Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande attend the ‘Wicked: For Good’ European Premiere on November 10, 2025 in London, England. (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are friends … for good.
After the two Wicked stars reunited during Ari’s concert in London on Aug. 16 to sing “For Good” and “Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again,” Cynthia took to Instagram to post a photo of the two embracing onstage.
“Ari, my sweet sister, my favorite person to sing with,” she wrote. “Thank you for inviting me to share your stage, singing 2 songs that represent such a massive part of our lives. This is what we do it for, for the love of the work and for all of the fans.”
“I missed this. We missed this. And I wish I had more words, but to put it simply, I will never forget this night. Like a handprint on my heart.”
Ariana replied in the comments, “it’ll always come back to this… just as it started. i’m so grateful for this moment & for you… love you always.”
‘Grand Ole Opry: Live in London’ (Courtesy Grand Ole Opry)
The Grand Ole Opry’s sold-out September 2025 show at London’s Royal Albert Hall will air as the first-ever two-part Opry Live special starting this weekend.
Grand Ole Opry: Live in London premieres Aug. 22 and concludes the following Saturday. You can watch via the Opry’s Facebook and YouTube channels, Circle Country and RFD-TV starting at 9 p.m. ET.
The trip across the pond celebrated the Opry’s 100-year anniversary and was the first broadcast ever to originate outside the U.S.
The night featured several once-in-a-lifetime collaborations you’ll want to watch for, including Luke Combs and Carly Pearce doing “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” which they wrote together.
Ashley McBryde subbed for Travis Tritt on Marty Stuart’s “The Whiskey Ain’t Workin’,” while Luke Combs and Marcus Mumford tackled Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind,” and Darius Rucker and Breach did “Wagon Wheel.”
Miranda Lambert: One Night Only (Courtesy MCA/Miranda Lambert)
Miranda Lambert will be the first artist to play new Nashville music venue The Truth on Oct.1, celebrating the release of her new album, Crisco, the next day.
She’ll add a 12-piece string section for the show, which will include a full set of her hits and songs from the new project.
“It was magical to hear the way strings can transform a song when we were in the studio creating this record, and I can’t wait to bring that to life in an even bigger way with our full setlist,” she says. “We’ve never gotten to play that way on stage, and to have the opportunity to do it for the first time at the opening of a beautiful new venue right here in Nashville is going to be really special.”
Ticket sales for Miranda Lambert: One Night Only go on sale Friday.
Bon Jovi is marking the 40th anniversary of their breakthrough album, Slippery When Wet.
The band marked the milestone with a post on Instagram Tuesday, writing, “Slippery When Wet turns 40 years old today! We’re grateful to everyone who’s been part of this journey and kept these songs alive for 40 years.”
The post also included photos from the era, as well as clips from the music videos for the album’s hit singles “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “You Give Love a Bad Name.”
Released Aug. 18, 1986, Slippery When Wet was the New Jersey rockers’ third studio album and the follow-up to 1985’s 7800° Fahrenheit. Produced by Bruce Fairbairn, the album rocketed the band to superstardom, spending eight weeks at #1 on the Billboard Albums chart, their first #1 album.
“You Give Love a Bad Name” and “Livin’ on a Prayer,” written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Desmond Child, both went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, with a third single, “Wanted Dead or Alive,” peaking at #7.
Slippery When Wet would go on to be Billboard’s top-selling album of 1987 and has since been certified 15-times Platinum by the RIAA.
‘Shooting Up and Making Out: A Memoir of My Life in LA and L7’ book cover. (Da Capo)
The memoir of late L7 bassist Jennifer Finch will be published on Jan. 19, 2027.
The book, titled Shooting Up and Making Out: A Memoir of My Life in LA and L7, was completed before Finch’s death on July 18 following a diagnosis of brain cancer. She was 59.
“Jennifer’s memoir was the last major project she completed before she passed away,” says the book’s co-writer Jeff Alulis. “She and I worked together for two years to make sure she was happy with every word of it, and with someone as intentional and thoughtful as Jennifer that was no small task!”
Alulis adds, “I’m heartbroken that she won’t get to see it published, but I’m thrilled to share her life and legacy with the world.”
Along with the memoir announcement, Rolling Stone has published a piece featuring L7’s Donita Sparks, Hole’s Courtney Love and Melissa Auf der Maur, Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello, Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea and The Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan sharing their remembrances of Finch.
Cover art for Pooh Shiesty’s ‘All Eyes on Shiest’ (1017 Global Music)
Pooh Shiesty’s latest album, All Eyes on Shiest, has debuted in the top 10 of the Billboard 200.
The album earned 51,000 equivalent album units in the United States in the week ending Aug. 13, according to Luminate, giving Shiesty his second top-10 album to date, following 2021’s Shiesty Season.
All Eyes on Shiest also debuts at #6 on Top Streaming Albums, with 49,5000 of its 51,000 equivalent album units coming from streaming.
Pooh Shiesty released All Eyes on Shiest on Aug. 6 while incarcerated on charges of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and armed robbery stemming from an alleged January 2026 armed takeover at a Dallas recording studio targeting rapper Gucci Mane over a contract dispute.
According to prosecutors, Shiesty allegedly forced one of the victims to sign a release from the recording contract at gunpoint, The Associated Press reports. The other defendants then robbed the victims of watches, jewelry, cash and other valuables, and allegedly choked one victim to near unconsciousness.
Shiesty and eight other involved men have pleaded not guilty and are scheduled to stand trial in February.
Bruno Mars reacts onstage after a parade honoring his impact on Las Vegas entertainment on April 10, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada. As part of the event, Park Avenue, the road outside Dolby Live at Park MGM, the theater where he had a long-running residency, was officially renamed Bruno Mars Drive. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for MGM Resorts)
Bruno Mars is among the top contenders for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards. He’s secured five nominations: artist of the year, video of the year, best R&B, best direction and best edition for “I Just Might.”
Burna Boy, Doechii and Kehlani each have two nods, while Don Toliver’s first chance at winning a Moon Person comes with his best hip-hop nomination for “E85.” The song will compete against Cardi B’s “Safe” featuring Kehlani, Drake’s “Janice STFU,” “Lover Girl” by Megan Thee Stallion, Travis Scott’s “Dumbo” and “Sugar on My Tongue” by Tyler, The Creator.
In the best R&B category, Bruno’s up against Chris Brown’s “It Depends/Obvious,” “Raindance” by Dave and Tems, Justin Bieber’s “Yukon,” Kehlani’s “Folded,” and “Is It a Crime” by Mariah the Scientist and Kali Uchis.
A$AP Rocky’s “PUNK ROCKY” earned a nomination for best cinematography, and Olivia Dean’s “Man I Need” is up for song of the year.
Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T and Malice’s “Chain & Whips” is among the nominees for best collaboration, as are “Ever Since U Left Me” by French Montana x Max B, “Dai Dai” by Shakira and Burna Boy, Teyana Taylor and Lucky Daye’s “Hard Part” and more.
The 2026 MTV VMAs will air live from Los Angeles on Sept. 27 on CBS, simulcast on MTV and stream on Paramount+. Voting is open through Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. ET via Vote.MTV.com.
Admat for Allman Betts Family Revival (courtesy of The Allman Betts Family Revival)
The music of the Allman Brothers Band will once again be celebrated at the 10th annual Allman Betts Family Revival, a 20-date tour launching in November.
This year’s trek, hosted by Gregg Allman’s son Devon Allman and Dickey Betts’ son Duane Betts, is titled A Decade of Revival, inspired by the Allman Brothers Band’s 1991 compilation, A Decade of Hits 1969–1979.
“I can’t believe it’s been 10 years of our beautiful gathering of friends to celebrate our dads’ songbook,” Devon says. “Being the faithful custodians to this historic body of work is not lost on Duane and I. It is our high honor. We couldn’t possibly hold it any closer to our hearts. We can’t wait to evoke the spirits and celebrate 10 years.”
“It’s a gift playing this timeless songbook with so many of our beautiful, talented friends,” Duane adds. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to have the Revival continue into year 10. See y’all on the road!”
The tour is set to kick off Nov. 28 in St. Louis, Missouri, and wraps with two nights in San Francisco, Dec. 19 and 20. In addition to the Allman Betts Band, this year’s lineup includes Robert Randolph, Sierra Hull, Judith Hill and Luther Dickinson. A complete list of dates and lineups can be found at allmanbettsfamilyrevival.com.
Unlike in previous years, the nominations list does not include a best rock category.
The 2026 MTV VMAs will air live on Sept. 27 starting at 7:30 p.m. ET on CBS, simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+. Voting is open through Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. ET via Vote.MTV.com.
Amid a challenging touring environment, Michelle Branch sold out the first leg of her upcoming Everywhere and Back Again tour, so now, she’s added a second leg. It’s an additional 17 dates, beyond the initial 20 she first announced. The first leg runs from Sept. 27 in Seattle to Nov. 13 in Lexington, Kentucky. The second leg starts Feb. 25, 2027, in Charleston, South Carolina.
A presale for the new dates begins Aug. 19 at 10 a.m. local time. Other presales will follow throughout the week; tickets go on sale to the general public on Aug. 21 at 10 a.m. local time. Visit michellebranch.com for details and ticket info.
The tour comes in support of her upcoming Everywhere and Back Again EP, which features new versions of her biggest hits, reimagined with special guests. The first single, “Game of Love,” is a collaboration with New Radicals’ Gregg Alexander, who co-wrote the song.
“Announcing leg two of the Everywhere and Back Again tour has been the hardest secret to keep! I’m blown away by all the love for the tour and ‘Game of Love,'” Michelle said in a statement. “Can’t wait to see you all out on the road. This is just the beginning.”
Meanwhile, Michelle has revealed that Maren Morris is her special guest on her new version of “Goodbye to You.” The two artists performed it together live on Aug. 15 in Nashville, with Maren telling the crowd that Michelle was a big inspiration to her when she was younger.
