Number of UK nightclubs now a third smaller since start of the pandemic
The number of UK nightclubs has declined by almost a third since before the pandemic, according to a new report.
Music
The Doors members sell catalogue rights in ‘monumental acquisition’
Primary Wave Music has acquired the rights of two founding members of The Doors – guitarist Robby Krieger and late keyboardist Ray Manzarek – in a deal that includes the band’s publishing catalogue, trademarks, and merchandise rights among other things.
Why is Beyoncé’s concert in Dubai so controversial?
Beyoncé performed in Dubai over the weekend for an estimated £20 million, in her first show in more than four years. In other words, a very rich artist performed at a luxury event for a ridiculous sum. Why all the hullabaloo?
Spotify to cut 6 per cent of jobs
Spotify has announced it will cut 6 per cent of its employees, with boss Daniel Ek admitting he was “too ambitious” and “takes full accountability” for the job loss.
Miley Cyrus’ ‘Flowers’ breaks Spotify’s one-week record with over 100 million streams
Miley Cyrus’ dance-pop banger ‘Flowers’ – the lead single for her forthcoming album Endless Summer Vacation – has broken a Spotify’s one-week record.
Courteneers make chart history as debut album reaches number one – 15 years after release
Manchester outfit The Courteneers have bagged their first ever UK number one album, setting a new record for the time taken between an album’s release and it topping the charts.
New Music Friday | Featuring ‘$20’ by boygenius
Our latest New Music Friday, this week featuring boygenius, Kelela, John Cale, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Billie Marten and more.
Ed Sheeran releases track in tribute to Jamal Edwards
Ed Sheeran has released a song, ‘F64’, in tribute to his late friend, the music entrepreneur and SBTV founder Jamal Edwards.
To What End review | A mixed bag from Oddisee
★★★☆☆
The prodigiously talented rapper and producer Oddisee returns with To What End. It’s impressive, rich and intelligent, but sometimes could heed the advice that less is more.
David Crosby, an influential folk-rock force – and a colourful life to match
Following the news of the passing of David Crosby at the age of 81, we look back on a life and artistic pursuit that was as influential as it was shaped by personal conflict.
‘Confirmed’ by scientists: BTS and Billie Eilish ‘best music to send you to sleep'
Scientists at Aarhus University may have unintentionally upset BTS and Billie Eilish fans by discovering that the artists’ music will make you fall asleep.
Mansion Musik review: A bloated Trippie Redd record that relies too heavily on features
★★☆☆☆
The result is a project that never really feels like it knows where it stands, as it jumps from feature to feature and ultimately isn’t worth the 80 minutes of time it takes to listen to.
Legendary singer-songwriter David Crosby dies aged 81
US singer and guitarist David Crosby, one of the most influential rock figures of the sixties and seventies, has passed away at the age of 81.
Gigi’s Recovery review | Angst and redemption from The Murder Capital
★★★★☆
Irish post-punk band The Murder Capital release their sophomore album, Gigi’s Recovery, and stake their claim to a burgeoning crowd of bands.
MERCY review | Avant-garde hero reinvents once more amid end-of-days despair
★★★★☆
You don’t co-found a group like The Velvet Underground without being deemed a truly pioneering force in music – a term used too often in cultural commentary nowadays. Yet John Cale, now in his 81st year, shows his progressive, experimental spirit is still a forced to be reckoned with on his moody, forward-thinking new album, MERCY, which features a number of contemporary avant-garde additions.
What’s Rock and Roll? review | The Reytons answer their own question on sophomore album
★★★★☆
Released fully independently, The Reytons’ second album, What’s Rock and Roll?, might be imitative of others in parts, but has plenty of guitar-heavy strength in its own right, writes Greg Wetherall.
Five Easy Hot Dogs review | Selecting carpet designs in The Sims
★★★☆☆ Mac DeMarco's new album, Five Easy Hot Dogs, is a bit too experimental, leaving the listener yearning for his earlier sounds.
The Shortlist: Flaurese
For the latest edition of The Shortlist, we speak to Flaurese. The West London DJ and producer’s latest EP, Over My Shoulder, is indicative of his ability to use music as a means of storytelling, balancing both a floor-filling spirit and a respect for dance music’s history.
Boygenius announce 'the record' and release three new singles
Boygenius - the trio of Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus - have released three new singles and announced the record, the first full length album from the band.
Snoop Dogg and Sade inducted into Songwriters Hall of Fame
Snoop Dogg and Sade are among those to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Music organisations express ‘grave concern’ over future of BBC Introducing
Music organisations have written a letter to the Chair of the BBC Board, expressing their concerns over the future of BBC Introducing, which for years has helped support new and emerging talent.
Noel Gallagher says 'never say never' to Oasis reunion
Noel Gallagher has said that he would “never say never” to an Oasis reunion, marking a change in tone in music’s ultimate will-they-won’t-they.
DMA’S: ‘UK fans are the kind of fans you want’
With new album, How Many Dreams?, arriving on 31 March, we speak to DMA’S guitarist Johnny Took about the Britpop tag bestowed on them, the development across their records so far, and a key ingredient of their success to date – as a band and as best mates.
A$AP Rocky drops Angels Pt.2 as his discography turns 10
A$AP Rocky‘s debut studio album, Long.Live.ASAP, recently turned 10 years old. To celebrate the occasion, he’s dropped a new music video to ‘Angels’.
Day1: ‘People want to be rappers but they’re not speaking truth to themselves’
South Brisbane, Australia, is a growing scene, buzzy with a new wave of artists. It contains a youthful spread of rap and drill, one with many inspirations taken from the wider world of rap in all its forms. Such an outlook on music gave birth to Day1, an artist who wants to champion this unique identity for the world of rap to take in.
Madonna announces The Celebration world tour | 40th anniversary greatest hits tour
Madonna has announced a major world tour, The Celebration, which will celebrate four decades of The Queen of Pop’s releases.
Brixton Academy | Security guards 'took bribes to let people in without tickets'
A whistleblower alleges that security guards regularly took bribes to let ticketless people into concerts at Brixton Academy, after two people died in a crush at the venue in December.
Noel Gallagher announces 'Council Skies' | Fourth studio album with High Flying Birds
Noel Gallagher has announced a new album, Council Skies, marking his fourth studio record with the High Flying Birds and arriving on June 2.
Nick Cave criticises ‘emerging horror’ of ChatGPT after AI songs written in his style
Nick Cave has painted a gloomy assessment of artificial intelligence’s attempt to mimic art – as well as a rather beautiful account of what true art is – in a letter criticising the chatbot, ChatGPT.
The Sony Walkman is returning as a hi-res streaming player
It’s 2023 and the Sony Walkman is making a comeback, with two new models the company says provides “the next phase in the evolution of extraordinary sound”.
