First Down 2022

THE MUSIC MAN offers cheer and romance and, dare I say it, hope, and that is something we always need.

Sam Smith and R&B/gospel singer Jacob Lusk performed a duet rendition of 'My Guy' from Smith's album HAZEL EYES. An official live video captures their performance at London Coliseum.

Country artist Hardy released SIDES, a four-song EP that expands on the genres within his recent single Man In The Box, ranging from acoustic singer-songwriter to soul, country, and grunge.

Vienna-based pop-electronic artist Filly has released the new track 'Kate S.O.S.' with The Stylist via Interscope Records, blending hyperpop and European dance influences with early-2000s fashion references.

Jordan Davis will release the new track 'Steady Flame,' reuniting the ACM and CMA Award-winning artist with songwriters Jacob Davis, Josh Jenkins and Matt Jenkins on a collaboration that follows hits including 'Buy Dirt' and 'Tucson Too Late.'

Olivia Rodrigo and Chappell Roan's synth-pop collaboration tops the US charts, while The Black Eyed Peas and Modern Talking join the Billion Views Club on YouTube Music.

Carnegie Hall announced its November programming featuring PUNCH BROTHERS, THE MET ORCHESTRA CHAMBER ENSEMBLE, cellist Alisa Weilerstein, and ORCHESTRA OF ST. LUKE'S performing across multiple venues.

BLANCMANGE announced special reissues of HAPPY FAMILIES, MANGE TOUT, and BELIEVE YOU ME via London Records, featuring restored artwork, bonus tracks, and new vinyl cuts.

Michael and Hilary Whitehall will tour THE WITTERING WHITEHALLS: RECOLLECTIONS MAY VARY across the UK, starting in Guildford on March 7, 2027 and concluding in Lancaster on May 21, 2027. The live show draws from their hit podcast.

Saxophonist-composer Johannes Enders released the second single from his upcoming album PHANTOM HAPPINESS on Enja Records, featuring pianist Rainer Böhm, bassist Doug Weiss, and drummer Jorge Rossy.

Vancouver metalcore band UNGOTHLY PLACES, spawned from the viral "Goths in Ungothly Places" series, released their debut single NO SHADOWS on Rock Shop Records. Led by Glen Clarke of 2 SHADOWS, the track blends modern metalcore with gothic atmosphere and electronic elements.

Former Broadway Evan Hansen Stephen Christopher Anthony and current star Tyler Donovan McCall share their perspectives on bringing the Tony Award-winning musical to La Mirada and why its message still resonates.

After years of upheaval and a hiatus, Williamstown Theatre Festival has cut its staff to three. It’s now hunting for an artistic director and planning a smaller 2027 festival.

Vancouver metalcore band UNGOTHLY PLACES, led by Glen Clarke of 2 SHADOWS, released debut single NO SHADOWS on Rock Shop Records, blending modern metalcore with gothic atmosphere and collaborations with members of THE VEER UNION.

Vancouver metalcore band UNGOTHLY PLACES, led by Glen Clarke of 2 SHADOWS, released their debut single NO SHADOWS on Rock Shop Records. The track blends modern metalcore with gothic atmosphere and features collaboration with members of THE VEER UNION.

From my point of view, student groups are at the heart of collegiate theatre. It is simple to see that every contributor, whether actor, director, stage manager, designer, techie, or even audience member, cares deeply about the work at hand.

Brooklyn post-punk band SAVAK releases a retrospective album spanning their first decade on Peculiar Works and Ernest Jenning Record Co. The group plays a record release show at Mama Tried on October 25 before a fall European tour.

Danielle Parton, a commercial airline pilot and military veteran, has been appointed brand ambassador for the Dolly Parton Estate. The entrepreneur and founder of Shine Girl moonshine distillery will help honor Dolly's legacy.

Blues and roots artist Ollee Owens released the single 'Common Ground,' the lead track from her upcoming album FROM NOW ON produced by Colin Linden.

Max McNown released the single 'Not Falling Out,' a romantic duet with GRAMMY Award-winning country artist Carly Pearce, along with an official music video.

Los Angeles band NIIS released their EP PLAY NIIS on October 23, 2026, via Rise Records. The band also shared a music video for 'Bad Aim' and is currently touring with MOVEMENTS, BALANCE & COMPOSURE, and MIDRIFT.

Michael Trey is an award-winning professional dancer, choreographer, and educator originally from Toronto, Canada, now residing in Los Angeles, California. He specializes in hip hop, street styles of dance such as popping, locking and house and jazz funk; he also holds national and international titles from numerous IDO Hip Hop and Street Dance competitions. 

EVERCLEAR launches THE LUCKY 7 TOUR on October 22 in Los Angeles at The Bellwether with special guests AMERICAN HI-FI, running 24 dates through November 22 in Nashville. Fans vote for seven songs per night from the band's catalog.

The Austin post-hardcore band released the single and music video ahead of their sophomore album TODAY'S MINOR VICTORIES arriving October 23 via TODO Records. The band launches their largest North American tour with album release shows this week at Hole in the Wall in Austin.

Comedian and podcaster Milo Edwards brings his critically acclaimed hour CATAMARAN to London's Soho Theatre following a top-reviewed Edinburgh Fringe run. The show explores family secrets revealed through letters discovered in his late mother's wardrobe.