Roger Joseph Manning Jr. shares new single "Just Lust" / new LP 'Hopium' out Sept. 18 via Omnivore Recordings

September 18 marks the date that acclaimed singer-songwriter/keyboardist Roger Joseph Manning Jr. will release his forthcoming album "Hopium" Listen to the sumptuous advance track "Just Lust" and learn more via the official media release. Additionally, check out my coverage of the artist's memorable appearance at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles on May 17, 2018 HERE..Robert Kinsler

Roger Joseph Manning Jr. shares new single "Just Lust"

Upcoming album 'Hopium' featuring new music and live tracks from the Jellyfish and Imperial Drag co-founder

Out September 18,  2026 via Omnivore Recordings

Roger Joseph Manning Jr. / Photo courtesy of the artist

August 28, 2026: Today, Roger Joseph Manning Jr. has shared his new single “Just Lust,” the next offering from his upcoming album Hopium, out September 18, 2026 on Omnivore Recordings. Available on vinyl, CD and digital, the forthcoming LP features five new songs and five live tracks from the beloved Jellyfish and Imperial Drag co-founder.

Roger on the new single: “‘Just Lust’ was actually written towards the final days of Jellyfish. Because it had to wait in line behind lots of songs contending for the third unrealized album, it didn’t see the light of day at that time. So many years later, I met the daunting task of writing and singing my own lyrics because I believed in it so much. While I did play all the instruments on this song, I didn’t believe in my guitar skills enough to take on the guitar solo the song was begging for. So my intention became to compose the greatest guitar solo ever but pull it off with a synthesizer. The end result is more exciting than I could have ever imagined. Hope you agree!”

 

Stream "Just Lust" HERE

Pre-order Hopium HERE

Side one of Hopium features five new songs, including “Modern Dance (The After School Specials),” some of which have been in the works for over 15 years. Across the ensuing years, Manning worked with musician friends Victor Indrizzo (drums), Steve Shane McDonald (bass), Jim Wilson (electric guitars), Ken Sluiter (mixing, mastering) and Jason Falkner (additional electric guitars) to perfectly craft the basis of the new album.

 

Roger Joseph Manning Jr. performing
at the Grammy Museum in 2018.
Photo credit: Robert Kinsler

About the songs on Hopium, Roger says, “I remember writing the lyrics in a hotel room in Germany. Out on tour, especially in the middle of the night when you’re jetlagging, you have all this time to think about lyrics that take forever to take shape. It’s a huge sense of personal victory when you realize you’ve got something. This collection of songs is like that, ideas that developed over time that I believed in enough to take the time and resources to flesh out and record thinking, ‘Somebody’s got to hear this someday.’ So I just keep going and it’s a method that’s worked for me over the years because as a freelance musician, we’re all so busy trying to make ends meet, the songs that make it through have a special place in my heart.”

 

The flipside of Hopium is drawn from Manning’s live appearance at the 2018 International Pop Overthrow Festival at Molly Malone’s in Los Angeles. Those five songs include a pair from his 2006 album The Land Of Pure Imagination, one from his previous Omnivore release, 2023’s Radio Daze & Glamping, and another pair from his former band, Jellyfish. The live band appearing alongside him for the IPO date includes Chris Price, Dan Rothchild, Ben Lecourt, Alex Jules, and Emeen Zarookian.

 

Music fans worldwide know Roger Joseph Manning Jr. as co-founder or member of the bands Jellyfish, Imperial Drag, The Moog Cookbook, TV Eyes and The Lickerish Quartet, in addition to being a member of Beck’s band and an in-demand session player. Over the years, he’s contributed to albums by Beck, Morrissey, Lana Del Rey, Blink-182, Johnny Cash, Cheap Trick and Adele, among many others.

 

Roger Joseph Manning Jr. – Hopium:

1. Modern Dance (The After School Specials)

2. Just Lust

3. My Magic Bicycle

4. Wish Away

5. The Lords Of Altamont

6. That Is Why (Live at International Pop Overthrow 2018)

7. The Loser (Live at International Pop Overthrow 2018)

8. Pray For The Many (Live at International Pop Overthrow 2018)

9. Funhouse (Live at International Pop Overthrow 2018)

10. The King Is Half-Undressed (Live at International Pop Overthrow 2018)

Visit Manning's official website HERE.

Beck to release 'Ride Lonesome' on Sept. 18, 2026

Today comes word that groundbreaking singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Beck will release his forthcoming album Ride Lonesome on Sept. 18, 2026 via Capitol Records. The title track "Ride Lonesome" was recently released and is terrific. I can't wait to hear the album (the first since 2019's GRAMMY-winning Hyperspace) when it's released later this summer. You can pre-order the album at: https://Beck.lnk.to/RideLonesome ...Robert Kinsler

In a prepared statement, Beck commented, “My new album Ride Lonesome is coming out this fall. The musicians from my original touring and recording band that I recorded Sea Change, Morning Phase and Mutations with — Smokey Hormel, Joey Waronker, Justin Meldal-Johnsen, Roger Joseph Manning Jr., and Jason Falkner— reconvened with me at my favorite studio (Room B at United Studios in Hollywood). We had Nigel Godrich, who worked on Sea Change and Mutations with us mixing all the songs. It had been a decade since we went in the studio and recorded Morning Phase. This time It felt like the playing and the chemistry had evolved and deepened— a sound that’s come together over the decades of working together.

While we were revisiting a musical and physical place, it also felt like we were finding new sounds and emotional textures along the way.”

The announcement of Ride Lonesome is accompanied by “In The Night,” the second advance offering from the forthcoming album. The video was directed by Mikai Karl, produced by Ryan Smale and stars Denis Lavant (Beau Travail, Mauvais Sang), and can be seen HERE

Both songs were produced by Beck and mixed by Nigel Godrich.

 

Ride Lonesome’s release will coincide with the September kick-off of the Ride Lonesome tour. For further information, go HERE

 

Track listing: 

 

1. Ride Lonesome
2. Run Away
3. In The Night
4. Failed Words
5. Bleed
6. Disappearing Act
7. For Your Love
8. Slow Canyon
9. It Ends Right Here
10. Falling Through My Hands
11. If You Don’t Know What Love Is
12. Beyond The Light

Tour Dates:

 

09/16/26 – Vancouver, BC – Queen Elizabeth Theatre (SOLD OUT)
09/18/26 – Woodinville, WA – Chateau Ste. Michelle
09/19/26 – Portland, OR – Keller Auditorium (SOLD OUT)
09/22/26 – Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl
09/23/26 – Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre
09/25/26 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic
09/26/26 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic
10/01/26 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
10/03/26 – Omaha, NE – Steelhouse Omaha
10/04/26 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater
10/06/26 – Milwaukee, WI – Landmark Credit Union Live
10/07/26 – Minneapolis, MN – Orpheum Theatre (SOLD OUT)
10/09/26 – Chicago, IL – Auditorium Theater
10/10/26 – Chicago, IL – Auditorium Theater
10/12/26 – Detroit, MI – Fox Theatre
10/14/26 – Toronto, ON – Massey Hall
10/15/26 – Toronto, ON – Massey Hall
10/17/26 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway
10/18/26 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark
10/22/26 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Paramount
10/23/26 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Paramount (SOLD OUT)
10/25/26 – Washington, DC – The Anthem
10/27/26 – Durham, NC – Durham Performing Arts Center
10/28/26 – Asheville, NC – Thomas Wolfe Auditorium (SOLD OUT)
10/30/26 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy
10/31/26 – Nashville, TN – The Truth

'Favorite Songs of All Time' episode: TJR & Robert Kinsler discuss Songs 56-60

TJR and Robert Kinsler continue their video series where they discuss their Favorite 100 Songs of All Time; this week they discuss songs 56-60. Watch the episode HERE.

'A GRAMMY® Salute to the Beach Boys' is coming on Feb. 8, 2023; purchase tickets now

One of the world's great artists is set to be honored by a slew of other music notables via a GRAMMY Salute to the Beach Boys on Feb. 8, 2023. (You can read my review of the Beach Boys' August 2022 concert event HERE)...Robert Kinsler

The Beach Boys performing at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on Aug. 8, 2022.
Photo credit: Bob Steshetz

CBS PRESENTS A GRAMMY® SALUTE TO THE BEACH BOYS, SET FOR FEB. 8 AT THE DOLBY THEATRE TICKETS ON SALE NOW; TRIBUTE SPECIAL TO AIR ON CBS IN 2023

Weezer will be among the artists performing at the event. Photo credit: Sean Murphy WHO: A stellar lineup of GRAMMY®-winning artists and past and current GRAMMY nominees including Beck, Brandi Carlile, Fall Out Boy, Hanson, Norah Jones, Lady A, John Legend, Little Big Town, Michael McDonald, Mumford & Sons, My Morning Jacket, Pentatonix, Charlie Puth, LeAnn Rimes, St. Vincent, Take 6, and Weezer are slated to perform at the special tribute concert honoring the legendary Beach Boys.

Beck will be paying tribute to The Beach Boys at the Dolby Theatre. Photo: Kim Kinsler WHAT: The Recording Academy®, Tenth Planet Productions and CBS present A GRAMMY® Salute to the Beach Boys on Feb. 8, 2023, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. The live concert special will feature a star-studded lineup to celebrate and pay tribute to the group's remarkable career. The tribute special will air on the CBS Television Network and be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+ at a later date.   A GRAMMY Salute to the Beach Boys is produced by Tenth Planet Productions.

WHEN: Concert: Wed, Feb. 8, 2023 Doors – 5:30 p.m. PT Concert – 6:30 p.m. PT

WHERE: The public link to purchase tickets can be found here.   Dolby Theatre 6801 Hollywood Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028

ABOUT THE RECORDING ACADEMY The Recording Academy represents the voices of performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, and all music professionals. Dedicated to ensuring the recording arts remain a thriving part of our shared cultural heritage, the Academy honors music's history while investing in its future through the GRAMMY Museum®, advocates on behalf of music creators, supports music people in times of need through MusiCares®, and celebrates artistic excellence through the GRAMMY Awards® — music's only peer-recognized accolade and highest achievement. As the world's leading society of music professionals, we work year-round to foster a more inspiring world for creators. For more information about the Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @RecordingAcad on Twitter, "like" Recording Academy on Facebook, and join the Recording Academy's social communities on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

Beck and Phoenix bringing 2023 co-headline 'Summer Odyssey' Tour to North America

What a great tour! This has to be one of the mostly highly-anticipated summer tours of 2023! I've seen Beck (many times), Phoenix, Japanese Breakfast and Jenny Lewis — all are terrific in concert. Robert Kinsler

BECK AND PHOENIX ANNOUNCE 2023

CO-HEADLINE SUMMER ODYSSEY TOUR

JAPANESE BREAKFAST, JENNY LEWIS AND WEYES BLOOD TO JOIN ON SELECT DATES WITH SIR CHLOE



Tickets On Sale Starting Friday, January 27 at 10 a.m. Local on Ticketmaster.com

Beck (in center) with Phoenix. The two artists will co-headline on their 'Summer Odyssey' Tour
beginning on Aug. 1, 2023.

Eight-time Grammy-winning artist Beck and Grammy-winning French band Phoenix announced their upcoming co-headline Summer Odyssey tour. Produced by Live Nation, the 19-city run kicks off on Tuesday, Aug. 1 in Seattle at Climate Pledge Arena, with stops in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Houston, Boston, New York, and more before wrapping up on Sunday, Sept. 10 in Columbia at Merriweather Post Pavilion. The tour will feature Japanese Breakfast, Jenny Lewis and Weyes Blood on select dates with Sir Chloe.

The tour will make a Los Angeles stop at Kia Forum on Monday, Aug. 7, 2023.

TICKETS: Tickets go on sale starting Friday, January 27 at 10 a.m. local time on Ticketmaster.com.

SUMMER ODYSSEY 2023 TOUR DATES: 

Tue Aug 01 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena ^#

Thu Aug 03 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater ^#

Sat Aug 05 – Concord, CA – Concord Pavilion ^#

Mon Aug 07 - Los Angeles, CA - Kia Forum ^#

Tue Aug 08 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena +#

Wed Aug 09 – Orange County, CA – OC Fair*

Fri Aug 11 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center +#

Sat Aug 12 – Las Vegas, NV – Michelob ULTRA Arena +#

Tue Aug 15 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre +#

Fri Aug 18 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP ~#

Sun Aug 20 – Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion ~#

Mon Aug 21 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion ~#

Tue Aug 22 – Austin, TX – Moody Center ~#

Thu Aug 31 – Chicago, IL – Huntington Bank Pavilion #

Sat Sep 02 – Detroit, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre ~#

Sun Sep 03 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage ~#

Tue Sep 05 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway ~#

Fri Sep 08 – Philadelphia, PA – TD Pavilion at the Mann ~#

Sat Sep 09 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden ~

Sun Sep 10 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion ~#

Support Key

^ Jenny Lewis

+ Japanese Breakfast

~ Weyes Blood

# Sir Chloe

* Fair Date

ABOUT BECK:

2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee and eight-time Grammy-winner Beck has traveled light years from his emergence as a reluctant generational spokesperson when “Loser” exploded into a ubiquitous 1994 smash. Beck's singular vision has since seen him utilize all manners and eras of music, blazing a path into the future while foraging through the past.

Surfacing just as mainstream and alternative intersected, no small thanks to his 1994 debut Mellow Gold, Beck quickly confounded expectations with subsequent releases including the lo-fi folk of One Foot in the Grave and 1996’s multi-platinum Odelay—which has remained a cultural touchstone for generations.

Beck’s creative evolution has always progressed at an exponential rate.  From the atmospherics of 1998's Mutations and the fluorescent funk of 1999's Midnite Vultures, the somber reflections of 2002's Sea Change, 2005's tour de force Guero and 2006's sprawling The Information, 2008's acclaimed Modern Guilt, 2014’s Album of the Year Grammy-winning Morning Phase, the “euphoric blast of experimental pop” (Rolling Stone) that was 2017’s Colors and his 2019 "best in a decade” (People) Hyperspace… No Beck record has ever sounded like its predecessor — though The New York Times notes a consistent thread: “Though Beck’s records through the years have tended toward maximalism, a kind of meticulous sonic gorgeousness, melody remains central to his art.``

Follow Beck:

Website |  Facebook |  Twitter |  Instagram |  YouTube

ABOUT PHOENIX:

Phoenix is a critically-acclaimed band from France. Born out of high school friendships in Versailles, Phoenix have been nominated twice for Grammy awards, winning “Best Alternative Album” in 2010 for their record Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix which included hit singles "1901" and "Lisztomania." They also won “Best Rock Album” in 2014 for

Bankrupt! at the French Victoires de La Musique. 

Known for their sleek, highly stylized sonics and incredible, infectious melodies, Phoenix recently released their critically lauded new album Alpha Zulu featuring current single Tonight with Ezra Koenig. The band has headlined festivals including Coachella, Rock en Seine and Governors Ball. They have sold out New York City’s prestigious Madison Square Garden and Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl, and played festivals from Glastonbury (UK) to Vieilles Charrues (FR) to Summer Sonic (JPN) and more around the globe.

Follow Phoenix:

Website |  Facebook |  Twitter |  Instagram |  YouTube 

About Live Nation Entertainment

Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.

Boxsets, Deluxe Reissues and Advance Tracks: The Beatles, David Bowie, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Beck, Stevie Nicks, more!

Check out the latest episode of "TheNEWS" for updates on a number of forthcoming deluxe boxsets and must-hear new advance tracks!

Watch the episode HERE.

Arcade Fire bringing World Tour to Kia Forum on Nov. 16, 2022

Arcade Fire has just announced a number of forthcoming tour dates, including a slew here in the U.S. with Beck opening (check out my most recent concert review of Arcade Fire, the band's memorable concert event at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles in September 2018. Read the review HERE)...Robert Kinsler

ARCADE FIRE ANNOUNCES WORLD TOUR 

COMING TO KIA FORUM

NOVEMBER 16, 2022

NORTH AMERICAN DATES TO FEATURE A SPECIAL ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE BY BECK, EUROPEAN DATES TO FEATURE SPECIAL GUEST FEIST

 

WE

NEW ALBUM OUT TODAY

 

APPEARING ON SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE MAY 7

Following the universally rapturous reception to singles “The Lightning I, II” and “Unconditional I (Lookout Kid),” Arcade Fire's “excellent sixth album” (The New Yorker) WE is released to the world in its entirety today, May 6, 2022, via Columbia Records at http://af.lnk.to/_we. Arcade Fire performing at Coachella in April 2022.  Photo credit: Rich Fury/Getty Images for Coachella WE’s release coincides with the announcement of Arcade Fire’s fall world tour. In the wake of surprise underplays including New Orleans’ Toulouse Theatre, New York’s Bowery Ballroom, Coachella’s Mojave Tent and KOKO in London, the WE world tour will bring the full production of Arcade Fire’s “must-see live act” (Variety) experience to global stages, launching in Dublin on Tuesday, August 30 and running through December 1 in Toronto. The North American leg of the WE tour — featuring very special guest Beckplaying a nightly acoustic set — will kick off October 28 in Washington D.C., while Europe will include special guest Feist for all shows. The tour will make a Los Angeles stop at Kia Forum on Nov. 16, 2022.    Tickets for all dates will be on sale to the public beginning Friday, May 13 at 10 a.m. local time. Arcade Fire has partnered with PLUS1 (http://www.plus1.org) so that $1/£1/€1 per ticket goes to KANPE (http://www.kanpe.org), and their work bringing support to the most vulnerable communities in Haiti. For further information on this initiative, visit www.arcadefire.com.   Presale: Verizon will offer an exclusive presale for the Arcade Fire 2022 tour in the U.S. through the customer loyalty program Verizon Up. Members will have first access to purchase presale tickets for select shows beginning Monday, May 9 at 10 a.m. local time until Thursday, May 12 at 10 p.m. local time. For more details and to sign up, visit Verizon Up.   Citi is the official card of the Arcade Fire WE tour. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets for all U.S. dates beginning Tuesday, May 10 at 10 a.m. local time until Thursday, May 12 at 10 p.m. local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com.   VIP: Arcade Fire will offer VIP packages for each show that include premium tickets, pre-show VIP lounge, specially designed and exclusive merchandise & more! Package contents vary based on the offer selected. Fans can visit www.VIPNation.com for more information!   Make sure to tune into SNL tomorrow as Arcade Fire join the Saturday Night Live 5-timers club.   ARCADE FIRE WE European Tour 2022   08/30/22 - Dublin, IE - 3Arena * 09/02/22 - Birmingham, UK - Utilita Arena Birmingham * 09/03/22 - Manchester, UK - AO Arena * 09/05/22 - Glasgow, UK - OVO Hydro * 09/08/22 - London, UK – The O2 * 09/11/22 - Lille, FR - Zenith * 09/12/22 - Antwerp, BE - Sportpaleis * 09/14/22 - Cologne, DE - Lanxess Arena * 09/15/22 - Paris, FR - Accor Arena * 09/17/22 - Milan, IT - Mediolanum Forum * 09/18/22 - Munich, DE - Olympiahalle * 09/21/22 - Madrid, ES - WiZink Center * 09/22/22 - Lisbon, PT - Campo Pequeno * 09/23/22 - Lisbon, PT - Campo Pequeno * 09/25/22 - Bordeaux, FR - Arkea Arena * 09/26/22 - Nantes, FR - Zenith de Nantes * 09/28/22 - Amsterdam, NL - Ziggo Dome * 09/29/22 - Berlin, DE - Mercedes Benz Arena * 10/01/22 - Warsaw, PL – COS Torwar *   North American Tour 2022 10/28/22 - Washington, DC - The Anthem ^ 11/01/22 - Camden, NJ - Waterfront Music Pavilion ^ 11/04/22 - Brooklyn, NY - Barclays Center ^ 11/08/22 - Boston, MA - MGM Fenway Music Hall ^ 11/10/22 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena ^ 11/12/22 - Chicago, IL - United Center ^ 11/13/22 - Minneapolis, MN - The Armory ^ 11/16/22 - Los Angeles, CA - The Kia Forum ^ 11/19/22 - San Francisco, CA - Bill Graham Civic Auditorium ^ 11/22/22 - Seattle, WA - Climate Pledge Arena ^ 11/25/22 - Vancouver, BC - Rogers Arena ^ 11/27/22 - Edmonton, AB - Rogers Place ^ 12/01/22 - Toronto, ON - Scotiabank Arena ^   * with special guest Feist ^ with special guest Beck (acoustic)