Metallica will not expand their Las Vegas Sphere residency beyond 24 performances after the shows sold out within a week. The band confirmed their finalized plans with an Instagram post on Tuesday (March 10), writing, “At this point in time, we will not be adding additional shows, but we are hoping to offer more in the future.” Metallica originally announced their Life Burns Faster Sphere residency in February with eight dates scheduled in October, later adding 16 more shows that extends the run into spring 2027. The group acknowledged fan frustrations with ticket purchasing, stating they are “working with our partners to improve this experience and offer some remedies for the next time around.” Metallica thanked fans for the “incredible response” and added that they were “completely and utterly blown away” by what they described as a “record-breaking week.” The band’s M72 Tour resumes in Europe this May before their Sphere residency begins in the fall. (Consequence of Sound)
The Black Crowes will release their 10th studio album, A Pound of Feathers, on Friday (March 13), following up their Grammy-nominated 2024 release, Happiness Bastards, which marked their first new release in 14 years. Brothers Chris and Rich Robinson recorded the 11-song collection in less than two weeks in Nashville with producer Jay Joyce and drummer Cully Symington. Rich Robinson, who also played bass on the album, said they finished nine songs in the first week, telling Joyce “Don’t f–k around with these songs. We really like where it is. So we just said, ‘F— it, let’s just keep going,’ and four days later we’re finished with the whole record.” The album was created spontaneously without prepared songs, unlike their previous release. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees begin touring in April with Australian and Tokyo shows before starting North American dates May 17 in Austin, Texas, with Whiskey Myers and Southall. (Billboard)
Jelly Roll became an official Grand Ole Opry member on Tuesday night (March 10) during an induction ceremony in Nashville. Lainey Wilson, his “Save Me” duet partner, presented the induction trophy, saying “He turned pain into purpose, mistakes into music, and somehow managed to make millions of people feel like they are a little less alone.” During his speech, Jelly Roll reflected on his journey from a young criminal to an Opry member: “To take a convicted felon from Music City who found country music because I’m from Nashville, and you take that kid who’s been in the local juvenile and local county jail, and you bring him here and you give him Grammys, awards and platinum plaques, and then you make him a member of the most prestigious group of the Grand Ole Opry… Some stories only God can write. This is truly a God story.” His mother, Donna DeFord, attended the event from the front row in her first ever visit to the Opry. (Taste of Country)
On Wednesday (March 11), Violet Grohl announced that she will release her first album, Be Sweet to Me, on May 29 through Auroura Records/Republic Records. She also shared the project’s new single, “595,” along with a music video directed by Nikki Milan Houston. The 11-track album was recorded from late 2024 into early 2025 at producer Justin Raisen‘s Los Angeles studio with session musicians inspired by the Wrecking Crew. Grohl said she was influenced by alternative music from the late 1980s and early 1990s, saying “There’s something so powerful about that period of music, from the messaging to the visuals, it’s authentic and raw.” She previously released singles “THUM” and “Applefish” in September – which both appear on the album – and “What’s Heaven Without You” in January, written after the Altadena fires and filmmaker David Lynch‘s death. The eldest daughter of Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl has previously recorded and performed with her dad’s band multiple times, including Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts in 2022. (Rolling Stone)