diff --git a/backend/routers/songs.py b/backend/routers/songs.py
index a2cb920..b73dae7 100644
--- a/backend/routers/songs.py
+++ b/backend/routers/songs.py
@@ -37,15 +37,33 @@ def read_songs(
             return PaginatedResponse(data=[], meta=PaginationMeta(total=0, limit=limit, offset=offset))
     
     if sort == "times_played":
+        # Select both Song and count
+        query = select(Song, func.count(Performance.id).label("times_played"))
         query = query.outerjoin(Performance).group_by(Song.id)
-            
-    # Calculate total count before pagination
-    total = session.exec(select(func.count()).select_from(query.subquery())).one()
-    
-    if sort == "times_played":
-        query = query.order_by(func.count(Performance.id).desc())
+        
+        if vertical:
+             query = query.where(Song.vertical_id == vertical_entity.id)
 
-    songs = session.exec(query.offset(offset).limit(limit)).all()
+        # Calculate total
+        total_query = select(func.count()).select_from(select(Song.id).where(Song.vertical_id == vertical_entity.id) if vertical else select(Song.id))
+        total = session.exec(total_query).one()
+
+        query = query.order_by(func.count(Performance.id).desc())
+        
+        results = session.exec(query.offset(offset).limit(limit)).all()
+        
+        # Map (Song, count) tuples to SongRead with times_played
+        songs = []
+        for song, count in results:
+            song_read = SongRead.model_validate(song)
+            song_read.times_played = count
+            songs.append(song_read)
+            
+    else:
+        # Standard query
+        # Calculate total count before pagination
+        total = session.exec(select(func.count()).select_from(query.subquery())).one()
+        songs = session.exec(query.offset(offset).limit(limit)).all()
     
     return PaginatedResponse(
         data=songs,
diff --git a/backend/schemas.py b/backend/schemas.py
index 814320f..eb2455f 100644
--- a/backend/schemas.py
+++ b/backend/schemas.py
@@ -85,6 +85,7 @@ class SongRead(SongBase):
     tags: List["TagRead"] = []
     artist: Optional["ArtistRead"] = None
     vertical: Optional["VerticalSimple"] = None
+    times_played: Optional[int] = 0
 
 
 
diff --git a/frontend/app/[vertical]/page.tsx b/frontend/app/[vertical]/page.tsx
index db49a10..d6906ae 100644
--- a/frontend/app/[vertical]/page.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/[vertical]/page.tsx
@@ -5,7 +5,15 @@ import Link from "next/link"
 import { Calendar, MapPin, Music, Trophy, Video, Ticket, Building, ChevronRight } from "lucide-react"
 import { Card, CardContent } from "@/components/ui/card"
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button"
-import { VideoGallery } from "@/components/videos/video-gallery"
+import { Badge } from "@/components/ui/badge"
+import {
+    Table,
+    TableBody,
+    TableCell,
+    TableHead,
+    TableHeader,
+    TableRow,
+} from "@/components/ui/table"
 import { Show, Song, PaginatedResponse } from "@/types/models"
 
 interface Props {
@@ -20,7 +28,8 @@ export function generateStaticParams() {
 
 async function getRecentShows(verticalSlug: string): Promise<Show[]> {
     try {
-        const res = await fetch(`${getApiUrl()}/shows/?vertical_slugs=${verticalSlug}&limit=8&status=past`, {
+        // Fetch 10 recent shows
+        const res = await fetch(`${getApiUrl()}/shows/?vertical_slugs=${verticalSlug}&limit=10&status=past`, {
             next: { revalidate: 60 }
         })
         if (!res.ok) return []
@@ -33,7 +42,8 @@ async function getRecentShows(verticalSlug: string): Promise<Show[]> {
 
 async function getTopSongs(verticalSlug: string): Promise<Song[]> {
     try {
-        const res = await fetch(`${getApiUrl()}/songs/?vertical=${verticalSlug}&limit=5&sort=times_played`, {
+        // Fetch top 10 songs, assuming backend now populates times_played
+        const res = await fetch(`${getApiUrl()}/songs/?vertical=${verticalSlug}&limit=10&sort=times_played`, {
             next: { revalidate: 60 }
         })
         if (!res.ok) return []
@@ -44,6 +54,18 @@ async function getTopSongs(verticalSlug: string): Promise<Song[]> {
     }
 }
 
+async function getVerticalStats(verticalSlug: string) {
+    try {
+        const res = await fetch(`${getApiUrl()}/bands/${verticalSlug}`, {
+            next: { revalidate: 300 }
+        })
+        if (!res.ok) return null
+        return res.json()
+    } catch {
+        return null
+    }
+}
+
 export default async function VerticalPage({ params }: Props) {
     const { vertical: verticalSlug } = await params
     const vertical = VERTICALS.find((v) => v.slug === verticalSlug)
@@ -52,166 +74,178 @@ export default async function VerticalPage({ params }: Props) {
         notFound()
     }
 
-    const [recentShows, topSongs] = await Promise.all([
+    const [recentShows, topSongs, bandProfile] = await Promise.all([
         getRecentShows(verticalSlug),
-        getTopSongs(verticalSlug)
+        getTopSongs(verticalSlug),
+        getVerticalStats(verticalSlug)
     ])
 
-    const navCards = [
-        { href: `/${verticalSlug}/shows`, icon: Calendar, title: "Shows", desc: "Browse the complete archive" },
-        { href: `/${verticalSlug}/venues`, icon: Building, title: "Venues", desc: "Find your favorite spots" },
-        { href: `/${verticalSlug}/songs`, icon: Music, title: "Songs", desc: "Explore the catalog" },
-        { href: `/${verticalSlug}/performances`, icon: Trophy, title: "Top Performances", desc: "Highest rated jams" },
-        { href: `/leaderboards?band=${verticalSlug}`, icon: Trophy, title: "Leaderboards", desc: "Top rated everything" },
-        { href: `/${verticalSlug}/tours`, icon: Ticket, title: "Tours", desc: "Browse by tour" },
-        { href: `/videos?band=${verticalSlug}`, icon: Video, title: "Videos", desc: "Watch full shows and songs" },
-    ]
+    const stats = bandProfile?.stats || {}
 
     return (
-        <div className="space-y-12 pb-12">
-            {/* Hero Section */}
-            <section className="relative py-16 md:py-24 text-center space-y-6 bg-gradient-to-b from-primary/5 to-transparent">
-                <h1 className="text-5xl md:text-6xl font-bold tracking-tight bg-gradient-to-r from-primary to-primary/60 bg-clip-text text-transparent">
-                    {vertical.name}
-                </h1>
-                <p className="text-xl text-muted-foreground max-w-2xl mx-auto px-4">
-                    A comprehensive community-driven archive for {vertical.name} history.
-                    <br className="hidden sm:block" />
-                    Discover shows, share ratings, and explore the music together.
-                </p>
-                <div className="flex flex-wrap justify-center gap-4 pt-4">
-                    <Link href={`/${verticalSlug}/performances`}>
-                        <Button size="lg" className="gap-2">
-                            <Trophy className="h-4 w-4" />
-                            Top Performances
-                        </Button>
-                    </Link>
-                    <Link href={`/${verticalSlug}/shows`}>
-                        <Button size="lg" variant="outline" className="gap-2">
-                            <Calendar className="h-4 w-4" />
-                            Browse Shows
-                        </Button>
-                    </Link>
+        <div className="space-y-8 pb-12">
+            {/* Hero Section - Compact & Utilitarian */}
+            <section className="bg-muted/30 border-b">
+                <div className="container py-8 px-4">
+                    <div className="flex flex-col md:flex-row md:items-center justify-between gap-6">
+                        <div className="space-y-2">
+                            <h1 className="text-4xl font-bold tracking-tight">{vertical.name}</h1>
+                            <p className="text-muted-foreground max-w-2xl text-lg">
+                                {vertical.description}
+                            </p>
+                        </div>
+
+                        {/* High-Level Stats */}
+                        <div className="grid grid-cols-3 gap-8 text-center md:text-right">
+                            <div>
+                                <div className="text-3xl font-bold">{stats.total_shows || 0}</div>
+                                <div className="text-sm text-muted-foreground font-medium uppercase tracking-wider">Shows</div>
+                            </div>
+                            <div>
+                                <div className="text-3xl font-bold">{stats.total_songs || 0}</div>
+                                <div className="text-sm text-muted-foreground font-medium uppercase tracking-wider">Songs</div>
+                            </div>
+                            <div>
+                                <div className="text-3xl font-bold">{stats.total_venues || 0}</div>
+                                <div className="text-sm text-muted-foreground font-medium uppercase tracking-wider">Venues</div>
+                            </div>
+                        </div>
+                    </div>
+
+                    {/* Quick Actions Bar */}
+                    <div className="flex flex-wrap gap-2 mt-8">
+                        <Link href={`/${verticalSlug}/shows`}>
+                            <Button variant="outline" size="sm" className="gap-2">
+                                <Calendar className="h-4 w-4" /> Shows
+                            </Button>
+                        </Link>
+                        <Link href={`/${verticalSlug}/songs`}>
+                            <Button variant="outline" size="sm" className="gap-2">
+                                <Music className="h-4 w-4" /> Songs
+                            </Button>
+                        </Link>
+                        <Link href={`/${verticalSlug}/venues`}>
+                            <Button variant="outline" size="sm" className="gap-2">
+                                <MapPin className="h-4 w-4" /> Venues
+                            </Button>
+                        </Link>
+                        <Link href={`/${verticalSlug}/performances`}>
+                            <Button variant="outline" size="sm" className="gap-2">
+                                <Trophy className="h-4 w-4" /> Top Rated
+                            </Button>
+                        </Link>
+                        <Link href={`/videos?band=${verticalSlug}`}>
+                            <Button variant="outline" size="sm" className="gap-2">
+                                <Video className="h-4 w-4" /> Videos
+                            </Button>
+                        </Link>
+                    </div>
                 </div>
             </section>
 
-            <div className="container max-w-6xl space-y-12 px-4">
-                {/* Recent Shows */}
-                {recentShows.length > 0 && (
-                    <section className="space-y-4">
+            <div className="container px-4 space-y-12">
+                <div className="grid gap-8 lg:grid-cols-2">
+                    {/* Recent Shows Table */}
+                    <div className="space-y-4">
                         <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
                             <h2 className="text-2xl font-bold tracking-tight">Recent Shows</h2>
-                            <Link href={`/${verticalSlug}/shows`} className="text-sm text-muted-foreground hover:text-primary transition-colors flex items-center gap-1">
-                                View all shows <ChevronRight className="h-4 w-4" />
+                            <Link href={`/${verticalSlug}/shows`}>
+                                <Button variant="ghost" size="sm" className="gap-1">
+                                    View All <ChevronRight className="h-4 w-4" />
+                                </Button>
                             </Link>
                         </div>
-                        <div className="grid gap-3 sm:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-4">
-                            {recentShows.slice(0, 8).map((show) => (
-                                <Link
-                                    key={show.id}
-                                    href={`/${verticalSlug}/shows/${show.slug}`}
-                                    className="group"
-                                >
-                                    <Card className="h-full transition-all duration-200 hover:scale-[1.02] hover:shadow-lg hover:border-primary/50">
-                                        <CardContent className="p-4 space-y-2">
-                                            <div className="text-sm font-medium text-primary">
-                                                {new Date(show.date).toLocaleDateString('en-US', {
-                                                    weekday: 'short',
-                                                    month: 'short',
-                                                    day: 'numeric',
-                                                    year: 'numeric'
-                                                })}
-                                            </div>
-                                            <div className="font-semibold group-hover:text-primary transition-colors line-clamp-1">
-                                                {show.venue?.name || "Unknown Venue"}
-                                            </div>
-                                            <div className="text-sm text-muted-foreground flex items-center gap-1">
-                                                <MapPin className="h-3 w-3" />
-                                                {show.venue?.city}, {show.venue?.state || show.venue?.country}
-                                            </div>
-                                            {/* Tour is not in strict Show model yet, omitting for strictness or need to add to model */}
-                                            {/* {show.tour?.name && (
-                                                <div className="text-xs text-muted-foreground/80 pt-1">
-                                                    {show.tour.name}
-                                                </div>
-                                            )} */}
-                                        </CardContent>
-                                    </Card>
-                                </Link>
-                            ))}
-                        </div>
-                    </section>
-                )}
 
-                {/* Most Played Songs */}
-                {topSongs.length > 0 && (
-                    <section className="space-y-4">
+                        <Card>
+                            <Table>
+                                <TableHeader>
+                                    <TableRow>
+                                        <TableHead>Date</TableHead>
+                                        <TableHead>Venue</TableHead>
+                                        <TableHead className="text-right">Location</TableHead>
+                                    </TableRow>
+                                </TableHeader>
+                                <TableBody>
+                                    {recentShows.length === 0 ? (
+                                        <TableRow>
+                                            <TableCell colSpan={3} className="text-center h-24 text-muted-foreground">
+                                                No shows found
+                                            </TableCell>
+                                        </TableRow>
+                                    ) : (
+                                        recentShows.map((show) => (
+                                            <TableRow key={show.id}>
+                                                <TableCell className="font-medium whitespace-nowrap">
+                                                    <Link href={`/${verticalSlug}/shows/${show.slug}`} className="hover:underline text-primary">
+                                                        {new Date(show.date).toLocaleDateString('en-US', {
+                                                            month: 'short', day: 'numeric', year: 'numeric'
+                                                        })}
+                                                    </Link>
+                                                </TableCell>
+                                                <TableCell>
+                                                    <span className="line-clamp-1">{show.venue?.name || "Unknown"}</span>
+                                                </TableCell>
+                                                <TableCell className="text-right text-muted-foreground">
+                                                    {show.venue?.city}, {show.venue?.state}
+                                                </TableCell>
+                                            </TableRow>
+                                        ))
+                                    )}
+                                </TableBody>
+                            </Table>
+                        </Card>
+                    </div>
+
+                    {/* Most Played Songs Table */}
+                    <div className="space-y-4">
                         <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
                             <h2 className="text-2xl font-bold tracking-tight">Most Played Songs</h2>
-                            <Link href={`/${verticalSlug}/songs`} className="text-sm text-muted-foreground hover:text-primary transition-colors flex items-center gap-1">
-                                View all songs <ChevronRight className="h-4 w-4" />
+                            <Link href={`/${verticalSlug}/songs`}>
+                                <Button variant="ghost" size="sm" className="gap-1">
+                                    View Catalog <ChevronRight className="h-4 w-4" />
+                                </Button>
                             </Link>
                         </div>
-                        <div className="space-y-2">
-                            {topSongs.slice(0, 5).map((song, index) => (
-                                <Link
-                                    key={song.id}
-                                    href={`/${verticalSlug}/songs/${song.slug}`}
-                                    className="group"
-                                >
-                                    <div className="flex items-center gap-4 p-3 rounded-lg border bg-card hover:bg-accent/50 transition-all duration-200">
-                                        <div className="w-8 h-8 rounded-full bg-primary/10 flex items-center justify-center text-sm font-bold text-primary">
-                                            {index + 1}
-                                        </div>
-                                        <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
-                                            <div className="font-medium group-hover:text-primary transition-colors truncate">
-                                                {song.title}
-                                            </div>
-                                        </div>
-                                        <div className="text-sm text-muted-foreground whitespace-nowrap">
-                                            {song.times_played || 0} performances
-                                        </div>
-                                    </div>
-                                </Link>
-                            ))}
-                        </div>
-                    </section>
-                )}
 
-                {/* Videos Section */}
-                <section className="space-y-4">
-                    <VideoGallery
-                        bandSlug={verticalSlug}
-                        limit={8}
-                        title="Recent Videos"
-                    />
-                </section>
-
-                {/* Navigation Cards */}
-                <section className="space-y-4">
-                    <h2 className="text-2xl font-bold tracking-tight">Explore</h2>
-                    <div className="grid gap-4 sm:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-3 xl:grid-cols-4">
-                        {navCards.map((card) => (
-                            <Link key={card.href} href={card.href} className="group">
-                                <Card className="h-full transition-all duration-200 hover:scale-[1.02] hover:shadow-lg hover:border-primary/50">
-                                    <CardContent className="p-6 flex items-start gap-4">
-                                        <div className="p-3 rounded-lg bg-primary/10 text-primary group-hover:bg-primary group-hover:text-primary-foreground transition-colors">
-                                            <card.icon className="h-5 w-5" />
-                                        </div>
-                                        <div>
-                                            <h3 className="font-semibold group-hover:text-primary transition-colors">
-                                                {card.title}
-                                            </h3>
-                                            <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">
-                                                {card.desc}
-                                            </p>
-                                        </div>
-                                    </CardContent>
-                                </Card>
-                            </Link>
-                        ))}
+                        <Card>
+                            <Table>
+                                <TableHeader>
+                                    <TableRow>
+                                        <TableHead>Title</TableHead>
+                                        <TableHead className="text-right">Plays</TableHead>
+                                    </TableRow>
+                                </TableHeader>
+                                <TableBody>
+                                    {topSongs.length === 0 ? (
+                                        <TableRow>
+                                            <TableCell colSpan={2} className="text-center h-24 text-muted-foreground">
+                                                No songs found
+                                            </TableCell>
+                                        </TableRow>
+                                    ) : (
+                                        topSongs.map((song) => (
+                                            <TableRow key={song.id}>
+                                                <TableCell className="font-medium">
+                                                    <Link href={`/${verticalSlug}/songs/${song.slug}`} className="hover:underline text-primary">
+                                                        {song.title}
+                                                    </Link>
+                                                    {song.original_artist && (
+                                                        <span className="ml-2 text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+                                                            by {song.original_artist}
+                                                        </span>
+                                                    )}
+                                                </TableCell>
+                                                <TableCell className="text-right">
+                                                    <Badge variant="secondary">{song.times_played || 0}</Badge>
+                                                </TableCell>
+                                            </TableRow>
+                                        ))
+                                    )}
+                                </TableBody>
+                            </Table>
+                        </Card>
                     </div>
-                </section>
+                </div>
             </div>
         </div>
     )