Dropkick Murphys leave Wasserman Agency over Epstein ties

The tour marks Keery’s return to Boston after a sold-out performance at Roadrunner last May.

Keery, who rose to fame playing the beloved character Steve Harrington in “Stranger Things,” launched the music project in 2019. Prior to that, he was a member and cofounder of the Chicago band Post-Animal.

Earlier this year, Keery’s hit song “End of Beginning” reached the top of both Spotify’s Global Top 50 chart and US chart.

Public ticket sales begin on Friday, Feb. 20, at noon. Fans can find tickets on seated.com. – Annie Sarlin

Nate Smith appointed Newport Jazz Festival artistic director

Nate Smith will replace Christian McBride as the artistic director of the Newport Jazz Festival.

In his new role, the accomplished drummer, bandleader, and producer will assist with matters related to booking, community initiatives, and jazz education.

Smith is the festival’s third-ever artistic director, following McBride, and before him, festival founder George Wein.

“I hope to help foster a more personal connection between fans and artists, in an effort to ensure that our beloved music continues to thrive. I eagerly approach this endeavor with my heart and imagination wide open,” Smith said in a press release.

Over the course of his career, Smith has worked alongside jazz artists like Dave Holland, Pat Metheny, and Chris Potter, and popular musicians such as Michael Jackson and Norah Jones. In recent years, he has established himself as a bandleader. Earlier this month, his record “LIVE-ACTION” took home the Grammy Award for best alternative jazz album.

Smith will serve in the position for three years, beginning at this year’s festival, which will take place from July 31-Aug. 2 at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, R.I. – Annie Sarlin

Dropkick Murphys drop Wasserman Agency

Quincy rockers Dropkick Murphys have joined the growing chorus of music stars opting to leave Wasserman Agency in the wake of its founder, Casey Wasserman, appearing in emails connected to Jeffrey Epstein.

The band shared a recent story on Instagram, revealing that it had “parted ways” with the agency over the controversy.

“We love our agents. They are great partners. We signed with them years before they merged with Wasserman,” Dropkick Murphys wrote in the post. “It saddens us to part ways with them, but the namesake of the agency is in the Epstein files so … we GONE.”

Grammy-winning superstar Chappell Roan announced earlier this week that she was “no longer represented by Wasserman,” writing in a story shared on Instagram that she holds her “teams to the highest standards and have a duty to protect them as well.”

“No artist, agent or employee should ever be expected to defend or overlook actions that conflict so deeply with our own moral values,” Roan wrote. – Matt Juul

Noah Kahan announces additional Fenway Park show

Noah Kahan added a fourth show at Fenway Park to his upcoming “The Great Divide” tour.

On Thursday, Fenway Park posted on X that due to overwhelming demand, Kahan would also hit the Boston ballpark stage on July 7, in addition to previously announced concerts on July 8, 10, and 11. Singer-songwriter Gigi Perez will open for all four performances.

The tour follows the release of Kahan’s “The Great Divide” album, due out April 24.

Kahan returns to the ballpark after two sold-out shows in 2024, which he later released as recordings on the “Live From Fenway Park” album.

General ticket sales for the new date begin on Friday, Feb. 13, at noon on ticketmaster.com. -Annie Sarlin