On Thursday (October 23), 5 Seconds of Summer announced the dates and details of their 2026 Everyone’s a Star! World Tour. 5SOS’ international jaunt kicks off in Europe in March 2026, with the North American leg of the tour launching on May 29 in Uncasville, Connecticut, before concluding on August 28 in Mountain View, California, with stops at iconic venues like New York City’s Madison Square Garden and Los Angeles’ Kia Forum, followed by a series of dates in the band’s home country of Australia. Alongside the tour news, 5SOS just released their new single, “Telephone Busy,” from their upcoming album, Everyone’s a Star!, which is set to drop on November 14, marking the group’s first album since 2022’s 5SOS5. “There needs to be a part of you that can see it – that can see you playing those huge shows, that can see this album being a huge success,” 5SOS’s Calum Hood said of their upcoming record and tour. (Rolling Stone)

On Thursday (October 23), Foo Fighters announced the dates and details of their 2026 North American Take Cover Tour with special guests Queens of the Stone Age, and also released their new single, “Asking For a Friend.” The 12-date stadium tour, which also includes opening acts Mannequin Pu**y and Gouge Away at select dates, kicks off on August 4 in Toronto, then hits major cities like Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Vancouver, before concluding in Las Vegas on September 26. Frontman Dave Grohl describes “Asking For a Friend” as “a song for those who have waited patiently in the cold, relying on hope and faith for their horizon to appear. Searching for ‘proof’ when hanging by a wish until the sun shines again.” Grohl also promises that it is “one of many songs to come…” Tickets for the new shows go on-sale on October 31, while Foo Fighters are set to play an Amazon Music Live show on Thursday (Oct. 30) at 9 p.m. PT, which fans can watch live on Amazon Music, Amazon Prime, and Twitch. (Billboard)

David Ball, co-founder and multi-instrumentalist of the influential English synth-pop duo Soft Cell, has died at the age of 66. According to a tribute posted on the band’s official Instagram, Ball “passed away peacefully in his sleep at his London home on Wednesday 22nd October.” Best known for the 1981 global hit, "Tainted Love" (a cover of Gloria Jones' 1964 love song), Ball crafted much of Soft Cell’s dark, pioneering synth-driven sound that helped define the genre alongside frontman Marc Almond’s distinctive vocals. The pair formed in 1979 and achieved lasting success with several albums and multiple UK Top 10 singles, including “Bedsitter,” “Torch,” “What!” and “Say Hello, Wave Goodbye.”

The duo’s biggest hit, “Tainted Love,” reached No. 1 on the U.K. Singles Chart, and spent 43 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (peaking at No. 8), while selling an estimated 21 million copies worldwide. Despite health struggles since a 2023 spinal injury that caused him to perform in a wheelchair, Ball remained creatively active, recently completing Soft Cell’s final album, Danceteria, which is set for release in spring 2026. Almond paid affectionate tribute to Ball on the band’s website, referring to his longtime bandmate as a “wonderfully brilliant musical genius,” while calling him “the heart and soul of Soft Cell,” and adding, “I’m very proud of our legacy.” (Billboard)

Wilco and Billy Bragg have just announced their first-ever full performance of their celebrated Mermaid Avenue collaborative albums, which featured the musicians bringing to life the unpublished lyrics of Woody Guthrie. The special show will take place during Wilco’s Solid Sound Festival on June 26, 2026, at MASS MoCA in North Adams, Massachusetts. This "Mermaid Avenue Live" show will open the three-day festival running June 26–28, celebrating the beloved project that originated when Guthrie’s daughter, Nora, invited Bragg to set her father’s lyrics to music, with Wilco joining him to record the 1998 and 2000 albums. “The world needs all the Woody Guthrie it can get. We’re thrilled that we get to bring these songs to life with Billy,” Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy said in a statement. While Bragg added, “There’s an abiding love out there for the Mermaid Avenue albums, so I’m really looking forward to reconnecting with Wilco to bring Woody’s words to life once again.” Three-day passes are available now. (Consequence of Sound)

On Thursday (October 23), Iron Maiden announced the dates and details of their 2026 North American Run for Your Lives Tour, celebrating the metal legends’ 50th anniversary and their iconic first nine albums. Support for all 12 dates will come from Megadeth, with Anthrax joining the bill for four shows. The tour runs from August 29 in Toronto to September 29 in San Antonio, hitting major cities like Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles, and includes a headlining slot at the Louder Than Life festival in Louisville. Singer Bruce Dickinson expressed excitement about performing Maiden’s classic tracks, including some that have not been played in the U.S. for over 20 years. While founding bassist Steve Harris says, “We are greatly looking forward to bringing this ‘Run for Your Lives Tour’ to North America and hope the fans enjoy seeing the show and hearing the set list as much as we do playing it.” Ticket presales begin Tuesday (October 28), followed by a general on-sale on Friday (October 31). (Consequence of Sound)

Ace Frehley’s life and legendary music career was celebrated at a private funeral in the Bronx on Wednesday (October 22), which was attended by all of the co-founders of Kiss – Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss – alongside the late guitarist’s family and close friends. Radio host Eddie Trunk, a close friend of Frehley’s, shared his thoughts about the funeral in an emotional Instagram post which included a photo of the service’s program alongside the caption: “Ace Frehley has now been laid to rest in Bronx NY. It has been an emotional couple of days to say the least saying farewell to a rock icon and long time friend. It was an honor to be invited to attend and participate.” Trunk went on to confirm he is planning a future tribute show with the family’s blessing, saying a public event honoring Frehley would be “important for Ace’s legacy, his fans, and the countless guitar players he influenced.” Frehley died at the age of 74 on October 16, due to complications from a recent fall. (Rolling Stone)

The 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame nominees include prominent artists such as Taylor Swift, LL Cool J, David Byrne, Kenny Loggins, Pink, Sarah McLachlan. Swift, who received the Hal David Starlight Award from the SHOF in 2010, is now nominated for full membership in the prestigious organization, and if inducted, she would be the first person to graduate from the Starlight Award (an award for a songwriter who shows promise, which dates to 2004) to full SHOF membership status. The class of 2026 nominees also includes Charlotte Caffey, Kathy Valentine and Jane Wiedlin of the Go-Go’s, Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings of the Guess Who, Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell of America, and Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of  Kiss.

The performer-songwriter category features Richard Carpenter of The Carpenters, Harry Wayne Casey (aka KC of KC and the Sunshine Band), and Boz Scaggs. While the non-performing songwriter category includes legendary disco producer Pete Bellotte (known for his work with Donna Summer), Swedish pop producer Andreas Carlsson (who famously worked with Backstreet Boys and NSYNC), Australian songwriter/producer Steve Kipner (best known for Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical” and Christina Aguilera’s “Genie In A Bottle”), longtime Madonna collaborator Patrick Leonard (“Like A Prayer,” “Live To Tell”), and others. To become eligible for the SHOF, a songwriter must have a notable catalog of songs with at least 20 years since the release of their first commercial song. Since its founding in 1969, the Hall of Fame has honored legends like Elton John, Carole King, Bruce Springsteen, and Paul Simon. (Variety)

On Wednesday (October 22), Bon Jovi announced the dates and details of their 2026 Forever Tour, marking their return to the road following lead singer Jon Bon Jovi’s vocal cord surgery that sidelined them since 2022. The tour, supporting their 2024 album, Forever, kicks off with a four-night stand at Madison Square Garden between July 7-14, before moving to the U.K. and Ireland for three shows in late August and early September. “I’m deeply grateful that the fans and the brotherhood of this band have been patient and allowed me the time needed to get healthy and prepare for touring,” Jon said in a statement, while adding, “I’m ready and excited!” Ahead of the tour, the band will release Forever (Legendary Edition) on Friday (October 24), featuring collaborations with Bruce Springsteen, Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, Jason Isbell, Joe Elliott, Avril Lavigne, and more. Ticket presales begin Monday (October 27), followed by general on-sale starting Friday (October 31). (Rolling Stone)

The Doors’ 60th Anniversary Concert at Los Angeles' Greek Theater on October 30th will feature original guitarist Robby Krieger alongside former Jane's Addiction frontman Perry Farrell, as well as new additions to the lineup, Billy Idol and his longtime guitarist Steve Stevens. The event will also feature Sum 41’s Deryck Whibley, Stone Temple Pilots’ Robert DeLeo, Guns N’ Roses’ Stephen Adler, X’s John Doe, Candlebox’s Kevin Martin and Adam Kury, and other special guests. The event, titled “A 60th Anniversary Doors Celebration,” will showcase a full performance of the band’s classic 1970 album, Morrison Hotel, plus additional Doors classics, with opening act Tripform featuring late Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek’s son, Pablo. Ahead of the show, Krieger shared an Instagram video from band rehearsals with Farrell, whom he refers to as “The Godfather of Alt Music.” Tickets for the event are available now. (Consequence of Sound)

Depeche Mode have just announced that they will release a new live album, Memento Mori: Mexico City, on December 5, featuring performances from their 2023 three-night residency at Foro Sol Stadium. In addition to the live material, the set will also include four previously unreleased bonus tracks from 2022’s Memento Mori recording sessions, “In the End,” “Survive,” “Life 2.0,” and “Give Yourself to Me.” The lead unreleased track, “In the End,” will debut on streaming platforms on Friday (October 24), and is also featured in end credits of the concert film, Depeche Mode: M. The Fernando Frias-directed movie, which is set to be released in theaters on October 28, blends tour footage with reflections on mortality and Mexican culture, as well as interviews with fans and artists. The film and live album will be available in a special DVD/Blu-Ray box set, alongside standalone CD and vinyl releases of Memento Mori: Mexico City. (Rolling Stone)

Stevie Nicks has partnered with Mattel once again on the release of ‘Bella Donna Barbie,’ featuring a doll inspired by the cover of her 1981 debut solo album, Bella Donna. Nicks' new Barbie is wearing a flowing white dress, her signature top hat, and high-heeled boots, while holding a microphone. Valued at $59.40 and available through major retailers and Mattel’s online store, this collaboration follows the 2023 release of ‘Fleetwood Mac Rumours Barbie,’ which sold out in under 24 hours. “I’m so honored to be part of the Barbie universe once again,” Nicks shared in a statement. “My Stevie Nicks Bella Donna Barbie is more than a doll — she symbolizes my musical journey, and the strength that comes from staying true to yourself. My hope is that she inspires fans, and especially young dreamers, to take that leap of faith and believe in their limitless potential.” Bella Donna topped the Billboard 200 chart and included hits like “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” “Leather and Lace,” and “Edge of Seventeen.” (Consequence of Sound)

Zac Brown of the Zac Brown Band and Joe Walsh of the Eagles have been announced as mega mentors for Season 28 of NBC’s The Voice, with the two music stars set to assist contestants during the Knockouts phase starting October 27. Brown will mentor Michael Bublé and Snoop Dogg’s teams, while Walsh will support Niall Horan and Reba McEntire’s artists, as the coaches select winners to advance to the Playoffs. Both mentors have ties to the Sphere in Las Vegas, with the Eagles continuing their ongoing headlining run into 2026, while the Zac Brown Band will become the second country act – following Kenny Chesney –  to have a residency at the state-of-the-art venue in December. Last year, LeAnn Rimes and Sheryl Crow served as mega mentors on the show, with artists like Taylor Swift, Jennifer Hudson, Sting, Wynonna Judd, and Keith Urban having all served as mega mentors in past seasons. The Voice airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on NBC and streams on Peacock. (Rolling Stone)

Apple Martin, daughter of Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and actress/entrepreneur Gwyneth Paltrow, was recently seen performing on stage at Nashville's Cannery Hall alongside musical duo Jade Street. Apple will also be featured on the group's upcoming single, "Satellites," which is set to be released on October 28. The 21-year-old has previously contributed as a co-songwriter on Coldplay’s 2021 track, "Let Somebody Go," which features guest vocals from Selena Gomez and was included on their Grammy-nominated album, Music Of The Spheres. Apple’s brother, Moses. was also featured on a Coldplay song from that album, contributing vocals alongside his father on the track, “Humankind.” Both siblings have previously performed live covers at a 2016 benefit show, with Apple singing a version of Ariana Grande‘s “Just a Little Bit Of Your Heart” and Moses performing a rendition of Twenty One Pilots‘ “House of Gold.” (NME)

Puscifer have just announced details of their fifth studio album, Normal Isn’t, which is set for release on February 6, 2026. The band will support the release – their first album in over five years – with a 32-date North American tour that runs from March 20 to May 14, which features stops in major music markets and support from comedian-musician Dave Hill. The band also released the 11-track album's lead single, “Self Evident,” accompanied by a music video filmed at their August concert in Los Angeles. Co-produced by Mat Mitchell, Normal Isn’t embraces a raw, edgy sound where "goth meets punk," according to singer Maynard James Keenan, and features guest appearances by Tool’s Danny Carey, King Crimson’s Tony Levin, and Ian Ross, the father of Nine Inch Nails’ Atticus Ross. “Normal Isn’t reflects this time we are living in,” says Keenan. “As storytellers and artists, our job is to observe, interpret, and report. What we see around us does not appear normal. Not by a long shot.” (Consequence of Sound)

Japan’s newly elected first female Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, known as the country’s “Iron Lady” for her admiration of Margaret Thatcher, is also a longtime heavy metal fan and amateur drummer. Takaichi, 64, is an avowed fan of British heavy metal bands like Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple, and played drums in a metal band in college, while also growing up with a love of riding Kawasaki motorcycles. Whenever she needs to relieve stress, Takaichi picks up her sticks and gets behind an electronic kit. “I play after [my husband] goes to sleep,” she admitted in a recent interview, while also revealing that she gave up riding motorcycles when she was 32 in order to avoid accidents that could hinder her political career. Takaichi is a veteran member of the traditionally male-dominated Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), and her election as Prime Minister comes after her third attempt. (Consequence of Sound)

During a new interview on The Capital Evening Show with Jimmy Hill, Yungblud revealed that as a child, his grandmother told him Rod Stewart was his estranged grandfather. He fully believed that little white lie, and only discovered it was untrue at the age of nine when he saw Stewart’s CD in a store, leading to an emotional moment at checkout. “It was like proper quivering lip, like, ‘Nan, when’s granddad coming home?,’” Yungblud recalled. “And everyone at the checkout started laughing at us, knowing that they caught my grandmother in a blatant lie. And that was the day I found out Rod Stewart was not in fact my grandfather.” Recently, the 80-year-old rock legend acknowledged the story by DM’ing Yungblud on Instagram, jokingly calling him “me wee grandson.” Yungblud appreciated his humor, admitting, "Rod Stewart, man, he’s got the banter!’” Yungblud has an instantly sold-out North American tour planned for May-June 2026. (Rolling Stone)

More details are emerging about the death of Limp Bizkit bassist, Sam Rivers, who passed away on Saturday (October 18) in St. Johns County, Florida. Authorities responded to a call about a nonresponsive person in cardiac arrest, and while the sheriff’s office has not yet determined a cause of death, deputies have noted that their response was part of an “attended death” call, meaning that Rivers was battling a life-threatening illness with death as an expected outcome. The musician had previously battled a serious liver disease and underwent a liver transplant in 2017, but Rivers had recently been seen wearing a “F**k Cancer” shirt onstage, hinting at possible health struggles tied to the disease, with bandmate DJ Lethal paying tribute to Rivers in a post also using the #F**KCancer hashtag. Despite the tragic loss, Limp Bizkit will apparently continue with their upcoming Latin American tour, with a show promoter confirming in a statement, “Limp Bizkit has decided to continue with its performance on November 29th.” That implies that the nu-metal vets will forge ahead with the seven-show tour as scheduled. (Consequence of Sound)

In a new Rolling Stone ‘Musicians on Musicians’ interview, Janelle Monáe nostalgically described to Lucy Dacus her experience "time-traveling" back to the 1970s to see David Bowie perform. “I traveled back into the 1970s, and I saw him do Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars. It was incredible,” Monáe said, causing Dacus to question whether she heard them correctly. “You traveled back?” she asked incredulously, with Monáe responding, “Yeah, I was backstage. I was like, this is what I want to do. I jetted back to the 2000s and I was like, I can have the musical, make the music, create the lyrics, and create community around transformation and being queer — not even just in sexuality, but in how we see the world.” Monáe has long cited Bowie's influence on their groundbreaking 2010 debut album, The ArchAndroid, which received a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary R&B Album. (Rolling Stone) 

Rush has expanded their 50th anniversary Fifty Something 2026 North American arena tour by adding 17 new dates to their previously announced schedule. The additional shows include stops in Philadelphia, Boston, Montreal, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Edmonton, Seattle and Vancouver. Founding members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson will be joined by German drummer Anika Nilles – who previously played with Jeff Beck – as they pay tribute to late drummer Neil Peart, who died in 2020. The tour kicks off on June 7 in Los Angeles with four already sold-out shows, and continues with previously announced multiple-night stands in Fort Worth, Chicago, New York, and Toronto. The newly announced dates begin on August 21 in Philadelphia, with the tour now concluding on December 15 in Vancouver. Artist pre-sale for the new shows starts on Monday (October 27), followed by general on-sale beginning Friday (October 31). (Billboard)

Following guitarist Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs’ prostate cancer diagnosis, which has forced him to miss Oasis’ upcoming reunion tour dates in Asia and Australia, the band announced that Mike Moore – frontman Liam Gallagher’s longtime solo bandmate and friend – will fill in as rhythm guitarist for their upcoming shows in Goyang, Tokyo, Melbourne, and Sydney. Bonehead plans to eventually return for Oasis’ South American tour dates next month after a planned break for cancer treatment. The 60-year-old guitarist is expressing optimism about his recovery, telling fans he is “feeling good and will be back ready to go in time for South America.” While Oasis only has a handful of scheduled dates left this year, Liam Gallagher has hinted on stage and on social media that the band has future touring plans for 2026. (Consequence of Sound)