The Rock Times

Birthdays

Happy Birthday Mike!

July 20th, 2026

Happy birthday to Mike Kennerty, guitarist of The All-American Rejects, on his 46th!

(Photo credit: Pedro Becerra)

Gowan

(Photo credit: Andrew Clowater)

Terry Gowan, Gowan and Derek Sharp

(Photo credit: Andrew Clowater)

Derek Sharp

(Photo credit: Andrew Clowater)

Gowan

(Photo credit: Andrew Clowater)

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Gowan rotates his keyboard for the crowd to watch him play his original classical piece "Khedive" (from the Styx album The Mission) (Video credit: Andrew Clowater)

Canadian rock legend Lawrence Gowan kicked off the 39th annual Peterborough Musicfest in Ontario on June 27th at Del Crary Park to an estimated crowd of 10,000 concert-goers.

The set list included his classic hits

"(You're a) Strange Animal", "A Criminal Mind", "Moonlight Desires", and "Cosmetics".

Accompanying musicians included his brother Terry Gowan on bass (with whom he plays in the band Styx), Derek Sharp on lead guitar, Jeff Heintz on keys, and Sekou Lumumba on the drums.

"A Criminal Mind" clip. (Video credit: Andrew Clowater)

Supporters

Shout-out to our buddy Ralph Selbach! Check out his tunes!

Giveaways

Hoda M. of London, ON

Winner of the Roll With The Punches album by Bryan Adams!

View more winners!

July 2026 Issue

Avenged Sevenfold & Good Charlotte TRT Cover

Happy summer!

Our July cover story is on Avenged Sevenfold and Good Charlotte, who are kicking off their co-headlining tour of North America on July 25th.

PLUS! We have original photos and videos from concerts by Gowan and the Pukka Orchestra, a new music video from Modele, AND news about Taylor Swift's wedding!

Let us know what you're listening to this summer by clicking here!

Keep rocking y'all.

Curtis Newart,

Editor

Now Playing

Avenged Sevenfold - Magic (Official VR 360° Video)

Heavy metal rockers Avenged Sevenfold (aka A7X) and punk rockers Good Charlotte are taking their decades-long friendship on the road this summer.

The co-headlining tour will visit 16 cities in North America from July 25th to August 30th, 2026.

Click to read feature...

Indie Releases

Check out the new video "The End" by Lansing, Michigan metalcore band Of Virtue.

OF VIRTUE – The End (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

Also check out the new video "Under the Starlight" by Toronto gothic post-punk band Modele.

MODELE - UNDER THE STARLIGHT (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

Pukka Orchestra

Pukka Orchestra

Redwood Theatre, Toronto, ON (6/12/26) (Photo credit: Andrew Clowater)

Pukka Orchestra performs "Listen to the Radio" live at Redwood Theatre in Toronto on June 12, 2026. (Video credit: Andrew Clowater)

Canadian 80s new wave band Pukka Orchestra performed live at Redwood Theatre in Toronto on June 12th, 2026, including their hit song "Listen to the Radio".

Band members included original guitarists Neil Chapman and Tony Duggan Smith.

They were joined onstage by Lee Whalen and Susan Sheard on vocals, David Hines on rhythm guitar, Neil Numminen on bass, Mary Hanson and Matt Horner on keyboards, Victoria Yeh on violin, and Steve Heathcote on drums.

Singers Rob Greenway and Trudy Artman made special appearances.

News

Justin Bieber to Co-headline FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show

Justin Bieber will join previously announced co-headliners Madonna, Shakira, and BTS for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final football (US soccer) game's first-ever halftime show, to be held at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) on July 19th, Rolling Stone magazine reported.

Curtis Newart

Jul 131 min read

Yungblud Cancels Cowboys Music Festival Performance

UK rocker Dominic "Yungblud" Harrison has pulled out as Sunday's closing night headliner for the Cowboys Music Festival (CMF) in Calgary, Canada, according to a statement from the artist.

Curtis Newart

Jul 112 min read

Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce embroidered wedding handkerchief (Source: Maren Morris)

Details Emerge from Taylor Swift's Wedding

Details of singer Taylor Swift's wedding to three-time Super Bowl champion Travis Kelce on Friday at Madison Square Garden (MSG) in New York City are being reported from multiple outlets.

Curtis Newart

Jul 53 min read

Taylor Swift at Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden in New York (6/10/26) (Photo credit: Nathaniel S. Butler)

Stevie Nicks Rumoured to Perform at Taylor Swift's Wedding

Rolling Stone says legendary singer Stevie Nicks, is scheduled to attend and perform at Taylor Swift's wedding to Travis Kelce, according to several of the magazine's sources.

Curtis Newart

Jun 282 min read

All-Star Concert Launches Obama Presidential Center in Chicago

Former United States President Barack Obama and his wife, former First Lady Michelle Obama, will open the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago on Friday, June 19th (Juneteenth), with a star-studded concert.

Curtis Newart

Jun 181 min read

Sabrina Carpenter (Photo credit: Kevin Mazur)

Sabrina Carpenter Granted Restraining Order

Sabrina Carpenter was granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) on Friday by a Los Angeles judge against an alleged stalker, Rolling Stone magazine reported.

Curtis Newart

Jun 32 min read