PLAQUE UNVEILED AT PICCADILLY RECORDS, MANCHESTER, TO CELEBRATE
AHEAD OF THE RELEASE OF JOHNNY MARR’S EXCLUSIVE RECORD STORE DAY 2025 ALBUM RELEASE ‘LOOK OUT LIVE!’ ON ORANGE VINYL
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TOUR: BASTILLE to embark on a November to celebrate songs from the first fifteen years...
One of the UK’s biggest and best live acts, multi – platinum selling band, Bastille announce a huge UK arena tour in November 2025. “From All Sides” – Songs from the first 15 years is a celebration of the band’s career-spanning, multi-billion streaming records so far.
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Photo by Patrick : https://www.pexels.com/photo/tickets-text-on-yellow-wall-17527817/
FEATURE: The hidden costs of live music: Are booking fees justified?
Few things compare to the thrill of securing tickets to see your favourite band live. But just as you’re about to celebrate, the dreaded booking fee appears—an extra charge that often feels like an unnecessary burden. For many, it’s an unavoidable frustration, but what exactly are these fees, and why are they charged?
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LIVE REVIEW: Bristol hosts RITUAL UNION FESTIVAL 2025 - What a day!
Yippee, it's here again! A celebration of music hosted at a trio of Bristol independent venues (SWX, STRANGE BREW & SWX), I'm like a kid in a musical sweet shop. Let's go!
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Live Review: PRIMAL SCREAM raised the roof at The Beacon, Bristol – 31st March 2025
The Beacon in Bristol played host to an electrifying night of live music, headlined by the legendary Primal Scream, with support from Mozart Estate and Baxter Dury. The lineup was a carefully curated mix of eccentric pop, synth-infused rock, and the unmistakable swagger of one of Britain’s most enduring bands.
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Live Review: Skunk Anansie take over The Beacon, Bristol – 1st April 2025
Tonight, The Beacon, in the heart of Bristol played host to Skunk Anansie, a legendary band that been a mainstay on the UK ‘Brit Rock’ scene since 1994 (they disbanded in 2001 and reformed in 2009). The venue had sold out long before the gig, a sign that there is still much love for this unique band.
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TOUR: MARISA AND THE MOTHS are coming to a venue near YOU - Tickets available now....
MARISA AND THE MOTHS have released the video for their track Devil, taken from their second album What Doesn’t Kill You. The song portrays a story about falling in love again when you had previously convinced yourself that you wouldn’t in order to protect yourself from getting hurt. It is about being your own worst enemy and giving in to the temptation of a new love, even when you still don’t fully trust your own judgement after experiencing a life-altering and abusive relationship.
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FEATURE: All hail the return of THE SANDKINGS, one of the defining bands from the indie-pop era
After more than three decades, The Sandkings are set to make a triumphant return to the stage. With original members Dave Brown, Glenn Dodd, and Terry Kirkbride joined by new vocalist Vince Cocker, the band will perform at the Newhampton Arts Centre in Wolverhampton on August 2nd, 2025. This highly anticipated event promises to rekindle the magic of their music and bring their timeless sound to a new generation of fans, as well as us oldies that will no doubt be there, bobbing along to the music and stroking our beards in appreciation!
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Photo Credit - John Stead
LIVE REVIEW: THE WHO at London's Royal Albert Hall for Teenage Cancer Trust 2025
On the fourth night of the Teenage Cancer Trust’s 2025 concerts, London’s Royal Albert Hall bore witness to a performance brimming with history, heart, and raw rock power. The Who, led by the indefatigable Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, returned to the stage that has become synonymous with this charity’s legacy. And what a return it was.
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INTERVIEW: We catch up with Matt & Lucy from PALE BLUE EYES about their forthcoming UK tour
LIVE: MY BLOODY VALENTINE announce first UK live dates in over a decade....
Tickets go on general sale Friday 4th April at 10am via mybloodyvalentine.org
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FESTIVAL: RITUAL UNION is a MUST for music lovers - Taking place in Bristol on Saturday 29th March....
This Saturday, March 29th, 2025, Bristol’s music scene will be ablaze as the Ritual Union festival takes over the city. Quickly establishing itself as a beloved fixture on the UK festival circuit, Ritual Union promises an electrifying day packed with some of the freshest and most compelling acts in the music world. Spanning three central venues—SWX, Rough Trade, and Strange Brew—this festival offers a chance to immerse yourself in the cutting edge of contemporary soundscapes.
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FESTIVAL: North Sea Jazz Festival - The world’s largest indoor music festival expands 2025 line-up with additional acts
Thursday March 27, 2025 - The NN North Sea Jazz Festival, the world’s largest indoor music festival, has announced over 30 new artists for this year’s event. The newly announced artists join an already star-studded roster that includes the likes of Diana Ross, Mary J Blige, Norah Jones, Herbie Hancock, Ezra Collective, ANOHNI & The Johnsons, Thee Sacred Souls, Jacob Collier, Maxwell, Jorja Smith, Kamasi Washington, Nubya Garcia, Jordan Rakei, Celeste, Lady Blackbird, Madeleine Peyroux, ganavya and many more.
Taking place from Friday July 11 to Sunday July 13 2025 at the Ahoy Centre in Rotterdam, this year’s festival once again presents an expansive line-up of world-class music spanning jazz, blues, soul, pop, and more. Among the 30+ newly announced artists are Seu Jorge, Sheila E and The E-Train featuring Pete Escovedo, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Leon Thomas, and The Symphonic Music of Wayne Shorter feat Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra with Danilo Perez, John Patitucci, Terri Lyne Carrington, Tineke Postma, and Danya Stephens.
With 80,000 attendees annually, North Sea Jazz Festival has remained a cornerstone of the global music scene since its inception in 1976. Past editions have welcomed icons like Miles Davis, Prince, Ella Fitzgerald, Amy Winehouse, and Adele. The 2025 edition will feature over 1,000 musicians and 150 performances across 15 stages, cementing its reputation as the world’s largest indoor music festival.
Easily accessible from the UK - a short flight from major cities, a direct train ride from London St Pancras, or a ferry trip from multiple UK locations - the NN North Sea Jazz Festival 2025 is the perfect destination for UK music fans seeking a unique live experience.
Full line-up to date is below and additional names will be announced in due course.
NN North Sea Jazz Festival 2025 – Rotterdam Ahoy Centre
Friday 11th July: Amsterdam Funk Orchestra ft. Lilian Vieira • ANOHNI & The Johnsons • Arild Andersen - Daniel Sommer - Rob Luft • Arp Frique & The Perpetual Singers • Avishai Cohen (trumpet) Quartet • Bnnyhunna • Branford Marsalis Quartet • Dana & Alden • Daoud • DeWolff • Dino D'Santiago • Emmet Cohen Trio feat. Patrick Bartley • Ezra Collective • Ganavya • Grace Bowers & The Hodge Podge • Herbie Hancock • Jacob Collier (artist in residence) • Jerron Paxton • Johnathan Blake & Pentad • Jordan Rakei • Judith Hill • Julian Lage • Julie Campiche Quartet • Madeleine Peyroux • Martin Fondse Voice Orchestra • Mary J Blige • Melissa Aldana Quartet • NYVE • Omah Lay • Peter Somuah Group • Sam Greenfield • Sheila E. and The E-Train ft. Pete Escovedo • Sullivan Fortner Trio • The Philharmonik • The Symphonic Music of Wayne Shorter - Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Clark Rundell with special guests Danilo Perez, John Patitucci, Terri Lyne Carrington, Tineke Postma, and Danya Stephens • Van Bavel Teepe Jackson • Victor Ray • Zoh Amba Sun Quartet
Saturday 12th July: Adam Cruz • Aja Monet • Alfredo Rodríguez Quintet • Antonio Sanchez • Bela Fleck • BLK ODYSSY • BOI AKIH with Hélène Duret • Celeste • Cory Wong • Danilo Perez • David Murray Quartet • Edmar Castaneda • Fanny Meteier • Fujii Kaze • Ghost-Note • Guy Salamon Group • Jacob Collier (artist in residence) • Joe Bonamassa & Metropole Orkest • John Patitucci • Jonathan Jeremiah • Joshua Herwig and Mike Reed • Lee Ritenour • Lionel Hampton Big Band featuring Jason Marsalis • Loek van den Berg Quintet • MANU • Mark Turner Quartet • Mary Halvorson Amaryllis Sextet • Matteo Mancuso • Maxwell • MRCY • Nana Benz Du Togo • Naomi Sharon • NAUSYQA • Nduduzo Makhathini • NIJI • Nils Fischer & Timbazo • Peter Somuah • Queralt Lahoz • Samara Joy •Sanne Sanne Song • Seu Jorge • Terri Lyne Carrington ‘We Insist’ • Tony Overwater & Atzko Kohashi • Yi Jeon Nonet & Samulnori Newdot • ZO! Gospel Choir
Sunday 13th July: Aki Rissanen & Steven Kamperman • Alex Koo Trio • Ambrose Akinmusire • Anoushka Shankar • Benin International Musical • Black Flower • Cantorias • Christie Dashiell • Diana Ross • Dominique Fils-Aimé • Dora Morelenbaum • El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico • Immanuel Wilkins Quartet • Jacob Collier (artist in residence) • Jan van Duikeren & Marcel Veenendaal • Jazzmeia Horn • Jorja Smith • Kamasi Washington • Karja Renard Wandinger • Kassa Overall Quartet • Kurt Elling & Yellowjackets celebrate Weather Report • Lady Blackbird • Lakecia Benjamin • Leon Thomas • Linda Sikhakhani Quartet • Makaya McCraven • Mourning [A] BLKstar • Norah Jones • Nubya Garcia • Odeal • Ronnie Flex & The Fam spelen Rémi • Sarah-Jane & The Black Excellence Kawina Orchestra • Shuteen Erdenebaatar • Sophye Soliveau • The Cookers • Thee Sacred Souls • Tigran Hamasyan • Tin Men and the Telephone • Van Ruller // Hogenhuis • WAR
LIVE REVIEW: BEANS ON TOAST at Bristol Beacon 22nd March 2025
Beans On Toast (Jay) is on the road again, touring on the back of his 17th album, once again released on his birthday, 1st December, entitled 'Wild Goose Chasers'. We caught up with him in Bristol at the Beacon, in the Lantern Hall.
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LIVE: SCISSOR SISTERS announce 2 intimate warmup shows ahead of HUGE arena tour
WEDNESDAY 07 MAY 2025 - BRIGHTON CONCORDE 2
THURSDAY 08 MAY 2025 - BRISTOL SWX
NEWS: Celebrating four decades of iconic indie: "Reception: The Wedding Present Musical"....
This summer, indie music fans will have the unique opportunity to experience the evocative world of The Wedding Present like never before. Reception: The Wedding Present Musical, a new production by York-based theatre maker Matt Aston, will premiere at The Warehouse in Holbeck in Leeds, running from August 22nd to September 6th, 2025.
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Photo by Josh Sorenson: https://www.pexels.com/photo/group-of-people-raise-their-hands-on-stadium-976866/
FEATURE: Why are we obsessed with knowing stage times? A curious phenomenon....
In the age of social media, a curious question keeps cropping up whenever a show is announced: "What are the stage times?" This seems to happen regardless of the venue, the artist, or how far off the event is. But why are we so fascinated with something as predictable—and ultimately unknowable (for most of us)—as a show schedule.
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Photo credit / Sarah Doyle
NEWS: CMAT announces new album, shares new single and HUGE UK/EU tour
"Ireland's biggest new star" - The Independent
"CMAT – Irish country-pop singer Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson – writes funny, bone-deep songs about love and other horrors. She also plays her white acoustic guitar like an axe hero" - The Guardian
"A distinctive voice in every way" - Mojo
LIVE REVIEW: The Darkness at Bristol Beacon: glitter, guts, and good times...
Tonight, Bristol’s Beacon was a rock ‘n’ roll carnival with a surprising theme: the fearless antics of a 50-year-old man embracing comedic vulnerability—Justin Hawkins, ladies and gentlemen, THE DARKNESS. Celebrating the upcoming release of their eighth studio album, Dreams on Toast, They proved that they haven't mellowed with age, instead delivering a sold-out spectacle filled with infectious energy and gloriously absurd moments.
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NEWS: MILEY CYRUS announces new visual album 'Something Beautiful' out May 30th
Miley Cyrus unveils the artwork for her highly anticipated ninth studio album, Something Beautiful, set for release on May 30, 2025, via Columbia Records. The album features 13 original tracks and is executive produced by Miley Cyrus and Shawn Everett.
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