Toronto punk heroes PUP— comprised of Stefan Babcock, Nestor Chumak, Zack Mykula, and Steve Sladkowski— will release their highly anticipated forthcoming album Who Will Look After The Dogs? this Friday, May 2nd via Little Dipper / Rise Records. Today they share one final album teaser with “Olive Garden”, a caustic track written from the perspective of Babcock’s past youthful naivete that started as an acoustic demo and turned into one of the heaviest songs on the record. The band is also sharing a video as goofy as the song, created by the band’s own Nestor. Listen and watch now HERE.
“This is a very stupid, but also wonderful song. The band get all the credit for turning it into something really special. Zack (who plays drums) heard my cute little acoustic guitar demo and decided we should try and make it as heavy as possible. Which is objectively, a very annoying thing to suggest. But you know what, I’m glad I kept my stupid mouth shut, because it works. There’s a real magic in the way these sweet vocal melodies are bludgeoned by a wall of disgusting, grinding, detuned guitars. The whole song is kinda upsetting and uncomfortable but also, catchy and fun. And I don’t care what anyone says, ‘Olive Garden’ rhymes with ‘Grandma in a coffin’ – listen to this crap and tell me I’m wrong.”
FUN FACT: the nearest Olive Garden to Toronto is on the U.S. side of Niagra Falls. In fact, there are only nine locations in all of Canada, and I’m only somewhat confident that they are still up and running. On May 1, PUP will make that 10! That’s right, PUP are bringing Olive Garden back to Toronto, baby. Before album release this Friday, lucky Torontonians will be treated to a very special and very committed-to-the-bit album launch party. The event will feature an album playback, short live set from PUP, Olive Garden-inspired music, decor, and food from Matty Matheson’s beloved Rizzo’s House of Parm, and more surprises to come.
Reminder to call your dogsitter, because PUP will bring Who Will Look After The Dogs? on the road all year, touring the UK/EU, Australia and of course North America. Tickets on sale now via puptheband.com
PRE-ORDER WHO WILL LOOK AFTER THE DOGS? NOW
Who Will Look After The Dogs?, PUP’s pummeling and cathartic fifth LP, is their most immediate, no-frills, and hard-hitting full-length yet. It was made in Los Angeles with producer John Congleton over the course of three weeks, and it’s the culmination of PUP’s past decade of constant touring and their palpable, livewire chemistry. The album evokes the lightning-in-a-bottle intensity of their self-titled debut (except they are much better at their instruments now), and finds our self-deprecating frontman Stefan Babcock at his most reflective, vulnerable and prolific. Over 12 tracks, Babcock excavates his life’s relationships—romantic, with his bandmates, and most ruthlessly, his relationship to himself. There’s plenty of growth, but also plenty of unpredictable mayhem in the arrangements and an acerbic bite in the writing. And while PUP historically are at one another’s throats during the album process, this time they scrapped their tedious perfectionism and rediscovered the joy of making loud music together.
“Within days of announcing our last album, coincidentally titled The Unraveling of PUPTHEBAND, my life unexpectedly imploded. I wrote the lyrics for ‘Hallways’ while all that was going on. It was a weird fucking week,” says Babcock. “The title of our new record, Who Will Look After The Dogs?, is what I wrote at the top of the page, the very first thing written for this album. I think it’s devastating, but in a ‘holy shit this is overdramatic’ kinda way. At least in context of the line that comes before it. That’s what makes it funny to us. That overblown stuff we all say in our dark moments can be hilarious once you’ve cooled off a bit. I don’t know if anyone else thinks it’s funny, but sometimes you gotta laugh at yourself. It’s the only way out of the abyss. Trust me.”
PRAISE FOR PUP
“The Toronto band Pup has long made frenetic punk-pop with neat verse-chorus-bridge structures underlying Stefan Babcock’s raucously overwrought and fully self-aware lead vocals.” – New York Times
“PUP’s fourth album, ‘The Unraveling of PUPTheBand,’ finds the quartet completely removing any of the limits left on their music, pushing things as far as possible” – The New Yorker
“Hearts on their sleeves, the group captures the rage and frustration of human fallibility with crashing drums and infectious irreverence” – NPR Music
“The new songs are boisterous, catchy, and meta while also earnestly wading through the nuances of depression in a manner often reserved for “confessional” indie rock…an instant mood-booster.” – Pitchfork
“transmuting life’s frustrations into unhinged visceral joy” – Stereogum (Album of the Week)
“‘The Unraveling of PUPTHEBAND’…reinforces the message that it’s okay to be yourself, no matter who you are.” – Vulture
“PUP’s winning recipe is 49% snark, 51% heart” – Bandcamp (Album of the Day)
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PUP
NEW ZEALAND + AUSTRALIA DO IT
2025 TOUR
Tickets on-sale now via puptheband.com
Tuesday August 5
Tuning Fork, Auckland
Wednesday August 6
San Fran, Wellington
Friday August 8
Princess Theatre, Brisbane
Saturday August 9
Metro Theatre, Sydney
Sunday August 10
Northcote Theatre, Melbourne
Tuesday August 12
Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide
Thursday August 14
Magnet House, Perth
Three decades after his iconic Love Parade hit “It’s Our Future,” Tom Wax – one of the defining figures of the electronic music scene – returns with a bold new album. The Future Is Now, set for release on 2 May 2025, showcases his enduring passion and versatility across 21 tracks that explore a wide spectrum of electronic sounds.
Featuring collaborations with Drea Perlon, Sikøra, Kevin Dukes, and Bill Brown, The Future Is Now is a body of work of impressive scale and ambition.
The album takes listeners on a dynamic journey, moving from cool, minimalistic textures through darker, harder-edged productions, and culminating in a series of surprising, genre-defying compositions. With The Future Is Now, Tom Wax not only honours a remarkable career but also offers a glimpse into the next chapters of his artistic evolution. More than just a collection of tracks, this album stands as a powerful statement on the past, the present, and the possibilities ahead – a project that will resonate with longtime fans and newcomers alike, proving that Tom Wax remains firmly in touch with the pulse of the times.
Tom Wax: https://www.instagram.com/
On his fifth studio album Tears & Hope, Mollono.Bass channels the emotional paradoxes of a world in flux. Uncertainty and resilience, melancholia and euphoria, fragility and strength – these opposing forces intertwine in a sonic narrative that resonates on both a personal and collective level. Driven by deep, hypnotic grooves and laced with emotive vocals, Tears & Hope blends introspective songwriting with the kinetic energy of the dancefloor. It’s an album that invites you to move and reflect at the same time. Organic harmonies rise and fall like tides of emotion, while carefully crafted arrangements reveal Mollono.Bass’ signature blend of club culture and heartfelt storytelling. Collaborations play a key role throughout the record. MAZ’N lends his distinctive touch to multiple tracks, one of which features the haunting voice of Margret. Andy’s Echo also joins the journey, contributing to a joint production that pulses with the spirit of friendship and co-creation. The result is a cohesive yet diverse listening experience – one that captures the essence of our era through music. With its song-driven approach and genre-defying emotional range, Tears & Hope is set to unfold its full potential not only on the big festival stages, but also in an upcoming special live show later this year. From tear-streaked sunrise moments to euphoric late-night climaxes.
Album: https://lnk.to/TearsAndHope
Mollono.Bass: https://www.instagram.com/
New Orleans’ Jamie Bernstein has JUST dropped his brand-new acoustic LP, Zeus—and it’s unlike anything you’ve heard before (partly because it was literally recorded on a boat with legendary producer Mark Howard).
When singer-songwriter Jamie Bernstein got wind that Howard wanted to record an album aboard a sailboat, he didn’t hesitate. In June 2024, he hopped on board the Zeus, a sailboat anchored in the turquoise waters of the Bahamas, and spent a week sailing the Sea of Abaco with Howard and Captain Johnny O’Brien. Each night, they’d drop anchor in a hidden cove, fire up the mics, and let the ocean’s rhythm play co-producer—wind, waves, rain, all part of the soundscape. The result? A raw, immersive album that feels both intimate and epic.
Zeus is a total vibe. It’s got that rare, magnetic kind of soul—honest, unpolished, and emotionally rich without ever getting too heavy. You can feel the salt in the air and the stories behind every lyric. There’s no AI gloss or overproduction here—just Jamie, his guitar, and a lived-in voice that carries years of transformation, recovery, and joy. It’s the kind of record that makes you want to text your most poetic friend and plan a road trip—or better yet, a sailing adventure.
Jamie’s roots run deep. Raised in rural West Virginia on a steady mix of folk, reggae, and old-school radio via his mom’s mixtapes, he landed in New Orleans in 1996, where he soaked up the city’s jazz, funk, and soul. He started with spoken word and evolved into a multi-album artist, producing four records (including two with his band J the Savage), and now performs with Future Cowboys—a project as genre-defying as Jamie himself.
Now settled in New Orleans with his wife, visual artist Muffin Bernstein, Jamie continues to channel his journey through music. And with Zeus, he’s hit a new high water mark. This isn’t just an album—it’s an experience.
“Change” is a powerful and introspective track by Montreal’s Marthe Halvorsen, reflecting on the state of the world and the urgent need for a shift in direction. Written several years ago, and JUST released now, the song feels more relevant than ever, echoing the struggles and challenges we face today.
With lyrics like “Call out the spirits from the gutter / And feed all those left out to die,” the song acts as a gentle yet firm call to action—a “counter-reaction” to the times we live in. Marthe describes it as a “rebellion song” wrapped in soft, evocative melodies, offering a comforting yet empowering message. The song invites us to reflect on the importance of hope and the power of kindness, urging us to come together, gather the “good forces,” and take part in shaping a better future. It encourages us to remember the past while looking forward, drawing strength from those who came before us and believing that change is not only possible, but necessary.
Musically, “Change” is a dreamy blend of indie folk and folk pop, with a minimal production that lets the lyrics and Marthe’s heartfelt vocals take center stage. The song is a testament to the artist’s ability to create music that’s both deeply personal and universally resonant. Marthe, a Montreal-based Norwegian artist, brings a unique sincerity to her work, with a sound that’s inspired by her upbringing in the rugged landscapes of Northern Norway. Her music often draws from the natural world, reflecting its raw beauty in both her songwriting and production choices. As she prepares to release her sophomore album, Feed the Fire, Breathe the Night, Marthe continues to evolve as an artist, delving deeper into the role of producer and perfecting her own distinctive sound. In these turbulent times, her music serves as both a reflection and a call to action—a reminder of the power of art to make sense of the world and inspire change.
Photo: Tim Cotton
Fast-rising New Zealand indie-rock outfit NO CIGAR are showing no signs of slowing down – with ‘Best Behaviour’, their 2nd single for 2025, dropping today.
The single comes at an exciting time for the band, who have just finished up a sold out tour across their home-country. With all eyes on the band as they quickly grow in popularity at home and abroad, each release seems to go from strength to strength – with ‘Best Behaviour’ showcasing the band at the top of their game. With a reasonably simple but effective chordal progression that continually builds throughout the track; ‘Best Behaviour’ is adorned with wailing, dynamic guitar fills and a charismatic vocal performance from frontman Willy Ferrier that demands attention right from the opening bars.
Lyrically, the track details that first meeting with a significant other’s parents – and all the anxiety that comes along with it.
“Meeting the parents will always be a tense moment, laced with trepidation. To be on one’s best behaviour is the expectation. To be nervous is understandable. To be perfect is unlikely. The rawness and fragility reflect everyone’s mind-state in such moments. Being an artist can’t even prepare you for moments like these.”
WILLY FERRIER, NO CIGAR
Recorded between Auckland and Ashburton in New Zealand with producer Conor Jaine (Mako Road, Summer Thieves), the track came to life during a songwriting session in Chantilly, France. Although the track was originally written a few years back, the atmosphere during that writing session helped get it across the line, the band explains; “Willy had brought it to us a while back, but with a dollop of Chantilly cream, it was ready to serve.”
NO CIGAR formed in 2019 and has had a rapid rise to recognition as one of the country’s most promising acts. They have toured the world with their signature blend of psychedelic rock and groovy guitars, all the while drawing critical acclaim for albums such as 2023’s THE GREAT ESCAPE, which featured the #1 rock radio smash hit, ‘Concubine’. The track also debuted at #10 on 2024’s The Rock radio annual yearly countdown – the highest debut for a new band. THE GREAT ESCAPE continues to chart in the top 20 on the Aotearoa albums chart, where it has remained for 65 weeks.
Their debut album BIENVENIDO, released in 2022, and their 2020 EP RADICAL ROAD have also earned them critical acclaim.
The band have gone on to sell out shows across the world, including a night at Islington Assembly Hall in London which entertained a crowd of 900. They’ve made numerous trips over to Australia now, most recently to show off their wares and the 2024 BIGSOUND showcase – which saw the band pack out rooms across the Valley with their impressive live-set.
LISTEN
PRAISE
“With their blend of indie rock and narrative-driven songwriting, the Kiwis have built a loyal following over the past five years.”
ROLLING STONE
“They recently sold out Islington Assembly Hall in London (which holds a hefty 900 patrons), having done the same at The Landsowne Hotel in Sydney just prior to their showcase at BIGSOUND in Brisbane. Their recent European tour also saw sold-out shows in Paris, Amsterdam, and Manchester. With 300k monthly Spotify listeners alongside 20M total streams of their music, the future is sonically bright for NO CIGAR”
SCENESTR
“Each performance is a journey guaranteed to envelop you in romanticism, to the ever-evolving backdrop of a thumping sonic experience. With elements of alternative, folk, and indie rock, they also utilise groove-based rhythms with psychedelic undertones to keep your feet moving & your shoulders rolling.”
TWICE THE HYPE
“No Cigar has noticeably little banter, and are mostly here to play their music, which they do very well. The crowd was wild and some people climb onto their friends’ shoulders to see over the rowdy room full of music lovers. Anyone who’s not on someone else’s should is awkwardly pressed together as the venue was clearly at capacity, if not over”
13TH FLOOR
LISTEN
NO CIGAR: OFFICIAL WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | TIK TOK
Love is a force that binds, but what happens when devotion becomes a tether?
In his latest single, Chained, Alwyn Morrison captures the weight of commitment, the longing for freedom, and the quiet ache of sacrifice. Delivered with Morrison’s signature blend of anthemic pop-rock and raw emotional intensity, Chained speaks to anyone who has ever felt caught between their own desires and the unrelenting pull of love.
Known for crafting music that pulses with the heartbeat of city life, Morrison blends the melancholic urgency of The Cure with the emotional depth of Oasis. Produced by Michael Carey (Escape The Fate, Pablo Alborán) and composed by longtime collaborator Michael Ales, Chained is both intimate and expansive—an anthem for those who have given everything for someone else.
“Sometimes love demands more than we expect,” Morrison shares. “It’s a beautiful thing, but it can also be very isolating. Chained explores that tension: the push and pull between devotion and the need to live for yourself.”
While Morrison’s own journey as a loving caregiver for someone struggling with depression informs the song’s emotional core, Chained isn’t bound to one story. Instead, it leaves room for interpretation, inviting listeners to reflect on their own experiences of love, duty, and self-sacrifice.
A former music journalist turned songwriter, Morrison has spent years shaping stories—both his own and others. From interviewing icons like BRIT Award winners Scissor Sisters and acclaimed singer-songwriter Rita Ora to collaborating with some of the industry’s most respected musicians, Morrison has honed a sound that bridges rock’s raw energy with pop’s soaring melodies. His music isn’t just heard—it’s felt.
With Chained, Morrison delivers a song that lingers—not just in melody, but in meaning. Love can hold us together. Love can hold us back. And sometimes, love leaves us wondering whether we should stay or break free.
LINKTREE
ABOUT ALWYN MORRISON
Alwyn Morrison is a New York City-based artist crafting emotionally resonant pop-rock that captures the tension between personal struggle and universal experience. Morrison blends anthemic energy with introspective lyricism, drawing influence from the likes of The Cranberries, The All-American Rejects, and Counting Crows. His music transforms personal narratives into city-wide anthems, making him one of the most compelling voices in modern rock-pop.
PLAYING STILL NOT GETTING ANY… LIVE IN FULL FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER
TOURING NATIONALLY WITH THE OFFSPRING THIS MAY
Photo Credit: Mahe Carpentier
In 2025, SIMPLE PLAN history will be made in Australia, with the revered Canadian rockers today announcing a surprise special headline show in Sydney at the Liberty Hall on Saturday 10th May playing their 2004 sophomore album Still Not Getting Any… in full in its entirety for the first time ever. Tickets go on sale Tuesday 29 April at 12pm AEST time.
“Still Not Getting Any…” is one of our favourite albums we’ve made and last fall it celebrated its twentieth anniversary! We haven’t had the chance to properly celebrate the milestone and because we are not big fans of just sitting around, we thought we would take advantage of the few days off we have in Australia and do something really special….something we’ve never done before anywhere else in the world! We found a small, intimate venue and we’re gonna play the album in its entirety for our fans in Sydney! We’re not sure when or even if we’ll ever do this again, so you know this is gonna be a very special show. We hope to see you all at Liberty Hall on May 10th” – Chuck Comeau, Simple Plan
Introducing the world to smash hits like Welcome to My Life, Untitled (How Could This Happen to Me?) and Shut Up! over two decades ago, Still Not Getting Any… cemented SIMPLE PLAN‘s legacy as bona fide pop punk legends with the album’s moments of perky pop fused with timeless teenage angst and sharpened rock undertones offering the ultimate soundtrack for the mid-2000s; and one that still firmly permeates to this day.
Reaching #6 on the ARIA Charts and boasting hundreds of millions of streams, including 300+ million individual streams for Welcome to My Life on Spotify alone, Still Not Getting Any… went on to become certified triple Platinum in Australia and quadruple Platinum in the band’s motherland, and was praised by Rolling Stone upon release, declaring “there’s hardly a track in the bunch that doesn’t sound like a hit”. Marking the album’s 20th anniversary last year, SIMPLE PLAN commemorated the milestone by releasing a special 20th Anniversary Edition of Still Not Getting Any… featuring the B-side track Crash And Burn and an acoustic edition of Welcome To My Life available to stream for the first time ever.
Between selling over 10 million albums worldwide, taking out multiple awards, dominating MTV in its golden era and spawning their own TikTok viral challenge, multi-platinum Canadian rockers SIMPLE PLAN have remained an indelible part of pop culture for over two decades. Forming in Montreal in 1999, SIMPLE PLAN have retained a rare artist-audience dynamic that has only strengthened over time, with the band also actively releasing new music throughout their 20+ years in existence.
From their debut 2002 full-length, No Pads, No Helmets…Just Balls through to their most recent record, the self-released 2022 album Harder Than It Looks, SIMPLE PLAN‘s legacy continues to affirm as does their show-stopping live performances which has seen them tick of festival sets across the globe, tours with Blink-182, Green Day and Avril Lavigne, and, most recently down under, an entirely sold out eight show run in 2024 that squarely brought the house down night after night with endless energy and good vibes.
Alongside their upcoming standalone headline show on Saturday 10th May, SIMPLE PLAN will also join The Offspring nationally this May for the final shows of the SUPERCHARGED Worldwide in ’25 Australian tour. Offering a jam-packed arena spectacular from two of the greats, with both The Offspring and SIMPLE PLAN set to unleash a mountain of hits from across their storied catalogues, tickets for the Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane shows are entirely sold out, with tickets selling fast for the second and final shows in Melbourne on Thursday 8 May and Brisbane on Thursday 15 May.
As part of these upcoming shows, SIMPLE PLAN will donate $1 from each ticket sold on this tour to the Simple Plan Foundation. Established in 2005, the Simple Plan Foundation focuses on helping young people in need and showcasing the power of music as a tool to find purpose and direction in life. Since its inception the Simple Plan Foundation has donated over $2M to various charitable causes in Canada and has been awarded many prestigious distinctions for its philanthropic work.
Early bird pre-sale tickets on sale: Monday 28 April @ 12pm AEST time
To Gain Early Ticket Access Register Here -> https://daltours.cc/SPSYD_
General tickets on sale: Tuesday 29 April @ 12pm AEST time
Tickets from destroyalllines.com
SIMPLE PLAN
HEADLINE AUSTRALIAN SHOW 2025
PLAYING STILL NOT GETTING ANY… IN FULL
SATURDAY 10 MAY – LIBERTY HALL, SYDNEY
General Tickets On Sale Tuesday 29 April @ 12pm AEST time
Tickets from destroyalllines.com
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Multi-platinum selling, GRAMMY and Golden Globe nominated recording artist, Wiz Khalifa has released his highly anticipated new album, Kush + Orange Juice 2. LISTEN HERE.
Kush + Orange Juice 2 makes its mark as Wiz’s eighth studio album and is the official follow-up to his 2010 breakout mixtape Kush & Orange Juice on the heels of its 15th anniversary. The new album features production from Kush & Orange Juice producers Cardo, ID Labs, and Sledgren, as well as producers Mike WiLL Made-It, Juicy J, Jason Martin, Dominique Sanders, DJ Quik, Crazy Mike, TM88, Crash Dummy, Lex Luger, DJ Fresh, and Kenneth Wright. Featured collaborations on the album include OT Genasis, Ty Dolla $ign, JasonMartin, Luh Tyler, Michael Prince, LaRussell, Terrace Martin, Curren$y, Max B, Juicy J, DJ Quik, Larry June, Chevy Woods, rmr, Don Toliver, and Smoke DZA.
Reflecting on the album, Wiz shares that “For me, it’s the energy that goes into it. I’ve been working on this album for a year. I wanted to get it all the way right and everyone to be excited about it. I know my fans will understand it, and I want it to be another timeless classic. It takes time to get the vision fully there. This album is the same vibe as the first Kush & Orange Juice mixtape, but we took it to a new level with some new producers, new features, and new visuals while continuing the sound with lots of the original producers. It’s perfect for smoking, chilling, riding around with the homies, and hanging with the ladies, It’s a great album, it’s musical, it’s definitely 100% for my day one fans. It comes out on Friday April 18th just in time to celebrate 420.”
Kush + Orange Juice 2 follows the previous releases of singles ‘Hit It Once‘, ‘Bring Your Lungs (ft. Smoke DZA)‘, ‘Hide It (ft. Don Toliver)‘, ‘Khalifa’s Home‘, and ‘5 Star (ft. Gunna)‘. With a strong 18-track core and 5 bonus tracks, the album’s 23-song lineup blends Wiz’s signature Kush & Orange Juice sound 15 years later with his evolved artistry and the album’s collaborators to create a fresh new listening experience for fans – just in time for 4/20. Wiz will also be performing a special 4/20 show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO with Larry June, Ab-Soul, Chevy Woods and DJ Bonics.
In support of the album, Wiz is set to kick off his new tour, Wiz Khalifa – Taylor Gang the World, next month on May 20 in Nashville. The 18-date tour will see Wiz performing in intimate venues so fans can have a more personal experience and hit cities including Minneapolis, Sacramento, Kansas City, and more. Chevy Woods, Fedd the God, and DJ Bonics will support on all dates.
Stay connected with Wiz Khalifa:
23 Profile | Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | X | Soundcloud
| This summer, Solomun +1 returns to Pacha Ibiza with a fresh perspective and a meticulously curated lineup that cements its status as one of electronic music’s most consistently forward-facing residencies. A tradition that began as a simple concept—one artist, one guest—has grown into a cultural cornerstone, setting the standard on The White Isle with its unexpected pairings, undeniable selections, and unforgettable nights on the dancefloor.
Brimming with memorable moments, the 2025 season will feature Solomun playing all night for four pivotal dates – the opening, June, July, and closing shows – offering fans the fully immersive sets that his legend is built on. Fresh from a showstopping audiovisual performance at The Sphere in Las Vegas, and with his latest remix of Empire of the Sun’s “Television” teasing a colorful, indie-leaning summer sound, Solomun arrives in Ibiza with momentum, clarity, and an appetite to surprise. |
| The 2025 lineup is a blend of friends, legends, and leftfield thinkers. Jamie xx, Four Tet, Âme, DJ Gigola, Denis Sulta, Chloé Caillet, Steve Angello, and Job Jobse all return—each bringing their own distinct flavor to the +1 experience. First-time appearances this year include Caribou, making his long-awaited +1 debut with a rare DJ set, Carlita, who brings her global, kaleidoscope of sound to the party and Anyma, whose first-ever +1 performance will bring his signature melodic style to the island. Peggy Gou returns to +1 after a multi-season break, while The Dare—rising out of New York’s fashion, art, and nightlife scenes—adds a dose of edge to an already stacked lineup. |
| This year’s Solomun +1 schedule also breaks new ground with a landmark artist-swap, welcoming fellow Ibiza heavyweight Marco Carola to the +1 booth, while Solomun makes a guest appearance at Carola’s Music On residency. With more unexpected performances still to be announced, it’s clear that Solomun +1’s 2025 season is not only looking to open new doors, but dance through them. |
| Still, at the heart of +1 is the creative fire that drives Solomun himself. After more than two decades at the forefront of global dance culture, he continues to reframe what a residency can be. Supplemented with a lineup that balances trusted collaborators and head turning curveballs, this season reflects Solomun’s instinct for keeping things fresh without ever losing the plot. The 2025 season runs weekly throughout the summer. Don’t forget your +1. |
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| CONNECT W/ SOLOMUN INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | SPOTIFY |
‘Kinetic’ explores movement through the human experience — can you walk us through how that theme shaped the sound and structure of the EP?
K: As I get older, more things keep happening in my life to suggest that everything around me is constantly in motion. I presented this idea to Connor when approaching him with the idea of a collaborative EP, and he was on board straight away. I think the titles do a great job of referencing the music, with Swell being on the chipper side, Oscillate constantly bouncing between moods, and Pirouette being the full circle moment within the EP where there’s plenty of easter eggs and references to those previous songs.
You both have distinct playing styles. What was the process like blending your techniques without losing your individual voices?
K: Despite Connor and I having a very similar play style, I’ve always admired Connor’s lead playing and ability to produce orchestral scores which gelled well with my heavy and rhythmic tendencies. It really was a very seamless process, I didn’t feel like I was losing my individual voice at any moment. From the start it seemed like we complemented each other’s playing and productions’ styles very well.
C: I think what was important for me with this entire project, was to be completely unapologetic with our voices. I wanted to lean into both our strengths, which in turn, lended itself very well to constructing an EP that comes full circle. I’ve never worked with another person on this kind of music before, so it was utterly important to me to have a completely open space where we could both suggest musical ideas, without consequence. The result is “Kinetic”.
“Swell” has a cinematic, expansive feel — what story or emotion were you aiming to capture with that track?
K: Just as the song title suggests, I wanted to have a slightly happier sound while still remaining true to my love for heavy music. Those with keen ears might also recognise all of the volume and pitch swell scattered throughout both the rhythm and lead guitars pretty much over the whole song. As I release more music, those concepts of push and pull, ebb and flow, are very important to me. I want the listener to feel good when they listen to the track, I want the story of every song to feel like it starts and ends exactly where it should be. No more, no less!
How did the collaborations with Adam ‘Nolly’ Getgood and Jack Gardiner come about, and what did they bring to the project that surprised you?
K: Having insane players like Nolly and Jack were always a part of the plan and they were brought up very early in the writing phase. We purposely wrote songs around their parts to make sure that they had a platform to show exactly why we wanted them on the track in the first place. One thing that surprised me was Nolly’s bluesy solo and how well it translated within that section of the song. When originally recording scratch takes on my own, my style of solo was completely different before we sent it to Nolly. Hearing his takes for the first time, I was immediately smiling from the first note because it was something that I never would have thought to play.
C: I can only speak for myself when saying that I feel incredibly privileged to be in the position that I am. I used to walk home from college every day listening to Periphery II on my iPod touch, never really imagining that not only would I come to know Nolly personally, but be able to feature him on a track. It’s all a little bit crazy to me. And Jack is well… Jack! The dude is a beast, a lovely guy too, and we wanted him to contribute exactly what he did. The whole process was a dream.
Connor, you recently released your signature .strandberg* guitar — did that influence any tonal or compositional choices on this EP?
C: Absolutely. I’d just received the early prototype (which is still my main guitar to this day!), and Oscillate just sort of happened on that guitar. I think that song almost *needed* to happen. The very first riff was a result of me messing around with the fuzz and octave pedals on Archetype: Rabea. That “messed” up sort of guitar tone actually ended up being layered with a more traditional one, which was a pretty consistent decision for the entire EP. A lot of my leads were tracked with that guitar too!
KEYAN, your background in creating viral content has made you a massive presence online. How do you balance that fast-paced world with crafting music as detailed and technical as ‘Kinetic’?
K: Honestly, it’s not easy! As time goes on I think I’m starting to almost reject the idea of extremely fast paced socials content. Of course I still post and still remain active, but the content is much more fulfilling now. I definitely had more drive for all that “content” social stuff previously, especially when it was all kicking off 5 years ago when I was 20 years old. Now at 25, I think I just want to go back to my roots, writing music that I like! That’s what got me into all this stuff in the first place, I’m very cautious of not wanting to lose that part of my love for guitar.
What were the biggest creative challenges you faced during this collaboration — and how did you overcome them?
K: This might be a bit of a cop-out answer but honestly, the creativity between Connor and I flowed so effortlessly in the making of this record that I can’t recall any time that was a creative challenge or difference. Connor and I were constantly innovating off each other’s ideas and would basically finish each other’s sentences in music-form.
C: It turned out it was more like creative benefits. I’ve never really had someone to bounce ideas off before, so it was that much easier to half bake an idea and pass it over to let Keyan do his thing. With the insane UK-Aus time difference as well, it worked out even better as I could send him an idea as I went to sleep, and he would just be waking up! So we sorta hacked things and worked 24 hours round the clock.
If you could describe ‘Kinetic’ in just three words, what would they be?
K: Energetic, Vast, Potent
C: Experimental, Expansive, Expressive.
For fans of instrumental prog — how does this EP expand or evolve the genre, in your opinion?
K: The world of instrumental prog is always changing and evolving on a very familiar formula. Connor and I both have a great appreciation for familiar things done the best that they can be, whether that be culinary, architecture or music. At this point in time, Connor and I believe these are some of the best songs we’ve ever written. After both releasing music on our own, we feel that at this point, the music is the truest representation of our ability to write the music we love to write.
C: I think it hopefully shows everyone that no matter where in the world you are, you can collaborate, you can work together, and you can create something that you would never be able to on your own. So I hope this collaborative EP inspires other people to do the same, reach out to their friends, and work together to make cool music.
Lastly, with the release on May 16, what do you hope listeners walk away feeling after their first playthrough of ‘Kinetic’?
K: I always hope that listeners walk away feeling inspired to write their own music. That is always a major goal for me, in anything I do that’s related to music.
C: What Keyan said!
GRAMMY®-nominated producer, DJ and label head, Chris Lake has today announced OUT 2 LUNCH Festival sideshows, set to ignite stages in Melbourne (PICA) on Friday 9 May, and Sydney (Hordern Pavilion) on Saturday 10 May. In huge news for Aussie fans, Lake will be bringing along a whole new production and brand-new music.
Fans can register for presale tickets (Melbourne & Sydney sign up) with a 24 hour presale kicking off on Tuesday March 4 at 12pm AEDT. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Wednesday March 5 at 12pm AEDT through Ticketek.
Hyped to be hitting Aus for OUT 2 LUNCH and extending his trip to Melbourne and Sydney, Lake enthuses, “Australia holds a special place in my heart, with some of my favorite shows and memories having happened there. Coming out for OUT 2 LUNCH, Sydney and Melbourne is an early highlight of my year, and I’m buzzing to share some new music with fans down under. Looking forward to making this trip a truly special one!”
Expertly occupying the middle ground between dance music’s underground and commercial realms, the British producer’s finely-tuned ear for club-forward basslines and catchy vocals plays a large role in his success, all connected by his ability to make big moments both onstage and in his music.
Since breaking through with a string of No. 1 singles in the late 2000s, English-born Lake relocated to Los Angeles as dance music began bubbling up in America and has since helped redefine America’s house music scene in the post-EDM age. His music is a regular fixture on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, including recent hits Summertime Blues, Beggin’, and More Baby. He has headlined EDC Las Vegas and Coachella stages, shut down Hollywood Boulevard for over 12,000 fans, and spread the dance floor gospel through his Under Construction events with FISHER.
One of house music’s most compelling figures, Lake founded Black Book Records in 2017, dropping releases from heavyweights like Green Velvet, Armand Van Helden, and Kevin Saunderson, proving its status as a coveted label for producers, also utilising the label as a developmental platform to share wisdom, experience and contacts to help launch new acts.
Tickets to Chris Lake side shows go on sale on Wednesday March 5 at 12pm AEDT from Ticketek.
Tickets to OUT 2 LUNCH Festival with Vodafone are on sale now from out2lunchfestival.com.
Find Chris Lake online: Website | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Spotify
Indie rock favourites Ball Park Music are set to join the Oasis Live ‘25 Australian Tour, supporting the UK legends on the most anticipated tour of the year.
The Oasis Live ’25 world tour will arrive in Australia on Friday 31 October, following 31 sold-out shows across the UK, Canada, the USA, Mexico, South Korea and Japan. In response to phenomenal demand, Oasis will play three massive nights at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium, followed by two unmissable shows at Sydney’s Accor Stadium while down under.
Over 15 years into their brilliant career, Ball Park Music are no strangers to commanding arenas – and now, they’ll bring their signature mix of euphoric anthems, emotional depth, and electric live energy to Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium and Accor Stadium in Sydney, when Oasis Live ’25 hits Australia this October/November.
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Few clubs are able to make a name for themselves on the international stage, but Boothaus is one of them. Ranking in DJ Mag’s Top 10 Worldwide for the second year in a row, this time in 7th place, the Cologne club blends a storied legacy with unrivaled production, prestigious bookings and coveted high-energy crowds.
Born out of an industrial warehouse with a hundred-year history in Germany, Boothaus turned a small underground techno venue into a pioneering club that has evolved year on year since 2004. Having upgraded the Funktion One systems to a custom-built L-Acoustics sound system, the pulse of the beat is felt in every corner of the club, from the intense energy of the main room to the raw intimacy of the Dreheri room.
Production is where Boothaus excels, with five distinct rooms of varying sizes, brought to life by custom lighting design that reflects each space’s unique atmosphere, from indulgent to intimate. Boothaus takes it a step further, creating custom-designed lighting for special events, reinforcing the venue’s reputation as a one-of-a-kind experience.
Boothaus continues to foster a community of music-first clubbers, bringing in world-class DJs with global appeal, including Amelie Lens, DJ Diesel (Shaquille O’Neal), Hardwell, Headhunterz, I Hate Models, James Hype, KSHMR, Oliver Heldens, David Guetta, Steve Aoki, Tiësto, and Vini Vici. The venue’s finger-to-the-pulse attitude towards booking has cemented its status as a key player on the global stage.
As Boothaus continues to push boundaries, it remains a beacon for club culture not just in Germany, but worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to innovation, a fiercely loyal community, and an ever-growing roster of international talent, Boothaus proves that the spirit of the underground can thrive on the global stage — and its reign shows no signs of slowing down.
Upcoming Shows
20.04.25
Bootshaus Sommerfest Opening
25.04.25
Oliver Heldens pres. by Bootshaus
30.04.25
Loonyland pres. Luca-Dante Spadafora, Ely Oaks & many more
09.05.25
Bootshaus pres. Die Gebrüder Brett
16.05.25
Euphoria pres. Miss Bashfull x DBBD, Shoki287
23.05.25
Chrome pres. Jazzy, Omaks, Secret Guest & more
24.05.25
Bootshaus Sommerfest
28.05.25
Frances Mercier & MoBlack
06.06.25
Rheinaudio pres. Zapravka
13.06.25
Will Sparks
21.06.25
Levi
27.06.25
DJ Snake