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Nina Nesbitt Releases Deeply Personal New Track And Music Video For ‘Anger’

By
Jimmy Mavroudis
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0
Nina Nesbitt - Photo credit: Wolf James

Having just completed a dream tour as special guest to Stevie Nicks last month, acclaimed Scottish singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, Nina Nesbitt returns today with one of her most personal tracks yet, “Anger,” taken from her forthcoming album, Mountain Music, out September 27.

With her biting lyrics and impassioned vocals, Nina unveils a raw, emotional journey while challenging the notion that anger must be contained. She warns that the facade of politeness will one day crumble, revealing the damage done by those who have polluted her with their negativity. This song is her way of unraveling the blush pink bows of her feminine rage, shedding the constraints of being soft and polite. “Anger” is a declaration and reclamation of her power.

Speaking about the track, Nina reveals, “As someone who is introverted and quiet I’ve always struggled to know how to express my anger. I think a lot of the time we associate male anger with destruction and violence but female anger to me, feels like a force of nature. I think a lot of us use our rage as fuel to become better. We turn our pain into beauty. We turn the chaos into creation. Songwriting is my vessel for expressing that. Writing this song was my therapy after feeling totally betrayed and let down by someone close to me. For me, anger feels like love that has nowhere to exist anymore. It’s something that I’m learning to let out in order to let go.”

The track is paired with a visually stunning official music video, directed by longtime and frequent collaborator, Wolf James. Shot on location in the picturesque area of Fairhead in Northern Ireland, with its’ vast overgrown fields of green and severe cliffsides with waves crashing beneath, the landscape lends itself perfectly to the feelings of rage conveyed through the lyrics and imbued by music.

Speaking about the inspiration behind the music video, director Wolf James says, “Anger is a healthy part of our expression. But – Anger is often seen as a negative emotion – especially in women. Women are told anger is ‘unattractive,’ ‘silly’ and ‘not ladylike’ – and yet the suppression of anger often leads to depression. Anger can also be the very thing that will save us, protect us, show us our boundaries and help us find our voice and drive us forward to positive change for ourselves and others. In this video – we wanted to convey how anger can be a creative force – not a destructive one. How it should be celebrated as a force of nature, a release, a wildness that we need to rediscover in ourselves. Nina stood on the edge of the cliffs overlooking Scotland and screamed whilst we all screamed back. She destroyed the past and let go and drove a quad with a dog and scared the shit out of us. As she should. Easily this is her most raw and best performance yet – she just keeps growing stronger and better (if possible) and it is so incredible to see.”

“Anger” follows previous releases, “Pages” ,“On The Run,” “Mansion”, and most recently, “I’m Coming Home,” a rousing Springsteen-inspired, journey back to the places and people she loves. Mountain Music is to be released on September 27, via her own record label—Apple Tree Records. The album is now available to pre-order/save HERE.

In addition to the digital release, Nina has announced exclusive Roadtrip Bundles, available to pre-order now on her official online store. The bundles include a signed copy of the new album on CD or vinyl, cassette, bumper stickers as well as a run of specially commissioned Mountain Music maps, designed by artist Sarah Obtinalla. For more information and to pre-order a Roadtrip Bundle, please visit Nina’s official store.

Having risen to fame at a young age with her disarming, candid pop – championed by stars including Taylor Swift – with her new album, the Scottish musician is now found in an entirely new realm. Mountain Music is inspired in part by the two years she spent touring the States in support of her second studio album: the critically acclaimed Top 40, The Sun Will Come Up, The Seasons Will Change, which has now accrued over a billion streams.

The songs on Mountain Music are permeated with gorgeous nods to US folk and Americana. Produced by Peter Miles and Nesbitt, and mixed and mastered by Miles at his studio MiddleFarm in South Devon, in the UK. It will be released via her own label, Apple Tree Records, which Nina launched earlier this year with her longtime manager, Vicky Dowdall. The name, a playful nod to her 2012 debut EP, The Apple Tree, this marks the start of an exciting new era for Nina Nesbitt, both personally and creatively.

Talking about her new body of work, Nina says, “I’m beyond excited to be releasing my new album, Mountain Music, on 27th September. To me, it feels like the most authentic and honest piece of work I’ve created so far. I was inspired by a lot of the American folk music I grew up listening to, and revisiting it made me fall back in love with writing music again. I knew I wanted to take inspiration but to also write my own story. That being, someone with a female perspective who grew up in a Scottish village and spent her turbulent twenties in London. This album celebrates that small town girl, puts an arm around the big city twenty-something and looks back at the view with me now from the calm and the quiet. It’ll be the first release on my own record label, Apple Tree Records, which I’m delighted about. It feels like the perfect time to take full control of my career and put my stake in the ground as the artist I’ve always dreamed of being. Mountain Music held my hand through some of my hardest moments and I hope it can hold yours too.”

Following the tour as special guest to Stevie Nicks last month, which included a show in London’s BST Hyde Park, as well as a SOLD OUT headline show at Camden Assembly, Nina recently announced details of a UK headline tour, set to kick off this October. For a list of upcoming tour dates, please visit ninanesbittmusic.com and any remaining tickets are available HERE.

UK Headline Tour dates:
October
16th – London, Scala
17th – Manchester, Academy 3
18th – Glasgow, Old Fruitmarket

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Bimini Drops New Single ‘If You Get It You Get It’

By
Jimmy Mavroudis
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0
Bimini - Photo Credit: Frank Fieber

The iconic artist and DJ, Bimini, today releases their new track ‘If You Get It You Get It’.

The song is a disruptive electronic dance tune with it’s tongue firmly in cheek and lyrics that have already been heard across TikTok. Written by Bimini, Gracey, Matt Rad, Finn Keane, the track is produced by EASYFUN & Matt Rad.

Bimini says: “I can’t wait for people to hear this dance floor banger for the girls, gays and theys. The ones that get it, y’know. It’s bouncy, glitchy and pumping. This is a middle finger up to anyone that makes you feel less than for being yourself. Their opinion is irrelevant, stay fabulous. It’s being unapologetic at its cvntiest”.

Bimini – IF YOU GET IT YOU GET IT

Listen to IF YOU GET IT YOU GET IT by Bimini.

This is Bimini’s first new music of 2024, following their previous releases with Relentless Records including ‘Rodeo’, ‘Different Kinds Of People’ and ‘Fashion Nympho’.

Bimini is a British cultural icon. A huge favourite with both fans and critics alike, Bimini has garnered acres of media coverage and 950,000 followers on Instagram. First finding global fame as the break-out star of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK they have dominated press and social media ever since with their innate sense of style and fashion. They have taken part in campaigns for Calvin Klein, Selfridges, H&M and Maison Margiela, alongside editorials for GQ Style, tmrw, DIY, Bricks, Notion, Kerrang, Dazed, ES Magazine, W Magazine and The Face.

2024 has seen them DJ’ing and performing at major music events including Toronto Pride, Mighty Hoopla and Margate Pride. They recently embarked on their debut tour as a DJ, ‘The Tories Out Tour’ across the UK and also run their own queer club night in London ‘House of Trash’.

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Introducing: Stevie Bill, Announces UK Headline Shows Including London’s Omeara

By
Jimmy Mavroudis
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0
Stevie Bill - Photo By: @moniquependers

Meet Stevie Bill, the Dutch girl from Amsterdam who lives in New York City. She writes about change, the heartbreaks of life, the joy of being a girl, and the nostalgic feelings you get in your twenties. She describes herself as a classic songwriter with a twist, blending oldies with R&B vocals, folk, and rock influences. Following an impressive run of live support shows with Nieve Ella, Aidan Bissett, and opening at BST Hyde Park for Stevie Nicks, Stevie Bill has just announced her own headline tour titled ‘I Was A Platinum Blonde Tour’ throughout the UK. Tickets will be available from Friday 9th of August at 10am here.

Born to an English mother and a Dutch father, Stevie Bill moved to Berlin at 17 to develop as a songwriter and vocalist. In Berlin, she worked in studios and wrote songs for other artists such as Rei Brown, Joji, Casey Lowry, Daine, Daya, Abigail Barlow, Gayle, and Daniel Leggs. Stevie later attended the prestigious Clive Davis Institute at NYU, graduating in 2023.

Her debut EP ‘Messy’ introduced the world to the reflective nature of Stevie Bill as she pondered on her youth and the chaos around her. The EP quickly received praise from a multitude of tastemakers such as BBC Radio 1 Future Pop, Radio 1’s Future Alternative, Billboard, Earmilk, and The Line of Best Fit, labeling her a rising Gen Z pop talent. Following this in September 2023, her song ‘Hahaha’ became a viral hit across the alternative pop space.

2024 saw the release of Stevie’s latest single, ‘Girl’ which celebrates the happy feelings and moments we share as girls. From wearing the same socks three days in a row, our messy rooms, and our weird habits to the sweetness we carry in our hearts. Along with ‘Girl’, Stevie’s latest release ‘Lalala’ on Friday 02 August, will both feature on her upcoming EP which narrates the experience of change and acceptance of growing into adulthood.

Stevie on the EP: “When I started writing these tracks, I was in a place of change, heartbreaks, girl power, meeting new friends, and moving to new places. I grew out my platinum blonde hair and changed it back to my natural brown. I was going back to my roots and everything I stand for. With this EP, I’m taking you with me on my journey of adulting.”

‘Lalala’ is a song about blasting your favourite song on repeat. Stevie talks about the inspiration behind the track saying ‘Some might not know this about me but I am quite a party girl. Growing up with my parents hosting frequent gatherings at home sparked my passion for hosting and now even DJ-ing, including the all-girls’ nights I organize with my friends in New York. Dancing and nightlife are genuine outlets and hobbies for me—they’re where I really let loose. The right music can truly elevate the night and make it unforgettable. I wanted to write a fun song, a song to strut down the street to with your headphones on, a silly song that’s not to be taken too seriously.’ Listen to ‘Lalala’ here.

Oct 05 – Manchester, UK – Neighbourhood Festival
Oct 07 – London, UK – Omeara

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Introducing: EMMMA With Her Debut Single ‘Playing It Safe’

By
Staff Writer
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0
Emmma - Photo Credit: Stoney Darkstone

Rising star EMMMA faced up to the realisation that she had unwittingly become a supporting character in her own life. She reacted to that dilemma by writing herself out of that situation, and finding catharsis through her gorgeous brand of alt-pop that will surely draw comparisons to the likes of Chappell Roan, boygenius, Phoebe Bridgers, MUNA and Griff. It’s an experience she explores with today’s release of her debut single ‘Playing It Safe’. Listen below.

Far from ‘Playing It Safe’, the racing tempo of the track is an ambitious cocktail of switching rhythms, dramatic pauses and a huge, rousing chorus. Meanwhile, EMMMA’s voice is capable of flitting from a rich, full-bodied call to a perfectly pitched falsetto redolent of 2024 breakthrough Chappell Roan as she sings, “Am I missing out? / Not making mistakes? / Am I playing myself? / Playing it safe?”

EMMMA says, “I had very much fallen into a pattern in my life where I played the game too safe. I get really scared when I’m pushed outside of my comfort zone whether that be in relationships with other people or following rules. I was always so nervous that I was missing out on the joys of life because I’m boxing myself in by being too safe with my choices. Life had become stagnant.”

EMMMA wrote ‘Playing It Safe’ with Emily Haber (Joy Oladokun, Anna Clendening), with production and co-writing duties from Doug Schadt (Maggie Rogers, ASHE) and mixing courtesy of Lee Smith (Holly Humberstone, Griff).

‘Playing It Safe’ is the first taste of EMMMA’s debut EP, which is set to follow on Nov 28.

Born Emma Ruchefsky in the coastal town of Westport, Connecticut, she was raised in a family with a long heritage within music. Her mother is a former opera singer who studied at Julliard; her uncle plays percussion with the New York Philharmonic; and her late grandmother was an opera singer and vocal coach, who met EMMMA’s grandfather, a classical radio host, in the school choir.

She laughs that music was always destined to be her career path, and the more you uncover about her story the truer that becomes. She first picked up the violin when she was just two-years-old, before moving onto the piano and performing in local music theatre when she was five. Her family’s music taste was a pivotal influence: jazz and classical to folk and classic rock, and particularly Carole King, James Taylor and Joni Mitchell.

The lyrical prowess and influence of those artists heightened EMMMA’s talents as a born storyteller. Her ability was further honed when she studied songwriting and performance at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. After graduating she set off across North America, playing live shows in all manner of venues. It was a process that enabled her to figure out who she is as an artist and feel comfortable in all manner of scenarios, yet some of the lessons were more prosaic – knowing when to say no being an essential one.

Now EMMMA knows that she has to dig deep in order to speak truth through her music – and those stories, delivered with her enchanting voice and heartfelt lyricism, will find their place with listeners who need to know that they’re not alone.

In the meantime, EMMMA will spend much of the closing months of 2024 touring as the guitarist and keyboard player in Sasha Alex Sloan’s live band. She will perform with the ‘Dancing With Your Ghost’ / ‘Older’ artist at headline shows spanning Asia, North America and Europe, including a London show at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on November 27th.

Playing It Safe – EMMMA

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Y Not Festival 2024: Electrifying Weekend of Stellar Indie Acts

By
Jimmy Mavroudis
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0
Scouting for Girls playing Y Not Festival - Photo by: Jake Haseldine

Y Not Festival electrified the Peak District this weekend, drawing in over 25,000 music fans from 1st-4th August. This year’s lineup was nothing short of spectacular, with headliners Snow Patrol, Jamie T, Noel Gallagher and the High Flying Birds, and the Kaiser Chiefs leading the charge. They were joined by an array of stellar acts, including The Kooks, Declan McKenna, The Vaccines, Jake Bugg, Frank Turner, Katy B, Scouting for Girls, Pale Waves, The View, Pale Waves, ADMT, The Snuts, Bleach Lab, SOFY, and many more. Tickets for next year’s edition in 2025 go on sale this Friday 9 August.

Thursday 1st August

The festival kicked off in style with the Kaiser Chiefs. Charismatic frontman Ricky Wilson and the band delivered a long line of indie bangers from “Ruby,” to “Oh My God,” to “Never Miss A Beat” for the first night. Earlier, Scouting for Girls received a rapturous welcome, with frontman Roy Stride exclaiming, “Y Not, it’s so good to be here. What about this weather? Blue skies in the Peak District!” Their sunset performance, including the beloved “She’s So Lovely,” was a perfect opener. Other acts kickstarting the festival included Ten Tonnes, Shady Baby, The Crooks, Lexi Caroll and Dead Pony.

Kaiser Chiefs at Y Not Festival – Photo by: Ami Ford

Friday 2nd August

Snow Patrol headlined Friday night, delivering a powerful performance led by the charismatic Gary Lightbody. “We’ve got a new album coming out in a fortnight, and this is the new single,” Lightbody announced before debuting “The Beginning.” The crowd was treated to emotional renditions of “Run,” “Chocolate,” and “Open Your Eyes,” culminating in a euphoric singalong to “Chasing Cars” and a high-energy closer with “Just Say Yes.” The Kooks also brought sunshine to the festival, playing fan favourites like “Seaside” and “She Moves in Her Own Way,” with frontman Luke Pritchard radiating enthusiasm. Other acts on Friday included SOFT PLAY, Black Honey, Jake Bugg, Lottery Winners, NewDad and Mysterines.

Snow Patrol at Y Not Festival – Photo by: Bethan Miller (@bethanmillerco)

Saturday 3rd August

Saturday night belonged to Jamie T, whose set included anthems like “Sticks ‘n’ Stones,” “Sheila,” and “If You Got The Money.” A grateful Jamie T expressed his appreciation for the headlining slot “You don’t know how happy and proud we are to be here tonight. I know it looks like we don’t give a f**k, but we do”. Earlier on, everyone’s favourite fitness guru Mr Motivator got the day started with his infectious energy and humour, proclaiming, “Why aren’t I the headliner at Y Not festival? I should be the headliner! I could start a mutiny here.” Barrioke, hosted by Shaun Williams, returned to Flamingo Jacks for the ultimate singalong, solidifying its status as a festival favourite. The day also featured standout performances from Frank Turner, Deco, Do Nothing, Shy FX and many more.

Jamie T at Y Not Festival – Photo by: Bethan Miller (@bethanmillerco)

Sunday 4th August

The grand finale on Sunday saw Noel Gallagher and the High Flying Birds close out the festival with a legendary performance. Backed by a six-piece band, Noel played new hits like “Pretty Boy” and “Council Skies,” alongside Oasis classics such as “Half the World Away,” “The Masterplan,” and “Little by Little.” The night reached a historic high with a massive singalong to “Don’t Look Back in Anger.” Noel, reflecting on the end of his own live tour, said, “This is the last night of our tour, we’ve been on tour for over a year so we’re sick of the sight of each other. I don’t know if I’ll tour again, we’ve got to write an album first.”

Noel Gallagher and the High Flying Birds at Y Not Festival – Photo by: Jake Haseldine

The Vaccines pumped up the crowd with tracks like “Post Break-Up Sex,” “Wetsuit,” and the anthem “All My Friends.” Holly Humberstone, BRIT Award winner from Lincolnshire, captivated with her performance, culminating in “Scarlett.” Stoke-on-Trent’s Lissy Taylor brought her vibrant energy to the stage, with hits “Young” and “She’s a Stunner.” The festival also saw the return of King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys, delighting fans with their jazz and swing tunes. Other highlights included Nieve Ella, Cucamaras, Katy B, Bez, Bob Vylan and many more, ensuring Y Not 2024 was an unforgettable celebration of music and fun.

The Vaccines at Y Not Festival – Photo by: Georgina Hurdsfield

Jason Oakley, Managing Director at Y Not Festival, says “Thank you to everyone who joined us at our 17th Y Not! We’re always incredibly grateful for the continued support from our incredible audience, and this year, you all made the festival truly unforgettable. We were delighted to welcome phenomenal acts like Snow Patrol, Jamie T, Noel Gallagher and the High Flying Birds, Kaiser Chiefs, Declan McKenna, and many more top tier acts, we think it was our best line up yet!

We also had the privilege of showcasing fantastic local talent and emerging artists, making it an exhilarating time for new music. We’re proud to champion these rising stars. Thank you for your unwavering support – see you in 2025!”

Y Not Festival 2025

Super Early Bird Tickets for 2025 start at £99.50 and go on sale Friday 9th August at 12pm, sign up HERE

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Break dancing used to pride itself on inclusivity – so why is it in the Olympic Games but not the Paralympics?

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The Conversation
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Breakdancer - Photo by: Maor Attias

By Simon Hayhoe, University of Exeter

Break dancing has at last made it to the Olympic Games. This acceptance by the most exclusive of sporting institutions has been a long time in the making. Break dance promoters first mooted its inclusion in the early 1980s.

Break dance is an artform based on martial arts and dance that originated in the working and underclass culture of New York in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The acceptance by the Olympics has elevated it to an acceptable and established form of performance athletics, which also includes ice skating, synchronised swimming and diving, as well as the recently included sports of skateboarding and snowboarding.

Break dancing has also always been a highly competitive, physically demanding art form. Those of us who grew up in the 1980s can’t forget body popping and break dancing battles in the clubs of even our most unglamorous cities.

Because of its origins, break dancing was often paired with rap and scratch music, which itself became a competitive art form with impromptu battles becoming legendary in the 1990s.

There seemed to be few rules to these battles in the early years, or at least few written rules. Because break dancing wasn’t linked to an institution or membership organisation, anyone of almost any background could compete to gain acceptance. This gave break dance a sense that it was for everyone, and that anyone had the potential to succeed at it, no matter who they were or where they came from.

Despite these egalitarian beginnings, break dancing has not made it to the Paralympic Games, the alternative form of the Olympic Games developed to celebrate sport by people with disabilities.

It is a sad reality that, all too often, people with disabilities are excluded from such art forms, particularly younger people who are born with a disability. These young people are often tacitly excluded from this dance culture (despite the occasional tokenistic appearance of disabled celebrity dancers) because of its image of physical perfection and extreme, unrestricted movement.

It is with this exclusion in mind that some contemporary break dancers have founded a series of projects that seek to include people with physical disabilities, particularly those with visual impairments. Break dance can help with balance and teach ways to fall safely, both of which are helpful for people with visual impairments.

Researcher Nathan Geering teaching children with visual impairments in South Yorkshire to break dance.

In a participatory break dancing project I took part in just prior to lockdown, people with visual impairments in South Yorkshire in the UK were brought together with a group of professional break dancers. Together, they co-designed choreography, dance skills and an accessible music technology keyboard. This project aimed to encourage visually impaired break dancers to touch and hear dance movements to learn their art form.

Although the visually impaired young people involved in the project had never tried break dancing before enrolling, they adapted the techniques and skills to their needs. Over the course of a number of weeks, they showed greater physical confidence.

During the project, the amateur break dancers adapted well to the technology. Audio description techniques devised to provide onomatopoeic representations of dance moves allowed them to imagine and then communicate choreography and design whole dance sequences. Onomatopoeic representations are sounds that represent the “shape” and “movement” of dance moves as precisely as possible.

The professional dancers were also genuinely surprised by the way that they could integrate their choreography and dance routines and appreciated the adapted music technology. Importantly, working together with the technology and the newly adapted techniques helped the visually impaired participants gain a sense of social acceptance among the group.

Projects like this show that people with physical disabilities are capable of materially and psychologically choreographing dance moves as well as dancing themselves. In light of this, break dance culture should now do more to embrace marginalised groups such as people with disabilities, who have been excluded from the competitive element of this art form for far too long.

It is true that we have a long way to go to find the number of people with physical disabilities who have developed the skills that are needed to compete at an elite level. However, it is only when break dance is introduced into the Paralympic Games too that it can be called a truly inclusive, as well as an elite, sport.The Conversation

Simon Hayhoe, Associate Professor of Special Educational Needs, Disability & Inclusion, University of Exeter

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Becky Hill Headline Newmarket Nights Show Sells Out

By
Jimmy Mavroudis
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0

Becky Hill’s massive Newmarket Nights concert has officially sold out. Over 18,000 music and racing fans have snapped up their tickets, with the event now revealed as the popstar’s biggest British headline show to date.

Emma Rogerson-Smith, Marketing Director, The Jockey Club Live, said
“Becky Hill is a truly special talent and it’s such a delight to welcome her back this year as a headliner, having played the racecourse previously as special guest to Pete Tong. Her show selling out is a true testament to her incredible year and we can’t wait to celebrate this landmark with her!”

Sophie Able, General Manager of Newmarket Racecourses and International Director, said
“We’ve had a superb season so far, recently welcoming Busted to a glorious summers evening on the July course. We have a fantastic line-up for August with a sold-out show from Becky and tickets selling fast for the final shows of the season, James Arthur and Deacon Blue. Keep your eyes peeled as can’t wait to share what we have in store for 2025 soon…”

Becky Hill has had an incredible year so far. Her latest album, “Believe Me Now?” was released to critical acclaim, she earned her third BRIT Award nomination and her career streams have surpassed 10 billion, with six UK Top 10 hits. Her sold-out Newmarket Nights concert is the latest milestone in her impressive career.

Newmarket Nights continues to be the premier entertainment destination for the East. Renowned for combining an electric evening at the races with a spectacular evening concert in an informal and relaxed open-air setting, the award-winning series has welcomed headliners including JLS, Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics and Busted so far in 2024. Limited tickets remain for the August shows in the series, available now via thejockeyclublive.co.uk. Hospitality packages are available to suit all budgets.

In addition to world-class live music and racing, the events provide a selection of culinary delights for all, ranging from street food to Newmarket’s array of exceptional restaurants.

2nd August – JAMES ARTHUR
9th August – BECKY HILL
16th August – DEACON BLUE

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Deadpool & Wolverine is fun for die-hard Marvel fans – but it won’t save the MCU

By
The Conversation
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0
Deadpool & Wolverine (Marvel Studios/Disney)

By John Quinn, University of the West of Scotland

Let’s start with the good stuff. Deadpool & Wolverine is a fun, irreverent and blood-soaked summer blockbuster that fans of the Deadpool franchise are going to love.

Ryan Reynolds returns as Wade Wilson (Deadpool), and Hugh Jackman is resurrected as Wolverine, after his character was killed off in Logan in 2017. Packed full of cheesy music and meta-comedy, the movie delivers fan service in spades, finally bringing the bromance between Reynolds and Jackman to the big screen.

Meta-comedy and fan service are the things that make this film work. But they also serve as stark reminders of what’s not been working in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) these past few years.

Meta-comedy is a form of self-aware humour that playfully breaks the fourth wall, winks at the audience, and pokes fun at its own conventions. In Deadpool & Wolverine’s case, that’s the MCU and the superhero movie genre in general.

Fanservice is the inclusion of content that specifically caters to the desires and expectations of existing fans. It’s often risqué or sexual in nature, but can also be about bringing back iconic characters, one liners and familiar moments from previous instalments in a franchise – Deadpool & Wolverine does both.

The trailer for Deadpool & Wolverine.

The problem is Deadpool & Wolverine is so meta and packed full of fan service that to fully appreciate the film, viewers must understand the context of its production.

If you didn’t know that prior to 2019, when the Walt Disney Company purchased 21st Century Fox, the characters of Deadpool and Wolverine were not part of the MCU, then many of Reynold’s snarky asides about the acquisition will slide right over your head.

Similarly, if you’ve not seen the full slate of Marvel movies produced by Fox, such as the X-Men, Fantastic Four, and Blade franchises, to name but a few, then you’ll be wondering what the myriad of cameos is all about. To be honest, you might still be trying to remember just who these characters are even if you have seen them all.

If you’ve not been keeping up with the Loki series over on Disney+, then the Time Variance Authority sub plot, which allows Wolverine to be resurrected, might have you scratching your head. This all results in Deadpool & Wolverine having lots of stuff going on, but not much story.

Drunken eulogy

So, will it save the MCU? The short answer is no. Deadpool & Wolverine is most fun when looking back rather than forward. Underneath the over-the-top slapstick and super-violent comedy, there’s a sad air of nostalgia to the movie. At times, Deadpool & Wolverine feels like a drunken eulogy for the Marvel content produced by 20th Century Fox.

The elements that work in the film, like the bromance between Reynolds and Jackman, the cheeky self-referential comedy and the slapstick set pieces, are the things that separate it from the rest of the MCU.

The elements that don’t work in the film, like the intrusion of over-complicated multiverse plot strands and the need to be in the know about the plots of other Marvel films and shows to fully understand the plot of the film you’re watching, highlight some of the reasons fans have been abandoning the MCU in recent years.

Perhaps in the end though, Deadpool & Wolverine is a hopeful metaphor. If you’re willing to navigate the jumble of added MCU content, you’ll find the good stuff– the bromance between Deadpool and Wolverine.

Perhaps then, for Marvel fans who’ve weathered the post-Avengers: Endgame MCU disappointments, there’s a glimmer of something brighter on the horizon – but of course, that’s probably, to quote Wade Wilson, an “educated wish”.The Conversation

John Quinn, Lecturer in Screen & Performance, School of Business and Creative Industries, University of the West of Scotland

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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2024 Mercury Prize ‘Albums Of The Year’ Revealed

By
Jimmy Mavroudis
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0
Charli XCX - Photo Credit: Harley Weir

The 2024 Mercury Prize 12 ‘Albums of the Year’ were announced on Thursday 25 July on BBC Radio 6 Music from 11am by Tom Ravenscroft (standing in for Mary Anne Hobbs).

The 2024 Mercury Prize 12 ‘Albums of the Year’ are:

Barry Can’t Swim ‘When Will We Land?’
BERWYN ‘Who Am I’
Beth Gibbons ‘Lives Outgrown’
Cat Burns ‘early twenties’
Charli xcx ‘BRAT’
CMAT ‘Crazymad, for Me’
Corinne Bailey Rae ‘Black Rainbows’
corto.alto ‘Bad with Names’
English Teacher ‘This Could Be Texas’
Ghetts ‘On Purpose, With Purpose’
Nia Archives ‘Silence Is Loud’
The Last Dinner Party ‘Prelude to Ecstasy’

BBC Music continue their long-standing broadcast partnership, which sees programming on BBC Four and 6 Music, celebrating all 12 albums.

The Mercury Prize recognises and celebrates the ‘Albums of the Year’, establishing a reputation for highlighting the work of both exciting emerging talent and more established bands and artists. The 12 ‘Albums of the Year’ are chosen by an independent judging panel and recognise artistic achievement across a range of genres. Albums by British and Irish artists with a UK release date between 15 July 2023 and 12 July 2024 are eligible for the 2024 Prize.

The 2024 Mercury Prize judges are: Danielle Perry – Broadcaster & Writer; Jamie Cullum – Musician & Radio 2 Broadcaster; Jamz Supernova – 6 Music Broadcaster & DJ; Jeff Smith – Head of Music, Radio 2 & 6 Music; Lea Stonhill – Music Programming Consultant; Mistajam – Songwriter, DJ & Broadcaster; Phil Alexander – Creative Director, Kerrang!/Contributing Editor, Mojo; Sian Eleri – Radio 1 Broadcaster & DJ; Will Hodgkinson – Chief Rock & Pop Critic, The Times; Sophie Williams – Music Writer & Broadcaster. The Chair of the judging team is Jeff Smith.

The overall winner of the 2024 Mercury Prize will be revealed in September with the Prize’s broadcast partner BBC Music providing exclusive television and radio coverage as well as online and social media support as part of the wider media and retail engagement around all the 12 albums. This year, other extensive promotional activity will replace the usual live performance event element of the Mercury Prize – details to be announced closer to the time.

As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting UK recorded music, renowned British premium audio brand, Bowers & Wilkins, continues as long-term official audio partner of the Mercury Prize. At the forefront of music creation for over 40 years, it is uniquely placed to help the Mercury Prize celebrate the album format and the creative achievements of the 12 artists.

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Nina Nesbitt Announces UK Headline Tour and New Album ‘Mountain Music’

By
Jimmy Mavroudis
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Nina Nesbitt - Photo Credit: Wolf James

Having just completed a dream tour as special guest to Stevie Nicks which included BST Hyde Park, Nina Nesbitt now announces details of a UK headline tour this October. The tour will be her first in support of her new album ‘Mountain Music’ which comes out on September 27th, and includes her recent releases ‘I’m Coming Home’, ‘Mansion’, ‘Pages’ and ‘On The Run’. Public demand for tickets is sure to be huge after her previous solo show at Camden Assembly sold-out within a minute.

Nina says, “I’m unbelievably excited to announce some UK tour dates for my new album, ‘Mountain Music’. I can’t wait to bring these songs to life and see the faces that I know!”

Fans who pre-order ‘Mountain Music’ from Nina’s official store will receive access to a pre-sale for tickets. The pre-sale will open at 10am next Wednesday, July 31st and will run until remaining tickets go on general sale HERE at 10am on Friday, August 2nd. Physical formats include two different vinyl versions, CD and cassette, while bundles include new merch designs, bumper stickers and a Mountain Map designed by artist Sarah Obtinalla.

The dates are:

OCTOBER
16th – London, Scala
17th – Manchester, Academy 3
18th – Glasgow, Old Fruitmarket

The first release under her own independent label Apple Tree Records, ‘Mountain Music’ represents the start of an exciting new era for Nina. Exploring her love of US folk and Americana, it’s the most authentic album of her career and explores the perspectives that have come in different chapters in her life: the naivety and ambition she had growing up in a small village of Scotland; the tumultuous experiences of spending her twenties in London; and the calm and deeper reflection that comes from her new home in the countryside. She produced the album with Peter Miles, who mixed and mastered the set at his Middle Farm Studio in Devon.

‘Mountain Music’ will be the fourth album of Nina’s ever-evolving career following ‘Peroxide’ (2014), ‘The Sun Will Come Up, The Seasons Will Change’ (2019) which has exceeded a billion streams, and Älskar (2022). Nina has been championed by Taylor Swift, and has played huge shows as special guest to Coldplay.

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