Eva Thai

Sigur Rós launch “inclusive and free digital experience”

Sigur Rós have announced a new “inclusive and free digital experience” for their fans worldwide, called Heimr. The Icelandic band announced the new online community on their Instagram page yesterday (March 8). Fans are able to sign up to the new initiative now, and will get “free and permanent” access to the community’s official Discord. “The Heimr community will be a space that evolves over time, and relies upon your input as much as ours,” Sigur Rós explained in a caption. Advertisement “As a member, you will be the first to receive upcoming announcements, have exclusive access to community benefits, and be able to engage in conversation that brings them together around the music, energy, and community that makes our fanbase special.” They added that the “central Discord hub will be the first layer in an ongoing experiment, one that only works with your active participation.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by sigur rós (@sigurros) Members will be given a unique digital membership pass called a Glingur, which will live on Polygon, a “decentralised data storage system on a low-carbon impact blockchain”. The band concluded the post by telling fans: “We hope you are as excited about… Read More →

09MARNews

Terror announce new album ‘Pain Into Power’ and share blistering new song

Long-running hardcore band Terror have announced a new album, ‘Pain Into Power’, and shared the first track from it in ‘Can’t Help But Hate’. The record follows last year’s ‘Trapped In A World’ and will be the Los Angeles band’s eighth album. ‘Pain Into Power’ was produced by Terror’s former guitarist Todd Jones – who was also one of the founding members of the band, alongside frontman Scott Vogel and drummer Nick Jett. Advertisement “Todd is super intense and focused and analyses all angles of songs and band situations,” Vogel said. “Sometimes I think he might know more about Terror than I do! Watching him create songs is inspiring because he was so invested in this album. And that was what we needed because Terror has done this so many times.” Lead single ‘Can’t Help But Hate’ features Cannibal Corpse’s George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher, and clocks in at a blistering one-minute-and-26-seconds. “This song is a fusion of Jordan and Todd Jones’ riffs,” Vogel explained. “Pushed forward by possibly the fastest drumming Terror has ever had. Lyrics that everyone can easily relate to while living in a world crashing deeper into insanity day after day.” The new album will be released on… Read More →

09MARNews

Universal Music Group is suspending all operations in Russia

Universal Music Group have announced they are cutting ties with Russia, one of many companies to have shuttered their operations in the country since Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine last month. “Effective immediately, we are suspending all operations in Russia and closing our offices there. We urge an end to the violence in Ukraine as soon as possible,” reads a statement from Universal, as Variety reports. “We are adhering to international sanctions and, along with our employees and artists, have been working with groups from a range of countries… to support humanitarian relief efforts to bring urgent aid to refugees in the region.” Advertisement According to Variety, a source has revealed that while the company’s staffers will continue to receive their salaries for an indeterminate amount of time, artists will likely see their recording activity frozen. Universal are the latest business to announce their withdrawal from Russia following its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, with the attack drawing widespread condemnation around the globe. Earlier this month, Live Nation announced they would not be promoting shows in Russia or doing business with the country, saying in a statement they were joining “the world in condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine”…. Read More →

08MARNews

Nick Cave and Warren Ellis to play two exclusive shows at Hanging Rock

Nick Cave and Warren Ellis have announced that they will be playing two shows at Hanging Rock in Victoria. READ MORE: Nick Cave & Warren Ellis live in London: Minimal elements for maximum impact These exclusive shows were announced on social media and mark the duo’s return to Australia for the first time in three years. They take place on 25 and 26 November, with Courtney Barnett supporting the pair at both Victoria dates. Tickets will be on sale March 17 and can be found here. Last month, Nick Cave opened up about touring Australia in a new post on his Red Hand Files website. Advertisement He explained: “I am sitting here looking at this year’s calendar. My assistant, Rachel, has helpfully laid it out in various child-friendly, primary-coloured blocks. A red block means touring, a blue block means other extracurricular creative stuff, and a yellow block means time off. The year is largely big, red blocks, with some sudden moments of blue, and a little lonely threadbare patch of yellow. “Of the three red blocks, one is the imminent American Carnage tour with Warren, starting in Asheville and ending in Montreal. This block of red fills me with a kind of unabated joy… Read More →

08MARNews

Confidence Man share new single ‘Woman’ for International Women’s Day

Confidence Man have shared a new single for International Women’s Day. Listen to ‘Woman’ below. READ MORE: Confidence Man: “There’s not enough dork in dance music these days” The song is the opening track from new album ‘TILT’, which arrives on April 1 via Heavenly Recordings. It follows on from previously released singles ‘Feels Like A Different Thing‘ and ‘Holiday’. The new song is accompanied by a one-shot party scene clip directed by Joe Agius (Hatchie, The Creases, Rinse), and has been released to coincide with International Women’s Day. Advertisement The song’s opening lyrics offer a powerful feminist manifesto: “I’m a woman of many words, but words do not define me. / This is my house that I built with my own two hands and if I so desire, I will burn it down/ So don’t call me the spark. I’m the fire and the flame. Ok?” You can listen to the new track here: Confidence Man will tour in the UK in May and June in support of ‘TILT’ – you can see their upcoming tour dates below, and find tickets here. May 1 – Get Together, Sheffield 3 – O2 Ritz, Manchester 4 – Concorde 2, Brighton 5 – The Forum, London… Read More →

08MARNews

Bob Geldof, Chrissie Hynde and more join ‘Night For Ukraine’ line-up

Bob Geldof, Chrissie Hynde and more have joined the line-up for the ‘Night For Ukraine’ fundraising concert which is due to take place tomorrow (March 9). The event, which will be held at London’s Roundhouse, will see a number of artists performing to help raise money for the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC). All money raised will be donated to the DEC to support humanitarian and emergency response work in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. READ MORE: Ukrainian artists on the Russian crisis: “Now is the time to push for change” Geldof and Hynde will be joined by the Ukrainian-born Bloom Twins, Ukrainian baritone and Royal Opera House Principal Artist Yuriy Yurchuk and Imelda May. Advertisement The evening will also feature resident choreographer of The Royal Ballet Wayne McGregor CBE and a host of UK artists, including Jack Garratt, Eckoes and Peter Xan, as well as a special performance by London Community Gospel Choir. Other performers on the bill include Tom Baxter, Joseph Toonga, Nadeem Din Gabisi, Joseph Lawrence and Archive, with more acts set to appear on the night. Tickets for the event are available here. ❗️ On Wed 9 Mar 2022, we will be hosting a Night for Ukraine ?? where funds raised… Read More →

08MARHit Singles

Introducing the Ultimate Music Guide to Robert Plant

BUY THE ROBERT PLANT ULTIMATE MUSIC GUIDE HERE How do you follow Led Zeppelin? That’s a question that Robert Plant gamely engages with in his exclusive introduction to our Ultimate Music Guide to his magnificent solo career. The Led Zeppelin he departed after the death of drummer John Bonham in 1980 was, he says, very different to the band he joined in 1968. “There were pretty radical changes between, 1968-1977,” he writes. “By the time we got to In Through The Out Door it was a totally different Zeppelin.” Advertisement No getting around it, the musical change that he’d participated in during that time was pretty extraordinary. From their origin in heavy blues rock, the Zeppelin oeuvre had grown to accommodate traditional folk, north African music, and latterly, even groovy synthesizers. Change having served him pretty well to this point, Plant saw no reason not to continue embracing it when he embarked on his solo career in earnest. “I’d always thought the music had to keep on morphing,” he says. This, as you’ll read in the in-depth reviews and entertaining archive features (sample quote: “I never asked to be the king of cock rock”) in our premium 124-page issue is something… Read More →

07MARNews

My Chemical Romance cancel shows in Russia and Ukraine

My Chemical Romance have become the latest band to cancel their upcoming shows in Russia and Ukraine. Taking to Instagram, the band wrote: “With deep regret, My Chemical Romance is cancelling our Ukraine and Russia shows in June 2022. “We hope to be able to play for the fans there soon,” they added. It comes after Ukraine severed diplomatic ties with Russia and declared martial law after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an attack on the neighbouring nation on February 24. View this post on Instagram A post shared by My Chemical Romance (@mychemicalromance) Last week, Biffy Clyro and Placebo announced that they’d pulled out of Moscow’s Park Live 2022 in light of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Yungblud also cancelled his upcoming shows in Russia saying he was “heartbroken” because “I know the vicious and brutal acts of the Russian regime in Ukraine over the past week do not reflect the attitudes and ideals of the beautiful people who I have met in Russia in the past.” Green Day cancelled an upcoming show in Moscow in light of the conflict. Billie Joe Armstrong and co were due to perform at Spartak Stadium in the Russian capital on May 29. However,… Read More →

07MARNews

Wet Leg unveil details of winter UK tour

Wet Leg have today (March 7) unveiled details of a winter UK and Ireland tour – check out the dates below. READ MORE: Wet Leg live in London: check out photos of their celebratory Independent Venue Week show The Isle of Wight duo, made up of Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers, will kick off their series of live dates in Norwich before travelling to Bristol, Liverpool, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, London, Nottingham and Belfast. The tour will come to a close in Dublin. The presale for the tickets begins at 9am on March 9; the general sale begins at 9am on March 11. You can purchase tickets here. Advertisement Wet Leg also announced that £1 from every ticket sold on the November UK tour will go directly to War Child’s Plus One, which will help support and improve the protection and care of children and young people who live with a combination of insecurity, poverty and exclusion in some of the worst conflict-affected places. Hey dudes ? we’ve got another UK tour for you ? tickets on sale Friday, pre-order the album for pre-sale access here (UK pals only) ? https://t.co/bJom3liL1R pic.twitter.com/GNHHpQDxRt — Wet Leg (@wetlegband) March 7, 2022 NOVEMBER 2022 3… Read More →

07MARNews

Dame Shirley Bassey to perform James Bond theme at BAFTAs 2022

Dame Shirley Bassey will open the BAFTA Film Awards 2022 ceremony with a performance of an iconic James Bond song, it’s been reported. READ MORE: Every James Bond theme song ranked in order of… greatness? According to Deadline, the 85-year-old singer is due to make a special appearance at the 75th BAFTAs, which take place at the Royal Albert Hall in London next Sunday (March 13) and will be hosted by Rebel Wilson. The outlet claims that Bassey will mark the 60th anniversary of the Bond franchise with a live airing of a well-known theme from a past film, though the chosen track will remain under wraps until the night. Advertisement Bassey is the only artist to have recorded multiple songs for the Bond series, having soundtracked the classic films Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever and Moonraker. The singer’s ‘Goldfinger’ (1964) landed at Number Four in NME‘s ranking of every James Bond theme; ‘Moonraker’ (1979) and ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ (1971) appear at Number 20 and Number Nine respectively. Back in 2020, Bassey praised Billie Eilish’s No Time To Die theme, saying that the pop star “did a good job”. “It’s a big honour for a young artist to live up to the Bond expectation,”… Read More →

07MARNews

VIVIZ’s SinB hopes her former group GFRIEND “will unite someday”

VIVIZ’s SinB has opened up about the disbandment of her former group GFRIEND. READ MORE: Yuju on her rebirth as a soloist: “Obviously, I’m really worried about doing this alone” In a new episode of ‘SCAN VIVIZ’ on the Youtube channel IDOLLIVE, the idol spoke about the disbandment of GFRIEND and her hopes to reunite the group in the future. The girl group – which comprised Sowon, Yerin, Eunha, Yuju, SinB and Umji – abruptly disbanded in May 2021, after six years together. The singer also revealed that GFRIEND only knew they would disband about a month before it was publicly announced. “I couldn’t tell the fans, that we are not GFRIEND anymore […] So, you can see that a month before the news came out, we were crying [during livestreams],” SinB confessed. Advertisement “On the day of the announcement, we thought we wouldn’t cry,” she recalled. “Last year was especially difficult for us, though we tried not to show it. I never thought that I could cry so much. Last year was the hardest time of my life.” However, SinB remains optimistic that even though the six of them are currently no longer a group, that they will come… Read More →

07MARNews

Watch Tool perform ‘Undertow’ for the first time in 20 years

Tool performed their 1993 song ‘Undertow’ for the first time in 20 years at a show in the US last week – check out the footage below. READ MORE: Tool – ‘Fear Inoculum’ review The Los Angeles band played at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on Thursday night (March 3) as part of their COVID-delayed 2022 world tour, which kicked off in January. Midway through the 12-song setlist, Tool surprised the crowd by playing the title track from their debut studio album for the first time since April 2022 (via Setlist.FM). Tool didn’t perform ‘Undertow’ at their next concert in Columbus, Ohio last night (March 6). Advertisement You can see fan-shot footage here: Tool’s current tour was postponed by almost two years, with the band having shelved their live plans when the pandemic hit in March 2020. During their first show back on January 10, the group dusted off a handful of songs that hadn’t been performed live for a number of years. ‘Pushit’ and ‘Hooker With A Penis’ hadn’t appeared on the setlist since 2014, and ‘Right In Two’ since 2011. Tool’s tour of North America wraps on March 20 in Cleveland, Ohio ahead of a run of… Read More →

06MARNews

Tiësto says his new album should be arriving “in the summer”

Tiësto has shared when he expects his next album to arrive, revealing that it should “come out in the summer”. READ MORE: Soundtrack Of My Life: Tiësto The Dutch DJ and producer’s last album was 2020’s ‘The London Sessions’, which was recorded during a month-long stay in the British capital, and featured collaborations with Becky Hill, Snoop Dogg, Rita Ora, Post Malone, Mabel and more. Speaking in a new interview, he recalled the experience of making the album. “‘The London Sessions’ was a really great album,” he told Level One. “I spent a month in London, met up with all the best songwriters and we has a lot of session. Advertisement “I feel like that’s how albums are gonna be from now on: they’ll be a vibe and not necessarily just like 10 songs put together. It’ll be more like: ‘Yeah, this is where I’m at, my headspace. and really try to close it out within three months from start to finish.” When asked whether he was planning on recording another album anytime soon, Tiësto confirmed that he was working on a new full-length release which he expected to be done by the end of February, and that he thinks… Read More →

06MARNews

Snoop Dogg confirms he now owns the masters to Dr. Dre’s ‘The Chronic’

Snoop Dogg has confirmed that he now owns the masters to Dr. Dre‘s ‘The Chronic’ among other Death Row albums following his recent acquisition of the iconic record label. READ MORE: Snoop Dogg – ‘Algorithm’ review: Snoop’s shot at making old-school hip-hop great again It was announced last month that the legendary rapper is now the official owner of Death Row Records, the iconic record label where he started his career 30 years ago. At the time of the acquisition, the full terms of the deal had not been disclosed. Some reports claimed Snoop wouldn’t have access to several classic Death Row releases, including multiple albums by Dr. Dre and 2Pac. Advertisement Speaking in a new interview, Snoop has provided some clarity on what his ownership of the Death Row brand involves, explaining that he does in fact own the masters to some of the label’s most iconic releases. “To be in control of the brand means that I got all of the pieces that I need to do what I got to do, from the masters to the publishing, to the IP, to the label, to the logo, to everything,” he told TIDAL’s Elliott Wilson. “It’s all mine. I’m able… Read More →

05MARNews

Bob Vylan on “iconic” Ghetts and their “incredible” new album

Bob Vylan caught up with NME at the BandLab NME Awards 2022, where the punk duo praised Ghetts as “one of the best lyricists in the world” and gave us the lowdown on their “incredible” new album. Watch our full interview with the band above. READ MORE: The BandLab NME Awards 2022: the wildest night in music The duo were in town to present the award for Best Festival in the UK to Reading & Leeds. But what’s their favourite festival? “Reading & Leeds – it’s gotta be,” replied frontman Bobby Vylan. “We played that last year and it was absolutely insane, absolutely incredible. Live At Leeds as well, that was a good one.” Advertisement Asked about who they were most looking forward to catching up with on the night, Bobby replied: “We just met Ghetts, so now I’m going home! I’ve done what I came here to do. We just exchanged pleasantries, but he’s an icon, he’s an absolute legend, and one of the best lyricists in the world.” Could a collab be on the cards? “You’d have to go ask him!” laughed Bobby. “Ask him under duress right now – get it on camera as well!” Credit: Zoe McConnell Looking… Read More →

05MARNews

Check out CHVRCHES’ new 2022 North American tour dates

CHVRCHES have announced details of a huge new North American tour for 2022 – check out the new list of dates below. The Scottish trio are fresh off a three-song performance at this week’s (March 2) BandLab NME Awards 2022 in London, where they performed with The Cure‘s Robert Smith. READ MORE: CHVRCHES & Robert Smith at the BandLab NME Awards 2022: a world-first meeting of minds After a UK tour that begins next week (March 10), the band will head to the US and Mexico from the end of April, playing a host of shows that take them up until the end of June. The new headline dates begin in late May. Advertisement See the band’s full list of tour dates below. MARCH 2022 10 – Dundee, Fat Sam’s 12 – Glasgow, SWG3 Poetry Club 14 – Edinburgh, O2 Academy 15 – Newcastle, City Hall 16 – London, Brixton Academy 18 – Birmingham, O2 Academy 19 – Manchester, Academy APRIL 2022 29 – Atlanta, Shaky Knees Festival MAY 2022 13 – Mexico City, Tecate Emblema 18 – Monterrey, Showcenter 21 – Guadalajara, Corona Capital 27 – Napa, BottleRock Festival 30 – Tampa, Jannus 31 – Miami, Revolution Live JUNE 2022… Read More →

05MARNews

PC Music announce new compilation with Charli XCX, Clairo and Caroline Polachek

PC Music have announced details of their new ‘Vol. 3’ compilation, featuring Charli XCX, Clairo and Caroline Polachek among others. READ MORE: Charli XCX live in London: isolation anthems finally get their special airing Arriving nearly six years after the label’s ‘Vol. 2’ compilation, the new record will come out on May 13. The following month, PC Music will host a special label showcase at the newly reopened KOKO venue in London. Advertisement Others included on the album are Hannah Diamond, Tommy Cash, A.G. Cook and more. Watch the trailer for ‘Vol. 3’ and see its tracklist – including three as-yet-unidentified new songs – below. Disc 1 1. EASYFUN – ‘Be Your USA’ 2. Hannah Diamond – ‘Invisible’ 3. Tommy Cash – ‘Pussy Money Weed’ 4. felicita – ‘marzipan’ (feat. Caroline Polachek) 5. Danny L Harle – ‘Blue Angel’ (feat. Clairo) 6. umru & Laura Les – ‘popular’ 7. Lil Data – ‘Burnnn’ 8. Planet 1999 – ‘Party’ 9. Namasenda – ‘Dare (AM)’ 10. A. G. Cook – ‘Lifeline’ Disc 2 1. A. G. Cook – ‘Xcxoplex’ (with Charli XCX) 2. Namasenda – ‘☆’ (feat. Oklou) 3. caro♡ – ‘over u’ 4. Hyd – Skin 2 Skin 5. umru feat. Tommy… Read More →

04MARNews

Super Furry Animals share first ever recorded song featuring Rhys Ifans

Super Furry Animals have shared their first ever recorded song that features vocals from actor Rhys Ifans. The song – ‘Of No Fixed Identity – has remained in the band’s archives for almost 30 years but is now available on Bandcamp for a limited time. Before Gruff Rhys took over vocals, Ifans fronted the Welsh band. The group first recorded at Gorwel Owen’s studio on Ynys Môn in summer 1993 and ‘Of No Fixed Identity’ was the first song ever recorded by the band. Advertisement In a statement about the song, the group said: “Our first, ever recorded work is out, in part an exploration of the past and in part a criticism of the present and a future where corporate interests are prioritised ahead of health, wellbeing and the natural world.” “Please download the track, support the cause and rediscover the considerable singing talents of Mr Rhys Ifans.” You can download the song here. Super Furry Animals’ Gruff Rhys CREDIT: Gaelle Beri/Redferns The band are donating a percentage off the profits to ‘Save The Severn’ campaign. Recently, Super Furry Animals called on the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) to revoke the licence granted to EDF – which they claim has resulted in nuclear mud dumping… Read More →

04MARNews

Griff and Sigrid share new version of ‘Head On Fire’ featuring King Princess and MØ

Griff and Sigrid have shared a new reworking of their recent collaborative single ‘Head On Fire’, which now features King Princess and MØ – you can hear the new track below. The original version of the track, which was released in January, won Best Collaboration at the BandLab NME Awards 2022 on Wednesday (March 2). The two artists also performed the song during the ceremony. READ MORE: Griff & Sigrid at the BandLab NME Awards 2022: pop perfection from the dynamic duo ‘Head On Fire’ has now been reworked to include new contributions from King Princess and MØ, with the new version of the track arriving today (March 4). Advertisement “Thank you to these gorgeous gorgeous girls for asking me to come sing and play on ‘Head On Fire’,” King Princess said of the track, which you can hear below. “This song slaps!” MØ added: “I was so happy when Griff asked me to join on this song. I love collaborating with other women. I find the bonds I make when creating with other female artists makes me feel so empowered and it builds a sense of support and community. “On top of all of that, I’m a huge fan… Read More →

04MARNews

Listen to Ezra Furman’s new song ‘Point Me Toward the Real’

Ezra Furman has shared a new song – her first for the year – titled ‘Point Me Toward the Real’. The track was produced by John Congleton, and features horn arrangements by Nate Walcott of Bright Eyes along with backing vocals from Shannon Lay and Debbie Neigher. READ MORE: Ezra Furman – ‘Twelve Nudes’ review It’s a slow-burning ballad that tells a story about the narrator’s first night after being released from a psychiatric facility. “Point me toward the real motherfuckers, point me toward the real / I’ve been lied to and abuse, time to try to heal,” Furman sings above moody synths. Listen to ‘Point Me Toward the Real’ below: Advertisement “This is a neo-soul song about getting released from a psychiatric hospital, which has never happened to me,” Furman said in a statement. “But really it’s a song about what you do right after abuse, imprisonment, a brush with death. Who do you call when it’s supposedly over? Where do you go? How do you know what you want? “We’ve all recently been going through something terrifying. We’ve all made friends with death in the last two years. When I look to the future, I want to know… Read More →

03MARNews

Stromae announces Wembley Arena show for 2023

Stromae has announced that he’ll be bringing his ‘Multitude’ tour to London next year with a one-off show at Wembley Arena. The Belgian singer-songwriter (real name Paul Van Haver) is set to release his long-awaited third album ‘Multitude’ tomorrow (March 4). It’s his first full-length release in almost a decade, following 2013’s ‘Racine Carrée’. During his hiatus from his own music, he worked on music videos for the likes of Billie Eilish and Dua Lipa. Advertisement His headline show at the OVO Arena Wembley takes place on May 4, 2023. Tickets go on sale next Friday (March 11) at 10am – you can get them here. Elsewhere on the European leg of his ‘Multitude’ tour, Stromae will also perform in Amsterdam, Cologne, Berlin and Rome. You can see the full list of dates below. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Stromae (@stromae) In January, Stromae shared a new single, ‘L’enfer’, which explores his own struggles with mental health. The track sees Stromae candidly sing: “Sometimes I’ve had suicidal thoughts and I’m not proud of it/ Sometimes you feel it’d be the only way to silence them.” He adds: “All these thoughts putting me through hell.” Advertisement ‘Multitude’ will also feature Stromae’s comeback… Read More →