Pop

There are shows you go to for fun, and then there are shows that remind you exactly why live music matters. Across two back-to-back nights, Philadelphia at MilkBoy and New York City at Berlin, Enrose created something you could feel long after the last note. Some of the SoundCheck Mag team was there, cameras in hand, shooting side by side. Two perspectives on the same magic. And yeah, we're glad it happened.

Article Contributed by Monica Soriano Nickelodeon made many people laugh through its quirky series, cartoons and movies. There are various familiar faces in mainstream media within music that were able to reach unexpected (or expected) success after their time with the network. Some cultivated strong fan bases and have established their names among the biggest artists. While most of the cast in Victorious have gone on to gain a large amount of popularity and varying success w

Released today, High & Sad is the kind of song that doesn't announce itself; it just finds you. Franklin Jonas and The Byzantines have crafted something that exists in the in-between: not quite a ballad, not quite a confessional, but somewhere more honest than either.

Article Contributed by Monica Soriano After almost 3 years since they released an album, Seafret has returned. Their latest album, Fear of Emotion projects their growth, feelings and their continuous love for their craft. Jack Sedman and Harry Draper have crafted a true listening experience from beginning to end. It Grabs You From The Very First Track Upon hitting the play button it was clear this project was put together with immense care. With a catchy chorus and lyrics t

An emotional final tour stop filled with beautifully belted notes, shocking confessions, and connection across all ages Article & Photos by Vaneza Gutiérrez Wyckoff On a cool March evening in Seattle, The Moore Theatre transformed into something more than a venue — it became a confessional. The kind where hundreds of voices don’t just listen, but answer back in laughter and recognition. The night opened with two rising artists who each set the emotional tone in their own dist

A night that celebrated both his journey as an artist and the fans who’ve been there since the very beginning, all in one unforgettable show. Article and Photos Contributed by Miranda Wyman Corbyn Besson’s return to the stage felt less like a typical concert and more like a long-awaited reunion. On Monday, March 23, 2026, at the intimate 650-capacity Gramercy Theatre in New York City, fans packed into the historic venue for the first of two (Head) First Shows, celebrating the

The producer blends cinematic ambition with trance energy on his most intentional project yet. Article Contributed by Vaneza Gutiérrez Wyckoff Photos contributed by UMG 1824 For Aaron Hibell, releasing Synchronicity isn’t simply about putting out another album. It’s about revealing a body of work that has been quietly forming for years — one shaped by patience, instinct, and a creative philosophy rooted in timing and trust. Across its 11 tracks, Synchronicity blends orchestra

Article Contributed By Monica Soriano Photos Provided by UMG / Nick Walker Recently, SoundCheck had the opportunity to attend Iris Copperman’s showcase in which sang a few of her songs live. We were pleasantly surprised by her ability to convey strong emotion while telling a story. With the release of “Struggle Bus” earlier this year and at just 14 years old, Iris became one of our artists to watch. Today, we are so happy to follow her as she embarks on this journey. We had t

Article Contributed by Monica Soriano Photos Provided by Perk Agency The world of music is ever changing, no one would imagine 30 years ago that artists would become easily accessible through a hand held device. That is where we are today, we live in a time where artists can open doors for themselves and engage with potential fans on social media. The internet is powerful, we have seen labels and performers shift their marketing to become more appealing to their target audien

On February 24, the excitement surrounding Freya Skye’s Stars Align Tour was already impossible to miss long before the doors opened at The Fillmore Detroit. A massive line stretched down the block outside the historic venue as families, groups of friends, and excited young fans waited eagerly to get inside.

Article Contributed by Rebecca McDevitt Let’s say the quiet part out loud. The reason so many artists are living off nostalgia instead of putting out new music isn’t just an industry problem. Fans play a role too. Across the industry, nostalgia has become the safest option. Anniversary tours sell out instantly. Full album playthroughs move merch. Entire festivals are built around who we listened to in high school. It works because nostalgia is powerful and comforting, especia

Article Contributed by Fernando Flores Photo Contributed by 1824 / UMG During a press conference with Em Beihold, she opens up about her upcoming debut album, Tales of a Failed Shapeshifter, set for release on February 27, 2026. Throughout the conversation, Beihold offered an honest look into her creative process, the themes behind the album, and the personal growth that shaped the project. Who is Em Beihold? Em Beihold is a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter who has built h

The R&B singer released a 15 track album oozing with attractive melodies and risque lyrics that are easy to gravitate to. Article Contributed by Monica Soriano Photo Provided by Universal Music Group A Strong 3rd Studio Album Ari Lennox’s 3rd studio album ‘Vacancy’ is a real gift to listeners. With only one feature on the entire project, everything relies solely on Lennox’s vocals. This is an album that can be played in the background for ambience or with headphones on to gra

There is always something in the air when we find ourselves at El Club. Maybe it is the intimacy of the space. Maybe it is the way Detroit weather insists on being theatrical. On Saturday, February 28, 2026, winter decided to put on a show of its own, whipping up a full blizzard with icy rain slicing through the city. It did not matter. Bryce Vine brought his Let’s Do Something Stupid Tour to town, and Detroit showed up hungry.

El Club in Detroit, MI, welcomed Alex Sampson and the ‘Thank You For Loving Me’ Tour for a night that felt incredibly special, despite the illness that was sweeping its way through the lineup for the evening. But none of them let it dampen the night, and it was proven time and time again that the show really can go on even when you're feeling under the weather.

The Wishbone Tour transformed Prudential Center into a haven for Sad Internet Teens and the stories that shaped them. Article & Photography Contributed by Miranda Wyman On February 27, Conan Gray brought the Wishbone Tour to the Prudential Center in Newark and from the moment the doors opened, it was clear this would not be just another pop concert. Before the show even started, the “Conehead” community inside the arena was impossible to ignore. Fans gathered in front of the

On the first warm night in months, Philadelphia showed up loud for a lineup that proved the local scene is thriving. Article Contributed by Rebecca McDevitt & Devin McDevitt Moonroof performing at Underground Arts in Philadelphia, PA. Photo by Rebecca McDevitt. IG: @ rebeccajeanlimitedphotography There is something about the first warm night in Philadelphia that feels like permission to breathe again. The snow was melting into the sidewalks. People lingered outside instead of

Photo by Sasha Camacho Article Contributed by Fernando Flores Lexa Gates’s “I Am” unfolds like a conversation you don’t rush through. It’s an album that takes its time not because it’s unsure of itself but because it understands that self-definition isn’t something you arrive at all at once. This project moves with patience and purpose; tracing the quiet evolution of someone learning how to live inside their own truth. It doesn’t posture or over-explain. It simply exists con

Article Contributed by Konstantina Buhalis MGK has been a poster boy of the alternative and rap scene for the last decade, with 2020 making him a household name after the release of Tickets to My Downfall. Six years later, MGK is back with a single and music video for “Times of My Life,” off the album lost americana, to fan excitement. Photo: Sam Cahill Times of My Life Lore Fans have been patiently waiting for the official release of Times of My Life, which had been locked

On asking the hard questions, embracing chaos, and writing in real time. Article Contributed by Vaneza Gutiérrez Wyckoff Asha Banks shot by Louise Browne For Asha Banks, reflection isn’t something that happens neatly after the fact — it’s an active, ongoing state. That instinct sits at the heart of How Real Was It?, her debut EP released last November via Island Records, shaping both the emotional arc of the project and the way she speaks about her creative life overall. Rath