2025-09-04 06:00:33.374

NEW YORK (AP) — Something is in the water in England. After a summer defined by the Oasis reunion, yet another beloved British rock band is set to return to the live stage: Radiohead. The band — made up of vocalist Thom Yorke, guitarist/keyboardist Jonny Greenwood, guitarist Ed O’Brien, bassist Colin Greenwood and drummer Phil Selway — have 20 shows on the books, taking place in five cities across Europe: Madrid, Bologna, London, Copenhagen and Berlin this November and December. They will perform four nights in each city. Radiohead last performed in 2018, in support of their last album, 2016’s “A Moon Shaped Pool.” It is unclear if the band is preparing a new release of original material, but earlier this month, they did announce a new live album, “Hail to the Thief — Live Recordings 2003-2009,” arriving Oct. 31. “Last year, we got together to rehearse, just for the hell of it. After a seven-year pause, it felt really good to play the songs again and reconnect with a musical identity that has become lodged deep inside all five of us,” Selway said in a statement. “It also made us want to play some shows together, so we hope you can make it to one of the upcoming dates. For now, it will just be these ones but who knows where this will all lead.” Registration for tickets begins Friday at Radiohead.com and will be open for 60 hours. The regular ticket sale will begin a week later, on Sept. 15. In the years since their last live performance, the members of Radiohead have been busy. Yorke and Jonny Greenwood’s art rock spinoff project, The Smile, has released three albums. Colin Greenwood joined Nick Cave’s live band. O’Brien released his debut solo album, “Earth” in 2020 and in 2023, Selway released his third solo album, “Strange Dance.”

2025-08-20 00:03:51.733

In a revealing interview, Paul McCartney discusses the Beatles' unexpected immersion in classical avant-garde music during the mid-1960s. He details their encounters with influential figures like Cornelius Cardew, Karlheinz Stockhausen, and Delia Derbyshire, and how these encounters impacted their music. McCartney specifically highlights John Cage's influence on "I Am the Walrus," explaining how Cage's experimental radio piece inspired the song's random, collage-like structure. He also credits musique concrète pioneers Pierre Henry and Pierre Schaeffer for their innovative approach to sound manipulation, which the Beatles emulated using tape loops and Brenell machines. This experimental approach is exemplified in songs like "Tomorrow Never Knows" and Lennon's "Revolution 9." McCartney emphasizes the freedom this experimentation provided, allowing them to push boundaries and evolve beyond traditional pop song formats. The interview also touches on the collaborative spirit between McCartney and John Lennon, showcasing their ability to blend avant-garde techniques with their pop sensibilities. Ultimately, the article underscores the Beatles' willingness to incorporate diverse influences and their impact on the evolution of popular music.

2025-08-14 00:00:23.533

Taylor Swift has unveiled details about her upcoming album, The Life of a Showgirl, set to release on October 3rd. The album features a collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter on the title track and includes a cover of George Michael's "Father Figure". The album's cover and track listing were revealed on Wednesday night, coinciding with Swift's appearance on her boyfriend Travis Kelce's podcast, New Heights. The Life of a Showgirl contains 12 tracks, a nod to being her 12th album. Swift shared that the album's inspiration comes from her two years on the Eras tour, the first billion-dollar tour in history. She described the album as reflecting the joyful, wild, and dramatic aspects of her life during the tour. Unlike her previous album, The Tortured Poets Department, Swift confirmed that The Life of a Showgirl will be a standalone release, with no additional surprise album to follow. The album features the return of producers Max Martin and Shellback, known for their work on Swift's previous albums. The album's announcement followed a series of cryptic clues on Instagram and Swift's website.

2025-08-13 06:00:41.254

Taylor Swift has announced her 12th studio album, "The Life of a Showgirl." The announcement came via her website after a countdown. While a release date wasn't given, vinyl editions will ship before October 13th. The announcement followed a series of cryptic clues, including a TikTok slideshow from Taylor Nation and a teaser on the "New Heights" podcast, hosted by Swift's boyfriend, Travis Kelce. Swift will appear on the podcast on Wednesday. The album is Swift's first since regaining control of her entire catalog of recordings after purchasing them from Shamrock Capital. This follows the release of her re-recorded albums, which have been massive successes. 'The Life of a Showgirl' follows her previous album, 'The Tortured Poets Department,' released during her record-breaking tour.

2025-08-12 06:00:49.417

Taylor Swift surprised fans by announcing her 12th studio album, "The Life of a Showgirl," on her website. The announcement followed a countdown timer, with vinyl editions slated to ship before October 13th. Fans had speculated about a new album after a TikTok slideshow from Taylor Nation featured 12 orange-themed images. A limited edition orange glitter vinyl and cassette are available for pre-order. The announcement was further teased by Swift's boyfriend, Travis Kelce's, podcast, "New Heights," which features Swift in a teaser video showing her pulling the album from a briefcase. The album follows her record-breaking "The Tortured Poets Department" and is her first release since she regained control of her entire music catalog. This acquisition marks the culmination of her multi-year effort to re-record her first six albums after a dispute over ownership. These re-recordings, known as "Taylor's Versions," have been massive successes, all debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

2025-08-01 12:00:31.675

Celeste, the British soul singer who took the world by storm in 2020, has returned with her sophomore album, Woman of Faces. Her Glastonbury performance, where she appeared in a striking leather and feather ensemble, set the stage for the album's release. The album's title, she explains, is a reflection of her own complexity, shaped by her unique upbringing – born in California to a British mother and Jamaican father, she moved to England as a child, experiencing a sense of displacement that influenced her music. The five-year gap between albums was filled with both triumphs – a No. 1 debut album, a Brit Award, and an Oscar nomination – and challenges, including the pandemic and a period of personal heartache. Her journey to create Woman of Faces was intensely personal, influenced by the death of her father, a difficult romantic relationship, and the pervasive influence of social media. The album's sound, described as symphonic jazz with a cinematic feel, is a departure from her earlier pop-soul work. She collaborated with the London Contemporary Orchestra and drew inspiration from composers like Bernard Herrmann. The album's first single, "On With the Show," reflects her struggle to overcome heartbreak and rediscover her purpose as a musician. Celeste also explores the impact of technology on relationships in songs like "Could Be Machine." Despite the challenges, Celeste expresses happiness and a sense of empowerment, embracing her age and her artistic journey. Woman of Faces is a testament to her resilience and her unique creative vision.

2025-07-28 12:00:17.908

Two weeks ago, during his first UK show, Indian rapper Hanumankind (Sooraj Cherukat) suffered a ligament tear after a stage fall. Despite the injury, he finished the performance, showcasing his dedication. His tracks, "Big Dawgs" and "Run It Up," have propelled him to international recognition, with collaborations alongside A$AP Rocky and Fred Again. He even performed at an event in New York, invited by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, his success comes with responsibility; as a rare South Asian face in global rap, he feels compelled to address issues within India, such as mob mentality, religious divisiveness, and caste-based discrimination. His childhood, marked by frequent moves across countries, instilled in him an ability to connect with diverse people, a skill reflected in his music. He honed his craft in Houston, Texas, influenced by the city's rap scene, before returning to India, where he balanced a corporate job with open-mic performances. His first festival performance was a turning point, leading him to quit his job and pursue music full-time. Hanumankind's music blends cheek and grit, delivered with a unique flow. While rapping mostly in English, he incorporates Indian elements, like Keralan chenda drums in "Run It Up," to maintain a homegrown aesthetic. His stage name, inspired by the Hindu god Hanuman, has sparked debate regarding its interpretation within the context of Indian nationalism. He has faced criticism for performing at Modi's event, but defends his participation as representing India. However, his political views are evident in songs like "Catharsis," which tackles systemic corruption and police brutality. His new mixtape, "Monsoon Season," reflects his experiences and features collaborations with Denzel Curry and Maxo Kream. Despite the challenges of fame, he plans to focus on making music and embark on a North American tour once his knee injury heals.

2025-07-22 12:00:39.674

Charli XCX and The 1975 drummer George Daniel have secretly gotten married! A representative for Daniel confirmed to the Associated Press that the couple wed over the weekend. They were spotted posing in front of London's Hackney Town Hall on Saturday. Daniel sported a suit, while Charli XCX wore a Vivienne Westwood bridal mini dress, as confirmed by Vogue. Charli XCX later posted a TikTok video in the same dress, playfully referencing her husband's reaction to her walking down the aisle. The Grammy-winning singer and songwriter, known for hits like "I Love It" and "Fancy," and her collaborations with PC Music, recently released her album "BRAT." Daniel, a founding member of The 1975, also co-produced and co-wrote two tracks on "BRAT." The couple announced their engagement on Instagram in 2023.

2025-06-28 18:00:24.819

The 1975's Glastonbury headlining set was shrouded in pre-show rumors of extravagant staging costs exceeding their performance fee. While the lead singer, Matty Healy, didn't shave his head as rumored, the production was undeniably lavish, featuring massive video screens, a reappearing treadmill, and even a car on stage. The screens displayed everything from news montages and song lyrics to self-deprecating critiques of Healy's lyrics and the band's music, creating a meta-commentary on their own performance. Healy himself oscillated between enthusiastic crowd engagement and self-aware, tormented pop star roles. The show's visual spectacle occasionally threatened to overshadow the music, particularly during a lengthy interlude where Healy changed his trousers, resulting in a minor audience exodus. However, the band's strong musicality shone through in hits like "If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)", "She's American", "It's Not Living (If It's Not With You)", "Sex", "Love It If We Made It", and "The Sound", culminating in an emotional performance of "About You". Overall, the 1975's set was a bold, experimental, and ultimately impressive performance, despite its occasional strangeness and self-deprecation.

2025-06-24 06:01:00.618

Mick Ralphs, guitarist, singer, songwriter, and founding member of the iconic British rock bands Bad Company and Mott the Hoople, has passed away at the age of 81. A statement released on Bad Company's official website announced his death, noting that he had been bedridden since suffering a stroke days after his final performance with the band at London's O2 Arena in 2016. Details surrounding his death were not provided. Ralphs's impact on rock music is undeniable. He is set to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Bad Company this November. Fellow Bad Company singer Paul Rodgers shared his grief, describing Ralphs as his friend, songwriting partner, and an incredibly talented guitarist with a great sense of humor. Ralphs penned numerous hits, including Mott the Hoople's "Ready for Love" and Bad Company's "Can't Get Enough" and "Feel Like Makin' Love". Born in Stoke Lacy, England, Ralphs's musical journey began in his teens playing blues guitar. He co-founded the Doc Thomas Group in 1966, which evolved into Mott the Hoople in 1969. While Mott the Hoople achieved success with "All the Young Dudes," written and produced by David Bowie, Ralphs left the band in 1973 feeling creatively stifled. He subsequently formed Bad Company with Paul Rodgers, initially intending only to collaborate on a single album. However, with the addition of Simon Kirke on drums and Boz Burrell on bass, Bad Company was born, achieving immediate success and producing numerous hits. Bad Company's debut album reached No. 1 on the Billboard album chart, with "Can't Get Enough" becoming their biggest hit single. Their follow-up album, "Straight Shooter," also performed exceptionally well. Ralphs's songwriting prowess is evident in hits like "Good Lovin' Gone Bad" and "Feel Like Makin' Love". The statement from Bad Company noted that Ralphs is survived by his wife, Susie Chavasse, two children, three step-children, and his bandmates Rodgers and Kirke. Rodgers shared a poignant message, reflecting on their recent laughter and the lasting impact of Ralphs's legacy.