Pop Shots – Brand New

Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week Pop Shots is hitting you with thoughts on everything from an interesting honor for Billie Eilish, to Karol G’s new kicks, to a concert festival with a limited carbon footprint, and since this is Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.

* Billie Eilish was given the 2026 MLK Jr. Beloved Community Award For Environmental Justice, and during her acceptance speech she … I’m sorry, the what award??? Man, the celebrity world really loves their participation trophies, don’t they?

* Karol G has been named Reebok’s latest global brand ambassador. Yeah, cuz her shoes are the article of clothing everybody wants to get in. Uh huh. Sure.

* Morgan Wallen didn’t submit any of his albums, or singles, for Grammy consideration this year. I guess he was afraid they might make him sit next to a black person.

* Green Day will perform at the opening ceremony for the Super Bowl on February 8th, because nothing says you’re punk rock like teaming up with billionaires for airtime.

* Rob Hirst, co-founder, co-songwriter, and drummer for Midnight Oil, passed away at the age of 70 after a nearly three year battle with cancer. The band’s biggest hit, “Beds are Burning,” will always be an ‘80s classic.

* Taylor Swift was announced as one of this year’s inductees into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. I gotta ask – were they running out of people?

* Indie band Lime Cordiale have created a climate-focused live music event they’re calling the Lime Green Festival. The one-day, off-grid event will take place April 18th at Point Malcolm Reserve in Semaphore, Adelaide. It’s perfect for the music fan who goes to concerts not for a good time, but for a good talking to.

* Finally, here’s GWAR covering Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club,” because you didn’t know you needed it, but absolutely can’t live without it.

That’s all for this edition of Pop Shots, but come back next Monday for more shots on all things pop.