Joe Newman of alt-J performs onstage on February 18, 2023 in Huntington Beach, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Netflix)
Alt-J frontman Joe Newman has released a new song called “Mr. Alligator” with his solo project, JJerome87.
“The path of a Preacher. The rise of a Predator,” Newman says of the track. “‘Mr Alligator’ is the story of a grifter with a penchant for coercive control, violence and a soulless indifference towards their fellow man.”
“Mr. Alligator” will appear on the debut JJerome87 album, The Canyon, which also includes the previously released songs “Brush Me Like a Horse” and “Track and Field.” The record was previously released exclusively on Newman’s website and will be available wide on June 26.
Newman will play a show at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City on Oct. 3.
Two years ago, Pentatonix member Kirstin Maldonado unsuccessfully auditioned for a part in the hit Broadway musical SIX. The show’s team kept her in mind, and on Monday night, she’ll make her debut in the popular production, where she’ll perform through Aug. 9.
“They asked me to come in for this year, so we just worked it around what was already happening with Pentatonix,” says Kirstin.
This isn’t her first Broadway appearance: In 2018, she starred in Kinky Boots. Speaking with ABC Audio about her role in SIX, Kristin says, “It’s a challenge in a really, really beautiful way. And I just think that the story is very important. It’s all about highlighting voices that maybe hadn’t been heard at the time.”
The show tells the story of the six wives of Henry VIII, reimagining them as pop singers competing to be the lead singer based on whose royal marriage was the worst. Kirstin plays Anne Boelyn, whom Henry had famously beheaded.
“She gives, like, that pop punk energy,” Kirstin says of Anne, whose character was inspired by Lily Allen and Avril Lavigne.
Kirstin adds, “She gives me, like, kind of gremlin energy where she’s just like effortlessly funny .. and so that’s been really fun to play up. And yeah, I’m excited just to, like, really do the cool girl energy of her.”
And just like her previous Broadway stint, Kirstin says the community gives “good energy” and good vibes.”
“I had such a wonderful time at Kinky Boots,” she says. “And I was like, That experience is just so, like, immaculately lovely in my head … and I wonder what this will be? And like, the second I was here, I was, like, ‘Okay, I love everyone, this is so fun, it’s already amazing.'”
Young M.A performs onstage during the 50 Cent: The Final Lap Tour at Barclays Center on August 10, 2023, in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
“OOOUUU,” Young M.A is back with her first project in five years, Kween. It’s also the first album she’s recorded fully sober, following past struggles with alcohol that led to her 2023 hospitalization for health issues tied to excessive drinking.
“I had a time in my life where I consumed a little bit too much alcohol and it put me in a bad physical state. I was on the edge, like real close,” she tells Billboard.
Noting that she able to “fight through it,” she explained how the experience of recording music sober changed the album-making process.
“[I]t’s definitely a difference,” she said. “You drink to get the edge off and … [y]ou become more confident in what you doing.”
“When you’re sober, you kinda overthink and hesitate a little more,” she continued. “I think I was a little more aggressive before. I feel [like I’m in] a more mature, grown-up and disciplined stage.”
While some people may call the new album a comeback, M.A calls it a reset. “I don’t want people to think this is a comeback,” she explained. “We had a little bump in the road and we got over that and we’re driving again.”
She added that her goal is to remind listeners of her musical talent and “bring the music back to music.”
“I ain’t looking for no type of accomplishment,” she said. “I just want them to understand that the music never left.”
She added, “I just need the music to feel like music again. Let’s have fun again. … Bring more of that energy everybody.”
It’s what she did with her breakout single, “OOOUUU,” which remains an important part of her career.
“I’m always gonna appreciate that record. I’ll never get tired of that record. That record makes me a lot of money to this day,” she said. “It’s timeless.”
“People probably get one summer or two summers, but I still hear my record like it just dropped,” M.A added. “It will be here with the kid’s kids.”
Charlie Puth attends the Los Angeles Clippers & Comcast NBCUniversal’s NBA All-Star Legendary Tip-Off Celebration on Feb. 13, 2026 in Los Angeles. (Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
In his online role as “Professor Puth,” Charlie Puth is usually the teacher, but Friday night at New York’s Madison Square Garden, he was the pupil.
Charlie brought out Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Art Garfunkel — who with Paul Simon made up the legendary duo Simon & Garfunkel — as a special guest. “He learned how to make his records from me and Paul. Producing, singing,” Art said of Charlie. “You’re my student.”
“I am your student,” Charlie confirmed. “I’m serious. I’m not just saying that because all these wonderful people are here. The reason why I’m here right now is because of the music you’ve written with Paul. It’s amazing.”
Art, 84, then talked about the shifting popularity of various Simon & Garfunkel songs. “They all have their lifespans, but ‘The Boxer’ stays well loved,” he noted, before he and Charlie began duetting on the song. “The Boxer,” with its signature “lie-la-lie” chorus, was released in 1969 and reached the top 10.
It’s worth noting that “Carla’s Song,” a track on Harry Styles’ latest album, was inspired by another famous Simon & Garfunkel song, “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”
In addition to Art, Charlie also brought out a few other guests during the show. He and Jimmy Fallon teamed up to sing “Africa” by Toto, and rapper Busta Rhymes showed up to perform his songs “Break Ya Neck” and “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See,” and his verse on Chris Brown’s “Look at Me Now.” Gospel legend Kirk Franklin also joined Charlie to sing “I Smile,” “Lean on Me” and “Stomp.”
Megan Thee Stallion debuted the latest drop from her Hot Girl Summer swimwear line Thursday during the 2026 Paraiso Miami Swim Week. She closed the show in a brown-and-white swirl-patterned one-piece, which she wore with a sleek high ponytail.
Days after celebrating his Sept. 14 birthday, Nas will perform at Riot Fest 2026. Slick Rick and Afroman are also on the lineup for the show, which is scheduled to take place Sept. 18-20 at Douglass Park in Chicago. Tickets are currently on sale.
Kehlani isn’t only touring North America: She’s also performing in Europe and the U.K. She’s added seven shows to her schedule, with dates now set in Berlin, Brussels, Paris, Dusseldorf, Amsterdam, London and Manchester. An artist presale starts Monday, with general ticket sales beginning Wednesday at kehlaniworldtour.com.
Ye has an upcoming show at Istanbul’s Atatürk Olympic Stadium which organizers believe could set records. According toVariety, ILS Vision is organizing the event along with TemaCC. ILS Vision founder Erdem Karahan told Turkish media that 75,000 have been sold so far. “If we reach 99,000 [people in the audience], Istanbul will have broken the world record for the largest single concert,” Karahan said, according to Variety. Ye is also set to perform in the Netherlands, Italy and the Czech Republic.
A Different World has received a Netflix release date. The series debuts to the streamer on Sept. 24. It stars Maleah Joi Moon as Deborah Wayne, the youngest daughter of Whitley and Dwayne. A new generation joins her at Hillman College for this show that’s “set against the rituals, humor, and nuances of an HBCU,” according to its official description.
Paul McCartney leaves ‘The Late Show’ following the taping of the final episode on May 21, 2026 in New York City. (John Lamparski/Getty Images)
Paul McCartney has submitted himself to the experience of Chicken Shop Date, and the results are now available to watch on YouTube.
In the YouTube series, host Amelia Dimoldenberg eats fried chicken and fries while Sir Paul munches on vegan chicken nuggets and answers a variety of quirky questions.
McCartney was asked to recall the time he set a condom on fire in Hamburg, Germany, whether he’d ever get a tattoo, and how often he thinks Amelia should go to the dentist. She then hit him with perhaps the most outlandish question of all.
“Who’s your favorite Beatle?” Amelia asked.
After noting that there’s “only one left” besides himself, McCartney replied, “Now, currently it’s Ringo. During the Beatles, I think we all used to look up to John, ’cause he was like the leader, even though there wasn’t an officially a leader of the group.”
“He was very witty and he was great to have in the group,” he continued. “I think all of us might’ve said John was our favorite Beatle.”
McCartney also told a heartwarming story about his late wife, Linda McCartney. He said he once heard that Greek billionaire Aristotle Onassis gave his wife Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis a bracelet inscribed with “JILY,” which stood for “Jackie I Love You.” That inspired him to get Linda a bracelet that read “LILY,” for “Linda I Love You.”
“Oh, that’s gorgeous. Wow, that’s very thoughtful of you,” Amelia responded. “She’s a lovely girl,” McCartney responded.
Among the other topics the two discussed were whether Sir Paul has ever autographed someone’s butt, the last time he did a headstand, how many guitars he owns, gardening tips and whether Amelia should start taking drugs.
Michael Bublé greeted by fans during 2024 NHL All-Star Thursday on Feb. 1, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
It’s a show about two guys and Canadian hockey, but it’s family-friendly.
Michael Bublé and his pal Drew Scott of the show Property Brotherswill be the stars of a new Prime Video series called Hometown Giants. The two stars are minority owners of the Vancouver Giants, a major junior hockey league featuring players ages 16-20, which serves as a talent pool for the NHL.
The six-episode series will follow the young players as they face “constant pressure, sacrifice and life-changing decisions.” It will debut this fall.
According to Northeast Now, the first episode finds Michael and Drew calling their pal and fellow Canadian, Ryan Reynolds, for advice about buying into the struggling Giants. Ryan went through a similar experience when he purchased a Welsh soccer team for his docuseries, Welcome to Wrexham. Michael said Ryan’s reaction was: “What are you doing, idiots? You know what you’re getting into?”
“All Canadian celebrities, they buy a sports team, that’s just what we do,” Michael continued. “His advice was, ‘Don’t do it.’”
Olivia Rodrigo performs at the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (Disney/Frank Micelotta)
Olivia Rodrigo isn’t yet in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but she has participated in a few of its induction ceremonies. Now, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum has arranged an entire day just for Liv’s fans.
To celebrate the release of her new album, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love, on June 12, the Cleveland, Ohio, landmark is hosting Olivia Rodrigo Fan Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time. Fans who visit that day will get a free button and “special gift from Olivia.”
While you’re there, you can see her looks from Saturday Night Live in 2023 and the 2022 induction ceremony honoring Carly Simon. You can also hear the new album played throughout the museum, create an Olivia playlist keychain, share your favorite lyric on the fan wall and take a photo in front of a display of her most memorable lyrics.
Plus, there’s an Olivia Rodrigo trivia contest with prizes and a nonstop loop of her speeches and performances at the Rock Hall inductions and her Saturday Night Live appearances. She most recently participated in an induction in November, where she played the White Stripes song “We’re Going to Be Friends” in honor of her musical idol, Jack White, who was being inducted that night.
Speaking of musical idols, you can learn more about the inductees who have influenced Olivia, including the White Stripes, The Cure, Carly Simon, Sheryl Crow and more, while at the museum.
Kansas performs at the Ryman Auditorium on August 19, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Kansas, former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett and Asia are among the artists performing on the 2027 Cruise to the Edge.
The prog-themed concert cruise sets sail from Miami on April 2 and will make stops in Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico, as well as Harvest Caye, Belize, before returning April 8.
“This isn’t just a cruise,” the Cruise to the Edge website reads. “It’s a Progressive Rock odyssey across sunlit seas, where legendary artists, intimate venues, and stunning concert cruise destinations collide in a festival unlike any other.”
“Comes with the Country” is the latest release from “Long Live Country” hitmaker Shane Profitt. He plays the Chevy Vibes Stage June 5 at CMA Fest, before joining Luke Bryan on his Word on the Street Tour June 11 in Fort Worth, Texas.
The Highwomen’s Live at The Gorge 2023 album is out now, ahead of their performance at the venue on Sunday. Maren Morris, Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires and Natalie Hemby have also released a new live video for “Redesigning Women.”
Zach John King’s new song, “Beneath the Pines,” follows his Grand Ole Opry debut last Saturday. Six dates on his upcoming Get to Drinkin Tour have already sold out.
