Rock Daily

On January 24, the Bob Dylan Center will host an all-star concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of Bob Dylan’s 1975 masterpiece, Blood on the Tracks. The event is dubbed Shelter From the Storm and is set to take place at Tulsa’s historic Cain’s Ballroom. The tribute concert will feature Elvis Costello, Lucinda Williams, Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls, Diana Krall, Robyn Hitchcock, Adam Granduciel of the War on Drugs, Sharon Van Etten, U.S. poet laureate Joy Harjo, and many other artists recreating the beloved songs from Dylan’s album, as well as other hits from throughout his legendary career.

Actor Luke Wilson is set to host the event, which will also feature contributions from three of the original musicians from the Minnesota sessions for Blood on the Tracks: keyboardist Greg Inhofer, guitarist Kevin Odegard, and bassist Billy Peterson.  “[Dylan] was just on fire,” Odegard recalls of the recording of “Idiot Wind” during those sessions. “A lot of that Highway 61 angry energy in the air.” (Rolling Stone)

Joan Jett took to Instagram on Tuesday (December 10) to announce that her and her trusty Blackhearts will be playing a Las Vegas residency beginning in June of 2025. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts five-night residency is set to take place at the House of Blues Las Vegas inside Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, with the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers scheduled to perform on June 13th, 14th, 18th, 20th and 21st. Jett’s last release with the Blackhearts was the 2023 EP, Mindsets, while the band spent the past summer supporting Alanis Morissette on “The Triple Moon Tour” along with Morgan Wade. This upcoming Vegas residency represents the only live dates that Joan Jett & the Blackhearts have scheduled for 2025. At the end of November, Jett celebrated the 43rd anniversary of the release of her debut album with the Blackhearts, I Love Rock ‘n Roll, calling it “the album that changed everything” in a celebratory Instagram post. (Consequence of Sound) 

In a new interview with the Lifeminute YouTube channel, Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler discussed the potential reunion of the heavy metal legends. Butler revealed that Ozzy Osbourne wants a Sabbath reunion to be a part of his final concerts, which his wife Sharon said would take place in his hometown of Birmingham, England as a way to “say goodbye” to his fans. Butler and Ozzy previously agreed that metal titans would get together for one final Sabbath show, and those plans are still moving forward, just that the reunion would now be part of Ozzy’s farewell shows. “He’s dying to still get out there and play,” Butler said. “And he suggested, at his very final concert, for the four of us to get up on stage and maybe do three or four songs together. And that would be it, finished.” No word yet if the two other original members of Black Sabbath, guitarist Tony Iommi and drummer Bill Ward, would take part in a possible reunion. (Consequence of Sound)

Linkin Park announced on Instagram on Wednesday (December 11) that they have been added to the roster of performers taking part in Thursday’s 2024 Billboard Music Awards. “From a sold-out stadium in Brazil 🇧🇷 to the Billboard Music Awards,” the band captioned their post. Linkin Park joins Coldplay as the only rock bands set to perform at this year’s BBMAs. The beloved band announced their reunion earlier this year, seven years after the death of vocalist Chester Bennington in 2017. In November, Linkin Park released their eighth studio album, From Zero, which features new vocalist Emily Armstrong and drummer Colin Brittain, who replaced co-founder Rob Bourdon.

In addition to Coldplay and Linkin Park, the other previously announced performers at the 2024 Billboard Music Awards include country stars Jelly Roll, Megan Moroney, and Shaboozey, K-pop stars SEVENTEEN and Stray Kids, soul singer Teddy Swims, South African singer Tyla, and Mexican band Fuerza Regida. The BBMAs will air on Thursday (December 12) at 8 p.m. ET on Fox. (Billboard)

Amir “Questlove” Thompson’s long-awaited documentary on the legendary musician Sly Stone, will be premiering at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival taking place in January. Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) will be the follow-up to the celebrated Roots drummer’s Oscar-winning directorial debut, Summer of Soul. Questlove announced the forthcoming premiere of his documentary on Instagram on Wednesday (December 11), sharing an image of the film’s promotional poster along with this celebratory caption: “It’s time good people. It’s official! SLY LIVES! (AKA The Burden of Black Genius) will premiere at the 2025 #Sundance Film Festival. The film explores the life, music, and cultural impact of Sly Stone, shedding light on the challenges faced by Black artists navigating success.” Sundance will take place in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah beginning on January 23, with additional music documentaries premiering at the film festival including It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley, Selena y Los Dinos, and One to One: John & Yoko. (Rolling Stone)

Crossover country hitmaker Shaboozey and rising Mexican band Fuerza Regida are the newest artists added to the list of live performers at the upcoming 2024 Billboard Music Awards, airing on Thursday, December 12, at 8 p.m. ET on Fox. Shaboozey and Fuerza Regida join previously announced performers SEVENTEEN, Teddy Swims, Tyla, Coldplay, Jelly Roll, Megan Moroney, and Stray Kids, who will all be performing live during the broadcast. In addition to performing during the awards ceremony, Shaboozey is also a finalist for six BBMA awards that night: Top New Artist, Top Song Sales Artist, and a total of four awards for his record-tying 19-week No. 1 hit, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” – Top Hot 100 song, Top Streaming Song, Top Selling Song, and Top Country Song. Shaboozey will be featured in a special performance from W Hollywood that will air during the broadcast, which will be hosted by actress and comedian Michelle Buteau. (Billboard)

During an appearance on Absolute Radio on Monday (December 9), Robert Smith disclosed to host Danielle Perry that the Cure have two new albums nearly finished. The beloved British goth legends just released Songs of a Lost World on November 1, their first new studio album in 16 years. And now, according to Smith, Cure fans won’t have to wait nearly as long to hear more new music from the band. “There is another album which is pretty much ready to go,” Smith revealed. “It’s sort of its companion piece. And then there’s a third one which is completely different. It’s really kind of random stuff, like late-night studio stuff. But some of it is really good actually, it’s just very, very different.” Smith still needs to add lyrics to the third record, sharing that the Lost World companion is “not quite as dark, but it explores other subjects a little bit more.” (Uproxx)

In a new interview with Classic Rock, former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman shared his thoughts about his old band continuing on after the death of their longtime drummer, Charlie Watts. Wyman left the Stones back in 1993, but he paid tribute to his former bandmate when Watts died in 2021 at the age of 80. “Charlie, you were like a brother to me. In the band and in life. Rest in peace,” Wyman wrote at the time. The 88-year-old musician was surprised that the Stones continued on without their celebrated drummer, but understands why they carry on. “When Charlie left, I thought they would close. I really did,” Wyman admits. “They could replace the bass, but I didn’t think they could replace Charlie, and his charisma, and what a great guy he was. But they went on, which surprised me. I think it would’ve been a good time for them to (end). But I don’t think they’ve got anything else to do – otherwise they’d do it, wouldn’t they?” (NME)

Creed’s reunion tour just keeps rolling right along. Following the overwhelming success of their sold-out shows this past summer, the rock veterans will reprise their Summer of ‘99 reunion  with another run of shows throughout North America in the summer of 2025. Creed announced the details of their new tour in an Instagram video posted on Monday (December 10), also revealing that their opening acts on select dates of the tour will be 3 Doors Down, Daughtry, Big Wreck, and Mammoth WVH. Creed’s 2025 tour gets underway on July 9th in Lexington, Kentucky, and finishes up on August 20 in Calgary, Alberta, while hitting arenas and amphitheaters throughout the US and Canada along the way. “Thirty years in, it’s been a blessing to pick up right where we left off with longtime fans and to meet the next generation for the first time,” said frontman Scott Stapp. “It’s been an incredible ride, and we aren’t done, so here’s to a ‘Summer’ that never ends. We’ll see you on the road.” (Consequence of Sound)

On Tuesday (December 10), Jack White took to Instagram to wish his old White Stripes bandmate  – and ex-wife or sister, depending on who you believe – Meg White a happy 50th birthday. “HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY to my big sister, the great Meg White,” Jack affectionately wrote. “There’s only one of you Meggo, they broke the mold. You’re still inspiring people, including me. Love you so much. -Jack III.” The post featured a classic polaroid of the former White Stripes’ drummer, who dropped out of the public eye since the band called it quits back in 2011. The celebrated indie rock duo parted ways amicably at the time, ending the group in order to “preserve what is beautiful and special about the band.” The creative branch of Jack’s record label, Third Man Records, echoed his sentiments in their comment on his post, “Happy birthday, Meg! Such a quiet force and inspiration for women, always. ❤️🤍🖤,” while indie filmmaker Jim Jarmusch shared a series of emoji flowers for Meg’s special day, “💐🌹💐.” (Consequence of Sound)

Toto took to Instagram on Tuesday (December 10) to announce their upcoming joint US summer 2025 tour with fellow 80s legends Christopher Cross and Men at Work. The 28-date trek starts on July 18 in West Palm Beach, Florida, and finishes up on August 30 in Ridgefield, Washington, while hitting up major music markets in Boston, Atlantic City, St. Louis, Nashville, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Inglewood, California along the way. “Christopher and Colin [Hay] have been close friends of mine for a long time,” Toto founding member Steve Lukather said in a statement. “This is a tour that musically works, and brings a fresh new summer tour package to the circuit. I could not be more thrilled an idea that germinated months ago was able to take flight and become a reality.” Toto also has a UK and European tour planned with Cross in February of 2025. (Consequence of Sound)

ABC and Dick Clark Productions announced on Tuesday (December 10) that they have added more artists to the performance lineup for Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. Alanis Morissette, Reneé Rapp, Blake Shelton, Luis Fonsi, and TLC will all take part in the holiday broadcast. Shelton will perform from Las Vegas, along with previously announced special guest  Lenny Kravitz. Fonsi will perform from his home country of Puerto Rico, while TLC will perform in New York. Morrissette and Rapp will take part in the West Coast celebration, joining Ja Rule, Ernest, Hardy, Kesha, Laufey, Natasha Bedingfield, and T-Pain. Carrie Underwood will headline the celebration in TImes Square, where she will be joined by Megan Moroney and Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Tinashe, Teddy Swims, Thomas Rhett, and Cody Johnson will also be performing during the broadcast. Ryan Seacrest will host this year’s New Year’s Eve festivities for the 20th year alongside co-host Rita Ora, while Dayanara Torres co-hosts from Puerto Rico. (Rolling Stone)

James Taylor announced details of his 2025 North American tour on Instagram on Monday (December 9). The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer revealed that he will be heading out on a 24-date summer tour where he will be performing with his “incredible All-Star Band,” while opening act Tiny Habits will support the entire tour. Taylor’s jaunt kicks off on May 5 in Phoenix, and hits up amphitheaters and arenas throughout the US and Canada, including two-night stands in San Diego, Santa Barbara, Seattle, and at the historic Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado.  Taylor is also set to make a high-profile appearance at Summerfest in Milwaukee on June 21, before the tour concludes with a July 1st show at BankNH Pavilion in Gilford, New Hampshire. Taylor recently played the Concert for Carolina on October 26, a benefit show for his home state of North Carolina, with proceeds supporting Hurricane Helene relief efforts in the area. (Consequence of Sound)

Ringo Starr and his All Star Band are hitting the road in 2025 on a US summer tour. The full-band tour follows two previously announced special Ringo Starr & Friends shows at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium on January 14-15. Ringo’s 10-date summer trek gets underway on June 12 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and winds down on June 25 in Charlotte, North Carolina, with high-profile shows scheduled at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on June 13 and at TD Pavilion at The Mann in Philadelphia on June 15, along with three Florida dates along the way. The 2025 All Starr Band remains unchanged from previous tours, with Steve Lukather, Colin Hay, Warren Ham, Hamish Stuart, Gregg Bissonette, and Buck Johnson playing alongside the Beatles legend. “I am happy to announce these new All Starr shows in June,” Ringo said. “I absolutely love playing live and I love this band. It’s been so great playing with these guys, I just want to keep this lineup going and that’s why I haven’t changed the All Starrs in a while.” (Consequence of Sound)

System of a Down took to Instagram on Monday (December 9) to announce a series of three massive North American stadium shows set for 2025, with each date featuring a major rock band serving as co-headliner. The first show on SOAD’s stadium tour will take place on August 28th at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, featuring co-headliners Korn. The next show is set for August 31st at Soldier Field in Chicago with co-headliners Avenged Sevenfold. SOAD’s final North American stadium show is scheduled for September 3rd at Rogers Stadium in Toronto with co-headliners Deftones. All three shows feature opening acts Polyphia and Wisp. These upcoming stadium shows are a rare opportunity to see System of a Down perform live, with the band only playing occasional concerts after not releasing a new album in 19 years. In 2024, SOAD only played two total shows, including a gig with upcoming tourmates Deftones at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. (Consequence of Sound)

Liam Gallagher has won a PETA Award after the Oasis singer adopted a homeless dog named Buttons in Thailand. The Britpop legend also raised over £25,000 for the Thai animal charity that made the adoption possible. Gallagher adopted Buttons from a sanctuary in Thailand last year, after she was abandoned in the jungle by her former owners for apparently “not being cute enough.” Gallagher worked with the Thailand-based Happy Doggo sanctuary to eventually fly Buttons nearly 6,000 miles to her eventual new home in the UK.

Since adopting Buttons, Gallagher helped raise £25,000 to help other dogs in Thailand, with the Oasis frontman revealing that his new dog changed his outlook on life. “I don’t want to go on tour no more,” Gallagher said while appearing on The Jonathan Ross Show back on March 9. “I want to stay home now.” Hopefully, Buttons won’t keep Gallagher from taking part in the highly-anticipated Oasis reunion tour planned for 2025. (NME) 

Guns N’ Roses took to Instagram on Monday (December 9) to reveal dates and details of their 2025 international tour. The 24-date world tour will be GNR’s first concerts since November of 2023, and the shows will feature rotating support coming from hip-hop legends Public Enemy, California rockers Rival Sons, and the groundbreaking punk band Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter. GNR have caustically dubbed their tour, “Because what you want N’ what you get are two completely different things.”

The run of shows kicks off on May 23rd in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking the band’s first ever concert in that country, followed by a show in Abu Dhabi on May 27. The European/UK leg of GNR’s world tour launches on May 30th in Shekvetili, Georgia, and finishes up on July 31st with a headlining set at Germany’s Wacken Open Air festival. Guns N’ Roses haven’t released a follow-up to 2008’s Chinese Democracy, but they have shared new singles over the last few years, including “Absurd,” “Hard Skool,” “Perhaps,” and “The General.” (Consequence of Sound)

During a tribute concert to the late Mark Lanegan at the Roadhouse in London on Thursday night (December 5th), Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme, Depeche Mode’s Dave Gahan, the Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde, and other music stars honored the former Screaming Trees singer. The show, dubbed Mark Lanegan 60 – A Celebration, honored what would have been the late singer’s 60th birthday back on November 25th. Lanegan died on February 22, 2022 at the age of 57.

The 30-song set featured a variety of performers singing mostly Lanegan’s solo songs along with a handful of Screaming Trees tunes, with Gahan, Bobby Gillespie (Primal Scream), Alison Mosshart (Dead Weather, The Kills), Lanegan’s Gutter Twins bandmate Greg Dulli (The Afghan Whigs), and Hynde all taking over lead vocals throughout the show. Homme closed out the main set which included collaborations with Mosshart and Gahan, while the encore featured Dulli, Gahan, and Lanegan’s widow, Shelley Brien Lanegan. Homme told the audience, “[Lanegan] would have pretended to hate this, but he would have loved to see you all here tonight.” (Consequence of Sound)

Jerry Cantrell has just announced a spoken word version of I Want Blood, which features a reworking of his recent solo album which includes spoken word renditions of each track by the Alice in Chains guitarist/vocalist. A new version of “Vilified” is available now, which Cantrell originally conceived as a one-off B-side for the original single. Cantrell completed his spoken word rendition of the song’s lyrics, and gave the track to Maxwell Urasky to add backing music. “He’s a really talented musician, and he said, ‘Let me mess around with it for a night,’” Cantrell recalled in a new interview on the Lipps Service podcast. “He came back the next day with that piece of music, and it sounded killer. I brought it in to [producer] Joe Barresi and he said, ‘Man, you should do this with all of them.’” New spoken word versions of each track on I Want Blood will debut every Thursday, along with accompanying video animations by Boy Tillekens. (Consequence of Sound)

Nicko McBrain, the legendary heavy metal drummer who has played with Iron Maiden for the last forty-two years, gave his final performance with the band on Saturday night (December 7) in São Paulo, Brazil. “After much consideration, it is with both sorrow and joy, I announce my decision to take a step back from the grind of the extensive touring lifestyle,” McBrain shared in a statement on Iron Maiden’s website before his final show on Saturday. “I wish the band much success moving forward. Touring with Maiden the last 42 years has been an incredible journey!”

McBrain suffered a stroke in 2023, before undergoing rehabilitation that allowed him to join Iron Maiden for their current world tour. “Thank you for being an irrepressible force behind the drum kit for Maiden for 42 years and my friend for even longer,” said the band’s manager Rod Smallwood. The heavy metal legends announced that Simon Dawson, who plays in British Lion with Iron Maiden founder Steve Harris, will be the new drummer in the band. (Billboard)