Neal

Bruce Springsteen: 172-page Definitive Edition. Updated!

More Boss than Boss Is there no limit to the energies of Bruce Springsteen? Even leaving aside his sideline as a spokesperson for American democracy, we must most recently face up – as Peter Watts does in this new magazine which is out tomorrow – to the payload of his latest archive release. Namely, Tracks II: The Lost Albums. Garage romanticism, rowdy country, ghostly instrumentals, the box set genuinely contains multitudes, further evidence of an artist building a bigger picture, even if favourites must be sacrificed along the way. Advertisement There’s been no danger of that at a Springsteen concert, however. As you’ll read in the foldout chronology section of our new Definitive Edition of our Ultimate Music Guide, in recent years, Bruce and band have proved it all night with sets involving deep cuts, dives into entire years of work (respect due, 1973), and ultimately bringing us to a situation where his shows can bust curfews, annoy chi-chi neighbours who don’t like the noise, and top a ridiculous four hours on stage. The singer-songwriter Steve Earle recalls meeting Bruce after a 2023 show and telling him “I don’t know what you didn’t play!” The range and power of Springsteen’s work is… Read More →

24SEPNews

Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford says the US is “still incredibly homophobic”

Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford has spoken out about homophobia in the US in a new appearance on Jake Shears’ Queer The Music podcast, which you can watch below. READ MORE: Judas Priest legend Rob Halford: “Coming out happened in the right way – it wasn’t premeditated” Scissor Sisters singer Shears asked Halford, who came out as gay on MTV in 1998, if he thought attitudes towards sexuality had changed in the years since. The 74-year-old, currently on the road with Priest in North America on their co-headlining tour with Alice Cooper, gave a mixed response. Advertisement “Oh, yeah, although depending on where you’re at,” said Halford, who also shared that he married his longtime partner Thomas last year. “America is still incredibly homophobic. I’ve lived here for a long time and I’ve seen a lot happen since the ’80s.” “It really gets me angry and upset. But when I go on stage and perform with Priest, some guys will say, ‘I love Judas Priest, but I’m not gay,’” he added, laughing. “You know that thing – ‘I’m a huge fan of Priest, but I’m not a gay guy’ – that still lives with me now to some extent. It might… Read More →

24SEPHit Singles

Legendary acoustic bassist Danny Thompson has died, aged 86

Danny Thompson, one of the most distinctive bass players in British musical history, has died peacefully at his home in Rickmansworth, aged 86. Advertisement Born in Teignmouth in April 1939, Thompson built his own bass out of a tea chest when he was 13, upgrading it to a Gand double bass two years later. By 16 he was playing the dive bars of Soho, and on his return from national service in 1963, he got a gig playing electric bass with Roy Orbison on a tour supported by The Beatles – the one and only time he ever played an electric bass. Moving through the burgeoning British blues and jazz scene, Thompson played with the likes of Alexis Korner, Ginger Baker and John McLaughlin. In 1967, he joined forces with John Renbourn, Jacqui McShee, Terry Cox and Bert Jansch to form folk-jazz pioneers Pentangle, with Thompson’s unique, fluid double bass style to the fore. Leaving Pentangle in 1972, he became John Martyn’s primary foil for an imperial phase of albums spanning Bless The Weather to One World. Consistently in-demand with jazz, folk and pop musicians alike, Thompson also played with Kate Bush (on The Dreaming and Hounds Of Love), David… Read More →

24SEPNews

Florence + The Machine question “the cost of greatness” on transcendent new single ‘One Of The Greats’

Florence + The Machine have shared their transcendent new single ‘One Of The Greats’ – check it out here. READ MORE: Florence + The Machine – ‘Dance Fever’ review: the triumphant sound of a singer reborn It’s the second single from their upcoming album ‘Everybody Scream’ after the title track was released last month, and it comes a week after Florence Welch first shared a snippet online. Advertisement “I don’t really know how to explain myself with this one,” said Welch of the new track, which she wrote in one take with IDLES guitarist Mark Bowen. “It was sort of a long poem about the cost of greatness. Who gets to decide what that is? Why do I even want it? Why am I never satisfied?” She continued, “I feel like I die a little bit every time I make a record, and kind of literally nearly died on the last tour. Yet I always dig myself up to try again, always trying to please that one person who doesn’t like it, or finally feel like I made something perfect and I can rest.” [embedded content] Welch said that the track, which Aaron Dessner of The National and Big Red Machine… Read More →

24SEPHit Singles

The Rolling Stones announce a Super Deluxe reissue of Black And Blue

The Rolling Stones are reissuing their 1976 album Black And Blue on November 14 from Universal Music. It’s coming in a definitive Super Deluxe Box set, available as a 5xLP vinyl box set and a 4xCD box set, both editions include a Blu-ray disc, a hundred page hardback book, and a replica tour poster. Advertisement A limited edition 5xLP version on exclusive black and blue marbled vinyl will also be available via select online retailers, alongside streamlined 2 x disc and 1 x disc formats on both vinyl and CD. Additionally, a limited edition 1xLP Zoetrope vinyl will also be released. Click here to order a copy. The Stones’ 13th studio album, Black And Blue was the first following the departure of former guitarist Mick Taylor who was eventually replaced by Ronnie Wood. The recording sessions famously served as auditions with guitar greats Harvey Mandel, Wayne Perkins, Jeff Beck and Robert A. Johnson all contributing. Advertisement The 2025 reissue features a brand new mix by Steven Wilson, alongside a six track disc of previously unreleased recordings, including the Jagger/Richards composition “I Love Ladies“, plus a take on Shirley & Company’s “Shame, Shame, Shame” which you can hear below. Also included… Read More →

24SEPHit Singles

Meet Tyler Ballgame, the LA-based crooner who really believes in love

Tyler Ballgame was born in a bar. One night he was plain old Tyler Perry, a suburban Rhode Island musical theatre kid and fan of the rock and grunge greats – The Beatles, The Who, Nirvana – singing covers in local clubs to fund his DIY musical ambitions, including albums of “Nick Drake cosplay”. Then someone in the crowd requested Roy Orbison’s “Crying” and the Ballgame began. “I’d sing it like him and people would freak out,” says Perry today. “It was like, ‘Oh, people aren’t used to hearing a singer who can do this’.” From that theatrical showman part of his psyche leapt Tyler Ballgame, an elegant and soulful crooner in the Orbison, Presley and Nilsson mould. “It just became fun to create this character. It goes back to being a theatre actor – you occupy the space, and for this, I’m occupying the space of my idealised frontman from the ’60s and ’70s.” Advertisement [embedded content] A frontman with a voice as rich and evocative as Tyler Ballgame wouldn’t live anywhere as ordinary as Rhode Island, though. Only one track from his forthcoming debut album For The First Time, Again – the sumptuous, lilting “Got A New Car”… Read More →

23SEPNews

Massive Attack correct “outright lies” of reports on facial recognition at live shows

Massive Attack have addressed reports regarding facial recognition at their live shows, denying that the technology was in use. Last week, reports about the trip-hop icons using the technology at their shows began to circulate online, leading them to explain that the live effects at their shows – comprising a face-detection effect and a fictional, randomly assigned ‘database’ – are satirical. Advertisement In a statement titled ‘It Isn’t What It Isn’t”, shared on social media this evening, they began: “Last week, a number of platforms including ‘Somewhere.Media’, ‘Hidden’ and others ran stories relating to our live show & the apparent use of live facial recognition technology. “Via the brainless duplication chambers of Al-generated IG accounts, the ‘story’ snowballed, & between entertainment platforms and Al clonethink, nobody and nothing bothered to factcheck. Inaccuracies and outright lies proliferated in tandem with likes & shares. ‘Somewhere Media’ went nowhere near any basic reporting standard, stating that show material was ‘pulled from public databases.’” They explained that “no Massive Attack live show has ever recorded or stored personal data,” adding, “Only government departments, relevant authorities & approved contractors can access public databases in the UK, & doing so in multiple cities/countries would be impossible.”… Read More →

23SEPNews

Andrew Watt confirms he’s producing new Rolling Stones album: “It’s like working for Batman”

Producer Andrew Watt has confirmed that he’s reunited with The Rolling Stones on their upcoming new album. Watt produced their Grammy-winning 24th studio album, ‘Hackney Diamonds’, in 2023, while he’s also worked with the likes of Elton John, Lady Gaga and Ed Sheeran over the past couple of years. His confirmation comes months after the first reports that he was again working with the Stones. Advertisement He told Rolling Stone of working with the rock icons again, “I’ve said it before, but it’s like working for Batman.” He didn’t go into too many details, explaining, “When the tongue is up in the air, you just go… I can say we did some recording together, but that’s all I can say.” For his part, Watt said told Rolling Stone February that the Stones had music leftover from their ‘Hackney Diamonds’ sessions. He explained that, while it would be up to the band whether the material would be finished, “it would be great”, adding, “ It was a prolific time for the band. They had amassed, like, 18 years of material. There was so much to go through and choose from initially, and then there were new songs that just came because everyone… Read More →

23SEPHit Singles

Pixies announce 40th anniversary tour dates

Pixies are kicking off their 40th anniversary celebrations with a headline worldwide tour for 2026 titled Pixies 40. Founding members Black Francis, Joey Santiago and David Lovering, together with bassist Emma Richardson, have so far announced dates across the UK, Ireland, Germany, Italy and The Netherlands to celebrate, including their first performance at the Royal Albert Hall. Tour dates confirmed so far are below and tickets are available here from September 26. Pixies 40 2026 UK / European Tour Dates May 20 – Barbican, YorkMay 21 – Alhambra theatre, DunfermlineMay 25 – Aviva Studios, ManchesterMay 28 – Royal Albert Hall, LondonMay 31 – Live at the Castle, LimerickJune 2 – Olympia, DublinJune 30 – Zitadelle Spandau, BerlinJuly 1 – Parkbühne Clara-Zetkin-ParkJuly 2 – myticket Jahrhunderthalle, FrankfurtJuly 14 – Parco Della Musica, MilanJuly 17 – Maassilo, RotterdamJuly 18 – Muziekcentrum, EnschedeJuly 19 – PLT, Heerlen

22SEPNews

Iron Maiden announce Knebworth show for summer 2026 with The Darkness, The Hu and more

Iron Maiden have announced a huge Knebworth headline show for the summer of 2026, with support from The Darkness, The Hu and others. Last week, the band shared details of a European stadium headline tour for next year, an extension of their two-year, 50th anniversary ‘Run For Your Lives’ tour. Advertisement That announcement included a tease of a major UK show, and now they have confirmed that they will top a bill at the legendary outdoor venue in Hertfordshire on Saturday 11 July, with a hand-picked set of opening acts made up of The Darkness, The Hu, Airbourne and The Almighty. The “weekend event” will include the biggest Eddie’s Dive Bar ever, as well as Maiden-themed food and other specialised stalls, with proceedings kicking off on Friday 10 July for fans with camping tickets. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Saturday (September 27) and you can find yours here. Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood has said: “We knew that we had to bring the ‘Run For Your Lives’ show back to the UK again next summer as there was such a phenomenal demand for tickets this year but we wanted to do something a bit different especially as it… Read More →

22SEPNews

‘The Daft Punk Experience’ is coming to Fortnite

Fortnite have announced that an official interactive Daft Punk collaboration is coming to the platform in the coming days. As of Saturday (September 27), The Daft Punk Experience will provide an immersive world that will allow Fortnite players to be able to explore 31 songs from across the French duo’s catalogue, while there will also be custom outfits, all-night dance parties and opportunities to remix and mashup Daft Punk songs. Advertisement The experience will open to players at 2pm EST (7pm BST) on September 27, with a pre-event lobby beginning 30 minutes earlier. Players entering the Daft Punk Experience will be guided through a portal and greeted with a supercut from the 2007 ‘Alive’ tour. Find out more about the Daft Punk Experience on the Fortnite website here. Fortnite x Daft Punk Experience. Coming soon. pic.twitter.com/f5dr9l8hPE — Daft Punk (@daftpunk) September 22, 2025 I used to pray for times like this pic.twitter.com/93n5OpAnPa — Is Daft Punk in Fortnite? (@DaftPunkinFort) September 22, 2025 It is far from the first time that Fortnite has entered a high-profile collaboration with a big name in music – last month, Gorillaz were announced as the next headliners of Fortnite Festival, while Sabrina Carpenter, Lady Gaga, The Weeknd and Bruno… Read More →

21SEPNews

Yard Act are working on their third album with former Nine Inch Nails and Beck bassist Justin Meldal-Johnsen

Yard Act have revealed that they are currently in the studio working on their third album with producer Justin Meldal-Johnsen. The Leeds band released their second record ‘Where’s My Utopia?’ in March 2024 and have been touring steadily in the time since, but now they have confirmed that they are working in Nave Studio in their hometown on their next LP. Advertisement Posting on Instagram this week, they wrote: “Hello from @nave_studios, where we’re making the greatest third album any band has ever recorded, with our new pal @justinmeldaljohnsen.” They also made reference to BBC Radio 6 Music’s ‘T-Shirt Day’ celebration of vintage artist tees, showing off their respective Kurt Vile, Bad Brains, Napalm Death, Nuha Ruby Ra and Bill Nelson t-shirts. “YALP3 will be the sweet spot between Napalm Death and Bill Nelson,” they quipped. Yard Act co-produced ‘Where’s My Utopia?’ with Remi Kabaka Jr, who is best known as the drummer and producer for Gorillaz, but as they have revealed, this time around they are working alongside Meldal-Johnsen. The American musician and producer served as the musical director for Beck from 1996 until 2016 and played as a touring bassist, guitarist and keyboardist for Nine Inch Nails in… Read More →

21SEPNews

OutKast announce 25th anniversary deluxe reissue of ‘Stankonia’

OutKast have announced details of a 25th anniversary deluxe reissue of their 2000 album ‘Stankonia’. The Atlanta duo’s fourth studio album, ‘Stankonia’ was released in 2000 and marked an expansion of their musical palette, with André 3000 embracing a more melodic vocal style and the arrangements embracing psychedelia, gospel, funk and rave. It boasted the classic singles ‘B.O.B.’, ‘Ms. Jackson’ and ‘So Fresh, So Clean’. Advertisement Now, the reissue of the album will be made up of a triple vinyl set that will include new bonus tracks – ‘Speed Ballin’, which has never appeared on streaming platforms, the Goodie Mob-featuring ‘Sole Sunday’ and new mixes of ‘B.O.B.’ from the Beat Bullies and Cutmaster Swiff. The package will also include new cover art from André 3000 and unreleased photographs from the album’s promotional cycle, as well as a glow-in-the-dark poster and deluxe gatefold packaging. It is released on October 31 via Legacy Recordings and you can pre-order yours here. [embedded content] An accompanying merchandise sale will begin on October 2, with t-shirts sporting graphics from the original ‘Stankonia’ photoshoot, as well as hoodies, caps and André 3000-designed posters. Explore the full range of items here. ‘Stankonia (25th Anniversary)’ 3LP tracklist: Recommended Side A‘Intro’‘Gasoline Dreams’… Read More →

21SEPHit Singles

Read Bob Dylan’s and Neil Young’s setlists from Farm Aid 40

Bob Dylan and Neil Young performed at Farm Aid last night [September 20, 2025]. Founded by Willie Nelson – who headlined – the event raising money for farmers across America celebrated its 40th anniversary. The line-up at the Huntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, also included John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Margo Price, Waxahatchee and Billy Strings. Advertisement Dylan and his band, who have recently finished the Outlaw Festival Tour with Nelson, played: All Along The WatchtowerI Can Tell [Bo Diddley cover]To RamonaHighway 61 RevisitedDon’t Think Twice, It’s All Right Dylan was accompanied by his current touring band: Advertisement Tony Garnier – electric and standup bassAnton Fig – drumsBob Britt – acoustic guitar, electric guitarDoug Lancio – acoustic guitar, electric guitarMatt Katz-Bohen – keyboard [embedded content] This was also Dylan’s last scheduled US show of the year. He returns to the Europe in October and the UK in November. Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts, meanwhile, played: Big CrimeRockin’ In The Free WorldLong Walk HomeBe The RainSouthern ManHey Hey, My My (Into The Black)Old Man The Chrome Hearts are: Micah Nelson – guitarCorey McCormick – bassAnthony LoGerfo – drumsSpooner Oldham – keys Click here to read our interview with Micah Nelson about… Read More →

20SEPNews

Blink-182 joined by Descendents’ Stephen Egerton and reunite with Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiba at Riot Fest 2025

Blink-182 were joined by the Descendents’ Stephen Egerton and reunited with Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiba at Riot Fest 2025 – watch below. The 20th anniversary of the punk festival took place this weekend in Chicago’s Douglass Park, with Green Day and Weezer topping the bill on the other two days. Advertisement During their Friday night headline show (September 19), Blink-182 were joined by longtime Descendents guitarist Egerton for a cover of the latter band’s classic 1982 track ‘Hope’, from their influential debut album ‘Milo Goes To College’. The song has been a regular presence on Blink setlists in 2025, although before this year they had not played it since 2003. Watch fan-captured footage of the cover here: [embedded content] Elsewhere in the set, Blink were joined by Alkaline Trio frontman Skiba, who was also a member of Blink-182 as a replacement for Tom DeLonge from 2015 to 2022. They played ‘Bored To Death’ – the first song the band released with Skiba as a co-vocalist, and a track that has appeared on Blink setlists sporadically in 2025. Watch here: [embedded content] Blink-182 played: Recommended ‘The Rock Show’ ‘First Date’ ‘Josie’ ‘Anthem Part Two’ ‘Online Songs’ ‘M+M’s’ ‘Fuck Face’ ‘Dumpweed’ ‘Feeling This’ ‘Down’ ‘Turpentine’ ‘Bored To Death’ (with Matt Skiba) ‘Wishing Well’ ‘Stay Together… Read More →

20SEPNews

Pulp fan makes giant lantern of Jarvis Cocker to celebrate his 62nd birthday

A Pulp fan has created a giant lantern of Jarvis Cocker to celebrate the singer’s 62nd birthday – check it out below. Cocker’s birthday was on Friday (September 19), and among a number of other gifts and messages from fans, he took to Instagram to highlight one in particular. Advertisement Writing on Saturday, the frontman said: “Thanks for all your birthday messages yesterday!! Here’s perhaps the strangest one: this representation of me in lantern form will be paraded around Ulverston tonight as part of the Ulverston Lantern Parade!” “Send me a photo of it illuminated if you’re in the area,” he added. “Thank you very much to the Ulverston lantern-makers!” Pulp are currently in the middle of a North American tour, which included a date at the Altria Theater in Richmond, Virginia on Cocker’s birthday. The previous show in Detroit’s Masonic Temple Theatre on Wednesday (September 17) was hailed by the singer as “hot”, ”loud” and “GREAT!”. “It was my last concert as a 61-year-old man,” he wrote in another Instagram post. “See you on the other side”. Recommended The band released their new album ‘More’ in June, their first new full-length record in 24 years. NME spoke to Cocker… Read More →

20SEPHit Singles

Peter Gabriel on his Genesis swansong: “It was a journey into the soul”

“We wanted to do something ambitious” Peter Gabriel joined former Genesis bandmates Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford and Steve Hackett to celebrate the 50th anniversary reissue of The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway at an exclusive listening party and Q&A in London’s Soho yesterday (September 19), discussing the classic double album’s “difficult” making and inscrutable plot. “Who the fuck knows?” Gabriel joked when asked by host Alexis Petredis what the album – receiving a deluxe 4CD/5LP box set re-release next week, featuring demos, a live show and Dolby Atmos remix – was all about. “I can say what I think I was trying to get to. It was a journey into the soul. In life, key experiences that happen to us, and often not the ones we choose, give us a little more of an education and hopefully a bit of wisdom and a bit more knowledge of ourselves. So in a way it was trying to accelerate a set of experiences that would allow this character to learn a lot more about himself.” Advertisement In easy and jocular mood, the band spoke about the origins of the 1975 opus concept. “We wanted to do something that was a bit more ambitious… Read More →

19SEPEditor Pick

“God Will Be My Peace”: Peg Luke Re-Releases a Defining Song

Peg Luke, the Emmy- and Grammy-nominated artist known for her authenticity and spiritual depth, has re-released one of her most moving songs, “God Will Be My Peace.” The track returns as a reminder of Luke’s ability to create music that blends timeless faith with contemporary resonance. At just over two and a half minutes, the song carries remarkable emotional weight. Luke’s luminous vocals rise above a delicate piano melody, gradually joined by layered harmonies that expand into something stirring and full of grandeur. Compact yet sweeping, it’s a piece that draws listeners back again and again. Her recent projects highlight a versatility that keeps her music fresh and unexpected. With “God Will Be My Peace” now re-released, Peg Luke is also focused on creating new work, promising her audience more music in the near future. For Luke, music is both personal and communal—a thread that binds audiences across genres and generations. With this re-release and new compositions on the way, she continues to affirm her place as a creator who bridges faith, artistry, and emotion in every note.

19SEPNews

Kneecap launch legal attack on Canadian MP Vince Gasparro for “wholly untrue and deeply malicious” comments as band barred from entering Canada

Kneecap have launched a legal attack on Canadian MP Vince Gasparro after being barred from entering Canada. The Irish rap trio were banned from entering Canada earlier this week, with Canadian officials saying they had “made statements that are contrary to Canadian values” that “have caused deep alarm”. Advertisement Announcing the ban on Monday (September 15), Canadian Liberal MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Combating Crime Vince Gasparro said in a video on X/Twitter that the group has “amplified political violence and publicly displayed support for terrorist organisations such as Hezbollah and Hamas.” “These are not expressions of art or legitimate political critique,” Gasparro said. “They are dangerous endorsements of violence and hate.” Mo Chara is currently facing terrorism charges levelled against him in May for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag on stage at a London show last November. Chara appeared in court last month, where the case was adjourned until September 26. Kneecap have consistently denied supporting either Hamas or Hezbollah, and said that they do not incite or condone violence. They have also argued that the footage at the UK shows had been taken out of context, and described the legal action as a “carnival of distraction”. They were due to perform in Toronto… Read More →

19SEPNews

Taylor Swift announces “dazzling* soirée” ‘Release Party Of A Showgirl’ in cinemas

Taylor Swift has announced a release party for her album ‘The Life Of A Showgirl’, set to take place in cinemas. Find all the details below. READ MORE: Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour comes to an end: a look at its massive global impact The singer’s 12th studio record arrives on October 3, following on from 2024’s ‘The Tortured Poets Department’. Advertisement In celebration, she’ll be bringing the album to the big screen with an 89-minute “release party” event, titled Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl, which will run from the Friday release day to Sunday October 5. The “party” will see the premiere of the first music video from the album for ‘The Fate of Ophelia’, as well as behind-the-scenes footage from the shoot, lyric videos for other songs on the album and Swift’s “never-before-seen personal reflections” about those new songs. Fans in the US will be able to attend at AMC Theatres, Cinemark and Regal theatres, with tickets available here. The programme will also be available at the same time in countries including Canada, Mexico, the U.K., France, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Tickets for showtimes… Read More →

19SEPHit Singles

Micah Nelson on touring with Neil Young: “rock‘n’roll energy!”

As the youngest son of Willie Nelson, guitarist Micah Nelson has been in Neil Young’s circle since childhood. He later played with Young between 2014 and 2019 as a member of of The Promise Of The Real, recording two studio albums The Monsanto Years and The Visitor and a live album Earth. More recently, as a member of Young’s latest backing band The Chrome Hearts, Nelson has appeared on Young’s latest studio album Talkin To The Trees and the Love Earth World Tour — which wrapped on September 15 at the Hollywood Bowl. Here, Nelson talks us through some highlights from the tour: from the surprise appearance of “Ambulance Blues”, the arrival in the setlist of rarities like “Sail Away” and “Singer Without A Song”, the origins of new song “Big Crime” to… what’s next for Young as he prepares to turn 80? Advertisement Photo: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images “We might know what we’re going to play first” UNCUT: The setlist seems to have become more fluid as the tour has progressed. Is that just Neil on a whim or does the band also get involved in terms of what you perform?NELSON: It’s both really. Back in the day [Nelson touring… Read More →