Music news

Short summaries of current music and artist stories, with links back to the original reporting.

Obituaries: Mike Little, Tay Keith, and Other Music Figures

ca.billboard.com · Jun 22, 2026

Billboard Canada reports the passing of several notable music industry figures, including Mike Little, co-founder and keyboardist of the alt-country band The Hello Darlins. Little, an accomplished studio musician, died on June 13 at age 54 following a private battle with cancer. His wife and collaborator, Candace Lacina, shared the news after Little posted a final message on Instagram expressing that he was surrounded by love and music. The outlet also acknowledges the deaths of producer Tay Keith, jazz pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, and session singer Johnny Rutledge, among others. Readers should follow the original source link for the full list of obituaries and further details on these losses to the music community.

EVAN Announces Solo Debut Single 'RIDE or DIE' for June 22

allkpop.com · Jun 22, 2026

EVAN is set to release his self-produced debut single, 'RIDE or DIE,' on June 22 at 6 PM KST via major platforms. The release features the title track alongside the B-side 'Overflow.' According to his agency, EVAN has taken the lead in writing, composing, and directing visuals for the project, showcasing his growth as a producer and singer. The single aims to express his longing for love while highlighting his sincere connection with fans. AllKpop reports that this debut represents a significant opportunity for EVAN to demonstrate his true artistic value. Readers are encouraged to follow the original source link for the full story.

ONF Unveils 'My Self' Debut Album Under New Label KI

chosun.com · Jun 22, 2026

K-pop group ONF has officially released their regular second album, 'My Self,' featuring the title track 'Open the Door,' marking their first project under KI Entertainment. The group previously held a showcase at the Cube Convention in Seoul on June 17 to discuss the new record, which continues the narrative from their 2025 album 'My Identity.' This release is notable as it follows the members' departure from WM Entertainment and their concurrent enlistment. While the group expressed gratitude and highlighted their camaraderie during the event, the official release date was set for 6 p.m. on June 17 across various online music platforms. Readers are encouraged to follow the original source link for the full story.

Olivia Rodrigo Celebrates New Album with LA Pop-Up and Announces 2027 Dome Tour

latimes.com · Jun 22, 2026

The Los Angeles Times reports that Olivia Rodrigo hosted an emotional pop-up event in Los Angeles to celebrate the release of her new album, 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love.' Collaborating with American Express, the event recreated the set of her music video for 'The Cure' at Mica Studios, featuring exclusive merchandise and photo opportunities. The outlet notes that Rodrigo's upcoming 65-date Unraveled Tour will feature four concerts at Inglewood's Intuit Dome in January 2027, following the album's release. Readers are encouraged to follow the original source link for the full story.

France Bans Alcohol at Music Festivals Amid Heatwave

bbc.com · Jun 21, 2026

The BBC reports that France has implemented a ban on alcohol consumption at state-organized music festival events due to a severe heatwave. As temperatures approach record levels, the government issued red alerts for 35 departments, impacting the annual Fête de la Musique celebrations which typically draw millions. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's office stated that instructions were given to not offer alcohol at these events to preserve emergency and healthcare services. This measure aims to allow medical staff to focus on caring for the most vulnerable during the ongoing disruption, which has also forced train cancellations and class suspensions across the country. Readers should follow the original source link for the full story.

Brother Wallace Performs 'Let's Get Together' on CBS News

cbsnews.com · Jun 21, 2026

CBS News reports that Brother Wallace, a Georgia-bred artist known for evoking the Golden Age of Motown, gospel, and soul, recently performed 'Let's Get Together' for the outlet's Saturday Sessions. The long-time music teacher, who has also worked with the U.K. rock band The Heavy, has released his debut album, 'Electric Love,' which is available now. This video segment highlights his live performance capabilities and musical style. Readers should follow the original source link for the full video and story details.

Concertgoer Dies During Goose Show at Madison Square Garden

nypost.com · Jun 21, 2026

The New York Post reports that a 51-year-old concertgoer fell to his death during a performance by the rock band Goose at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night. Police stated that officers found the man unconscious inside the venue around 9:51 p.m. The band, consisting of Rick Mitarotonda, Trevor Weeks, Peter Anspach, and Cotter Ellis, expressed that they were heartbroken upon learning of the tragedy during their second night of a two-night run. This incident occurred as part of the group's Summer 2026 tour, which includes 27 concerts across the US and Canada. Readers should follow the original source link for the full story and further details regarding the incident.

Iron Maiden Enforce Phone-Free Standing Area for Paris Concert Film

billboard.com · Jun 21, 2026

Billboard reports that Iron Maiden is implementing a phone-free policy for the standing area at their upcoming June 22 show at Paris La Défense Arena. The band confirmed this measure via social media to ensure an optimal experience for filming their forthcoming Run For Your Lives Tour concert movie. Fans in the General Admission section will be required to use Yondr pouches, a lockable storage solution, to keep phones away during the performance. This initiative continues the band's advocacy for phone-free concerts throughout their 2025 tour run. For the complete details on the policy and the tour film, readers should follow the original source link.

Tens of Millions of Songs Used to Train AI Music Models

gigazine.net · Jun 21, 2026

GIGAZINE reports that a massive dataset containing tens of millions of songs is currently being utilized to train AI models for music generation. The outlet notes that while some tracks in these datasets are protected by copyright, others require specific licensing agreements for AI use. This practice has drawn significant criticism toward AI music generators Suno and Udio, which have faced legal challenges from major labels including Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Records. The report highlights ongoing concerns regarding how copyrighted material is integrated into AI training processes. Readers should follow the original source link for the full story on this developing industry issue.

Bobby Prince, Legendary Video Game Composer, Dies at 81

kotaku.com · Jun 21, 2026

Kotaku reports that Bobby Prince, the celebrated composer and sound designer behind iconic PC games like Doom, Duke Nukem, Wolfenstein, and Commander Keen, has passed away at the age of 81. Originally a lawyer, Prince transitioned into music after connecting with Apogee founder Scott Miller through online forums, eventually creating the distinctive MIDI soundscapes that defined the shareware era. Working closely with id Software and 3D Realms during their formative years, his contributions helped bring many foundational titles to life. Readers should follow the original source link for the full story on his career and legacy.

Vinyl Sales Surge as NYC Non-Profit Hosts Listening Sessions

nbcnews.com · Jun 20, 2026

NBC News reports that vinyl record sales surpassed one billion dollars last year, prompting a New York City-based non-profit to host community listening sessions. The outlet indicates these events offer a modern twist on enjoying music the "old school" way while helping to preserve music history. With the recording industry seeing significant growth in physical media, these gatherings aim to foster community through shared audio experiences. Readers should follow the original source link for the full story on how this trend is reshaping local music appreciation.

Report: Major AI Music Databases Include Canadian Artists Without Consent

ca.billboard.com · Jun 20, 2026

Billboard Canada reports that a new data leak reveals four massive song datasets, including one with 12 million tracks, are being shared within the AI development community. The report indicates that numerous Canadian acts, such as Drake, The Weeknd, and Tre Mission, have their music included in these databases without proper licensing or explicit consent. Tre Mission expressed disappointment, stating he never agreed to this usage and generally dislikes AI in music. While the leak highlights growing concerns about uncredited usage, the full scope of affected artists and the specific licensing implications remain under investigation. Readers should follow the original source link for the complete story and additional details on the database compilation.