Category: Music

Music

BTS ‘Arirang’ World Tour to Stream Live in Cinemas Worldwide This April

Tanisha Cardozo

Global K-pop sensation BTS is set to deliver one of the year’s biggest cultural events as the BTS World Tour “Arirang” streams live in cinemas worldwide this April. In a major collaboration, Trafalgar Releasing has partnered with HYBE and BigHit Music to bring two full-length live concert broadcasts to the big screen, allowing fans across continents to experience the tour simultaneously.

The seven-member group will perform from Goyang, South Korea, on April 11, followed by a second live broadcast from Tokyo on April 18. Each territory will screen both concerts twice to accommodate different time zones, ensuring that fans worldwide can join in real time. The cinema events mark the opening of BTS’ first tour since 2021–2022’s “Permission to Dance on Stage,” making this return to global touring highly anticipated.

Marc Allenby, chief executive officer of Trafalgar Releasing, described the concerts as one of the year’s most significant cultural moments. He emphasised the extraordinary global demand surrounding the announcement of the “Arirang” World Tour and expressed excitement about continuing the longstanding partnership with HYBE and BigHit Music. By presenting two full-scale concerts live from Goyang and Tokyo, the initiative offers audiences a shared, immersive big-screen experience that mirrors the energy of an arena performance.

The tour itself is historic in scale. Spanning 34 cities and 82 shows, it establishes a new benchmark for tour dates by a K-pop artist. Central to the experience is a 360-degree in-the-round stage design, crafted to create a fully immersive environment where audiences surround the performance space. This format enhances engagement, bringing fans closer to the music and choreography that have defined BTS’ global appeal.

The tour coincides with the release of the group’s fifth studio album, “Arirang,” scheduled to drop on March 20. The album’s launch adds further anticipation, as fans will witness new material performed live just weeks after its release. Since their debut in June 2013, BTS — comprising RM, Jin, Suga, J-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook — have redefined the global reach of K-pop. The group has earned six No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 since 2020 and received five Grammy nominations across the 63rd to 65th Grammy Awards ceremonies. Their accolades also include multiple Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards and MTV Video Music Awards.

Trafalgar Releasing, which operates in more than 15,000 cinemas across 132 countries, has previously handled major concert films including “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour,” which became the highest-grossing concert film of all time. With the BTS World Tour “Arirang,” the company once again positions live music at the centre of a shared global cinema experience.

Additional live viewing dates are planned for later in the year, with further details expected to be announced. As anticipation builds, the “Arirang” World Tour is not just a series of concerts but a global celebration of music, performance and fandom, bringing millions of fans together in cinemas to witness BTS’ next monumental chapter unfold live on the big screen.

Music

Diplo Confirms Involvement in BTS’ Upcoming ARIRANG Album, Calls It “Craziest Album Ever”

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

As anticipation builds for BTS’ upcoming album ARIRANG, international music producer Diplo has revealed his involvement in the project, describing it as the “craziest album ever” and one of the most significant collaborations of his career.


Speaking to media while attending the 2026 Fanatics Super Bowl Party at Pier 48 in San Francisco, Diplo expressed admiration for the global K-pop phenomenon, citing reports that ARIRANG has already crossed four million pre-orders. Calling BTS “the biggest band in the world,” he said working with the group was both humbling and creatively rewarding.

Diplo highlighted BTS’ hands-on involvement in the studio, praising their creativity, professionalism and musical versatility. He singled out youngest member Jung Kook for his vocal ability, noting his natural talent and precision without reliance on AutoTune. The producer also described the group as experienced artists who bring maturity and authenticity to their work.

The collaboration marks another chapter in Diplo’s long association with K-pop. He previously worked with Jung Kook on the track “Close to You” from the singer’s solo album Golden, and has collaborated with artists such as G-Dragon, CL, Jennie and BLACKPINK over the past decade.

While BTS and their label HYBE have not officially confirmed all collaborators on ARIRANG, industry speculation suggests contributions from several high-profile names. Singer-songwriter Jon Bellion has revealed studio sessions with the group, while legendary producer Max Martin is also believed to be involved. Longtime BTS collaborator Pdogg is expected to play a key role in shaping the album’s sound.

According to Diplo, ARIRANG could be the biggest project of his life. He credited BTS and the HYBE team for fostering a creative environment rooted in trust and artistic freedom.

The album ARIRANG, featuring at least 14 tracks, is scheduled for release on March 20 under HYBE’s BIGHIT MUSIC, and is widely expected to make a major impact on the global music landscape.

Music

Stray Kids Dominate Global Box Office as Concert Documentary Opens at No. 1

Tanisha Cardozo

Stray Kids have once again proven that their influence extends far beyond music charts and sold-out arenas. Their concert documentary, Stray Kids: The dominATE Experience, debuted at No. 1 at the global box office, earning an impressive $19.1 million worldwide in its opening weekend and marking a major milestone for K-pop in cinemas.

Released internationally by Universal Pictures and in North America by Bleecker Street, the film collected $13.2 million from overseas markets and $5.6 million domestically, immediately placing it among the most successful K-pop concert films ever released. The international performance has been particularly strong, with Mexico leading the way at $2.1 million, followed by Germany at $1.5 million and the United Kingdom and Ireland at $1.3 million, highlighting the group’s truly global fanbase.

Industry trackers have noted that the film is outperforming earlier K-pop concert documentaries such as BTS Yet to Come to the Cinema, Bring the Soul: The Movie, and Break the Silence: The Movie, making Stray Kids’ cinematic debut one of the most powerful in the genre to date. A significant portion of the film’s success came from premium formats, with IMAX screenings contributing over 20 percent of the global box office and delivering the biggest opening weekend ever for a Korean-language film in the format.

The dominATE Experience captures the energy, scale, and emotion of Stray Kids’ world tour, including their sold-out performance at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium. The film allows fans to relive the concert atmosphere in a communal theatrical setting, blending live performance, fan connection, and cinematic spectacle. Industry experts have pointed out that concert films are relatively low-cost productions with high returns, especially when powered by passionate fandoms, strong merchandise sales, and global appeal.

The film’s release also benefited from a quieter Hollywood weekend, with major studios holding back releases around the Super Bowl period, allowing Stray Kids to take center stage at the global box office. Analysts believe this success further cements K-pop’s place in mainstream global cinema, proving that music fandoms can drive theatrical experiences just as powerfully as blockbuster franchises.

With Stray Kids: The dominATE Experience, the group has not only captured the intensity of their live performances but has also set a new benchmark for K-pop concert films worldwide. As audiences continue to fill theaters across continents, the film stands as a reminder that Stray Kids are not just dominating stages — they are dominating global pop culture itself.

Music

Linkin Park Fulfils Chester Bennington’s Promise with First-Ever India Concert in Bengaluru

rencygomes02

Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Bengaluru, January 2026: Global rock band Linkin Park headlined their first-ever concert in India on Wednesday night at the newly built Brigade Innovation Garden in Bengaluru, marking a long-awaited moment for Indian fans and honouring a promise made by late frontman Chester Bennington over a decade ago.


The concert, part of the band’s From Zero World Tour, began at 7:55 p.m., following an energetic opening act by Indian metal band Bloodywood. The Bengaluru show marked the venue’s debut as a host for a major international music act.

The performance held deep emotional significance for fans, recalling a 2010 video in which Bennington assured Indian supporters — alongside fans Raj and Anish — that Linkin Park would one day perform in the country. Wednesday night’s concert was widely seen as the fulfilment of that promise.

Thousands of fans sang along as the band delivered powerful renditions of iconic tracks such as ‘Numb’ and ‘Two Faced’, triggering waves of nostalgia and celebration. Social media was flooded with reactions as concertgoers described the evening as historic and deeply moving.

With the Bengaluru concert setting the tone, Linkin Park is set to perform next in Mumbai on January 25, continuing their India leg of the tour and further cementing their bond with the band’s long-standing fanbase in the country.

Music

Kanye West May Be Planning First Performance-Led India Visit in April 2026

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Global rap icon Kanye West, also known as Ye, may be gearing up for his first-ever performance-led visit to India, according to industry chatter. Sources indicate that a concert is tentatively being planned for April 2026, though no official confirmation has been made so far.

If the plans materialise, the event could become one of the biggest live music spectacles India has seen, given West’s immense global influence and cult following. Known for pushing creative boundaries with large-scale stage productions, immersive visuals and unpredictable setlists, Kanye West’s arrival would mark a defining moment for India’s rapidly evolving concert ecosystem.

Over the last few years, India has emerged as a lucrative destination for international touring artists, hosting major acts across pop, EDM and hip-hop. A Kanye West concert would significantly elevate India’s profile on the global live music map, drawing attention from fans, promoters and international media alike.

Industry insiders believe that the potential show is being explored as a mega-scale production, aligning with West’s reputation for high-concept performances. While details around the city, venue and promoters remain under wraps, anticipation is already building among Indian fans.

Until an official announcement is made, the development remains speculative. However, the very possibility underscores the growing importance of the Indian market in global entertainment strategies.