Hit Parader

KennyHoopla isn’t hesitant to say what motivates him, and it’s clear in his new gritty, catchy single “NEW AMERICA//,” released today, as the catchy indie rock song offers a snapshot of a country that calls itself “new” yet still falls back into the same old cycles of inequality. He criticizes online political discourse, saying, “you and your friends fight the government on the internet,” as part of a broader view of people who know so much yet can do little to change it.

The past two years of Myles Smith’s career have made him an inescapable, unforgettable presence in music, with all that effort building toward this definitive moment: the release of his debut full-length album. The 27-year-old folk singer-songwriter saw in real time the power of music streaming and social media as his powerful 2024 single “Stargazing” propelled him into global stardom, farther than the Luton-born artist could ever have imagined.

The Warning commanded the stage at Pier 17 in NYC this past Thursday. The three-sister rock band from Monterrey, Mexico, opened their first headline show of 2026 with “MORE” which certainly left the crowd wanting MORE. Each member brought their own unique energy and presence to the stage in a way that perfectly complemented each other. It is very rare, but also so inspiring to see this chemistry they have between them.

Los Angeles, CA | Calling all women musicians, creatives, and industry pros! Gritty In Pink is teaming up with Book More Women to find women, nonbinary, and trans talent for a chance to play or work with them on their festival activation this July in Long Beach.

Whether you are a dreamer who believes music can change the world or you’ve given in to cynicism and scoff at the notion, there is absolutely no denying few things in things in this world have the power to unite the way music does. You see it at clubs, arenas, and stadiums every day around the world. People across generations, religions, races, and yes, even political parties, banding together to sing along to “Hey Jude” with Paul McCartney or whatever your favorite song is.

Yoko Ono is 93 years old, but for many, her image is stuck in a timewarp. Her proximity to the Beatles in their late 60’s heyday has overshadowed her work as a thinker and creator for decades and for some fans, it’s even negated it. Indeed, her relationship with John Lennon made her one of the most polarizing figures in pop culture to this day.

For those of us who remember the ‘80s, the idea of a love child between heartland rock, like Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp, and hair metal, ala Cinderella and Poison, sounds like a cheesy horror/disaster movie. Some things just don’t go together. Yet, 40 years later, the offspring of those two completely disparate styles is here.

I remember interviewing the late, great Tom Petty years ago at a BMI event where he was being honored for his songwriting. I asked him what it meant to be honored for his songwriting, and he said, “It means everything.” Then he joked, “It’s my job and what the guys keep me around for, to write the songs. Without them, the Heartbreakers would trade me in for Bruce,” referring, of course, to Springsteen. Songwriting isn’t the most glamorous side of making music.

This past Saturday I decided to check out the Gorgon City show at Framework’s newest venue, “Reframe Studios Outdoors.” Walking into the location that sits in a tucked-away Atwater Village immediately raised the bar for outdoor venues in Los Angeles, and here’s why. Lines move quickly through security and efficiently, which then funnels you directly to the back of the venue.

Greta Van Fleet rocked the Bowery Ballroom in NYC this past Wednesday (5/27). The room was filled with love, light, and power as the band took the stage. Josh Kiszka walked out, roses in hand, ready to share this experience with a passionate fan base. After more than a year-long hiatus and not playing live since September 2024, the crowd was certainly eager and excited for this show.