700 musicians participated in the charities study across the UK. 87% stated that their mental health had declined severely since the beginning of lockdown and the lack of being able to perform. 59% stated that Brexit implications for touring and live shows in Europe was a major factor, ‘compounding the problem’. 96% said they were worried about finances and their situations generally.

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70% stated they do not think they will be able to ‘cope financially’ for the next 6 months whilst half the participants stating they earn nothing from music at all the the current moment. 24% are considering leaving music altogether.

Help Musicians’ Chief Executive James Ainscough stated, “We can’t sugar coat these findings – we are facing a mental health crisis amongst musicians on an unprecedented scale. We have been offering ongoing financial support to thousands of musicians throughout the pandemic, but offering money is just one part of what musicians need – we have also had to completely revamp the mental health support we offer to address this rapidly unfolding crisis.

He continued, “Musicians who cannot work don’t just suffer financially, they grieve for the creativity and connections that their music usually brings.This is why we have bolstered our mental health support for musicians across the UK.”

The implications of Brexit and the very real crises that the global pandemic had on the music industry and especially its creative artists mean that musicians are facing a loss of livelihood, passion and financial stability. Ainscough pleaded to those musicians currently experiencing stress about the future or, “needs urgent help or simply a listening ear,x please call Music Minds Matter now on 0808 802 8008.”

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Gilmour has recently stated to Guitar Player magazine his thoughts on the reunion and his ex-bandmates comments on the ordeal. “It has run its course, we are done. I’m all for Roger [Waters] doing whatever he wants to do and enjoying himself. But I absolutely don’t want to go back. I don’t want to go and play stadiums. I’m free to do exactly what I want to do and how I want to do it.”

“It has run its course, we are done” – @davidgilmour says there will never be a @pinkfloyd reunionhttps://t.co/7oidBpATFF

— Planet Rock (@PlanetRockRadio) March 11, 2021

In 1985, bass player Roger Waters left the band, openly stating they would not reunite. Waters took the remaining members to court so they could not carry on using the iconic band name, Pink Floyd. However, he lost and Pink Floyd continued, with Gilmour at the helm from 1985 through to 1994. The band, comprised of Gilmour, Nick Mason (drums), Richard Wright (keyboard) and a range of other musicians for song writing and composition, continued to make iconic, acclaimed albums using the Pink Floyd name. In 2005, the whole band, including Waters, got together for the final time, performing at the Live 8 concert which was organised by Bob Geldof.

The ‘Money’ singer has toured solo since the bands spilt. In 2006, Gilmour embarked on his ‘On An Island’ tour performing both solo and Pink Floyd tracks. In the Royal Albert Hall, the legendary artist David Bowie joined Gilmour on stage for an eerie yet brilliant rendition of Pink Floyd track, ‘Comfortably Numb’. This is believed to be Bowie’s last UK performance before his passing in January 2016.

Pink Floyd shook the world with their most critical acclaimed album, ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon.’ Their revolutionary use of sonic sound and psychedelic rock has influenced many legendary artists from Radiohead, Dream Theatre and most recently, Tame Impala. Whilst it is a shame that the legends will not be reuniting on stage, it is understandable with the past pandemic, the uncertainties of live music touring in Europe and the rich, emotional history Pink Floyd have.

Gilmour has recently released a new single, ‘Yes, I Have Ghosts’, his first new track in 5 years. Originally made as part of his wives, Polly Samson, audiobook ‘A Theatre For Dreamers’, it has now been released online and can be streamed on all major platforms.

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The festival is set to take place on July 24th 2021, over a month after the governments ‘road-map’ date for all lockdown restrictions to be lifted (June 21st!). The Director of Kaleidoscope Festival, Simon Fell, has stated, “to say it’s been a tough last year is a massive understatement, but it’s great to have something to look forward to this summer.”

Fell went on to say, “Kaleidoscope will provide everything you’d want from a festival experience, with loads of green space to explore, the Palace and world class music, comedy and entertainment, all here on one in day in London. To have Groove Armada headlining too, is the stuff summer dreams are made of.It is part of a packed programme we’re preparing at Ally Pally for when restrictions lift, so come and join the fun.”

Groove Armada have recently released their first LP since their 10 year hiatus, Edge of Horizon. The latest album gained wide critical acclaim, gaining 7.5 stars out of 10 from Line Of Best Fit. The duo’s Andy Cato said of the album to NME, “During those studio days, the rest of the world shuts down. There’s an intensity, anyone looking in might say madness, that kicks in when we’re totally lost amongst the instruments, synths and records day and night. But that shared, unspoken feeling that comes when we both know we’ve got it right cuts through as clear as ever.” 

After a 10 year hiatus since their last album @GrooveArmada have finally released their next LP! We recommend you listen to this from start to finish as loud as you can & if you can’t get enough come see them when they headline Kaleidoscope Festival 2021 https://t.co/yiW4ZQnE4d

— Kaleidoscope Festival (@KS_Festival) October 2, 2020

Currently priced at £53.50, the one-dayer will be one you do not want to miss. Performing beside Groove Armada and The Coral will be Greg Wilson, House Gospel Choir and Mr Wilson’s Second Liners.

The relatively new festival has been described as ‘unbeatable’ by Evening Standard, who rewarded them with a 4 star review. The festival hosts DJ’s and Spoken Word, with Irvine Welsh and Phil Wang headlining the Comedy tent.

With many more acts to be announced over the coming months, Kaleidoscope Festival will certainly bring the summer vibes after the long lockdown. Tickets are currently on sale and can be found here.

Bad Sound issued a statement to instagram to unveil the sad news, stating, “With a heavy heart, we have to announce that due to the ongoing uncertainties surrounding live music, our upcoming tour has been cancelled. Anyone who has been to one of our shows before will know how much we love playing live, and how much it means to us when we see you beautiful faces, batting balloons away and sining with us through a thick fog of confetti. We’re going to take some time to regroup and figure out when and how we can do this to make it something special and we will be back as soon as we can!”

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However, not all is lost. Bad Sounds added that big news will be coming on all socials. Fans will have to wait and see for the new dates and what news this could bring, but their could be more collaborations on singles. They stated, “In the meantime, keep an eye out on our socials for bigs new and new dates. Refunds will of course be issued from point of purchase.”

The indie five-piece had recently released ‘Move In To Me’, a slow and emotional track that collaborates with the New Zealand duo, Broods.  The smooth track combines the two bands sound perfectly, creating a simmering groove track.

Front men of the band, brothers Callum and Ewan Merrett, said they always envisioned Bad Sounds as a ‘collaborative project’, to meet a “bunch of like-minded musicians and write songs together and our friends would feature.”

This is evident with their recent work with Arlo Parks. Working behind the scenes on ‘Bluish’, Bad Sounds stated to their socials, ‘It’s a huge privilege for us to be a part of such an important artist’s debut album and we’re extremely grateful to Arlo for getting us involved  I hope we did you proud’. The track has gained over 800,000 streams on Spotify alone, showing that the future of Bad Sounds is bright!

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Taking to Instagram, an official statement from Paul Weller stated, “Due to ongoing uncertainty through the pandemic, the decision has been made to reschedule Paul’s UK June/July Summer 2021 tour to March/April 2022. If you currently hold a ticket, keep this, as it will remain valid for the new date.” However, the tour dates for November and December 2021 remain the same with 15 shows occurring during the winter months. The venues include Margate’s Winter Gardens, The Cambridge Corn Exchange and Baths Forum.

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The news comes shortly after Weller has released a new single. ‘Cosmic Fringes’ is the electro-pop that is the first single from his next album ‘Fat Pop (Vol.1).’  ‘Cosmic Fringes’ shows the renowned singer deliver ‘deadpan vocals’ with an ‘oxymoronic, pumping swing’. The album, set to be released on May 14th 2021, is about music and the joy it brings. ‘The Modfather’ stated, “It’s a celebration of music and what it’s given us all. No matter what situation you are in, and we’re in one now, music doesn’t let you down, does it?”

Tickets purchased for Paul Weller’s autumn 2020 shows remain valid for the rescheduled gigs. Fans who cannot make the new 2022 spring dates can request a refund from their point of purchase.

Paul Weller Spring 2022 rescheduled Tour Dates:

31/03 2022 – Plymouth Pavilions – Plymouth
01/04 – Guildhall – Portsmouth
02/04 – Brighton Centre – Brighton
04/04 – King Georges Hall – Blackburn
05/04 – York Barbican – York
06/04 – Bonus Arena – Hull
09/04 – De Montfort Hall- Leicester
10/04 -De Montfort Hall- Leicester
12/04 – Caird Hall – Dundee
13/04 – Usher Hall – Edinburgh
15/04 – O2 Apollo – Manchester
16/04 – O2 City Hall – Newcastle Upon Tyne
17/04 – O2 City Hall – Newcastle Upon Tyne
19/04 – Sands Centre – Carlisle
20/04 – St Georges Hall – Bradford
22/04 – O2 Forum Kentish Town – London
23/04 – O2 Forum Kentish Town – London
24/04 – O2 Academy Brixton – London

The T-Shirt features the band’s logo and the words ‘Formidable Young Woman’ which Reid recounts as a security guard naming her, whilst not letting her backstage to her own show! Tweeting about the ordeal, Reid stated, ’“I was just like, ‘For Fucks sake’. If I was fucking Chris Martin, he would not be called a formidable young man. To me that’s just code for ‘bitch’.”

Taking to Twitter, the singer stated, “For #InternationalWomensDay I wanted to launch this new tee with 100% of the profits going to @CareIntUK – an amazing women’s charity working to save lives and achieve equal rights and opportunities. Love to all the formidable young women out there.”

For #InternationalWomensDay I wanted to launch this new tee with 100% of the profits going to @CareIntUK – an amazing women’s charity working to save lives and achieve equal rights and opportunities. Love to all the formidable young women out there.

https://t.co/05IIf2Jyrv pic.twitter.com/1KiXRufbfo

— London Grammar (@londongrammar) March 8, 2021

Care International UK is a charity that supports women and girls to fulfil their full potential, “because when one woman is helped out of poverty, she brings her family and community with her”. Founded in 1945, the charity would send ‘CARE packages’ across the globe to those fighting poverty in the harshest environments.

Reflecting on past experiences within the music industry, Reid tells NME, “If I’m strong-minded, I’m being really ‘difficult’ or I’m being a ‘bitch’, whereas for the boys they’ve just got ‘integrity’ over what they do. It can be a really, really tiny thing – but if you have it every day, and it becomes a thousand moments, it can actually change who you are… You can’t let it go when it’s happening all the time.”

Reid is just one of the many many women who have dealt with patronisation during their music industry careers. Paloma Faith also tweeted her support of Care International UK, saying “Happy International Women’s Day! Today is a celebration of women but also a day to demand more from our society. I’m supporting @careintuk in calling for more women in leadership and decision-making positions.”

Happy International Women’s Day! Today is a celebration of women but also a day to demand more from our society. I’m supporting @careintuk in calling for more women in leadership and decision-making positions.#StopTellingHalfTheStory #March4Women #IWD #palomafaith pic.twitter.com/PvbSgYzocj

— Paloma Faith (@Palomafaith) March 8, 2021

To pre-order Hannah Reids T-Shirt, click the link here. To read her full interview and accounts with NME about being her experiences within the music industry, the conscious and unconscious biases and the difference in treatment toward her than her male bandmates, click here.

In a statement, the festival director and founder Alex Trenchard said,  “It brings me incredible joy and happiness to announce the return of Standon Calling. It’s no secret that the past year has been an incredibly tough one not just for the festival world, but for all of us longing to return to some degree of normality and longing to celebrate and dance together once again.”

The Hertfordshire festival, which originally began as a birthday barbecue and grew in to an annual event, were ‘heartbroken’ to have to cancel their 15th Anniversary, which would have been last year. However, the organisers have stated they are back with an even bigger event to make up for the belated anniversary.

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Headliners for the 2021 festival include Bastille, Primal Scream, Hot Chip and Craig David. Mystery Jets, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Biig Piig and many others will also be performing at the boutique music festival. Comedians Ed Gamble and Zoe Lyons will take centre stage in the comedy tent with the annual dog show and costume parade also going ahead. 

Trenchard went on to state, “This year’s line-up is my favourite to date, from huge headliners to some of the most exciting new sounds/artists going and the return of some huge family highlights from over the years – I can’t wait to welcome you all this summer.”

Labelled as one of the friendliest festival crowds, Standon Calling 2021 will certainly be welcomed by music fanatics come July 2021. This is just one of the latest UK festivals that have confirmed their return in summer 2021, with Reading & Leeds, Isle of Wight and Latitude confirming their immense return too.

All tickets previously bought to the independent festival will be valid for their July 2021 return. If you haven’t bought one yet, weekend tickets to Standon Calling are still on sale which can be found here.

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The rescheduled date for Swansea Singleton Park is Saturday 29 May 2021https://t.co/xHT9TaP3HA pic.twitter.com/ZCNYRhKu0D

— Catfish&theBottlemen (@thebottlemen) June 3, 2020

The northern Welsh band planned to originally play the show last year on May 20th 2020, yet due to the pandemic, this had to be postponed. The quartet then rescheduled to May 29th 2021, but in light of the governments roadmap plan to lift lockdown restrictions, Catfish and The Bottlemen have had to reschedule again. All tickets from last year will remain valid for the September show however. They will be supported by Surrey four-piece You And Me At Six, Welsh indie rockers Feeder and pop-rock band Yonaka.

Their latest album ‘The Balance’, was released in 2019. It received a 3 star review from NME who stated that it is a “technically accomplished and assured record” and “There are solid pop-rock hooks and plenty of frontman Van McCann’s much-touted swagger.”

The band will have a busy weekend as they are also headlining Neighbourhood Weekender the day after their huge show at Singleton Park. On Sunday 5th September, Catfish and The Bottlemen will be on the main stage along with Sundara Karma, The Wombats and newcomers Sports Team. Tickets to the festival can be found here.

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The band are also headlining at Reading and Leeds festival at the end of August 2021, setting up a busy few weeks of live gigs and shows. However, after a long period of no performing, this will come as a huge relief and an exciting time!

‘All The Colours Of You’, the single, ultimately speaks about the pandemic and it’s ups and downs. Tim Booth, the bands front man and vocalist, sings “tell me how you’re staying sane / haven’t hugged a human since the end of May / quarantine with you / our world’s a private zoo”. The wordsmith clearly indicates the trials of quarantining in this hopeful, driven track , with the chorus ringing out ‘We’re stuck in this cage / You’re rigging this game.’

We’re excited to announce that our new album ‘All The Colours of You’ will be released on June 4th. @steve_lamacq is spinning the first single on @BBC6Music now so make sure you don’t miss it!!

Pre-order ‘All The Colours Of You’ here: https://t.co/tfJWQc12U1 pic.twitter.com/DAj8XIcDcp

— James (@wearejames) March 1, 2021

Stated in a press release, Booth explained that the single is about the “divisiveness and hatred stoked by” former President Donald Trump, which US-based Tim witnessed first-hand. “Highlighting the sharp rise of white supremacy during his reign, the track ultimately offers a glimmer of hope, a new and brighter future with the refrain ‘Love all the colours, all the colours of you.'”

The 5 and a half minute banger incorporates classic James’ styles, with Booths impressive, breathy vocal range, gradually building to produce an explosion of brass, drums, guitar and catchy lyrics, leaving the listener on a high. The album was produced by JackKnife Lee who has worked with artists such as U2, The Killers and Taylor Swift.

The Manchester legends bassist, Jim Glennie, posted on the bands website ‘it’s definitely a different record for us. We have been pushed somewhere new and that’s exciting. I hope you’ll enjoy the moods, grooves and uplift, admirably displayed on our first single and title track, which is out today.’

Booth spoke to NME stating, “With all the shit that went down in 2020 this was a miraculous conception and another big jump forward for us on the back of the last three albums. I hope it reflects the colours of these crazy times. Sweet 16 is a proper album, no fillers and is up there with our best.”

Check out the track list for ‘All the Colours Of You’ below:

ZERO
All The Colours Of You
Recover
Beautiful Beaches
Wherever It Takes Us
Hush
Miss America
Getting Myself Into
Magic Bus
Isabella
XYST

 

 

 

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Opening with the calming yet catchy hook, the single invokes that feeling of peacefulness. The track then adds a tempo shift with a driving hip hop beat complimenting LEMZI’s notable, clever lyricism, dropping motivational bars such as ‘still hidden gems round every end / you ain’t gotta dim your light so that they can blend’. The wordsmith continues to show his talent throughout, highlighting existential thoughts that many can resonate with – ‘I got a feeling that my kids will never see a forrest / I can’t trust too many MPs if the leaders Boris’. Ambient sounds are heard toward the end of the track such as birds, suiting the overall message and calming flow of the track.

Speaking to MxDwn UK, LEMZI stated that the track was written pre-COVID in late 2019, ‘but between me and Flomine, the producer/engineer of E11 studios, we just left it for a while. Then throughout 2020 I was inactive with music. Going through some personal turmoil at the time, I stepped back from music and concentrated on myself more. A lot of introspection, journaling, walking (where I found the locations for the video), in-depth conversations with my cousin and good friend Tonz. So who I finally got back in to the studio and feeling more myself, it felt right to give focus to this.’

The single is accompanied by a music video, shot by PRFL Productions,  that delves in to East London – from bustling markets stalls to idyllic landscapes and nature spots with the creative explaining his philosophies and approaches to mindfulness. The contrast between the different scenes throughout the video, from opening with a loud fire engine blaring past to the vibrant yet tranquil forests seems to be intentional – ‘I wanted to make sure I got across the dichotomy of living in somewhere as hectic as London but finding the moments and environments within it that you can separate yourself from the Noises.’ 

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The track invites the listener to think about their own serene state and how to catch their own Zen. Within LEMZI’s video, the artist speaks about his own way of getting away from the Noises and listening to the Sounds – ‘the stuff that builds you up and keeps you moving forward.’ He states, ’Sometimes you’re just down and feel shit. For 2020 in particular you have to distinguish between the Noises and the Sounds…. There’s always gonna be Noises – there’s always gonna be bills to pay, someone pissing you off, your football team losing a match. But where are the Sounds within that, around that and beyond that?”

The take home message from the track is important, especially regarding the intensities of emotions throughout the recent lockdowns. Being able to distinguish between the Noises and Sounds, finding out your individual, main form of meditation and practicing mindfulness will all be ways to catch your Zen. LEMZI invokes this message within the thoughtful and upbeat track, with his witty wordplay and infectious beat that leaves the listener hopeful and soothed.

‘Zen’ is out now on all digital platforms. Watch the music video below!