All eyes are on the NBA Finals right now, as the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs continue their fierce contest — with the former hoping to win its first championship since 1973. In celebration of the first game in this momentous match-up, ESPN and Spotify teamed up for ESPN Presents: Spotify Live Sessions — NBA Finals Party.

Tapped for a special performance at the invite-only event on the opening night of the best-of-seven series (June 3) was Grammy Award-nominated artist Destin Conrad.

The creator-led immersive experience at Spotify’s Los Angeles headquarters also featured live DJ sets from Austin J. Mills. Among the guest list of creators, tastemakers and fans were actor-singer Trevor Jackson (Grey’s Anatomy, grown-ish) and social media influencer/content creator Mariah Linney, a former guard for the University of North Carolina’s Charlotte 49ers basketball team.

For the occasion, Spotify’s Los Angeles headquarters was transformed into a “House of Legends” motif. In addition to watching the game in a lounge-style viewing area, guests were treated to various activations, including a basketball shooting competition and a custom hat engraving station. In addition to Conrad’s post-game performance, The Club520 podcast went live at halftime, hosted by former NBA All-Star Jeff Teague, his brother DJ Wells and Bishop “B Hen” Henn.

Conrad’s setlist for the party included “Party Wit U,” “Bad Bitches” and “Kissing in Public.” The singer/songwriter was a first-time Grammy nominee at the 68th annual ceremony, earning a nomination in the best progressive R&B album category for debut album Love on Digital. Conrad’s latest project is wHIMSY!, the deluxe edition of his critically acclaimed alternative jazz album wHIMSY. The EMPIRE artist will kick off the second leg of his wHIMSY! tour on July 17 in St. Louis.

Cardi B has high hopes for the New York Knicks in the 2026 NBA Finals. While at Game 3 against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, the rapper had a hilarious response when asked by Entertaiment Tonight about what a Knicks win would mean for the city.

“It’s gonna mean the rats will disappear, trees will start growing, potholes will be filled,” she told the outlet effusively. “Rains of glitter coming down, the Statue of Liberty is going to finally walk.

“It’s going to mean everything,” she added. “Crimes will be solved!”

Of course, the Bronx native also ended with, “Go Knicks!”

The NYC team ended up losing 111-115 on Monday night, but New York is still up 2-1 in the series. Just two more wins could make the Knicks the NBA champions for the first time since 1973. The team also hasn’t made it to the finals since 1999. Game 4 will take place Wednesday night back at Madison Square Garden.

Cardi is a veteran Knicks fan, and she’s previously sat courtside at games. At Game 3, she performed a halftime show and sat courtside with her 4-year-old son Wave.

She’s always been loud and proud about her love for her home city. Recently, Cardi teamed up with Mayor Zohran Mamdani to help launch a musical contest supporting his 2-K program offering New Yorkers free childcare. “Can you believe that?! We have a 34-year-old mayor! I feel like I’m a kid, and you’re, like, running New York!” she told the politician in a video announcing the contest.

Watch Cardi share her optimistic thoughts about the New York Knicks below.

Ma$e disagrees with his fellow New Yorker Jennifer Lopez about who can claim to be from the Empire State.

J.Lo found herself in some controversy after a recent appearance on the social media video series Subway Takes when she said you can’t say you’re from New York City if you weren’t born there. “You have to be born in New York to be a New Yorker,” she said. “Yes, I know everybody wants to claim the city. Everybody wants to claim our city, but you have to be born in New York. You have to be born in one of the five boroughs to be a New Yorker.”

Ma$e, who was born in Jacksonville, Florida, gave his take earlier Tuesday (June 9) on an episode of It Is What It Is after being asked what’s the definition of a New Yorker by his co-host Treasure “Stat Baby” Wilson.

“You would ask me this because I’m not born in New York, but I lived my whole life there, so according to J.Lo, Harlem World is a fake,” he replied with a laugh, name-dropping his 1997 debut album. “I don’t know how to feel about that. I think if you didn’t go to kindergarten there, if you didn’t go to elementary there, but if you’ve been there since kindergarten all the way through high school, at what point do you say a person is not from there?”

He added: “If they didn’t go to high school there then they’re definitely not from there. But if you been there since kindergarten, pre-K, all the way through college, where you from then? I see what she’s trying to say, but I’m definitely from where I’m from.”

So…what’s your take?

You can watch the full episode below.

Beastie Boys co-founder Mike D has announced the details for his upcoming debut solo album, Thank You. The 13-track LP is due out on Aug. 28 on Capitol Records and is preceded by the Lee “Scratch” Perry-inspired single “True Colors.” The album is the first from a charter B-Boys member since the original group’s swan song, 2011’s Hot Sauce Committee Part 2.

“It’s been so much fun making this music with people I love and I have grown to really appreciate in our collaboration,” Mike said in a statement about the album that traces its origins to low-key experimental recording sessions at his home studio. “And I just hope it’s fun for others and not overly serious, because let’s be real, I’m releasing this music into a very strange and dark and power-fixated world that really devalues art and feelings and compassion and empathy and equality.”

The sessions kicked off with Mike collaborating with his sons, Skyler and Davis, before expanding to include producer/songwriters Carter Lang (SZA), Jared Solomon (Remi Wolf, BROCKHAMPTON), Ging (Lorde, Post Malone), Jason Lader (Furslide), Eddie Ruscha and Tyran Donaldson (Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar). The album was mixed by Derek “MixedByAli” Ali and mastered by Nicolas de Porcel.

Mike has not released any new music since the death of Beastie Boys co-founder Adam “MCA” Yauch, 47, in 2012 following a long battle with cancer. The group, which also features Ad-Rock (Adam Horovitz), 59, went on indefinite hiatus following Yauch’s death.

A trippy visualizer for the percussion-forward single “True Colors” was released on Monday (June 8). The percussion-heavy song has Mike singing, “True colors/ Shining through” on the hypnotic chorus of the tune that prioritizes martial drums and atmospheric keyboards. D, 60, released his debut solo single, “Switch Up,” last month, along with “What We Got,” and he’s been on the road in Europe playing a run of intimate venues with his Mike D 5D band, with the next gig slated for Wednesday night (June 10) at Saalchen in Berlin, Germany.

The track list for Thank You features the songs: “Switch Up,” “What We Got,” “True Colors,” “That’s Right,” “Secrets Pt. 1,” “Secrets Pt. 2,” “I Don’t Care,” “Make It Stop,” “Crypto,” “Here We Are,” “Back To Start,” “It’s Time” and “Thank You.”

Watch the “True Colors” visualizer below.

One of London’s most storied grassroots music venues is returning to its roots. The Camden Assembly, the North London venue formerly known as The Barfly, is preparing to revive its historic name after nearly a decade operating under its current branding. 

The move comes following the venue’s acquisition by Propaganda Independent Venues, led by co-founders Dan Ickowitz-Seidler and Richard Buck, and joined by co-owner Chris McCormac. 

The new era will commence with a show from British rock act Frank Turner on June 22. Ticket registration opens June 15 at 9 a.m. (BST), with access limited to those who sign up in advance. Further ticketing information can be found via Barfly Camden’s Instagram page.

Located on Chalk Farm Road in Camden, the 200-capacity venue has been a fixture of London’s live music scene since the 1980s, where it first operated as The Monarch. It became The Barfly in the early 2000s and earned a reputation as one of the U.K.’s most important small-capacity venues, hosting early performances from artists including Coldplay, Amy Winehouse, The xx and a four-night residency from Ed Sheeran.

The venue was rebranded as Camden Assembly in 2016 following a change in ownership and refurbishment. Ickowitz-Seidler and Buck have stated that restoring the Barfly name is part of a broader effort to reconnect the venue with its musical heritage.

In a statement, Ickowitz-Seidler said: “Barfly means so much to us all, and we’re honoured to be starting a new chapter in its story. We’ll be announcing more very special shows shortly, but Frank Turner is the perfect artist to relaunch the Barfly stage. He embodies everything Barfly stands for.

“I hope live music fans will come out and support not just Barfly, but grassroots venues across the country. Before so many of today’s biggest artists were filling arenas and headlining festivals, they played at Barfly. You could be watching the next festival headliner on our stage on any night. Before the arenas, they were here!”

According to a report from Access All Areas, the new owners have planned to build a Wall of Fame featuring images and memorabilia. In the months ahead, a series of blue plaques will also be unveiled at the venue, marking notable artists and that helped shape its history. The new iteration of the Camden Barfly will also reportedly house a vinyl listening bar inspired by Tokyo’s celebrated listening-bar culture.

Blink-182 appear to be preparing something special for the 25th anniversary of Take Off Your Pants and Jacket.

The pop-punk trio sparked speculation among fans this week after sharing the album’s iconic artwork on social media alongside a link inviting fans to sign up for more information. While the band has yet to reveal exactly what’s planned, the timing points squarely to the 25th anniversary of the record, which was released on June 12, 2001.

The teaser arrives ahead of the album’s milestone anniversary on Friday (June 12), prompting fan theories ranging from an expanded reissue and previously unreleased material to a commemorative tour announcement.

At the time of publication, Blink-182 has not publicly confirmed any details.

Released on June 12, 2001, Take Off Your Pants and Jacket marked a major commercial breakthrough for Blink-182. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with more than 350,000 copies sold in its first week, becoming the first punk-rock album ever to open atop the chart.

The set spawned several of the band’s most enduring singles, including “The Rock Show,” “First Date” and “Stay Together for the Kids.” While the first two tracks leaned into the band’s trademark humor and youthful energy, “Stay Together for the Kids” showcased a more serious side, tackling divorce and family breakdown through some of the most personal songwriting of the group’s career.

The album also arrived during a period when Blink-182 were reaching new commercial heights. Fronted by guitarist Tom DeLonge and bassist Mark Hoppus alongside drummer Travis Barker, the band spent much of 2001 and 2002 touring globally behind the record, including the high-profile Pop Disaster Tour with Green Day.

The anniversary tease continues a recent trend of Blink-182 revisiting key moments from their catalog. In 2019, the group celebrated the 20th anniversary of Enema of the State by performing the album in full on tour, while recent years have seen renewed interest in the band’s classic-era releases following DeLonge’s return to the lineup.

The announcement also follows a busy period for the band. Their 2023 reunion album, One More Time…, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, giving Blink-182 their third chart-topper and their first since Take Off Your Pants and Jacket more than two decades earlier.

For now, fans will have to wait until June 12 to learn exactly what Blink-182 has planned for one of the most beloved albums in pop-punk history.

Niall Horan‘s newly released fourth studio album Dinner Party is getting a Manhattan moment, with Universal Music’s UMusic Shop NY hosting a one-day pop-up takeover on Tuesday (June 9) to mark the release.

Located at 2 Penn Plaza, the takeover will offer fans the chance to shop official limited-edition Dinner Party merchandise — including pieces that have already sold out everywhere else — plus an exclusive tee made specifically for the event. Attendees will also be able to enjoy a full playback of the new album in-store alongside interactive photo moments. Per the announcement, the featured Dinner Party assortment will remain available at UMusic Shop NY throughout the week while supplies last, giving New York-based fans an extended window to pick up the limited drop.

The pop-up arrives the same day as Dinner Party‘s official global release via Capitol Records. The 12-track album, executive produced by longtime collaborators Julian Bunetta and John Ryan, leans into a cinematic and organic sonic direction, with co-writers including Afterhrs, Amy Allen, Ian Franzino, Andrew Haas, Steph Jones, Rocky Block and Joel Little contributing across the record. Dinner Party opens with “Tastes So Good” and closes with “End of an Era,” with the title track landing second on the tracklist.

Horan’s chart pedigree gives the new release significant momentum heading into release week. The multi-platinum singer-songwriter, who first rose to prominence as part of One Direction before launching one of the group’s most commercially successful solo careers, has sold over 90 million records worldwide.

His debut solo album Flicker topped the Billboard 200 in 2017 and produced the triple-platinum hit “Slow Hands.” His subsequent albums Heartbreak Weather (2020) and The Show (2023) both reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart and the UK Official Albums Chart. His 2024 global headline tour, The Show Live on Tour, brought his music to packed arenas across multiple continents.

The UMusic Shop NY takeover is open to fans throughout the day on June 9, with the broader Dinner Party assortment available through the rest of the week while stock lasts.

Jet are heading back to regional Australia. Fresh off a run of east coast dates earlier this year, the ARIA Hall of Fame-inducted rockers have announced a second leg of their Rumblin’ Regional Revue tour, adding 11 shows across Australia this October and November.

The newly announced run kicks off in Canberra on Oct. 22 before making stops in Wollongong, Erina, Hobart, Forth, Toowoomba, Coolum Beach, the Gold Coast, Traralgon, Ballarat and Frankston.

The tour continues a busy period for the Melbourne band, which has experienced renewed momentum in recent years following its 2023 reunion touring activity and induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

Twenty-five years after forming in Melbourne’s southeast suburbs, Jet remain one of Australia’s most successful rock exports. Their debut album, Get Born, became a global breakthrough upon its release in 2003, selling more than 6.5 million copies worldwide and spawning enduring hits including “Are You Gonna Be My Girl,” “Look What You’ve Done” and “Rollover DJ.”

The album’s impact extended well beyond Australia. “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart and helped introduce the band to American audiences during the garage-rock revival of the early 2000s. Follow-up single “Cold Hard Bitch” also topped Alternative Airplay, making Jet one of the few Australian rock acts of the era to achieve sustained success on U.S. alternative radio.

Jet followed their debut with 2006’s Shine On, which debuted at No. 2 in Australia and produced singles including “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is,” “Bring It On Back” and “Rip It Up.” The album was supported by extensive international touring and a high-profile appearance on the 2007 Big Day Out festival lineup.

Since returning to the stage in 2023 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Get Born, the band has maintained a steady touring schedule. In 2025, Jet joined Lenny Kravitz on the Australian leg of his Blue Electric Light Tour and also performed a series of U.S. dates.

Joining Jet on the newly announced regional run will be Sydney rock outfit Liquid Zoo at all mainland shows, while Tasmania dates will feature Hobart psych-blues group Spooky Eyes.

Tickets go on sale June 12, with a Live Nation presale beginning June 11.

Tour Dates:

Oct. 22 — UC Refectory, Canberra
Oct. 23 — Waves, Wollongong
Oct. 24 — Woodport Hotel, Erina
Oct. 30 — Odeon Theatre, Hobart
Oct. 31 — Forth Pub, Forth
Nov. 5 — The Powerhouse, Toowoomba
Nov. 6 — Black Flag Brewing, Coolum Beach
Nov. 7 — Miami Marketta, Gold Coast
Nov. 12 — The Deck, Traralgon
Nov. 13 — Civic Hall, Ballarat
Nov. 14 — Pier Bandroom, Frankston

The annual Farm Aid concert and food festival is headed to Virginia Beach, Va., for the first time this year. The fundraiser for American family farmers will touch down at Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater on Sept. 26, with sets from board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young (& the Chrome Hearts band), John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews (with Tim Reynolds), Margo Price and Nathaniel Rateliff.

Joining them this year will be Turnpike Troubadours, Lukas Nelson, Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs, Jesse Welles, Sierra Ferrell, Mon Rovîa, I’m With Her, Amythyst Kiah, Lily Meola and Chris Pierce. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday (June 12) at 10 a.m. ET via Farm Aid’s website and the box office. A limited number of tickets will be available in a presale beginning at 10 a.m. ET on Wednesday (June 10).

“Family farmers grow our food and strengthen our communities. And when farmers struggle like they are now, communities feel it too,” said Farm Aid cofounder Willie Nelson in a statement. “The challenges farmers face threaten their livelihoods and put all of us at risk. We’re bringing Farm Aid to Virginia to stand with the farmers and fishers who feed Hampton Roads and beyond — and to grow a food system that works for everyone.”

Since its founding in 1985, Farm Aid has raised more than $90 million for programs that help support family farmers and expand the Good Food Movement, which prioritizes locally grown, organic, humanely raised food. According to the press release, attendees of this year’s festival will get to see farmers’ contributions firsthand via Homegrown Concessions, which will offer a fresh menu with ingredients grown and raised by farmers using ecological practices, as well as hands-on activities in exhibits about soil, water, energy and farming.

Last year’s 40th anniversary Farm Aid took place in Minneapolis, and in addition to its founders, it featured sets from Bob Dylan, Kenny Chesney, Billy Strings, Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Lukas Nelson, Trampled by Turtles, Wynonna Judd, Steve Earle, Waxahatchee, Eric Burton of Black Pumas, Welles, Madeline Edwards and the Wisdom Indian Dancers.

Australian broadcaster Nova Entertainment has unveiled a first-of-its-kind Nova’s Red Room experience celebrating the release of Niall Horan‘s fourth studio album Dinner Party, with the broadcaster set to host an exclusive listening event in Sydney for 50 of the singer’s most passionate Australian fans.

Taking place on Wednesday, June 10 in Sydney, the invitation-only event marks a significant evolution for the long-running Nova’s Red Room brand — moving beyond the traditional intimate live performance format that has hosted everyone from Ed Sheeran and Billie Eilish to Sam Smith, Liam Gallagher and The Kid LAROI, in favor of an immersive dinner party-style listening experience centered on the album.

Created in partnership with Universal Music Australia and TEG, the event will bring together 50 of Horan’s most passionate Australian fans for an intimate listen to Dinner Party alongside premium food and beverages, bespoke merchandise and curated experiential elements.

“Nova’s Red Room has built its reputation on creating unique experiences that bring fans closer to the artists they love,” said Nova Entertainment Group Programming Director Brendan Taylor. “As audience expectations continue to evolve, we’re always looking at new ways to innovate while staying true to what makes the platform so special. Partnering with Universal Music Australia and TEG on Niall Horan’s Dinner Party allows us to extend the Nova’s Red Room experience, creating an intimate, highly curated event that celebrates one of the world’s most loved artists and his latest musical chapter.”

The event announcement comes following Horan’s revelation that he’ll be returning to Australia in early 2027 on Rolling Stone AU/NZ’s Rolling Stone Uncut podcast.

“I’ll be down early next year for sure,” Horan said. “We haven’t got to the announcement part of it yet, but there’s no doubt I’ll be down, [and] I can’t wait.”

While Horan stopped short of confirming dates, venues or ticket details, the comments are his clearest indication yet that an Australian tour announcement is on the horizon. The singer last visited the region in 2024 on The Show Live on Tour.

Dinner Party, released globally on Tuesday (June 9) via Capitol Records, marks Horan’s fourth solo studio album. Executive produced by longtime collaborators Julian Bunetta and John Ryan, the 12-track record sees Horan working with co-writers including Afterhrs, Amy Allen, Ian Franzino, Andrew Haas, Steph Jones, Rocky Block and Joel Little. The album opens with “Tastes So Good” and closes with “End of an Era,” with the title track “Dinner Party” landing in second position on the tracklist.

The multi-platinum singer-songwriter first rose to prominence as part of One Direction before launching one of the most commercially successful solo careers to emerge from the group, selling over 90 million records worldwide. His debut solo album Flicker topped the Billboard 200 in 2017 and produced the triple-platinum hit “Slow Hands.”

His subsequent records Heartbreak Weather (2020) and The Show (2023) both topped Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart and the UK Official Albums Chart, with The Show also reaching No. 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart in Australia. His 2024 global headline tour, The Show Live on Tour, played packed arenas across multiple continents.

Australian listeners hoping to attend the Nova’s Red Room Dinner Party can register via the Nova Player for the chance to win an exclusive invite.