Category: Music

Music

Stray Kids Take dominATE World Tour to Cinemas With Powerful New Trailer

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Stray Kids are set to redefine the concert film experience with ‘Stray Kids: The DominATE Experience’, as the newly released trailer makes it clear that this cinematic outing goes far beyond a standard stadium concert film. While the dominATE World Tour is remembered for its record-breaking crowds, explosive choreography and massive global scale, the trailer reveals a deeper, more intimate layer — positioning the film as both a spectacular live performance and a revealing documentary about the band itself. Stray Kids are not just bringing the noise of their world tour to cinemas; they are bringing the emotion, pressure and humanity that exist behind the spotlight.

The trailer seamlessly blends sweeping visuals from the group’s sold-out SoFi Stadium shows with quieter, behind-the-scenes moments that capture life on the road. Towering stages, roaring fans and synchronized performances dissolve into candid reflections from the members, offering rare insight into the emotional weight of a tour that marked a defining chapter in their careers. Opening with leader Bang Chan asking, “Have you been to one of our concerts?”, the trailer immediately establishes a personal dialogue with fans, drawing them into the journey rather than placing them at a distance. As high-energy concert footage gives way to backstage conversations, members speak openly about gratitude, disbelief and perseverance — with Han and Lee Know admitting how surreal the experience still feels, Hyunjin acknowledging the difficulty of the journey, and Felix sharing his desire to be a source of light in dark times.

What stands out is how directly the members address their connection with STAY, the fandom that has grown alongside them. Bang Chan’s acknowledgment that the group wouldn’t be where they are without their fans, I.N.’s heartfelt gratitude, and Changbin’s determination not to let supporters down reinforce the emotional core of the film. These moments, paired with Seungmin’s simple yet powerful declaration that “music is my life,” underline why The DominATE Experience feels less like a recap and more like a shared reflection between artists and audience. The trailer closes with a surge of energy from “MOUNTAINS,” reminding viewers that despite the introspection, the heart of Stray Kids remains firmly rooted in music and performance.

Produced by Live Nation Studios and directed by Paul Dugdale and Farah X, the film arrives in cinemas worldwide on February 6, 2026, including IMAX and immersive formats such as SCREENX, 4DX and Ultra 4DX, with select fan screenings beginning February 4. Coming off a historic 2025 that saw the dominATE World Tour rank among the top global tours with over 1.3 million tickets sold, the concert film extends Stray Kids’ reach beyond arenas and into theatres across the world. By transforming their live show into a cinematic experience that balances spectacle with soul, ‘Stray Kids: The DominATE Experience’ turns the tour into something lasting — a powerful celebration of music, resilience and the bond between Stray Kids and their fans.

Music

A$AP Rocky, Lorde and Stray Kids to Headline Governors Ball 2026 in New York

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The Governors Ball Festival has unveiled its highly anticipated 2026 lineup, confirming A$AP Rocky, Lorde and Stray Kids as the headliners for this year’s edition. Scheduled to take place from June 5 to 7 at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in New York, the festival continues its tradition of bringing together a diverse mix of global music talent.

The 2026 lineup reflects the festival’s genre-spanning identity, featuring artists such as Baby Keem, Kali Uchis, BLACKPINK’s Jennie, Katseye, Major Lazer, Pierce the Veil and Dominic Fike. While Lorde returns to the festival for the first time as a headliner after performing in 2017, Harlem-born A$AP Rocky previously headlined the event in 2021, making his return a homecoming of sorts. Stray Kids’ inclusion further highlights the growing presence of K-pop on major Western festival stages.

Several New York-based and rising artists are also set to perform, including Geese, The Dare, Del Water Gap, Arcy Drive and Lexa Gates, alongside emerging acts such as The Backfires and Chanpan. The extended lineup also features Blood Orange, Clipse, Wet Leg, Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist, King Princess, Ravyn Lenae, Snow Strippers and many others, ensuring a wide-ranging musical experience for festivalgoers.

Ticket sales will begin with an SMS pre-sale on January 8, offering early access at the lowest prices, followed by a general public sale later that day. In addition, Governors Ball has partnered with Spotify to introduce an in-app experience that creates a personalized “Festival Persona” for users, along with curated playlists based on their listening habits and the festival lineup.

Following the success of its 15th anniversary edition last year, Governors Ball 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting music festivals of the summer, blending global sounds, emerging talent and established stars in the heart of New York City.

Music

Grammys Bring Album Art Back to the Spotlight with New ‘Best Album Cover’ Category

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Album covers are once again stepping into the spotlight as the Grammy Awards introduce a standalone category recognising Best Album Cover, marking the first time in over 50 years that cover art will be honoured independently. The move reflects a renewed appreciation for the role visuals play in shaping music’s identity, particularly in an era dominated by digital platforms and streaming thumbnails.

Among the inaugural nominees is British indie band Wet Leg’s sophomore album Moisturizer, whose unsettling yet playful cover earned lead singer Rhian Teasdale, along with Iris Luz and Lava La Rue, a nomination. Art-directed by Teasdale herself, the image emerged from a deliberately experimental process—combining femininity with discomfort to create a visual that mirrors the album’s emotional contrasts. The result is a creature-like portrait that captures themes of love, longing, and feral energy in equal measure.

Other nominated works include Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos, Tyler, the Creator’s Chromakopia, Perfume Genius’ Glory, and Djo’s The Crux. Each cover reflects a distinct visual philosophy, from minimalist nostalgia to surreal portraiture and cinematic storytelling. Notably, this year’s nominees include recording artists themselves as credited art directors in most cases, underscoring how closely sound and image are now intertwined.

Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. has described the category’s revival as a response to the evolving impact of cover art in the digital age. While album covers once lived primarily on vinyl sleeves and CD booklets, today they circulate across social media, streaming platforms, and pop culture discourse, often becoming symbols that outlive the music itself. The decision also aligns with the Academy’s broader goal of recognising the many creative forces that shape a musical project beyond performance alone.

For the artists and creative teams involved, the recognition validates the painstaking work behind constructing these visual worlds. Photographer Neil Krug, nominated for The Crux, describes successful album imagery as part of the “language” that defines a great record. The cover for Djo’s album, set in a fictional hotel scene, draws inspiration from classic cinema and dense urban narratives, with every detail—from background characters to neon signage—carefully designed to contribute to the story.

Similarly, Perfume Genius’ Glory reflects the tension between intimacy and performance, capturing a moment that feels both domestic and theatrical. The image resists easy categorisation, something its creators see as a strength rather than a flaw. For Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos, simplicity becomes a statement, using everyday objects and cultural symbols to evoke memory, diaspora, and belonging.

Although physical formats are no longer required for eligibility, all nominated albums are available on vinyl or CD, reinforcing the idea that album art still holds power as a tangible presence in people’s living spaces. As streaming reshapes listening habits, this revived Grammy category signals a broader cultural rediscovery of album art as a meaningful, standalone art form—one that continues to shape how music is experienced, remembered, and shared.

The Best Album Cover award will be presented at the 68th Grammy Awards on February 1, 2026, in Los Angeles, marking a significant moment for the creatives who turn sound into sight.

Music

BTS Confirms March 20, 2026 Comeback, Ending Nearly Four-Year Hiatus

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Global K-pop sensation BTS has officially announced its long-awaited group comeback, confirming March 20, 2026, as the release date and bringing an end to nearly four years of hiatus. The announcement was shared by BigHit Music on social media, instantly igniting excitement among fans worldwide.

The comeback follows the completion of South Korea’s mandatory military service by all seven members — RM, Jin, Suga, Jimin, V, Jung Kook and j-hope. Rapper Suga was the final member to conclude his service in June 2025, having served as a social service agent due to a previous shoulder injury. The remaining six members fulfilled their duties in the army, with enlistments carefully staggered to allow individual members to focus on solo music and creative projects during the group’s break.

In earlier statements, BTS had already hinted at a major return, revealing plans for a world tour and confirming that a new album would arrive in the spring of 2026. The group began working on the album in July 2025, emphasizing that the project would reflect the thoughts, experiences and artistic growth of all seven members.

“This will be a group album, and it will carry each member’s ideas and emotions,” the group shared previously. “We’re approaching it with the same mindset we had when we first started.”

The upcoming release will mark BTS’ first group album since 2022’s anthology Proof, following their last studio album Be released in 2020. It also comes after their Japanese compilation BTS, the Best in 2021. As anticipation builds, the March 2026 comeback is expected to be one of the biggest music events of the year, reaffirming BTS’ enduring influence on the global music stage and their deep connection with ARMY worldwide.

Music

BTS to Perform in India in 2026? V’s “See You Next Year” Message Sparks ARMY Frenzy

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Speculation around BTS performing in India has reached a new high after BTS member V dropped a tantalising hint during a Weverse live interaction on December 27. Responding to a fan greeting, V said, “Namaste, Indian ARMYs. See you next year,” a brief but powerful message that has sent Indian fans into a frenzy.

The comment comes as BTS prepares for a major comeback in 2026 after a nearly four-year hiatus. The globally acclaimed K-pop group has already confirmed that they are working on a new album, which is expected to release in March 2026, followed by a large-scale world tour. While V did not confirm specific dates or locations, fans have taken his words as a strong indication that India could finally be part of BTS’ tour itinerary.

All seven members of BTS reunited in June 2025 after completing their mandatory military service and have since been focused on individual projects while simultaneously planning the group’s return. With their reunion now complete, the group is reportedly gearing up for what is being described as one of their biggest eras yet.

According to a report by Bloomberg, HYBE is planning BTS’ “biggest tour ever” following the release of their 2026 album. The tour is expected to begin in spring 2026 and may include between 60 and 65 shows across the globe, with North America and Europe likely to be major stops.

Indian fans are eagerly awaiting official confirmation, especially as India has increasingly become a hotspot for major international concerts. Recent successful performances by global artists such as Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, and Enrique Iglesias have reinforced the country’s growing prominence on the global touring circuit.

While nothing has been officially announced yet, V’s message has reignited hope among Indian ARMYs that the long-awaited BTS India concert might finally become a reality in 2026.