Greetings Rockers ’N’ Rollers! The past month began with electropop musical duo, Twenty One Pilots, at Hersheypark Stadium on Sept 27. Originally from Columbus, Ohio – the band has reached stadium level status with 8 studio albums and a Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for their single, “Stressed Out.” Twenty One Pilots achieved breakthrough success with their fourth album, Blurryface (2015), becoming the first album on which every track received at least a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. The band recently finished The Clancy Tour – Breach consisting of 21-shows in North America. Danish indie-rock duo, The Raveonettes, also toured the United States celebrating 20 years since their groundbreaking album, ‘Pretty In Black.’ The noise pop band visited Underground Arts in Philadelphia on Sept 30 and Black Cat in Washington DC on Oct 3. A very new artist, JW Francis, is currently trekking across America playing intimate shows and gaining momentum. He’s known for his single “Swooning” and put on a fantastic show Oct 10 at Manny’s in State College. Harrisburg’s own, The After Hours, provided support and were really great. Philadelphia band, Low Cut Connie, returned to Harrisburg on Oct 11 to play XL Live. Frontman, pianist, and songwriter Adam Weiner has earned praise for his high-energy live performances. Low Cut Connie has also gained notoriety for attracting high-profile endorsements such as a surprise inclusion on Barack Obama’s Spotify Summer Playlist in 2015, and a personal association with Elton John, who has called the band one of his favorites.
Tommy Stinson, formerly of The Replacements and Guns ’N’ Roses played Ramona’s Basement in Harrisburg for the second time on Oct 5. The notorious bassist brought his solo show to Harrisburg in July 2021 and asked to return once again. A sold-out show consisting of music from his side projects Bash & Pop and Cowboys in the Campfire and featured Karla Rose as an opener. Possible rumors indicate Tommy Stinson may make a third Harrisburg appearance in February. A highlight of the month involved a week long trip to England to see a few bands that never quite broke America but were greatly popular in the UK. Stephen Jones aka Babybird played London’s Electric Ballroom on Oct 16 with britpop band, Echobelly. A completely stunning performance in which both the band and the crowd were entirely immersed. The music of Babybird is forever incredible and known for singles, “You’re Gorgeous,” “If You’ll Be Mine” and “Unloveable.” Wendy James of the iconic UK band, Transvision Vamp, is also currently touring the country with original bassist Dave Parsons and drummer Jim Sclavunos (of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds) and guitarist Alex Ward. Transvision Vamp were popular in the 80’s-90’s with singer Wendy James attracting media attention with her sexually charged and rebellious image. The band had 10 UK chart hits and also enjoyed considerable success in Australia. Their top single was 1989’s “Baby I Don’t Care.”
NATIONAL NEWS: In celebration of the band’s 50th anniversary, British heavy metal pioneers Iron Maiden are bringing the “Run For Your Lives World Tour” to North America next summer. A “once-in-a-lifetime” setlist comes from the band’s first nine albums. The tour’s direct support includes Megadeth, who announced a farewell tour and final album for 2026, and also Anthrax. The tour visits Hersheypark Stadium on Sept 15. Ahead of the final 13 dates of Oasis “Live ’25” world tour, Liam Gallagher fueled speculations about more reunion dates in the next year. A popular Oasis fan on X had posed the question, why the Oasis song “The Hindu Times” didn’t make it onto the “Live ’25” setlist. To which Liam Gallagher reponded: “Chill Winston it’s not even HALF TIME yet it’s a tour of 2 half’s.” Fans have been expecting a return next year, ever since Oasis’ closing shows at Wembley Stadium in September, when he told fans, “See you next year,” before slapping himself on the wrists in a mock-scolding for letting the news spill. Foo Fighters are returning to stadiums for the first time since their 2023-2024 tour, with 12 new stadium dates that includes Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field on Aug 13 and Washington DC’s Nationals Park on Aug 17. Queens of the Stone Age, Mannequin Pussy and Gouge Away will join Foo Fighters as direct support. The band’s last outing sold an average 27,823 tickets per show, grossing $3.3 million each night.
Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist and founding member of the glam rock band Kiss died on Oct 16. He was 74. Frehley died peacefully surrounded by family in Morristown, New Jersey, following a recent fall. Family members said in a statement that they are “completely devastated and heartbroken” but will cherish his laughter and celebrate the kindness he bestowed upon others. Kiss were known for its theatrical stage shows, with fireworks, smoking instruments and fake blood spewing from the mouths of band members in body armor, platform boots, wigs and signature black-and-white face paint. “We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley,” members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley said in a joint statement. “He was an essential during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history. He is and will always be a part of KISS’s legacy.” Rush is celebrating 50 years as a band, and Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson are reuniting for an upcoming tour honoring the momentous occasion and their late band member, Neil Peart who died in 2020. The “Fifty Something” tour marks the first time Lee and Lifeson have toured together in 11 years. “It’s been over 10 years since Alex and I have performed the music of Rush alongside our fallen bandmate and friend, Neil,” Geddy Lee said in a statement. “Alex and I have done some serious soul searching and come to the decision that we fucking miss it, and that it’s time for a celebration of 50-something years of Rush music. No small task, because as we all know Neil was irreplaceable.” Lee and Lifeson will be joined by German drummer, composer and producer Anika Nilles, who has performed as Jeff Beck’s drummer for more than 60 shows and has released four solo albums. Forty dates have been announced and over half have sold out including four-nights at NYC Madison Square Garden. Rush will play Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Aug 21 and Capital One Arena in Washington DC on Oct 25.
Taylor Swift fans will get to enjoy a docuseries chronicling “The Eras Tour” and a full concert film featuring The Tortured Poets Department. “It was the End of an Era and we knew it. We wanted to remember every moment leading up to the culmination of the most important and intense chapter of our lives, so we allowed filmmakers to capture this tour and all the stories woven throughout it as it wound down. And to film the final show in its entirety,” Swift wrote. The 6-episode behind-the-scenes docuseries will air Dec 12 on DisneyPlus. Swift’s “The Eras Tour” made history last year as the highest grossing tour of all-time – by a substantial margin. The tour’s final tally at over $2.2 billion and ticket sales at more than 10 million, the most ever by a solo artist. Sick New World returns to the Las Vegas Festival Grounds in Las Vegas on April 25, and the festival has unveiled this year’s lineup featuring System Of A Down and Korn as headliners. Further performances include Bring Me The Horizon, Evanescence, Marilyn Manson, Danny Elfman, Knocked Loose, Ministry, AFI, Cypress Hill and Acid Bath. Next year also marks the festival’s expansion into a second show, the inaugural Sick New World Texas. The event will take place at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, on Oct. 24, with System Of A Down once again headlining, alongside Deftones. Slayer will appear and perform Reign in Blood.
Citing incredible fan demand, No Doubt has added another six shows to the band’s highly anticipated “Live At Sphere” residency in Las Vegas. The newly added dates are scheduled May 21, 23-24, 27 and 29-30, including two nights over Memorial Day Weekend. The first batch of shows – booked May 6-16 – the residency marks No Doubt’s first extended run of performances in nearly 14 years. No Doubt reunited earlier this year to perform at the FIREAID benefit concert in Los Angeles and at Coachella in 2024. After wrapping up her farewell tour last year, fans who missed out on the opportunity to see Cyndi Lauper perform live will have another chance as the singer heads to Las Vegas for a 2026 residency, “Cyndi Lauper: Live in Las Vegas.” Lauper has announced five performances running from April 24 to May 2. The residency will continue the celebratory atmosphere of her “GIrls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour.” Sir Rod Stewart announced he’ll be back in Las Vegas 2026 with “The Encore Shows” from May 27 through June 6. “Next year will mark 15 years at The Colosseum and I still get terribly excited each time I return,” states Stewart in a release. “I love this theatre.” The two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee has played Las Vegas for more than 13 years with 200 performances, the residency has become one of the venue’s longest-running and most acclaimed shows. Dolly Parton has postponed her first Las Vegas residency in more than 30 years, saying “health concerns” are forcing her to delay the planned December shows until September 2026. “As many of you know, I have been dealing with some health challenges,” the 79-year-old legend wrote, “and my doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures.” She did not elaborate on the nature of the medical concerns, though she quipped “it’s not the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon.” There will be four more chances to see Eagles at Sphere as the legendary band sets the record for the most performances at the groundbreaking venue. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the release of 1976’s 38-times platinum Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975), the band announced four Febrary 2026 dates, bringing the total run at the Vegas venue to 52. That will push the act ahead of Dead & Company, who performed 48 times between May 2024 and May 2025.
Nine Inch Nails announced the second leg of their “Peel It Back Tour,” where they will kick off 21-shows in February. Boys Noize will be joining the band once again on all upcoming dates. Nine Inch Nails consists of frontman Trent Reznor, keyboardist Atticus Ross, guitarist Robin Finch, bassist Alessandro Cortini and drummer Josh Freese. NIN will play Washington DC’s Capital One Arena on Feb 11. English rocker Yungblud, who garnered attention and praise for his performance during the “Back to the Beginning” concert celebrating the late Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath in July, has announced a tour of North American amphitheaters for 2026, just days after wrapping a sold-out theater tour. The 24-date run includes Hard Rock Live in Atlantic City on June 6, The Anthem in Washington DC on June 7 and Radio City Music Hall in NYC on June 10. Wu-Tang Clan will be wrapping up their farewell tour, “The Final Chamber,” in March as the iconic rap group announces dates throughout Europe, Dubai and Australia before bidding adieu. The run features performances of Wu-Tang Clan’s biggest hits, as well as deep cuts and songs that have never before been performed live. “As we continue adding on to the cypher, The Chamber moves from local to global,” RZA said in a statement. Wu-Tang Clan wrapped up the North American leg of “The Final Chamber” earlier this year in Newark, New Jersey with guests Lauryn Hill and Mary J. Blige. Sugar announced their return after three decades as the band will reunite for their first live performances together since January 1995 with dates at Webster Hall in New York City on May 2 and 3. “Sugar was a meteorite. No one could have predicted the results. The band was part of a pivotal era in popular music, and a special time in my life,” says singer Bob Mould. Band members also stated, “The return of Sugar is a moment that I’ve been dreaming about for a very long time,” and “When the subject of Sugar comes up, it is like a misty legend – we’re excited for fans to experience it in the real.”
The National Football League has tapped Bad Bunny to perform the Super Bowl LX halftime show. The Latin megastar was announced as the headliner for Feb 8, which is when the Big Game will be played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. More than 127 million people tuned in for last year’s Super Bowl. Corey Lewandowski, President Donald Trump’s former campaign manager, isn’t happy with the National Football League’s historic decision to have Bad Bunny and warned that ICE agents will be present for the biggest night in American sports. Lewandowski said, “There is nowhere you can provide safe haven to people who are in this country illegally. Not for the Super Bowl and nowhere else. We will find you and apprehend you and put you in a detention facility and deport you.” Bad Bunny is one of the most-streamed artists in the world and grossed $435 million touring in a calendar year. The Puerto Rican superstar is a three-time Grammy winner whose most recent album, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, reached 7 billion streams on Spotify, making it the most streamed LP released this year.
NOVEMBER CONCERTS: Timmy’s Creep Show – Duncannon Doyle Hotel Nov 1. Anthrophobia / Lowlives – Harrisburg Capital City Music Hall Nov 1. RMBLR – Upper Darby Hostile City Nov 7. The Virus – Upper Darby Hostile City Nov 8. Reilly & Pick Em Ups / The Last Post – Mechanicsburg RecordSmith Nov 8. Colin Hay (Men At Work) – York Appell Center Nov 12. Electric Love / Joey Dalto – Harrisburg Ramona’s Basement Nov 15.
