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.

Asia release ‘Asia – Live In England’ on March 13 via Frontiers.

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.

Perris Records release Helix’s new album ‘Scrap Metal’ on January 23. Ten track album includes five previously unreleased songs.

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.

MIKA releases his latest album ‘Hyperlove’ via Republic Records on January 23.

The Neal Morse Band released a new single ‘Fully Alive’ on December 5 from their new album ‘L.I.F.T’ which is due early next year.

Axel Rudi Pell will release his new album, ‘Ghost Town’, on March 20 via SPV/Steamhammer.

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

The Sheepdogs release their new album ‘Keep Out of the Storm’ on February 27 via the band’s own Right On Records.

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.

Tangerine Dream release ’50 Years of Phaedra: At The Barbican’ on various formats through Kscope on January 3.

Transatlantic Radio release their debut album ‘Midnight Transmission’ via Frontiers on February 20.

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

In the studio…

Atlantic have signed with Frontiers and are currently working on their third album…Lindsey Buckingham has recorded a new album with a release expected sometime next year…Bullet For My Valentine start recording their next album in February…Clutch begin work on their new album early next year…Kerry King plans to record his second solo album in early 2026…Saxon are in the studio and plan to release their new album in late 2026

Upcoming (Gigs – UK)

Newly announced UK tours (2026 unless stated):

The B52′s + Devo (Jun), BEAT (Hammersmith Apollo, Mon Jun 8), Blaze Bayley (Oct, Dec), Black Stone Cherry (Oct, Nov), Blacktop Mojo (Apr), Blue October (Jun), Breaking Benjamin (Jun, Jul), Eric Clapton (The Sandringham Estate, Norfolk, Sun Aug 23), Elvis Costello (Jun, Jul), The Dead Daisies (Mar 2027), Dogstar (Jun), Empyre (Apr, May), 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), Mason Hill (Mar), Imelda May (Apr), Mumford & Sons (Hyde Park, Sat Jul 4), Paul Simon (May), Simple Plan (Oct), Sparks (Royal Hospital Chelsea, Fri Jun 12), Toyah (Dec), Witch Fever (Mar)

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

Cropredy festival takes place between August 13 and 15 and the line-up includes Richard Thompson, Turin Brakes, Soft Machine, Barbara, Hayseed Dixie plus a closing set by Fairport Convention.

Cambridge Folk Festival returns next year at Cherry Hinton Hall August 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.

Upcoming (USA/ROW)

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

The Affinity Affliction (AU), Amon Amarth (US), Avenged Sevenfold + Good Charlotte (US), Sebastian Bach (US), Behemoth + Dimmu Borgir (EU), Black Flag (AU), Bloodywood (US), Blue October (EU), Breaking Benjamin (EU), David Byrne (EU), Clawfinger (EU), Cradle of Filth (US), The Crown (EU – farewell tour), A Day To Remember + Papa Roach (AU), The Dead Daisies (EU 2027), Dogstar (EU), Bob Dylan (US), Foghat (US),  Gazpacho (EU), Godsmack (EU), Goo Goo Dolls (US), The Guess Who + Don Felder (CA), HammerFall + Evergrey + Elvenking (US), Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit (EU), Jefferson Starship (US), Judas Priest (EU), Kreator + Carcass (US), Linkin Park (AU), Mammoth (US), Marshall Tucker Band (US), Megadeth + Exodus + Anthrax (CA), Mumford & Sons (AU,NZ), Phish (US), Robert Plant and Saving Grace (US), Redd Kross (AU), Dave Lee Roth (US), Sepultura (AU – farewell tour), Paul Simon (EU),  Sisters Doll (AU), Spin Doctors (AU), Styx + Chicago (US), Toto + Christopher Cross (US), Triumph (US, CA), Witch Fever  (EU), Yes (US), ZZ Top (US)

Triumph have announced US and Canadian dates for next year, starting in April. It is the band’s first tour in over thirty years. Original members Rik Emmett, Gil Moore and Mike Levine will be joined by Bon Jovi’s guitarist Phil X (who has been a touring member of Triumph previously), bassist Todd Kerns and drummer Brent Fitz. The latter three will be the core touring band appearing at all thew shows, with Emmett, Moore and Levine making “limited virtual, and potentially in-person appearances.”

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’.

‘Megadeth: Behind The Mask’ will premiere at selected cinemas worldwide on Thursday 22 January. The filming also includes a playthrough of the band’s new self-titled album released the following day.

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

The O2 has announced that it will be making a donation to the Music Venue Trust (MVT) every time a new artist headlines the arena.

The ABBA Voyage show has contributed £2.06 billion to the UK economy since it opened in 2022.

David Coverdale has announced he is leaving social media in order to enjoy his recently announced retirement.

Hardcore Superstar have announced that Ebraim “Effy” Larsson is the band’s new drummer.

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.

Former Free and Faces bassist Tetsu Yamauchi.

Stoke-on-Trent music promoter, concert organiser and record shop owner Mike Lloyd, who was a key figure in bringing the Lemmy statue to Burslem.