2024 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival Preview

Coachellagoers walk past "The Messengers," an art installation by artist Kumkum Fernando. Photo: Robert Kinsler

Music writers Robert Kinsler and George A. Paul each highlight some of their must-see artists coming to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Taking place over consecutive weekends at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, Coachellafest will be held April 12-14 and again April 19-21, 2024. This year's headliners are Lana Del Rey, Tyler, The Creator, Doja Cat and No Doubt. There are countless emerging and established artists performing this year.

Fridays, April 12 and 19

Brittany Howard / Photo credit: Bobbi Rich

Brittany Howard — Just two months after the release of her acclaimed album What Now, five-time Grammy Award-winning artist Brittany Howard will bring her soulful and high powered approach to Coachellagoers in Indio. The former singer-guitarist of Alabama Shakes, Howard's 2019 debut Jamie landed on a slew of best-of-the-year lists including The New York Times, Rolling Stone and Pitchfork; it was named NPR's album of the year too. (RK)

Lana Del Rey
Photo credit: Chuck Grant

Lana Del Rey — Acclaimed singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey will bring her parade of wide-ranging hits and stylish approach as the headlining artist on both Fridays of Coachella this month. Last year the New York City native was named the Greatest American Songwriter of the 21st Century by Rolling Stone UK, and her wonderful powers as a vocalist bolster the delivery of wonderful songs such as the dreamy "Video Games," melancholy-adorned "Candy Necklace," electronica-tinged "Doin' Time," piano-anchored soft rock ballad "The Greatest" and shimmering "Say Yes To Heaven." Since the release of her major label debut Born to Die in 2012, the songstress has successfully fused and explored a growing number of styles in her celebrated work. (RK)

Saturdays, April 13 and 20

Sublime — When Sublime founding singer-guitarist Bradley Nowell passed away  in 1996, the band broke up and it appeared the trio from Long Beach, CA might be forgotten. However, the band's third full-length album released two months after Nowell's death spawned the huge enduring hit "What I Got" and interest remained in the reggae rockers. In 2023, founding members Eric Wilson (bass) and Bud Gaugh (drums) announced the reforming of Sublime with Nowell's talented son Jakob Nowell — the band performed at a benefit show at the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles, and are now set to make a more high-profile return via their Coachella appearances where they will undoubtedly perform energetic classics such as "Wrong Way," "Santeria" and "What I Got." (RK)

British rock great Blur 
Photo credit: Reuben Bastienne Lewis

Blur — During the Nineties, this London quartet spearheaded the Britpop music movement thanks to an inclination toward making eclectic music – a trait singer/songwriter Damon Albarn continues with Gorillaz and other solo projects. Best known in America for the modern rock radio hits “Song 2” (ubiquitous at sporting events), “Girls & Boys” and “There’s No Other Way,” Blur notched a dozen top 10 hits in the U.K. Last year, it headlined two nights at Wembley Stadium there and released their atmospheric, reflective ninth album The Ballad of Darren alongside producer James Ford (Arctic Monkeys). Guitarist/singer Graham Coxon said the songs, recorded with everyone in the same room, were “loaded with the right intention and emotion.” No stranger to Coachella, Blur has played Indio twice before. (GAP)

Bleachers / Photo credit: Alex Lockett

Bleachers — A decade ago, following stints in Steel Train and fun., mild mannered New Jersey native Jack Antonoff launched Bleachers. It is essentially a one-man-band by the Grammy-winning producer/musician (Taylor Swift, St. Vincent), who often crafts rousing rock anthems with multiple instruments and prominent use of saxophone, lending comparisons to Bruce Springsteen (The Boss even appeared on ’20 single “Chinatown”). Bleachers’ popular adult and alt-rock radio singles include “I Wanna Get Better,” “Rollercoaster,” “Don’t Take the Money,” “Stop Making This Hurt,” and recently, “Modern Girl.” The excellent new eponymous fourth album contains guest appearances from Florence Welch, St. Vincent, and Matt Healy of The 1975. Antonoff has also worked with Lana Del Rey, so his Coachella set could easily have some special guests. (GAP)

The Drums / Photo credit: Qiao Meng

The Drums – Singer Jonny Pierce co-founded The Drums in 2008. Two years later, the NYC pop/rock band’s self-titled debut made major inroads in England, where several singles charted there and in Mexico. The reverb-drenched vocals, melodic guitars and keyboard-driven sound frequently recalls the Eighties heyday of Postcard and Rough Trade Records acts. By 2017’s Abysmal Thoughts, The Drums transitioned into a solo vehicle for Pierce, a LGBTQ artist who writes songs with unflinchingly honest lyrics. Last year, The Drums’ old giddy jangle pop gem
“Money” went viral on social media and was certified gold here. Seventh studio album Johnny finds noted female hip hop singer Rico Nasty guesting on “Dying.” A new deluxe version expands the latest release to 21 tracks. (GAP) 

Sundays, April 14 and 21

Taking Back Sunday
Photo credit: Ashley Osborn

Taking Back Sunday — Long Island's Taking Back Sunday was definitely among the more captivating emo/post-hardcore bands to emerge in the late 1990s/early 2000s. A Warped Tour regular, they gained popularity from the get-go with indie album Tell All Your Friends. Yet when guitarist Fred Mascherino joined for Where You Want to Be, his playing style and interlocking vocal interplay with frontman Adam Lazzara took everything up a notch. Modern rock radio hits “Make Damn Sure,” “A Decade Under the Influence,” and “Liar” were prime examples. The intervening years have seen several lineup changes. Solid latest album 152, named after a long-running in-joke between band members, contains what Lazzara said is “a lot of fun stuff and more pop-influenced material.” (GAP) 

TBA

No Doubt — Few people expected a reunion of the massively successful alt-rock and ska band from Anaheim, considering singer Gwen Stefani’s busy solo career, Vegas residencies, coaching stints on NBC’s “The Voice,” clothing and beauty lines and various singles with husband Blake Shelton. Coachella will mark the foursome’s first gig together in nine years. No Doubt’s last studio album was 2012’s underrated Push and Shove. Stefani told Jimmy Kimmel they plan to play a deep cut from 1995’s diamond-certified Tragic Kingdom. Chances are good that fans will also hear some big hits like “Spiderwebs,” “Sunday Morning,” “Just a Girl,” “Don’t Speak,” “Hella Good,” “Hey Baby,” and the fine cover of Talk Talk’s “It’s My Life.” (GAP)

Sights and Sounds: Mavis Staples, John Doe, 'Decline of Western Civilization' trilogy, Alabama Shakes

Here is a round-up of what's happening in the music world...

Pitchfork is premiering Mavis Staples' new Nick Cave-penned track "Jesus Lay Down Beside Me." The track is off the M. Ward-produced album Livin' On A High Note, due out this Friday, Feb. 19. You can hear the track now care of Pitchfork .

With the release of her new album Livin’ On A High Note, Staples continues to gain momentum.  Referencing and drawing from her past while taking the music to fresh places, Staples and her team recruited a unique dozen of today’s heralded and up-and-coming artists to write songs for the record. The names gathered here impress and excite: Neko Case, Justin Vernon, Nick Cave, Ben Harper, Tune-Yards, Aloe Blacc, Benjamin Booker, The Head and the Heart, and M. Ward.

 Livin’ On A High Note Songwriting Credits
 
Take Us Back (Benjamin Booker)
Love And Trust (Ben Harper)
If It’s A Light (The Head & The Heart)
Action (Tune-Yards)
High Note (Valerie June)
Don’t Cry (M Ward)
Tomorrow (Aloe Blacc/John Batiste)
Dedicated (Justin Vernon/M Ward)
History Now (Neko Case)
One Love (Son Little)
Jesus Lay Down Beside Me (Nick Cave)
MLK Song (M Ward/ Martin Luther King)

One of the highlights at the "Celebration for Ray Manzarek" event I caught in Hollywood on Feb. 12 was the appearance by John Doe for several selections, including toward the end of the night when he was featured singing a version of "Riders on the Storm." Now comes word that the co-leader of legendary Los Angeles band X is set to release a new 11-track solo album in 2016 titled The Westerner (due April 29 via Cool Rock Records/Thirty Tigers). As if any new music from the talented Doe wasn't enough, word is that Cat Power (Chan Marshall) and Blondie songstress Debbie Harry will also provide guest vocals on the new album. On his official Web site, Doe says: "The Westerner is my psychedelic, soul record from the Arizona desert." Read more on John Doe's official Web site here.

Coming on Friday, March 4, 2016 from Shout! Factory are the first two films of The Decline of Western Civilization trilogy, to be released on both Blu-ray and DVD. The Decline of Western Civilization (1980) and The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years (1988) will be available for the first time as stand-alone sets with this release. Read more on George A. Paul's Music Minded site by clicking here.


Finally, Alabama Shakes took home three Grammy Awards on Sunday night, including "Best Alternative Music Album" for 2015's Sound & Color. The band has announced a number of summer North American tour dates, and a pre-sale begins today (Feb. 17, 2016). Tickets go on sale to the public beginning Friday, Feb. 19.

Dates includes stops at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles (with one of my favorite bands Dawes set to open) on Aug. 9 and 10, 2016. View Alabama Shakes performing "Don't Wanna Fight" from the Feb. 15 Grammy Awards telecast HERE.

For more information on upcoming tour dates and other information about Alabama Shakes, visit the band's official Web site here.

58TH Annual Grammy Awards nominations announced

As is always the case when Grammy nominations are announced, there is a mix of good and bad across the myriad of categories. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see Alabama Shakes, Courtney Barnett, the Mavericks, Kacey Musgraves, and Florence + the Machine among the nominees. You can see the official media release below (Posted by Robert Kinsler):

KENDRICK LAMAR LEADS GRAMMY^® NOMINATIONS WITH 11;

TAYLOR SWIFT AND THE WEEKND EACH GARNER SEVEN

ALABAMA SHAKES, KENDRICK LAMAR, CHRIS STAPLETON,

TAYLOR SWIFT, AND THE WEEKND VIE FOR ALBUM OF THE YEAR

AT THE 58TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS^®

FEB. 15, 2016, LIVE ON CBS

LOS ANGELES (Dec. 7, 2015)  — The Recording Academy^® announced nominations for the 58th Annual GRAMMY Awards^® in all 83 categories this morning. Reflecting a diverse blend of talented music makers, this year's nominees were selected from more than 21,000 submissions entered. As the only peer-based music award, the GRAMMY Awards are voted on by The Academy's membership body of creators across all disciplines of music, including recording artists, songwriters, producers, and engineers. Final-round GRAMMY^® ballots will be mailed Dec. 16 and the preeminent award for excellence in music will be presented Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, live from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and broadcast on the CBS Television Network from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).   

This year, Kendrick Lamar leads nominations with 11, followed by Taylor Swift and The Weeknd, who each earn seven. Additionally, music producer/songwriter Max Martin receives six nominations and mastering engineer Tom Coyne, rapper Drake, and engineers/mixers Serban Ghenea and John Hanes each earn five nominations.

"The diversity in the creative community is what makes music a universal language, and it's gratifying to see the vibrancy of today's artistic landscape reflected in this year's nominations — a testament to The Academy's voting members," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "Artists are pushing boundaries in exciting ways, making it an exceptionally strong year for music."

The eclectic nature of this year's nominations is perhaps best exemplified in the Album Of The Year category, where nominees range from the alternative and soulful rock of Alabama Shakes to Lamar's thought-provoking jazz-infused rap, the classic country sounds of Chris Stapleton, the pop emergence of Swift, and the genre-bending R&B style of The Weeknd.

Following is a sampling of nominations from the GRAMMY Awards' 30 Fields and 83 categories. For a complete nominations list, visit www.grammy.com. Congratulate nominees and catch exclusive videos and content on Facebook. Join @theGRAMMYs Twitter Moments conversation using #GRAMMYs.

GENERAL FIELD

Album Of The Year:

Sound & Color — Alabama Shakes

To Pimp A Butterfly — Kendrick Lamar

Traveller — Chris Stapleton

1989 — Taylor Swift

Beauty Behind The Madness — The Weeknd

Watch and share the Album Of The Year category roundup video

Record Of The Year:

"Really Love" — D'Angelo And The Vanguard

"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars

"Thinking Out Loud" — Ed Sheeran

"Blank Space" — Taylor Swift

"Can't Feel My Face" — The Weeknd

Watch and share the Record Of The Year category roundup video

Song Of The Year:

"Alright" — Kendrick Duckworth, Mark Anthony Spears & Pharrell Williams, songwriters (Kendrick Lamar)

"Blank Space" — Max Martin, Shellback & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)

"Girl Crush" — Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna & Liz Rose, songwriters (Little Big Town)

"See You Again" — Andrew Cedar, Justin Franks, Charles Puth & Cameron Thomaz, songwriters (Wiz Khalifa Featuring Charlie Puth)

"Thinking Out Loud" — Ed Sheeran & Amy Wadge, songwriters (Ed Sheeran)

Watch and share the Song Of The Year category roundup video

Best New Artist:

Courtney Barnett

James Bay

Sam Hunt

Tori Kelly

Meghan Trainor

Watch and share the Best New Artist category roundup video

POP FIELD

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance:

"Ship To Wreck" — Florence + The Machine

"Sugar" — Maroon 5

"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars

"Bad Blood" — Taylor Swift Featuring Kendrick Lamar

"See You Again" — Wiz Khalifa Featuring Charlie Puth

DANCE/ELECTRONIC MUSIC FIELD

Best Dance Recording:

"We're All We Need" — Above & Beyond Featuring Zoë Johnston

"Go" — The Chemical Brothers

"Never Catch Me" — Flying Lotus Featuring Kendrick Lamar

"Runaway (U & I)" — Galantis

"Where Are Ü Now" — Skrillex And Diplo With Justin Bieber

ROCK FIELD

Best Rock Performance:

"Don't Wanna Fight" — Alabama Shakes

"What Kind Of Man" — Florence + The Machine

"Something From Nothing" — Foo Fighters

"Ex's & Oh's" — Elle King

"Moaning Lisa Smile" — Wolf Alice

ALTERNATIVE FIELD

Best Alternative Music Album:

Sound & Color — Alabama Shakes

Vulnicura — Björk

The Waterfall — My Morning Jacket

Currents — Tame Impala

Star Wars — Wilco

R&B FIELD

Best Urban Contemporary Album:

Ego Death — The Internet

You Should Be Here — Kehlani

Blood — Lianne La Havas

Wildheart  — Miguel

Beauty Behind The Madness — The Weeknd

RAP FIELD

Best Rap Album:

2014 Forest Hills Drive — J. Cole

Compton — Dr. Dre

If Youre Reading This Its Too Late — Drake

To Pimp A Butterfly — Kendrick Lamar

The Pinkprint — Nicki Minaj

COUNTRY FIELD

Best Country Album:

Montevallo — Sam Hunt

Pain Killer — Little Big Town

The Blade — Ashley Monroe

Pageant Material — Kacey Musgraves

Traveller — Chris Stapleton

JAZZ FIELD 

Best Jazz Instrumental Album:

My Favorite Things — Joey Alexander

Breathless — Terence Blanchard Featuring The E-Collective

Covered: Recorded Live At Capitol Studios — Robert Glasper & The Robert Glasper Trio

Beautiful Life — Jimmy Greene

Past Present — John Scofield

GOSPEL/CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC FIELD 

Best Gospel Album:

Destined To Win (Live) — Karen Clark Sheard

Living It — Dorinda Clark-Cole

One Place Live — Tasha Cobbs

Covered: Alive Is Asia [Live] (Deluxe) — Israel & Newbreed

Life Music: Stage Two — Jonathan McReynolds

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album:

Whatever The Road — Jason Crabb

How Can It Be — Lauren Daigle

Saints And Sinners — Matt Maher

This Is Not A Test — Tobymac

Love Ran Red — Chris Tomlin

LATIN FIELD

Best Latin Pop Album:

Terral — Pablo Alborán

Healer — Alex Cuba

A Quien Quiera Escuchar (Deluxe Edition) — Ricky Martin

Sirope — Alejandro Sanz

Algo Sucede — Julieta Venegas

AMERICAN ROOTS FIELD 

Best Americana Album:

The Firewatcher's Daughter — Brandi Carlile

The Traveling Kind — Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell

Something More Than Free — Jason Isbell

Mono — The Mavericks

The Phosphorescent Blues — Punch Brothers

SPOKEN WORD FIELD

Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Storytelling):

Blood On Snow (Jo Nesbø) — Patti Smith

Brief Encounters: Conversations, Magic Moments, And Assorted Hijinks — Dick Cavett

A Full Life: Reflections At Ninety — Jimmy Carter

Patience And Sarah (Isabel Miller) — Janis Ian & Jean Smart

Yes Please — Amy Poehler (& Various Artists)

PRODUCTION, NON-CLASSICAL FIELD

Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical:

Jeff Bhasker

Dave Cobb

Diplo

Larry Klein

Blake Mills

MUSIC VIDEO/FILM

Best Music Film:

Mr. Dynamite: The Rise Of James Brown — James Brown

Sonic Highways — Foo Fighters

What Happened, Miss Simone? — Nina Simone

The Wall — Roger Waters

Amy — Amy Winehouse

About The Recording Academy:

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visitwww.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @TheGRAMMYs on Twitter, like "The GRAMMYs" on Facebook, and join The GRAMMYs' social communities on Google+, Instagram, Tumblrand YouTube.

# # #

Sights and Sounds: Garbage, Alabama Shakes, Kacey Musgraves

Happy Monday everybody! While you're busy wishing it was still the weekend, here is some good news to get your week moving in the right direction...

Garbage celebrate 20th anniversary with U.S. leg of '20 Years Queer Tour' 

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 8, 2015 - Twenty years after the release of their self-titled debut album, GARBAGE will celebrate their lauded career with a US Anniversary tour. Christened the 20 Years Queer Tour, the band will play their debut album in its entirety for the first time. A full list of dates can be found below.

Garbage - 20 Years Queer

Garbage was born out of such unusual elements and unusual circumstances, and we were shocked when the first record became such a success. We're just as surprised to be here now, intact, so many years later, enthusiastically preparing to get back on the road with that album and all its attendant b-sides and lord knows what else. A big piece of our lives remains caught up in the making of that record, and we know it holds a special place for the fans that have kept us going for so long. We can't wait. This tour is going to be a blast. - STEVE MARKER 

Garbage released their genre defying, groundbreaking debut on August 15, 1995 at a time when grunge music dominated the airwaves and mainstream culture. Their distinctive approach to songwriting and production, blending elements of rock, pop and electronic music, captured the attention of critics and fans all over the world. The album spawned multiple hits including: "Vow," "Queer," "Stupid Girl" and "Only Happy When It Rains." It spent more than a year on both the US and UK charts, received multi-platinum certifications around the world and was nominated for three Grammy awards including Best New Artist and Best Rock Song ("Stupid Girl"). The album went on to sell over 4 million copies worldwide. 

Later this summer, Garbage will release a special 20^th Anniversary edition of the album that will be re-mastered and feature all of the remixes and previously unreleased versions of songs from their debut.

Garbage will offer VIP experience packages for the US tour through Adventures in Wonderland.Offers will include premium seating, sound check access, meet and greets, soundboard viewing, and exclusive merch.

Tickets will go on-sale Friday, June 12. Check Garbage.com for additional ticketing information. Torres will support on their US dates and Dutch Uncles will support in Europe. 

US TOUR

 

October 6, 2015	San Diego, CA	Humphrey's Concerts By the Bay
October 7, 2015	Oakland, CA	Fox Theater
October 8, 2015	Los Angeles, CA	Greek Theatre
October 10, 2015	Las Vegas, NV	Blvd Pool @ Cosmopolitan Hotel
October 13, 2015	Houston, TX	Bayou Music Center
October 14, 2015	Austin, TX	Stubb's Waller Creek Amphitheater
October 15, 2015	Dallas, TX	South Side Ballroom
October 17, 2015	Chicago, IL	The Riviera Theatre
October 18, 2015	Madison, WI	Orpheum
October 19, 2015	Royal Oak, MI	Royal Oak Theater
October 21, 2015	Boston, MA	Orpheum
October 23, 2015	Westbury, NY	The Space @ Westbury
October 24, 2015	Brooklyn, NY	Kings Theater
October 26, 2015	Toronto, ON	Phoenix Concert Theatre
October 28, 2015	Washington, DC	9:30 Club
October 29, 2015	Washington, DC	9:30 Club

EUROPEAN TOUR

 

October 31, 2015	Cologne, Germany	Palladium
November 2, 2015	Copenhagen, Denmark	Store Vega
November 4, 2015	Tillburg, Holland	013
November 5, 2015	Brussels, Belgium	Forest National
November 7, 2015	Paris, France	Zenith
November 8, 2015	London, UK	Brixton Academy
November 9, 2015	London, UK	Brixton Academy
November 11, 2015	Moscow, Russia	Crocus City Hall*
November 13, 2015	Manchester, UK	Academy
November 14, 2015	Edinburgh, UK	Usher Hall
*Support TBC

ABOUT GARBAGE

Garbage is Shirley Manson, Duke Erikson, Steve Marker and Butch Vig. After forming in Madison, WI, Garbage released their self-titled debut album in 1995. The band's unique sound and provocative visual aesthetic, inspired massive worldwide attention and success. Their follow up album, Version 2.0, released in 1998, topped charts all over the world and garnered multiple Grammy Award nominations including Album Of The Year. Garbage went on to release two more albums: 2001's Beautiful Garbage and 2005's Bleed Like Me, the latter which earned the band its highest chart position with a No. 4 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart. After a 7-year hiatus, the band released their fifth studio album Not Your Kind of People in 2012 on their independent record label, Stun Volume. The album was named one of Rolling Stone magazine's Top 50 Albums of 2012 and was hailed as the "alternative to everything," by Pitchfork. Garbage has sold over 12 million albums worldwide and performed in over thirty-five countries. The band is currently working on their sixth studio album, set for release early next year.

http://garbage.com

Alabama Shakes perform on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' tonight   Video For Hit Single "Don't Wanna Fight," Directed By Danny Clinch, Premieres Today On VEVO Festival Performances Include Bonnaroo, Glastonbury And Lollapalooza "[Alabama Shakes] Sound & Color, is not just the frontrunner for Album of the Summer, but a rightful contender for Album of the Whole Damn Year" - Esquire

Alabama Shakes will perform on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" tonight. Earlier today, VEVO premiered the new video for the GRAMMY®-nominated band's No. 1 AAA radio hit, "Don't Wanna Fight." The clip, which can be viewed HERE, is the first in a series of four videos helmed by acclaimed director/photographer Danny Clinch (Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews). It captures Alabama Shakes in their purest form, performing live in Capitol Records' legendary Studio A, where hit albums by such iconic artists as Frank Sinatra and the Beach Boys were recorded. "When I was asked to film some of the new Alabama Shakes songs, I was sent the music. Honestly, it floored me. It's a timeless record - soul, r&b, gospel, bluesy, ballsy. All the sounds I love," says director Danny Clinch. "With that in mind, my Director of Photography and I decided that the way to capture the pure energy of these songs live would be to shoot it with one camera, no edits, and follow the energy of the song. It really paid off. Not only is Brittany a powerhouse, but her range is stunning, from screaming to whispering and everything in between, with a band that is right there with her, as she is about to go over the edge." The band's world tour is underway and will include performances at many 2015 festivals, including Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Glastonbury, Montreux Jazz Festival, T In The Park, Squamish, Boston Calling and Austin City Limits. See below for itinerary. "Alabama Shakes epitomize what a rock band should be in this era," said SPIN, naming the band's sophomore album, Sound & Color as one of the 50 Best Albums of 2015 So Far. Esquire hailed the track "Shoegaze" as one of the summer's must-hear songs and praised Sound & Coloras "not just the frontrunner for Album of the Summer, but a rightful contender for Album of the Whole Damn Year." Alabama Shakes - comprising lead singer/guitarist Brittany Howard, guitarist Heath Fogg, bassist Zac Cockrell, drummer Steve Johnson, and touringkeyboard players Ben Tanner and Paul Horton - made history whenSound & Color debuted at No. 1 on TheBillboard 200, becoming the first female-fronted rock band to top the list without the benefit of having first charted a Top 40 single on the Billboard Hot 100. "Don't Wanna Fight," the lead single from Sound & Color, spent six consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Triple A airplay chart. Sound & Color, the follow-up to Alabama Shakes' Gold-certified 2012 debut,Boys & Girls, is available now at all music retailers, including iTunes and Amazon, and via the band's website and the ATO Records webstore. Released by ATO Records in North America and Rough Trade in the U.K./Europe, the album was co-produced by the band and Blake Mills. Alabama Shakes - Upcoming Tour Dates With special guests Strand of Oaks (June 9), Courtney Barnett (June 10), Belle Adair(July 30 & August 1), Chicano Batman (August 4, 5, 8 & 14) and Blake Mills (August 7, 12 and 13). Very special guests Drive-By Truckers will open on August 16, August 18, 20 and 22 and September 17-19. 6/9 - Charlottesville, VA @ nTelos Wireless Pavilion w/special guest Strand of Oaks 6/10 - Cary, NC @ Koka Booth Amphitheatre at Regency Park w/special guest Courtney Barnett 6/12 - Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival 6/24-28 - Pilton, UK @ Glastonbury 6/27 - Beuningen, Netherlands @ Down The Rabbit Hole 6/28 - Werchter, Belgium @ Rock Werchter 6/30 - Leipzig, Germany @ Conne Island 7/1 - Gdynia, Poland @ Open'er Festival 7/4 - Dublin, Ireland @ Marlay Park 7/5 - Belfort, France @ Les Eurockeennes 7/6 - Köln, Germany @ Live Music Hall 7/8 - Lucca, Italy @ Summer Festival Lucca 7/9 - Montreux, Switzerland @ Montreux Jazz Festival 7/10 - Rotterdam, Netherlands @ North Sea Jazz Festival 7/12 - Auchterarder, UK @ T In The Park 7/30 - Louisville, KY @ Iroquois Amphitheater 7/31 - Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza 8/1 - Council Bluffs, IA @ Harrah's Council Bluffs Casino & Hotel 8/4 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Red Butte Garden                                                              SOLD OUT 8/5 - Boise, ID @ Idaho Botanical Garden 8/7 - Troutdale, OR @ Edgefield w/special guest Blake Mills                                        SOLD OUT 8/8 - Redmond, WA @ Marymoor Park 8/9 - Squamish, BC @ Squamish Valley Music Festival 8/12 - San Diego, CA @ Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU w/special guest Blake Mills 8/13 - Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre w/special guest Blake Mills 8/14 - Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl w/special guest Chicano Batman 8/16 - Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre w/very special guests Drive-By Truckers  SOLD OUT 8/18 - Grand Prairie, TX @ Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie w/very special guests Drive-By Truckers 8/20 - Tuscaloosa, AL @ Tuscaloosa Amphitheater 8/21 - Alpharetta, GA @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater at Encore Park 9/17 - Philadelphia, PA @ The Mann Center for the Performing Arts w/very special guests Drive-By Truckers. 9/18 - Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion w/very special guests Drive-By Truckers 9/19 - Forest Hills, Queens, NY @ Forest Hills Stadium w/very special guests Drive-By Truckers 9/22 - Lewiston, NY @ Artpark 9/25-27 - Boston, MA @ Boston Calling 10/2-4 - Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits Music Festival 11/18 - London, UK @ O2 Academy Brixton                                                             SOLD OUT 11/19 - London, UK @ O2 Academy Brixton Kacey Musgraves debuts new music from Pageant Material on 'The Tonight Show' and 'Late Night' Pageant Material Pre-Order Available Tomorrow Nashville, TN (Monday, June 8, 2015) – Mercury Nashville’s Kacey Musgraveswill debut new music from her sophomore album, Pageant Material, on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (June 9) and Late Night with Seth Meyers (June 10).  Musgraves will perform her current single “Biscuits,” on The Tonight Showand “Family Is Family” on Late Night.  Pageant Material, set for release on June 23, is available for digital pre-order tomorrow and includes instant downloads of both “Family Is Family” and “Biscuits.” To pre-order the album click here: http://umgn.us/PMPreorder . Musgraves co-wrote all tracks on Pageant Material and also co-produced with Shane McAnally and Luke Laird. The album has already been met with critical acclaim in early reviews and coverage. FADER featured Kacey on the cover as their first ever Country artist, Billboard says “Pageant Material folds in bits of confessional gravitas, classic Western textures and string-swathed, studio-pop finesse reminiscent of Glen Campbellor Bobbie Gentry…there’s a new level of real talk even for Musgraves,” andHits Magazine called Pageant Material “An album for the ages. Kacey Musgraves’ stunning new set is brilliant from start to finish.” The Texas native has earned massive critical acclaim since the release of her Gold-certified debut album Same Trailer Different Park including two Grammys at the 56thAnnual Grammy Awards (Song of the Year-“Merry Go Round,” Best Country Album) and 2014 ACM Album of the Year. Additional information can be found at www.KaceyMusgraves.com.