Country singer Kacey Musgraves will perform an ode to the late Dolly Parton during the MTV Video Music Awards, marking her first appearance at the ceremony in five years. Parton died in late August at age 80. Musgraves, who holds three nominations, previously honored Parton with a performance of
Singer Hayley Williams paid tribute to her ex-husband, guitarist Chad Gilbert, on Instagram following his death at age 45. Williams described Gilbert as a legend in the hardcore music scene who founded New Found Glory and Shai Hulud, noting that their time together taught her to appreciate the community and culture of hardcore punk. The couple married in 2016 but separated a year later; Gilbert had been diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.
Singer Ilse DeLange expressed hesitation about representing the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Festival again, citing concerns that music's unifying power is harder to maintain in today's polarized world. Although she holds warm memories of her 2014 participation with The Common Linnets and supporting Duncan Laurence’s 2019 win, she feels the current climate differs significantly from the neutral stance Dolly Parton once held. While her schedule prevents participation in 2027, she admits she would doubt even with free time. The NPO plans to approach artists directly and aims for clarity within two to three months following their return after a year's absence.
Taylor Swift announced on Wednesday that she will release four new songs alongside a reissue of her album The Life of a Showgirl this Friday. She shared on Instagram that the additional tracks were written in Sweden with producers Max Martin and Shellback as a gesture of gratitude for fans making the album the most successful in its release week history. This announcement follows the Tuesday reveal of the single Patient Zero.
Grote Geelstaart, a five-piece noiserock band from the conservative village of Kapelle in Zeeland, is experiencing rapid international success with their neurotic Dutch-language music. Their new EP, Wij zinken, was released on September 18, 2026, preceding a sold-out club tour starting at Amsterdam's Paradiso venue. The band, which has performed at festivals like Lowlands and Best Kept Secret, rejects conventional pop structures in favor of what they describe as organized chaos. Members Jeppe Rottier, Danny Rottier, Jesper Rottier, Finley Nijssen, and Luuk Bosma emphasize that their work prioritizes internal satisfaction over commercial hits, drawing comparisons to experimental groups such as black midi and King Gizzard & the Wizard Lizard.
The Netherlands will return to the Eurovisiesongfestival in 2027, with an independent team of experts from the NPO selecting the candidate rather than a single broadcaster. The NOS will broadcast the semi-finals and final and provide commentary for the event. Previously, AvroTros organized Dutch participation until 2025 but withdrew this year and announced plans to skip 2026 due to concerns over human suffering in Gaza. The NPO, representing the Netherlands in the European Broadcasting Union, had previously arranged for the NOS to air the contest despite AvroTros' boycott. The new selection process marks a shift from previous years where individual broadcasters managed the national entry.
From centuries-old mugham to opera, jazz and traditional dance, Azerbaijan takes centre stage as the Montreux-Vevey festival celebrates its 80th anniversary.
The NPO announced it will form an independent team to select the Netherlands' candidate for the 2027 Eurovision Song Festival in Bulgaria, aiming to express solidarity amid global tensions. While the NPO hopes for broadcaster expertise, mediadirector Jurre Bosman confirmed that AvroTros will not participate and that significant discussions are needed due to limited support among broadcasters. The NOS has been tasked with neutral coverage of the event. This decision follows delays from the EBU, which is implementing new rules including online voting and allowing other countries to host if the winner is involved in geopolitical conflicts.
The Netherlands will return to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027 after a one-year absence, with an independent team of experts organized by the NPO managing the participation. The NOS is responsible for coverage and commentary, while mediadirector Jurre Bosman confirmed that no AVROTROS staff will be involved. This decision follows AVROTROS’s withdrawal in August due to concerns over Israel’s presence and its alignment with public values. The 2027 edition will take place in May in Burgas, Bulgaria. The NPO aims to announce the representative before Christmas. Previous controversies included other broadcasters’ reluctance to participate and criticism regarding geopolitical issues affecting the event.
American band Evanescence received an enthusiastic reception in Amsterdam on Tuesday following the release of their strong new album. Singer Amy Lee delivered powerful, pure, and precise vocal performances during the concert at the Ziggo Dome, reaffirming her status as one of the leading rock voices globally.
Indications suggest that the Netherlands will participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest with its own candidate. Anonymous sources reported that all preparations were on track until yesterday, with further clarity expected today regarding the country's involvement in the upcoming event.
The Netherlands is expected to participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Festival with its own candidate, following a period of uncertainty. The NPO had previously delayed its decision after broadcaster AvroTros withdrew due to concerns regarding Israel's presence. The 2027 edition will be held in Burgas, Bulgaria, in May.
Entertainer Johan Vlemmix is returning to the studio to update his 2008 megahit "Hyves is Hyves," originally performed with the temporary group Van Ellende. The song, set to the melody of Opus's "Live Is Life," achieved 13.8 million YouTube views and reflected Vlemmix’s past addiction to the social network Hyves. Now collaborating with housemate Peter-Jan Rens, Vlemmix believes the platform could become a new hype among young people. He plans to create a new profile on the revived service rather than using his old credentials.
Singer MEAU Hewitt shared news of her engagement to guitarist Vadim via Instagram, describing the week as special yet complex due to recent findings on youth acceptance of homosexuality. She emphasized that love is love and must be celebrated regardless of form. The pair started their relationship in January 2023 and frequently perform together on stage.
MEAU announced her engagement to guitarist Vadim on Instagram, sharing photos from their celebration with loved ones. The 26-year-old singer reflected on the mixed feelings of joy amidst broader societal challenges regarding acceptance, stating that love should be celebrated in all forms. The couple began dating in 2023 and performs together professionally.
New single, new era? Following 2025’s 'The Life of a Showgirl' and her 'Toy Story 5' single, Taylor Swift has announced a new song – and the cover art is proving divisive.
Radio station 100% NL announced that DJ Jeske van Trigt will host a permanent program starting September 25, airing every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Van Trigt, who previously served as a sidekick for Barry Paf from early 2024 to March 2025, expressed her enthusiasm for the station's focus on Dutch music. She is currently the youngest DJ at 100% NL and was nominated for the Marconi Award for Rising Talent this year.
Pop star Sombr, whose real name is Shane Boose, told Elle magazine that accusations he owes his fame to his parents are absurd. The 21-year-old singer-songwriter stated that the term 'nepo baby' does not apply and that he secured his position in the music industry on his own merits.
Singer-songwriter sombr, born Shane Boose, has dismissed accusations that he owes his fame to his parents, calling the term 'nepo baby' absurd. In an interview with Elle, the 21-year-old artist stated he earned his place in the music industry on his own merits. He highlighted his parents' work in HIV/AIDS prevention and argued that parental connections cannot guarantee musical success or audience resonance.
Ella Langley has set a new record on the Billboard Hot 100, with her song Choosin' Texas remaining at number one for 23 weeks, surpassing any previous entry. The 27-year-old country singer achieved this milestone after the track debuted in November 2025, though she had to share the top spot intermittently with artists such as Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift before securing an unbroken streak since late June. Langley equaled Mariah Carey’s holiday record but must maintain her position through year-end to secure the all-time title. In an Instagram video, Langley expressed gratitude to fans, noting the life-changing impact of the song on herself, its writers, and her family. Her success contributes to a broader surge in country music popularity, with other country tracks also dominating the current top three.
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