Mac DeMarco has released four albums that were previously available only as physical CD-Rs sold at his live shows. The projects are now accessible to streaming audiences for the first time.
The move gives fans who missed the tour-exclusive releases a chance to hear the material without seeking out the limited physical copies. No further details on the albums’ content or original release dates were provided.
Read the full story at Pitchfork.
Kacey Musgraves paid tribute to Dolly Parton during a recent tour stop in Boston, performing renditions of “Rainbow” and “Here You Come Again” in honor of the country icon.
Musgraves spoke to the crowd about Parton’s legacy before the performance, describing her as someone who consistently supported others, including those with less power or standing, even when it carried no career benefit for her.
Read the full story at Billboard.
KATSEYE showed up briefly at Daisy Chain Fields on Saturday (Aug. 29) despite having withdrawn from the festival’s official lineup. Three members of the group took the stage, days after an injury to member Megan forced the act to cancel its scheduled set.
The unannounced appearance came without Megan, who is sitting out performances while recovering. Details on the nature of her injury and a timeline for her return have not been disclosed.
Read the full story at Billboard.
Harry Styles addressed his former relationship with Taylor Swift from the stage during the third night of his Madison Square Garden residency, joking about her recent wedding at the venue in the same breath as a reference to the Knicks’ championship drought.
The remark drew a strong reaction from the crowd and quickly circulated on social media following the show. Styles continues his multi-night run at the arena as part of an ongoing residency format he has used throughout his solo touring career.
Read the full story at Billboard.
Olivia Rodrigo brought Alanis Morissette on stage for a surprise performance of “Ironic,” the 1995 single from Morissette’s landmark album Jagged Little Pill.
The guest appearance marks another instance of Rodrigo inviting artists who influenced her songwriting to join her live shows.
Read the full story at Billboard.
Olivia Rodrigo debuted Daisy Chain Fields, a new festival she founded featuring an all-women lineup, with the pop star also serving as headliner. The inaugural event marks Rodrigo’s first venture into festival production and organizing.
Coverage of the event highlighted standout performances and moments across the bill, positioning the festival as a notable addition to the touring and live-event landscape built around female artists.
Read the full story at Billboard.
British-American trio Raynes has released “Josephine,” the second single from its upcoming debut full-length album, “Radio Remind Me,” due October 16. The track reworks the romantic-rivalry narrative of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” to explore envy and self-worth, according to the band.
“Josephine” was produced by Mat Charley and co-produced by Chris Sclafani, whose credits include work with Ed Sheeran, Ariana Grande, Camila Cabello and The Weeknd. Sclafani also co-produced and mixed the full album. The band says an earlier single from the record, “Roses All Over,” ranked among the most-added songs at Hot AC radio.
Raynes, made up of North Dakota natives Mat Charley and Joe Berger and UK singer Mark Race, is signed to Sony Music Publishing and has released six singles and four EPs to date. The group will support the new album with a tour spanning the U.S., UK and continental Europe from September 2026 through February 2027.
Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Beachwood Entertainment Collective.
Marco Luka has announced his debut album, “f_unk,” due October 23 on Arista Records, alongside the release of new single “DON’T CRY.” The track blends alt-pop with funk and synth-pop influences, and arrives with a music video. Luka co-produced the song with Nicci Gomez, who has also worked with siiickbrain and Noah Guy, and played all instruments on the track.
The eight-track album follows Luka’s 2025 EP “INSOMNIA” and a trio of singles released in between, including “SAY MY NAME,” “THE PARTY” and “TALK TO ME,” the latter of which also appears on the new album’s tracklist. Luka previously spent eight years as lead vocalist of lo-fi alt-pop band Weston Estate before departing to pursue a solo career.
According to the announcement, Luka’s solo catalog has generated more than 100 million global streams, with his 2019 track “paradise” accounting for over 42 million of those streams.
Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Kelsey Hession, aristarecordings.com.
Chicago rock band Ax and the Hatchetmen will release a new EP, Stick & Poke, on September 25 via Arista Records. The band has released the title track along with a visualizer video; the EP also includes previously released single “Loser” plus three additional tracks. The project was produced by Jake Sinclair.
The EP follows the band’s 2025 debut album So Much To Tell You, whose track “Hotel Room” has drawn significant streaming attention, according to the band. Ax and the Hatchetmen recently wrapped a summer run of headline U.S. shows the band says sold out, along with a support slot on tour with Royel Otis.
The band will open for The Revivalists at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on September 25 before launching its own headline run, “The Late Check Out Tour,” on October 14 in Indianapolis. The tour runs through December 13 in Miami, with several dates already marked sold out by the band.
Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Kelsey Hession, aristarecordings.com.
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Bennett Woolsey has released his new single “Spirit Wine,” the third track from a forthcoming EP due later this year. The song addresses a relationship marked by substance abuse and manipulation, according to Woolsey.
The single follows recent releases “Chevy Chase” and “Cigarettes & Alcohol” and continues what the announcement describes as a personal chapter for the songwriter, who wrote all the material on his upcoming EP himself while working with producers on production. Woolsey previously fronted indie rock band Brookside, whose single “Jimmy the Chameleon” has drawn more than 12 million streams according to the announcement, and recently released the duet “Used to You” with artist Maryjo.
Woolsey is currently on a North American tour with Maryjo, with dates in Houston, Dallas and Nashville through August 30.
Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Sarah (faccipr.com).