Fresh off the release of their newest record, Joy Next Door, one of our absolute favorite bands of all time The Maine is back and better than ever. With a tour planned and on the way (tickets here!), we got the unique opportunity for a lengthy Q&A with the band’s own Garrett Nickelsen. Make sure to check out the record and head to a date, but also to learn a little more about the album and the band’s storied history below.

After nearly two decades away from the album format that first defined them, The Format have reemerged not as a nostalgia act, but as a fully revitalized creative force. With the release of Boycott Heaven on January 23, 2026 via The Vanity Label, the duo of Nate Ruess and Sam Means have delivered a record that feels both rooted in their past and sharply attuned to the present. We can sincerely say it’s our album of the year and nothing else that gets shared this year will even come close.

Whitney have always had a gift for turning the everyday into something luminous, but Small Talk feels like the album where they’ve distilled everything they’ve been chasing since their debut into one cohesive statement. Set for release November 7th on AWAL, the Chicago band’s fourth record is not just their most affecting to date, it’s arguably their best, full stop. If their past albums flirted with brilliance, this one weds it, an effortless blend of their signature soft-focus soul, shimmering folk-rock warmth, and tenderly crafted pop that glows from the first note to the last.

Gogol Bordello has never been a band content with just raising the roof—they raise the entire damn village. This summer, frontman Eugene Hütz is leading the gypsy-punk collective into a blazing season of chaos, community, and continuity. Touring with a crew of handpicked artists from his label Casa Gogol Records, Hütz is not only reasserting the band’s legacy as live legends, but also highlighting the next wave of genre-busting artists redefining what New York sounds like in 2025.

Festival performances are often judged by a simple question: did the artist leave a lasting impression? At Governors Ball 2026, KATSEYE didn’t just leave an impression, they left a mark. Their set was a dazzling collision of energy, precision, and spectacle, transforming one of the festival’s stages into a vibrant world of sound and movement that captivated audiences from start to finish.

Some artists perform at festivals. Others transform them. At Governors Ball 2026, Lorde delivered the kind of set that reminds audiences why live music can feel transcendent, turning an already electric festival atmosphere into something bordering on the spiritual. Hypnotic, visually stunning, and overflowing with energy, her performance was not merely one of the highlights of the weekend, it was one of those rare festival moments destined to live on in memory long after the stages have been packed away.

There are festival sets that entertain, and then there are festival sets that completely command the atmosphere around them. At Governors Ball 2026, JENNIE delivered the latter, transforming her performance into one of the weekend’s most mesmerizing experiences. Equal parts high-fashion spectacle, pop masterclass, and immersive production showcase, her set proved why she remains one of the most compelling performers on the global stage.

Festival performances often live and die by energy. Some artists can command a stage with sheer force, while others create unforgettable moments through atmosphere and connection. At Governors Ball 2026, Wet Leg somehow managed to do both, delivering a set that was equal parts hypnotic spectacle and euphoric celebration. By the time their performance came to a close, it was clear that the Isle of Wight outfit had once again proven why they remain one of the most exciting live acts in modern indie rock.