Bryan Adams releases ‘Bryan Adams & Friends: A Great Big Holiday Jam’ on December 8 via Bad Records – the same day the Christmas special of the same name premieres on Citytv and streams on Citytv+ in Canada.

Franck Carducci has signed with Esoteric Recordings/Cherry Red Records who will release his new studio album ‘Sheeple’ in the spring.

Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea has released his debut solo single ‘A Plea’, with his album due in April via Nonesuch Records.

The Gems release their second album ‘Year Of The Snake’ on March 13 via Napalm Records.

Lou Gramm will release his new solo album in March which includes songs co-written with ex-Foreigner bassist Bruce Turgon.

The Karma Effect’s new album ‘Cruel Intentions’ is released on May 16 through Earache Records. The first single ‘Waiting On A Miracle’ was released in November.

Lion’s Share release, ‘Inferno’, on March 27 Metalville Records. The band’s first full album in seventeen years.

Spencer Mackenzie’s new album ’Empty Chairs’ will be released by Gypsy Soul Records on February 20.

Saracen release a live album ‘Crusader’ in early 2026.

Solstice release a live album entitled ‘Clann: The Stables Gathering‘ on February 18.

Sylosis release their seventh studio album ‘The New Flesh’ on February 20 via Nuclear Blast Records.

BMG reissue Sodom’s ‘Get What You Deserve’ on February 27.

Visions of Atlantis release ‘Armada – An Orchestral Voyage’ on February 6 on Napalm Records.

In the studio…

Lindsey Buckingham has recorded a new album with a release expected sometime next year…Kerry King plans to record his second solo album in early 2026

Newly announced UK tours (2026 unless stated):

The B52′s + Devo (Jun), Blue October (Jun), Eric Clapton (The Sandringham Estate, Norfolk, Sun Aug 23), Dogstar (Jun), Evanescence + Poppy (Sep), Fairport Convention (Mar, Apr), Gazpacho (Islington Academy, Apr 4), Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit (Jun), Jimmy Eat World + Rise Against (Gunnersbury Park, London, Sun Aug 16), Lucie (Feb), Mumford & Sons (Hyde Park, Sat Jul 4), Simple Plan (Oct), Sparks (Royal Hospital Chelsea, Fri Jun 12), Witch Fever (Mar),

Upcoming (Gigs – UK)

Newly announced US & European tours (2026 unless stated):

Behemoth + Dimmu Borgir (EU), Blue October (EU), The Crown (EU – farewell tour), A Day To Remember + Papa Roach (AU), Dogstar (EU), Foghat (US), Gazpacho (EU), Godsmack (EU), The Guess Who + Don Felder (CA), Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit (EU), Judas Priest (EU), Mammoth (US), Megadeth + Exodus + Anthrax (CA), Phish (US), Redd Kross (AU), Sisters Doll (AU), Spin Doctors (AU), Styx + Chicago (US)Witch Fever  (EU),

Upc, oming (USA/ROW)

Scooter have been announced as the “curveball” band for next year’s Download festival.

Cambridge Folk Festival returns next year at Cherry Hinton Hall Augst 1 & 2. Headliners are Frank Turner, Suzanne Vega and Richard Thompson with Zara Phillips.

Guilfest returns next year on the weekend of July 3 and 4. Artists set to appear include The Proclaimers, Bad Manners, ABC, Kula Shaker, T’Pau, Haircut 100 and Hugh Cornwell.

Uriah Heep, The Almighty, Doro, Morganway, Chez Kane, Anthony Gomes and The Virginmarys have been added to next year’s Maid of Stone festival line-up.

Tour updates & postponed/cancelled gigs & tours

Biffy Clyro have postponed this month’s US dates due to a visa issue.

Helloween have cancelled this month’s Asian dates due to Michael Kiske’s health issues.

Warner Music has announced a partnership with AI music firm Suno, who have also bought Songkick from Warner’s.

Aerosmith have landed their first ever number one UK album chart spot with their recent collaboration with Yungblud, ‘One More Time’.

‘Hamburg Days’, a new drama series charting the early days of the Beatles is coming to the BBC next year.

Drummer Hilly Michaels, who was a member of Sparks in the 1970s.

Keyboards player Bob Brady who was a member of Wizzard, Mongrel and Fairport Convention.

Guitarist and songwriter Steve Cropper, who was a member of Stax’s house band Booker T. & the M.G.’s.