k flay tour cancelled

K. Flay on mental health in the music industry: “The highs are so high but the lows are so low”

The singer spoke to NME about mental health struggles on tour and “really sitting and facing discomfort in the eye”

Singer and songwriter K.Flay (born Kristine Flaherty) has spoken to NME about mental health, her upcoming album, the toxic drinking culture she experienced on tour and finding her inner strength.

In October, Flaherty received life-altering news: she had gone fully deaf in her right ear. She was supposed to embark on a tour in support of her latest LP ‘Inside Voices/Outside Voices’—released February 4 via BMG—but had to cancel after the medical emergency. “I got really sick and had to figure out how to adjust to this new life and had a lot of balance issues and vertigo and stuff at the beginning of that,” she explained to NME .

When she alerted fans of her new disability on social media, she tried to find humour in the difficult situation, writing, “On the plus side, I am now 15 per cent more handsome, 30 per cent smarter, and 50 per cent better at Metallica riffs.”

“My mom taught me when I was little that even in the worst moments, we’re going to laugh about this later,” said Flaherty. “Even when you’re sobbing and the world is falling apart around you, you’re like ‘Okay, we’re going to laugh about it sometime—maybe not right now, but we’ll laugh about it.”

Flaherty has been working on embracing fleeting moments of happiness after periods of adversity. She shared that she recently had dinner with a friend who’s a fellow musician, and they discussed how in the music industry, “the highs are so high, but the lows are so low.”

“That’s true of life in general, but I think it’s a little bit heightened when you have a public-facing job. I was saying to her, from my perspective, it’s about acknowledging but not buying into the permanence of any of those moments,” Flaherty explained. “So when you are riding fucking high and everyone loves your shit and you’re on the cover of this thing and you’re playing a sold-out show, whatever it is, acknowledge it, celebrate it, but don’t buy into its permanence. And conversely, when you’re in the fucking lows, acknowledge them, mourn them. You can feel sad, but also don’t buy into the permanence of that.”

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Flaherty was already going through a period of upheaval before her medical issues. In early 2021, she went through a challenging breakup with her longtime partner. After mourning the relationship, she started regaining confidence. It inspired her latest single, ‘It’s Been So Long’ which she wrote shortly after the relationship dissolved.

“I was in Nashville, working with my longtime producing collaborator and friend JT Daly. I was out of this relationship that I’d been in for a while and really just finally getting to that place like ‘How Stella Got Her Groove Back’, all of a sudden you’re back [to yourself]. It just hit me,” recalled Flaherty.

With her confidence renewed, the lyrics poured out easily.

“For me, there are those moments when you are reconnected with your own power and confidence and you really have to celebrate them because we don’t always feel that way,” she said. ” I think I try not to revel in the angst, and I try not to revel in the joy either. I know that sounds weird, but you just want to have an equanimity and an acceptance for everything. But when you get into those moments, so when I’m angsty as hell, I need to write a song. When I feel happy, I don’t always want to write a song about it, but this felt like a time when I did.”

Much like for ‘It’s Been So Long’ Flaherty embraced getting in touch with her emotions for ‘Inside Voices/Outside Voices’. The record—a combination of her 2021 EPs ‘Inside Voices’ and ‘Outside Voices’—was inspired by Sigmund Freud’s theories of the personalities we’re made up of: the id, the ego, and the superego. Flaherty, who double majored in psychology and sociology at Stanford University, wanted to incorporate her academic interests into her music and exploration of her psyche.

“I think Sigmund Freud is responsible for a lot of bad things in this world, but I do think the notion of the id, the ego and the superego are very useful, at least for me, as a framework to understand myself and other people,” she said. “I’m not aggressive, I’m not testy. I’m not really very moody, but beneath the surface, there is that person.

“I was really grappling with those feelings of my own anger, my own aggression, my own impropriety. There is a part of me that doesn’t want to be polite and there’s a part of all of us. And I think for me, I’ve pushed that down and I’ve tamped it down so intensely that the only place where I’ve really ever allowed it to come out is my music.”

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Flaherty made the id the focus for ‘Inside Voices’. According to Freud’s theory, the id is the part of our psyche that rules the need for immediate gratification; when our desires are not met, we react with unfiltered aggression. But, what Flaherty discovered while writing the record was that when there’s a healthy outlet for that anger and frustration, it “doesn’t dominate the way we interact with the world.”

“I can be both a very kind person and a very angry person. Those things aren’t incompatible. They can coexist. It’s just about how you channel shit,” she explained. “I knew that intellectually just from studying social science and having a grasp of it. But I never really thought about it in the context of myself and that was much scarier to do. Our first single off that record it’s called ‘Four Letter Words’ and the lyric in the chorus is just, “fuck you” . “It’s pretty much the gnarliest thing you can say to anyone.”

In the past two years, Flaherty has been figuring out a balance that helps her mental health. One of the changes she says has helped was her decision to stop drinking.

“In terms of my relationship with alcohol, my biological father was a very serious addict who died because of that when I was young,” she said. “I had a very black and white thinking about drugs and alcohol as a young person as a teenager. I was like, ‘Drugs and alcohol are bad, I’m not going to do them.’ It was simple. I didn’t even really have to think about it. And then once I started touring in my mid-twenties, it’s a part of the touring culture.”

Flaherty noted that drinking is “so institutionalized” in the music and touring industry that it got to a point where she realized she was abusing alcohol.

“Taking alcohol out of the equation for me again, just personally, creates an environment in which I feel really powerful. I used to think that drinking alcohol did make me feel powerful, but I don’t really think it did,” she reflected. “It was hard to disentangle that from a lot of cultural ideas about drinking, especially as a woman on tour with a bunch of men in the rock scene. Originally that was like, ‘Well, you’re fucking tough. You can drink with us, you can hang, you’re cool.’ I think I had to break that down and say, ‘Actually I’m just cool’.”

She continued, “Once I identified that and cut it out of my life, what it did force me to do was really be present inside of discomfort because I was using it often as a way to try to diminish or mitigate my own personal discomfort. When I eliminated that and really had to sit and look my discomfort and pain in the eye, I could feel myself getting stronger. It was like doing pushups.”

Flaherty also says she’s embracing her inner strength. Not only is she taking care of herself, but she’s also genuinely proud of how far she’s come while facing hardships.

“Sitting inside of that whole experience, all of the chaos of it, all of the pain, the grief and the confusion and really being present for it, having no way to leave…Fuck, I’m strong,” Flaherty said. “For me, it’s so strengthening that I’ve just gone through a really fucking horrible breakup, the hardest breakup of my life. [Then] to go through going deaf, that was the hardest physical challenge. This shit is crazy, but I’m okay. Actually, I’m better; I’m stronger. So that’s the mindfuck for me is that really sitting and facing, looking the discomfort in the fucking eye. Oh man. It’s so hard, but it’s so good.”

That mentality is also what informs her upcoming LP, which she teased is “80 per cent done.”

“I hope it will be the greatest thing I’ve ever made,” said Flaherty. “I believe it will be. It’s a record about power and it’s also informed by this experience that I’ve been going through with losing my hearing and the reckoning of that.”

Meanwhile, the recent cancellation of multiple tours from US and UK artists has brought attention to the mental health struggles many artists face on the road. In an open letter shared in September, Santigold wrote that she was “both sad and proud” to cancel her 2022 tour due to financial strain as well as “anxiety, insomnia [and] fatigue” .

Sam Fender also cancelled his remaining 2022 US tour dates earlier this year to look after his mental health, sharing at the time: “I’ve neglected myself for over a year now and haven’t dealt with things that have deeply affected me. It’s impossible to do this work on myself while on the road, and it’s exhausting feigning happiness and wellness for the sake of business.”

For help and advice on mental health:

• Backline – Mental Health & Wellness resources for the music industry
• The Tour Health Research Initiative (THRIV)
• Help Musicians UK – Around the clock mental health support and advice for musicians  (CALL MUSIC MINDS MATTER ON: 0808 802 8008)
• CALM – The Campaign Against Living Miserably
• Music Support Org – Help and support for musicians struggling with alcoholism, addiction, or mental health issues  (CALL: 0800 030 6789)
• YOUNG MINDS – The voice for young people’s health and wellbeing
• Time To Change – Let’s end mental health discrimination
• The Samaritans – Confidential support 24 hours a day
• Related Topics
• Let’s Talk – mental health

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K. Flay (born June 30, 1985) is the stage name of American hip-hop rapper Kristine Flaherty, known for breaking down stereotypes in the rap genre and hailing from Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.

Influenced profoundly by her guitar-playing father’s untimely death, in 2003 Flaherty enrolled at Stanford University, which is where the rapper first toyed with the idea of making rap music. Initially a statement on the simplistic and misogynistic nature of modern rap music, Flaherty wrote and recorded the parodic song “Blingity Blang Blang”, and enjoyed it so much she vowed to continue. The rapper subsequently spent her freshman year experimenting with her style and recording tracks on her computer, before growing in confidence and playing to live audiences.

In 2004, whilst in her junior year, K. Flay issued her debut mixtape “Suburban Rap Queen” on Flayzer Beam Records. The record earned significant local buzz and the rapper’s subsequent shows were highly populated events. With her studies drawing to a close, it would be five years before the rapper released any new material with 2009’s “Mashed Potatoes” mixtape. Once again released on Flayzer Beam, the record was followed the collaborative EP “Single and Famous” alongside rapper MC Lars.

Infused with electro-pop instrumentation the rapper issued the mixtapes “I Stopped Caring in ’96” in 2011 and “West Ghost” in 2013. The same year Flaherty made her major-label debut on RCA Records with her 2013 EP “What If It Is”, which spawned the single “Rawks”. In order to release her first official studio album, “Life As A Dog”, Flaherty crowdfunded via PledgeMusic and released the record to contributors in June 2014. Charting at No. 14 on the Billboard Rap Albums chart and No. 133 on the Billboard 200, the record combines upbeat indie-rock with loose beats and well-crafted verses.

Live reviews

I had a wonderful time at the " Every Where Is Some Where " tour last night!I got the making friends package, where it had an acoustic performance and meet n greet, some merch too! Well worth the price, worth double the price if you ask me..

After the meet n greet and acoustic performance, YungBlud opened up the show. They started off full of energy, made me a new fan of theirs. going to definetly be purchasing their music's soon. Loved the part where the lead singer hit his head perfectly in tune on the drum symbols. Head banging is a not so secret love of mine when it comes to rock performances.

When I first seen K.Flay and her band a couple years ago I really wasn't into attending many concerts, hadn't been moved enough to go to the planning of going, I am introvert and don't drive so for me to go out to a sold out show means one of two things,I am looking to go outside my comfort zone or I know that what I am going to do is worth my anxiety. Well the first time I seen her it was on a whim and I was looking for some fun, had been a fan of her musics online and loved her youtube live performances so I decided to go. That night I began to really love the concert experience, the feel of the atomosphere, people getting into it at a maximum level. Feels like the music connecting with the audience in a way I had not experienced before. So to make this long story short, this last concert of K.Flay and her band was as epic as the first time I seen them, had no doubt it would be, everytime it is different but as magical as the other times. If I am breathing and she comes near enough to my home I am going to find a way to go and see her show, no doubt about that! also looking forward to checking out K.Flay bandmate, Josh Lippie & The Overtimers new musics, pretty excited about that as well. yes writing this review the next day on little sleep but somehow filled with lots of energy.

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After being challenged to come up with a rap at the prestigious Stanford University by her roomies, Kristine Flaherty rose to the task and delivered. With the addition of electronic beats, she recorded the track and shared them with her roommates- they were so impressed that they asked her to keep writing. Rediscovering her love for hip-hop and enjoying the thrill of writing music, Flaherty pursued this further employing the name K. Flay. Performing at various events at university, soon the word spread about this new artist on the scene and nicknamed her the ‘Suburban Rap Queen’. Having written so many tracks, K Flay soon had enough material to produce an album and began self-releasing her own mixtapes.

K. Flay really comes to life on stage, with just her laptop and mixing desk- all eyes are well and truly on her. Dressed in just a t-shirt and jeans, there is nothing ordinary about K Flay’s performance. Mixing her all her tracks live and making good use of loops, Flay effortlessly flits between her laptop and microphone as she spits lyrics faster than you can catch them with tracks like ‘Frat Party’ and ‘Red Meat’. ‘Speed It Up’ is simply mesmerising as the bpm increasingly gets faster, so do Flay’s words until you can no longer make out the words. She doesn’t even appear to be out of breath at the end of the track, the crowd applaud in awe of her amazing speed. K. Flay connects with the audience in the sense that she is a ‘normal’ person, some might describe as gawky but her talent supersedes all preconceptions. Her clever lyrics offer an insight into her mind, appearing more like a stream of consciousness. Her exuberant confidence adds to her charm and enchanting stage presence. Her skill knows no bounds and with an abundance of energy and witty lyrics, K. Flay is an incredible spectacle to watch.

last night in dc, at the 9:30 club was the fourth time I had seen K.Flay and her band perform in dc. Each show I have seen by them has had a unique vibe, none bad for me *wink* however the solution tour had a whole new connection aspect I felt as well. It wasn't just different sets of songs being put together it felt like a circle of completeness. I guess that is what solutions are they complete the equation and when you figured out how to solve one problem you go on to something else. in other words end of one era and on the brink of another? Honestly The solutions tour is my favorite concert I have been to not only this year but in all the ones I have seen this one will be on top of my list. Your Smith and Houses who opened for K.Flay were delightfully talented, energetic and fit well with the aura of the crowd. Everyone was getting into the musics and having a fun time. My favorite new songs performed from the show were DNA, Nervous, and Ice Cream. My favorite older tunes were Make Me Fade ( first song I ever heard her sing online) and Can't Sleep. I hope K.Flay and her band come back to dc again so I can see them for the fifth time, no doubt I will be going if I am able to.

K Flays UK tour exceeded all expectations. Playing to a packed and intimate Camden crowd the set consisted of a mixture of tracks from her recent release "Everywhere is somewhere" and classic tracks, all of which went over extremely well with the hardcore contingent on hand. I was fortunate enough to be front row inches away from the energetic front woman, and watched as she somehow conveyed a crowd commanding confidence and soulful vulnerability all the while moving effortlessly from instrument to instrument and dancing across the stage.

I have no doubt I was extremely lucky to have seen K. flay in such an intimate setting as she seems set to blow up over the next year, no doubt claiming larger venues with more elaborate shows. After a lifetime spent attending gigs across the country I can attest to K Flays ability to connect with the audience in a way which I have no doubt will permeate even the largest and densely populated venue. A unique and exciting artist who manages to be fresh even after more than a decade in the business, coupled with an excellent live show makes K. Flay a must catch act.

Great show! She brought constant energy and the live show took the volume up up to another level. She did a great job of using the whole stage and interacting with the entire crowd. She also kept an eye on the crowd. At one point checking on some of the fans during the show who may not have been as safe as she thought they should be.

Great performace, great show, will not miss her show any time she rolls through again.

I drove in from 3 hours out of Calgary for the show, was not disappointed

Sir Sly opened and also had a great set, with the lead even climbing off stage,up to the balcony to take it up another notch. Can't wait to see these guys again, hope they blow up too!

K. Flay was incredible. I'm still reeling from this show days later. Talk about someone genuine, with natural and raw energy and feeling. She owned the stage, bared her soul. The band brought their own mixer and the sound quality at the Magic Stick was perfection. When K. Flay belted out "champagne" she set the venue on fire. Daaamn. She covered "Flagpole Sitta" by Harvey Danger in the middle of her set. She reached back deep in her catalog and brought out "The Cops" and on the encore she did "Crazy" from wayyy back.

One of the very best performers I've ever seen. I will be seeing her again without a doubt.

Sir sly did a great job opening up. The sound was great and K.Flay rocked out so well. The crowd was amazing and sang along to every song. It flowed so well and it was a beautiful sight to see and get to hear the passion that K.Flay puts into her music. Her transparency and openness with her stories made every song a joy to hear in person. I loved that she played songs from her previous album as well and even the song It's Strange where she is featured in. It was the first song I heard her in, and we'll the rest is history. I can't wait for the next time she comes to Chicago or near the state.

What an eclectic show with every song uniquely different and keeping the audience completely captivated and cheering for more. I and the two girls I brought were extremely satisfied with her voice, the lyrics, her band and the background visuals! Every aspect of the show was dialed in for an epic performance no one wanted to end. She is very talented and we all want to download every track.

Thank you Fonda & K. Flay for a memorable night!

Sir Sly put on quite a show that warmed up the sold out crowd too. A very creative and impactful stage show too!

C'était la première partie... Mais l artiste booké était imagine dragons... Le show était bien cela m a fait pensé à la tournée de coldplay en 2008...playslist sympa avec des lights et pyrotechnie bien gérée... Je suis pourtant passé à côté du concert les infra non filtrés couvraient tous les instruments.. Son raté, concert raté... Dommage la salle s y prête bien pour avoir vu katy perry et bruno mars dans cette même salle...

K.Flay was awesome! She brought a lot of energy to the show and she seemed really genuine. She played all my favourite songs and the sound was amazing. The songs were a good mix of new and old. She also covered "Flagpole Sitta" by Harvey Danger in the middle of her set and that was super cool. The tickets were a steal. One of the best concerts I've been to. Enjoyed it from start to finish. The opening band Yungblud was fun too.

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K.Flay To Offer 'Solutions' With New Album & World Tour

"The solution to almost every problem is usually really simple. For me, it's so basic: staying connected to the people I love," the singer said in a release

GRAMMY-nominated alt singer/songwriter K.Flay  has released a catchy new song, "This Baby Don't Cry," along with the announcement that it is part of her forthcoming third studio album, Solutions . In addition to sharing the LP's release date of July 12, she revealed she'll be kicking off The Solutions Tour on Sept. 3 in Phoenix.

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"This Baby Don't Cry" is the second single she has dropped this year, following "Bad Vibes" last month. Both songs will be on the upcoming album. She co-wrote the latest with Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons , who signed her to his Night Street Records label (under Interscope) in 2016.

The album will be her second LP released under Reynold's imprint, following 2017's Every Where Is Some Where , which earned her two GRAMMY nods at the 60th GRAMMY Awards , including for Best Rock Song for its popular track "Blood In The Cut."

More : K.Flay: How Did She Celebrate Her 2018 GRAMMY Nominations?

In a press release, K.Flay explains the creative energy behind her latest project, which followed the three years of touring that she wrapped up late in 2018.

"When I got home from tour, I was in a dark place. Eventually, I made a decision to focus on the things that actually make me happy," she wrote.

She elaborated, explaining; "The title  Solutions  came to me really early in the process. The solution to almost every problem is usually really simple. For me, it's so basic: staying connected to the people I love, taking care of myself the way I'd want my friends to take care of themselves, and doing things I know are going to make me happy – not what social media or strangers or society tells me. So many of my past records were about problems. Right now I'm in a place where I'm looking for some light. Balance is important."

The newly announced tour will have K.Flay bringing her unique sound—and new music—to 19 cities across North America from Sept. 3 to Oct. 12, with stops in Vancouver, Seattle, Chicago, Brooklyn, N.Y. and more. On Oct. 18, she will be crossing the pond for a European leg of the tour, kicking off in Birmingham, U.K. and wrapping up on Nov. 11 in Frankfurt, Germany.

In addition to the new headline tour dates, she will also be performing at several music fests this summer, including Reynolds'  LOVELOUD Festival in Utah and Bonnaroo in Utah.

Tickets for her tour dates go on sale this Friday, May 3, with fan and album pre-order pre-sales starting tomorrow.

Nick Murphy Talks New Album, Touring Again & Taking Rick Rubin's Advice

Photo: Ray Davidson

Inside Imagine Dragons’ 'Loom': Dan Reynolds On How A Sense Of Foreboding Led To The Band's Most Colorful Album

Imagine Dragons' sixth release, ‘Loom,’ is filled with melodic soundscapes featuring big choruses that conjure deep feeling. It's exactly how Dan Reynolds wanted it; the frontman details the inspirations behind the nine-track LP.

For a dozen years now, Imagine Dragons have delivered melodic anthems that have resonated with audiences from Idaho to Italy. Whether you call the band’s sound arena rock, power pop or formulaic does not matter. What does is the effect these soundscapes have on the masses, album after album.

The Las Vegas trio of Dan Reynolds, Ben McKee and Wayne Sermon may divide critics and peers, but there is no denying they are master craftsmen of earworms. The GRAMMY-winning group has served hit after Billboard-topping hit, racking up sales of 74 million album equivalents, 65 million digital songs and over 160 billion streams.

Frontman and chief lyricist Reynolds despises labels and says conversations about genre are "trite." And, anyway, the songwriter does not make music with fans or critics in mind. Instead, it’s about what he's feeling at any given moment and whether the melody moves him.

"I love things that are melodic," Reynolds tells GRAMMY.com. "I was a classical pianist for 10 years from six to 16 — playing Chopin, Beethoven and Bach — and their songs feature pleasing melodies and intervals. My brain was formed in that classical piano training and that’s still where I write melodies from."

On their sixth studio album, Loom , Imagine Dragons continue the upward trajectory that started with their GRAMMY-winning debut Night Visions . Loom features nine new songs marked by big choruses, pleasing melodies and lyrics that concurrently make you cringe at the clichés and sing along.

Following a period of heavy loss for Reynolds when his grief hung like an invisible cobweb clouding his thoughts — and that Mercury - Acts 1 & 2 chronicled in song— Imagine Dragons went their separate ways. A break was needed and family time called before any thoughts were given to what loomed next.

Learn more: Inside Imagine Dragons' Biggest Hits: Dan Reynolds Details How "Believer," "Radioactive" & More Came To Be

Loom is definitely a more joyful record, but buried beneath these sanguine melodies there is still some sadness. In between recording the last album and this one, Reynolds went through a divorce — a life change that is explored in songs like "Don’t Forget Me" and "Fire in These Hills."

For Reynolds, playing live to sold-out arenas and seeing thousands of strangers singing — just like writing songs — is therapeutic. Sporting a plain white t-shirt, with a rack of guitars behind him, the singer-songwriter discussed navigating change, catharsis, the inspirations behind Loom , and why he makes music today is no different than what led him to penning his first-ever song.

"I’m in therapy every week and I have been since I was young," says Reynolds, adding that he started writing music at age 12 to handle emotional distress. "I didn’t know how to say what I was feeling and it wasn’t working by just writing it in a journal. Something about singing those words and putting it over a sonic soundscape felt cathartic. This record was no different and it felt really good."

Ahead of Loom’s release on June 28, GRAMMY.com chatted with Reynolds via Zoom about the inspirsations behind what he considers the band’s most colorful record. The 36-year-old melody maker appeared affable, admitted to currently being sober, and that he was excited to hit the road again with his bandmates for a 30-plus date North American tour that begins at the end of July.

A Sense Of Foreboding, Good And Bad

Multiple members of Imagine Dragons threw out names for their new record, Reynolds notes. "'Loom' just came to me out of nowhere during the filming of our first video. I was like, 'Guys, what do you think?' Within minutes they all loved it."

Reynolds likes the ideas and connotations that come with such a simple word: that something is coming. "The word feels ominous, but it can also be positive," he explains. "This record really dives into change as a lot of change was happening in my life when I wrote these songs."

Beyond those looming feelings, good and bad, Reynolds says he also loved "loom" as a noun. "It’s a very colorful record and a loom brings to mind the intertwining of different colors."

Mattman & Robin

After working with Rick Rubin and having several "cooks in the kitchen" on the last record, Swedish duo Mattman and Robin (Mattias Per Larsson and Robin Lennart Fredriksson) were the sole studio chefs spearheading this production. The difference is reflected in Loom 's finished sound.

"This record is solely Mattman & Robin and because of that it’s our most cohesive, concise and pointed record," Reynolds says. "For our own sanity, this time we wanted to make a record that told a very specific story and that sounded like a specific color. I believe we accomplished that better than ever before because we worked with only one producer."

Starting From Square One

The creation of the Imagine Dragons’ sixth album also differed from all their previous projects when it came to the artistic approach and the song-selection process. "For every other record, I arrived at the studio with 150 or more demos that I had put down over a two-year period," Reynolds recalls, adding that the group brought in about 200 demos, selected 70, and recorded 50 during their sessions with Rick Rubin.

While Reynolds had about 150 demos this time around, Mattman and Robin suggested that they "wipe the slate clean, throw out all these demos, and start from square one." Reynolds loved the idea, "because I love to write and I’m always writing."

He wrote about 30 new songs in the studio over four to six months, and then narrowed those down. "It was all very collaborative."

Feeling Colors

Reflecting about the completed record, Reynolds admits that Loom feels like the most up-tempo, concise body of work Imagine Dragons’ has ever done; it’s also the most colorful.

"That’s the reason we chose the sunset/sunrise artwork for the cover because the image can be perceived either way," Reynolds explains. "The record feels like the beginning of things and also the death of things … It's all about change. There are definitely more bright songs than any other record we’ve done, but there are also moments of reflection and heartache."

Reynolds is not one to keep a diary or write notes on his phone. Music is his journal.

"I’ve never been a person to write down an idea and then work on that idea," the songwriter explains. "I always write the same way: I sit down at a piano, with a guitar or at a computer with no theme in mind and create a soundscape that is an honest output of whatever I’m feeling. I then write lyrics and melody to that feeling. It’s been that same way since I was 12 and started writing songs … What I’m feeling in the moment is usually what it’s going to be."

The Beauty & Safety Of Metaphor

Ever since Reynolds started processing his emotions through music and penned his first song as a pre-teen, he hid behind metaphors — afraid to speak his truth. During these formative years, this truth-telling usually centered on his religious beliefs. Reynolds was raised, along with his nine siblings, as a follower of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Reynolds admits that he relied too heavily on figures of speech as a writer, especially when it came to describing his relationship with Mormonism. 

Today, the artist no longer hides behind his words. " When I started writing, I was fearful of the people I love understanding what I was saying," Reynolds explains. "I was not thinking back then about the common listener; the only ones who heard my music, from the time I was 12 to 14, were my parents and I sure as hell did not want my mom to hear a song and think, ‘Are you doubting Joseph Smith!’" 

Reynolds leaned into metaphor. "so my mom would not know what I was talking about" — and that trajectory continued into his writing style on the first few Imagine Dragons records. 

"When I listen to Night Visions , it’s very metaphorical," Reynolds reflects. "'Radioactive' is a song about depression; yet, most people hear it and think it’s a song about the apocalypse!" 

However, some of Reynolds’ favorite songwriters — Paul Simon , Billy Joel , Bob Dylan and Cat Stevens — are not overly metaphorical. Working with Rick Rubin on the previous Imagine Dragons double record really helped the songwriter reduce his reliance on imagery and be more authentic. "Rick was always telling me to peel back a little bit, become more vulnerable and stop being such a scaredy-cat," he says. 

Metaphors and deeper meanings aside, Reynolds stresses that while he tries to add some lyricism to his words. What matters most, he notes, is that he sings his truth and it’s believable.  

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Change is a constant in life and that theme weaves throughout Loom . Like French writer Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr wrote in 1894, " plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose. " This  aphorism, loosely translated, means the more things change, the more they stay the same.   

"There are some things in my life that never change and I’ve accepted that," Reynolds says. "One of them is that mental health has always been a bit of a struggle for me, but music helps a lot. At the same time, other things do change. I’m 36 now and I’m not the same person I was when we put out our first record and I was 22." 

The throughline in Imagine Dragons' sound is "the human experience told from a self-reflective narrative view," Reynolds continues, adding that Loom felt cathartic. 

False Empowerment

Loom’s first single, "Eyes Closed," arrived May 3. The genre-bending song fuses rap, rock and pop, to create another Imagine Dragons anthem. 

"'Eyes Closed' is about something that looks perfect and idyllic and then you tap it and it falls into a million pieces," Reynolds explains. "The idea behind that song is that I could do this with my eyes closed, it’s so easy, but the reality is I was not really loving myself or feeling any of those things I was writing about."

It's a theme Reynolds revisits often. "I write a lot of songs because I’m in a bad place and I’m trying to bring about a false sense of confidence, security and empowerment," he says. "I meet people and they say, ‘I work out to this song every morning and it gets my day going,’ and I reply, ‘I’m glad because I really wasn’t going that day!’"

Their International Fanbase 

Loom closes with a reprise of "Eyes Closed" featuring Colombian reggaeton maestro J. Balvin . Imagine Dragons are no strangers to collabs. In the past, the band have recorded features with the likes of Kendrick Lamar , Lil Wayne and Wiz Khalifa , but as Reynolds explains, they are always selective in choosing these collaborations. "We don’t collaborate a lot because personally I hate it when the artists I love collaborate too much. I’m like, I want to listen to you … I was waiting for a record from you.

"'Eyes Closed' really felt like the second verse could go in a different direction," Reynolds notes. "I had been listening to something from J. Balvin and I said to the band, ‘This could be cool and interesting, why don’t we try it?’ I’m really happy with how it turned out."

Reynolds adds that Imagine Dragons has become more of an international group that's bigger outside of its home nation. Touring globally has been a boon for the band: "We’ve enjoyed seeing and experiencing different cultures and witnessing how music bypasses all cultures," Reynolds says. "We go places where English is not the first language and people still seem to understand everything we are saying because they just feel it."

Reynold's Faith

As Reynolds’s conversation with GRAMMY.com comes to a close, the songwriter is asked about the inspiration behind the sixth song on Loom: "God’s Don’t Pray."

"It wouldn’t be an Imagine Dragons record without me alluding to my faith," he says. "I’m not a religious person anymore, but as anyone who grows up in religion knows — especially when the rest of your family still follows that faith — it’s still such a prevalent part of your life that it is impossible to write a record without delving into religiosity and the lack thereof."  

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Photo: Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images

Get To Know Benson Boone, The "Beautiful Things" Singer & Rising Pop-Rock Sensation

As Benson Boone's erupting smash "Beautiful Things" continues to dominate Billboard's global charts, GRAMMY.com rounded up seven things to know about the budding star, from his reality TV roots to his rock star mentor.

Benson Boone's swift rise to stardom has been a beautiful thing to witness. Over the past three years, the Monroe, Washington native has gone from viral TikTok influencer to one of Gen Z's most promising pop talents.

Remarkably, the 21-year-old pop-rock artist didn't even discover his voice until he reached high school, after his best friend asked him to play the piano in their school's battle of the bands competition and the singer dropped out at the last second. Boone found himself filling in, an impromptu decision that would unwittingly alter the course of his entire life.

"It's just like I unlocked something I didn't know I had," he mused recently to MTV . "And I stopped, like, halfway through the first verse and just looked around, and I was so shocked that I had just sang…It was, like, the best feeling of my life."

Cut to the present day, and Boone's voice has helped him soar to the top of multiple Billboard charts. His latest single "Beautiful Things," a desperate prayer of a love song that pinballs between warm, folksy verses and a rollicking chorus reminiscent of Freddie Mercury's electrifying vocals, has positively exploded since its January release. Boone's breakout hit has spent six consecutive weeks in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 3 as of press time and topping both of Billboard's global charts for multi-week runs.

"My life has changed dramatically since the song came out," Boone reflected earlier this month in a sit-down with Variety . "It's so, so, so insane to me that this is happening. I'm trying so hard to formulate words. I have so much trouble processing it all right now…But when I sit back and look at what's happening, it really, truly blows my mind. Because it's something a lot of people dream of, and [I'm] one of those people."

Benson is steadfast in building on the runaway success of "Beautiful Things," too. The singer/songwriter's forthcoming debut album is expected some time later this year, and his just-announced Fireworks and Rollerblades World Tour kicks off April 3 in Chicago, with legs in North America, the U.K., Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

As Boone's rise to superstardom continues, GRAMMY.com rounded up everything you need to know about the buzzy star-in-the-making, from his brief stint on reality TV to the A-list rocker who's taken him under his wing.

He's A Proud "American Idol" Dropout

Before he became a rising star on the charts, Boone initially attempted to get his start in music on "American Idol." During Season 19, the then-18-year-old auditioned for the reality show with a piano-playing cover of Aidan Martin's 2017 single "Punchline" after producers came across his videos online.

Boone's jaw-dropping audition earned a standing ovation from judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan before Katy Perry confidently declared, "They're gonna swoon over Benson Boone." All three judges were baffled to learn that the teenager had only discovered his obvious musical talent the year before, and the "Roar" singer doubled down on her praise by predicting, "I'm gonna tell you something that you may not believe. But if you believe it, it might happen…I see you winning 'American Idol' if you want to."

"That is the biggest compliment I've ever gotten, thank you," a starstruck Boone replied. However, by the time Hollywood week rolled around, the fresh-faced teenager had apparently decided he didn't want to win the long-running reality competition, and withdrew after advancing to the Top 24. 

"The reason I quit 'American Idol' is because I wanted to do music," he explained a couple of years later during an appearance on The Zach Sang Show . "I don't want people to be like, 'Oh, Benson Boone, 'American Idol' blew him up. Like, that's where he comes from. No. I want to be Benson Boone 'cause I write smash hits and they love my music…I just didn't want that label on me."

He Has A Bonafide Rock Superstar For A Mentor

Part of Boone's success as a solo artist can be attributed to Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons , who came across the young talent and personally signed him to Night Street Records, the rock singer's own Warner Records imprint that has also boasted K.Flay on its exclusive roster, in 2021. 

"We sign artists so rarely at Night Street — it was one of those moments where you know you have no choice," the frontman told Billboard at the time Boone inked his record deal. "That's how I felt when I first sat in a recording booth with Benson. I'm excited for the world to get to know him the way I have these last months."

Since then, Reynolds has also served as a sort of industry mentor figure for Boone, as the burgeoning rocker explained in a 2023 interview promoting the release of his EP Pulse . "He makes you feel comfortable in your own skin, he's very gifted in that way," Boone told iHeartRadio Canada . "So working with him has been incredible, and him taking time for an artist very much smaller than him is just…he's a very kind soul. 

"I think that the main thing that he's taught me is that in this industry, everybody wants something different from you," he continued. "Everybody has a different outlook on yourself than you actually do. And regardless of what that is, you are the leader of your own career and your own life. You have to do things that make you happy, write music that you want to be writing, releasing things that you're proud of…He's just taught me to stick to my gut and just follow my own dreams."

His Earlier Singles Pack An Emotional Punch (No, Seriously, Grab Some Tissues)

The runaway success of "Beautiful Things" may have earned Boone's legions of newfound fans in the last two months, but it's actually not his biggest song on streaming platforms (at least just yet). Before his soul-baring folk-rock anthem was burning up charts around the world, the singer released his debut single "Ghost Town" and heartbreaking follow-up "In The Stars," both of which are included on his debut 2021 EP Walk Me Home… (As of press time, the former has more than 336 million streams on Spotify, and the latter has a whopping 617 million.)

Another smoldering torch song, "Ghost Town" became Boone's first official entry on the Hot 100 after it was released in October 2021. "Maybe you'd be happier with someone else/ Maybe loving me's the reason you can't love yourself/ Before I turn your heart into a ghost town/ Show me everything we build so I can tear it all down," he laments on the soaring chorus over a running piano line and booming, orchestral percussion.

On the heels of "Ghost Town," Boone then penned "In the Stars" in 2022 about the death of his beloved great-grandma. "That kind of loss can be more emotional and heartfelt than a relationship," he told Genius about the song's tender meaning. "I wanted to write about something that was real. It's something I've never really talked about or dealt face to face with. Songwriting is very new to me, and so I'm still learning that process of figuring out how to cope with something through a song. And I think this is kind of where that starts for me." 

Other pre-"Beautiful Things" tracks worth checking out in Boone's quickly blossoming discography include the addictive TikTok smash "Sugar Sweet," wistfully upbeat bop "Coffee Cake" and the introspective "What Was."

His Stage Presence Is Downright Acrobatic

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Benson Boone (@bensonboone)

Boone may be a relative newcomer in the music industry, but he's already developed a magnetic stage presence at his packed live shows. In fact, one of his signature tricks on stage is landing a backflip mid-song without so much as missing a beat.

To tease his upcoming world tour, the singer posted a clip of himself in late January belting out "What Was" in front of an ecstatic crowd. In the video, he impressively nails a flip before effortlessly transitioning right into the power ballad's bombastic climax, wailing, "Let me/ Start over/ The moment that I left you in tears/ Is a mem'ry that will haunt me for years/ And years and years and years and years."

"My dad is 49 years old and still backflips, I get it from him," the singer confessed to Australian outlet The Project on his first trip Down Under in the fall of 2022. "I always thought he was, like, the coolest…but yeah, I've been flipping since I was, like, four and it's just always been my thing."

He Has Roots In Mormonism

Boone grew up in small-town Washington as the only boy in a Mormon family with four sisters. He's never really spoken publicly about growing up in the clean-cut, high-demand religion, but he actually briefly attended Brigham Young University—Idaho, the Mormon university in Rexburg, for a semester before pausing his education to focus on music.

Mormonism is a trait he coincidentally shares with his mentor Reynolds, who's been outspoken throughout his career about his Mormon background and actually got kicked out of Brigham Young University around the same time he formed Imagine Dragons. 

While Boone grew up outside the "Book of Mormon Belt" — the geographic area that radiates from Mormonism's Salt Lake City headquarters to include parts of Idaho, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Wyoming and even southern Alberta, Canada — his Mormon roots have shown up in his music in subtle ways. He even filmed the official music video for "Beautiful Things" against the majestic backdrop of the red rock bluffs outside St. George, Utah (which just so happens to be this writer's hometown!).

He Serves As His Own Creative Team

Boone's creative side extends beyond the realm of music: he's also a talented artist who often draws the cover art for his own singles. When "Ghost Town" was released in 2021, he showed off his skills by sketching the song's artwork for Spotify's Today's Top Hits — even admitting it was his first time attempting to draw a self-portrait with charcoal.

"I've always loved drawing and painting," Boone said of his artistic flair in a 2023 interview, also noting that he designs all his own merchandise. "I get that from my dad…My dad's, like, a crazy artist, he's so good. And so it's kinda just always been something that I've done."

He's An Avid Rollerblader

As the name of his upcoming Fireworks and Rollerblades World Tour would suggest, Boone is both a self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie and has a not-so-secret passion for rollerblading. In fact, the singer's TikTok feed is littered with videos of himself landing tricks, stunts and, of course, flips on wheels in between the requisite promo material teasing new music like his upcoming single "Slow It Down," footage from live shows and other viral TikTok content.

What other tricks does Benson Boone have up his sleeve for the rest of 2024? Judging by his meteoric chart success thus far, the world is eagerly waiting to find out.

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Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

GRAMMY Rewind: Kendrick Lamar Honors Hip-Hop's Greats While Accepting Best Rap Album GRAMMY For 'To Pimp a Butterfly' In 2016

Upon winning the GRAMMY for Best Rap Album for 'To Pimp a Butterfly,' Kendrick Lamar thanked those that helped him get to the stage, and the artists that blazed the trail for him.

Updated Friday Oct. 13, 2023 to include info about Kendrick Lamar's most recent GRAMMY wins, as of the 2023 GRAMMYs.

A GRAMMY veteran these days, Kendrick Lamar has won 17 GRAMMYs and has received 47 GRAMMY nominations overall. A sizable chunk of his trophies came from the 58th annual GRAMMY Awards in 2016, when he walked away with five — including his first-ever win in the Best Rap Album category.

This installment of GRAMMY Rewind turns back the clock to 2016, revisiting Lamar's acceptance speech upon winning Best Rap Album for To Pimp A Butterfly . Though Lamar was alone on stage, he made it clear that he wouldn't be at the top of his game without the help of a broad support system. 

"First off, all glory to God, that's for sure," he said, kicking off a speech that went on to thank his parents, who he described as his "those who gave me the responsibility of knowing, of accepting the good with the bad."

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He also extended his love and gratitude to his fiancée, Whitney Alford, and shouted out his Top Dawg Entertainment labelmates. Lamar specifically praised Top Dawg's CEO, Anthony Tiffith, for finding and developing raw talent that might not otherwise get the chance to pursue their musical dreams.

"We'd never forget that: Taking these kids out of the projects, out of Compton, and putting them right here on this stage, to be the best that they can be," Lamar — a Compton native himself — continued, leading into an impassioned conclusion spotlighting some of the cornerstone rap albums that came before To Pimp a Butterfly .

"Hip-hop. Ice Cube . This is for hip-hop," he said. "This is for Snoop Dogg , Doggystyle . This is for Illmatic , this is for Nas . We will live forever. Believe that."

To Pimp a Butterfly singles "Alright" and "These Walls" earned Lamar three more GRAMMYs that night, the former winning Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song and the latter taking Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (the song features Bilal , Anna Wise and Thundercat ). He also won Best Music Video for the remix of Taylor Swift 's "Bad Blood." 

Lamar has since won Best Rap Album two more times, taking home the golden gramophone in 2018 for his blockbuster LP DAMN ., and in 2023 for his bold fifth album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers .

Watch Lamar's full acceptance speech above, and check back at GRAMMY.com every Friday for more GRAMMY Rewind episodes. 

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Photo: Monica Schipper/Getty Images for iHeartRadio

9 Artists Who Advocate For The LGBTQIA+ Community: Troye Sivan, Taylor Swift, Madonna & More

From Big Freedia to Beyoncé, artists who identify as queer and allies alike celebrate love in all its forms.

"GAY RIGHTS!!!!!" Betty Who captioned a cheeky photo earlier this month. Yes, it was a well-known inside joke among the LGBTQIA+ community, but the all-caps message held some serious meaning. The queer pop star's photo was from the White House's 2023 Pride Celebration, where President Biden formally announced the New Actions to Protect the LGBTQIA+ Community plan — and Betty Who was the star performer.

Music has always been a safe haven for gay and trans people of all kinds — from the closeted kids in Middle America finding sanctuary in the songs of their favorite pop stars, to the out-and-proud artists forming the soundtrack for the next generation of LGBTQIA+ fans. And Pride has always been a special time of the year to celebrate visibility and inclusion in the music industry — a place where everyone deserves to show up and be seen (and heard!) as their authentic self, and where every proverbial note, melody and harmony make up a beautiful and unique soundtrack that can only be yours.

Recently, queer musicians and allies who use their platforms to stand up for the LGBTQIA+ community has felt more important than ever. A rash of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation has swept through state legislatures across the country, from so-called " Don't Say Gay " bills to blatant legal attacks on drag queens, trans kids and LGBTQIA+ history as a whole —  but those who stand for the community are fighting even harder.

As Pride month carries on, GRAMMY.com has rounded up a list of nine LGBTQIA+ artists, allies and bonafide gay icons who've made advocating for the community a central tenet of their music, their words and their actions. Of course, there are dozens to highlight, but take a look at how queer artists like Kim Petras and Troye Sivan and allies like Taylor Swift and Madonna have helped fans shine as their authentic selves.

Petras cemented her place as a rising star in the pop music echelon in February, when she became the first trans woman to win the GRAMMY for Best Pop Duo/Group collaboration with Sam Smith for their subversive collaboration "Unholy." (Smith, who identifies as non-binary, also made history with the win, though they graciously ceded the floor for Petras to give her awestruck acceptance speech on the GRAMMYs stage.)

As the cover star of Out 's 2023 Pride issue, the German pop princess spoke out about the rash of anti-trans rhetoric taking root in legislatures across the country and harming vulnerable trans youth. "I literally was very suicidal as a kid, and I just wouldn't still be here had my parents not believed me," she told the magazine. "I hate that another generation is going through this, and I hate that young kids are going through the same s–t I was going through, and that apparently just isn't changing. I think it's sad. I just never understood why people were so obsessed with what people do to be happy. Just focus on what you can do to be happy."

Lil Nas X has never been shy when it comes to sticking up for the queer community — and he usually does so with a healthy dose of snarky humor on social media. He's cheerfully clapped back about everything from the explicit queerness of his music videos to his place in the modern pantheon of hip-hop; mostly recently, he hopped on Twitter to hilariously take down conservative outrage over Pride-themed merchandise at Target.

"Can't believe target is supporting this nonsense, im never shopping there again, my son is not 'too cool for school' these shirts are ridiculous. He is going to school and he WILL learn," the GRAMMY winner wrote in a since-deleted tweet, mockingly referencing the anti-LGBTQIA+ crusaders upset with inclusive and trans-friendly apparel being sold at the popular retailer. 

In another instance from late April, Montero made his stance hysterically clear when he tweeted, "I want to clear all the straight rumors. i have many straight friends and i support their community, but that is NOT me!"

Troye Sivan

Years before releasing his debut album Blue Neighborhood in 2015, Troye Sivan came out publicly via YouTube. Since then, he's been consistently outspoken about his experiences as a gay artist in the music industry.

The Australia native, who announced his long-awaited follow-up to 2018's Bloom earlier this month, has made a consistent point in his career to turn his visuals into unapologetic examples of queer art — from the lusty defiance of 2018's "My My My!" to the "gushy juicy doting adoring power b^tt^m gay ballad" perfection that was 2021's "Angel Baby."

Perhaps most powerful of all, though, was his video for early single "Heaven" featuring Betty Who, which depicted historic moments in the LGBTQIA+ rights movement including some of the earliest Pride parades on record. "We have always been here. we will always be here. this video is dedicated to all those who've come before me and fought for our cause and those who now continue the fight," he wrote in the video's description. "in dark and light times, let's love forever. love, troye x."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Betty Who (@bettywho)

Speaking of Betty Who, the indie pop star received an invitation directly from President Biden to perform at the White House's official 2023 Pride Celebration, where the commander in chief formally announced his administration's plan titled New Actions to Protect the LGBTQIA+ Community. The three-point roll-out promises to focus on "Strengthening Physical Safety," "Addressing Civil Rights Violations" and "Strengthening Mental Health and other Support Resources."

"Today was the biggest pride celebration ever held at the white house and i got to be a part of it!!!!!!!!" Betty, who identifies as both queer and bisexual, wrote afterwards on social media. "So many things i want to say! What an honour it is, how proud i am to be part of the lgbtqia+ [community], how special today's event was and how grateful i am to @potus, @drbiden and the amazing white house staff for hosting us. queer joy spouting everywhere!!! very grateful for this incredible experience."

Big Freedia

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Big Freedia 👑 (@bigfreedia)

Earlier this year, Big Freedia was honored by PFLAG — the nation's longest-running LGBTQIA+ organization — with its first-ever National Breaking Barriers Award. The new honor, which she received at PGFLAG's 50th anniversary gala in March, is meant to shine the spotlight on "an individual who uses their platform to help remove obstacles to LGBTQIA+ and intersectional equality in pursuit of a more just, equitable and inclusive world."

Upon receiving the award, the bounce music trailblazer (and 2023 GRAMMY winner) took to Instagram with a determined message, writing, "There's still so much work to do to fight discrimination and I will continue to work on behalf of our whole community to spread love, acceptance, inclusion and everyone's right TO BE FREE."

Taylor Swift

While she'd slyly referenced her support for the LGBTQIA+ community in the past on songs like "Welcome to New York," Taylor Swift took a public stand in 2019 with her Lover era single "You Need to Calm Down." The gay anthem's celebratory music video issued a call to action for her fans to support the as-yet-unpassed Equality Act with her very own Change.org petition.

During her Eras Tour stop in Chicago earlier this month, the superstar spoke specifically to her LGBTQIA+ fans, promising them that her concerts would always be a "safe space" for them to celebrate who they are. 

"I wish that every place was safe and beautiful for people in the LGBTQ community, I really wish that. We can't talk about Pride Month without talking about pain," she told the sold-out crowd of Swifties at Soldier Field. "There have been so many harmful pieces of legislation that have put people in the LGBTQ and queer community at risk. It's painful for everyone — every ally, every loved one, every person in these communities. And that's why I'm always posting, 'This is when the midterms are. This is when these important, key primaries are.'

"'Cause we can support as much as we want during Pride Month," the 12-time GRAMMY winner continued. "But if we're not doing our research on these elected officials — Are they advocates? Are they allies? Are they protectors of equality? Do I want to vote for them? — I love you guys so much and happy Pride Month."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Madonna (@madonna)

What hasn't Madonna done in her iconic career to lift up the LGBTQIA+ community? In fact, there's an entire Wikipedia page dedicated solely to her status as a living gay icon.

Famously, Her Madgesty's love for the gay community started with her early mentor and dance teacher Christopher Flynn. Early in her career, she became one of the first artists to speak out about the HIV/AIDS crisis and decry the stigmatization of gay people at the time.

She's been recognized by the GLAAD Media Awards multiple times, including in 1991 with the Raising Gay Awareness award and in 2019 with the Advocate for Change award. (At the latter ceremony, GLAAD president Sarah Kate Ellis stated , "Madonna always has and always will be the LGBTQ community's greatest ally.")

More recently, Madge added multiple dates to her upcoming Celebration Tour, including a special stop in Nashville to stand in solidarity with the state's queer, trans and drag communities as they've been bombarded by a string of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation from the state's Capitol.

"The oppression of the LGBTQIA+ is not only unacceptable and inhumane; it's creating an unsafe environment; making America a dangerous place for our most vulnerable citizens, especially trans women of color," she wrote on Instagram alongside the announcement. "Also, these so-called laws to protect our children are unfounded and pathetic. Anyone with half a brain knows not to f— with a drag queen. Bob and I will see you from the stage in Nashville where we will celebrate the beauty that is the queer community!"

Long considered a gay icon in her own right, Beyoncé paid reverential honor to the LGBTQIA+ community and her late uncle Johnny with 2022's Renaissance , an undulating magnum opus inspired by the underground ballroom scene sparked by Black, trans and gay pioneers of the 1970s, '80s, '90s, and beyond.

Queen Bey also holds space for queer artists throughout Renaissance 's sprawling, hour-long track list, collaborating with TS Madison and Big Freedia, sampling Kevin Aviance and late drag star Moi Renee, working with Honey Dijon behind the boards and more. "Thank you to all of the pioneers who originate culture, to all of the fallen angels whose contributions have gone unrecognized for far too long," the living legend wrote in a note posted to her personal website upon the album's release. "This is a celebration for you."

Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons

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Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds has emerged as a powerful advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community through his nonprofit organization Loveloud and its popular Utah festival, which he launched in 2017 to support LGBTQIA+ teens in the state's overwhelmingly conservative (and outspokenly anti-LGBTQIA+) Mormon community.  

This year, though, Reynolds and the Loveloud board — which includes out and proud musicians like Tyler Glenn of Neon Trees, Vincint, Wrabel and Parson James — have expanded Loveloud's mission beyond the Mormonism of the Wasatch front. In early March, Loveloud announced it would be transforming into a traveling festival for its sixth year with stops in Austin, Texas, where dozens of anti-LGBTQIA+ laws have been pursued by the state legislature and Gov. Greg Abbott, and Washington D.C.

9 Times Queer Artists Made History At The GRAMMYs: From Elton John's Collab With BSB To Kim & Sam's "Unholy" Union

• 1 K.Flay To Offer 'Solutions' With New Album & World Tour
• 2 Inside Imagine Dragons’ 'Loom': Dan Reynolds On How A Sense Of Foreboding Led To The Band's Most Colorful Album
• 3 Get To Know Benson Boone, The "Beautiful Things" Singer & Rising Pop-Rock Sensation
• 4 GRAMMY Rewind: Kendrick Lamar Honors Hip-Hop's Greats While Accepting Best Rap Album GRAMMY For 'To Pimp a Butterfly' In 2016
• 5 9 Artists Who Advocate For The LGBTQIA+ Community: Troye Sivan, Taylor Swift, Madonna & More

K.Flay Maps Out Intimate 2024 North American Tour

It includes back-to-back nights at Toronto's Velvet Underground

BY Megan LaPierre Published Sep 19, 2023

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K.Flay Tour Dates: ‘MONO’ to Bring Intimate Shows to Seven Cities

K.Flay is gearing up for her MONO: Live in Stereo 2024 North American Headline Tour. The tour will kick off in March and will see the talented artist perform a series of underplays in seven major cities. And in a unique twist, each stop will feature two intimate nights. These cities include Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, Chicago, Denver, Seattle, and San Francisco.

The tour is in support of her recently released full-length studio album MONO which dropped on September 15th. The new album marks her first release under a new deal with Giant Music. Along with her high-energy performances, K.Flay is known for her multi-platinum status and two Grammy nominations. She’s been on the road in the EU and UK and is set to join Arkells for a few dates in Canada in November. However, her focus is firmly on 2024, when she embarks on her own headlining tour.

Life Changing Situation

“MONO” is K.Flay’s fifth full-length album and a significant milestone in her career. Notably, it’s her first album since experiencing sudden and complete deafness in her right ear at the end of the previous summer, a condition her doctors have deemed permanent.

This life-altering event influenced the 14-song project, which delves into the depths of her psyche, exploring themes of loss and transformation. K.Flay believes that her profound sensory change has given her a fresh perspective on her music, effectively returning her to a beginner’s mindset. She co-produced MONO and enlisted the expertise of Paul Meany (Twenty One Pilots, Shania Twain) as executive producer.

Getting To Know K.Flay

K.Flay’s journey in music began with her debut album Life as a Dog in 2014. From there her major breakthrough came with her 2017 LP Every Where Is Some Where . The album featured her most successful single to date, “Blood in the Cut.”

Over the years, she has collaborated with a diverse range of artists, including Fitz and the Tantrums, Bishop Briggs, Tom Morello, and Imagine Dragons. Her music has also left its mark in various media, from TV shows to video games and films. Regardless of the project, K.Flay’s lyrical prowess remains a constant, a testament to her deep love for language and its limitless possibilities.

K.Flay is currently on tour in the EU and UK, with dates spanning from Poland to the United Kingdom. For the latest updates and information on her upcoming tour, you can visit her official website at https://www.kflay.com/ .

K.Flay Tour Dates

• March 6 + 7 @ The Lodge Room in Los Angeles, CA
• March 9 + 10 @ Bowery Ballroom in New York, NY
• March 12 + 13 @ Velvet Underground in Toronto, ON
• March 15 + 16 @ Chop Shop in Chicago, IL
• March 19 + 20 @ Marquis Theater in Denver, CO
• March 24 + 25 @ Madame Lou’s in Seattle, WA
• March 27 + 28 @ Independent in San Francisco, CA

Connect with K.Flay:

Website | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Tik Tok

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Two-plus decades in the music industry as a program director, host, influencer, voice-over artist, and artist manager. Passionate about introducing music fans to talented artists. Avid sports card collector. Pizza lover. Microbrew connoisssoir.

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K.Flay Announces Spring 2024 North American Tour Dates

Cait Stoddard

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By ABC News | September 19, 2023

K.flay announces intimate mono: live in stereo tour.

K.Flay has announced a North American tour in support of her new album, MONO .

The outing, dubbed the MONO: Live in Stereo, kicks off in March 2024 and features the “Blood in the Cut” artist playing two shows in intimate venues across seven cities: Los Angeles, New York City, Toronto, Chicago, Denver, Seattle and San Francisco.

For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit KFlay.com .

MONO , which features the single “Raw Raw,” was released Friday, September 15. It reflects K.Flay’s experience after suddenly losing hearing in her right ear in 2022.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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K. Flay Tour Dates

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Platinum-selling musician K.Flay has announced an extensive North American tour in 2024 to support her new album 'Mono' . Her Way Up West Tour takes place in August making U.S. stops in Eugene, Spokane, Missoula, Bozeman, Great Falls and Fargo. Canadian shows are planned for Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Calgary and Kelowna. The performer recently wrapped up her Mono: Live in Stereo tour which took place earlier this year.

K.Flay released her fifth studio album 'Mono' on September 15th, 2023 via BMG Rights Management. The new album follows up 2022's 'Inside Voices / Outside Voices' which features guest appearances by Travis Barker and Tom Morello . The same year, the Grammy-nominated artist teamed up with Grandson for their I Love You, I’m Trying Tour along with special guests Jack Kays , No Love For The Middle Child and De'Wayne. Back in 2023, her own Inside Voices / Outside Voices Tour was joined by Corook and Kid Sistr .

K. Flay Concert Schedule

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K. Flay: Every Where Is Some Where

K. Flay: High Enough (RAC Remix)

K. Flay: Life as a Dog

K. Flay: Solutions

K. Flay: High Enough (Slowed)

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• March 27, 2024 Setlist

K.Flay Setlist at The Independent, San Francisco, CA, USA

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Tour: Mono Live in Stereo 2024 Tour statistics Add setlist

• Raw Raw Play Video
• Punisher Play Video
• Irish Goodbye Play Video
• Shy Play Video
• Dreamers Play Video
• Carsick Play Video
• TGIF Play Video
• Blood in the Cut Play Video
• It's Been So Long Play Video
• Perfectly Alone Play Video
• High Enough Play Video

Edits and Comments

3 activities (last edit by syryquil , 28 Mar 2024, 15:51 Etc/UTC )

Songs on Albums

• Irish Goodbye
• Perfectly Alone
• Blood in the Cut
• High Enough
• It's Been So Long

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• Mar 27 2024 The Independent This Setlist San Francisco, CA, USA Add time Add time
• Mar 28 2024 The Independent San Francisco, CA, USA Start time: 9:15 PM 9:15 PM
• Mar 29 2024 Rickshaw Stop San Francisco, CA, USA Start time: 10:00 PM 10:00 PM

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K.Flay (US) announces return to Australia with MONO IN STEREO headline tour for February 2024

Frontier Touring  are excited to announce US singer, songwriter & alternative artist  K.Flay will make her highly anticipated return to Australia in February 2024. 

K.Flay is bringing her MONO IN STEREO TOUR to Australia, kicking off at Melbourne’s Corner Hotel on Tuesday 13 February, followed by Sydney’s Oxford Art Factory on Wednesday 14 February and a final show at The Zoo, Brisbane on Friday 16 February.  

Joining K.Flay is special guest, singer-songwriter Hope D . A rising star, the Brisbane local is a trailblazer in the indie-pop/rock scene. With two Queensland Music Awards under her belt and a recently released debut studio album Clash of the Substance , Hope D will showcase her incredible talent as she joins K.Flay on all Australian dates. 

Frontier Members can access presale tickets on Thursday 26 October from 12:00pm local time. Tickets will open for general public sale on Monday 30 October from 11:00am local time. More information at  frontiertouring.com/kflay  

Based in LA and originally from Illinois, multi-platinum artist K.Flay, born Kristine Flaherty, started rapping and writing songs on a lark while attending Stanford University and soon began releasing her self-produced mixtapes. In 2017 she released her major label debut album Every Where Is Some Where , earning two GRAMMY Award nominations for the album’s iconic smash single ‘ Blood in the Cut ’ and sending her to arenas around the world with her kinetic live set.  

As a songwriter, musician, and producer, she’s lent her talents to numerous collaborations, working with Fitz and the Tantrums, Bishop Briggs, Tom Morello, Louis the Child, Kaskade, Walk the Moon, Imagine Dragons, grandson, The Regrettes, Two Feet, MisterWives, and more.  

Whether working on her own music or with others, K.Flay’s output remains rooted in her undeniable lyrical skills, an element she attributes to her innate love of language and its infinite possibilities. Recently releasing her fifth studio album MONO - the LP is her first since going suddenly and completely deaf in her right ear at the end of last summer. Although K.Flay’s hearing loss deeply informed her songwriting on MONO, the album marks the start of a new era for the artist who explores an entire spectrum of existential questions and complex matters of the heart and mind on the LP. 

“MONO, is continuously impressive. A piercing album, it's intelligently crafted, cutting through the noise, baring Flaherty's raw vulnerability. Coming after a shift in Flaherty's personal life, MONO marks a new era for K.” – New Noise Magazine 

“… a tribute to K.Flay’s undeniable confidence as an artist and human alike.”  – Mx Dwn 

“Vulnerability, simplicity and attitude” –  triple j

Last visiting Australia in 2019, K.Flay is a boundary-pushing artist committed to constant growth by holding herself to higher and more rigorous standards in every aspect of her artistry. Don’t miss her highly anticipated return down under next February! 

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