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Hours into their Billboard Women in Music photo shoot, the members of aespa are goofing off. High-pitched giggles reverberate through the studio as Winter, Karina, Ningning and Giselle tickle one another’s sides, talk in silly voices and play with the straps on their leathery stage outfits.
It’s mesmerizing to watch the four early-20-somethings be so, well, real, not just because they’re one of K-pop’s most polished acts — which they demonstrate by immediately snapping back into place once the photographer is ready again — but also because aespa has a particular penchant for the surreal. The SM Entertainment group debuted in 2020 with K-pop’s first lineup to feature both human and virtual members, pairing each girl with an artificial intelligence (AI) avatar as part of a cyberpunk musical metaverse marked by dark, 808-laced hyperpop and edgy-chic outfits.
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Ever since, the act has leveraged its niche into unprecedented crossover success — in November, mini-album Whiplash made it the first K-pop girl group to have six projects reach the Billboard 200 top 50, and it just wrapped its second global arena tour — and a reputation for being one of the genre’s “most adventurous and contemporary” groups, as its “Over You” collaborator Jacob Collier put it to Billboard in January.
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But going forward, 2025’s Billboard Women in Music Group of the Year also wants to focus on something potentially even more subversive: showing that beneath the personas, its members are just those real-life girls blowing off steam between camera flashes. “We’re not actual AI; we do have days where we don’t feel the best,” Giselle says once the foursome has squeezed together on a couch. “Our storyline can be fun to keep up with, but I want fans to look up to aespa for our human traits, too.”
Karina
Abi Polinsky
Why do you think aespa has made a name as trendsetters?
Giselle: There’s always going to be trends, but we don’t follow them because we can’t. We have our own story to tell that was set from the start.
Winter: We usually talk about ourselves more than love [in our lyrics]. We’re the main characters of our stories.
Karina: We’re honest. Of course, you have to be professional and present your best self, but we also try to show the not-perfect side. We’re not trying to filter everything or over-mask ourselves.
Giselle
Abi Polinsky
What’s next in aespa’s evolution?
Ningning: We did start out with our avatar concept, but now we’re also trying really hard to explore different concepts and themes. In the future, there may be moments where the fans don’t see the avatars.
Karina: We want aespa to be a really stylish group, not only in fashion and music, but also in terms of versatility and excelling in every genre. I also want all our members to shine individually when we’re together and even when we’re not together.
From left: Ningning, Karina, Giselle, and Winter of aespa photographed on February 10, 2025 in New York.
Abi Polinsky
Who are your favorite artists/dream collaborators at the moment?
Ningning: Doechii. I’d just really like to meet her.
Winter: Billie Eilish. She’s so good at expressing her honest feelings through her music.
Karina: Olivia Dean. Whenever I need to find composure, I listen to her.
Giselle: SZA. Her music is so hard to get sick of — and very relatable.
Winter
Abi Polinsky
As a girl group, how do you support one another?
Ningning: We’re all from different countries and environments, but we’ve been doing this for five years. They’re always there for me. Working with this mindset that we’re in this together makes it easier to handle challenging situations and emotions.
Winter: I don’t think we could’ve made it through this alone. We’ve had to overcome certain obstacles, but with each other’s support, we were able to move forward. (Karina giggles as Giselle starts poking her affectionately.) These girls are all very precious to me.
Ningning
Abi Polinsky
This story appears in the March 22, 2025, issue of Billboard.
Hours into their Billboard Women in Music photo shoot, the members of aespa are goofing off. High-pitched giggles reverberate through the studio as Winter, Karina, Ningning and Giselle tickle one another’s sides, talk in silly voices and play with the straps on their leathery stage outfits. It’s mesmerizing to watch the four early-20-somethings be so, […]
Beyoncé is doubling down on Sin City. The singer announced on Wednesday (March 19) that she is going to play a second show at Allegiant Stadium on July 26, with tickets slated to go on sale on March 25 at 12 p.m. local time. A BeyHive pre-sale will kick off on Thursday (March 20) at 12 p.m. local, followed by the artist pre-sale on March 24 at 12 p.m. local and additional pre-sales for Citi cardmembers, Verizon Up and Mastercard ahead of the general on-sale.
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The new date comes after Bey added a July 25 stop in Las Vegas following the initial announcement of the Cowboy Carter & the Rodeo Chitlin’ Circuit tour last month. Before a single note is sung, the outing is already off to a blazing start. Earlier this week, Billboard reported that barely a month after pre-sales kicked off and six weeks from opening night the global outing is already at 94% capacity across all dates according to figures from promoter Live Nation.
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The tour was first announced on Feb. 3 with a roster of 22 shows in eight cities in the U.S. and Europe, with high demand forcing additional dates to be added in six of the eight markets on the tour celebrating Queen Bey’s Cowboy Carter album, which won album of the year at this year’s Grammy Awards.
When the tour was initially announced, Billboard projected that final earnings of $294 million on sales of 1.1-1.2 million tickets, with the additional dates — not counting the second Vegas show — potentially boosting that figure to more than $325 million.
Check out the announcement and updated full list of Cowboy Carter dates below.
April 28 – Inglewood, CA @ SoFi Stadium
May 1 – Inglewood, CA @ SoFi Stadium
May 4 – Inglewood, CA @ SoFi Stadium
May 7 – Inglewood, CA @ SoFi Stadium
May 9 – Inglewood, CA – SoFi Stadium
May 15 – Chicago, IL @ Soldier Field
May 17 – Chicago, IL @ Soldier Field
May 18 – Chicago, IL @ Soldier Field
May 22 – East Rutherford, NJ @ MetLife Stadium
May 24 – East Rutherford, NJ @ MetLife Stadium
May 25 – East Rutherford, NJ @ MetLife Stadium
May 28 – East Rutherford, NJ @ MetLife Stadium
May 29 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium
June 5 – London, UK @ Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
June 7 – London, UK @ Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
June 10 – London, UK @ Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
June 12 – London, UK @ Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
June 14 – London, UK @ Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
June 16 – London, UK @ Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
June 19 – Paris, France @ Stade de France
June 21 – Paris, France @ Stade de France
June 22 – Paris, France @ Stade de France
June 28 – Houston, TX @ NRG Stadium
June 29 – Houston, TX @ NRG Stadium
July 4 – Washington, D.C. @ Northwest Stadium
July 7 – Washington, D.C. @ Northwest Stadium
July 10 – Atlanta, GA @ Mercedes-Benz Stadium
July 11 – Atlanta, GA @ Mercedes-Benz Stadium
July 13 – Atlanta, GA @ Mercedes-Benz Stadium
July 14 – Atlanta, GA @ Mercedes-Benz Stadium
July 25 – Las Vegas, NV @ Allegiant Stadium
July 26 – Las Vegas, NV @ Allegiant Stadium
Smashing Pumpkins leader Billy Corgan and wife Chloé Mendel welcomed their third child on Tuesday (March 18). The couple shared the news with People magazine, revealing that Juno Corgan was born during the “wee hours” at the couple’s Highland, Park, IL home and weighed 9.9 lbs. and was 22 inches long. “My wife, Chloé is […]
King Stingray has announced the departure of lead vocalist Yirrŋa Yunupiŋu just as the band prepares to embark on their massive For The Dreams national tour.
The announcement was shared via the band’s social media on March 19, confirming that Yunupiŋu, who co-founded the band in 2020, will no longer be part of the lineup. Stepping into the role is Ngalakan Wanambi, who has already performed with King Stingray on their recent U.S. tour.
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“Hey everyone, we’ve got some news to share – King Stingray and Yirrŋa have parted ways,” the band wrote. “To keep the fire burning, we’re stoked to introduce the deadly Ngalakan Wanambi stepping up on vocals. He absolutely smashed it with us on our recent U.S. tour, and as always, our main man, Dima Burarrwanga, will be bringing the energy as he always does.”
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Formed in Yirrkala, a remote community in Arnhem Land, King Stingray quickly made a name for themselves with their blend of Yolŋu rock, seamlessly fusing Indigenous sounds with surf-rock and alternative influences. Yunupiŋu, the nephew of the late Dr. M. Yunupiŋu of Yothu Yindi, co-founded the group with guitarist Roy Kellaway, the son of Yothu Yindi bassist Stuart Kellaway.
With Yunupiŋu as lead singer, King Stingray released their self-titled debut album in 2022, followed by For The Dreams in November 2024. The band has since been at the forefront of Australia’s contemporary music scene, winning critical acclaim and multiple awards, including an ARIA for Best Independent Release.
Their For The Dreams national tour kicks off March 21 at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion, followed by stops in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Fremantle. Special guests Beddy Rays and The Belair Lip Bombs will join them on select dates.
Despite the lineup change, the band assured fans that the tour will retain the signature King Stingray energy. “This For The Dreams tour is gonna be something really special – same King Stingray spirit, same unstoppable Yolŋu rock and a whole lotta love,” they wrote.
Marty Callner, the acclaimed director responsible for numerous music videos, concert specials, and stand-up performances, has passed away at the age of 78.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, Callner’s representative Gail Parenteau confirmed that the director passed away at his home In Malibu from natural causes on Monday (March 17).
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Born in Chicago in 1946, Callner’s directorial career began while working for Cincinnati’s WCPO-TV in their news department, moving on to commercials and then sports until the mid-’70s. During this time, Callner began working for HBO, ultimately helping to set the standard for live comedy specials while serving as director of their On Location series.
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Helming specials featuring Robert Klein, Redd Foxx, Robin Williams, and Myron Cohen, Callner also directed 1981’s The Pee-Wee Herman Show, having discovered comedian Paul Reubens at The Groundlings in Los Angeles. Callner shifted his focus towards music with names such as Diana Ross, Paul Simon, and Liza Minnelli, before rising to prominence as an unsung hero of the entertainment world through his prolific career directing music videos.
Alongside videos for beloved names such as Stevie Nicks, Pat Benatar, Heart, and The Bangles, Callner was responsible for some of the most memorable music videos in history. His impressive resumé includes Cher‘s “If I Could Turn Back Time,” Twisted Sister‘s “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “I Wanna Rock,” Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again” and “Is This Love,” Poison’s “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” and numerous clips for Aerosmith, including “Livin’ on the Edge,” “Dude (Looks Like a Lady),” and “Love in an Elevator.”
Callner’s career would also boast numerous live concert specials, including a number of famed pop stars of the ‘90s and ‘00s. Madonna’s The Girlie Show: Live Down Under, Britney Spears’ Live From Las Vegas, Justin Timberlake’s FutureSex/LoveShow, and NSYNC: Live from Madison Square Garden.
Despite ten Prime Emmy Awards nominations, Callner didn’t win any during his lifetime, with his work on Jerry Seinfeld: I’m Telling You for the Last Time, Robin Williams: Live on Broadway, and the Rolling Stones: Forty Licks World Tour Live at Madison Square Garden all receiving nods at the turn of the century.
Callner is also remembered as the creator of HBO reality sports documentary series Hard Knocks, which has run since 2021 and takes viewers through the trials and tribulations of an NFL’s team’s pre-season preparation for the upcoming season.
Following his passing, some of the many names associated with Callner’s work came forward to offer their own tributes. Whitesnake’s David Coverdale labelled Callner “an amazing guy” and a “super talent,” while famed broadcaster Eddie Trunk dubbed him a “legend in music video,” and noted that “anyone who watched MTV knew his work.”
Dane Cook, who worked with Callner on his 2006 special Vicious Circle and 2022’s Above it All noted he was “heartbroken” following the loss of Callner, who labelled a “friend, collaborator and legend.”
“You put me on the map w/ Vicious Circle at HBO – you told me dream big and we did,” Cook said. “You directed the best because the best wanted to work with the best – you. You had the astonishing ability to take the best of a creative person and highlight it, define it with them all the while capturing it with your stellar team. Condolences to the whole family – I love you guys. Marty – we always said it to each other – ‘I love you more!’”
Gloria Estefan is ready to return to her roots with her first Spanish-language album in 18 years. First thing Thursday (March 20) — the start of the spring equinox — the Cuban-American superstar released the first single from the set, written by her producer-husband Emilio Estefan and aptly titled “Raíces” (Roots).
“Always enjoy the moments because you never know what surprises life will bring,” Estefan sings, expressing how love and life are very much like planting seeds. “If you want a good harvest, you need to know how to sow/ With faith and dedication, that tree will grow roots.”
“The song ‘Raíces’ touched my soul the first moment I heard it,” Gloria Estefan tells Billboard Español. “Being a Virgo, my connection with nature is strong, and I see life as a garden, with love as the seed. I believe that what you cultivate with kindness, patience, and faith will one day bloom into joy.”
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She adds: “It is important not to miss the opportunity to express love because every sincere word and gesture plants the roots of a beautiful tomorrow — and that is what this song is all about.”
Recorded at their Crescent Moon Studios in Miami, “Raíces” is a tribute to the rhythms that have defined Estefan’s sound: salsa, tropical beats, classic Latin music. The song will also give its title to her new album — the 30th in a 50-year career — which will be released at the end of May under Sony Music. It will be her first fully Spanish-language album in 18 years, since 90 Millas, which debuted and spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart in October 2007.
“For me, recording in Spanish again was a contribution to our music,” Emilio Estefan tells Billboard Español, noting that they worked with “great musicians, engineers, and industry professionals” and that he personally wrote almost the entire album because “I wanted it to reflect our essence: Gloria’s sound and mine.”
“[When we started], I remember people telling us that our sound would never work and that we should change our last name. But we understood the value of our culture and our roots,” he explains, referring to their beginnings in the mid-1970s with the Miami Sound Machine. “When Gloria reached the top of the charts worldwide [singing in English], we took a big risk and decided to record Mi Tierra, an album that represented one of our greatest victories.”
The iconic first LP by Gloria Estefan in Spanish from 1993, which included hits like “Mi Tierra” and “Con Los Años Que Me Quedan,” spent a whooping 58 weeks at No. 1 on Top Latin Albums. More than three decades later, the renowned Cuban producer and musician along with the singer-songwriter present “a letter of gratitude to the fans, to the press, to those who believed in us, and to the city of Miami, which watched us grow and then allowed us to bring our music to the whole world.”
“It is a moment full of emotions for Gloria and me, a celebration of our culture and our audience,” Emilio Estefan says. “The most beautiful thing about a career is being able to leave a legacy of gratitude.”
Check out the music video for “Raíces” below.
British indie-rock duo Wet Leg are teasing a full-scale return, plotting their launch with a pair of upcoming U.S. dates.
The group – which was formed in 2019 by Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers – announced their live return via a post on social media on Wednesday (March 19).
“Hey there neighbor,” they wrote. “Been a while hasn’t it? Why dont u come on down to the bottom of our garden? it’s about time we had ourselves a little gathering…just a couple of special nights in NYC and LA.”
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The first of these shows will take place on March 31 at Brooklyn’s Market Hotel, while their Los Angeles show will be on April 8 at The River in Frogtown. Sign-ups for ticketing access have been made available via the band’s website. These live shows will be the band’s first since August, and are set to be followed by a series of performances throughout the U.K. and Europe over summer.
News of the upcoming U.S. dates follows on from a surprisingly active period of time on social media for the band this week. On Monday (March 17), a post captioned “we’re so back” urged fans to visit Wet Leg’s website, where hints of the band’s new era were provided.
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“Salutations, lonely heart,” a message in a Windows 95-era textbox reads. “You have wandered far, but you are home. Enter Moisturizer Valley — where the skin never cracks, and the body never withers. Enroll now. Learn how to live forever.”
This was followed up by a snippet of a new song shared on Tuesday (March 18), though no official release date for the track has been revealed as yet.
Wet Leg rose to fame in 2021 with the release of their debut single “Chaise Longue.” Reaching No. 15 and 21 on the Alternative Airplay and Rock Airplay charts respectively, the Mean Girls-referencing track was featured on the band’s self-titled debut LP in 2022, which reached No. 14 on the Billboard 200 upon its release.
Such was the success of Wet Leg that they scored a nomination for best new artist at the 2023 Grammys, with “Chaise Longue” taking home best alternative music performance and their LP winning best alternative music album. The group have also managed to snare high-profile support slots for the likes of Harry Styles and the Foo Fighters in stadiums around the world in recent years.
After close to two decades together, Guns N’ Roses and drummer Frank Ferrer have parted ways,
News of the band’s lineup shift was confirmed by the group in a statement released on Wednesday (March 19). “Guns N’ Roses announce the amicable exit of Frank Ferrer, the longest-serving drummer in their storied run,” the statement read. “The band thanks Frank for his friendship, creativity and sturdy presence over the past 19 years, and they wish him success in the next chapter of his musical journey.”
Ferrer became a member of Guns N’ Roses in 2006, taking over from Bryan “Brain” Mantia, who had joined in 2000. Holding the role for 19 years, he is the longest-tenured percussionist in the band’s history, second only to Steven Adler, who sat behind the kit from 1990 to 1997.
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Ferrer’s recorded contributions to the band began with five tracks on their famously-delayed (and currently, their most recent) studio album, Chinese Democracy, which arrived in 2008. He would also appear on the live portion of 2022’s Hard Skool EP, with former drummer Brain appearing on the studio tracks and their 2023 singles “Perhaps” and “The General.”
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Ferrer’s last appearance with the band took place at Mexico’s Hell & Heaven Metal Fest in November 2023, which is currently the most recent live performance from Guns N’ Roses to date.
Currently, the band are scheduled to return to the road soon, launching their awkwardly-titled Because What You Want & What You Get Are Two Completely Different Things Tour in South Korea on May 1. The tour will visit the Middle East and Europe over the following months, with no dates set past their July 31 concert in Germany. No replacement for Ferrer has been named at the current time.
Outside of his time with Guns N’ Roses, Ferrer had previously performed with The Beautiful, later joining future Guns N’ Roses bandmate Richard Fortus in both Love Spit Love and The Psychedelic Furs. In 2019, Ferrer also co-founded the rock band PSSR, who have issued a handful of singles in recent years.
Dua Lipa is continuing her tributes to iconic Australian artists as she tours throughout the continent this spring. Just a day after Lipa covered AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” during her Radical Optimism tour stop at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia, the pop superstar continued the covers for night two at the venue. On Tuesday […]
