When the superstar pop vocal group ‘N Sync sat down to pick the songs for its upcoming album, the quintet found itself at odds with its record company. The Florida-based group, which has sold more than 25 million records worldwide since debuting in 1997, wanted to rock the boat with “Celebrity,” which is due in stores July 24. But Jive Records executives worried that too much change might make fans disinclined to buy, buy, buy like they have in the past. “They were like, ‘I don’t know. I don’t like that song. I don’t think you should go there. It’s… Read more »
Even up until the day of the concert, I wasn’t fully prepared for what I was about to experience.
Basslines and Protest Signs is Brett Callwood’s column looking at the intersection of music and politics. This week breaks down how Brexit is already screwing over touring musicians.
Good Noise Podcast is a music podcast built around real conversations with artists across alternative, rock, metal, emo, pop-punk, hip-hop, and the scenes that overlap them. Hosted by Glory, the show focuses on the people behind the music, mixing interviews and album discussions with conversations that don’t feel rushed or overly scripted. Instead of quick promo stops, the podcast gives artists room to talk about how they create and the parts of the music industry that don’t always get discussed. Episodes often touch on growth, burnout, and the reality of trying to build something long-term in an ever changing scene.… Read more »
As the Recording Academy continues to reckon (slowly) with the rock and metal soundscape as contenders for recognition, the 2026 Grammy nominations reflect a scene in flux—where genre lines entangle, heavy music dominating festival stages, and artists once deemed “too niche” now command massive cultural gravity. With the Grammy ceremony set to air on February 1—although metal categories will not get airtime beyond an announcement during the red carpet—here are the idobi Radio predictions for best rock, metal, and alternative categories. Stream Your Favorite Artists on idobi Radio From Waterparks and 5 Seconds Of Summer to The Paradox, L.S. Dunes,… Read more »
For some reason, the internet is utterly obsessed with reliving its 2016 glory days. A testament to just how bad 2026 is, or a harmless blast to the past, you decide. Whether you were still taking the bus to school or commuting your way to work as an “elder emo,” you were probably blasting these tracks throughout the year. From Waterparks‘ massive debut album, Double Dare, to Pierce The Veil‘s Misadventures offerings, these are the songs that defined 2016 for pop-punk, alternative, metal, and indie lovers. Panic! At The Disco — “Emperor’s New Clothes” If I say something, you guys… Read more »
2025 was full of magical musical moments, including the arrival of a new Hayley Williams album, Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party, and a Panic! At The Disco reunion. Aside from an array of band reunions and dazzling records, this year also featured an incredible amount of singles and EPs that advanced the alternative genre forward. From Pierce The Veil’s bonus tracks, including “Kiss Me Now” to The All-American Rejects’ “Easy Come, Easy Go,” and beyond, these 20 songs from 2025 marked the best of the best. Stream Your Favorite Artists on idobi Radio From Waterparks and 5 Seconds Of Summer to The… Read more »
If When We Were Young Fest has taught us anything, it’s that nostalgia still rules the alternative music scene. Each year, the Las Vegas-based festival manages to one-up itself with its lineup, and 2025 is no exception. With the reunion of Panic! At The Disco at the heart of this year’s lineup, the festival will see several other bands reunite. Panic! At The Disco Few bands defined the 2000s emo boom quite like Panic! At The Disco. From their breakout 2005 debut, A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out, to Brendon Urie’s time on Broadway, Panic! became one of the most… Read more »
Little Rock, Arkansas indie-pop project joan, aka Alan Benjamin Thomas and Steven Rutherford, are dreaming—”lucid dreaming,” that is. The two just launched their latest single, “lucid dreaming,” a glowing pop tune that won’t leave you snoozing, but will transport you out of this world. “Don’t go away/I’m hanging onto every word you say/You got me feeling like I’m in a daze/This can’t be real/There’s no way that I’m awake cause/You got me stuck in an alternate reality,” they sing. Beyond this track, joan has offered an array of upbeat indie-pop works with ethereal vocals and synths for days—a sound that… Read more »
Fresh off their set at Vans Warped Tour DC, People R Ugly are back with a new pop-alternative banger, “BETTER.” The track is set to appear on their debut album, slated for release in fall 2025. Of the song, the band notes, “Rather than dwelling on a breakup, we flipped the narrative with the hook ‘I like you better, better when you’re off my mind. The bridge drives it home: ‘I should thank you, ’cause you’re the reason I don’t care anymore.’ It’s a simple concept, but delivered in an unexpected way, the kind of high-energy track you’d hear at… Read more »
