Becky Hill for ITV Studio Sessions on ITV1 and ITVX Credit: ITV
ITV has announced a brand-new music show, “ITV Studio Sessions.” The show will showcase some of the most talented UK musicians and champion new singers, featuring performances by Becky Hill, Cat Burns, Jess Glynne, Tom Walker, YUNGBLUD, and BRIT Award Rising Star winner Sekou. Audiences will enjoy new music, old favourites, and unique covers, allowing them to experience the artists in a whole new light.
Jess Glynne for ITV Studio Sessions SR1: on ITV1 and ITVX
The six artists will grace the stage in front of an audience of Priority members in the O2 Blueroom, located within the UK’s most iconic music venue, The O2.
Both ITV and O2 have a rich legacy in music and have been dedicated to connecting fans with experiences they love. From ITV’s broadcasting of The BRIT Awards and “An Audience with Kylie” to O2’s history in the industry, providing early access to highly sought-after tickets in entertainment and hosting exclusive Priority Gig series featuring iconic talents such as Sam Fender and Anne-Marie in intimate shows for customers.
In addition to the musical performances, audiences will have the opportunity to discover the stories behind the artists’ work. Clara Amfo will conduct interviews with the artists between songs, delving into how their tracks have impacted their lives and what listeners can anticipate next.
Following her phenomenal recent resurgence, which has seen chart success and nothing short of a TikTok explosion, Natasha Bedingfield today announces a special vinyl release of her 2004 album Unwritten, to mark its 20th anniversary – out September 6th. Pre-order HERE.
The vinyl release is timely, as ‘Unwritten’ has recently enjoyed a spectacular resurgence, entering the charts on January 12th, peaking at #12 and still sitting in the Top 20. The phenomenon started with its heavy inclusion in the box office rom-com Anyone But You, starring Euphoria’s Sydney Sweeney and Top Gun: Maverick actor Glen Powell. ‘Unwritten’ has firmly rooted itself as one of the 2000s’ most recognisable hits that has gone 3x platinum.
Released in 2004, Natasha’s bold and unapologetic debut album is fuelled by lyrical sass and real-life suss throughout, featuring further global anthems in ‘These Words’, ‘Single’, ‘Wild Horses’ and ‘I Bruise Easily’. Available for the first time on vinyl, this special 20th anniversary edition is issued on peach dream coloured vinyl and includes a 4-page booklet containing lyrics and a collage of images from the original CD release.
1LP, peach dream coloured vinyl, includes 4 x page booklet containing images and lyrics from the original CD release.
1LP standard black vinyl includes 4 x page booklet containing images and lyrics from the original CD release.
1LP standard black signed, includes 4 x page booklet containing images and lyrics from the original CD release (D2C store exclusive).
Named one of VH1’s “100 Greatest Women in Music,” Bedingfield has sold over 10 million albums and has earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and multiple Brit Award nominations for Best British Female Artist. With an illustrious career that includes collaborations with icons like Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Nicki Minaj, Bruno Mars and Sheryl Crow, she has steadily refined her artistic vision over the years.
Natasha’s renaissance also continues with a superb new remix of her hit ‘These Words’ By Badger, that has also exploded on TikTok and currently sits in the UK Top 40 Singles Chart.
She will also return to the UK for a run of summer festival appearances including TRNSMT, Victorious, Cambridge Club Festival & more, before returning to London for a special headline show at KOKO on Sep 12th. Tickets here.
May 25: Birmingham, Pride Festival June 7: Cambridge, Cambridge Club Festival July 13: Glasgow, TRNSMT Festival August 3: Co. Waterford, All Together Now Festival August 23: Cotswold, Big Feastival August 24: Cornwall, Tunes In The Park Festival August 25: Portsmouth, Victorious Festival
September 12: London, Koko
Unwritten Vinyl Tracklist: SIDE A
These Words
Single
I’m A Bomb
Unwritten
I Bruise Easily
If You’re Gonna Jump
SIDE B
Silent Movie
We’re All Mad In Our Own Way
Frogs and Princes
Drop Me In The Middle
Wild Horses
SINGLES 1 x UK #1 (These Words) 5 x UK top 10s (These Words, Single (#3), Unwritten (#6), I Wanna Have Your Babies (#7), Soulmate(#7) 7 x UK top 40s (^ + I Bruise Easily, Love Like This) 15 weeks in the top 10
4 Million UK SINGLE SALESALBUMS
1 UK number 1(Unwritten) 2 UK top 10s (Unwritten, NB) 3.6 Million UK ALBUM SALES
The next generation global rookie group RIIZE are previewing their first mini album, “RIIZING”, with the release of their b-side tracks – out now via SM Entertainment/RCA Records. With this new release, RIIZE also unveil the music videos for ‘One Kiss’ and ‘9 Days’ Watch below.
Ahead of their June album, RIIZE released their hotly-anticipated single ‘Siren’ as well as prologue single ‘Impossible’. In addition to ‘One Kiss’ and ‘9 Days’, the group is also releasing new track ‘Honestly’, raising expectations for their first mini-album and showcasing the diverse variety of RIIZE’s unique “emotional pop” genre. Listen HERE.
‘9 Days’ is an infectious dance infused track with energetic synths and drum sounds as they sing about being so busy that a week feels like nine days, but still determined to keep going and pursuing your dreams.
Showcasing the group’s velveteen vocals over a soft, dreamy synth pads and trap drum beats, ‘Honestly’ shares a story of saying goodbye to a love that is hurting you and vowing to invest that love into yourself instead.
Composed of grand strings and powerful drums, ‘One Kiss’ exudes powerful emotions with a deeper meaning as it’s RIIZE’s first fan song with lyrics expressing sealing a happy day together with just one kiss, an action that speaks louder than words, promising unchanging love.
Up next, RIIZE can be seen in a total of nine regions around the world for their first fan-con tour, “RIIZING DAY”. The tour will start in Seoul on 4 May with a stop at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater on 20 May. The event will focus on interactions with fans and be filled with games, music, and performances. Tickets and more details can be found HERE. Additionally, more dates will be announced at a later date.
Stay tuned for more coming soon from RIIZE as they continue to carefully craft a style of their own.
RIIZING B-Sides tracklist:
1. Siren
2. Impossible
3. 9 Days
4. Honestly
5. One Kiss
Off the back of Ms. Jackson’s highly successful and sold out Together Again tour in North America, five-time Grammy ️Award-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Janet Jackson reveals she will be extending her tour to Europe, adding in multiple stops across the continent. This will be Ms. Jackson’s first UK performance since her iconic 2019 Glastonbury Festival performance.
The European leg of this tour will start in autumn 2024 kicking off in Paris, France on the 25th September at Accor Arena before making multiple stops in the UK, Germany and Belgium before concluding the tour in Amsterdam, Netherlands at Ziggo Dome on the 10th October.
The exciting announcement of UK tour dates follows an announcement earlier this year where Ms. Jackson announced her 35-date US tour ‘Together Again,’ which will hit the road this summer across the States. This tour builds on the colossal success of her 2023 run, which earned the icon the highest selling trek of her career.
The Together Again Tour will offer everyone the chance to finally reunite with Ms. Jackson in celebration of her 50th anniversary in entertainment and spotlight the milestone for one of her most critically acclaimed albums – 35 years of “Rhythm Nation” featuring her biggest chart-topping hits.
TICKETS: Tickets will be available on general on-sale beginning Friday, May 3rd at 9am local time on JanetJackson.com.
Mastercard cardholders have special access to presale and preferred tickets in select markets starting on Tuesday 30 April at 9am local. Preferred ticket access is available to Mastercard cardholders in the UK on Friday 3 May at 9am. Visit www.priceless.com/music to find out more.
TOGETHER AGAIN 2024 TOUR DATES:
Wed, 25th Sept – Paris, France – Accor Arena
Fri, 27th Sept – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
Sat, 28th Sept – London, UK – The O2
Mon, 30th Sept – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
Tue, 1st Oct – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
Thu, 3rd Oct – Antwerp, Belgium – Sportpaleis
Sat, 5th Oct – Munich, Germany – Olympiahalle
Sun, 6th Oct – Cologne, Germany – LANXESS Arena
Tue, 8th Oct – Berlin, Germany – Uber Arena
Thu, 10th Oct – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Ziggo Dome
About Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson is one of the most influential entertainers of the modern era. Her music has won her 5 GRAMMY® Awards, 2 Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, a nomination for an Academy Award along with dozens of American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards and Billboard Music Awards. She has received accolades as an actress as well including the NAACP Best Supporting Actor award. Janet is a published author, dancer, businessperson, philanthropist and one of biggest-selling artists in popular music history. With sales of over 180 million records worldwide, Janet Jackson stands as one of the best-selling artists of all time with a string of hits that have left an indelible impression on pop culture. She is the record holder for the biggest selling debut tour in history and is the first woman to debut in the Top 10 of the Hot 100 charts. She also stands as one of only four artists to have a #1 album for four successive decades alongside Barbra Streisand, Bruce Springsteen and U2. Even today she continues to make an undeniable impact. In 2018, her last single, “Made for Now” with Daddy Yankee, released by her own Rhythm Nation Records, hit #1 on the Dance Clubs Songs chart making it her 20th single on the chart in the span of her career. In 2019, she was inducted the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside her brothers and in that same year her critically acclaimed Las Vegas residency, “Metamorphosis” closed out to record breaking ticket sales with only 18 dates at the Park MGM’s Park Theater. As reported by Billboard Boxscore, the legendary singer, dancer, songwriter, producer, and actress is among the biggest Vegas performers of this decade, ahead of Celine Dion (2011), Britney Spears (2013) and the Backstreet Boys (2017). Her critically acclaimed and award winning documentary “Janet Jackson.” brought in over 20 million viewers in one week.
On February 4, 2021, Janet Jackson’s iconic mega platinum-selling third album Control turned 35. The album also returned to the top of the charts, hitting #1 on the Apple Top 40 US Pop Album chart. Led by five chart-busting hit singles — “What Have You Done for Me Lately,” “Nasty,” “Control,” “When I Think Of You,” —with their complementary, tightly choreographed music videos — and “Let’s Wait Awhile,” Control became Jackson’s first No. 1 Pop album. The album also made Billboard chart history for having the longest continuous run on the Hot 100 with singles from one album, ultimately tallying a remarkable 65 consecutive weeks from that perch. To date, Control has sold more than 10 million copies worldwide.
This article discusses sexual assault and contains spoilers for Baby Reindeer.
Baby Reindeer is a gripping new Netflix show based on a true story and adapted from an acclaimed play by Scottish actor Richard Gadd. The show delves into the harrowing experiences of its main character, Donny (a fictionalised version of Gadd), whose life unravels after he becomes the target of a female stalker, Martha (played by Jessica Gunning).
Baby Reindeer has captivated audiences with its candid portrayal of male sexual victimisation, stalking and substance abuse. It has also highlighted the important role of popular culture in raising difficult questions around such delicate issues.
The Netflix hit is the latest addition to an ever-growing range of socially aware TV shows providing a form of educating entertainment (or “edutainment”). What differentiates Gadd’s offering, however, from others is that it sheds light on the often overlooked (both in popular culture and in real life) male experiences of sexual violence.
Baby Reindeer brings the male victim out of the shadows
Recent statistics suggest that women are almost three times more likely to be victims of sexual assault than men. So it’s important and understandable that discussions about sexual assault and how it should be tackled prioritise the female perspective.
Despite the impact of the #MeToo movement in encouraging survivors to speak openly about their experiences, the disproportionate emphasis placed on this female victim/male perpetrator narrative has, according to research, rendered male victims almost “invisible”. This is also reflected in popular culture, where stories of male sexual victimisation are far fewer and tend to attract less attention.
Baby Reindeer bucks this trend as it’s become one of the most watched shows on Netflix. The show is harrowing and powerful as it delves into the psychological effects of stalking and sexual victimisation on Donny. Donny’s interactions with a female stalker, Martha, lead to a troubling spiral into vulnerability and mistrust.
The show provides a realistic depiction of the distress associated with stalking.
Donny’s journey offers an insight into consent, victimisation and the societal pressures placed on men to conform to traditional norms of masculinity, which often dictate their responses to abuse.
For instance, as the stalking begins, we see Donny going along with often sexual jokes about his relationship with Martha, who is turning up at the pub he works at on a daily basis to talk to him. Despite becoming increasingly nervous about her and the increasingly sexual tone of her incessant emails, he feels pressure to “be one of the lads” in front of his colleagues.
It also highlights how, as shown by Gadd’s own experience and the recent conviction of Harry Styles’ stalker, stalkers are not always male.
Navigating survivor trauma, guilt and rape myths
As well as shedding a light on the male experience of being stalked, the show vividly explores survivor trauma and guilt. It does so through Donny’s introspection and increasingly destructive behaviour following his rape by his “mentor”, Darrien (played by Tom Goodman-Hill).
Throughout the show, Donny tries to come to terms with his victimisation, reflecting on how this experience affected the way he handled subsequent events in his life, including his stalking by Martha. We see this clearly in scenes where Donny navigates his confusion and pain while trying to have and hide a relationship with a trans woman, Teri.
Despite professing to love Teri, his actions – which include lying to her about who he is and running away from her in public – are dictated by shame and fear. This behaviour reflects his struggle with his sexual identity and self-worth. Research has found that such feelings are common in the aftermath of sexual victimisation.
Another key issue Baby Reindeer effectively addresses is the interaction between victims of sex crimes and the police. It draws attention to pervasive rape myths that often silence victims by scrutinising their actions and asking whether they did anything to encourage their abuser.
In the opening scene, for example, the police officer he is reporting the crime immediately asks him whether he has a relationship with Martha and why he didn’t do something sooner. These elements of the narrative invite viewers to reconsider common misconceptions about sexual abuse and the barriers that victims face when engaging with criminal justice agencies.
Baby Reindeer is an exemplary piece of “edutainment” that breathes fresh air into the continuing public dialogue over the causes of and appropriate responses to sexual violence. It underlines the power of popular culture to challenge dominant beliefs and facilitate a deeper understanding of the diverse and often hidden struggles that shape the lives of those who endure such painful experiences.
As it continues to resonate with a global audience, Richard Gadd’s show serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of inclusive and realistic stories of sexual violence. These shows ensure that different victims’ voices are heard, irrespective of their gender and sexuality.
With an iTunes Singer-Songwriter #1 hit to his credit as well as over a million followers on social media, John Galea now brings the past and the present of his career together with the new EP ‘The Art of Collaboration’. He launches the EP by sharing a new visual for ‘Old School Love’ featuring Nate James, while the set also highlights his work with Ironik,Scorcher, Maya Miko, TJ Dreamz and Hannah Long.
‘The Art of Collaboration’ shows the breadth and versatility of John’s talents as it compiles three new songs alongside new versions of three fan favourites from his back catalogue.
The EP’s new material proves that John Galea has reached a new peak. His songwriting displays his innate flair for timeless songwriting, a strength perhaps best encapsulated as he teams up with the MOBO Award nominee Nate James to weave their combined soulful vocal talents to express a desire for time-honoured romance with ‘Old School Love’. His lyrics take a darker turn with a story of dangerously devoted yet unrequited love on ‘Don’t Wanna Die’ which features incendiary rhymes from Top 5 rapper Ironik, while ‘Trailblazer’ proves that he can excel with newcomers like Maya Miko as well as the big hitters.
Stepping back, the EP features a brand new Club Junkies remix of ‘Hero Within You’, the inspirational duet with Hannah Long that became his first #1 smash on the iTunes Singer-Songwriter chart. Elsewhere, ‘Golddiggin’ captures a very different mood, with John’s sleek, pulsating electro-pop given a bombastic bounce courtesy of grime legend Scorcher’s bars. Finally, ‘Drunk On U’ brings a double-threat of artistry with John’s powerhouse vocal performance equalled by TJ Dreamz’sflow.
John says, “Music is truly a mixture of cultures and styles and this EP is a collection of all of the collaborations of my career so far with new songs and reworks of some old favourites.”
John wrote and produced all six tracks which feature on ‘The Art of Collaboration’. His other collaborators on the project include The Monarch (Rita Ora, DJ Khaled) and Oscar Lo Brutto (Skepta, Wretch 32).
Originally from Great Yarmouth with Maltese and Irish family heritage, John Galea is a classically trained pianist who has been writing songs since the age of 13. His songs tap into own truths with unflinching openness, such as the passing of his mother (‘White Dove’) and overcoming cancer in his teens (‘I Am A Survivor’). He also aims to provide a positive role model for the bisexual community, with a notable performance at last year’s Bi Pride UK in London plus several more key Prideevents across the country. Other big live moments for John have included shows as guest to McFly and Lamar.
Having also worked with the likes of Beluga Heights and Frankmusik, John writes for other artists which has led to a string of international hits from Germany to Malta. His own story has been further explored with coverage from the likes of American Songwriter, Attitude, Gay Times, House of Solo and Wonderland.
‘The Art of Collaboration’ tracklist:
‘Don’t Wanna Die’ featuring Ironik
‘Old School Love’ featuring Nate James
‘Golddiggin’ featuring Scorcher
‘Trailblazer’ featuring Maya Miko
‘Drunk On U’ featuring TJ Dreamz
‘Hero Within You’ with Hannah Long (Club Junkies 2024 remix)
It’s been 25 years since we last interviewed Kula Shaker. In a conversation with Nick, Crispian Mills reflects on Kula Shaker’s journey, the importance of timing in their success, and the significance of reuniting the original lineup. Mills also discusses the band’s connection with fans, their recent tour, and the role of family in their lives. The interview highlights the band’s appreciation for their loyal following and their dedication to creating music that resonates with audiences.
Nick: “How has your perspective on maturity and the dynamics of relationships within the music industry evolved as you’ve grown older and experienced success at a young age?”
Crispian: “It’s very much like being an athlete, I guess. Not in the sense that the demands on your youth are extreme, but the music itself, the performing, the lifestyle, it’s all about being young. And the more I think, being really, really successful when you’re young, the education and the extreme element of it is actually all the people around you and how they’re behaving. There’s a moment where you realise there are no grown-ups around. I’m the young person expecting to be told, you know, how the world is. Actually, I’m surrounded by people who have a sort of emotional age of about eight, and it’s a shocking thing, it’s a coming-of-age moment where you realise there are very few grown-ups.”
From Corporate to Independence
Crispian continues: “And I think because you’re in… we were with a record company, so we were with a corporation. And the world is run by corporations. And the kinds of people who will excel and achieve in corporations are people who have personality disorders or people who will thrive in that kind of impersonal environment. And it was killing the spirit of our band. So I just pulled the plug because I was ready to retire at 24. And it’s a bit like… you know, I always think of prizefighters or, you know, athletes, where it’s an insane age to be kind of peaking, but actually, all that was needed was a few years to, I think it was six years in the end, to let the dust settle and to regroup and to start again from almost from scratch as an independent. And that’s what we’ve done.”
“And we’ve built it up slowly, amongst other things, having families and other pursuits, other projects, as writers with other people or producing with other people. And we just slowly, slowly sort of rebuilt Kula Shaker as an independent force. And, you know, I think we proved gradually over the years that we’re still just as vital as we were then. But timing is everything.”
Nick: “Yes, it is, and I can see that this has really worked for you. I know some artists wouldn’t, but it really has because, you know, I’ve been playing the new album and everything, and you’ve come back with probably your best stuff. I mean, it’s a great album.”
Crispian: “I think there’s something about the music you play and the atmosphere that you’re in, the environment you’re in. You know, certain songs, certain music, it can connect and hit a nerve depending on where people are at in the world and the general kind of conditions. You look back at movies like Star Wars and you think, well, if it wasn’t the end of the ’70s, that movie wouldn’t have hit in the same way it did. And the Beatles or whatever, you know, music, arts, creative things, fashion, so much of it is about timing. And sometimes you just feel like, oh, this is a good time for us. This is a good time for Kula Shaker, actually. What we’ve always been about and our approach to music and our connection with the fans, it’s a good time now. Now is the time to sort of appreciate it. We all appreciate it within the band.”
Nick: “It’s amazing that you’ve got the original lineup. So, this will be the first recording since ’98 with the original lineup. So, what happened to Jay? Because Jay’s Hammond sound is so fantastically part of what you do. Did he get kidnapped by Oasis after Knebworth, because he seemed to disappear after that for a while?”
Crispian said, “No, he didn’t disappear after Knebworth. When we took a break, everyone pursued other endeavours. He was offered that job, leading to a different adventure. He joined Johnny Marr and Zak Starkey in The Healers. Meanwhile, Jay was with Oasis, and I was involved with a band called The Jas. Additionally, I was working on film projects.”
“I made two films, and Paul was collaborating with others, while everyone else was focusing on their families. When we began making music as Kula Shaker in 2006, I reached out to Jay. He was like, ‘I’m in Kuala Lumpur,’ indicating it wasn’t the right timing. There were no hard feelings; circumstances had shifted. We had a fantastic Hammond player in the meantime. However, the chemistry and magic of playing with childhood friends are unparalleled. Reconnecting with Jay for our latest record was exhilarating; it’s not just about the music but also the camaraderie. In a band like ours, the primary audience is each other. We feed off one another’s energy and dynamics, creating a special bond.”
Touring and the Importance of Timing for Kula Shaker
Nick: “It must be amazing to perform live again, especially considering Sunday was the first date of the European tour, wasn’t it?”
Crispian: “Yeah, we’ve been touring with Jay for over a year now. It’s been quite fulfilling. We started playing with Jay again in December, 2022, and began working on the new record with him live. It’s been really good, that special chemistry that the band was built on, it’s there, it’s back.”
Nick: “I see you have a good following in Japan. You must have a strong fan base there since you’ve played some Japanese dates. Japan holds a special place in my heart; my uncle has lived there for 40 years and now resides in Okinawa. Japanese fans are known for their enthusiasm, aren’t they?”
Crispian: “Yeah, they’re truly remarkable fans, renowned worldwide for their enthusiasm and loyalty.
Nick: “I heard a great story about The Manics about the fans. One of them showed up at his gate in Wales, only to discover a couple of Japanese fans at the bottom of his garden. They had travelled all the way from Japan just to say hello.”
Crispian: “Amazing.”
Nick: “So, how was the first gig on Sunday?”
Crispian: “Because we were associated with a corporation boasting global reach, we quickly became a priority for them. We were promoted worldwide, from Malaysia to Hong Kong, South America to North America. If we could reach Brazil or LA, we could perform there. It’s a privilege to have had that opportunity. However, it’s much tougher as an independent label; you have to cover all costs yourself. Yet, the joy of making the records you want, having control over timing, makes it worthwhile. So, this tour is part of our ongoing journey as an independent band, and playing all this new natural magic sounds great alongside Tattva and other tracks that we’ve written over the years. You know, it all feels fresh together and the band is on fire.”
Nick: “It sounds like it, and I can hear lots of influences right away in the album. There are tracks with a bit of Dylan, a bit of The Monkees—I can pick those out. The Beatles, Dylan, even George Harrison in his Indian phase—I think he would love your work. There’s some good stuff there. I noticed that on Sunday you finished with “Groove Is in the Heart”. Now, that’s an interesting cover. As a DJ, I love it; it’s a banger. I’m looking forward to hearing your take on it.”
Crispian: “Well, we just always keep ourselves engaged. It depends on how you play it, you know. You can lead it with the guitar, and the riff is pretty powerful. So, I was ready to not play it last night, but we have the swanee whistle. We’ve got the one that they used on The Clangers. So, when that came out, the crowd knew there was something else on the setlist, and I had to play it, and it was worth it.”
Nick: “So, are you looking forward to the Camden gigs? The Electric Ballroom is a venue I’ve actually been to before. I lived in Camden for a bit, and that should be really, really, really good fun. I bet you’ve got some energy coming for that!”
Crispian: “I’ve never played there. I know I’ve done a shoot there. I did a photo shoot there once, but never played there.”
Nick: “Did you know that the Pet Shop Boys are playing at the other end of the road the same night at KOKO?”
Crispian: “Interesting. I’ve played at Coco before. I think our audiences are probably very different. But I mean, my favourite size venue is kind of between 1,800 and 3,000. I think that’s actually the ideal. You get a lot of excitement from the crowd, but you don’t lose that connection. You know, you get the size, but you don’t lose the connection. I think when you get past 3,000, it starts to get harder, and it becomes more about the size rather than the direct connection with the band.”
Nick: “The Roundhouse probably fits in with that.”
Crispian: “I agree. We decided to do two nights in London rather than just one at a bigger venue, just to change it up a bit. My cousin has just been to see Fish, the American band, at this new venue called “The Sphere,” which is this holographic bubble. It’s a trip to be in the room, but the band seems miles away.”
Nick: “That isn’t similar to what U2 have done, is it?”
Crispian: “I doubt you two could take the sphere on tour; it looks like a big holographic, a lot of technology. I don’t know whether you’d be able to travel with that, but the point is that the spectacle of these big gigs becomes about the event rather than the connection with the band. The greatest gig I ever saw was The Who at Shepherd’s Bush Empire. I managed to see a warm-up show, and it was so exciting to see a band who are great, a great exciting live band making that noise from, you know, 50 yards away.”
Nick: “It’s going to be fun on Friday. I’ll be down for Friday. Do you still get your family coming down to gigs? Do you still get your mum doing the proud mum bit?”
Crispian: “Yeah, yeah, I do. Yeah, if she’s around. Yeah, everyone does, we have family in London, we have got some family in Gateshead on my in-law’s side. Jay’s got some family down here in Bexhill, actually in Hastings. So, yeah, Lolz’ got some family in Wales, and Paul’s family tends to be in the West Country. So, there are different pockets where the different mums and brothers and uncles and cousins turn up.”
Nick: “It’s such a positive album, and as you say, it’s all about love and connection. I think it’s a good antidote for everything that’s going on in the world at the moment. There’s just so much bad stuff. I mean, we won’t dwell on it, but it would be great to go to a euphoric gig on Friday, and hopefully, you can be that gig.”
Crispian: “Everything that’s happening around you is an opportunity to turn it into something positive. Sometimes you look at something awful, and it wakes you up. Not just to all the terrible things and the terrible people there are in the world, but also to the flip side of that, which is that not everybody is like that. Actually, you know, there’s a different way, and there’s a different way of being. Yeah, that’s always what we’ve been about from the very, very beginning. And to be fair, our core audience who’ve supported us, they get it, and that’s why they’ve stuck with us. Yeah, they get it.”
Nick: “Music has been my escape from everything, especially music and culture. If I don’t go to a gig in any one week, I’m slipping”
Crispian: “Well, that’s good.”
Nick: “So, I better let you go now; we’re sort of running over time. But, um, do you still have any more rehearsals before Friday?”
Crispian: “No, we have a gig now. I’m about to go and get the catering. We’re going to rehearse the set soon.”
Nick: “I hope everything goes well. I hope you’re on top on Friday, and I’m sure we’re going to have a great time. It’s been 25 years since I last saw you, and you’ve got a great new album. I’m excited to hear it.”
Crispian: “We’ll make sure we try not to disappoint.”
Nick: “I’m sure you’ll have a great gig tonight, Crispian. And I’ll see you on Friday. Thank you so much for the interview.”
British singer-songwriter Louis Tomlinson surprised fans today with the release of his new album, ‘LIVE’. This dynamic collection features 15 songs, each recorded in a different city during Louis’ extensive global tours over the past three years. With over 170 shows spanning 47 countries across five continents, Louis brings a unique live experience to listeners worldwide.
Available now in digital format, ‘LIVE’ includes hit singles like ‘Bigger Than Me’, ‘We Made It’, ‘Walls’, and ‘Out Of My System’, alongside beloved fan favorites captured live for the first time ever.
Physical versions of ‘LIVE’ will be released on August 23rd, offering both a double CD and a 2 LP gatefold picture disc vinyl. The vinyl edition comes with a special exclusive ‘Tour Book’, inviting fans to submit personal messages for a chance to be featured in the book.
Reflecting on the release, Louis shares, “I’ve been fortunate to tour the world twice over the past three years. The energy and connection I feel with the audience during these live moments are unforgettable. Creating this album, capturing performances from across the globe, is incredibly special and a testament to the amazing fans who make each show unique. Thank you! Enjoy!”
Exclusive tracks are included in the physical editions of ‘LIVE’, with a special version of the One Direction classic ‘Where Do Broken Hearts Go’ featured only on the double CD.
To support the release, Louis will share video clips compiled from tour footage on his social channels, offering fans a glimpse into his life on the road over the past three years.
Leading up to the release, fans participated in a global digital activation across over 200 countries, uncovering puzzle pieces and audio snippets from the album. Together, they pieced together the album cover and tracklist ahead of the official release.
Sundown Festival is back this year with its biggest festival to date. The show returns to the Norfolk Showground in Norwich on Saturday, September 1st, providing the perfect final summer send-off!
Leading the charge on Saturday is none other than music sensation Tom Grennan, whose electrifying performances are sure to leave the crowd spellbound. Joining him are heavy hitters such as Mahalia, Grammy award winner Flowdan, Songer, Kenya Grace, Pola & Bryson, A Little Sound, and many more, ensuring a weekend packed with musical excellence.
Tom Grennan’s meteoric rise in the music scene reached new heights in 2023 with the release of his chart-topping album ‘What Ifs & Maybes,’ which soared to #1 on the UK Albums Chart. This marked his second consecutive #1 album, following the success of his breakout record ‘Evering Road’ in 2021. Tom’s stellar achievements were further solidified with a BRIT Award nomination in the Alternative Rock/Rock Act category, making it his third consecutive nod from the prestigious awards ceremony.
With over 1.7 billion streams and a staggering 9 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone, Tom Grennan has cemented his status as a global music phenomenon.
Prepare to be enthralled by specially curated stages from renowned names such as Defected, Worried About Henry, Rinse FM, Lovejuice, Hospitality, and Norwich’s very own legends Gonzo’s Two Room. Expect an eclectic mix of Pop, Grime, UK Drill, and Dance acts throughout the day, ensuring there’s something for every music lover to enjoy.
Sundown Festival 2024 promises to be an unforgettable celebration of music, culture, and community, marking the perfect finale to an epic summer. Don’t miss out on the event of the year – secure your tickets now and join us for an unforgettable weekend of music and memories!
Stockholm-based artist and producer Amanda Cy shares her new single “Yangtze”, debuted live when Amanda opened for Griff on numerous tour dates last month.The latest taste of her forthcoming EP Waterworks – “Yangtze” perfectly captures the moment the tears start to fall and just won’t stop.
Tapping into Scandinavian melancholy, “Yangtze” is all about letting go and letting your feelings out – a theme that runs throughout the new project. “I cry me a river, yeah a Yangtze” Amanda earnestly sings, in reference to the far-stretching river in China, with her deft songwriting backed by a surge of pulsating 90’s flecked instrumentation.
Calling in friend and producer/songwriter Madelene Eliasson (Anna Of The North, SKAAR) to help bring “Yangtze” to life, Amanda recalls some of the song’s initial inspiration: “Conveniently, the process of writing Yangtze turned out to be relatively fluid. I knew I wanted to write a pop-banger à la MUNA, and had the idea of naming it Yangtze in the back of my head. After dealing with a long creative dip, I decided that I wanted to start producing my own demos and I spent my Christmas in 2021 experimenting with production techniques. I then realised that the chorus-idea for Yangtze fit perfectly on top of one of my own production loops. That unlocked everything.”
Speaking more on lyrical essence of the new single, Amanda said:
“Yangtze is an ode to crying and how good it can feel. It’s about accepting that you’re an emotional being and that sometimes it’s just better to cry it out instead of stoically trying to keep things bottled up.
“I love crying and the way it can release so much tension – but it’s so easy to associate it with attention seeking, weakness, shame and all these negative things. Whether alone, in public or on someone’s shoulder – if you want to cry – please cry.”
Discussing the project as a whole Amanda says; “writing Waterworks has been one of the most rewarding experiences ever. After a challenging period in my career and losing some of my belief in my own artistry, I never thought that I’d be able to finish a body of work, but with each song emerging, I was writing my way out of a pretty long creative slump.”
Teaming up with production duo Teddy Failure (LOVA, Winona Oak), they became the executive producers of the Waterworks EP. Bonding over their shared taste in music, an eclectic mix of Robyn‘s sparkling synth-pop, Joy Division‘s foundational angst, Phantom Youth‘s modern goth melodrama and flowerovlove‘s effortless cool had been on heavy rotation in the studio while they worked.
The project features previous single “Know Nothing” which arrived with a stunning music video created in collaboration with Amanda’s sister and her production company Fanny & Alexander Productions. It also includes “A Mother’s Touch” – the EP’s emotional centre which deals with feelings of grief and missing someone you never felt you knew in the first place.
Outside of music, Amanda is a keen mountain climber and her experiences in the Swedish wilderness often inspire her – whether it’s to be in the moment and be still with a breathtaking view or analysing the intricacies of systems which exist in nature.
Timing is critical – whether that’s inside or outside of the studio – that’s a lesson which Amanda has learned as she’s grown up honing her craft. Discovered by music executives at just 16-years-old, she turned down a record deal knowing that she still needed space and time to grow. After learning the ropes working as a songwriter at UMPG, she decided to independently release her critically acclaimed debut EP “Ugh!” in 2021, lead single “My Name Next To Yours” caught the eye of Fresh Finds, Vogue Scandinavia, Swedish radio and fans around the world.
Waterworks showcases the growth of Amanda’s own artistry. Having spent the last few years working behind the scenes penning songs for LÉON, Paloma Faith, and Otto Knows, Amanda has stepped into her own as an artist. Amanda Cy‘s new single “Yagnzte” is out now. New EP ‘Waterworks’ is out 23rd May.
