Sufjan Stevens Releases New Christmas Song Ahead of ‘Worst Christmas Ever!’ Album

Sufjan Stevens Releases New Christmas Song Ahead of ‘Worst Christmas Ever!’ Album

Friday, November 6, 2026

Sufjan Stevens has released “On This Christmas (It Only Gets Better),” a new original holiday song from his upcoming album Worst Christmas Ever!, out November 6 via Asthmatic Kitty.

The track marks the first Christmas song Stevens has written, produced, and performed in nearly 15 years. Built around themes of apology, self-reflection, and forgiveness, it offers a more introspective take on the holiday season.

“On this Christmas, I ask forgiveness for all the funny things I've said and done,” he sings.

For Stevens, the song is an invitation to make forgiveness part of the season's spirit of giving.

“I love the idea of a Christmas apology. A holiday characterized by giving and receiving gifts might be even better with giving and receiving forgiveness,” he says. He describes the track as a prayer for greater understanding, compassion, and the willingness to make amends.

A new video featuring 6,000 hand-painted stills

The release of “On This Christmas (It Only Gets Better)” comes with a music video created by Stevens, Michael O’Neal, and Cubby Graham.

The visual features 6,000 still images hand-painted by Stevens, O’Neal, Graham, and Hannah Cohen, adding a handcrafted element to the song's reflective message.

Revisiting more than two decades of Christmas recordings

Worst Christmas Ever! brings together 16 tracks selected from Stevens' extensive holiday catalog, including 15 previously released favorites and the new song.

His Christmas music began in 2001 as a personal project. Stevens initially made songs as gifts for friends and family, often recording them during a week in December with friends, roommates, and fellow musicians.

The project eventually grew into a collection spanning nearly five hours of music. In 2006, Asthmatic Kitty compiled the first five volumes in Songs for Christmas, Vols. 1-5. The label followed this with Silver & Gold: Songs for Christmas, Vols. 6-10 in 2012, gathering five more EPs recorded between 2006 and 2010.

The new album draws from both collections, bringing together familiar tracks such as “Sister Winter,” “Put The Lights On The Tree,” “Only At Christmas Time,” and “That Was The Worst Christmas Ever!” Other selections include “Justice Delivers Its Gift,” “Christmas In The Room,” “Silent Night,” and “Auld Lang Syne.”

The original recordings featured a long-running group of collaborators, including Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National, Richard Reed Parry of Arcade Fire, Cat Martino, Gabriel Kahane, Casey Foubert, James McAlister, Rosie Thomas, Marla Hansen, Olivier Manchon, Sebastian Krueger, and members of Danielson.

A Christmas collection without rules

Stevens has long approached Christmas music as a space for both tradition and experimentation. In a 2022 interview with Vulture, he reflected on the freedom of the genre: “There are no rules and regulations when it comes to Christmas culture.”

That outlook runs through Worst Christmas Ever!, which brings together traditional carols, original songs, unconventional arrangements, and personal reflections on the season.

The 16-track album is released November 6 via Asthmatic Kitty. It is available for pre-order through the official album page, with limited editions also listed through Dinked and Rough Trade.

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ena mori Wins Best Asian Creative Artist at 17th Golden Indie Music Awards

ena mori Wins Best Asian Creative Artist at 17th Golden Indie Music Awards

Japanese-Filipino singer-songwriter and producer ena mori received the Best Asian Creative Artist award at the 17th Golden Indie Music Awards (GIMA), held on October 31, 2026, at the Taipei Music Center in Taiwan.

Her win was among the highlights of this year's ceremony, which recognized independent and original music from Taiwan and across Asia. The award was given for her latest EP, Ore, adding to the growing recognition of cross-cultural voices in the region's independent music scene.

Born in Tokyo and raised in the Philippines, ena mori is known for combining classical piano influences with experimental pop. Her 2022 album, DON'T BLAME THE WILD ONE!, topped NME Asia's list of the best Asian albums of the year. She has also performed at international music events such as SXSW and Japan's Summer Sonic Festival.

Sunset Rollercoaster and Yuhan Su among the major winners

Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster won Best Album for QUIT QUIETLY. The band has also drawn international attention through AAA, its collaborative album with South Korean indie group HYUKOH.

Jazz musician Yuhan Su was one of the night's most-awarded artists, receiving three honors for Over The Moons: Best Jazz Album, Best Jazz Song for “Genius and Dumb” (天才與笨蛋), and the Jury Award.

Other notable winners included Outlet Drift, named Best Band for Masonolay i Cepo’, and Panai, who received two folk music awards for the album Minsumin (來了) and the song “A Bird Without Feathers” (是誰). Malpace took home Best R&B Album for its debut release, ((No wool. No hump)).

Cross-border collaborations take the stage

The ceremony's performances reflected the international connections within Asia's independent music community.

One highlight was ODD WAVES, a collaboration between Wonjin of South Korean alternative collective Balming Tiger and Taiwanese math-rock trio Elephant Gym. Their set included Elephant Gym songs “Mirror” (鏡子) and “Midway” (中途), Wonjin's “Ice King” (겨울왕자), and collaborative performances of “Witches” (女巫) and “Candy” (캔디가 생각나).

Japanese psychedelic rock band Tempalay closed the ceremony with “Kaminchi” (かみんち) and “Sonatine” (そなちね). The trio, composed of Ryoto Ohara, Natsuki Fujimoto, and AAAMYYY, brought its mix of psychedelic rock, electronic textures, and experimental pop to the Taipei stage.

Other performances showcased the range of Taiwan's music traditions and contemporary sounds. Paiwan singer-songwriter Sauljaljui (戴曉君), Yuhan Su, and the Taiwu Ballads Troupe (TBT 泰武古謠傳唱) joined forces for a performance combining Indigenous Taiwanese musical traditions with contemporary jazz.

Meanwhile, Best Live Performance winner That's My Shhh represented Taiwan's hip-hop scene with “LIVE A LIFE.”

Celebrating independent music across Asia

From ena mori's recognition as Best Asian Creative Artist to the collaborations between musicians from Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea, the 17th Golden Indie Music Awards highlighted the breadth of independent music in the region.

For the complete list of winners and further announcements, follow the Golden Indie Music Awards through its official social media channels.

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LEYO Reimagines Filipino Harana in Six-Track EP ‘Akda sa Pag-alala’

LEYO Reimagines Filipino Harana in Six-Track EP ‘Akda sa Pag-alala’

Filipino singer-songwriter LEYO puts a contemporary spin on the Filipino tradition of harana in Akda sa Pag-alala, a six-track EP that explores the many shades of love through classic OPM, acoustic pop, and R&B.

Released under Sony Music Entertainment, the collection brings together songs about affection, longing, vulnerability, and self-discovery. Its stripped-down arrangements, warm bass lines, catchy guitar riffs, and subtle jazz and bossa nova influences create a sound that draws from the music LEYO grew up listening to while giving the traditional serenade a more modern character.

Among his influences are The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, APO Hiking Society, and the Manila Sound.

“Every song on this EP was written using just an acoustic guitar. I made the harana tradition my own by blending it with the music I grew up listening to, combining classic OPM influences with Western pop and R&B elements,” LEYO shares.

Six songs about love, longing, and growing up

The EP approaches romance through different experiences and everyday moments.

“Pritong Itlog” finds affection in the simple act of preparing a meal for someone, while “Kapag Umuulan” captures the yearning of a hopeless romantic. “Torpe” and “Pwede Ko Bang Itanong” explore the uncertainty of feelings left unspoken.

The remaining tracks, “Kung Magugunaw ang Mundo” and “Kumusta Ka Sinta,” turn to devotion, nostalgia, and the process of making peace with the past.

For LEYO, the collection is also a reflection of his own experiences as he navigates adulthood and relationships.

“Ultimately, it captures my journey as a young man figuring out who I am and discovering what love truly means,” he says.

Collaborators help shape the EP’s sound

LEYO worked with producers Brian Lotho, a 2026 Awit Awards winner, Rain Santana, and the artist himself. Their different approaches helped shape the arrangements and overall sound of the six tracks.

LEYO credits Santana for encouraging him to experiment and approach the songs more playfully, while Lotho challenged him to be more deliberate with production decisions.

“Working with Rain Santana and Sir Brian Lotho really unlocked the full potential of these tracks. They brought two distinct approaches: Rain encouraged me to be more playful and think outside the box, while Sir Brian pushed me to be more intentional with every production choice,” he shares.

Sound engineer Emil Dela Rosa mixed and mastered the first two tracks, while Hazel Pascua handled the remaining four.

A musical keepsake of youthful romance

With its acoustic foundations, familiar OPM sensibilities, and personal storytelling, Akda sa Pag-alala brings together songs that look at love not only through grand gestures but also through ordinary moments, unanswered questions, and memories that stay.

The six-track EP is now available worldwide on digital music platforms via Sony Music Entertainment.

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We Are Imaginary Releases ‘Are We There Yet?’ Music Video Ahead of Vinyl Launch

We Are Imaginary Releases ‘Are We There Yet?’ Music Video Ahead of Vinyl Launch

Filipino indie-rock band We Are Imaginary has released the official music video for “Are We There Yet?,” a single from its self-titled 2026 album. The video looks back on the band’s 18-year journey in the independent music scene, bringing together performance footage, candid moments, and visual references that reflect its history.

Directed by Jam Lasin of Cream Flower, the music video captures the band in its element while recognizing the people who helped shape its sound and career, including former members and collaborators.

For We Are Imaginary, the video is also an expression of gratitude to the people and organizations that have been part of its journey.

“Keeping the fire burning is another hard choice, especially in a fickle scene and as a band that doesn't really follow trends,” the band shared in a press statement. “We won't be here without our past members and labels, so hopefully the music video sends a message that all we feel is gratitude.”

A second collaboration with Cream Flower

“Are We There Yet?” marks the band’s second music video collaboration with Lasin, following “Object of My Affliction.”

Longtime admirers of Cream Flower’s visual aesthetic, the band entrusted Lasin and his team to translate its ideas into the new video.

The song itself has a history that goes back to the band’s pre-pandemic album project. It was among the earliest compositions guitarist Khalid Tanji wrote for We Are Imaginary. Its current version retains the driving momentum and post-punk guitar sensibilities of the original demo.

The track appears on the band’s self-titled album, released in January 2026.

Vinyl and merchandise launch set for November 8

The release campaign continues on November 8 at Saguijo, where We Are Imaginary will hold a vinyl and merchandise launch alongside live performances from fellow artists.

The event will introduce the band’s first official tote bag and its first vinyl release, giving listeners another way to experience and keep a piece of its music.

The vinyl release was made possible through Eikon Records PH’s Rick Olivares, with production expertise from Joey Santos of Floppy Disk.

For the band, having its music available in a physical format carries a particular significance.

“We get giddy like schoolchildren having our music in tangible form,” said Ahmad Tanji of We Are Imaginary.

New music on the horizon

After the current album campaign, We Are Imaginary plans to return to the studio. New material is already taking shape, with the band hoping to release new music in 2027.

It also looks forward to performing in more cities across the Philippines and overseas.

The official music video for “Are We There Yet?” is available on We Are Imaginary’s official YouTube channel, with its release scheduled for November 6, 2026, at 12:00 a.m.

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George Michael: The Faith Tour Opens Exclusively at SM Cinemas on November 11

George Michael: The Faith Tour Opens Exclusively at SM Cinemas on November 11

Filipino fans of George Michael will soon get to revisit one of the defining moments of his music career on the big screen. George Michael: The Faith Tour, a newly restored concert film featuring never-before-seen footage from his 1988 tour, will open exclusively at SM Cinemas on November 11, 2026.

The worldwide theatrical release is presented by George Michael Entertainment in partnership with Mercury Studios. The Philippine screening will be distributed by NBCUniversal, bringing audiences a rare look at the singer during the European leg of his landmark Faith Tour.

Filmed at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy in 1988, the concert captures Michael at 24, as he was establishing himself as a major solo artist following his success with Wham!.

Rediscovered footage brings the 1988 Faith Tour back to life

Directed by longtime collaborators Andy Morahan and David Austin, George Michael: The Faith Tour was restored and remastered from footage captured over two nights using 14 cameras on 35mm film.

The result is a cinematic presentation of a concert from a pivotal period in Michael's career, showcasing his vocals, stage presence, and performance style during the era of his hugely successful Faith album.

Rather than relying on previously familiar concert recordings, the film gives audiences access to archival material that had remained unseen for decades. Its theatrical presentation offers fans an opportunity to experience the performances in a cinema setting.

Mary McCartney's short film adds another look at the Faith era

The concert film will open with Finding Faith, an original short film directed by Mary McCartney.

The short features voiceover from a previously unheard interview with George Michael, along with unseen photographs taken by renowned American photographer Herb Ritts and behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the Faith music video.

It provides additional context to the cultural significance of the Faith era, giving audiences a glimpse into the artist's creative world beyond the concert stage.

The Faith Tour live album arrives November 6

The cinema release is accompanied by a separate music release from George Michael Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment.

Titled THE FAITH TOUR, the 18-track live album features previously unreleased recordings from the tour, including songs from both George Michael's solo catalogue and his years with Wham!.

Released on November 6, 2026, the album gives fans another way to revisit the performances and hear previously unreleased live recordings from this important chapter in his musical career.

When and where to watch George Michael: The Faith Tour in the Philippines

Philippine audiences can catch George Michael: The Faith Tour exclusively at SM Cinemas beginning November 11, 2026.

Tickets are available through the film's official booking link. Fans can check screening schedules and ticket availability through the cinema's booking channels.

For longtime followers of George Michael and listeners who discovered his music years after the Faith era, the film offers a rare opportunity to see archival concert footage restored for the big screen.

George Michael: The Faith Tour brings back a defining moment in pop music history, allowing a new generation and longtime fans alike to experience the artist's stage brilliance once more.

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Disney On Ice Brings First Philippine-Exclusive Holiday Sing-Along to SM MOA Arena

Disney On Ice Brings First Philippine-Exclusive Holiday Sing-Along to SM MOA Arena

Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Filipino families can look forward to a holiday celebration filled with Disney music, figure skating, and familiar characters as Disney On Ice presents Let’s Dance! returns to the SM Mall of Asia Arena from December 18, 2026, to January 3, 2027.

This year's production comes with a special addition for Philippine audiences: a holiday sing-along featuring Goofy and Donald. The experience is included with all show tickets, giving audiences an opportunity to join in the festive fun.

The announcement also comes with additional premium seats now available for all performances at the Pasay City venue.

Goofy and Donald lead a holiday sing-along

The Philippine-exclusive Holiday Sing-Along is one of the highlights of this year's production. Goofy and Donald will invite audiences to take part in the festive experience, adding a participatory element to the show.

Since 2016, Feld Entertainment has brought Disney On Ice productions to the SM MOA Arena, making the holiday show a familiar seasonal event for Filipino families.

The latest production combines figure skating, acrobatics, stunts, special effects, costumes, and elaborate set designs to bring Disney stories to life on ice.

Disney favorites take the spotlight

Mickey and his friends will take audiences on a musical journey, with familiar Disney hits transformed into lively performances around a DJ booth.

The show will also feature characters from several beloved Disney stories. Audiences can look forward to Asha and Valentino, Timon and Pumbaa, Ariel and her crew, and the characters from Frozen 2, including Anna, Elsa, and Olaf.

Moana will bring an ocean-inspired musical moment, while Stitch is set to take the spotlight for the first time in this production.

With its mix of music, skating, and familiar characters, Let’s Dance! brings together different generations of Disney fans for a holiday outing.

New premium seats added for all performances

For those planning to catch the show, additional premium seats have been opened for all performances at the SM MOA Arena.

The Manila run begins on December 18, 2026, and continues through January 3, 2027, with multiple showtimes on selected dates.

Disney On Ice presents Let’s Dance! – Manila show schedule

• December 18, Friday 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM
• December 19, Saturday 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM
• December 20, Sunday 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM
• December 22, Tuesday 1:00 PM, 5:00 PM
• December 23, Wednesday 1:00 PM, 5:00 PM
• December 25, Friday 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM
• December 26, Saturday 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM
• December 27, Sunday 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM
• December 29, Tuesday 1:00 PM, 5:00 PM
• December 30, Wednesday 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM
• January 1, Friday 1:00 PM, 5:00 PM
• January 2, Saturday 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM
• January 3, Sunday 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM

Venue: SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City

Tickets: Available through Ticketmaster Philippines

Tickets are open to the general public. Buyers can visit Ticketmaster, log in or create an account, and select the Disney On Ice event page to view available seats and ticket prices.

Metrobank is the official bank partner of the production, supporting the event as part of its efforts to bring cardholders closer to live entertainment and family experiences.

With a holiday sing-along, familiar Disney characters, and additional premium seats, Disney On Ice presents Let’s Dance! is set to bring another festive season of music and magic to the SM MOA Arena.

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Regine Velasquez-Alcasid Wraps Up Three-Night ‘Finale’ Concert at SM MOA Arena

Regine Velasquez-Alcasid Wraps Up Three-Night ‘Finale’ Concert at SM MOA Arena

Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid brought her four-decade music journey to the stage for three sold-out nights of Finale at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena from October 17 to 19, 2026.

The concert gathered generations of fans for a celebration of the songs and performances that have shaped her career and made her one of the most recognized voices in Original Pilipino Music (OPM).

Before audiences entered the arena, they were welcomed by an exhibit featuring some of Velasquez-Alcasid’s most memorable concert outfits. The display offered fans a look back at the wardrobe and performance milestones that have become part of her musical journey.

Fans also arrived wearing official concert merchandise, adding to the atmosphere surrounding the three-night event.

A celebration of four decades in music

Throughout Finale, Velasquez-Alcasid revisited some of the songs that have remained close to the hearts of Filipino listeners, including “Sana Maulit Muli,” “Love Me Again,” “Never Ever Say Goodbye,” and “Shine.”

She was joined by special guests Jose Mari Chan, Ogie Alcasid, P-pop group DNA, and Meet Me at the Elevator. Their appearances brought different musical voices to the concert, adding to a celebration of Filipino music across generations.

The production featured large LED displays, immersive stage design, and concert visuals that complemented the performances and gave thousands of fans a shared experience across the three nights.

One of the concert moments also featured Velasquez-Alcasid performing “Follow the Sun,” adding another highlight to the event.

SM MOA Arena hosts a milestone OPM concert

The staging of Finale added another major local production to the SM MOA Arena's concert calendar. The venue provided the setting for the three-night event, with facilities and production capabilities designed to accommodate large-scale performances.

Beyond the main concert, the memorabilia exhibit and fan activities gave audiences additional opportunities to engage with the artist's career and the memories associated with her music.

A final bow and a lasting musical legacy

As Velasquez-Alcasid took her final bow, Finale became an occasion for fans to celebrate a career spanning four decades. For those who filled the arena from October 17 to 19, the concert brought together familiar songs, special collaborations, and memories connected to one of OPM's enduring performers.

The three-night run closed with a tribute to the music and performances that have become part of the Filipino audience's collective musical experience.

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