As we enter into a post-pandemic society, the music industry is ready to come back bigger and better than ever. With the year that we have just gone through, the anticipation for new music and concerts is at its highest, and the events lined up for this year will not disappoint. The upcoming releases of this summer are giving fans plenty to be excited about, and music enthusiasts everywhere are relieved for the return of live music.
Confirmed releases coming right around the corner!
In the last year, many artists were forced to hold off on any new music releases because of the unusual circumstances. However, several of our favorite artists took the time off that they would otherwise not have if it weren't for the pandemic to write and develop their craft. Now that we are finally emerging on the other side of all the chaos, musicians are dying to let out all of the music that they have had to hold off on releasing into the world. With so much built up anticipation for these upcoming records, we can expect some of the best music yet from today’s top artists!
1. Lana Del Rea-Blue Banisters:
Back in April, Lana took to social media to announce the release of her newest record set to come out on July 4th of this year. New music from Lana has been heavily anticipated by her fans since she teased the release of an album titled Rock Candy Sweet back in march. However, it is unknown if Blue Banisters replaced this title or if the drop of Rock Candy Sweet was simply postponed. This will be Lana Del Rea’s third release of the year, following her March release of Chemtrails Over the Country Club, and her much discussed spoken LP from last July titled Violet Bent Backwards Over the Grass. There are huge things to be expected for Lana’s career in 2021.
2. John Mayer-Sob Rock:
After teasing the album on social media for quite some time, John Mayer has announced the July 16th release of his newest album titled Sob Rock. The record can be expected to have a sort of soft rock 80’s sound, and fans are already loving the snippets that have been put out from the album. This drop will mark his eighth studio album, following the 2017 release of The Search For Everything.
3. Billie Eilish-Happier Than Ever:
After all of her recent success, Billie Eilish fans have been wondering what comes next for the young star. The release day for her third album, Happier Than Ever, is just around the corner with its arrival on July 30th, and the anticipation could not be higher. The album will include singles “Therefore I Am”, “Your Power” and “Lost Cause” released earlier this year, as well as “My Future”, which was put out last July.
4. Prince-Welcome 2 America:
Fans everywhere were left devastated after Prince’s passing. After five years, his estate has finally announced the release of one of his shelved studio albums. Written and then put away in 2010, the concepts and songs within this record are more relevant than ever, and fans have been begging for the release of this album in full for over a decade. The 11 Prince originals along with a cover of Soul Asylum’s “Stand Up and B Strong” is set for a July 30th drop, and we are so happy that this record can finally be heard after so many years.
5. Doja Cat-Planet Her:
Doja Cat is set to release her third studio album titled Planet Her on July 30th. With her recent success, people are wondering what this next album will bring. The record is said to be a concept album based around a fictional planet, and Doja Cat explained that she will be highly relying on the visual aspects to go along with this project. Planet Her will feature the Weeknd, Young Thug, Ariana Grande, JID, and SZA, as well as other production collaborators. The first singles for the album, "Kiss Me More" and "Need to Know" have already received incredible success, and the same can be expected for the rest of the album.
6. Anne-Marie-Therapy:
Anne Marie recently confirmed that her second album, titled Therapy will be arriving on July 23rd of this year. Her BRIT Award nominated debut album Speak Your Mind rewarded her huge success, and with all of her recent activity, it is a wonderful time to be an Anne Marie fan. She recently dropped “Our Song” featuring Niall Horan, which will be present on the new album, as well as songs “Don’t Play” with KSI and Digital Farm Animals and “Way Too Long” with Nathan Dawe and MoStack.
Music festivals are returning with lineups that you won't want to miss!
Due to the pandemic, the live music industry lost around 30 million dollars in 2020 according to a pollster study. However, this summer’s festivals could provide significant relief after last year's losses. Even though these events may look a bit different than years past, we can still look forward to the slow return of the concerts that we missed last year.
1. Lollapalooza:
Lollapalooza has announced its lineup for the 2021 festival, and the incredible group of artists performing this year did not disappoint. After the festival’s absence during the pandemic last summer, they are making up for lost time with headliners Foo Fighters, Post Malone, Tyler, the creator, and Miley Cyrus, as well as DaBaby, Marshmello, Illenium, Journey, Megan Thee Stallion, and Roddy Ricch. The 4- day festival at Grant Park will be held at full capacity, however, in announcing its return, organizers stated that full COVID vaccination or the completion of a negative COVID test will be required for entry. Although Lollapalooza may look slightly different than it has in the past, we are excited to have one of the industries biggest music events of the year back again.
2. Pitchfork Music Festival:
This multi-genre summer festival is set to take place September 10th-12th in Union Park, Chicago for the 2021 year! Although last July’s festival was called off due to COVID precautions, Pitchfork Music Festival is coming back strong with an amazing lineup! This year, the festival’s headliners include Phoebe Bridgers, St. Vincent, Erykah Badu, Big Thief, Angel Olsen, Flying Lotus, Animal Collective, Kim Gordon, and Thundercat.
3. Austin City Limits:
This Zilker Park festival left fans ecstatic with its official announcement for the 2021 event. The two-weekend festival celebrates all types of music on its eight stages that range in size and capacity. This year’s event will be held October 1st-3rd and 8th-10th and will feature the incredible talents of headliners George Strait, Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish, Rufus Du Sol, Stevie Nicks, and Dababy. With a lineup as good as this one, the festival will be a must see music industry event of the season!
4. Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas:
EDC Las Vegas is the largest EDM festival in all of North America. The three day event will be held October 22nd-24th, and EDM fans everywhere are excited for its 2021 return. Every year, EDC creates an immersive experience for its audience with its pyrotechnics and advanced stage production. This year's lineup includes some of the most well known artists in the genre with headliners Alison Wonderland, Knife Party, Martin Garrix, DJ Snake, The Chainsmokers, deadmau5, REZZ, Seven Lions, and Kaskade.
5. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival:
This festival celebrates Louisiana’s incredible music and culture and takes place in New Orleans, where they are known for having one of the most vibrant music scenes and nightlifes. This year’s two-weekend fest is coming back bigger and better than ever after their 2020 absence with performances from Stevie Nicks, Foo Fighters, Jimmy Buffett, Lizzo, Demi Lovato, H.E.R., Norah Jones, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, The Beach Boys, Dead & Company, Ludacris, Melissa Etheridge, Wu-Tang Clan feat. The Soul Rebels, Boz Scaggs, The Isley Brothers, David Sanborn and several more.
Although there is still a lot up in the air about what this year will bring in terms of the music industry, we can be confident that it will be one packed full with new music and events that everyone has been longing for. Artists and fans are anxious to get back to a place of normalcy, and this year will be a chance for the music industry to make a comeback!
