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Why Is Flyleaf’s 20th Anniversary Tour Such A Big Deal For Rock Fans?

Because it marks the full return of Lacey Sturm and the band’s first proper headline run after years of absence, nostalgia, and speculation.

TL;DR

Flyleaf have announced a 14-city U.S. “20th Anniversary Tour” featuring the return of original vocalist Lacey Sturm. The Live Nation-produced trek kicks off July 8 in Atlanta and wraps July 31 in Anaheim.

The band’s reunion era just shifted from festival moments to a full-scale statement.

After testing the waters with major festival appearances, the band has officially confirmed a July 2026 headlining tour built around the return of Lacey Sturm — the voice that defined Flyleaf’s breakout years and helped shape a generation of hard rock listeners.

Produced by Live Nation, the 14-city run launches July 8 at the Tabernacle in Atlanta before weaving through key U.S. markets including Boston, Chicago, Houston, and Nashville. The tour concludes July 31 at House Of Blues in Anaheim.

For longtime fans, this isn’t just another anniversary cycle. It’s the first true Flyleaf headline tour anchored by Sturm since her departure more than a decade ago.

Presales And Ticket Details

Tickets roll out in phases, beginning with Citi presales starting February 24.

Additional presales continue throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale Friday, February 27 at 10 a.m. local time via LiveNation.com.

Citi cardmembers receive early access through the Citi Entertainment program, running February 24 through February 26.

Given the emotional weight behind Sturm’s return, early demand is expected to be strong.

Get Flyleaf Tickets Here – Great Seats Available

Full Flyleaf 2026 Tour Dates

July 08 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle
July 09 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte
July 10 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore Philadelphia
July 12 – Boston, MA – Citizens House Of Blues
July 13 – Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont Theater
July 15 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring
July 17 – Chicago, IL – House Of Blues
July 19 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore Minneapolis
July 21 – Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room @ Old National Centre
July 22 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works
July 24 – Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom
July 25 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center
July 28 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren
July 31 – Anaheim, CA – House Of Blues

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A Catalog That Refuses To Fade

Few bands from Flyleaf’s era maintain this level of long-tail resonance.

• “All Around Me” — 4× Platinum
• “I’m So Sick” — Double Platinum
• “Fully Alive” — Platinum
• Flyleaf (self-titled debut) — Platinum album

Two decades later, those songs still circulate heavily across streaming playlists, rock radio rotations, and live setlists.

That durability is exactly why a 20th anniversary tour feels earned rather than manufactured.

From Passerby To Flyleaf

The group’s origins trace back to Passerby, the early collaboration between Lacey Sturm and drummer James Culpepper.

After recruiting guitarists Sameer Bhattacharya and Jared Hartmann, the band developed a grassroots following throughout Texas before formally adopting the Flyleaf name in 2004.

Mainstream breakthrough came quickly.

“All Around Me” pushed the band onto Top 40 radio, while subsequent releases — including Memento Mori — cemented Flyleaf’s place in late-2000s hard rock.

Lacey Sturm’s Departure And Return

Sturm exited Flyleaf in October 2012, a move that stunned fans at the height of the band’s visibility.

Kristen May stepped in and recorded 2014’s Between The Stars before her eventual departure.

For years, the possibility of Sturm’s return hovered somewhere between hope and rumor.

That uncertainty ended in 2023.

Flyleaf reunited with Sturm for major North American festivals including Sick New World, Louder Than Life, and Aftershock — signaling that the chemistry remained intact.

They also played their first show with Sturm in 11 years on April 27, 2023 in Belton, Texas.

Now, that reunion evolves into a full headline tour.

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Deluxe Vinyl Releases Incoming

Adding another layer to the anniversary celebration, Interscope will release deluxe vinyl editions of:

• Flyleaf (self-titled debut)
• Memento Mori

Scheduled for summer 2026, these releases tap directly into the resurgent demand for physical formats among collectors and legacy fans.

One Question For Fans

Does Flyleaf’s reunion feel like a nostalgia celebration…

…or the beginning of something much bigger?

Because history suggests some reunions don’t stay retrospective for long.

FAQ

When Does Flyleaf’s 20th Anniversary Tour Begin?

The tour begins July 8, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.

When Do Tickets Go On Sale?

General public tickets go on sale February 27 at 10 a.m. local time.

Is Lacey Sturm Returning For The Entire Tour?

Yes. The tour is officially billed as Flyleaf featuring Lacey Sturm.

How Many Cities Are On The Tour?

The run includes 14 U.S. dates.

Which Flyleaf Songs Achieved Major Certifications?

“All Around Me” (4× Platinum), “I’m So Sick” (Double Platinum), and “Fully Alive” (Platinum).

Will Flyleaf Release Anniversary Editions?

Yes. Deluxe vinyl editions of the debut album and Memento Mori arrive summer 2026.

Flyleaf Band Bio

Flyleaf emerged in the mid-2000s as one of hard rock’s most distinctive voices, blending emotional vulnerability with explosive heaviness. Originally formed under the name Passerby, the band built a grassroots following before breaking into the mainstream with their platinum-certified self-titled debut. Fronted by Lacey Sturm during their formative years, Flyleaf became known for hits like “All Around Me,” “I’m So Sick,” and “Fully Alive.” After lineup changes and a prolonged hiatus, the band reunited with Sturm in 2023, reigniting fan anticipation and setting the stage for their 20th anniversary celebrations.

The post Flyleaf Reunite With Lacey Sturm For 20th Anniversary Tour appeared first on Loaded Radio.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
West Tennessee Doom Four-Piece Burnt Witch Unleash Crushing New EP Dopelich
West Tennessee – Rising from the smoke and swamp of West Tennessee, Burnt Witch are dragging slow, crushing riffs straight through the mud with the release of their new EP Dopelich, out now as an independent release as of February 13, 2026.
Burnt Witch is a doom and sludge four-piece dealing in suffocating heaviness, occult atmosphere, and Southern grit. Built on fuzz-drenched bass, monolithic riffing, cavernous drums, and vocals that swing from blues-soaked cleans to unhinged screams, the band channels the oppressive weight of classic doom while keeping one boot planted firmly in Tennessee soil.
Formed from a shared obsession with bands like Electric Wizard, Crowbar, and Eyehategod, Burnt Witch craft songs that feel summoned rather than written. Their sound leans into hypnotic repetition, bleak atmospheres, and grooves that hit like a slow collapse. It is immersive. It is uncomfortable. It lingers.
The band recently caught the attention of Weedian , who featured Burnt Witch with the following praise:
“Burnt Witch is a West Tennessee doom/sludge band delivering crushing low-tuned riffs, occult atmosphere, and slow, punishing heaviness rooted in Southern grit. They bring a unique twist to the doom genre that could only be achieved in the deep south, melding clean bluesy vocals with extreme screams, and groovy stoner riffs with soul crushing slams and spacy leads. From the ritual sacrifice of biker cults, to fortune tellers, to evil wizards with drug problems, you won’t wanna miss what Burnt Witch brings to the table.”
That kind of recognition from a respected name in the underground doom community only reinforces what Dopelich proves front to back.
Released February 13, 2026, Dopelich pushes deeper into the smoke. The EP blends sludge-soaked aggression with creeping doom textures that feel both familiar and freshly unearthed. Each track unfolds like a ritual, thick with tension and drenched in distortion.
Early reactions have already started turning heads:
“Move over Electric Wizard, here comes Burnt Witch!”
– Reaper’s Underground, Black Flame Entertainment & Tracks of the Damned Podcast
“Doom is not supposed to save the world. It is supposed to scorch it one riff at a time.”
– Zach Moonshine, Metal Devastation Radio
“Dopelich will take you on a ride that will leave you feeling like you are deep in Occult ritual, begging for more.”
– Cody Gray, Defiler Magazine & Tracks of the Damned Podcast
Burnt Witch have also appeared on The Zach Moonshine Show via Metal Devastation Radio and on Tracks of the Damned Podcast with Reaper, further cementing their presence in the underground heavy scene.
Fans of Dopethrone, Weedeater, Electric Wizard, Crowbar, Eyehategod, Dopelord, Down, Superjoint Ritual, Brainoil, Cough, and Coffinworm will find plenty to sink into here.
Stream Dopelich now:
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/burntwitch/dopelich-ep
For press inquiries, interviews, or further information, contact zach@metaldevastationradio.com
Burnt Witch are not here to be clean. They are here to be crushing.
Check out this promo video and get ready! 


Connect: 
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/burntwitch/dopelich-ep
https://open.spotify.com/artist/19WSxNJAzrFZoivgL0f5Pe
https://burntwitch.bandcamp.com/album/dopelich-ep
https://www.facebook.com/burntwitch75/
https://www.instagram.com/burnt_witch75/
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/burnt-witch/1865047179
https://shop.tonethreads.com/collections/burntwitch
burntwitch75.com
Contact: burntwitch75@gmail.com

Photo credit: Richard Sibbald 









Bassist and vocalist Geddy Lee says of the tour

, “We can’t wait to get back to all these cities we haven’t played in so long, as well as hitting some new places we’ve yet to play. Both Alex and I are loving the hours of rehearsal time we’re spending with Anika and now Loren, learning around 40 songs, which will enable us to keep the shows evolving, playing some different songs on different nights. We are thrilled that many of our longstanding crew have come back to help us design the kind of RUSH show that fans have grown accustomed to expecting from us. We dearly hope you will come along and help us celebrate 50 years of Rush music, while giving Neil the long overdue tribute he so richly deserves.”

It’s a lovely statement to make regarding the late drummer and songwriter Neil Peart, who passed away in 2020. I am sure all the hours in rehearsal with Annika Niles have given her enough time to perfect her skills and build a good rapport with the surviving members.

Carrie Nuttall-Peart and Olivia Peart, Neil’s widow and daughter, share their enthusiasm over the announcement by stating:

“We are thrilled to support the Fifty Something tour, celebrating a band whose music has resonated and inspired fans for generations, and to honor Neil’s extraordinary legacy as both a drummer and lyricist. Neil’s musicianship was singular. Compositions of intricacy and power that expanded what rhythm itself could express. As both drummer and lyricist, he was irreplaceable. Inimitable in his artistry, and unmatched in the depth and imagination he brought to the lyrics that inspired and moved so many, he profoundly shaped how fans connected with him and the band, giving voice and meaning to their own lives. As the band enters this new chapter, it promises to be truly unforgettable. We are excited to see how their new vision unfolds, and to hear this legendary music played live once again.”

For VIP: https://superfan.live/rushvip
For Travel: https://superfan.live/rushtravel




Check out the full confirmed 2027 itinerary below:

15 Jan – Buenos Aires, AR – Movistar Arena

22 Jan – Curitiba, BR – Arena da Baixada

24 Jan – São Paulo, BR – Allianz Parque

30 Jan – Rio de Janeiro, BR – Estádio Olímpico Nilton Santos (Engenhão)

01 Feb – Belo Horizonte, BR – Estádio Mineirão

04 Feb – Brasília, BR – Arena BRB

19 Feb – Paris, FR – La Défense Arena

21 Feb – Berlin, DE – Uber Arena

23 Feb – Amsterdam, NL – Ziggo Dome

25 Feb – Munich, DE – Olympiahalle

28 Feb – Cologne, DE – LANXESS Arena

02 Mar – Hamburg, DE – Barclays Arena

04 Mar – Stuttgart, DE – Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle

08 Mar – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro

12 Mar – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live

16 Mar – London, UK – O2 Arena

18 Mar – London, UK – O2 Arena

27 Mar – Kraków, PL – TAURON Arena Kraków

30 Mar – Milan, IT – Unipol Dome

01 Apr – Basel, CH – St. Jakobshalle Basel

04 Apr – Copenhagen, DK – Royal Arena

06 Apr – Oslo, NO – Unity Arena

08 Apr – Stockholm, SE – Avicii Arena

10 Apr – Helsinki, FI – Veikkaus Arena



For UK date ticket sale information, please visit:

https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/event/rush/





WATCH ANNOUNCE VIDEO HERE




TICKETS GO ON SALE FRIDAY, FEB 27, 10:00 AM LOCAL TIME






RUSH.com

https://www.facebook.com.rush

https://www.instagram.com/rush

https://www.x.com/rushtheband

Along with some scattered festival shows.

The post Quicksand Announce June Tour Of Germany appeared first on Theprp.com.

April 24, 2026 sees the release of Drudkh‘s upcoming new EP dubbed Thaw. The latter stands as a direct continuation of the band’s last year’s album Гра тіней (Shadow Play), conceived during the same creative period and sharing its emotional and thematic foundation.
Read more…

Belfast/Derry trio Kneecap serve up a second taste of forthcoming album, Fenian

This is the opposite of fading away.

Experience is arguably the most valuable tool in any artist’s arsenal, and in the specific case of veteran and virtuoso guitarist Joel Hoekstra, it’s one that has allowed him to forge one of the most consequential supergroups in recent memory.

Having cut his teeth playing with such elite artists as Cher, Evanescence frontwoman Amy Lee, Sebastian Bach, and Kevin Cronin, let alone the honor of cutting heads with the legendary Brad Gillis in Night Ranger and handling guitar duties with hard rock legendary outfit Whitesnake, words like prestige and gravitas fall just short of describing what Iowa-born shredder brings to the table. Yet when all the cards are down, Joel Hoekstra’s 13 is a sum built out of multiple equally yoked parts, and their fourth and latest studio offering, From The Fade, presents a master class in how to craft an immersive musical journey while largely relying upon a familiar hard rock template.

True to the reputation that Frontiers Records has built for delivering a quality listening experience, this is an album that features a colossal modern production to rival any mainstream act, but where Joel Hoekstra’s 13 really sells what it has to offer is in the execution of its principle membership. Naturally, Joel’s surgical riff assault recalls such noted guitar legends as Ritchie Blackmore, Uli Jon Roth, and especially the dearly departed John Sykes, a fact that is further augmented by the smooth fretless bass foil provided by none other than the latter’s bandmate in Blue Murder, Tony Franklin.

Throw into the mix the signature kit work of former Black Sabbath and Dio drummer Vinnie Appice, and the free-flowing keyboard gymnastics of ex-Dream Theater titan Derek Sherinian, and the auditory feast that is realized is already nothing short of gourmet. Reprising his role as lead vocalist from 2023’s Crash Of Life is helmsman of the up and coming Indian hard rock act Girish And The Crhonicles Girish Pradhan, whom lands that same brilliantly gravely tone that Russell Allen and Jeff Scott Soto brought to his outfit’s earlier works and infuses an equally formidable rawness into the equation with the latter sticking around to provide backing vocals.

This opus functions as a sonic portfolio in ten masterful subsections, each one channeling a sense of nostalgia for a pivotal moment in one or more of these musicians’ monumental pasts while maintaining a sense of modern freshness. The swift riffing and upbeat groove of the opening foray “You Can Give” has all the makings of an arena favorite, playing off earworm melodic hooks at every point Girish’s voice is in play, while Hoekstra relentlessly lights up the fret board at every opportune moment.

The more driving cruiser “The Fall” strikes a grittier tone and functions as a sort of punchy portmanteau of Whitesnake’s signature bluesy swagger and Dio’s more jagged metallic approach, Pradham nailing a pinpoint middle ground between the two frontmen of said legendary folds before Hoekstra and Sherinian proceed to light up the airwaves with their respective technical chops.

As things progress, so too does this group’s compositional palette, occasionally allowing for a softer and more accessible tone to be struck. One can’t help but hum along and be uplifted by the easier-going groove and almost 70s AOR tone struck by “Lifeline”, and even Girish’s gravely snarl takes on a generally more measured tone that recalls the saccharine-like approach of Steve Perry and Kevin Cronin.

“You Will Remember Me” all but crosses into soft rock territory with a serene blend of accompanying acoustic guitars and a highly expressive bass display out of Franklin to further enrich an already dense atmosphere of musical optimism resting between classic 70s and modern rock balladry. The album’s closer, “Quite The Ride,” turns up the progressive rock vibes something fierce, playing heavily to Hoekstra’s expansive tool set and featuring plenty of raging rock organ and synthesizer moments out of Sherinian above a nuanced wall of sound reminiscent of classic Styx and Yes.

But when the rubber hits the road, Joel Hoekstra’s 13 is a band that is truly at its best when they throw caution to the wind and play hard enough to effectively blur the lines between rock and metal. The highly agitated riff machine “Misunderstood” sees Hoekstra trading in his Whitesnake card for an approach that all but fully mimics Vivian Campbell circa 1984, and Vinnie Appice follows suit with a similarly explosive performance on the kit, the song’s high point occurring just after the guitar solo where every member of the fold takes turns showcasing their prowess at the fore.

“Free To Be” leans more into the epic side of the 80s Dio equation with a mid-paced stride that treads dangerously close to Holy Diver territory, all the while Pradhan manages to maintain a catchy melodic gloss on top of a musical foundation replete with twists and turns courtesy of Hoekstra and Appice. But the coup de grace that sees this fold committing fully to the heavy metal side of the coin is the riveting mini-epic ride “The End Of Me”, which might well be the most compelling homage to Black Sabbath’s “Heaven And Hell” penned since Axel Rudi Pell’s “Disciples Of Hell” back in 2004.

For hard rock aficionados, young and old, as well as old school metal heads who believe that the genre peaked in the mid-80s, it’s impossible to go wrong with a fold of seasoned veterans, most of whom were there when big hair and bigger riffs were still filling arenas from Philly to Los Angeles. By the same token, the youthful exuberance displayed by Girish Pradhan makes this a band that can match energy with the past bands from which the rest of this group was drawn.

It’s debatable whether From The Fade is an album that matches the insane quality level that went with genre staples like Whitesnake’s Saints And Sinners, Dio’s The Last In Line, or Blue Murder’s 1989 eponymous debut, but a single listen will reveal an album that is definitely after the same spirit.

Release Date: February 27th, 2026
Record Label: Frontiers Music SRL
Genre: Melodic Hard Rock

Musicians:

• Girish Pradhan / Vocals
• Joel Hoekstra / Guitars
• Tony Franklin / Bass
• Vinnie Appice / Drums
• Derek Sherinian / Keyboards
• Jeff Scott Soto / Backing vocals

From The Fade Tracklist:

1. You Can Give
2. The Fall
3. Lifeline
4. Will You Remember Me
5. Misunderstood
6. Start to Fight
7. All I’d Do
8. Free To Be
9. The End Of Me
10. Quite The Ride

Order the album here.

The post JOEL HOEKSTRA’S 13- “From The Fade” (Album Review) appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Following the release of their critically-acclaimed, twelfth studio album Leo Rising, Canada’s DANKO JONES continue their roaring celebrations with the launch of the new music video for “I Love It Louder” and unveil dates for the “Rising Tour 2026“. Released through PERCEPTION – A Division of Reigning Phoenix Music and Sonic Unyon (Canada), Leo Rising may be their most electrifying and uplifting record yet, and is certain to energize venues across Europe and the UK this fall. 

DANKO JONES comments on the forthcoming tour: “We are bursting at the seams to let the world know we are going out on the road this fall to play our songs for you! Our new album, Leo Rising, is just too fun to play live for us to stop, so get your tickets now before they’re all gone (like our last fall tour). See you on the road!! And we’re taking out SPLIT DOGS to open up the tour so you know this tour is gonna rule!!”

Tour Dates:
12.10 · Potsdam (DE) · Waschhaus
13.10 · Nürnberg (DE) · Löwensaal
14.10 · Vienna (AT) · Flex
15.10 · Budapest (HU) · A38
16.10 · Bucharest (RO) · Quantic
17.10 · Sofia (BG) · Pirotska 5 Event Center
19.10 · Cluj (RO)· Form Space
21.10 · Zagreb (HR) · Vintage Industrial Bar
22.10 · Ljubljana (SI) · Kino Siska
23.10 · Salzburg (AT) · Hi Rockhouse
27.10 · Oberhausen (DE) · Turbinenhalle 2
28.10 · Ghent (BE) · Handelsbeurs
29.10 · Frankfurt (DE) · Batschkapp
30.10 · Haarlem (NL) · Patronaat
31.10 · Tilburg (NL) · Next StagE
01.11 · Leeuwarden (NL) · Neusoorn
03.11 · Saarbrücken (DE) · Garage
05.11 · London (UK) · Garage*
07.11 · Manchester (UK) · Rebellion*

• Special guest: LOS PEPES (without SPLIT DOGS)

Produced to perfection by longtime collaborator Eric Ratz, the trio’s new studio offering Leo Rising is a masterclass in sweat-soaked, no-nonsense rock. Packed with razor-sharp riffs, thunderous rhythms, and infectious hooks, the album reaffirms that DANKO JONES are keeping rock alive by doing it better than anyone else.

John Calabrese laid down bass tracks from Finland, Rich Knox flew to Toronto to record drums, and Danko worked with producer Eric Ratz in the same city to capture vocals and guitars. Despite recording separately once again, the band’s chemistry is unmistakable. The result is pure DANKO JONES: tight, loud, and built for the stage.

Stream / Order Leo Rising now at: https://dankojones.rpm.link/leorisingPR

Watch “I Love It Louder” here: https://youtu.be/lK1ya5dZzLc

DANKO JONES are:
Danko Jones | vocals, guitars
John Calabrese | bass
Rich Knox | drums

More on DANKO JONES:
dankojones.com | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Spotify | Apple Music

More on PERCEPTION:
perception.music | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Source: C Squared Music

Arriving two years to the day the set took place.

The post CEREMONY Release “Live At The Hollywood Palladium” Album appeared first on Theprp.com.

They'll revive their Catacombs Tour for a short run of performances. Continue reading…