Cindy Choek

Bono says he wants to release an AC/DC inspired album

U2‘s Bono has said he wants to release an AC/DC inspired album in the near future. READ MORE: U2’s top 10 best albums – ranked Speaking to The New York Times, Bono said the album would come before ‘Songs Of Ascent’ – a new album the band have been teasing since 2009. Bono told the publication that ‘Songs Of Ascent’ is nearly complete but on hold for now because the band want to release “a noisy, uncompromising, unreasonable guitar album”. Advertisement Reflecting on the songs the band had made in recent years with what they want to make in the future, Bono explained: “We all make mistakes. The progressive-rock virus gets in, and we needed a vaccine. The discipline of our songwriting, the thing that made U2 — top-line melody, clear thoughts — had gone. “With the band, I was like, this is not what we do, and we can only do that experimental stuff if we have the songwriting chops. So we went to songwriting school, and we’re back and we’re good! Over those two albums, ‘Songs Of Innocence and Experience’, our songwriting returned. Now we need to put the firepower of rock ‘n’ roll back. “I don’t know who is going to… Read More →

24OCTNews

Kanye West explains why he is “jealous” of Jewish culture

Kanye West has addressed his recent anti-semitic statements in an interview with Piers Morgan. READ MORE: With his “White Lives Matter” stunt, has Kanye West finally hit the point of no return? West has been widely condemned for his recent slew of antisemitic comments, which have resulted in him being banned from both Instagram and Twitter. Celebrities such as Jamie Lee Curtis, Sarah Silverman and David Schwimmer have taken to social media to speak out against him, as have politicians and other organisations such as the Black Jewish Entertainment Alliance. Now, in a new interview, West has said he wanted to “hug every Jewish person,” and explained that he was jealous of several aspects of Jewish culture. “I’m envious of how they don’t abort their children,” he began. “I’m envious of how they don’t shoot each other in the streets and then rap about it. I’m envious of how their families stay together. I’m envious that they turn their phones off on Friday nights and the family comes together. I’m envious of how they do business together. And I want that for the darker Jews, I want that for Black people. We need that.” He went on to say add that he believes he should be more… Read More →

24OCTNews

Anti-fascist groups speak out after antisemitic groups hang “Kanye is right” banners over freeway

Several anti-fascist groups have spoken out after antisemitic groups hung a “Kanye is right about the Jews” banner over a freeway. The demonstration took place in Los Angeles over the weekend and saw protestors give Nazi salutes behind the banner. READ MORE: With his “White Lives Matter” stunt, has Kanye West finally hit the point of no return? West has made several antisemitic outbursts in recent weeks, blaming “Jewish media” and “Jewish Zionists” for alleged wrongdoings while on the Drink Champs podcast, saying “Jewish people have owned the black voice” and that “the Jewish community, especially in the music industry… they’ll take us and milk us till we die.” Advertisement He also made similar antisemitic comments on Fox News, LeBron James’ talk show The Shop and during a recent interview with NewsNation host Chris Cuomo, where he said that he “doesn’t believe” in the term antisemitism. “It’s not just words,” said Sam Yebri, a lawyer and former Anti-Defamation League board member. “There is clearly a connection to white supremacy and neo-Nazi movements.” Hate in America: Yesterday, the head of an antisemitic and white supremacist group (and his supporters) dropped banners over the 405 in Los Angeles. One banner read, "Kanye… Read More →

24OCTNews

Watch Paramore perform ‘All I Wanted’ for the first time at When We Were Young Festival

Paramore opened their headline set at When We Were Young Festival by giving ‘All I Wanted’ its live debut – check out footage and the complete setlist below. READ MORE: Paramore’s ‘This Is Why’ is a snarling, defiant middle finger to the haters The emotional track featured on Paramore’s third album, 2009’s ‘Brand New Eyes’ but has never been performed live before. Elsewhere during Paramore’s closing set at When We Were Young, the band played ‘Here We Go Again’ from their 2005 debut ‘All I Know Is Falling’ and ‘Paramore’ track ‘Last Hope’, both for the first time in four years. Check out footage below: PARAMORE JUST OPENED THEIR WWWY SET WITH ALL I WANTED pic.twitter.com/x8hJG5RqBd — jen (@YELYAHG00N) October 24, 2022 Advertisement I GOT THIS MUCH OF THE ALL I WANTED PERFORMANCE WTF @paramore GIVE US A WARNING NEXT TIME pic.twitter.com/xTiQuXjKQZ — vale⁷ ᥫ᭡ ??‍? (@idle_vale) October 24, 2022 WE FINALLY GOT PARAMORE PERFOMING ALL I WANTED AFTER 13 YEARS pic.twitter.com/m3jOViXkr1 — mar 142 (@chrrypm) October 24, 2022 Paramore performing “Last Hope” at When We Were Young Festival ? tinyhotopicbitch/IG? https://t.co/8H2iJvWUxr pic.twitter.com/gw345E4keu — Paramore-Music.com (@paramoremusicom) October 24, 2022 Last Hope ✨ pic.twitter.com/WWErL6kHzJ — PARAMORE ITALIA (@italiaparamore) October 24, 2022… Read More →

24OCTNews

Hayley Williams shares heartfelt letter before Paramore headlines When We Were Young

In the lead-up to Paramore’s second headline set at the inaugural When We Were Young festival, frontwoman Hayley Williams shared a heartfelt letter with her fans and supporters. READ MORE: Paramore’s ‘This Is Why’ is a snarling, defiant middle finger to the haters The hotly anticipated festival – co-headlined by My Chemical Romance and described as “an epic line-up of emo and rock bands from the past two decades” – debuted in Las Vegas yesterday (October 22). The first event was initially set to go down on Friday (October 21), but was cancelled an hour before gates opened due to weather warnings. For all three of its dates, Paramore are closing out the festival’s Pink Stage, performing an hourlong set at 9:40pm. Reflecting on the band’s journey to this point, Williams opened up about the significance of Paramore’s billing in a handwritten letter shared to her Instagram Story. “To grow up in this scene was not a simple thing,” she wrote. “To be celebrating it (and to be celebrated by it) is not a simple thing. Nothing about this life – for you, me, or anyone – is simple. Advertisement “We fell in love with this subset of post-punk and hardcore… Read More →

23OCTNews

Pierce Brosnan says he wanted to play Elvis in a music biopic

Pierce Brosnan has opened up about who he’d have liked to play in a music biopic, if he’d been given the chance. The Mamma Mia star was speaking to NME in a new interview and was asked if he’d ever been offered the chance to play a musician in a film biopic before. In response, Brosnan explained he hadn’t, but spoke about his time in the film Mamma Mia. Advertisement “Mamma Mia‘s the closest I’ve got to singing and I love it. I did get a platinum album for my singing you know, so fuck the begrudgers! I got to sing with Meryl Streep! It was the last thing I expected but I kind of got it. I understood the joke, the karaoke of it all. They didn’t employ me for my singing but I loved it anyway.” He then went on to open up about who he might have played if he did get the chance to appear in one: “I don’t have any desire to play anyone in particular. I mean Elvis, but he’s been taken [by Austin Butler in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis], beautifully so.” Austin Butler stars as Elvis in the untitled Elvis Presley film. CREDIT: Theo Wargo/Getty Images Elsewhere in… Read More →

23OCTNews

Madonna reflects on ‘Sex’ book reaction 30 years on: “Now Cardi B can sing about her WAP”

Madonna has reflected on the reaction to her coffee table book Sex, which courted controversy at the time for its explicit content. READ MORE: The ages of Madonna – the evolution of an icon The pop icon, who released the book with her fifth album ‘Erotica’ 30 years ago in October 1992, has this week contemplated its impact on modern pop culture as well reflected on how it was viewed as scandalous by many at the time of its publication. Madonna wrote on her Instagram Stories yesterday (October 22): “30 years ago I published a book called S.E.X. In addition to photos of me naked there were photos of Men kissing Men, Woman kissing Woman and Me kissing everyone. I also wrote about my sexual fantasies and shared my point of view about sexuality in an ironic way. Advertisement “I spent the next few years being interviewed by narrow minded people who tried to shame me for empowering myself as a Woman,” Madonna continued in her note. “I was called a whore, a witch, a heretic and the devil.” Madonna’s Blonde Ambition Tour in 1990. Credit: Getty “Now Cardi B can sing about her WAP. Kim Kardashian can grace the cover… Read More →

22OCTNews

Janet Jackson says she loves Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey’s ‘All For You’ reference in ‘Snow On The Beach’

Janet Jackson has praised Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey for referencing her 2001 hit ‘All For You’ in the ‘Midnights’ song ‘Snow On The Beach’. READ MORE: Taylor Swift – ‘Midnights’ review: a shimmering return to pure pop The pop star shared a video of herself listening to the track in which she nods along, says “it’s nice…it’s nice”, and smiles at the point where Swift and Del Rey sing “Now I’m all for you like Janet”. Jackson captioned the video with “i LUV it @taylorswift13 x Lana Del Rey ???” and later received a reply from Swift saying that she feels like she’s “dreaming”. Advertisement “I feel like I’m dreaming,” commented Swift on Twitter. “I have so much love and gratitude for you and all you’ve done to inspire female artists everywhere.” I feel like I’m dreaming. I have so much love and gratitude for you and all you’ve done to inspire female artists everywhere ??? — Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) October 21, 2022 Yesterday (October 21) fans spotted the lyric reference to Jackson’s song, which is the lead single from Jackson’s seventh album ‘All For You’. Hitc.com also pointed out that Jackson sent Swift flowers after the infamous 2009 VMA’s… Read More →

21OCTNews

Björk and Greta Thunberg in conversation: “We have to take turns in holding the torch”

Björk and Greta Thunberg have appeared in conversation on New Statesman’s World Review podcast – listen below. READ MORE: Björk on the cover: “First you create a universe with sound, then you move into it” Moderated by writer Kate Mossman, the latest episode of the podcast features a discussion between the artist and the activist, in which they speak about climate change, greenwashing, politics and more. The pair had never met in person before, but they previously collaborated together on the environmental manifesto speech that played during Björk’s 2019 ‘Cornucopia tour’. Advertisement Over the course of the chat, Björk and Thunberg spoke about their work (Thunberg’s new anthology The Climate Book and Björk’s new album ‘Fossora’), with Björk telling Thunberg: “I just read your book. And I’m inspired and sad, because the situation is worse even than we thought it was, but there are some hope-inspiring moments there, to encourage us to act.” Later, Mossman asked: “Which is the more powerful approach for an artist or musician to take, localised action or communicating a global message?” to which Thunberg replied, “We have to act locally and think globally in everything we do. I focus mostly on the global things, but I do… Read More →

21OCTNews

Taylor Swift included ‘Midnights’ lyrics in her NYU speech earlier this year

Taylor Swift teased lyrics from ‘Midnights’ earlier this year during her 2022 New York University commencement speech. READ MORE: Taylor Swift – ‘Midnights’ review: a shimmering return to pure pop Today (October 21) marks the release of Swift’s 10th studio album. Just hours after the release, the singer-songwriter surprised fans with a deluxe edition of the album, adding to it an extra seven tracks. At midnight on Monday (October 17), Swift began a week-long run of lyric reveals in partnership with Spotify. The line “I should not be left to my own devices…” appeared on a huge screen in Times Square, New York City. Advertisement Another lyric then popped up in London, reading: “I polish up real nice.” In São Paulo, Brazil, a billboard displayed the following line: “Just like clockwork, the dominoes cascaded in a line.” An advert in Swift’s hometown of Nashville, Tennessee revealed the lyrics: “Did you ever have someone kiss you in a crowded room?” A screen in Mexico City then shared the words: “Breathe in, breathe through, breathe deep, breathe out.” Following the last billboard in Mexico, fans noticed that the lyrics were familiar and traced them back to Swift’s NYU commencement speech. The pop star was awarded an honorary… Read More →

21OCTNews

As I Lay Dying’s Tim Lambesis on hiring hitman to have his wife killed: “There’s really no defence”

As I Lay Dying frontman Tim Lambesis has spoken about what led to his decision to solicit a hitman to murder his now ex-wife – watch below. Lambesis was sentenced to six years in prison for plotting to kill his wife back in 2014. He was sentenced after pleading guilty to paying a police officer posing as a hitman $1,000 (£630) to kill his then wife, Meggan Lambesis. After being released in December 2016, Lambesis took to the band’s official Facebook page to post a lengthy statement, “apologising to everyone” for his actions. The vocalist then reunited with the San Diego band in 2018, who released their first new song in six years with ‘My Own Grave’ and announced details of a homecoming show that summer. Appearing on The Garza Podcast, which is hosted by Suicide Silence guitarist Chris Garza, Lambesis reflected on both his crime and his time in prison. “My thinking was so isolated in my own mind and disconnected from my support system that I didn’t really even fathom or realise how much I had lost myself and the core of who I really was,” Lambesis said (via Blabbermouth). “It’s, like, I was this one person for most of… Read More →

21OCTNews

Paramore announce 2023 UK and Ireland tour with Bloc Party

Paramore have announced a UK and Ireland tour for spring 2023. READ MORE: Paramore’s ‘This Is Why’ is a snarling, defiant middle finger to the haters The tour, in support of the band’s highly anticipated sixth album ‘This Is Why’, kicks off in Dublin on April 13, before making stops in Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester, London and Birmingham. Bloc Party will be supporting the Tennessean trio on their first shows in the UK since 2018. Advertisement Tickets will go on general sale at 10am next Friday (October 28) – you’ll be able to purchase them here. Venue pre-sales will begin on Wednesday (October 26). Fans who have already pre-ordered the album will get a code to access the pre-sales. A portion of ticket sales for these shows will be donated to Support + Feed, a charity that “takes action action for a global shift to an equitable, plant-based food system to combat food insecurity and the climate crisis”. The band have also confirmed they will be working with environmental nonprofit REVERB on the tour “to create positive impacts for people and the planet.” They have teamed up on “a comprehensive tour sustainability programme” and will be hosting an “eco-village” at each stop… Read More →

21OCTNews

Arctic Monkeys sneak an obscure Nintendo reference into ‘The Car’

The latest Arctic Monkeys album seems to feature a reference to an obscure Nintendo DS city builder game. READ MORE: Arctic Monkeys – ‘The Car’ review: a swashbuckling, strings-fuelled epic As reported by GamesRadar and spotted by journalist Jordan Oloman on Twitter, in the final verse of Arctic Monkeys’ new song ‘Sculptures of Anything Goes’, which is featured on the band’s latest album ‘The Car‘, the lyrics “The simulation cartridge for City Life ’09 / is pretty tricky to come by,” can be heard. These lyrics reference an old city-builder game on the Nintendo DS called City Life, which was originally released in 2006 for PC. However, the DS version didn’t release until 2009 and was only made available in Europe. Someone on Genius seems to think that one of the lyrics from the new Arctic Monkeys album is a reference to a delisted Nintendo DS city builder game… https://t.co/jZkRHxnKv3 pic.twitter.com/VT75u1b78p — Jordan Oloman (@JordanOloman) October 21, 2022 Advertisement Although City Life gained popularity on the PC and received two expansions after launch, the game didn’t do too well on Nintendo’s handheld console. In fact, copies of the DC version are difficult to come by in 2022, hence the lyrics… Read More →

21OCTNews

Sam Smith announces UK and European tour

Sam Smith has shared details of a UK and European tour for next year. READ MORE: Sam Smith – ‘Love Goes’ review: pop balladeer leans even further into heartbreak than before The pop star, who recently announced that their fourth album ‘Gloria’ will be released on January 27, 2023, will play shows in the UK and Ireland in April before heading to Europe as May approaches. They will wrap up the tour at Manchester’s AO Arena on May 24. Tickets go on general sale here on Thursday October (27) at 10am BST. See information about a pre-sale in the below tweet. Advertisement ‘Gloria’ (pre-order/pre-save here), which follows on from Smith’s third album, 2020’s ‘Love Goes’, has already been previewed by the Kim Petras-featuring single ‘Unholy’. GLORIA – THE TOUR ?It's happening… UK, Ireland & Europe 2023! Pre-order the new album 'Gloria' in any format from the official store before Monday at 4pm bst to receive an exclusive ticket pre-sale code. Pre-sale begins on Tues 25th October at 10am bst. https://t.co/suzKge5QuR pic.twitter.com/h6iBic0lJa — samsmith (@samsmith) October 21, 2022 Posting the official ‘Gloria’ cover art on social media, Smith said they were “overjoyed” to share details of the album. “I’m feeling overwhelmed and emotional as… Read More →

21OCTNews

Texas metal band The Sword break up after 18 years

Texas metal band The Sword have broken up after 18 years. As Consequence reports, the group’s singer and guitarist John D. Cronise shared the news on social media yesterday (October 20). “I find it my duty to inform you that, after much contemplation, I have reached the difficult conclusion that it’s time to bring The Sword’s long and storied career to a close,” the statement began. Advertisement “When I started the band back in 2004, I could’ve only hoped for the successes we’ve enjoyed, and I consider myself extremely lucky to have been able to do it for a living for almost two decades. In that time everything I ever wanted to say and do with The Sword creatively has been said and done, and so the time has come for me to move on to other endeavours.” Cronise went on to thank fans for their support over the years as well as those who have worked behind-the-scenes with The Sword and the other acts who they’ve toured with. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Sword (@theswordofficial) “And most of all thanks to my bandmates, Kyle, Bryan, Jimmy, and Trivett, for having faith in me and… Read More →

19OCTNews

Complete Mountain Almanac announce debut album, share first single ‘May’

Complete Mountain Almanac, the new band comprising Swedish songwriter Rebekka Karijord, Jessica Dessner and her twin brothers Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National, have announced details of their self-titled debut album and shared its lead single. READ MORE: The National on new music: “It’s the whole history of the band, but with a new exploration” ‘Complete Mountain Almanac’ was formed after Karijord set out to make an album “about climate change in 12 suites, representing the 12 months of the year,” and approached her friend of 15 years, Jessica – who works as a poet, dancer and multimedia artist based in Italy – to contribute “poetic and lyrical” elements to the project. The band and album’s title came from a book of poetry written by Jessica in the wake of her breast cancer diagnosis, as well as coming to reflect the environmental themes on the record. Watch the video for ‘May’, featuring a video directed by Olof Grind, below. Advertisement The album was recorded at Paris’ St. Germain studios, and features instrumentation and co-production from both Aaron and Bryce Dessner. The songs were recorded live, and Bryce wrote string arrangements for six songs that were performed by the Malmö… Read More →

19OCTNews

Apink’s Jung Eun-ji shares tracklist for upcoming solo remake album ‘log’

Apink singer Jung Eun-ji has unveiled the tracklist for her forthcoming remake album ‘log’, due out November 2. READ MORE: Apink reflect on over a decade in the K-pop industry: “We are still standing strong” An official tracklist for the K-pop idol’s solo effort, set to be a remake album, was shared on Apink’s official Twitter page on October 18 at 10pm KST. ‘log’ is set to feature five remade tracks: ‘Blue Whale’ originally by YB, ‘Dream’ originally by Cho Yong-pil, ‘For Love’ originally by Kim Jong-hwan and ‘Around Thirty’ originally by Kim Kwang-seok. The record will be led by title track ‘Journey For Myself’, a song originally released by Korean rock band Buzz as part of their 2005 album ‘Buzz Effect’. ‘log’ is due out in full on November 2 at 6pm KST. [#정은지]Jeong Eun Ji Remake Album[log] Track List? 2022.11.02 18:00 (KST)#Apink #은지 #EunJi#log #나에게로_떠나는_여행 pic.twitter.com/2V3pCRplN6 — Apink(에이핑크) (@Apink_2011) October 18, 2022 Advertisement According to the ‘log’ promotion schedule shared by IST Entertainment yesterday (October 18), Jung is set to hold her fourth solo concert on December 10 and 11 in Seoul. Details about the venue, ticketing and potential overseas stops for the concerts have yet to be… Read More →

17OCTNews

A Certain Ratio’s Jez Kerr opens up about his sexuality: “I no longer want to hide my real identity”

A Certain Ratio‘s Jez Kerr has opened up about his sexuality in a lengthy post on social media. READ MORE: Does Rock ‘N’ Roll Kill Braincells?! – Jez Kerr, A Certain Ratio Writing that he is “bisexual and crossdressing has been a part of my life from an early age”, Kerr went on to say: “I know this isn’t exactly a big deal in 2022, but it is something that I’ve only just managed to deal with and I hope by sharing, it might help someone else. “After a long period of illness, I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on my life and have recognised that secrecy and unnecessary shame is not good for my mental health. I’m bisexual and crossdressing has been a part of my life from an early age.” Advertisement Kerr said that “confusion and shame led me to surpress it and keep it secret.” An important message off our Jez. pic.twitter.com/upnwlMLwFl — A Certain Ratio (@acrmcr) October 17, 2022 He added: “That suppression comes at a price. This denial, combined with feelings of guilt and shame, has led to all kinds of problems: drug abuse, anxiety, self humiliation, suicidal feelings, a feeling of total self… Read More →

17OCTNews

Kanye West hits out at Pete Davidson in another controversial interview

Kanye West has hit out at Pete Davidson in his latest controversial interview. READ MORE: With his “White Lives Matter” stunt, has Kanye West finally hit the point of no return? Heading back to the Drink Champs podcast, which he appeared on over the weekend, West referred to his ex-wife Kim Kardashian’s former boyfriend Pete Davidson as a “heroin addict”. Speaking with rapper N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN, West hit out at “the 78 media outlets that called me an abuser when I was tryna get that heroin addict away from my kids that was tattooing my kids’ names on him, Skete, Pete Davidson…” West claimed. NME has reached out to representatives of Davidson for comment. He went on to criticise The Daily Show host Trevor Noah. On his show in March, Noah spoke about West “harassing” Kim Kardashian online. West was later banned from Instagram after directing racial slurs at the host. “Trevor Noah, not even from America, he just looks Black right?” West said on the show. “Gonna say, yo, Kim it’s gonna get dangerous, he putting all that ‘he so crazy, he’s so OJ’. Nori just wants the family back together, I just want the family back together, Kim is a Christian…”… Read More →

16OCTNews

R&B singer-songwriter Joyce Sims dies aged 63

R&B singer-songwriter Joyce Sims has died, aged 63. Sims was best known for her hit ‘Come Into My Life’, which reached the top 10 charts in both the UK and the US. Her first hit, ‘All And All’ reached number six in the US dance chart and entered the top 20 in the UK singles chart. Sim’s death was confirmed on social media by family members although no cause of death was given. NME has reached out to Sims’ representatives for comment. One of Sims’ sisters, Annette Ramsey wrote on social media: “my heart is broken” and wrote on Facebook: “I will always remember the happy times we’ve shared, the love and support you have given me will not go in vain. I Love you Big Sis RIP.” Another of her sisters, Debbie Sims Hall described the late singer as “a beautiful soul inside and out” who “will truly be missed”. Events organiser CJ Carlos wrote on Facebook last night (October 15): “Having spoken to her immediate family tonight, it’s with a heavy heart that i post this news Joyce Sims has passed away. Joyce was an amazing singer song writer who had so many hits in the 80s. “As most of… Read More →

16OCTNews

Watch Judas Priest perform ‘Genocide’ for first time in 40 years

Judas Priest surprised fans by playing ‘Genocide’ live this week (October 13) for the first time in 40 years. READ MORE: Judas Priest’s Rob Halford: “I tried to throw a TV out of a hotel window once. It was like Mr Bean does Spinal Tap” The band launched the latest US leg of their ’50 Heavy Metal Years Tour’ in Wallingford, Connecticut earlier this week (October 13th) and performed ‘Genocide’ to the surprise of many fans in attendance. The set list featured fan-favourites as well as other rarities together with songs from the band’s acclaimed 1982 album ‘Screaming For Vengeance’, which turns 40 this year. Advertisement Check out the moment the band played ‘Genocide’ below and view the full setlist: Judas Priest Setlist: ‘The Hellion / Electric Eye’ ‘Riding on the Wind’ ‘Heading Out to the Highway’ ‘Jawbreaker’ ‘Never the Heroes’ ‘Beyond the Realms of Death’ ‘Judas Rising’ ‘You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’’ ‘Steeler’ ‘Between the Hammer and the Anvil’ ‘Halls of Valhalla’ ‘Firepower’ ‘Genocide’ ‘Screaming for Vengeance’ ‘Hell Bent for Leather’ ‘Breaking the Law’ ‘Living After Midnight’ Recently, the band’s Rob Halford said he was “a bit pissed” that Judas Priest weren’t honoured as one of the main performer inductees… Read More →