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Springsteen returns to Ohio at another political flashpoint

The May 22 concert at Rocket Arena is part of the Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour.

Music

Bruce Springsteen heads to Cleveland on Friday at yet another political inflection point.State of play: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="concert at Rocket Arena" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rocketarena.com/events/detail/springsteen-e-street-260522" data-vars-content-id="ccc3928c-f516-4087-b51c-bb452d240b17" data-vars-headline="Springsteen returns to Ohio at another political flashpoint" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rocketarena.com/events/detail/springsteen-e-street-260522" target="_blank">concert at Rocket Arena</a> is part of the Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour, with the anti-Trump rallying cry &quot;No Kings&quot; splattered across promotional posters.

Cleveland's Flock fight heads to city council

Bibb won't bypass lawmakers this time on the controversial license plate reader contract.

News

After pressure from Cleveland City Council members and activists, Mayor Justin Bibb on Monday said the administration would seek council approval for an extension of the city&#x27;s contract with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flock Safety" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/13/resistance-flock-cameras-cleveland" data-vars-content-id="13a94ee9-832f-43b7-8de3-b6a1d5337cd7" data-vars-headline="Cleveland&#x27;s Flock fight heads to city council" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/13/resistance-flock-cameras-cleveland" target="_self">Flock Safety</a> for automated license plate readers.Why it matters: Bibb has drawn the ire of the council — especially the vocal safety committee chair, Mike Polensek — for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extending contracts" data-vars-click-url="https://signalcleveland.org/cleveland-shotspotter-gunshot-detection-renewal-city-council/" data-vars-content-id="13a94ee9-832f-43b7-8de3-b6a1d5337cd7" data-vars-headline="Cleveland&#x27;s Flock fight heads to city council" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://signalcleveland.org/cleveland-shotspotter-gunshot-detection-renewal-city-council/" target="_blank">extending contracts</a> through the city&#x27;s Board of Control, sidestepping council approval.

Cleveland slides one spot in annual parks rankings

The Forest City continues to earn high marks for access and amenities, but hurt by below-average acreage

Environment

Cleveland has slipped from No. 30 to No. 31 in the Trust for Public Land&#x27;s ParkScore rankings. The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="annual report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tpl.org/parkscore" data-vars-content-id="a9bc4f57-fafa-4e4d-8fdc-3128adafe04d" data-vars-headline="Cleveland slides one spot in annual parks rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tpl.org/parkscore" target="_blank">annual report</a> ranks the 100 most populous U.S. cities&#x27; park systems relative to one another based on five categories: access, acreage, amenities, equity, and investment.

From Drake to Johnny Depp: Our dream Rock Hall ceremony guest list

Past ceremonies have featured guests including Taylor Swift, Julia Roberts and Paul McCartney.

One of the best parts of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/14/rock-hall-2026-ceremony-cleveland-return" data-vars-content-id="2a9ecf65-c504-4620-912f-1b3d58fa0dc2" data-vars-headline="From Drake to Johnny Depp: Our dream Rock Hall ceremony guest list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/14/rock-hall-2026-ceremony-cleveland-return" target="_self">Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame</a> ceremony is watching celebrities turn into fanboys and girls for their favorite music artists.The intrigue: The Rock Hall is usually tight-lipped about the list of special guests, but we couldn&#x27;t resist making our picks for who might show up for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="class of 2026" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/14/2026-rock-hall-inductees-iron-maiden-wu-tang" data-vars-content-id="2a9ecf65-c504-4620-912f-1b3d58fa0dc2" data-vars-headline="From Drake to Johnny Depp: Our dream Rock Hall ceremony guest list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/14/2026-rock-hall-inductees-iron-maiden-wu-tang" target="_self">class of 2026</a> on Nov. 14 in L.A.<ul><li>There are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="A LOT of inductees" data-vars-click-url="https://rockhall.com/2026-inductees/" data-vars-content-id="2a9ecf65-c504-4620-912f-1b3d58fa0dc2" data-vars-headline="From Drake to Johnny Depp: Our dream Rock Hall ceremony guest list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rockhall.com/2026-inductees/" target="_blank">A LOT of inductees</a> this year, so we&#x27;re only picking presenters for the honorees in the &quot;Performer&quot; category.</li></ul>

MGK, Wiz Khalifa tap into 2010s nostalgia with "Blog Era Boyz"

The mixtape was preceded by the singles "Girl Next Door" and "Everything Tatted."

Machine Gun Kelly fans are getting new music on Friday.Driving the news: The Cleveland-bred music star has teamed up with rapper Wiz Khalifa for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Blog Era Boyz.&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.blogeraboyz.com/" data-vars-content-id="8cca3835-0d85-4ad8-aa3d-4550dd385337" data-vars-headline="MGK, Wiz Khalifa tap into 2010s nostalgia with &quot;Blog Era Boyz&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.blogeraboyz.com/" target="_blank">&quot;Blog Era Boyz.&quot;</a>

Cleveland cuts admissions taxes for indie venues

City leaders say the move will help small music and comedy clubs still recovering from the pandemic

Cleveland City Council approved legislation this week eliminating Cleveland&#x27;s 4% admissions tax for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="locally operated venues" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/10/16/indie-music-venues-profitability-niva-2025" data-vars-content-id="78f571fd-ca37-4da7-bb7e-f9b48b1e0b27" data-vars-headline="Cleveland cuts admissions taxes for indie venues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/10/16/indie-music-venues-profitability-niva-2025" target="_self">locally operated venues</a> with capacities under 750 people.Why it matters: Independent venues say they&#x27;re still recovering from the pandemic and are struggling with rising costs and changing nightlife habits among young people.

Paul McCartney's post-Beatles years get the Rock Hall treatment

The exhibition includes several of McCartney's guitars, notes from his diary and handwritten lyrics.

If most of what you know about Paul McCartney is from his time with the Beatles, the Rock Hall&#x27;s new exhibit will prove quite an eye-opener.The intrigue: The showcase, titled <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Paul McCartney and Wings,&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/02/18/paul-mccartney-wings-rock-hall-exhibit-may" data-vars-content-id="5037fab1-1bba-4ab1-8377-af56c73530e1" data-vars-headline="Paul McCartney&#x27;s post-Beatles years get the Rock Hall treatment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/02/18/paul-mccartney-wings-rock-hall-exhibit-may" target="_self">&quot;Paul McCartney and Wings,&quot;</a> opens Friday on Level 6 of the museum and details McCartney&#x27;s life from 1970 onward.

Rock Hall's "Love Live Rock" sign disappears — for now

A  new sign that reads "Love Live Rock & Roll" is on the way as part of the museum's expansion.

One of the most recognizable components of the Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame&#x27;s front plaza is gone.State of play: The museum has removed the red &quot;Love Live Rock&quot; sign that has sat in front of the museum since 2016 and has been a backdrop for millions of selfies on social media.

From Bruno Mars to Jay-Z: 8 concerts worth traveling for in 2026

If you're looking to travel for a show, you may want to start planning.

We&#x27;re still a couple of weeks away from Northeast Ohio concert season getting underway.Yes, but: If you&#x27;re looking to travel for a show that isn&#x27;t coming to town, you may want to start planning.

Live Nation's $30 ticket sale hits Blossom, Rocket Arena and more

The list of concerts includes Wu-Tang Clan, John Mellencamp, Pussycat Dolls and more.

Clear your web cache and double-check your internet connection — Live Nation&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Summer of Live&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.livenation.com/promotion/summeroflive" data-vars-content-id="ca04fcf2-424c-462a-9b9a-cf19a0b20d19" data-vars-headline="Live Nation&#x27;s $30 ticket sale hits Blossom, Rocket Arena and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.livenation.com/promotion/summeroflive" target="_blank">&quot;Summer of Live&quot;</a> promotion kicks into high gear Wednesday.Driving the news: At 10am, $30 tickets go on sale for more than 50 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Live Nation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/03/17/ohio-live-nation-lawsuit-settlement-doj" data-vars-content-id="ca04fcf2-424c-462a-9b9a-cf19a0b20d19" data-vars-headline="Live Nation&#x27;s $30 ticket sale hits Blossom, Rocket Arena and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/03/17/ohio-live-nation-lawsuit-settlement-doj" target="_self">Live Nation</a> concerts in Northeast Ohio.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame goes punk

"Hey! Ho! Let's Go! Punk at 50" is a photo exhibit highlighting legends like the Ramones and Blondie.

The Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame has unveiled a new photo exhibit celebrating 50 years of punk rock.State of play: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Hey! Ho! Let&#x27;s Go! Punk at 50&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://rockhall.com/hey-ho-lets-go/" data-vars-content-id="768b5aad-3ef6-4c21-b4e6-d12cce3300a1" data-vars-headline="The Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame goes punk" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rockhall.com/hey-ho-lets-go/" target="_blank">&quot;Hey! Ho! Let&#x27;s Go! Punk at 50&quot;</a> is now open on the bottom floor near the CBGB awning that&#x27;s been a mainstay at the museum.

From the Jackson 5 to solo stardom: Michael Jackson in Cleveland

Several landmark moments in Jackson's career brought him to Northeast Ohio.

Michael Jackson wasn&#x27;t a prolific touring artist and only released a handful of albums during his prime.Why it matters: Despite that, several landmark moments in his career brought him to Northeast Ohio.