Hey friends. 👋
Not much to report this week, other than the fact that I finally went to my first CMA Fest!
I knew there would be great music. I knew there would be crowds. I knew there would be a considerable amount of walking involved. What I didn't expect was how much I'd find myself watching the people.
Throughout the weekend, I kept looking out into the crowd and noticing the same thing over and over again. People smiling so hard their faces hurt. People getting choked up singing lyrics they related to. Friends with their arms around each other. Couples dancing. Complete strangers singing the same song at the top of their lungs in unison.
It's easy to think live music is about the artist on stage, but I was reminded that so much of the magic is actually happening in the crowd. Thousands of people bringing their own memories, stories, and emotions into the same moment.
So to close out. Was it hot, loud, chaotic, but still one of the best weekends I've had in a long time? Absolutely. To prove it, I put together a little video recap below. And if you've ever thought about making the trip to CMA Fest, I’ll see you next year!
THIS WEEK IN MUSIC NEWS & TOURS 🎤
CMA Fest turned Nashville into the place to be, with four days of stadium sets, surprise guests, downtown pop-ups, and iconic moments. Highlights included Jelly Roll’s surprise Nissan Stadium appearance, Keith Urban teaming with Michael McDonald, Carly Pearce bringing out Ricky Skaggs, Molly Tuttle, and Riley Green, and Tim McGraw sharing the stage with Lainey Wilson. Spotify House kept the side-quest energy high too, with Jason Aldean, Melissa Etheridge, Shaboozey, and a surprise Florida Georgia Line reunion all in the mix — plus fans can keep the weekend going with the official 2026 CMA Fest playlist.
Olivia Rodrigo is turning heartbreak into customer service with “u+me=advice forever,” a live one-hour dating advice show tomorrow, June 11th, where fans can submit their romantic disasters. She also kept the surprise machine running at Primavera Sound, where she popped up for an unannounced set in Barcelona.
Niall Horan brought the “Dinner Party” vibes to UMusic Shop NY with a one-day pop-up full of merch, music, and photo ops. A very civilized way to spiral over limited-edition fan gear.
Andrea Bocelli joined the FIFA World Cup countdown concert lineup alongside Los Ángeles Azules and Major Lazer, with events planned across Mexico City, Toronto, and Los Angeles. Soccer’s global takeover now comes with a very extra soundtrack.
John Summit responded after his Monaco set was reportedly cut short following a Travis Scott interruption, calling the night “out of control.” The clips went viral fast, and EDM Twitter did what EDM Twitter does best: argue at 140 BPM.
Ariana Grande celebrated “Hate That I Made You Love Me” hitting No. 1 by calling herself “the most grateful human being alive.” She also kicked off her first tour since 2019, though some fan chatter has veered into concern over her appearance.
Taylor Swift turned a Toy Story 5 anthem into another streaming flex, with “I Knew It, I Knew You” reportedly breaking single-day records. Woody and Buzz have officially entered the Swiftie economy.
Dua Lipa and Callum Turner kept the wedding rollout going with a second celebration in Sicily after their London ceremony. The guest list reportedly included Elton John, Charli XCX, Mark Ronson, Olivia Dean, and Donatella Versace — casual!
Duffy announced a surprise return to the stage with her first live concert in 15 years, an intimate London gig set for July 5. She also teased new songs, making this one of the week’s most emotional comeback moments.Recent Tour Announcements
Charli XCX - Charli XCX is taking her next era on the road with the newly announced Music, Fashion, Film Tour, a North American arena run supporting her upcoming album of the same name. The tour follows the massive impact of Brat and features support from underscores.
Little Big Town - The Grammy-winning country quartet is returning to the road with a new headlining run that finds the group leaning into the harmony-driven sound and live chemistry that have made them one of modern country’s most reliable touring acts.
Lady A - Country mainstays Lady A are heading back out on tour, giving fans another chance to hear the trio’s signature blend of heartfelt songwriting, soaring harmonies, and radio staples in a live setting.
Phoebe Bridgers - Phoebe Bridgers has announced her first official solo tour in three years, marking a major return to the stage for one of indie music’s most influential voices. The run will feature support from Alex G and Isaac Wood on select dates.
Sara Bareilles - Sara Bareilles has announced her Good Grief Tour in support of her forthcoming album Good Grief. The acclaimed singer-songwriter returns with a new chapter that pairs her trademark wit and emotional honesty with fresh material.
Masego - Multi-instrumentalist Masego is returning to the road with a fresh tour that showcases the genre-hopping style and improvisational flair that have made him a standout figure across jazz, R&B, and soul circles.
Malcolm Todd - Rising singer-songwriter Malcolm Todd is expanding his momentum with the newly announced Do That Again North American Tour, bringing his genre-blurring mix of indie pop, R&B, and bedroom-pop sensibilities to a larger audience.
Ryan Castro - Colombian hitmaker Ryan Castro continues his rapid international ascent with a newly announced tour, bringing his blend of reggaetón and Latin urban sounds to fans across a broader stage.
The Afghan Whigs - The Afghan Whigs are back on the road behind a new album cycle, giving longtime fans another chance to experience Greg Dulli and company’s distinctive mix of alternative rock, soul, and noir-tinged intensity.
Toad the Wet Sprocket - Alternative rock veterans Toad the Wet Sprocket have mapped out another headlining run, continuing a late-career resurgence that has kept the band active and connected to both longtime fans and newer audiences.
THIS WEEK IN RANDOM, BUT AWESOME, EVENTS ✨
Do617's Brigid Charest, her cat, and the strongest argument for bringing your pet to SATURATED.
SATURATED: Pride-Themed Photo Pop-Up
This is not your average photo booth. SATURATED is a Pride-themed immersive photo pop-up in Somerville (near Boston) running Fridays through Sundays in June. It’s taking over Bow Market in June with a technicolor 3-D set, music, live photo previews, digital galleries, and even a community Polaroid wall, which is basically a scrapbook for everyone who understood the assignment. Pets and kids are welcome too, so yes, your dog can have a better Pride photo than most influencers.
The whole thing is created by Amanda Macchia Photography with Briar Blush of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18, which explains why it feels less like a backdrop and more like a tiny, joyful main-character machine.
MEMBER’S ONLY 🔥
Here's a little behind-the-scenes DoStuff news:
We're teaming up with the
to help spotlight independently owned venues, festivals, and promoters across the country.
The truth is, independent venues do a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to culture. They're where you accidentally discover your new favorite artist, where local scenes take shape, and where some of the most memorable nights start.
Soon you'll see special features and badges across DoStuff that make it easier to find and support these venues.
We're pretty excited about this one. The more we can help great local venues get discovered, the better.
WIN SOMETHING! 🎁
Nashville’s unofficial holiday is back, and we’re not doing a cute little giveaway. We’re doing $10,000 worth of them!If you're new here, 615 Day (June 15th) is our annual excuse to celebrate everything that makes Nashville, well... Nashville. This year we're stretching it into a full 615 Week (June 14–20) with local events, citywide deals, and a ridiculous number of prizes from some of our favorite businesses around town.
We're talking:
Tickets to The Black Keys, Alison Krauss, Nashville Pride, Ryman shows, and more
A two-night stay at Waymore's
Gift cards for Loveless Cafe, M.L. Rose, All'Antico Vinaio, Turnip Truck, and other Nashville favorites
VIP experiences, museum passes, tattoo expo tickets, brunches, pool passes, and enough free stuff to make your group chat suspicious
Basically, if you like concerts, food, staycations, free things, or experiencing joy, you should probably enter.
Not in Nashville? Honestly, this is a pretty great week to plan a visit. But if not, don't worry—many of our DoStuff cities have their own area-code holidays packed with giveaways, parties, and local deals. Your city's turn might be next.
That’s it for this week.And next time you're at a concert, spend a minute watching the crowd.Jess ✨
