Lynks drops new single and announces EU headline tour
Lynks has shared new single ‘(What Did You Expect From) Sex With A Stranger’ and announced a European headline tour for next year.
Music
Unknown T at KOKO review | Blood Diamond launches in style
Unknown T took to the stage at London’s KOKO to mark the announcement of his debut album, Blood Diamond. Find our review of the gig below.
Reading & Leeds 2024 announces Fred Again.., Liam Gallagher and Lana Del Rey among headliners
Fred Again.., Liam Gallagher, Lana Del Rey, Catfish And The Bottlemen, Blink-182 and Gerry Cinnamon have been announced as six huge headliners for next year’s Reading & Leeds Festival.
Flying Lotus at HERE Outernet review | The masterful beatmaker hypnotises
★★★★☆ Despite scheduling issues cutting short the experience for some, experimental beat-making mogul Flying Lotus merged boundary-defying sounds and immersive visuals in a hypersensory show.
Isla Rico release debut EP 'Eternal Optimist' and announce new UK dates
The relentlessly positive indie-pop trio Isla Rico have released their highly anticipated debut EP Eternal Optimist.
The Rolling Stones receive BPI Award for surpassing one billion UK streams
The Rolling Stones have been celebrated by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) with the BRIT Billion Award, marking the monumental achievement of one billion career streams in the UK.
'Long live the Leadmill!' | Protesters fight for beloved Sheffield venue outside City Hall
Sheffield's iconic Leadmill venue faces an uncertain future. What’s at stake for the city and its fervent supporters? We headed down to the latest protest outside City Hall to find out.
Jay-Z's Made In America Festival axed amidst 'severe circumstances' - is it Lizzo's fault?
In a shock for festival-goers, Jay-Z's famed Made In America bash has been cancelled this year, citing “severe circumstances”. Is the recent Lizzo controversy to blame?
Suede announce UK headline tour dates for December 2023
Chart-topping Britpop icons Suede adds more dates to their UK tour, surprising fans with a three-night run at Electric Brixton.
Holly Humberstone announces debut album ‘Paint My Bedroom Black’
Holly Humberstone has announced her eagerly awaited debut, Paint My Bedroom Black, set for release on 13 October.
Mogwai at The Garage review | Intimate and inspiring splendour from post-rock’s greats
★★★★★
Merely nine months after headlining Alexandra Palace to 10,000 people, Mogwai have returned to the capital for an intimate extravaganza of 600 attendees. However, the shrunken surroundings only add to the triumph and impact of their unexpectedly successful songs.
Beabadoobee at Lafayette review | Swaying in song for Gen Z’s matriarch
★★★★☆
Friday night saw 600 of Beabadoobee’s most determined fans filling London’s Lafayette as part of the Brits Week roster of balloted, intimate gigs in support of War Child. This surprise show came sandwiched between the end of the singer’s sell-out solo world tours and prior to her next bout of shows supporting Taylor Swift next month.
New Order to launch new Manchester-based festival with SXSW concert
New Order are set to launch Beyond The Music, a new festival and music conference taking place in their native Manchester between 11 and 14 October.
Harry Styles wins Album of the Year at 2023 Grammys as Beyoncé makes history
Harry Styles has won the award for best album at the Grammy Awards 2023, whilst Beyoncé made history with a record-breaking 32nd Grammy Award.
New Music Friday | Featuring ‘Boy’s a liar Pt. 2’ by PinkPantheress & Ice Spice
As music fans reel from the first inevitable round of Beyoncé ticket troubles this week, we can turn our attention to some other tunes to console ourselves – with the help of RAYE, Young Fathers and Yves Tumor.
Lizzo secures trademark to officially be '100 per cent that b***h'
After a multi year battle, the US Patent and Trademark Office has formally granted Lizzo a trademark for the phrase “100 per cent that bitch”, popularised by her breakthrough hit ‘Truth Hurts’.
Gary Glitter freed from prison after serving half of 16 year sentence
Gary Glitter, the disgraced former pop star, has been freed from prison in Dorset after serving half his 16-year jail term, having been sentenced for attempted rape, four counts of indecent assault and one charge of having sex with a girl under 13.
Queen of Me review | Shania Twain reborn – whilst still reminding us of her golden era
★★★☆☆
Shania Twain, the best-selling female country artist of all time, delivers Queen of Me, the follow-up to 2017’s Now. It’s a record that, whilst celebrating a revitalised artist, also nods to what’s created her significant legacy. Holly Smith reviews.
Heavy Heavy review | Young Fathers don’t age, evoking the qualities of their debut
★★★★☆
Fourth albums can represent a tricky crossroad. But Young Fathers make light work of it with Heavy Heavy, an album which goes back to the basics of their 2014 full-length debut.
Metric at Roundhouse review | Two hours of anthems from Canada’s indie icons
★★★★★
Toronto rock paragons Metric embraced avant-garde synthpop on 2022’s Formentera. During their supporting tour (and first UK run in half a decade), Emily Haines et al. match the ambition of their album with a two-hour career retrospective stuffed with hooks.
My 21st Century Blues review | What the pop industry needs right now
★★★★☆ Raye's new style and album are hard-hitting and political, to say the least. Peppered with London vernacular, the independent popstar borrows neatly from Lily Allen and Amy Winehouse. Here's our My 21st Century Blues review.
The 1975 at Gorilla review | Matty Healy and co. distil the essence of their very best
★★★★★ Playing their full debut album at Manchester’s Gorilla, near where it all began for them, The 1975 show they can still do intimate settings with aplomb, and know exactly what it is that works about them.
New albums to be released | February albums guide
Ah, February, where we’ve passed the January Blues and now have to contend with the fact that the rest of the year really is upon us. Thankfully, there’s a number of top album releases this month. Here’s our pick of the best.
Huge Beyoncé Renaissance tour announced with UK, Europe and North America dates
The Beyhive have finally been satisfied, with Beyoncé’s announcement of a world tour in stadiums across the globe.
Honey Moon interview | Sopranos, Kerouac, and nudes
On the release of their debut album, Same Old Paradise, we speak to Honey Moon about turning Sopranos plotlines into song lyrics, the literary influence of On The Road, and overcoming the loss of their dear friends and fellow musicians Her's.
Hamish Hawk: ‘I’m all in as an artist, and I don’t want it any other way’
With a new album out this week, we speak to Edinburgh’s Hamish Hawk about the success of his previous record, Heavy Elevator, developing an enigmatic stage presence and the advice Bill Callahan gave to him – in a dream.
Ozzy Osbourne retires from touring, saying he’s ‘too weak’ to perform
Rock titan Ozzy Osbourne has announced his retirement from touring and cancelled all his European and UK shows, with his body “still physically weak” after multiple operations.
Number of gigs at grassroots venues almost 17% lower than pre-pandemic levels
A new report from Music Venue Trust (MVT), the organisation supporting grassroots music venues, has revealed the latest figures on the health of live music venues – and numbers from last year are still well below pre-pandemic levels.
Tom Verlaine | The life and times of a true musical progenitor
Following the passing of Tom Verlaine, best known for his work as the frontman of rock band Television, Gus Mitchell explores the legacy of a truly influential musician.
Eurovision 2023 logo and slogan for Liverpool revealed
The official logo and slogan for Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool, "United by Music", featuring hearts beating together, has been revealed ahead of the allocation draw, capturing the essence of the contest created to bring Europe together and spread unity through music.