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Vans Nods to ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Oscar-winning Song With New ‘Golden’ Sneakers for Kids

Vans Nods to ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Oscar-winning Song With New ‘Golden’ Sneakers for Kids

Sophie Dunne (15/07/2026)

Vans is launching three 'KPop Demon Hunters' sneakers for kids on July 20, with golden accents inspired by the hit Oscar-winning song.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

The unstoppable success of KPop Demon Hunters has turned the animated phenomenon into one of the biggest entertainment franchises. After dominating streaming charts and taking home the Academy Award for Best Original Song with the anthemic track Golden, the film has cemented its place as a cultural moment that extends far beyond the screen.

With that popularity has come an ever-growing lineup of merchandise. From Squishmallows and collectible figures to apparel, backpacks, lunch boxes and stationery, KPop Demon Hunters merch has become just as big as the movie. Having partnered with Monopoly, Lego and Hot Topic, Vans is joining the collaboration with a kids-exclusive footwear collection launching July 20.

This isn’t the first time Vans designed shoes inspired by the Netflix hit. In December 2025, the company released a limited-edition line of high tops and low tops featuring different characters. This time, the collaboration includes three age-specific versions of the iconic Old Skool V shoe — for toddlers, little kids and big kids — each inspired by the Oscar-winning song Golden. Every pair features metallic details, sparkling gold accents and the HUNTR/X emblem.

KPop Demon HuntersGolden Vans Sneakers Toddlers

TODDLERS

KPop Demon Hunters x Vans Toddler Old Skool V Shoe

Coming Soon

Launching July 20, the Toddler Old Skool V Shoe is designed for KPop Demon Hunters‘ youngest fans.


Double hook-and-loop closures make these shoes easy for little hands to fasten on these Golden-inspired shoes. The pair is decorated in shimmering gold synthetic leather and eye-catching gold toe caps with raised star detailing. Gold squiggles trace the sides and midsole, while the HUNTR/X logo appears on the tongue. Padded collars and Vans’ signature waffle outsole round out the playful design.

KPop Demon Hunters Golden Vans Little Kids Sneakers

LITTLE KIDS

KPop Demon Hunters x Vans Little Kids Old Skool V Shoe

Out July 20

Designed for ages 3 to 7, these gold sneakers also include easy Velcro closures for little hands.


The KPop Demon Hunters Little Kids Old Skool V Shoe are accented by hand-drawn gold linework, while gold stars on the front and a gold Vans logo at the back add extra shine across the sneaker. The HUNTR/X logo, inspired by traditional handmade Korean knots to honor the connection between the group’s members and their fans, is printed on the tongue of this little kids shoe.

KPop Demon Hunters Golden Vans Big Kids Sneakers

BIG KIDS

KPop Demon Hunters x Vans Big Kids Old Skool Shoe

Coming Soon

Ranging in sizes US 3.5 to US 7, Vans’ Golden-inspired shoes feature sparkly gold laces and stars for older kids.


The $75-Big Kids Old Skool Shoe offers a more grown-up approach to the Vans x KPop Demon Hunters sneakers. Traditional lace-up styling is paired with sparkling gold laces threaded through star-shaped eyelets, while gold accents continue across the toe cap, side stripe, Vans logo and embroidered stars. The iconic HUNTR/X emblem stands out on the tongue.

KPop Demon Hunters HUNTR/X Pajama Set

COMPLETE THE LOOK

KPop Demon Hunters 2-Piece Pajamas Set

No. 1 Best Seller

Designed for ages 5–14, this KPop Demon Hunters pajama set comes in black with HUNTRI/X, Derpy Tiger or Saja Boys graphic options.


The officially licensed KPop Demon Hunters two-piece pajama set includes a short-sleeve T-shirt and matching elastic-waist shorts, and can be doubled as everyday wear too. Made from a soft 65% polyester, 35% cotton blend, these pjs are going fast, with Amazon selling over 700 in a month.


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Michael Jackson Movie Is Still in Theaters, But You Can Buy the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Online Now

Michael Jackson Movie Is Still in Theaters, But You Can Buy the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Online Now

Rudie Obias (15/07/2026)

Here's where you can buy Michael (2026) on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Steelbook.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

With the box-office success of Michael (taking in more than a whopping $1 billion worldwide so far), fans are itching to watch the Michael Jackson biopic again and again in the best picture and audio quality at home. Although it’s still in theaters, you can buy the movie on physical media right now.

With prices starting at $18.79 (was $29.96) on DVD, Michael (2026) is available for purchase on Amazon, and the listing is the No. 1 best-seller from the retail giant.

How to preorder 'Michael' (2026) 4K Ultra HD Steelbook online

BUY

'Michael' (2026)

$18.79 $29.96 37% off
buy DVD On Amazon


And since the home video release is from Amazon, you can get Michael shipped to you for free if you’re a Prime member. However, if you’re not a Prime member, your online shopping basket has to be over $35 for free shipping.

Not a member? Sign up for a 30-day free trial to take advantage of all that Amazon Prime has to offer, including access to Prime Video, Prime Gaming and Amazon Photos; fast free shipping in less than two days with Prime Delivery; in-store discounts at Whole Foods Market; access to exclusive shopping events — such as Black Friday — and much more. Learn more about Amazon Prime and its benefits here.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, Michael follows the early life of Michael Jackson (Jaafar Jackson) from stardom with The Jackson 5 to going solo and becoming the biggest and most popular entertainer in the world as the “King of Pop.”

The movie also stars Nia Long, Juliano Valdi, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Laura Harrier, Jessica Sula, Mike Myers, Miles Teller, Colman Domingo and others.

Michael is available for purchase on Amazon. Prices start at $18.79 (was $29.96) for the biopic on DVD.

In the meantime, watch the trailer for Michael below:

Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our coverage of the best Xbox dealsstudio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.

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Cardi B to Headline Create & Cultivate Festival in Los Angeles

Cardi B to Headline Create & Cultivate Festival in Los Angeles

Michael Saponara (15/07/2026)

The rapper will close out the two-day event, which celebrates women in business.

Cardi B is heading to the West Coast, with the Bronx rapper set to deliver a headlining performance at Create & Cultivate Festival on Sept. 20 in Downtown Los Angeles. Cardi will close the festival on Sept. 20 with a performance at 7:30 p.m. PT.

Notably, the festival celebrates women in business, and Cardi — who rapped about her “million-dollar deals” on the Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit “I Like It” — has proven to be a successful entrepreneur. The “WAP” rapper has made major money moves to bolster her corporate portfolio in recent years, with the latest venture coming earlier in 2026, when she launched her Grow-Good Beauty and haircare line.

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“Create & Cultivate has always been about giving ambitious women access to the people, conversations and opportunities that move careers and businesses forward,” said Marina Middleton, who serves as the CEO of Create & Cultivate, in a statement. “This year’s Festival brings together some of the biggest names shaping business and culture today. From groundbreaking founders and industry leaders to creators redefining modern entrepreneurship, we’re creating an experience unlike any other — one where inspiration meets actionable strategy and meaningful connections.”

The Create & Cultivate Festival, set to take place Sept. 19-20, highlights women thriving across various industries. It will feature networking events, keynote speeches, workshops, panels, book signings, fireside chats and live podcast recordings.

SKIMS co-founder Emma Grede and Hot Mess host Alix Earle lead the festival’s keynote speaker line-up. General admission tickets for the two-day event are on sale for $415, while VIP passes are priced at $715.

Prior to taking the Create & Cultivate stage, Cardi is slated to perform Sept. 18-19 at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas.

Find the Create & Cultivate Festival flyer below.


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Feid, Marc Anthony, Ricardo Montaner & More Set for ‘Unidos Por Venezuela’ Benefit Concert

Feid, Marc Anthony, Ricardo Montaner & More Set for ‘Unidos Por Venezuela’ Benefit Concert

Jessica Roiz (15/07/2026)

The humanitarian initiative was created to support the country’s recovery and reconstruction.

A wave of artists are joining in solidarity for “Unidos Por Venezuela,” a forthcoming benefit concert in Miami set to raise funds for the families and communities affected by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela. 

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Joining the humanitarian initiative are Marc Anthony, Ricardo Montaner, Feid, Jay Wheeler, Elena Rose, Silvestre Dangond, Gente de Zona, Mau y Ricky, Olga Tañón, Lasso, San Luis, Piso 21, Alleh, and Zhamira Zambrano, with more to be announced soon.

The benefit concert as well as international telethon— led by CMN, Maestro Cares Foundation, TelevisaUnivision, and PIMIENTO Entertainment, with the support of  iHeartRadio, Spotify, Creative Link, EB Public Relations, and Arco Entertainment—will take place at 6:00 p.m. ET on Aug. 16 at the Kaseya Center in Miami. The event, created to support the South American country’s recovery and reconstruction, will also broadcast live across the United States, Latin America, and digital platforms. 

“Unidos por Venezuela” is in response to the devastating twin earthquakes—magnitude 7.2 and 7.5—that struck the country on June 24, causing the collapse of multiple buildings in La Guaira and Caracas, leaving nearly 5,000 dead, over 16,000 injured, and almost 18,000 homeless, at time of publishing, according to Reuters

Donations can be made during the broadcast through QR codes, text messages, digital platforms, corporate contributions, and matching donation campaigns. “Funds raised through the event will be administered by recognized international humanitarian organizations to address the needs that arise throughout the different phases of recovery,” per an official statement. 

The concert will also show special reports on rescue efforts, humanitarian work on the ground, and survivor testimonies, to further demonstrate the strength and resilience of the Venezuelan people. 

Tickets for “Unidos Por Venezuela” go on sale at 10 a.m. local time on July 17 through Ticketmaster.

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Morgan Wallen’s ‘I’m the Problem,’ Ella Langley’s ‘Choosin’ Texas’ Lead Luminate’s 2026 Midyear Rankings

Morgan Wallen’s ‘I’m the Problem,’ Ella Langley’s ‘Choosin’ Texas’ Lead Luminate’s 2026 Midyear Rankings

Keith Caulfield (15/07/2026)

I’m the Problem and ‘Choosin’ Texas’ were the United States’ most popular album and most-streamed audio song in the first half of the year.

In the first half of the 2026 in the United States, Morgan Wallen’s I’m the Problem was the most popular album, while Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” was the most-streamed song (by on-demand audio streams), respectively, according to data tracking company Luminate.

Read more about midyear metrics in the Midyear Report: Trends in Music, TV & Film – 2026.

Wallen, Once More: As it was for the first half of 2025, Wallen’s I’m the Problem was again the most popular album in the U.S. for the first six months of 2026. During the tracking period of Jan. 2 through July 2, 2026, I’m the Problem earned 2.035 million equivalent album units. (See full top 10 ranking, below.) I’m the Problem debuted at No. 1 on the weekly Billboard 200 dated May 31, 2025, spent 13 nonconsecutive weeks atop the list, and has been lodged in its top 10 since its release.

The most-streamed song by on-demand audio streams (inclusive of user-generated content [UGC] streams) was Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas,” with 570.9 million in the first six months of the year.

Equivalent album units – for album titles and rankings cited below (but not industry volume numbers) – comprise traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 2,500 ad-supported on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album, or 1,000 paid/subscription on-demand official and audio streams generated by songs from an album.

Equivalent album units cited for album titles in this story, and in the “Midyear Top 10 Albums in U.S.” ranking do not include user-generated content (UGC) streams. UGC streams are included in Luminate’s industry volume numbers and its midyear song streaming rankings. (UGC streams are not factored into any of Billboard’s weekly charts.)

For the sake of clarity, equivalent album units do not include listening to music on broadcast radio or digital radio broadcasts. All numbers cited in this story are rounded, and for the U.S. only. Programmed streams are not included in any of the data in this story.

Luminate (formerly MRC Data, Nielsen Music and SoundScan) began tracking music consumption in 1991. Luminate’s sales, streaming and airplay data is used to compile Billboard’s weekly charts.

2026’s Midyear Top 10 Albums in U.S. (by Equivalent Album Units)
1. Morgan Wallen, I’m the Problem (2.035 million)
2. Ella Langley, Dandelion (1.638 million)
3. Bad Bunny, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS (1.543 million)
4. BTS, ARIRANG (1.492 million)5. Noah Kahan, The Great Divide (1.349 million)6.Olivia Dean, The Art of Loving (1.309 million)
7. Drake, ICEMAN (1.300 million)
8. Don Toliver, Octane (1.212 million)
9. Taylor Swift, The Life of a Showgirl (992,000)
10. Morgan Wallen, One Thign at a Time (968,000)
Source: Luminate, for the tracking period Jan. 2 through July 2, 2026. UGC (user-generated content) streams are not included in this ranking, but are included in Luminate’s on-demand streaming rankings (below). Luminate’s equivalent album unit totals include SEA and TEA for an album’s songs registered before an album’s release, but only during the tracking period.

2026’s Midyear Top 10 Selling Albums in U.S. (Physical & Digital Album Sales Combined)
1. BTS, ARIRANG (920,000)
2. Harry Styles, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally. (384,000)
3. Olivia Rodrigo, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love (346,000)
4. Bad Bunny, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS (306,000)
5. ENHYPEN, THE SIN : VANISH (287,000)
6. Noah Kahan, The Great Divide (285,000)
7. ATEEZ, GOLDEN HOUR : PART 4 (283,000)
8. ATEEZ, GOLDEN HOUR : PART 5 (223,000)
9. Bruno Mars, The Romantic (221,000)
10. Olivia Dean, The Art of Loving (201,000)
Source: Luminate, for the tracking period Jan. 2 through July 2, 2026.

2026’s Midyear Top 10 Selling Vinyl Albums in U.S.
1. BTS, ARIRANG (331,000)
2. Bad Bunny, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS (283,000)
3. Harry Styles, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally. (247,000)
4. Olivia Rodrigo, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love (206,000)
5. Noah Kahan, The Great Divide (122,000)
6. Michael Jackson, Thriller (162,000)
7. Olivia Dean, The Art of Loving (159,000)
8. Bruno Mars, The Romantic (113,000)
9. Michael Jackson, Number Ones (101,000)
10. J. Cole, The Fall-Off (96,000)
Source: Luminate, for the tracking period Jan. 2 through July 2, 2026.

Total U.S. Album Consumption Increases 4.4% at Midyear: Year-to-date, total equivalent audio album units increased by 4.4% (to 727.1 million) as compared to the same time frame in 2025. Luminate notes in its midyear report of a trend break with regards to streaming equivalent album unit ratios in 2026. U.S. album-equivalent ratios in the Luminate CONNECT platform and in the Billboard charts were updated in Week 1, 2026. The new ratio for album equivalency is that 1 album unit = 1 album sale, or 10 tracks sold, or 1,000 premium audio or video streams, or 2,500 ad-support audio or video streams. The pre-2026 ratio of 1 album unit = 1 album sale, or 10 tracks sold, or 1,250 premium audio or video streams, or 3,750 ad-support audio or video streams has been replaced where relevant for historical comparison.

Total U.S. album sales — traditional purchases of physical and digital download albums — grew by 5% to 44.5 million (up from 41 million in the first half of 2025). U.S. physical album sales (vinyl, CD, cassette, etc.) grew by 7.8% to 38.2 million (up from 35.5 million) and U.S. digital album purchases (like those from the iTunes Store and similar download stores) fell 8% to 6.2 million (down from 6.8 million).

U.S. On-Demand Audio Streaming Up 4.8%, ‘Choosin’ Texas’ Most-Streamed Song: Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” was the most-streamed song by on-demand audio streams in the first half of 2026 in the U.S. (see ranking, below), with 570.9 million streams.

Total on-demand audio streams at midyear increased by 4.8% in the U.S. as compared to the same point a year ago (732.7 billion versus 699.4 billion).

UGC streams are included in Luminate’s industry streaming on-demand volume numbers (above) and its midyear streaming song rankings (below). UGC streams are not factored into any of Billboard’s weekly charts.

In general, all songs in the below rankings combine the assorted remixes of a song into one overall total.

2026’s Midyear Top 10 Most Streamed Songs in U.S. (On-Demand Audio)
1. Ella Langley, “Choosin’ Texas” (570.9 million)
2. Olivia Dean, “Man I Need” (340.2 million)
3. Alex Warren, “Ordinary” (322.8 million)
4. Ella Langley, “Be Her” (289.1 million)
5. Bad Bunny, “DtMF” (284.5 million)
6. HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna & REI AMI, “Golden” (282.8 million)
7. PinkPantheress with Zara Larsson, “Stateside” (272.4 million)
8. Bruno Mars, “I Just Might” (267.3 million)
9. Taylor Swift, “The Fate of Ophelia” (255.7 million)
10. Olivia Dean, “So Easy (To Fall In Love)” (252.9 million)
Source: Luminate, for the tracking period Jan. 2 through July 2, 2026. Includes UGC streams.

‘Might’ is Mighty at Radio: The most-heard song on U.S. radio in the first half of 2026 was Bruno Mars’ “I Just Might,” with a cumulative 1.963 million audience impressions across all formats monitored.

2026’s Midyear Top 10 Radio Songs in U.S. (Based on Audience Impressions)
1. Bruno Mars, “I Just Might” (1.963 billion)
2. Olivia Dean, “Man I Need” (1.795 billion)
3. Kehlani, “Folded” (1.673 billion)
4. Alex Warren, “Ordinary” (1.574 billion)
5. Ella Langley, “Choosin’ Texas” (1.420 billion)
6. HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna & REI AMI, “Golden” (1.367 billion)
7. Taylor Swift, “The Fate of Ophelia” (1.317 billion)
8. sombr, “back to friends” (1.268 billion)
9. Leon Thomas, “MUTT” (1.245 billion)
10. Olivia Dean, “So Easy (To Fall In Love)” (1.110 billion)
Source: Luminate, for the tracking period Jan. 2 through July 2, 2026.

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United Talent Agency Promotes James Wright to Co-Head of U.K. Music

United Talent Agency Promotes James Wright to Co-Head of U.K. Music

Sophie Williams (15/07/2026)

The London-based music agent will work alongside live business legend Neil Warnock.

United Talent Agency (UTA) has promoted veteran music agent James Wright to co-head of its U.K. music division.

Based in London, Wright will work alongside UTA’s head of global touring Neil Warnock, who featured on Billboard U.K.‘s 2026 Power Players list. The pair will guide the department’s strategic direction and artist development as the agency continues to expand its international live music business.

The promotion marks Wright’s next step in an 11-year tenure at UTA, which began in 2015 following the agency’s acquisition of The Agency Group. Before joining UTA, Wright worked at Elastic Artists and previously served as A&R manager at Candid Records, where he launched an in-house live booking agency.

Wright currently represents a roster spanning pop, jazz, electronic, hip-hop, with acts including Lizzo, Take That, John Legend, David Byrne, Jacob Collier, Underworld, Rita Ora and Jon Batiste.

UTA’s global music co-heads, Sam KIrby Yoh and David Zedek, said in a statement: “UTA’s global music business is built on collaboration across genres, disciplines and territories, and London is a cornerstone of that network. The team there is critical to everything from identifying the next wave of international touring talent to executing complex global runs for established stars. By elevating James, we’re investing further in London as a strategic base for our worldwide touring ambitions and unlocking even more opportunity for our artists.”

Wright said: “Leading the London music group with Neil at such a pivotal time is incredibly exciting. Our focus is on signing exceptional artists and continuing to build a team culture that is inclusive, collaborative and accountable, where a colleague’s win or an artist’s success genuinely feels like a win for everyone.”

Warnock added: “It’s been a privilege to watch James grow into not only a first-class agent but a thoughtful, trusted leader. His intelligence, self-deprecating humour and razor‑sharp instincts will be instrumental in shaping the next chapter of UTA’s global music business.”

UTA’s wider features multiple clients headlining international tours this year, including Bad Bunny, Rosalía, Karol G, Sombr and Sammy Virji. Wright’s promotion also follows the recent announcement that both he and fellow London-based music agent Jules de Lattre have been made partners at the agency.

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Mastodon Announce ‘Marrow Deep’ Album, Drop Witchy Video For ‘Snakes For Dinner’

Mastodon Announce ‘Marrow Deep’ Album, Drop Witchy Video For ‘Snakes For Dinner’

Gil Kaufman (15/07/2026)

The LP's first single features Queen of the Stone Ages' Josh Homme.

Mastodon are preparing to release their first album since the departure and death of co-founder guitarist/singer Brent Hinds last year. The hard-charging band’s ninth studio album, Marrow Deep, is due out on Aug. 28 through Loma Vista Recordings.

The collection, which comes five years after their final effort with Hinds, 2021’s sprawling double album Hushed and Grim, was inspired by the Three Fates of Greek mythology “and the fragile threads connecting life, loss and destiny,” according to a release.

The album’s first single, the furious, five-minute prog metal rager “Snakes For Dinner,” features guest backing vocals from Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme, with a release promising “a staggering roster of guests” to be revealed soon. In addition to founding members bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders, guitarist/vocalist Bill Kelliher and drummer/singer Brann Dailor, the album is the first full-length to feature guitarist Nick Johnston, as well as keyboardist João Nogueira. It was recorded at the group’s own West End Sound Studio in Atlanta and co-produced by the band with Patrik Berger (Lana Del Rey) and Kurt Ballou (High on Fire).

“Bill, Brann, and myself are thrilled that we still have the opportunity to do this, and we’ve got other members who are just over the moon to be in the band with us,” said Sanders in a statement. “That’s a magical feeling that makes us keep wanting to go to band practice. It’s reminiscent of the very beginning of our band, where all members are hungry, we’re united, and excited to get to work. And we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to do this record.” 

The three original band members recently paid loving tribute to late guitarist Hinds in the emotional 35-minute short film “The Mastodon in the Room,” in which they recall the good, and the challenging, times with their beloved bandmate, who they describe as a sweet, but often volatile presence who struggled with mental health and substance use issues.

“Snakes For Dinner” is the follow-up to last month’s surprise single “Your Ghost Again.” Mastodon will hit the road starting in September for the Poisonous Weapons tour featuring support from Deafheaven and Alcest. Check out the full list of dates below.

Watch the “Snakes For Dinner” video and see the dates for the Poisonous Weapons tour below.

2026 North American Poisonous Weapons tour:

  • Sept. 16: Orlando, Fla. @ Hard Rock
  • Sept. 18: Asheville, N.C. @ Asheville Yards
  • Sept. 19: Pittsburgh, Pa. @ Stage AE
  • Sept. 20: Louisville, Ky. @ Louder than Life
  • Sept. 22: Philadelphia, Pa. @ Franklin Music Hall
  • Sept. 23: Boston, Mass. @ House of Blues
  • Sept. 24: Brooklyn, N.Y. @ Brooklyn Paramount
  • Sept. 25: Washington, D.C. @ Anthem
  • Sept. 27: Montreal, QC @ MTelus
  • Sept. 28: Toronto, ON @ Rebel
  • Sept. 29: Buffalo, N.Y. @ Buffalo Riverworks
  • Oct. 1: Detroit, Mich. @ Fillmore
  • Oct. 2: Chicago, Ill. @ The Riviera
  • Oct. 3: Minneapolis, Minn. @ Palace
  • Oct. 6: Salt Lake City, Utah @ The Complex
  • Oct. 7: Boise, Id. @ Revolution
  • Oct. 9: Oakland, Calif. @ The Fox
  • Oct. 10: Los Angeles, Calif. @ Hollywood Palladium
  • Oct. 11: San Diego, Calif. @ The Sound
  • Oct. 14: Denver, Colo. @ Fillmore
  • Oct. 16: Des Moines, Ia. @ Val Air Ballroom
  • Oct. 17: St. Louis, Mo. @ The Pageant
  • Oct. 18: Memphis, Tenn. @ Satellite Music Hall
  • Oct. 20: Cleveland, Ohio @ Agora
  • Oct. 21: Greensboro, N.C. @ Piedmont Hall
  • Oct. 22: Atlanta, Ga. @ The Eastern
  • Oct. 24: Dallas, Texas @ Sick New World Dallas


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Expanded Avicii Online Platform Includes Show Footage, Setlists & More — And Fans Can Contribute To It

Expanded Avicii Online Platform Includes Show Footage, Setlists & More — And Fans Can Contribute To It

Katie Bain (15/07/2026)

A project by Pophouse and The Avicii Estate, the Avicii Community launches today (July 15).

Eight years after Avicii‘s death, a newly expanded online platform has launched as a place for the producer’s global fanbase to keep memories of him alive.

A project from The Avicii Estate and Pophouse, which in 2022 acquired 75% of Avicii’s recording and publishing catalog, this online platform is an expansion of the avicii.com website. Launched today (July 15) the officially titled Avicii Community now lives at the url aviciicommunity.com. The site is free to access after registration.

The new platform’s features include an archive compiling unseen footage and materials, giving platform members, as a press release states, “intimate deep dives into the music and projects that defined Avicii’s artistry, revealing the creative force behind them. Fans can also compare their perspectives with the wider community through interactive polls embedded throughout the experience.” New additions to this feature will be released over time.

The platform will also offer a curated selection of Avicii’s musical releases, along with a section where fans can “become co-archivists of the performances that defined an era by helping build out and fact-check show details and setlists spanning his career.” This area of the platform will eventually allow people to upload their own photos and videos from shows they attended.

Users who connect their Spotify accounts to the platform can also access playlists curated by friends and collaborators of Avicii, along with playlists that highlight defining moments in his career. The first playlist in this section will feature tracks played in his Tomorrowland 2012-2015 sets.

Additionally, Tomorrowland 2026 — happening this weekend, July 17-19 in Boom, Belgium — will feature the Avicii Tribute Experience, an installation focused on the music and legacy of the artist born Tim Bergling.

In related news, Bad Bunny’s band member José Eduardo Santana covered Avicii’s 2013 classic “Wake Me Up” on the cuatro during Bad Bunny’s July 11 performance in Avicii’s hometown of Stockholm. See footage of the moment here.


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BandLab Technologies Acquires AI-Powered Digital Music Studio Aiode

BandLab Technologies Acquires AI-Powered Digital Music Studio Aiode

Kristin Robinson (15/07/2026)

The music creation platform, trained entirely on licensed material, allows users to upload a song idea and finish it out using AI models made with real musicians.

BandLab Technologies has acquired AI-powered digital audio workstation Aiode, adding to its suite of products which includes BandLab, Cakewalk, ReverbNation and Airbit.

Aiode is a digital music-making product that allows music creators to write and produce songs by using audio-to-audio models, meaning a user can upload a half-finished track they’ve made, for example, and Aiode’s AI models made with real musicians can help finish out the song idea stem-by-stem. It also allows musicians to regenerate specific portions of songs to help take their ideas in a new direction, to quickly find new samples and to work alongside models based on real musicians, who have collaborated with Aiode, to create with their artistic flair.

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Developed alongside session musicians and producers, the product has only been trained on licensed pre-existing music as well as audio created by professional musicians in-house. The models within Aiode’s platform are also proprietary and all of its licensed training data is traceable to its source.

Aiode adds to BandLab Technologies’ suite of options for a growing class of do-it-yourself music creators, including BandLab, which is a social music creation platform, and Cakewalk, its suite of desktop music tools. Based in Singapore, BandLab Technologies is a division of Caldecott Music Group, which also owns NME Networks and Vista Musical Instruments.

This deal is part of a growing trend in AI music acquisitions in the last year. In 2025, AI music company Suno acquired WavTool, a browser-based digital audio workstation, and Epidemic Sound purchased Song Sleuth, an AI recognition startup. In January, Beatstars acquired AI music tool Lemonaide, and Splice bought Kits AI. Then, in February, Google acquired AI music startup ProducerAI, which is now available as part of Google Labs’ offerings, which also includes its music model Lyria 3.

“Aiode shares BandLab Technologies’ ethos of innovation and giving music makers every opportunity to find success,” says Idan Dobrecki, CEO and co-founder of Aiode. “Since Aiode was founded in 2022, we’ve worked side by side with professional musicians to create technology that respects their artistry and keeps them involved in how their musical identity is represented. BandLab Technologies gives us the opportunity to bring that approach to more creators,”

“For Aiode, joining a group that understands both accessible creation and professional production is a rare fit,” says Blue Dobrecky, COO and co-founder of Aiode. “BandLab Technologies’ breadth of experience gives us a much broader foundation for where Aiode can go as the ways people make music continue to evolve.”


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Lily Allen Scaling Down Fall 2026 Leg of North American West End Girl Tour From Arenas to Theaters: ‘We’ve Had to Make Some Adjustments’

Lily Allen Scaling Down Fall 2026 Leg of North American West End Girl Tour From Arenas to Theaters: ‘We’ve Had to Make Some Adjustments’

Gil Kaufman (15/07/2026)

Most of the shows on the singer's upcoming tour will be moved into smaller spaces.

Lily Allen has rethought the routing for her upcoming tour in support of her acclaimed West End Girl album. After playing a series of North American theaters in the spring, Allen had announced a run of arenas in the fall. But this week, she’s downsized a majority of the shows to arenas and amphitheaters, as well as canceling her planned stop in Montreal.

In an Instagram post announcing the change on Monday (July 13), Allen wrote, “I am so beyond excited to bring West End Girl back across the pond this September!! It has been so surreal playing this album to such epic crowds this summer.. Thank you for singing every word with me.”

She added, “We have a few updates since we first announced this leg of the tour earlier in the year. I am SO excited to say we are now coming to Seattle, tickets on sale July 24, 10AM local.” Allen also noted that shows in Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver have been adjusted down, informing fans that if they have tickets for those shows they will automatically be refunded in the next 5-7 working days and enrolled into a presale that will go live at 10 a.m. local time on July 22; a general onsale will follow on July 24 at 10 a.m. local.

Allen also apologized to her fans in Montreal, saying, “I am so sad to say we tried our hardest but will not be able to make it to you this time. NY, Boston, Toronto, Detroit, Minneapolis, Red Rocks – you are staying as is. Tickets on sale now :))” The singer did not give any reason for the downscaling of the tour, which played theaters and concert halls across the U.K., Europe and the U.S. earlier this year, bumping up to arenas in the U.K. during a recent run; at press time a spokesperson for Allen had not returned a request for additional comment on the tour date shuffle.

The fall North American tour is now slated to kick off on Sept. 3 at Madison Square Garden in New York, followed by a Sept. 4 stop at MGM Music Hall at Fenway in Boston. After shows in Philadelphia at the TD Pavilion at Highmark Mann (originally at 21,000-capacity Xfinity Mobile Arena), Toronto, Detroit, Chicago (now at the 3,500-capacity Chicago Theatre vs. the 23,500-capacity United Center), Minneapolis, Morrison, Colo., Los Angeles (5,900-capacity Greek Theatre vs. the 18,000-capacity Kia Forum), Oakland (3,000-capacity Paramount Theatre vs. 21,500-capacity Chase Center in San Francisco) and Seattle, the outing is slated to wrap up on Sept. 28 at the Orpheum in Vancouver.

Allen has been eschewing her back catalog on the tour in favor of playing the new 2025 album in chronological order. She recently defended her artistic choice after someone who attended one of her shows at the O2 Arena in London complained about length of the show, the lack of an opening act and Allen not addressing the audience.

“The show has always been advertised as ‘Lily Allen performs West End Girl,'” Allen wrote. “I was a few mins late as my tights were laddered and i had to change them,” she continued. “The show is just over an hour as it’s just the album in its entirety. It’s my artistic choice not to talk to the audience, the fourth wall helps with the storytelling. Most people find it to be effective. “I don’t want anyone to feel ripped off. Everyone on this tour is really working very hard to give people the best show we possibly can, and i’m extremely proud of it.”

Check out the revised fall 2026 North American tour dates below.

  • Sept. 3: New York, N.Y. @ Madison Square Garden
  • Sept. 4: Boston, Mass. @ MGM Music Hall at Fenway
  • Sept. 6: Philadelphia, Pa. @ TD Pavilion at Highmark Mann
  • Sept. 10: Toronto, ON @ RBC Amphitheatre
  • Sept. 12: Detroit, Mich. @ Fox Theatre
  • Sept. 13: Chicago, Ill. @ Chicago Theatre
  • Sept. 16: Minneapolis, Minn. @ The Armory
  • Sept. 18: Morrison, Colo. @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
  • Sept. 21: Los Angeles, Calif. @ Greek Theatre
  • Sept. 22: Oakland, Calif. @ Paramount Theatre
  • Sept. 24: Seattle, Wash. @ Paramount Theatre
  • Sept. 28: Vancouver, B.C. @ Orpheum


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