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A sparkling season opener from the Holiday Pops

Conductor Keith Lockhart showed off his orchestra’s seamless versatility with a program that featured Tchaikovsky, Harry Belafonte, Vaughan Williams, big band swing, Queen, and a Gen-Z lingo-spouting Santa.

Darren Criss is having himself a merry little ‘Crissmas’
Mixing old favorites, unusual covers, and a few originals, the singer and actor brings his holiday concert to the Emerson Colonial Theatre Dec. 7.

Why has ‘Messiah’ been so popular for nearly 300 years?
The oratorio is ubiquitous — and while it’s associated with Christmas, the music has proven to transcend faiths.

With his rebel spirit, Shane MacGowan fought ‘to make Irish music hip’

For all his troubles, MacGowan was a true poet at heart, and a fierce believer in faith.

On Holiday Pops’ 50th anniversary, Keith Lockhart feels joy — and a surge of adrenaline
The Pops conductor says, "It's a great time to make music." There's plenty in store, with a packed calendar of 44 performances in four New England states over 24 days, beginning Friday.

With ‘Phoenix,’ jazz saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin soars to a new realm
Lakecia Benjamin recorded her new album after recovering from a near-fatal 2021 auto accident. It recently earned the saxophonist three Grammy nominations.

Long absent from the concert stage, Mistle Thrush’s Valerie Forgione returns with a new identity and sound
She'll debut Lovina Falls, her new project, at the Rockwell in Somerville on Saturday.

Taylor Swift is Spotify’s most-streamed artist of 2023, ending Bad Bunny’s 3-year reign
According to Spotify Wrapped, Taylor Swift was 2023's most-streamed artist globally, raking in more than 26.1 billion streams since January 1.

Latest Headlines in Music

Morgan Wallen tops Apple Music’s 2023 song chart while Taylor Swift, SZA also lead streaming lists

Country singer Morgan Wallen's "last Night" tops Apple Music's global song chart in 2023

Class is in session: Taylor Swift course coming to Harvard next year

“Taylor Swift and Her World” will dive into the singer’s evolution and her artistic counterparts, according to professor Stephanie Burt.

President Biden to join James Taylor at benefit concert in Boston

The Boston-born musician will perform at a show in support of the president’s re-election campaign.

Hall suing Oates over plan to sell stake in their joint venture

Daryl Hall sued his longtime music partner John Oates, arguing that his plan to sell off his share of a joint venture would violate a business agreement the duo had.

MUSIC REVIEW

Artistic director Jonathan Cohen picks up the banner for H+H’s annual ‘Messiah’

The ensemble has performed Handel’s classic oratorio around Christmas every year since 1854.

Jennifer Lopez announces new album release date, with companion film co-written by Ben Affleck

"This Is Me . . . Now" is the singer’s first album in nearly a decade.

Taylor Swift announces streaming date for ‘Eras Tour’ film, new songs

The music superstar’s hit concert film will be available to rent just in time for the holidays.

Dolly Parton brings down the house with Cowboys’ Thanksgiving halftime show

Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys may have beaten up on the Commanders Thursday night, but the real winner on Thanksgiving was country legend Dolly Parton.