Category Archives: News

Adrenaline PR, News, Tours

Teenage Beautycore Metal Trio GFM (Gold Frankincense & Myrrh) Announces New Tour Dates

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GFM (Gold Frankincense & Myrrh), a trio of the three teenage sisters who balancing the melodicism of bands like Paramore with a Slipknot-like ferocity, has announced a new run of upcoming live dates, beginning March 15.

“We’re really excited to get back out on the road,” says bassist Maggie English. “We’re playing with new bands, and we’re finally reaching those cities that our fans have been begging us to come to. There’s going to be lots of energy with this one.”

GFM plans to release a new single in April, the following up to January’s “I Don’t Need Your Fantasy.” Produced by the acclaimed Joey Sturgis (Of Mice & Men, The Devil Wears Prada, Attack Attack!, Asking Alexandria), “I Don’t Need Your Fantasy” is a song about breaking stereotypes – something GFM does brilliantly with a sound they have dubbed “beautycore.”

Listen to “I Don’t Need Your Fantasy” Here:

Clearly not your average teenage girl band, CJ English (guitar/vocals), Maggie English (bass, keyboards, vocals) and LuLu English (drums, vocals) are breaking boundaries in the music industry and bringing life back to rock and metal with GFM’s encouraging and positive message.

The sisters all began taking music lessons at just five years old, which sparked a love of music that would continue to grow. As they grew up, the girls collectively decided that they wanted to pursue this love for music professionally and began putting blood and sweat into creating GFM.

GFM’s first album, Identity Crisis, was released in 2016, followed by Oh, The Horror! in April 2019. After touring the US multiple times, the group headed overseas to Germany in 2018, where their energetic performances established GFM as a festival favorite. A new EP is scheduled for release this spring.

GFM by Brandon Perry @thebpphotography
Photography: Brandon Perry @thebpphotography

GFM (Gold Frankincense & Myrrh) Tour Dates:

  • 3/15 – Ft. Worth, TX @ Tom Cats
  • 3/18 – Huntington, AR @ The Good Fight
  • 3/19 – Norman, OK @ KOUJ 107.1 FM/Calvary Chapel
  • 3/22 – Sioux Falls, SD @ Bigs Bar
  • 3/23 – Minneapolis, MN @ Whiskey Junction
  • 3/25 – Des Moines, ID @ Lefty’s Live Music
  • 3/26 – Burlington, IA @ The Washington
  • 3/27 – Green Bay, WI @ Cup O Joy
  • 3/29 – Barrington, IL @ Penny Road Pub
  • 3/31 – Columbus, OH @ Rumba Café
  • 4/2 – Tonawanda, NY @ Stamps the Bar
  • 4/4 – Millersburg, PA @ Reigles Bible Fellowship

What others have been saying about GFM:

“CJ, Maggie and Lulu are a glowing ball of positive energy that radiates from the stage and into their fans’ lives. When you encounter GFM, be it through their music or in person, you are truly changed for the better. From their hard-driving shows to their lighthearted and sometimes deep social media events, everyone they touch is truly #TeamGFM once they leave. And it isn’t a one-time offer either; you are family from the start.” – Rock 98.9 (Jacksonville, FL)

“Never in my 25 years of mixing have I seen such dedicated/focused music prodigies… I can truthfully say I’m honored to be able to be a small part of their sound.” – Producer Billy Decker

“Beautycore is real and it’s coming at ya full steam!!! You’ll rarely find a band as dedicated to their craft as GFM. Not just a bunch of pretty faces, this group consumes all things pop/punk/metal and have created their own ear-shattering style (in an excellent way). No two songs are ever the same and they’re always sprinkling in new flavors to keep things fresh. These ladies are busting through barriers while providing people of all ages and walks of life the ultimate life-changing message of love and hope. Get on the train now, because this group has a long, blazing future in front of them and you’ll regret missing a single note!!!” – Jon Walden/Revocation Radio (Birmingham, AL)

“GFM is such a breath of fresh air. Heavy music mixed with a positive message in a voice that resonates with young people. The musical connection all three sisters share is unparalleled.” – Carmen Mark “Squiggy” DiGiacomo/Loudwire

“GFM is one of those groups that absolutely radiates talent and drive, and their passion for writing and performing is something that is truly inspiring. It’s really only a matter of time until these guys are ruling the rock charts and I feel extremely blessed to have played a small part in their journey.” – Producer Eric Varnell

GFM Is:

  • CJ Sanders English – Guitar, Vocals
  • Magdalene “Maggie” Rose English – Bass, Vocals
  • Evie “LuLu” Louise English – Drums, Background Vocals

GFM Online:

Website | Patreon | Facebook | Twitter
Instagram | YouTube | BandsInTown


Featured photo (top) by JW Lee


Albums & EPs, News, Speakeasy PR

Talking Book (Faith No More/Gigante Sound) Set April 24 Release for Talking Book II  

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San Francisco – Talking Book, the San Francisco-born experimental trio whose music evokes the “distorted sepia tone imagery of a bygone era” (Cyclic Defrost), return with their first album in nine years, Talking Book II.

The group features Faith No More’s Bill Gould with Gigante Sound co-founders Jared Blum (Vulcanus 68, Vision Heat) and Dominic Cramp (Borful Tang, Lord Tang), crafting music that is antithetical to genre classifications. Though the approach to creating the record has been uniquely their own, there are obvious echoes of Eno’s earliest ambient projects and his Bowie collaborations, ‘60s Serbian and Czech soundtracks, English folk and coastal melodies, intertwining prog guitars met with dusty electro acoustic tape music and Lynch’s “Eraserhead” score.

“We had originally thought this would be an easy follow-up to our debut album from 2011,” said Gould. “But in fact, this was a journey that took years. It was a wild ride, but in my opinion was totally worth the effort, it enabled us to really dig deep, and get this the way we wanted it. I feel like we have created a soundtrack to a film that can only be seen through listening.”

An early listen to the 14-song collection comes with a stream of “Thermal Drift” here.

Talking Book II is a total listening experience, meant to be digested as two complete pieces, preferably with headphones. The tracks are meant to flow, one into the other, without gaps. The vinyl release will be limited to 500 copies and contains an entire piece per side. Pre-orders for the 12” vinyl version can be found here.

Talking Book II Track List:

  1. Blood Aurora
  2. Thermal Drift
  3. The Land Upright
  4. A Crumbling Mind Smiles
  5. Zastava
  6. Early Sorrows
  7. The Last Time She Died
  8. They Came at Dawn
  9. A Sea Turned to Stone
  10. Heritor
  11. Lost in Glass
  12. The War Was Better
  13. Dying Light
  14. Absent Horizon

Koolarrow Records Online

Website | Facebook

Featured photo (top) by Chuck Moseley


Albums & EPs, News

Amanda Palmer & Friends Release Forty​-​Five Degrees – A Bushfire Charity Flash Record

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Amanda Palmer has teamed up with friends, including The Dresden Dolls bandmate and acclaimed drummer Brian Viglione, to release a collaborative album for charity — Forty-Five Degrees – A Bushfire Charity Flash Record. The album includes contributions from Jherek Bischoff (who was a member of Palmer’s Grand Theft Orchestra), Clare Bowditch, Fred Leone, Missy Higgins, and Montaigne.

Funded by Palmer’s supporters on her Patreon, all profits are going to an Indigenous Australian-led organization called Firesticks Alliance in response to Australia’s 2019-2020 bushfire season.

In a public post on her Patreon, Palmer says, “all the artists involved are incredibly proud of the work we’ve done – my phone is covered in texts dripping with excitement. i kinda cannot believe we pulled off a record that sounds THIS powerful THIS fast. i just got off the phone with a journalist who was like: ‘holy shit, this record is actually really amazing.’ and i was like: YEAH IT IS. do not underestimate the power of fast art.”

THE DRESDEN DOLLS RIDE AGAIN!!!!!!!! …the look on his face when he nails that last piano hit. GOD DAMMIT I LOVE Brian Viglione – this is him tracking the drums for “beds are burning”, with missy higgins on vocals with me, and jherek bischoff on bass and guitar. this song dropped yesterday as the first taste of “forty-five degrees”, our bushfire charity flash record. the whole thing comes out tomorrow – guests include brian on a ton of songs, jherek bischoff on bass and guitar, montaigne and clare bowditch singing duets with me, and fred leone on didgeridoo. the song selection is off the hook. we worked really hard on this, it’s a truly powerful record. i hope you listen and i hope you love. patrons, heads up it’ll be emailed – and all your $ is going to firesticks alliance network. non-patrons, just watch this space for links tomorrow, it’ll be available everywhere music streams. all the sales head to bushfire charity. ♥️🔥♥️ i’m on my way to sydney today for tomorrow’s show at the enmore!! SEE YOU SOON SYDNEY. also, MELBOURNE, tix for me and @neilhimself’s charity gig march 8th at the forum are almost gone!!! all the album (and melbourne show info) is HERE: https://www.patreon.com/posts/34048106 …. video taken in jaron luksa’s studio in LA, the rattle room, where brian tracked. thanks jaron. 🙏🏼🔥

Posted by Amanda Palmer on Tuesday, February 18, 2020

The album is available to purchase on Bandcamp for minimum of $5 — pay as much as you want.

While Palmer has toured in Australia for three months in support of There Will Be No Intermission, she recorded the album in Melbourne. There, Palmer and her husband, author Neil Gaiman, will be hosting a bushfire benefit on March 8. Tickets to “Neil Gaiman & Amanda Palmer Present a Bushfire Recovery Event”, including 18+ VIP Meet & Greets, are available through Ticketmaster and will certainly sell out.

Artwork by Sarah Beetson


Adrenaline PR, Kataklizmic Design, Music Videos, News

Theatrical Metal Quartet Raven Black Teases New Video in Advance of “The In-Between” Tour

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Theatrical metal band Raven Black will preview their upcoming third album, The Key, on The In-Between Tour this spring with In This Moment, Black Veil Brides and DED.

The nearly-two-month-long tour will begin March 24 in Orlando and will continue through May 16.

“We are incredibly excited to support In This Moment and Black Veil Brides along with DED on this tour, and share our new music with all of you,” says Raven. “We can’t wait to share our new album and feel there would be no better tour to present the Dark Metal Carnival.”

The Key, produced by Ulrich Wild (Static-X, White Zombie, Deftones), is scheduled for release this May via WurmGroup. Pre-orders for the album and an assortment of bundles are available via Raven Black’s webstore. A new video for the track “Hear Me Cry” will be available soon. VIP packages for The In-Between Tour are also available at the webstore.

Raven Black’s Dark Metal Carnival story began when a voodoo doctor, The Doctor, happened upon a lost and scared little girl named Raven. Using his magic, The Doctor attempted turned the girl into a doll. The Doctor’s attempt, however, was interrupted by the terrified girl’s screams, leaving her in a half-human, half-doll state. As Raven lived in the dark world of the Doctor, she secretly learned his magic and conjured up a demon named Muppet, whom she trapped inside of her heart and made her eternal protector. Together, The Doctor and Muppet created another character, Stitches, to help search for souls to join the Dark Metal Carnival in the 13th hour.

Together, the quartet has created a soundtrack to the Dark Metal Carnival, releasing the 2016 EP Seven Sins and the 2018 album 13. The band has toured extensively, perfecting a creepy live show that unifies the visual and aural aspects of Raven Black.

Raven Black Tour Dates

  • 3/24 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues
  • 3/26 – Atlanta, GA –Tabernacle
  • 3/27 – Birmingham, AL – Sloss Furnaces
  • 3/28 – Cherokee, NC – Harrah’s Cherokee Events Center
  • 3/30 – Richmond, VA – The National
  • 3/31 – Silver Spring, MD – Fillmore
  • 4/1 – New York, NY – Terminal 5
  • 4/3 – Stroudsburg, PA – Sherman Theatre
  • 4/4 – Cleveland, OH – The Agora Ballroom
  • 4/5 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
  • 4/7 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works
  • 4/9 – Columbus, OH – Express Live!
  • 4/10 – Detroit, MI – Fillmore 
  • 4/11 – Chicago, IL – Aragon Ballroom
  • 4/13 – Louisville, KY – Palace Theatre
  • 4/14 – Ft. Wayne, IN – The Clyde Theatre
  • 4/15 – Grand Rapids, MI – 20 Monroe Live
  • 4/17 – Minneapolis, MN – Myth Live
  • 4/18 – Milwaukee, WI – Eagles Ballroom
  • 4/19 – Columbia, MO – Blue Note (Outdoor Stage)
  • 4/21 – Kansas City, MO – Arvest Bank Center at The Midland Theatre
  • 4/23- Dallas, TX – Southside Ballroom
  • 4/24 – Oklahoma City, OK – Criterion
  • 4/25 – Lubbock, TX – Lonestar Events Center
  • 4/27 – Phoenix, AZ – Comerica Theatre
  • 4/28 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues
  • 4/29 – Los Angeles, CA – The Novo
  • 5/1 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues
  • 5/2 – Reno, NV – Grand Theatre – Grand Sierra Resort
  • 5/3 – San Francisco, CA – The Warfield
  • 5/5 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
  • 5/6 – Boise, ID – Revolution Center
  • 5/7 – Portland, OR – Roseland Ballroom
  • 5/8 – Kennewick, WA – Toyota Center: Retter & Company Theatre
  • 5/10 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre
  • 5/10 – Vancouver, BC – Queen Elizabeth Theatre
  • 5/13 – Calgary, AL – MacEwan Hall
  • 5/15 – Billings, MT – First Interstate Arena
  • 5/16 – Casper, WY – Casper Events Center

Raven Black is:

  • Raven – Vocals
  • Muppet – Drums/Vocals
  • The Doctor – Lead Guitar/Vocals
  • Stitches – Bass

Raven Black Online

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

News, Night Owl PR, Tours

Less Than Jake and Lagwagon Announce Co-Headline Tour

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Ska-punk luminaries Less than Jake have teamed up with influential SoCal punk rock band Lagwagon to bring you quite possibly the best punk tour of the year. Special guests include pop-punk quartet Masked Intruder and punk rock duo Plasma Canvas.

Lagwagon
| Photography: Ilkay Karakurt

The tour will kick off at The Rave in Milwaukee, WI on May 8th then head north into Canada then half way down the East Coast then aims for Nashville then moves toward the Southeast to conclude in Fort Lauderdale on May 29th. Presale begins on Friday, February 21st at 10am EST. Also, Less Than Jake recently wrapped up recording their new album which you can expect this summer via Pure Noise Records.

LTJ-LAG-Tour
Click to Enlarge

To some, the name may bring you back to a movie soundtrack or a video game; others are transported to a sweaty day on the Vans Warped Tour. One thing that can not be argued is that if you have experienced Less Than Jake live, it is something that you will never forget.

With ten full length releases, numerous EPs, 7-inch singles and compilations, the band has quietly sold millions of records worldwide, with little support from radio and television outlets. They have been self-managed for the last seven years and have shown no signs of slowing down their breakneck touring schedule.

To quote an industry insider, “while their contemporaries’ crowds have diminished, Less Than Jake’s draw has seemingly gotten larger.” If asked how this was accomplished, the band members shrug and respond, “we never stopped touring or trying to be an active band.”

Continuing to play over 150 dates a year while also writing and recording new material has kept the band fresh in a time when “ska” has become something of a four letter word. The list of acts they have supported is staggering (Bon Jovi, Linkin Park, Snoop Dogg) while the list of bands that have supported them makes even the most hardened music industry veteran do a double take (Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Yellowcard). All the while the band has held firm to its punk rock roots and have managed to live through many musical trends simply by just being Less Than Jake.

With well over 300 releases on various labels under their belt, most would think their legacy is already intact, but the status quo has never interested Less Than Jake. They continue to write and perform new material and have no thoughts of letting up. With the energy and exuberance of a band half its age and the determination of savvy veterans, there is seemingly no end point to this enduring and entertaining band.

Less Than Jake Is:

  • Chris DeMakes (vocals, guitar)
  • Roger Lima (vocals, bass)
  • Buddy Shaub (trombone)
  • Peter “JR” Wasilewski (saxophone)
  • Matt Yonker (drums)

Less Than Jake Online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram


Featured photo (top) by Jodi Cunningham


Albums & EPs, BMG, News, Tours

Hollywood Undead Release New Empire, Vol. 1, the Band’s Sixth Full Length Studio Album

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Los Angeles, CA — California’s own Hollywood Undead have released their much-anticipated sixth full-length studio album, New Empire, Vol. 1, today via Dove & Grenade Media / BMG. In support of the New Empire, Vol. 1, the band will be touring the US and Europe — a full touring itinerary can be found below.

New Empire, Vol. 1 – Official Track Listing

  1. Time Bomb
  2. Heart of a Champion
  3. Already Dead
  4. Empire
  5. Killin It
  6. Enemy
  7. Upside Down
  8. Second Chances
  9. Nightmare

The record was produced by Matt Good (Sleeping With Sirens, Asking Alexandria) and features nine fiery, high-energy tracks that reveal the band growing up and embracing a heavier, hard-rock sound with this effort, not to mention sharpening their signature sound to knifepoint precision. Fans may also recognize guest vocals from Kellin Quinn (Sleeping With Sirens) on “Upside Down,” and Good Charlotte’s Benji Madden on “Second Chances.” The LP is available to stream and download on all digital service providers here.

“To be blunt, this album is our attempt at reimagining Hollywood Undead, not just a new sound for this release, but a new sound for the band altogether. Our goal from the outset was to make music that stands alone from our other albums, yet seamlessly fits with what we’ve made before. Building upon the old to create a new sound and a ‘New Empire’,” explains Johnny 3 Tears (vocals, bass guitar).

Watch “Empire” from New Empire, Vol. 1 here:

“This was a fresh canvas, and we approached [the album] as if it was the first time we sat in a room to write music together. After 15 years, that’s difficult to do, but it was our goal, nonetheless. For reinvention, you have to be honest with yourself and honest with the listeners. New Empire, Vol. 1 was our opportunity to disregard expectations and say, ‘F*ck everything we’ve done. Let’s pretend we’ve never made a record before and do something different,’” he adds.

Watch the visualizer for “Heart Of A Champion” from New Empire, Vol.1 here:

U.S. Co-headliner with Bad Wolves Begins in May – Tickets on Sale Today

In support of New Empire, Vol. 1, Hollywood Undead will be teaming up with Bad Wolves for an extensive co-headline tour of the U.S. this spring. Bad Wolves will be touring in celebration of their sophomore LP, N.A.T.I.O.N, which produced the band’s current single, “Killing Me Slowly,” that recently hit the very top of the Active Rock radio charts, marking their fourth consecutive #1 song at the format. The slew of dates runs throughout May with stops in cities along the East Coast, Midwest, and Southern regions of the country. From Ashes To New and Fire From The Gods will provide direct support for select shows. The general public on-sale begins today, with tickets available for purchase on Hollywood Undead’s official website here. Hollywood Undead will also hit the festival circuit in the U.S. later this year, with performances confirmed at Epicenter (Charlotte, NC), Welcome To Rockville (Daytona, FL), Rocklahoma (Pryor, OK), Inkcarceration (Mansfield, OH), and Rock Fest (Cadott, WI).

Click to Enlarge

“We’re looking forward to this spring run with Bad Wolves. It’s been inspiring watching them evolve musically since the last tour, and we can’t wait to get back at it,” says Johnny 3 Tears.

European Tour Kicks off This Evening in London, Followed by 20+ Co-headline Shows with Papa Roach

Hollywood Undead will also embark on their massive European tour today, which includes 20+ co-headline dates with Papa Roach and a solo headline show in London, U.K. this evening.

Hollywood Undead 2020 Tour Dates

  • 2/14 – London, U.K. @ O2 Forum Kentish Town
  • 2/16 – Barcelona, Spain @ Razzmatazz *
  • 2/17 – Madrid, Spain @ Sala Riviera *
  • 2/20 – Milan, Italy @ Alcatraz *
  • 2/21 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Halle 622 *
  • 2/22 – Offenbach, Germany @ Shadhalle *
  • 2/24 – Munich, Germany @ Zenith *
  • 2/25 – Wien, Austria @ Gasometer *
  • 2/28 – Thessaloniki, Greece @ Principal Club Theatre *
  • 2/29 – Athens, Greece @ Piraeus Academy 117 *
  • 3/2 – Sofia, Bulgaria @ Universiada Hall *
  • 3/3 – Bucharest, Romania @ Arenele Romane *
  • 3/4 – Budapest, Hungary @ Papp Laszlo Budapest Sportarena *
  • 3/6 – Bratislava III, Slovakia @ Eurovia Arena *
  • 3/7 – Poznan, Poland @ MTP2 *
  • 3/9 – Berlin, Germany @ Verti Music Hall *
  • 3/10 – Leipzig, Germany @ Haus Auensse *
  • 3/11 – Hannover, Germany @ Swiss Life Hall *
  • 3/13 – Paris, France @ Zenith Paris – La Villette *
  • 3/14 – Tilburg, Netherlands @ 013 Poppodium *
  • 3/16 – Dusseldorf, Germany @ Mitsubishi Electric Halle *
  • 3/17 – Hamburg, Germany @ Barclaycard Arena *
  • 3/18 – Copenhagen, Denmark @ VEGA *
  • 5/3 – Charlotte, NC @ Epicenter Festival ^^
  • 5/5 – Ft. Wayne, IN @ The Clyde Theatre ^
  • 5/7 – Chattanooga, TN @ The Signal ^
  • 5/8 – Huntsville, AL @ Mars Music Hall ^
  • 5/9 – Daytona, FL @ Welcome To Rockville ^^
  • 5/12 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave ^
  • 5/13 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Monroe Live ^
  • 5/15 – Kansas City, MO @ Grinders at Crossroads (KQRC Show) ^
  • 5/17 – Denver, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre (KBPI’s Birthday Bash) # ^^
  • 5/19 – Sioux Falls, ID @ The District ^
  • 5/20 – Cedar Rapids, IA @ U.S. Cellular Center ^
  • 5/22 – Pryor, OK @ Rocklahoma ^^
  • 5/23 – Dallas, TX @ House of Blues ^
  • 5/24 – Wichita, KS @ Cotillion ^
  • 7/19 – Mansfield, OH @ Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival
  • 7/16 – Cadott, WI @ Rock Fest

* w/ Papa Roach
^ w/ Bad Wolves
^^ w/o From Ashes To New and Fire From The Gods
# w/ In This Moment and Black Veil Brides

Hollywood Undead is on the ascent in 2020, with more music to be released later this year and even more surprises for their fans in-store. Keep up with the band on their social platforms, and stay tuned for additional announcements to come.

Hollywood Undead Music Videos

California Dreaming | Whatever It Takes | Renegade
We Own The Night | Black Cadillac (feat. B-Real) | Your Life
Gotta Let Go | Already Dead | Empire

Hollywood Undead Online

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Featured photo (top) by Darren Craig

Adrenaline PR, Live Nation, News, Tours

Megadeth and Lamb Of God Announce Massive 2020 Co-Headline Tour Across North America

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Two of the biggest bands in heavy metal – Megadeth and Lamb of God – will be joining forces on a co-headline tour across North America this year, presented by SiriusXM. And to add to the firepower of this already formidable tour, Trivium and In Flames are joining, making this the must-see heavy music package of the year. Tickets will go on general sale Friday, February 14 on LiveNation.com. (Tour dates below)

Megadeth
Megadeth

Megadeth, fueled by Dave Mustaine’s triumphant return to the stage following his diagnosis and recovery of throat cancer, will embark on their first North American tour since 2017.

Speaking on the epic announcement, Megadeth’s leader and frontman, Dave Mustaine says, “Hello me! I’m back again, better than ever and coming to a town near you with Lamb of God, Trivium and In Flames. If you want high octane metal madness this is the tour for you.”

Lamb of God

Lamb of God released their first new music in five years last week with the single “Checkmate.” The track is the first to be released from the band’s self-titled eighth studio album, due out May 8, which is one of the most anticipated and important metal records of the year. Commenting on their upcoming co-headline run, Mark Morton, lead guitarist of Lamb of God, adds, “The world has never needed heavy more than it does today and top to bottom, this tour delivers! Lamb of God has toured with and been friends with all of these bands for years, but for all of us to be on the same bill is something extra special. Come early and stay late. This is the metal tour of the year.”

Trivium’s Matt Heafy adds, “We are happy to be a part of the biggest real metal tour of the year. This tour is the main event and represents heavy metal and the culture that goes with it.“

With In Flames singer, Anders Fridén stating, “We were honored to be asked to join this package. We were actually supposed to take this summer off, but of course we couldn’t say no. After playing shows with all of these guys for years, 2020 is going to feel like a kick ass reunion. See you on the road, Jesterheads!”

Produced by Live Nation, this epic 55-city tour will stretch across summer and fall, kicking off June 12 in Bristow, VA, and hit every region of the U.S. before wrapping November 13 in Reno, NV. Multiple Canadian shows are scheduled as well. See full itinerary below.

Tickets and VIP packages for all four artists go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, February 14 at 10 a.m. local time here. Citi is the official presale credit card of the tour. As such, Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase presale tickets & VIP packages beginning Tuesday, February 11 at 10 a.m. local time until Thursday, February 13 at 10 p.m. local time through Citi Entertainment®. For complete presale details visit their website.

Megadeth and Lamb of God North American Tour Dates

Summer 2020

  • 6/12 – Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live
  • 6/13 – Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion
  • 6/14 – Raleigh, NC @ Red Hat Amphitheater
  • 6/16 – Virginia Beach, VA @ Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
  • 6/17 – Wantagh, NY @ Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
  • 6/18 – Camden, NJ @ BB&T Pavilion
  • 6/20 – Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center
  • 6/21 – Boston, MA @ Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion
  • 6/23 – Syracuse, NY @ St. Joseph’s Heath Amphitheater at Lakeview
  • 6/24 – Providence, RI @ Bold Point Lake Amphitheater
  • 6/28 – Burgettstown, PA @ S&T Bank Music Park*
  • 6/29 – Toronto, ON @ Budweiser Stage
  • 7/1 – Detroit, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theater
  • 7/2 – Mount Pleasant, MI @ Soaring Eagle Casino Amphitheatre
  • 7/3 – Indianapolis, IN @ Ruoff Music Center
  • 7/5 – Atlanta, GA @ Ameris Music Center
  • 7/7 – Cincinnati, OH @ PNC Pavilion
  • 7/8 – Cleveland, OH @Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica
  • 7/10 – Chicago, IL @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – Chicago, IL
  • 7/11 – St. Louis, MO @ Chicago, IL @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – St. Louis, MO*
  • 7/12 – Nashville, TN @ Nashville Municipal Auditorium
  • 7/14 – Rogers, AR @ Walmart AMP*
  • 7/16 – Austin, TX @ Germania Insurance Amphitheater
  • 7/17 – Houston, TX @ The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
  • 7/18 – Irving, TX @The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory+
  • 7/20 – Albuquerque, NM @ Isleta Amphitheater
  • 7/21- Phoenix, AZ @ Isleta Amphitheater
  • 7/23 – Irvine, CA @ FivePoint Amphitheatre
  • 7/25 – Auburn, WA @ White River Amphitheatre
  • 7/26 – Portland, OR @ Moda Center
  • 7/29 – Salt Lake City, UT @ USANA Amphitheatre
  • 7/30 – Pocatello, ID @ Portneuf Health Trust Amphitheatre
  • 8/1 – Concord, CA @ Concord Pavilion

Fall 2020

  • 10/2 – West Palm Beach, CA @ iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
  • 10/6 – Birmingham, AL @ Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
  • 10/7 – New Orleans, LA @ UNO Lakefront Arena
  • 10/9 – Corpus Christi, TX @ American Bank Center Arena
  • 10/11 – El Paso, TX @ Don Haskins Center
  • 10/14 – Springfield, MO @ JOH Arena
  • 10/16 – Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center
  • 10/21 – Columbus, OH @ Schottenstein Center
  • 10/23 – Huntington, WV @ Mountain Heath Arena
  • 10/24 – Bethlehem, PA @ The Wind Creek Event Center
  • 10/27 – Quebec City, QC @ Centre Videotron
  • 10/28 – Laval, QC @ Place Bell
  • 10/30 – St, Paul, MN @ Armory
  • 10/3 – Green Bay, WI @ Resch Center*
  • 11/2 – Omaha, NE @ Baxter Arena
  • 11/3 – Sioux Falls, SD @ Denny Sanford PREMIER Center
  • 11/5 – Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center
  • 11/7 – Las Vegas, NV @ Mandalay Bay Events Center
  • 11/10 – Spokane, WA @ Spokane Arena
  • 11/11 – Nampa, ID @ Ford Idaho Center Arena
  • 11/13 – Reno, NV @ Reno Events Center

*on sale starts 11 a.m. local time
+on sale starts 12 noon local time

Tickets for this gargantuan tour package are bound to fly out when they go on sale on Friday, February 14. Grab yours before they’re all gone!

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Live Nation, News, Tours, Tracks

Melanie Martinez Unveils Headline Tour And New Song

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Atlantic recording artist Melanie Martinez has announced today’s release of a new song and an extensive leg of her world tour. “Copy Cat (Feat. Tierra Whack)” is available now at all DSPs and streaming services here. “Copy Cat” will be featured on her first project since 2019 album K-12, an EP entitled After School which is due for release this Spring. Tierra Whack is the first artist to be included as a feature on a Melanie Martinez track.

“I’m so thrilled to be releasing this song with the most magical artist and insanely gifted lyricist, Tierra Whack,” says Martinez. “This song was written years ago and from an empathetic perspective, even while in a very hurt place. We’re all told that imitation is flattery to ease the pain that the ego feels when other people get credited for our ideas and our work. But being human includes feeling a multitude of feelings, and naturally this song came about when expressing those very raw emotions. I hope this song can not only bring comfort to anyone experiencing that feeling but also remind them to empathize with people who are just doing what society has conditioned them to believe will make them successful.”

Martinez is “the sweetest, realest, most genuine person I’ve ever met,” says Tierra Whack. “After dropping ‘WHACK WORLD,’ she was one of the first people to reach out and immediately show love. So excited to share our new song together!”

Melanie Martinez
Photography: Brian Zuniga

Martinez has further announced plans for a major North American headline tour, produced by Live Nation – her biggest and most adventurous stage production thus far. (Tour dates below.)

Dates begin June 3rd at The Armory in Minneapolis, MN and then continue through late July. Highlights include Martinez’s appearance at Bunbury festival, and her eagerly anticipated debut performances at New York City’s legendary Radio City Music Hall (June 24th) and Los Angeles, CA’s historic Greek Theatre (July 17th). Martinez has partnered with PLUS1 for the “K-12 Tour” to support crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ youth through the Trevor Project for her US dates, and local organizations working to support and empower the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ communities for her Canadian dates. For more information about PLUS1, click here.

Fan presales begin today at 2PM (local) and tickets go on sale to the general public starting Thursday, February 13th at 10 am (local). To get tickets and see the full list of tour dates, click here. Citi is the official presale credit card of the K-12 Tour. Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase presale tickets for select shows beginning Tuesday, Feb 11 @ 10am local time until Wednesday, Feb 12 @ 10pm local time through Citi Entertainment®. For complete presale details visit Citi Entertainment.

Both “Copy Cat (Feat. Tierra Whack)” and the upcoming tour follow the phenomenal success of Martinez’s internationally acclaimed album and accompanying full-length film, K-12, available now at all music retailers and streaming services. Hailed by Forbes as “a perfect conceptual album in the streaming age,” K-12 entered the SoundScan/Billboard 200 at #3 upon its September 2019 release – the multi-talented pop phenomenon’s highest chart placement thus far. In addition, K-12 debuted at #1 on the “Alternative Albums,” “Soundtracks,” and “Vinyl Albums” charts, as well as #2 on “Pop Albums” and #3 on “Top Albums.” Internationally, K-12 made top 10 debuts in Canada, Australia, Ireland, Netherlands, UK, New Zealand, and Spain.

Produced by Michael Keenan with the exception of one song produced by Kinetics & One Love, K-12 marks Martinez’s long anticipated follow-up to her RIAA platinum certified, 2015 debut album, Cry Baby. The new album further serves as a soundtrack companion to an eerily enchanting musical film, written, directed, and starring Martinez. K-12 is streaming now at DSPs and Martinez’s official YouTube channel, where it has earned close to 43 million views to date. Praised by Billboard as “a visual dream world of the 24-year-old’s own making… a whimsical, highly dramatized version of school life, filled with pastels, magic, oversized hair bows and babydoll dresses,” the film is also available on iTunes, Amazon, Amazon Prime, Google Play, Fandango Now, Vudu US, Comcast Cable, Cox Cable, Microsoft Store US, and Stingray/Qello.

In addition to today’s premiere of “Copy Cat (Feat. Tierra Whack),” last week saw Martinez unfurl a series of compelling new videos for songs featured on K-12, including “Orange Juice,” “Detention,” “Teacher’s Pet,” “High School Sweethearts,” and “Recess,” all of which are written and directed by Martinez and streaming now via YouTube. K-12 also includes the previously released “Lunchbox Friends” and “Show & Tell” videos, which have contributed to driving Melanie’s YouTube channel to the precipice of 10 million followers.

Widely applauded for her remarkably creative live performances, Martinez further introduced K-12 to the world with a visually stunning presentation of the album’s “Strawberry Shortcake“ on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, streaming here.

Meanwhile, Martinez is currently traveling Europe on her epic “K-12 Tour,” with remaining dates set for Germany, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. From there, Martinez returns to the US for a series of already sold out “K-12 Tour” dates beginning March 17th at Anaheim, CA’s House of Blues and continuing through the month. Naaz will support on all European dates, and Sub Urban will open the March US dates. For complete details and additional information, visit here.

<div id=”dates”></div>

Melanie Martinez World Tour 2020

  • FEBRUARY
  • 10 Frankfurt, DE Jahrhunderthalle
  • 12 Cologne, DE Palladium
  • 13 Paris, FR Olympia Theatre
  • 15 Tilburg, NL 013 Poppodium
  • 17 London, UK O2 Academy Brixton
  • MARCH
  • 17 Anaheim, CA House of Blues – Anaheim
  • 19 Oakland, CA Fox Theatre
  • 20 Las Vegas, NV Pearl Concert Theater
  • 22 Denver, CO Paramount Theatre
  • 23 Salt Lake City, UT The Union
  • 25 Seattle, WA Paramount Ballroom
  • 26 Garden City, ID The Revolution Center

NEW K-12 Tour Dates

  • JUNE
  • 3 Minneapolis, MN The Armory
  • 5-7 Cincinnati, OH Bunbury Music Festival *
  • 6 Sterling Heights, MI Michigan Lottery Amphitheater at Freedom
  • Hill
  • 7 Columbus, OH Express Live! **
  • 9 Chicago, IL Huntington Bank Pavilion
  • 10 St. Louis, MO Saint Louis Music Park
  • 12 Cleveland, OH Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica
  • 13 Toronto, ON RBC Echo Beach
  • 14 Montreal, QC M. TELUS
  • 16 Washington, DC The Anthem
  • 17 Moon Twp, PA UPMC Events Center
  • 19 Boston, MA Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion
  • 20 Philadelphia, PA The Met
  • 21 Asbury Park, NJ Stone Pony Summerstage
  • 23 Wallingford, CT Oakdale Theater
  • 24 New York, NY Radio City Music Hall
  • 26 Raleigh, NC Red Hat Amphitheater
  • 27 Charlotte, NC Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre
  • 28 Nashville, TN Nashville Municipal Auditorium
  • 30 Jacksonville, FL Daily’s Place
  • JULY
  • 1 Miami, FL Bayfront Park Amphitheater
  • 2 Tampa, FL Yuengling Center
  • 7 Independence, MO Silverstein Eye Centers Arena
  • 8 Rogers, AR Walmart AMP
  • 9 Irving, TX The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
  • 11 Sugar Land, TX Smart Financial Centre
  • 12 Austin, TX ACL Live at The Moody Theater
  • 14 Phoenix, AZ Arizona Federal Theatre
  • 15 Fresno, CA Saroyan Theater
  • 17 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre
  • 18 San Diego, CA Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
  • 21 Portland, OR Theater of the Clouds
  • 22 Vancouver, BC Orpheum
  • 23 Redmond, WA Marymoor Amphitheater **
  • 25 Salt Lake City, UT Sandy City Amphitheater **
  • 26 Denver, CO The Fillmore

* FESTIVAL APPEARANCE
** NOT PRODUCED BY LIVE NATION

Melanie Martinez Online:

Website | Instagram | YouTube
Facebook | Twitter


Featured photo (top) by Brian Zuniga


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Live Nation, News, Publicists, Tours

International Icon Janet Jackson Announces Black Diamond World Tour 2020

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Miss Janet Jackson kicks off her Black Diamond World Tour this summer to arenas across North America. The outing will feature an all-new production featuring new music from her highly anticipated, forthcoming album Black Diamond, set for release this year. Performing songs from her 12 multi-platinum albums including a special performance of Rhythm Nation 1814, which recently marked its 30th Anniversary.  (Tour dates below)

Produced by Live Nation, the tour kicks off June 24th in Miami and will visit major cities across the U.S. and Canada including Atlanta, Philadelphia, Toronto, Dallas, and many more. The run will also feature shows at New York’s legendary Madison Square Garden and STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. European dates and the rest of the world soon to be announced.

Tickets go on sale to the general public starting Thursday, February 13th at LiveNation.com

Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson is one of the most influential entertainers of the modern era. Her music has won her five GRAMMY® Awards, two Emmy Nominations, a Golden Globe Award and a nomination for an Academy Award along with dozens of American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards and Billboard Music Awards. She has received accolades as an actress as well including the NAACP Best Supporting Actor award.  Janet, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, is also a published author, dancer, businessperson, philanthropist, in addition to being one of the biggest-selling artists in popular music history. With sales of over 185 million records worldwide, Janet Jackson stands as one of the best-selling artists of all time with a string of hits that have left an indelible impression on pop culture. Her music and artistry opened doors through which other top artists have followed, many acknowledging her impact on their musical perceptions.

Black Diamond 2020 Tour Dates

Wednesday, June 24, 2020Miami, FLAmerican Airlines Arena
Friday, June 26, 2020Orlando, FLAmway Center
Saturday, June 27, 2020Tampa, FLAmalie Arena
Monday, June 29, 2020Atlanta, GAState Farm Arena
Wednesday, July 1, 2020Nashville, TNBridgestone Arena
Friday, July 3, 2020New Orleans, LAEssence Festival*
Sunday, July 5, 2020Greensboro, NCGreensboro Coliseum Complex
Tuesday, July 7, 2020Washington, DCCapital One Arena
Thursday, July 9, 2020Philadelphia, PAWells Fargo Center
Friday, July 10, 2020Pittsburgh, PAPPG Paints Arena
Sunday, July 12, 2020Newark, NJPrudential Center
Tuesday, July 14, 2020New York, NYMadison Square Garden
Friday, July 17, 2020Mashantucket, CTThe Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino*
Saturday, July 18, 2020Boston, MATD Garden
Tuesday, July 21, 2020Buffalo, NYKeyBank Center
Wednesday, July 22, 2020Toronto, ONScotiabank Arena
Friday, July 24, 2020Detroit, MILittle Caesars Arena
Saturday, July 25, 2020Cincinnati, OHCincinnati Music Festival*
Monday, July 27, 2020Chicago, ILUnited Center
Tuesday, July 28, 2020Cleveland, OHRocket Mortgage Fieldhouse
Friday, July 31, 2020St Louis, MOEnterprise Center
Saturday, August 1, 2020Louisville, KYKFC Yum! Center
Monday, August 3, 2020Dallas, TXAmerican Airlines Center
Wednesday, August 5, 2020Houston, TXToyota Center
Friday, August 7, 2020San Antonio, TXAT&T Center
Sunday, August 9, 2020Phoenix, AZGila River Arena
Monday, August 10, 2020San Diego, CAViejas Arena at Aztec Bowl San Diego State University
Wednesday, August 12, 2020Los Angeles, CASTAPLES Center
Saturday, August 15, 2020Anaheim, CAHonda Center
Monday, August 17, 2020Sacramento, CAGolden 1 Center
Tuesday, August 18, 2020San Jose, CASAP Center at San Jose
Thursday, August 20, 2020Portland, ORModa Center
Saturday, August 22, 2020Vancouver, BCRogers Arena
Sunday, August 23, 2020Tacoma, WATacoma Dome

Janet Jackson Online

Website | Facebook | Instagram
Twitter | YouTube


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News, Tours

The Format’s Comeback Sells Out, Sparks Outcries – Ticket Sites are Backed Up and Too Slow

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JANUARY 26, 2022 UPDATE:

All scheduled shows have been cancelled.

The Format - A message from Sam & Nate
The Format – A message from Sam & Nate | Click to enlarge

Wait, Wait, Wait

APRIL 6, 2021 UPDATE: Although millions of people are getting vaccinated every day, the band is feeling uncertain about this summer so they’ve decided to push the reunion shows to next March and April, 2022.
More Details Here

JUNE 11, 2020 UPDATE: In the interest of following government guidelines and keeping everyone safe, The Format has moved the reunion shows from this July to next July 2021.
More Details Here

MARCH 12, 2020 UPDATE: Due to concerns related to the coronavirus, The Format has decided to move their upcoming shows to this July.
More Details Here

Original Article

On February 4th, 2020, exactly 12 years to the day after The Format shocked music fans with the announcement of a hiatus, they caused a scene with another announcement: they would be playing five shows in three cities in the spring of 2020. 

The Format was born in Arizona, formed by friends and classmates Nate Ruess and Sam Means, and it could be argued that they are a quintessentially Arizona band. It would hard, if not impossible, to find an Arizonan who did not hear the song “Tune Out” and nod in weary understanding when hearing the lyrics, “The 51 is backed up and too slow,” quite possibly while they were sitting on the aforementioned 51 – which is, unsurprisingly, even more backed up these days 17 years after the song was released. 

The Format with their live band at Tucson’s KFMA Day 2005
Nate Ruess, Mike Schey, Don Raymond, Marko Buzard, Adam Boyd, Sam Means
Photography: Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved.

There was some rumbling on social media about the concerts listed at first: two in New York, Two in Chicago and only one in their hometown. The belief was that there should be at least two here in Phoenix – after all, it is their hometown. 

Once the presale went live it became very apparent that The Format was greatly missed by their adoring fans. The website was overwhelmed, causing massive headaches for those trying to buy the limited presale tickets. The demand was so intense and the presale sold out so fast that an extra show was added in each city: now there were three in New York and Chicago and two in Phoenix. 

The decision was also made to move the sale from the TicketWeb platform to Ticketmaster, likely due to the latter having a better architecture to handle the expected flood of diehard fans trying to snag the very limited tickets. 

The name Ticketmaster — to anyone who enjoys live music at all — is a four-letter word. In recent months, there have been many major shows that sell out very quickly, only to have massive amounts of tickets pop up in the secondary market at obscene prices. 

The 2017 Metallica scandal is still fresh in the minds of many; the scalping of 4,400 tickets per show by design – benefiting the band, companies and individuals involved at the cost of alienating the fans that were left out in the cold or with lighter wallets than they would have if the company had played fair.

For that reason – and many others – it is not hard to feel an added layer of trepidation and frustration when waiting in the queue for tickets – after all, how many bots and scalpers are you fighting to get in to see your favorite band? 

Unfortunately for many fans of The Format, today would not be an exception. 

At 12 noon, the floodgates opened and many fans found themselves staring at their screens in disbelief. The queue for the second show at the Van Buren – a venue that has a capacity of 1,800 – showed that there were 2,000+ people in front of anyone not there in the first minute of the tickets going on sale. 

At 12:10 a link suddenly popped up at the bottom of the screen for those in the queue. Just above it the announcement read, in not so many words: Yeah, ok, we should have led with three shows. We just added another one.

By 12:20 everyone in the queue for the newest show at The Van Buren was getting messages that the third show was sold out, and minutes after, the first tickets showed up on resale sites for predictably obscene amounts. The band may have found, to their surprise, that they were a far, far bigger deal than they realized they would still be after 12 years. 

Adding extra shows can result in diminishing demand as each show is added. However, in this case there was no slowdown from the first show to the third — a sign of how well-loved they are even after all this time away.

February 27 Update

NYC + Phoenix: The Format has launched a scalper-free ticket exchange with Lyte for the shows at The Bowery Ballroom + The Van Buren: HERE

As the day wore on and more people on social media got angrier and angrier about the tickets being scooped up by scalpers, The Format posted an acknowledgement on their Facebook page. The below is part of their statement:

“We’ve seen a bunch of folks posting and saying that scalpers are taking all of the tickets. We want to let you know that we are working with the venues to scour every ticket purchase and make sure that they go to our true fans…not scalpers. We’ve already cancelled a bunch of purchases and made tickets available again.”

February 27 Update

NYC + Phoenix: The Format has launched a scalper-free ticket exchange with Lyte for the shows at The Bowery Ballroom + The Van Buren: https://lyte.com/theformat/

The Format will forever be a cherished band and a staple from the young adulthood of many that grew up here in Phoenix and elsewhere. Their return from hiatus, however long it may last, is a welcome and exciting one, and their willingness to listen to their fans and address an issue that is causing anguish among their potential concert-goers is refreshing. To the few that managed to snag tickets, congratulations are in order. The message to the band from the fans, including this writer, is clear:

Welcome back. We’ve missed you.


The Format released its 2007 live DVD/documentary Live at the Mayan Theatre for the first time ever to listen to on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and more, as well as to watch on Amazon Prime Video and The Format YouTube channel.  

The Format Online

Website | Facebook | Twitter
Instagram | YouTube

Featured photo (top) December 17th, 2004 at Body Soul
by Katherine Amy Vega
© All Rights Reserved