Hey friends. 👋
Apparently, a lot of you would like to see me jump out of a plane.
Despite finding out that MANY of you readers are daredevils, I’d like to thank everyone who replied to last week’s newsletter with suggestions for my birthday dare. Although about 90% of you said skydiving or bungee jumping… which tells me you have significantly more faith in me than I do.
I’m still waiting to report back on the official dare, but this weekend I did something that felt risky in a very different way: I started saying the nice things I think about strangers… to the actual strangers.
It started at the hair salon. I was there for hours before meeting friends for a bar crawl I organized, and my feed kept showing me videos of people randomly complimenting strangers. Videos like this and this. After approximately ten of them, the idea had apparently rewired my brain.
That night, I had made my entire group of friends wear celebrity name tags for a quite epic guessing game, and funny enough, strangers kept joining in. Suddenly, I was talking to lots of people I didn’t expect to. Maybe it was also the fact that my name tag said “Hilary Duff,” but I swear it gave me an extra little boost of confidence. Somehow, my brain started thinking back to those videos I watched earlier, and I felt confident enough to say things to people I wouldn’t have otherwise.
“You literally have the best smile in this room.”
“Your style is seriously the best I’ve seen today”
“I just have to say you’re really attractive”
And honestly? It felt liberating to say these things without any expectations. There have been so many times I’ve thought something kind about someone and stopped myself from saying it because I worried it would sound weird. But when strangers have randomly complimented me, I remember it. Those tiny moments can genuinely change your day. So let’s all collectively stop editing the nice things out.
So next time you have a nice thought about someone, tell them. Tell someone they're cute, funny, fashionable, and worth the compliment.
They might remember it a lot longer than you think.
THIS WEEK IN MUSIC NEWS & TOURS 🎤
Shakira turned her Madrid residency into a full-on pop summit when Dua Lipa joined her for an acoustic duet of “Antología.” The October 3 surprise paired two generations of global pop royalty on one of Shakira’s most beloved early tracks, and instantly became one of the tour’s buzziest moments.
Metallica officially entered their Sphere era, kicking off their Las Vegas residency with an 18-song set and visuals ranging from towering tombstones to a gigantic Cthulhu. Because apparently a normal arena screen was simply not metal enough.
The Primavera Sound 2027 lineup has landed, with Phoebe Bridgers, Doechii, Fontaines D.C., Massive Attack, Robyn, FKA twigs, Turnstile and more headed to Barcelona for the festival’s 25th anniversary. Translation: start hydrating now.
Turnstile made their Saturday Night Live debut, ripping through “Birds” before returning for an “I Care”/“Dull” medley. The appearance capped a monster stretch for the Baltimore band and gave network television a particularly loud jolt of hardcore.
Drake added four previously unreleased tracks to Habibti (FOMO), including “Solar Eclipse,” his Don Toliver-assisted flip of Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas.” If your Drake playlist was somehow running short on material in 2026, crisis averted.
Blink-182 quietly reunited onstage for an intimate private show in California’s Coachella Valley, marking the trio’s first performance since May. After a relatively low-key year from the band, Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge and Travis Barker popping up together was more than enough to get the pop-punk group chat buzzing.
Robbie Williams has been named National Album Day’s 2026 “Album Icon,” joining this year’s celebration of the album format. The occasion is also bringing a limited-edition colored-vinyl reissue of Sing When You’re Winning, because “Rock DJ” clearly deserves another spin around the turntable.
Glastonbury 2027 sold out its general admission allotment in just 42 minutes, before a single headliner has even been announced. The festival returns to Worthy Farm next June after its 2026 fallow year, proving once again that Glasto tickets remain one of music’s most stressful competitive sports.
Recent Tour Announcements:
Slash featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators - Slash, Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators are taking Flying Blind worldwide in 2027, with a spring North American leg supporting their fifth collaborative album of the same name. The run includes two nights at The Wiltern in Los Angeles plus stops at New York’s Beacon Theatre, Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and more.
Greta Van Fleet - Greta Van Fleet are going big with the 59-city Into the Beginning Tour, spanning North America and Europe from February through July 2027. Arc De Soleil, The Kooks and Portugal. The Man will support select North American dates, while ticket prices are being kept at face value with no platinum pricing.
Chicago - Chicago will celebrate an extraordinary six decades together with a 60th anniversary U.S. tour in early 2027. The 11-city run follows another busy stretch for the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, including their recent Windy Cities Tour with Styx.
Carly Rae Jepsen - Carly Rae Jepsen is taking new album Day and Night on a 26-city North American headline tour next spring, including career-first headlining shows at Madison Square Garden, the Kia Forum and Red Rocks. The ambitious new record moves from symphonic pop and psychedelia to full-on disco, making this one especially promising live.
Kim Petras - Kim Petras is hitting five U.S. cities in December for the aptly named De-Tour, supporting her latest album Detour. The quick run touches Chicago, Washington, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles after Petras spent part of this year supporting Charli XCX.
Staind - Staind are extending their Break the Cycle 25th Anniversary Tour with another 27 arena and amphitheater dates next spring. Seether, Hoobastank and Hinder will join the run, continuing the celebration of the album that transformed Staind into one of the defining rock acts of the early 2000s.
Fontaines D.C. - Fontaines D.C. will return to North America for a 19-date, two-leg 2027 tour supporting Dopamine Chamber. The increasingly arena-sized Irish rockers are stepping up to rooms including Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena and the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, with Westside Cowboy and Iceage supporting different legs.
The Red Clay Strays - The Red Clay Strays are extending their Grateful Tour deep into 2027 as their rapid rise continues from theaters into major arenas and amphitheaters. The new dates include a three-night hometown stand in Mobile, with Avery Anna, The Bends and St. Paul & The Broken Bones among the supporting acts.
Koe Wetzel & Parker McCollum - Koe Wetzel and Parker McCollum are reuniting for the Naughty or Nice Tour, their first joint tour in seven years. The pair will keep things close to home with five co-headlining Texas shows this December, wrapping the holiday run at Billy Bob’s Texas.
Lola Young - Grammy winner Lola Young is bringing the Everything Begins Tour to North America for 17 theater dates next spring. The “Messy” singer’s growing live profile now includes stops at Radio City Music Hall, two nights at Toronto’s Massey Hall and a finale at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles.
FLO - FLO are leveling up with the Therapy at the Club Tour, a 2027 North American, European and UK run supporting their sophomore album. The trio will play their biggest headline rooms yet, including Radio City Music Hall, YouTube Theater and London’s OVO Arena Wembley.
Kenia Os - Mexican pop star Kenia Os is bringing the K De Karma U.S. Tour stateside for six shows next February behind her fourth album, K DE KARMA. The compact run follows an increasingly international breakout for Os, whose massive social following and recent stadium-scale Mexico shows have made her one of Latin pop’s most compelling rising names.
The Piano Guys - The Piano Guys will take their signature mix of classical crossover, orchestral pop and cello rock back across the U.S. in early 2027. The 13-date run behind Unstoppable begins in San Diego and includes stops in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Seattle and more.
Jay Wheeler - Jay Wheeler is taking La Voz Favorita worldwide, launching in Spain this December before reaching the U.S. in spring 2027 and continuing through Latin America. The ambitious new chapter follows the success of “De Lejitos,” which topped both Billboard Latin Airplay and Latin Rhythm Airplay.
Palaye Royale - Palaye Royale will support upcoming sixth album Amsterdamage with a 13-city North American tour next spring. Beauty School Dropout joins the run, which culminates with an especially rock-and-roll stretch of four Los Angeles-area shows at the El Rey, Roxy, Viper Room and Fonda.
From Ashes To New - From Ashes To New are taking new album Reflections on a 27-date North American tour in March and April 2027, with Nevertel, Dark Divine and Hollow Pact joining select shows. The announcement arrives with extra momentum after “Drag Me” became the band’s first career No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart.
Chelsea Cutler - Chelsea Cutler will support new album Is This the End? with an expansive 25-city North American tour beginning in January. Lamb and googly eyes join select dates as Cutler makes her way through New York, Toronto, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle and plenty more.
Blondshell - Blondshell is taking Violins on the road with the Scaring Strangers Tour, a substantial 2027 North American run followed by European dates. The trek brings Sabrina Teitelbaum’s increasingly muscular indie rock to major rooms across the U.S. and Canada before returning to her hometown of Los Angeles.
moe. - Jam veterans moe. are refusing to hibernate, launching their No Hibernation Tour in January and keeping it rolling through May. The sizeable U.S. run supports Circle of Giants and follows a milestone stretch that saw the band celebrate its 35th anniversary on the road.
Dylan Gossett - Dylan Gossett is adding a spring 2027 U.S. leg to The Ramblin’ Tour following the release of his sophomore album Ramblin’. The multi-platinum singer-songwriter will spend nearly two months on the road, with the new run stretching from Charleston in March to Tulsa in May.
Black Stone Cherry - Black Stone Cherry are unplugging for the Bonfire Nights acoustic tour, a late-2026 U.S. run supporting Screamin’ at the Sky. It’s a change of pace after a heavier touring year that also found the Kentucky rockers joining Buckcherry for The Wild Cherry Tour.
Anthony Ramos - Anthony Ramos is turning up the salsa with Noches de Familia, an intimate three-night residency at New York City’s Nublu on Nov. 25, Dec. 2 and Dec. 9. The shows follow his Sergio George-produced single “Wasn’t Even Lookin’” and Ramos’ growing exploration of the salsa music and culture that shaped him.
Esther Perel - Bestselling psychotherapist Esther Perel is taking Strangers, Friends, and Lovers: A Night Out with Esther Perel across North America for eight performances next spring. The live show digs into connection, isolation and what makes relationships come alive, with stops including the Dolby Theatre, Chicago Theatre and Beacon Theatre.
The Womack Sisters - The Womack Sisters are heading out on their own U.S. tour in January before stepping onto a much bigger stage as special guests for five Harry Styles shows at Chicago’s Soldier Field. The family trio’s busy 2027 calendar also includes European dates and an appearance at Big Ears Festival.
82MAJORs - 82MAJOR are bringing the 82CLUB : out of control tour across North America this November and December in support of their latest EP, FEELM. The run marks another step forward for the Seoul-based group after last year’s 82 SYNDROME tour reached 25 U.S. and Canadian markets.
THIS WEEK IN RANDOM, BUT AWESOME, EVENTS ✨
The State Fair of Texas is back in Dallas through October 18, and while there are rides, live music, Big Tex, and plenty of classic fair chaos, I need to talk about the food.
There are 40 new food items this year (!), and some of them feel less like snacks and more like dares.
There’s Deep-Fried Ranch, a brisket-and-cream-cheese-stuffed Twinkie called the Twinkle Twinkle Brisket Star, foot-long fries, tempura-fried broccoli with honey garlic sauce, and a slice of watermelon roughly the size of your head wrapped in six feet of Fruit by the Foot, then covered in chamoy and Tajín.
I have several questions. I also sorta want to try almost all of them…
If you’re anywhere near Dallas, the State Fair feels worth visiting for the food lineup alone. At minimum, browse this year’s creations and decide which one you’d actually be brave enough to order.
WIN SOMETHING! 🎁
Grand Slam Weekend Sweepstakes
Comedy festival. Ballpark. Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr, Tom Segura. Honestly, it’s an all-star kind of event.
Fastball Comedy Festival is taking over the Chicago Cubs’ Spring Training home in Mesa, Arizona, October 17–18, and we’re sending two winners + their guests for the weekend. Out-of-towners can win flights, a three-night hotel stay, two-day premium passes, dinner, and festival merch. Arizona locals get the staycation version with premium passes, hotel, dinner, merch, and a rideshare credit.
Basically: two days of comedy heavy-hitters, zero responsibility for planning the weekend. Enter by October 12. Good Luck!
That’s it for this week.
And if you want to have a good time at your next night out, bring out the celebrity name tag game!
Jess ✨



