Happy Monday! Today: Hillary Duff’s new album, Childish Gambino’s stroke, Olivia Dean vs. Ticketmaster, Wicked box office numbers, Megan Thee Stallion’s startling court appearance, and more.

Hillary Duff will release first album in 11 years

This is what dreams are made of.

Hillary Duff announced last Friday that she is releasing her sixth studio album, luck … or something, on Feb. 20, adding: “So much love, late night anxiety and a little chaos went into making this album - hoping to see yourself in here the way I have. I love you and excited is the largest understatement.”

Of course, we already heard the first single ‘Mature.’ She sounds good, it feels nostalgic, and well, the lyrics of course are very revealing. She is singing about dating an older man in reference to her relationship with Joel Madden in the mid-2000s. He was 25. She was 16.

Some people might kill me for this, but sonically this song reminded me a lot of something someone like Kylie Minogue would put out. I’m not talking in the lane of the more dance-heavy songs she’s known for, but definitely the lighter-rock-leaning pop. Am I crazy? Yes, but still … let me know if I make sense. Ha!

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I’m hoping we get yet another taste of her new album before it comes out. I think a single near Christmas time would be great. I also hope we get more tour dates. She’s currently scheduled to do a limited amount of very intimate shows in January in London, Toronto, New York, and Los Angeles. They are all sold out!

Please Don’t Stop The Music

I can’t get enough of Robyn’s new song ‘Dopamine.’ She may not release music often these days, but when she does, she doesn’t miss. She always gives us Euro-dance pop perfection, and for that we should be grateful this Thanksgiving.

That is why it is my song choice for this week’s Please Don’t Stop The Music. It also happens that the 15th anniversary of her flawless 2010 album Body Talk was two days ago. ‘Dancing On My Own’ is still, in my humble opinion, the greatest pop song of all time.

Donald Glover reveals he suffered a stroke

During his headlining set at Tyler, The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw festival on Saturday, Donald Glover - aka Childish Gambino - revealed that he suffered a stroke last year, which is why he canceled his New World Tour.

He told fans that he was experiencing a severe headache and couldn’t see well during his show in New Orleans on Sept. 7, 2024. He proceeded to finish the show anyway but then went to see a doctor when they made it to Houston. After some tests, a doctor told him, ‘You had a stroke.’

Shortly after, doctors also found a hole in his heart. This prompted more medical care including surgeries - which is why he scrapped the remainder of the tour altogether. He was scheduled to perform more shows in North America, Europe, and Australia through the end of last year and the beginning of this year.

His appearance at Camp Flog Gnaw was his first performance since that show in New Orleans last year.

Olivia Dean calls out Ticketmaster over concert prices

Olivia Dean didn’t hold back and called out Ticketmaster, Live Nation, and AEG Live for the outrageous ticket prices her fans encountered when her North American tour went on sale last week.

» On the Wednesday edition of The Banger Brief last week, I shared with you that Dean’s US + Canada summer tour had gotten big fast. Just from pre-sale numbers alone, there was enough demand for her to add several new dates, including four at Madison Square Garden in NYC.

» During the general on-sale, there were crazy ticket prices — and many were bought by resellers — who listed them for thousands of dollars.

» Ticketmaster even messed up the original listings on some of the dates, marking $53.45 tickets at $753.45 and later issuing an apology. LOL.

» All of this prompted Olivia to take to her Instagram Story, posting, “I’m sorry that there seems to be an issue with ticket re-selling and pricing. My team are currently looking into it. It is extremely frustrating as the last thing I want is for anyone to be scammed or overcharged for our show :( Please be wary of buying tickets in the comment sections as it is most likely a scam.”

» She then went after Ticketmaster and the two tour promoter giants, writing: “@ticketmaster @livenation @aegpresents you are providing a disgusting service. The prices at which you’re allowing tickets to be re-sold is vile and completely against our wishes. Live music should be affordable and accessible, and we need to find a new way of making that possible. BE BETTER.”

Good for her. Will anything be done though? Probably not.

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What’s Going On?

• Wicked: For Good earned the biggest debut for a Broadway musical adaptation this weekend grossing $226 million globally beating … beating a record set by part one just last year - according to the AP.

• In Wicked-related news, the man that ran up to Ariana Grande at the Singapore premiere of the movie two weeks ago has been deported and banned from the country. It turns out he is from Australia. Good.

• Last Thursday, Megan Thee Stallion testified in her ongoing defamation case against a blogger she says spread rumors and fueled hate campaigns against her after the Tory Lanez shooting incident, in which Lanez shot her in the foot. Megan told the court she “just wanted to die” because of the things being published about her. So sad.

• Taylor Swift was spotted at the Chiefs vs. Colts game to support her man Travis Kelce yesterday. She seemed very happy.

• Music video roundup! We got new music videos out: Stray Kids for ‘Do It,’ Charli XCX for ‘Chains Of Love,’ and Leigh-Anne for ‘Friends.’

• SEVENTEEN will premiere their NPR Tiny Desk performance today!

Look What You Made Me Watch

RAYE has been performing her new single ‘Where Is My Husband!’ literally everywhere. It’s not even my favorite of her songs, but I’m obsessed with her performances. I’ve probably watched every single one of these promotional performances. Are they mostly the same? Yes. Will I keep watching them if she keeps doing them? Also yes. Don’t let her find her husband yet! Hehe.

The latest one? Her appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show. Watch it below.

Read All About It

• Madison Beer on Making ‘Bittersweet,’ Fan Feedback and Casting Sean Kaufman From ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ in the Music Video by Tiana DeNicola (Variety)

P.S.

Happy Monday!

Are you all ready for Thanksgiving this week? I was planning on not sending out this Friday’s edition of the newsletter but then thought that was lazy of me. I just launched it, haha, so do expect it every day this week. I’m also working on the holiday playlist - hope to have that out by next Monday just in time for December. We did one for Bops and Bangers a few years ago, but it definitely needs to be updated!

Also, our end-of-year lists are coming soon. Top songs, top albums, top tours, and everything else in pop music. Stay tuned for that.

Have a great week.

-Peter Stavros

TGIF. New Music Friday? More like ‘Kinda-New’ Music Friday. Also today: did Tyler, The Creator deserve the Artist of the Year honor from Apple Music? Plus, The Weeknd breaks touring record, Charli’s BRAT film, and more.

New Music Friday

It feels like a weird New Music Friday this week. There are some good releases, but nothing too major. It is a week of reissues and deluxe versions.

Tate McRae is putting a bow on her So Close To What era by giving us the deluxe version of the album with four new songs. Demi Lovato also pulled out three more tracks for It’s Not That Deep. Meanwhile, Kesha gives us SIX new songs as she celebrates the 15th anniversary of Animal and Cannibal.

The release I’m most looking forward to is Aerosmith and Yungblud’s collaborative EP, One More Time. I felt their first song together, ‘My Only Angel,’ was pretty decent. I expect the EP to be a pretty solid body of music if it is anything like it.

We also got a surprise EP drop from Tems called Love Is A Kingdom which I’m excited to listen to. Stray Kids also dropped one called Do It.

On the singles front, we have The Kid Laroi’s new track ‘A Perfect World,’ which has got to be about his breakup with Tate McRae. Tainy and Karol G put out a good song in ‘Unica.’ Also, holiday singles are starting to come out: this week Meghan Trainor and Victoria Justice spread the holiday cheer.

And, of course, the soundtrack to Wicked: For Good is out now.

Albums

• So Close To What??? (Deluxe) - Tate McRae

• It’s Not That Deep (Little Bit Extra Version) - Demi Lovato

• Animal + Cannibal (15th Anniversary) - Kesha

• Wicked: For Good - Wicked Movie Cast

• everything, in time - Ella Eyre

• Anthology 4 - The Beatles

• Knees Up - Olly Murs

• QUIMERA - Maria Becerra

EPs

• One More Time - Aerosmith & Yungblud

• Do It - Stray Kids

• Love Is A Kingdom - Tems

Singles

• ‘A Perfect World’ - The Kid LAROI

• ‘Changing’ - Kevin Jonas

• ‘Say My Name In Your Sleep’ - Maisie Peters

• ‘Implosion’ - Labrinth

• ‘Gifts For Me’ - Meghan Trainor

• ‘Friends’ - Leigh-Anne ft. rvssian

• ‘Santa Darlin’’ - Victoria Justice

• ‘Save My Soul’ - Bastille

• 'Simple Things’ - Ne-Yo

• ‘Break’ - Jhene Aiko

• ‘Unica’ - Tainy & Karol G

• ‘Love Won’t Wait (Original Demo Edit)’ - Madonna

• ‘Songs I’d Rather Not Sing’ - The Fray

• ‘LA FKN VIBRA’ - Sebastian Yatra & Xavi

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Apple Music names Tyler, The Creator as Artist of the Year

Tyler, The Creator was named Artist of the Year by Apple Music today.

They described him as “a generational voice, an artist brave enough to follow the flight path of every musical great that preceded him, an MC and producer who will always zig when expected to zag, leaving the game better for it in the process.”

One thing is for certain: Tyler has been working non-stop. You can go back to April 2024, when he headlined Coachella to rave reviews. Later that year, he released Chromakopia, which he went on to tour earlier this year. While on the road, he worked on the excellent Don’t Tap The Glass, which he released this past summer. “Sugar On My Tongue” became a viral hit. At the same time, he was headlining festivals around the US, including Lollapalooza and Outside Lands, among others.

Many people had plenty to say about this. On X, many users responded negatively to Apple Music’s announcement, expressing that the honor should have gone to Lady Gaga or Bad Bunny instead. While there is definitely a case to be made for either one of them (and I say this as a Little Monster), I’m not mad at Tyler getting it. He had a great year by any measure. Let him have this, let Bad Bunny have the Super Bowl, and, please, let Gaga have the GRAMMYs.

What do you guys think?

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A BRAT winter?

Are you missing BRAT? Me too, but don’t worry. Today, Charli XCX shared the official trailer for The Moment, a film that seemingly chronicles the biggest, craziest, and truly best(est) era of her career. And yes, it’s an A24 film.

It hits theaters January 30.

Tour Biz Talk

The Weeknd now has the highest-grossing tour by a male solo artist. His After-Hours Til Dawn tour reached over $1 billion from ticket sales - surpassing Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour which ended with $969 million. Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour ($2 billion) and Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres Tour ($1.5 billion) are the only ones that have earned more.

» Speaking of the business of touring, Live Nation filed a motion to dismiss a federal antitrust lawsuit that seeks to break up Live Nation and Ticketmaster. They argue that the plaintiffs have produced “barely a molehill” of evidence after an 18-month investigation.

» On a more embarrassing note → Ticketmaster issued an apology after a fan pointed out that nosebleed tickets to Olivia Dean’s tour were listed at $753.45 at face value. The ticket company said it was a “typo” and that the correct price was $53.45. Refunds were issued to anyone who bought tickets at the inflated price. Geez.

Breakup Album?

The Kid Laroi announced a new album today. Before I Forget is set for release January 9. He put together the album in the last four months after scrapping another album he had already completed. It definitely seems like his breakup with Tate McRae over the summer had something to do with it. Read more here.

A Wicked Positive

If it’s not a crazy fan, then it’s corona. Ariana Grande tested positive for COVID-19 while on the Wicked: For Good press tour. She took to her Instagram Stories to share a photo of her appearance on The Tonight Show with the caption: “Moments before COVID.” Yikes! Jimmy Fallon better go get tested. Ha! (ICYMI - they had a lot of fun on the show.)

Must Reads

» Kiana Fitzgerald writes about how Sydney Sweeney’s stardom has little to do with her actual acting. (Consequence)

» Pinkpantheress interviewed Zara Larsson, with whom she put out a remix to her song ‘Stateside’ but had never actually talked to. (Interview)

» Justin Bieber’s album Purpose just had its 10th anniversary (which is insane) and Daniel Bromfield revisited the album reminding us of the context of what 2015 was all about. (Paste)

P.S.

One week of The Banger Brief already done! Thank you so much to everyone that is reading it. Thank you to everyone that subscribed. It really means a lot.

There are already some changes coming to it next week. The goal for the next few months is to make it as good as possible. Again, I’m always open to any feedback: peter@bopsandbangers.com.

Hope everyone has a great weekend! x

Peter Stavros

The Kid Laroi will release his third studio album, Before I Forget, on Jan. 9.

He announced his new album on Instagram saying:

“I made this album in the last 4 months. I had a whole other album that was completed but I scrapped it. Started again from scratch with the exception of 1 song. It’s my favorite thing I’ve ever made. It’s also the most personal thing I’ve ever made. Sorry it’s taken a while. I hope that it resonates with you in some way cause it means a hell of a lot to me. I love you and thank you for supporting me always.”

The album announcement comes with the release of the first single called ‘A Perfect World.’ You can listen to it below.

Over the last year, Laroi had been teasing a new album on and off. He’s also released a few songs such as ‘She Don’t Need To Know,’ ‘How Does It Feel?’ and ‘A Cold Play.’

It is interesting that he completely scrapped an album he was ready to put out. This year, he went through a breakup with Tate McRae. The timing can’t be a huge coincidence - especially as he told Variety today that his new album is “a sadder, more emotional sounding album” compared to the one he was going to put out.

We are halfway through the week. On the third edition of our new newsletter: Ariana’s tour, Tate goes deluxe, an Ozzy and Madonna treat, Taylor’s chart domination, Doja Cat takes over New Zealand, Nicki Minaj goes MAGA, and more →

Ariana Grande’s Final Tour?

Ariana Grande is hard at work on the press tour for Wicked: For Good, but interviewers are also bringing up The Eternal Sunshine Tour - her first tour in 6 years and apparently also her last one … for now.

During an appearance on the Good Hang podcast with Amy Poehler, she said, “I do know that I’m very excited to do this small tour, but I think it might not happen again for a long, long, long, long time. So I’m going to give it my all. I think that’s why I’m doing it, because I’m like, ‘One last hurrah. For now.’”

This means her tour will be one of the last chances for fans to see Ariana live. I saw her on the Honeymoon Tour and the Sweetener World Tour. She’s incredible live. Highly recommend it. Aaaaand, in case you didn’t know, Bops and Bangers is giving away a pair of tickets to one of her shows in North America. Enter now before it’s too late!

» More from the Wicked press tour

It is evident that Grande has been focused more on her acting career now. Not only does she clearly enjoy it, and it seems easier for her to navigate, but she also is good at it. This year, she was even nominated for an Oscar for her role as Glinda in part one of Wicked.

Other than dealing with crazy fan moments, the press tour for Wicked: For Good has been pretty good for Ari. Last night, she stopped by The Tonight Show where she sang a history of duets with Jimmy Fallon (see below - they covered everything from ‘Shallow’ to ‘A Whole New World’) and also taught him how to use a wand.

In other Ariana Grande news, she is also hosting the holiday episode of Saturday Night Live next month with musical guest Cher. SNL also announced Melissa McCartney + Dijon and Josh O’Connor + Lily Allen for its December episodes.

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In lieu of the Bop of the Day, I want to share a performance of the week on today’s newsletter instead. RAYE stopped by Fallon’s show this week too. She did “Where Is My Husband!” live. She is truly one of the most underrated performers of our time. It was so fun. Check it out!

Tate McRae will release deluxe version of So Close To What and a new music video this Friday

New Music Friday is already looking good this week.

Tate McRae just wrapped up her massive Miss Possessive World Tour, but she is not completely done with work this year. The “Tit For Tat” singer is giving us the deluxe version of her latest album So Close To What this Friday.

This version of the album will come with four new songs: “Trying On Shoes,” “Anything But Love,” “Horseshoe,” and “Nobody’s Girl.” Tate will also release a music video for that last one; I can’t wait for that!

The Tater Tots are still getting fed good.

A rare, obscure Madonna x Ozzy Osbourne collab

Louis Osbourne, the eldest son of Ozzy Osbourne, appeared on his half-brother Jack Osbourne’s podcast this week. During his unusual public appearance, he mentioned that Ozzy and the queen of pop Madonna did a duet together for the remix of “Shake Your Head” by Was (Not Was).”

Jack first tried to correct Louis that the duet had been done with Kim Basinger (who ended up on the final song), but Louis explained, “It was Madonna originally. It was written for Madonna and Was (Not Was). It was when dad was popping in the early 80s and so was she. But then she kind of really popped and then didn’t give approval on the record.”

He then went on to say that it had never seen the light of day. However, it did make its way to YouTube. Listen to it below.

• I am the jealous type when it comes to New Zealand. Doja Cat launched her Ma Vie World Tour in Auckland last night. Local news outlet, The Spinoff, published a great review of the show: Doja Cat just delivered the most electric live performance I’ve ever seen. The setlist looks great too.

• Lorde’s festival trifecta: Lorde is in the middle of the European leg of her Ultrasound World Tour, but she is already booked and busy next summer. Just this week, she was revealed as a headliner for the Kilby Block Party fest in Salt Lake City, the Hinterland Music Fest in Saint Charles, and All Points East in London.

• Olivia Dean is about to conquer the world. Last week, she announced her first ever headlining arena tour in North America happening next summer. The general ticket on-sales don’t start until this Friday, but demand is overwhelming based on pre-sale numbers. So much, that she’s been forced to add several more dates - including a whopping four nights at Madison Square Garden! See the dates here.

• TMZ reports that D4vd is being looked at as a suspect in the death of teenager Celeste Rivas. New evidence continues to link the 20 year-old singer to the case. Police are also looking at a suspicious trip D4vd took in the middle of the night from LA to a remote area of Santa Barbara where he spent several hours earlier this year. Read more here.

• Nicki Minaj spent her Tuesday at a United Nations event speaking out against the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. Her agreeing to speak on this issue has sparked some debate as CNN points out that “experts have said the situation is more nuanced” than just Christians being victims of terrorism. The Cut even went on to publish that “Nicki Minaj has officially gone MAGA.”

• In other MAGA-related news (sorry, but politics and music really collided this week), Keith Urban is getting slammed for performing Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” at a private Mar-A-Lago party attended by President Trump. Some people are even joking that Nicole Kidman was smart to leave him, while others wonder if Urban was trolling the mostly conservative crowd by choosing such a prominent LGBT anthem.

• Also: Scooter Braun wanted to buy OnlyFans.

Billboard has released the charts dated Nov. 22, and for the sixth straight week Taylor Swift leads both the Hot 100 and Billboard 200 with “The Fate of Ophelia” and The Life of a Showgirl. With “The Fate of Ophelia,” Swift now ties a rare record held only by Mariah Carey: they are the only artists ever to have two different singles debut at No. 1 and remain there for their first six weeks. Swift previously did it with “Anti-Hero,” while Carey achieved the feat in the ’90s with “Fantasy” and “One Sweet Day.”

Other highlights this week: Sombr earns his first top 10 song, as his breakthrough hit “Back To Friends” breaks into the top of the Hot 100 chart for the first time, landing at #10. Meanwhile, Rosalia’s new album Lux debuts at #4 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Billboard 200 Chart

1. The Life Of A Showgirl - Taylor Swift

2. I’m The Problem - Morgan Wallen

3. KPop Demon Hunters - Various Artists

4. LUX - Rosalia

5. The Art Of Loving - Taylor Swift

6. Man’s Best Friend - Sabrina Carpenter

7. SOS - SZA

8. Am I The Drama? - Cardi B

9. One Thing At A Time - Morgan Wallen

10. No Labels: Part 01 - Yeonjun

Billboard Hot 100 Chart

1. “The Fate Of Ophelia” - Taylor Swift

2. “Golden” - HUNTR/X

3. “Ordinary” - Alex Warren

4. “Man I Need” - Olivia Dean

5. “Opalite” - Taylor Swift

6. “Daisies” - Justin Bieber

7. “Mutt” - Leon Thomas

8. “Folded” - Kehlani

9. “I Got Better” - Morgan Wallen

10. “Back To Friends” - Sombr

Goo Goo Dolls bring hits to NPR Tiny Desk

The Goo Goo Dolls made their NPR Tiny Desk concert debut today, performing “Slide,” “Iris,” “Feel The Silence,” and this year’s “Not Goodbye (Close My Eyes).”

I love a good, divorced dad melodramatic pop anthem - and they surely deliver them. Ha!

This week, they also announced a residency at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas happening next May. Tickets go on sale this Friday, Nov. 21.

P.S.

Happy Wednesday!

Thanks for your patience with today’s later edition. The last couple of days were hectic, and I was wiped out last night. Moments like this are a reminder that Bops and Bangers is largely a one-man operation … with occasional help.

Hard to believe Thanksgiving is already next week. This year flew by. It’s still pretty warm here in Central Texas, but cooler weather finally seems close. I’m also putting together the Bops and Bangers holiday playlist and will share it soon.

Anyone going to any holiday tours this month or next? Let me know in the comments!

Thanks again for reading.

-Peter

Happy Monday! Start your week off right with a dose of Olivia Dean … plus: Rosalia on Fallon, Yungblud’s tour cancelation, Taylor Swift at number one, Britney Spears hanging out with the Kardashians, and more →

Olivia Dean’s Week

Olivia Dean had a huge week for a Brit in America — and that doesn’t even include her Best New Artist GRAMMY nomination, which came the week before.

The 26-year-old has been captivating U.S. fans ever since releasing her brilliant album The Art of Loving. Not only is her single “Man I Need” incredibly catchy, but her effortlessly cool live performances make it nearly impossible not to fall in love with her. She recently opened Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet Tour to rave reviews, and her set at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in early October — which I attended — was the best of the weekend.

This past Saturday, she appeared as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live, performing “Man I Need” and “Let Alone The One You Love.” She sounded fantastic, with many viewers noting on social media that she beat the “everyone sounds bad on SNL” allegations.

To top it all off, last Friday, Olivia announced her first headlining arena tour in North America. The Art Of Loving Live 2026 will visit 14 cities next summer with shows in big markets including New York City at Madison Square Garden and Los Angeles at the Crypto.com Arena.

Tickets for her shows go on sale this Friday, Nov. 21.

If you are as obsessed with Olivia as I am right now, I also recommend her Apple Music Nashville Sessions, which also came out last week.

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ROSALIA performs on Fallon

Rosalia appeared on a special episode of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon last night after NFL Sunday. The singer sat down to chat with Jimmy about her new album LUX and to perform “La Perla.”

During the interview portion, Rosalia talked about the classical music inspiration behind her new album, singing in 13 different languages on it, and then she taught Jimmy how to sing “La Perla” in a hilarious moment.

They also played a game called Seductive, Insulting, or Nonsense - where she would say things to Jimmy in different languages and he would have to guess if it was something seductive, insulting, or nonsense.

The first edition of The Banger Brief landed on a Friday. On Fridays, I am giving you as many pop releases that I think you should know about as possible. One of my favorites last week was 5 Seconds Of Summer’s new album Everyone’s A Star. I especially loved the title track.

“Everyone’s A Star” feels symbolic of just how much the band has evolved. It’s almost surreal that the same group who gave us “She Looks So Perfect” is now producing something this textured and mature. The production is sick, the lyrics hint at a struggle with industry expectations, and the whole thing takes you on a dreamy, mind-bending ride filled with a touch of rebellious resentment.

Check it out below and give me a song recommendation in the comments!

YUNGBLUD cancels remaining tour dates

Yungblud was forced the cancel the rest of his tour dates this year.

He has been touring nonstop since June this year. In between performances of his Idols World Tour, he also performed at Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell concert, honored him in a tribute at the VMAs, and recorded an EP with Aerosmith.

On a break from all of that, he went to see a doctor for a routine checkup. His voice and blood tests raised some concerns, so the doctor ordered him to step away from performing the remainder of the year to prevent more permanent issues.

“It is in my nature to run and run until I run myself into the ground without giving a f—k about anything apart from the music and you guys but this time I’ve been told I have to take it seriously and can’t f—k around,” he wrote on his Instagram story. “I understand that some of you will be frustrated. I just want you to know that this is so hard for me to do but I promise I will make it up to you.”

His shows in Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Washington DC - which were already rescheduled from a previous date - were canceled. He did say refunds were going to be issued for people that bought tickets for those shows. For the shows opening for Limp Bizkit in Latin America, he wrote, “we are already looking into my own shows down there that will be more affordable next year too.”

Earlier this month, Yungblud was nominated for three GRAMMYs.

• Taylor Swift’s The Life Of A Showgirl spends a sixth week at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. It is just two weeks away from reaching the 2025 record which is held by Morgan Wallen’s I’m The Problem at eight weeks.

• Alex Warren announced the North American dates for his arena tour next year. Jennifer Aniston and Max Greenfield starred in the comedy-sketch tour announcement video. I can’t tell if it’s funny or cringy. You can watch it here and then let me know what you think. Ha!

• The annoying man that ran up to Ariana Grande at the Wicked: For Good premiere in Singapore last week has been charged with being a public nuisance. It turns out he is Johnson Wen, a social media troll that does stupid things for attention. Earlier this year, he was also arrested for jumping on stage at Katy Perry’s concert in Sydney.

• Post Malone, Jack White, and Lil Jon will headline NFL halftime shows on Thanksgiving Day. Malone will do the honors during the Cowboys-Chiefs game, White during the Lions-Packers game, and Jon during the Ravens-Bengals game.

• Sadie Sink went on stage with Lorde during the latter’s performance of ‘Green Light’ at the London stop of her Ultraviolence World Tour. Watch it here!

• Britney Spears spent some time with Kim Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian over the weekend and she shared it on social media for all of us to see. So happy to see Britney happy!

Meghan Trainor drops music video for “Still Don’t Care”

Meghan Trainor just released the music video for her new single “Still Don’t Care.” It was directed by Phillip Lopez.

The song appears on her upcoming album Toy With Me, which is out April 24, 2026. She also recently announced a big summer tour for North America with special guests Icona Pop. You can see the dates here.

• Olivia Dean, Gen-Z’s Easy Listening Queen by Katherine St. Asaph
  (Stereogum)

• Madison Beer Is Ready To Get Back To Pop by Brittany Spanos
  (Rolling Stone)

• Michael Jackson is moonwalking back, but after the Springsteen flop is the pop biopic still relevant? by Edward Helmore
  (The Guardian)

P.S.

Thank you so much to everyone that read the first edition last week. I’m having a great time putting it together knowing that people are actually reading it. It’s been an interesting transition moving from WordPress to Substack, but I love this platform. Having a newsletter is a gamechanger for Bops and Bangers. Just make sure to follow us on socials (below) to keep up with pop music as news happens!

Facebook - Bops and Bangers
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Have a great week. See you Wednesday!

Peter

Welcome to the first edition of The Banger Brief. It is New Music Friday and we have a lot of releases from the likes of 5 Seconds Of Summer, Charli XCX, Robyn, Ellie Goulding, FKA Twigs, and others. Plus, Bad Bunny wins big at the Latin Grammys, Adele’s heading to the big screen, a wicked Ariana Grande fan encounter, and much more.

Charli XCX announces new album for Wuthering Heights soundtrack

Charli XCX really switched gears following her epic album BRAT. The British singer lent her talents to create the soundtrack for the latest adaptation of Wuthering Heights, this time directed and written by Emerald Fennell.

On Thursday, Charli announced that the album will feature 12 original songs and will be released on the same day as the film, Feb. 13, 2026. She also shared another song from the soundtrack, called “Chains of Love.” You can listen to the song below, which is also featured on the official trailer of the film starring Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie.

Earlier this week, she shared “House,” which features John Cale of The Velvet Underground. I’m way more excited about the soundtrack than the movie tbh!

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NEW MUSIC FRIDAY - 5 Seconds Of Summer Return with Everyone’s A Star!

5 Seconds Of Summer give us their sixth studio album, Everyone’s A Star. The album explores themes of self-discovery, transformation, and rebellion, while the boys seem to finally nail down where they are meant to be sonically.

It also marks a milestone in their nearly 15-year career. They are unapologetically themselves, and they are making it clear—one way they accomplish that is by fully embracing the label of “boyband.”

“Boyband was a very dirty word and to some, it still is,” guitarist Michael Clifford told Official Charts. “For a long time we let it become a word that would offend us and I think as we got older, we found the idea of being called a boyband a good thing. It doesn’t matter to us if you call us a boyband or not. But if you do call us a boyband, we want to be the best. We want to be the best boyband of all time.”

Albums

• Everyone’s A Star! - 5 Seconds Of Summer

• Ultrasound - The Neighbourhood

• Eusexua Afterglow - FKA Twigs

• Finally Over It - Summer Walker

• Fashionably Late - XO

• Woman Of Faces - Celeste

• A Very Jonas Christmas Movie - Jonas Brothers

• Hidden Gems - Josh Groban

• You Make It Feel Like Christmas (Deluxe) - Gwen Stefani

Singles

• “Chains Of Love” - Charli XCX

• “Still Don’t Care” - Meghan Trainor

• “Destiny” - Ellie Goulding

• “Dopamine” - Robyn

• “Dream As One” - Miley Cyrus

• “Big Guy” - Ice Spice

• “I Stay I Leave I Love I Lose” - Jessie Murph

• “The Day That I Die” - Lewis Capaldi

• “This Is The World (I Made It For You)” - Magdalena Bay

• “Midnight Sun (Remix)” - Zara Larsson and Muni Long

• “Comin’ Home Baby” - Ricky Martin

• “Palaces” - Louis Tomlinson

• “Salt Then Sour The Sweet” - Sara Bareilles featuring Brandi Carlile

• “The Thing I Love” - MAX & Andy Grammer

• “White Keys” - Dominic Fike

• “Bruised Sky” - Poppy

• “Snowman (Remix)” - Sia & Belinda

Let me know in the comments which release is your favorite or share any release I may have missed too!

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Bad Bunny wins Album of the Year for Debi Tirar Mas Fotos at the Latin Grammys

The Latin Grammys 2025 took place last night in Las Vegas. Bad Bunny took home the Album of the Year award for Debi Tirar Mas Fotos. Could this be foreshadowing what happens come February at The GRAMMYs? Who knows, but it was a big night for Benito nonetheless. He also took home Best Urban Music Performance, Best Urban Song, Best Urban Music Album, and Best Reggaeton Performance.

I will say it is somewhat telling that he did not win in the other major categories. It might not be easy for him to sweep the US-focused ceremony early next year as some predict - especially when having competition from the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, and Sabrina Carpenter.

Other major wins last night at the Latin Grammys:

• Karol G won Song of the Year for “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido.”

• Alejandro Sanz won Record of the Year for “Palmeras En El Jardin.”

• Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso won Best Pop Song for “El Dia Del Amigo.”

• Morat won Best Pop/Rock Album for Ya Es Mañana.

• Adele is set to make her acting debut in a Tom Ford-directed film. Deadline reports that the singer has been cast on Cry To Heaven - expected to come out in autumn 2026.

• A crazed fan jumped the barricade at the Wicked: For Good premiere in Singapore to try to get close to Ariana Grande. Thankfully, security and her co-star Cynthia Erivo jumped in to help the singer who was visibly shaken by the encounter. Watch it here.

• Meghan Trainor announced her seventh studio album Toy With Me, set for release April 24, 2026, and also revealed a massive North American summer tour with special guests Icona Pop. See the dates here!

• Billie Eilish had some strong words for Elon Musk after sharing an Instagram post that incorrectly claims he is now a trillionaire (he could be soon though) and how he could help end world hunger, save endangered species, and rebuild Gaza among other things … to which Billie added: “etc. f-ing pathetic p**y b***h coward.” Yikes!

• The Weeknd is donating $350,000 from his XO Humanitarian Fund, to help the people of Jamaica after the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, which hit the island as a Category 5 storm last month.

• How Lady Gaga Found Herself Again by Brian Hiatt
  (Rolling Stone)

• Meghan Trainor Is Stronger Than Ever by Carli Whitwell
  (Fashion Magazine)

• Listening To Music After 70 May Cut Dementia Risk By Nearly 40%
  (Neuroscience News)

P.S.

Sure, a little play on words, but P.S. also happens to be my initials, so I thought it would be fun to name this little end section that. I hope you enjoyed this first edition of The Banger Brief. With this first edition, I would love to get some feedback from you. Please feel free to drop a comment or email me directly at peter@bopsandbangers.com. Also, look for the next editions on Monday and Wednesday mornings next week — they will look a bit different, as this first one happened to fall on New Music Friday. Thanks for reading!

“You could tear me apart, but I sleep well at night.”

Meghan Trainor is giving her fans everything and then some. The singer went all out on Wednesday (Nov. 12) to kick start her next era, giving fans a brand-new single, announcing her new album, and even revealing dates for a massive North American tour.

She has been dealing with a lot of hate online recently after undergoing a health journey that helped her lose over 60 pounds. Despite being something positive, social media - which I agree with Lady Gaga who once said was the toilet of the internet - wasted no time leaving nasty comments on Meghan’s photos.

“People started commenting about my body, saying I’m too thin, and that they don’t recognize me anymore,” she tells People magazine. “So, I was confused and sad and was like, ‘Oh, it’s almost worse now.’ I don’t know what happened.”

That inspired the lead single from her upcoming album. “Still Don’t Care” is vintage Meghan Trainor: an inescapably catchy, bubble-gum pop song that you can dance to with self-affirming lyrics that can only empower you.

“I liked the idea of... ‘Let me think about it one more time. Nope, I still don’t care.’ And I know that when I start singing it, it’ll be my therapy, my exposure therapy,” she also told People.

The concept of her seventh studio album Toy With Me, out April 24, 2026, starts making more sense after learning about how “Still Don’t Care” came to be. She shared the album cover today too, which appropriately portrays herself as a toy trapped inside a box.

Meghan tells the Associated Press that the album will “have a few self-love bops, songs to excise her anger through and lots of familial love.” The latter includes a song she wrote to her kids, Riley and Barry, which she says is the only slow song on the album.

I’ve never seen Meghan live, but I will make it my mission to go next summer. She is heading on a 30-city North American tour with Icona Pop and her brother Ryan Trainor. General sale for tickets begins Friday, Nov. 21 at 10 a.m. local time.

And that’s not all. Meghan is also ready for the holidays. She will release a holiday single called “Buying Gifts For Me” on Nov. 21 too.

Unlike Coachella or Lollapalooza, which have evolved into more defined, genre-focused events, the Austin City Limits Music Festival still feels like a true mix of everything. Whether you came for pop, rock, or country, there’s always something at ACL to catch your ear. Weekend One of the festival’s 2025 edition proved that range, with headliners spanning from pop star Sabrina Carpenter to indie-rock band The Strokes, country heavyweight Luke Combs, and EDM powerhouse John Summit. I made sure to check out most of the pop acts — plus a handful of other sets that caught my eye.

Sabrina Carpenter brought out Shania Twain, arrested Djo

Sabrina Carpenter, arguably one of the biggest pop stars in the world right now, headlined ACL for the first time on Saturday night. Fresh off her new album Man’s Best Friend, she stuck to the pretty much the same condensed Short ’N Sweet Tour setlist she’s had for over a year, only adding “Manchild” and “Tears” from the new record — and it worked. The crowd got a full, hit-filled show with “Taste,” “Please Please Please,” and “Espresso.” Rumors of a Taylor Swift cameo had fans on edge after their recent collab “The Life of a Showgirl,” so when Carpenter teased, “I’m in a gift-giving mood,” the screams were deafening - but the surprise turned out to be Shania Twain, joining her for “That Don’t Impress Me Much.” I'm still unsure how well that hit with Sabrina's Gen Z fan base. Later, Djo made a quick cameo as part of a recurring bit from her “Juno” performance in which he got 'arrested', wrapping up a set that was full of personality and pop star power. I'd say I was expecting a bit more from Sabrina's set, but it was still a good pop show. It just didn't hit the way Dua Lipa's show did last year at the fest.

The Killers proved to be a good replacement for Doja Cat

Just a few weeks ago, The Killers were announced as the replacements for Doja Cat, who canceled her Sunday night headlining appearance due to a packed promotional schedule for her new album Vie. The veteran rock band from Las Vegas came in ready to do their thing. After a quick nod to Texas with a cover of Willie Nelson’s “Whiskey River,” Brandon Flowers and company wasted no time kicking off a high-energy set with a one-two punch of “Somebody Told Me” and “When You Were Young.” At one point, Flowers likened ACL to The Killers, noting that both started in 2002 and adding, “Everybody knows you need a little bit of time to cook before you reach your full potential.” Their career-spanning set proved that point, featuring hits like “Human,” “Runaways,” and “All These Things That I’ve Done.” They closed with a spectacular two-song encore of “Spaceman” and “Mr. Brightside,” sending festivalgoers home happy.

Hozier mixed his artistry with activism

Hozier returned to ACL after just two years, this time with a well-deserved headlining slot on Friday night. The Irish singer brought his many talents to Zilker Park for a set that not only showcased his remarkable artistry but also raised awareness about the injustices of the world today. Using his music as a backdrop, the visuals on the big screen often took center stage to drive his message home. Whether he was criticizing global military spending during his song "Eat Your Young," delivering a fiery speech condemning human rights abuses and calling for peace in the Middle East, or leading the crowd in a powerful singalong of his LGBTQ+ anthem “Take Me to Church,” Hozier made his worldview clear — and the audience listened.

Marina did not like heat, but ACL loved her

Marina made her ACL debut this year, remaining grateful throughout her set while admitting she wasn’t moving as much as usual because of the heat. “I think this is the hottest show I’ve ever done,” she declared. And while that might be literally true, it also felt figuratively hot too. Despite the sweltering weather, the audience was right there with her every step of the way. New songs like “Cuntissimo” and “Butterfly” sounded great live, but it was even more thrilling to hear favorites from her Electra Heart era, including “Bubblegum Bitch,” “Primadonna,” and “How to Be a Heartbreaker.”

Role Model brought charisma and Hillary Duff to ACL

Role Model is having an insane year. Just this week alone, he performed at ACL Fest — taking home the moment of the fest with surprise guest Hilary Duff as Sally, taped his ACL TV performance, flew all the way to Toronto for All Things Go, will return to ACL for weekend two this Friday, and then head to New York City as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live. I’m exhausted just writing this, but thrilled for him at the same time.

@aclmusicfestivalTHIS IS WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF 😩 @tucker

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At ACL, he delivered a superb set that mixed his raspy, smooth vocals with plenty of jokes and crowd flirting — after all, he’s oddly attractive. Between songs, he cracked lines like, “My name is Ed Sheeran, thank you very much,” and, “We are Maroon 5, so happy to be back at Austin Butler Limits.” Highlights included “Superglue,” “Old Recliners,” and “Some Protector,” along with a sexy cover of The 1975’s “Somebody Else,” after which he promptly joked, “We are The 1965, thank you.”

Olivia Dean brought all the good vibes to ACL

British singer Olivia Dean, who is slowly exploding on this side of the pond, brought a masterclass in soulful pop to the American Express stage on Saturday afternoon. She didn’t let the heat stop her from delivering smooth vocals — and dance moves. Her charismatic stage presence charmed both fans and casual festivalgoers, and her songs had everyone up in spirits. Highlights included “Carmen,” the song she made about her grandmother with a pro-immigration message, and “Man I Need” from her new album The Art of Loving, which has been gaining a lot of traction since its release just two weeks ago. She closed with “Dive” from her debut album Messy, bowing out as one of the best performances of the weekend without a doubt.

Midnight Generation is here to stay

Mexican band Midnight Generation made their ACL debut on Sunday at the Tito’s Stage, bringing their irresistible blend of electro-pop and disco to life. When they first took the stage, a decent-sized crowd filled the small tent, but by the end of their set, fans had spilled far beyond it — a clear sign of one of the weekend’s standout performances. The energy never let up for a second; it felt impossible to catch your breath, but no one wanted to. The five-piece fused slick synths with live instrumentation for a one-of-a-kind sound that felt like Daft Punk meets Nile Rodgers — and the crowd couldn’t get enough.

The Favors made their festival debut

The Favors, the collaborative project by Finneas and Ashe, made their festival debut at ACL on Friday afternoon. Their debut album The Dream only dropped last month, but it already translates beautifully to a festival setting — so much so that Finneas admitted he imagined playing “Moonshine,” a standout on their set, at a festival while making it. This was not only their first festival appearance but only their third show together, yet their onstage chemistry was flawless, filled with witty banter between songs. “How do you feel, Ashe?” Finneas asked, to which she replied, giggling, “I feel so angry,” before diving into her song “Angry Woman.” Finneas’s “Let’s Fall in Love for the Night” also sounded amazing live, and they closed their set with The Dream’s “Home Sweet Home” before getting a big crowd reaction for Ashe’s “Till Forever Falls Apart.”

Along with Olivia Dean and Midnight Generation, this was one of the standout sets of the weekend for me.

Dua Lipa's first breakout single, 'Be The One,' turns 10 this month — a milestone she remembered on stage last night in Dallas, telling the crowd she'll probably perform it for the rest of her career. All these years later, the 30-year-old singer has turned into a global pop superstar. On the Radical Optimism Tour, she showcased her star power without second-guessing herself at any point. Her confidence and stage presence show exactly how far she’s come since 'Be The One' first hit — from teenage breakout to arena-level pop force.

The show takes a few minutes to kick in after the house lights go out, with a majestic, almost meditative video of a giant wave crashing across the big screens, heightening the crowd’s anticipation. As the waves split, there she was, rising up the massive stage in a stunning golden Jean Paul Gaultier corset bodysuit. Her vocals open the show with the first verse of 'Training Season' — “Are you someone that I can give my heart to?” — before the music crescendos, the full band kicking in, and the arena erupts as she hits the chorus. That opening moment perfectly foreshadows the rest of the show: a blend of intimate, vocal-driven moments intertwined in a euphoric dance-pop spectacle.

The pace of the show was excellent. Lipa is an artist you go to see to have a good time — and to dance a lot. Early highlights like 'Break Your Heart,' 'One Kiss,' and 'Levitating' had the crowd on their feet from the start. She sprinkled in songs from Radical Optimism between her better-known hits, with songs like 'End of an Era' and the quietly excellent 'These Walls' landing perfectly in the early part of the set.

One of the refreshing things about Lipa’s show is how she maintains a feeling of a straightforward pop concert, even amid a flood of production. Confetti cannons went off again and again, but it never felt excessive. Pyro, strobe lights, lasers, feathers, and a rising platform at the center of the catwalk all added spectacle, yet each moment felt purposeful, enhancing the performance rather than overshadowing it.

For those of us attending the second of two nights in Dallas, there were several treats. Every night, Lipa performs a surprise song, usually a cover by a local artist — on night one, she nailed Kelly Clarkson's 'Since U Been Gone.' Occasionally, fans are lucky enough to get a guest join her for the number. Last night, Texas's own Leon Bridges appeared to perform his song 'Beyond' alongside Lipa, who admitted she was a little jittery about sharing the stage. She said she listens to Bridges when she wants to take a breather and forget about the rest of the world.

Later, she was joined by the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders for arguably her best song, 'Physical.' The arena went into a frenzy as America's Sweethearts took over the stage, executing the choreography alongside Lipa in one of the night's many highlights.

Two other standout moments came with her performance of 'Love Again,' in which she was surrounded by fire and joined by Loop Rawlins, a former Cirque du Soleil and America's Got Talent performer, who executed jaw-dropping tricks with a fire-laden lasso. Her encore was equally spectacular, delivering a brilliant dance-club trifecta that included 'New Rules,' 'Don't Start Now,' and 'Houdini.'

Radical Optimism may not have been received as warmly as Future Nostalgia — expectations were high, after all — but it is objectively a strong pop record. Lipa didn’t let mixed reviews stop her from putting together a show that gave the album the recognition it deserves — and her fans an unforgettable concert experience. If you’ve never seen Dua Lipa live, you owe it to yourself to do so. The only downside? The night flies by because you’re having such a great time. The Radical Optimism Tour is equal parts spectacle and star power, cementing Lipa as one of today’s most exciting dance-pop performers.

"It's beautiful to be here for a second night," Maná’s frontman Fher Olvera told a sold-out Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Saturday (Sept. 6) night. Kicking off their world tour with two shows in a city he called the band’s longtime good-luck charm, Olvera promised fans: “We’re going to give you everything tonight.” With that, he set the tone for a career-spanning performance that celebrated nearly four decades of Latin pop-rock anthems.

For Maná, starting their world tour not only in San Antonio but in the United States was no accident. The band has long acknowledged their deep ties to Mexican communities on this side of the border — fans whose nostalgia, resilience, and hard work mirror the themes in Maná’s music. It’s one reason their U.S. tours consistently thrive.

All of that history and devotion came alive the moment Maná took the stage.

The band opened with "Angel De Amor," immediately sending the crowd to its feet. True to Olvera’s promise, the night became a trip through their biggest hits - and they came quickly. "Manda Una Señal" and "Eres Mi Religion" followed.

Some songs really stood out. "Vivir Sin Aire" felt almost magical, with a huge tree backdrop on the LED screen and hanging plant projections that made the stage feel alive. "Clavado En Un Bar" was pure energy — the crowd was completely into it, singing along and bouncing with the band. And "En El Muelle De San Blas" reminded everyone why it’s a must on any Maná setlist — timeless and emotional.

The production added just the right touches. The stage was simple, but it worked. Alex González’s drum solo on the raised platform was insane — several minutes long, and the crowd gave him a well-deserved standing ovation. During "No Ha Parado De Llover," rain fell from above, adding a fun dramatic flair. The B-Stage moments made the arena feel more intimate, like when Olvera serenaded a fan with "Hechicera," which was super sweet.

Olvera, now 65, still brought incredible energy, pacing and dancing across the stage while effortlessly keeping up with his vocals. Though the show was impressive, it was clear the band was still settling into the tour rhythm: Olvera frequently checked the setlist, signaled the lighting crew for adjustments, and even paused briefly to reposition certain props. These small moments only underscored that this was night two of a long, ambitious run.

Maná also gave a nod to their roots with a cover of Vicente Fernández’s "El Rey," which the crowd loved — everyone singing along like it was a piece of home. They closed out the night with "Labios Compartidos" and "Oye Mi Amor," high-energy hits that had the arena roaring and sent everyone home happy. Maná was at their absolute best, four decades in and never sounding or feeling bigger. From the first note to the final one, this was a tour to remember, at the top of their game on their best tour yet.

This marked Maná’s 11th concert in San Antonio. The band was here just two years ago, and demand has only grown since - especially here in the States. In fact, they’re on the verge of breaking a record in Los Angeles: with a run of Kia Forum shows in November, Maná will surpass Bruce Springsteen’s long-standing mark of 42 performances in the area, setting a new high at 45.

Staying true to the goodwill they bring to every show, Maná is donating part of ticket sales to their Latinas Luchonas program, in partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, which helps empower Latina entrepreneurs. Back in July, the band also announced that proceeds from these San Antonio shows would aid those affected by the summer floods.

Maná’s Vivir Sin Aire tour continues through December with stops in Chicago, Toronto, Dallas, Los Angeles, and San Jose, before returning in February to cities including Detroit, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, and Miami. During Saturday’s show, Olvera also teased plans to take the tour to Latin America and Europe. For a full list of announced dates, fans can visit the band’s official website.

Set List

1. Angel De Amor

2. Manda Una Señal

3. De Pies a Cabeza

4. Dejame Entrar

5. Eres Mi Religion

6. Bendita Tu Luz

7. Vivir Sin Aire

8. Rayando El Sol

9. Mariposa Traicionera

10. Corazon Espinado

11. Me Vale

12. Clavado En Un Bar

13. El Rey

14. Cachito

15. Te Llore Un Rio

16. El Reloj Cucu

17. Hechicera

18. Si No Te Hubieras Ido

19. No Ha Parado De Llover

20. En El Muelle De San Blas

21. Labios Compartidos

22. Oye Mi Amor

“Ni de aquí, ni de allá,” Becky G told her fans last night during her concert in San Antonio—a phrase that resonated deeply, as it means “neither from here nor there.” She was alluding to the dual nationality shared by many of her fans, who, like her, embrace a Mexican-American heritage.

That is what her Casa Gomez: Otro Capítulo Tour is all about. While it is largely a recycled show from last year’s Mi Casa, Tu Casa Tour, which also stopped in San Antonio—with the same stage setup and only a somewhat refreshed setlist featuring new songs—it still drew a decent crowd of fans of all ages to see the 27-year-old on a Thursday night.

Becky G showcased her impressive versatility as an artist. From her bubbly pop beginnings with “Shower,” which remains a standout in her catalog and closed the show, to her culturally rich Regional Mexican tracks from her new album Encuentros, such as “Otro Capítulo” and “Por Lo Contrario,” she captivated the audience. The performance also highlighted her dab into reggaeton, featuring her massive Bad Bunny-assisted hit “Mayores” and the Karol G collaboration “MAMIII.”

One thing Becky G has always done is pay tribute to the artists who have influenced her, especially Selena Quintanilla. Last night, she performed a fun, lively cover of “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,” which unsurprisingly thrilled the San Antonio crowd. The audience lit up, singing along and celebrating her nod to the Tejano legend, making it one of the night’s most memorable moments.

In a 2018 interview with Entertainment Tonight, Becky G shared how deeply she identifies with Selena, saying, “She was the epitome of everything that I needed growing up. That Spanglish life, a little bit of English, a little bit of Spanish. You don’t have to choose. I always say, I’m the 200 percent: 100 percent Latina just as much as I am 100 percent American. I shouldn’t have to divide myself to live in both worlds.”

Becky G’s Casa Gomez: Otro Capítulo Tour feels like a celebration of her journey, from honoring her roots to embracing her evolution as an artist. Her ability to weave her Mexican-American identity throughout her performance resonates deeply with fans who see their own experiences reflected in her music and words - ultimately existing for them as that same influence as Selena was for her.

The Casa Gomez: Otro Capitulo Tour continues with shows in Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, Florida, and California. See all the dates here.

It was a night of radical optimism as Dua Lipa brought full-on club vibes headlining Saturday at the Austin City Limits Music Festival. Accompanied by an ensemble of dancers and an exceptional band, Lipa danced her way through an epic 90-minute set that easily stands amongst one of the best headlining performances the fest has ever seen. (Yes, even the Reddit bros on the ACL subreddit are praising it despite being a "pop" singer.)

She kicked things off into high gear with "Training Season," and didn't look back as she delivered hit-after-hit. Her Calvin Harris collab "One Kiss" further turned Zilker Park into a dance party. One of the highlights of the night came soon after as she belted "Illusion" from her latest album.

Dua Lipa last performed in Austin in 2016 at South By Southwest, which she mentioned last night. She talked about how it was like then going to different bars as an up-and-coming singer to now headlining both weekends of the biggest music festival in Texas.

"Sometimes I forget to just be in the moment and really enjoy every single second and right now I really want to do that with you guys because this feels really special, it feels like a real full-circle moment," she told the thousands in attendance. "So thank you for being here, thank you for your love, thank you for your support. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do what I love every single day."

She proceeded to perform her debut single "Be The One" - "a song I will probably perform for the rest of my life" - this time in front of a massive crowd and not a few hundred at a bar in downtown ATX. What a moment.

Earlier this year, the 29 year-old pop star released her album Radical Optimism. However, last night, her setlist focused more on the hits like "Levitating," "New Rules," and "Cold Heart." The only exceptions were "Happy For You" and the brilliant, yet melancholic "These Walls." While fans didn't get more of a deep dive into her latest release, they can expect more when she tours the new album next year. 

Fans braved the hot Texas sun and camped out near the American Express stage since gates opened - some waiting for over eight hours. Security guards passed around free water and splashed festival-goers with misters; some people did not make it as about 10 were taken out from behind the barricades due to heat exhaustion. A group near the front of the stage even traveled from countries like Mexico and Brazil just to see their fave up close. It was all worth it in the end.

"Physical," arguably her best song, kicked off a lively three-song encore, followed by the smash hit "Don’t Start Now" and the groovy "Houdini." The only critique here would be switching the placement of the last two as the former feels more like a concert closer. Just saying. Regardless, ACL gave Dua an incredible ovation as fireworks lit up the sky to wrap up one of the most entertaining shows in the festival's history.

Dua Lipa returns for another headlining set next Saturday on weekend two of the Austin City Limits Music Festival.

Set List

1. Training Season

2. One Kiss

3. Illlusion

4. Break My Heart

5. Levitating

6. These Walls

7. Be The One

8. Love Again

9. Pretty Please

10. Hallucinate

11. New Rules

12. Electricity

13. Cold Heart

14. Happy For You

15. Physical

16. Don't Start Now

17. Houdini

In recent years, nostalgic tours by Latin artists in the US have become common, and pop star Fey is the latest to bring such a show north of the border.

The acclaimed Mexican 90s sensation graced the stage of San Antonio's iconic Aztec Theater on Sunday, March 17th. While billed as a theater tour, the performance transcended expectations, delivering all the quintessential elements of a top-tier pop spectacle: three towering screens, a dynamic ensemble of dancers, a diverse array of interludes, fog cannons, and a numerous outfit changes.

At 50, Fey proves that she is still at the top of her game singing live for the entirety of the show - and keeping up with her dancers in the many dance breaks throughout her hour-long set. She kicked things off with the upbeat 'Muevelo' that had the audience on their feet.

"Good evening San Antonio!" she said as she emerged sporting a mirrored catsuit. "We're going to dance tonight and bring on good vibes."

And she certainly did.

The majority of her performance was filled with vibrant, high-energy songs. Early in the set, 'Frío,' 'Me Enamoro De Ti,' and 'Barco A Venus' captivated the audience. Notably, her electrifying rendition of 'Barco A Venus,' originally by the iconic 80s pop group Mecano, was a highlight of the night.

After a fun mashup of samples of ABBA's 'Gimme Gimme' and Madonna's 'Holiday,' mixed with Fey's own hits like 'Bombón' and 'Fiebre Del Sábado,' she performed 'Media Naranja.' The song that marked the beginning of her career and got everyone in the crowd singing along.

Despite offering fans a glimpse of her extensive discography, Fey opted for shortened versions of most songs, condensed into four lengthy medleys. However, notable omissions like her chart-topping single 'Ni Tú Ni Nadie' left something to be desired. The real disappointment of the evening came when her forgettable new single 'Veneno' took the spotlight instead.

Regardless, Fey sent fans home happy. She wrapped the show with the very fun 'Diselo Con Flores' and her biggest hit 'Azucar Amargo.'

Her US tour continues with dates in Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, and Phoenix this week before returning in the fall for three shows in California.

In 2015, Shania Twain announced her first tour in eleven years (Rock This Country Tour) and billed it as her farewell tour. A change of heart, two tours, and eight years later, the Canadian country-pop icon is still on the road. Last night, she kicked off the second North American leg of her current outing, the Queen Of Me Tour, at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.

This marked Twain’s long-awaited return to the Alamo city; she last performed here on her 2003 Up! Tour. She showed up for San Antonio last night, and they showed up for her too. The nearly sold out arena joined in on the very fun show: one that has good production but mainly puts the music front and center.

Clocking in at just over two hours, the singing never stopped. The only true break for Twain was between the main set and the encore, which allowed for the only costume change of the night. For most of the night she sported a pink-and-purple leotard covered in a long silky wrap with very noticeable, sparkly purple tennis shoes. Comfort is a pop star’s best friend decades into a career. But for the final two songs, she brought out a fan-favorite look. She put on the original leopard-print catsuit from the ‘That Don’t Impress Me Much’ music video, which had been sitting at the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum since 1997. 

“I’ve only worn it once,” she said, referring to before the tour during the making of that music video. “So might as well put it on again.” 

Hits like ‘That Don’t Impress Much’ make up most of the setlist for this latest trek and that’s a good thing. Other than singles ‘Waking Up Dreaming,’ in which Twain emerged from a box in the middle of the crowd to open her show, and the lively country-pop track ‘Giddy Up!,’ the songs from her latest album fell flat. The disco-friendly ‘Number One,’ which meant to bring up the energy again after a handful of ballads, left much to be desired. Likewise, ‘Pretty Liar,’ which featured a Parental Advisory Explicit Content warning as a backdrop, failed to really connect with the audience.

But the crowd did not seem to mind as she made sure to take them down memory lane with songs like ‘Any Man Of Mine,’ ‘Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?’ and ‘Don’t Be Stupid (You Know I Love You).’ For the latter, she jumped on a cool platinum motorcycle. The giant screen that served as the backdrop for Twain complemented her well. Neon signs, dark deserted roads, and even aliens invading country bars were just some of the graphics that gave her songs a fresh feel.

Ballads like ‘You’re Still The One’ and ‘From This Moment On’ made the show feel intimate, but the highlight of the night was ‘Man! I Feel Like A Woman!’ Her anthemy biggest hit sent the crowd home happy; the lyric-switch to ‘Let’s go, San Antonio!’ was the cherry on top.

It was hard to decipher whether Twain was truly enjoying herself or not. At times, it seemed like she was just going through the motions. Her first few addresses to her fans felt a bit empty. But as the night went on, there seemed to be a change. It was Twain doing what she did best, feeling very comfortable on stage, and bringing everyone along for the ride.

Shania Twain’s Queen Of Me Tour continues with shows in the US and Canada through November. She then returns to Las Vegas for her new greatest hits residency at Planet Hollywood in May 2024.

Rising country singer Lily Rose opened up the show which was well-received by Shania’s fans. She did a few country favorites in a medley of covers and closed things out with her breakout single ‘Villain.’

There was no better way for San Antonio to close out a month of celebration for Mexico than with Alejandro Fernandez. The Mexican crooner made a stop on his Amor Y Patria Tour at the newly-renamed Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Sept. 30.

It was a family affair as his son, Alex Fernandez, joined him as special guest: serving as opening act and later singing alongside his father. In one of the most emotive moments of the night, he serenaded his father with ‘El Tiempo No Perdona.’ Alejandro started getting teary-eyed as his son sang lines such as “De niño, yo le dije a Dios que quería ser grande pa' ser como tú.”

The father-son duo also took on ‘Mujeres Divinas’ by the legendary Vicente Fernandez - the father of Alejandro and grandfather of Alex - who passed away two years ago. Alejandro would later also do a three-song homage to his father with ‘De Que Manera Te Olvido,’ ‘El Rey,’ and ‘Volver, Volver.’

“San Antonio is a very special city for me,” Alejandro said. “My family and I had to move out of the country [Mexico] when we were going through some things and this city was the one. We lived here for four years. And in a way, I started my artistic career here. I sang for the first time when I was five years old on Raul Velasco’s show here in San Antonio.”

In 1976, Fernandez appeared on Siempre En Domingo which was hosted by Velasco. It was a special episode that was being filmed in San Antonio. Alejandro made his singing debut performing ‘Alejandra,’ but forgot the lyrics due to nerves. Vicente stepped in to help him finish off the song.

Since then, Alejandro has cultivated a legendary career of his own, which was on full display on Saturday night. Everything from his love ballads like ‘Abrazame’ to his more pop-fused songs like ‘Canta Corazon’ had the audience in awe. The passion in his voice, which rebounded with the audience singing along, was palpable to the ear. 

And there’s something to be said about Latin shows. Audiences are simply not the same. They lend their voices to the entire live experience as much as the artist, which in turn creates spine-tingling moments. That was the case when Alejandro belted out ‘Como Quien Pierde Una Estrella,’ with the music being lowered at the start of each chorus to let the thousands in attendance shine. 

Alejandro has been performing for nearly 30 years now. He has found ways to reinvent while still staying true to his roots. He performed his version of Natanael Cano’s ‘Amor Tumbado,’ which fuses his mariachi stylings with a corrido-meets-hip-hop sound. It’s a very interesting but fresh offering. He also did his Grupo Firme collab ‘Felicidades’ which sees him push aside the mariachi and embrace the banda genre. Another way he kept things new and exciting was by giving some of his own songs a twist: for instance, ‘Tantita Pena’ had a hint of cumbia.

Not to stray too far from what makes him El Potrillo, Fernandez took fans down memory lane with nostalgic hits such as ‘Matalas’ and ‘Nube Viajera.’ He also paid tribute to the pioneer of ranchera music, Jose Alfredo Jimenez, with a medley of songs he composed like ‘Ella,’ ‘Si Nos Dejan,’ and 'Serenata Huasteca.’ His 30+ song setlist also included covers of Joan Sebastian’s ‘Estuve’ and ‘Eso Y Mas.’

The Amor Y Patria Tour is truly a love letter to not only mariachi, but all regional Mexican music. And at the same time, it celebrates the career of one of the greatest Mexican vocalists to ever do it.

Alejandro Fernandez continues his Live Nation-produced tour with dates in Houston, Chicago, Toronto, New York, Los Angeles, and many more. See the full list at AlejandroFernandez.com.

Sam Smith is finally free. On Gloria: The Tour, they are admirably fully themselves. Long gone are the days of a dapper, clean-cut Sam in a suit singing soulful ballads about heartbreak. Now, the songs remain, but the look is much more fabulous, fun, and most importantly, liberating.

Last night, at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, Smith somewhat made that last transition clear. ‘Stay With Me,’ ‘I’m Not The Only One,’ ‘Like I Can,’ and ‘Too Good At Goodbyes’ kicked things off in what felt like a way to put them aside for the more dance-like feel that some of their newer singles (‘How Do You Sleep,’ ‘Dancing With A Stranger’) provide. When first addressing the crowd, Smith declared the night a party.

“I hope you had a good, long weekend,” Smith said. “If you are hungover, wake up! This is a party!” 

It has been nearly four years since Smith’s last world tour. On the last trek, The Thrill Of It All Tour, Smith would sport more neutral-colored blazers and elegantly paced around a very minimalistic stage. The show for Gloria is quite a turn. Smith mentioned in the past that they had full creative control over this one compared to past album cycles - and it shows.

Despite what the internet might have you believe, Smith’s show is not just them dressed scantily with devil horns on their head. That takes place for the encore of just two songs - a slowed-down, haunting cover of Madonna’s ‘Human Nature’ and Smith’s Grammy award-winning collab with Kim Petras, ‘Unholy.’ It’s more of a playful, sexually-charged ode to expression than a demonic-like ritual. It is the tip of the iceberg of what Smith’s show really is. 

Instead, the concert centers around love and acceptance in a very positive way. It is both classy and vulgar (no pun intended), joyous and sorrowful, bright and dark. It has you tearing up one second and then dancing the night away the next. There’s no room for shame when you combine all these things.

The stage set up is a massive golden sculpture of Aphrodite - goddess of love, beauty, and sex. Those three ideals used as the three different acts in the show. Several outfit changes accompanied each segment of the show. An interesting quinceañera-like, purple dress was worn for a stunning cover of Des’ree’s ‘I’m Kissing You,’ while a black ensemble with a cowboy hat showed more fierceness for ‘Gimme.’ It then became a full on gay party for ‘I’m Not Here To Make Friends’ as Sam dazzled in pink ruffles. 

Two of the highlights of the night came from Smith’s songs with electronic music artists like Disclosure and Calvin Harris. Their ability to turn the room from a church-like gospel sing-along with songs like ‘Lay Me Down’ and ‘Love Goes’ to a full on dance festival atmosphere with bangers like ‘Latch’ and ‘Promises’ so quickly was fascinating to watch. Despite the clear contrast, both showcased Smith’s flawless vocals. 

Smith’s charisma radiated throughout the entire night. They give off a very friendly vibe - making the audience feel more like friends than fans. They shared each moment like a host at a party more than a high-selling hitmaker. (Granted - a very talented host). This adds another dimension to the show’s message of freedom. You could tell Smith’s fans felt safe … they felt free.

Gloria: The Tour will stop in Forth Worth and Houston this week before heading to Mexico for four shows next week. It will then wrap up later this year with many performances in Asia and Australia. 

SETLIST

1. Stay With Me

2. I'm Not The Only One

3. Like I Can

4. Too Good At Goodbyes

5. Perfect

6. Diamonds

7. How Do You Sleep?

8. Dancing With A Stranger

9. I'm Kissing You

10. Lay Me Down

11. Love Goes

12. Gimme

13. Lose You

14. Promises

15. I'm Not Here To Make Friends

16. Latch

17. I Feel Love

18. Gloria

19. Human Nature

20. Unholy

One of the most anticipated returns in Latin pop music history happened last night as RBD kicked off their Soy Rebelde Tour. When Anahi, Dulce Maria, Maite Perroni, Christopher von Uckermann, and Christian Chavez stepped on stage for their first live concert in 15 years, they were greeted by a roar from the 30,000-plus fans inside the Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.

“Hola Rebeldes!” Anahi enthusiastically shouted to welcome their fans - many of whom have followed them since their iconic novela Rebelde hit the airwaves in the mid-2000s.

If the emotions in the crowd were high, then the singers’ were in another dimension. The faces of almost disbelief, as if they had not been asked hundreds of times for a reunion since they broke up in 2008, were visible from the moment their massive screen opened up to give them their first glance at the audience. Holding hands with massive grins on their faces and tears in their eyes, RBD went straight into their hit single ‘Tras De Mi,’ which made the stadium rumble. 

“It is difficult to explain what we are feeling at this moment,” Christopher said in their first address to the fans. “After so many years, together again.” To which Dulce added, “Today, we prove that even as years pass, the reality is that love trespasses distance and time. Thank you for remembering us. Thank you for not forgetting us. Thank you for never stopping dreaming, and here we are after 15 years close to you!”

Fans from all over the world including Brazil, Spain, and, of course, Mexico descended upon West Texas all dressed up in their Rebelde uniforms: the iconic white button-up, jeans, and red tie ensemble present everywhere you looked. Others sported the pink cowboy hat and silver-star sticker on the forehead made famous by Anahi.

“I would watch Rebelde when I was 10 years old,” a fan that traveled all the way from Sao Paulo (where they will be performing six shows later this fall) told us. “I can’t stop crying because this was my childhood. I had to be here for the first night.”

‘Un Poco De Tu Amor,’ ‘Aun Hay Algo,’ and ‘Otro Dia Que Va’ came right after their first number. While their most well-known songs make up most of the setlist, this is more of a trip down memory lane than a greatest hits tour. At times, they dove deeper into their catalog to perform non-singles such as ‘Fuego,’ ‘Futuro Ex-Novio,’ and ‘Dame’ during medleys in the show.

Their high-end production complemented what was happening on stage with moving graphics of their old album covers and clips from the novela. They also performed their newest singles ‘Cerquita De Ti’ and ‘Siempre He Estado Aqui,’ which fans sang at the top of their lungs as if they were from earlier in their career. 

The pace of the 2 hour and 30 minute show was well managed. All five members - Alfonso Herrera opted not to participate in the reunion - had their moment in the spotlight. Solos were scattered throughout the show. Christopher was up first as he performed a brilliant rendition of ‘Inalcanzable,’ which one could argue was a highlight of the show. He tried to say some words right after but choked up, teary-eyed and simply nodded at the crowd.

Dulce Maria took on the evocative ‘No Pares,’ which she shared has helped her at many low points in her life. Maite, who looked stunning considering she gave birth just a couple of months ago, danced around the stage to the bubbly, fun ‘Empezar Desde Cero.’

Christian did a mash-up of ‘Quisiera Ser’ and ‘I Wanna Be The Rain.’ A lot has changed in the world since the last time the group toured. The way Christian talked, dressed, and danced so freely, being exactly who he is, was very noticeable last night. 

Right after his performance, the Texas native gave a short speech about his outing in 2007 and urged fans to do what’s right when it comes to the LGBT+ community - even calling out the state’s governor. 

“It’s time to stand together,” he said. “No one will separate us. No one will silence us. Love yourself for who you are.” He then added: “Sorry Greg Abbott, it’s not gonna happen.”

Lastly, closer to the end of the show, it was Anahi’s turn to shine. It was time for ‘Salvame,’ one of the most emblematic ballads in Mexican pop music history. A song that fans anxiously waited for all night. When it was evident that it was time for Anahi to belt it out, the entire stadium eagerly awaited with their phones out to capture this special moment.

Anahi emerged from under the stage with the aforementioned pink cowboy hat; this one dazzled in sparkles. For such an iconic song, you would expect the original version. Instead, they opted for a different more gospel-like arrangement, similar to the one they did for their one-off 2020 pandemic virtual performance. While it did take a little away from the moment, it did not stop fans from singing each note at the top of their lungs. Anahi was so amazed that she let them have it, kneeling down and simply taking it all in. She appeared shaken, almost shocked afterwards - in a good way.

Intertwined with those solo moments were some other standouts from their discography. ‘Enseñame,’ ‘Este Corazon,’ and ‘Besame Sin Miedo’ were all well-received. The latter turned the massive backdrop into a fan kiss cam. ‘Solo Quedate En Silencio’ and ‘Nuestro Amor’ also brought fans back to the peak of RBD’s storied career.

‘Rebelde,’ the generation-defining theme song of the TV show, was appropriately saved for last. Mannequins were brought on stage with the infamous red coat from the Elite Way School as well as the symbolic red ties. All five members stepped up to them and put them on together in sync à la Michael Jackson putting on his sequin glove on his tours.

‘Do you know it?’ Anahi asked rhetorically before singing the first verse. Fans screamed and cried the words to the song; It felt like a celebration of an artist-to-fan connection that not many performers have. Pyrotechnics and confetti enhanced the euphoric ending of the long-awaited first night of RBD’s world tour. 

The Soy Rebelde Tour continues in the US with shows in Houston, New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, and other cities before heading to Latin America. Click here for a full list of dates.

SETLIST

1 - Tras de Mi

2 - Un Poco de Tu Amor

3 - Cerquita de Ti

4 - Aun Hay Algo

5 - Otro Dia Que Va

6 - Medley (Asi Soy Yo, Cuando El Amor Se Acaba, Fuego)

7 - Inalcanzable 

8 - Medley (Tenerte y Quererte, Me Voy, Dame, Y No Puedo Olvidarte, Para Olvidarte de Mi)

9 - Enseñame

10 - Que Hay Detrás

11 - Quisiera Ser / I Wanna Be The Rain

12 - Celestial

13 - Besame Sin Miedo

14 - Ser O Parecer

15 - Medley (Futuro Ex Novio e Que Fue Del Amor)

16 - No Pares

17 - Este Corazón 

18 - Siempre He Estado Aquí

19 - Empezar Desde Cero

20 - Medley (Una Canción, A Tu Lado, Quizá e Adiós)

21 - Solo Quédate En Silencio

22 - Sálvame

23 - Nuestro Amor

24 - Rebelde

Danna Paola brought her XT4S1S Tour to the Aztec Theatre in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday (Aug. 22) night. And if there is anyone that had a perfect transition from beloved child actor to impeccable pop star, it is her.

Despite being a little late on stage from her anticipated set time, her fans - made up mostly of young adults who undoubtedly have grown up with her since her novela days - patiently waited with all the right amounts of energy and enthusiasm. Both of which she also had as soon as she hit the stage with ‘Mia’ followed by ‘Valientes’ and fan-favorite ‘Mala Fama,’ which included one of many ambitious, yet well-executed dance breaks of the night.

Her confidence radiated right away. She knows how to command a stage, and had the audience at the palm of her hand. Her growth as a performer was very evident when she led a fun sing-along of 2007’s lovey-bubbly ‘El Primer Dia Sin Ti’ before diving into 2019’s more mature, highlight-of-the-night-worthy ‘Oye Pablo.’

It was a night full of dancing, singing, and love. The latter being a recurring theme throughout the night. Most of Paola’s discography consists of love-related lyricism: whether it be a ballad about a break-up (like the flawlessly performed ‘Amor Ordinario’) or a mid-tempo song about self-love (aka ‘Me, Myself’ featuring Mika).

“The XT4S1S Tour is a place where you can feel good, feel free, and be proud,” she declared. 

Her support for the LGBT+ community has always remained strong. She made that clear during her show by constantly acknowledging it. Pop shows have certainly become a home of safety and expression for many - from feeling liberated to be excited about things you love without judgment to dressing however you want.

The XT4S1S Tour basically tells a story of overcoming difficult moments until you reach a euphoric phase of radical acceptance. This parallels a lot of what many experience with their own lives in the gay community.

Her show rolled on with a fantastic cover of Belanova’s ‘Me Pregunto,’ which showcased how well she masters her vocals. She gave it an extra umph by slowing it down amid green laser-fog effects. She then performed her latest single ‘Tenemos Que Hablar’ as well as some other standouts from her catalog like ‘1trago’ and ‘Agüita.’

‘XT4S1S’ appropriately closed the show as the encore. A rave-like dance mix was tied to it at the end to emphasize the aforementioned euphoric feeling. All in all, Danna Paola demonstrated what she’s capable of and why she deserves her crown as one of Mexico’s pop queens. 

The XT4S1S Tour continues with shows in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Las Vegas, and more. For a full list of dates click here.

SET LIST

1. Mia

2. Valientes

3. Mala Fama

4. Cachito

5. TQ Y Ya

6. El Primer Dia Sin Ti

7. Oye Pablo

8. Amor Ordinario

9. Me, Myself

10. Nada

11. Sodio

12. T.A.C.O.

13. Me Pregunto

14. Tenemos Que Hablar

15. 1trago

16. Calla Tú

17. Agüita

18. XT4S1S

Latin music acts continue to do exceptionally well touring the United States, and Jesse Y Joy are no exception. The Mexican pop duo resumed their 2023 Summer Tour last night in San Antonio, Texas with a show full of fun music, loud singalongs, and overall good vibes.

“I told you all you would not be able to get rid of us,” said Joy to the nearly sold out Aztec Theatre on Tuesday (Aug. 1) night. She was referring to what she told the crowd in that same building just a little over a year ago. “Thank you for spending the night with us again.”

The whimsical, yet sorrowful tunes filled the room as the thousands of mostly young adults echoed the lyrics with deafening passion. Opening up with ‘Imagina’ from their latest album Clichés, the sibling duo wasted no time showing off that contrast in their music that makes them so unique. The guitar-heavy, 2015 hit ‘Dueles’ came next followed by ‘Ya No Quiero’ and ‘Chocolate.’ Jesse Y Joy create a sort of safe space to feel sad but optimistic. This was evident by the fans’ willingness to let their emotions show out: singing at the top of their lungs, teary-eyed, but with a slight smile on their faces.

Jesse Y Joy are no strangers to arenas in Mexico and other Latin American countries. But last night, they were able to give the intimate theater a big-room feel. Songs like 2006’s ‘Llegaste Tu’ and their prolific ‘Espacio Sideral’ showcased their status as pop-rock powerhouses. Fitting less production into a smaller-sized venue was no problem as their backing band and lighting was more than enough to serve as a backdrop.

The only low point during the nearly 90-minute show was when Jesse took center stage solo for two songs. While it was not necessarily bad, the audience seemed disengaged and his voice was overshadowed by the music. It brought the pace of the show down quite a bit but served as a good break from the constant high throughout the night.

Their encore included their Gente De Zona-collab ‘3AM’ - that contrast of sadness masqueraded in an upbeat banger evident once again - as well as their melancholic ‘Corre!’ The latter demonstrated the strong connection fans have with the music when their voices overpowered Jesse’s so much that she simply turned the mic around.

Local group Montufar and Chilean singer Francisca Valenzuela opened up the show.

Jesse Y Joy continue their US tour with dates in Texas, Georgia, and Florida.

Louis Tomlinson said "I'm f-ing boiling, honestly I might pass out up here" as he prepared to give his audience, mainly composed of girls and women in their late teens and early 20s, another taste of nostalgia with a second song from his time in One Direction. Despite it being a scorching hot Texas summer night, "Where Do Broken Hearts Go" was screamed, not sung, by the nearly sold out crowd at the Moody Amphitheater in Austin, Texas last night (July 7).

The difference in enthusiasm from the crowd between his solo songs and the ones from his time in the mega group was clear. 'Night Changes,' which he gave a brilliant rock twist, had a much better reaction than even his biggest solo single 'Kill My Mind' - a clear indication that the longing for a One Direction reunion remains intact.

Not selling his music short, Tomlinson stuck to mainly his own discography. Other than the two aforementioned 1D tracks and a cover of the Arctic Monkeys' '505,' his 23-song setlist was made up mostly of songs from his recent album Faith In The Future with a few fan-favorites from his debut Walls. The title-track from the latter being a highlight of the night as it showcased his crisp, well-controled vocals. He was never a strong singer when put next to the likes of Harry Styles and Zayn Malik, but Tomlinson's voice has improved tremendously in comparison to when he first came to prominance on the X-Factor UK in the early 2010s.

Throughout the show, Tomlinson looked uncomfortable - perhaps the heat was getting to him; at one point, sweating profusely, he sat down mid-song to drink some water. Even though he is known to be a very charismatic dude, his stage prescence lacked a bit. The few times he did address the crowd though, his smile awakened and his humble-nice persona was present.  "This is the best part of the job," he said about being on stage in front of his fans who "allow him to make the music he wants to make."

And sure enough, Tomlinson has strayed away from the mostly pop spectacle that One Direction was. He has leaned more on the Britpop meets punk rock sound while still maintaining his meaningful, personal lyricism. After all, he was known to be one of the One Direction members most-involved with the songwriting.

Before the show, music from bands like The Killers, Nirvana, and the Pixies rumbled on the speakers. His likeness for that type of music is clear, yet it still seems like he holds back sonically. It could be that he does not want to fully lose the pop-infused anthems that have his fanbase on a stronghold. But deep down, it feels like he wants to lean on the rock moments even more.

Songs like the angsty, euphoric "Out Of My System" and the more catchy "Face The Music" turned up the heat even more. Production-wise the show was impeccable. For a tour mainly hitting amphithetaers and larger theaters here in the United States, there was a lot happening behind the 31 year-old singer: moving set pieces, massive strobe lights, and pyro put a huge contrast on the show against his very casual pants, sneakers, and sleeveless tank outfit. His look manifesting that Louis is all about the music.

This latest outing is a big step up for the singer from Doncaster, England. Tomlinson might not be the biggest star in the world, but his following remains strong and loyal. The spotlight he puts on his real craft, which is the music, is what is most important. He has carved out a special place in music for himself and his live show is solid proof of it.

The Faith In The Future World Tour continues through the end of July with shows in North America before heading to Europe through November.