Kojey Radical on his Mercury-nominated album: “This is what’s going to bring UK hip-hop to the next level”
Kojey Radical has spoken to NME about his recent Mercury Prize nomination, and flying the flag for UK hip-hop. Watch our video interview with the rapper above.
- READ MORE: Mercury Prize 2022: why each nominee deserves to take home the coveted award
The Hoxton rapper was speaking to NME from the London launch event for the prize yesterday (Wednesday July 27), where his acclaimed debut album ‘Reason To Smile‘ was named as one of the Albums Of The Year alongside records by the likes of Sam Fender, Self Esteem, Nova Twins, Harry Styles, Little Simz and more.
Before we started talking about music, we put it to the rapper in his mint green suit that he might well have been the best-dressed person at the launch.
“That’s a fact,” he replied. “I will not debate that, I will not argue that, that is a clean, clean fact! It’s minty! Shout out to my brother [legendary designer] Paul Smith! I’ve got a great relationship with him. We met up yesterday, he showed me some options, and we knocked it out of the park.”
The London star then told NME how he had ultimately been left humbled by the nomination.
“To be honest, people have seen me on camera before and found me to be quite boisterous and rambunctious,” he admitted. “Today I’m trembly, giggly and nervous. There’s a little thug tear that wants to drop every two seconds and I keep pushing it back in. Ultimately, I’m very grateful and very happy.
“It’s something that I’ve manifested since I was a teen, for a very long time. Fans of mine have always recognised that it’s going to be in my journey. To be here feels good and lets you know that all that walking wasn’t in vain. Taking the long road was worth it.”
Asked what it was about his album that made such a strong connection with music fans and landed him a place among the shortlisted records, he replied: “Consistency in caring about good music, and what’s going to bring UK hip-hop to the next level here – without having to leave, without having to go to America and do all that stuff. There are so many of us. I’ve got a lot of peers that care about the same thing. Just to be able to represent that is incredible to me.”
He then explained how the lyrics and themes of the record really speak to the public experience of recent times.
“Life is a bit hard! It’s a bit difficult,” he said. “You can’t play the game on easy, bro. You’ve got to expert level and lose and get up then lose and get up. Eventually you’re going to beat that game.”
‘Reason To Smile’ is a record loaded with guests – featuring collaborations with the likes of Kelis, Knucks, Wretch 32, Shakka and Shaé Universe. The rapper told us that the ability to make a connection is essential when looking for a collaborator.
“[I’m looking for] people I can be honest with – not just honest in a sense of, ‘Oh, I like your verse’, but if we’re writing real music then I have to be unafraid to be vulnerable in front of you,” he said. “My features are with people who I can speak to, have a real conversation with, I can open up to and ultimately get the best music out of it.”
With celebrations ongoing for ‘Reason To Smile’, Kojey said that he was taking his time before going into the studio to work on his next album.
“I finish one piece of work then I’m immediately like ‘Next one, next one, next one!’ In the back of my mind with my past projects, I didn’t expect to be recognised for them,” he admitted. “Now I want to enjoy the work and make sure that whatever comes next is even better. I’ll be in my sophomore stage next and that’s the scary one that everyone hates. We’ll see how that goes.”
Watch our full interview above, where the rapper also tells us who he’s tipping to win the prize. The Mercury Prize will reveal the winner at a ceremony on September 8 at London’s Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith.
Kojey Radical will be heading out for a number of UK headline shows this winter. Visit here for tickets and more information.
Charli XCX shares new track ‘Hot Girl (Bodies Bodies Bodies)’ from forthcoming slasher
Charli XCX has shared a brand new song, ‘Hot Girl (Bodies Bodies Bodies)’, ahead of its inclusion in a highly-anticipated horror film.
- READ MORE: The NME Big Read – Charli XCX: “People think I’m this person who parties every single day – but I’m a business woman”
Produced by Charli and The 1975’s George Daniel, the song finds the ‘Beg For You’ artist returning to some of the musical and lyrical themes of her ‘Vroom Vroom’ era, including some direct references: “Cause I’m really hot, dancing in stilettos on the table top/ Rodeo Drive is where I like to shop/ And I can race you there in my Bentley truck (vroom vroom).”
‘Hot Girl’ is set to appear on the new A24 slasher Bodies Bodies Bodies. Directed by Halina Reijn, the film sees Sophie (Amandla Stenberg) host a house party to introduce her girlfriend Bee (Maria Bakalova) to her group of friends. As they play a murder-in-the-dark game which ends in a real-life murder, the group have to investigate who is responsible.
Listen to the new track below.
Other members of the Bodies Bodies Bodies cast include Myha’la Herrold (Industry), Pete Davidson (Saturday Night Live), Lee Pace (Guardians Of The Galaxy), Rachel Sennott (Shiva Baby) and Chase Sui Wonders (Generation).
In other Charli news, the singer is due to play a tiny Brighton show as part of The National Lottery and the Music Venue Trust’s Revive Live Tour next month (August 31).
“I love playing in Brighton and I’m so happy to be going there to support Concorde 2 and bring energy and fun back into the space,” the ‘Crash’ singer said in a statement regarding the 600-capacity show.
Bush announce ninth album with hypnotic new single ‘More Than Machines’
Bush have today (July 27) shared details of their ninth studio album, unveiling it with a hypnotic new single called ‘More Than Machines’ – check it out below.
- READ MORE: Soundtrack Of My Life: Bush’s Gavin Rossdale
The band’s new full-length record, which is called ‘The Art Of Survival’, will arrive on October 7 via BMG and is the follow up to their 2020 album, ‘The Kingdom’. You can pre-order it here.
Speaking about new song, frontman Gavin Rossdale said: “This is an action-packed song with three really big topics.
“Off the bat, I don’t understand how anyone has the audacity to get involved or assume responsibility for women’s bodies. I wanted to reference that, because it’s important to discuss.
“As much as the song is about the destruction of women’s rights, it’s about the destruction of the planet and the move for A.I. and a world of robots to replace us.
“It’s a topic we’ve heard since the fifties. I’m not here to teach anything though; my job is medieval like a town crier. I come into town with my elixirs and sing about it, so it hopefully goes out into the universe.”
Check out the new single here:
The full tracklist for ‘The Art Of Survival’ is as follows:
‘Heavy Is The Ocean’
‘Slow Me’
‘More Than Machines’
‘May Your Love Be Pure’
‘Shark Bite’
‘Human Sand’
‘Kiss Me I’m Dead’
‘Identity’
‘Creatures of the Fire’
‘Judas Is A Riot’
‘Gunfight
‘1000 Years
A statement about the new album says that Bush wrote and recorded it during 2022, reuniting with Erik Ron (Panic! At The Disco, Godsmack) who produced ‘Flowers On A Grave’ and the title track for the group’s previous album, ‘The Kingdom’.
Ir went on to say “the central theme [of the record] speaks to both the human spirit’s resiliency in the face of trials and tribulations as well as the band’s own enduring place as rock outliers.”
Rossdale added: “Instead of being mournful or self-piteous, this is about the success stories of humanity’s survival against the odds. People just find a way to push through. We’ve all obviously suffered in varying degrees.
“I think the nature of life is the art of survival. Everyone is being tested all of the time, but we find a way. In recent memory, we’ve made major strides and shown great resilience in the face of war, endless instances of racism, gender politics, a pandemic, and a melting pot of what we’ve experienced. For me, ‘The Art of Survival’ encompasses all of this.”
Earlier this year, it was announced frontman Rossdale will launch a new cooking and entertainment show called E.A.T. According to Deadline, the rock star come dinner host will “invite celebrities to his home in the Hollywood Hills where he will design, prepare and serve them a three-course meal”.
Music fans heading to Spanish festivals could be asked to prove they can spend €100 per day
Music fans heading to festivals in Spain could be asked to prove that they can afford to spend €100 (£85) per day during their visit under new travel restrictions.
Since leaving the EU, the UK now comes under the “third country” category and therefore must comply with newly-introduced policies.
- READ MORE: Primavera Sound Barcelona 2022 review: logistical gaffes can’t dampen the spirit
As Mixmag reports, Brits may be required to provide proof of a return or onward flight, and give details of accommodation while staying in the Balearics or Spain this summer.
“At Spanish border control, you may need to show a return or onward ticket; show you have enough money for your stay; show proof of accommodation for your stay,” the UK Foreign Office said of the new rules set out by the Spanish government.
“For example, a hotel booking confirmation, proof of address if visiting your own property (e.g second home), or an invitation from your host or proof of their address if staying with a third party, friends or family.”
The outlet cites a report by the Express that states UK visitors may be asked to prove they have at least €100 to spend in Spain per day, and an additional minimum of €900 (£767). They could do so by showing cheques, cash or bank statements.
The Spanish Ministry del Interior said people from third countries must prove that they have the “economic resources” for entering the country “which must also be proven to have sufficient funds available on them”.
Travel companies have urged against the toughening of policies, arguing that Brits significantly boost Spain’s tourism sector.
Many UK music fans visit Spain each year for major festivals such as Primavera Sound, Mad Cool and Bilbao BBK Live. Back in April, the team behind Mad Cool announced two new spin-off events for 2022: Mad Cool Sunset and the Andalucía Big Festival.
Next year, Primavera Sound – which has taken place in Barcelona since 2001 – will expand to feature an all-new twin edition in Madrid.
- READ MORE: Mad Cool Festival 2022: five days of sun, sound and a special festival spirit
Earlier this month, a new study found that British acts appearing on the bill at European festivals has fallen by almost half post-Brexit.
Many touring artists and their crew have been impacted by Brexit legislation of late. Back in April, NME spoke to some figures from the live industry about the ongoing issues they’re facing on the road.
In January 2021, European festival bosses expressed their concerns over Brexit potentially preventing many UK acts from being booked to play live events on the continent.
Sheffield makes latest bid to host Eurovision 2023
Sheffield has become the latest city to make a bid for next year’s Eurovision.
- READ MORE: If Sheffield’s Leadmill – the venue that helped break Arctic Monkeys – goes, we all lose something
Earlier this week, The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) confirmed that the BBC will be hosting the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in the UK on behalf of this year’s winners, Ukraine.
Organisers revealed last month that they were in talks with the BBC to bring the event to the UK. The winning country of the annual song competition usually hosts the following year’s event and despite Ukraine’s folk-rap entry Kalush Orchestra topping the table, it was announced earlier this month that the EBU would be looking for a different country to stage the event in 2023 due to the ongoing war with Russia.
In a lengthy statement, EBU explained the reasons why Ukraine couldn’t host the 2023 event. “The EBU fully understands the disappointment that greeted the announcement that the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest cannot be staged in Ukraine, this year’s winning country,” the statement began.
“The decision was guided by the EBU’s responsibility to ensure the conditions are met to guarantee the safety and security of everyone working and participating in the event, the planning of which needs to begin immediately in the host country.”
Now, Sheffield has become the latest in a series of cities to put a bid in to host the contest following on from Newcastle earlier this month. Up to 17 cities in total are reportedly in talks to host the event, including Leeds and Manchester.
Sheffield City Council said it wanted to host the event “in solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people”.
Councillor Martin Smith, from Sheffield City Council’s economic development and skills committee, said the city was “made for hosting Eurovision” (via the BBC).
“We have the infrastructure, the venues, the hospitality and the transport links. We also have one of the strongest creative and cultural sectors in the country,” he added.
Sheffield has been twinned with the Ukrainian city of Donetsk since 1956. Smith said Sheffield “stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine”.
He added: “We are putting ourselves forward to host Eurovision 2023 to do its people proud. Music runs through our blood and we put on a good show.”
“We’re exceptionally grateful that the BBC has accepted to stage the Eurovision Song Contest in the UK in 2023,” Martin Österdahl, the Eurovision Song Contest’s Executive Supervisor, said in a statement.
“The BBC has taken on hosting duties for other winning countries on four previous occasions. Continuing in this tradition of solidarity, we know that next year’s Contest will showcase the creativity and skill of one of Europe’s most experienced public broadcasters whilst ensuring this year’s winners, Ukraine, are celebrated and represented throughout the event.”
Ukraine, as the winning country of the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest, will automatically qualify to the 2023 Grand Final.
Tim Davie, Director-General of the BBC added: “It is a matter of great regret that our colleagues and friends in Ukraine are not able to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. Being asked to host the largest and most complex music competition in the world is a great privilege.
“The BBC is committed to making the event a true reflection of Ukrainian culture alongside showcasing the diversity of British music and creativity. The BBC will now begin the process to find a Host City to partner with us on delivering one of the most exciting events to come to the UK in 2023.”
The BBC previously hosted Eurovision in London in 1960, 1963, 1968 and 1977, Edinburgh in 1972, Brighton in 1974, Harrogate in 1982 and Birmingham in 1998. The host city will be chosen in the coming months following a bidding process.
In other news, Sheffield venue The Leadmill announced earlier this year that it’s facing threat of closure next year due to its landlord issuing a notice of eviction.
In March, the team behind the iconic venue announced that it would be closing next year due to its landlord issuing a notice of eviction. In the weeks that followed, it launched an official petition opposing the eviction, while stars from Sheffield and further afield have all shown support for the space.
Over the years the venue has played host to a number of artists who have gone on to have huge success, most notably the Arctic Monkeys – who helped raise over £100,000 for the venue to survive COVID closures last year by raffling off one of Alex Turner‘s guitars.
Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker is one of the numerous artists to have shown his support for the venue, sharing a piece of artwork on Instagram that includes the phrase: “You Can’t Buy The Leadmill.” The print is inspired by a teaser campaign that was used to promote Pulp’s 1995 single ‘Common People’.
Drake responds after reported 14-minute private jet flight sparks backlash
Drake has responded to reports he took a 14-minute-long flight on his private jet, sparking backlash earlier this week.
- READ MORE: Drake – ‘Honestly, Nevermind’ review: rapper’s house makeover provides long-overdue career boost
Last week, the Twitter account @CelebJets, which tracks celebrities’ flights, tweeted that Drake’s jet had gone from his native Toronto to Hamilton – both in the state of Ontario – with the journey covering only 38 miles, and taking just 14 minutes. According to the account, the flight used 1,522 litres of fuel, and was responsible for four tonnes of CO2 emissions.
Drake's Jet 38 mile (33 NM) flight from YYZ to YHM
~ 402 gallons (1,522 liters).
~ 2,694 lbs (1,222 kg) of jet fuel used.
~ $2,729 cost of fuel.
~ 4 tons of CO2 emissions.— Celebrity Jets (@CelebJets) July 22, 2022
The rapper faced strong criticism for the alleged journey, with many on social media expressing outrage about the environmental impact of such a brief trip. The Guardian included the flight in an article about celebrities taking short rides, criticising other brief air trips by the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian and Mark Wahlberg.
“Canadians will complain about climate change then pay thousands to go to the next Drake concert, acting like he isn’t taking his private jet on flights from Hamilton to Toronto,” wrote Toronto tech reporter Temur Durrani on Twitter, linking to The Guardian‘s story.
“Drake is part of the problem, taking multiple 15 minute flights to Hamilton and back while the environment is collapsing,” Toronto-based writer and filmmaker Jesse Hawken tweeted. “Dude, take the GO train ffs.”
Canadians will complain about climate change then pay thousands to go to the next Drake concert, acting like he isn’t taking his private jet on flights from Hamilton to Toronto.https://t.co/jtISJI6kLB pic.twitter.com/n5lEdSDNNQ
— Temur Durrani (@temurdur) July 22, 2022
Drake is part of the problem, taking multiple 15 minute flights to Hamilton and back while the environment is collapsing. Dude, take the GO train ffshttps://t.co/XocG7F3YFG
— Jesse Hawken (@jessehawken) July 25, 2022
Now, Drake has clarified the incredibly brief flight. “This is just them moving planes to whatever airport they are being stored at for anyone who was interested in the logistics,” Drizzy wrote, commenting on a post about the controversy from the Instagram account of Real Toronto News. “Nobody takes that flight.”
It’s not the first time Drake has faced flak recently. Earlier this month, the rapper was criticised over the ticket prices for an upcoming Young Money reunion concert he’s staging in Toronto in August, featuring the likes of Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne.
The rapper’s new Beverly Hills mansion was recently subject to an alleged break-in by a man claiming to be his son. An employee at the mansion spotted the 23-year-old intruder near the pool on July 15. Police arrived and arrested the man for misdemeanour trespassing.
Britney Spears accuses mother of “abusing” her
Britney Spears has accused her mother, Lynne, of abusing her in a post she shared on Instagram yesterday (July 25).
The singer has publicly expressed numerous grievances against members of her family of late, including her sister Jamie Lynn and her brother Bryan. Back in January, she said: “My family loves to pull me down and hurt me always so I am disgusted with them.”
- READ MORE: Controlling Britney Spears review: toxic conservatorship back under the microscope
It came after the dissolution of Spears’s controversial conservatorship in November 2021 after 13 years. Her father, Jamie, had been suspended from his role as her conservator by a judge in September.
During a court hearing last June, Spears claimed that her dad had sent her to a psychiatric facility against her will in 2019 after she cancelled her Domination live residency in Las Vegas.
In July 2021, Britney also stated that she wanted to have her father charged for conservatorship abuse and claimed that she was forbidden from having more children, getting married, or taking out her IUD.
After her conservatorship initially ended, Britney hit out at her family and called for “justice”. She vowed to continue her fight this March, saying that those responsible “got away with it”. Jamie Spears has continually denied any wrongdoing and stated that he has always acted in his daughter’s best interests.
Yesterday, Spears shared what appeared to be a series of screenhots showing text messages she’d sent to her mother from the facility in question.
“He was saying he wants to UP the seraquil [sic] and I’m like whoaaaaaaa horsey go fuck yourslwf [sic],” she allegedly wrote in the message. She went on to claim that Seroquel, an antipsychotic medication, was “WAAAAAY Stronger than lithium”.
The following text read: “I literally feel alll [sic] the sick medicine in my stomach… I feel like he’s trying to kill me. I swear to god I do.”
It appeared that Lynne did not reply to her daughter, and it is unclear as to who Britney was referring to in the texts.
In the caption to the now-deleted upload, Britney wrote: “It’s a little different with proof … Here are my text messages to mom in that place 3 years ago … I show it because there was no response … When I got out, her words were ‘You should have let me visit you and give you a hug’.”
Lynne subsequently responded, writing: “Britney, I have all the ‘whole conversations’ as well! I hurt for you that you feel the people who love you the most betrayed you! Let me come to you! I love you!”
BREAKING: Britney Spears is sharing the text messages she sent her mom, a friend and her court-appointed lawyer while she was being forced in a mental health facility against her will in 2019! #JusticeForBritney pic.twitter.com/12aq0y94cU
— Britney Stan ? (@BritneyTheStan) July 25, 2022
View this post on InstagramLater, Britney said that Lynne’s screengrab showed “one of the only times” she’d replied to her daughter’s text messages. “Did you also tell people how you hid coffee every single morning ???”
The star went on: “[…] There were no pictures of me up in the kitchen, just Maddie [Jamie Lynn’s daughter] and Jamie Lynn ??? Every single morning I would put a picture of me by you guys … and every morning you would put it away before I woke up.”
Britney then claimed that her mother had not allowed her to have the keys to her own car, and alleged that she was forced to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings despite “hating” alcohol.
“Did you tell them when the conservatorship first started and you and Bryan’s wife went out every night and drank wine and got your stupid pictures taken when I couldn’t go anywhere or have a boyfriend anymore ???”
She added: “You have a nerve showing your texts when you know you guys hurt me so bad it’s not even funny !!! Did you tell them two weeks prior to the conservatorship being started it was already planned ???
“I had you, Miss Jacky, Allie and another friend over the night before they took me away !!! I had done nothing wrong and you kept telling me on my couch we need to go to Malibu cause I think people are coming to get me and I said ‘WHY ???’ !!! I didn’t believe you guys … we had a fucking sleepover the night before !!!”
View this post on InstagramBritney continued: “It was all planned and you acted like you had no idea what was going on !!! Two weeks later you released a book and showed my heartbreak when Kevin [Federline, Britney’s ex-husband] took my kids … you abused me.“Yes I will say that and it blows my mind that you still play the prayer loving mom !!!”
You can see the message in full in the post above.
Earlier this month, Britney’s father was ordered to give a deposition and answer questions about his alleged misconduct while at the helm of the pop star’s now-terminated conservatorship.
In April, Britney Spears objected to paying the huge legal fees that her mother had accumulated over the course of the legal battle to end her conservatorship.
TWICE’s agency JYP Entertainment and Republic Records to launch new North American girl group under ‘A2K’ project
K-pop agency JYP Entertainment, home to top acts like TWICE, ITZY and Stray Kids, is teaming up with Republic Records to debut a new North American girl group, holding auditions in the US this September.
- READ MORE: The 15 best K-pop songs of 2022 – so far
On July 25, the two agencies unveiled a video featuring JYP Entertainment founder and chairman Park Jin-young and Republic Records’ founder and CEO Monte Lipman announcing their upcoming venture ‘A2K’.
“The name of this project is ‘A2K’, which is an abbreviation of ‘America2Korea’. So the final artist that comes out of this procedure will be the first American artist made out of a K-pop system,” said Park.
Advertisement“It’s like talented artists who goes through a training system like an Olympic gymnast will go through,” he added. “That’s the K-pop artist that the global audience fell in love with because of their dedication, their discipline and their hard work and the values they carry. That’s what separates them from a lot of artists.”
“We are going to find, identify and curate this incredible talent coming from America,” continued Lipman. “But we’re applying the K-pop system, the JYP system in developing a super group, which we’ve never seen before.”
The ‘A2K’ project will follow a competition format, kicking off with in-person auditions in the US, which will be open to American and Canadian applicants between the ages of 12-16. Auditions will be held across five cities in September 2022. See the full list of audition dates and cities for JYP Entertainment and Republic Records’ ‘A2K’ Project below:
September 2022
Saturday 10 – Atlanta, Georgia
Wednesday 14 – Chicago, Illinois
Saturday, Sunday 17, 18 – New York City, New York
Tuesday 20 – Dallas, Texas
Friday-Sunday 23-25 – Los Angeles, CaliforniaSuccessful applicants will then attend a bootcamp in Los Angeles, after which selected semi-finalists will travel to JYP Entertainment’s headquarters in Seoul. Contestants will then undergo training with the agency’s hitmakers and choreographers to compete for a place in the group’s final lineup.
New drug warning over ‘Ninja Turtle’ and ‘Teddy Bear’ pills after Secret Garden Party
A new warning has been issued by harm reduction specialists The Loop after pills tested at Secret Garden Party were found to contain more than double the amount of MDMA.
- READ MORE: Why drugs testing at festivals is an excellent – and well overdue – idea
The Loop discovered that pills in the shape of a ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle’ had 2.5 the typical amount of ecstasy in them. Some ‘Teddy Bear’-shaped bills in circulation at the Cambridgeshire festival has 1.5 the normal dose, although strengths varied.
There was also a ‘Soundcloud’ imitation pill that had varying strengths, and the group suggested to users to not take any more if they don’t feel its effects.
AdvertisementAdditionally, a powder that was being marketed at MDMA was found to be N-ethylpentylone, a drug that is structurally and pharmaceutically similar to MDMA. It can lead to insomnia and psychosis for around 12-48 hours after consumption.
The Loop is a non-profit, non-judgemental service that provides confidential testing and support to those engaging with drugs. It was recommended to everyone at the festival, regardless of whether they were consuming drugs or not, to “stay cool, drink water & seek medical help if feeling unwell”.
♾?♾
Here are the 4 key alerts from The Loop testing @SecretGardenHQ 2022 last weekend, regarding substances of particular concern. Please follow us for further summer updates. #GoSlowStayLow#JustSayKnow
♾?♾ pic.twitter.com/PHkuDeYipd— The Loop (@WeAreTheLoopUK) July 25, 2022
The Loop used its #TakeQuarterSipWater hashtag for the Ninja Turtle and Teddy Bear pills, advising users to only take a quarter of the pill and sip water. Users should wait at least 90 minutes before any re-dosing and they’re also advised to stop altogether if feeling unwell.
For the powder, The Loop suggested that anyone who suspects they have consumed it should rest and try to sleep.
The Loop added that these pills and powders may continue to be in circulation at other festivals around the UK.
AdvertisementIts general recommendation for people choosing to take drugs is “Dose Low and Go Slow”, and seek medical attention if feeling unwell after consumption.
The news follows London Mayor Sadiq Khan announcing earlier this year that he plans to decriminalise some Class B drug offences for young people.
Jarvis Cocker confirms Pulp reunion shows for 2023
Jarvis Cocker has confirmed that Pulp will return for reunion shows next year.
- READ MORE: JARV IS live at Glastonbury 2022: forward-looking set proves nostalgia doesn’t own Worthy Farm
The Pulp singer and solo artist told fans at a Guardian-hosted talk and Q&A for his new memoir Good Pop, Bad Pop that the band will regroup for 2023.
It follows a 15-second clip shared by Cocker on Instagram last week in which the words “What exactly do you do for an encore?” appeared on screen. The line is from the title track of Pulp’s 1998 album ‘This Is Hardcore’, which hits its 25th anniversary milestone next year.
AdvertisementThe move prompted fans to speculate that a reunion was on the cards. At tonight’s (July 25) book event Cocker said that the post was “deliberately cryptic”.
Next question on THAT Instagram post from last week. JC: “It was deliberately cryptic. It’s a line from This Is Hardcore… Next year Pulp are going to play some concerts!”
HUGE APPLAUSE!!!
— Acrylic Afternoons (@AcrylcAftrnoons) July 25, 2022
“It’s a line from ‘This Is Hardcore’… next year Pulp are going to play some concerts!” he said.
It’s not known yet when, where and how many gigs will take place in 2023.
The seminal Sheffield band announced their last reunion in November 2010 featuring the Different Class line-up of Cocker, Russell Senior, Candida Doyle, Nick Banks, Steve Mackey and Mark Webber. They went on to play a number of shows including a now-legendary surprise set at Glastonbury 2011 and a headline slot at Reading & Leeds that year.
View this post on InstagramAdvertisementPulp haven’t performed together since December 2012 when they played a homecoming gig in Sheffield and two shows aboard the SS Coachella Cruise.
The band haven’t released new material since 2012’s stand-alone single ‘After You’, which was produced by LCD Soundsystem‘s James Murphy.
Speaking to NME in 2015 Cocker compared Pulp to “a dormant volcano”.
“You can think ‘wow, that’s dormant’ and then the next day your house has gone, because it’s erupted,” he said.
Meanwhile, NME reviewed Cocker’s show under his JARV IS… project at Glastonbury Festival 2022 – read the four-star review.
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