Linda Perry of 4 Non Blondes–OMG. It’s not enough that “What’s Up” came into its own all over again as a viral TikTok hit this past year. Linda Perry is a songwriting genius and is behind SO many of your favorite hits. Standouts include Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful”; “What You Waiting For” by Gwen Stefani”; “Get the Party Started” by Pink and numerous other songs. Ugh. I wanna be great, too. I will be on watch should she start performing again. I would buy tix.
Melissa Etheridge–Come to my window, baby! Or at least come to my town on tour? This is not just wishful thinking, because the iconic Melissa Lou Etheridge is, in fact, releasing a new studio album in 2026 and is going on tour. I grew up listening to canon Melissa Etheridge on a boombox in the 90s, but I was a bit young for the live show back then. The time is here, friends!
Ani DiFranco– the singer-songwriter legend is seared in my memory as being one of the first artists to build a career from scratch with her own bare hands. She wrote gorgeous songs and toured until she built a fanbase, slowly and solidly. She eventually founded her own record label Righteous Babe Records (I am typing this from memory! I remember reading interviews as a teen in Songwriter and Acoustic Guitar Magazines. Apologies if these details are a smidge off!). If she tours in 2026 and beyond, I really need to be there. I need to hear “Tr’w” performed live (not one of her 90s songs, but still).
Jill Sobule–The original “I Kissed a Girl” that brought us to our knees. We lost this great performer in 2025, so I missed my chance to ever see her live, but she had to make this list. I actually did not know this song as a child in the 90s, but I give it mad props and respect now.
Sophie B. Hawkins–”I Wish I Was You Lover” was the jam in the 90s. I sensed this was about a woman even as a child. I later found out MANY people regarded this as a sapphic anthem. Sophie considers herself omnisexual and honestly, I’m here for it. A quick search could not find any new songs by Sophie, but she did release her iconic 1994 album Whaler as Whaler Reimagined. Check it out!
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