It was just too perfect: Paul McCartney’s Got Back tour would be coming to my parents’ nearest big city just days before my dad’s 70th birthday. My dad, especially as he gets older, has never been all that interested in celebrating his birthday. He’s a reluctant gift recipient, but his favorite ones tend to be unremarkable and practical — socks, an LED flashlight, a six-pack of his preferred craft beer. I’ve never seen him as excited for his own birthday or as eager to accept a birthday gift as he was when I told him I’d be taking him to see Paul McCartney at Albuquerque’s Isleta Amphitheater.

Chicago indie rockers Cusp are a few days away from releasing their new album What I Want Doesn’t Want Me Back, and we’ve already posted their singles “Follow Along” and “Oh Man.” Before the LP arrives, Cusp have shared one last track. It’s called “In A Box,” and it has nothing to do with Alice In Chains. Instead, it’s a warm, ecstatic jam with hints of math-rock and psychedelia in its groove. Cusp’s Jen Bender describes the song as “a reflection on [my] persistent inner conversations about comfort, art, and purpose — and questions what impact art can have if the artist feels trapped in a box of their own making.” Listen below.

Last night’s episode of SNL was hosted by ex-cast royalty Amy Poehler, with ascendant pop singer Role Model as musical guest. Role Model has a tradition in his live shows where he brings out a fan or a celebrity onstage during his hit “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out”; he’s previously brought out people like Olivia Rodrigo, Natalie Portman, and SNL cast member Bowen Yang. While performing the song on the show last night, Role Model welcomed out Charli XCX as his surprise “Sally.”

Do you like emotive, propulsive indie rock? If you don’t, why are you on Stereogum dot com? If you do, you may adore Irish Exit’s debut record Tantrums In Tandem, which the New York City band released yesterday.

Ian Watkins, the former singer of the Welsh scene metal band Lostprophets, has been murdered in prison after being attacked with a knife. He was serving a 29-year jail term for several horrific sexual offenses. He was killed this morning at West Yorkshire’s HMP Wakefield and was pronounced dead at the scene at the age of 48.

Yesterday, David Byrne and Hayley Williams teamed up for a track called “Open The Door” for The Twists soundtrack. In the evening, David Byrne surprised his New York City audience by inviting the Paramore leader with him onstage for some songs.

On Thursday (Oct. 9), John Carpenter and Alex G had shows in New York City, the former at the Knockdown Center and the latter at Kings Theatre. Coincidentally, they both ended up performing the Halloween theme.

Disturbed’s David Draiman has been a public supporter of Israel for years. Last year the frontman tweeted photos of himself signing Israel Defense Forces (IDF) missiles, and earlier this year he joined Sharon Osbourne in condemning Belfast rap trio Kneecap for their pro-Palestine advocacy. Now, a Disturbed show in Belgium’s capital has been canceled by the city due to safety concerns.

In March, Mineral announced their farewell show at the Best Friends Forever festival. The emo heroes took the stage last night in Las Vegas for a cathartic final performance.

Taylor Swift’s The Life Of A Showgirl is doing numbers. Upon its arrival last Friday, the pop star’s 12th proper studio album quickly broke the one-day vinyl sales record, and broke the record previously held by Adele’s 25 for biggest listening week. Those numbers, however, included streaming. Now, The Life Of A Showgirl holds the record for the most single-week physical and digital sales in the modern era, Billboard reports. A lot of that might be to do with the 34 variants Swift is selling.