Episode #73 of Sound Up! is the second of our two special year-end retrospectives. This time, Mark Goodman and Alan Light focus on the best songs, biggest albums, and defining artists of 2024, including their choice for the Artist of the Year. We consider the commercial and creative powerhouses, from Beyonce to Billie Eilish, as well as breakthroughs and comebacks by the likes of Chappell Roan and The Cure. Plus, we look at the remarkable figures the music world lost in 2024.

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Episode #72 of Sound Up! is the first of two special year-end retrospectives. This time, Mark Goodman and Alan Light welcome Madison Vain, digital director of Esquire magazine, to look back at the biggest, most shocking, jaw-dropping music stories of 2024. Together, they discuss scandals and triumphs from the Diddy case to the Eras Tour, the Oasis reunion to the Kendrick/Drake beef, from the breakthroughs of Chappell Roan and Charli XCX to the flops from Justin Timberlake and Katy Perry. Plus, a quick look at some of the memorable responses to our latest Throwback Thursday social media question: What was your first concert?

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In episode #71 of Sound Up!, Mark Goodman and Alan Light welcome singer, songwriter, and Foo Fighter Chris Shiflet to talk about the new season of his guitar-centric podcast “Shred with Shifty,” including an episode featuring bandmates Dave Grohl and Pat Smear. We review the upcoming official Led Zeppelin documentary, and in music news, Jay Z is accused in the Diddy case, Nicko McBrain retires from Iron Maiden, Matthew Sweet gives an update after suffering a stroke, and Taylor Swift finishes the Eras Tour. This week’s New Music picks include Lucinda Williams, Sky Ferriera, Slash and Duff, and Thursday.

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In episode #70 of Sound Up!, Mark Goodman and Alan Light welcome singer/songwriter/actor Yola to discuss her new music and her recent starring role on Broadway. Roger recaps the all-star Jesse Malin benefit concert with guests including Elvis Costello, Lucinda Williams, and Little Steven, and we have a listener review of HBO’s Yacht Rock documentary. In music news, AC/DC announce US tour plans, Elton John faces a health crisis, Snoop Dogg and Sting revisit a Police classic, and The Cure have a live album on the way. This week’s New Music picks include Bright Eyes, Yuna, and Runaway June.

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In episode #69 of Sound Up!, Mark Goodman and Alan Light welcome Carrie Colliton, co-founder of Record Store Day, to talk about this week’s Black Friday event and the state of vinyl. Alan reviews Taylor Swift’s penultimate Eras Tour stop in Toronto and the new “Beatles ‘64” documentary, and Mark reports on the Soulshine benefit concert in NYC, headlined by Dave Matthews Band and Warren Haynes. In music news, Drake announces a new tour (launching the same day as Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl appearance), Coachella reveals the 2025 line-up, and Fleetwood Mac will be getting its first-ever comprehensive documentary. This week’s New Music picks include Kendrick Lamar, Al Green, Matt Nathanson, Tunde Adebimpe, and Father John Misty.

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On episode #68 of Sound Up!, Mark Goodman and Alan Light host a live panel of Sound Up Pod Squad members to discuss two significant topics: the 2025 Grammy nominations and one of the year's biggest issues, dynamic ticket pricing. Hosts and guests dive deep into the Big Four Grammy categories, sharing their picks for Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best New Artist. Then, they take a closer look at ticket prices and access, exploring the advantages and challenges of dynamic ticket pricing.

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On episode #67 of “Sound Up!,” Mark and Alan welcome author Rob Sheffield to discuss his new book “Heartbreak is the National Anthem: How Taylor Swift Reinvented Pop Music.” Mark reports back from The Sands, where he saw Rick Springfield, Bret Michaels, Level 42, and many more. In music news, the 2025 Grammy nominations are revealed, Chappell Roan drops her management, and Zach Bryan faces domestic scandal. We get two live reviews from our Sound Up! Pod Squad - David Gilmour at MSG and The Cure in London. Plus, this week’s new music picks feature tracks from Imogen Heap, Jamey Johnson, Will Swinton, Lucius, and Griff.

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On episode #66 of “Sound Up!,” Mark and Alan welcome legendary photographer Lynn Goldsmith to discuss her latest book, Patti Smith: Before Easter After. In music news, we discuss Oasis cracking down on ticket resales, Young Thug getting out of prison, Ed Sheeran winning a big court case, The Cure performing a three-hour record release show in London, and Jell Roll dropping 100 pounds while touring. We get two reviews from our Sound Up Pod Squad, one of The Cure’s new album Songs of a Lost World and another of Morrissey live.

This week’s new music picks feature tracks from Dorothy, Chena, Cleo Sol, and Paul Simon.

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