Reading & Leeds have just shared their next wave of 2026 line-up additions.
Joining the likes of Charli xcx, Chase & Status, Dave, Florence + The Machine, Fontaines D.C., RAYE, Skepta, Sombr, Jade, Kneecap and Geese across the August bank holiday weekend are new acts Speed, Violet Grohl, James Marriott, Florence Road, Tooth, Julia Wolf, Bleech 9:3 and more. The fest have also announced a whole new stage for this summer, The Warehouse, which is set to deliver ‘cutting-edge sound with state-of-the-art lighting for a fully immersive club experience’.
Of course, very recently Violet Grohl announced details of her debut album Be Sweet To Me, which is due out on May 29. When asked by Kerrang! if UK shows were on the horizon, and what they might compare to versus performing with her dad’s band the Foo Fighters, she said, “I was so nervous doing that and had to get in a zone to be able to do that. But playing in front of smaller audiences is so much scarier. You can actually see the reactions on the faces of people, and how they’re responding to what you’re doing in an intimate setting. Will there be shows in the UK? You might hear something soon…”
The “Bowl My Bones” tour was already looking like one of the highlights of the summer, but it’s just gone up another notch. Boston’s own alt-rockers American Hi-Fi have been confirmed as the special guests for the massive 2026 UK run featuring Bowling For Soup and Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls. It’s a big … Continue reading American Hi-Fi join Bowling For Soup and Frank Turner for “Bowl My Bones” UK tour
photos by Colby Tedisco Following four EPs and more, Massachusettsâ ripping noise rock trio THE FRÄQS presents their long-awaited debut album, No God On The Gold Coast, announcing tour dates in support of the record, […]
The Brooklyn drill rapper Pop Smoke’s career was just getting started when he was shot dead in a Los Angeles home-invasion robbery in 2020. When Pop died, he was just 20 years old. In 2025, one of his attackers was sentenced to 29 years in prison. Since Pop’s passing, his estate has released two posthumousalbums, the first of which went double platinum. Now, Pop Smoke’s brother is using his name to start a coffee shop, and he needs some experienced baristas.
Lamb of God Theatre of the Living Arts, Philadelphia, PA March 15, 2026
photos by AJ Kinney
Big Band In A Small Venue is typically a surprise. For Lamb of God, it was the world’s worst kept secret, as Internet publicity had fans packing the 800-cap Theatre of the Living Arts like sardines. By comparison, the other venues for this tour were 3,000 to 5,000 cap. Given the scourge of fees, the all-inclusive $15 tickets meant that the band practically played for free.
The crowd was appreciative. Seemingly every camo cap in a 10 mile radius showed up. The setting harked back to 2004, near the start of another Middle Eastern war, with Lamb of God recording Killadelphia in the Trocadero Theatre. Even then, 10 years into their career, they were veterans.
22 years later, Randy Blythe was appreciative. He lovingly and repeatedly mentioned the band’s salad days as Burn the Priest playing West Philly warehouses. (Read more about that here.) The 1-2 punch of “Ruin” and “Laid to Rest” recalled the Killadelphia era; “Walk With Me in Hell” and “Redneck” had people dancing and air guitaring. To see a bunch of mostly 50-somethings still bring it was uplifting to fans who’ve grown up with the band.
But it wasn’t just a set of golden oldies. “Parasocial Christ” and the title track from new album Into Oblivion got people moving. The former was slightly ironic, given the number of phones in the air. The “You Are Being Recorded” sign in Killadelphia would now be unnecessary. Blythe is outspoken about this, but tonight he was all smiles. It was funny to watch his numerous near-misses with bassist John Campbell. Clearly they’re used to bigger stages.
Warmup Show In A Small Venue also has a practical purpose, ironing out kinks. A guitar tech missed an amp switch, briefly causing a clean intro to blast distorted. Mark Morton flubbed the intro to “512”, causing some mirth onstage. But the band more than recovered. One could feel the tide turn as the energy rose and rose, with the final chord unleashing a release that had people screaming and cheering. Put down your phones, folks – there’s still no feeling like live music.
Four members of King Diamond‘s classic late-’80s lineup have resurfaced together in a new band. Lex Legion brings together guitarist Pete Blakk, bassist Hal Patino, guitarist and producer Andy La Rocque, and drummer Mikkey Dee (the latter best known for over two decades with Motörhead and a decade-long stint with Scorpions) alongside vocalist Nils K. Rue, who built his reputation across five acclaimed albums with Pagan’s Mind.
The band was formed by Dee and Blakk, with the rest of the lineup drawn from over 40 years of shared history. All four instrumentalists appeared together on King Diamond‘s Them and Conspiracy, and all had remained close in the years since, with everyone already knowing Rue through prior collaborative work. La Rocque, a constant presence in King Diamond since 1985 and a contributor to Death‘s landmark Individual Thought Patterns, is quick to draw a distinction between what Lex Legion is and what came before.
The self-titled debut Lex Legion arrives in June 2026 via MNRK Music Group, with the band citing Iron Maiden, Queensrÿche, and Accept as touchstones. Lead single “Sleep Eternally” is out 03/31.
“The song style is different from King Diamond but still from the same era,” he says from his studio in Varberg, Sweden. “The riffs are different, and the arrangements are a little less progressive and a little more straightforward.”
“There are elements of everything on the album,” says La Rocque. “The right tempo and the right kind of vocals, both starting like a fist in your face!”
“This is totally unique. No one is writing this kind of music, and there’s a big hole for us to fill,” states La Rocque. “The album is a journey, and every song is like the beat of a movie. I want listeners to travel back.”
The first single, “Sleep Eternally”, out March 31, sets the tone instantly. Rue‘s soaring pipes and ominous harmonies are framed by Dee‘s unmistakable powerhouse drumming, a clutch of imaginative leads from both guitarists, and shifts of pace and tempo that will satiate King Diamond fans.
Follow-up single “Gypsy Tears” seals the deal — eerie and rapturous, otherworldly and propulsive, evocative and a straight-up headbanger that leaves the listener in no doubt about the thunderous treasures within.
Dee puts it more simply: “Lex Legion is totally written the way we thought in the ’80s,” he says. “We wrote what we wanted, and if you liked it, that was a great bonus. If you didn’t like it, that was fine with us, too! “Enjoy it or fuck off!”
Joe Bonamassa has announced the release of his new live album and film, The Spirit Of Rory Live From Cork, arriving June 19 via J&R Adventures, with pre-orders now available. The project captures Bonamassa’s tribute performances honoring Rory Gallagher, recorded during a series of sold-out shows in Cork, Ireland.
The release features 14 songs drawn from across Gallagher’s catalog, including newly released live singles “Walk On Hot Coals (Live),” “Bullfrog Blues (Live),” and “Who’s That Coming? (Live).” The album’s focus track will be “A Million Miles Away (Live).”
For Bonamassa, the project carries deep personal significance. “I never had the honour to meet him, but his music and musicianship loom large in my life,” Bonamassa writes. “From my first time hearing Irish Tour ’74 I was captivated by the sheer intensity of the man and the ferocity of his approach to the electric blues.”
He also reflected on how early exposure to Gallagher shaped him as a musician. “I remember that voice and a singular guitar tone slicing through the walls of my bedroom at a very young age,” Bonamassa recalls. “My father, who exposed me to so many of the great guitarists of his era, was quick to encourage me to listen to Rory and glean what I could.”
The tribute originated from an invitation by Gallagher’s family. “All these many years later I was asked by Rory’s family to consider performing some of his material and paying tribute to him at a venue in Cork,” he writes. “The very thought frightened me. Yes, I was scared to even attempt it but at the same time so honoured that his family felt that I might be up to the task.” Rather than reinterpret the songs, Bonamassa approached them with restraint. “I felt the very best I could hope for was to approach his catalog with humility and reverence.”
What began as a single show quickly expanded into three sold-out nights. “After the announcement, one show turned into three sold out shows,” Bonamassa writes. “I felt that my reputation was on the line with the Irish, but what a response!”
By the time the performances took place, the atmosphere had intensified. “This was Rory’s town, and Rory’s people. We weren’t going to let them down,” Bonamassa says. “The crowds on those three nights were rowdy, raucous and Cork did their favourite son proud.”
The album includes performances of songs such as “Cradle Rock,” “Tattoo’d Lady,” “Calling Card,” “Bad Penny,” “I Fall Apart,” and “As The Crow Flies,” the latter performed on Gallagher’s own 1930 National Triolian resonator guitar, loaned by the Cork Public Museum.
In addition to the audio release, DVD and Blu-ray editions will feature bonus content including The Inspiration of Rory, with appearances by Brian May and Slash, along with additional footage tied to the Cork performances.
Bonamassa summed up the project as a tribute to one of his key influences. “What you hear on these recordings is our best effort to pay tribute to Rory Gallagher, a man I never met, but admire so deeply,” he writes. “His music is part of me and I’m grateful that we were able to contribute in some small way to his ongoing legacy.”
Watch “Walk On Hot Coals” below.
CD Track Listing
Cradle Rock (Live)
Walk On Hot Coals (Live)
Tattoo’d Lady (Live)
I Wonder Who (Live)
Calling Card (Live)
Who’s That Coming? (Live)
Messin’ With The Kid (Live)
Bullfrog Blues (Live)
Treat Her Right (Live)
Bad Penny (Live)
I Fall Apart (Live)
A Million Miles Away (Live)
As The Crow Flies (Live)
Back On My Stompin’ Ground (Live)
DVD / Blu-ray
The Spirit Of Rory (Opening Scene)
Cradle Rock
Walk On Hot Coals
Tattoo’d Lady
I Wonder Who
Calling Card
Who’s That Coming?
Messin’ With The Kid
Band Introductions
Bullfrog Blues
Treat Her Right
Bad Penny
I Fall Apart
A Million Miles Away
As The Crow Flies
Back On My Stompin’ Ground
Ballycotton (End Credits)
Bonus Features
• Ballycotton – A Million Miles Away • Rory’s Acoustic Guitar • The Inspiration of Rory (A Conversation with Brian May & Slash)
Vinyl (180 gram Red Marble Double LP)
Side A
Cradle Rock (Live)
Walk On Hot Coals (Live)
Tattoo’d Lady (Live)
I Wonder Who (Live)
Side B 5. Calling Card (Live) 6. Who’s That Coming? (Live) 7. Messin’ With The Kid (Live) 8. Bullfrog Blues (Live)
Side C 9. Treat Her Right (Live) 10. Bad Penny (Live) 11. I Fall Apart (Live)
Side D 12. A Million Miles Away (Live) 13. As The Crow Flies (Live) 14. Back On My Stompin’ Ground (Live)
U.S. Spring Tour 2026
April 10-12, 2026 – Miramar Beach, FL – Sound Wave Beach Weekend + +Sold Out
EU/U.K. Spring Tour 2026
April 22 – Hamburg, DE – Barclays Arena April 24 – Rotterdam, NL – Rotterdam Rtm Stage April 25 – Paris, FR – La Seine Musicale April 27 – Esch-sur-Alzette, LU – Luxembourg Rockhal April 29 – Mannheim, DE – SAP Arena May 1 – Chemnitz, DE – Stadthalle Chemnitz May 2 – Nürnberg, DE – Psd Bank Nürnberg Arena May 3 – Zürich, CH – Hallenstadion May 6 – London, UK – Royal Albert Hall May 7 – London, UK – Royal Albert Hall
U.S. Summer Tour 2026
June 26 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts w/ JJ Grey & Mofro & D.K. Harrell June 27 – Atlantic City, NJ – Ocean Casino Resort June 28 – Newark, NJ – New Jersey Performing Arts Center July 29 – Vienna, VA – Wolf Trap w/ Gov’t Mule July 31 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheater w/ Gov’t Mule August 1 – Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion w/ Gov’t Mule August 3 – Hyannis, MA – Cape Cod Melody Tent August 5 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater w/ JJ Grey & Mofro August 7 – Selbyville, DE – Freeman Arts Pavilion August 8 – Baltimore, MD – Pier Six Pavilion w/ Gov’t Mule August 9 – Youngstown, OH – The Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre w/ Gov’t Mule August 12 – Highland Park, IL – Ravinia Festival August 14 – Interlochen, MI – Kresge Auditorium August 15 – Welch, MN – Treasure Island Resort & Casino w/ Gov’t Mule August 16 – Lincoln, NE – Pinewood Bowl Theater w/ Gov’t Mule August 19 – Cheyenne, WY – Cheyenne Civic Center August 21 – Salt Lake City, UT – Eccles Theater August 23 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
EU Fall Tour 2026
October 21 – Helsinki, FL – Veikkaus Arena October 23 – Stockholm, SE – Stockholm Avicii Arena October 24 – Oslo, NO – Oslo Spektrum October 25 – Gothenburg, SE – Göteborg Partille Arena October 27 – Copenhagen, DK – K.B. Hallen København October 29 – Rostock, DE – Stadthalle Rostock October 30 – Berlin, DE – Uber Arena October 31 – Dortmund, DE – Westfalenhalle November 3 – Basel, CH – Baloise Session November 4 – Milan, IT – Unipol Forum
August Burns Red have revealed all of the details of their new album and shared a bludgeoning new song set to appear on it.
The record is set to be titled ‘Season Of Surrender’ and will be released on June 05 via Fearless Records, who the band recenely resigned to. It serves as the follow-up to their 2023 full-length ‘Death Below’.
The artwork looks like this:
Whilst the tracklisting looks more like this, and is chock-full of special guests:
1. Legions Feat. Mike Hranica 2. The Nameless 3. Behemoth 4. Den of Thieves 5. Sonic Salvation Feat. Jamie Hails 6. Cerebral Malfunction Feat. Make Them Suffer 7. Tear of the Clouds 8. Whispers Like Splinters 9. S.O.S. 10. New Horizons 11. Forged by Failure
The band have also shared ‘The Nameless’, which feels like a summation of every era of the band in the most bold colours. A bludgeoning blend of tight breakdowns, thrilling leads and spine-tingling vocals refrains, it’s hard, heavy and hedonistic in all the ways that metalcore should be.
Bassist Dustin Davidson had this to say about it, stating, “‘The Nameless’ is a hard-hitting, heavy bruiser that doesn’t let up for one moment. It combines classicABR elements with dark moody technical rhythms, and fast paced vocals to keep the intensity up for the full three minutes of the track. To me it showcases our roots of where we’ve come from, and the future path of where we’re heading.”
Whilst vocalist Jake Luhrs adds, “Lyrically, ‘The Nameless’ is a song about not wasting your life away for the sake of acceptance and comfortability. Sometimes it takes detaching from what you’ve been told, or from the beliefs you are no longer aligned with, in order to face your own weaknesses. In doing so you can break free to live a life you are proud of.”
It follows on from ‘Behemoth’, a song that embodies that word in both name and nature.
Taken from the band’s upcoming album No Place Of Warmth – which is due out on May 8 via Century Media – the track “is about the internal battle we all have to fight when navigating loss, grief, guilt and depression,” explains vocalist Chad Green. “It’s about getting back up. It’s meant to be the anthem to your day, the background music to your story, the extra weapon you might need to help conquer whatever you’re struggling with.
“Robb’s lyrics add a whole new layer of power and emotion to the song. This is a follow up to Arsenal Of War, which was about remembering and carrying the light and memories of your lost loved one with you.”
Of the accompanying music video, Chad continues: “We wanted to show that this isn’t some big war with a ton of actors – this is the war we fight alone inside every day. We brought trinkets to hold up in the video to remember the good times and remind us that the battle may never end but we can choose to remember while we move forward. At the end, I dig up the dagger from the No Place Of Warmth video out of the bloody soil, a symbol of how hard it is to remember and relive those things. That dagger has my [late] brother Cory’s name engraved on the side facing away from the camera. I stared at it the entire scene thinking about how badass he would think it was with me all bloody holding a dagger.”
