The Rolling Stones on Wednesday celebrated the release of their brand new album, Foreign Tongues, with an exclusive, star-studded party overlooking the River Thames from the terrace of London’s newest luxury hotel, St. Clement.

Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood hosted friends, guests and celebrity attendees including Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz, Sam Fender, Sacha Baron Cohen, Simone Ashley, Christian Louboutin, John McEnroe, Glen Matlock and Vernon Kay.

The celebrations culminated in a spectacular, first-of-its-kind light show staged over the River Thames, illuminating the London skyline with the classic tongue and album artwork, above the London Eye and Big Ben in a landmark event to honour the band’s latest release. The light show was linked to their latest release “In The Stars.”

The breathtaking display was created by internationally acclaimed designer Patrick Woodroffe, who commented, “The Music for the 500 drone light show was set to the new Stones song ‘In The Stars” and is a fitting metaphor to see the iconic and much loved Stones’ tongue hanging over the River Thames to celebrate a record made here in the city of London.”

The Rolling Stones said, “We put this album together in under a month at Metropolis Studios in our hometown of London – it was a lot of fun. The critics seem to like it, we hope everyone loves it!”

Source: RTT Music News

Guitar Center has announced the full lineup and event details for its Drum-Off 2026 National Finale, taking place on August 20 at the Fonda Theater in Hollywood.

After nearly a decade away, the iconic Drum-Off competition returns to crown its next champion. Six finalists selected from thousands nationwide will compete live before a panel of legendary judges, celebrity guests, and a live audience. The winner will receive a brand endorsement, career-changing opportunities, $25,000 in cash, and a complete pro-level drum, hardware and cymbal setup.

Tickets are available now to the public at AXS.com, with 15 percent of each ticket price benefiting the Guitar Center Music Foundation.

Hosted by comedian, actor, and drummer Bill Burr along with former Drum-Off host and Jane’s Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins, the star-studded finale event will feature special performances from Robert Trujillo and the Kate Mess project featuring Tosh Peterson, Jordi Radnoti, Tim Stewart and Tiara Stewart.

The show closes with Kenny Aronoff and Friends, an all-star power trio featuring Kenny Aronoff, Michael Anthony, and Phil X. They will perform classic rock favorites, including songs made famous by Van Halen, Led Zeppelin and other legendary artists.

Source: RTT Music News

Peter Gabriel recently released “I Belong to the Sky,” the latest song from his forthcoming album, o\i.

“I Belong to the Sky” is written and produced by Gabriel. The first mix to be released is the Bright-Side Mix by Mark “Spike” Stent.

The Dark-Side Mix of I Belong to the Sky will be released on the next new moon.

“It’s another song which has taken a while to grow,” says Gabriel. “It was a candidate, in some form, for the i/o record, but didn’t get finished off, but it was always one of my favourites”.

He adds, “The starting point of the song was the timpani tom-tom pattern which was inspired by an old film called Jazz on a Summer’s Day and also a wonderful drummer called Chico Hamilton. I think he was the pioneer of the use of timpani sticks on the toms and I always loved that sound; calm and hypnotic. It set a really strong mood for me and the song grew up around it.”

“Visualising… how dreams leave their nest, is the main topic of the song,” according to Gabriel. “One of the things I love about this track is that these amazing musicians let themselves loose and really take off – with Manu (Katché) driving. It’s just great.”

The cover art for “I Belong to the Sky” is called “Nimbus de Toekomst 1, 2019” by Berndnaut Smilde, with a photo by Cassander Eeftinck Schattenkerk.

Source: RTT Music News

Rock legends Rush have partnered with Fantoons to release a limited-edition T-shirt, with proceeds benefiting victims of the recent devastating earthquakes in Venezuela.

All proceeds from the shirt will be given to Hogar Bambi, a charity devoted to the orphaned and abandoned children in Venezuela.

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24, followed by more than 430 aftershocks. More than 2,500 people have been confirmed dead and over 12,000 injured, with the death toll expected to rise.

Fantoons is a Venezuelan production company that has produced illustrations and animations for Rush, as well as acts like Ozzy Osbourne, Iron Maiden, and more.

Rush are currently in the midst of their “Fifty Something” reunion tour. They recently postponed two Fort Worth, Texas shows due to Geddy Lee’s battle with bronchitis and laryngitis. The North American run is scheduled through December.

Meanwhile, Metallica have announced a $100,000 donation to the organization Direct Relief through the band’s All Within My Hands charity foundation.

“AWMH’s $100,000 grant will support Direct Relief as the organization continues to respond to requests in the region as they become known,” a press release reads.

Source: RTT Music News