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COLUMBUS, O.H. (Audilous) - Memorial Day weekend in Central Ohio will offer a mix of festivals, concerts, family attractions and ceremonies honoring military service members, with events scheduled across Columbus and surrounding communities from May 22 through May 25. Organizers are encouraging visitors to confirm schedules and ticket availability ahead of time as large crowds are expected throughout the holiday weekend.One of the weekend's largest attractions will be the 2026 Ohio Black Expo Riverfront Culture Fest in downtown Columbus. The festival, scheduled for May 23-24, will feature live music, food trucks, art, vendors and community programming along the riverfront as part of the Memorial Day weekend celebration.Downtown Columbus also will host the return of Jeni's x Land-Grant Strawberry Jam during the holiday weekend. The annual event is set for May 23-24 and will include specialty food offerings, entertainment and outdoor activities. Organizers also plan to reopen the Scioto Mile Fountain for the season, while the Columbus Clippers will continue their Memorial Day weekend homestand at Huntington Park.Visitors looking for family-friendly activities can spend the weekend at Cosi- Center Of Science And Industry, which continues to offer hands-on science exhibits and interactive programming downtown. Nearby, Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens will feature seasonal floral displays and exhibitions throughout the weekend.Outdoor gatherings and entertainment are also expected throughout the Arena District and downtown riverfront. Concertgoers can check schedules at KEMBA Live! and surrounding venues for holiday weekend performances, while events and public gatherings continue at John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons.Outside Columbus, communities across Central Ohio are planning Memorial Day observances and patriotic tributes. The annual Westerville Field of Heroes display will return May 22-25, featuring thousands of American flags and remembrance events honoring veterans and active-duty military personnel. A 5K Run/Walk for Heroes is scheduled for May 24.Several regional festivals also are planned during the four-day weekend. The Moonshine Festival in New Straitsville, southeast of Columbus, will run May 22-25 with rides, live entertainment, food vendors and demonstrations celebrating the area's Prohibition-era history. Organizers in Oak Hill also are preparing for the Festival of Flags celebration during the Memorial Day holiday.Communities throughout Ohio will conclude the weekend Monday with Memorial Day ceremonies and parades honoring fallen service members. In downtown Columbus, a Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony is planned May 25 along the Scioto Mile as part of the nation's 250th birthday observance in 2026

BTS will make what organizers call a "special appearance" at the 52nd American Music Awards on Monday, May 25, marking their first award show appearance in four years.The group is nominated in three categories this year: artist of the year, song of the summer for "Swim," and best K-pop artist. BTS won artist of the year in 2021 and favorite K-pop artist in 2022.When BTS took artist of the year in 2021, they became the first group to win the top honor since One Direction in 2014 and 2015. That win also ended Taylor Swift's three-year run with the award, though Swift won again in 2022. Both BTS and Swift are nominated for artist of the year this year.BTS has won 11 American Music Awards, the second most for a group behind Alabama, which has 23.BTS made their U.S. television performance debut at the 2017 AMAs with "DNA," becoming the first Korean group to perform on the show since it began in 1974.Earlier this year, BTS earned their seventh No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Swim," and their seventh No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 with "ARIRANG." "ARIRANG" held the top spot for three weeks, a first for the group.Queen Latifah will host the AMAs, which will air live on CBS and Paramount+ from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas at 8 p.m. Eastern/5 p.m. Pacific. Tickets are available through AXS.Fan voting has closed for all categories except social song of the year and tour of the year. Voting for those awards will remain open for the first 30 minutes of the broadcast at VoteAMAs.com and on the @AMAs Instagram page

LONDON - South Korean group ATEEZ will headline BST Hyde Park in London on June 28, 2026. The performance marks their only U.K. date for the year.ATEEZ joins a 2026 lineup that features Garth Brooks on June 27, Maroon 5 on July 3, Mumford & Sons on July 4, Duran Duran on July 5, Pitbull on July 10, and Lewis Capaldi on July 11 and 12. Organizers have not yet announced the full supporting lineup.BST Hyde Park has become a major stage for K-pop acts. BLACKPINK headlined the festival in 2023, becoming the first K-pop act to headline a major British music festival. Stray Kids followed as the first male K-pop group to headline in 2024. ATEEZ will be the next K-pop group to take the stage.ATEEZ, made up of Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung, and Jongho, debuted under KQ Entertainment in October 2018. The group sold out a world tour just four months after their debut.Their discography includes four album series: "Treasure," "Fever," "The World," and "Golden Hour." ATEEZ has scored two No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200, joining BTS and Stray Kids as the only K-pop acts to top the chart more than once. Nine of their releases have charted on the Billboard 200, with eight landing in the top 10.In the U.K., ATEEZ became the first South Korean act to place three different releases in the Official Albums Chart top 10 within a single year, reaching the milestone in 2024.Their latest release, "GOLDEN HOUR: Part.4," arrived in early 2026, led by the single "Adrenaline." The Hyde Park show comes at a high point in their career.American Express presale tickets will be available Monday, May 18, at 10 a.m. local time. The artist presale starts May 20, with general sales opening May 29 at 10 a.m

Ella Langley won seven awards at the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday, May 17, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. She broke the previous record for most wins in a single year, which was six, set by Garth Brooks in 1991, Faith Hill in 1999 and Chris Stapleton in 2016.Langley earned five awards at last year's ACM Awards. No other artist has won 12 ACM Awards in just two years. The previous record was 10, held by Faith Hill across the 1998 and 1999 ceremonies.The ACM only counts awards won in competition toward its official totals. In some categories, artists can win two awards if they also served as producer or songwriter.This year, Langley won female artist of the year, ending Lainey Wilson's three-year run with that title. Langley also took home artist-songwriter of the year, music event of the year for "Don't Mind If I Do" with Riley Green, single of the year (as artist and producer), and song of the year (as artist and songwriter), both for her crossover hit "Choosin' Texas." She and Green also shared music event of the year last year for "you look like you love me."Langley is the fifth artist to win single of the year in consecutive years. She won last year for "you look like you love me" with Green.Langley won female artist of the year just a year after winning new female artist of the year. She is the fifth woman to make this jump in one year, following Crystal Gayle, K.T. Oslin, Carrie Underwood and Lainey Wilson. In 2005, Gretchen Wilson won both top female vocalist and top new artist in the same year, when the categories had different names.Shania Twain hosted the ACM Awards, which streamed live on Prime Video for the fifth year in a row

Country breakout and crossover momentum dominate this week's Billboard Hot 100, as Ella Langley claims the chart's top two spots while Olivia Dean scores a pair of major career milestones and Bruno Mars continues his latest comeback run.At No. 1, Ella Langley lands her first Hot 100 chart-topper with "Choosin' Texas," a modern country anthem built on heartland imagery and emotional grit. The track's rise reflects Langley's growing mainstream appeal beyond country radio, fueled by strong streaming numbers and social media traction. The song's success also continues a broader trend of country artists crossing more aggressively into pop audiences in 2026.Langley nearly doubles down on the feat at No. 2 with "Be Her," giving the Alabama native two of the week's three biggest songs in the country. While "Choosin' Texas" leans into regional pride and independence, "Be Her" offers a more vulnerable perspective, helping showcase the range that has quickly turned Langley into one of Nashville's fastest-rising stars.At No. 3, Olivia Rodrigo returns to the upper tier of the Hot 100 with "Drop Dead," a sharp-edged pop-rock single that channels the angst-driven style that first propelled her to stardom earlier in the decade. The song has become especially popular among younger listeners online, with fan-created videos helping sustain momentum throughout the spring.British soul-pop artist Olivia Dean continues a breakout moment with two songs in the Top 10. "Man I Need" climbs to No. 4 behind strong adult contemporary and streaming performance, while "So Easy to Fall In Love" lands at No. 6. Dean's warm vocals and understated production have helped her stand apart in an increasingly crowded pop landscape, and the dual entries mark the biggest chart week of her career to date.At No. 5, Bruno Mars keeps his resurgence alive with "I Just Might." Known for blending retro influences with polished pop production, Mars has once again found a wide audience by balancing radio-friendly hooks with live instrumentation. The track's steady climb suggests it could remain a major radio presence heading into the summer.No. 7 belongs to Alex Warren and "Ordinary," a reflective pop ballad that continues to resonate through streaming platforms. Warren, who initially built his audience online, has steadily transitioned into a mainstream recording artist, and the song's chart longevity underscores that evolution.Country music remains heavily represented at No. 8, where Ella Langley teams with Morgan Wallen on "I Can't Love You Anymore." The emotionally charged duet blends traditional country storytelling with contemporary production and further extends Wallen's lengthy chart presence while reinforcing Langley's breakout dominance.At No. 9, Kehlani continues her consistent Hot 100 run with "Folded." The R&B-influenced track has earned praise for its intimate songwriting and minimalist production, helping Kehlani maintain a strong foothold in both streaming and urban radio formats.Rounding out the Top 10 is a genre-blending collaboration between Tame Impala and Jennie. "Dracula," debuting at No. 10, combines psychedelic pop textures with sleek K-pop influences, creating one of the week's most stylistically ambitious hits. The collaboration highlights the increasingly global nature of the modern Hot 100, where cross-genre and international partnerships continue reshaping mainstream pop music

Doja Cat is considering taking a break from music after five studio albums and multiple Billboard Hot 100 hits. In a cover story published May 13 in Elle UK, the rapper said she may step away from making music for a few years.Speaking about her schedule, Doja Cat said she tries to make time for her other interests, including painting."I demand time from my team," she told Elle UK. "They've helped me to find pockets between the really busy moments.""I think I want to take three years off," she said. "I want to just do whatever."She said she wants to work on another mural and furnish the upper level of her house, which she said has been empty for four or five years.Doja Cat released her latest album, "Vie," in 2025. The album reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200. She is currently touring in support of "Vie." Her Tour Ma Vie World Tour began in November and is scheduled to continue through early December.After a break of about a month, she plans to return to the stage with a show in Kigali, Rwanda.In the Elle UK interview, Doja Cat also talked about her sense of humor in music. She cited Nicki Minaj, Drake, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar and Lil Wayne as artists who use humor in their work. "They could write a stand-up set if they wanted to, but music is much more fun," she said. "I learned that from Jay-Z. I watched an interview where he said irony is incredibly important when it comes to hip-hop and rap."She also discussed her borderline personality disorder diagnosis, which she shared publicly in March. She said the diagnosis affects her dating life."If I have a boyfriend, and he leaves just to run errands, my brain thinks he's breaking up with me," Doja Cat said. "And this is because my dad left me when I was little. I have to scrape against it and teach myself that that's not happening to me. I'm safe.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Central Ohio is packed with concerts, festivals, theater productions and outdoor activities heading into the weekend of May 15-17, giving residents and visitors a wide range of entertainment options across the region.One of the weekend's biggest attractions is the annual Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival at Historic Crew Stadium, which continues through Sunday. The four-day rock festival features national touring acts and thousands of fans from around the country, continuing its run as one of the largest music events in Ohio.Downtown Columbus and the Arena District will also remain busy with performances, sporting events and nightlife throughout the weekend. Event organizers say warmer spring weather and the return of large outdoor gatherings are expected to drive strong attendance across Central Ohio venues.Among the major venues hosting events this weekend is Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds, which continues to serve as a hub for community events and entertainment activities throughout May.The touring Broadway production of the Tony Award-winning musical "Hadestown" will make stops Friday and Saturday evening at the Ohio Theatre. The production blends Greek mythology with folk and jazz-inspired music and remains one of the nation's most popular touring theater shows.Live music fans can also find performances throughout the Short North, University District and downtown neighborhoods. Newport Music Hall and other local venues are scheduled to host touring artists and regional acts throughout the weekend.Family-friendly activities are also scheduled around the region. Community calendars highlight outdoor festivals, spring markets, zoo attractions and children's programming taking place across Franklin and surrounding counties. Organizers encourage families to check event schedules ahead of time, as weather conditions could affect some outdoor events.Tourism officials say Columbus continues to see strong spring event traffic as festivals and outdoor entertainment return in full force ahead of the summer season. Experience Columbus and local tourism organizations continue promoting the city's growing mix of arts, sports and entertainment offerings

Katseye will launch a world tour in 2026, with stops in Europe, the United Kingdom, and North America beginning this fall. The global girl group's Wildworld Tour supports their new "Wild" EP, set for release Aug. 14 through HYBE x Geffen Records.The tour begins Sept. 1 in Dublin, Ireland, and ends Nov. 27 in Mexico City. Major stops include London's O2 Arena and Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena. Fans can also see Katseye in cities such as Miami, Paris, Chicago, Boston, and Montreal.Before the fall tour, Katseye will wrap up its spring and summer festival dates, performing at Governors Ball, Hinterland Music Festival, and the Head in the Clouds Music Festival.General ticket sales for the Wildworld Tour start May 21 at 3 p.m. local time on the group's official website. Artist pre-sales begin May 20 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. local time.Katseye debuted in 2024. Since then, the group released its second EP, "Beautiful Chaos," in June 2025. The release included the viral tracks "Gnarly" and "Gabriela." Katseye received two nominations at the 2026 Grammy Awards: Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for "Gabriela." Their latest single, "Pinky Up," came out in April.Group member Manon Bannerman announced a hiatus in February to focus on her health. Rumors suggested she would return for the group's Coachella set, but HYBE x Geffen denied this. Bannerman did appear during PinkPantheress' performance at the festival. She has said she is having "positive conversations" with the label, but did not appear on "Pinky Up" or in its music video.Katseye is set to perform at the American Music Awards on May 25. They are nominated for three awards: New Artist of the Year, Best Music Video for "Gnarly," and Breakthrough Pop Artist.Katseye 2026 tour datesJune 5 - Queens, N.Y., Governors Ball Music Festival
July 30 - Saint Charles, Iowa, Hinterland Music Festival
Aug. 8 - Pasadena, Calif., Head in the Clouds Festival
Sept. 1 - Dublin, Ireland, 3Arena
Sept. 3 - London, O2 Arena
Sept. 6 - Manchester, U.K., Co-Op Live
Sept. 9 - Paris, Accor Arena
Sept. 11 - Amsterdam, Ziggo Dome
Sept. 13 - Cologne, Germany, Lanxess Arena
Sept. 15 - Antwerp, Belgium, AFAS Dome
Sept. 17 - Copenhagen, Denmark, Royal Arena
Oct. 13 - Miami, Kaseya Center
Oct. 15 - Atlanta, State Farm Arena
Oct. 20 - Charlotte, Spectrum Center
Oct. 22 - Washington, D.C., Capital One Arena
Oct. 24 - Belmont Park, N.Y., UBS Arena
Oct. 28 - Boston, TD Garden
Oct. 30 - Montreal, Bell Centre
Nov. 1 - Hamilton, Ontario, TD Coliseum
Nov. 3 - Detroit, Little Caesars Arena
Nov. 5 - Chicago, United Center
Nov. 7 - Minneapolis, Target Center
Nov. 10 - Austin, Moody Center
Nov. 11 - Dallas, American Airlines Center
Nov. 14 - Las Vegas, MGM Grand Garden Arena
Nov. 17 - Seattle, Climate Pledge Arena
Nov. 19 - Oakland, Oakland Arena
Nov. 21 - Los Angeles, Crypto.com Arena
Nov. 24 - Phoenix, Mortgage Matchup Center
Nov. 27 - Mexico City, Palacio de los DeportesFor tickets and more information, visit Katseye's official website

Lady Gaga will release a new concert film, "Apple Music Live: Lady Gaga MAYHEM Requiem," on Thursday, May 14, at 8 p.m. Pacific time. The film features Gaga performing reinterpreted versions of songs from her Grammy-winning album "Mayhem."Fans can watch the premiere on Apple Music without a subscription. After the premiere, the full performance and a live album in spatial audio will be available on demand for Apple Music subscribers.The film will also screen Thursday at 15 AMC theaters across the United States, in sync with the Apple Music premiere.Gaga filmed the concert Jan. 14 at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles. The stage design included a set resembling a ruined opera house, inspired by her Mayhem Ball tour. Gaga performed tracks such as "Abracadabra," "Disease," and "Die With a Smile," among others. Morningview produced the film.Lady Gaga wrapped up the Mayhem Ball tour in April with final shows in New York. The tour spanned five continents over the past year. According to Billboard Boxscore, the tour grossed $419.5 million and sold just under 2 million tickets, making it the highest-grossing tour of Gaga's career and one of the 10 highest-grossing pop tours on record

The Weeknd will bring his After Hours til Dawn stadium tour to Asia this fall with 11 shows, according to a press release from Live Nation. The tour, which began in July 2022, is scheduled to begin its Asian leg Sept. 20 at Tokyo's Belluna Dome. Stops include Jakarta, Singapore, Seoul, Bangkok and Hong Kong, before concluding Nov. 4 at TM Stadium National in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.Japanese hip-hop duo Creepy Nuts and DJ U$UK€ UK1MAT$U are set to open select dates.This stretch will close out the global stadium run, which recently surpassed $1 billion in gross revenue. The tour added 2026 dates in Europe and the United Kingdom this summer, following recent performances in Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro and S o Paulo. The tour has sold 7.5 million tickets across 153 shows, making it the highest-grossing tour ever by a male solo artist, according to the release.The North American leg in 2023 included more than 40 sold-out stadium shows, cementing the Weeknd as the top-grossing Black male artist at venues in New York, Denver, Santa Clara, Seattle, Edmonton, Montreal, Orlando, Arlington and Houston.Tickets for the Asian shows go on sale with an artist presale Monday, May 18, except for Seoul dates. Fans can register through Friday, May 15, at 8 p.m. Eastern. A Visa presale begins Tuesday, May 19, in select markets, with additional presales throughout the week. General public sales start May 21, with Japan's onsale timing to be announced.Tour dates for the Asian leg are:Sept. 20: Tokyo, Belluna Dome
Sept. 26-27: Jakarta, Jakarta International Stadium
Oct. 2-3: Singapore, National Stadium
Oct. 7-8: Seoul, Goyang Stadium
Oct. 11: Bangkok, Rajamangala Stadium
Oct. 30-31: Hong Kong, Kai Tak Stadium
Nov. 4: Kuala Lumpur, TM Stadium NationalCreepy Nuts and DJ U$UK€ UK1MAT$U will appear on select dates. Check the official tour website for specific lineups and ticket details