Cindy Choek

FKA twigs, Denzel Curry and Marianne Faithfull join Musicians For Palestine pledge

FKA twigs, Denzel Curry, Marianne Faithfull and more have joined the Musicians For Palestine pledge, calling on their peers to add their names in “refusing to perform at Israel’s complicit cultural institutions”. Blonde Redhead, Arca, UB40 and Sean Kuti are also among more than 900 artists who have now signed up to the initiative. See the full list of 2022 signatories here. It was launched last May following last year’s conflict between Israel and Palestine. Advertisement At the time protests took place around the world, with people taking to the streets to show their support for the Palestinian people. Many artists and stars from the entertainment world were among them. “We believe that now, more than ever, is the time to respect the Palestinian peaceful picket line by declining invitations to events that are subsidised or sponsored by the Israeli state, its lobby groups or complicit cultural institutions. Such events can only legitimise Israeli apartheid policies,” the initiative’s organisers have now said in a press release. Protesters in Glasgow show their support for Palestine in May 2021 CREDIT: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images “As musicians we can contribute to breaking the wall of silence and protest these great injustices taking place against… Read More →

27SEPNews

Depeche Mode tease announcement for next week

Depeche Mode are teasing something new for next week. READ MORE: Forget the singer – take a moment to appreciate your favourite band’s secret weapons The surviving members of the band posted a photo of a studio on Instagram this evening (September 27) with the date: 4.10.22. It is unclear what the announcement will be at this stage but singer Dave Gahan and the band’s main songwriter Martin Gore were recently pictured in the studio working on new music. Advertisement “Finding stability in what we know and love, and focusing on what gives life meaning and purpose,” they wrote at the time. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Depeche Mode (@depechemode) That photo was shared just months after founding member and keyboardist Andy Fletcher died aged 60. Fletcher was a member of the beloved synth-pop group for more than four decades since the release of their debut album ‘Speak & Spell’ in 1981. That album included chart-topping hits including ‘Dreaming Of Me’, ‘New Life’ and ‘Just Can’t Get Enough’. The band had their first international hit in 1984 with ‘People Are People’. Speaking about the future of Depeche Mode to NME last year prior to Fletcher’s death, Gahan hinted that… Read More →

27SEPNews

Frightened Rabbit drummer and Scott Hutchison’s brother Grant becomes full-time member of The Twilight Sad

Grant Hutchison has become a full-time member of The Twilight Sad. READ MORE: Scott Hutchison’s family on the rallying cry to support youth mental health The former Frightened Rabbit drummer and brother of the band’s late singer and guitarist Scott Hutchison has played a number of live shows with the Scottish band since the departure of their original sticksman Mark Devine in 2018. Another touring drummer, Sebastien Schultz, has also played with the band in recent years. Hutchison took to his Instagram over the weekend to announce that he is now a full-time member of the band. Advertisement “And so starts a new thing…although it doesn’t feel so much like a new thing as it does a continuation of a life I thought maybe I’d lost after Scott died,” Hutchison began in his post. “I really want to avoid trying to get too wordy and philosophical here because I’m not good at either of those things so I’ll make it simple and concise. READ MORE: “We’ll always miss him” – Frightened Rabbit, their closest friends and collaborators celebrate the beauty of Scott Hutchison “It’s not every day you get the chance to join your favourite band and play some of your favourite… Read More →

27SEPNews

The 1975 to hold signing session at London’s Rough Trade East

The 1975 are set to make an appearance for a signing session at London’s Rough Trade East. READ MORE: The 1975 live at Reading Festival 2022: “It’s. Just. Fucking. Bangers” The band will drop into the record store from midday on Sunday, October 16, two days after the release of their new album ‘Being Funny In A Foreign Language’. You can purchase tickets for the special signing here now. You can also pre-order/pre-save their fifth studio album. Advertisement The news comes after the band recently shared their new single, ‘All I Need To Hear’. JUST ANNOUNCED@the1975 SIGNING at Rough Trade East The 1975 celebrate the release of the band’s fifth studio album 'Being Funny In A Foreign Language', released on October 14th via @DirtyHit. TICKETShttps://t.co/vBwWGeRaT2 pic.twitter.com/THOyJxaTfi — Rough Trade (@RoughTrade) September 27, 2022 Speaking to Apple Music 1 about the track, frontman Matty Healy explained: “A lot of my songs require me to perform them, but I think that I’d love to hear Joe Cocker [sing this] – not that we could have that, but it feels like one of those songs where it’s like I’ve stepped out of the Matty-ness of everything.” He continued: “And it’s something that Adele could sing… it would make total… Read More →

27SEPNews

Disturbed announce new album ‘Divisive’, share new single ‘Unstoppable’

Disturbed have announced details of their new album ‘Divisive’ as well as sharing new single ‘Unstoppable’. Check it out below. The bands eighth studio album and follow-up to 2018’s ‘Evolution’ is due for release on November 18 and will include previous single ‘Hey You’, alongside title track ‘Divisive’ and new track ‘Unstoppable’ – described by frontman David Draiman as “a bombastic animal” and “truly the fight song” of the record. Speaking about the meaning behind the new record, which analyses society’s behaviour and aims to serve as a call to arms, Draiman said: “Partisan tribal warfare has become a part of our regular existence nowadays. It’s one big battle of the cliques. The whole idea of the record is to be a wakeup call for everyone.” Advertisement He continued: “Music is the best cure for what ails us though. If only everyone reached out and used it. There’s no better environment to forget about all of this shit than live music. We can be together and realise we have more in common than not. Recognise what’s happening and let’s make a change for the better.” Disturbed’s ‘Divisive’ tracklist is: 1. ‘Hey You’ 2. ‘Bad Man’ 3. ‘Divisive’ 4. ‘Unstoppable’ 5…. Read More →

27SEPNews

will.i.am claims he inspired Beyoncé to release ‘Break My Soul’ remix EP

Will.i.am has claimed he was the inspiration behind Beyoncé’s ‘Break My Soul’ remix EP. READ MORE: Beyoncé – ‘Renaissance’ review: a celebration of love and Black joy Earlier this year, Beyoncé released a four-track EP featuring remixes of the ‘Renaissance’ track from the likes of Honey Dijon, Terry Hunter and Nita Aviance. According to will.i.am though, the whole thing would never have happened without him. Speaking to Metro, he said: “I was in France and her song (‘Break My Soul’) came out and I’m like, ‘I wish the beat did this.’ So I called my collab partner and we did it remotely on FYI, a collaboration tool.” Advertisement The Black-Eyed Peas singer then claimed “they weren’t thinking about remixes until I sent it.” “They put out a remix EP and my song’s first one on it – and I inspired it,” he continued. “I can’t find the word for it – it’s like Santa Claus is real, man!” Following the release of ‘Break My Soul’, Dijon took to Instagram to thank Beyoncé for sharing “Chicago house music roots” and applauded ‘Renaissance’’s broader showcase of “black queer and trans culture. I am honored, humbled, delirious with joy, and proud,” Dijon wrote…. Read More →

26SEPNews

The Doobie Brothers drummer and co-founder John Hartman has died

John Hartman, drummer and co-founder of The Doobie Brothers, has died aged 72. Hartman’s death was confirmed last Thursday (September 22) according to a post by the band. “Today we are thinking of John Hartman, or Little John to us. John was a wild spirit, great drummer, and showman during his time in the Doobies. He was also a close friend for many years and an intricate part of the band personality! We send our condolences to all his loved ones at this difficult time. Rest in peace John” they wrote. Advertisement No cause of death has yet been confirmed by the band or Hartman’s family. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Doobie Brothers (@doobiebrothersofficial) Born in 1950 in Falls Church, Virginia, Hartman formed The Doobie Brothers with singer and guitarist Tom Johnston along with guitarist and vocalist Patrick Simmons in 1970 in San Jose, California. He served as the band’s drummer on each of their first eight albums, and performed on popular tracks including 1972’s ‘Listen To The Music’, 1973’s ‘Long Train Runnin” and 1978’s ‘What A Fool Believes’. Hartman left the band after 1979 and returned for their 1989 reunion album ‘Cycles’ until he… Read More →

26SEPNews

Ian Brown fans share anger after Stone Roses singer plays sold out Leeds gig with no band

Ian Brown fans have shared their anger after the Stone Roses singer played his sold out Leeds gig last night (September 25) with no band. Brown began his first UK headline tour in a decade at the city’s O2 Academy on Sunday night, with dates running through the next two weeks and ending with a Brixton Academy show in London on October 7. After the Leeds show, fans took to social media to share their disappointment at the set, with one describing it as Brown “[doing] karaoke and [butchering] his own tunes.” Advertisement Alongside footage from the gig, the fan tweeted: “Gutted to see Ian Brown turn up to his £40 a ticket, sold out gig at leeds tonight WITH NO BAND. “I’m a life long fan but it was bad. Ian Brown does karaoke and butchers his own tunes. Most were too pissed to care but I had to get out after this one.” Gutted to see @ianbrown turn up to his £40 a ticket, sold out gig at leeds tonight WITH NO BAND. I’m a life long fan but it was bad. #ianbrown does karaoke and butchers his own tunes. Most were too pissed to care but I… Read More →

26SEPNews

All Day6 members renew contracts with JYP Entertainment

All four members of South Korean band Day6 have renewed their contracts with longtime agency JYP Entertainment. READ MORE: Day6 (Even Of Day): “Whenever we listen to songs in different languages, there’s still emotions that we can feel” On the morning of September 26, JYP Entertainment told Sports DongAh that all four members of the act — Sungjin, Young K, Wonpil and Dowoon — had renewed their exclusive contracts with the agency. “We plan to continue our meaningful journey together based on the foundation of deep trust between Day6, a group with a signature sound, and JYP Entertainment, which has a lot of experience in band management,” said the agency, as translated by Soompi. Advertisement It later added: “We will become a dependable pillar for Day6’s future, and we will be unsparing in our strategic support so that Day6 can fly even higher in the future.” The news comes just weeks after the band marked their seventh anniversary since their debut in September 2015. Although Day6 are currently inactive with members Young K, Wonpil and Dowoon serving their respective compulsive military terms, Sungjin had held a face-to-face fan event commemorating the occasion. It also marked the leader’s first public event… Read More →

26SEPNews

Dr. Dre offers advice for Rihanna’s Super Bowl performance: “Put the right people around you, and have fun”

Dr. Dre has offered up advice for Rihanna, who will be headlining the Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show next February. Following news of Rihanna’s performance, Dre shared his thoughts as part of an interview with Apple Music 1 host Ebro Darden. He began full of praise for the Barbadian singer: “I’m a super fan of Rihanna. I can’t wait to see what she’s going to do.” “I just like her and what she does, and her get down, and how she approaches her artistry and the whole nine. It’s fantastic. She has the opportunity to really blow us away. I know we set the bar extremely high,” he added. Advertisement “Put the right people around you, and have fun,” advised Dre on the key to success. “That’s basically what it is, making sure you have the right creative people around you. She might want to look into some of the people that we used to do our show.” Dr. Dre, who was the headliner for last year’s Super Bowl halftime show, boasted a star-studded line-up for his performance. Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak, and 50 Cent all appeared as special guest performers. In the interview,… Read More →

25SEPNews

Roger Waters denies cancelling Polish shows over comments on Russia-Ukraine war

Roger Waters has denied reports that he’d cancelled the two Polish dates of his 2023 world tour, instead accusing a councillor in Krakow – the city he’s slated to perform in next April – of attempting to censor the former Pink Floyd leader. READ MORE: 50 geeky facts about Pink Floyd Waters is due to perform at Krakow’s Tauron Arena on Friday April 21 and Saturday 22. The dates have been removed from Waters’ website, however, with a report from The Guardian claiming they were cancelled over backlash he’d received after making incendiary comments on the Russia-Ukraine war. In the report, it was said that Lukasz Pytko, a representative for the Tauron Arena, claimed Waters’ management “decided to withdraw [from their scheduled booking] without giving any reason”. It was also reported that city councillors in Krakow were planning to vote on a proposal to deem Waters a “persona non grata”, citing their “indignation” over the artist’s public stance on the aforementioned war. Advertisement Waters has now shared a statement denying the report, asserting that neither he, nor his management, have cancelled his upcoming shows in Krakow. Explaining his side of the controversy, the artist wrote: “It is true that a… Read More →

23SEPNews

Here’s every song on the ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ soundtrack

The full soundtrack list for Don’t Worry Darling has been released – check it out below. Olivia Wilde’s 1950s sci-fi thriller is released in cinemas today (September 23) and features a period-appropriate soundtrack including artists such as Ray Charles, Little Willie John, The Chords and more. READ MORE: ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ review: paradise isn’t so perfect in unfairly overshadowed thriller A synopsis for Don’t Worry Darling reads: “In the 1950s, Alice and Jack live in the idealized community of Victory, an experimental company town that houses the men who work on a top-secret project. While the husbands toil away, the wives get to enjoy the beauty, luxury and debauchery of their seemingly perfect paradise. Advertisement “However, when cracks in her idyllic life begin to appear, exposing flashes of something sinister lurking below the surface, Alice can’t help but question exactly what she’s doing in Victory.” The soundtrack, curated by music editor Bill Bernstein, also features an original song by Harry Styles – who stars as Jack Chambers – performed in the film by Styles and Florence Pugh, who plays his wife Alice. Take a look at the full list of songs here: ‘The Right Time’ – Ray Charles ‘Bang Bang’ – Dizzy… Read More →

23SEPNews

Glastonbury Festival announces 2023 ticket sale details

Glastonbury Festival has announced details of when tickets for the 2023 edition will go on sale – find out all you need to know below. READ MORE: Glastonbury Festival 2022 – review: camping, killer tunes and catharsis on Worthy Farm The world famous festival returned this summer for the first time in three years after its 2020 and 2021 editions were cancelled due to the COVID pandemic. Glastonbury will return in 2023 between June 21 and June 25, and the festival have announced today (September 23) that tickets will go on sale in early November, a month later than is usual. Advertisement Ticket and coach packages will be available at 6pm BST on Thursday, November 3, with general sale tickets then going on sale on Sunday, November 6 from 9am GMT. As is customary, a £50 deposit (plus coach fare if you’re booking travel as well) is due for the tickets upon purchasing, with the balance needing to be paid in the first week of April next year. Find out all you need to know below. Glastonbury Festival 2023 tickets will go on sale on Thursday, November 3rd (coach + ticket packages) and Sunday, November 6th (standard tickets). Info at… Read More →

23SEPHit Singles

Makaya McCraven – In These Times

Makaya McCraven’s seventh album under his own name, In These Times, opens with the sound of applause and a swarm of strings that quickly coalesce into a galloping rhythm, and then something unexpected happens: a human voice asserts, somewhat mysteriously, “I never want to be known as anybody opposed to progress… It just kinda seems to me that nobody has the right to take away our responsibility to finish what these people have died for”. It’s a clip of Harry Belafonte speaking with broadcaster Studs Terkel for his Chicago Public Radio show, and the statement neatly encapsulates McCraven’s mission as a drummer, producer and arranger. He draws from the music of the past to comment on the present, which allows the album to bound gracefully from one idea to the next – from free jazz to classical, from soul music to hip-hop, from prog to minimalism. ORDER NOW: Björk is on the cover of the latest issue of Uncut Born in Paris, raised in Massachusetts and based in Chicago, McCraven is considered one of the leading lights of contemporary jazz, yet to call him simply a jazz musician understates the range of his playing and the scope of his vision. He… Read More →

22SEPNews

EA reveals ‘FIFA 23’ soundtrack, featuring Gorillaz and Yeah Yeah Yeahs

EA Sports has revealed the full soundtrack for FIFA 23, featuring songs by Gorillaz, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Phoenix and more. The next instalment in the long-running FIFA series is due to be released next Friday (September 30) on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Stadia, PS4 and Xbox One. READ MORE: New artists talk appearing on the FIFA soundtrack: “It’s validation” FIFA 23‘s soundtrack, as promised, will feature more than 100 tracks by “a range of global hitmakers” as well as numerous “rising stars”. The collection incorporates music from 34 countries overall. Advertisement In addition to the aforementioned acts, players can expect to hear tunes by the likes of Jack Harlow, Rosalía, Central Cee, M.I.A., Loyle Carner, Nas, Denzel Curry (feat. Slowthai) and Remi Wolf. “This year’s soundtrack demonstrates the breadth of the world’s love for the game, capturing sounds from all sides of the globe,” said Raphaella Lima, Global Music Marketing Director at EA. “We wanted to emphasise the importance of our global football community through music and we’re excited to partner with this incredible group of artists to provide the songs and anthems for the most expansive FIFA ever.” You can listen to the FIFA 23 soundtrack via Spotify… Read More →

22SEPNews

Indie game publisher Wired Productions announces music label

Wired Productions has announced the launch of Black Razor Records, a music label that will raise money for mental health charity Safe In Our World with its first EP. READ MORE: Video game songs that had no right to bang as hard as they did Black Razor Records will aim to “merge video games with creative, original music and give music creators a paltform to showcase and commercialise their talent.” The label’s first release will be ‘Arcade Paradise EP’, which features music from Arcade Paradise – a Wired-published indie game that we gave four-stars in our review this year. Advertisement ‘Arcade Paradise EP’ is a collaboration between former Prodigy live drummer Kieron Pepper, Stu Brootal of Ivar & The Horde, and producer Ben Pickersgill. Discussing the EP, Pepper shared that the story of Arcade Paradise and protagonist Ashley’s “struggle with authority is one we have all experienced at some point in our lives.” ”When we were briefed about the theme, it was easy to quickly understand and relate to,” added Pepper. “Stu Brootal and his crew [Ivar & The Horde] smash it out of the park with the right level of anger and energy.” All proceeds from sales of the… Read More →

22SEPNews

Palaye Royale share ‘Lifeless Stars’ and tell us about their Libertines-inspired new album

Palaye Royale have released new single ‘Lifeless Stars’ from their upcoming album ‘Fever Dream’. Check it out below alongside an interview with the band. According to the art-punk band, the haunting, piano-led track is dedicated to their fanbase, The Soldiers Of The Royal Court and their family. “We all shine bright but we all shine even brighter together. You are all important,” they said in a statement. Advertisement It’s a message that flows through their third album ‘Fever Dream’ which is out in October. Inspired by Radiohead, classical opera and The Doors, ‘Fever Dream’ is more lush and cinematic than the snarling outsider anthems that have come before, earning them support slots with the likes of Yungblud. “There’s tension, but it’s still beautiful,” Sebastian Danzig told NME from backstage in Prague ahead of a headline show in the city. “Look at a band like Sigur Ros – they channel so much angst without the need for fast, up-tempo punk songs.” There band point to new tracks like ‘Oblivion’, ‘Fever Dream’ and ‘Off With The Head’, which are – according to vocalist Remington Leith – “straight-up musical masturbation”. “We didn’t intend for the songs to be five, six, seven minutes long… Read More →

21SEPNews

SG Lewis announces new album and shares single ‘Vibe Like This’ featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Lucky Daye

SG Lewis has announced a new album and shared the first single from the record featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Lucky Daye. READ MORE: SG Lewis – ‘times’ review: kitchen disco bangers that ache with nostalgia ‘AudioLust & HigherLove’ is set for release on January 23 via PMR/EMI Records and is the follow up to his 2021 album ‘times’. He has also shared a new double single ‘Infatuation’ and ‘Vibe Like This’, the latter of which features Ty Dolla $ign and Lucky Daye. You can view the video for ‘Vibe Like This’ and listen to ‘Infatuation’ below. Advertisement “The album is clearly split into two worlds,” SG Lewis said of his new record. “’AudioLust’ is the darker, lusty, infatuated, short-lived, and ego-driven version of love. The second half represents a much deeper, actualised, and fulfilled version of love. Songs fall on either half of the record.” He continued: “The bulk of the album was written across a series of intensive studio residencies in the height of the pandemic, with the help of some incredibly talented friends, and allowed me to explore myself as an artist in a way that I would never have dared before.” Lewis’ debut LP, which featured the… Read More →

21SEPNews

Fontaines D.C. share bittersweet video for ‘The Couple Across The Way’

Fontaines D.C. have released a video for their latest single ‘The Couple Across The Way’. READ MORE: Fontaines D.C.: “People are looking to me for answers. What the fuck do I know?” Taken from their new album ‘Skinty Fia’, which debuted at Number One on both the UK and Irish Official Albums Charts, the track’s lovelorn video was directed by Polocho and conceptualised by frontman Grian Chatten. The clip sees the frontman playing accordion and singing on a windowsill, while the camera pans between an arguing couple and a younger, lovestruck couple. Advertisement Explaining the track and video, Chatten said: “I was living in a tiny little flat in North London with my girlfriend and there was this Hitchcock-esque view of an elderly couple across from us. They had these blazing arguments that sent pigeons flying around, and after each one the man in the couple would come out onto this little balcony he had and just breathe for about 10 minutes. “I couldn’t help but imagine it as a reflection of myself and my girlfriend in years to come, and ourselves as a reflection of a younger, happier version of them.” The band released their third album ‘Skinty Fia’ back in April,… Read More →

20SEPNews

Here’s every song on the ‘Cobra Kai’ season five soundtrack

The soundtrack to Cobra Kai season five has been revealed, featuring songs from Billy Idol, Jon Bon Jovi, Van Halen and Survivor. The latest season of the Karate Kid spin-off, which dropped on Netflix on September 9, saw the return of Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) and Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), as they prepared to take on Terry Silver’s (Thomas Ian Griffith) growing karate empire. And, true to form, the season featured a number of classic tracks from the ’80s, including mega hits such as ‘Eye Of The Tiger’ and ‘You Spin Me Round’. Check out the full list of songs below: ‘Cancion del Mariachi (Morena de Mi Corazon)’ – Antonio Banderas and Los Lobos’Villa ‘Coapa’ – Moderato ‘La Stravaganza, Op. 4, Concerto No. 12 in G Major, RV 298: II. Largo’ – Antonio Lucio Vivaldi ‘Mony Mony’ – Billy Idol ‘Playing With The Boys’ – Kenny Loggins ‘Blaze Of Glory’ – Jon Bon Jovi ‘Judas’ – Fozzy ‘Unchained’ – Van Halen ‘Eye Of The Tiger’ – Survivor ‘Gonna Make You Sweat’ – C + C Music Factory ‘You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)’ – Dead Or Alive ‘My Way’ – Paul Anka ‘Etude Op. 25 – No. 1’ – Frederic… Read More →

20SEPNews

Sam Smith announces pair of shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall

Sam Smith has announced a pair of shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall next month, marking their first headline gigs since 2019. Although the British pop star has appeared at numerous festivals and promotional events since 2019, their last tour concluded in Cape Town in April of that year. READ MORE: Sam Smith – ‘Love Goes’ review: pop balladeer leans even further into heartbreak than before Smith will perform at the iconic London venue on October 21 and 22, with a setlist featuring some of their biggest hits and previewing material from their forthcoming new album. Fans can gain access to a special ticket pre-sale by pre-ordering the star’s new album directly from their online store before 4pm BST tomorrow (September 21). Advertisement Those who gain access will receive codes at 6pm BST, with the pre-sale opening at 9am BST on Thursday (22). Remaining tickets will then go on general sale at 9am BST on Friday (23). You can find more information and purchase tickets here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sam Smith (@samsmith) A title, release date, tracklist and album cover have yet to be revealed for Smith’s new album, which is expected to be officially… Read More →