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Soulful singer Michael McDonald looks back in his new memoir, ‘What a Fool Believes’
Something stopped Michael McDonald from telling his story publicly — him. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer with multiple Grammys just didn’t think he had one. McDonald, a member of both Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers who became a…
‘American Idol’ alum Jordin Sparks to perform national anthem ahead of 108th Indianapolis 500
Jordin Sparks, the singer-songwriter who shot to stardom on “American Idol,” will perform the national anthem before the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Memorial Day weekend. Sparks also performed the anthem before “The Greatest…
In her feminist punk music, Kathleen Hanna tells it all. In her memoir, there’s more to the story
Kathleen Hana's bands, Bikini Kill, the Julie Ruin and Le Tigre, have long been celebrated for their candor, and their songs which chastised abusers and celebrated women. Now the punk pioneer and force of the third-wave feminist riot grrrl…
Palestinian band escapes horrors of war but members’ futures remain uncertain
They stroll Doha’s waterfront promenade and sing softly about children who are now free of pain. For the Palestinian group Sol Band, it seems surreal that weeks ago they were hiding from Israeli shelling. Five of the band’s seven musicians…
Music Review: Miley Cyrus, Lorde and more team up for fun Talking Heads’ ‘Stop Making Sense’ tribute
In 1984, Talking Heads ' concert film and live album “Stop Making Sense” captured the alt-rock quartet at the height of their powers.
Forty years later, a new 4K restoration of the film is streaming on MAX, and A24 Music has released…
How to watch (and stream) the Eurovision Song Contest final
Acts from more than two dozen countries will take the stage in Malmo, Sweden, to compete in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest. The action kicks off Saturday at 9 p.m. Central European Summer Time, which is 8 p.m. in Britain and 3…
Grupo Frontera’s hybrid Mexican music went global. On a new album, their genre-melding has no limits
A lot can happen in two years. Just ask Grupo Frontera, who released their highly anticipated sophomore album, “Jugando Que No Pasa Nada,” Friday. The sextet began their career playing quinceañeras in Texas' Rio Grande Valley. Viral fame…
Country star Cindy Walker posthumously inducted into Songwriters Hall of Fame
Country star Cindy Walker was posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Walker, who wrote countless hits across her six-decade career, was celebrated for her immediate, unpretentious songwriting style. The hall announced the…
Life after Florida Georgia Line: Brian Kelley ready to reintroduce himself with new solo album
Best known as one-half of the country super-duo Florida Georgia Line, Brian Kelley will release a solo album, “Tennessee Truth," on Friday. It is a collection of 12 anthemic, arena-sized country songs ripe for a road trip and tailgate in…
Eurovision explained, from ABBA to Zorra, as the Israel-Hamas war overshadows the song contest
Scores of musicians, hundreds of journalists and thousands of music fans are gathering in the Swedish city of Malmo for the exuberant, glitter-drenched final of the Eurovision Song Contest. Thirty-seven countries are participating in the…
Music Midtown, popular Atlanta music festival, canceled this year
A music festival that draws tens of thousands of people to Atlanta’s Piedmont Park will not take place this year. Posts Wednesday on the Instagram page and website of Music Midtown, a longtime fixture for pop music lovers, says the festival…
Washington Opera offers new ending to Puccini’s final work
Ever since Giacomo Puccini died in 1924 without finishing his last opera, “Turandot,” audiences have thrilled to its soaring melodies like “Nessun Dorma,” but also perhaps lamented the lack of a proper ending. The version most audiences…
Music Review: Sebastian Bach’s ‘Child Within the Man’ makes the case for a Skid Row reunion
Sebastian Bach's latest solo album, “Child Within the Man,” is a reminder that every once in a while, a man and a moment meet.
This is that time for Bach and his former band Skid Row. The vintage-sounding album has everything that made Bach…
Music Review: Kings of Leon electrify with new album that nods to the past, ‘Can We Please Have Fun’
Kings of Leon pose an existential question to listeners on the first single from their new album: Are you a mustang or are you a kitty? Well, turning that around: Which Kings of Leon are we getting now? The purring arena-rockers or an edgy,…
The Eurovision Song Contest kicked off with pop and protests as the war in Gaza casts a shadow
Competition in the 68th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Tuesday in Sweden. The war in Gaza is casting a shadow over the sequin-spangled pop extravaganza. The event began with the first of two semi-finals in the Swedish city of Malmo,…