News

Vinyl and CD sales are surging in 2026, fueled by a combination of superstar influence and a new generation of superfans. Taylor Swift continues to dominate physical music, with her 2025 album The Life of a Showgirl selling millions of vinyl and CD copies worldwide.

Nectar Woode has released her first single of 2026, “Lights Off,” which premiered as BBC Radio 1’s Hottest Record on 23 February. Introducing the track on BBC Radio 1, host Jack Saunders praised the song, saying “The vibes are immaculate.”

Here are five country artists on the brink of stardom, set to own 2026. They are definitely ones to watch.

After a remarkable 35-week journey up the charts, Sam Fender and Olivia Dean have reached number one on the UK Official Singles Chart with their duet “Rein Me In.” The track, which reimagines Fender’s original from People Watching, is a heartland rock and folk-rock collaboration that adds Dean’s perspective to create a lyrical two-way conversation about the end of a relationship.

Held at the iconic Crypto.com Arena in the heart of Los Angeles, the 68th Annual Grammy Awards brought together music’s most influential voices for a celebration of artistry, excellence, and evolution. Among the week’s most talked-about independent artists in attendance was alternative pop singer-songwriter Emilia Vaughn, who arrived not as a nominee this year, but as a presence undeniably aligned with where music is headed next.

Squeeze will transform the iconic Koko in Camden, London into the mythical club Trixies for a one-night-only album launch on March 11th, 2026.

Alicia Keys took the stage at Delilah in Los Angeles this week with a simple but resonant message: when you have a seat at the table, make room for someone else.

Sombr is proof that overnight success in music can sometimes feel like it happened in a single breath.

The New York‑based artist, whose real name is Shane Michael Boose, has just confirmed he will perform at the 2026 BRIT Awards in Manchester on Saturday, 28 February. The announcement caps one of the fastest ascents in recent memory and cements his place as one of the most talked about artists heading into the new year.

Pop tracks are getting shorter, and streaming platforms are driving the rise of 2‑minute hits. From viral TikTok sensations to charting singles, we explore why brevity is the new formula for success.

Auckland Airport became an unexpected stage for music this week when New Zealand band SIX60 surprised travellers by turning the international departures hall into a live farewell. Instead of the usual PA announcements, passengers were greeted with personal messages and live performances, transforming the busy terminal into a deeply human and cultural space.

Noah Kahan has officially sold out his first-ever stadium run, The Great Divide Tour, moving more than 1 million tickets and setting new records along the way. The Vermont-born singer-songwriter will become the first artist in history to play four consecutive nights at Boston’s Fenway Park, a feat no other musician has achieved.

A major new chapter in Bristol’s live entertainment story was unveiled today as the city’s long awaited 20,000 capacity indoor arena was officially named Aviva Arena.

UK-based composer and Lang Lang International Music Foundation Scholar Julian Zhu has premiered an original musical composition in collaboration with the ACK St James Choir, an ensemble from Gede, a small village a few hours north of Mombasa, Kenya. Released in a newly launched performance video, the project brings together voices from across continents, uniting African choral tradition and contemporary classical composition in a deeply moving expression of global solidarity through music.

Pop music treats reinvention like oxygen. Every few years, artists are expected to shed their skin, rename the era, rewrite the narrative. But Lana Del Rey never followed that script. Instead of burning down her mythology, she slowly let it dissolve, moving from cinematic fantasy to diaristic confession without ever announcing a transformation. What looked like reinvention was something quieter, and arguably more radical: evolution.

U2 have released Days of Ash, a six-track EP that marks the band’s first collection of original music since 2017. Described by Bono as an “immediate response” to world events, the EP tackles war, politics, and human rights through songs of defiance, dismay, and lamentation.

As part of the Siren Bristol summer series, Faithless headline Lloyds Amphitheatre on 24th July, kicking off a weekend celebrating three decades of electronic music.

The Gibson Garage London is marking its second anniversary this month with Gibson Garage Fest London, a programme of exhibitions, live music, and artist focused events that reflect both the history and future of contemporary music culture.

Among the key moments in the celebration are a featured conversation with photographer Scarlet Page and a spotlight live performance from rising singer songwriter Elliot James Reay.

Rochdale’s rich musical past and vibrant present will collide next spring when Peter Hook, Clint Boon and members of New Order, The Chameleons and A Certain Ratio come together for a one-off celebration of the town’s legendary studios.

London is preparing for what may be the most follicly challenged moment in live music history.

For Mariah fans packed into The Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater, the start of the Hearts Sold Separately Tour felt personal. Mariah the Scientist launched the North American leg of her 2026 tour with two sold-out nights in Miami Beach, marking a major milestone in what has become the biggest era of her career to date.

Slam Dunk Festival has confirmed its return to mainland Europe for 2026, announcing festival dates in Germany and Italy as part of a wider summer run. Hardcore heavyweights Knocked Loose will headline both European shows, continuing a huge year for the band following the release of their latest single featuring Denzel Curry.