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The world's greatest sounding roadtrips., discover the united sounds of america with americana music tours — home of the very best music tours on the planet..

Americana Music Tours offer personally-guided tours of the Americana Music Triangle - a region of the U.S.A. stretching from Nashville to New Orleans to Memphis , with many locations of note in between.

The Triangle is recognised as the birthplace of nine different genres of American music , including Rock & Roll, Jazz, Blues, Country, Bluegrass, R&B, Southern Gospel, Cajun Zydeco, Soul  and more.

World famous artists such as Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, BB King, Aretha Franklin, The Allman Brothers and Dolly Parton all hail from this region — and thanks to its rich heritage, the Triangle continues to produce and foster genre-defining artists including Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton,  Jack White, Alabama Shakes, Kings of Leon, The Black Keys,  Sturgill Simpson and many, many more . T hen on top of that there's the countless producers, recording studios, music venues and world-famous recordings that all originated here.

...and that's just the music! There's also  mouthwatering food , off-the-beaten-track adventures and incredible accomodation experiences all in store for you.

Come with us and we'll share with you the hidden secrets we've amassed across 5 states, 10 cities and over 1200 miles of highways and byways to ensure  your Americana Music Tours experience is a life-altering adventure you will never forget.

Americana Music Tours specializes in small groups and can run with a minimum of 4 people, however we can cater to any size group — just ask!  We can even do weekend excursions out of Nashville!  If you have any questions or for further terms and conditions regarding tours, please  contact us .

10 DAY TOUR

The greatest hits of the south tour takes you here, there, and almost everywhere., for prices and itineraries  >>   click here, nashville > memphis > clarksdale > indianola > natchez   > new orleans, custom tours.

15 DAY TOUR

This is it — the world's greatest sounding roadtrip. see it all, hear it all, do it all., for prices and itineraries   >>   click here, nashville > muscle shoals  > tupelo > jackson  > new orleans > lafayette > natchez > indianola > clarksdale > memphis > nashville.

If you're crazy for Elvis, wild about Bluegrass, or weak at the knees for Dolly P; talk to us about special custom tours. Whatever it is you're into, we can organise the trip of a lifetime for you.

For musicians, we can even arrange recording time at legendary studios for you or your band, or special interest tours for your group (e.g. golf or fishing)., we can even conduct study tours for school groups and universities —  just ask.

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The 44 Most Anticipated Tours of 2024: Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, Olivia Rodrigo, and More

By Pitchfork

It’s looking like a busy year for some of the world’s biggest touring artists, with packed schedules from Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Bad Bunny, Foo Fighters, the Rolling Stones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, U2, Green Day, and many more. A few touring institutions, meanwhile, are just wrapping up, from Adele’s time in Las Vegas to Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden residency and Bob Dylan’s seemingly never-ending Rough and Rowdy Ways trek. Some things, however, just never seem to change: You can expect the Ty Segalls and King Gizzards of the world to feature on these roundups till kingdom come, with reliable indie-rock staples like Destroyer, Wednesday, and Alvvays still out in force fighting for the cause, too.

After a residency that has spanned the best part of a year and brought hundreds of thousands of Adele fans to Las Vegas, the Tottenham superstar is closing the run with dates from January through June. “This residency, these shows have changed my life. I desperately needed to fall back in love with performing live again, and I have,” she said in the announcement. “It’s just made me realize how much I really enjoy being on stage, that I’m bloody good at it and that it is 100% where I belong! So let’s go one last time before I turn into a showgirl forever!” –Jazz Monroe

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Alanis Morissette

Alanis Morissette will spend the spring and summer touring North America with noteworthy companions Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. The Triple Moon Tour begins in June in Phoenix, Arizona, and wraps up with a final show in Inglewood, California. Morissette and Jett will also be joined by country singer Morgan Wade. –Hattie Lindert

Before they play a European festival circuit next summer, Alvvays will head out on a series of U.S. tour dates in spring 2024. Fresh off their first-ever Grammy nomination (a Best Alternative Music Performance nod for their song “Belinda Says”), Alvvays are hitting venues across the country and ending the run in May in Tucson, Arizona. –Hattie Lindert

Turns out 2022’s El Último Tour del Mundo wasn’t actually Bad Bunny’s last world tour. The Puerto Rican superstar is back on the road for the 47-date Most Wanted North American tour, in support of his October 2023 album Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana . The run begins in February and concludes in May with three back-to-back nights in Miami. –Hattie Lindert

Belle and Sebastian

Right at the top of 2023, Belle and Sebastian shared a surprise album: Late Developers presented an array of playful indie-pop, and a companion of sorts to the previous year’s A Bit of Previous . The band was due to tour shortly after the record’s release but canceled when bandleader Stuart Murdoch ran into health issues ; the rescheduled dates take place in the spring. In the meantime, Murdoch announced a memoirish novel and the band appeared on The Simpsons . –Jazz Monroe

This year marks the end of Billy Joel’s storied Madison Square Garden residency: the New York staple is set to retire his franchise with the venue after his 150th show in July. Since announcing the series in 2013, Joel has kept it a steady engagement, only taking off 18 months for the pandemic. While the residency is coming to a close, Joel does not yet plan to retire. –Hattie Lindert

Jack Antonoff was busy in 2023—getting married and producing albums from Lana Del Rey and Taylor Swift—and he’s showed no signs of slowing down for 2024. His band, Bleachers, is releasing a self-titled album, and he’s also producing the soundtrack for Apple TV+’s The New Look . With all that, he and Bleachers are also going on the From Studio to the Stage Tour with Samia as an opener. –Hattie Lindert

The biggest pop-punk reunion of last year is ready to keep the momentum going into 2024. Blink-182 ’s classic trio—Mark Hoppus, Travis Barker, and Tom DeLonge—will bring One More Time... , their first new album together since 2011’s Neighborhoods , to the live stage for an extensive world tour . Starting with more than a dozen dates in Australia in February, Blink-182 will make their way across the globe, playing in South America, North America, and Europe nearly every month until the fall. Opening select shows are Rise Against, Pierce the Veil, Alexisonfire, and the Story So Far. Expect foul-mouthed banter, heavy nostalgia, and one massive reminder not to take yourself too seriously. –Nina Corcoran

Bob Dylan was 80 when he started to tour behind 2020’s Rough and Rowdy Ways . Now 82, the revered bard is still celebrating his latest studio album with shows around the globe. While this year’s dates have not yet been revealed, Dylan has been billing 2024 as the final year of the trek. –Allison Hussey

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band

The Boss and his band remain on the road, and the peptic ulcer disease that forced him to postpone several 2023 dates is no longer going to stop him. Bruce Springsteen returns in March, bringing his formidable live show across the United States before dipping into Europe and concluding with more North American dates later in the year. –Jazz Monroe

After playing a series of North American shows in November, Burna Boy is returning for the second half of his arena tour supporting his fifth and latest album, I Told Them… . The latest shows follow his December performance at the Afro Nation Nigeria festival in Lagos’ Tafawa Balewa Square. –Hattie Lindert

Danny Brown

If you didn’t catch Danny Brown at the tail end of 2023, fresh off the release of his latest album, Quaranta , not to worry: The rapper is heading back out on tour in 2024. Brown will head off on a North American run in March, starting in Boston and closing out the series of shows in Nashville on April 14. Brown released Quaranta , which he has called a “spiritual bookend” to his 2011 album XXX , in November 2023. –Hattie Lindert

After releasing the serpentine and sumptuous Labyrinthitis in 2022, Destroyer’s Dan Bejar is taking a more minimalist approach to his performances in the United States and Canada as winter starts thawing into spring. David Carswell, one of Bejar’s regular collaborators, will join the singer-songwriter, with Vancouver duo Lightning Dust opening in all locales except for Denver. –Allison Hussey

After more than a few years off the road, DJ Shadow is touring again in 2024, taking on his most extensive run since 2017. He’ll travel Europe and North America for a series of dates in support of his most recent, mostly instrumental album Action Adventure . The tour kicks off in January with a show in San Diego, California. –Hattie Lindert

Drake & J. Cole

Apparently, to Drake, entering “Scary Hours” means bidding 21 Savage adieu and welcoming J. Cole to the next edition of the It’s All a Blur Tour. In support of For All the Dogs and the subsequent Scary Hours Edition , Drake has expanded the tour with a series of 2024 dates featuring Cole. The new leg of the tour—subtitled Big as the What?—begins later this month in Denver. –Hattie Lindert

Fall Out Boy & Jimmy Eat World

Unofficially inspired to recreate the Predator handshake meme but for two different generations of emo-gone-pop-punk, Fall Out Boy and Jimmy Eat World are joining forces this spring for a 23-date tour of the United States, with the former headlining and the latter opening. Dubbed the So Much for (2our) Dust , it begins in Portland, Oregon, on February 28 and stretches on through to April 6, where the trek ends in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Both bands will also reunite in the fall for the Las Vegas music festival When We Were Young. If it’s anything like the first run of Fall Out Boy’s tour in support of their new album, So Much (for) Stardust , then fans can expect a thrilling career-spanning setlist that rotates in a few new songs each night. –Nina Corcoran

Foo Fighters

It’s going to be a busy summer in 2024 for Foo Fighters. Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett, Pat Smear, Rami Jaffee, and new drummer Josh Freese have some June stadium shows lined up in the United Kingdom, and, then, in July and August, they’re hitting stadiums and ballparks across the United States. They’ll be joined by myriad support acts, including Alex G, the Hives, Amyl and the Sniffers, L7, and more. The band’s latest album, But Here We Are , arrived last summer. –Evan Minsker

When Green Day heads out on tour in 2024, the band will bring no shortage of support along. Joining the band on a series of North American dates kicking off in July in Washington, D.C., are the Smashing Pumpkins , Rancid , and the Linda Lindas . Before that, Green Day will tour Europe starting in May with support from Nothing but Thieves, the Hives, Donots, the Interrupters, and Maid of Ace. Green Day are on the road in support of the upcoming album Saviors (plus the 30th anniversary of Dookie and the 20th anniversary of American Idiot ). –Hattie Lindert

Hotline TNT

Brooklyn-based shoegazers Hotline TNT have a tour lined up next year in support of their album Cartwheel . A large chunk of the dates are in support of Wednesday, who are also gearing up for a 2024 tour, although they’ll also perform with They Hate Change and Quicksand during the stint. –Hattie Lindert

In support of new album Tangk , Idles will be on tour for more or less all of 2024. The band begins its shows in February and, for now, the only months without Idles concerts are April and August. –Matthew Strauss

Jamila Woods

Chicago singer Jamila Woods brings her intimate album Water Made Us on the road, visiting multiple cities across North America and Europe. Award-winning poet and musician Kara Jackson, who released her debut album, Why Does The Earth Give Us People To Love? , in 2023, will join Woods as her opener. –Hattie Lindert

Jane Remover & Quannnic

Jane Remover’s Census Designated marked a notable shift in tone and style: The artist who had pioneered corners of the burgeoning 2020 hyperpop scene turned towards more straightforward rock and emo. Now, she will take the new sound out on the road on a series of U.S. tour dates in February. Jane Remover will co-headline the Designated Dreams Tour with her DeadAir labelmate Quannic. –Hattie Lindert

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard

The beloved and prolific Australian weirdos King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard are getting ready to tour a lot in 2024. After March festival dates in South America and dates in May with Grace Cummings across the United Kingdom and Europe, the band will head to North America for shows in August, September, and November. Crowds in Forest Hills, Chicago, Quincy, and Austin are also getting the band’s famous three-hour “marathon shows.” –Evan Minsker

After being hospitalized for a severe bacterial infection last year, Madonna made a full recovery, in a turn she has referred to as “ a fucking miracle .” As a result, the pop legend finally kicked off the initial leg of her rescheduled Celebration Tour in October. After a stretch of dates in England and Europe, Madonna has already brought her career-spanning show to North America, where she will continue with dates in Toronto, Detroit, Montreal, New York, Chicago, Seattle, Las Vegas, Inglewood, Houston, Miami, and more until spring. She’ll wrap things up with a batch of concerts in Mexico City, ending on April 24. –Madison Bloom

The riotous Welsh rock band Mclusky, who last toured North America in 2004, were primed for a cross-Atlantic comeback run until disaster struck: bandleader Andrew “Falco” Falkous found himself working through a debilitating bout of tinnitus and other inner-ear problems. After some recuperation and with hearing protection in tow, Falkous and the band are due to make good on their return in March. The group shared a double A-side, “ Unpopular Parts of a Pig / The Digger You Deep ,” in September, as a high-spirited preview of a forthcoming full-length. –Allison Hussey

The crowd who spent a mid-July weekend watching Earl Sweatshirt, Noname, and more perform for free in Brooklyn at MIKE’s Young World festival got a front-row seat to the rapper’s caring curation and accessible live experience. In 2024 he’ll take that energy on the road in support of his most recent solo album, Burning Desire . The Somebody Fine Me Trouble tour begins in Europe in February, before kicking off a U.S. leg in Philadelphia in April. He’ll close things out with a hometown show at New York’s Webster Hall. –Hattie Lindert

Militarie Gun

The hardest working touring band in post-hardcore is dead set on maintaining that title in 2024. Los Angeles’ Militarie Gun are going back on the road for a North American tour , beginning on January 31 in Phoenix, Arizona, and extending on through March 9 in Seattle, Washington. It’s their first headlining tour since releasing Life Under the Gun , their long-awaited debut album, as they’ve taken numerous opening gigs for other bands since then. This time around, set to open all of the shows are Pool Kids and Spiritual Cramp, with additional support on select dates from Death Lens, Spaced, and Roman Candle. –Nina Corcoran

She may not be an outspoken artist online, but, behind the scenes, Mitski is making every word count. While TikTok was busy fawning over “ My Love Mine All Mine ,” Mitski was putting in the work to find a music venue that offers fair merch rates while still booking a place big enough to house her sizable fandom at each stop. The result of her efforts is a North American tour with multiple nights at theaters around the country in support of The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We . Joining her along the way are openers Tamino, Sunny War, Julia Jacklin, and Sarah Kinsley. –Nina Corcoran

Ms. Lauryn Hill

After a brief intermission for vocal strain, Ms. Lauryn Hill is resuming her 25th anniversary tour of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill . The shows were set to feature co-headline sets from the reunited Fugees , though details on rescheduled dates have not yet been announced. –Jazz Monroe

Olivia Rodrigo

After Taylor Swift and Beyoncé’s blockbuster outings, Olivia Rodrigo is looking like the next pop star to dominate the year with a massive tour. There are over 75 dates on the Guts World Tour, spanning Europe and North America. Opening for Rodrigo on select dates will be Chappell Roan (who also worked on Guts ), PinkPantheress, and Remi Wolf. The chaperoning parents of younger tri-state area fans are clearly taken into consideration, too, as the Breeders will support Rodrigo over four nights at Madison Square Garden. –Hattie Lindert

Porno for Pyros

It’s time to say goodbye to Porno for Pyros. Whether you’re ready or not, Perry Farrell and the band’s 2024 reunion shows are now billed as farewell dates. “Getting together with these guys has been some of the most fun, the happiest times in my life,” Farrell recently said in a statement. They take place in February and March across the United States. As a consolation prize, the band recently released its first song in 26 years back in November. Quench your thirst with “ Agua .” –Evan Minsker

Red Hot Chili Peppers

The shows Red Hot Chili Peppers have planned for 2024 include a diverse and long list of support. Red Hot Chili Peppers have lined up Kid Cudi, Ice Cube, Ken Carson, Otoboke Beaver, Sean Kuti, Wand, and Irontom to join them on select dates in North America. –Hattie Lindert

The Rolling Stones

Forget about what you thought of Hackney Diamonds for a second: Do you want to go see the Rolling Stones play a stadium somewhere in North America? If you do, their upcoming dates from late April to mid-July have you covered. Among their plans is also a headlining spot at this year’s New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Will any special guests show up at these shows? Who knows, but the band did play a surprise release show with Lady Gaga last year, so anything can happen. –Evan Minsker

One of shoegaze’s best-loved acts is back on the road in 2024: Slowdive will tour in support of the 2023 album, Everything is Alive . The British band has North American dates in the spring sandwiched between European runs. –Hattie Lindert

Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, and drummer Tom Skinner are in a groove as the Smile and show no signs of slowing down. Wall of Eyes , their follow-up to 2022 debut A Light for Attracting Attention , will come out on January 26. A little over a month later, the Smile will bring those songs to life for a short European tour . Beginning in Dublin, Ireland, on March 7 and ending in London, England, on March 23, the run is only nine dates long. Who knows, maybe Paul Thomas Anderson will fly himself out to watch as a little treat for directing the “ Wall of Eyes ” music video. –Nina Corcoran

Stephen and David Dewaele are rebooting Soulwax in 2024 for the duo’s first tour in five years. The Dewaeles co-produced Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul’s Topical Dancer in 2022, but haven’t released an LP of their own since 2018. The tour begins in Amsterdam in January, and will also stop in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and England. –Hattie Lindert

Stevie Nicks

Continuing a run of late 2023 shows that included a few co-headlining dates with Billy Joel, Stevie Nicks has more tour dates lined up for the new year. The singer will begin her 2024 run next month in Atlantic City—and Joel will once again be joining her at later dates in Texas and Illinois. –Hattie Lindert

Taylor Swift

The hottest concert ticket of 2023—subject of the biggest concert film of all time—continues its reign throughout 2024. Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is crisscrossing the globe. It’s Japan and Australia in February, Singapore in March, and then Europe and the United Kingdom from May to August. The shows return to North America in October and November with multiple dates in Miami Gardens, New Orleans, Indianapolis, and Toronto. If you’ve read through this paragraph, you might have noticed: that’s most of the months! –Evan Minsker

Tool haven’t released new music since 2019’s Fear Inoculum , but they’ve remained busy on the road. Following headlining and festival dates last year, the band has stadium and arena shows in January and February. Wondering what wild outfit Maynard James Keenan will wear this time? Will it be a blonde wig, red lipstick, and prosthetic breasts? A leather jumpsuit and a wild mohawk? Might as well go to one of these shows and find out. –Evan Minsker and Matthew Ismael Ruiz

With her new album, What an Enormous Room , out January 26, Mackenzie Scott is spending January to April on the road. Torres starts the year with January dates across the United States with Aisha Burns. For the first two weeks of February, she’s over in Europe and the United Kingdom for a bunch of shows, and then she’s back in the United States in late March and early April with shows alongside Liza Anne. –Evan Minsker

One can never be sure exactly what to expect from a Ty Segall show, especially here in the post–Freedom Band era. His sets can be electric and wild, acoustic and intimate, maybe a bit psychedelic. With his 2024 dates behind the new album Three Bells , you can likely expect him to lean into his prog rock impulses. After some West Coast dates in February, he’s heading across North America in April and May. –Evan Minsker

Tyler Childers

Kentucky’s Tyler Childers is a real champion of country music, honoring its history while expanding the genre’s palette and challenging the dominant attitudes of the industry’s principal players. Soon, he will play some of the biggest venues of his career on his Mule Pull Tour, including New York’s Madison Square Garden and Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Hayes Carll, 49 Winchester, Sylvan Esso, and Allison Russell will join Childers at different stops of the U.S. run. –Allison Hussey

During a Super Bowl musically dominated by the long-awaited return of Rihanna, U2 shared a commercial featuring a baby’s face in an orb. That mystical child heralded the band’s Las Vegas shows, where they’ve performed their 1991 album, Achtung Baby , from September into the first months of 2024. U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at the Sphere marked the opening of the MSG Sphere at the Venetian, which seats 17,500. With Larry Mullen Jr. taking time away from the band to recover from surgery, Bram van den Berg is playing drums at the shows. In a statement accompanying the announcement, the Edge used the phrase “the beauty of the Sphere” (speaking of the venue and not the baby from the Super Bowl spot). –Evan Minsker

Wednesday—whose singer, Karly Hartzmann, has openly chronicled the hurdles for indie bands to break even on tour—take to the road again in early 2024, still revving the gas behind their shaggy triumph Rat Saw God . In October, Wednesday shared a deeper peek at their lives together with the half-hour documentary Rat Bastards of Haw Creek , directed by their longtime friend Zach Romeo. They’ll begin in their native North Carolina in January, playing dates with Hotline TNT and They Hate Change through the next month, followed by another springtime leg with Draag in the western half of the United States. –Allison Hussey

By Matthew Strauss

By Madison Bloom

By Nina Corcoran

By Jazz Monroe

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I'm so glad I got to see her in a small venue; what a magical and powerful experience. This girl radiates happiness and joy and on top of all of that, she sounds great live! There was confetti, a disco ball, Neil Young, and lots of dancing. I don't think it would have had the same effect in a large or open space, definitely jump on any chance you have to see her before she really blows up! So much love!

The most incredible, angelic, beautiful person to ever grace this earth. I've never been more stunned by a performance. SZA met and exceeded all of my expectations, I cannot put into words how amazing she is live. It's an experience you don't want to miss if you get the chance to see her. She was so happy and humble and was continuiously appoligizing for being sick and I honestly couldn't tell, that's how great she is. Also the experience brought me life not only because I got to see her preform but because everyone was singing every single word to every song with her. Truly incredible when you are surrounded in a room full of people singing your favorite songs at the top of their lungs. Needless to say I want a live version of ctrl after all of this so I can reminisce.

Absolutely the best concert I was ever at, honestly I don't think any other artist could top this. She had such an incredible presence on stage, every eye was on her and her wonderful team. Dua and her dancers moved gracefully and fluidly, with bursts of power and energy. Her vocals were insanely beautiful, every word was sung with such passion and love. Her grand finale of IDGAF and New Rules was simply amazing, with breathtaking choreography and stunning visuals behind her. The band sounded great and the backup vocalists and dancers were on point for every minute. Without a doubt in my mind it was the very best live performance I have ever seen, and I don't think anything in the future will ever compare to it. Dua Lipa, Olympia Theatre, Dublin. Monday 9th April 2018.

Literally the best thing I have ever seen. The whole band sounded so tight, the light show was insane and they really played to the audience. Two full sets of material plus an encore was probably more than any of us expected. They played so many songs that I wanted to hear, even some really old material which was so unexpected. The whole audience was buzzing with energy and love for a band that are so good, but really don't tour enough. I'd waited 10 years for a chance to see them and now that I have, I'd have waited another 10 if I knew it was going to be that perfect. It was a privilege to be in that room and witness something so beautiful.

Ethereal, hopeful, humble, powerful... just absolute ART. The show was focused on everyone, a celebration of culture, love, identities, and struggle. I love that she made it more about the group on stage as a whole than just her- Tons of stage presence nonetheless. Beautiful band, beautiful backup singers. The lighting was amazing and the stage was so well done and simple. Solange holds her own and I cannot wait to see her when she comes back. You can tell she was feeling it when she got down on the left side of the stage and started singing to us, beautiful moment that reminds me why I love going to live shows/concerts. Flying Lotus was an absolute trip as well. I wish she would've brought Kelela out on this date... Scales is such a beautiful song and I'd of loved to see it live with them two.

The. Best. Night. Of. My. Entire. Life. This was the second time for me to see Adele. Last time I was quite high up, this time I was in Golden Circle. The atmosphere was incredible, Adele made me feel like I was the only one there in a packed out stadium. The banter she has with her audience in hilarious, she includes everyone and t feels like you're hanging out with your best mate you've known for years. As for her songs, the emotion and passion she sings with is just so raw and heart warming, I cried so many tears. You can tell she has an absolute ball on stage and she has so many upbeat songs and the sass she has is unreal- it cracks me up every time! I feel so grateful to have been apart of this tour and so happy that Adele decided to share this experience with every single one of us. I hope she has the most relaxing break with her family and hope she knows we'll always be here for her whenever/ if she decides to come back. Xx

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Most anticipated concert tours of fall 2023: taylor swift, beyoncé, drake and more.

The Jonas Brothers, Pink and Morgan Wallen were also among the artists who returned to the road for highly anticipated tours this year.

By Carly Thomas

Carly Thomas

Associate Editor

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Dozens of artists hit the road during 2023 to bring their music to sold-out venues across the globe.

The first half of the year started off strong with artists and bands like Harry Styles, Journey, Carrie Underwood, SZA, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Reba McEntire, Janet Jackson, Lizzo, Blink-182, Charlie Puth, Billy Idol, Wiz Khalifa, Bebe Rexha and Black Pink heading out on their headlining tours.

Some artists had such sought-after tickets for their tours, including Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, that it led to sites, such as Ticketmaster, completely crashing when tickets dropped.

Many summer nights were also filled with good tunes this year as artists including Alicia Keys, Post Malone, Paramore, Chris Stapleton, Boygenius, Lionel Richie, Melissa Etheridge and Maggie Rogers set out on tours during the warmer months.

Concert tours are not only an opportunity for artists to promote their latest albums or to highlight their entire music catalogs, but it’s also a chance for their fans to come together to celebrate the music and musicians that they look up to and love. Those attending shows for artists such as Swift, Beyoncé and Styles often dress to impress, going all out for their outfits. Beyoncé even asked her fans to specifically come to her Virgo season concerts for her Renaissance World Tour decked out in silver and chrome, to celebrate her astrological sign. Swifties, inspired by the lyric “Make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it …” from her song “You’re on Your Own, Kid,” made themed bracelets to trade and hand out to other fans at each of the stops on her Eras Tour.

The performers often praise their fans for all their love and support, like Swift writing on social media in July after her stops in Seattle, Washington, “Thank you for everything. All the cheering, screaming, jumping, dancing, singing at the top of your lungs.”

But if you missed the opportunity to see your favorite artists earlier this year, don’t worry, because The Hollywood Reporter has compiled a list of some of the most anticipated concert tours happening this fall, below.

Taylor Swift

Tour: Eras Tour (March 2023 – November 2024)

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, the singer’s sixth headlining tour, is described as a journey through all of her musical eras, including  Fearless ,  Lover ,  Evermore ,  1989 ,  Speak Now ,  Reputation  and more. She is set to perform 146 shows across five continents, with each performance featuring a staggering 44-song setlist spanning more than three hours. Swift finished the first U.S. leg at the beginning of August and will return to the U.S. for the second leg in October 2024.

Tour:  Renaissance World Tour (May – October 2023)

Beyoncé’s ninth concert tour, which is three hours long with no opener, is in support of her seventh studio album, Renaissance . She is set to perform 56 shows across Europe and North America.

Drake and 21 Savage

Tour: It’s All a Blur Tour (July – October 2023)

Rappers Drake and 21 Savage are co-headlining their It’s All a Blur Tour to promote their collaborative album, Her Loss . The tour will consist of 56 shows across North America.

Jonas Brothers

Tour: The Tour (August 2023 – June 2024)

The Jonas Brothers, comprised of Kevin Jonas, Nick Jonas and Joe Jonas, have headed out on their 12th concert tour, which will span three continents. The Tour will feature songs from five different albums, including The Album , Happiness Begins and A Little Bit Longer .

Tour: +–=÷× (Mathematics) Tour (April 2022 – November 2023)

Ed Sheeran’s fourth concert tour draws from all of his albums since 2011, including Plus (2011), Multiply (2014), Divide (2017), Equals (2021) and Subtract (2023). The two-hour concert will consist of 88 shows across three continents.

Anita Baker

Tour: The Songstress Tour (February – December 2023)

Anita Baker will perform in 15 cities across the U.S. for her latest tour, which celebrates her 40 years as a music icon since the release of her debut album,  The Songstress, in 1983.

Guns N' Roses

Tour: World Tour 2023 (June – October 2023)

Guns N’ Roses, comprised of vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan and drummer Steven Adler, has set out on their latest tour, which spans three continents.

Tour: Mañana Será Bonito Tour (August – September 2023)

Karol G kicked off her first-ever stadium tour in Las Vegas and will make her way across the U.S. for stops in six cities.

Tour: The Long Goodbye (September – November 2023)

The Eagles have embarked on their finale tour, with special guest Steely Dan, after more than 50 years of touring and over a thousand concerts.

Tour: Still… at Their Very Best (September – December 2023)

The 1975’s fifth concert tour, in support of the band’s Being Funny in a Foreign Language album, is making stops across North America and Europe.

Tour: The Scarlet Tour (October – December 2023)

Doja Cat will kick off her first North American arena tour in San Francisco, California this fall. Special guests Ice Spice and Doechii   will join during select dates. The singer has only toured once before as a headliner for her Amala Tour in 2019.

Stevie Nicks

Tour: 2023 Tour (May – December 2023)

Apart from the Two Icons, One Night Tour that Nicks is co-headlining with Billy Joel through the year, the singer-songwriter also added in dates for her solo tour across the U.S. Nicks has previously toured with Fleetwood Mac as well as embarked on more than a dozen solo tours throughout her career.

Tour: Celebration Tour (October 2023 – April 2024)

Madonna, who initially had to postpone the July start of her Celebration Tour as she recovered from a bacterial infection, is now set to kick off her tour in London on Oct. 14. She will make her way across Europe before returning to the U.S. on Dec. 13 to embark on her North American leg.

Tour: The Chicks World Tour 2023 (June – October 2023)

The Chicks’ sixth headlining concert tour initially began its first leg in 2022, but the country music trio returned in 2023 for their second leg. The group is touring across North America and Europe as well as Australia and New Zealand.

Tour: Summer Carnival 2023 Tour (June – October 2023)

Pink kicked off her eighth concert tour at the beginning of summer and will run through the beginning of fall. But soon after, the singer will head out on her ninth tour, in support of her album Trustfall , starting in Sacramento, California, on Oct. 12.

Janelle Monáe

Tour: The Age of Pleasure Tour (August – October 2023)

Janelle Monáe’s latest tour supports her album The Age of Pleasure Tour . The singer is making stops in 26 cities across North America.

Tour: Don Juan World Tour (August – November 2023)

Maluma has set out on the North American leg of his Don Juan World Tour, which supports his newly released album of the same name. The Latin music artist will make his way across 30 cities before ending in Miami, Florida.

Morgan Wallen

Tour: One Night at a Time World Tour  (March – October 2023)

Country music star Morgan Wallen is performing across two continents for his latest tour in support of his third studio album of the same name. Special guests include HARDY, Parker McCollum, ERNEST and Bailey Zimmerman.

Shania Twain

Tour: Queen of Me Tour (April – November 2023)

Shania Twain’s fifth headlining concert tour spans two continents and 77 shows in total. The tour, which marks the singer’s first tour in nearly five years, is in support of her sixth studio album,  Queen of Me .

Tour: M72 World Tour (April 2023 – September 2024)

Metallica’s latest tour in support of the band’s 11th studio album,  72 Seasons, will consist of 49 shows across two continents. Throughout the tour, the heavy metal band will play two nights in every city it visits with two completely different setlists and opening acts for each No Repeat Weekend.

Foo Fighters

Tour: 2023 Tour (May 2023 – June 2024)

Foo Fighters have embarked on their first headlining tour since drummer Taylor Hawkins died. The tour, which includes performances in five continents, is in support of their new album  But Here We Are .

Tour: The Only Love Tour , formerly The Gag Order Tour (October – November 2023)

Kesha is set to head out on a 20-city North American tour in support of her album  Gag Order . The singer’s sixth headlining tour will also include special guest Jake Wesley Rogers.

Tour: Solo Acoustic Fall Tour (October – November 2023)

John Mayer extended his latest tour across the United States into the fall with special guest JP Saxe.

Tour: The Field Trip Tour (September – December 2023)

Lil Yachty is currently on his 39-stop global tour across North America and Europe in support of his album  Let’s Start Here .

Bruce Springsteen

Tour: 2023 Tour (February – December 2023)

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have made stops across North America and Europe since February for their latest tour. But they had to postpone their September dates as Springsteen undergoes treatment for peptic ulcer disease. At this point, the tour is set to resume on Nov. 3 in Vancouver.

Tour: Music of the Spheres World Tour (March 2022 – September 2024)

Coldplay is performing across five continents for its eighth headlining tour in support of the band’s ninth studio album,  Music of the Spheres . They will perform 165 shows in total by the end.

Tour: 2023 World Tour  (March – October 2023)

Luke Combs has been making his way across three continents performing songs from his latest two albums, Gettin’ Old  and  Growin’ Up .

Tour: The Final Lap Tour (July – December 2023)

50 Cent’s latest concert tour celebrates the 20th anniversary of his album  Get Rich or Die Tryin , which came out in February 2003. The rapper’s tour consists of 69 shows across four continents.

Tour: Unreal Unearth Tour  (September – December 2023)

Hozier has hit the road for his latest tour, which spans across North America and Europe, in support of his EP Eat Your Young and new album Unreal Unearth .

Tour: The Musical Legacy Tour (June – November 2023)

Diana Ross extended her latest tour, which showcases her iconic hits throughout her career, into the fall. The legendary singer is performing across two continents, North America and Europe.

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American Music Tour

Visit Chicago, Louisville, Nashville, Elvis Presleys Birthplace – Tupelo, Muscle Shoals, Memphis, Clarksdale, Natchez & New Orleans.

Home > Find A Road Trip > Deep South > American Music Tour

Discover the birthplace of Jazz, Blues, Soul and Rock'n'Roll

Spend two exciting weeks on our American Music Tour. Discover the birthplace of Jazz, Blues, Soul and Rock’n’Roll as you road trip south.   The sounds that have enriched all our lives were established along this route between Chicago and New Orleans. Our popular American Music Tour is simply a must-do road trip for any music lover interested in discovering the origins of the musical genres we know and love today.

Key road trip highlights:

• Enjoy the sights and sounds of five iconic musical cities along the way – Chicago, Louisville, Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans.
• Visit three small towns that have left an indelible mark on 20th-century music – Muscle Shoals, Tupelo and Clarksdale.
• Drive along the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway between Nashville and Tupelo.
• Visit the birth and resting place of the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley.
• What’s included?  Direct flights with a premier carrier like British Airways, accommodation to your desired standard and length of stay, car rental and a detailed road trip pack.

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Our Favourite Hotels

We’ll suggest properties to match your preferred budget, be it low-cost, mid-range or high-end luxury that you’re looking for. We can also mix it up so you’ll experience a range of standards and experiences along your road trip.

MOXY Downtown

Moxy Hotel Downtown

Hyatt Place Downtown

Melrose Mansion

New Orleans

Virgin Hotels

The Langham

Elvis Presleys' Guest House at Graceland

1 Hotel Nashville

Road Trip Itinerary

All of our American road trips can be tailored to meet your requirements. Do you have more or less than 14 days for your road trip? No problem, we can bolt on extra nights to allow more time to explore or shorten the number of destinations as required.

Start your American Music Tour in Chicago

After touching down at Chicago O’Hare, you’ll jump in a cab and head downtown towards one of the world’s best skylines. After settling into your hotel, which we carefully selected for you, you’ll have three nights and two full days to get to grips with this incredible city on Lake Michigan’s shoreline. If you wish to stay longer and explore more of Chicago, just let us know when you request your quote.

Chicago, IL

Discover the Windy City's must see places

Most visitors to Chicago head straight to the ‘Magnificent Mile’, a vibrant street home to upscale shops, trendy restaurants and posh hotels. Landmarks include the historic Chicago Water Tower, the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower and the 100-story Hancock Center, which has a rooftop observation deck called 360 Chicago. Spend the rest of the day exploring some of the other attractions found north of the Chicago River. These include Navy Pier, Wrigley Field and the beaches along the shoreline of Lake Michigan.

A third day to explore Chicago

On your final full day in Chicago, we recommend that you spend time visiting the city’s attractions that are located south of the Chicago River. Many of America’s best museums are found here, including the Art Institute, the Alder Planetarium, and the Field Museum of Natural History. Be sure to stroll around Millennium Park; you’ll find world-famous outdoor artwork like Cloud Gate and Crown Fountain for those all-important social media snaps. Lastly, before leaving town, make sure you spend at least one evening partying at Buddy Guy’s Legends Nightclub.

Visit Indianapolis, en route to lovely Louisville

On your way to Louisville, you’ll pass by Indianapolis. Motorsport fans should check out Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home to the iconic Indy500 and more. Next, you’ll cruise south to Louisville, which you may know due to its rich horse racing pedigree; after all, it’s home to the legendary Kentucky Derby. Or, maybe you’ve drunk a drop or two of bourbon with Louisville written on the label? Additionally, Louisville is famous for Folk music, baseball and amazing fried chicken.

Louisville, KY

A full day to discover Louisville's highlights

Today’s options include a visit to the beautiful Churchill Downs Racetrack, educating yourself on the life and times of arguably the greatest sportsmen of the 20th Century at the Muhammad Ali Center or perhaps just spend the day sampling the products of numerous bourbon distilleries found in the city or along the Bourbon Trail.

Drive down to Music City - Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville is the proud home of Country Music, and this booming city boasts about its musical heritage at every opportunity. Home to the Country Music Hall of Fame and the legendary RCA Studio B, where Elvis, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson all recorded hits. It’s not all about country music mind, the region has a rich blues history too, with singers and songwriters from every genre calling ‘Music City’ home.

Nashville, TN

A second day to enjoy Nashville's sights and sounds

Head to the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge (colloquially known in Nashville as simply the ‘Pedestrian Bridge’), which spans the Cumberland River. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better view of the Nashville skyline anywhere. After the sun sets and for the complete traveller experience, head down to Broadway and stop by a honky-tonk or two for a one-of-a-kind night of drinking and live music.

Drive the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway to Tupelo

Today, you’ll leave the home of Country Music and go in search of the spiritual homes of the Blues, Soul and Rock’n’Roll. To get you to Memphis you’ll follow the first half of the delightful Natchez Trace Parkway, which was originally an old Indian trading route. Today, this scenic Parkway is used as a serene way to cruise by Muscle Shoals, where artists like The Rolling Stones and Aretha Franklin recorded hits before moving onto Tupelo, where Elvis was born and raised.

A short drive from Tupelo to Memphis

Today is all about the King, Elvis Presley. Start the day off by visiting the tiny house Elvis was born in and the neighbouring church where he sang as a child. You’ll then leave Tupelo and move on to Memphis, along the way, you’ll pass Graceland, the final resting place of Elvis. Second only to The White House, Elvis Presley’s Graceland is arguably the most iconic home in America and a must-see for anyone visiting Memphis. Finally, after settling into your Memphis hotel, we highly recommend you hit Beale Street for live music, soul food and dancing.

Memphis, TN

Another day to experience Memphis's sights

Memphis has plenty more to offer, including the legendary Sun Studios and the moving National Civil Rights Museum. In our humble opinion, Memphis is the Barbecue Capital of America, so make sure you try a rib joint or two if you can. As always, your personalised Road Trip Pack will show you the full range of things to see and do in the city, and you can do as much or as little as you please.

Discover The Blues in the Mississippi Delta

Today, you’ll drive south through the cotton fields of the Mississippi Delta, exploring small towns like Clarksdale, Indianola and Cleveland as you go. These towns were the birthplace of The Blues and thus Rock ‘n’ Roll as we know it today. By the time you reach the plantation houses of Natchez, your understanding of 20th Century music will be transformed. End the day by taking in a tour of one of the many antebellum plantation houses found in Natchez, followed by drinks at the Under the Hill Saloon.

Natchez, MS

Cruise down the Great River Road to New Orleans

Continue south along the Great River Road to your final destination – New Orleans. Along the way, we highly recommend you stop by the historic Oak Alley Plantation for a quick tour of the house and grounds. If you only do one plantation home, then this is the one in our opinion. Once you arrive in “The Big Easy”, the French Quarter will be waiting to offer you dinner, drinks, and all that Jazz.

New Orleans, LA

The French Quarter, Garden Quarter and more

Built on the mouth of the Mississippi, New Orleans is the home of the jazz, voodoo and the craziness that is Mardi Gras. The French Quarter offers so much charm; it’s a great place to take a walking tour, whilst sampling great food and live music as you stroll.

End your American Music Tour in The Big Easy!

This will be your final full day of your American Music Tour. Use it to discover more of New Orleans’s must-see attractions and to sample the nightlife. The following day, you’ll leave for the airport to fly home. Whether you call it NOLA, The Big Easy or just plain old New Orleans, we’re confident this vibrant city will stay with you for many years.

Frequently Asked Questions

You’ll find answers to most of your questions right here. If you still need assistance, Feel free to  get in touch , and we’ll be sure to get back to you promptly!

Not a problem. If you are lucky enough to have extra time to explore more places or add more rest days, then just let us know and we’ll adjust your trip to match your preferred timescale.

We strongly advise that you purchase travel insurance for your holiday to cover you against medical expenses, theft and other financial costs. Should you need to cancel before travelling, some insurance policies may pay out for any loss of funds that have been paid to us and which cannot be refunded under our cancellation policy.

Many of our trips have a different end destination than the starting point, so this is not a problem. Please note a fee sometimes applies for one-way rentals between other regions or states, which will be paid to the supplier directly when collecting the vehicle. We’ll endeavour to inform you of this charge within your quote.

No, far from it. We work with a range of properties from 3* to 5*, so we can adapt the trip to match most budgets. We have access to rooms in more than 800 hotels, motels, lodges and B&Bs across North America.

The minimum age to rent a car is 21 in the United States or Canada, although, in addition, any drivers under 25 years of age will generally incur a surcharge.

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Not quite what you’re looking for? Get in touch to discuss your Bespoke Road Trip  plans, or check out these similar road trip itineraries…

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Korn Plot 25-City 2024 Fall North American Tour With Gojira, Spiritbox

The dates will include a one-night-only 30th anniversary show at L.A.'s BMO Stadium on Oct. 5.

By Gil Kaufman

Gil Kaufman

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Ice Spice Takes Blame for Causing Earthquake: 'This A-- Be Clappin'

Trending on billboard.

Korn released their 14th studio album, Requiem , in 2022, which opened at No. 14 on the Billboard 200 album charts.

Check out the dates for Korn’s 2024 fall North American tour below.

Sept. 12 – Tampa, FL @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre  

Sept. 14 – West Palm Beach, FL @ iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre  

Sept. 16 – Alpharetta, GA @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre  

Sept. 18 – Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion  

Sept. 20 – Camden, NJ @ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion  

Sept. 21 – Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center  

Sept. 23 – Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center  

Sept. 25 – Toronto, ON @ Budweiser Stage  

Sept. 27 – Detroit, MI @ Pine Knob Music Theatre  

Sept. 28 – Chicago, IL @ Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre  

Sept. 29 – Louisville, KY @ Louder Than Life*  

Oct. 2 – Albuquerque, NM @ Isleta Amphitheater  

Oct. 3 – Phoenix, AZ @ Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre  

Oct. 5 – Los Angeles, CA @ BMO Stadium^  – SOLD OUT

Oct. 6 – Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre  

Oct. 10 – Tacoma, WA @ Tacoma Dome  

Oct. 12 – Nampa, ID @ Ford Idaho Center Amphitheatre  

Oct. 13 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Delta Center  

Oct. 16 – Denver, CO @ Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre>

Oct. 18 – Kansas City, MO @ T-Mobile Center  

Oct. 20 – Houston, TX @ The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion  

Oct. 21 – San Antonio, TX @ Frost Bank Center  

Oct. 23 – Tulsa, OK @ BOK Center  

Oct. 25 – Omaha, NE @ CHI Health Center  

Oct. 27 – St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center  

*Festival Performance

^Special Guests include  Evanescence, Gojira, Daron Malakian and Scars On Broadway, Spiritbox and Vended

>Not a Live Nation Date

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• Alternative Rock
• Built to Spill

Built To Spill Announce Extensive US Tour in 2024

by Em Casalena April 5, 2024, 10:45 am

It’s been 30 years since indie rock band Built To Spill released their hit second album There’s Nothing Wrong With Love . Now, it looks like the “Car” hitmakers are planning to celebrate the album with a very extensive US tour this year! 

Videos by American Songwriter

The band will travel across the United States through August and September, closing off the tour with a concert in October. Yo La Tenger will support the band for a couple of tour dates, but it doesn’t look like there will be any supporting acts for the rest of the tour. The original cell player for the album, John McMahon, will also be performing with the band.

The Built To Spill 2024 Tour will kick off on August 9 in Boise, Idaho at Shrine Social Club. The tour will end on October 11 in  Las Vegas, Nevada at Best Friends Festival.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Built To Spill (@builttospill)

Tickets to the upcoming Built To Spill 2024 Tour will go on sale today at 10:00 am PDT through the band’s website and Ticketmaster . We also recommend looking at Stubhub to see if you can finding tickets that are cheaper than face value. Stubhub is also backed by the FanProtect Program, so you won’t have to worry about scams or fake tickets like you would with other third-party ticketing platforms.

Get your tickets to see Built To Spill before they sell out!

Built To Spill 2024 Tour Dates

August 9 – Boise, ID – Shrine Social Club

August 10 – Walla Walla, WA – The Motor Co.

August 11 – Bend, OR – Domino Room

August 13 – Tacoma, WA – Elks Temple/Spanish Ballroom

August 14 – Portland, OR – Pioneer Courthouse Square (with Yo La Tengo)

August 15 – Seattle, WA –Woodland Park Amphitheater (with Yo La Tengo)

August 16 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory

August 17 – Helena, MT – Lewis & Clark Brewery Company

August 18 – Billings, MT – Pub Station

August 20 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue

August 21 – Milwaukee, WI – Turner Hall Ballroom

August 22 – Chicago, IL – Metro

August  23 – Chicago, IL – Metro

August 24 – St. Louis, MO – Red Flag

August 25 – Indianapolis, IN – Hi-Fi Annex

August 27 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s

August 28 – Cleveland, OH – Brachland Ballroom

August 29 – Detroit, MI – St. Andrew’s Hall

August 30 – Pittsburgh, PA – Mr. Small’s

August 31 – Asbury Park, NJ – Asbury Lanes

September 1 – Portland, ME – State Theatre

September 3 – Norwalk, CT – District Music Hall

September 4 – Boston, MA – Paradise

September 5 – Boston, MA – Paradise

September 6 – Philadelphia, PA – Franklin Music Hall

September 7 – New York City, NY – Webster Hall

September 9 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club

September 11 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle

September 12 – Charleston, SC – Music Farm

September 13 – Asheville, NC – Grey Eagle

September 14 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse

September 16 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl

September 17 – Memphis, TN – Growlers

September 18 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theater

September 19 – Austin, TX – Empire

September 20 – Oklahoma CITY, OK – Tower Theater

September 21 – Omaha, NE – The Waiting Room

September 22 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre

September 24 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom

September 25 – San Diego, CA – Belly Up

September 26 – Los Angeles, CA – The Bellweather

September 27 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore

September 28 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore

September 29 – Sacramento, CA – Harlow’s

October 11 –  Las Vegas, NV – Best Friends Festival

Photo by Timothy Norris

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Luke Combs at American Family Field: Everything to know for Milwaukee stadium tour kickoff

Last year, American Family Field hosted the first two shows for one of the biggest tours of the year, with Morgan Wallen.

Now it's doing it again.

This time out, it will be another one of country music's biggest stars, Luke Combs, who will kick off his 25-date blockbuster "Growin' Up and Gettin' Old" 2024 stadium tour at the Milwaukee Brewers' ballpark, for the first two shows April 12 and 13.

Here's everything you need to know for two of the biggest concerts of the year in Milwaukee — including the status of the Brewers' new parking system.

More: These are all of the arena, amphitheater and stadium concerts in Milwaukee in 2024

When do the gates open for Luke Combs' American Family Field concerts, and when do they start?

The first opener for Combs' concerts April 12 and 13 will start at 5:45 p.m., with gates opening at 5 p.m. each day. The parking lots will open at 3 p.m. April 12, and 2:30 p.m. April 13, and tailgating will be permitted. Just give yourself plenty of time to drive in, particularly on April 12, when there'll be Friday afternoon commuter traffic as well. Getting through security into the stadium will take some time, too, so plan accordingly.

How much is parking? Is the Brewers' new parking system in operation?

General parking is $25 in advance, or $40 for preferred parking, available at brewers.com/lukecombs . Day-of parking is $35 for general lots, or $50 for preferred lots, but the Brewers won't guarantee that parking will be available.

As for the new QR code-based payment system for parking , it's been temporarily suspended following connectivity issues on the Brewers' opening day . For the April 12-13 concerts, the Brewers will operate with the traditional on-site cashier system.

Here's how to get to the concerts if you don't want to drive

Two Milwaukee County Transit System  routes drop people off within walking distance of the ballpark: the CONNECT1 on Wisconsin Avenue and Route 18 on National Avenue. Find the schedule, fare information and more at ridemcts.com .

The taxi pickup and drop off is outside Helfaer Field, while drop-off and pick-up for Uber and Lyft is in the Gantner parking lot. (Expect huge crowds for rideshares after the show.)

Also: Some of the bars and restaurants that send shuttles to Brewers games might be giving rides as well. See the "American Family Field" section of brewers.com .

Are there any tickets available for Luke Combs' concerts at American Family Field? How much are they?

Remaining first-hand tickets for the April 12 show are $109.50 to $229.50, and $80.50 to $229.50 for April 13, available at brewers.com/lukecombs .

How can I access the pit and seats on the field?

Pit ticket holders must enter the third base gate only to get into the stadium to receive their wristband to get them access. Wristbands are also required for all seating on the field, sections A to P. They'll be available at the Associated Bank gate and wristband tables at the Left Field Guest Services Desk, the UScellular Power Playground in right field and at tables near Section 118.

Combs will have different openers each night — and a special tailgate pre-show April 13

Unlike Wallen — when he became the first artist to play two consecutive nights in a Wisconsin stadium — Combs will treat fans to different openers each night.

April 12 leans more into Combs' alt-country and traditional country tendencies with folk group the Wilder Blue up first, followed by singer-songwriter Charles Wesley Godwin and then outlaw country artist Cody Jinks. The opener slate for April 13 leans a little more country pop, with (in order of appearance) Colby Acuff, Drew Parker, Mitchell Tenpenny and Jordan Davis.

There also will be a "Bootleggers Tailgate Party" at 3 p.m. April 13 with two up-and-comers picked by Combs and Nashville-based up-and-comer concert series Whiskey Jam: Ryan Larkins and Graham Barham. It'll take place at the Third Base Plaza at American Family Field, and will be free to attend for Combs concert ticketholders, with food and drinks available to purchase on site.

What is Luke Combs expected to play?

Since these are the first two shows of Combs' tour, we can't wager what the setlist will be. But considering the tour is named after his most recent albums, "Growin' Up" and "Gettin' Old," expect several songs from those. And Combs' biggest hits are also likely, including "Forever After All," "The Kind of Love We Make," and, of course, his breakout cover of the Tracy Chapman classic "Fast Car."

Where can I get more information?

Ticketholders will get more need-to-know information via email a few days before the shows, but more logistical information about American Family Field can be found at brewers.com/ballpark .

Contact Piet at (414) 223-5162 or  [email protected] . Follow him on X at  @pietlevy  or Facebook at  facebook.com/PietLevyMJS .

United States Tours

Home » United States

The United States of America, The Land of the Free – F rom Sea to Shining Sea!

The USA has something for every type of traveller and it has the power to take your breath away! Join us one of our Exclusive Escorted Music Tours and we’ll take you there! From the big sights and bright lights to chilled-out beach-side locations – all with a generous helping of music thrown in! So, whether you are a big city explorer, beach baby, history enthusiast or music lover…we’ve got you covered!

Over the past century or so America has watched the rise to fame of influential stars of all types. From WC Handy ,  B.B. King , Louis Armstrong and Hank Williams to Frank Sinatra , Elvis Presley , Buddy Holly , Bob Dylan and Michael Jackson. Stars of genres as diverse as blues, jazz, swing, country, folk and rock ‘n’ roll.

Exclusive Music Tours & Holidays

From coast to coast North America is full of wonders. Its vibrant cities, stunning scenery and a welcoming atmosphere are just waiting to be explored. On all our exclusive escorted music tours and themed holidays, we’ll take you on unforgettable journeys to explore the lives of your musical heroes.

GROUP TRAVEL – WITH A DIFFERENCE

Travelling time – flexible is our middle name.

Did you know that any of our exclusive escorted music tours can be customised to suit private groups of any size?* Or, if you love a particular tour itinerary but want to experience it as a road trip, we can arrange that too? We’d be delighted to help you organise that special family get together, social club holiday, amazing fly drive or even a tailor made tour for a group of friends!

You are of course free to book your own flights and extend your stay in the USA. Alternatively, we can do it all for you and take care of absolutely everything! From customising your flights and tour to adding extra hotel nights, attractions and meals to suit your exact requirements. Then, with Travelling Time arranging everything, all you have to do is jump aboard and enjoy yourself.*

Whatever you decide – we are here to help – Just call 01738 643737 for details!

*Minimum 6 passengers, All tours are 100% Financially protected & Flight inclusive tours have   ATOL Protection

ROCK & ROLL TO RAGTIME

Departing 9th september 2024 & other dates coming soon.

Featuring : Memphis, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Houston, New Orleans & more

The big texan adventure, departing 12th sept 24 & 13th apr 25 & 1st oct 25.

Featuring: Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Houston & more

Mountains,moonshine & music city, departing 6th october 2024, 14th may 2025 & 17th october 2025.

Featuring: Nashville, Muscle Shoals, Great Smoky Mountains & more

Music city to windy city, departing 9th june 2025 & other dates coming soon.

Featuring : Nashville, Louisville, Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago & more

Midwestern melodies & dc, departing 8th sept 2024 and other dates coming soon.

Featuring : Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Washington DC & more

Beaches & bygone days, departing 9th december 2024 & 15 january 2025.

Featuring : Washington DC, Raleigh, Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Jacksonville & more

Capital to capitol, 23rd july 2024 & other dates coming soon.

Featuring : Ottawa, Montreal, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC & more

66 & buddy, 2023 dates sold out 2024 dates coming soon.

Featuring : Dallas, Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Lubbock, Amarillo & more

Heartland harmony, departing 21st june 2025 and other dates coming soon.

Featuring : Chicago, St Louis, Branson, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Grapevine & more

Midwest & more, departing 18th september 2025 and other dates coming soon.

Featuring : Memphis, Branson, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Dallas, Fort Worth & more

Buddy & all that jazz, departing 15th september 2025 and other dates coming soon.

Featuring : New Orleans, San Antonio, Houston, Austin, Lubbock, Fort Worth & more

Rhythm, roots & cowboy boots, departing 16 october 2024 & 29th march 2025.

Featuring : Dallas, Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Branson, Memphis & more

Southern style, departing 23rd may 2024, 15th october 2024 & 22nd may 2025.

Featuring : Nashville, Franklin, Muscle Shoals, Lynchburg, Tupelo, Memphis & more

Meet the music makers.

Featuring : Nashville, Franklin, Muscle Shoals, Lynchburg, Tupelo, Red Bay & more

Country, capitals, jack & coke, departing 7th september 2025 and other dates coming soon.

Featuring : Atlanta, Macon, Birmingham, Muscle Shoals, Nashville & more

Soundtrack of the south, departing 21st sept 2024 and 21st april 2025.

Featuring : New Orleans, Orange Beach, Muscle Shoals, Nashville, Memphis & more

Totally tennessee, departing 2nd may 2025 & other dates coming soon.

Featuring : Memphis, Nashville, Smoky Mountains, Chattanooga & more

Vegas stars & canyon skies, departing 7th december 2024 & other dates coming soon.

Featuring : Las Vegas, Lake Havasu City, Scottsdale, Tombstone, Sedona & more

It's cal-neva calling, departing 14th march 2025 & other dates coming soon.

Featuring : Los Angeles, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas, Palm Springs & more

Tunes of glory, departing 26th april 2024 & 25th august 2025.

Featuring : Atlanta, Sevierville, Charlotte, Charleston, Savannah, Macon & more

Authentic america, departing 2024 dates sold out & 26th november 2025.

Featuring : Atlanta, Charleston, Savannah, Tallahassee, Orange Beach & more

Floridian fun, departs 23rd november 2024 27th jan 2025 & 9th feb 2025.

Featuring : Orlando, Siesta Key, Marco Island, Key West, Miami & more

Departing 7th september 2025 & other dates coming soon.

Featuring : Atlanta, Orange Beach, Mobile, New Orleans & more

Bourbon, beale & broadway, departing: 18th may 2024, 21st apr 2025 & 17th may 2025.

Featuring : New Orleans, Tupelo, Memphis, Nashville & more

Dc to dollywood, departing 8th october 2025 and other dates coming soon.

Featuring : Washington DC, Charleston West Virginia, Dollywood & more

Notably new england, departing 10th july 2024 and other dates coming soon.

Featuring : Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire & Connecticut

Memphis,mountains & music cities, departing 4th october 2024 other dates coming soon.

Featuring : Memphis, Nashville, Muscle Shoals, Dollywood & more

Music 'n' motion, departing 23rd may 24, 15th oct 24, 22nd may 25 & 12th sept 25.

Featuring : Nashville, Lynchburg, Muscle Shoals, Tupelo, & more

Rockin' the rockies, departing 7th july 2025 & other dates coming soon.

Featuring : Salt Lake City, Jackson Hole, Cody, Yellowstone, Cheyenne & more

Parks, peaks & prairies, departing: 22nd of july 2025 & other dates coming soon.

Featuring : Denver, Cheyenne, Cody, Yellowstone, Deadwood, Kansas City & more

• Welcome to the new Americana Rhythm Music Magazine website!

Americana Music Magazine – Bluegrass, Roots, Folk, Blues, and Old-Time

Americana music on tour.

Last fall, our publisher spent several days at the Americana Music Association convention in Nashville, TN. While there, he made some great new friends in this growing Americana music business. One of the folks he met was a tour director—yes that’s what we said. Now, I expect that many of us have enjoyed taking bus tours. In fact, just this year, I enjoyed a whirlwind bus tour to New Orleans. Bus tours are not usually exotic—enjoyable, yes, but not so unique. Not so with the tours this director produces. His name is Garry Smith, he’s from Australia, and his tours are the Americana Music Tours and they are centered upon the very subject the name implies; plus they are unique and maybe even just a bit exotic. Let me tell you about an Americana Music Tour.

To give you an idea of what the Americana Music Tours entail, here is a quote that I pulled from the brochure, “Americana Music Tours deliver guests a heady mix of fantastic live music alongside authentic cultural and historical experiences” The company claims that they will show you a life alternating adventure of music and food that extends across five states, 10 cities, and 1200 miles of highways and back roads of the region.

The tours are designed to concentrate upon these different music genres. They offer a 15 day tour that they call the world’s greatest road trip where you get to hear it all, see it all, and do it all. But enough of the hype; I recently made contact with Mr. Garry Smith and posed a number of questions to him the answers to which you will find interesting.

A Bit Of A Commute Garry Smith lives in Brisbane Australia and was born and bred in Australia. He has been involved in music all his life. He’s been a session musician; owned a professional recording studio; produced music for five TV series and countless advertising spots as well as produced recording projects for a number of different styles of music. Smith told me, “It was after producing the CD for an Americana artist who lives in Australia that I decided to attend the Americana Music Conference (now called Americana Fest) in 2013 held in the US.”

Garry went on to say that while at the AMC event he met Aubrey Preston. Preston is an entrepreneur heavily involved in Tennessee tourism. Preston introduced Smith to his Americana Music Triangle entity. Smith explained, “I then learned that the three points of the triangle are Nashville, New Orleans and Memphis, and I was amazed to learn that nine different genres of music have come from this area, and that pretty much everything we hear on popular music radio can be traced back to this area.” Smith went on, “I became fascinated by the area and had an epiphany. If I was so excited by what I had just seen and heard, why wouldn’t others? After several trips back and becoming friends with Aubrey, he basically gave me all of his documentation and contacts. I immediately got in the car and drove the triangle, meeting everyone he had put me in touch with. I developed the tour around these contacts and others that I met along the way.”

State Side Bus Service I asked Mr. Smith if he directed a travel company or was he an individual producer of these tour experiences. Here is how Mr. Smith explained it, “Americana Music Tours is an LLC in the US and a trademarked business here in Australia. I work with a travel agent here in Australia and I have a partner in Nashville who facilitates the tours for me. The Nashville partner is an independent travel company that runs their own tours as well as facilitating tours for companies like mine. They know the area, and along with the Australian agent, they have the resources to do all the bookings, provide the guides and make sure that everything runs smoothly. I have been doing small groups myself for the last few years so with the extra feet on the ground there (in the US) we are now stepping up to bigger groups.”

I asked what type of folks make up these Americana Music Tour groups? Smith told me that his target demographic is music lovers in the 45-70 age range. He expanded, “You don’t need to be a musician—music is such an integral part of life in the US south that the tour is really a cultural experience. We cover other experiences such as food (for example, Tom Hendrix Wall outside Muscle Shoals), and out of the way venues like the Rattlesnake Saloon as well. We try to keep the groups to 12-20 in number, so we can deliver the type of personal experience that the bigger tours can’t do.” As far as where the tourists hail from, Smith says, “We’ve been concentrating on Australia, but we’ve just recently partnered with the Nashville Company and the Australian travel agent, plus our website has been up for a while, so the appeal is now global. Through research we’ve uncovered serious interest in Americana music in Great Britain, Norway (both of those places already have Americana Music Associations sanctioned by the Nashville-based original) and Germany. Of course, blues and jazz are popular in Japan, France, and many other countries, so we see our market as wide open right now.”

Smith has been at this for only a few years having first gone to Nashville in 2013 and developed the tour through 2014 and 2015, and having run a few small group tours since 2015. His Nashville partner has been running tours through parts of the area for a number of years. Smith’s tour is designed to do the whole triangle in 15 days. Smith also has been running a very successful student study tour for the last three years. This tour is organized through a local university. It takes students to a music conference in Los Angles, CA; then to a week of co-writing songs with writing professionals; and finally to a recording session where the students record with Nashville producers and session players some of those songs that they co-wrote.

Fall Is Ideal As to what time of the year the tours take place, Mr. Smith had this to say, “Ideally we would run tours in the Spring and Fall; however, I have a group here that wants to go in January so they can experience the cold weather that Brisbane doesn’t have! At the moment we’re marketing an October tour that is based around the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, AR. We’re also planning a tour for April 2018 that will take in a weekend at the Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale, MS.

It seemed to me when I read the itinerary for the various tours that it must be difficult to tailor a particular tour. Smith agreed, “Designing these different tours has been really difficult. I have driven the area so many times and am so passionate about it that I want everyone to see everything all at once. In fact, the 15 day tour was originally going to be an 18 to 21 day tour. I realized that Americans don’t have the length of holidays that Australians have (out here we have 4 weeks a year) so I needed to make the length of the tour achievable by as many people as possible.”

There is no tour overlap as all the tours are independent and based on the make up of the tour group. The standard 15 day tour starts in Nashville. Smith said that they could facilitate highly personalized shorter tours that would hub out of each of the main centers of Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans

In closing our conversation, I asked Mr. Smith to tell to me what he hoped the tourist would take away from the tour experience, and here are two thoughts that he mentioned, “Nashville is not just country music—rather it is a genuine music center. This is an eye-opener—I had no idea of the importance of this area in the history of popular music until I saw it for myself.”

Should you care to learn a bit more about Gerry Smith’s magical, mystical Americana music tours and maybe tag along on one, point your computer’s browser to www.americanamusictours.com for the detailed information you need.

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Glass Animals announce 2024 ‘Tour Of The Earth’ dates in the UK, Europe and North America

It comes after they announced their new album ‘I Love You So F***ing Much’ yesterday (April 3)

Glass Animals have announced details of their new ‘Tour Of The Earth’, which will see them play live shows in the UK, Europe and North America later this year. Find ticket details below.

• READ MORE: Glass Animals on ‘Dreamland’, ‘90s nostalgia & their album “expansion pack” | In Conversation

The new dates come following the band sharing news of their highly anticipated fourth studio album, ‘I Love You So F***ing Much’ yesterday (April 3). Set for release on July 19, the album is the follow-up to 2020’s ‘Dreamland’ , and arrived alongside the band’s new single, ‘Creatures in Heaven’ .

Now, Dave Bayley and co. have shared details of an upcoming 2024 tour, which will see them play over 40 shows across the UK, Europe and North America.

The shows kick off with a run of US tour dates, and start with an opening night at the PNC Music Pavilion in Charlotte, NC on August 7. From there the North American dates continue across the remainder of August and September, with slots in Philadelphia, New York, Toronto, Nashville, Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles, Dallas and more. They wrap up with a show at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas on September 22.

The UK and European tour dates commence the following month, and launch with a show at the Zenith venue in Paris, France on October 15. Other shows across the month include slots in Brussels, Warsaw, Berlin, Milan, Amsterdam, Dublin and more, before the band head over to the UK for the final leg of the ‘Tour Of Earth’.

UK shows kick off in Glasgow’s OVO Hydro arena on November 1, and continue with slots in Manchester (November 2), Nottingham (3), Cardiff (5) and London (7).

The UK dates will feature support from The Big Moon , while international shows will see Glass Animals joined by the likes of Kevin Abstract , Eyedress and Blondshell . Tickets for all dates go live at 10am local time on April 11 and will be available here . Visit here for pre-sale information too.

Recommended

Glass Animals’ 2024 North American tour dates are:

AUGUST 7 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion + 8 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre + 10 – Philadelphia, PA – TD Pavilion at the Mann + 11 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center + 13 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden + 16 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park + 17 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion + 20 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage + 21 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center + 23 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center + 24 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre + 25 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center + 27 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena + 28 – Chicago, IL – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island + 31 – Kansas City, KS – Azura Amphitheater ~^

SEPTEMBER 3 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre ~ 4 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre ~ 5 – Salt Lake City, UT – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre ~ 7 – Seattle, WA – The Gorge Amphitheatre ~^ 8 – Vancouver, BC – Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena ~ 11 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre ~ 13 – Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre ~ 14 – Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum ~^ 17 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre ~ 20 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion ~ 21 – The Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion ~ 22 – Austin, TX – Moody Center ~

Glass Animals’ 2024 European and UK tour dates are:

OCTOBER 15 – Paris, France – Zenith = 16 – Brussels, Belgium – Forest National = 17 – Dusseldorf, Germany – Mitsubishi Electric Halle = 19 – Warsaw, Poland – Expo XXI = 20 – Berlin, Germany – Max-Schmeling-Halle = 22 – Milan, Italy – Alcatraz = 23 – Zurich, Switzerland – The Hall = 24 – Munich, Germany – Zenith = 26 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – AFAS Live = 30 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena =

NOVEMBER 1 – Glasgow, United Kingdom – OVO Hydro = 2 – Manchester, United Kingdom – Co-op Live = 3 – Nottingham, United Kingdom – Motorpoint Arena = 5 – Cardiff, United Kingdom – Utilita Arena = 7 – London, United Kingdom – The O2 =

Support Key + Kevin Abstract ~ Eyedress ^ Blondshell = The Big Moon

As aforementioned, Glass Animals recently shared details of their upcoming album and dropped the lead single from the project in the form of ‘Creatures In Heaven’ .

Speaking about its existential themes, frontman Dave Bayley said: “It’s about a moment in time, be it a split second or a year or whatever, having the capacity to be enormously formative and life-changing.

“Even if it is over. Or if it doesn’t go as planned. Or if it dies too soon. It is still fucking beautiful. The love and care and the feeling in that moment lives forever. It never really dies. If that’s how you choose to see it.”

The announcement follows the news last week that the band will play two shows later this year – in Wild West, California on April 11 and Mexico City on April 15 .

Glass Animals’ last new music was 2020’s ‘Dreamland’, a record which NME gave four stars : “‘Dreamland’ is stuffed with effervescent nuggets of pop gold. It’s a sun-drenched record of summer tunes that will sound even better when heard at festivals with a tinnie in hand. Yet look behind glittering shells of these tunes and you’ll find hugely personal stories, told with new strength and resilience.”

NME also spoke with Glass Animals in 2022, where they shared their experiences about working with Florence Welch : “I learned so much from [Florence]. We did a bunch of sessions for the new album, and I was blown away. I was like, ‘Woah, how do I compete with this real force of nature when it comes to songwriting?’

He continued: “I had to hold my own and I think we made a really wicked album. She’s a brilliant songwriter. Shout out to Florence: thank you for letting me work on your record, I feel really lucky.”

• Related Topics
• Glass Animals
• Kevin Abstract
• Live Music News
• The Big Moon

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American Music Abroad

The American Music Abroad (AMA) program brings people together worldwide through education, entertainment, and the legacy of 70 years of musical diplomacy through the U.S. Department of State. AMA is the direct descendant of the Jazz Ambassadors programs of the 1950s, which continues to demonstrate the power of cultural diplomacy as a tool to bring people together with music, the universal language.

The 2024 – 2025 Tour Season will select ten bands composed of three to five members who demonstrate outstanding musical talent, aptitude in performance and educational programming, and adaptable skills for diverse international audiences. The ten selected bands will participate in an international tour to one to three countries over a 17-21day touring period from September 2024 to July 2025 (based on band availability).

We welcome all musical genres, including a-cappella, country, hip hop, rap, rock, indie, classical, folk, Latin, rhythm & blues, soul, jazz, Broadway, gospel, and Native American music. Selected bands will be asked to partner with U.S. Embassies worldwide, creating programming that will connect people across cultural divides, further ensuring a sustainable impact for the rich legacy of musical diplomacy in the U.S. Department of State.

25 Semi-finalist bands will participate in live auditions in New York City or Las Vegas (chosen from online application). Selected bands will be given a 15-minute audition slot on their selected day (March 4-7, 2024), from which ten bands will be selected to participate in the 2024 – 2025 AMA Tour Season.

The 2024 – 2025 tour season will occur between September 2024 and July 2025. Each musician in the band will receive a $300 honorarium per tour day along with U.S. Government per diems for the cities they visit.  All travel and production expenses are covered. To be eligible, all band members must be U.S. citizens, over 18, have no felonies, and not be delinquent on child support.

Do not hesitate to email [email protected] with questions.

Click Here to apply to be a part of the 2024 – 2025 Season   (Programming September 2024 to July 2025)

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Jeff Lynne's Electric Light Orchestra is saying goodbye

The group is going on a 31-show, North American farewell tour. Known for hits including "Xanadu" and "Mr. Blue Sky," ELO has sold more than 50 million albums since the band formed in the 1970s.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "MR. BLUE SKY")

ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA: (Singing) Mr. Blue Sky, please tell us why you had to hide away for so long.

A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:

Good morning. I'm A Martínez.

Jeff Lynne's Electric Light Orchestra is saying goodbye. The group is going on a 31-show North American farewell tour. Known for hits including "Xanadu" and "Mr. Blue Sky" - that's the song you're hearing now - ELO has sold over 50 million albums since the band formed in the 1970s. Sales for the newly announced shows start tomorrow.

It's MORNING EDITION.

(SOUNDBITE OF ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA SONG, "MR. BLUE SKY")

Copyright © 2024 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.

You're  Invited!

Experience the best of Europe through music

M idwest A merican M usic T ours presents a once in a lifetime chance for student musicians to embark on a journey exploring the most exceptional highlights of Europe. This comprehensive sixteen-day tour takes student, director, and family participants on an exhilarating adventure spanning seven countries, offering unforgettable cultural experiences and performance opportunities in historic venues. Join us for the 2024 tour and create unparalleled memories.

"I travel because I'd rather look back at life saying, 'I can't believe I did that' instead of, 'If only I had.'"

Former King Crimson Members Form Beat, Announce 2024 Tour

P rog-rock band King Crimson may have disbanded decades ago, but that hasn’t stopped a few former members from forming their own supergroup. Adrian Belew (former King Crimson guitarist and vocalist) and Tony Levin (former King Crimson bassist) have formed a new group called Beat with Tool drummer Danny Carey and famed guitarist Steve Vai. The band’s namesake comes from King Crimson’s 1982 album Beat . And yes, if you’re wondering, KC frontman Robert Fripp has given his full endorsement for the project.

Less than a month after forming, the band has just announced a North American tour that’s set to kick off in September. The supergroup will perform across the US and Canada well into November. No supporting acts have been announced.

The Beat 2024 Tour will start on September 12 in San Jose, California at San Jose Civic. The tour will end on November 8 in Las Vegas, Nevada at The Theater at Virgin Hotels.

The main ticketing platform for the Beat 2024 Tour is going to be Ticketmaster , and there are a ton of different presale events going on right now. If you want in on the artist presale specifically, use the code “BEATTOUR”.

General on-sale kicks off on April 5 at 10:00 am local. If the presale event sells out your tour date of choice, give Stubhub a try. It’s a great platform for finding after-sale tickets, and your purchase will be guaranteed by the FanProtect Program. No scams here!

Get your tickets now before they sell out!

Beat 2024 Tour Dates

September 12 – San Jose, CA – San Jose Civic

September 13 – Napa, CA – Blue Note Napa Summer Sessions at Meritage Resort

September 14 – Los Angeles, CA – The United Theater on Broadway

September 15 – Anaheim, CA – City National Grove of Anaheim

September 17 – San Diego, CA – Humphrey’s Concerts

September 18 – Phoenix, AZ – Celebrity Theatre

September 20 – Austin, TX – The Paramount Theatre

September 21 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Centre

September 22 – Dallas, TX – Majestic Theatre

September 24 – Atlanta, GA – The Eastern

September 26 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – The Parker

September 27 – Orlando, FL – Hard Rock Live

September 28 – Clearwater, FL – Ruth Eckerd Hall

September 29 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Music Hall

October 1 – Charlotte, NC – Knight Theater

October 2 – Durham, NC – Carolina Theatre of Durham / Fletcher Hall

October 4 – Washington, D.C. – Warner Theatre

October 5 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre

October 6 – Glenside, PA – Keswick Theatre

October 8 – Richmond, VA – Carpenter Theater in Dominion Energy Center

October 9 – Red Bank, NJ – Count Basie Center

October 11 – Boston, MA – Shubert Theatre

October 12 – Hampton Beach, NH – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom

October 14 – Halifax, NS – Rebecca Cohen Auditorium

October 15 – Moncton, NB – Casino New Brunswick

October 17 – Montreal, QC – Maisonneuve Theatre

October 18 – Toronto, ON – Massey Hall

October 19 – Rochester, NY – Kodak Center

October 21 – Albany, NY – The Egg

October 22 – Greensburg, PA – Palace Theatre

October 23 – Reading, PA – Santander Performing Arts Center

October 25 – Cleveland, OH – Agora Theatre

October 26 – Cincinnati, OH – Taft Theatre

October 27 – Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak Music Theatre

October 28 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium

October 30 – Indianapolis, IN – Murat Theatre

November 1 – Chicago, IL – Copernicus Center

November 2 – Milwaukee, WI – Pabst Theatre

November 3 – Madison, WI – Orpheum Theater

November 4 – Minneapolis, MN – State Theatre

November 6 – Denver, CO – Paramount Theatre

November 8 – Las Vegas, NV – The Theater at Virgin Hotels

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America’s Music Cities Will Put a Song in your Heart

If you’re a fan of blues, jazz, country and good old rock ‘n’ roll, this is the tour for you! Whether you’re into reliving the music of your youth or you’d just like to see where it all began, America’s Music Cities tour will not disappoint. Get your dancing shoes and let’s go!

October 02, 2017

3 minute read

RCA studio B

 RCA’s studio B is Nashville’s oldest recording studio. It’s where Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton and Charlie Pride once recorded some of their classic tunes. A visit to the studio reveals how each artist recorded their big hits, but the real fun comes when your tour group gets to record their very own song! You may not be very good, but you’ll have bragging rights for sure. Not many people can say they recorded a song at Studio B!

Graceland is the former abode of Elvis Presley. There you’ll find his home, original business office, trophy building and exhibits from his life at the palatial 14-acre estate. Visit the Meditation Garden where Elvis and members of his family are laid to rest. Even though you’ve probably seen lots of photos of Graceland, nothing compares to actually standing in the place where The King of rock ‘n’ roll actually lived.

The Jazz revu at the French Quarter jazz club is spectacular. It includes prime seats and a drink. After the revu you can choose to either stay at the bar to hang out with the locals, go back to the hotel to rest your dancing feet, or explore Bourbon Street. If you choose to go to Bourbon Street, prepare to be overwhelmed in the best possible way. It’s definitely something to experience.

Belle Meade Plantation

Visiting this marvelous estate is like stepping back in time. The rags to riches story about the plantation is fascinating as it started out as a humble log cabin on 250 acres and grew to a staggering 5,400-acre thoroughbred horse farm with a mansion, deer park, rock quarry and even a train station! After seeing the estate, a three-course meal and wine tasting held in the beautiful stables is a big treat. (Don’t worry. The horses have moved out.) The food is absolutely delectable and the wine is delicious.

The city tour of Memphis, the home of the blues, rock ‘n’ roll and soul, includes local musicians on board the coach to tell the story of Memphis’ musical heritage and history as you pass by the city’s highlights. It’s hard not to break into song at this point, but it’s ok if you just can’t help it. Join in!

You’ll also thoroughly enjoy your trip to the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry, Music Row, the Parthenon, the Ryman Auditorium and Beale Street’s music clubs. Fall head over heels for the incredible Cajun and Creole cuisine that leaves many people with some serious cravings once they return home. Not to worry though! There’s a cooking class to teach you how to cook New Orleans-style. This tour includes everything you can imagine and more!

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I write to thank you for the great pleasure of serving as a clinician at the inaugural festival in Dallas this past weekend. Congratulations to you and your team on a very well run festival (no surprise there from what I’d heard ahead)! Tireless work impacts the lives of many conductors and singers.  (North Texas Madrigal & Chamber Choir Festival)

Dr. Pearl Shangkuan – Director of Choral Activities and Professor of Music, Calvin College, MI

I wanted to thank you all for working with my bands back at the Crescent City Jazz Fest.  Our top combo and big band both played and had a really amazing experience. The opportunity to get a clinic from, and then play with such amazing musicians was invaluable for them (and me!)  I really can’t express how thankful we are for the great experience!  Thanks for making a difference to kids!  (Crescent City Jazz Festival)

Corry Petersen, Director of Bands, Poudre High School, CO

It was a wonderful venue and a great event!  The festival is an exceptional learning experience. (San Antonio Madrigal & Chamber Choir Festival)

Dorothy Wilson – Choral Director, Cinco Ranch High School, Houston, TX

Thank you for making my students’ experience at the American Classic Choral Festival at Shadow Creek wonderful! The facilities were outstanding! The contest was probably one of the most organized festivals I’ve attended.  The students were polite and professional!  My kids want to do it again!   (Bayou City Classic)

Kimala Eaton Ross – Choral Director, Fort Settlement Middle School, Fort Bend ISD, TX

Had a great day at Bayou City Music Festival and the Pleasure Pier with my choirs! Kids performed well and we had a fun time at the pier! Thanks for running an awesome contest! I highly recommend this festival to my music director friends!  (Bayou City Classic)

Joy Tuneberg – Choral Director, League City Intermediate, Clear Creek ISD, TX

If you are a high school director who has been considering participating in the American Classic Madrigal Festival, do it. Participation in this festival over the last few years has made me a better teacher, musician, and conductor. The weeks that we spend intensely preparing for it are some of my most edifying, fulfilling, and downright fun weeks of the year. It is a top notch event every year, competitive yes, but also so very warm and supportive. You should go for it!  (San Antonio Madrigal & Chamber Choir Festival)

Cynthia Douglas, Choral Director, Cypress Ranch High School, Cy Fair ISD, TX

Thanks again for the opportunity to perform yesterday- what a beautiful venue! (A Celebration of Excellence Festival)

Jill Fetty, Choral Director, Clear Springs High School, Clear Creek ISD, TX

Just wanted to say thank you for convincing me to participate in the festival.  My girls are over-the-top excited.  (A Celebration of Excellence Festival)

Daryle Freeman, Choral Director, Davis High School, Aldine ISD, TX

What a great contest to have without the stress of UIL! Thank you for thinking of it and making it happen! We are honored and thrilled to be recognized!  (A Celebration of Excellence Festival)

Caroline Cavenaugh Woodard, Choral Director, Porter High School, TX

Thanks for the opportunity to perform in such a beautiful space. I’m thrilled my kids got to experience it.  It was nice to have a quality contest without having to drive several hours away.  (A Celebration of Excellence Festival)

Jason Watt, Choral Director, Kingwood High School, TX

That was a great festival, and at this point, I’m looking at switching to American Classic for all my festival needs.  (Celebration of Excellence Festival)

John Richardson, Elkins High School, Fort Bend ISD, TX

We had a great time!  The constructive comments helped us make final adjustments before UIL competition.  Thanks again for putting this festival on my radar! (A Celebration of Excellence Festival)

Clay West, Choral Director, Conroe High School, TX

My trips abroad with jazz bands have been worry-free because of American Classic Tours’ detailed planning, personal attention, outstanding service, quality accommodations, and great value.

Mary Jo Papich – Jazz Education Network Co-founder, Peoria, Illinois

Our Italian guide was extremely active (the woman has so much energy!). The kids loved her, and she dealt with a lot of situations on the spot. The transition to our guide in Spain was good as well. Great concerts!  (Italy/Spain tour)

Eduardo Garcia-Novelli, D.M.A., Director of Choral Activities, Carthage College, MN

I want to thank American Classic Tours—on this and our three previous tours, you’ve given us moments that will remain with us for a lifetime.  From playing along Lake Luzerne (the most beautiful venue in which I’ve conducted!), to the wonderful finale in Oberammergau (four encores—-who knew?!?), we had a fantastic tour.  And kudos to your drivers and tour guides for the bonus of Lichtenstein. (Germany, Switzerland tour)

Roger Tabler – Music Director, Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, PA

I have been on four tours with American Classic Tours, twice to Europe, to Australia and New Orleans with groups ranging from 2 to 215. Each time, ACT customized a wonderful tour for both staff and students! They have many former music teachers on staff, so they really do understand how music trips function. They also stick with you every step of the way. Representatives were present at the initial kick off meeting, and we received support all the way through the end of our trip with great follow up afterward.  I wouldn’t go with anyone else. (Australia tour)

John G. Hermanson – Director of Orchestras, Fort Collins High School, CO

The HPHS choir trip to Spain was everything we hoped for and more, featuring a tour route that our school Spanish teachers agreed would be the most educational, historical, and cultural.   The students were enthralled with every city we visited. Our every need was attended to by our ACT and local guides. As always, the concerts were meaningful. The venues were exciting and the audiences attentive and appreciative. We couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful trip. (Spain tour)

Cheri Owens, Choral Director, Highland Park High School, IL

We had a wonderful guide on our trip–friendly, informative and resourceful.  I appreciated not only the factual information, but also how well the culture of each area was brought to us.  Also, my compliments to our skilled and safe driver.  He was quite personable and the bus was always immaculate! (Germany/Austria & Hungary tour)

Michael Lysinger – Choral Director, JJ Pearce High School, Richardson

The trip was awesome! The three concerts were some of the best concert experiences we’ve ever had abroad and we had an expert tour guide. (Norway/Sweden & Finland tour)

Scott Bonasso – Choral Director, St. John’s School, Houston

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Ewan McGregor Charms in ‘A Gentleman in Moscow’, but Can’t Turn the Hit Novel Into a Compelling Show: TV Review

By Alison Herman

Alison Herman

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• Ewan McGregor Charms in ‘A Gentleman in Moscow’, but Can’t Turn the Hit Novel Into a Compelling Show: TV Review 1 week ago

Based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Amor Towles, “A Gentleman in Moscow” follows Rostov through the doors of the Metropol and stays there through decades of Russian history, from the formation of the Soviet Union to Stalinist repression to World War II and beyond. Writer and showrunner Ben Vanstone (“All Creatures Great and Small”) renders Rostov’s journey in eight hourlong episodes, a length at once condensed from Towles’s 500-page tome and distended from where the story feels most comfortable onscreen. “A Gentleman in Moscow” may present Rostov and his kind as an endangered species, but the series is part of an all-too-common trend: a limited series built around a star performance that’s engaging, but not enough to stretch a movie-sized idea into a TV-sized narrative.

But none of these characters ever compete with Rostov for the center of the series’ attention. They are, at best, accessories to his maturation from unserious dilettante to an impassioned protector of his adopted family, or an audience to his anecdotes about a bygone era. McGregor gamely sports a mustache and animates Rostov with a boyish naiveté. (After “Fargo,” “Halston” and “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” the actor seems to have taken to TV as a showcase for his talents.) His Rostov is compelling, yet also familiar — Towles’ novel was published in 2016, just a couple years after Ralph Fiennes portrayed a similar figure in Wes Anderson’s “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” which brought its namesake property to life with much more stylistic brio than directors Sam Miller and Sarah O’Gorman bring to the Metropol. There’s a ceiling to how much McGregor can do with a protagonist who clings to such established contours of vintage propriety caught up in the tides of history.

There’s also the matter of context. “The Grand Budapest Hotel” took place in a fictional country, but it referenced the rising tide of European fascism in the 1930s, a theme with obvious resonance for contemporary viewers. “A Gentleman in Moscow” deals with Communist repression, which is both a throwback to Cold War anxieties and an inherently political subject for a stubbornly apolitical show. Rostov’s college friend Mishka (Fehinti Balogun) hails from a more proletarian background and ends up on the opposite side of the revolution, but their differences stem more from personal strife than ideology. In their school days, Rostov thwarted Mishka’s romance with his sister, an intervention with tragic results.

“A Gentleman in Moscow” otherwise avoids having Rostov question whether his former lifestyle ever came at others’ expense or cultivating his views on current events beyond melancholy regret. This absence might be less conspicuous were the show more overtly abstract and allegorical á la “The Regime,” another series set largely within the walls of a requisitioned hotel. But the Metropol, while clearly constructed on a soundstage, is realistic enough to invite questions about the outside world. Towles could relay those developments in writing; on TV, we can’t see how Russia is changing because we’re trapped inside with Rostov, a deliberate choice that nonetheless leads to visual monotony and cuts off a potential source of plot.

The first episode of “A Gentleman in Moscow” is now available to stream on Paramount+ and will air on Showtime on March 31 at 9 p.m. ET, with remaining episodes streaming weekly on Fridays and airing on Sundays.

Updated: An earlier version of this review misidentified the showrunner.

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Pardoned for Serving in Ukraine, They Return to Russia to Kill Again

Recruiting convicts for its army has given Russia a manpower advantage. But it is backfiring in tragic ways when former inmates are pardoned and return home to commit new crimes.

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By Neil MacFarquhar and Milana Mazaeva

Viktor Savvinov had already been imprisoned several times for various crimes — including robbery, auto theft and assault — when he murdered a female drinking companion during a quarrel in 2020, stabbing her in the chest with four knives.

A court in Russia’s Siberian region of Yakutia sentenced him to 11 years in a maximum-security prison. So when recruiters from the private Wagner mercenary group offered him freedom and a clean slate if he deployed to fight in Ukraine, Mr. Savvinov, a morgue orderly, seized the opportunity.

By February, Mr. Savvinov had completed his service and was back in his native village of Kutana. That month, on Defenders of the Fatherland Day, he was staggering drunk around the snowy streets, residents said, complaining loudly that villagers showed him insufficient respect as a veteran. The next night, he murdered two of them, according to a law enforcement report, striking a male drinking buddy dead with a metal crowbar before killing his own estranged aunt, who lived next door, by axing her in the head, and then torching her wooden house.

Russia’s practice of recruiting convicts has been the backbone of its success in Ukraine, providing an overwhelming manpower advantage in the war. But it is backfiring in tragic ways as inmates pardoned for serving in Ukraine return to Russia and commit new crimes.

Overall numbers on recidivist crimes are hard to establish because the Russian government restricts the release of any public information that puts the war in a bad light. A survey of Russian court records by the independent media outlet Verstka found that at least 190 criminal cases were initiated against pardoned Wagner recruits in 2023. That included 20 cases of murder or attempted murder as well as rape, robbery and drug-related crimes, among others.

Still, the Kremlin appears to be doubling down on the policy of recruiting inmates. On March 23, President Vladimir V. Putin signed a new law meant to formalize the process.

Before, the criteria for pardons was opaque, and Mr. Putin pardoned convicts who had fought in Ukraine by signing decrees that were never made public. The new law established a long list of eligible crimes that were explicitly added into Russia’s criminal code, including murder, robbery and some rapes. Earning pardons is now a matter of law, not presidential decree, but convicts let out of prison to fight can get one only after their military commanders approve.

Crimes not eligible include terrorism, espionage or treason, and some sex crimes involving minors, among others.

“Nobody used to lock their doors in the village at night, but now they lock them with a key, even during the day,” said a resident of Kutana, a Siberian village of 1,000 people, declining in an interview to use her name out of fear that Mr. Savvinov might win another pardon if he was convicted and volunteered again to fight in Ukraine.

“Normal life” was gone, she added, noting that the aunt whom he killed had once been named a “teacher of the year” and awarded a prize from the Kremlin.

Similar experiences have scarred other cities and towns.

In Chita, near the border with Mongolia, a Ukraine veteran was sentenced last month to 14 years in prison for strangling a 22-year-old prostitute to death with his bare hands. In 2020, he was sentenced to 14 years for strangling and dismembering an 18-year-old girl.

In the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, a former Wagner mercenary who had served 15 years on theft and fraud charges was sentenced in February to 17 years for raping two schoolgirls, aged 10 and 12.

Near the southwestern city of Krasnodar last spring, a young father, Kirill Chubko, the owner of a party business, and one of his employees stopped to fix a burst tire on a darkened road one night. They encountered three highway robbers who forced them to withdraw around $2,000 from their banks before fatally stabbing them, according to a law enforcement report. The head of the gang had been sentenced to 18 years in prison in 2016 for preying on motorists but was released to serve in Ukraine.

In 2017, Sergey Rudenko was sentenced to 10 years in prison for strangling his girlfriend to death with a belt. He earned his release when he signed on with Wagner to fight in Ukraine.

In April 2023, in Rostov-on-Don, in southwestern Russia, Mr. Rudenko, 34, went looking for an apartment. After arguing with the real estate agent over the proposed rent, he strangled her with a cloth cord, then stabbed her in the neck, a law enforcement report said. A district court sentenced Mr. Rudenko to more than 11 years in prison.

Local news reports did not name the victim, and several local residents, reached by telephone, said they knew nothing about it.

The details of these crimes were drawn from numerous interviews, local investigation reports, local news articles and court records. Most relatives and friends of the murder victims spoke on the condition of anonymity, concerned that the killers might win new pardons and come after them. Those interviewed were also worried that the authorities might charge them under wartime laws against denigrating the military, which includes publicizing soldiers’ previous crimes.

The Wagner group began recruiting convicts in August 2022, with a promise of presidential pardons in exchange for signing a six-month contract. Before being disbanded last year in the wake of a failed mutiny against the Kremlin, the group said it had recruited more than 50,000 prisoners.

Many of those men died, some are still fighting and an estimated 15,000 ex-convicts have returned home, according to Olga Romanova, the head of Russia Behind Bars, an NGO dealing with prisoner issues.

“A great many prisoners were back on the loose, and it became a big problem,” she said. The crimes seemed to belie the official narrative that the war is being fought to make Russia safer and that veterans will constitute a new elite, she added.

Crimes committed by veterans, whether from the Wagner group or otherwise, often go unreported. National media outlets have mentioned only a few sensational cases. “It is a story about invisible violence,” said Kirill Titaev, a Russian sociologist working at Yale University who specializes in criminology. “It is a big problem for the society, but one they do not recognize.”

Russian commanders frequently deploy untrained convicts who join the Russian army as cannon fodder. Having survived harsh conditions in penal colonies and then a bloody war, they emerge back on the streets with zero rehabilitation.

Many of them return to their communities exuding a certain swagger, experts said. They view their service as having rehabilitated them, and usually have money to burn. Their base monthly pay from Wagner of around $2,000 constituted a small fortune in much of Russia.

In addition, law enforcement officers are often intimidated by the former inmates’ new status, Ms. Romanova said.

Those pardoned after committing particularly shocking crimes and then serving in Ukraine include a serial killer from Sakhalin known for cannibalism; a member of a Satanist sect convicted of ritualistic slayings; and a man who killed his former girlfriend by brutally torturing her for hours.

Last year, Mr. Putin played down the issue of pardoned convicts committing new crimes. “This is inevitable,” the president said. “But the negative consequences are minimal.” Although he confirmed issuing presidential pardons, the Kremlin has refused to name the recipients.

Relatives of previous victims and other locals are often vocal critics of releasing criminals. In Novosibirsk, the pardoned murderer of a used-car saleswoman is now driving a taxi, despite efforts to get him dismissed.

Some lawyers accuse prosecutors of slow-walking cases against veterans in hopes that the local outcry will quiet.

“This is a new level of lawlessness,” said the lawyer for the widow of Mr. Chubko, who along with his employee was murdered by a highway gang. The lawyer’s repeated requests to prosecutors for a copy of the pardon have been denied. “They keep telling us that it is a state secret,” he said. “We are fighting the investigation more than the accused.”

Mr. Chubko called his wife late on the night he was killed, telling her not to stay up, that some men he encountered on the road would help change his flat tire. The next morning, her husband, still not home, did not answer his cellphone.

However, his wife reached Tatyana Mostyko, 19, who worked for her husband. Ms. Mostyko told her in a strange voice that Mr. Chubko was not available, and the wife said that she figured out later that he had already been killed. Ms. Mostyko was being driven around to various A.T.M.s and was soon murdered, according to an investigation report.

The widow said attending the arraignment of the three suspects made her sick to her stomach. (The other two had petty criminal records, and there was no indication that either had served in Ukraine, according to local press reports.)

“It was obvious that they had no regrets,” she said. Her husband had once remarked that recruiting soldiers from prisons was not normal, she added.

“These people belong in prison,” she said. “I’m scared that they are among us. My kid and I walk in the park, and they might be walking there. It’s not like it’s written on their foreheads that they are criminals.”

Oleg Matsnev contributed reporting.

Neil MacFarquhar has been a Times reporter since 1995, writing about a range of topics from war to politics to the arts, both internationally and in the United States. More about Neil MacFarquhar

Milana Mazaeva is a reporter and researcher, helping to cover Russian society. More about Milana Mazaeva

Our Coverage of the War in Ukraine

News and Analysis

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has signed into law three measures aimed at replenishing the ranks of his country’s depleted army, including lowering the draft age to 25 .

With continued American aid to Ukraine stalled and against the looming prospect of a second Trump presidency, NATO officials are looking to take more control of directing military support from Ukraine’s allies  — a role that the United States has played for the past two years.

Exploding drones hit an oil refinery and munitions factory far to the east of Moscow, in what Ukrainian media and military experts said was among the longest-range strikes with Ukrainian drones so far in the war .

Conditional Support: Ukraine wants a formal invitation to join NATO, but NATO has no appetite for taking on a new member  that, because of the alliance’s covenant of collective security, would draw it into the biggest land war in Europe since 1945.

“Shell Hunger”: A desperate shortage of munitions in Ukraine  is warping tactics and the types of weapons employed. What few munitions remain are often mismatched with battlefield needs as the country’s forces prepare for an expected Russian offensive this summer.

Turning to Marketing: Ukraine’s troop-starved brigades have started their own recruitment campaigns  to fill ranks depleted in the war with Russia.

How We Verify Our Reporting

Our team of visual journalists analyzes satellite images, photographs , videos and radio transmissions  to independently confirm troop movements and other details.

We monitor and authenticate reports on social media, corroborating these with eyewitness accounts and interviews. Read more about our reporting efforts .

Ukraine says it destroyed Russian warplanes in one of its biggest drone attacks of the war

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Ukrainian officials said Friday they used a barrage of drones to destroy at least six military aircraft and badly damage eight others at an airfield in Russia’s Rostov region. Russian defense officials, however, said they intercepted 44 Ukrainian drones and that only a power substation was damaged in the attack.

The Associated Press could not independently verify either side’s claims.

The assault appeared to be one of Kyiv’s biggest air attacks in the war, coming as its forces stepped up their assaults on Russian soil. Russia has also escalated attacks on civilian infrastructure, including Ukraine’s power plants, in recent weeks, signaling a new and potentially dangerous phase in the conflict as both sides struggle to achieve significant advances on the ground.

The overnight attack targeted a military airfield near Morozovsk in Russia and was conducted by Ukraine’s Security Service in cooperation with the army, Ukrainian intelligence officials told the AP.

They said around 20 members of the airfield’s personnel were killed or injured. Morozovsk airfield was used by Russian bombers that have been launching guided aerial bombs at Ukraine’s cities and front-line positions, the officials said.

World & Nation

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They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the operation.

If true, the attack would be among Ukraine’s most successful cross-border strikes. In October, Ukraine claimed it destroyed nine Russian helicopters at two airfields in Russian-occupied regions using long-range ballistic missiles donated by the United States.

In August, Ukrainian media, citing unidentified intelligence sources, claimed that drone attacks hit parked Russian bomber aircraft at air bases deep inside Russia.

In a conflicting version of events, Russia’s Defense Ministry said 44 drones were “intercepted and destroyed” in the Morozovsky district, more than 60 miles from the border. The attack damaged a power substation, Rostov Gov. Vasily Golubev said, adding that eight people near the airfield were injured.

Usually well-informed Russian military bloggers confirmed an attempted attack by Ukrainian drones on a military air base in Morozovsk but claimed there were no casualties at the base and no damage to warplanes.

The Russian defense ministry said nine more drones were intercepted over the border regions of Kursk, Belgorod, Krasnodar and the nearby Saratov region, bringing the total of attack drones deployed by Ukraine overnight to 53.

Drone warfare is a key feature of the war, which has extended into a third year since Russia’s full-scale invasion of its neighbor. On the 600-mile front line, where fighting is largely bogged down, low-cost drones are used by both sides to knock out expensive military hardware.

The Kremlin’s forces have used large numbers of Iranian-designed Shahed drones to bombard urban areas of Ukraine. Kyiv, in turn, has developed a small but fast-growing defense industry where drones, including deadly unmanned sea vessels, are proving effective.

Russian authorities have long accused Ukraine of launching regular drone attacks on power plants, oil refineries and other targets in western regions of Russia near the border. Last month, Ukraine fired a barrage of 35 drones at such targets, Russia said. Some attacks have reached deep into Russia, including Moscow and as far as 745 miles east of Ukraine.

Ukraine cannot match the scale of Russia’s military, however. Last week, Moscow launched a mass barrage of 99 drones and missiles against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, hitting regions across the country.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s air force said it intercepted 13 Russian drones launched overnight at the southern regions of Odesa, Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk, but five missiles got through. Authorities did not report any casualties.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he held a meeting with his top brass focused on the production of attack drones and the manufacture of electronic warfare equipment to intercept incoming drones.

He said late Thursday that the meeting put together “clear written agreements with manufacturers, clear financing and clear delivery deadlines.”

Authorities will next turn to “robust and increasing” missile production, he said, as military support from Western partners falls short of what Kyiv hoped for.

Zelensky said an assessment of front-line positions found that Ukraine has “managed to stabilize our positions” despite being outgunned and outnumbered by the Russian army.

Novikov writes for the Associated Press.

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Russia-Ukraine war live: 20 members of Russian airfield personnel killed or injured in drone attack, Kyiv says – as it happened

Ukraine led attack on to military airfield near town of Morozovsk in Rostov region in Russia

• 23h ago Summary of the day
• 24h ago Russian air strike on Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia kills two people, injures six others, governor says
• 24h ago Doctors without Borders says Russian missile strike 'completely destroyed' its office
• 1d ago Ukrainian military drones attack nuclear plant, no serious damage detected, Moscow says
• 1d ago Russian forces take control of village in eastern Ukraine, Moscow says
• 1d ago Russian regional governor in hospital after stabbing attack
• 1d ago 20 members of Morozovsk airfield personnel killed or injured, Kyiv says
• 1d ago Kremlin calls potential Russian threat to Paris Olympics "completely unfounded"
• 1d ago Emergency declared in Russia's Khabarovsk after radiation detected
• 1d ago Japan announces new sanctions against Russia
• 1d ago Drone attack destroyed six Russian warplanes and damaged eight others, Kyiv says
• 1d ago Ukraine has fired more than 40 drones into Russia, Moscow says
• 1d ago Russia says pro-Ukraine data found on Moscow attack suspect's phone
• 1d ago Ukraine military shoot down 13 Russian drones over southern regions

Kremlin calls potential Russian threat to Paris Olympics "completely unfounded"

The Kremlin has called French President Emmanuel Macron ’s assertions that Russia plans to disrupt the Olympics “absolutely unfounded.”

Macron said on Thursday that he had “no doubt” that Russia would target the Paris Olympics this summer.

When asked about Russia’s threat to the games by a reporter, Macron said, “I have no doubt whatsoever, including in terms of information.”

Emergency declared in Russia's Khabarovsk after radiation detected

Authorities in Russia’s eastern city of Khabarovsk have declared a state of emergency in an area where a “radiation source” was found, Russian news agency TASS reported on Friday.

It said elevated radiation levels were detected near a power pylon, approximately 2.5km (1.5 miles) from residential buildings.

It also said radiation levels would be monitored for the next two days and the source of the radiation would be investigated, but nobody has been injured or exposed to radiation so far.

TASS quoted the local branch of Russia’s consumer safety watchdog as saying that “there is no threat to the health of citizens”.

Japan announces new sanctions against Russia

Japan’s ministry of economy, trade and industry announced on their website on Friday the decision to ban exports of 164 goods to Russia , including automobile engine oil and optical equipment.

The cabinet approved the export ban for items that could strengthen Russia’s industrial base, as part of sanctions against Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine . The ban is expected to take effect on 17 April.

The ministry also said that it has revised a ministerial notice to ban imports of Russian nonindustrial diamonds, which are used in jewellery. The import ban will be implemented on 10 May.

“We will make every effort to implement the ban on exports to and imports from Russia in cooperation with the international community,” trade minister Ken Saito told a press conference.

A Ukrainian intelligence source has described the operation targeting the Morozovsk air base as an important one.

The source did not say how the attack was conducted but that six Russian warplanes were destroyed, and eight more were damaged, in a joint operation by the SBU security service and the military.

The Ukrainian source told Reuters on Friday that the Morozovsk air base was used by Russian tactical bombers that Moscow’s air force uses to fire guided bombs at the Ukrainian military and frontline towns and cities.

The Guardian could not independently verify these claims, or Moscow’s claims that the drones were intercepted.

Ukraine has significantly stepped up its drone attacks on targets in Russia in recent weeks. On Tuesday, a Ukrainian drone struck the primary unit of the third largest Russian oil refinery in the Tatarstan region, more than 1,100 km (690 miles) from Ukraine; their deepest attack into Russia since the war began in February 2022.

Dialogue with Russia must remain open despite its attack on Ukraine , Italy’s defence minister said on Friday.

“Although the Russian Federation has invaded a sovereign country, and for this reason Italy and France always support and will support Ukraine, it is important (...) that channels of confrontation and dialogue are also kept open,” Italy’s Guido Crosetto said in a statement.

Earlier this week, French Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu had a phone conversation with Russia’s Sergei Shoigu , during the course of which France condemned Russia’s “war of aggression” in Ukraine.

France later denied Russian claims that it expressed willingness to hold dialogue on Ukraine or discuss possible peace negotiations when the two countries’ defence ministers spoke on Wednesday.

Crosetto, who spoke to Lecornu on Thursday, added that “tough and critical” communication, is essential to achieve the goal of stopping the Russian attacks and to be able to “create the conditions for a just peace”.

Drone attack destroyed six Russian warplanes and damaged eight others, Kyiv says

We have had more updates come through on the drone attack into Russia’s Rostov region.

An Ukrainian intelligence source told Reuters on Friday that the attack destroyed six Russian warplanes and damaged eight others, at a military airfield near the town of Morozovsk.

The Guardian could not independently verify the claim.

Russia’s RIA news agency cited the defence ministry earlier on Friday as saying the country’s air defences downed more than 40 drones overnight.

Ukraine has fired more than 40 drones into Russia, Moscow says

Moscow defence officials say Ukraine have fired more than 40 drones into Russia’s bordering Rostov region in what appears to be one of its biggest aerial attacks in the war, which is extending into its third year.

Russia’s defence ministry said 44 drones were “intercepted and destroyed” Friday in the Morozovsky district, more than 62 miles (100km) from the border.

Officials say the attack damaged a power substation. Russian media reported that there is a military airfield near the town of Morozovsk, but it is unclear whether the airfield was the target of the attack.

Ukrainian officials rarely comment on such strikes and provided no immediate response. The Guardian has not been able to independently verify the claims.

Last week, Moscow launched a a mass barrage of 99 drones and missiles against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, hitting regions across the country.

Russia says pro-Ukraine data found on Moscow attack suspect's phone

Russian investigators claim to have found pro-Ukraine data on the phone of one of the Moscow attack suspects, in the latest sign the Kremlin is intent on blaming Kyiv for the deadly Crocus City Hall shooting despite the Islamic State’s claim of responsibility.

Russian investigators on Friday said one of the attackers behind last month’s massacre at a Moscow concert hall - claimed by the Islamic State (IS) - had pro-Ukrainian content on his phone.

Ukraine and the West have accused Moscow of trying to exploit the tragedy by implying, without providing evidence, that Kyiv was behind the terror attack, the most deadly in Russia for two decades.

Islamic State (IS) has repeatedly claimed responsibility for the attack, its deadliest on European soil and the deadliest by any group in Russia since the 2004 Beslan school siege.

Gunmen in camouflage stormed the Crocus City Hall venue on the outskirts of Moscow before setting the building on fire. More than a dozen suspects have been arrested including the four assailants, who are all from the Central Asian nation of Tajikistan.

Hours after the attacks, Russian media and state officials began to lay the groundwork for blaming Ukraine for the terrorist attack which killed over 140 people, despite evidence that Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), an Afghan offshoot of the terrorist group, was responsible.

Russian investigators said Friday that data from one of the suspects’ phones showed that on the morning of February 24 this year - the second anniversary of Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine - he had trawled for photographs of the Crocus City Hall and sent it to others.

It said the suspect “had confirmed all this in his statements”.

Human rights experts however have warned that any statements or confessions from the suspects should be met with scepticism given that the men appeared to have been repeatedly tortured , according to gruesome videos and photographs circulating of their interrogations.

Russia’s investigative committee also said it had found photos on the same phone showing men in camouflage holding the Ukrainian flag in front of destroyed buildings.

“This data may indicate a link between the attack” and the conflict in Ukraine, it said.

The United States said it had publicly and privately warned Russia in early March that extremists were planning an attack on a concert hall in Moscow.

Unnamed US intelligence officials told American media outlets after the massacre that they specifically had told Moscow it was the Crocus City Hall that IS was planning to attack.

Reuters last week reported that Iran, a close ally of Russia, also tipped off the Kremlin about the possibility of a major “terrorist operation” on its soil ahead of the concert hall massacre.

Russia rejected western warnings. Just three days before the attack, president Vladimir Putin accused Washington of “blackmail” and trying to “intimidate” Russians.

The Ukrainian military denied on Friday that Russian forces had entered the suburbs of Chasiv Yar , a town in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, but said there was fighting ongoing in the area.

“The situation there is very difficult, the fighting continues, but they are not there,” Andriy Zadubinnyi, spokesman for Ukraine’s eastern command told Reuters.

Russia’s RIA news agency cited an adviser to the Russian-appointed regional head earlier as saying that Russian forces were in the suburb of Chasiv Yar.

Ukraine military shoot down 13 Russian drones over southern regions

Good morning, the time has just passed 10am in Kyiv and Moscow.

Reuters has reported that Ukraine’s air force shot down all 13 drones used in Russia’s overnight attack on the southern regions of Zaporizhzhia, Odesa and Dnipropetrovsk.

One of the attacks targeted energy infrastructure in the Odesa region but air defences repelled the attacks, Ukraine’s military said.

Local officials also reported explosions in an attack in the eastern city of Kharkiv , a regular target of Russian attacks, late on Thursday. The region’s governor, Oleh Syniehubov , said there were no casualties reported as of Friday morning.

Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukrainian grid infrastructure in recent weeks, aiming to disrupt the country’s power and energy network

• Ukraine war live
• Vladimir Putin
• Volodymyr Zelenskiy

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