👋 Hey there late-night lyric singers—welcome back to Fans With Benefits, where artists don't just make music—they make moves.

This week, MGK teases his new album Lost Americana with a lo-fi trailer that might just feature Bob Dylan’s voice. CMA Fest proves once again it’s more than a party, raising $2 million for music education programs nationwide. Meanwhile, tour season keeps heating up: from Turnstile’s hardcore homecoming to T‑Pain’s autotuned anniversary, and Lady Gaga taking The Mayhem Ball global. Also in the mix: Marc Rebillet brings the chaos, Young the Giant go acoustic, and Thriller moonwalks into American history (again).

From legacy-defining trailers to million-dollar donations—here’s what’s making noise right now.

• Did Bob Dylan Star in MGK’s Trailer?

• CMA Fest 2025 Raises $2 Million

• 10+ Events

  • Turnstile

  • Guns N’ Roses

  • David Byrne

  • Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats

  • Drake & PARTYNEXTDOOR

Stay sharp, stay loud—this is what’s next. 🎧

🤘 Music Mashup

Did Bob Dylan Just Lend His Voice to MGK’s New Album Trailer?

One’s a Nobel Prize-winning bard of American restlessness. The other? A genre-hopping provocateur with a pink guitar and a tabloid past. But in a twist no one saw coming, Bob Dylan may have just become the voice behind MGK’s latest project, Lost Americana.

A new trailer for the upcoming album features a gravelly, unmistakable narration about “reclaiming the authentic essence of American freedom” and celebrating “the beauty found in the in-between spaces.” It sounds a whole lot like Dylan—and fans are buzzing. 🐝

Neither Dylan nor MGK has confirmed the collab, but the clues are stacking up. Earlier this year, Dylan posted a video of MGK’s song “Almost” on Instagram. MGK’s reaction? “You having a phone is so rad.”

The trailer itself plays like a lo-fi love letter to dusty diners, motorcycles, and outlaw dreams—shot by director Sam Cahill and soundtracked by a voice that evokes Dylan’s own brand of poetic mythmaking. Whether it’s a full-blown endorsement or a case of life imitating Dylan, the pairing is undeniably electric.

Lost Americana drops in August. Whether or not that really is Bob Dylan narrating, one thing’s clear: MGK is shooting for legacy, not just headlines. 🛣️📀

🫡 Artists Doing Good

CMA Fest 2025 Raises $2 Million for Music Education

While thousands of fans packed downtown Nashville for CMA Fest 2025, the biggest win of the weekend didn’t come from the main stage—it came in the form of a $2 million donation to music education.

Each year, a portion of ticket sales from the four-day country music festival supports the CMA Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to music programs in schools across the U.S. With 95,000 fans attending this year, the impact was loud and clear.

“What an incredible four days and nights,” said CMA CEO Sarah Trahern. “From legendary acts to first-timers, this year was a celebration of discovery, connection, and community. And the fact that it all helps fund the CMA Foundation’s work in music education makes it even more impactful.”

Launched in 2006 by artists and country industry pros, the CMA Foundation works to ensure that every student—no matter their zip code—can access the transformative power of music. That means investing in teachers, instruments, and programs that help kids find their voice, literally.

With next year’s CMA Fest already scheduled for June 4–8, 2026, the festival continues to prove that when country music comes together, it doesn’t just make noise—it makes a difference. 🎸💛

📢 Sound Off

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🎶 Event Radar

Turnstile – Never Enough Tour 2025

Baltimore’s genre-smashing punks are back with their first full-scale North American headliner since their breakout. Turnstile’s Never Enough Tour is a celebration of joy, chaos, and community—built on sweat, gang vocals, and riffs that could make a cynic stage dive. Support comes from Speed and Big Laugh, bringing global hardcore heat. Come ready to feel everything—loudly.

Get tickets here

Guns N’ Roses – Latin America 2025 Tour Extension

Still not in this lifetime. Guns N’ Roses are extending their 2025 global run with a slate of Latin American dates this fall. The tour hits Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and more with the original firepower of Axl, Slash, and Duff still intact. Expect three-hour marathons, top-tier pyro, and an unrelenting parade of rock’s most iconic riffs. Appetite: still insatiable.

Get tickets here

David Byrne – Who Is The Sky? Tour

The art-rock wizard returns. David Byrne just announced a 2025 tour alongside a new album and a mind-bending video for lead single “Glass House.” This run promises more of Byrne’s signature hybrid of theater, politics, and left-field pop genius. Think Talking Heads energy channeled through choreography, satire, and that unmistakable white suit.

Get tickets here

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats – Fall 2025 U.S. Dates

The bar-band energy is back at full tilt. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats are heading out this fall for a 22-date U.S. tour, hitting iconic venues and delivering the kind of soul-drenched rock that sticks to your ribs. Brass, heartbreak, and boot-stomping rhythm all included—this one’s pure Americana soul therapy.

Get tickets here

Drake & PARTYNEXTDOOR – Summer 2025 Tour

Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR are teaming up for a European arena run this summer, co-headlining $ome $pecial $hows 4 U across the UK and the continent. From London to Paris, Milan to Munich, expect a high-gloss spectacle—equal parts flex and feels. Whether you're here for “Hotline Bling,” “Come and See Me,” or those deep OVO Sound cuts, this tour is pure moody luxury: part rap concert, part late-night therapy session.

Get tickets here

• Lady Gaga – The Mayhem Ball Japan Dates (Jan 2026) – Gaga’s arena‑pop spectacle heads to Asia‑Pacific next January, with five new stadium dates—two at Osaka’s Kyocera Dome and three at Tokyo Dome. Expect next‑level theatrics and chart‑crushing hits when pre‑sales open June 11. Get tickets here

• From Ashes to New – New Disease Tour 2025 – The American rap‑rock outfit are hitting the road this fall for a 28‑city run across the U.S. Kicking off Sept 20 in St. Louis and wrapping Nov 14 in Fort Lauderdale, these shows promise heavy riffs and high‑energy breakdowns all night long. Get tickets here

• Young the Giant – In The Open 2025 Tour – Reimagined and unplugged. Young the Giant are touring theaters and intimate venues this fall—starting June 27 at Summerfest and continuing through October with “In The Open” tour dates. Expect acoustic spins on fan favorites in settings built for connection. Get tickets here

• T‑Pain – TP20 20‑Year Anniversary Tour – The Auto‑Tune king is celebrating two decades with a North American trek from July through October, featuring arenas, festivals (including his own Back To Wiscansin fest June 14), and NYC’s Radio City show on Sept 4. EarthGang joins most dates. Get tickets here

• Marc Rebillet – Places I Have Never Played… – Tour Improv‑master Rebillet is hitting U.S. and Canadian cities Sept 26–Nov 15, taking over mid‑sized halls and clubs with his looped, comedic live sets. Tour includes a Spokane stop and pre‑sales launched June 10. Get tickets here

🎤 Mic Drop

The Undead King of Pop: Thriller Climbs the Charts—Again

As of March 2025, more than four decades after its release, Michael Jackson’s Thriller is still proving its chart dominance—reentering the top 10 on Billboard’s Vinyl Albums chart and climbing across several others, including Top Album Sales and Top R&B Albums. Though it only briefly held the No. 1 spot on the vinyl chart, its remarkable longevity continues, with 345 weeks on that list and 667 weeks on the Billboard 200. Still the best-selling album of all time—with over 70 million copies sold worldwide—Thriller remains a cultural and commercial juggernaut. Read more here.

That’s a wrap for this week! Until next time, catch you in the pit—or next week’s email. 🎵🔥 

Signing off,

The Fandiem Team