Ariana Grande has once again rewritten music streaming history by breaking the all-time record for the most monthly listeners by a female artist on Spotify. The Grammy-winning singer reached a staggering 126.81 million monthly listeners, setting a new benchmark on the world’s leading audio streaming platform.
What makes the achievement even more remarkable is that Grande surpassed her own record, which she had previously set during the Christmas season last year, driven largely by the enduring popularity of her holiday hit Last Christmas. This year’s numbers underline her consistent global appeal across seasons, genres, and generations.
Known for her powerful vocals, chart-topping albums, and strong digital presence, Ariana Grande continues to dominate the global music landscape. Her extensive catalog—from pop anthems and R&B-infused tracks to festive classics—has ensured sustained listener engagement worldwide.
Industry analysts point out that the surge in monthly listeners reflects both the timeless popularity of her earlier hits and renewed interest in her music across streaming platforms. The record further cements Ariana Grande’s status as one of the most influential and commercially successful artists of the streaming era.
Arijit Singh marked a defining chapter in Indian live music by closing his 2025 concert calendar with a historic performance at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Performing for over five hours to a packed audience of 15,000 fans, the singer set a new benchmark for endurance, scale and emotional connection, delivering one of the longest and most immersive Indian concert experiences staged in the Middle East.
Presented by Eva Live in collaboration with Midas Events, the concert showcased the growing appetite for large-format Indian touring productions in the region. The Abu Dhabi show was not just a musical performance but a shared cultural moment, with audiences singing along through an expansive set that spanned Arijit Singh’s vast repertoire and celebrated his journey as one of India’s most influential contemporary voices.
The event reinforced Abu Dhabi’s rising stature as a global hub for premium live entertainment, particularly for Indian artists commanding international audiences. With world-class venues, production capabilities and a culturally diverse fan base, the Middle East continues to emerge as a key destination for landmark Indian music tours.
By concluding his 2025 live schedule on such a monumental note, Arijit Singh reaffirmed his position as a generational artist whose concerts transcend format and duration, transforming live performances into deeply personal, collective experiences for audiences across borders.
With an unmistakable presence and unwavering self-expression, HWASA has always carved her own name clearly onstage. From the earliest days of her career, she refused to fit into any mold, choosing instead to charge straight into music with complete emotional honesty. Her powerful vocals, bold performances, and unfiltered sincerity have shaped her into one of the industry’s most formidable female artists.
HWASA first debuted as a member of the four-member group MAMAMOO, where she helped build the group’s signature identity—live-focused performances, genre-blending tracks, and a rare chemistry that earned them praise as “a group you can trust with your ears.” Within this collective, HWASA steadily cultivated her own unmistakable vocal color and presence. As a solo artist, she pushed that identity even further. Songs like “Twit,” “Maria,” “I Love My Body,” “I’m a B,” and “NA” offered raw reflections of her struggles, emotions, and inner voice. Her music has always held space for contradictions—vulnerability and confidence, fear and boldness, softness and power. Onstage, she is daring. In music, she is relentlessly honest. That is HWASA.
On October 15, she released “Good Goodbye,” a ballad that chose emotional restraint over explosive energy. Instead of chasing immediacy, the song unfolded gently and slowly found its way into listeners’ hearts. Its resonance turned into history: the song debuted at No. 43 on the Billboard Global 200 and became the first-ever No. 1 on the newly launched Billboard Korea Hot 100. Yet for HWASA, the achievement lives not in chart numbers but in what people tell her—comments like “I didn’t know a goodbye could feel this gentle” or “This reminded me of a moment from my own life.” Those reactions, she says, are the song’s true destination.
She shared that becoming the very first No. 1 on Billboard Korea’s Hot 100 brought her immense gratitude. Achievements that become a “first” hold a special meaning, and she is embracing that moment with joy. She admits that she never expected the song to climb this far, but believes its emotional honesty is what listeners connected with. People have told her that the song reminded them of “good” farewells they once experienced, or that it offered comfort during a breakup—something she had quietly hoped for while making it.
When asked to describe her musical identity, HWASA explained that she is most inspired when happiness and sadness coexist—when warmth blends with sorrow, and moments of duality naturally weave into her songs. That emotional texture has become her signature style.
Following the domestic success of “Good Goodbye,” the song is also receiving attention on global charts, including Billboard. HWASA says that while there are no confirmed international plans yet, she is ready to meet fans wherever there is an opportunity, giving her absolute best. She closes by expressing gratitude to Billboard readers and everyone in the Korean music industry, promising to continue working hard and contributing to the scene in her own way.
HWASA’s story has always been one of authenticity, duality, and fearless self-expression. With “Good Goodbye,” she adds a new chapter—one defined not by power or spectacle, but by emotional honesty, vulnerability, and quiet strength, resonating deeply with listeners around the world.
Echoes of Earth returns with a new edition that once again positions Bengaluru at the heart of India’s eco-conscious music movement. Over the years, the festival has evolved into a vibrant platform for indie, fusion, and experimental artists — a cultural space where bold ideas thrive in harmony with nature. With thoughtfully designed stages, art installations made from upcycled materials, and an audience that deeply values sustainability, the festival is not just an event but an experience rooted in creativity and environmental awareness.
This year continues that spirit. As music lovers prepare for the weekend, the lineup reflects a beautiful mix of fresh talent, seasoned performers, and globally acclaimed artists. Audiences also get a chance to win festival passes by scanning the QR code and testing their Echoes knowledge — a fun way to connect more people with the energy of the festival.
For Sahib from the Carnatic-jazz fusion band Jatayu, performing at Echoes of Earth is more than just a gig — it’s the fulfilment of a long-held dream. He has admired the festival for its curation and for the space it provides musicians who explore new sounds. To him, true experimentation comes from staying original, and Echoes stands out as a platform that celebrates that authenticity.
For musician and composer Varijashree Venugopal, being part of the festival feels like returning to a familiar creative home. She describes Echoes as a uniquely conceptualised celebration of art and nature — a space where the beauty of the environment and the depth of musical expression come together seamlessly. With a specially curated set for this edition, she reflects on how experimentation has always been deeply rooted in Indian tradition, shaped through ideas refined over centuries. Festivals like Echoes, she feels, keep that spirit alive by giving artists the freedom to explore new languages of expression.
Derek Mathias of Derek & The Cats echoes this sentiment. Calling Echoes one of the best music festivals in the country, he highlights how its sustainability-driven outlook, impeccable organisation, and carefully crafted lineup create an unforgettable experience. Even when he doesn’t know all the artists, he discovers new acts every time — a reminder of what festivals are truly meant to offer.
For Harshita, widely known by her stage name Sage, Echoes of Earth is woven into her memories with friends. After attending the festival for five consecutive years, she now returns in a new role — this time standing on the stage as an artist. She feels deeply connected to the festival’s intentional culture, its sustainable installations, and the sense of community that has grown around it.
Beyond its Indian talent, Echoes of Earth brings an exciting global lineup to Bengaluru. LA-based musician and activist Madame Gandhi arrives with her signature blend of electronic music, catchy percussive elements, and empowering narratives on freedom and femininity. British producer Aroop Roy brings a warm, groovy mix of Afro, Latin, and soulful house that audiences around the world have come to love. German multi-instrumentalist Monolink returns with his atmospheric vocals and hypnotic blend of deep house and live instrumentation. International duo Bedouin adds a spiritual, desert-inspired electronic sound that beautifully complements the festival’s immersive open-air experience.
As Echoes continues to champion sustainability, celebrate art, and create a space where music and nature coexist, this year’s edition promises to be a memorable blend of discovery, creativity, and connection. It is a festival where every stage tells a story, every performance sparks imagination, and every visitor becomes part of a community that honours the planet while celebrating the power of sound.
Global EDM heavyweight and Grammy-winning DJ Tiësto is set to ignite India once again with a spectacular three-city tour in January 2026, marking his return to the country after almost ten years. The Dutch musician, who has long held a deep connection with Indian audiences, will perform in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata in what promises to be one of the biggest electronic music events of the year. Tiësto expressed his excitement about returning, sharing that India has always been one of his favorite places to perform thanks to the unmatched energy and passion of the fans.
His history with India stretches back to 2008, when he first performed at the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad during his Elements of Life world tour. He returned in 2013 for a three-city run across Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi, describing the Indian audience as one of the most enthusiastic and responsive in the world. Over the years, he has often spoken about the infectious vibe of the country and the thriving dance-music culture that continues to evolve with every passing year.
Now, more than a decade since his last multi-city visit, Tiësto is preparing to bring an elevated experience to Indian fans—one that blends his iconic trance legacy with the cutting-edge electronic house sound that continues to define global festival stages today. The 2026 tour is expected to deliver high-voltage performances infused with powerful production, mesmerizing visuals and the contagious energy that has made him a true global icon. For loyal fans and first-time listeners alike, this tour is shaping up to be much more than a set of concerts; it stands as a celebration of India’s vibrant EDM landscape and the longstanding bond between Tiësto and his ever-growing Indian fanbase.
