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UK artists invited to apply for “seriously game-changing” £125k fund to beat “the cost of touring crisis”

Artists from across the UK are invited to apply for part of £125,000 worth of funding to help tackle “the cost of touring crisis” and get them on the road. After the recent news that 30 grassroots venues were lost forever between July 2024 and July 2025, and last year alone saw more than half of those remaining making no profit and over 6,000 jobs lost, pressure has been mounting to help fund touring for artists to help prevent the existential threat to the future of the UK’s talent pipeline. Advertisement A landmark 2024 Parliamentary report by the Culture Media & Sport Committee saw Lily Fontaine of future Mercury Prize-winners English Teacher tell a government hearing that they were “working full-time but earning less than minimum wage”. “That’s not legal,” she continued, “but it’s the way that the industry works and the way it is now for us. If we do make money, it’s a little bit because our label has chucked us some money to make things even. We make a little bit of money from selling merch, but the bigger capacity venues can take a cut of that.” Speaking at the follow-up hearing a year later, Wolf Alice… Read More →

12MARNews

Fearne Cotton recalls “shame” after hearing “horrible news” of ex-partner Ian Watkins’ sex crimes

Fearne Cotton has reflected on the “shame” she experienced after learning of her ex-partner Ian Watkins’ child sex crimes. The TV and radio presenter dated the former Lostprophets frontman for a period in 2005, while she was working on BBC Radio 1 as well as Top Of The Pops. Advertisement In 2013, Watkins pleaded guilty to 13 sex offences, including the attempted rape of a baby, conspiring to rape a child, three counts of sexual assault involving children, seven involving taking, making or possessing indecent images of children and one of possessing an extreme pornographic image involving a sex act on an animal. He was killed in prison in October, 12 years into a 29-year sentence. In her new memoir Likeable, Cotton has opened up about the experience of learning of Watkins’ crimes at a time when she was still a regular presence on national radio and television. She does not name Watkins, but writes about working at Radio 1 at the time that “a horrible news story that doesn’t involve me yet has a tenuous and life-altering link to me will be broadcast on my own radio show again that day.” She went on to describe the “shame” she felt at work, adding: “I feel simultaneously glared at, stared at, yet utterly ignored by those in the office. Are… Read More →

12MARNews

Adam Lambert tells us about upcoming new music, and why artists need to “use their platforms for the greater good”

Adam Lambert has spoken to NME about why it is more important than ever for people to speak out in support of trans rights, and revealed that he has a new solo project coming later this year. The solo star and Queen frontman caught up with us backstage at the ‘Trans Mission’ show at Wembley Arena last night (Wednesday March 11), which raised funds for non-profit organisations Good Law Project and Not A Phase. Advertisement He took to the stage to break out two of his tracks, joining a stacked line-up that included Wolf Alice, Beth Ditto, Sugababes, Olly Alexander, HAAi, Jasmine.4.T, Kae Tempest, Kate Nash, MNEK, Romy, Sophie Ellis-Bextor. The night also saw guest appearances from Sir Ian McKellen, Jordan Stephens, Munroe Bergdorf, Nicola Coughlan, Russell Tovey, Tia Kofi, Zack Polanski and more. Backstage, Lambert opened up to us about why he “said yes without hesitation” when he was asked to take part. “These are the types of events and causes that I always try to put my energy into,” he told NME, adding that the message of “inclusivity” aligned with both his own views and those of Queen. “This is when being an artist is amazing, because we… Read More →

11MARNews

Billie Eilish in talks for film acting debut in Sarah Polley’s adaptation of ‘The Bell Jar’

Billie Eilish could make her big screen acting debut in an adaptation of Sylvia Plath’s classic novel The Bell Jar helmed by Women Talking’s Sarah Polley. READ MORE: Billie Eilish live in London: another sublime stint from an eternal star The singer is reportedly in advanced talks to take on the lead role in the project. She previously acted in 2023 TV series Swarm, co-created by Donald Glover. Advertisement “I used to say that I hated acting,” Eilish once said in a Saturday Night Live monologue. “But the truth is, when I was little I loved it! My mom and dad were both actors. So is my brother, Finneas. And it was my dream to be in a movie.” Writer-director Polley won the Oscar for best adapted screenplay for Women Talking, which was also nominated for best picture. She was previously attached to a live action remake of Bambi but then left the project. She has since written the screenplay for family drama & Sons and her other directorial credits include Take This Waltz and Away From Here. [embedded content] Her adaptation of The Bell Jar isn’t the first time Plath’s only novel has been adapted for film, but a previously released film version in 1979 attracted negative reviews. Released the month before… Read More →

11MARNews

Lip Critic share chaotic new single ‘Jackpot’ and announce NYC ‘Theft Saga’ residency

Lip Critic have shared their chaotic new single ‘Jackpot’ taken from their forthcoming new album ‘Theft World’. READ MORE: The unstoppable force of Lip Critic The track, which follows previous single ‘Legs In A Snare’, hammers the senses with fruit and slot machine sounds at a casino while frontman Bret Kaser’s belts out the track’s rowdy lyrics. Advertisement The song spirals around a “protagonist groomed by gambling ads in childhood, now grown into a man at war with his own circuitry”, according to a press release. Check it out below. “‘Jackpot’ is a song about risking it all, and winning it all, betting the house, and ending up with two houses, then waking up with nothing at all,” the band said. [embedded content] It features on the band’s forthcoming album ‘Theft World’, which is set for release on May 1 via Partisan Records. “’Theft World’ is an ode to the power and pervasiveness of stealing,” the band previously said of the album. “It’s about taking something ugly and using it to make something cute. It’s about eating an absurd world and falling in love with it as you digest.” Recommended The concept for the record came about while the former NME cover stars… Read More →

10MARNews

George Michael ‘The Faith Tour’ live concert film and album announced

George Michael: The Faith Tour is set to arrive in cinemas later this year alongside an 18-track live album of previously unheard performances. READ MORE: George Michael Obituary: 1963-2016 Footage was shot at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy during the European leg of Michael’s ‘Faith’ tour in 1988. Directed by the singer’s longtime collaborators Andy Morahan and David Austin, the film was long thought lost but has been restored and remastered. Advertisement The film transforms footage from a 14-camera shoot captured over two nights on 35mm film. It’ll open with a short film by Mary McCartney, Finding Faith, which helps to put the tour’s cultural significance into perspective. The film will also feature Michael’s own words with a voiceover from a previously unheard interview, unseen images from American photographer Herb Ritts, and behind-the-scenes footage of the ‘Faith’ music video. Accompanying the film is the album ‘The Faith Tour’, which brings together 18 previously unreleased recordings spanning both Michael’s time in Wham! and his solo career, recorded during his world tour. There’s no release date yet, but more details will be announced in due course. In the meantime, check out some photos below. CREDIT: Michael Putland CREDIT: George Michael Entertainment CREDIT: Michael… Read More →

10MARNews

Madonna says she has the football shirt that Celta Vigo F.C. are looking for

Madonna has got in touch with a Spanish football team searching for one of their shirts, and revealed that she has it in her archives. The shirt in question is the blue-and-white Celta Vigo jersey that the pop icon wore during a concert at the Balaidos Stadium back in 1990. Advertisement Marián Mouriño Terrazo, president of the club, recently shared an open letter asking if anyone knew where the shirt was now, and asked Madonna if she could help them track it down. “Over time we came to better understand what you stood for back then: questioning established norms and standing up to those who try to tell you what you can or cannot do,” he wrote, reflecting on her performance held over three decades ago. “At our club we recognise ourselves in this line of thought. That is why we hold on to the hope of finding the garment you once wore.” “Do you have it? If you know where it may be, or if you would like to join us in the search to retrieve it, please contact us via private message,” Terrazo added. The club then made a similar post on X/Twitter, tagging the ‘Vogue’ icon and… Read More →

09MARNews

Former Dead Kennedys frontman Jello Biafra hospitalised after suffering a stroke

Dead Kennedys‘ former frontman Jello Biafra has been hospitalised after suffering a stroke. The 67-year-old punk legend was taken to hospital on Saturday (March 7) after he came down with a hemorrhagic stroke caused by high blood pressure. Advertisement In a statement via his record label Alternative Tentacles on Instagram, Biafra said: ”I hopped out of my bed because I needed to pee, and my left leg just collapsed under me and I fell to the floor. I couldn’t even break the fall with my left arm because it wasn’t working either. I tried to hop back up again, and I couldn’t. I realized I had ‘fallen and I can’t get up!’ It was this point I thought, ‘Oh shit, I’m having a stroke!’” He added: “I still have a lot of great stuff in me, but right now I gotta lotta of rehabbing to do.” His label confirmed that he is still in hospital but he is stable. “We are all just very thankful he is OK and getting the care that he needs. We will update you all as we are able,” his label added. Recommended Biafra left the Dead Kennedys in 1986 and has not been part… Read More →

09MARNews

Baz Luhrmann wants to make a “jazz age” version of Charli XCX’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ soundtrack

Baz Luhrmann has revealed that he is wanting to make a “jazz age” version of Charli XCX’s Wuthering Heights soundtrack. The Australian filmmaker, who is behind the 2022 Elvis biopic, the new Elvis EPiC concert film, Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge and more, shared the vision with Wallpaper – where he spoke about designing a new carriage for Belmond’s British Pullman train. Advertisement He is embarking on the project with Catherine Martin – his wife and creative partner – and shared that the idea arose from his love of “slow travel”. “Trains in particular have a way of putting you in a dream-like state where you forget about the realities around you in the world,” he said, adding that the carriage he and Martin were designing will be called “Celia”. It will be set within an original 1932 Pullman carriage, accommodating 12 guests, and inspired by a theatre set for A Midsummer Night’s Dream – heavily decorated with flora and fauna, and also featuring a cocktail bar, a lounge, an entertainment area and more. Like many of his films, the design is a nod to a bygone era, and would look to capture the same elegance and extravagance as seen… Read More →

08MARNews

Ringo Starr announces new album ‘Long Long Road’ with Billy Strings, Sheryl Crow and St. Vincent

Ringo Starr has announced his new album ‘Long Long Road’ and shared the lead single ‘It’s Been Too Long’ – listen below. READ MORE: The Beatles: every song ranked in order of greatness It will be the Beatles legend’s 22nd solo album and will see him return to the country sound of his last record, last year’s ‘Look Up’. Advertisement Like that album, ‘Long Long Road’ has been overseen by the acclaimed producer T Bone Burnett, and it will feature appearances from St. Vincent, Sheryl Crow and Billy Strings. It is released on April 24 via UMe and you can pre-order it here. The first taste of the album is ‘It’s Been Too Long’, which was written by Burnett and Daniel Tashian, and features harmony vocals from Molly Tuttle and Sarah Jarosz. Ringo’s voice takes the lead on the wistful track, over twanging Americana guitars and warm production. Watch the visualiser here: [embedded content] Starr has said: “I’m blessed to have T Bone in my life right now and working with me on these records. After we did the last record, which I love listening to, this one just sort of happened. I like to say sometimes I make the right moves, like you can go left or right at any point, and one of the right moves was hooking up with T Bone for… Read More →

08MARNews

Watch Sleaford Mods perform with Orbital, Gwendoline Christie, Life Without Buildings’ Sue Tompkins and more at London Brixton Academy show

Sleaford Mods played alongside Orbital, Gwendoline Christie, Life Without Buildings’ Sue Tompkins and others at a show at London’s Brixton Academy. The duo played a huge show at the London venue last night (March 7), the final night of a UK and Ireland tour in support of their new album ‘The Demise Of Planet X’. The tour saw them offering “low income tickets for people who are struggling”, while £1 from every ticket sold was donated to War Child. Advertisement Orbital served as the opening act in Brixton, playing a DJ set that saw them spinning tracks from Kneecap, Fontaines D.C. and many others. Sleaford Mods joined them towards the end of the set for a version of ‘Dirty Rat’, their collaboration that was released on Orbital’s 2023 album ‘Optical Delusion’. During Sleaford Mods’ own set, they were joined by many of the guests that appear on ‘The Demise Of Planet X’, including Star Wars and Game Of Thrones star Christie for ‘The Good Life’ and Tompkins on ‘No Touch’. Fellow Nottingham artists Liam Bailey and Snowy were also on hand for ‘Flood The Zone’ and ‘Kill List’ respectively. Check out footage from the show here: Recommended [embedded content] [embedded content] [embedded content] @sleafordmods that was fabulous last night – an all star cast 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/KdlevvL4DD — The_Theme_Scene ⛔ (@The_Theme_Scene) March 8, 2026 Advertisement Thank you Brixton Academy…. Read More →

07MARNews

Aldous Harding announces new album ‘Train On The Island’ with enigmatic single ‘One Stop’

Aldous Harding has announced her new album ‘Train On The Island’ and shared the first single ‘One Stop’ – listen below. The New Zealand singer-songwriter will release her fifth studio record and the follow-up to 2022’s ‘Warm Chris’ on May 8 and you can pre-order your copy on CD, standard black vinyl or limited-edition blue vinyl here. Advertisement The first single is ‘One Spot’, a stripped-back track built around a singular piano motif and Harding’s multi-tracked vocals that has a wiry and enigmatic aura. Check out the video, directed by Michelle Henning, here: [embedded content] ‘Train On The Island’ has been co-produced by Harding’s long-time collaborator John Parish (PJ Harvey, Dry Cleaning) at Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, Wales, where they worked together on all of her previous LPs. Aldous Harding ‘ ‘Train On The Island’ artwork Aldous Harding – ‘Train On The Island’ tracklist: ‘I Ate The Most’ ‘One Stop’ ‘Train On The Island’ ‘Worms’ ‘Venus In The Zinnia’ ‘If Lady Does It’ ‘San Francisco’ ‘What Am I Gonna Do?’ ‘Riding That Symbol’ ‘Coats’ Recommended In January, Harding announced an extensive UK, European and North American tour for later this year and due to high demand, she has now added a third night at London’s Barbican on May 31. Tickets for that and all of the shows are available now and you… Read More →

07MARNews

The Who to release 2023 Eden Project orchestral show as live album

The Who will release their July 2023 orchestral performance at the Eden Project as a live album in May. The rock legends played at the Cornwall site with the Heart of England Philharmonic Orchestra three years ago, and now it has been revealed that fans will be able to buy it as a live album. Advertisement It will be available as a 2CD digipak, a limited 3LP gatefold edition on recycled vinyl in a paper wallet and a standard 3LP gatefold from May 29 – pre-order your copy here. The 24-track album has been previewed with ‘Pinball Wizard’, which you can listen to here: The Who’s ‘Live At Eden Project’ tracklist: ‘Overture’ ‘1921’ ‘Amazing Journey’ ‘Sparks’ ‘The Acid Queen’ ‘Pinball Wizard’ ‘We’re Not Gonna Take It’ ‘Who Are You’ ‘Eminence Front’ ‘The Kids Are Alright’ ‘You Better You Bet’ ‘Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere’ ‘Substitute’ ‘I Can’t Explain’ ‘My Generation’ ‘Cry If You Want’ ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’ ‘Behind Blue Eyes’ ‘The Real Me’ ‘I’m One’ ‘5:15’ ‘The Rock’ ‘Love Reign O’er Me’ ‘Baba O’Riley’ The Who played the final show of their North American farewell tour in October last year in Thousand Palms, California, closing with ‘Tea & Theatre’ from 2006. Recommended “I suppose, you know, it’s goodbye,” Pete Townshend told the audience afterwards. “That’s what… Read More →

06MARNews

KSI buys stake in Dagenham & Redbridge FC in bid to take them to Premier League

KSI has bought a minority stake in Dagenham & Redbridge FC, hoping to take the non-league team to the Premier League. “I’m so excited to start this journey. It’s gonna be a rollercoaster for sure but I hope to bring Dagenham & Redbridge back to the glory days,” KSI told the club’s website. Advertisement “And once we reach that point, I want to go even further. Reaching the Premier League would be a dream. And I believe it is 100 per cent doable. “It will take a long time, so to the Daggers fans, please be patient. “I want you to know that I am fully committed to making sure Dagenham & Redbridge is a team that everyone will know worldwide, and will be an exciting team to watch and support.” Meanwhile, the club described KSI’s involvement as “its most significant strategic partnership to date”. Currently, the east London club is in a sixth tier league. They were in League One for the 2009-2010 season but have not returned since after they were relegated. They dropped out of the English Football League altogether in 2015-2016. Recommended [embedded content] KSI last caught up with NME on the red carpet at the 2025 BRIT Awards… Read More →

06MARNews

New book to present “a lyrical portrait of Susie Cave” with words by Nick Cave and photos by Dominique Issermann

A new book that presents “a lyrical portrait of Susie Cave” is on the way, and it will feature words from Nick Cave and photography from Dominique Issermann. SUSIE will be available to purchase on hardback from September 16 via Thames & Hudson, and is a visual and lyrical portrait of the British designer, entrepreneur, and model. Advertisement Contributions come from writer and musician Nick Cave, who has been married to Susie since 1999, as well as from photographer Dominique Issermann, book designer Irma Boom and Susie herself. Issermann is a longtime friend of the couple, and the photographs put forward in the book come following years of photographing the two of them. Nick Cave contributes words and lyrics too, inspired by his partner over the decades and dating back to when they first met in 1997. As well as following Susie’s creativity and relationship with the ‘Red Right Hand’ singer, the book also comes as a testament to motherhood – capturing both the devastating loss of a child, as well as the deep comfort she found in the one who remains. In July 2015, Susie and Nick’s son, Arthur, died after falling from a cliff near Brighton at the… Read More →

06MARNews

Huge Ozzy Osbourne statue to be unveiled at France’s Hellfest Festival in June

A huge statue of Ozzy Osbourne is set to be unveiled at Hellfest this year in tribute to the late metal pioneer. Read More: Ozzy Osbourne, 1948-2025: culture-smashing revolutionary that redefined rock and reality TV Ozzy’s wife, Sharon, shared the news at the MIDEM music industry conference in Cannes, France, and gave fans a glimpse of the statue, too. Advertisement “Oh, there he is. Look at him, a rock god,” she said while images of the in-progress statue were shown on a screen. “That is going to debut at Hellfest, and that is June 18th. And the whole family will be there to see it. And it’s such a great tribute. It’s amazing. So, I can only thank [Hellfest director] Ben [Barbaud]. Just bless you. It’s an amazing piece of art.” The announcement comes four years after the French metal festival, held in the region of Clisson every June, unveiled a statue of the late Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister. Caroline Brisset created the Lemmy sculpture, but the sculptor for the Ozzy statue hasn’t yet been revealed. You can take a look at the sculpture so far about 48 minutes into the video below: [embedded content] This year, Hellfest will run from… Read More →

05MARNews

December 10 on helping launch a new wave of UK boybands: “We really want to speak for our generation”

December 10 have spoken to NME about their rise to fame after being formed by Simon Cowell, realising that Tom Grennan was a fan, and how they’re only just getting started. The seven-piece boyband caught up with us backstage at the 2026 Universal Pre-BRITs showcase, where they were celebrated as one of three UK artists who are on the brink of an exciting next chapter. Advertisement Held at the Aviva Studios in Manchester on Friday (February 27), they appeared alongside R&B trio FLO, and acclaimed singer-songwriter Holly Humberstone, performing to a crowd of music executives and industry leaders. While on stage, December 10 broke out a performance of their debut single ‘Run My Way’, and previewed a brand-new song called ‘Angel’. Backstage, the group – formed of Cruz Lee-Ojo, Danny Bretherton, Hendrik Christoffersen, John Fadare, Josh Olliver, Nicolas Alves, and Seán Hayden – caught up with NME to share what the moment meant to them. “We’re buzzing, it feels amazing. We just got off a tour and so we’re still at that high, and we’re just so excited to go out and perform again,” Hayden said, while Lee-Ojo added: “It is insane to get this opportunity to be here tonight,… Read More →

04MARNews

Paul McCartney pays tribute to “my dear old mate” and former Quarrymen member Len Garry

Paul McCartney has paid tribute to his “dear old mate” and former Quarrymen bandmate Len Garry, who has died at the age of 84. Garry’s passing was confirmed by his family on Monday (March 2), who revealed he had died of pneumonia. Advertisement “The doctor told us he had hours to live and I said straight away, ‘He has to come home,’” Which the doctor allowed. I travelled with dad in the ambulance and got him home,” his daughter Jane wrote on Instagram. “I love you Dad and I will miss you Dad for the rest of my life. I’m beyond devastated.” McCartney shared a photo of the original Quarrymen in tribute with the caption: “My dear old mate from the Quarrymen, Len Garry, has passed away. He was a lovely guy and I’m sad to see him go but glad that we had so many fun times together. Rest in Peace Len, Love Paul.” McCartney and Garry began making music together as schoolboys and were both part of The Quarrymen’s first steady line-up, which also consisted of John Lennon, Colin Hanton, Rod Davis, Pete Shotton and Eric Griffiths. Lennon was already part of the band when McCartney joined in… Read More →

04MARNews

TRNSMT change set times to show Scotland World Cup match

TRNSMT have adjusted set times at this year’s festival to be able show Scotland playing in the World Cup. The nation has reached the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, and will be playing against Morocco on Friday June 19. Advertisement Organisers of Glasgow’s TRNSMT have now adjusted the performance schedule for the festival on that day, meaning that fans can stay behind to watch the match kick-off at 11pm. On the night, former Verve frontman turned solo star Richard Ashcroft is set to headline. Usually, the headline set takes place from roughly 9.30pm until 11pm, however to avoid a clash with the World Cup, Ashcroft will be starting his performance earlier, and finishing with plenty of time before the game starts. Fans attending the festival on the night will be allowed to stay behind to watch the game from Glasgow Green, which will be broadcast live on what the organisers describe as the “largest screens in the country”. “This is going to be a historic moment for the festival and one we are incredibly excited about,” said Geoff Ellis, chief executive of DF Concerts (via BBC News). “It’s sure to be a night that will live long… Read More →

03MARNews

Grandson says O2 Forum Kentish Town wouldn’t let him bring Bob Vylan out on stage

Grandson has claimed that he wasn’t allowed to bring Bob Vylan frontman Bobby Vylan out on stage at his O2 Forum Kentish Town show. READ MORE: Bob Vylan: “We’ve been screaming about these topics at the top of our lungs for years. Why has it taken this long?” The singer, real name Jordan Benjamin, played the venue, part of Academy Music Group, last night (March 2) as part of his ‘Inertia’ tour and planned to bring Vylan out as a special guest. Advertisement “As we got ready to rock the O2 Forum Kentish Town tonight, we were informed right before the show that our surprise guest Bobby Vylan would not be allowed in the venue or onstage,” he wrote on his Instagram Stories to address the controversy. “When I threatened to pull out of the show they said it was out of their hands and due to the local police’s fear of protestors impacting the safety of the audience.” He added: “I was put in the position where I had to either tell the 2,000 people that travelled to the show and paid a ticket tonight to go home, or have my OWN freedom as an artist to invite whoever [the]… Read More →

03MARNews

Ghetts jailed for killing student in fatal hit-and-run at 74mph

Ghetts has been jailed for 12 years after killing a 20-year-old student in a fatal hit-and-run incident in London. The 41-year-old rapper and Mercury Prize nominee, real name is Justin Clarke-Samuel, failed to stop after hitting a man in Ilford on October 18, 2025 around 11.30pm. Yubin Tamang, a student from Nepal, died in hospital from his injuries two days after being hit by Ghetts’ BMW. Evidence showed that the rapper was driving at 74mph in a 30mph zone before striking Tamang as he crossed Redbridge Lane. Ghetts then failed to stop at the scene. A court heard that after the crash, Clarke-Samuel continued to drive for eight miles before going home and having six or seven shots of Ciroc vodka and a “cannabis cookie”. Upon his arrest several hours later, his BMW was found parked near his home with damage including a smashed windscreen, marks on the bonnet, damage to the front bumper and a missing wing mirror cover. He has been in custody since making a preliminary appearance on October 27 at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court. There, he was disqualified from driving with immediate effect, and he later pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving in December. The victim’s… Read More →