Democracy Dies in Darkness Receiving an autograph and hug from a musician during a meet-and-greet leaves a lasting impression. July 16, 2026 at 12:00 a.m. EDT Dear Eric: I’m 70 and very happily married, having been together for 38 years. My spouse and I both have a deep love for music, and lately, we’ve been...
The Luminate 2026 Midyear Report highlights evolving trends in streaming across music, film, and television. Music Streaming Growth Music streaming continues to rise globally and in the U.S. Global on-demand audio streams reached 2.8 trillion in the first half of 2026, compared to 2.5 trillion the previous year and 2.29 trillion in 2024. In the...
Marin Alsop’s influence at Ravinia became tangible in 2022 during her second summer at the festival. As the first woman to lead major orchestras in several regions, Alsop initiated Breaking Barriers, a special festival segment aimed at dismantling gender barriers. The inaugural event highlighted female conductors. Alsop recalls the impact when families engaged with the...
Fans of Jay-Z faced delays outside Yankee Stadium in New York on Sunday night. The concert by the popular rapper was set to start but was postponed due to safety concerns. Ticket holders, numbering in the hundreds, were stuck outside the venue for hours. The delay occurred because people attempted to rush the stadium gates....
The Rolling Stones are tapping into the World Cup excitement with their own musical twist. The legendary rock band has initiated The Rolling Stones Streaming World Cup. This event pits the top 30 countries streaming the band’s music on Spotify against each other to crown a winner. The competition runs for the next four weeks,...
On a festive night in Los Angeles, the L.A. Memorial Coliseum hosted a Fourth of July benefit concert that brought together a diverse crowd. The event featured popular performers such as Chris Stapleton, Smashing Pumpkins, Chaka Khan, Maren Morris, and Queen Latifah. Stapleton, admired across political lines, led the event. His performance included songs like...
A two-year-old YouTube review of Halsey’s album, The Great Impersonator, recently gained renewed attention. Initially dismissed as another clash between celebrities, the critique became a topic of discussion after a music account on X highlighted persistent fan outrage. This situation illustrates a broader conversation about the role of criticism in today’s fandom-driven environment. Anthony Fantano’s...
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce celebrated their marriage at Madison Square Garden on July 3. The event, held in a transformed venue, has been the subject of much attention due to its star-studded guest list and lavish decorations. The venue, known for sports events, underwent a remarkable transformation. AMC Theaters CEO Adam Aron described the...
Bruce Springsteen’s hit song “Born in the U.S.A.” is often misunderstood. While its chorus feels like a celebration of American pride, the verses tell a different story. They focus on a Vietnam War veteran returning home to find limited opportunities. The song’s powerful refrain is mistaken as pure patriotism, yet it conveys deeper themes of...
In 1985, Bruce Springsteen performed in Washington, D.C. during his ‘Born in the U.S.A.’ Tour, capturing an era’s spirit. This performance and others from the tour are emblematic of music’s power to convey ideas. Some songs transcend their melodies to become symbols for larger movements. NPR’s series, ‘American Anthem,’ delves into this phenomenon. Over the...