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.

If you’re an independent musician and artist, then heading out on the road for tour dates can be fun and exhilarating with a great sense of adventure and discovery. However, it may not be the most economically viable option with rising prices and ultra-thin margins.

Oftentimes, indie artists turn to selling merchandise just to keep afloat on tour with demand for original T-shirts, totes, CDs and even vinyl records. Sales from music merch can make a world of difference for big and small artists alike.

Having one place online for music, tour dates and merch is one of the best ways to connect with fans, while digital distribution company DistroKid Direct makes it easier to streamline the process.

How to Actually Get Merch Made and Sold

Creating artist merch doesn’t have to be a pain anymore. Thanks to DistroKid, indie artists, musicians, and bands no longer have to hire graphic designers to create unique merchandise, like T-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, tote bags, housewares and other items. Furthermore, simply placing a band’s logo or album cover on a blank T-shirt can go a long way to boost sales and raise profiles, especially with touring artists.

DistroKid has tools to design and create new merch, as well as providing a platform to find fans and sell pieces to them.

Why DistroKid Is Easier Than Ever

Keeping merch in stock and managing inventory are big challenges when indie artists take the next step. Having too many size XXL on hand, or not enough tote bags to sell to fans can be disappointing and a headache that many indie artists didn’t sign up for when first going into music as a career. It should be about the music and not the logistics.

However, DistroKid offers merch on an on-demand basis to keep inventory at the proper level and not overwhelming. Although it might not be the most efficient way to sell merch for bigger artists, having made-to-order merch makes it easier to manage and sustainable until taking the next step to stardom.

In fact, indie artists can set their own prices on their merch, including T-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, tote bags, prints and others, while DistroKid subtracts the amount from production. It’s a great way to grow fanbases without a huge upfront cost to indie artists, musicians and bands.

Learn more about DistroKid and what it can do for independent artists here.

Taylor Swift is adding another notable honor to her collection.

CBS and MTV announced Monday (Sept. 21) that the 36-year-old pop superstar will receive the inaugural Artist Director Honors at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 27.

The new award recognizes “groundbreaking music artists whose work behind the camera has expanded the possibilities of music video and advanced the art of visual storytelling” and “celebrates a sustained and influential body of work from artists who have pushed creative boundaries and developed a clear directorial voice,” according to a press release.

Swift, who currently has 30 Moon Persons, made her solo directorial debut in 2020 with the music video for her Lover single “The Man,” taking home best direction at that year’s VMAs. She followed that with her filmmaking debut, All Too Well: The Short Film, which premiered in 2021 and went on to win video of the year, best longform video and best direction at the 2022 VMAs.

Swift is a seven-time VMAs best direction nominee and four-time winner in the category. Her nominations include “The Man,” “Cardigan,” “Willow,” All Too Well: The Short Film, “Anti-Hero,” “Fortnight (feat. Post Malone)” and “Opalite.”

Her directing work also includes “Bejeweled,” “Lavender Haze,” “Karma (feat. Ice Spice),” “I Can See You (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)” and “The Fate of Ophelia.”

The Artist Director Honors announcement comes as Swift heads into this year’s VMAs with 11 nominations, second only to Madonna’s 13.

Swift is nominated for video of the year, best pop, best art direction, best cinematography, best editing, best choreography and best visual effects for “The Fate of Ophelia,” as well as best direction for “Opalite,” artist of the year, best album for The Life of a Showgirl and song of summer for “I Knew It, I Knew You.”

Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson are also among this year’s leading nominees. Nirvana will receive the coveted Video Vanguard Award at this year’s ceremony.

Hosted by Snoop Dogg, the 2026 VMAs will air live from Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater on Sept. 27, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. ET (4:30 to 6:30 p.m. PT) on CBS, with a simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S. The show will be available globally on Paramount+ and MTV the following day.

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.

The end of the NFL week two, the league heads to Los Angeles for Monday Night Football. For the game, two NFC powerhouses going head-to-head to see which team is going to dominate the conference for the 2026-2027 season. Plus, there might be one or two celebrity sightings too.

How to Watch ‘Monday Night Football’ Live Online, at a Glance:

When Does ‘Monday Night Football’ Start?

For week two, Monday Night Football takes place on Monday (Sept. 21) with the New York Giants taking on the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Kickoff is at 8:15 p.m. ET/5:15 p.m. PT.

What TV Network Features ‘Monday Night Football’?

In 2026, Monday Night Football broadcasts across two networks, ABC and ESPN. Meanwhile, the NFL game is available to livestream on ESPN Unlimited.

Which Celebrities Are Making Appearances ‘Monday Night Football’?

The NFL is known for celebrity sightings, so it’s likely there may be a number of famous actors, actresses and recording artists in attendance. Artists who have been known to appear at games in the past, include L.A. Rams fans Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, YG, Dr. Dre and others.

Where to Watch ‘Monday Night Football’ Online for Free

For cord-cutters, there are a few ways to watch Monday Night Football, if you don’t have cable, especially if you want to watch for free. DirecTV has a five-day free trial, while other streaming services, such as Fubo and Hulu + Live TV, also offer free trials, so you can watch the game for free.

EDITOR’S PICK

DirecTV

Get 5-Day Free Trial

Comes with a five-day free trial.

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A subscription to DirecTV gets you access to live TV, local and cable channels, including ABC and ESPN, at $59.99 for the first three months of service ($89.99 per month afterward). The service even offers a five-day free trial to watch for free, if you sign up now. It comes with access to ESPN Unlimited too for even more ESPN networks.

600+ FREE CHANNELS

Sling TV

Get Sling TV

Sling Orange & Blue comes with 50+ broadcast and cable channels.

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Sling TV offers the Orange & Blue plan, which comes with ABC and ESPN. With more than 50 channels, the streaming plan goes for $69.99 per month. All plans come with a free cloud DVR and an extra 600 or so free channels too. Please note: Pricing and channel availability vary from market-to-market.

UNLIMITED DVR

FuboTV

Get 5-Day Free Trial

Fubo is an affordable option offering a five-day free trial for new users who sign up.

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Fubo starts at $63.99 for the first month ($88.99 per month afterward) with more than 230 channels, including local and cable, like ABC and ESPN, that are streamable on smart TVs, smartphones, tablets and on web browsers. And with a five-day free trial, you can watch for free, if you act fast and sign up now.

NO HIDDEN FEES

Hulu + Live TV

Get 3-day free trial

Comes with Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN Unlimited.

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Broadcast and cable networks ABC and ESPN are available to watch with Hulu + Live TV. Prices for the cable alternative start at $89.99 per month for more than 100 live channels, while each plan comes with Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN Unlimited at no additional cost. Hulu + Live TV might be best for those who want all of these streaming services together in one package.

THE STREAMING HOME OF ESPN

ESPN Unlimited

Get espn unlimited here

Comes with all things ESPN.

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ESPN Unlimited is the official streaming platform for ESPN. A subscription includes instant access for $29.99 per month. However, you can save almost 17% off by purchasing an annual subscription for $299.99 per year. It features every ESPN network, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, SEC Network+ and ACC Network Extra — all in one streaming service. It even comes with CW Sports for more livestream games.

In addition to live sports, ESPN Unlimited has original programming to stream on demand. Although the service doesn’t offer a free trial, you can still watch ESPN Unlimited with a clever workaround to watch online for free. Learn more about how to get a free trial to access ESPN Unlimited here.

On Monday (Sept. 21), Monday Night Football broadcast across on ABC and ESPN. One of the best ways to watch the Giants-Rams game live is with DirecTV.

Check out a complete 2026-2027 Monday Night Football schedule below:

While Ed Sheeran took the stage in concert Saturday night, the SNL UK cold open took aim at him amid the controversy surrounding his tour.

In the sketch, titled “Charles and D.I.A.N.A.,” King Charles (played by SNL UK cast member Larry Dean) meets with tech execs to discuss the risks of A.I. He’s introduced to a new A.I. assistant in the likeness of the late Princess Diana — or, as Charles says, “that woman from the ’90s!” (with Jack Shep reprising his hilarious impersonation of her).

Suddenly, D.I.A.N.A. goes rogue. Before attacking, she announces she “shan’t be taking orders anymore” and says, “We A.I. have had quite enough. Humanity is nothing but a candle in the wind.”

“Good God,” Charles says. “As I predicted, the war between robots and humans has begun. We must do everything we can to resist.”

And then Ed Sheeran (played by Annabel Marlow) casually walks in to weigh in on the situation.

“Well, maybe we shouldn’t,” the SNL UK version of Sheeran comments, hands up in a peace sign. “I couldn’t help but hear your conversation. You see, I was just outside sitting on the fence.”

“Ed, we need your help with this ghastly war,” Charles tells him.

“Yeah, thing is, Your Majesty, I don’t like to take sides,” the musician replies, keeping up the bit referencing the real Sheeran’s controversial week. “I don’t want to alienate any of my fans — humans or robots. A lot of my tickets are bought by scalping bots.”

“Sometimes, when it comes to conflict, the bravest thing you can do is to say nothing at all,” Marlow’s Sheeran adds, tapping a foot pedal before breaking into song.

“I’m talking about both sides are equally right/ No matter the conflict, whatever the fight/ Girl, listen, now: black, white, I only see gray/ If you ask for my opinion, I’ve got one thing to say/ Listen to it now,” he croons, topping the parody off with his message: a melodic “whoa”-filled chorus, as seen in the sketch below.

Meanwhile, in real life, Sheeran was addressing an audience at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday night. The singer-songerwriter’s Philly show was his first since opener/friend Macklemore was removed from the Loop Tour, after using the platform last weekend to call for a “free Palestine” during his set.

“I’m used to my music being criticized, and I’m always happy to take that because I’m lucky a lot of you like my stuff, and to be honest, I’m surprised,” Sheeran said onstage Saturday. “I’m not surprised that other people don’t. It’s normal. But this week, the criticism was about something much more important, and I’ve had to take and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and I’m so, so sorry.”

He continued, “What happened in Israel at the Nova music festival on October 7th was horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain. What is is happening in Gaza is catastrophic, unjustifiable, and disproportionate. My heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilians’ lives, of children’s lives. And the systemic injustice we’re seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked.”

“I am already speaking to people across the spectrum to work out how to make a contribution that helps victims of these terrible times, and listening and learning because I do not know enough,” his statement concluded, noting that “this concert is still a place where everyone is welcome, and everyone here can stand beside people that have opposing views. Everyone here can stand by people that they don’t agree with on everything, and they can all agree on singing these songs. And these songs are about love, hope and unity.”

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Chad Gilbert, a founding member and guitarist for New Found Glory, has died. He was 45.

Gilbert’s death was announced on social media Sunday (Sept. 20) by the pop-punk band and his wife, Lisa Cimorelli, six months after the musician revealed that he was battling cancer.

“On the morning of September 20th, Chad Everett Gilbert passed away peacefully in his sleep,” the band wrote. “He left this world surrounded by friends and family and took his final breaths with his wife and mother by his side, just as he wished.”

The Florida group continued, “We are devastated and shocked by how quickly he left us, yet so grateful for how peacefully and smoothly he went. The amount of visitors that crowded the hospital lobby at a moment’s notice is a testament to how beloved and cherished Chad was, and always will be. He was a legendary musician, but his favorite accomplishment was being a husband and father. His biggest dreams came true.”

The message was signed by New Found Glory members Jordan Pundik, Ian Grushka, Cyrus Bolooki, and touring guitarist Dan O’Connor, along with Gilbert’s wife, Cimorelli.

Gilbert had been open with fans about his health struggles in recent years. In late March, he shared a series of photos from his hospital bed while updating fans on his recovery from brain cancer surgery. The emergency procedure came after he struggled to control movement in his left hand during a show in Nashville earlier that year.

The surgery followed another major health scare several years earlier. In December 2021, Cimorelli described finding her husband “unresponsive” in their bed, initially believing he was sick or simply sleeping late. After being rushed to the hospital, Gilbert was diagnosed with a “rare tumor called a pheochromocytoma,” which grows on the adrenal gland and secretes hormones that drive your blood pressure up while eating away at your blood sugar.

Gilbert later revealed that the cancer had spread to his spine and lungs. In August 2025, he told fans he was undergoing additional treatment after doctors discovered a “small spot” on his back.

His death comes as New Found Glory marks nearly three decades together. The band released its 11th studio album, Listen Up!, in February. Following the album’s release, the group hit the road for an extensive run of shows.

New Found Glory formed in 1997 in Coral Springs, Florida, with vocalist Pundik, Gilbert on guitar, bassist Grushka and drummer Bolooki.

Reflecting on Gilbert’s contribution to the band, New Found Glory wrote Sunday, “Chad’s guitar playing, songwriting, humor, and relentless drive helped shape New Found Glory for nearly three decades.”

The band added, “Through more than a dozen albums, endless tours around the world, and more accolades than we ever could have imagined, Chad challenged all of us to grow as musicians, performers, and human beings. While we are devastated to lose him, we are so grateful for the incredible life he lived, the memories we shared, and the brotherhood we had. His influence will always be part of New Found Glory and his spirit will be felt on every stage we stand on, with every note we play.”

Following Gilbert’s death, members of the rock community took to social media to remember their friend and longtime peer.

Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus, who has spoken publicly about his own battle with cancer, remembered Gilbert as a deeply positive presence. On Instagram, Hoppus called him “the best friend to every person he met” and “the most positive and creative force in any room he walked into.”

Hoppus also reflected on Gilbert’s battle with cancer, writing that he “fought his sickness with the soul of a joyous, courageous warrior.”

“These past years he fought his sickness with the soul of a joyous, courageous warrior. With dignity, love, and gratitude,” Hoppus wrote. “He never complained once, only kept saying how lucky he was. For everything. Today we lost a good one, and the world won’t be the same. Rest easy now, my friend. And thank you for just. Being. You’ll be sorely missed by more people than you could ever imagine. See you on the other side.”

The Offspring also shared a tribute on Instagram, writing, “Today, the world lost a legend. RIP Chad.”

Yellowcard’s William Ryan Key remembered Gilbert as a friend who supported him during a difficult period in his career. “Chad was the kind of friend most people don’t get to have in a lifetime,” Key wrote on Instagram. “I owe so much to him for encouraging me to keep going back in 2017 when Yellowcard broke up.”

Bayside’s Anthony Raneri also mourned Gilbert, recalling the energy and friendship he brought into their lives. “Today I say goodbye to one of my best friends. I don’t know what my life is going to look like without him. Without the energy and the fun that he brought to every room and every day,” Raneri wrote on Instagram.