Hey friends. 👋
Life has seasons, and I don’t just mean the weather kind. There are seasons where everything feels open and easy, and others where every part of your life seems to need you at once.
Right now, I’m in a busy one. I sat down to write this intro and realized I had nothing clever for you all today. Just a brain with seventeen tabs open and too many things competing for attention.
Sometimes life gets hard to juggle because you’re simply holding too much. We’re taught to keep every plate spinning, but sometimes the healthiest thing you can do is put one down before the rest come crashing with it.
Taking a step back doesn’t mean you’re giving up. Resting doesn’t mean you’re falling behind. Sometimes it just means this season requires a little more space.
So, if life feels especially full right now, give yourself permission to put something down. You can always pick it back up later.
Now let’s get into some music news!
THIS WEEK IN MUSIC NEWS & TOURS 🎤
Charli xcx has added “Camera” to her increasingly cinematic résumé, casting French actor Vincent Cassel as a doomed action star while she calls the shots from behind the lens. The single is the final preview of Music, Fashion, Film, arriving July 24—and apparently subtlety was not invited to the premiere.
The inaugural FIFA World Cup final halftime show squeezed Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira, Burna Boy, Coldplay, Ted Lasso and the Muppets into one gloriously overbooked 11-minute spectacle. Post Malone, Jennifer Hudson and more kept the celebrity conveyor belt moving during the closing ceremony.
Lorde called out Spotify after its AI-powered “About the Song” feature inaccurately explained one of her tracks—and potentially flattened all the fun of interpreting it yourself. Spotify removed the disputed description, but the exchange has reopened the music industry’s favorite new debate: does every technological shortcut need to exist?
Travis Scott and James Blake have joined composer Ludwig Göransson on “When I’m Home,” the end-credits song from Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. Because apparently, even a journey through Greek mythology needs one last moody banger before the theater lights come up.
Beck announced Ride Lonesome, his first new album in seven years, and introduced it with the shadowy single “In the Night.” After that long between records, the title feels less like an artistic concept and more like a status update.
Tinashe made the mission statement crystal clear by naming her next album Popstar. Due September 25, the project will include “Too Easy” and the newly released, crunk-flavored “Crash Out”—a fitting soundtrack for logging on, seeing the discourse and immediately reconsidering.
Lana Del Rey revealed that her long-awaited album Stove now has an untitled companion record, because one elusive Lana album was apparently not enough emotional suspense. She described the pair as two of her most beautiful works, though release dates remain part of the mystery.
Phoebe Bridgers gave “Lost Boys” its television debut on The Tonight Show, backed by a pint-sized ensemble of young singers, brass players and musicians. It was whimsical, slightly surreal and much more organized than most adult bands—an excellent warm-up for her August album Lost Weekend.
Carly Rae Jepsen released “After All” alongside a video that finds her surveying the remains of a spectacularly messy dinner party. The song previews her 24-track double album Day and Night, due September 18, proving once again that Carly does not believe in giving pop devotees sensible portions.
The Killers and Olivia Dean will headline the first Ocean Way Festival, a new Goldenvoice event taking over Santa Monica Beach September 26–27. Jack White, Khruangbin, Sublime, Alvvays and more round out the bill, giving festivalgoers the rare chance to lose their friends, shoes and phone signal directly beside the Pacific Ocean.
Recent Tour Announcements:
Jon Pardi - Pardi is taking his crowd-pleasing country catalog back on the road, with fan favorites spanning California Sunrise, Heartache Medication, Mr. Saturday Night, and newer material from Honkytonk Hollywood.
Mannheim Steamroller - Mannheim Steamroller’s annual holiday tradition returns with its unmistakable mix of New Age instrumentation and Christmas standards, including music from Christmas and A Fresh Aire Christmas.
Lucinda Williams - Williams and her band are extending a remarkable live legacy built on vivid songwriting and a deep catalog led by enduring favorites from Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, World Without Tears, and Essence.
Michelle Branch - Branch is bringing her instantly recognizable pop-rock songbook back to the stage, with The Spirit Room staples like “Everywhere,” “All You Wanted,” and “Goodbye to You” giving the run plenty of nostalgic pull.
Omega X - Omega X is heading back on the road with a newly announced run, giving fans another opportunity to experience the group live across an expanded schedule.
Soulfly - Soulfly’s latest run promises another forceful trip through the band’s extensive catalog, with material from cornerstone releases including Primitive, Prophecy, and 3.
THIS WEEK IN RANDOM, BUT AWESOME, EVENTS ✨
Atlanta Ice Cream & Wellness Festival
Finally, a wellness festival that understands balance: do a fitness class, eat a scoop of ice cream, repeat as necessary.
The Atlanta Ice Cream & Wellness Festival is taking over Piedmont Park this Saturday, July 25, with frozen treats, live music, fitness activities, wellness experiences, and plenty of vendors to wander through. Admission is free, which leaves more room in the budget for the very important task of trying multiple flavors.
It’s basically a summer field day for people who believe self-care can include both movement and sprinkles—and honestly, that feels correct.
The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, at Piedmont Park.
WIN SOMETHING! 🎁
Your calendar has enough admin. Let’s give it something worth talking about with a fresh batch of giveaways from our local markets. The best part? You get the fun, and someone else gets the bill.
DoTheBay (Bay Area)
The Taste of Jack London 2026 Beer & Food Festival prize includes two VIP tasting tickets and early entry. Arrive before the lines, sample strategically and pretend every tiny plate was chosen for its nuanced flavor profile.
Do617 (Boston)
Win a pair of tickets to Tori Amos with Bartees Strange at Leader Bank Pavilion. Expect piano drama, sharp songwriting and at least one moment when the harbor breeze feels suspiciously well-timed.
Do312 (Chicago)
The Evanston Folk Festival package comes with two-day passes, merchandise and tickets to every aftershow. That is not a casual weekend plan; that is a temporary folk-music residency.
Do214 (Dallas/Fort Worth)
Win an Oak Cliff Film Festival 2026 VIP pass for you and a guest. Spend the weekend discovering films, debating endings and speaking confidently about cinematography over post-screening drinks.
Do303 (Denver)
Tacos & Tequila Festival tickets are exactly the sort of prize that requires very little explanation and a responsible ride home. Pair tacos with tequila, then bravely decide whether another taco counts as dessert.
Do713 (Houston)
Win a VIP meet-and-greet and two tickets to RuPaul’s Drag Race Werq the World 2027 Tour. Your February calendar could use more rhinestones, costume changes and professionals who understand the value of an entrance.
DoLA (Los Angeles)
The Dreamstate SoCal 2026 giveaway delivers a pair of VIP festival tickets at the Queen Mary waterfront. Come for the trance, stay because time stopped having practical meaning three laser shows ago.
Do615 (Nashville)
Win VIP tickets to the 25th Annual Music City Brewers Fest at Walk of Fame Park. A quarter-century of beer-festival experience suggests these people know their pours—and probably where to put the water station.
DoNYC (New York City)
The Joe Hisaishi giveaway is for the August 17 performance at Radio City Music Hall. Hear beloved film scores in a room grand enough to make walking to your seat feel like the opening scene.
Do215 (Philadelphia)
Win two VIP tickets to Tyrese Maxey Foundation Presents Friends & Family Weekend. It is a hometown-sports-meets-community-night prize with considerably better access than yelling encouragement at the television.
DoPDX (Portland)
The Rose City Comic Con prize includes a pair of three-day badges. That is ample time to admire elite costume engineering, find one oddly specific collectible and develop strong opinions about panel-room scheduling.
Do210 (San Antonio)
Win tickets to Squeeze — Tried, Tested and Trixies at the Majestic Theatre. The songs are classics, the tour name is cheeky and nobody needs to know how enthusiastically you still sing “Tempted.”
DoSD (San Diego)
Masters of Illusion comes with two possible prizes: show tickets, or the grand prize of tickets plus an overnight stay at Sycuan Casino Resort. A magician making tomorrow morning’s commute disappear would be a strong opening trick.
Do206 (Seattle)
Win a pair of tickets to Bill Nye at the 5th Avenue Theatre. It is science, nostalgia and the rare night out that may leave you both entertained and annoyingly prepared to explain atmospheric pressure.
Do604 (Vancouver)
The WrestleCore LuchaLibre Spectacular: LOCO OCHO prize is valid for both days. Expect masks, aerial physics and dramatic grudges settled with significantly more pageantry than your last disagreement.
Do317 (Indianapolis)
Win your way into Lindsey Stirling – Duality Untamed Tour, where violin virtuosity meets full-scale theatrical spectacle. It is classical training with the volume, costumes and cardio turned all the way up.
Do816 (Kansas City)
The CODES Dispensary Store Opening Giveaway is your excuse to check out a brand-new local spot and possibly leave with more than a receipt. Grand openings are always better when there is something on the line.
Do502 (Louisville)
Off Campus Night sounds like the kind of summer plan that begins casually and ends with someone insisting the night was “exactly what we needed.” Consider this your hall pass from staying home.
Do314 (St. Louis)
Win your way into Summer Jam with DJ Diesel, starring Shaq in his less expected but very committed second act. The man is seven-foot-one, the bass will be enormous and subtlety has respectfully declined the invitation.
Do250 (Victoria)
Snow White brings a little fairy-tale drama to the calendar, complete with poisoned fruit, suspicious mirrors and a villain with excellent branding. A solid reminder that family entertainment has always been slightly unhinged.
Your local DoStuff page has plenty more prizes waiting, so go browse and see what else you can win!
That’s it for this week.
May your tabs be fewer and your weekend plans be free.
Jess ✨
