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Hot Take: Big Artists Need To Stop Booking Big Artists As Openers
Contributed by Rebecca McDevitt There is something magical about stepping into a venue early, grabbing a drink, and discovering an artist you have never heard of. That is the point of an opener. It is the spark before the headliner. It is where so many lifelong fans realize they just stumbled into their next obsession. Crowd at All Time Low in Detroit, MI - Photography by Laura Jean Portnoy (IG: @ljportnoy ) But somewhere along the way, major artists started treating openers

Rebecca McDevitt
Nov 16


Hot Take: Stan Culture Is Both the Lifeline and the Poison of Modern Music
Paul Bergen / Redferns / Getty The same fans who stream songs into existence can also tear an artist down in 280 characters. Stan culture is the reason many artists still have careers in 2025, but it’s also why some can’t sleep at night. Passion is powerful, and online communities have turned that passion into entire ecosystems. But when love turns into possession, the same force that fuels a career can start to quietly destroy it. No label marketing plan can compete with an

Rebecca McDevitt
Nov 5


Why Your Favorite Artists Need You to Buy, Not Just Stream
Article Contributed by Rebecca McDevitt Streaming has made music feel endless. Millions of songs at your fingertips, playlists that update overnight, and the ability to dive into a new artist’s world in seconds. It’s convenient, sure. But here’s the truth: streaming is more like renting than owning. And if we really want to support the artists we love, buying their music still matters, maybe more than ever. Buying Gives Artists What Streaming Can’t When you hit play on Spoti

Rebecca McDevitt
Oct 21


The Black Keys and Gary Clark Jr. Rock Chicago at Huntington Bank Pavilion
When The Black Keys hit the stage, the energy shifted up another notch. They opened with “Thickfreakness,” “The Breaks,” and “I’ll Be Your Man,” immediately showcasing the tight, punchy blues-rock that has defined their sound for years.

Ernesto Raul Aguilar
Sep 5


Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Man’s Best Friend’ Cover Artwork - A Leash, a Look, & a Lot to Say
The cover — shot by Bryce Anderson, the same photographer behind her Short n’ Sweet visuals — is everything you’d expect from pop’s most charming agent of chaos. Posing on all fours in stilettos, satin, and pure sass while a suited mystery man holds her by the hair, the image is sending the internet into a full-blown spiral. It’s provocative, it’s polarizing — and yeah, that’s the whole point.
Ilana Bornstein
Jun 25


JP Saxe’s "Articulate Excuses" Hurts in All the Places
For anyone who's felt too much and said too little—this album speaks the language.
JP Saxe doesn’t write love songs. He writes what happens after. The shame. The silence. The parts we think we’re the only ones feeling. Articulate Excuses is a tight, emotionally fraught collection of eight songs that dig deep, hit hard, and leave a mark.

LJ Portnoy
May 1


Joe Jonas Drops “Heart by Heart” and Yep, We’re in Our Feels
Joe Jonas is three-for-three with the singles off his upcoming solo album Music for People Who Believe in Love , and the latest track,...

Rebecca McDevitt
Apr 25


"Can You Feel It?" Detroit’s Graveyard Punk Group, Former Critics, Return with a Vengeance
Former Critics embrace chaos and evolution with their new single, music video, and upcoming tour. Article by: Konstantina Buhalis,...
Konstantina Buhalis
Apr 12


New Music Friday: Treat Your Playlist To Fresh Bops & Bangers
Craving a playlist update? These must-stream songs from the past two weeks are for binging, shuffling and sharing with the group chat. A...
Ilana Bornstein
Mar 21


Featured Artist Interview: Chucky Hugh
Some artists are born into music; others find their way to it through sheer passion and relentless pursuit. Chucky Hugh blends both.

Rebecca McDevitt
Mar 13


Jonas Brothers Were Burnin' Up at the Illinois State Fair
The Illinois State Fair was packed with anticipation on August 15 as fans lined up outside the grandstand gates for hours—some arriving...

Rebecca McDevitt
Aug 17, 2024
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