Bastille have unveiled their fifth album, &, a beautiful and ambitious synchrony of sound and storytelling. This 14-track record weaves together narratives of both real and imagined figures, such as the biblical Eve, the mythological Narcissus, the painter Edvard Munch and the lesser-known Chinese pirate Zheng Yi Sao. & is a treasure trove of lyricism… Continue reading “&” (ampersand): Bastille’s beautiful symphony of storytelling
The internet has been buzzing with rumours of a possible Oasis reunion, with the release of a cryptic post on the band’s X account that features only the date of of August 27 2024 at 8am, in the band’s iconic logo font. It was announced earlier this month that the band will be reuniting for performances throughout the… Continue reading The band is getting back together: 10 Oasis songs you should know, beyond Wonderwall
I didn’t put in my headphones or listen to any music for a week. This is what happened. If you are of my generation (Gen Z), then you have probably been a chronic music listener for as long as you can remember. Since I got my first pair of headphones in my early teens, I have… Continue reading Take off your headphones, get out of your head
London’s renowned inclusive club night, The Beautiful Octopus Club, is set to make its debut at the Wellcome Collection this summer in a free special one-night-only event. Hosted by the award-winning creative arts charity Heart n Soul, the event will take place on Friday, July 12, 2024, from 7 to 11 pm, promising an immersive… Continue reading London’s most inclusive club night, The Beautiful Octopus Club
Childish Gambino has released the album ‘Atavista’. The finished version of his 2020 record, ‘3.15.20’, which comes with the new track ‘Little Foot Big Foot’, featuring Young Nudy, is the 40-year-old singer, rapper and actor’s penultimate release before Donald Glover retires his stage moniker with one last LP, ‘ ‘Bando Storm and the New World’,… Continue reading Childish Gambino drops penultimate album under stage moniker
Thirty years from his death on April 5 1994, the impact of Kurt Cobain and his band, Nirvana, and their values, still resonates in today’s culture and music. Nirvana were everywhere at the start of the 1990s, much like Taylor Swift’s omnipresence today. But unlike Swift, who has embraced and mastered the business side of… Continue reading Kurt Cobain is still shaping culture – 30 years after the Nirvana frontman’s death
Just For One Day, the Old Vic’s new musical about Live Aid, recreates the story behind the history-making concert in a spectacle full of iconic 1980s rock anthems. The script may feel a bit clunky, but as it’s performed in front of enthusiastic audiences largely made up of people old enough to remember that warm… Continue reading Live Aid the musical: what really happens when celebrities get behind humanitarian causes
The long-awaited Bob Marley biopic “One Love” will highlight important moments in the musician’s life – his adolescence in Trench Town, his spiritual growth, the attempt on his life. But as a music industry scholar, I wonder if the film is yet another extension of the Marley marketing machine. Marley died in 1981 at the age of 36.… Continue reading From rebel to retail − inside Bob Marley’s posthumous musical and merchandising empire
Halsey shared a video on TikTok with tinny music in the background, the on-screen text reading: Basically I have a song that I love that I wanna release ASAP but my record label won’t let me. I’ve been in this industry for 8 years and I’ve sold over 165 million records. And my record company… Continue reading Halsey’s record label wouldn’t release a new song until it went viral on TikTok. Is this the future of the music industry?
Justin Bieber is the latest artist in a growing list of musicians who have sold the rights to their music. This move is typically made by more seasoned artists such as Bruce Springsteen, who reportedly received US$500m (£406m) for the sale of his life’s work in 2021, or Stevie Nicks who sold a share of… Continue reading Justin Bieber sells his back catalogue – an expert explains why artists give up rights to their music
