With iHeartRadio’s Jingle Ball less than a month away, here’s everything you need to know and expect from each D.C. performer this year, so you can decide if this lineup is worth your money and attention.
AJR: AJR is a popular pop-rock band formed in 2005 by brothers Adam, Jack, and Ryan Met. They began as an indie band, creating and mixing their own music from a home studio. Their music is known for its catchy melodies and energetic beats, and has been mainstream since their breakout single “I’m Ready” in 2012. They blend orchestral elements with modern production to create unique, pop-esque music, also utilizing elements of electropop and alt-pop. Some of their biggest hits include “Bang!” and “World’s Smallest Violin,” both released in 2021 as a part of their album OK ORCHESTRA.
Songs to Know:
“Bang!”
“World’s Smallest Violin”
“Burn the House Down”
“Weak”
“100 Bad Days”
“Way Less Sad”
Average Ticket Price: $130
Average Jingle Ball Ticket Price: $370
Average Ratings According to albumoftheyear.org: Critic Score: 52/100, User Score: 35/100
Alex Warren: Alex Warren has been in the spotlight for years now, first being an internet star, and just this year transitioning to a booming career in music. Known for his blending of folk and pop elements and use of both traditional guitar and more dramatic orchestral elements, Alex Warren creates catchy, heartfelt pop music that speaks to his own life and past experiences with genuine and raw emotion, making his music both relatable and reflective. His biggest hits include “Ordinary,” which was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 10 weeks, and his song “Eternity.”
Songs To Know:
“Ordinary”
“Eternity”
“Carry You Home”
“Bloodline”
“Before You Leave Me”
“Burning Down”
Average Ticket Price: $130-$300
Average Jingle Ball Ticket Price: $370
Average Ratings According to albumoftheyear.org: Critic Score: 48/100, User Score: 26/100
Conan Gray: Known mainly for his iconic 2020 hit “Heather,” Conan Gray has become a staple in pop culture and mainstream music in the past five years. Conan’s discography ranges from 80s-inspired tunes to heart-wrenching acoustic melodies, utilizing his impressive vocals, varying production style, and raw instrumentation. With each new release, Conan has expanded his genre and audience, cementing himself as one of the best and most versatile pop stars of our generation, with his most recent album Wishbone being cited by many as his best and most personal work to date, and containing the hit single “Vodka Cranberry.”
Songs to Know:
“Heather”
“Vodka Cranberry”
“Memories”
“Maniac”
“People Watching”
“Astronomy”
Average Ticket Price: $95-$260
Average Jingle Ball Ticket Price: $370
Average Ratings According to albumoftheyear.org: Critic Score: 77/100, User Score: 71/100
Jelly Roll: Jelly Roll has experienced major success over the past three years, with his country hit “Son of a Sinner” reaching No. 1 on the country charts in 2022 and shooting him into the spotlight. Since then, Jelly Roll has kept his country roots while expanding to a wider, contemporary audience. Collaborating with artists such as Eminem and Alex Warren, Jelly Roll blends classic country with rap elements, with raw and genuine writing about his own past struggles and experiences. Some of his recent hits include “Bloodline” with Alex Warren and “I Am Not Okay.”
Songs to Know:
“Bloodline”
“I Am Not Okay”
“Liar”
“Need a Favor”
“Son of a Sinner”
“Save Me” ft. Lainey Wilson
Average Ticket Price: $400
Average Jingle Ball Ticket Price: $370
Average Ratings According to albumoftheyear.org: Critic Score: 68/100, User Score: 37/100
Laufey: Laufey has managed to cement her legacy as an impressive vocalist while mixing in elements of jazz, classical music, and pop. With her sophomore project, Bewitched and its hit single “From the Start” pushing her into the mainstream, Laufey’s prestige has only grown. Classically trained in both cello and piano, Laufey has arguably created a new genre within itself, with her songs ranging from catchy, jazz-inspired tunes to somber, beautifully crafted ballads about love, utilizing her instrumental skills alongside her technical vocals. Her recent album, A Matter of Time, has also been consistently in the mainstream.
Songs to Know:
“From the Start”
“Lover Girl”
“Promise”
“Falling Behind”
“Let You Break My Heart Again”
“Valentine”
Average Ticket Price: $100-$200
Average Jingle Ball Ticket Price: $370
Average Ratings According to albumoftheyear.org: Critic Score: 80/100, User Score: 79/100
Monsta X: Formed in 2015, Monsta X is a South Korean boy group made up of six members. Their music blends elements of K-pop, rap, electronic, and pop music, and they are known for their aggressive, energetic, and hip-hop-esque music and performances. They have managed to cement themselves in the Western music industry by collaborating with artists and having an all-English album. Many consider their breakout hit to be the single “HERO,” establishing their EDM sound and reaching over 70 million streams. Some of their other hits include “WHO DO U LOVE” ft. French Montana and “MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.”
Songs to Know:
“DRAMARAMA”
“HERO”
“WHO DO U LOVE” ft. French Montana
“MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT”
“Love Killa”
“Shootout”
Average Ticket Price: $100
Average Jingle Ball Ticket Price: $370
Average Ratings According to albumoftheyear.org: Critic Score: 73/100, User Score: 70/100
Myles Smith: Myles Smith skyrocketed to fame with his 2024 single “Stargazing,” which has now reached nearly one billion streams. Mixing elements of country, folk, and pop, Myles Smith has managed to transcend genres, remaining in the mainstream ever since his breakout hit. Even with his quick rise to success, he has gained accolades from the BBC and has collaborated with country artists such as Lainey Wilson and Shaboozey. His music is enjoyable for fans of both pop and country, containing catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics. One of his recent hits includes “Nice to Meet You.”
Songs to Know:
“Stargazing”
“Nice to Meet You”
“My Home”
“Solo”
“Blink Twice”
“Wait for You”
Average Ticket Price: $100-$300
Average Jingle Ball Ticket Price: $370
Average Ratings According to albumoftheyear.org: Critic Score: 65/100, User Score: 53/100
Nelly: Nelly is arguably one of the most iconic artists in this lineup, often considered one of the best stars of the 2000s. Mixing elements of hip-hop and R&B, Nelly has created an iconic sound that helped make him the star he is, with his pop influence keeping him relevant and recognizable. Nelly utilizes his St. Louis upbringing to influence his music, and has also ventured into the realm of country hip-hop with songs like “Over and Over” with Tim McGraw. Some of his other iconic hits include “Dilemma” and “Ride Wit Me.”
Songs to Know:
“Dilemma”
“Ride Wit Me”
“Just a Dream”
“Hot in Herre”
“Grillz”
“Country Grammar”
Average Ticket Price: $100-$210
Average Jingle Ball Ticket Price: $370
Average Ratings According to albumoftheyear.org: Critic Score: 59/100, User Score: 57/100
Olivia Dean: Olivia Dean has seen massive success in the past few months, with many of her songs from her sophomore album, The Art of Loving, holding consistent spots on the pop charts. Despite her place in the pop mainstream, Olivia Dean’s style and music are one-of-a-kind, blending elements of neo-soul, R&B, and, of course, pop. She utilizes her soulful, satisfying vocals to deliver heartfelt and relatable lyrics accompanied by feel-good melodies. Despite her seemingly quick rise to the mainstream, Olivia has been making widely loved and critically acclaimed music since 2019.
Songs to Know:
“Man I Need”
“So Easy (To Fall in Love)”
“Nice to Each Other”
“Dive”
“The Hardest Part”
“Baby Steps”
Average Ticket Price: $320
Average Jingle Ball Ticket Price: $370
Average Ratings According to albumoftheyear.org: Critic Score: 82/100, User Score: 77/100
Shinedown: Shinedown has become a staple in pop-rock, having been in the spotlight since 2003. Made up of four members, Shinedown has been recognized for its powerful and emotive sound, creating music within the realm of hard rock, alt-rock, and grunge. Holding the record for the most number-one singles on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart, Shinedown boasts many successful records and singles, with their biggest hit being “Second Chance,” and recently reentering mainstream radio with their song “A Symptom of Being Human.” Their music also manages to blend elements of southern rock, given that the band was formed in Jacksonville, Florida.
Songs to Know:
“Second Chance”
“Sound of Madness”
“45”
“A Symptom of Being Human”
“Cut the Cord”
“Call Me”
Average Ticket Price: $75-$800
Average Jingle Ball Ticket Price: $370
Average Ratings According to albumoftheyear.org: Critic Score: 66/100, User Score: 62/100
Zara Larsson: After winning the Swedish version of Got Talent in 2008, Zara Larsson began her rise to fame. Known for her dance-pop and electronic music, Zara Larsson has achieved international success and recognition, with her debut international album, So Good, producing numerous hit singles and cementing Zara as a prominent figure in her genre. Zara’s music contains R&B influence, being influenced by artists such as Beyoncé and Rihanna. Her production is described as maximalist, with her songs having an upbeat and catchy quality. One of Zara’s recent trending hits is the song “Symphony” with the artist Clean Bandit.
Songs to Know:
“Lush”
“Symphony” ft. Zara Larsson
“Midnight Sun”
“Never Forget You”
“Ruin My Life”
“Ain’t My Fault”
Average Ticket Price: $140-$180
Average Jingle Ball Ticket Price: $370
Average Ratings According to albumoftheyear.org: Critic Score: 68/100, User Score: 67/100
