By Karen Glauber

It’s been a whirlwind of shows these past few weeks—two sold-out Bleachers concerts (where I saw Little Steven, Sabrina Carpenter and Jimmy Jam!), two sold-out beabadoobee shows, also at the Greek, and several others that reminded me why I do what I do. Two onstage mentions from The Hoodoo Gurus meant everything, especially when singer Dave Faulkner later told me, “I owe you my life.” Whether or not he meant it, it was nice to hear.

Watching soundcheck for Tuesday’s Big Star show, which featured founding member Jody Stephens, Mike Mills (R.E.M.), Jon Auer (Posies), Pat Sansone (Wilco) and Chris Stamey (dB’s), it occurred to me that my generation—those of us who worked at college radio and came of age with R.E.M., could realistically be called Generation Big Star, because what we have in common began with Big Star and continued with the musicians who preached the brilliance of the band in subsequent decades.

After watching Ted go through the stress of buying Oasis tickets, maybe that’s another generational distinction, encompassing nearly every programmer in Modern Rock. There are only two Oasis songs in the rolling format playlist for the year: “Wonderwall” at #76 and “Champagne Supernova” at #148. Given the ensuing frenzy—the U.S. dates sold out in less than 15 minutes—perhaps your audience might want to hear these songs a bit more frequently.

I’m looking for any distraction from trolling Trump on IG. I don’t know how to get through the next month (or longer) of him and Vance. Also, none of his followers can spell.

When I’m not doomscrolling, I’m going through the Alternative chart, marveling at the success of Sum 41, whose “Dopamine” is now Top 5, as “Landmines” looks to be the biggest Alternative song of the year. This is the most elegant swan song a band could have—quitting while on top.

Dave Barbis has done a spectacular job at Big Loud in a short time! He’s already Top 10 with brand-new band Dexter and the Moonrocks’ “Sad in Carolina.” Their T-shirt proceeds will benefit those in North Carolina needing assistance after Hurricane Helene. Dave is also doing a wonderful job with HARDY’s “Psycho.”

I will maintain my stance that a woman should be 1) President of the United States, and 2) programming Alternative radio. There are so many phenomenal female artists who are streaming better than 90% of your playlist that deserve attention. beabadoobee’s “Beaches” is the highest-charting of this group, now Top 25. I snuck away from my office on Rosh Hashanah to visit bea’s pop-up store on Fairfax Avenue. Thousands of fans were waiting in line to buy her merch and get a photo with her. I’ll be wearing my hoodie to tonight’s Weezer show, which my kid is very excited about (the show, not my hoodie).

Hopefully, you’re aware of Suki Waterhouse; her “Supersad” sounds like a Modern Rock smash. You fell in love with her when she was in Daisy Jones & the Six, or during last year’s Coachella. Currently on Sub Pop, she’s also Top 10 at Triple A.

Gigi Perez’ “Sailor Song,” which is now on Island, is a streaming juggernaut. The label recently showcased her in L.A. and NYC, and I’ve been hearing the song all over SiriusXM. This is a one-listen, spectacular record. Another favorite is Magdalena Bay’s “Image,” which is streaming over 1 million PER DAY. David Jacobs will absolutely get this record. Also, do not forget about the brilliant Clairo, who is playing two nights at the Salt Shed in Chicago!

On Monday, I’m going to see PJ Harvey—one of the best performers in the history of music—at the Greek. Tuesday, I’m finally seeing Royel Otis, one of the biggest success stories of the year!... Going to shows is a better use of my time than watching The Golden Bachelorette. I’m two years older than the current bachelorette. Kill me now.

I haven’t been to Cleveland since I left Oberlin in 1984, but I’ll be back next weekend for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which includes Peter Frampton, an artist whose nomination I’ve championed for years. It should be a blast!

Big Star photo by Chris Morris

Rising Brit duo Good Neighbours have notched the first platinum cert for a single released by an alternative band in the calendar year.

The Capitol/Polydor offering “Home,” which dropped 1/17, was teased on TikTok for several months prior to its official release. Bandmates Oli Fox and Scott Verrill also struck platinum in Australia and gold in New Zealand with the single.

“Home," which has gone Top 10 at Rock and Top 20 at Alternative in the U.S., is also the most-streamed debut single globally from a new artist in 2024.

HITS can’t help wondering why the folks next door keep reminding us that good fences make good neighbours.

By Karen Glauber

I watched Tuesday night’s Presidential debate on a JetBlue flight from NYC, doing my best to not kick the screen when Trump spouted lie after lie. After years of exposure to this horrible person, nothing is surprising, not even the bullshit about eating dogs and cats in Springfield, Ohio. Kamala watched him unravel, doing her best not to say, “What the fuck,” which might remind you of your interactions with PDs these days.

You, dear label person, can see the proverbial writing on the wall, but radio’s way of doing business is clouded by decades of special treatment, and while that’s amazing and likely justified (a long time ago), it is no longer sustainable. Sure, we’d love to deliver our biggest bands for whatever it is you need. My father didn’t love me, so I’ll jump through hoops to bring you my A+ players, except labels and managers are looking at the calendar a year in advance, and losing money in your market might not make sense. UNLESS—and this is a big one—you, dear programmer, have a relationship with management and behave in a way that they find reciprocal and respectful.

Without question, KROQ and ALT 98.7 will pull off magical holiday shows, even though it isn’t my year to help. The branding and legacy is there for both. Also, James Kurdziel in Chicago and Michelle Rutkowski in Milwaukee will have lineups worthy of their efforts. Mark Hamilton in Portland has his “December to Remember” shows, which I think is an incredible way of exposing his audience to new bands. I don’t know exactly what Live105 has planned, but I’m sure it will be fantastic.

All this stress, every year, and yet, it always comes together. If you’ve got a record that’s on the brink of happening, then shows are the next step to pushing it forward. If I had a band that was in setup mode for a new album, then a show is worth it. Or, if this is at the end of a successful campaign, then there’s every reason to show up and take a victory lap.

Most young artists, the ones who are streaming like crazy, don’t specifically understand what radio means, despite our promises that this “one” thing will have a huge impact.

Let’s talk about respect, shall we? When Chappell Roan yelled, “You shut the fuck up” to a photographer on the red carpet before the VMAs, after the photographer yelled, “Shut the fuck up” at her, every woman I know could relate to that flash of temper. When I read that Chappell yelled, “Don’t. Not me, bitch,” I was happy that she hasn’t chosen to tolerate the prevailing expectation that she “owes” anyone for her success. Women continue to be treated in a demeaning way, and it’s intolerable.

Massive props to Linkin Park for adding Emily Armstrong as their lead singer, with the new single “The Emptiness Machine” already Top 5 in one week. She’s amazing, and this song is epic.

Somewhere, there’s a photo of one of the Gallaghers, maybe Noel, strangling me on the rooftop of the London Hotel in West Hollywood prior to their first L.A. show at the Whisky. Oasis mania has completely passed me by, although I’m ecstatic that the Hoodoo Gurus will be in L.A. this month, and I also bought tickets to see Air, The The and Big Star. Just read today about Tindersticks touring next April, which makes me immeasurably happy—my nostalgia is clearly different than yours.

You have to know about Magdalena Bay’s “Image,” which is streaming 1m per day and is currently on the Spotify Viral Chart at #23. David Jacobs and Mom+Pop signed this artist, who, along with beabadoobee (100m album streams), is creating the biggest alternative footprint in the market. Go to the Lorem playlist on Spotify, where these artists rule.

SONG TO HEAR: Franz Ferdinand’s “Audacious.” This band never disappoints.

By Karen Glauber

Those of us who started our careers in ’80s College radio are having a field day with Vice President Kamala Harris’ pick of Governor Tim Walz, whom we now know is an avowed fan of The Replacements, Hüsker Du, Warren Zevon, Prince and Bruce Springsteen as well as an epic person. He’s just like us, except nicer, and we strongly suspect he could also speak fluently about Soul Asylum and The Jayhawks, while he’s undoubtedly a fan of Semisonic and Peter Himmelman. For the first time in months, I’m feeling cautiously optimistic about the presidential race. Maybe, just maybe, the national nightmare of Trump will finally end.

If you want to know where the country is heading, look at the crowd that Chappell Roan drew at Lollapalooza—one of the biggest in festival history, with 80,000 fans (three times the population of my hometown) performing the choreography to “HOT TO GO!” This community of young people who were never the popular ones possesses the collective power to literally change the world. I hope these kids vote.

After 24 years on the air, Kansas City’s The Buzz is now a sports station, with brilliant air talent Lazlo segueing over to KQRC, the rock station in the market. When Lazlo programmed KRBZ, the station was the first to support bands like Glass Animals, Phoenix, The Lumineers and Spoon, while staying true to its Midwest roots. The argument was always, “But, it can work in Kansas City,” and I’m still friendly with contest winners from The Buzz that I met during the many promotions Lazlo and I set up. Unfortunately, despite the KRBZ’s decent-to-stellar ratings, the sales team couldn’t sell it. Losing WWCD and KRBZ this year really hurts those of us who believe that radio is an important part of breaking an artist.

Ted and I have been anxiously awaiting the release of the new beabadoobee album, This is How Tomorrow Moves, and lead track “Beaches,” our first single for Alternative. The song is currently #1 on Spotify’s New Music Friday and her photo highlights the Lorem playlist, along with a note that reads, “someone tell rob the new beabadoobee album is here.” If you watched Love Island, you’ll know what this means. The album, produced by Rick Rubin at his Shangri-La studios in Malibu, will solidify her as a huge star. We’re going for adds on “Beaches” on 8/19, but early airplay is most welcome.

I celebrated my birthday by seeing Spoon in Solana Beach. For some reason, Spoon is always in Southern California on the week of my birthday, and I am grateful to celebrate with them.

Happy to see that Myles Smith is Top 10 at the format right now—this is a fantastic achievement for Gary Gorman, the man who will be your concierge for the next two nights of Foo Fighters shows at BMO in scenic downtown L.A. I’m taking the kid tonight (8/9), and we’ll be there in time to see The Hives open.

I was telling a manager what it costs to run an Alternative promotion campaign. $20,000 to chart is my best estimate, unless you have a record that radio programmers hear at first listen. I’ve had maybe one of those in my entire career: Kongos’ “Come With Me Now.” The remaining thousand-plus songs I’ve worked have been a challenge. It should be easier now, with the metrics of streaming identifying which songs people care about, but Alternative is one of the few formats that doesn’t look at streaming, even when it’s the primary story. All you can do is hope that the proverbial gods are aligned and that these programmers like your record. I just hope that the format I helped build 40+ years ago sticks around for another seven or so years, or until I die at my desk.

Props to Michael Starr at Glassnote on his success with bby’s “Kinky.” His band Phoenix and fellow French group AIR are closing out the Paris Olympics this weekend. That will be epic.

Speaking of French bands, Audacy added Justice’s “Neverender” featuring Tame Impala. Also added was the new one by the Smashing Pumpkins, “Sighommi,” which Mike DePippa is working. Both are songs to hear.