For the first time during her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour, Shakira shared the stage with special guests. On Tuesday (March 25), during her fourth night at the iconic GNP Seguros Stadium in Mexico City, the Colombian superstar was joined by Grupo Frontera for a live performance of “(Entre Paréntesis),” a song from her 2024 album that gives its name to the tour.

“I really wanted to give you all a surprise,” Shakira told Billboard Español in an interview following the show. “Every day, I strive to give you something more because the Mexican audience has been so loyal, so loving, and has lifted me up every time I needed it. I wanted to surprise you with something that would fill your hearts. Having them on stage today was a true privilege.”

“(Entre Paréntesis)” joins “Ciega, Sordomuda” and “El Jefe” as songs Shakira has added to her extensive repertoire as a heartfelt tribute to Mexico, where she continues her historic seven-night residency at the GNP Seguros Stadium (formerly known as Foro Sol), which will conclude on Sunday (March 30). This milestone makes her the first female artist to perform this many shows at the venue, previously filled by artists like Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, Coldplay and Metallica. In total, the residency will gather 455,000 attendees, according to promoter OCESA.

But Grupo Frontera wasn’t the only guest of the night: Lili Melgar, nanny to Shakira’s sons Milan and Sasha, made a surprise appearance while the singer performed “El Jefe,” her collaboration with Fuerza Regida, in which Melgar is immortalized in one of the final verses. “Lili Melgar, this song is for you, for not being paid your severance,” Shakira shouted to the thunderous roar of her Mexican pack, undeterred by the rain during their reunion with the She Wolf.

Still emotional from the warm reception from her Mexico audience, the 48-year-old star revealed that there will be more surprises for the U.S. leg of the Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran trek, which kicks off May 13 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“For the first part of the tour, I wanted the show to stay as it was, for the fans to experience the songs just as I conceived them,” she told Billboard Español. “But now I’ll be incorporating some surprises and special guests that you’ll see in the United States. It will be very exciting to share the stage with friends and colleagues.”

One year after the release of Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran — the Grammy-winning album that marked her triumphant first album in seven years — Shakira reflected on what this project has meant to her. The set reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart and No. 13 on the all-genre Billboard 200. Last Friday (March 21), the Colombian singer premiered the video for “Última,” her latest single from the album, filmed in the New York City subway and directed by close friend and photographer Jaume de Laiguana.

“I believe this has been a healing process for me and for many people — not just women, men too. I think together we’ve learned that you grow from setbacks, and that together we heal when we support each other,” she said. “That’s what the audience has done for me. They’ve given me strength when I felt weak, and I know I’ve done the same for them.”

On her historic current stadium tour — which began on Feb. 11 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and will still visit the Dominican Republic, Chile and Colombia before arriving in the U.S.— Shakira says that this series of shows has become something deeper and more intimate.

“These are more than just concerts. They’re very profound gatherings where healing happens,” she stated. “With each show, I feel stronger and happier.”

During a busy week on the Billboard Hot 100 — which included all 30 songs from Playboi Carti’s Music debuting on the chart, Chappell Roan’s “The Giver” making a top five bow and Doechii’s “Anxiety” becoming the first top 10 hit of her career — a masked hard rock band also hit the Hot 100 for the first time, with a six-minute-plus prog-metal opus. And in the process, the group made both its sprawling fan base and its new major label home ecstatic.

“Emergence,” the new single from enigmatic British metalcore group Sleep Token, debuts at No. 57 on this week’s chart, thanks in part to an enormous first full streaming week (9.9 million official U.S. streams from March 14-20, according to Luminate) following the song’s March 13 release. The song represents something of a mainstream arrival for a band that has existed in the shadows — since its formation nearly a decade ago, the members of Sleep Token have remained anonymous, performing onstage in masks and cloaks — but has become a commercial force in hard rock, with arena headline shows scheduled for the fall and upcoming album Even in Arcadia receiving a pronounced push from RCA Records.

“‘Gratifying’ is the word for it,” John Fleckenstein, COO at RCA Records, tells Billboard of the “Emergence” chart debut. A little more than a year after RCA announced Sleep Token’s signing in February 2024, the band’s first single with the label exploded on streaming services upon its release earlier this month, hitting No. 1 on iTunes and making the top 10 of Spotify’s Daily Top Songs USA chart. At the end of its first full week, “Emergence” had also become Sleep Token’s first chart-topper on Hot Hard Rock Songs, and debuted at No. 7 on Hot Rock & Alternative Songs, a chart where the band had previously peaked at No. 22.

“I think it validates an incredibly passionate fan base that has only gotten bigger over time,” Fleckenstein continues. “For us to help make the connection between the world that they’re creating, the music that they’re making and fans — we’re absolutely thrilled.”

The London-born group is led by the singer-songwriter Vessel, who has helped craft an elaborate backstory for the band’s lyrics since it launched in 2016. In a 2017 discussion with Metal Hammer, the only interview that the band has done to date, Vessel unpacks the lore as it relates to a deity named Sleep, and how they must “project His message.” 

Over the course of their first three albums, Sleep Token has expanded its storyline through its lyrics, shows and fan interactions, while also achieving its first chart success in the States: 2023 album Take Me Back to Eden became the band’s first Billboard 200 entry and peaked at No. 16, while the single “The Summoning” climbed to No. 2 on Hot Hard Rock Songs, thanks in part to a TikTok trend.

“This is their music, their art, their world,” Fleckenstein says of the band. “There’s something beautiful here in terms of what they’re creating, and something borderline magical about the community they’ve made.” 

Songs like “The Summoning” and Take Me Back to Eden viral hits “Granite” and “Chokehold” synthesize metal, prog and straightforward alt-rock while adding unexpected elements like electro-funk grooves, trap beats and pop harmonies. The mixture is often constructed around Vessel’s burly croon, which is frequently presented at the front of the mix, but is adept at harvesting accessible hooks out of a crashing breakdown when needed.

Like some of Sleep Token’s previous successful tracks, “Emergence” stretches past the six-minute mark, hopscotching between parted-clouds harmonies, thundering guitars and skittering electronics while deploying post-apocalyptic lyrics (“I’ve got solar flares for your dead gods, space dust for your fuel rods/ Dark days for your solstice, dancing through the depths of/ Hellfire, on the winds that started from within/ My blood beats so alive, might tear right through my skin”) that beg for a close read by those following the lore. Yet the key difference between “Emergence” and the band’s previous singles lies within the song’s refrain — “Go ahead and wrap your arms around me” — tuned-down and repeated multiple times, and catchy enough to beguile casual listeners.

Sleep Token is one of several groups turning modern metalcore more mainstream — bands like Bad Omens and Spiritbox have grown considerably in stature in recent years, while veterans like Bring Me the Horizon and Ghost continue to scoop up casual listeners. But “Emergence” is the type of song that could separate the band from their contemporaries, ahead of a major-label debut.

“I do actually think there’s been a bit of a shift in the market, where there seems to be a greater pull towards [live] instrumentation,” says Fleckenstein of the recent rock surge. With Sleep Token, he says, “One would think that this would be a style of consumption from a really passionate fan base that shows up on day one, and then everything starts to fall off. We’re not seeing that here at all — we’re actually seeing this song get stronger. This is transcending what most people want to do, which is say, ‘Oh, this is metal,’ or ‘This is country,’ or ‘This is pop’ — this is just being seen as popular music right now, and people are liking it for what it is. 

“These are not numbers that we see out of a metal genre, or even a rock genre, today,” Fleckstein continues. “These are numbers are that competitive across anybody in the marketplace.”

RCA will release Even in Arcadia on May 9, and Sleep Token will hit the road on a 17-date, AEG Presents-promoted tour on Sept. 16, with a stop at the Louder Than Life festival on Sept. 19. Fleckenstein says that RCA will do what it can to make sure as many fans as possible dive into the world that the band has created, but can’t spoil any details of the rollout over the next six weeks.

“That’s part of the journey here,” he says. “What they’re creating is intensely personal for a fan, because figuring out what happens next and trying to understand is part of appreciating the music.” Fleckenstein has advice for curious newcomers, too: “Dive into what the fans are talking about!” he says. “You’ll get a good picture.”

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Why go to the arcade when you can bring the arcade home to you? Arcade1Up is a video game manufacturer that recreates classic arcade games at a small scale, but with a modern twist. Instead of old CRT displays from the ’90s, Arcade1Up uses modern LCD displays for a sharper and crisper picture quality with smoother motion.

Right now, you can save up to a whopping 60% on select arcade cabinets from your childhood — including Street Fighter II: Championship Edition, Mortal Kombat II, Ms. Pac-Man and much more — at Walmart.

And since you can shop Arcade1Up at Walmart, you’ll get cabinets shipped to you for free if you’re a Walmart+ member. Otherwise, your cart has to be more than $35 to get free shipping.

If you’re not a member, then you’re in luck: You can sign up for a 30-day free trial to take advantage of everything the retailer’s rewards program has to offer with perks such as free, fast delivery; fuel discounts’ streaming access to Paramount+ to watch hit originals; additional savings with early access deals and much more.

In addition, Walmart+ comes with access to SiriusXM for all sorts of talk radio and music — including popular channels like “The Coffee House” for stripped-down songs from Noah Kahan, Kacey Musgraves, The Lumineers, Phoebe Bridgers and others. Learn more about what Walmart+ can offer you here.

Scroll down and shop the best Arcade1Up deals:

On sale for $299.99 (reg. $699.99) at Walmart, the Arcade1Up Pong Gaming Table features a unique sit-down design that was staple of nearly every pizza parlor during the ’80s and ’90s. Just sit down and go head-to-head in a fierce competition of Pong, along with Warlords, Tempest, Super Breakout, Circus Atari, Destroyer, Avalanche, Major Havoc, Indy 500 and more.

Street Fighter II: Championship Edition is the godfather of all fighting games and Walmart has this Arcade1Up 5-foot-tall two-player arcade cabinet going for $499.99, or $50 off its list price. This is the “Championship Edition,” which means its faster than the original and includes the bosses (Balrog, Vega, Sagat and M. Bison) as playable characters.

Mortal Kombat II is one of the greatest fighting games of all-time thanks to its smooth gameplay, wide range of characters and epic finishing moves. The Arcade1Up Mortal Kombat II Deluxe, which goes for $449.99 (reg. $499.99), is an exact replica of the classic fighting game’s arcade cabinet with a few extra goodies built-in — namely the inclusion of the entire Mortal Kombat Trilogy. It also has other games included, such as Rampage, Joust, Gauntlet and more.

On sale for $449.99 (reg. $499.99), the Arcade1Up Class of ‘81 Deluxe features a 17-inch LCD display, a 5-foot tall arcade cabinet, a light-up marquee and 12 classic games such as Ms. Pac-Man, Rally-X, Galaxian, King & Balloon and more. It’s for those who want to celebrate the best and brightest video games from 1981.

Not your average board game. On sale for $398.99 (reg. $499.99) at Walmart, Arcade1Up Infinity Gaming Display features more than 50 digitized games, including Monopoly, Yahtzee, Trivial Pursuit, Clue, Scrabble, Operation, Candyland and much more.

All Arcade1Up cabinets feature replica artwork, joysticks, buttons and designs, while games and music are emulated with true-gameplay. Shop additional Arcade1Up cabinets below:

Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.

Penske Media Corporation (PMC) is in talks to open a Rolling Stone Hotel and Casino in downtown Las Vegas, sources tell Billboard.

The potential property would open on the site of the Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino, which PMC (owner of Rolling Stone as well as brands including Billboard) is currently in talks to acquire from CIM Group, the sources say. As reported by Vital Vegas, which first reported the news of PMC’s possible acquisition, PMC is just one of several potential buyers for the property; suitors have also included John Unwin‘s Corvus Collective, which dropped out after failing to come up with the $30 million in cash needed to complete the purchase. Downtown Grand is currently managed by Fifth Street Gaming.

If talks are successful, the Rolling Stone Hotel and Casino could well be the future site of the Life Is Beautiful Music & Art Festival, which PMC acquired through Rolling Stone in 2022. As a PMC spokesperson told the Las Vegas Review-Journal in February, the festival “is in the process of making a long-term investment in Las Vegas real estate for the festival’s new home downtown.” A version of Life Is Beautiful, A Big Beautiful Block Party, was staged for two days and nights last September at the Plaza Hotel and Casino in downtown Vegas with headliners Peggy Gou, Justice, LCD Soundsystem, Jamie xx and Jungle.

While nothing is confirmed — sources say the due diligence process for PMC’s potential acquisition of the Downtown Hotel & Casino is underway — Rolling Stone and its sister brands have been looking to strategically invest in opportunities that create brand extensions. Indeed, licensing and experiential opportunities have been a major part of the brand strategy for PMC and Rolling Stone. On March 12, Rolling Stone opened Rolling Stone Presents: Amplified, The Immersive Rock Experience, a first-of-its-kind 360-degree immersive music history experience at Illuminarium Las Vegas at AREA15 that included more than 1,000 photographs, 200 videos and 1,300 Rolling Stone covers and featured more than 300 iconic artists.

“While we do not comment on specific investment or acquisition details, Penske Media is always looking for strategic opportunities that meet the long-term goals of our brands,” said a spokesperson for Penske Media. “We are committed to growing our international and domestic footprints in both experiential and hospitality for Rolling Stone. As producers of over three hundred events annually across the portfolio, Las Vegas, like other entertainment centers, remains an important market for us.”

Rolling Stone is looking into several additional real estate opportunities around the world and will consider those that meet strategic long-term goals for the brand, sources say, with the Rolling Stone name being licensed for casinos and hotels, similar to Peter Morton‘s Hard Rock Cafe playbook.

PMC and its brands produce more than 300 live events per year and have several events planned in Las Vegas, including the 51st American Music Awards — part of PMC-owned Dick Clark Productions — which will return to the city on Monday, May 26. There is also talk of the 61st annual Academy of Country Music Awards moving to Vegas next year, sources say.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Spring doesn’t start until the Amazon Big Spring Sale goes live. Luckily, the now annual event is live and runs through March 31. Whether you’re shopping for new audio gear, tech-savvy upgrades, spring essentials, or getting a head start on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day gifts, Amazon’s spring sale has plenty of bargains to browse before prices go back to normal.

While the discounts aren’t as steep as during tentpole events like Prime Day or even Amazon’s October event, you can still find great savings on headphones, speakers, turntables, beauty products, and loads of other tech gadgets.

Amazon Big Spring Sale, Shop at a Glance

To help make your shopping experience a little easier, we’ve dug through all the good, the great, and the best deals worth your time and money during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale event and compiled them into separate categories for you to shop below. While most of the discounts will last until the event is over, some will sell out. Each day will keep updating our list to keep the best deals flowing.

Keep reading for more details about Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, plus a list of trending deals that you can shop before the sale ends.

When Is the Big Spring Sale?

The Big Spring Sale is held from March 25 to 31. Shoppers have the chance to score deals each day during the multi-day sale event.

Is the Sale for Prime Members Only?

No! Unlike Prime Day, Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is open to all shoppers. However, Prime members will get access to exclusive, member-only deals.

The membership is $14.99 per month or $139 for the annual plan. Amazon offers a 50% discount for students and qualifying government assistance recipients. Prime members get access to Prime Video, Amazon Music, Prime Gaming, Amazon Photos, RxPass, Grubhub+ and exclusive Prime deals.

Additionally, Prime members get fast and free one-day, two-day and same-day shipping on millions of items. Click here to launch your 30-day free trial.

Best Amazon Headphone Deals

Looking to upgrade your headphone set up? The best noise-canceling headphones and earbuds are taking major price slashes. Shop premium bluetooth headphones from Apple, Sonos, Sony, and more.

Best Amazon Speaker Deals

Your home deserves a better audio setup. Luckily, the Amazon Big Spring Sale brings with it a variety of discounts on popular speakers from JBL, Sonos, and the House of Bezos, Amazon.

Best Amazon Turntable Deals

A turntable can easily be a fun centerpiece of your room.

Best Amazon Tech Deals

Amazon Big Spring Sale offers many discounts on popular electronics including smart TVs, tablets, phones, smartwatches and more. There’s never been a better time to upgrade your gadgets.

Best Amazon Beauty Deals

Give your makeup routine a makeover with must-have deals from top beauty brands including Maybelline, CeraVe, Well People, and more.

Best Amazon Home Good Deals

While you’re doing some spring cleaning make room for these splurge-worthy deals on Dyson fans, Our Place Always pans, breezy linen sheet sets, Nespresso machines and more.