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Anna Cara is a 22-year-old British guitarist selected by Alice Cooper to fill in for Nita Strauss during her maternity leave, stepping into a high-profile touring role backed by direct endorsement from Strauss herself.
There’s a difference between being talented… and being trusted with this stage.
When Alice Cooper brings someone into his band, it’s not a development role — it’s a spotlight with no safety net. And right now, that spotlight is on Anna Cara.
At 22, she’s stepping into a touring machine that doesn’t slow down and doesn’t forgive hesitation.
This isn’t a scramble or last-minute replacement.
Nita Strauss is stepping away on maternity leave — and instead of uncertainty, what you’re seeing is a controlled handoff.
That matters, because it changes how fans interpret the move. This isn’t disruption — it’s continuity.
And the choice of Cara signals something else: the next generation of players isn’t waiting quietly anymore.
Cara’s resume isn’t long, but it’s strategically important.
She’s worked with Marc Storace and Tommy Henriksen — which places her directly inside the orbit of Cooper’s current lineup.
That kind of proximity usually tells you everything you need to know.
In bands like this, ability gets you noticed. Trust gets you hired.
Her debut hits immediately at full scale.
April 2–4, she takes the stage for the “Welcome To Our Nightmare” shows in Las Vegas alongside Criss Angel — a production built around precision, timing, and spectacle.
There’s no easing into this role.
From there:
If there’s any adjustment period, it won’t be visible to the audience.
This is where the narrative shifts.
Nita Strauss didn’t just step away — she pointed directly at Cara.
Calling her one of the best up-and-coming guitarists isn’t casual praise. It’s a signal to fans that the standard isn’t dropping.
Strauss has held this role since 2014, stepping in after Orianthi and helping define what Cooper’s modern live band looks like.
So when she backs someone publicly, it carries weight.
Plenty of players can shred.
Very few can do it consistently, on massive stages, inside a production like this, under constant scrutiny.
That’s the real test.
Cara built momentum through online performance clips — but this is where that momentum either translates into something lasting… or fades just as quickly.
And at 22, she’s being given that test in front of a global audience.
The guitarist position in Cooper’s band has never been background noise.
It’s a visible, defining role — one that has launched and elevated careers.
From Orianthi to Nita Strauss, each player brought a distinct identity into the show.
Now, Cara steps into that same lane.
What she does with it over the next few months will determine whether this is a temporary chapter… or the start of something bigger.
Who is Anna Cara?
A 22-year-old guitarist from Newcastle, England, now touring with Alice Cooper.
Why is Nita Strauss not touring?
She is on maternity leave.
When does Anna Cara debut?
April 2–4, 2026 in Las Vegas.
Is Anna Cara a permanent member?
No, she is filling in temporarily.
Has Alice Cooper had other notable guitarists?
Yes, including Orianthi and Nita Strauss.
Alice Cooper is one of rock’s most iconic performers, known for combining theatrical shock rock with hard rock and metal across a decades-long career.
His live band has consistently featured high-level musicians, with the guitarist role often serving as a focal point of the show.
The post Alice Cooper Brings In 22-Year-Old Anna Cara To Replace Nita Strauss On Tour appeared first on Loaded Radio.
You might think that Donald Trump, currently engaged in his absurd war of choice on Iran and the resulting economic spiral that’s only just beginning, would be too busy to worry about what Bruce Springsteen is saying about him. Nope! Not at all! Springsteen and his E Street Band just kicked off their Land Of Hope And Dreams Tour in Minneapolis, the site of so much of the misery that Trump has wantonly caused, with a livestreamed set that was heavy on political statements. Now, Trump is telling his supporters to boycott that tour.
The post Donald Trump Tells MAGA To Boycott Bruce Springsteen Tour appeared first on Stereogum.
R.I.P..
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In 2024, Kevin Barnes released the latest of Montreal record, Lady On The Cusp. The indie-pop veteran has since relocated to Brooklyn, and now he’s announcing a new album called aethermead. The lead single “When” is a steamy, silly, serious banger. “‘When’ is more a song about yearning, sadness, confusion, frustration…than it is a song…
The post of Montreal Announce New Album <em>aethermead</em>: Hear “When” appeared first on Stereogum.
Storming ahead into their next chapter, Nevermore has solidified their new line-up with their first live show in over fifteen years. The legendary act performed for a sold-out IF Performance Hall Beşiktaş audience on April 1 in Istanbul, Turkey, the home country of their new vocalist Berzan Önen, and the birthplace of bassist Semir Özerkan.
An event eagerly awaited by fans was cemented as a night to remember. While honoring the band’s well-established history, Nevermore look to the future with a passionate vigor for the next evolution. Following the success of yesterday’s show, Nevermore will join Judas Priest this September for the final seven shows of their Faithkeepers Tour.
Tour Dates:
09/11 — Bern, Switzerland @ Festhalle Bern
09/12 — Strasbourg, France @ Zenith
09/14 — Lyon, France @ LDLC Arena
09/15 — Bordeaux, France @ Arkea Arena
09/17 — Paris, France @ Arena Zenith
09/18 — Brussels, Belgium @ Forest National
09/21 — London, UK @ Eventim Apollo
Over the summer months, ahead of their run with Judas Priest, Nevermore are set to appear at shows and festivals in Latin America and across Europe. Explore dates and purchase tickets here.
04/24 – Santiago, Chile – Teatro Cariola
04/26 – São Paulo, Brazil – Bangers Open Air
04/28 – São Paulo, Brazil – Carioca Club Pinheiros
04/26 – Plovdiv, Bulgaria – Hills of Rock
04/28 – Rasnov, Romania – Rockstadt Extreme Festival
04/30 – Budapest, Hungary – BARBA NEGRA Blue Stage
08/01 – Wacken, Germany – Wacken
08/03 – Pratteln, Switzerland – Z7 Open Air
08/05 – Jaromer, Czechia – Brutal Assault
08/08 – Derbyshire, United Kingdom – Bloodstock Open Air
08/09 – Kortrijk, Belgium – Alcatraz Festival
08/11 – Warsaw, Poland – Progresja [with Savatage]
08/12 – Leipzig, Germany – Parkbühne [with Savatage]
08/13 – Bonn, Germany – KUNST!RASEN [with Savatage]
08/15 – Carhaix Plouguer, France – Motocultor Festival
An esteemed powerhouse in heavy metal, Nevermore recently unveiled their signing to Reigning Phoenix Music and introduced new members Jack Cattoi on guitar, Semir Özerkan on bass, and vocalist Berzan Önen in a documentary directed and produced by Ola Englund.
The film provided an enticing insight into the band’s rehearsals, and an open discussion by guitarist Jeff Loomis and drummer Van Williams on their decision to bring Nevermore back.
The post NEVERMORE Announce European Shows Supporting JUDAS PRIEST This September appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.
RAYE just dropped her sophomore album THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE. last week. The UK soul-pop singer has the sort of broad appeal that makes her a shoo-in for awards shows and a TikTok hitmaker; that formula, combined with fact that vinyl popularity continues to grow, means there’s a lot of people who’ve already purchased physical editions of RAYE’s album. RAYE has an apology for those people.
The post RAYE Apologizes To Fans Who Bought Her New Album On Vinyl Because It’s Not The Final Mix appeared first on Stereogum.
The first single from album #8.
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