Music news summaries — Page 4

Essential facts and source links for recent music stories.

SFGate2026-09-26

Hundreds attend San Francisco’s Dolly Day a month after Parton’s death
Hundreds of fans gathered in San Francisco’s Union Square on Friday, Sept. 25, for Dolly Day, a celebration of Dolly Parton held one month after her death. The crowd wore wigs and rhinestones while musicians performed her songs.
People2026-09-26

Taylor Swift’s ‘Cleveland!’ lyric video shows her and Kelce driving into Cleveland
Taylor Swift’s lyric video for “Cleveland!” includes personal footage of her and husband Travis Kelce driving into his hometown. The song is among four new tracks on the deluxe edition of her 2025 album The Life of a Showgirl.
Variety2026-09-26

Olivia Rodrigo opens ‘Unraveled’ tour in Hartford; four songs listed so far
Olivia Rodrigo opened her 86-date “Unraveled” tour Friday at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford, Connecticut. At publication, its live-updating setlist listed four songs: “Drop Dead,” “U + Me = <3,” “So American” and “Good 4 U.”
Variety2026-09-25

Taylor Swift and ‘Patient Zero’ set two 2026 Spotify daily records
Friday’s release of “The Life of a Showgirl: Encore” brought Taylor Swift two 2026 Spotify daily records: she was the most-streamed female artist in a day, and its single “Patient Zero” was the most-streamed song by a female artist in one day so far this year.
People2026-09-25

Joy Oladokun turns self-reflection into new album ‘Hope Is a Heavy Thing’
Joy Oladokun says her new album, “Hope Is a Heavy Thing,” helped her reconnect with herself and process personal and societal challenges. The folk and Americana artist says she made it for catharsis, not commercial success; it is now streaming.
People2026-09-25

Bocelli and Hudson debut Warren song for ‘Maserati: The Brothers’
Andrea Bocelli and Jennifer Hudson debuted Diane Warren’s “One Right Here,” written for the upcoming “Maserati: The Brothers” soundtrack, at Bocelli’s Hollywood Bowl concert on Sept. 15, during his Romanza 30th Anniversary World Tour.
People2026-09-25

Chayce Beckham explores romance and nostalgia on ‘Old Fashioned’ EP
Country singer Chayce Beckham released his EP “Old Fashioned” on Sept. 25, reflecting on nostalgia and life’s small pleasures. He says marriage inspired him to write love songs for the first time, after usually focusing on heartbreak in his music.
People2026-09-25

Max McNown's third album explores love, vulnerability and self-reflection
Max McNown’s third album, “Leave on a Light,” draws on his marriage, past struggles and his brother Brock’s Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis to explore love and vulnerability. Now streaming, the album aims to help listeners feel less alone, he says.
People2026-09-25

Eastern Kentucky stories anchor Ian Noe’s ‘Canyon Falls Trailer Band’
Ian Noe’s third album, “Canyon Falls Trailer Band,” is now streaming, drawing on his Eastern Kentucky roots. It pairs fictionalized characters with lived experiences of hardship, humor and humanity; Noe says his late grandfather and the landscape shaped his songwriting.
LA Times2026-09-25

Storm warnings prompt cancellation of Ed Sheeran's two Gillette Stadium shows
Ed Sheeran’s Friday and Saturday shows at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., were canceled because of severe weather warnings, promoter Messina Touring said. The decision followed consultations with local officials, and ticket holders can receive refunds.
People2026-09-25

Taylor Swift releases a four-song expansion of The Life of a Showgirl
Taylor Swift added four songs to her 2025 album with The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore, released Sept. 25. “Patient Zero,” “Cleveland!,” “Pink Clouding” and “Babylon” explore an ex, her relationship with Travis Kelce, breakup regret and leaving a small town.
People2026-09-25

Corey Kent’s ‘Heartland Rock and Roll’ reflects on life and family
Corey Kent’s “Heartland Rock and Roll,” out Sept. 25, was recorded with friends at his Texas ranch. Its opener urges exploration, while the finale, named for his Oklahoma hometown, recalls simpler days; “Everyday Life” includes his children’s voices.
NJ.com2026-09-25

An estimated $2.53 billion puts Jay-Z atop musicians’ wealth list
Jay-Z tops the list with an estimated $2.53 billion fortune. Taylor Swift ranks second at $2.1 billion, followed by Bruce Springsteen at $1.17 billion, Rihanna at $1.03 billion and Beyoncé, who has just passed $1 billion.
Wealth of Geeks2026-09-25

Dolly Parton recorded her final vocal for U2 while ill, Bono says
Bono said Dolly Parton got out of bed while ill to record “Torn” in June, her final recorded vocal, for U2. Producer Jacknife Lee said she heard and was proud of the finished track. It will close U2’s album “Carnaval De Luz,” due Nov. 13; Parton died Aug. 25 at 80.
Forbes2026-09-25

Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ marks a decade on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart
Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” has logged 520 weeks on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart, a decade-long run. Luminate reports it sold just over 8,000 copies in the latest U.S. tracking period across vinyl, CD, cassette and digital downloads.
TV Insider2026-09-25

‘The Gilded Age’ stars unite for Christmas album arriving Nov. 6
Cast members of HBO’s The Gilded Age will release Voices of The Gilded Age: The Christmas Album on Nov. 6, featuring holiday classics and two original songs by Desmond Child. Ben Ahlers’ new single, “The World Needs Some Christmas,” is available now.
People2026-09-25

Ms. Rachel and Mr. Aron rework 23 show songs on debut album “I’m So Happy”
YouTube creators Ms. Rachel and Mr. Aron released their first album, I’m So Happy, on Sept. 25. It features 23 newly produced versions of songs from their series, including “Hop Little Bunnies” and “Icky Sticky Bubblegum,” and is available now.
People2026-09-25

A secret playlist signal brought Carly Rae Jepsen and her husband together at their wedding
Carly Rae Jepsen and husband Cole M.G.N. planted secret songs in their wedding playlist as a cue to reunite for a dance or brief break. Jepsen says they stayed together all night and barely needed the signal; their first anniversary is Oct. 4.
Variety2026-09-25

Elton John to open new London venue as Apple Music Hall unveils lineup
Elton John is set to open London’s 600-capacity Apple Music Hall with a concert on Monday. Its inaugural lineup through year-end includes Charli xcx, Burna Boy, Baby Keem and others, and every performance will stream worldwide on Apple Music.
Forbes2026-09-25

Aerosmith’s ‘Greatest Hits’ logs 150 weeks on the Billboard 200
Aerosmith’s “Greatest Hits” has spent 150 weeks on the Billboard 200, the first album by the band to reach that mark. It is at No. 171 after moving just under 9,900 equivalent copies in the latest tracking week, Luminate reports.
Variety2026-09-25

Review: Swift’s four new ‘Showgirl’ tracks revisit exes and marital bliss
Variety’s review of Taylor Swift’s four new tracks on “The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore” treats them as a new EP, not an album add-on: three revisit former relationships and regret, while “Cleveland!” celebrates her marital bliss with Travis.
BuzzFeed2026-09-25

Fans debate possible Joe Alwyn link in Taylor Swift’s ‘Patient Zero’
Taylor Swift’s “Patient Zero” has prompted debate after fans interpreted its lyrics as a swipe at ex Joe Alwyn, though its subject is not confirmed. The track is one of four new songs slated for Sept. 25 on the Encore edition of “The Life of a Showgirl.”
Business Insider2026-09-25

Taylor Swift releases four new tracks in ‘The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore’
Taylor Swift released “The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore,” a deluxe edition of her 2025 album, with four new tracks on Friday. The “Patient Zero” music video is set to premiere two days later at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Forbes2026-09-25

Grimes and MOLIY join Hatsune Miku on a new collaborative EP
Hatsune Miku’s new EP, EMERGE M♡DE MIKU, brings the virtual singer together with Grimes, MOLIY and other international artists, alongside Japanese VOCALOID producers. Released as part of BEYOND BORDERs, it is available on streaming platforms.
LA Times2026-09-25

Rose Tattoo frontman Gary ‘Angry’ Anderson dies at 79 in Sydney
Gary “Angry” Anderson, frontman of Australian rock band Rose Tattoo, died in Sydney on Sept. 21 at 79, the band announced on its official Instagram account. He had suffered cardiac arrest weeks earlier during the group’s European farewell tour.
Forbes2026-09-25

All-American Rejects release first album in nearly 15 years independently
The All-American Rejects said their 2025 House Party Tour inspired frontman Tyson Ritter’s PlayHouse, a platform connecting artists with venues. Sandbox, released this year, is the band’s first album in nearly 15 years and its first as independent artists.
Variety2026-09-25

Van Toffler explains why the 2026 VMAs are returning to Los Angeles
Producer Van Toffler says he brought the 2026 VMAs to Los Angeles because it is more convenient for performers and suits host Snoop Dogg. The Peacock Theater is the show's first West Coast venue since 2017; Madonna is set to perform after a 23-year absence.
Wealth of Geeks2026-09-24

At MacArthur Park, Justin Bieber handed out supplies and played an informal set
Justin Bieber went to Los Angeles’ MacArthur Park on Sept. 22 to distribute supplies to people experiencing homelessness, according to a source close to him; as a crowd gathered, he performed an informal set with several musicians. His group also handed out food.
People2026-09-24

Madonna says writing ‘The Test’ with daughter Lourdes made her cry
Madonna says she cried while writing “The Test,” her collaboration with daughter Lourdes Leon on “Confessions II.” Leon said she proposed the song to express unspoken love and tension in their mother-daughter relationship through art.
Wealth of Geeks2026-09-24

Swift’s ‘Patient Zero’ video with Dakota Johnson, Colin Farrell debuts at Sept. 27 VMAs
Taylor Swift’s 13-second preview of “Patient Zero” features Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell. The video premieres at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 27, two days after the single and expanded album The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore arrive Sept. 25.