The line outside Royal Oak Music Theatre stretched well before doors opened on March 18, a clear sign that Maddox Batson is quickly becoming one of country music’s most exciting young draws. By the time the lights went off, the venue was packed wall-to-wall with an eager crowd ready for a night that delivered energy from start to finish. Baylee Lynn and Timmy McKeever delivered opening support for the night.

When Maddox Batson took the stage, the reaction was immediate and electric. From the first note, it was evident that this was his night. Batson delivered a performance that balanced charisma with a surprisingly polished stage presence. His vocals held steady throughout the set, and his connection with the audience felt genuine, with high pitched screams for the young girls in attendance.

Batson opened with songs “Southbound”, “It Was You” and “If I See Her Again”. After a smooth night of singalongs, Maddox ended the night with his hit song, “Girl in Green”, which had the venue screaming every word.

What stood out most was Batson’s command of the room. Maddox maintained a consistent energy that never faded. The audience responded in kind, singing along loudly and hanging onto every word. It’s rare to see an artist so early in their career show that level of control over a live setting, especially in a venue as intimate as Royal Oak Music Theatre.

By the end of the night, it was clear that this wasn’t just another tour stop, it felt like a statement. Maddox Batson didn’t just perform; he proved he belongs on bigger stages moving forward. With strong support from Baylee Lynn and Timmy McKeever rounding out the bill, the March 18 show in Royal Oak was a complete, well-paced night of music that highlighted the next wave of country talent.

If this performance was any indication, Maddox Batson’s rise is not just underway, it is at full speed.

Baylee Lynn :

Timmy McKeever :

Maddox Batson :

Emo’s Not Dead Cruise has announced its lineup for its 5th annual cruise that sets sail in 2027. Yellowcard will lead the pack alongside the likes of The Wonder Years, Mayday Parade, Dance Gavin Dance, Silverstein, and more.

The 5th annual voyage will set sail on Norwegian Joy from Miami, FL to Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamasfrom January 22-26, 2027.

Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of other activities on board, including partying (or hitting the spa) with their favorite artists, gambling in the Joy Casino, Water slides, go-karts, Bellyflop Competition, drinking tournaments, comedy nights, theme nights, and so much more. The ship also hosts a number of amenities, including elevated dining experiences, Mandara Spa & Salon, Vibe Beach Club, Aqua Park, mini golf, Pulse Fitness Center, a video arcade, and more.

Don’t forget, excursions and exploration in Great Stirrup Cay are a must for all. Guests will have a chance to book various activities while at port, such as swimming with the pigs, beachside cabanas, ziplining, and more.

A limited number of cabins remain for next year’s cruise and are expected to sell out quickly. Find more information and book your stay now at endcruise.com.

This past Monday New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert posted that he was back in the hospital after doctors had found 3 brain tumors. After a successful surgery Gilbert made a post on social media about his health issues recently leading to this surgery.

Gilbert said that when playing a show in Nashville on Feb. 20, he was “struggling to control the movements” of his left hand. “My left leg was getting weaker by the day and I started stumbling and falling at times,” he shared.

“On the 23rd I was taken to the ER where a CT scan showed 3 new tumors had appeared in my brain. On 2/27 I had successful brain surgery and have been recovering in the hospital since. I regained function of my left hand immediately 🙏🏻.”

Gilbert talked about his radiation oncologist explaining what had happened to him: “This is not a fatal blow and not the end of your story, just the beginning of a new chapter.” The musician said that though his “recovery has been bumpy at times,” he’s feeling “much better now and getting stronger by the day.”

“Thankful to everyone who’s checked in on me and helped my family during this lengthy and challenging journey,”

“Can’t use my phone much yet and have a lot of messages to catch up on. More stories to come when my brain is working well again. Love you all and am looking forward to sharing more music and fun with you as we come out of this ❤️”

Punk royalty The Casualties are back with another new song ‘Allies And Assassins’. This comes from the bands upcoming record ‘Detonate’ which drops this upcoming Friday.

 It is also their second album with David Rodriguez at the mic and solidifies his relationship with Marc “Meggers” Eggers (drums), Jake Kolatis (guitar) and Doug Wellmon (bass). “We were in the studio for [2018’s] ‘Written in Blood’ about eight months after I joined,” Rodriguez says. “With this new record, we really grew together. For me, it’s the proud moment where we clicked the three Legos together.”

“‘Allies And Assassins’ is a feeling, a state of mind!” Rodriguez explains. “Growing up we are taught to bow to State and Church and we see all the atrocities that follow. We see how it tears us apart! We see how we blindly follow the leader and WE, we the people fall off the cliff, not them.”

“It’s a feeling we felt in our youth and we set in motion as we grew older,” he continued. “During the presidential elections this feeling wrapped around me like a rope and started squeezing the life out of me. There was so much hate and tension in the air it was hard to know who your friends were. And times like these we remember, those who fought before us and we fight back!”

“It stems from being overloaded,” Meggers says. “You feel like your head is about to explode, which I think is what everybody is feeling these days. You’re pounced on day by day with terrible news and social media, and you just feel like you’re going to snap.”

With the unblinking eyes of the punk world on them, The Casualties pulled the blinds and did what they do best. “There was a degree of pressure, but not from outside sources,” Rodriguez explained. “We just wanted to do the best record that we could that honors The Casualties name and history without playing the same song over and over. But it wasn’t that we even had to go out of our way. It felt natural to write this new music.”  

The record also features special guests, including a vocal intro by hardcore legend Vinnie Stigma of Agnostic Front on “Brick By Brick” and Native American punk band 1876 who contribute guest vocals and percussion on “Ashes of War.”  “As long as I’ve been listening, I’ve felt like The Casualties always spoke up for people in society that didn’t have as loud of a voice,” Rodriguez says. “The Casualties have always had some Spanish in songs, but it just seemed like such an important time to have loud Native voices. You don’t hear it that often, and the more we spoke together, the more we really found out.”  

Ultimately, ‘Detonate’ amplifies the punk ethos that The Casualties have embodied since 1990: A raised fist in the face of oppression. “I want people to feel empowered when they hear this record,” said Rodriguez. “I want them to feel like they have a voice. I want them to feel like they’re with like-minded people when they come to a Casualties show. They can be themselves and not watch the show but be part of the show—scream with us, jump off the stage. We want them to feel like they’re part of something.”

Summer Slaughter has announced its lineup for 2026 and its bringing a heavier one for this one. Hatebreed will headline the tour with bands across various dates including Devourment, Incantation, Snuffed On Sight, Face Yourself, and Balmora.

Artist pre-sales launch today, March 24 @ 12:00 P.M. EDT (PW: SSLAUGHTER) through March 26 @ 10:00 A.M. local time. The general ticket sales will start Friday, March 27 @ 10:00 A.M. local. The full itinerary can be found below!

Summer Slaughter co-organizer and Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta comments, “Summer Slaughter Tour is back and we’re excited to announce the first portion of the dates! Select shows will feature up and coming local and regional acts & we’ll be playing a couple tunes from our upcoming new album, it’s gonna be SICK! See you there!”

SUMMER SLAUGHTER 2026:
HATEBREED, DEVOURMENT (07/02 – 07/15), INCANTATION (07/19 – 07/24), SNUFFED ON SIGHT, FACE YOURSELF + BALMORA

07/02: Reading, PA @ Reverb

07/03: Virginia Beach, VA @ Elevation 27

07/04: Jackson Township, NJ @ Hellfest*

07/05: Worcester, MA @ The Palladium

07/07: Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart’s

07/08: Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl

07/09: New Orleans, LA @ Tipitina’s

07/10: Houston, TX @ House of Blues

07/11: Austin, TX @ Emo’s

07/12: Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom

07/14: Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall

07/15: Omaha, NE @ The Admiral

07/16: Cadott, WI @ Rock Fest *

07/17: Chicago, IL @ The Rumble *

07/18: Mansfield, OH @ Inkcarceration * 

07/19: Saginaw, MI @ The Vault **

07/21: St. Louis, MO @ Pop’s Nightclub **

07/22: Fort Wayne, IN @ Piere’s Entertainment Center **

07/23: Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre **

07/24: Buffalo, NY @ Town Ballroom **

* Festival Date

** INCANTATION to replace DEVOURMENT

Five-time Grammy nominee Hunter Hayes is bringing his new album Evergreen to life this March and April. Released on March 6, Evergreen is Hayes’ first full-length release in three years. Hayes’ new album spans genres and experiments lyrically, making this a tour fans won’t want to miss.

The Evergreen Tour starts on March 25 in Hopewell, Virginia and will have support from BLÜ EYES and Franklin Jonas & The Byzantines on select dates.

Tickets can be purchased here.

UPCOMING TOUR DATES:

3/25 – Hopewell, VA @ Beacon Theatre *

3/27 – Millvale, PA @ Mr. Smalls Theatre, Funhouse & Café *

3/28 – Ardmore, PA @ Ardmore Music Hall *

3/29 – Newton, NJ @ The Newton Theatre *

3/31 – Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair *

4/2 – New York, NY @ Grammercy Theatre *

4/3 – Asbury Park, NJ @ The Stone Pony *

4/4 – Portland, ME @ Aura *

4/7 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues Cleveland *

4/9 – Detroit, MI @ Saint Andrew’s Hall *

4/10 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Elevation *

4/11 – Chicago, IL @ House of Blues #

4/12 – Minneapolis, MN –@Fine Line #

4/14 – Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue #

4/16 – Louisville, KY @ Mercury Ballroom #

4/17 – Cincinnati, OH @ Taft Theatre #

4/18 – Huntington, TN @ The Dixie Carter PAC #

4/19 – Knoxville, TN @ Bijou Theatre #

4/22 – Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage #

4/23 – Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl Nashville #

4/24 – Cornelius, NC @ Cain Center For The Arts #

4/26 – Charleston, SC @ Charleston Music Hall #

*  with BLÜ EYES

# with Franklin Jonas & The Byzantines