon afterward, Tony says, he saw Billy making his way to the stage.

“I was excited, but now I didn’t know what we’d play,” Tony said. Billy suggested “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” followed by “Big Shot,” which thrilled the audience.

“He’s not 100%, but his voice was strong, and I do think he’s going to come back,” Tony concluded.

“He may not do it on such a grand scale or get up from the piano too much, but I know he wants to play again and hasn’t shut the door on doing so. I’m not so sure that this wasn’t a little testing of those waters.”

Billy, 76, announced in May that he’d been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus, which causes hearing, vision and balance problems. He canceled all his concerts.

Peter Frampton celebrates 50th anniversary of ‘Frampton Comes Alive!’

January 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Peter Frampton took to Instagram Tuesday to mark the 50th anniversary of his iconic live album, Frampton Comes Alive!

“I can’t believe today’s the day. It’s now been 50 years since Frampton Comes Alive! was released. Wow, 50 years,” he said. “Thank you all for helping it become such a huge phenomenal success,” he added, before joking, “probably time to buy a new one anyway.”

Frampton Comes Alive! helped launch the now-Rock & Roll Hall of Famer to stardom, with the album becoming one of the bestselling live albums of all time. It features live performances of now-iconic Frampton tunes like “Show Me the Way,” “Baby, I Love Your Way” and “Do You Feel Like We Do,” which all became top-15 hits.

Frampton Comes Alive! was the first live album to really make an impact, and in an interview with ABC Audio, Frampton said he was very proud of what the album did for both him and “music in general.”

“They say that it changed everything because of the massive sales for not a studio album. The biggest-selling album at that time for a couple of years there, and not even biggest-selling live album, biggest-selling album,” Frampton said. “We surpassed Tapestry, Carole King‘s wonderful album.”

Frampton Comes Alive! would go on to become Frampton’s only #1 record, spending 10 nonconsecutive weeks in the top spot. In 2020 it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Jelly Roll tapped to judge Netflix reboot of ‘Star Search’

January 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

A few years ago, Jelly Roll served as an “artist-in-residence” on ABC’s American Idol. Now he’s going to be part of the judging panel for a reboot of the O.G. TV reality competition show Star Search.

Jelly Roll’s been tapped to be one of three judges on Netflix’s reboot of the iconic show, which originally ran from 1983 to 1995, and then again from 2003 to 2004. During its heyday, it featured future stars like Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Alanis Morissette, Usher, Pitbull, Tiffany and many more.

Along with the “I Am Not Okay” singer, the panel will include Sarah Michelle Gellar and Chrissy Teigen. The show, hosted by Anthony Anderson, premieres Jan. 20. Episodes will air live Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET and will include real-time voting via remote or mobile app.

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