Here are some of the biggest rock and alternative stories from 2025:
A Coldplay concert in Boston turned into a viral moment when Chris Martin and the band caught a couple on the kiss cam. The couple, Kristin Cabot and Andy Byron, were quickly identified online. They both resigned from their jobs at Astronomer after the incident.
Evanescence finally scored their first #1 hit on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart after 22 years. The song “Afterlife,” recorded for the Netflix series Devil May Cry, achieved this milestone. They also released “Fight Like a Girl” featuring K.Flay and collaborated with Courtney LaPlante and Poppy on “End of You,” plus Halsey on “Hand That Feeds.”
Nine Inch Nails returned with their first album in five years, the soundtrack for Tron: Ares. They kicked off their Peel It Back world tour, reuniting with drummer Josh Freese.
Deftones released their first album in five years, titled private music. The lead single “my mind is a mountain” became their first #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart.
Mastodon parted ways with founding guitarist Brent Hinds after 25 years. The split was described as mutual, but Hinds later hinted otherwise. Tragically, he died in a motorcycle accident in August.
Sublime dropped their first all-original song in nearly 30 years, “Ensenada,” which hit #1 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart. The band, featuring original members Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh along with Jakob Nowell, plans to release a new album in 2026.
Soundgarden was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. They performed with Mike McCready and Jerry Cantrell, while Taylor Momsen and Brandi Carlile filled in for the late Chris Cornell. Drummer Matt Cameron also announced his departure from Pearl Jam after 27 years.
The White Stripes were inducted as well. Jack White attended, but Meg White stayed out of the spotlight. Twenty One Pilots performed “Seven Nation Army” in their honor, and Olivia Rodrigo joined in for a duet.
