On Wednesday (Feb. 18), U2 released a surprise six-song EP titled Days of Ash, featuring tracks that address political conflicts worldwide including ICE raids in America, Iranian uprisings, the war in Ukraine, and Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The EP includes the tunes “American Obituary,” “The Tears of Things,” “Song of the Future,” “Wildpeace,” “One Life at a Time,” and “Yours Eternally,” which features guest contributions from Ed Sheeran and Taras Topolia. Bono stated: “The songs on Days of Ash are very different in mood and theme to the ones we’re going to put on our album later in the year. These EP tracks couldn’t wait; these songs were impatient to be out in the world.” “American Obituary” honors Renee Good, killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis, while “Song of the Future” pays tribute to 16-year-old Iranian Sarina Esmailzadeh, beaten to death by security forces during 2022’s Women, Life, Freedom protests. The tracks are available on all streaming platforms along with accompanying lyric videos. (Rolling Stone)
More than 200 fans dressed as Ozzy Osbourne paraded through New Orleans during Mardi Gras on February 12, with Sharon Osbourne showing her approval by sharing footage on her Instagram Stories. The group called Dead Rock Stars marched in the Krewe Of Muses parade wearing Ozzy’s signature round glasses, long dark wigs, crucifix jewelry, and black clothing. A flame-emblazoned float featured someone dressed as Sharon as Grand Marshal, while Ozzy’s 1991 Billboard Top 40 solo hit, “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” played over street speakers. Stephen Rea, Ozzy’s friend for over 40 years, told BBC Radio “There was only ever going to be one choice this year. The greatest rock singer the world’s ever seen.” The all-male dance crew chooses a different late rock star to honor each year during the annual celebration, with Rea revealing that some Osbourne family members traveled from the UK to watch the tribute. (NME)
3 Doors Down has reached No. 1 on multiple Billboard charts after frontman Brad Arnold died on February 7 from cancer. The band’s signature hit, “Kryptonite,” returned to No. 1 on Hot Hard Rock Songs with 6.4 million streams in the February 12 tracking week. Overall, 3 Doors Down music generated 34.5 million streams, up 155% week-over-week. The group’s catalog totaled 39,000 equivalent album units, jumping 212%, while paid downloads surged 2,807% to 26,000. Their 2012 compilation, The Greatest Hits, claimed its first week at No. 1 on Top Hard Rock Albums with 26,000 units, while returning to the Billboard 200 chart at No. 23, a new high. “Kryptonite” originally peaked at No. 3 on the Hot 100 when it was first released as a single in 2000, and has since been certified 8x-Platinum. Arnold’s final album with the band was 2016’s Us and the Night. (Billboard)
On Wednesday (Feb. 18), Yungblud announced that he is releasing Idols II on Friday (Feb. 20) completing his double album project that began with 2025’s Grammy-nominated Idols. The seven-track sequel includes six new songs and a reimagined version of his Rock & Alternative Airplay chart-topping single, “Zombie,” featuring The Smashing Pumpkins. Yungblud, born Dominic Harrison, explained “Part 1 was a journey that helped me reclaim my identity from the darkest position I’ve ever been in my life. Part 2 is about realizing that I am alive, that I am real, that this journey that I’ve been on didn’t kill me.” The original Idols earned Grammy nominations for Best Rock Album and Best Rock Song for “Zombie,” with Yungblud eventually winning his first ever Grammy for Best Rock Performance for his cover of “Changes” at Ozzy Osbourne‘s “Back to the Beginning” farewell concert. The Doncaster musician has notched four UK No. 1 albums, with two coming in 2025 including Idols and the collaborative EP, One More Time, with Aerosmith. (Billboard)
Kentucky native Chris Stapleton will headline the eighth annual Bourbon & Beyond Festival, with the country superstar set to perform on September 26 at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville. The four-day event runs September 24-27, featuring 100 artists performing across five stages. Mumford & Sons will headline Friday night (Sept. 25), with Grammy-winning country star Kacey Musgraves providing direct support. Stapleton closes Saturday night following performances by Red Clay Strays and Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. Additional country acts on the bill include Jessie Murph, Charley Crockett, Marcus King Band, Maoli, Kaitlin Butts, and Bryan Martin. Rock bands on the lineup include Thursday headliners Foo Fighters and Sunday’s top act Dave Matthews Band, along with Hootie & the Blowfish, Queens of the Stone Age, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, and Counting Crows. The festival bills itself as the world’s largest bourbon, food, and music festival, with four-day and single-day passes available now. (Taste of Country)
Taylor Swift has earned her fourth consecutive Biggest-Selling Global Artist of the Year title from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, marking her sixth overall win. The IFPI credits Swift’s 12th studio album. The Life of a Showgirl, and Disney+ documentary series, The End of an Era, for driving significant worldwide fan engagement. Her latest album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in October 2025 and spent 12 weeks atop the chart. Lead singles “The Fate of Ophelia” and “Opalite” also reached No. 1 and 2, respectively, on the Hot 100. Swift gained additional streaming momentum after recently regaining control of her music catalog from Big Machine Label Group six years after it was sold to Scooter Braun‘s Ithaca Holdings. As a result, Reputation saw a 1,184 percent increase in album sales and 125 percent streaming boost, totaling 34.75 million streams. The IFPI notes Swift “has now won the award as many times as all other artists combined over the past 10 years.” (Rolling Stone)