War Child is an international non-government organisation founded in 1993, working with families, corporations and worldwide governments to ensure protection, education and support for children who are impacted by war and distressing conditions caused by political conflict. War Child UK worked with the music, media and entertainment industries through the 90’s to raise awareness and money for the charity in its beginnings. David Bowie, Elton John and many more artists backed the organisation during its start-up, with some of the most popular names in the British music scene joining forces to produce an album to raise money for the charity.

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Over twenty UK hit artists came together to produce ‘Help!’ in 1995. Including songs from Blur and Oasis – whose “Battle of Britpop” rivalry was a huge pop culture news story at the time – their allegiance in recording the album gained plenty of attention much to the charity’s benefit. They featured in the album alongside The Boo Radleys, The Stone Roses, Orbital, Radiohead, Portishead, Massive Attack, Suede and more.

“It’s the only time you’ll see us agreeing on anything,” said Oasis’ Noel Gallagher in regards to working with Blur for ‘Help!‘. “We put aside our differences for the cause.”

‘Help(2)’ is comprised of 23 songs produced by a genre-diverse lineup of global music icons, from indie rock legends Arctic Monkeys to alternative pop-princess Olivia Rodrigo and many more big names. The contributing musicians began recording over a week in November 2025 at Abbey Road studios, birthplace of The Beatles’ ‘Come Together‘ and Pink Floyd’s ‘The Great Gig In The Sky‘ – along with many other globally acclaimed records. A few singles were released to promote the second charity volume, including Arctic Monkeys’ ‘Opening Night’ which gained 15 million streams on Spotify. The full album has been released today and is available on streaming services and to purchase at www.warchild.org.

The 1995 album was a hit, raising £1.25 million for War Child. Although there is concern for streaming platforms having overtaken album purchases significantly, Rich Clarke from War Child UK has ensured that rights and royalties will be donated to the charity. The album would need to reach 400 million streams to reach that figure. Merchandise has also been created to help raise money, including a Vinyl, T-shirts and a CD that includes an exclusive bonus Oasis live recording.

Help(2) Double LP and Exclusive 7″ Vinyl of ‘Acquiesce (Live From Wembley)’ By Oasis. Available to buy at https://store.warchild.org.uk/

Producer James Ford has curated an album that’s good for the cause as it for the ears, described as an “intriguing mix of strikingly fresh covers and affecting originals” by album critic Matthew Davies Lombardi (DIY Magazine). The array of musicians and their diverse sounds uniting in aid of War Child gives something for everyone to enjoy, from the music itself to the consequential support given by enjoying it.

“30 years ago, today and, no doubt, 30 years from now, the message remains clear and universal – no child should ever be part of war. Ever.” – DIY Magazine.

The exciting new track list for ‘Help(2)‘ can be seen below.

Side A

1. Arctic Monkeys – Opening Night

2. Damon Albarn, Grian Chatten & Kae Tempest - Flags

3. Black Country, New Road – Strangers

4. The Last Dinner Party – Let’s do It Again!

5. Beth Gibbons – Sunday Morning

Side B

6. Arooj Aftab & Beck – Lilac Wine

7. King Krule – The 343 Loop

8. Depeche Mode - Universal Soldier

9. Ezra Collective & Greentea Peng - Helicopters

10. Arlo Parks – Nothing I Could Hide

11. English Teacher & Graham Coxon - Parasite

12. Beabadoobee – Say Yes

Side C

13. Big Thief - Relive, Redie

14. Fontaines D.C. - Black Boys On Mopeds

15. Cameron Winter - Warning

16. Young Fathers - Don’t Fight The Young

17. Pulp – Begging For Change

18. Sampha – Naboo

Side D

19. Wet Leg – Obvious

20. Foals – When The War Is Finally Done

21. Bat For Lashes - Carried My Girl

22. Anna Calvi, Dove Ellis, Ellie Rowsell & Nilüfer Yanya - Sunday Light

23. Olivia Rodrigo – The Book of Love

warchild.org.uk

The censorship of these statements has lead to concerns from artists about how musicians should feel empowered to be political. Indie-underdog CMAT, nominated for International Artist Of The Year, stated she was “not a big fan of anyone trying to argue that art is not a political place” and that “everything is politics. But more than ever, art is politics because you don’t get to make art in a fascist state. Fascism is on the rise in every single country in the world.”

She had previously criticised Berlin film Festival jury’s Wim Wenders, who stated that cinema should “stay out of politics”. The Irish singer shunned Wenders’ statement as she commented on “fascism rearing its ugly head in Ireland, its showing its ugly head all over the UK and don’t even get me started on America.”

“It’s cowardice,” She said in interview with The Guardian, “And I think it is showing that these people are extremely separate from how normal people live their everyday lives. You know, they’ve become successful artists. Become successful musicians, film-makers, and so they have wiped their hands clean of having to do anything with the working classes or having to do anything with anyone who is oppressed in any nation because they have the luxury of doing that. And I don’t think that’s fair.”

Theo Ellis, drummer of UK Group of The Year BRIT winners Wolf Alice, said he felt it was left to musicians to speak out on current political affairs because of the lack of coverage in traditional media.

“[Musicians] have the power to expose people to information they might not have got somewhere else,” he said.

UK Group of The Year 2026 BRIT winners Wolf Alice on the red carpet. CREDIT: Ian West/PA Images via Getty Image

Alternative/rock category nominees Wet Leg also voiced political concerns on the red carpet. “I think that to be apolitical is political,” stated frontwoman Rhian Teasdale. The group’s guitarist Joshua Omead Mobaraki also commented on the rise of Reform UK, saying he “[doesn’t] want UK Reform to win any seats.”

Hip-hop king of the UK scene Loyle Carner shared similar concerns about UK Reform. “It’s scary times we’re living in. But it’s such low-hanging fruit. I feel, in my circle, or the echo chamber I exist in, to say that I hate Nigel Farage … it’s not hard to say that.”

Artist of the year runner-up Rebecca Taylor AKA Self Esteem expressed sympathy with other musicians who felt their political statements were being censored. “I just can’t not say what I think because it’s too frightening. I’m genuinely terrified that we’re going into a dark place, darker than where we are already.”

Alongside the nominees, comedian Jack Whitehall who was this year’s award presenter had his comments axed from the broadcast, notably a joke about Peter Mandelson. Whitehall joked that he spotted Mandelson sitting amongst a ‘politicians table’. Former Labour grandee Mandelson was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office, with investigation into allegations that he leaked sensitive information to sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Geese-drummer Max Bassin also had part of his speech censored from broadcasting as he accepted the award for International Group Of The Year. He made it as far as, “What’s up the Brits! I just want to say-” before the remaining speech was censored.

“Free Palestine, f*ck ICE, R.I.P. Mani, let’s go Geese,” he stated.

Once a seemingly neutral ground for politics, music and culture intersecting, the BRITs have taken a much stricter approach to political statements. In previous years, several political moments were captured on the award’s stage. 1995’s awards saw R&B royalty Prince perform a silent protest against his record label dispute, appearing onstage with “SLAVE” written on his cheek. Stormzy also utilised the stage for political input during his 2018 performance where he spoke out on the 2017 Grenfell Tower Fire, confronting Theresa May as he rapped “Where’s that money for Grenfell? You criminals.”

The sensitivity regarding political statements has been amplified across many awards ceremonies this year. In the BAFTAs last week, My Father’s Shadow director Akinola Davies announced “Free Palestine” during his acceptance speech for Best Debut by A British Writer, Director or Producer. This remark was edited out of the BBC broadcast.

In the Grammy awards ceremony last month, several artists including Hailey and Justin Bieber and Joni Mitchell were seen wearing pin badges that read “ICE out”. The censorship controversy is particularly prevalent due to what producers are ruling out as acceptable versus what is unacceptable. At the BAFTAs, John Davidson used a racial slur onstage that was didn’t get censored during broadcasting. An official apology was made owed to the activist’s Tourette’s Syndrome, but many have called the outburst “unacceptable”. The incident has sparked conversations about political censorship seeming unjustified comparatively.

No official announcements about the censorships of these statements has been made by the BRIT awards.

The Brooklyn-based group began making music together in 2016, led by frontman Cameron Winter. Though the group have been meticulously crafting and perfecting three studio albums over the last 10 years, the enigmatic Getting Killed (2025) was the one to pull them into the spotlight. A melting pot of experimental rock, post-punk, funk and country blues, Geese have gripped millions of listeners worldwide with their unconventional sound. The album received critical acclaim after its release in September last year and was named Best Album of 2025 by NME.

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Max Bassin with BRIT award, shared by The BRIT Awards (@brits)

Geese-drummer Max Bassin accepted the award on the group’s behalf. In his speech, he expressed solidarity with Palestine and condolences to Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, who passed away in November 2025.

“What up the Brits! I just want to say, free Palestine, f*ck ICE, RIP Mani, let’s go Geese.”

Bassin’s speech was censored by BRIT producers during the live-broadcast.

Amongst other historic international nominees was Spanish singer-songwriter Rosalía, the Catalan-star behind 2025 hit ‘Berghain’. Awarded International Artist of the Year, she surpassed music-giants Bad Bunny, Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter. In a ceremony dominated by 4-time winner Olivia Olivia Dean, Rosalía has been described for her first ever win as an “underdog“.

International Song of The Year winners Bruno Mars and Rosé triumphed over Chappell Roan, Lady Gaga and Sombr and many other chart-topping artists with their hit ‘APT’. The title was awarded according to votes from the public via WhatsApp and their win saw Rosé making history as the first ever K-Pop award winner in BRITs history. This, along with a performance by Huntr/X of Golden from the movie KPop Demon Hunters, saw K-pop represented more than ever in the ceremony.

This year’s BRITs saw many historic wins and special moments for artists and the ceremony itself. Held in Manchester, leaving London for the first time in 47 years, the ceremony featured many special dedications to the late-Manchester legend Mani, who rocked in The Stone Roses and Primal Scream.

Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away in July 2025, was given a lifetime achievement award. Widow Sharon Osbourne accepted the award on the late-rockstar’s behalf, who honoured him as “authentic, gifted, totally unpredictable, a wild man, a true artist”. The awards ceremony closed with a tribute to Osbourne, a performance ‘No More Tears’ led by Robbie Williams and band featuring Metallica’s Robert Trujillo and Ozzy guitarist Zakk Wylde.

Read more about how this year’s BRITs made history including Lola Young’s Breakthrough Artist win here and the winners of the 2026 Song of the Year here.

International Group of the Year
WINNER: Geese
Haim
HUNTR/X (Ejae/Audrey Nuna/Rei Ami)
Tame Impala
Turnstile

International Song of the Year
Alex Warren – “Ordinary”
Chappell Roan – “Pink Pony Club”
Disco Lines & Tinashe – “No Broke Boys”
Gigi Perez – “Sailor Song”
Gracie Abrams – “That’s So True”
HUNTR/X (EJAE / Audrey Nuna / REI AMI) – “Golden”
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With a Smile”
Ravyn Lenae – “Love Me Not”
WINNER: Rosé & Bruno Mars – “Apt.”
Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
Sombr – “Undressed”
Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”

International Artist of the Year

Bad Bunny
Chappell Roan
CMAT
Doechii
Lady Gaga
WINNER: Rosalía
Sabrina Carpenter
Sombr
Taylor Swift
Tyler, the Creator

JVB bring to ‘HYPERYOUTH’ high energy, wit and charm, and an eternal credit to being a 90’s kid. The album is an unmistakable tribute to the rap/rock fusion of The Beastie Boys melded with modern hip-hop head-banger rhythms. Highly influenced by popular culture but still the same kids raised on Pokemon, video games, and the internet, JVB are throwing a party that never stops and everyone is invited – so long as you’re dancing.

‘HYPERYOUTH Afterparty‘ brings its beloved silly but endlessly feel good sound in 6 brand new tracks. Preceding the original 14-track compilation are new dance-inducing tracks ‘friends’, ‘push the pipe’, ‘how does it feel to be young’, ‘bustamove’, ‘i like this’, and ‘changes’. The new tracks elevate the album’s youthful spirit with their love of the dancefloor and JVB’s ode to never truly growing up.

“Nobody wants to dance anymore… let’s bring that life back into the culture.” – JVB say in interview with Kerrang.

The deluxe release is perfectly timed as JVB are soon to kick off their HYPERYOUTH world tour. The two will be bringing their high energy, high vibes, hard bars and Pokemon cards to stages all across the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe through 2026. Fans will also get to see support from various acts such as Joshua Raw, Chase USA and more as JVB bring their hyperactive music chaos to stages worldwide. The duo have expressed the timeless excitement of being onstage, and the gratitude for performing to an audience who are devoted to true cause: partying together to good, loud music.

“Prepare to dance, bounce, cry, sweat and make friends”, they say. 

 

 

 

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A post shared by JVB – Joey Valence and Brae (@jvbsucks)

JVB will be kicking off the UK leg of the tour in May, giving excited fans plenty of time to enjoy the album in its extended glory. Double knot your trainers and pick out your cringiest ironic 2000s slogan T-shirt, and lose yourself and a friend in the world of ‘HYPERYOUTH‘ near you:

06/05 – Limelight – Belfast
07/05 – 3Olmypia Theatre -Dublin
09/05 – O2 Academy -Liverpool
10/05 – Barrowland Ballroom – Scotland
12/05 – Roundhouse – London

Check out https://www.jvbsucks.com/ for further tour dates and ticket availability.

And in the mean time, stream brand new ‘HYPERYOUTH: Afterparty‘ here.

 

 

 

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The original ‘I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it’ album artwork.

‘I like it when you sleep...’ has upheld itself as a 80’s-style pop  masterpiece, combining upbeat and head-bopping rhythms with profound lyricism. After the success of their self-titled album, nobody expected them to be able to produce something  as high-ranking – but this wasn’t the case for The 1975. They went on to top the charts with their critically acclaimed works ‘A Brief Enquiry Into Online Relationships’ and ‘Notes On A Conditional Form‘, both of which are regarded as their most globally successful compilations. Despite their later albums producing several iconic hits, ‘I like it when you sleep…‘ is still recognised as one of their finest works.

The album truly solidified the group’s foundation in the modern indie soundscape and moulded many other since-successful artists in their journeys to fame. Through 17 tracks, the album’s optimistic and upbeat sound duels with themes of self-reflection and self-indulgence. Matt Healy’s lyrics are honest and provocative, he alludes to addiction, fame, modern love and modern heartbreak all whilst listeners bop along to a catchy hook in the song.

Though a nod to them, the album seems to subtly mock what we know to be some of the greatest love songs and power ballads of the 80s.  There’s a challenging for honesty and truth in The 1975’s lyrics. They answer to this with popular tracks ‘The Sound’, ‘UGH!’ and ‘Love Me’ which portray conversations had about identity in fame meaning and the pressure of enduring it despite how appealing it may seem. The album spawned 7 singles total including the former, and rapidly became a commercial success. Topping the UK charts, ‘I like it when you sleep…‘ received a 2017 Grammy Award nomination and ranked #1 in Top 10 Albums of 2016 in DIY and NME, as well as sitting comfortably in a Top #10 spot in over fifteen other worldwide renowned music publications.

A look at the reissue, including a baby pink vinyl pressing and cards.

To celebrate its 10 year anniversary, Dirty Hit have released a limited edition vinyl repress of the album. Housed in a six-panel triple gatefold packaging, the special edition set features alternative album artwork, 17 exclusive 12″x12″ art cards inspired by each track, and of course two vinyls in the iconic baby pink shade. The vinyl released today and is available to order right now. Fans can listen to ‘I like it when you sleep…‘ for the very first time all over again – an endless reminisce to the height of the 2016 indie music scene.

See the track list you know and love now converted to vinyl below:

A1. The 1975
A2. Love Me
A3. Ugh!
A4. A Change of Heart
A5. She’s American
B1. If I Believe You
B2. Please Be Naked
B3. Lostmyhead
B4. The Ballad of Me and My Brain
C1. Somebody Else
C2. Loving Someone
C3. I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it
C4. The Sound
D1. This Must Be My Dream
D2. Paris
D3. Nana
D4. She Lays Down

Grab this super exclusive pressing before it’s too late! Check out the pressing and shipping information here.

This comes as great news for fans who have patiently endured a long hiatus from Joji. After his third studio album ‘Smithereens‘ (2023) received intense critical acclaim worldwide, it has been speculated that he needed to step-back from the intensity of fame to focus on his mental health. Now, with a new perspective and an audience ready to remind him of their unconditional adoration, Joji has shared he’ll be playing almost forty shows globally in celebration of his fourth studio album.

Finding initial fame online in his former internet personality Filthy Frank and comedy music career as Pink Guy, Miller’s career took off in 2017 after the success of his EP ‘In Tongues‘, a lo-fi eery introduction which introduced his new-found sound. With quick recognition, Joji signed with 88Rising and produced trip-hop triumph albums ‘Ballads 1′ (2018) and ‘Nectar‘ (2020). The two albums peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, both featuring some of his most popular hits including ‘Slow Dancing In The Dark’ and ‘Sanctuary’. Later, he would see ‘Glimpse Of Us’ peak at #8 in the Billboard Hot 100 in 2023 and become his most-played track. His journey in becoming a global star has been rapid, backed ferociously with an already-formed fanbase from his earlier years of fame. Currently estimated to have 30 million monthly listeners across streaming platforms owed to his three globally-adored albums later, he has returned from off-the-grid to introduce his next work ‘Piss In The Wind‘.

His new album released on 6th February 2026 after an anticipated five month wait when he debuted the leading single ‘Pixelated Kisses’. The sneak-peak track held up intense excitement from fans of future music and the return of Joji to the immersive and ever-changing trip-hop realm. ‘Piss In The Wind‘ has had great reception since its release, being described by critics as “potentially the most authentic Joji project to date“.

Joji is set to commence his world tour later this year, landing him in the UK in August where he will play only three of his nearly 40 announced dates. The shows will be supported by  In an Instagram made by the artist, he teases that the tour will be “all the old hits, all the new hits” as well as a “brand new setlist, brand new experience”.

Tickets aren’t on sale yet – but they will likely be fast to go. UK fans will get to experience Joji’s return to music at his shows in Dublin’s 3Arena, the Co-Op Live in Manchester, and what will surely be a spectacular event at London’s 20,000 capacity O2 Arena. His UK shows will see support from Tommy Richman, with more artists yet to be announced for UK shows and beyond.

Artist pre-sale tickets will be on sale for eager fans at 10AM local time on Wednesday 4th March. General on sale tickets will be going on sale at 10AM local time on Friday 6th March.

Joji is back on the road, don’t miss out!

Psst – signups for presale entry closes 11pm 1st March. Sign up here.

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This will be the second time Ninajirachi will be visiting the UK after having only played a few special UK/EU shows in 2025. This year, she’s spoiling fans with tour dates across major capital cities including support from Kavari and Laces.

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Tucked in her room in New South Wales with her headphones on, Ninajirachi is rebooting the scene of electronic dance music with her sixth studio album ‘I Love My Computer‘ – a tribute to a girl-ified experience of living in a digital age reminiscent of Y2k technology, treble-boosted mini speakers, and the incomparable bond of feeling like no one gets you like your computer does.

Since the album’s release in 2025, she has broken through the digital realm and – if it were 2009 – would be on the iPod touch systems of thousands worldwide. Popular tracks ‘iPod Touch’ and ‘F**k My Computer’ have seen her gain 1.2 million listeners on Spotify, the album alone accumulating 38.5 million stream across streaming platforms. She’s established herself as a force to be reckoned with in the new age of Girl-EDM.

The tour is set to start in less than a month, and the countdown has begun. Ticket sites have been raided and left bare from fans eager and waiting to log on and party with a girl who loves her computer. Known for sets that are as high-energy as they are high-volume, Ninajirachi is a digital girl inviting you to come party in a digital world.

Don’t miss her at:

• March 21st – SWG3 Glasgow, Glasgow
• March 22nd – Opium, Dublin
• March 25th – Gorilla, Manchester 
• March 26th – Concorde 2, Brighton 
• March 27th – Colour Factory, Manchester 
• March 28th – Strange Brew, Bristol 

Further details upcoming Ninajirachi shows and ticket availability can be found here.

Unreleased and without a date confirmed, the album is expected to release in as little as three months – though it seems the singer is keen to share her new sound with her fans in the mean time.

The singer announced the upcoming release of ‘White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter’ via Instagram on February 7th, and that whilst she understands the heavy demand for the album, she wanted fans to “enjoy the single first”.

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In another recent video, she talks about her getting to have a “minute to [herself] and to just enjoy one of the songs being out”, alongside a spiritual appreciation for the song’s release being on a solar eclipse and the Chinese new year of the fire horse, a clear indicator of the singer’s resonance with the album being a new beginning.

“I got a beautiful video of the solar eclipse and I started my morning with the most fiery pink and red sky, so I’m hoping to bring that energy into today, into tomorrow.”

The single released on February 17th with a self-recorded music video debuting yesterday. Written with help of her husband, sister, and brother in law, the track is a beautifully haunting fusion of Southern gothic country. The accompanying music video shows the stereotypically beautiful and romanticised “sad-girl” image of Lana through a darker, even ghostly lens – certainly alluding to a new arc in the singer’s musical aesthetic. Faithful collaborator Jack Antonoff assisted in producing this new sound, and helped to find what Lana described as “that magical chord”.

In interview with W, Lana explains the many changes made to the album since its announcement in 2024, including a name change from ‘Lasso’ then further as ‘The Right Person Will Stay’, until finally ‘Stove’ came about in August 2025. ‘Stove‘ will be the singer’s 10th studio album, and will undoubtedly endure worldwide success as did her several previous award-winning albums like ‘Norman Fucking Rockwell‘ and ‘Born to Die‘.

In the almost two years since its announcement, the album has undergone several changes and edits, including additional tracks which have contributed to its delay in release. 

Now, with new and exciting glimpses of Lana’s new era being steadily released, it seems fans can finally start to get excited about the singer’s 10th studio album.

“Stove, coming soon.” 

Both the single and music video are out now and are available on streaming platforms.